Kage Summit
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'll keep you guys posted on who the viewers think is the spy.
Asura: 1
Yukiko: 3
The Elders: 4
Sakura: 8
Sai: 2
Haku: 2
Haku's fangirl: 3
Konohamaru: 1
Akemi: 1
Michael: 1
Masa Rika: 1
Enjoy!
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
Opening my eyes, I was welcomed to brightness, a brightness that would have made me wince if I wasn't already used to it. I had entered this room so many times that I was almost thankful for the brightness. And the best thing was that I wasn't even dead this time. Nora stood in front of me looking relaxed, much better from the state I saw her in over a week ago.
"Hello Jane." Nora greets me with a smile.
I return the smile. "Nora, who's everything been?"
The smile widens. "Things have been good, Michael himself is now under trial." Nora tells me with a happy glint dancing in her eyes.
I felt myself relax. "So he won't be able to interfere." I had felt relieved when I hadn't heard from Michael for years after the whole nearly getting kidnapped but a paedophile, but then I found out why. He had got himself a champion and he definitely wasn't leaving me alone, he was just letting his champion do his dirty work. But luckily Zero wouldn't be bothering me or anyone else anymore.
"And to say Rachel isn't perusing this case with a vengeance would be a lie also." Nora says, amusement in her eyes.
My reply to her was a bigger smirk. When Rachel had found out that Michael had been using her she was pissed. She looked ready to drag him down to 'hell' where he belonged.
"Akemi-chan!"
I look around, looking for the voice but I couldn't find it anywhere. The only people that were in the room was myself and Nora, but that voice sounded familiar. I look to Nora. "Did you hear that?" I ask her with a confused look.
Nora grins. "It would seem as though you are wanted." With a click of her finger, my vision went dark.
NARUTO SHIPPDEN
"Akemi-chan! Wake up!"
I groan coming back into consciousness. I was laying in my bed with my duvet cover over my head, attempting to drown out the sound of Naruto trying and succeeding to wake me up. Last night had been a late night at the hospital and I didn't end up back here until two in the morning. To say all I wanted was to sleep was a major understatement.
"Come on Akemi-chan!" Naruto shouts again, this time it sounded closer.
"Go away Naruto-kun!" I roll over so my back was facing him, trying to get as much sleep as I could.
Naruto never replied, in fact it went silent, which was unnerving. I roll back over and peak from underneath my duvet, Naruto wasn't in my room anymore. Sighing, I felt myself relax and went to go back to sleep. Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard a scream.
"Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"
My eyes snap open just as the duvet were snatched from me, I tried to pull it back but it was no use, Naruto had made three clones and the four of them were all pulling at my duvet, trying to get it away from me, which they succeeded with. With the duvet gone, the cold hit me immediately causing me to shiver and curl up into a ball. I hear Naruto exhale roughly and a few pops, indicating that he got rid of his clones.
"Why are you so stubborn in the morning?!" Naruto exclaims at me.
"Why are you so loud?" I snap back at him, still curled into my ball.
The room fell silent again. Had I said something bad? Feeling guilty I look up to see where Naruto was, he was standing right in front of me bed looking down at the ground.
"Hey Naruto-kun-"
Naruto pounced on me, pinning me to the bed as tickled me. I screech trying to get him off me but it was no use, he had me trapped. I now fully regretted telling him and Sasuke about me being ticklish, but what I didn't tell them was that my hips were my weak point, tickle me there and I will give up immediately.
"Get up Akemi-chan!" Naruto smirks deviously as he tickled me on my neck. I crammed my neck to my shoulders, trying got get away from him but it wasn't working.
Laughing with tears running down my face, I answer him. "N-ne-ver!"
Naruto's grin became more mischievous as his hands travelled down to my hips. I screech louder and this time manage to kick him off me. Naruto landed on the ground, exclaiming as he did so. I lay on my bed, catching my breath.
"Dobe you were meant to wake her up, not the whole neighbourhood." Sasuke says, appearing at my open door. He was looking at Naruto with a blank look, but there was annoyance gleaming in his eyes.
Naruto sits up from the ground and grins sheepishly. "Sorry."
Sasuke sighs and his gaze shifts to me and he freezes, a blush appearing on his face as he looks away immediately.
Breathlessly, I sit up and stretch. Naruto had made sure that I wouldn't be getting any sleep now so I decided that it was best I get up now. I look down and see that my top was askew, Naruto had probably accidentally pulled it down in the tickle fight. I fix my top so my pink lace bra wasn't on show. It was weird, but I couldn't sleep without a bra, I had always done it even back in my old world if I remember correctly.
Sasuke reached out and dragged Naruto out of the room, making sure he didn't look in my direction. "Come on dobe." Sasuke mutters, looking at the floor.
Naruto looks confused "Why teme?!"
Sasuke ignores Naruto and continued to drag him from my room by the neck of his jacket. Sasuke closed my door behind him without another word and continued to drag Naruto down the stairs, I heard Naruto scream on the way.
Grinning at their behaviour I get up and fix my room, Naruto had messed it up when he made some clones. After going through my morning routine and getting dressed I head down stairs. Much to my relief, Itachi was in the kitchen cooking, Haku was sitting in the living room pouting. Itachi must have made him sit there with the way Haku's arms were also crossed.
"Good morning." I greet them with a smile.
Itachi sent me a side glance. "More like afternoon."
I look to the clock and he was right, it was twelve o'clock in the evening. "I didn't realise it was that late." I say.
"Naruto wanted to wake you up straight away, but we let you have a lie in." Haku tells me with a gentle smile.
That reminded me, I needed to get that jerk back for tickling me awake, a devious plan comes to mind. When I was back in my old world, my mother gave me some advice. It was to not get your revenge straight away because you could be thinking irrationally, but to wait. Think of the plan and bide your time because it's more than likely the person would have forgotten and won't realise that you've done it.
Good things comes to those who wait.
Haku's eyes light up when he remembers something. "Imouto tell him that I can cook!" Haku points to Itachi with an accusing glare.
"You can't." Itachi tell him bluntly.
Haku looks to me, waiting for me to back him up.
I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.
Itachi sees that I am struggling and comes into help. "How was the shift at the hospital?" He asks, continuing to cook.
"Yeah, how was it?" Haku asks, completing forgetting about the previous conversation.
I felt myself relax. "It was great, but exhausting." I tell them with a grin.
"Well don't push yourself too hard." Haku says to me, concern in his eyes.
I wave him off. "I'll be fine."
Looking around, I don't see Naruto or Sasuke anywhere. "Where are they by the way?" I ask Itachi, he would surely know the location of his brother. After the incident with Zero taking control of Sasuke, Itachi made sure to keep track of his younger brother. It was weird, I don't remember Sasuke being such a damsel in distress in the anime.
"Back yard, they're sparing." Itachi say. As if to confirm what he was saying, I heard Naruto and Sasuke yelling at each other from the back yard along with a few explosions and crashes.
I nod my head.
A few minutes later, Itachi plated up our lunch, but it was breakfast to me. The smell must have wafted outside because both Naruto and Sasuke came in and sat down with us. Itachi and Haku sat at each end of the table, I sat closest to Haku, Naruto sat beside me and Sasuke sat the closest to Itachi.
As we ate, Itachi spoke. "Tsunade-sama wants to see us after this."
Naruto looks up from his lunch. "What for?" Itachi had been reinstated ANBU captain after the village had been rebuilt. The Elder's seemed to put up a lot of resistance saying that he wasn't reliable and we needed someone better. But quite frankly no one really listened to them and Tsunade appointed Itachi back to his position.
Why would she need to see us though? I threw my mind back as I ate, trying to remember what happened next in the anime.
Then it clicked.
The Kage Summit.
I look to Itachi and he nods at me, he knew that I knew.
If the Kage Summit was upon us then that means the Five Kages will be going to the Land of Iron where the Samurai's reside. In the anime the Raikage called the meeting because he wanted to deal with Sasuke, who was a rogue ninja and had captured his brother, Killer B. Danzo was also appointed the Sixth Hokage and tried to manipulate Mifune, luckily though Danzo had been dealt with and was now dead. Danzo had been put into a special scroll made by Yukiko and gifted to Itachi and Sasuke for safe keeping.
In the anime, Tsunade was in a coma because of how much chakra she expressed to give to Katsuyu to heal everyone. That could have happened this time around, but luckily Yukiko was there to heal her and give Tsunade more chakra so she didn't push herself way past her limit. Tsunade was still slightly weak, it had only been eight days since the village had been rebuilt and she hadn't fully recovered yet, but at least she wasn't in a coma.
The war was coming though, with this meeting that means the Allied Forces will be made. This way we can fight against the remaining Akatsuki members: Madara, Obito, Zetsu and Kisame. Kisame was still alive for now. We hadn't been able to locate him, it's like he's in hiding. It was either that or the spy has informed him to stay low.
We still didn't know who the spy was which was infuriating. I hated that I couldn't trust people. Once the spy was found it would make everything better. Zero hadn't given us much information, other than the fact the spy was female we had nothing else.
The war was so close though.
"We'll find out when we get there." Haku says, reassuring Naruto and pulling me out of my inner monologue.
After finishing our meal, we headed out to Tsunade office. Along the way, villagers were waving at Naruto, who returned the exchange fully. Even some girls were looking at Naruto admirably which Naruto didn't seem to notice in the slightest. Some villagers tried to wave and talk to the youngest Uchiha but all they received was a glare. Girls seemed to find this attractive though and squealed.
"Looks like you have more fangirl huh?" I say to Sasuke, a grin on my face.
Sasuke grumbled.
We reached the Hokage tower and knocked on Tsunade's door. Once Tsunade gave us permission to enter, we opened the door and stepped through and closed the door behind us. Tsunade sat behind her desk, her elbows on the desk and her finger entwined, she looked serious.
Once the door was closed, Tsunade looks to us. "A Kage Summit is being called." Tsunade tells us.
Naruto eyebrows furrow. "What's that?"
Kakashi appears on the window frame and answers his student. "It is a meeting of all the Kage's to discuss matters affecting their respective countries and the world at large." Kakashi says with his perverted book still in hand.
Tsunade nods her head. "He is correct."
"There's more, isn't there?" Haku asks with a blank look. He had observed Tsunade's body language, she was tense and serious, it was a big give away that something was wrong.
Tsunade sighs deeply and closes her eyes. "There is. I have to attend the Summit with two escorts."
"Which is normal procedure." Itachi says with his usual blank look.
Tsunade opens her eyes. "But I also have to bring Uchiha Sasuke along with me." Tsunade says, watching our reactions.
Everyone looked confused and slightly shocked. Haku's eyebrows were furrowed, Itachi's eyebrow was arched, Naruto was looking incredulous, Sasuke looked impassive as always and I was biting my lip, worried of what was going to happen.
"Why me?" Sasuke asks looking confused.
I look to Tsunade. "By the Raikage's request let me guess." I say with a blank expression.
Tsunade nods her head at me with a grim look.
"This doesn't make any sense!" Naruto exclaims with a confused look.
I turn to Sasuke. "Sasuke, when you were controlled by Zero, did you capture Killer B?" I ask him. In the anime, Sasuke had been sent by Obito/Toby to go and bring in Killer B to get the Eight Tails and Sasuke thought he had been successful. What Sasuke didn't know was that in the anime Killer B had managed to get away from him without Sasuke noticing until Obito told him. However, this time around Zero also knew this, so the question is did he come up with a new plan and did Killer B managed to get away.
Sasuke nods his head. "I did yes." Regret shines in his eyes for a moment and then disappears.
"The Raikage and Killer B brothers and he will want revenge on Sasuke for capturing his brother. In what I know, Sasuke was a rogue ninja so he was anyone's to kill, but now he's a member of Konoha and not a rogue ninja." I explain to them.
Tsunade inhales deeply. "The Raikage will want me to punish him or hand him over."
"But that's not going to happen, right?" Haku asks, looking at Itachi in concern. Itachi didn't look happy in the slightest. If someone looked at Itachi, they would have thought him to be calm but it was his eyes that showed how angry he was.
Naruto interjects. "But Sasuke was under the control of that bastard, it wasn't his fault."
"But no one knows that." Kakashi points out, "only we know the real truth."
"Why don't we tell them the truth then?" I say casing everyone to look at me. "Why don't we tell them the truth about me and Zero?"
Tsunade cuts in immediately. "Because if we tell them that part of the story there could be war. They would want you Akemi." Tsunade says looking at me.
"They will think you have knowledge of everything and fight for you." Itachi says, thinking about the situation calmly.
"They could also accuse Konoha of withholding information." Haku says with some thought.
My lips curl inward. Okay so that idea was off the table, but I could see what they mean. The other Village Leaders could want me because they believe that I will know what happens and would fight for that. Knowledge is power, it's always the smartest ninja that survives. They would believe that Konoha has an unfair advantage and accuse them which could possibly cause more war. If that happens, there is no way that the Allied Forces would be made. The only other Kage that knew about me was Gaara, but I knew that I could trust him.
"It says that once there, Sasuke's fate will be decided. In a sense he will be put on trial." Tsunade informs us.
"And if found innocent?" I ask.
"Then he will be safe." Tsunade answers me.
Naruto asks with uncertainty. "And if found guilty?"
Tsunade purses her lips together before answering. "Then my hands will be tied and there will be nothing that I can do."
Silenced consumed the room. Tsunade looked grim and not too happy, she would have to fight Sasuke's corner and there was a possibility that she may not win it. The Raikage was known for his impatience and he would certainly want revenge for his brother.
"I will be leaving later today, and I will be taking Yukiko and Haku with me as my escorts." Tsunade says looking to Haku.
Haku didn't look to happy about this after hearing he would be with Yukiko. He had spent three years with the woman and his opinion of her hasn't changed in the slightest. Haku was about to protest but Tsunade sent him a warning look, her decision was final.
"Why wouldn't Itachi be going?" I ask looking at the older Uchiha.
"I am a family member of the person being accused, I would be too emotionally involved." Itachi answers me with a blank stare. He didn't look to happy about it but he hid his emotions well.
I nod my head.
Tsunade's gaze turns to Sasuke. "You will also be coming with us."
Sasuke wordlessly nods his head.
"Can we come?" Naruto asks with an innocent look.
"I don't think that's best Naruto." Haku tells him with a gentle tone.
Naruto pouts. "Why?"
Kakashi answers. "If a Tsunade has more than two escorts it will set off the other Kage's thinking that she will be trying to overpower them."
Haku interjects. "And since you're are only Chunin it could be seen as an insult, it would be saying that we are stronger in a sense."
"But it's not like we're normal Chunin really." Naruto comments, a cheeky grin on his face.
Sasuke couldn't help but scoff at that with an amused look.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
After leaving Tsunade's office, Itachi and Sasuke decided that they wanted to train together and Haku needed to make preparations for the trip so he was back at our house. Naruto and I decided to go for ramen, well more like Naruto was dragging me there.
As we passed the lake, I sigh and say. "It's too bad about Sasuke, eh?"
Naruto nods his head and sighs along with me. "Sasuke doesn't deserve this." We both thought that it wasn't Sasuke's fault, it was Zero if anyone's.
My head perked up when I felt two chakra signatures to the side of us.
"How about telling us what you know about Sasuke?" Demands a new voice, the voice sounded feminine and very hostile.
Naruto and I stop walking and we both look in the direction of the voice. There were two ninja in front of us, both from Kumogakure by their Hitaiate. One was female which I identified as Karui. Karui is a dark-skinned kunoichi with long spiky red hair and amber eyes. She is wearing a long, short-sleeved dress with frilly edges complete with the Kumogakure flak jacket, two simple yellow earrings, fishnet stockings, thigh-high boots with white soles and a forehead protector which she wears like a bandanna. She was also carrying a long sword on her back.
The second ninja which was male, I identified as Omoi. Omoi is a young, dark-skinned Kumogakure ninja with short, spiky, white hair and dark eyes accentuated with lines curving upwards from the corners. He wears a dark outfit consisting of an overlong shirt with a hood, with red bandage hand guards, Kumogakure shin guards, and a black forehead protector along with a Kumogakure flak jacket. He is also carrying a long sword on his back and has a lollipop in his mouth.
I glare at them. "And why should we tell you?" I hadn't expected them to appear, I thought we had missed them but apparently not.
Karui returns my glare. "It sounds like he's a close friend of yours that's why."
"Not like it's any of your business." I say, not looking away or giving in, I was silently challenging her.
Karui sneers and swings her sword at me. Before it could hit me, I grabbed my Sai and blocked the sword. I relax slightly, letting her come closer before sending a kick her way, but Omoi grabbed my leg. Naruto jumps forward and attacks Omoi with a kunai but misses. I push Karui back just in time as Omoi swings his sword and tries to cut me.
Naruto made his hand seals. "Kage Bushin no Jutsu!" Naruto's clones appeared in time to grab Omoi's sword so he couldn't hit me.
Karui rolled over Omoi's back with her sword in hand, trying to get to me. "Don't kill them." Omoi warns his teammates, knowing what she was like.
"I know." She says as she flips her sword over to the blunt side of the blade and was swinging towards me. Using my Sais I blocked her sword again before jumping over her and landing behind her, she looks at me with a smug look as though I had missed.
I return the smirk making her looked confused. Karui looks down and sees that I had cut some of her red hair, it wasn't much and was only a few strands. If I really wanted to hurt her then I could have easily, she left her back completely defenceless.
"You bastard!" Karui yells in anger.
"Stay on your toes dearie." I taunt her, the smirk still on my face.
I jump over her again and grab Naruto away from Omoi. I send Naruto a look which he sees, we then jump away from Omoi and Karui so they couldn't attack us freely.
"What the hell do you want?" Naruto asks them calmly. He was watching their every move in case they did decide to attack again.
Omoi answers us. "You guys were talking about Sasuke earlier, weren't you? Tell us what you know!" He demands us with a fierce look.
"And why should we?" I ask with an eyebrow arched. I knew why they were here in the anime, but the letter in Tsunade's office said that Sasuke's fate would be decided that the Five Kage meeting, so what are they doing here?
"That bastard kidnapped our master!" Karui shouts out in anger, "He could be dead for all we know!"
I and Naruto look at each other. I discreetly shake my head, telling him not to listen to them. It was a complete possibility that Killer B could be dead, but I doubt it. I have faith that he would have found a way to get out of the situation. Not even Zero can predict what Killer B would do. When Sasuke was under the control of Zero and joined the Akatsuki, Tsunade made sure that his name wouldn't appear in the Bingo Books or that he be classed as a Rogue Ninja.
Omoi points at us accusingly. "We've already received permission to eliminate him! We will have our revenge." Omoi vows, the emotion thick in his voice.
"We'll take the Uchiha down!" Karui promises, looking just as fierce as Omoi.
Naruto observes them. "And what would you want to know?"
I spare Naruto a glance.
They relax slightly, thinking that we had given in. "Tell us everything you know about Sasuke." Karui demands more calmly this time, however her sword was still raised and pointing at us. "Not just his style of Ninjutsu and powers, we want everything you've got on the Akatsuki and Sasuke's team, including the information on their pasts."
I step forward slightly. "There's just one problem with your plan."
Karui glares at me. "What?"
"The Raikage didn't sent you, did he?" I say looking at them calmly. What I was saying was a bluff, I didn't know this for certain. But going by the letter we received I would take a guess and try and see if I was right, maybe I could bluff our way out of this.
It paid off.
Both Karui and Omoi tensed at my words.
I had been right.
Naruto looks at them with suspicion. "What are you really here for?"
Karui and Omoi share a look before turning back to us. "How do you know we aren't telling the truth?" Omoi asks cautiously.
"We have just been a meeting with our Hokage informing us of the situation. Uchiha Sasuke is not to be touched because his fate will be decided at the meeting." Naruto answers them calmly.
I send them a look. "Does your Raikage even know you're here?"
"Of course he knows we're here!" Karui yells out.
"He just doesn't know you're here to get intel about Sasuke." I finish for them with a blank look.
Karui and Omoi send each other slightly guilty looks.
"You said you wanted revenge?" Naruto asks.
"Of course!" Karui exclaims.
"Well you're looking at the wrong person." I tell them with a blank look. "Sasuke was under the control of an Akatsuki member called Zero."
Omoi speaks up. "Where can we find Zero then?"
"He's already been dealt with." Naruto tells them.
Karui and Omoi didn't seem to like this, they didn't look very happy that they wouldn't be getting their revenge.
Naruto asks. "You're teacher was Killer B, the eight tails, right?"
Omoi and Karui look slightly surprised that he knew this. "Yes." Omoi replies, caution laced in his tone, it was obvious he didn't trust us.
"Then he is more than likely alive. The Akatsuki need him alive." Naruto tells them honestly.
Karui look to Omoi with slight glee in her eyes. "See! I knew he was alive!"
"There is also a possibility that he was able to get away, that he managed to escape capture." I tell them.
Omoi grins cheerfully. "I knew he wouldn't get captured so easily."
"Is that all then?" Naruto asks, looking a little cautious.
Karui and Omoi look to each other and nod, agreeing with each other. They look back to us, "Sure." Omoi says.
"But if we find out that you're lying-" Karui threaten, but I cut her off.
"If you finish that sentence I swear I will go to our Hokage and tell her about this little incident." I hiss at them, feeling my temper begin to slip.
Karui looked like she was going to argue, but Omoi grabs her shoulders, stopping her. "Thank you. Come on Karui." Omoi mutters, dragging his protesting teammate away.
Naruto and I watched them go and didn't relax until we couldn't see them. Naruto looks to me, "Can we go and get some ramen now?"
I nod my head. "I think we need it."
Naruto and I begin our journey to the ramen stand that Naruto loved so much. Just to be cautious, I checked for any chakra signatures, particularly Karui and Omoi's signatures. They weren't anywhere near us which I was thankful for, just knowing that they were farther away made me relax fully.
"Hey Akemi-chan?" Naruto says breaking me away from my thoughts.
I look to the Jinchuuriki. "Yes Naruto-kun?"
Naruto sends me an innocent look which immediately made me cautious. "What happened in the old time line?" He asks me.
I narrow my eyes at him. "Why would you want to know?"
Naruto shrugs his shoulders.
Still looking at him with a narrowed gaze, I answer his question. "You try to convince the Raikage not to kill Sasuke to which you are unsuccessful at." I say.
Naruto's eyes lit up. "That's it!"
"No." I say automatically. I knew what was happening in Naruto's mind, he was thinking he was going to convince the Raikage not to want to prosecute Sasuke.
Naruto pouts. "But why?!"
"Because it would be useless Naruto-kun!" I exclaim. "He wouldn't listen!"
A determined look crosses the Uzumaki face. "Then I'll make him listen!"
I groan and burrow my face in my hands. Why did he have to be like this?! Sometimes I wished Naruto wouldn't be so impulsive, but he wouldn't be Naruto if he wasn't. It wasn't just because it would fail though that I didn't want Naruto going, it was because Toby was going to be there. Sure, we have had run-ins with them a few times now, but that was when there was a mission involved, Toby was going to speak with Naruto and who knows what else he was going to try and do.
If we aren't careful, Toby could capture Naruto.
"Naruto-kun, if we go then there will be a high chance we bump into someone from the Akatsuki." I tell him with a serious look.
Naruto nods his head. "I understand."
I shake my head. "No, you don't understand Naruto-kun. This member isn't who he says he is and he's a lot stronger."
Naruto went silent.
I was silently hoping that Naruto would reconsider and not want to go.
"I don't care, I still want to go." Naruto says, the determination glittering in his eyes. Naruto looked to me then, a pleading look in his eyes for me to come with him.
I sigh. "Fine."
"Yes!" Naruto cheered throwing his hands in the air.
"But you're paying for the ramen." I say jogging away from Naruto when I could see the ramen stand.
"Hey!"
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
After ramen we headed back to our house and packed. Tsunade, Haku and Yukiko had already left for the Summit and I had already placed a tracker on Karui. On the way back, I and Naruto had seen them come out of Konoha Library and I took the chance to place a tracker on her. In the anime, Yamato placed seeds on the ground and Karui embedded them into her shoes, but he isn't coming so we couldn't do that.
I knew they would be leaving soon, I could tell that from the tracker I placed on Karui, but Naruto said he needed to so something first.
I looked at the clock, if we didn't make a move soon then we wouldn't be able to catch up with them and we'd risk missing the Raikage. I already had the cloak on that would protect me from the harsh weather from the Land of Iron, Naruto had his too.
"Akemi." Said a familiar voice.
I turn my head and see Itachi standing at the door, which he had opened. Both Sasuke and Itachi had keys to our house so they could come in when they pleased, it was easier than answering thr door, they practically lived here anyway.
"Hiya Itachi." I greet him with a smile.
Itachi's eyes travel to my backpack and cloak. "Where are you going?" He asks with an arched brow.
I avoid his gaze.
Itachi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're going after them, aren't you?"
"Well Naruto-kun wants to try and convince the Raikage to not convict Sasuke." I say with a guilty look, but I still avoided Itachi's gaze. I don't know why but Itachi was making me feel guilty and we hadn't even left yet.
Itachi turns around and goes to walk away.
"Where are you going?" I ask him. I hope that he wasn't going to tattle on us to stop I and Naruto from going, I don't thing I and Naruto would be able to avoid a barrage of ANBU after us.
Itachi turns his head and looks to me. "I'm coming with you."
My eye widen. "Really?!"
"Like I'd let you do something stupid and dangerous on your own." Itachi smirks slightly and walks away to go and pack.
I sigh in relief, at least we would have someone strong when we saw Toby. I wonder who would win a fight between the two.
Itachi didn't take long to pack, he was there and back within seven minutes and he too had a cloak on. "Where's Naruto?" Itachi asks reappearing in my house.
I open my mouth to answer, but someone beats me to it.
"I'm back!" Naruto announces loudly. He sees Itachi and freezes slightly looking apprehensive. He had thought that same as me, that Itachi would stop us.
"He's coming with us." I say to Naruto to reassure him.
Itachi nods his head, confirming what I had said.
Naruto relaxes. "That's great! Someone else is also coming too."
I look at Naruto confused. "Who?"
"Yo." Says a voice from the window.
Turning my head I see Kakashi with a backpack and a cloak too.
Itachi looks to the clock in the house. "We better get going anyway."
Now that we were all ready, we set off to the Land of Iron.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
Night had fallen by the time we reached the Land of Iron, and let me tell you it was bloody freezing. The cloak kept me warm, but I could still feel the chill of the snow, my face in particular had taken a beating from the harsh weather, my nose was bright bed and my eyes were watering. Its official, I hated the cold. I hated it when Yukiko brought me and Haku to the Land of the Snow, neither of them seemed bothered by the snow which I envied.
I checked the tracker I put in Karui, "They should be coming across the Raikage soon." I say to Naruto.
Naruto nods his head, determination shining in his eyes.
"Remember to be careful not to anger the Raikage." Kakashi warn.
"It could make Sasuke's situation worse." Itachi says looking at the road ahead.
No one said anything more because we could see them up a head.
The first person I could see was the Raikage. He has dark skin with a large muscular build, blonde hair combed back, a small moustache and goatee. His face has pronounced cheekbones and tear troughs under his eyes, and a prominent crease across his forehead. He has pointed canines and his top lip also has a darker hue than the bottom one. He was wearing a white haori without a shirt underneath and the Raikage hat attached to his belt. He has black Fūma Shuriken tattoos on both shoulders and originally wore large, golden vambraces on his wrists. He also wears a gold belt around his waist with a boar's face engraved in the centre, black pants with torn ends, Kumo-nin shin guards, and shinobi sandals.
The second person I looked at was Darui, one of the Raikage's escorts. He is fairly tall, dark-skinned man with a slightly bulbous nose, black eyes and shaggy, white hair which covers his left eye. He wears a high-collared, sleeveless uniform with loose fitting pants, bandages on his wrists and the one-strap-over-one-shoulder flak jacket of a Kumogakure shinobi. He carries a broad, foldable, cleaver-like sword, strapped to his back.
My attention was drawn to C, C is a young man with short, blond hair and dark eyes. He wears a sleeveless, black shirt with a one-strap-over-one-shoulder white flak jacket, black forehead protector, characteristic black, elbow-length arm-guards, and the red and white Kumogakure shin-guards along with a pair of sandals.
I could see Karui and Omoi along with another girl who I identified as Samui. Samui is a fair-skinned woman of tall stature and with a curvaceous figure. She has blue eyes and straight, blonde hair framing her face cut in an asymmetrical bob style with the front bangs reaching her shoulders. She wears a very low-cut outfit which displays her sizeable cleavage, with mesh armour underneath, a short skirt and red hand guards, high boots, and what appears to be a modified Kumogakure flak jacket that covers her stomach only, similar to a girdle. She also has a tantō strapped horizontally to her lower back.
"What the hell are you doing here you idiots?!" Karui shouts at us.
"And how did you find us?" Omoi asked with a more cautious look.
C looks to Karui. "A tracker has been placed on you, how didn't you notice?"
Karui flushes in embarrassment but holds her head up.
The Raikage looks at Kakashi. "The Copy Ninja, what are you doing here? Are you here on the orders of the Hokage?" His voice was rough and sounded like he had swallowed a cup of gravel.
Kakashi places a hand over his heart and answers. "No, we've come here to ask you a favour. My student, Uzumaki Naruto would like to ask you something, Raikage."
"Uzumaki Naruto?" The Raikage repeats.
"Please allow him of just a moment of your time." Itachi says.
The Raikage looks to Itachi and glares at him, he recognised Itachi as an ex-member of the Akatsuki. When he had heard a rumour that one of them had defected, he was suspicious and didn't believe it. But it seemed as though the rumour was true.
"Don't you think that's a bit rude?" C says. "We didn't receive any word in advance, and now you're asking us this on the way to the summit?"
I jump in. "I could say it was rude Omoi and Karui coming into our Village and then demanding information on Sasuke when he was to be left alone." I say, sending a challenging look to C.
Samui sends a scolding look to both Omoi and Karui.
"Enough." The Raikage says "You. The brat over there. Speak."
Naruto takes a step forward, gaining everyone's attention. "I want you to change your mind about prosecuting Uchiha Sasuke." Naruto says, a pleading look in his eyes.
The Raikage stares at Naruto for a moment. "Speak quickly."
Naruto nods his head. "I just wanted to ask if you would please stop the charge against Sasuke."
"What?!" Karui and Omoi shout together. Cee and Darui looked slightly as to confused and impressed at his audacity to actually ask the Raikage.
"Kid's got balls." Darui comments.
C shakes his head. "What is he talking about?"
"I know it's a ridiculous request, but that's the only way I know who to say it!" Naruto exclaims. "Sasuke is our friend which is why I can't just sit back waiting while my friend could possibly be killed. Not just that, but I don't want to see people oh Konoha and Kumo kill each other over Sasuke. I don't want you or your friends to be devoured by revenge."
The Raikage begins to walk, not interested in what Naruto has to say. Naruto jumps in front of him. "Please, I'm asking you to please drop it." Naruto exclaims.
The Raikage walks around Naruto, not looking at him.
Naruto jumps in front again and this time falls to his knees. "Please! I don't want people to die over revenge!"
"Naruto-kun." I mumble look at him.
The Raikage looks at Naruto on the ground and walks past him again.
"I don't want people to kill each other!" Naruto yells, tears gathering in his eyes.
The Raikage stops. "I will continue to prosecute Sasuke!" He shouts. "Then you guys can stop the hatred."
Itachi tensed at his words and I was holding him back. My hand was attached to his wrist so he couldn't run at the Raikage.
Karui scoffs. "Is he stupid?"
"We're in a hurry." C says. "That's enough."
"Right now, this young shinobi is bowing his head, as awkward as it seems, with affection for both Kumo and Konoha; a foreign nation and his own village. Raikage-sama, as a member of the Five Kages, how do you take this? How do you see it?" Kakashi asks, not too impressed with the Raikage just brushing off his student. He knew it had been a long shot by even asking him, but this was just plain rude.
The Raikage stops and turns to look at the back of the bowed Naruto. "Shinobi do not bow their heads for others so easily! Shinobi are respected for action and power. To concede in agreements made between shinobi is taboo! The history of man is history of war. After three Great Ninja Wars, every nation and village had made it their goal to obtain powerful Ninjutsu! Those who lack power will be trampled on. That's the truth about the shinobi world. The shinobi world is not for those who make such weak and foolish choices." He says before continuing to walk.
I clench my fist at his attitude but I felt myself back. Itachi was actually the one holding me back but I was trying. Itachi had his hands on my shoulder, willing me not to move from my place.
Naruto stays bowing on the ground until the Raikage disappears along with his escorts. As soon as he was gone, I went over to Naruto and picked him up, brushing the freezing cold snow off him.
"I couldn't help." Naruto mumbled, a hallow look in his eyes.
I shake my head. "There is nothing that we can done, just hope that Tsunade can convince them that he is innocent."
"Come on, there's a hotel nearby, we can stay there for the night." Itachi says, leading in the direction of the hotel.
I look to where the Raikage and their group was travelling. Karui, Omoi and Samui were headed a different way than the Raikage. However, the Raikage turns his head and looks back at us, and I send a glare his way.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
The Kage's sat in a room. A white long white banner with their individual village symbol written on it, the banner reached the floor behind their assigned seats. The table was in the shape of a horse shoe and in the gap was a little table where Mifune, the mediator sits. Mifune has long, grey hair, which almost reaches down to his waist, with bandages wrapped around his head. He has black eyes with distinct wrinkles underneath them, a grey goatee and moustache. Mifune is wearing a simple purple kimono-like outfit and sandals.
On Mifune's right sat the Raikage, Ay. Beside him was Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
Ōnoki is a very short, old man with a triangular beard and a moustache that has angular corners, a big red nose and thick eyebrows. The top of his head is completely bald, although, he has long white hair on the lower-half of his head which is styled in a traditional chonmage haircut, the back of which is tied with a yellow ribbon into a topknot. Ōnoki wears a green and yellow coat with a red collar. Underneath he wears the traditional Iwagakure outfit consistent of a light green version of Iwagakure's flak jacket and mesh armour. He however has both his sleeves of his shirt, but kept the single lapel on his right side. Along with this, he wears sandals.
On Ōnoki's side was Tsunade and next to Tsunade was Gaara.
The last Kage was the Mizukage, Mei.
Mei is a tall, slender woman in her thirties. She has green eyes, and ankle-length, brown hair styled into a herringbone pattern at the back, a top-knot tied with a dark blue band, and with four bangs at the front. Two bangs are short, with one covering her right eye, and two are long, crossing each other on her bust, just below her chin. She wears a long-sleeved, dark blue dress that falls just below the knees. It seems to be closed at the front with a zipper, and is kept open on the front-right side from the waist down. The dress only covers up to the upper part of her arms and the underside of her breasts. Underneath, she wears a mesh armour that covers slightly more of her upper body than her dress. She also wears a skirt in the same colour as her dress and, underneath those, mesh leggings reaching down over her knees. Around her waist, she wears a belt with a pouch attached to the back on the left along with high-heeled sandals and shin-guards reaching up over her knees, dark blue polish on her fingers and toes, and is usually shown with purple lipstick.
"Please, place your hats on the table." Mifune says, beginning the Summit.
Everyone did as they were asked.
The room went dark and individual spot lights came on to light up the room.
"The Five Kage have been assembled due to the Raikage-dono's request." Mifune says, "I am Mifune, your moderator. The Five Kage Summit will now commence!"
Gaara, who had his elbows leaning on the table starts. "I shall start, so listen." Gaara says.
Ōnoki pipes up. "Looks like there's been quite a change to the Five Kage's recently. To become a Kage at your age is quite an impressive feat, Kazekage-dono. It looks like your father taught you well, although it looks like he left out some important lessons in manners." There was an almost mocking look in his eyes, like he was looking down at Gaara.
"Sure." Gaara says with an apathetic look. "That's why I'm here as Kage."
Ōnoki's eyebrow twitches.
Mei jumps in. "Tsuchikage-sama, please don't interrupt." Mei looks to Gaara. "Kazekage, please continue."
"I am a former Jinchuuriki." Gaara says, "The Akatsuki captured my Bijuu and nearly killed me. This is why I consider the Akatsuki to be an increasing threat. I requested aid from the Five Kage's several times, but was repeatedly denied. Except by the previous Hokage." Gaara spares a glance to Tsunade, who returns it. "In a time when various counties have had their Jinchuuriki stolen, the response of this group has been far too slow."
Ōnoki laughs mockingly. "For a Hidden Village of one of the Five Great Nations to reveal that their Jinchuuriki has been stolen is humiliating."
Tsunade arches an eyebrow. "And where is yours then?"
Ōnoki sends her a glare but continues on anyway. "To ask another country for help when this happens is unheard of."
"Decency, honour." Gaara says. "What a useless old-fashioned way of thinking."
Ōnoki sends Gaara a look.
"Old fashioned or nor, as the Mizukage, I will have to admit that we've indeed fallen behind on the issue." Mei says. "However, just because we have been robbed of our Bijuu doesn't mean we must give into ourselves to fear so readily. It takes great skill and wisdom to control a Bijuu, not to mention time."
"The Jinchuuriki and the Bijuu must grow together to adapt to one another." Ōnoki says, "Even then, controlling them is difficult. It can't happen overnight. Isn't that right, Kazekage-dono?" Ōnoki asks with a fake friendly smile.
Gaara looks at him with a blank look.
Ay, raises his fist and slams it onto the table, smashing the top layer. "Enough with this bullshit!" Ay shouts standing up.
His reaction caused everyone else to react. The escorts behind the banners all jumped out to defend their Kage. Haku stood in front of Tsunade while Yukiko stood behind her, making sure no one got Tsunade at the back.
The lights were immediately back on.
Mifune looked at them all and sighed quietly. "We are here to talk. Please resist resorting to such ride behaviour."
"Haku, Yukiko, stand down." Tsunade orders them.
Haku nods his head. "Understood." He and Yukiko jumped back behind the banners and so did everyone else's escorts when their Kage's told them to.
Ay removed his lodged arm from the desk and sits back down with his arms crossed.
The lights dimmed again and the spotlights came back on. "Let us continue where we left off." Mifune says.
Ay begins, "Konoha, Iwa, Suna and Kiri. Akatsuki is comprised of Missing Ninja from your villages."
"That's where you are wrong." Tsunade says, jumping in.
Ay sends her and annoyed look. "What?"
"There was a recent member in the Akatsuki called Zero, he was from your Village." Tsunade points out. Just before Akemi had sealed Zero away, Tsunade had taken notice to his Hitaiate. His Hitaiate clearly stated he was from Kumogakure.
Ay didn't look to happy about this information but continues with what he was saying nonetheless. "We have discovered there are some among you, including your previous Kage that used the Akatsuki for their own benefit!" Ay looked in Gaara's direction as he said this.
Gaara raises his head. "Used them?"
"I don't trust any of you!" Ay states as he continues his rant. "I didn't come here to talk. I called you all here to question the depth of your loyalty."
Tsunade looks to him. "That's very serious. But I must say, how can we trust you? You didn't even know one of your own Village members was in the Akatsuki."
"What do you mean used the Akatsuki?" Gaara cuts in.
Ay looks to him. "So they haven't even told their current Kazekage? Go ask your Village Elders! Your Village used the Akatsuki in the last war!"
Ōnoki leans back in his seat. "At the moment, our nations are experiencing some sense of stability. Instead of expanding their militaries, we are disarming them. The threat of war diminishes as tensions ease between the nations. As a result, the Hidden Villages, the military forces of their nations, will be seen as costly and unnecessary. With that said, carelessly reducing the strength of the Village has its risks as well. What if war suddenly erupted? It would be a real problem for them to reply on shinobi with no real battle experience. They would lose the war!"
"So one way to avoid that risk was to use a group of mercenaries." Gaara says. "Like the Akatsuki, right?"
Ōnoki nods his head. "Training talented shinobi from your own village requires time and money. Akatsuki's members, who live for war, are professionals always ready to fight. They'll go to war for a low price. And above all, they'll deliver the best results possible."
"Get real Tsuchikage!" Ay shouts.
Ōnoki sniggers.
"Suna used the Akatsuki in the destruction of Konoha, Orochimaru. It was because of him that your father, the Fourth Kazekage and the Third Hokage are dead!" Ay shouts.
"Orochimaru was an ex-member at that point. He also slipped past without anyone knowing." Tsunade points out, defending Gaara and his village. They had already paid back what they did and suffered the consequences.
Ay says turns his attention to Mei. "Still, Kirigakure is the most suspicious of the lot! You never use diplomacy. There are rumours that the Akatsuki was formed in your village!"
Mei looks to the table in slight shame before looking up. "I will tell the truth since we have come this far. There were suspicions that my predecessor, the Fourth Mizukage, was being controlled by someone. It's possible to think it was the Akatsuki. That's why we tried to keep such information from spreading."
Ay didn't look too happy. "All of you are…"
"Hold your tongue, Raikage." Ōnoki snips at him. "Because of your village ignoring rules of disarming and continued to amass military strength and Ninjutsu. Others had to compensate by relying on the Akatsuki."
Tsunade leans back in her chair. "And let's not forget the fact your village ninja attacked the Hyuuga's and then demanded for their body to gain the Byakugan. I say you are just as untrustworthy."
Ay stands up and shouts. "What did you say?!"
Tsunade doesn't spare him a second glance. "You heard."
Ay growls at her.
"However, there is something I think you all should know." Tsunade announces.
Ay still looking annoyed said. "What?"
"I believe that the leader of the Akatsuki is Uchiha Madara." Tsunade says. She didn't think this, she knew this. However, she couldn't just outright say this because then they would be demanding answers, answers that would be hard to give out.
"Are you certain of that?" Mei asks with a shocked look.
Gaara looks to Tsunade. "Hasn't he been dead for several decades?"
Ōnoki adds in. "That's right. He should be long dead by now." He looked nervous, he knew how deadly Madara had been and knew that he would be the same.
"I wish it were so." Tsunade sighs deeply, "But he was brought back with the forbidden resurrection jutsu."
"And where did you get this information from?" Ay demands.
Tsunade looks at him, "An ex-member of the Akatsuki has joined our ranks once more. He has proven himself useful by giving us insider information." Tsunade couldn't mention anything about Akemi, if any of them even suspected Akemi then there would be big trouble. The best excuse that she could give was that Itachi had passed on information and that they believed it.
Mifune cleared his throat. "As a representative of the neutral nations, I would like to say something."
Everyone turns to him, giving him their full attention.
"The Akatsuki's leader reads the flow of time. He utilised the suspicions the nations had for each other in times of peace to strengthen himself." Mifune says.
Ay cuts in. "What are you saying?"
"Have some patience." Mifune lightly scolds, hiding his annoyance. "I'm saying we should turn calamity into fortune. It has been many years since the Five Kage's assembled like this. Until the Akatsuki is dealt with, what do you say about forming the world's first Allied Shinobi Forces of the Hidden Villages?"
"Allied Forces?" Ay repeats.
Tsunade nods her head. "I like the idea. The Akatsuki need to be dealt with before anymore chaos occurs."
Gaara also nods his head. "It would be good."
Mei smiles. "I agree."
Ōnoki looked intrigued by this notion. "Why not? Let's give it a go."
"Next, we should specify a chain of command." Mifune says. "We must avoid confusion at all costs."
Ōnoki speaks up. "So, who will be put in charge of the Allied Forces?"
"Letting you all make that decision would only lead to more conflict. Therefore, please respect the stance of the neutral nations and let me decide." Mifune says. "I will decide which one of you five is the most qualified."
Everyone was silent, waiting for Mifune to make his decision.
"As of now, Konoha is the only Village with a Jinchuuriki, the Kyuubi." Mifune says. "It will be essential for us to know who to guide it. What do you say if I gave the title Commander of the Allied Forces to the Hokage?"
Everyone looks up at this decision.
"What?!" Ay shouts out and standing up. "Why?!"
Mifune looks to him and then the broken table. "I didn't pick you because of your impatience. I didn't pick the Tsuchikage because people may think that he is too old to lead. I didn't pick the Kazekage because people may think he is too young to lead. Lastly, I didn't pick the Mizukage because even she admitted that there was corruption in her Village and that cannot be trusted."
Mifune looks to Tsunade. "I have also picked the Hokage because I have been informed that your Village has been hunting down the Akatsuki, am I correct?"
Tsunade nods her head. "That is correct."
"What?!" Ay shouts.
Mei looks to Tsunade. "How is that possible?"
"With an ex-member joining our ranks, he managed to give us information about their weakness and how to exploit them." Tsunade tells them, slightly lying.
"And you never thought to share this with us?" Ōnoki questions.
Tsunade spares him a glance. "No one besides the Kazekage has asked for our help. If you had, I would have gladly passed on this information to you." Tsunade smiles at him. She didn't mind being the leader, but now it meant more work. Of course, Tsunade didn't mention the fact that there was actually a spy in her Village otherwise that would make the other Kage's doubt her.
"I would be honoured to be named the leader." Tsunade says, bowing her head to Mifune.
Mifune nods his head. "Now, shall we get to the next order of business?"
Everyone nods their heads.
"Bring in Uchiha Sasuke." Mifune announces.