Chapter 5-Shifting Tides
Terumi Me was a beautiful woman. She had a flawless body, flowing red hair, legs that when exposed could turn heads almost all the way around until they went "snap!", and a well developed chest that made men drool before their girlfriends or wives smashed them over the head with a frying pan. She was also the Mizukage of the Mist village and had a way of scaring her own subordinates if they did something stupid. While the male Kages of the five Shinobi villages would give a stern scolding to their subordinates, Mei found that giving them sweet sickly threats of being killed by her own hands were much more effective, and the fact she could back it up without any hesitation helped too. Many male Kages in the past would scold one moment, then brush off the whole incident hours later with the whole "boys will be boys" motto coming to mind, but Mei wasn't one to embrace that philology in the slightest, and didn't play favorites with either gender.
You messed up big time? Terumi Mei would mess YOU up big time...and then kill you in a very painful manner.
Sadly, the downside of this act, and being the Mizukage of Mist prevented any potential male suitors to approach her for courting. It was silently whispered among her Shinobi that she REALLY needed to find herself a man to settle down and have kids that would no doubt inherit the red haired woman's nature.
'If only a man would come through that door and bravely wish to date me. The price of being so strong and beautiful,' thought Mei to herself while wishing for a strong fearless man of a warrior to step through those doors, sweep her off her feet, and take the female Kage to his home to ravish her form repeatedly.
Sadly one had yet to do that. Oh well. A woman can dream.
"Mizukage-sama?" came the voice of her aid and best sensor Shinobi by the name of Ao.
"Yes Ao?" asked Mei while trying to be civil with him since she suspected it was his fault the Shinobi whispered to each other about her needing a man.
"There is someone here to see you Mizukage-sama. He claims to be Uzumaki Naruto formerly of Konoha," answered Ao while sticking his head through the door and seeing the red haired woman looking very surprised.
"Uzumaki Naruto? Here! Send him in you baka! Do it now or I'll kill you!" exclaimed Mei while quickly checking herself over to ensure she looked like the stunning woman every man knew she was when they saw her form.
While Mei would never consider herself a cradle robber, the red haired woman knew a young, handsome, strong, and competent man when she saw one. The Bingo Book had been updated a few days ago of a picture showing what Uzumaki Naruto looked like now compared to the picture Konoha had released shortly after the boy's departure. Not that she could blame him for leaving since he had been put through Hell all his life and wanted to be free from their machinations before they destroyed him. Self preservation was a wonderful thing at times and there was no shame in it when the life you lived leading up to it was crappy. As for Naruto himself, the female Mizukage nearly had drool coming out of her mouth at the sight of the updated picture, and knew this child was no longer a child in the slightest. He was taller, stronger, and wasn't afraid of doing battle with those that crossed his path with the purpose of using him for their own ends.
He was perfect! All Mei had to do was play the happy host, show a little skin, speak in a way that made Bees think honey was a weak substitute, and Naruto would be her man by the end of the day.
"I hope we're not intruding at an important time Mizukage-sama," came the deep strong voice that was Uzumaki Naruto, as the man walked in with Ao, who was now sweating nervously, and for good reason to given the female companion with the blonde.
"Of course not. I'm actually surprised you came to see me given your status as a Missing Nin of Konoha. I hope my Shinobi didn't give you too much trouble when coming here," replied Mei sweetly at him while ignoring the green haired girl clearly around Naruto's age and the tick mark she wanted to sport while sending a quick glare to Ao for letting this young harlot into her office.
"They were civil. Though they were understandably hostile at first, I only disabled them with a few broken bones before your assistant here came with more of your forces, and tried to calm things down. Very level headed. A credit to your forces," explained Naruto with Ao clearly happy at the praise and saw Mei give him one too.
A very rare thing to get from the Mizukage even with a guest the woman actually wanted in her office.
"Yes. I take it the girl next to you is the Taki Jinchuriki? The one called Fu I believe?" asked Mei while giving the girl a smile while Fu herself scowled slightly at being term "girl" like she was some little ten year old.
"With respect Mizukage-sama, I am not a girl, but a woman just like you though I do consider myself to a much younger woman than yourself," replied Fu with Mei now sporting a slight tick mark and Ao was getting perspiring with nervousness.
No matter what happened in this room now...Ao knew he was going to feel the brunt of it later.
"I will remember that before you leave my office to look for the nearest toy shop the little toddlers around here like to visit," Mei shot back and you could see the lightning these two women were shooting at each other.
"Thank you for the kind thought on your part Mizukage-sama. I'm quite sure that the retirement home for old people that you intend to visit within the Month is lovely this time of year," Fu shot back and saw Mei's eyes narrow dangerously while she still had a smile on her face.
Ao looked ready to leap out the window with a hint of peeing himself.
"Enough! Fu, you shouldn't insult our host here since we are on business, and insulting a beautiful woman by calling her old is not wise in building future relations," said Naruto, as he decided to step in before things got nasty, and by nasty he meant full blown female cat fat between two Kage level kunoichi.
They'd turn Mist into a crater...IF he was lucky.
However, what Naruto didn't know was that Mei had blocked out most of his words he had just said to Fu, and focused on certain key words that pertained to herself. Words that she had had taken out of context, which happened from time to time while hearing only hearing the words "beautiful woman", and of course "future relations". It made Mei gush at being called a beautiful woman and her own little interpretation of his choice of words in connection to their "future relations" now spiraling into the erotic nature of what that might entail.
"Sorry Naruto-sama," said Fu apologetically though he could tell she only meant to some degree.
'He called me beautiful and wants to have future relations with me. My dream man has arrived and my wish has come true' thought Mei to herself while picturing the two of them getting married, having kids, and this green haired hussy being their servant while wearing a sign saying "Property of Terumi Mei" over herself with a shock collar on her neck that would zap the harlot if she even thought of looking at the red haired woman's husband in an erotic manner.
"Mizukage-sama! You're daydreaming again," whispered Ao, who had decided to stand beside Mei, and prevent the woman from completely embarrassing herself in front of the two Jinchuriki.
And taking it out on him after this meeting was over.
"What? Oh yes! Thank you Ao. Sorry about that. I was just distracted by something. Now what is this business you wish to discuss with me Uzumaki-sama?" asked Mei while she focused on the task at hand and decided to hold off on the plan of seducing the warrior in front of her for a later time.
Without the green haired harlot beside him ruining any of her attempts.
"Yes. As you might already know, there is an organization named the Akatsuki, which is made up of S-Class Missing Nin, and they are hunting down Jinchuriki. I was wondering what your official stand was regarding them and Jinchuriki in general considering...well you late predecessor was one of us," explained Naruto with Mei nodding and yet didn't frown at the mention of the previous Mizukage.
"I understand. The truth is I hold no ill will towards Jinchuriki or Yagura himself despite what happened under his rule. In fact, I've found evidence that Yagura was not the cruel man everyone made him out to be, as he was in fact manipulated by an outside force," explained Mei before opening a draw in her desk and took out a small book before she handed it to Naruto.
"A journal?" asked Naruto with Mei nodding.
"In Yagura's own handwriting. He wrote in this during his time as Mizukage and kept it well hidden in this desk in a way only his successor would notice where the item was kept. Read a few pages and you'll see for yourself," explained Mei while Naruto opened the book and began to read its contents.
P. 13
The man in the orange mask appeared behind me yesterday. How he got into my office undetected I don't know, but I was unable to do anything, and my Biju did nothing. The man's one seeable eye was that of the Sharingan and I could feel my mind being twisted to his desires. Manipulate things so bloodline users are seen as horrible inhuman beings that deserved to die. That they were unnatural with their abilities and should be hated like most villages hate Jinchuriki. So I manipulated events as he saw fit, spreading the propaganda, and watching the hate grow throughout my village. Eventually the hate will spread throughout the country and no one will be safe from this action with my name being the one people say when they talk about how this all happened.
P. 30
The masked man came back again, his Sharingan Eye once more spinning with his sick and twisted desires at the forefront of everything. He wants me to stir up trouble and weaken Mist with more atrocities that will cause a rebellion to keep me busy. This will weaken Mist to the point where it will take years to fully recover even with a competent Mizukage capable of replacing me. My Biju can do nothing for he too is under the man's control and hates everything like am forced to hate others right now. It pains me to see the Biju inside my body become something against his will just as it pains me to see my actions in life without any control over it.
P. 50
The masked man hasn't come by this time and I feel the influence around me weakening, but I know its only a matter of time before he reappears and this maybe my last journal entry before his hold on me is complete. I've been writing in this as much a possible when the power of the Sharingan Eye's influence on me is weak enough to gain some control over my body.
I've documented all I can about my enemy, who is the enemy of the world, and all that live within it. The man claims to be Uchiha Madara and he hates the world with a passion. This man was denied being Hokage after losing to the Shodaime Hokage at the Valley of the End and somehow cheated death during their battle. Whether this man is Uchiha Madara remains to be seen for I can only see his one Sharingan Eye and nothing else. Just an orange swirling based mask.
He hates Konoha for denying him what he feels is his right to have and won't stand for anyone being higher in a position of power other then himself. It doesn't matter if you are a Daimyo, Kage, the Shinigami, or even Kami himself. If you outrank him in any shape or form...he will seek to destroy you. I don't know what his purpose is for Jinchuriki, but he has gloated several times in my presence about how we will be used to give him ultimate power, and fulfill his dreams of being a God amongst all. How he can do that I have no idea, but the Biju with myself, and all the Jinchuriki are the key to his plan.
My successor, I do not know if you will find this, or in time to read what is in this book which is most likely what is left of my soul forged in the writings of these pages. I don't know if the Uchiha will find this book, but by chance this documentation of my time trapped within a prison of my own mind, I beg of you to fight this man with all that you are, and do not let him win.
To do so will only bring about something worse then even death itself.
Enslavement.
"Uchiha Madara," said Naruto to himself while Kyuubi howled in rage within him.
"That man! That man was there the night your Mother gave birth! Its through his actions that I went on a rampage and attacked Konoha!" exclaimed Kyuubi while seething with intense rage in his heart at the man that dared call him a weapon and pet to his face when they met all those years ago before the fight with the Senju Clan Head.
"So the enemy has a face. Well...a masked face, but a face nonetheless. And one we can work with for now," said Naruto with Mei nodding.
"While I find it hard to believe this man Yagura described is Uchiha Madara, it can't be ruled out since the Sharingan is shrouded in secrecy, and rumored mutations. Madara had THE most advanced Sharingan of the entire Uchiha Clan. It was said he was the only one capable of using the Doujutsu connected to the Sharingan to its maximum potential. The fact he wears a mask now might indicate some horrible scar on his face or burn that could not be healed," explained Mei with Naruto nodding since that would explain the mask.
"In any case, this proves the Akatsuki are connected to him, and more then likely he is the leader of the group," replied Naruto since Madara's ego would never allow it.
"That's what I believe too, but even with Yagura's journal, it would be difficult to prove since many would speculate his writing was that of a deranged Jinchuriki, who went mad once put in a position of power, and wanted to make an excuse for his actions in Mist," said Mei and Naruto could see her point since many would question the legitimacy of this journal given what horrors her predecessor commanded of his troops.
"We need to gather more evidence then. Since its members are after me, I can obtain it if I capture one alive, and confirm the names of the other members," explained Naruto with Mei nodding since the Akatsuki's highest members would know one another and get one of them for information would further confirm a "who's who" among its ranks.
"Anyone you know that should be considered a target of such a plan?" asked Mei with Naruto smirking at her and the Mizukage had to fight back the blush that was rising up.
That smirk alone was so damn sexy!
"Two of them. They tried to nab me years ago when I went on the mission with Jiraiya of the Sannin to find Senju Tsunade of the Sannin so she could become the new Hokage of Konoha. Their names are Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame," explained Naruto with Mei's eyes going wide at his chosen targets.
"Kisame is a former Seven Swordsmen of the Mist and Uchiha Itachi is known for what he did to his own clan years ago!" exclaimed Mei since those two individually were very powerful, but together they were practically unbeatable!
"I know. No doubt they are still trying to find me right now at the behest of their shared Master. I'm just about ready to take the fight to them," explained Naruto while Mei now looking at him with a calculating gaze before she smiled as if to see whether his words were true or not.
"I believe you are ready. Though Fu here might need something of edge against them for when the time comes to for her to fight," replied Mei while Fu looked a little upset by her words, but the Mizukage wasn't intent on hurting the girl's feeling, and just stating a fact.
"What did you have in mind?" asked Naruto curiously.
"I have heard some rumors during the fighting against Yagura of a legendary weapons smith living deep in the forest region of Water Country. Its also rumored that the man is an Uzumaki himself, who may have been around during the time of the founding of the major Shinobi villages, and made some very powerful weapons. I've had some of my best scouts and sensors look for him during that time, but they couldn't find out where he was located, and I had to call off the search. They did have a general idea of where he was located, but if the old man IS an Uzumaki like I suspect, there are seals in place that are somehow blind my Shinobi, and given how you are an Uzumaki...," explained Mei with Naruto smirking at her once more and had to fight the sigh of happiness that threatened to come out of her.
"I should be able to flush him out to the point where we can at least talk," finished Naruto for Mei and the woman just nodded dumbly at him.
"Mizukage-sama," whispered Ao to snap the red haired beauty out of her day dreaming.
"Yes! I mean-uh yes you should be able to reach him. Hopefully, he will help Fu here, and maybe provide weapons for the other Jinchuriki too. Yagura himself had a weapon made that was suppose to be similar to weapon made by the weapons smith, but its a cheap knockoff when compared to something the old Uzumaki made," explained Mei and Naruto nodded knowing anything an Uzumaki did made everything else look like crap.
"What's the name of this supposed Uzumaki?" asked Naruto since he would need a name to go with that man.
"Its Muramasa. Uzumaki Muramasa. And for the record, you can count on Mist to help you when the time is right to combat the Akatsuki, and any other endeavors that prove beneficial for the village," answered Mei before Naruto got out of the chair, took her hand, and kissed it like a gentleman.
"Thank you for your assistance Mizukage-sama. It has been a pleasure talking to such a beautiful such as yourself. The rumors of your beauty do not do you justice and those that spoke such weak words describing it should be killed," replied Naruto with Mei's face now matching the color of her hair.
"Oh I'm sure you say that to all the beautiful women sitting in a Kage's chair," replied Mei bashfully while Ao was sending a death glare to Naruto knowing that if the woman didn't leave this office in a happy mood she would unleash her fury on the only remaining person aside herself.
And that other person's name would be Ao.
"No. You would be the first female Kage I have every called beautiful. The only other Kage to be a woman is Tsunade and she's an old hag. Not like you my red haired hime," said Naruto while Fu was giving him a "I can't believe you!" look since the blonde had been this way with Koyuki too before they left Spring Country.
Still, Fu did get an autograph from the woman before leaving so she could let it slide with the Spring Daimyo. But this Mizukage hussy? No! No! Hell no!
"Oh Naruto-kun! You are such a flatterer," said Mei while Naruto just smiled at her.
"I aim to please. I hope to visit you when time allows. Until that day Mei-chan," Naruto said before walking out of the room with Fu right behind him with that dagger shooting look in her eyes.
"Interesting meeting. Wouldn't you say Mizukage-sama?" asked Ao with Mei nodding happily while she let out a small giggle before turning to face him.
"Ao-san," replied Mei while letting out a sigh filled with happiness.
"Yes Mizukage-sama?" asked Ao before the woman looked at him right in the eyes.
"Please leave my office so I can be alone to gather my thoughts...before I kill you," was the reply of Terumi Mei with her sweet and happy voice yet their was a tone to it that Ao knew all too well with the hidden tone behind her words.
"Yes Mizukage-sama," replied Ao quickly before leaping out the open window.
"Now if only I could get him to use the door instead of the window. Oh well. Maybe Naruto-kun can teach him something after we're married," Mei said to herself while she pictured the wedding, followed by the honeymoon, and finally the children she would bring into the world.
And of course having Ao watch over the little hell raisers she knew they would be while picturing the children giving the man the same threats of killing him if they didn't get their way.
'It won't be just a dream forever,' thought Mei, as she only sigh at the dream, and decided she could wait just a little longer for the promise day.
Meanwhile, Ao suddenly felt a very cold chill run slowly up his spine, and didn't want to know what caused it.
(Elsewhere-With Naruto and Fu)
"Did you have to flirt with the Mizukage like that?" asked Fu with Naruto looking back at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Jealous?" questioned Naruto and Fu let out a huff.
"Of her? Why would I be jealous of her? Because she's an older woman? In a few years she will have gray hair, wrinkles on her face, crows feet around the eyes, and don't get me started on the boobs she sporting!" exclaimed Fu while Naruto just laughed at her.
"You are jealous! I can see it in your eyes, your face, and vocal tones when speaking about the Mizukage!" countered Naruto and Fu growled at him.
"Maybe I have a reason to be jealous. I saw the look on her face the moment we walked into the room. Her loins were frothing the moment you walked in and she was practically seething inside over the fact I was there! Its actually kind of funny because its the first time someone has disliked me for being a woman and not for my status as a Jinchuriki," explained Fu and Naruto just smirked at her.
"I would think you would take the reason as a compliment! It means she doesn't despise you for being a Biju container like so many others would," stated Naruto since he already knew green haired Jinchuriki had feelings for him beyond their usual bonds of friendship.
"Oh yeah its great! Its so much better being despised by a woman, who is older then me, and hates me for being a younger woman currently with the man she wants over being a Jinchuriki," Fu replied sarcastically while Naruto shook his head.
"Fu, I will tell you what I told Koyuki when we were in Spring Country the last day there when she proposed the idea of us marrying to nullify my Missing Nin status. When it comes to the woman I care about, its not about the body, or the looks that make my heart beat faster. Its their spirit, their kindness they show to others, and the inner strength most women I've met in life just don't have anymore. Most women aren't strong like you, Mei, or Koyuki have been," explained Naruto seeing Fu raise an eyebrow at him before putting her hands on her hips.
"Oh really? What about that Sakura chick in Konoha? From what I've heard, you had a thing for her, and took a lot of hits in the process," questioned Fu and Naruto let out a chuckle.
"I was trying to reach out to anyone capable of loving me. I thought it would be Sakura after I saved her from some bullies one time and she wanted to be my friend. Only a few days later, she denounces our new found friendship because her parents knew I was the Kyuubi Jinchuriki, and told Sakura to never be my friend no matter what. Even when I proved to the girl that I wasn't the monster or demon her parents portrayed me to be for years on end...she still hated my guts," explained Naruto having heard everything about Sakura from the talk around Konoha spreading around Fire Country and into the rest of the Elemental Countries around it.
"So every girl in Konoha is a lost cause huh?" asked Fu with a hint of hopefulness in her voice.
"No. At least...one of them I saw with the group hunting me didn't have eyes of hatred. She had eyes of sorrow. She didn't want to fight me. I could see it as clear as I see you right now. Everyone else there wanted to hurt me. To kill me. But the girl I saw among them was not like them. I could tell she wanted the group to fail on the mission and I saw her eyes begging me for forgiveness," explained Naruto with sadness in his voice.
"It could be a trick," stated Fu while they kept walking through the forest region.
"No. I saw into the depths of her soul when she looked at me. I saw...love!" Naruto said with shock in his voice and a sense of yearning.
"Are you sure? She was with them!" stated Fu since she didn't want Naruto to get any ideas of having someone from Konoha as a possible girlfriend!
"There was no lying in her. Besides, being with just one woman is optional at this point due to my position as last of a clan. Remember?" Naruto said with Fu's eyes going wide with shock.
"You mean that you have to have more then one wife? As in multiple wives?" asked Fu with her jaw dropping and finger pointing at him.
"If I choose to then yes. Given I am the last or one of the few remaining members of the Uzumaki Clan I am allowed by International Shinobi Law that anyone from a clan almost wiped out can have multiple wives to revive the clan," explained Naruto before he just stopped and frowned for a moment.
"You could have told me sooner so I wouldn't be so jealous," grumbled Fu while seeing him suddenly get deadly serious and reach for his sword.
"Don't move," stated Naruto while expanding his senses further.
"Someone's here? Where? Is it the Akatsuki?" asked Fu while looking around for her foe and saw nothing.
"Don't. Move!" commanded Naruto a second time before he cut through a tree, then spun around, and his sword struck another attempting to cut him in two.
"Your senses are sharp like the sword you wield. Is this...the Sword of Juubi? I haven't seen this thing in ages," came the voice of an old man before he leaped back a few feet despite his old age.
"You've seen this sword before? When?" asked Naruto since this old man could really be an Uzumaki with a long life span OR he could be a big fat senile liar.
"In Whirlpool of course. Where else? It was at the base of the highest mountain. Quite the treacherous path to walk. Nearly died myself in my younger days getting to that place when searching for the weapon to one day wield myself," explained the old man while Naruto and Fu just stared at him.
"You're an Uzumaki aren't you? Uzumaki Muramasa!" stated Naruto and the old man now named Muramasa smiled.
"Yes. I am. I knew Uzumaki Mito years ago. I was a few years younger then her at the time of her marriage to the Senju Clan Head. Many were against it on all three sides for the bad blood each clan shared for one another and ours especially for the sword itself along with the Rinnegan we inherited from the Sage of Six Paths bloodline. But Mito loved the Senju Clan Head and he loved her in return. I supported their union knowing that no foul play was involved from the man and hoped he would keep them in line. They had several assassination attempts on them though by the Uchiha and even a few Senju Clan members too if I remember correctly. No Uzumaki Clan members though. We were made of sterner stuff and it showed by supporting the marriage on our end. The marriage was one that was pure and true so we did what was right so the Senju Clan would follow by example," explained Muramasa with Naruto nodding.
"If you knew where the Sword of Juubi was all this time until I took it...why didn't you try to take it yourself? Wield it yourself?" asked Naruto while Muramasa sighed and sat down on a nearby rock.
"Because I wasn't meant to have it. Believe me when I say the temptation was there to take the Sword of Juubi. The sword once wielded by the Sage of Six Paths after forging it from the very fang of Juubi before it went to the hands of Genshin was right there for the taking. The very grave marker signifying where Uzumaki Genshin had been buried was within my reach to pull out of the ground. But I sensed it was wrong for me to have such a powerful weapon. As if the very power behind the sword would consume and destroy me," explained Muramasa and saw Naruto nod since the power behind this weapon was intense just like the spirit that had been inside it.
"How did you survive Whirlpool's fall?" asked Naruto with Muramasa sighing again and he looked even older which the blonde didn't think was possible.
"It wasn't easy. No one saw it coming. Konoha Shinobi were all over the place under the pretense of reinforcing our defenses on Intel of a possible invasion. They struck swiftly and decisively with our positions where we could retreat being cut off because by their forces. Few managed to get away during the fighting, but we had no way to contact each other, and felt that was for the best until things calmed down," explained Muramasa with Naruto frowning slightly.
"And you have been here in Water Country all this time waiting?" asked Naruto with the old Uzumaki nodding.
"Yes. The only people I can trust at this point in my old life is an Uzumaki like yourself. I spent my time making weapons for the day when an Uzumaki would arise to take back the honor stolen from us. You are that Uzumaki as the ancient Dragon Sage foretold to Mito a few years before her marriage," explained Muramasa with Naruto frowning.
"I thought the Toads foretold of the prophecy?" spoke Fu with Muramasa scoffing at the idea of the Toads taking credit where credit was due.
"The Toads heard of the prophecy from the Dragons like all the Animal Summons when such a monumental thing arises. However, the Toads broke the sacred vow to never speak of it to their current summoner because he had a hand in its outcome, and wanted to control how it ended," answered Muramasa with Naruto's eye going wide and then narrowing.
"Jiraiya! That's why he took me on as a student for a short time. So it would come true and then manipulate things so the prophecy would come out in the way HE wanted it to with Konoha being on top," stated Naruto with fury in his voice.
"Yes. No doubt he told the Sandaime Hokage and they set the whole thing up to stop if not control the prophecy's outcome because Dragon Sage spoke of the prophecy being tied specifically to an Uzumaki being taught by the man," explained Muramasa with Naruto blood burning with rage.
"Well he succeeded in teaching me very little at first and then the whole business with the retrieval of Uchiha Sasuke no doubt brought about the decision to end things before they got too far out of his control," concluded Naruto and Muramasa nodded.
"I sense you also have the ancient contract thought lost forever to our clan. Have you signed it yet?" asked Muramasa with Naruto nodding and producing the contract for the old man to see.
"Would you like to sign it? You are an Uzumaki and more then worthy," stated Naruto, but the old man shook his head, and waved it away.
"No. I'm too old to summon any of them. I barely have enough energy these days to get up in the morning to make myself food. I doubt I could summon a dragon's egg," replied Muramasa with Naruto smirking at him.
"I don't know. You move pretty fast for a super old man," stated Naruto with Muramasa laughing slightly.
"I use the ancient art of conserving energy during the day so when I have to move...I can move like those a third of my age do now. Its an art all Uzumaki Clan members know by instinctively alone when we reach old age," replied Muramasa while letting out a small chuckle in the process.
"It serves you well. But the reason I'm here is to find out if you would be willing to help me and my fellow Jinchuriki by providing them with weapons? We need them to combat an enemy that is intent to extract the Biju from our bodies," stated Naruto and Muramasa was deep in thought for a moment.
Before suddenly dozing off and causing his two guests to face plant.
"WAKE UP OLD MAN!" yelled Fu with Muramasa snapping awake and looking around like he didn't know where he was.
"What? Huh? Oh! You wanted to know if I could help you, right?" asked Muramasa with Fu fuming at his slightly forgetful nature.
"Yes. Would you help me and the other Jinchuriki?" asked Naruto with Muramasa letting out a sigh before getting off the right and motioning them to follow.
"Let's see what I have in stock. Tell me about each Jinchuriki and I'll see what weapon suits them the best," answered Muramasa and the Naruto smiled at him.
"No problem. There is one still missing, but I'm confident we can find him before the Akatsuki do," said Naruto with Muramasa looking back at him in thought.
"Oh! You mean Utakata! He's been staying with me for some time," replied Muramasa with Naruto and Fu being shocked to hear this.
"How did that happen?" asked Fu curiously.
"Its sad really. The boy thinks his old Master by the name of Harusame betrayed him for what he held and I found Utakata wandering the forests of Water Country fighting off Hunter Nins that were pursuing him at the time. Eventually, he stumbled upon me after collapsing from days without rest, or even an ounce of food to eat. So I took him in, kept the Mist Shinobi, and the Rebels from finding the boy until he was ready to leave. His view on the world has not changed much since I found him and even now he keeps me at arms length out of fear I might betray his trust," explained Muramasa before they walked into an area that looked empty until the old man crossed an invisible barrier with the two Jinchuriki behind him doing the same to find the old Uzumaki's house.
"Clever. A camouflage seal designed to mask the surrounding area and no doubt designed to block even the Byakugan's power," replied Naruto while looking around to see the old man's house and weapon making hut were at a respective distance from each other.
"Correct. I am well aware of the Byakugan's abilities and that the current Mizukage has someone with one such eye," stated Muramasa with Naruto frowning before realized it was that Ao guy with the eye patch.
"For an old man, he sure is smart, and crafty with his work," stated Fu calmly while she saw several weapons out in plain sight.
"He's an Uzumaki. Did you expect anything less?" Naruto countered with Fu looking a bit sheepish.
"Good point," replied Fu before they noticed Utakata standing on the front step of the house with cautious eyes.
"Its all right Utakata-san. They are like you," said Muramasa with Utakata looking at the two with surprised eyes before walking towards them.
"Which do you hold?" asked Utakata with a hint of desperation to find those like himself that he could trust to not backstab him.
"The nine," answered Naruto.
"Lucky number seven!" replied Fu.
"The six," Utakata with Naruto and Fu nodding.
"We have much to talk about," explained Naruto with Utakata nodding in agreement and they all headed into the house to have a very LONG conversation.
(Akatsuki HQ-Months Later)
"Its time. We've waited three years since the Kyuubi brat left Konoha. We've waited for the five Shinobi villages to be weakened enough to attack their Jinchuriki without them getting necessary support or protection from their villages. For the three-tailed Biju to reform again after its host died. Now is the time to strike out against them and collect their power to bring the Elemental Countries to their knees," stated the shadowy figure looking at the other members of the group.
"The Kyuubi and Nanabi Jinchuriki are the most elusive of the bunch with their traveling to different locations. Konoha has been trying to catch him for years with Jiraiya using his spy network, but has failed each time," stated an emotionless voice that belonged to one Uchiha Itachi.
"Not to mention the six-tailed Jinchuriki has sprung up again to join them in their travels around the Elemental Countries. We've been trying to find out what they've been doing at each place, but so far it just seems like they were passing through, and each place has a secluded place to train," explained the White half of Zetsu.
"It doesn't matter. Itachi and Kisame will engage them. I want those three found and to be restrained before the extraction process can happen. It has to be done in a certain order," explained the man looking at the group.
"Yes Pein-sama," said Itachi and Kisame at the same time.
"Sasori and Deidara will attack Suna while Hidan and Kakuzu target Kumo's two-tailed Jinchuriki," commanded Pein with the group nodding.
"Yes Pein-sama," they all said at the same time.
"Go! You have your orders," said Pein with everyone vanishing from their positions until only one remained.
Before another shadow appeared.
"Things are not going as planned Pein," said the voice while Pein himself just stared at the shadow.
"Konoha's actions against the Kyuubi Jinchuriki was an unexpected development we did not foresee Madara," answered Pein while the man in front of him just narrowed his one seeable eye.
"Your incompetence to command the Akatsuki up to this point has allowed the Kyuubi brat to get stronger and possibly become a problem if allowed to grow further. Deal with this decisively Pein...or else!" commanded Madara before fading into the shadows.
'Make no mistake Madara, when the time comes for the world to know peace...you won't be around to see it!' thought Pein while planning a means to remove the man from play when things were nearly in place.
(With Naruto, Fu, and Utakata-Sometime Later)
The trio were making their way along the road, heading for a nearby town to stop for a good nights rest, and get some supplies. They had been traveling for Months after their meeting and speaking to Muramasa about the weapons he requested of the old man for each Jinchuriki. They had to do it discreetly though, make it seem like they were all over to different random locations, and make it seem like they were just avoiding Hunter Nin pursuing them. Naruto had gotten Muramasa's blessing to use the weapons he had made to be used by the other Jinchuriki to combat the Akatsuki organization.
The trick now was to get them to each one.
Utakata was given a pair of swords that Muramasa called the Dragon's Claw and Tiger's Fang, which when mastered would be both a brutal, and lethal combination. Muramasa felt the boy's natural agility and nimbleness would give him an edge in battle when using both swords with a test run proving the old Uzumaki right. Fu was given a pair of Fuma Kodachis that would help the girl in combat with her speed and agility in getting up close to the enemy before she stabbed her target with lethal precision.
The girl practically danced around in a circle while coveting her new weapons and nearly killed Muramasa with a bone crushing hug.
Naruto was fine with the Sword of Juubi. Still, Muramasa felt the blonde Uzumaki should get something else to help him, and provided a scroll regarding his Mother's bloodline that involved chakra chains. While rare like the use of the Rinnegan, all cases where one of the Uzumaki Clan used such power had information about it documented down to the last detail, and the techniques involved with them. Apparently, Muramasa had known about Kushina's ability to use them since he knew her parents, and how she inherited it from one or both of her parents. He had wanted to give it to her before leaving, but never got the chance because Jiraiya left with the girl, and the fall of Whirlpool happened soon after.
Naruto humbly accepted and thanked him.
As for the other Jinchuriki, Naruto had gotten Han the Dabilahro berserk sword, which seemed perfect for the already tall man, and could be used when covering the area in a thick layer of steam. The enemy would be so overwhelmed by it that they never would be able to block, dodge, or counter the massive weapon designed to slice through its enemies without mercy. Roshi was given Enma's Fang, which went well given his Lava affinity, and the weapon itself would use that when given a bit of the Biju's chakra added to the mix. Naruto had to visit Suna discreetly to give Gaara the Lunar Staff, which was a good combination of offensive, and defensive fighting when sand just wasn't enough. Naruto also told Gaara about how the staff is even more powerful when the moon is out and at its peak when full. After that, Naruto had made his way to Kumo where he gave Yugito the Inferno Hammer, and Killer Bee the Eclipse Scythe knowing it would give the man an edge that rivaled his usual multi-sword style. It would actually throw the enemy off guard given they no doubt knew the tall muscled man was a Master of such things and the new weapon would add a new element that the Akatsuki wouldn't be ready to handle.
"We're being followed," stated Naruto with a growl in his voice.
"Hunter Nin?" asked Utakata while acting calm yet his body was getting tense.
"Akatsuki. Two members with high level chakra signatures. If they are who I think they are then be on your guard at ALL times," ordered Naruto with his group nodding.
"I hope their ready to die because I sure as Hell ready to kill them!" exclaimed Fu before seeing the two members of the organization standing in front of them.
"You three will come with us peacefully," replied Itachi while Kisame looked ready for a fight.
"How about you two get a room and shove that sword up your ass!" countered Fu with Naruto smirking at the two.
"You heard my lovely companion. Until you do what she said we won't go with you," said Naruto with his smirk growing.
"We don't need them in one piece, right Itachi?" asked Kisame while free Samehada from its wrappings.
"No. I was hoping to avoid a confrontation, but sadly...it is unavoidable," replied Itachi while Kisame's grin increased.
"My thoughts exactly," said Naruto before drawing his blade and put the two Akatsuki members on edge.
'That sword. Its bringing chills up and down my body. But why?' thought Itachi, as he felt something inside his body tremble with fear, and instantly activated his Sharingan while he stared at the engravings on the side of the blade.
Praise be the order brought forth from the very edge of chaos.
Those were the words Itachi saw with his Sharingan Eyes deciphering them.
"Fancy sword. Its even got lightning of some kind shooting out of it too. Did you go to Kumo or something to get it?" asked Kisame while Naruto smirked at him and pulled the cloth over his mouth.
"If I told you the truth...it would only frighten you," explained Naruto before letting out a chuckle.
"We'll see about that. Itachi, you take on the two behind the blonde. I want to see if his sword is up to par with my Samehada," said Kisame while Itachi stood still, looking at the sword in Naruto's hand, and felt like death itself was behind him watching this play out.
"Fu. Utakata. Be wary of Itachi. His Sharingan Eyes are not to be underestimated and remember what our special teacher told us of that bloodline limits when it comes to using a Biju's chakra," said Naruto while having no intention of mentioning Muramasa by name to these two.
"We will Naruto-sama," said Fu while Utakata just nodded silently while they had their weapons drawn.
Kisame grinned as he charged forward, moving fast for a guy his size, and clashed with Naruto's weapon of choice. The crimson yellow energy from the Sword of Juubi lashed out at Samehada, as the spike covered blue sword howled out in pain within moments of making contact, and it shocked Kisame that something like that could happen. It didn't surprise Naruto though, as he spent his time knowing every detail of the weapon he was wielding, and how it worked when fighting an enemy. The Missing Nin from Mist was so shocked that it gave Naruto a chance to press his attack and put Kisame temporarily on the defensive.
'What's going on? Samehada is in pain. Screaming literally in pain! What is that sword?' thought Kisame, as he blocked another slash, dodged the claws from Naruto's left handed gauntlet, and took a kick to the ribs that sent him flying back.
"You seem to be confused by something Kisame. Does it remotely surprise you that you are having such a hard time defeating me with just a few swings of your sword?" asked Naruto before rushing the swordsman and clashing with their blades once more.
"Shut up brat! 'Water Style: Flood Water Jutsu!'" exclaimed Kisame and shot a massive water wave of water at him.
Naruto leaped into the air to dodge the massive flood of water with everyone else around him doing the same since the Jutsu was known to hurt friend and foe alike if used in a reckless manner. Right now, everyone was using the Water Walking technique to stay above the now flooded area Kisame had created, and Itachi didn't look happy at this new development.
Both Fu and Utakata were on either side of the Uchiha, there weapons at the ready to strike, yet kept their distance from him, and saw the Sharingan was active.
One false moved and they would be at the Uchiha's mercy.
"Ready Utakata-san?" asked Fu with the six-tailed Jinchuriki nodding.
"Don't look at his eyes. They are key to him disabling us," replied Utakata with the two moving swiftly against the Uchiha while looking down at their targets feet while they could see his eyes in the watery reflection below.
"How perceptive you both are. I applaud you for that," said Itachi, as they each stabbed him before he turned into a flock of crows, which flew into the air, and began to swarm down upon them.
"Hiden: Drowning Bubble Jutsu!" called out Utakata, as he made a massive amount of bubbles appear in font of the crows heading for himself, and Fu before each crow save one was caught in it.
The remaining crow flew away from the two Jinchuriki before it manifested into Itachi once more and the Uchiha frowned since he didn't expect his crows to perish or that the Jinchuriki had thought up a way to defeat them so easily. To his left, Fu was already upon him, her eyes not looking at his directly, and was trying to slashing him to pieces with her weapons of choice. She was clearly deadly with them, as her speed allowed the girl to get up close, and personal with the target before gutting said target like a fish. Itachi was able to dodge each attack, but with some difficulty given his feet were being watched, and Fu would act according to their position. Using his Sharingan to subdue her or Utakata was out of the question because of them both not looking him in the eyes. Even if he used the water's reflection, it would only stall one, or both of them for a second with not enough time to get either one to fall. Even if he did, it would leave his body open to attack, and Itachi had been experienced enough to know leaving yourself open was lethal.
"Utakata! Close your eyes now! 'Hiden: Hiding in Scale Powder Jutsu!'" exclaimed Fu, as she unleashed her powder based attack on Itachi, who shut his eyes to prevent any further damage to his optical organs then was already there, and moved quickly thanks to his years of being a Shinobi to dodge Utakata's sword strikes before leaping away when Fu made her move against him.
While this was happening, Naruto was dueling Kisame in a ruthless battle for the right to sword supremacy. Kisame was finding his strength being matched against the young man and it was a bit intimidating for the shark man since few could match him. Not only that, but the physical blows Naruto landed hurt like Hell, and each blow that scored a direct hit felt like a sledgehammer!
"Damn kid. You've been eating your vegetables or what?" asked Kisame after a kick to the face sent him flying back.
"Something like that. I've been through Hell. My only regret while being there is I didn't get a chance to send you or anyone else a postcard," answered Naruto with Kisame just grinning at him.
"I like you kid. Its a shame things went down this way. You would have been one Hell of a partner for the Akatsuki or a Seven Swordsmen of the Mist," explained Kisame while the blonde Uzumaki smirked though the shark man couldn't see it.
"Thank you. Its actually a shame you chose the wrong side. The Akatsuki is going to fall along with all the members within its ranks," stated Naruto, as he saw the shark man just laugh at his claim.
"Really? And how is the Akatsuki going to fall? By your hands? Please! I know what the leader of the Akatsuki can do and you are nothing compared to him regardless of the Biju in your gut!" exclaimed Kisame while swinging his sword downward at Naruto with the blonde Uzumaki once more deadlocked with their blades clashing against one another.
"So you know Uchiha Madara lives?" questioned Naruto with Kisame looking shocked while Itachi stiffened at hearing the man's name.
"Madara? That's not his name," stated Kisame while clearly being confused by Naruto's words.
"Then the leader of the Akatsuki is not the true leader. He's a puppet for the one lurking in the shadows," stated Naruto with Kisame grinning further at him.
"Even if that is true, it just proves you are no match for the organization no matter what!" exclaimed Kisame, as they clashed violently against the other, but Naruto dodged at the last moment, and thrust his sword into the shark man's gut.
"Its a shame you will not live long enough to see which one of us is right," stated Naruto while the steel of his sword cut through Kisame's flesh and bone while the man cried out in pain.
It was a slow agonizing death with blood spilling over the front of Naruto's body.
'Damn it. Kisame is dead. The situation is now more unfavorable then ever before! I need to get back to Pein and report my findings to him before informing Jiraiya of this new development' thought Itachi, as he moved to flee, but Fu along with Utakata were both in his way, and Naruto was staring right at him.
"And where do you think you're going Uchiha Itachi?" questioned Naruto with Itachi feeling the boy's chakra was rising considerably.
"I won't go down without a fight," explained Itachi while staring at Naruto, who wasn't staring at him, but rather the man's feet, and would know when the man moved.
"Yes. You will," replied Naruto before unleashing his chakra chains that wrapped around Itachi with the man too surprised to move and found himself on the ground with one of the chains wrapped around his eyes.
'How? Only Kushina-san could...could...no!' thought Itachi with the horrible realization hitting him hard.
"Death is upon you Itachi. I am going to get the answers I want out of you and then your life will end. It will be very satisfying to see Sasuke's face once I tell your psycho brother about how I killed you. How I took away his purpose in life in getting revenge for damn clan," Naruto said while standing over Itachi while getting ready to inflict pain upon the Uchiha.
'How? How could I have missed it? He was Uzumaki Kushina's son. But...the Sandaime had said it was only to honor Kushina's sacrifice. That I shouldn't look at the boy and feel anything form of loyalty to Kushina since the child was not hers. But...she was pregnant! I know she was due to give birth shortly before the Kyuubi's attack because Father knew and he was one of the few who knew of her location thanks to Kushina telling Mother. So why...why did he lie?' thought Itachi while finding the world he thought knew had been once more torn upside down and felt conflict within him arise.
"We'll start with true or false. Is Uchiha Madara the true leader of the Akatsuki?" asked Naruto while Itachi breathing heavier now.
"True," replied Itachi while the three Jinchuriki were surprised he answered.
"Wait! How do we know his answer is true or not?" asked Fu while Utakata nodded since there was no way to tell if the man on his knees in front of them was telling the truth.
"I would not lie to the son Uzumaki Kushina. I would not lie to my true sensei," replied Itachi with Naruto frowning at him.
"Explain yourself Itachi. This is your one and possibly only chance of telling me what you are talking about," said Naruto with Itachi taking in a large breath and collecting his thoughts for a moment.
"It was years ago. Back when I was still a child growing up and the Yondaime had yet to be made the Yondaime Hokage. Kushina was thinking about taking on a apprentice, but the pickings were slim, and few were even less worthy then anyone would be now in the Leaf. She was walking by one day, seeing me train hard at one of the more open training grounds, and saw my potential before anyone else. So...she asked me. Your Mother asked me...to be your her apprentice in the Shinobi Arts," answered Itachi while Naruto simply frowned further at him.
"If that were true...she would have taught you the Sealing Arts," replied Naruto while the chains squeezed Itachi with the man hissing slightly in pain.
"No. She didn't have time to teach me that at all. My idiot Father found out and went to the Sandaime Hokage before his retirement to ban her completely from ever continuing the apprenticeship. He felt the Uchiha Clan's pride was above the training of an Uzumaki in the ways of being a Shinobi no matter what the subject. The Sandaime then told your Father that Kushina would stop teaching me or else the mantle of Hokage would go to my Father instead. I don't have to tell you how your Father viewed Kushina being the Kyuubi Jinchuriki or the fact your Mother refused to marry him when he asked. My Mother was a silver medal to him and he was always jealous of your Father for taking what he felt was rightfully his to have in life. After word got out about you being the new Jinchuriki, my Father made a move to get you adopted into the clan, but only for his ends of turning you into a pet, and weapon to use against the newly reinstated Sandaime Hokage when the time came. To keep the Uchiha Clan from gaining such favor, the Sandaime, the Shinobi Council, and Danzo all spread word that Kyuubi had a connection with the Uchiha Clan in general to create speculation among the masses about our loyalty," explained Itachi with Naruto nodding.
"The Uchiha Clan wouldn't be trusted with me and I'm still hated by the people," replied Naruto with Itachi nodding slightly.
"Yes. It spurred the Uchiha Clan to despise the ruling powers leading Konoha and wished to take it from them by force. While this was happening, I along with Uzuki Yugao were occasionally assigned to protect you from harm, and the rare few that did our jobs. In the years following, the Sandaime pulled me off that duty, questioning my reasons for doing my job so well, and when I told him it was to honor Kushina-sensei...he told me you were not her child. That your last name was given to honor her and that just because you had the last name Uzumaki...didn't mean you were an Uzumaki. At the time, I believed him without question since he had no reason to lie, and was assigned to spy on the Uchiha Clan for the Sandaime Hokage. I told him what I knew about the Coup. against Konoha and was soon given the order to kill my clansmen to keep things in the village intact. It was made to appear that I had killed them out of some sense of madness rather then let it be known they were rebelling. It was believed that if the truth was revealed about the Uchiha Clan rebelling, our enemies would perceived us as weak, but if they believed a single Shinobi like myself killed his entire clan...they would fear the possibilities that other Konoha Shinobi the Leaf possessed," explained Itachi while hearing Naruto lean down in front of him, his breath near the ear, it was clear the Uzumaki wanted one more truth filled answer to the next question spoken from his mouth.
"And what you did to Sasuke?" asked Naruto with Itachi tensing slightly.
"I did that so Sasuke would hate me to the point where he wouldn't feel guilty about one day ending my life. To repay the debt I owe the Uchiha Clan for killing so many when I didn't want to, but had no choice, and did what needed to be done for the village," replied Itachi with Naruto growling into his ear like an angry animal.
"Your brother is a power hungry asshole because of you. Sasuke has gotten everything he has ever wanted from the village without even lifting a finger. Discounts in stores. Extra help at the Academy from the instructors. Everyone showing such love and devotion to your spoiled brother no matter what he does in life. He went traitor twice with the reason behind the second time being the same as the first with my intervention being the source of him still being apart of Konoha on both counts. Your brother cares for no one. Nothing in this world appeases him unless its power and only then it has to be power only he can use that no one else can. I spared your brother's life a second time because I wanted to see what the Hokage would do to your brother after he was brought back to Konoha. Do you know what she did? She didn't punish him. She punished the Shinobi retrieval team by executing the first half publicly and then demoted the second half to Chuunin. Does that seem fair?" Naruto said with Itachi shaking his head no.
"No," answered Itachi and Naruto nodded before letting out a chuckle.
"Konoha has become corrupt. They are investing in an Uchiha, who has no conscious, no empathy, and no loyalty to the village like you do. Your brother will kill everyone around him for power and he'll do it with a smile on his face. I will kill your brother the next time we cross paths Itachi. I won't spare him a third time and we both why that is the case. The bastard you have for brother expects everything to go his way and when Sasuke finds out there is someone that can ruin his image as being this undefeatable God for an Uchiha he removes them before anyone can see the truth," said Naruto with Itachi letting out a sigh of defeat knowing it was true.
"What do you want of me?" asked Itachi while almost feeling Naruto smiling at him.
"Good! Now we're getting to the heart of the matter. What I want Itachi, is to bring down the Akatsuki, Orochimaru, the Sannin's right hand, Konoha, and bring about order to the chaos. We both know most of the Daimyos are greedy, power hungry fools, and make the rich richer while the poor suffocate under their rule! Their samurai instill fear to prevent any uprisings and Shinobi from the village are used to quietly assassinate anyone willing to be a leader to such uprisings so they aren't made into martyrs. While assassinating is a Shinobi's job, I always felt that the shadows a Shinobi walks in should serve the light, and keep the balance of the world intact. Sasuke will be the anti-balance if allowed to grow any further and become the new Hokage of Konoha with everyone in his pocket. The world will drown in darkness and light will fade in the coming of it with everyone being too weak to oppose. I know you've seen that future like I have Itachi and it sickens you to no end. Is that what you want Itachi? To be remembered as the man, who not only killed his clan in some 'act of madness', but twisted his brother into a true monster, and helped bring about this never ending chaos?" asked Naruto with Itachi going tense and the Uzumaki knew the man was imagining the horror of that reality if it came to pass.
"No. I don't want that! That's not what I wanted for Sasuke or the world! I'm tired of the chaos, the darkness, and the violent deaths caused by those around me!" exclaimed Itachi and Naruto nodded knowing he nearly had the Uchiha now before deciding to go in for the preverbal kill.
"Good. We can make this right. We have a chance. A window of opportunity and only if we act now can such a horrible thing be avoided. Hoshigaki Kisame is dead. You can make up anything you want about how the fight here went down and no one among the ranks of the Akatsuki can refute it. You know all the members of the organization. All the key players. You can help me play both Konoha and the Akatsuki since they expect your loyalty to them to be absolute. First, you tell me everything about the Akatsuki! I want their names, their abilities, what shoe size they have, and everything down to who their childhood doctor! I want to know who is assigned to which of my fellow Jinchuriki and what to expect from them," explained Naruto with Itachi nodding slightly and he felt the chakra chains wrapped around his eyes leaving him.
"Naruto-sama?" questioned Fu while Naruto raised his hand to tell her it was all right.
"I will help you. I will help you end the chaos of the world. What do you wish to know first about the Akatsuki?" asked Itachi with his eyes no longer active.
"Let's start off with the 'who's who' among the top members," said Naruto with a grin on his face and Itachi spilled his guts to him about everything he knew about it.
(A/N: YAY! I updated. Hope you all enjoyed that. I took the weapons from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 1 & 2 that best fit them. I hope I was accurate enough that those that know of the came are pleased with who got what. Until next time...PEACE!)