"You didn't have to slap me," Aoba commented.

"Ten years, Aoba! Even the Daimyo get vacations more often than that!"

"Fine then, so maybe I deserved the first! But still the second was wholly unwarranted-"

"Stop your image management! I don't even have a picture of you and Ageha and she didn't even know she had a father until ten minutes ago! Second one deserved!" If looks could kill, then the crickets filling the silence would have been singing Aoba's funeral dirge. Inevitably, it was broken up by another slap. "And that one was for letting me think you were dead."

Aoba adjusted his glasses and rubbed his stinging cheek. "What's the fourth one for? Not giving child support?"

"Fourth is for being a smartass just now," Tsunami replied, dealing out the hit. "Fifth is for not sending some child support checks, and the sixth is because I'm angry and just feel like hitting something." Tsunami took a deep breath, then slapped Aoba with her right hand. "And the seventh is so I can remember what it looked like when you blushed..." Aoba looked down, both his cheeks red from Tsunami's assault. She pulled off his sunglasses and tugged him down to the deck chair, wrapping her arms around him with a kiss.

"...Well, at least she slapped him first," Inari said as he looked away towards his sister. Ageha closed the blinds and turned to Naruto and the others. She silently nodded. The tension built up, and Naruto almost passed out from the awkward.

"Man, I'm hungry! I could sure use some ramen right now!"

"I'll order, my treat." Tazuna said. "In the meantime KWF Smackdown is on, main event's Jun Shina vs Randi Sabeji."

"Wha, you get KWF out here?" Naruto asked.

"Mm-hmm. Come on," Tazuna waved them all into the living room, picking up the phone from the wall cradle on the way there.

Back on the patio, Aoba brushed the hair out of Tsunami's eyes as he looked into them. "This is way too late for it to really mean anything, but I'm sorry. I'd have come here right away, but that wouldn't have been wise after a deep cover mission like I was on. So that explains roughly the first year until I came back after Inari was born. The second year... I had a man named Shinozaki after me. Deep cover or no I didn't want him anywhere near you and Inari, or Ageha. That's why I faked my death after I hid Tanzaki's shipment, I thought it would buy me some time. The third year... the third, I just tried to keep myself busy so I couldn't think about here and all this, and get distracted, and that's how it stayed for a while..."

"Why didn't you take a leave of absence, I'm sure they would have let you stay for at least a little while. Genryuusai let me out after I got pregnant with Ageha."

"The Third was never as soft as Genryuusai, you know that- and besides after the Uchiha Massacre and the mess with Shinozaki I got appointed as an ANBU, probably so Konoha could keep a closer eye on me."

"Uchiha...? How many did you...?"

"No, it was an inside job... one of my fellow ANBU, Itachi Uchiha. The eyes were a parting gift of sorts."

Tsunami leaned in and gave Aoba a leisurely kiss. "I still like your other eye better." A bitter smile came onto Tsunami's face as she started to tell of her side of the ten years. "I almost couldn't get used to living as a civilian, at first. It was hard enough with Inari, but... I just couldn't support myself with him and Ageha, I went broke when I ws pregnant with her. I- I put her up for adoption right after she was born and I didn't see her again until after I met Kaiza..."

Aoba remained silent for a moment, sensing Kaiza was still a very sensistive subject. "So what about Ageha's eyes? Has she awakened the Daiyagan?"

"Oh! Yes, actually! She's been obsessed with becoming a ninja this past year, and one day I saw when she walked into the house from training-"

"Ninja?"

"She can't have thought of it on her own, Inari must have told her about Naruto and his team- but yes, a ninja. I've only been teaching her basic chakra control techniques like water walking and tree climbing."

"The Daiyagan means a lot more around here than back in Konoha... She, it-"

"I've already told her to be careful with it, if that's what you're getting at."

"No it's- the Daiyagan is something I'd have to teach her, or one of my uncles would. So... if it all possible, I'd like for you and Inari and her to come to Konoha. I make enough for all four of us, now; and I could even use a bit of Tanzaki's loot to get us a nice place built."

"Well," Tsunami began after thinking for a bit, "That's something I'd like to seriously consider, but we should involve the kids with the decision too."

"Should we go join them?"

There was a huge outcry from the living room, and a voice came from the deck chair. "You might want to have a word with me first," Tobi said. Aoba sprang up from from the chair and turned to look- the masked man was holding an unconscious Ageha in his arms.

"What are you doing with her?" Demanded Aoba.

"Why, using her as bait to lure you into a battle where you're hopelessly outmatched, obviously. Problem?"

"Damn right I've got a problem with that, Tobi!" The mystery man laughed, and kissed the top of Ageha's head with mocking affection.

"Ah, such a precious young child. Your second, I believe?" Tobi's eyes did not waver from Aoba's face, and focused on his eyes for a moment. "Ah, a Yamashiro. Such a pitiful clan; never as affluent or influential like the Kurama or Sarutobi clans, a flashy dojutsu never as renowned as the Sharingan or Byakugan. You barely even had a decent piece of Konoha to yourselves, just a small alley if I remember correctly."

"But it was enough. We Yamashiro may not have the fame, but we've always been some of the best shinobi Konoha's had. And I am no different."

Tobi shook his head. "Aoi and Gozu will forever stand alone as the great Yamashiro- a little bird like you cannot hope to reach the same level as them, or even the level of this new generation!"

"You mean the level they may reach one day."

"And the heights they've climbed to already. Now enough of this. If you wish to see this child again you will meet with me at the bridge as soon as you can. Then we'll see where your proper place in the legacy of Konoha is." With that, Tobi began to teleport away, swirling in on himself until he was gone.

"What happened?" Naruto asked, rushing through the back door.

"He took Ageha with him to the bridge," Tsunami explained.

"That piece of garbage! Who does he think he is?" Naruto raged.

"My thoughts exactly," Aoba concurred. "Listen, Naruto: I will go there to meet him. You have to remember that the last thing we need is for you and Bee to get caught up in this and captured, so you two absolutely cannot follow me. Is that clear?"

"Well yeah, but-"

"Stay here! Tsunami?" Aoba's estranged wife nodded, and he tossed her a kunai. "Head over to the inn with Yamato and Guy, stay there with them until I can come back!" The two flashed off full speed, disappearing in a swirl of leaves.

~oOo~

The wind blew quietly through the scene, as if not wishing to disturb the moment. But then suddenly Aoba and Tsunami arrived on the scene, landing on one knee looking to the bridge. And then, jumping down from the roof of the pavillion came Tobi, Kabuto, and Sasuke Uchiha. Ageha was slung over Tobi's shoulder, apparently still unconscious.

"So you did come. Admirable, almost."

"I'll not accept praise from a madman such as yourself, Tobi."

"You think me mad? You have the Daiyagan, but still cannot see the conviction in me? Who is the crow chasing the butterfly, which of us has let their life take control of them? You came here expecting to find a madman Yamashiro, but instead you found a GOD!" Tobi threw down Ageha then, revealing bruises on her face. Aoba's blood boiled with rage, and Tsunami cried out and dashed forwards.

With a subtle look from Tobi, Sasuke drew his sword and swiftly channeled his lightning chakra through it, the beam lancing out and striking Tsunami through the stomach. The brave woman sank down to her knees, but fought through the pain and made three hand seals. "Water Style: Black Rain Jutsu!" Breathing a large black cloud into being, Tsunami slumped over as the sun was blocked out and the lightning was withdrawn from her.

"A small and worthless trick," Sasuke said as it began to rain.

"N- NO! Tobi, what flavor is your blood?" Aoba roared.

Leaning over to Kabuto, Tobi whispered, "Two of the six. The others are approaching swiftly."

"As you wish," Kabuto agreed. He backed off to under the pavillion and began his work. Aoba was running forwards with a kunai raised, but Sasuke intercepted him.

"You aren't even worth this amount of trouble." Growled Sasuke. "You're nothing more than a sub-par shinobi with a stolen eye, a mere stain to be wiped off our shoes."

"This eye wasn't stolen, it was taken from a man who valued loyalty as a gift from a man who valued loyalty."

"LIE!" Sasuke shouted, pressing Aoba's kunai closer to his face with his blade. "An Uchiha would never betray their own as it seems they have with you!"

"It was no betrayal! You've seen my wife and daughter; you know I'm a man devoted to his family and to Konoha, just as the Uchiha I knew were! And this eye should know, because the last time it saw you it belonged to a caring parent." Aoba forced Sasuke away, sliding to a stop. "Behold my Mangekyo Sharingan, the eye of your father Fugaku Uchiha!"

As the echo faded into the black cloud of mist, Aoba heard a group of shinobi come up behind him.

"There they are!"

Dammit, Naruto! What did I tell you? Looking back over his shoulder from Naruto and the others to Tobi, he realized this was exactly what the latter had had in mind from the beginning. No, it all can't end like this, it can't! Naruto, Bee, Guy, Sasame and Yamato pattered to a stop behind Aoba, kunai and tanto drawn and at the ready.

"Aoba, are you alright?"

"This, it all falls on me, Yamato. I'm not a shinobi now, not even Aoba! I am no one now, only agony..." Tears began to form in Aoba's eyes, and he dropped down to his hands and knees.

"Don't worry, Aoba. I'll take care of Sasuke." Naruto said, stepping up. "Can you get to Tsunami and Ageha-chan?"

Aoba wiped his eyes and stood. "No, Naruto. It's not the time for you and Sasuke to meet in battle yet, but you'll have the moment soon!"

"But Aoba-"

"Get out of here! I'll be the last of my generation standing in the way, and then the path will be clear for you and Sasuke to meet!" Out of the corner of his eye Aoba saw someone darting for Naruto, and with a sharp turn Aoba focused on them and unleashed a golden-brown beam from his Daiyagan, the massive attack seeming to splatter just a bit, leaving a large hole in Deidara's chest that quickly began to turn dark, the Akatsuki being petrified. Yamato leaped over and separated Deidara's torso from his legs with a thrusting kick, while Guy darted in and snatched Tsunami and Ageha out of harm's way. In a moment that seemed to be an eternity but was only a few heartbeats Naruto held Aoba's gaze, and then nodded. He backed away as Sasame ran over with a scroll. Looking back he saw Tobi disappearing again, and an ethereal warrior of violet flames had sprung up around Sasuke.

"This will be over quickly, Yamashiro. Though I do want to thank you for one thing: you did help me on my way to Itachi." Said Sasuke, beginning to walk towards Aoba. "But that won't be enough to save you."

"Everyone clear out!" Aoba yelled, preparing himself for his ultimate dojutsu. He glimpsed Kabuto off in the trees, and then focused on Sasuke, who was now closing in on him. Summonin all his rage and pain and fury into his chakra, he activated both of his eyes in unison. "Kagutsuchi!" Beams of roiling black fire burst from Aoba's eyes, impacting Sasuke's Susanoo, a thunderous cracking noise sounding as they blasted into a large ball of flames, Tsunami's Black Rain Jutsu catching fire and further magnifying the blast.

Bursting through the treeline Aoba landed on the water and quickly ditched his flak jacket and cut off his burning sleeves and pant legs. Looking back he saw a massive wall of the fires of Amaterasu, the pavillion and nearby buildings wholly consumed. However, deep inside the blaze he caught a flicker of red with his Daiyagan, and prepared for the fight to continue.

Though not nearly to the extent of Kakashi, Aoba had indeed taken advantage of his Sharingan and copied several jutsu. Wind jutsu because I'll always have air, Earth jutsu for when I'm on solid ground, and Water Jutsu for at sea! Quickly making the Ram, Horse, and Bird hand signs Aoba called "Tornado of Water!" The waes danced up around Aoba higher and higher until they spun in a tall column of water, which came up just in time to deflect several kunai and a sword strike. While his assailants were off balance Aoba made five more hand signs, using another copied technique. "Water Style: Furious Current Jutsu!" That's not going to be as strong as I'd like but it'll have to do for now! The water slowly spun into a whirlpool, drawing Kabuto and Sasuke around with it as it gathered speed. Aoba took heavy breaths, running through all the jutsu he could use with his now limited amount of chakra. Getting the inspiration from his slight panic, Aoba played up the emotion and made the necessary hand signs: "Deranged Nirvana Jutsu: Path of Fear!"

It was an excellently timed shot, as while Kabuto spun out of the window of the genjutsu made by Aoba's thumb and forefinger triangle, Sasuke stayed in it as he leaped free of the current. Channeling some lightning chakra into his kunai Aoba ran in for his assault on Sasuke, keeping a snarl on his face. Despite his most aggressive attackings and being able to drive Sasuke back towards the bridge, Aoba found he could not completely gain the upper hand against the Uchiha. And while the kenjutsu mastery was unexpected, Aoba could see the panic in his opponent and the confusion as he tried to fight off the genjutsu. Backflipping and making sure to kick up water in Sasuke's face, Aoba flashed through three hand signs and used one of his copied water jutsu as he landed. "Water Style: Water Whip Jutsu!" Aoba snapped up the water whip and managed to catch Sasuke with it, as it appeared he had taken the brief moment to try dispelling the Deranged Nirvana Jutsu. Aoba spun around and slung Sasuke high into the air before slamming him onto the bridge. Pulling out another kunai, Aoba channeled lightning chakra into it and touched it to the Water Whip, the electricity dancing along it until it shocked Sasuke, causing him to force a pained hiss from between his teeth.

And then Aoba felt a blade slam into his back. "From what I've heard, dear old Sasuke hasn't been pushed this hard in... well, ever." Kabuto said. "But this wasn't exactly a one on one conflict in the first place, so I believe this round goes to me, Yamashiro."

Aoba sank down to his knees, just focusing on staying on top of the water. "This... won't end with me, Kabuto...!" Aoba gasped as the kunai was yanked out.

Kabuto leaned over Aoba's shoulder, and hissed into his ear: "Exactly. It's the cycle of hate your deluded little jinchuriki thinks he can put a stop to, and it most certainly won't end with you. Really, it's almost disappointing to see you go out like this, I was beginning to expect mo-" Kabuto looked down, and saw Aoba's glowing hand thrusted into his ribs near his navel snake.

"Erupting Burning Finger!" Feeling the heat spread, Kabuto molted as quick as he could but still caught most of the explosion on his back, his previous body blowing to pieces. On the edges of his vision Aoba saw Sasuke was somehow up again, and preparing some lightning style jutsu in his hand. Quickly making the hand signs, Aoba used his Scattering Thousand Crows Jutsu to cover his escape. He directed the crows to gather in a large murder overhead after he was momentarily out of sight, watching Kabuto slither over to Sasuke to talk. That was when the crows descended again, relentlessly pecking at the two; and as Kabuto found out Aoba had disguised shuriken inside a few of the crows. Going out on the move Aoba then sent out four kunai masked as crows, controlling their movements with wire. Blended in with the swarm, they came in right on target, catching Sasuke and Kabuto by surprise. "Hidden Technique: Stone Needles!" Flowing in his chakra through the wires, the two rogue ninja soon found themselves paralyed, unable to move. "Curse of hatred, huh... guess it cuts both ways." Aoba dropped down to his knees again, chakra nearly spent. "The crows will have a feast today..." Aoba closed his left eye, and wiped away the blood running down from it as he gave the best smirk he could.

"Wrong, it'll be the fish feasting!" Shocked, Aoba turned to see Tsunami runnining over towards them, holding her stomach. She stopped and raised her hands up, then brought them down to the water. "Water Style: Storm Upheaval!" A huge amount of water came down from the sky, crashing down onto Sasuke and Kabuto! after it washed away, Aoba could see them slowly sinking down into the sea. He and Tsunami shared a long glance, and then he walked over Tsunami leaned on him for support as they turned to face the wall of black flames.

"Perhaps I was wrong." Aoba looked over his shoulder, and it was Tobi who spoke! He was carrying Sasuke over his shoulder, and Kabuto was on the bridge to his side. Both appeared to have been released from the effects of Stone Needles. "But this isn't your war, Yamashiro- if you make yourself a threat, you will be dealt with."

"This is my war, Tobi: you seek to control the whole world, and the whole world will rise up against you. But you had to have known that when you started this war."

"You have no right to condescend to me! If the entire world stands against me it only means the curse of hatred has been planted in the heart of the entire world! It is not a cycle that you or Naruto can stop- only I have the means to bring it to an end!" Tobi hopped onto the bridge next to Kabuto, and laid a hand on the ninja's shoulder and began to slowly teleport away. "Don't count this as a victory, for you've only been punching at smoke..." Aoba stared into space after Tobi was gone, until Tsunami tugged at his shirt.

"The others..." Aoba nodded, and he turned and walked with Tsunami back to the shore.

~oOo~

"...So they got away?" Yamato asked.

"I'm afraid so," Aoba confirmed.

"Well at least they didn't capture Bee or Naruto. We should still be able to get them to the Turtle Island, then." Yamato nodded. "How soon will you be ready?"

"I could go whenever the crew's ready, I could get the remainder of my bed rest onboard the ship."

"Alright then, we'll head out in the morning. Killer Bee has already left on his yacht, so we'll be keeping in touch with them via messenger birds to get to the island."

"And Tsunami and the kids?" Asked Aoba.

"On their way to Konoha," Might Guy assured. "It's only natural, as Tazuna will help with recontructing the village again."

And I haven't seen Sasame, I wonder where she's off to... Thought Aoba. He nodded to Yamato and Guy, and they walked off into the sunset back to the inn.

"Say, you still haven't explained how you survived Sasuke's Amaterasu technique," Guy started.

"Simple," Aoba stated with his customary smirk. "There are no flames that can burn the god of destruction..."

THE END