That evening, Naruto bought a Konoha Bingo book and spent several hours reading it. If he accepted, he would be removed from his team and be sent after the men and women in this book. He didn't even notice when Kin got back, said hello to him, and went to bed. He only looked up when Haku told him someone was at the door for him. Naruto went to the door and didn't recognize the person. His face was empty of emotion and was around the same age as Naruto.
"Can we help you," Naruto asked.
"Naruto-sama, I am known as Sai. I am a representative of a councilman named Danzou. Would you be willing to speak to me?"
"Yes. On the roof." Shutting the door behind him, Naruto climbed to the roof, followed by the ninja. "Now, before you start, know we hold every person responsible for their words, councilman or now. Go ahead."
"Danzou-sama extends his thanks in your effort to save the village a week ago. He also extends the invitation to join an elite group of ANBU, called Root."
"No."
Sai blinked in surprise. His profile said he would jump at the chance. "What did you say?"
"We must respectfully turn down the offer," Naruto told him. "We know Danzou, by reputation. And we also know Root. Emotion training, assassination. And the elimination of anti-Konoha sentiments in even allies. Though those were few and handled discreetly."
"A person just doesn't turn him down," Sai said.
"We just did," Naruto told him. "Tell Danzou that we will not join."
"You don't know what you are doing," Sai warned.
"You would be surprised. Now go." Naruto watched him leave and went back to his home.
—oo000oo—
An hour later, there was more knocking on his door. With Kage Keiri in hand, he stepped up to the door. "Who is it?"
"Its me, Kakashi."
Naruto opened the door, looked at him a moment, then lifted his blade and put it under his chin. "You really don't take no for an answer, do you? Drop the henge." Smoke covered him and an ANBU appeared in front of him. "This constitutes as an attack. Tell us why we shouldn't kill you."
"Because I asked him to do this," a voice said from the stairs.
"Danzou," Naruto said to him without lowering his weapon nor looking at him. "We take it Sai finally told you our replied."
"He did. I see you are very deserving of that vest as well as your ANBU rank."
"We haven't accepted it yet," Naruto told him. "Now, like we said, tell us why we shouldn't end your life."
"Because of the dozen men around your home."
Naruto lower his sword after a moment before he made used the Kage Bunshin to make three dozen clones that all jumped off and in moments, the Root around his home were all thrown onto the walkway. "Now we really have the right to kill these men." He faced Danzou. "But as you are the leader, the actions of your men lay on your shoulder."
"I don't lead these men, I simply asked them."
"Danzou, skip the bullshit before someone steps in it. What are you here for?"
"I want you to reconsider..."
"No," Naruto interrupted. "We are going to become a Hunter under the Hokage, not you."
"No way I can change your mind?"
"None."
Danzou seemed to think about it for a minute. "What if I could reveal to you the identity of your family? The reason why you were not made a weapon like Sabaku no Gaara."
Naruto began to growl and he pulled his mask down. The ANBU grew uneasy at that. They recognized the sign of when someone was getting ready to fight. "Danzou-sama, he will not agree," the man that had knocked said.
"We were about to find out anyway," Naruto told them. "Leave here and never come back." Danzou was about to say something else. "And if you try to follow through with that idea forming in your head, we will remove it from your body."
"So I am that easy to read?"
"Not that hard, you want our abilities. My friends and loved ones are an obvious weakness. And as Haku as the same bloodline, it only makes sense. Of course, she is as dangerous as we are. Leave and don't come back." He placed the Kage Keiri on his back as the clones lead each ANBU from there by sword point. Danzou was the last to leave.
"...I wasn't thinking that. I was thinking that maybe your kids will be more open to reason."
"By then you will be too old to do anything about it. Danzou, for the actions you have done for this village, we respect you. That is why your are walking away right now." Naruto turned back around and went back inside.
—oo000oo—
"Ohayo," Naruto said when he met his team the next morning. "Kakashi-san, we have new orders." He gave a scroll to him. Kakashi arched his eyebrow at this and took it.
"Its not like you to be later...than...me. I guess congratulations are in order."
"What," Sakura asked.
"Naruto has been promoted and reassigned," Kakashi told them. "This is a big responsibility, do you think you can handle it?"
"Yes," Naruto said without hesitating. He had Venom make a copy of the flak jacket this morning so the spider covered it. "Sasuke," Naruto said, turning to him. "We'll be seeing you. Kakashi-san, we have our first mission already. We are to find the Sannin Tsunade."
"Good luck then."
Naruto turned and pulled on his mask. "He isn't fighting, why he do that," Sakura asked.
"...Just what kind of promotion was he given," Sasuke asked.
"The kind I can't talk about," Kakashi replied. "Well, looks like you two are off until we get a new team member. Let's go get something to eat."
—oo000oo—
Naruto stopped by a river. He was still inside the walls. "You can come out now." A swordsman with a large sword on his back came out behind Naruto. "Can we help you?"
"Yeah," the man said. "While you are out on your missions, visit this base." He held out a map. "Orochimaru kidnapped my little brother, Suigetsu. He should be keeping him there."
"Sure thing, Mangetsu-san." Naruto turned to him and took it. "You must be Raiga, Haku-chan spoke of you as well."
"Glad to hear that," Raiga said. Beside him, Ranmaru was walking with a hand on Raiga's side. He was still unused to it. "I wanted to thank you. Because you helped Haku, she was able to help Raiga. I don't know how she did it but I can never thank the both of you enough."
"We am glad he can walk now. We must hurry though, we are traveling with someone." Naruto turned around and headed for the gates of Konoha. Once there, he saw Jiriaya. "Jiriaya-sama, We are Venom. We were ordered to accompany you to find Tsunade."
Jiriaya nodded. "Venom, glad to be working with you." They started walking. "So, aren't you a bit young to be ANBU?"
"There are those in the world more powerful than you but younger than us," Naruto stated.
"Nice sword, by the way."
"We find a use for it."
"...How long we going to keep this up?"
"As long as necessary, Jiriaya-sama."
"...The Old Man tell you yet?"
"That our parents are the Kushina and Minato? Yeah."
"People will recognize you as you, Naruto."
"We are Venom, not this Naruto. And in reality, a smart person could recognize anyone with a little searching." He turned his head to Jiriaya. "Why did you request us for this mission?"
"You er... You are the friend of the son of my apprentice. I thought I would get to know you a little. Plus, it helps that I am his godfather and we are going to meet his godmother."
Naruto stopped, making Jiriaya stop. "How should we take that," Naruto demanded, dropping the hidden identity shit.
"Naruto..."
"You left us alone! For twelve years, you could have been with us and now you want to learn about us!?"
Naruto, please listen."
"To what!?"
"I was told you were dead, we both were."
"And you never checked?"
"We had no reason to think the council would lie." Naruto kept looking at him and Jiriaya wished he could see his face under the mask. "Please understand, there were so many dead that no longer had the remains to have buried. And no one knew who your father was but a few people. All anyone knew was that Kushina, a ninja visiting from Whirlpool was your mother and she died as well."
"...Where is she buried at," Naruto asked, his voice calm again.
"At her home, next to her kin. You are the last Uzumaki, you and Haku."
Naruto smirked under his mask. "We should continue. We need to find her and we also need to do something along the way."
—oo000oo—
"So he did it," Sasuke said when he heard the ANBU eating behind him whispering to each other. "...How did he get so strong? He should have been Rookie of the Year."
"I've been thinking about that," Kakashi said to him. "And the conclusion I have reached is that he let you have it." At Sasuke's surprised look, Kakashi explained. "Naruto hates to be noticed, haven't you seen that? And who was noticed from his class, him or you?"
Sakura nodded, "He's right. Everyone was surprised when Naruto started doing so well because of his grades."
"Correct. So, Sasuke, what have you learned from knowing him?"
"...To think before acting. To give up on my revenge." A man behind him wearing a conical hat slightly turned his head.
"But I thought you said that was all you cared about."
"It isn't. My friends are now. I mean, where would it stop? Even with that damn Sharigan of his, my brother could not have killed them all alone, without anyone noticing, in one night. He had help. And what if that person had help? And so forth. No, better to let it go."
Sakura was shocked by what he was saying. "Your own brother killed your..."
"Yes. And if he was here right now, I know exactly what I would do as long as he didn't attack me. I would tell him 'I forgive him. He isn't my brother anymore, that he isn't welcome in our home anymore. And that I will no longer live my life in his shadow, how he wants me too'. And then I will take a picture of his face because I know it will be priceless."
"That...is a very mature, Sasuke. You would be surprised how many people don't let go and is killed for it," Kakashi told him. "So, I guess all you have to worry about no is restoring your clan."
"And Kin," Sasuke muttered. The man behind him had stood up and was leaving with his friend.
"That Sound Ninja causing problems," Kakashi asked.
"In a way, she must have pestered someone about me because she knows all about me now. And not like how my fangirls thought they knew me. I mean facts..." Sasuke waited until Kakashi had taken a drink of his tea and was about to swallow it. "And she has been flirting with me." He laughed when Kakashi started choking on it. "Good news is this time, it isn't so bad. She is much better about it than anyone from this village. She hasn't made it her world. I actually have a date with her this Friday."
"My god, I never thought I would see you acting like a teenager," Kakashi said, wiping tea from his mask. "So, looks like you are well on your way to that ambition of your's."
"Looks like," Sasuke replied. "And you, Sakura? You mad about this?"
She thought about her replied for a moment before poking him in the chest. "I will have you know, mister Uchiha, the world does not revolve around you and every girl you meet will not throw themselves at your feet! I am taken and you couldn't pull him away from me. Watch." She went to the door and whistled much like a person calling a dog. Lee was there moments later. "Lee, I have the day off, let's go have some fun!"
"Of course, Sakura-chan! Give me five minutes to change!" He was gone and Sakura walked back in.
"When he comes back in three minutes, he will be looking nice and taking me... Ah, who cares where, just so long as he is taking me there."
Kakashi let out a sigh. "What happened to that young, impressible team I had?"
"We grew up," Sasuke said.
—oo000oo—
"HAHAHAH! Am I glad I got a picture of that," Kisame roared as they walked down the street. "I mean, the great Itachi, mouth gaping, surprise in his eyes! It was priceless!"
"Shut up."
"I think I'll even send him a copy!"
"I said shut up!"
"Something wrong," Kisame asked. "Little brother moving on with his life got the big brother grumpy!?"
"That's it!" He swung a punch at him. Kisame ducked and tackled him to the ground. It looked a lot like two boy arguing.
While they were, a group of men were walking by. "Time to head back, Haku," Zabuza said, rubbing her hair. "I will see you soon."
"We'll miss you, Zabuza-sama, Raiga-sama, Mangetsu-sama. Take care, Ranmaru-chan."
"Don't call me chan," he said grumpily.
"Hey Raiga, check those two out," Mangetsu said, pointing to the two fighting adults. "Like kids."
"...Isn't that the Samehada," Raiga asked. "Kisame, that you?" The two stopped arguing and looked up at them, their fist still drawn back to throw their next punch. "Blue skin, shark gills and teeth. Damn, it is the bastard!" He walked over to them, picked them up, and set them on their feet. "Where have you been, Guppy!?"
"You asshole," Kisame said, hitting him on the head. "How many times have I said not to call me that!?"
"More times than we care to count," Mangetsu told him. "So now we have found another of the Seven Swordsmen. You coming back?"
Kisame frowned. "Sure, now you take over. Damn bastard. I already work for someone else. And this is a tie that is not easily cut."
Itachi considered this, "Maybe the Leader will allow it." Having someone in the group as the right hand of the Mizukage was sure to be of help. "But first, we have to complete our mission." He looked around. "I don't think he is here. Let's go." He started walking to the gate, if he was gone then he knew where he was. There maybe multiple gate in Konoha but only one major road to and from. And a town on it only a few hours outside of Konoha.
—oo000oo—
Naruto looked around with ease despite the busy day. Adults all wanted to stay away from a person that wielded a blade as big as the Keiri. While the kids whispered as they realized this was the ninja they heard about recently. 'She isn't here,' Naruto decided. 'Searching is pointless now.'
"Jiriaya, we are heading to the inn. Make sure whichever girl you pick up is over the legal limit. We have seen some questionable ones here."
"Ah, Venom, you don't understand. While youth is a great thing, experience is much, much better." He saw a woman in her late twenties and and smiled at her. "See you tonight."
Naruto shook his head and entered the room He sat down on the ceiling and relaxed.
—oo000oo—
"Excuse me," Itachi said, walking up to the inn keeper of this inn. "Have you seen this boy?" He held a copy of Naruto's profile picture out.
"...The boy, no. But someone wearing those same clothes checked in earlier. Looking for him?"
"Yes, we are a friend of his father."
"He is in room twenty one." Itachi nodded his thanks and walked to the door. He knocked on it and waited until he heard someone say come in from the other side. They both walked in and saw no one.
"Up here," Naruto told them. "...Missing ninja Uchiha Itachi, wanted dead for murder of his entire clan..." Itachi wondered how he knew it was him until he saw he was just reading a book aloud. "Rokusho Aoi, jonin, wanted dead for theft of relic from Konoha, torture of Leaf jonin, current location Amegakure. How can we help you gentlemen?"
"We want you to come with us, Naruto-kun."
He turned the page, still not looking down at them. "You are mistaken. Our name is Venom. Naruto is a loudmouth in Konoha, a chunin. We are ANBU."
Itachi arched his eyebrow. 'Venom' glanced down and looked at the sword Kisame wielded. "Nice, that for show?"
"Nope," Kisame replied.
"Good. We use a zanbatou ourselves called the Kage Keiri... Hmm, Kiri missing ninja now. We'll do Zabuza the favor and keep an eye out for them. ...Hoshigaki Kisame, missing ninja, wanted alive for betraying former Mizukage. Highly dangerous, wields zanbatou called Samehada. Sword capable of absorbing chakra. Doesn't cut, it tears and shaves..." Naruto looked up from the book to the sword on his back and back again. "Interesting, your sword and the Samehada has the same hilt. Now, if we were a person to believe in coincidence, it would be just that. But we don't." Naruto stood up, pocket his Bingo Book, and created a new Kage Keiri. "You were right, we are Naruto. What do you two want?"
"We want the Fourth's legacy," Itachi told him, locking eyes with him.
"Sharigan..." Naruto grinned under his mask. "One of the best fights we ever had was with your brother after he got his to his final form. No one has ever lasted that long." He walked over to the window and dropped down. "Outside of town, should we have to release that part of ourselves, we don't want the body count beyond you. Kisame, we are going to try to take you alive if possible. Zabuza is a friend of ours." Naruto opened the window and ran outside of town.
The two followed him and found him waiting. "We don't have time to waste with a fight," Itachi told him. He point a finger at Naruto, trying to trap him in a genjutsu.
"...Was that supposed to do something," Naruto asked him. "You need eye contact for most genjutsu to work. We can fight with our eyes closed. Which will be useful as..." He was gone and Itachi felt someone press a blade to his neck from behind. "You need that to use that Sharigan to the be able to see what we are going to do next."
"I don't," Kisame roared, bringing Samehada down where he was standing. Naruto moved Kage Keiri in the way and blocked it. Kisame was shocked when his arm didn't even shake to keep his sword at arm's length.
"We were not lying when we said we are a hunter ninja." He dropped back and created the Enmu no Jutsu. "We know you have heard this before, Kisame. But, for Itachi's sake, we will say it again. There are eight places on the body that a hit here will kill you. The heart, kidney, lungs, liver, spine, clavicle vein, neck vein, and the brain. We could hit any of those places on you that we want."
Itachi looked around nervous. Many thought him fearless but there was one thing he was afraid of. Going blind. And he now couldn't see a thing. "Brat," Kisame said, "I know what this is. Pure chakra. My sword eats chakra, remember?" The darkness vanished to reveal a group of mirrors around them. "Oh shit." For an instant, they both saw a white spider surrounded by darkness attack them.
—oo000oo—
Kisame opened his eyes to find himself in a web. When he looked down, he yelled. He was over a canyon a thousand feet deep. "Kisame, calm down," Itachi told him. "We don't need this thing shaking anymore than it already is.
"CALM DOWN!? WE ARE GOING TO DIE! WHY THE HELL SHOULD I CALM DOWN!"
"Because this boulder is literally holding on by a thread," he heard Naruto say above them. Kisame looked up and saw Naruto hanging from another web. By him was the boulder he spoke of. "You see, we doubt it was us you meant when you said you wanted the Yondaime's legacy. Which means, you want Kyuubi. Why?"
"Fuck you!"
"Wrong answer." One of the webs were cut. "We are a hundred feet from the ledge both ways. A hundred feet down from the lip. And this boulder will tear my webs apart if it falls. You will not survive." Kisame started to look down, hoping that water was at the bottom. It was as dry as Suna. "You have a total of three three strikes before we drop this. You have used one. Again, why?"
"We aren't talking, Naruto-kun."
"Strike two." He pulled another web off it. "Keep in mind this before you answer again. You are wearing a uniform. As such, we just need to find others wearing it to find someone that doesn't want to die. Your final answer is?" They remained silent. "We will give you a minute to think about this. Move, we drop the boulder."
"...He is too high for me to reach," Kisame told Itachi. "Worst, he controls ice, meaning he is related to Haku. Even if we could reach him, he could use his mirrors to move beyond the speeds we could dream of."
"Fifty seconds," Naruto informed them.
"Not that it would do much good, he has your sword." Kisame clapped his back, finding it gone. "And as we are in the air, your water jutsu is useless."
"Forty three seconds."
"What about your fire?"
"Useless, it would burn up the webs, killing us anyway."
"...The Tsukuyomi!?"
"I can't use it through his mask."
"YOU MEAN WE ARE GOING TO DIE HERE!?"
"We gave you a way out. Thirty seconds."
"A way out that isn't a way out," Kisame yelled. "We got to do something, Itachi!"
"...Naruto, can you give a message to Sasuke for me? Tell him that our father was planning to betray Konoha."
"...We see. But that changes nothing. You are still a missing nin, it is our job to hunt you."
"I know. I only wanted him to know that and that he was right, there were more helping."
"...Itachi, that sounded like the confessions of a man giving up on life," Kisame stated. "Tell me that was just some plan to help us escape."
"Kisame, you are one of the Seven Swordsmen. You should know when to struggle and when it is hopeless. He has us where we can do nothing."
"...Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six." Naruto was looking them in the eyes and was impressed. They didn't beg, they didn't show fear. Kisame just had a hard time accepting that he was going to die for a moment. "Five. Four. Three." Naruto raised the Kage Keiri to cut the web. "Two... One..." He started his swing.
"Naruto, you around here," Jiriaya called from the cliff ledge.
"Down here, Jiriaya," Naruto called, stopping his sword just touching the web. "Dealing with two criminals."
Jiriaya looked down and saw their cloaks. "Akatsuki," he said in disbelief.
"You know them," Naruto asked.
"I had heard of them. And the rumors that someone wanted the Bijuu. I guess they are the same."
"Well, looks like you two are living on borrowed time. Tell me more, Jiriaya-sama. These two don't seem willing to talk much and we were about to execute them. But a minute won't hurt."
—oo000oo—
Author's notes. I know you are going to suggest what should be done with them. Use your imagination and the one I like the most, I will use. Letting them fall to their death is too boring. I bet they don't think so though. Now, this is it. The fate of everyone's favorite bad good guy Itachi. And my favorite villains, one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. Honestly, anyone that reads my fanfics should notice I like Zabuza, he is cool.
See ya space cowboy.
