He woke before the sun.

This was no day for lingering rest.

Naruto stood in his new joke of a bedroom, almost missing the regal prison room he'd been given yesterday.

The room still felt musty, but it was a familiar kind. He'd lived in this building most of his life. And in spite of the grime, he was comfortable.

Even if it was a sick, cosmic joke. To return.

A shame his bed didn't feel like a home.

His body ached and burned with the fire that churned in his heart.

October Tenth. His birthday.

The blond's blue eyes shone with all of his strength. He had trained hard, not for this day, no, but it felt like it. Felt like today could be the day his entire being - all that he had ever worked for - would shine through. He would stop Madara today, even if it cost him his life. Even if it cost him his new, brighter, stranger future.

The usual shade of sleepiness that stayed with him when he woke was gone immediately. He strode into the kitchen and fixed himself as big a breakfast he could - a challenge given the lack of supplies - but it would do. He crunched and chewed away, placing the scrolls he'd painted last night into the pockets of his black and orange pants.

He shut the lights off, unsure if he would return. Made him wonder why he bothered to clean up yesterday...

Naruto looked into the darkness, staring at it with a challenging smile.

"Uchiha... I don't know if you're Madara, or some awful copy-cat... but I swear, I'll end your games. You won't unleash the Kyuubi against this village, even if I have to release my seal to stop you."

His whispered those parched words and he sounded silly to himself. Could he give up his life for this fake village? A village which didn't contain the lives of his friends yet? People who didn't know he existed? After everything that happened yesterday? After the way his real village had treated him? Hounded him? After the bullies in the academy, the nay-sayers at each and every genin exam? The people who refused to sell him basic necessities? The same people who looked down on the poor? Who had contempt for the weak?

Probably. He was stubborn.

People could change. And he wanted to change them for the better.

Maybe it was a childish thought... but that was his way.

By some ironic twist of fate, he'd become a missing-nin - something he'd contemplated becoming once, when he had been a child. To become like one of those famous ronin, wandering the lands with a cross-shaped star on his cheek. Escaping all the pain and loneliness of his youth. He'd even lived the life of a wanderer for a little while.

He didn't like it. For all the bad memories this apartment gave him, there were many good ones too. As he shut the door, a slight smile graced his lips. He'd give up his life and use the fox against Madara, if need be.

But on second though, releasing the Kyuubi would probably be a bad idea. That might give Madara two of them to command. He was better off attempting the Shiki Fuuin, even though he wasn't exactly sure how that worked. In a pinch, he might be able to perform it?

"I'll have to learn that technique, soon." Naruto murmured, hearing the door to his apartment with a click, and turned.

He climbed down the circling steps of the apartment building one step at a time, one hand on the railing, the other outstretched, his dusty palm lifted toward his eyes. Naruto stood at the base of the stairs, taking deep breaths as he bit his thumb. He concentrated deep and filled himself, his core, with the Kyuubi's chakra. He formed a quick series of seals.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" he hissed, slamming the ground, coughing and hacking as thick plumes of smoke rose up, fading away.

Naruto grinned as four foxes stood regally before him. He pointed at each one.

The golden-orange fox of fire, "Onoe." Naruto commanded, "You're with me today. All today. This is an extended assignment. I'd appreciate your cooperation. This is really important. The man we're going to hunt today started this whole mess with Kurama. I want you to give it your all."

The fox nodded with a furious stern glare, its lips drawn into a proud smile.

Next, Naruto looked to its right, "Bashou."

Bashou was a fox with downy, snowy white fur, only the tip of its tail colored orange; its eyes like faint, black ice.

"You will scout north of here. I know you don't know Konoha well, use this time to familiarize yourself with its geography. I don't have a scent for you to pick up, but if you notice any unusual chakra spikes, I need you to track them, somehow. Stay safe."

The fox nodded warily, standing up from its pious perch on the floor. Its lone tail swayed as Naruto lead the four foxes outside, into the dim gray morning. Naruto watched quietly as the shadowy clouds rolled overhead, becoming banished by the light. Bashou slipped into slithering darkness and scurried away.

Next, he turned to the third. It was ordinary looking, its coat not glimmering like Onoe. A dull orange coat with a white underbelly, dark brown ears and a spotted nose, "Issa." He said fondly, "I want you to look for Kurama. Obviously not the one in my stomach. I really think there's a second one here, because otherwise Madara's going to be a bit mad." He grinned, "Or I'll be in a lot of deep shit tonight."

The fox titled its head and yipped confusedly, to which Naruto reached out to rub it under its jaw, "I know I'm giving you kind of a crazy order, but I'll treat you to some fresh rabbit next time I summon you. Just follow familiar scents okay? I'm not sure how you could locate the Kyuubi, but if he's here in Konoha, you should be able to find something, right?"

The fox shook its head, to which Naruto sighed, "Just... try anyway."

Issa walked off with a roll of its shoulders, passerby blinking at the calm gait of a young fox trotting through the streets.

Naruto turned to the last fox, "Shiki."

Shiki was a five-tailed fox with scarlet fur. It looked a little mangy, its hide rough and coarse in some spots, but it wore a kind, serene smile on its long face.

"You're also with me today. I don't know what Tobi can really do, I've only seen him perform a few basic ninjutsu and become that hazy-mist. All I can say is he can... disappear, or something. I don't really understand it, but I have a feeling having both you and Onoe today will catch him off guard. You need to be your best today! I need complete focus, not like that time we fought that crazy Jashin guy dattebayo. Hey, maybe I could reward you with ramen next time I summon you?"

The fox barked in annoyance, moving to Naruto's right, while Onoe accompanied him on his left.

"Fine, fine." He sighed, "No ramen. Sheesh. I thought I'd finally gotten to you last time."

Their tails swayed in almost hypnotic harmony as he walked, the sight drawing the eyes of passerby as Naruto moved through the streets. He noticed the stare of several hidden ANBU in the distant trees and venues that lined the manicured path. He figured they'd get a kick out of seeing a fox summoner in action. The tides of people lining the streets looking for early morning deals parted as he walked, kids reaching out to stroke the foxes. Both of them seemed to like the attention they were getting, their heads and chests puffed up in delight. Both of them were sly egomaniacs, a little like he used to be as a genin.

Oh, wait. He was still one of those, technically, "Drat." He chuckled to himself and grinned, approaching the meeting place just as the edge of the sun began to roll over, terracotta topped houses in the east bouncing off dim beams of light. True to Gai's word, three relaxed shinobi stood conspicuously before a circular fountain, water springing from spouts molded from the icons of the posed Sannin, a trio of great legends locked into battle with the fierce stone Hanzou. Water sprang from the tip of a perfect miniature of the Kusanagi, Jiraiya's toad summons, a salamander summon, and Tsunade's palms.

Naruto remarked at the small monument he'd never seen before, "Oh wow."

Of course, he was also stunned by the sight of Gai and his comrades. That was probably more impressive, given their relaxed, but perfectly guarded stances.

Gai, on the left, was readied for battle. As always, his bulging strength strained the tight green spandex over his body. He was definitely burdened by some training weights, but he was also carrying an unusual amount of holsters on his thighs. He wondered how many supplies he had on him. Probably enough to go hiking for weeks.

Right of him though, was a young man with hair of black fire - his hair whipping and curling like he'd just rolled out of bed. But Naruto suspected his hair would tolerate little fashioning anyway. His eyes were just as black; narrow frame clad in a regal purple jacket. Black fishnet wound around his legs and chest, pristine white shorts fastened tightly about his waist. The man bore a curious frown as his gaze trailed to Naruto's animal companions. Gai's expression was predictable: surprise immediately exploding into joy.

"Oh! Here is the wondrous, youthful companion we have been waiting for! And he has brought such nubile creatures to aid us."

Nubile? Naruto shuddered, "Gai, you need to find yourself a better thes-thesu-dictionary." He deflated, how was he going to become Hokage now at this rate? He hardly knew how to say anything that was more than two syllables.

"Spring is a time for fertile regrowth and resurgence! It is bliss and-" the man right of him slapped his hand over Gai's mouth. "Sorry about that." The man said with the edges grin rounded, "You're Naruto then. I'm Shisui." He said calmly, glancing to his right, "These are-"

The man just right of Shisui stepped forward, clad in a chuunin vest atop a tight white gi and solid white cotton pants, "Hyuuga Kiku." His eyes were unnaturally white, even for a Hyuuga. His soft, impassive stare and light features reminded him of Haku. Naruto reached out and clasped his hand, noting there was a caged bird seal on his head - proudly on display. Or almost, were it not for the wild brown mop that slightly obfuscated it, his hitai-ate around his neck.

Finally, a second man clad in a jounin vest stood forward, his eyes ringed in green and red. He bent his left arm behind him and bowed slightly, "I am Yuuhi Denbu. Commander of this mission. Welcome, Kurama-san."

The man's face was an oily brown, his face sunken, hard wrinkles exposing the firm lines of his bony jaw that lay underneath the skin. He wore his forehead protector straight over the forward bone of his brow, his ringed eyes meeting Naruto's with a pierced stare.

"Let us move to a more secure location, where I will detail our duties for today."

"A-ah." Naruto said in agreement, watching as Hyuuga, Uchiha and Gai obediently turned with the jounin, Naruto forming the last link in the chain, the two foxes following also in single file.

They passed from the bubbling statue to a deserted training ground in a small wildlife park. The woods were thin, leaves of green, gold and red scattered beneath the graying spines of trees.

Naruto interrupted the entirely silent journey (to Naruto's surprise, Gai remained absolutely silent) as they stopped on the trimmed grass, "Are you Kurenai's father?" he blurted out, dumbly.

"You have met my daughter, yes." He said tacitly, ignoring Naruto's pleased dattebayo that sprang happily from his lips, "But pleasantries can be dispensed later. Kiku-san, please put Kurama-san up to speed."

The Hyuuga nodded, "Special orders were assigned two nights ago by Yondaime-sama during regular security proceedings. Team 11 was assigned to set up camp eighteen kilometers from the focal access point of reserve grounds 17."

Shisui took a step forward and nudged his elbow into Kiku, making the Hyuuga grunt. Naruto blinked in surprise, his eyes barely catching the sudden movement, "Hey. Knock it off. It's not like he has any idea what you're talking about. Gai said this guy's a foreigner."

"It's fine." Naruto said, "Go on." He smiled at Shisui, "Thanks."

Not all Uchiha were bastards, maybe?

Shisui dragged his fingers through his wild hair, meeting the Hyuuga's icy gaze. Kiku returned to speaking swiftly though, "We are Team 11. We will be moving up a ways to secure the entrance to what amounts to private property. We are not allowed to let anyone enter the grounds under any circumstances, for the entire length of the property, which is two kilometers, approximately, in length. However, if anyone even attempts to enter the grounds, we are to signal for assistance immediately and to only take precise defensive action. Direct engagement is only authorized under immediate self-defense. If anyone attempts to flee, we are to pursue with caution, at a safe distance, at least five hundred steps or more. Do you understand?"

Naruto laughed, "I do. But, you guys didn't give me a chance to introduce myself, I'm U-Kurama Naruto. Er, former missing nin, I guess."

No one showed any reaction, so he guessed they knew that already, "I uhh, like ramen, red bean soup, watering plants, the time it takes for ramen to cool down, foxes, and travelling. I dislike war, death, and being restless. I don't really have any hobbies... that aren't related to being a shinobi. I might write a book someday, I think, though." He hummed in thought, "How's that for an introduction?"

Gai gave him a thumbs up, in-spite of the flat expressions on the rest of the crew, "Splendid! But we came here, perhaps, to give an overview of your skills, so that Shisui-san, Denbu-sensei and Kiku-san are well-prepared to work alongside you!"

Naruto looked toward Kurenai's father for confirmation. The man nodded stiffly, "Hai. Please give us a basic demonstration of what you can do. I am already aware that you have a contract with the foxes, is it? How ever did you come across that?"

Naruto laughed and rubbed the back of his head, stepping away from the group, "It's a long story. I don't really have the time to explain, but for now, let's say I inherited it through my family? It's mostly true, at least. Just missing a lot of details."

"Very well."

Naruto took a few more steps away across the short grass, "Onoe." The golden-orange fox came up around Naruto and sat on its rear, its six tails swaying with a sudden, caressing breeze. "Shiki." The mangy scarlet fox sat beside Onoe, its five tails dancing to a different rhythm. Naruto looked into their eyes with a calm smile, before looking up, "I summoned these foxes before coming here. Shiki and Onoe are probably the most battle-ready of my summons, though there are some more ferocious ones I can all upon, I don't think we're on the best terms right now, so... I wouldn't trust them around anybody but myself and people I want to have chewed up into little bits." He laughed nervously, "That's another long story. But anyway, neither Onoe or Shiki can speak human language, unfortunately. The fox contract hasn't exchanged man human hands, so they're just starting to adapt to me. It may be a while before some of the older ones can speak. In any case, I can communicate to them because of my pact. Should you need them to assist you, they have some rudimentary understanding of basic commands, so try to keep your instructions simple." Naruto trailed off, realizing he was getting far too much into detail, "Shiki is basically a ninjutsu fox, she has an amazing command over water, which she can produce from her mouth or moisture in the air. Onoe is her older sister, well, I don't know how closely related they are, but they address each other as sisters..." he shook his head, "At least when they aren't whining at each other. Onoe is more suited for close-range combat, she's swift and cunning with claws, which are about as sharp as any kunai. Probably a lot sharper actually, I think she's cut a kunai in half before. That said, her coat is makes most fire chakra completely useless. She can also breathe fire! But she's not quite that good yet, her range is small, but she's still amazing dattebayo. I used her to make some amazing ramen broth once."

To demonstrate for his deadpanning audience, Naruto ordered both of his foxes to race each other and attack. Naturally, Shiki opened her mouth and spat a stream of densely packed water at Onoe, who took a shallow breath, exerting herself to create a thin plume of raging fire. The two attacks met each other about half-way, before creating a foggy mist that rose into the air and dissipated rapidly. A light breeze swept through the park, quickly scattering and dispersing the lingering heat and chakra, Shisui's eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Gai clapped his hands excitedly. Shisui glared at the blond. Kiku held an almost zombie-like stare, but Naruto could read him best of all, he seemed far more interested than either. Naruto had no clue what Denbu was thinking, however. The man was looking at him eerily one moment, the next, he was staring off into space, totally disinterested.

"Onoe and Shiki work well together," he explained, "-but they work even better with me. Onoe!" He pointed to a lone tree in the distance of the park, the fox pursing its lips and swallowing a breath. On its own, Onoe's fire attack would never reach, but as it spat flames again, Naruto thrust his palm forward, sending a concentrated gust into the mouth of the flame.

The air exploded in sudden ignition, a stream of gilded fire reaching the young leaf-less tree. It erupted into flame.

"Shiki!" he called next.

The mangy fox's tails coiled together in concentration and spewed forth a thick wad of water, sniping the tree and extinguishing it a cascading drench, saving the tree before it was reduced to black and gray ash.

Naruto bowed with a silly grin to his audience, "I've pretty much mastered my elemental affinity - wind. I actually don't know many wind techniques, so I just throw it around like that."

Shisui nodded, almost boredly now, "Elemental combination. That looks effective."

"I'm a bit slow at it in practice like this. Though in actual combat, Onoe and Shiki are pretty good at figuring out opportune times to attack. I can usually offer support when they do, enhancing their attacks."

"I see."

"Surprising talents for a former nuke-nin." Kiku murmured under his breath.

"Does that mean you could command all of the elements at once?" Denbu asked curiously, "Or are fire and water the only affinities associated with your summons?"

Naruto kicked the dirt below him, "I don't know. I've not exactly had much time for training, let alone guess around and try random crap. And elemental combination is a lot harder than it looks, you need to get the right flow of wind, or you can actually weaken its combination effects. I've snuffed out Onoe's flames before, on accident. But maybe I can? I'd have to ask... uhh... the lord of the foxes." He laughed nervously, bending down with a timid smile to ruffle the necks of his summons, "Anyway, those are my usual tactics. I do combine my wind manipulation with taijutsu to reinforce my speed and power, but that doesn't need to be shown. Right?" He paused in thought, "I have... a few fuuin jutsu scrolls on me. But their usage would take too long to explain."

Denbu gave him a stony look, to which Naruto added with a sigh, "The first scroll will create some bunshin after a delay. Useful for distraction. The second can disrupt chakra control, similar to a Juuken strike." That made Kiku finally offer a genuinely curious look, "Those are the only scrolls on me right now, until I have more time to make more."

Shisui tapped his foot, "As Kiku-san suggested a moment ago, you have a very odd selection of skills for a nuke-nin. I'm surprised you're not famous. Have I heard of you?"

Naruto waved his hand, "Yeah, well, thanks I guess. But no, I'm not famous and there's no way you've ever heard of me." He really didn't like being called a nuke-nin, he was trying to fit in and it was going to be hard if they started identifying him as that missing-nin guy. "Anyway, can we get this mission started? Or do I need to tell you about how I can't do any genjutsu for the life of me? Or that I consider myself pretty good at tracking and stealth?"

"Those are good qualities to know, Kurama-san." Denbu said with an easy smile, baffling the blond, "A more thorough overview would be useful, but I do not wish to dally. Yondaime-sama stressed an unusual amount of importance on the timeliness of our positioning." He said with almost a knowing taunt, "So let's make camp and prepare. We can discuss things in depth after we've secured the perimeter."

As they strode through the streets, small shops giving way to small homes, then to open, shining fields, Naruto asked Shisui, Gai, and Kiku about their specialties. Kiku was proficient in Juuken and other Hyuuga skills, though he claimed to be a better tracker than fighter. Gai was obnoxious as usual, but happy to describe his prowess in taijutsu. He also confided a small interest in genjutsu, though he seldom used what he knew in combat. Shisui was the most interesting, with a small focus in fire and lightning techniques, his major focus being taijutsu and shunshin. Shisui claimed with a smug grin that he was the fastest person before the Hokage, capable of chaining multiple shunshin jutsu in a short manner. Although the technique was usually only useful for well-practiced teleportation at a long distance, Shisui was capable of burning his large chakra reserves on out-maneuvering his opponents with it. Denbu chimed in that he was the only one he had ever heard of, to use the technique that way.

Denbu was more enigmatic. He offered a friendly smile at times, but he was aloof, not rising to speak about even the most interesting of topics, such as the nature of Naruto's summoning contract, or how he had landed himself in their care, when he wasn't even officially a Konoha shinobi.

"The Hokage's put a lot of faith in you." Kiku murmured, seemingly lost in thought for a moment, "I also heard that we had a blond visitor with Hiashi-sama, yesterday. It couldn't have been Hokage-sama, so was that you?"

Naruto shrugged, meeting the man's calculating eyes, trying not to let his gaze flicker up to the proudly worn seal adorning his forehead, "Yeah, it was." Naruto said with a mild grin, "I guess things are weird around here, huh? I agree, if I were Hokage, I probably would have thrown myself in prison."

"I have trouble believing Grass would treat one of our own like we are you, Kurama-san."

Naruto nodded warily, "Yeah, Konoha's certainly different."

"Or perhaps Hokage-sama is of a very interesting breed of philosophy. Tell me, what did Hiashi-sama need to speak with you about? If you don't mind me asking."

They stopped, finally, by the edge of a speckled gray road, a wooden fence stuck deep in the dry, sparsely growing field. Naruto scanned the trees in the distance - the clearing wide and fairly well maintained.

"It was about seals. Seems you guys need help with that kind of thing and I'm a rarity."

Kiku rubbed his chin in thought, nodding carefully, "You will be helping my clan then?" he sounded oddly hopeful.

"Why are you worried about it?" Naruto smiled carefree, waving his hand about, his heart pounding with excitement, "Of course I'll help you guys! If I can, at least. I'm a little nervous, as my seals have been always for me. Never had to be responsible the seals other people use, before."

Kiku bowed slightly, "I am glad to hear it. It is a discussion both sides of the family have been arguing about for many months. The clan is torn in its direction, since Hokage-sama renounced his support. We have completely divided the council on the issue, as well."

Shisui's eyes glanced over to Kiku and Naruto as they gathered in a circle, Denbu moving in front of them, halting the momentum of the conversation, "It would be best if you kept yourself uninvolved, Kurama-san. Clan politics are messy. Especially if your freedom hinges upon the approval and goodwill of the Hokage, who is not in camp with the Hyuuga."

Naruto just stared at Kiku in confusion, "Um, I don't understand the specifics, you're telling me there's something wrong wit-"

Denbu clapped his hands, the four shinobi spinning about to face him. They made a straight line, Naruto's fox entourage standing attentively in front of him. They relaxed quickly though, slumping into lazy disinterested stances, clearly not used to working in a group with a commander other than their summoner.

"You all will have plenty of time for chit-chat when this is over. Politics will always be a game of shifting sides, twisting and winding like any good illusion." The jounin said with a slight smile, a gentle breeze washed over them, ruffling the dark hair of the man with the ringed eyes, "The mission begins now. Kiku, you will stand over there-" the jounin pointed out past the wooden fence, "-fifty meters from here. Use your Byakugan to watch for anyone. If you see anyone, you will make a signal, preferably an audio and visual one." He glanced at Naruto, "Listen for two claps. Four if it's simply something suspicious. We will not be using radios today, there is some concern the frequencies could be listened in on."

Kiku nodded, "Understood, Yuuhi-sensei."

Next, Denbu turned to the fourteen-year-old Uchiha, "You will stand watch here by the fence, ready to support Kiku-san. Engage civilians and code zero personnel, direct them calmly from this area. I know you have a certain reputation, so try to keep them calm. Stay professional. I don't want any arguments about unsettled debts or stolen girlfriends like last time."

Yuuhi made the Uchiha shrink back, the man's lips quirking into an embarrassed grin as he laughed nervously, "O-of course! Hey, relax. I told you, that sort of thing won't happen again." Naruto shared a look with Shisui, but he wouldn't rise to Naruto's incredulous glare.

Next he turned to Gai. Naruto thought he was holding back both a shudder and a smile, "Gai, just... stay quiet." He pointed to the trees in the distance, "Climb a tall one and keep a look out. Kiku will no doubt spot people before you, but it doesn't hurt to have two eyes to confirm something. And please, no shouting."

"Hai, Yuuhi-sensei!" Gai saluted the tall jounin, standing straight like a wooden plank.

Finally, he turned to Naruto and his summons, "Can you order Onoe and Shiki to scout the forest for us? It's not very dense here, when they're finished they can split up and cover the western perimeter, close to where the end of the block."

Naruto bent down and whispered some commands into their ears before standing straight, "Yeah. It's done." He said coolly, "They'll definitely abandon any orders I give them if they think I'm in trouble, though. These two are eager and we've got a partnership going instead of a master-slave relationship." He grinned as Denbu's expression dropped slightly.

"I see. Noted."

"Where do you want me?"

Denbu tapped his lower lip, "Where do you think you're best suited?"

Naruto shrugged, "Anywhere, really." He noted the curious looks of the others with a mischievous grin, "I know a little bit about what this mission is really about. It's obviously not just any ordinary guard patrol. Maybe you should quit trying to act all secretive and just admit to what you know."

Denbu looked like he was about to say something nasty at the young blond, but chose not to, after scanning the rest of the team, "I suppose that's fair." He said with a grated tone, "We are expecting an attack upon a location just north of here. An S-ranked nuke-nin, to be precise. Hopefully not one of this boy's long-lost road-buddies." He jabbed, Narut's grin drooping, "We don't know if this intruder will be aided or how he will strike, but securing this lane is vital. We will be in a good position to support the defense team, should they require backup." He stared icily at Naruto, "Our intelligence is poor on this, so we are to be careful about even the most ordinary of trespassers. That is why nobody is allowed through. This includes animals as well, although it will be a challenge, any suspicious wildlife should also be killed on sight."

"Are there any questions?"

Kiku raised his hand.

"Speak."

"Is that all the intel we have, sensei? That an S-ranked ninja will be coming this way? What's he after? Why is this so important?"

"I do not know." Denbu confessed, his old eyes closing for a moment, "From what I understand, it may be related to Orochimaru's... departure. That is why, if we encounter anyone hostile or suspicious, ANBU will converge on our location immediately. It is why you will be up front and personal Shisui, I trust you to be fast enough to escape an S-ranked ninja, in one piece. You have the best chance out of all of us."

The Uchiha glowed like a star for a moment, until Gai nudged him in the ribs, "Oh, so invigorating! Shisui-san, your speed is worthy of praise. If Sensei believes you can survive against someone so dangerous, you have come far since we were genin."

"That's enough Gai." He glared at the Uchiha, reaching forward to fondly ruffle his messy hair, "Don't let it get to your head. No heroics. Disengage if you notice anything of suspect."

"I got it, I got it. Sheesh." Shisui shook his head with a pink tinge on his cheeks, "What do you take me for?"

"A fool?" Kiku supplied.

"Enough." Denbu huffed weakly, before either egotistical chuunin could be all over each other like street cats, "Take your positions." He looked at Kurama, "Find a good place. This is going to be a long day. We will not be coming off duty until a little past dawn tomorrow. Stay sharp. Stay focused. Await my orders at any moment."

"Hai." They said together, calmly spreading apart, Naruto's foxes dashing under the fence with their flowing tails like whipping flames, Naruto taking a position from Denbu's orders, scaling a tree close to the road, surveying the parks, training grounds, cleared lots and untamed wilderness bordered in the distance by Konoha's great wall. Denbu himself cast a genjutsu, his body camouflaging against the base of a small rock, his sitting form melding against it.


Hours passed in total stillness.

Each minute, Naruto could feel his heart beat quicker. Doubt that had nibbled away at his heart until his hasty mind began to dream up contingency after contingency. He watched his teammates, imagining in his mind what he would do if Madara appeared before any one of them in a flicker. He rehearsed exactly what he would do to save them and to kill the bastard. It was unlikely, of course, but such thoughts calmed him. He'd grown paranoid, travelling on his own, keeping hidden from Akatsuki, and it seemed that paranoia would now follow him into missions.

He shook his head as he almost caught himself letting his thoughts wander to dangerous places again. Paranoia was not a bad thing; especially since the lack of it had cost the lives of Sakura-chan andGaara.

He was tempted to meditate, to reach into himself and gather his strength, to keep him from crumbling inside. But he wanted to be alert. To be the first one to see that man. But he knew - somehow - that Madara would not come this way. No, why would he? What was Madara's strength? He knew the man had the Mangekyo Sharingan and he had observed him become intangible for brief periods of time. He suspected the man could also teleport, it was truly the only way the man could be in many places at once, unless he held a mastery over Kage Bunshin that he did not possess. He'd only seen the man in combat several times. Enough that he was still confused about who he truly was. Madara would have been over a century old if he were still alive, but that didn't entirely rule him out. He'd fought enough near-immortal opponents not to underestimate him.

Madara was tough physically, he wasn't imbalanced like Gaara, relying on crazy ninjutsu to win his fights. He was adept in illusions, at least as much as Itachi, but he didn't rely on those either. He was balanced, as far as he could tell. With very few weaknesses.

He suspected Madara was still vulnerable when he was intangible. He was still visible, after all. He'd never witnessed him perform a technique while intangible, but maybe the man simply chose not to. He could try some things while his opponent was in that state, but the best strategy would be to prevent him from doing it at all.

Blitzing him was the only way to win.

If he even got a piece of him. From the way Denbu acted, all of Konoha was on alert. There was no way Tobi would get away from this unscathed, this time.

Naruto looked down and stopped breathing for a moment, the dim scarlet eyes of Kurama looking back up at him, his nine tails spinning around in the tall grasses below.

He nearly fell out of the tree in surprise.

"K-Kurama?!"

The lithe, muscular fox-man gave him a withering smile, "I'm an illusion." He said simply, "I can now speak to you without the crude methods of the past. Though, I will not fall back to this too often, if I can help it. It is... uncomfortable, seeing this physical world as an illusion."

Naruto looked over to Kiku and Shisui, noticing they hadn't detected the fox.

"They can't see you, can they?"

The fox chuckled, "No. They cannot. Is it not obvious? I told you, I'm not real."

"Ugh, I'm going to start hallucinating now?" he sighed, looking at the man's attire, "Could you at least dress a little... warmer? It's going to be winter soon, you know. It's kind of chilly out." He said calmly.

"You might want to think instead of speak. Unless you want your teammates to overhear and think you're mad?"

"'ttaku. Let them think what they want to." Naruto grumbled, "A Hokage's allowed to be crazy."

"You're not one yet."

Naruto just smiled wryly, "I guess." He whispered, "What do you want?"

"I just wanted to remind you, that you have my support in this. Getting vengeance would taste sweet tonight." A long sharp tongue exited the man's thin ruby lips. He licked them.

Naruto nodded grimly, sighing, "I'll keep my eyes peeled. But I'm not a sensor. Who knows if we'll get a chance."

The fox nodded to the blond's words of hope and Naruto confided, "I'd be happy if we could just avert the crisis that started all of this."

"Madara is involved." The fox growled, "The crisis that started all this is far older than this... petty squabble."

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's of no consequence. The past is the past."

Naruto laughed, "Not with me, it isn't. Say, speaking of the past, do you feel like telling me what you were doing around this time? Is Minato protecting a Jinchuuriki? Or the real you?"

Those scarlet eyes flickered dangerously. For a moment, Naruto thought he wouldn't answer.

"It's still hazy." He said in a tone which convinced Naruto he was lying, "But I was sealed in someone. He is likely protecting a Jinchuuriki, if this is indeed my past."

"We'll have to talk about this in private, later." He left no room for argument, "Now's not the time, at this point." He sighed.


Uzumaki Kushina knew she was going into labor far before she felt a trickle of water down her leg. She shuddered, swallowing a deep breath and concentrated chakra into a seal in the emerald ring around her middle finger. In a flash, Minato stood before her, his loving blue eyes almost tearful. She smiled at his exhausted grin, "I'm ready." She whispered as he gently wrapped his arm around her upper back and teleported her away to the safe house, leaving the confines of their cozy bedroom silent and empty.

Neither of them wanted to risk their first child on the Hiraishin doing something bad to a woman in labor, but when Minato had told her Orochimaru - or worse - were planning something with the Kyuubi, that somebody may have known about the well kept secret of the seal weakening during labor, she was all for untraceable movement from their home to the quarantined shack distant from the bustle of the heart of the village.

The windows were sealed with reinforced steel plates, the red doors locked from the inside. The blurred visage of the Sandaime in full body armor showed through a tiny square window. She saw him turn slightly, a curl of his lips making the redhead smile weakly, as they moved away from the door.

She met Biwako, a sandy-skinned woman with a tranquil smile, who took her left hand, while Minato clasped her right. They brought her to narrow bed, white sheets and a plethora of fluffy alabaster pillows placed upon it. Kushina grunted as she climbed onto it, spreading her legs as they removed her clothes. Minato turned to Biwako as Kushina draped her body in faint green linen.

"I'm going to make sure nothing happens." He told the mid-wife, his gaze turning to Kushina, staring her heatedly in the eye, "I love you." He said quietly, and turned, smiling, "Hey Asuma." He bowed his head to his peer, the scarred jounin grinned warily, "I want you on the roof with Kakashi. I'm going to start up the seal matrix once we're outside. It's going to prevent anyone but me from coming back inside, alright?"

Kushina glared daggers at the two, "Hey! Don't turn away from me before I can say I love you back, dattebane!"

Asuma nodded sternly, completely ignoring her.

"Minato."

The blond turned sharp, Kushina's quivering, uncharacteristic voice making him lurch. But he melted as he was met with her trembling smile.

"If you don't come back in one piece, I'm going to kill you." She said sweetly, Biwako weaving her hands, monitoring the shining seal on her belly.

"I won't disappoint you." He flashed a wide smile.

Asuma put a hand on his shoulder. They unlocked the front door and spoke to the Sandaime, "Asuma-san will guard the door now, Hiruzen-san. Please, reinforce the seal as best you can. If reports remain clear, I will return to take over once you get tired, but I am going to meet up with Shikaku-san first and make sure there aren't any necessary last-minute changes needed."

The old man bowed his head, "Let's hope all this preparation was all for naught, Minato-kun." And he walked inside, locking the door behind him. Asuma joined Kakashi on the roof and Minato stood quietly on an old dirt smudge in the middle of a breezy, grassy field.

The cool night air caressed his face, his fiery cloak whipping in the anxious air. The sun was set, the moon hiding among the coasting turquoise clouds.

The blond tugged on the lapels of his well-worn jounin vest. He reached into each his pockets and counted his many pronged kunai. He brought one between two fingers and turned, tossing one up to the roof. Asuma moved into place to catch it.

"Throw it if there's trouble. Kakashi, you have yours, use it if Asuma can't. If I don't come, something is seriously wrong and you need to stick with Kushina until I do."

"Got it Sensei." The masked ex-ANBU said, his body hidden from view.

The Yondaime took two steps before vanishing like smoke.


The night was completely silent, not even the chirping of crickets in the distance. A quiet breeze blew through the knee-high grasses that made up the great field. He stepped from the line of the trees, a little dizzy from the long-range teleport, but he quickly recovered, his copy-wheel spinning wildly in anticipation. The air was strangely calm, just cool too, not the freezing autumn air he was expecting. It was foreboding and Uchiha Obito, whose second greatest fear was black cats, didn't like it one bit. But he was confident. Madara and him had gone over the mission and he thought he was capable. They wouldn't see him co-

Tobi's eyes bulged as a familiar kunai flew past his face, narrowly dodged by the slight shift of his head. He barely had enough time to raise his shackled hands to block the Yondaime's follow-up slash, a second kunai armed in the man's hand.

Tobi's body flowed with the night air, jumping back to avoid a sudden Rasengan to the chest, grunting at the ferocity of the Hokage's sudden onslaught.

"It's a shame." He heard him mutter darkly, the man's eyes cast to the ground expertly, "I was almost hoping for Orochimaru. Who are you?"

Orochimaru? Was he...expecting him? There was no surprise on the familiar man's features, which worried Tobi greatly. Something was clearly amiss, doubly so when he could sense ANBU - in numbers far greater than he anticipated - in the direction of his goal.

"That stupid snake set me up...?" Tobi whispered to himself, gritting his teeth, "What are you doing away from the Jinchu-"

"Who are you?!" Minato's voice was like a beast's, something he'd never experienced even as his student. True fear mixed with hatred. He didn't even give Tobi another moment to think, Minato vanishing suddenly, a kunai flying from a new direction, Tobi turning to meet it, eyes widening as Minato appeared beside him, having failed to notice a planted kunai left in the grass by his side. He was forced to turn intangible to avoid the different angled attacks, Minato's fist smashing through void, kunai slicing through the ethereally-occupied the air with a woosh.

The Yondaime took a step back in shock, raising a clenched kunai to block a fast, long-reaching front kick as the man turned tangible.

Tobi took the offensive, striking with incredible, inhuman strength and speed with right arm, his left making signs one-handed. Tobi's strikes clanged against the well-forged steel of Minato's kunai, leaving deep pock marks where his knuckles dug in.

The blond Hokage skidded against the dirt, parrying Tobi's latest punch and moving inside his guard, slicing with his bent kunai. Tobi moved his neck out of the way, the blade scraping across his sturdy wooden mask, leaving a shallow gash in the black spiral. He growled as the Yondaime easily kept his eyes diverted, knowing what lay within the center of that spiral.

"Are you Madara?" the Yondaime growled, avoiding a fire ninjutsu Tobi breathed thickly from his raspy throat, his lips pointed down from the mask, a searing cone of flame scorching the tall dewy grass in front of him, "Why are you here? Are you here to steal the Kyuubi?"

Tobi staggered back as Minato followed up his words with a Rasengan, the chains tying his wrists snapped in half as he was forced to guard against it, his focus briefly cracked. His plans to ensnare the Yondaime with the chains were dashed now, and now he was paying harshly for that stupid error, forced to dodge strike after strike after strike, phasing in and out, flickering between ghost and man. A fitting thing to be forced to perform, a small part of his rational mind quipped internally.

"Judging by your appearance and your abilities, you're at least a very good imitator." Minato grunted, their battle fast and fluid, time almost seeming to slow to a crawl, each action calculated but feeling so hasty and exhausting.

Tobi continued to say nothing as he bent low, pumping chakra through his legs, he dashed meeting Minato in close combat. His hands freed, he swung with both fists, the warped ends of his chains whipping forward with each strike, lashing out. A few whipping strikes passed through Minato's guard, slicing at his fiery coat and jounin vest. Tobi knew his sensei's strength was close combat, but he wasn't comfortable keeping him at a distance. Really, it would be impossible given his Flying Thundergod Technique.

The each threw their left arms, tight fists impacting dead on. Obito felt a whiplash of pain, as did Minato, as the force of their blows rode up their arms, making them stagger back. He recovered slightly faster than Minato and prepared a deadly Great Breakthrough with his hands, moving through the seals, almost releasing it. But he had to stop and throw his hands up, barely managing to erect a small wooden barrier to deflect a shower of chakra-laced shuriken that shrieked from behind. He wanted to let them phase through, but at that same moment, Minato had thrown another marked kunai. The throw was angled toward the ground, so letting it phase through would have given the man purchase to his back again. So, he deflected the on-coming kunai with his manacle, grunting in surprise as Jiraiya of the Sannin stepped onto the battlefield from the line of the forest.

"I gave you your thirty seconds, Minato-kun." The middle-aged man boasted heartily, "Don't think I'm going to let you take on this guy alone. He's got some interesting abilities."

"Mokuton." the Yondaime said dryly, "There aren't too many people who can do that."

Tobi hissed at his bad reaction as Jiraiya swallowed a deep breath and shouted, a plume of great fire spreading wide over the field, the man's body going intangible to render the attack useless.

Jiraiya maintained the technique with his deep breath, blowing a steady stoking flame as Tobi glared daggers at Minato, who was moving his hands through a fast series of seals, "Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!" he slammed the ground, the field opening up and the ground surrounding Tobi into a wide oval of liquefied swamp just as the fire died down. Tobi cancelled his technique, becoming tangible, he forced chakra through his feet to stay above the ensnaring liquid ooze and propelled himself into the air, leaping over the chakra-laden swamp. Jiraiya and his pupil met him on both sides, an exhausting combination of taijutsu resulting.

"This isn't working." He realized, his thoughts wild as he was barely able to keep flickering between tangibility and intangibility, avoiding and blocking what attacks he could manage to with his enhanced arm, "They're stalling for time. She's giving birth. And I'm surrounded. I need to reach her and unravel the seal. How did they know I was coming? Did that snake betray us already? I thought he wanted revenge."

Tobi failed to avoid a stunning edge kick from Jiraiya, the slanted edge of his foot impaling his lower back,sending Tobi flying across the field, his fingers clawing into the dirt to slow him down. He barely staggered to his feet in time, breathing raggedly, his steamy breath repelling off the mask and coating his sweating flesh underneath.

Seeing that he had no way of defeating two high S-ranked opponents, he tried to move toward the safe house, its location clear in his mind, the Shodaime's cells singing. Frothing, demonic chakra was like a faint stench in the air. He followed the source, kicking off the ground with a grunt, not that Jiraiya or the Yondaime would yield much ground. The blond blocked his way, "You won't harm her!" his fist phased through him as he flickered out of existence, grunting as Jiraiya punched the earth, a series of stony walls shooting up from the earth, almost blocking his path. He turned tangible and leaped, knowing it would be a mistake to try and use Kamui to reach the site of the redheaded mother. If they had anticipated his arrival, it would be well warded against intrusion. It would also be a bad idea to try and walk through the earthen wall, unsure what trap might spring on the other side. A quick leap was all he needed, but as he propelled himself off the earth, a marked kunai came blazing at his back. He phased out and drifted through the air, allowing the blade to pierce the earthen wall created by Jiraiya. In a blur of gold, the Yondaime was at him again, pushing off the wall with his feet. A second kunai came upon him with a snarl.

Tobi grunted as he twisted mid-air, just managing to phase out in time. The Yondaime flew up past him as he floated down to the ground, his cloak billowing in the breeze. He broke out into a run as soon as he touched the ground.

He realized he was rapidly depleting his chakra. Constantly phasing in and out was something he was still mastering. He was realizing how taxing it could be, in a stressful fight. And he knew now the worse case scenario was here: they were prepared for his arrival. He only dreaded what awaited him at the safe house. He wondered if he'd even stand a chance of getting to the woman had he tried to directly teleport inside the building from the very beginning. It's quite likely they could have captured him there, if they had the proper seals in place.

The Yondaime threw his blade with incredible force and appeared in front of him again, a short distance from the wall. Tobi staggered back, surprised by the vicious look in his eyes. He wondered if his sensei had always been this way, if perhaps it was why Kakashi had turned out has he did. He wondered if Minato-sensei could have had the gall to kill Rin, too.

Perhaps it was a bad idea to be nostalgic. This was a bad place to be. Bad people to fight. It filled him with many memories, evoking feelings he had buried many years ago. He had not lost all of the ties that bound him to Konoha. And it was enough to give the Yondaime a brief window - he dashed forward, having wrenched another kunai from his pocket. He hurled his arm forward as he lunged, Obito barely twisting out of the way. The kunai punctured his shoulder instead of his heart with a wet gurgle, white gunk spurting free. The Yondaime was surprised enough by the sight that it let Tobi fish a kunai of his own from his holster. He slammed his hand forward, quicker than the Yellow Flash could catch, piercing the stomach of his former-sensei. The man let out a surprised groan, stumbling back.

They traded several blows, the Yondaime clearly more weakened by their exchange than Tobi, who simply peeled the Kunai out and hurled it angrily away, white gunk spewing free with the guttural wrenching of the blade. He was tempted to finish off his former sensei right there, but despite suffering such a painful wound, Minato was able to hold his ground, delivering a shaking blow to his common peroneal with his knee, making him wobble forward. Jiraiya appeared at his student's side with a cloud of dust, mounted on a toad, he had flown over the wall and landed with a dusty smash into the earth, his amphibious mount croaking at the intruder and shielding the blond.

Tobi tumbled through the grass in time to avoid Jiraiya's defensive fireball and broke into a run past the duo, taking advantage of Jiraiya's concern shifting to his student.

That white-haired, red-streaked face twisted in frustration, "Enough of this Minato! You're hurt." Jiraiya pulled out a piece of paper from his within his vest as Madara flashed by, passing his hand over a series of red kanji, chakra flooding the seal. "I'm calling in the cavalry. We've seen enough." Jiraiya fell on one knee to inspect his student, who stood suddenly, blood leaking from the blade sticking out of his uniform, his body turning to the direction Madara was running - exactly where Kushina was held.

"It's not deep. The armor mitigated it." He told Jiraiya breathlessly, a small Rasengan spinning on his palm, "We need to go after him, he-"

"Rest." Jiraiya commanded in a hush, "Medic-nin are coming, that's no wound to fight with. You're not fighting straight right now Minato! Concern for your wife is clouding your focus. That was sloppy. Let me deal with this." He stood firmly, taking his hand off the blond's shoulder, reassuring him with a calm, determined gaze, feeling the wind at his back, "I won't let anything happen to her." He said like one of the many heroes in his novels, smiling just like one as well. He winked, and flew off in pursuit, leaving his winded student behind.


Tobi growled, knowing Jiraiya of the Sannin was not far behind him. But he was close. There was still a chance.

He dashed across the windswept plain, seeing a small house in the distance. His eyes widened as he approached and he brought his fingers together, darting to the left as shining kunai flew through the air. They arced perfectly in the air, pelting into the grass below. His fingers formed seals and he thrust out a palm, launching a bolt of fire from his palm. It streaked against the night sky, but was extinguished by a powerful water jutsu coming from the roof of the stout brown building.

And for just a moment, he had seen his own attack. Saw the hands moving. Saw the fingers weaving that Water Bullet Technique. His other eye was over there. Hatake Kakashi was on that roof.

"Shit." He hissed, but for another reason, three jounin just seemed to appear out of nowhere, their hands clasped together.

"There he is!" A man with a dark bandanna shouted, his two allies hurling handfuls of shuriken his way, shining twirls scattering in the air. He was able to dodge them without expending any chakra, but the trio were fast. They came into melee range and he was forced to engage them, his Sharingan spinning - but it didn't do him any good. They kept their eyes trained on the ground. And despite his attempts to wrench their eyes up, they kept them there.

Jiraiya was also supporting them now, quickly returning to the fray. A toad in the distance was spreading oil on the grass and a wall of fire was growing in the field, cutting off the way he'd came.

Madara used his shackles to parry and deflect the attacks of the Hokage's elite guard, his powerful strikes, much harder to block. Genma and Raidou winced as they struggled to deal with Tobi's accurate strikes. The third member of their team was already knocked out, a mule kick into the stomach sending him flying almost into the controlled fires started by Jiraiya.

"This is bad." Tobi grunted, rolling under the duo's attacks, moving past them, rushing to the house, "I can't get caught up in fighti-"

Jiraiya did a very accurate impersonation of Gai's Dynamic Entry, an incredible flying kick crashing into Tobi's ribs. They both heard them crunch and snap, the Uchiha flying and tumbling in the air, his world spinning and spinning, a second blow coming from the man's sandal again, jamming his mask into his teeth. He could feel them knocked loose by the incredible force of the blow, his mask almost shattering as it dented inwards.

"O-okay. This is bad." Tobi thought as he tumbled over and over through the fields, colliding with the smooth face of a small rock, smashing it to pieces, "This is impossible. For all I know, they've got this entire place surrounded by ANBU, they could come in at any moment. I'm already too worn down-" Tobi barely stood in time to avoid a second incredible breath of flame from Jiraiya, saved only by his quick activation of his intangibility. He stood shakily, keeping the spectral cloak up to catch his breath. Did he even have enough chakra to return to Madara in his current state? Where had it all gone? His body was in overdrive.

"I guess I'm defeated today." He murmured, his breath ragged, "Time to retreat..." He wasn't reckless like he was in childhood, he knew when he was beat, staring at that safehouse, he knew only death awaited him in there. Orochimaru had cost them what could have been an incredible victory.

He performed a shunshin, allowing his wraith-like form to immediately vanish from sight.

Jiraiya let another pulse of chakra fly through a second seal he kept in his vest as he watched him turn and disintegrate, "Looks like the hunt is on..." the sage said, wearing a victorious smirk, "He couldn't have teleported far." He began to summon some toads to help him track, more acrid smoke filling the electrified air.


It was like a natural force waking the nests of birds.

Like a sudden sound that traveled all through Konoha.

All at once, the shadows moved.

In the blink of an eye, Shisui saw Fuagku, the newest head of the Uchiha clan, racing by with an entourage of the Uchiha council.

Yuuhi Denbu materialized and stood straight, "Team! Rally on me!" he shouted, Shisui, Gai, Kiku and Naruto sprang from their spots and appeared at him in a single breath.

"I've just received word. The target is within a kilometer! Converge to this location, don't separate-" he said, pointing in the direction the team of Uchiha had ran, their clan cloaks waving in the abyssal night.

Naruto moved so fast, the rest of the team didn't know what to think at the incredible rush of speed, the grass all around him bending over humbly in his wake, until Denbu shouted, "Go!"


Faster. He'd always been too slow.

Faster. It'd never been enough, never strong enough to save them.

Faster. Why him? Why did he need to go faster?

His heart was in his ears. Lips in his mind. Feet in his heart. He realized he was on the ground, his clawed hands digging into the dirt, throwing him like a breeze across the plains. His heart was in the earth and his ears were the wind. He could feel the cutting breeze fly out of control around him, his senses extending as he shredded and kicked up grass. As he flew.

Tobi. The only word his fragile, animal mind could understand. The scent of his prey.

Kurama appeared beside him, a small fox, his fur shining like the moon. He was a miniature nine-tailed fox, his arms moving with the strength to crush mountains. He gazed into those bloody eyes. And it was enough to snap him back. To bring him back. To remind himself he had a heart. It didn't belong to the wind. He couldn't lose himself just yet.

It didn't belong to anybody, now. Nobody knew what he contained.

And then, there was a call. Shiki whined, the fox having disappeared the moment Denbu had shouted. It was a melodious whine. He heard it not in the air, but directly in his mind.

Naruto stood tall like a man once more, felt the liquid hate in his veins harden to icy stone. And then he was the wind, for just a moment, completely invisible in the night, moving without a sound, his eyes swollen, his hands caked with dirt, his sandaled feet damp from dew. He followed the bellow of battle, his nerves completely alive.


Tobi barreled through the trees, trying to assuage his loss. It was only a minor set-back. Madara's plans were working out everywhere else. This would only make matters a little more complicated down the road. At least they knew now they couldn't trust Orochimaru - that traitor had almost cost him his life.

"This all went to fucking hell..." Tobi grunted, stopping to grasp at the bark of a tree to catch a few breaths. He was already channeling chakra into his Sharingan, preparing a Kamui-based teleport to escape, visualizing his closest hideout, when something most astonishing stared him in the eyes.

"A fox?" he blinked, wondering why he hadn't heard it approach.

It was interesting, its coat glimmering. Six tails? He'd never heard of such a thing. He felt a strong aura of chakra roll off it in waves and was tempted to investigate, but he didn't really have the time t-

He barely dove out of the way as the fox's lips parted and spread molten fire into the air, an incredible heat turning the tree he'd stood against to powdery gray ash that glittered in the cool night air.

"I- I can't get a break can I?" he groaned, senses barely with him enough to look up and see something he didn't quite understand.

How had someone tracked him? His cloaking technique combined with the shunshin shouldn't have left a scent, and yet-

The flat of a blond's open-toed sandal came sailing right at his face. Tobi was just fatigued enough to not be able to respond properly, the Yondaime-lookalike collided right with his head, sending him tumbling backwards, his numb body rolling about in the dirt and grass, his mask cracked completely by the force of the blow, chips came off and sparkled in the night air.

The man rose to his feet, grunting as he lost enough concentration to have to rebuild the teleport again, stunned as the blond was in front of him already, flanked by a scarlet fox, a golden orange one off to his right. He looked positively incensed, power coming off him in waves. His skin was bleached by the sun, his pupils dilated like an Inuzuka, fangs extending from his incisors.

"Onoe, Shiki!" the unknown assailant shouted hoarsely, almost out of his breath, his hands weaving together, then pushing out together, incredible pressure warning him of an incoming gale, wild blond hair flowing like a bonfire. Tobi raised a wall of thick bark, too exhausted to phase out for a moment. Searing flame licked at the wall of briars and thorn, furious winds shredding it apart; it crumbled. Tobi grunted as highly pressurized water smacked him in the face, bullet-like droplets penetrating the defense and nipping at him through his clothes.

The teleport was almost prepared again when the blond came sailing over the wall, flipping in the air, Tobi prepared himself, unwilling to take any more ninjutsu from the unknown foe, he phased out, deciding he would gather the last of his chakra to escape while invulnerable, even if it left him close to deathly exhaustion.

That proved to be his gravest mistake. The blond smirked, a kunai flying right out of his hand. The blade phased right through him, as expected, but at the end of the kunai, shoved in its tiny ring-hole, was a rolled up paper scroll. It stuck to Tobi's ethereal body as it began to pass through him, ultimately attaching itself to the inside of his distorted form.

"Gogyou Fuuin." The blonde laughed triumphantly, his voice maniacal and so twistedly inhuman. The paper burned with a bright blue flame, withering away as Tobi felt his control slip. Like water running through his fingers, he lost total control over his chakra. Being proficient at sealing, Tobi knew of the seal, though he didn't have nearly enough concentration to remember the counter-seal, let alone gather enough chakra or control to perform it.

"Shit." He cursed. He could feel his control slipping away. He only had a few seconds left of intangibility.

Naruto landed on the ground with a haggard breath. He was shaking with intense arousal, his entire body like a ravenous predator. He pulled the second of the Yondaime's special kunai that he'd scavenged off the ground on his way, bringing it up to his chest, careful to cast his eyes to the dirt. He carefully stalked forward, his supporting foxes prowling, Shiki at his side, Onoe walking around Tobi. Stalking him just as he had Kakashi days earlier. The vixen hissed like Tobi was a predator threatening her kits.

"This is it Madara." Naruto said with a taunting exhilaration ecstasy laced in his voice, his whisker-marked face illuminating the air under his eyes, a crimson emanation, "Or should I say Tobi? Whoever you really are."

"Tobi?" Obito said, trying to stay calm as his form wavered and he became tangible again, his mind racing. He took half a step back as Naruto encroached on him. He didn't recognize the moniker, but it was similar to his real name and that was far more worrying than he realized. The thought of others discovering who he really was bothered him more than cared to admit. His heart hammering in his veins, he tried to stall for thought there had to be a way out of this mess, the blond was alone and without aid at the moment, "I don't know what you're talking abou-"

But Naruto wouldn't let him think. He lunged, Onoe also leaping, arcing through the air with her claws bared. Shiki held back, gathering chakra in her paws. The Fourth's special kunai clanged against Tobi's left manacle, the Uchiha barely able to block the first strike, "You're finished Madara." Naruto taunted through clenched teeth, grappling the man's right arm. The man was stunned as Onoe's claws raked right across his lower back. He screamed as runny fire burned in his spine and marched through his veins.

Tobi's lone eye widened even further as he felt the chakra of a bijuu race along his flesh like a wild inferno, jagged fangs for fingers digging and clawing into his dark coat, cleaving agonizingly into the bloody flesh and muscle of his normal hand. He shrieked as the distinct chakra of the kyuubi burned and seethed at his flesh, blistering and blackening his arm, burrowing underneath and corroding his body at a microbial level.

A knee came into Tobi's gut, causing the man to hunch forward on reflex, a second strike with the same knee coming back and flying like a hammer straight into his mask, shattering it and breaking the Uchiha's nose. With it in bloody pieces, some embedded in his face, Naruto didn't recognize the man, not in the darkness. He was an Uchiha and it took all his strength to keep his eyes away from his face, away from that fucking eye.

Naruto's corrupted voice crackled as he snarled. His kunai-wielding hand was pushing hard against the manacle that was blocking it's progress. Tobi grunted in effort with his other arm's immense, inhuman strength, trying to keep it from moving. But it slid against the smooth metal of the cuff and skidded lightly down his arm, tearing up skin. Tobi let out a cry of panic as it bit into his throbbing, sticky face. He swallowed copper and iron and felt his heart nearly stop.

And then, Naruto knew what he was going to do.

He released Tobi's scorched hand, the nine-tail's chakra still eating away at his flesh. It fell uselessly to the man's exhausted side. Bloody, hot leathery fingers clapped over Tobi's forehead and he lifted that hunched-forward face up, kunai lowered to his throat.

"It's over." He whispered to the shaking, stunned man.

And in one swift motion, Naruto lifted and plunged the blade into Uchiha Obito's bulging eye.

By sheer force of will and as a result of excruciating pain attacking him from all sides, the man stumbled backwards from the force of the blow and managed a last-ditch attempt at intangibility before it had completely destroyed his eye. It worked just enough to prevent the blade from spearing through into the man's skull and into his brain. The blade only penetrated up into the optic nerve as Naruto briefly lost grip of it, the man slipping away, his hands reaching up to grab at his face as blood squirted out. He stumbled backwards and fell right onto his ass.

A horrific scream echoed in the night.


AN: I've not been keeping up with Naruto for a while now, so it's definitely a challenge to write Tobi/Madara fight scenes, since I don't really completely understand all of his abilities and their drawbacks (he's pretty hax, able to just become invulnerable to anything at will). I hope everything felt okay this chapter, but any suggestions are welcome. Do note that this Tobi is much younger than his counterpart, so his skills aren't quite as honed yet. This was actually a much harder chapter to write than I imagined and I don't know if the fight came across believable or understandable enough. But I want to move forward and not lose interest in making this story work.

Also, I apologize for referring to Tobi as Madara (and switching back and forth between that and Obito), I suppose it's fine? If it's annoying to read, I could change it, but I don't like things becoming too repetitive.