Chapter 21: Heroes and Traitors

Vote down at the bottom please. I really enjoyed this chapter hope you do too. Sorry it's a week late. Thanks for the reviews!

Here it is:

Orochimaru frowned as the transforming Naruto ran towards him he couldn't shunshin away. What is that seal? The sannin quickly ripped it off but it was to late and a red fox pinned him to the ground.

Naruto in his last moments of consciousness looked to Jiraiya, "Find Tsunade," and then he completed the transformation and he was a four tailed fox.

Effortlessly the fox tore off the sannins other arm. The beast raised its arm again for the final blow, but was stopped as a sword shot out from Orochimaru's mouth and knocked the demon back thirty feet.

The fox rose to his feet his eyes a blood red color, then opened its mouth preparing to incinerate the sannin with a chakra condensed ball that was growing steadily in size.

Orochimaru's eyes widened and he tried to stand but the amount of blood he had lost was making him lose focus and he was too tired to move. "Kabuto," Orochimaru screeched weakly.

He watched as the beast lowered its head about to fire. This is the end damn you fox. Then to the beasts dismay Kabuto dropped to the ground picked up his fallen master and jumped into the sky.

"See you Naruto-kun," Kabuto called right before using shunshin. Then the ball of condensed chakra seemed to explode as it was fired into the sky as Kabuto used shunshin.

Then the beast seemed to tire as it felt something on its back. Jiraiya stood behind Naruto having planted the seal to suppress the Kyubi on Naruto.

However, things were more confusing for Kabuto he had used half his chakra in a powerful burst to get them to his lab just inside the Konoha border. He didn't feel anything at first but as he entered the lab he realized something was wrong with his hand.

The medic ninja looked down and grimaced, the demon child had not let him escape without a wound. His left hand was burnt off so that there was no blood, but the real devastating factor was that it would be next to impossible to save Orochimaru. Kabuto looked down at his good hand. I have to try.

Two days had past since Naruto had woken up but in that time his father was still in a coma. Tsunade and Shizune were taking shifts to watch over Minato and a team of dedicated medics was only minutes away if needed.

Naruto visited his dad every few hours. He was not training too much, as he was still recovering from his injuries. But it was not the injuries that bothered him. He couldn't remember what had transpired in his battle with Orochimaru even after Jiraiya had told him the story.

What he still felt was strange foreign power. It lingered within him, he knew that much. He rubbed the back of his head as he made his way to the Hokage's office. Naruto along with Shikamaru and Heiri had achieved the rank of chuunin and were receiving their uniforms and papers.

Soon he would be leading teams. Naruto wanted to grin at the thought. I've moved one step closer to achieving my goals. But at the moment he was too devastated by his father's condition to appreciate much of anything.

Jiraiya sat in Minato's chair he was the first temporary Hokage in Konoha's history. He had accepted the responsibility thrust upon him reluctantly, saying over and over, "only until Minato was okay".

Naruto knew Jiraiya was as worried as he was. Minato had for a long time looked up to Jiraiya as the father he never had and Jiraiya looked to Minato as the son he always wanted. Jiraiya often joked that he wanted to raise a son but he didn't want to deal with a wife.

The joke was more of a sarcastic truth then a laughable falsehood. Naruto once heard his father talk about a woman Jiraiya was in love with but she never returned his love.

Naruto sighed his mind was wandering in depressing circles moving from a sad topic to an even worse one.

"Hey Jiraiya." Naruto said faking a smile. Jiraiya faked a smile of his own, "Congratulations on becoming a chuunin all of you." Naruto turned to his right to see Shikamaru and Heiri standing awkwardly as if they had been silently waiting for him (which was exactly what happened in this case).

Jiraiya asked each one of them to come up and sign there name on the roster of active chuunin in their village and then on a list putting their abilities so it would be known who to put under them for missions. Heiri's paper was immediately sent to the Raikage.

Jiraiya then handed Naruto and Shikamaru their chuunin vests. Heiri would receive his when returned to his village.

"Again congratulations on raising through the ranks you are now dismissed. But Naruto stay for a minute, will you?" Jiraiya gave Naruto a consoling look.

When Naruto's friends had gone he sat down and took a deep breath. "What is it Jiraiya?"

"Tsunade has asked me not to raise your hopes based on nothing but… Well your father had 33 percent recover rate meaning that this type of coma kills two out of every three people who are in it, but this is Minato we're talking about. I'm sure he will come out of it alright so don't worry too much and go celebrate your advancement."

Naruto nodded, the words did make him feel better. "Thanks gramps I'll try."

The blonde haired boy walked outside the door and down the stairs to where Shikamaru and Heiri were waiting for him.

Heiri put his arm around Naruto. "Let's get some lunch." The three walked aimlessly through the streets until they found a quiet barbecue shop. They walked in and sitting and eating at a far table was Ino, Sakura, and Chouji.

Shikamaru grumbled something about troublesome coincidences and then gave a slight nod to Chouji who beamed and waved them over. Naruto and his group squished in so that there were three of them in each booth. "Congratulations guys," Ino and Sakura exclaimed noticing Naruto and Shikamaru adorned in chuunin vests.

Heiri laughed for some unknown reason causing Ino to frown. "What's so funny?"

"Well nothing except I have to go back to my village in two days and that means constant missions and death at every turn and here I am with no threats at the moment."

Shikamaru chuckled, "Well that's the life of a ninja. Trouble and fun, but mostly trouble."

Naruto sighed, great Heiri and Gaara are leaving soon and I can't even enjoy the time I have with them here.

Chouji stole some of Naruto's meat as the blondes thought drifted him away. Meanwhile Ino gazed dreamily at Naruto. Shikamaru and Heiri began to talk about strategies they were going to implement when they led teams and Sakura felt left out of everything.

"Hey, lover girl, what you staring at?" Sakura whispered, to Ino whose face flashed red.

"Wh-What are you talking about?" Ino whispered back embarrassed.

"You know what I mean." Sakura mocked pretending to gaze at Naruto twirling her hair.

"I didn't look like that!! Did I?" Ino whispered glad that Naruto was still lost in his thoughts.

"Yeah you did, try to make it a little less obvious unless you want every want to know about your crush."

"You won't mention this to anyone will you?"

Sakura smiled at her friend, "Don't worry I can keep a secret. But you don't want to do anything about it?"

Ino shook her head and smiled back at her best friend relieved, "thanks a ton".

Heiri and Shikamaru turned back to the group and began to eat more heartily before all the food was devoured but Naruto ate slowly still very troubled.

"Hey buddy," Heiri said rubbing his friends shoulder, "don't go off to that world. You'll only find trouble there."

Naruto nearly laughed, "If only it was that simple."

"Just go train nothing makes you feel better than training."

Shikamaru gave Heiri a scornful look. "Training is a drag. What are you talking about?"

Heiri examined a piece of meat thinking over the question, "Training will never let you down. If you train you will get stronger and you will improve yourself."

Naruto nodded, "Yeah, I think I will." He got up and left some money on the counter. "See you guys later."

Heiri got up as well. "Bye everyone I'm going to meet Gaara. Naruto we're going to train do you want to come with us?"

"No thanks, I'm gonna go by myself."

"Fair enough. Bye." Heiri disappeared in an electric shock which left the air steaming after his departure. Naruto walked out he wasn't in a rush.

Twenty minutes later Naruto was walking into a secluded training ground no one ever used when he heard the panting of a girl. Curiously he crept toward the training ground careful not to scare the girl.

Finally he saw who was training, it was Hinata, Gaara and Heiri were there as well talking quietly. "Hey Hinata," Naruto began surprised to see her training outside the Hyuuga complex. "What are you doing out here?"

"Well, um, my father is still angry at me for not passing the chuunin exam so I'm avoiding him. Heiri-kun and Gaara-san were just talking."

Naruto nodded he liked Hinata more when she was around Heiri. For some reason when she was around him she talked more confidently and said more. When she wasn't around him she was like a mouse squeaky and small. Naruto shrugged it didn't matter.

"So you decided to come after all?" Heiri smiled at his blue eyed friend.

"Well to be honest," Naruto said, "I didn't think you would be here."

Gaara and Heiri laughed. "Well you're here already so stay." Gaara said. Naruto smiled and nodded. He moved until he was a good ten yards from Hinata. First he concentrated his chakra then after producing five clones had each of them form two rasengan one in each hand. Jiraiya had taught him this trick, it made you control your chakra to the highest degree as you increased and decreased the sized and speed each hand forcing the ball of chakra to do something different.

It was hard work and it wasn't long before Naruto lost concentration. My mind is just too troubled right now. He moved to something less mentally exhausting and more physically tiring. Forming a hundred clones he started a battle using only katanas.

The battle was extremely intense all wanted to win. Hinata even stopped her training to watch. It took awhile for Naruto to win but finally defeated every last clone. He turned back to his friends, various wounds and scratches covering his body. He smiled I feel better. He turned to walk away stumbling once as the pain from a cut in his leg nearly threw him down.

Not two months ago his life was so different. He was training to become stronger but there was no rush. His father was healthy and happy, his village was safe, he was so much younger.

Naruto shook his head. He liked pain now it kept him calm, the moving of blood down from a cut was so peaceful attaching him to reality. He took the long way to his house he just wanted to walk.

On the way he walked by the Uchiha mansion stopping to see that the Uchiha had grouped outside to talk in a meeting almost. Naruto walked in to see what they were talking about he had become a sort of adopted member with how much he was there.

He stopped short seeing Sasuke's face. The raven haired boy looked horrified. Naruto started to back away when he sensed someone behind him. He whipped his head around and standing across the road was Itachi.

"Itachi!" Naruto whispered. Itachi shook his head, "Mangekyou sharingan".

Naruto felt himself falling, when he touch ground again he was in an empty room besides the chair he was sitting in and Itachi who stood leaned back against the wall.

"Naruto-kun the only way I can talk to you is in my sharingan. It condenses 72 hours of experiences into a single second. I have to tell you about my clan and the Akatsuki. So please sit quiet for now, I used shunshin to get here and my partner would be wondering where I went so I used this technique on you to save time. "

Naruto nodded, "It's really nice to see you."

Itachi smiled, "Same goes to you… Now the reason you heard for killing half my clan is only part of the truth. My clan had a long and violent past of bloody wars and rivalries... In fact the history of the Uchiha clan goes back to and past the foundation of Konoha. However, the Uchiha clan has become particularly rebellious in recent years and right before I left the village they were actually planning a coup d'etat I was ordered to eliminate all clan members."

Naruto looked as if he had seen a ghost. Could this be true?

"I refused, instead I killed only the strong and those determined to attempt an attack. It was a difficult time for me. Your father is a very great man, a very strong man, and a very forgiving man. He pardoned the rest of the Uchihas, in fact he was against the decision to kill any one. He wanted negotiations."

Itachi looked to the ground, amused at the evil with which he was surrounded.

"But I was the only one who wanted to participate. In the end the Uchiha clan was left severely weakened, all those with power and knowledge of the Uchiha clan were dead. Alive were only sharingan users who hadn't even got to their third tome. And of course the younger members like Sasuke who had had never known what was going on."

Itachi continued not hesitating anywhere though it was obvious telling the story brought him pain. "Today the clan has risen in anger a second time and I will end the sharingan clan's power once and for all. I gave them a second chance and they wasted it."

Naruto was still unsettled but he managed the courage to speak. "What will you do?"

Itachi sighed, "I'd rather not say." The handsome young man smiled. "Don't worry Naruto certain members will be spared. Besides I won't let anyone from our village get hurt because of my clan. But do check on Sasuke when this is over he will be obviously mentally scarred he's always been a sensitive little kid but that's why I love him. And don't tell anyone what I've told you."

Itachi face expressed clearly the guilt he was feeling. "Naruto, you and I walk an intertwined path, we will have to protect those we love even when they do not wish us to and we can not tell them why. I need you to trust me like I've trusted you."

Naruto smiled feeling tears come to his eyes realizing he would likely not see Itachi for a few more years and that a brother of his was suffering through miserable circumstances to protect his village. Naruto nodded, he would do anything Itachi asked him.

Itachi walked forward and ruffled Naruto's hair. "Naruto the next thing I have to tell you is that Akatsuki is hunting you and you must know the reason, so ask your father when he wakes up alright?"

Naruto nodded. Everyone has faith in dad I need to believe too.

Itachi turned away from Naruto, "Now, to use the time you have in here wisely, I will show you some SS techniques. Neither your father nor Jiraiya will show you these which is why they are useful no one will ever expect you would know them."

Naruto grinned, this was the Itachi he remembered, he rubbed his eyes clear of tears and stood up. "Great. Let's do this."

Itachi closed his eyes for a moment and the two of them reappeared in an open plain.

"Naruto," Itachi began, "chakra is an interesting thing and there are many features of chakra, especially features of chakra manipulation that are not understood. One of those things is the potential for each attack and ultimate techniques another is why people have affinities for different natures. I'm going to go over with you what I've discovered."

Itachi began to spin, his right palm extended in front of his face and his body stationary. In a powerful jerk of his arms Itachi ripped up earth around him and spun it around him as a protective shield.

"That is an example of a so-called ultimate defense, the Hyuuga have a technique similar to it and there is a wind technique similar to it as well."

Naruto grinned involuntarily, "Yeah, I know the wind technique."

Itachi nodded these defenses are said to be perfect for any situation though for the most part true there are some misnomers about the potential of these. For example these techniques leave the user vulnerable when it ends.

"Ultimate attacks are much harder since techniques must complete functions for an attack to kill. The attack used must get by defenses, hit the enemy, be powerful enough to damage the enemy, not leave you open to attack, and not waste too much chakra."

"There is no un-blockable attack that is why surprise is a key factor in most successful techniques is surprise. For example a simple punch." Itachi launched forward swinging his fist at Naruto's face causing Naruto to duck gracefully avoiding the blow.

"There you were able to avoid my attack because it was too slow and you saw it coming in time, however…" Naruto turned around and a kunai was at his throat from a second Itachi. "I surprised you there and it would kill you though by no means is the attack unavoidable."

Itachi threw Naruto a scroll. "Read it."

Naruto sat down and did as he was told. After reading the scroll Naruto completed the handseals and unleashed the jutsu. "Juggernaut!"

The ground instantly turned to goo a substance which Naruto read held the target in place. Next a powerful wind blew in from all directions binding Itachi and not letting him move his upper body. Finally, Naruto opened his mouth and blew out a huge burst of flames melting the fake Itachi.

Itachi smiled. "This is probably the closest thing to an ultimate technique. If you know where the enemy is you definitely get him. The problem is that technique used more chakra than most ninja posses you may be able to use it twice before dying but that's it.

Naruto laughed, "It wasn't real I didn't use any chakra.

Itachi shook his head. "Remember we're in you mind, you can't use techniques here I showed you what it would have looked like. Never use this technique unless you have no other choice."

Naruto stared blankly at the young man. "Then why did you teach it to me?"

"I have to explain the basics first. Now I'll show you the actual technique I want you to know."

Itachi formed thirty seconds worth of hand seals. "Triple S ranked jutsu: Exemplification of Hell."

An Itachi clone's arm fell limp for no apparent reason and then came back up awkwardly.

Naruto's eyes widened. "What was that?"

Itachi looked scared. "It's an ancient technique which was used to take power away from ninja prisoners. I tweaked it for battle purposes. To use the technique you must first touch and leave some chakra on bare skin. The chakra then channels it's way to the main chakra points in the arms or legs and explodes destroying the channels."

"Once destroyed the chakra channels can not be fixed. Interestingly enough some automatic chakra gate blocks you chakra form getting to an organs or the brain. The techniques is for disarming the enemy of jutsus permanently or in the case of the legs the ability to jump with chakra enhanced power or walk on trees and water. The technique can be used four times one time for each appendage and you must touch and leave chakra on skin for each time you use the technique."

Naruto nodded and wrote down the hand signs on a spare scroll. Now you go over techniques, I must think of a way to deal with the Uchihas.

Naruto looked at Itachi as if he had an idea which he didn't realize. "Wait, Itachi. Why don't you use this technique on the members of the Uchiha clan. That way you wouldn't have to hurt anyone." The blue eyed boy was hoping Itachi might agree for Sasuke's sake.

"I've thought about it, but it would take too much chakra and too much time, though it would be a fitting irony for the mighty Uchiha clan."

"What if I helped you?" Naruto asked.

Itachi didn't say anything for a long time. "This is an illegal technique to use in Konoha on a fellow ninja with the most minor penalty being life in prison. I couldn't bring myself to ask you to do that. Even if your father is the Hokage, laws are laws. Besides you would feel incredible guilt."

Naruto looked at his hands as if he could see the blood from all those he had killed and those he would kill. "One I've done worse things and two I would feel worse letting them die. I could tell the council you did all of it."

Naruto could see that Itachi was thinking hard, wanting to do it, trying to justify it. "Fine. Learn it perfectly. We will do it in two days after you leave your mind you will still need sleep. Just because you weren't abused doesn't mean you won't have psychiatric repercussions.

Pain.

Naruto woke with a splitting headache as if he had the worst hangover in the history of alcoholics. He was in his room. Two anbu units waited against the door, obviously guarding him.

Naruto rubbed his eyes and stood up groggily. "You're dismissed." He muttered motioning for the guards to leave. The agents nodded and disappeared in clouds of smoke.

Naruto could handle himself he didn't need baby sitters. He got dressed quietly getting ready for the evening. Itachi would be waiting.

Naruto felt his fingers twitch. The muscles still feeling the effects of performing the same jutsu hand signs a thousand times.

He reached into a drawer in which he put most of his unused clothing and took out two black gloves and put them on to conceal the slight shaking of his fingers.

The blonde haired boy left his room and went downstairs for breakfast.

He had already begun eating when he noticed a note from Anko on the counter. He picked it up and read the brief but pleasantly informing note before continuing with his breakfast.

Dad is okay. Meet us in the hospital after you eat. –your sister

It seemed like his first sigh of relief in years. It was if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

He finished his breakfast quickly and left for the hospital a frown on his face. I was hoping dad wouldn't have to hear about Itachi… Nothing I can do about it now.

He cringed realizing he must have missed Heiri and Gaara leave. "Damn that's annoying."

He walked through the busy streets enjoying the feel of congestion and noise. I bet no one knows why I was knocked out either. Well I should've guessed I'd have some explaining to do.

It was not a particularly special day. It was not too sunny or too rainy or windy or anything which may have given in particular uniqueness, yet Naruto knew better.

Naruto smiled feeling his eyes tear up as he entered the hospital room to see his father talking casually with an academy student.

"Now, tell your parents I loved the gift, alright? Oh, and don't forget to train hard for the test I know yours is coming up soon." Minato smiled at the girl who left the room before noticing Naruto.

"Hey dad," Naruto said, running over and, hugging the Hokage. "Good to see you up."

Minato smiled sheepishly, "I couldn't leave you alone could I? Then who would make sure you don't get into trouble."

Naruto stayed with his father the rest of the day, greeting everyone who came to visit Minato. Everyone saying how "glad", or "happy" they were he was okay.

He stayed talking to Anko, Jiraiya, and when he wasn't occupied his father. In fact he was enjoying himself so much he almost forgot about Itachi. At 5:30 he checked the clock and left promptly not bothering to say goodbye. He had to get ready. He pulled off his gloves and stuffed them in his pocket.

He reached the Uchiha compound and waited right outside the gate until he was given the signal. Itachi had informed him which members to take care of. Naruto was to have dinner with the whole clan which was celebrating Minato's recovery partly because it knew he was the best Hokage they could hope for and partly because Naruto was coming over.

He quickly used a henge to transform his ninja gear and clothing into formal dress wear. He walked through the gate and around the buildings to the patio where a long table was set up and decorations adorned the walls of the garden shed.

"Hello everyone!" Naruto shouted to twenty Uchihas who were sitting and talking and enjoying themselves. Now, Naruto knew what Itachi meant when Itachi said he would feel guilty. As much as Naruto hated what the Uchiha planned many of the members were his friends.

The blonde haired boy spotted Sasuke sitting on the edge of the dock, in front of the lake, staring out into the water.

Naruto walked over and slung an arm around the gloomy boy. "How's it going?"

Sasuke didn't say anything. He just turned and hugged his friend unsure of what to say. "Naruto I can't tell you what happened but I don't think I can trust anyone in my clan any more." Naruto felt a not of hatred ball up in his stomach. Sasuke knew.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. It's show time. He hugged Sasuke tightly and pulled him up. "Let's go for a walk."

Naruto and Sasuke walked out of the Uchiha complex and down the road and when Sasuke wasn't looking he formed five clones and sent them back to the party. "Each clone would go up to a member while henged into a fly and land on bare skin sending their chakra into the person.

Naruto had already switched places with a clone and was performing the jutsu while his clone walked Sasuke down the road.

Finally the chaos insured as one person noticed something was wrong with their arm. Other members noticed the same thing and after Naruto had completed taking down the members he was designated Itachi appeared in the crowd.

Naruto watched the destruction from a safe distance in a tall tree. Itachi looked on ambiguous about the ordeal. He took out his sword and killed two members easily finishing a third with Mangekyou sharingan combined with a fire jutsu. Then he formed a clone and used Exemplification of Hell on the remaining targets.

The blonde looked on amazed at the power which Itachi wielded. It looked as if he was bored. In the end the twenty Uchihas were reduced to seventeen, three had their chakra systems intact the rest could not longer perform jutsu.

Itachi looked upon passively on the once powerful Uchiha clan. "You have paid for you conspiracy by forfeiting your power to use jutsu. I, Uchiha Itachi, have ended your threat to the village of Konoha. But if any of you ever have children and you preach hatred against the village I will kill you." In a burst of fire Itachi disappeared.

Naruto swallowed. The Uchiha members would be able to pass on their sharingan but for a generation at least the village would be safe from itself. He quickly left for home to inform the council of what had happened.

--

Two weeks after the event which was known as the jutsu massacre things were beginning to settle down. Naruto had played his part perfectly and saved the lives of the Uchiha at the cost of their pride. Their way of making money had been lost and each member at to find a new line of work but the clan was still rich, with saved up money so it would be alright.

--

Naruto gripped his fan tightly whipping it around sending a huge wave at Sasuke. He was taking a break from his intense training regime to spar with Sasuke and so far the fight had been merely relaxing. The raven haired boy punched through the wave.

"Naruto, my clan was planning a revolution and wanted me to assist them. They said terrible things which I could never repeat. I don't want to live in the same complex those traitors live in." Sasuke ranted.

"But it was only when I realized how weak they were that I realized how weak I was. I can't help Itachi as I am now. I can't do anything asked of me. Naruto, Itachi visited me he said I should give up trying to bring him home and that he could leave Akatsuki if he wanted to. He said I didn't have a chance."

Naruto looked at his friend feeling overwhelming sympathy. Itachi wouldn't feel right coming back to the village. And he actually believes in the Akatsuki. But Sasuke didn't know and he couldn't understand. Naruto just nodded and comforted his friend.

Two days later

Naruto had just come back from a full day mission body guarding some travelers. The evening was cool and dry and he was taking a pleasant stroll when two anbu guards one on each of his sides grabbed an arm and pulled him to the Hokage's tower.

Naruto upon being released, rather angrily yell at his father, "What's the big idea?!"

"Naruto," Minato began calmly, "Sasuke has left the village."

"For a mission?" Naruto asked, stupidly.

"No, Naruto, Sasuke's run away."

Well, I'm giving you guys a chance to influence the story. Vote for the way you want the story to go pick choice a or choice b.

A.) Time skip, story jumps into wear Naruto is fifteen main plot continues.

B.) Three or fours chapters that work up to Naruto being fifteen. Basically filler missions to show growth in strength and charachter development.

I really have no preference so don't say do what you want. I'll be satisfied either way. Because I know what pairings I will do Not every one will be paired and I know the plot already. So VOTE and don't forget to review