Chapter 29:
A/N A bunch of people have been giving me feedback on my stories other which I really appreciate. I love it when people actually have opinions on things in the story and tell me. I usually respond to people if they say something that really hits me. People tell me this is my story and I shouldn't worry about what people want me to do with it, but I really, really apologize for taking so long to update. This story has missed you guys ;)! P.S this chapter is big 5000+ words. I meant this chapter to move the story along farther than it did but oh well at least it will make writing the next chapter easier.
I'm doing a recap cuz they do them in Kenichi and I think they are helpful. The chapter is below the Recap if you don't want to read it skip it!
RECAP (sort of more like a reminder since I update so infrequently): Minato has raised Naruto as a single parent and under his influence Naruto has developed as a ninja to his full potential and because of his father's influence Naruto does not realize that he is a container for the Kyuubi.Naruto is trained by Jiraiya from an early age and as a result becomes quite skilled reminding Itachi of himself and slightly altering him from his personality in the manga. Also from an early age Naruto befriends Sasuke after beating him in a fight and becomes best friends with Ino. Anko becomes involved in Naruto's life attracted to Minato. This attraction changes from a sexual desire to admiration for a powerful fatherly figure. Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto become close as Itachi agrees to help them train eventually Naruto views Sasuke and Itachi as his bothers. The friendship while closer than manga does keep Sasuke's personality the same. (Sakura still has feelings for Sasuke in this).
The Tsuchikage attacks Konoha but is totally defeated by Minato and the Leaf forces in spite of the fact that a great number of Konoha troops are not in the village. In the chaos Naruto and Hinata are attacked and kidnapped and Naruto is forced to undergo a medical experiment where a seal is placed in his body by a mysterious figure. Minato organized a counter strike but by the time he gets to the Rock Village Naruto has escaped with Hinata. Jiraiya, Hiashi, and Kakashi are important characters in these chapters contrasting their own views with the Hokage's. Naruto's escape has led him to the Village hidden in the Sand where about to die of thirst he meets a young Gaara who saves his life and befriends him. The interaction with Gaara at a young age deeply changes the future Kazekage. His time in the Sand village effects the entire village and allows him to obtain a possessed fan and katana set. Later it is discovered that Naruto can't become possessed because the Kyuubi overpowers the spirit.
The Kazekage discoving Naruto realizes how a stronger relationship with Konoha could benefit the Sand village and aranges to meet with Minato. The two Kages set up a program where children of the kages can interact and get to know each other in Tea country. As their meeting ends Gaara goes with Naruto to Konoha for a month before heading to the Tea Country mansion. Itachi during this time kills his best friend to achieve the final sharingan stage and is caught and punished. Naruto and Jiraiya then go and retrieve Tsunade to perform an operation to remove the seal in Naruto's back. Unable to remove the seal they decide to leave it alone until Minato can come up with a solution to the problem. In the mansion in Tea Country Naruto meets and befriends Heiri son of the Raikage and encounters several of the other Kage's children, nephews, and nieces. Naruto's power greatly increases during the stays at the mansion where he learns Rasengan and other techniques.
Returning from Tea Country it is shown that Anko is living in the Namikaze mansion and acts as Naruto's older sister. Itachi leaves the village under the threat of Akatsuki and the demand of the council. Itachi's departure causes Sasuke to become a darker and less open individual. Naruto worries about Sasuke's changing attitude but is focused on the Chuunin exams in which he is not a part of a team but acts alone not only to pass but to discover the identity of Orochimaru's infiltrated agent. In the middle of the chuunin exam Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Negara find themselves confronted with Orochimaru and during their fight with him Negara is killed. Naruto and Sakura barely make it out in thanks to Heiri and Gaara who come to their aid. Anko manages to back the kids up and Naruto finally losing it unleashes the Kyuubi's power without realizing what has happened. Naruto begins to realize that Sasuke is losing his humanity but finds himself unable to do anything distracted by the chuunin exams. In the final stage of the chuunin exams Orochimaru attempts to assassinate the fourth but fails and is almost killed as Naruto once again loses himself to the Kyuubi.
Minato is in a coma from Orochimaru's attack when Naruto along with Heiri and Shikamaru is promoted to chuunin. Naruto sullenly goes off to train and discovers Itachi who reveals the truth about the Uchiha clan. Naruto agrees to help Itachi incapacitate those threatening to attack the village at the threat of arrest. Itachi also teaches Naruto some techniques. Minato wakes up and is alright and the next chapter begin with a time skip. Naruto is introduced as a member of the anbu sect Protector's of the Flame and his improvement and change is shown as he has been turned into a silent killer. Coming out of anbu after over two years he has to readjust to normal jounin life.
Basically you know what happens from here on so End Recap (I hope that helped some of you or at least that it didn't bother you)
Chapter 29: Facing The Edge
Minato's face was buried in his hands. He took a deep breath. Since he was a child the Hokage had hated killing to such a degree it almost hurt his candidacy for Hokage. Minato's inability to go all out on the enemy in the past had caused problems in defending Konoha. Today against Orochimaru's minions the Yondaime would not have to hold back. The scum of the ninja world deserved death. Two knocks on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Lord Hokage it's time."
The Hokage breathed out and pushed back what many considered the throne of Konoha. In a spilt second he disappeared from his throne room and reappeared on top of Konoha's defensive wall. Kakashi was standing beside his former teacher. Neither acknowledged the other's presence, but they were not alone. Along the platform adjacent to the wall were a dozen other ninja renowned for their mastery of weapons. Having been informed by Jiraiya of the direction the assault would come from Minato had prepared a defence. Each ninja atop the great wall had one and only one objective to send the special kunai given to them by the Hokage into the enemy.
Kakashi was nervous it had been over a decade since he'd seen Minato look so ferocious. The Hokage's face was as it had been in the great war carved in it were the the emotions of a soldier and the emotions of a leader. The man who was known as the yellow flash had returned.
As casually as if he was searched for porn in a pawn shop Jiraiya appeared behind the Hokage. "Ten minutes until their arrival kid. I've post ANBU at all possible escape routes." Jiraiya shook his head. "No poor motherfuckers are making it home. No escapees whatsoever. Security's so tight you couldn't stick a dick through it."
Jiraiya's laughter died as Minato faced him. Jiraiya remembered this face. It was the face of a younger Minato after his first kill. The face of a Minato whose student had just died. No. Not really. It wasn't the face of Minato at all. It was the face of the Yellow Flash whose cold dead eyes sent killers fleeing. It was what had spawned a legendary title created by some of the men who entered hell with Minato and returned. The "Two-Faced Kage".
"Jiraiya, I am Hokage-sama at the moment don't forget that. Tell your men not to move until I give the order if they have anything to hunt it will be half alive and go to death willfully."
Jiraiya sighed. "Yes Hokage-sama." He left with a gait as casual as the one he had entered with earning a sneer from one of the ninja on the wall. Not everyone could appreciate the ability to stay calm under any circumstance even when a battle is looming and your student challenges you out of nowhere. "I'm getting fucking old." Jiraiya sighed as he moved to report to his ANBU commanders.
While the white haired Sannin appeared calm he was not. The man whose legendary battle calm was respected by even the most ferocious of villains was extremely tense. It had been a decade since he had seen his greatest pupil in such a way and he understood why. The fourth Hokage could pretend to hate the Sound or he could pretend that the village was his most important concern, but the truth was the greatest ninja in history was afraid for his only son. Afraid of what the seals in his fifteen year old's body were capable of.
"You look like you could use a cigerette."
Jiraiya lifted his eyes to see Asuma taking his pack out of his pocket and accepted one when offered. Asuma lit Jiraiya's before lighting his own. "It's been a while old man." Asuma started.
"Hmph. Kids aren't supposed to smoke its bad for their health."
"Your one to talk old man." Asuma chided playfully. Jiraiya had spent a lot of time with Asuma in his younger days. As his sensei's student Jiraiya had helped mediate when Asuma argued with father back in his teenage years.
"You know I don't smoke." Jiraiya said, dropping the cigerette and stamping it out, after only a few puffs, "But since I can't drink with a battle about to start and the brat like he is now, how's a guy supposed to calm his nerves." Jiraiya trailed off leaving Asuma chuckling softly.
"I don't see how you can get away with calling the Hokage a brat. I couldn't even call the Third dad."
"Hey I'd be embarrassed if I fathered you too. You can't blame a guy for trying to hide his failures."
Asuma couldn't help but grin. "I bet you've been waiting for a chance to use that line for years." Being around Jiraiya made Asuma feel younger. "Well I suppose you have to deal with ANBU, speaking of which are you going to reel Naruto back in? A couple of us have been wondering about his progress."
"Ahh Kakashi mentioned something similar. I suppose you have a bet going?" A glance at Asuma told him he was dead on.
"Hmph. That brat? Well I can't say for certain what he'll do. If he wanted he could command a squad and work his way up through the ranks. I would say he should take on a genin team but maturity wise he's not ready." Jiraiya shrugged his shoulders wearily. " I wish I could tell you I knew what the brat was gonna do but he has things to sort out. He's not quite as good as Minato at fifteen but he's getting there. Minato had at Naruto's age become so proficient at Hiraishin that he was able to stop learning new techniques and just focus on refining the techniques he had as well as dabble in sealing. Naruto knows more techniques than his father but he needs to learn to utilize them even more effectively than he is at the moment."
"Way to digress you senile old man I asked a simple question." Asuma sad.
Jiraiya winked. "Your just jealous none of your student's will become Hokage."
"Huh, yeah well. Shikamaru could but he wouldn't want to. I've raised a slacker, a loud mouth, and a glutton but I don't think I'd trade them for anyone. Hell, Naruto is too much trouble."
"Yeah he is a troublesome brat. It's hard to keep up with him." Jiraiya replied honestly. But he's a good brat. "Alright I've got work to do. I'll see you round kid."
Asuma gave a cool two finger salute as the Sannin disappeared to deal with the ANBU squads.
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Naruto couldn't help but smile as he walked though his doorway into Ino's embrace. Anko rolled her eyes but couldn't help from smirking. "Alright Ino look after the brat for a little while alright? I've got some things to deal with. She started off a smile on her face, but after a couple seconds she turned around and with her eyebrows raised she nodded at Naruto. Naruto blushed slightly something he had not done in a long time. And while he was not to quick to pick up on the meaning of facial expressions Anko's message in the quick look was as clear as if she had spoken it. "You better score kid."
Naruto turned around to see as Ino as embarrassed as himself.
Naruto rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and closed the door. The two teenagers not sure of how to deal with the attraction they felt for one another muddled from room to room. The next few minutes were spent defusing the tension that had just mounted. As they gradually became more comfortable with each other nostalgia from their childhood set in. The days when he and Ino would journey on adventures together the best of friends. She the leader and he her knight laboring under her command.
The two teenagers were looking at each other as if the other was still nine. A playful smile snuck onto Ino's face. "You know I still remember our adventures as kids. There was the time when you tried to climb to the roof of the academy to get the ball I kicked up there and you slipped and fell on Kiba." Ino smiled thoughtfully, "You used to be so clumsy."
If he hadn't known better Naruto would have summarized the anecdote as flirtation, but he did know better and she was simply reminiscing. Her personality being so straight forward with her feelings was mesmerizing. A lot of people saw her straight forwardness as shallowness but that assesment wasn't even close to the truth. Sure when she was angry she tended to be a bit violent and condescending, but on the other side of the coin she was someone who gave out compliments freely and could express her sophistication and emotions and not get frustrated bottling everything up.
Naruto was quick to return Ino's smile. He loved that genuine sincerity she would save for those close to her and he didn't hide his amusement as she brought up the past. "We had a lot of fun when we were younger. But somewhere along the road being in the service of our village pushed us apart."
"It's incredible isn't it. Time doesn't work properly. Just a few days ago we were in Lightning country on vacation, but that seems so long ago and years ago when we we were at the academy feels like yesterday."
Naruto sighed at that. Ino was right, their stay with Heiri did feel so long ago, months even. With all the chaos that had taken place in the previous days of course it would feel as though weeks or months had past since he had slept next to Ino and admired her sleeping form. Noticing what he was thinking he almost blushed again but quickly caught himself. So instead of blushing he changed the subject.
"Have you talked to Sakura?" He asked the question sprung from genuine curiosity as well as a desire to change the topic.
Ino nodded. "She hasn't gotten a chance to thank you for bringing Sasuke back but if she does you'll understand how much your actions meant to her. Although I wouldn't put it past her to feel a little disappointed he couldn't take you on."
Naruto couldn't bring himself to find Ino's remark amusing. The thought of Sasuke made him tense. More than tense it made him angry and while he couldn't bring himself to find Ino's remark amusing he did not react to it negatively, in fact he didn't react at all. Ignoring the remark had nullified it's existence. Ino, completely understanding her feux pas, changed the subject and continued without missing a beat.
It was synthesis at its peak. Minutes were slipping away as they enjoyed themselves and while they both wanted to get past the barrier known as friendship neither made a move. An uncertainty as to whether the procession from friendship to romantic intimacy was acceptable lingered around them, a token of their youth.
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He could see the gate. Miles still to go but the gate in sight. "Begin the operation," Kabuto said to the mouthpiece of his head set. His plan was initiated. He would deal with Minato and Jiraiya first. They were the ones that had h efforts against Konoha in the past and the ones who had to be taken out for his plan to succeed. To be honest the destruction of Konoha was not his goal. With his force destruction wasn't a possibility. He only wanted to damage Konoha so much that the balance of power between the villages would be upset and create chaos. Chaos caused war and violence. War and violence were the things that had given the Sound village the necessary time and resources to grow and more of it would help it become a dominant nation.
Kabuto could not help but smile at the thought of himself coming back after a successful assault on Konoha and claiming the position of leader of the Sound Village. "How's Suigetsu?" Kabuto asked after changing his headset's frequency to communicate with the medic dealing with Suigetsu suspended in a water filled cylinder tank big enough for him to move in and not touch the sides. Suigetsu, of course, was not aware of this having been unconcious for the past two days supplied with nutrients from the liquid around him. Several needles and suction cups attached to his body through wires hooked up to computers, monitoring everything from his physical well being to his emotional state.
"He's still in state 1 normal body functions. No problems here. Is the operation still a GO?" Asked a medic dressed in scrubs, turquoise latex gloves, goggles, long pants, and a surgical mask.
"Affirmative. Prepare for body to engage state 2 in the next twenty minutes. Also if need be you may have to reinforce the glass tank with chakra. I'm having doubts that it will hold up under the pressure." Kabuto did not wait for a reply before changing frequencies once again. There was no time to waste and orders had to be given to the agents inside Konoha's walls. "Is point A ready for demolition?... How much more time... Very well." He frowned in annoyance. Having to delay the operation even for a few minutes could prove fatal, but he had known taking down the wall would not be easy and for that purpose a delay would have to suffice if only for two or so minutes.
Once again Kabuto changed frequency. "Karin whose waiting for us. How strong are they?"
Silence.
"Hmph. Karin!"
"It's-It's him. He's at the gate. His chakra- the chakra is incredible."
"Whose with him?"
"Uh. No one really significant... Wait Hatake Kakashi he's there too, but his chakra doesn't even compare with the Hokage's. I mean I've seen the Hokage before and his chakra was impressive then but this." She shivered, "This is totally different."
Kabuto touched the frame of his glasses so each of the glasses' lens glared reflecting the sun's light. "This is the true power of the Hokage."
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Kneeling in front of the Minato, a veteran anbu operative spoke in a hoarse whisper. "Hokage-sama. We have a problem."
Minato's eyes narrowed. "What problem?" The assault on Konoha was minutes away. Now was not the best time to have a problem. He glanced in the direction of Kabuto's horde which was advancing steaily toward the counter attack position.
The ninja took a breath and lunged forward releasing the breath at the same time he pulled a katana from its sheath and swung it forward. The slash at his waist caught the Hokage off guard but even still he was able to back up enough to avoid a fatal blow. As the assassin lunged again Minato jumped back right into a kunai.
"Lord Hokage!" Kakashi yelled, his cry of warning to late to be of any use.
"What the hell?" Minato gasped as metal tore through his back muscles. Not wasting any more time he pressed his hands together and reappeared next to Kakashi. He grabbed a Kunai from his pocket his own three pronged weapon and threw it between the assailants. Disappearing and reappearing between them instantaneously he ended the battle quickly slitting their throats.
Kakashi was at Minato's side as the Hokage began to stumble and caught him when he collapsed. Kakashi threw his teacher over his shoulder and wasting no time he used shunshin to get to the hospital.
The Hokage was pale he had lost a lot of blood. In fact he had lost so much blood that Kakashi was becoming coated in red. The gash on his back spread from inches below his neck to inches below his waist.
"TSUNADE!" Kakashi yelled panicking as he entered the hospital. Kakashi was in a daze as medics stormed him pulling Minato away from him and carried him away.
"Kakashi-san!" Shizune yelled. "We need your help. He's lost a lot of blood and needs a blood transfusion."
Kakashi could only nod and rush with Shizune to Minato's side. The elite Jounin was as pale as the Hokage himself. In only a few moments the guaranteed victory for Konoha was destroyed. The table had turned to the Sounds favor and Kakashi was struck by a sickening notion that Kabuto was perhaps more insidious than his former lord Orochimaru.
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"Shit Naruto!" Anko yelled bursting through the front door. "We need you right away."
Naruto and Ino jumped up their casual and almost depressingly friendly conversation interrupted.
"There was an assassination attempt on you dad and he's in critical condition. He's with Tsunade and Shizune right now, but that means that there's no one to take charge of our defenses. Jiraiya has taken control of the situation but with out the yellow flash the plan to counter the Sound has to be aborted.
"What are you gonna do Naruto?" Ino asked turning to Naruto, but he was already gone.
"Jiraiya!" Naruto yelled appearing in the place where his father had been attacked. In an instant he absorbed the information his senses took in. He was in the midst of chaos, dozens of anbu were scurrying around making preparations to counter the mass that was Kabuto's army, now only half a mile away. Naruto smelled the blood before he saw it. It's aroma was still fresh and powerful. Two things stuck out in Naruto's mind; it was his father's blood and there was a lot of it. But with an inhuman resolve he focused on the situation. "What's the situation?"
Jiraiya looked up from a report he had just received. His expression was stern and even Naruto's presence did not ease his stress. "Your not supposed to be here kid. Your father made that order clear."
Naruto grit his teeth. Why doesn't anyone want my help? I'm not a kid if I was I wouldn't have been a captain of an elite anbu squad would I have? Dad needs me doesn't he, why can't he treat me like a regular shinobi. His frustration was boiling inside him and if the situation was any less severe he might have asked the questions plaguing him. Instead he did the most logical thing he could think of. "Fine Jiraiya. I'm going to get my dad to take back the order for me to stay under house arrest. And then I'll come back to deal with this, alright?"
The sannin's eyes narrowed. "Alright. Hurry."
The sannin could only let himself glance at Naruto's departure. There was not enough time to reorganize the forces at his disposal much less have a sentimental moment.
Naruto forced his way through the crowd that had gathered in the hospital's lobby. The crowd consisted of civilians mainly, who were worried about the Hokage, but there was also an unusually large number of doctors and medics shuffling from their rooms to the secretary's desk and back to their rooms. Something big has happened Naruto realized as he finally reached the secretary's desk. The secretary, a young woman, looked stricken. Naruto could tell she was new and that she was overwhelmed by the situation. In fact with her hair falling about wildly, perspiration visible on her neck, hard breathing, and a hardened expression from concentrating she looked on the edge of a breakdown.
"Hello there." Naruto said loudly to compete with the volume of the noises filling the lobby.
The young woman looked up hopelessly. "Yes?"
"What room is the Hokage I need to see him right now!"
"What?" She asked putting her hand to her ear
"What room is the Hokage?" Naruto repeated loudly.
She shook her head her hand still at her ear.
Naruto didn't have time for this. He turned toward the mob and raised his arm then bringing it down he snapped. The result of the motion was silence as a powerful wind plowed into the group threatening to knock them over if they didn't focus on maintaining their balance. "If you don't have official business here get out. Your not helping the Hokage's and the other patients here by making it so the hospital staff can't work." Naruto's voice was demanding but not cold and it left the mob speechless.
"Now," Naruto continued turning back to the secretary, "what room did you say the Hokage was in?"
As Naruto made his way to the room he saw that a number of people had begrudgingly shuffled out and the space their absence provided was a great comfort and relief. Naruto could hear shouting from the upper levels of the hospital as he made his way up the stairwell. His eyes had only just become level with the fourth floor when his father's form stumbled into his field of vision a herd of ninja and medical personal in his wake. As someone reached for Minato's arm he brushed them aside. His eyes focused on his son.
Minato wrapped his arms around Naruto and used Hiraishin to transport them back to the gate. Father holding son they appeared before Jiraiya's assembled team and above the enemy horde which had nearly reached the gate.
"I was about to return here when I felt your chakra from downstairs." Minato explained quickly seeing Naruto's look of confusion. "Kohona needs you. I don't want you here but I won't stop you either." Minato released Naruto from his embrace.
"Jiraiya let's continue with the original plan."
The sannin acknowledged the order with the nod of his head. "Reposition!" he yelled at the anbu units. The concept of changing the battle plan within seconds of utilization was unthinkable, but it was done and with greater efficieny and coordination than either Jiraiya or Minato had expected.
Minato, Naruto, and Jiraiya stood together on the reinforced wall of Konoha watching the meticulous actions of each unit. Each ignored the blood begging to seep through Minato's bandages and pool at his feet.
Kabuto grimaced as he saw the Hokage standing at the wall gathering his strength for a counter attack. Kabuto had not actually thought that the assassination plan would be a success, but he had hoped it would sap enough of the Hokage's strength so that he would be unable to decimate the Sound horde. He sighed in agitation. "A necessary sacrifice, that is what the bulk of the force is," Kabuto told himself. That's right. The real prize is still there. He shifted his gaze by a fraction of a hair so that his prize was the focus of his sight. Yes indeed. The honey is worth a few stings. His thoughts consolidated him.
"Karin," Kabuto spoke into his headpiece, "Your free to find Sasuke my prize is in sight."
He switched the frequency and spoke into the communicator again, "Wait till Minato makes a move and then capture. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Do you have the girl?"
"Of course."
Kabuto stopped the flow of chakra to the communicator letting the frequency fade into static before the device ceased to produce any sound at all. His eyes were bloodshot, his blood lust was rising, and he could sense greatness at his fingertips. The power to destroy Konoha was about to be his.
The hiss of metal cutting through the air was all he heard. All he saw was a target and then a path through the enemy. He closed his eyes and let hatred consume him. Hatred for the Sound village, hatred for the murderers and followers of Orochimaru, and hatred at the man who had dared to harm his son. When the Hokage opened his eyes he was no longer Minato he was the Yellow Flash.