Hello everyone. I lost my outline for the last few chapters, but I'm going to attempt to write them from memory. A lot happens in this chapter so prepare yourself.
Somewhere near Tenchi Bridge
Naruto looked around hoping to find Sasuke. He was nervous, but he had to trust Sasuke. *It's for Itachi-sensei.* Naruto thought to himself. As he walked, he thought of everything that brought him to this point; Itachi taking him from the village, returning for the last year of the academy, fighting the Kazekage, the Chuunin Exams, Itachi's capture. Naruto frowned. *Where will life take me next?*
He finally caught a glimpse of Sasuke as he approached the bridge. "Naruto," Sasuke said cooly, "you're late." Naruto stopped a good distance away, in case Sasuke was planning something. "Sorry, I had to let my teammates know what was going on."
Sasuke shrugged. "I don't see why your team is so important. It seems to me that they are holding you back." Naruto shook his head slowly, keeping his temper under control. "You're wrong Sasuke. They help me more than you know and I'm glad that they are my friends."
Sasuke smirked. "It's Hinata isn't it?" Naruto flinched. "You love her Naruto. I can see it in your eyes. But you're a fool to think you know love." Naruto clenched his fists. "This isn't what I came here to discuss, Sasuke." Sasuke nodded, seeing that Naruto was becoming angry.
"Very well, Naruto. Let us begin with some information." He activated his Sharingan but did not take an offensive stance. "There are very few ways to beath the Sharingan. It's speed is unmatched and it improves the caster's reaction time to near God levels." Naruto reached for his kunai as Sasuke appeared behind him. *I didn't even see him.*
"Very good. Even though you didn't know what I was going to do, your body reacted before your mind. If you can move faster, or slow down the Sharingan user, then you can overcome their speed." Naruto nodded and kept his hand on his kunai. "So you are saying that if I can outmatch their speed, I can win against the Sharingan?" Even Naruto already knew that. Sasuke smirked. "Of course, except for the fact that anyone with a decent amount of experience with the Sharingan is already considered one of the fastest ninja."
Naruto became angry. "That doesn't help me at all!" Sasuke shrugged. "That's not my problem Naruto." Naruto was beginning to think that coming so far from the village to meet Sasuke was a waste of time. "Naruto…" He looked at Sasuke whose expression seemed to change drastically. "Belive it or not, I do still care about my brother. I may not understand why he did what he did, but he must have a reason." Sasuke's sharingan faded to reveal sad eyes.
"I need to know his reason, Naruto. That is why I will help you. I know something that might help you." Naruto nodded and listened. "In the realm of Tsukuyomi, the sharingan user has the ultimate advantage. However, if the caster is at a weakened mental state, it is possible for the victim to take control."
Naruto couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So Tsukuyomi can be turned against the user?" Sasuke nodded. "Yes, though once that happens the caster usually just cancels the jutsu. If you ever face the sharingan, remember that it isn't the end. It is a constant struggle between two wills."
Naruto nodded and Sasuke turned to leave. "I want you to bring him to me, Naruto. That is the only thing I want in return." Naruto was shocked. "But, I thought you wanted the Ninetails?" Sasuke shrugged. "My teacher has revealed to me that it would be more of a hassle to take it than it would to befriend you. I will see you later, Naruto." Before Naruto could say anything more, Sasuke vanished.
Hyuuga Mansion
Hinata was rummaging through her room. She was packing a bag to take with her. After Naruto had left, Shino mentioned that if things did not go as planned, or even if they did, they would most likely have to leave the Hidden Leaf for a long time. Hinata frowned and stopped packing. *How will I tell father?*
She sat on her bed and let her mind wander. *What will our families think?* She knew that Shino had already told his parents and Itachi was as close to a father as Naruto had. Something clicked in her mind. "That's it!" She covered her mouth after she realized she had said that out loud.
*We are doing this because Naruto is so close to Itachi. We aren't just breaking him out because he was wrongfully placed there.* Hinata smiled and continued to pack. When she was finished she looked out her window and sighed. "Neji and Father are supposed to be back tomorrow. I won't be here when they arrive…" She frowned. She was ashamed that she hadn't said a word to them before they left. Her father would be devastated. Her mood lifter a little when she saw Naruto walking throught the front gate of the village.
Hidden Leaf Village (Hokage Mansion)
The Third looked out his window at the village. "This will be one of my last views from up here." Kurenai nodded, sadly. "It's tonight, isn't it?" The Third Hokage continued to stare out the window peacefully. "Yes. Tonight is the night that Naruto, Hinata, and Shino will break into the ANBU Headquarters to confront Danzo."
Kurenai frowned. "Are you sure there is nothing we can do?" He nodded slowly and turned to look Kurenai in the eye. "Unfortunately, we wouldn't be much help even if we could do something. This is their fight. Getting involved would most likely start a riot in the village. My duty is still to maintain peace for as long as I can."
The Third sat at his desk and sorted through some papers. He handed one to Kurenai. "What is this?" She asked. "That," he replied, "is the file of Minato Namikaze." She jumped as she realized what she had in her hands. "But, why give it to me?" The Third smiled. "When Danzo becomes Hokage, he will destroy all records of Naruto Uzumaki, including the file you hold in your hands."
She frowned and looked down at the file. "So I am entrusting you with its safety. Make sure that it is here when Naruto comes back for the village." She nodded as the Thrid held up another file. "This is all the proof you will need of Danzo's corrupt nature. Revealing that will loosen his grip on the village." Kurenai was confused. "But sir, why don't you just reveal this now?" He smiled and turned around to once again look out at the village.
"Letting the villagers see that now will cause complete chaos. There is no one ready to take my place with the exception of Danzo. They will assue that it is all false and it will reinforce their decision to replace me." Kurenai was worried. She didn't know what would happen after her team raided the ANBU Headquarters. "It will be alright my dear." The Third smiled as he saw Naruto coming through the village gates.
Hidden Leaf Village (Front Gate)
Naruto walked through the gates and nodded towards the guards. They eyed him suspiciously but let him pass. The sun was starting to set. Naruto was glad that Sasuke didn't actually fight him. He was going to need all of his energy for tonight.
He started to walk towards the Hyuuga mansion to see what Hinata was doing, but was stopped by a group of his classmates. "Hey, Naruto, I havn't seen you in awhile." Kiba walked towards Naruto but didn't get very close. He was with a few others that took part in the Chuunin exam. Sakura and Shikamaru were with him, as were Tenten and Choji.
"Hey guys, sorry I havn't been around much. I've been pretty busy training." Saskura smiled. "That's alright Naruto." Choji chimed in, "We were heading out to get some food. Do you wanna come?" Naruto shook his head. "Sorry, I'm in kind of a hurry. I have to see someone." Kiba shrugged. "Alright, see you later Naruto."
Naruto ran towards the mansion. He had to see Hinata before tonight. As he got closer, he saw her standing in the window. He smiled as she saw him. He walked up to the door and right as he started to knock, the door opened and she flew into his arms.
Naruto was caught off-guard and almost fell. "Whoa. What was that for Hinata?" He laughed until he realized that she was crying. "Hinata, what's wrong?" She just squeezed him tighter and he took the hint. He wrapped his arms around her and they stayed silent for awhile.
"I'm scared about tonight." She was shivering as he held her. "I know, but we are ready." She sniffed and looked up at him. "But what if we aren't?" Naruto smiled and kissed her gently. "We are." She seemed convinced and she rested her head on his chest.
Hokage Mountain (Near Midnight)
The three of them stood ready. They were close to the entrence but stopped long enough to go over the plan once more. "I go in alone. Ok?" Naruto was very serious as he looked at his teammates. Shino nodded. Naruto then looked at Hinata. She frowned. "I think we should come with you Naruto."
Naruto shook his head swiftly. "Hinata, we've talked about this." Hinata didn't give up. "We have a better chance if we all go together—" Naruto interrupted, "A better chance of all of us getting caught in the same trap!" Hinata flinched. Naruto was speaking more harshly than he normally would.
"I'm sorry, Hinata. I just don't want to risk the team's safety. We need to stick with the original plan." Hinata frowned and slumped her head. "Ok, we stick with the plan." Naruto smiled faintly. "Good, now let's—" Naruto tensed and was flipped onto the ground before he could finish his sentence. Shino and Hinata were instantly prepared and Shino's insects swarmed the ninja.
While the ninja was distracted, Hinata's hands became covered in water and she struck at the ninja, causing him to stumble over. The insects kept him from making any noise. Naruto cursed. "Dammit, they know we are here. We have to hurry." Naruto looked at his teammates and they both nodded. They all ran towards the entryway. Once inside, Shino and Hinata turned around to cover Naruto's back as Naruto ran further into the darkness.
ANBU Headquarters (Basement)
Naruto ran fast. The darkness was almost to thick to see through. He hadn't run in to anything yet so he decided to continue running straight. Suddenly, he started to walk slowly. He noticed that his footsteps sounded different. He was no longer in a corridor. "Very good Naruto."
Naruto went for his kunai but something smashed it out of his hand and Naruto hit the floor hard. Torches started to light up around the room. One by one they illuminated more of the room until only one remained dark. A figure walked forward.
"Naruto, I see that you made it. I was starting to worry that you didn't care about Itachi." Naruto beared his teeth at the figure. "So you're Danzo." The man smirked as his face lit up. "Yes, and I believe I know why you're here. You want to save Itachi. How foolish of you. You know his crime and yet you still want to save him?"
Naruto kept his eyes on Danzo and stood up. "What he did never changed how I saw him. I know my sensei. Better than any of you ever did." Danzo looked disgusted. "Is that so? Well then…" He stepped aside as the last torch lit. Underneath it was Itachi, kneeling with his head down.
"Itachi-sensei!" Naruto started to run towards him but stopped just before a kunai impaled him. "Now, now Naruto. Let's not be impatient." Danzo smiled as Itachi showed his face. Naruto was horrified. There was a scar cut into Itachi diagonally from the right of his forehead down to the left side of his chin. "What did you do to him?!"
Danzo chuckled. "We merely kept him alive until your arrival. We were going to kill him, but then I had a better idea." Naruto was shaking with rage as Danzo continued to smile. "I thought it would be better for you to kill him." Just then, Itachi lept up and dashed towards Naruto, barely missing as Naruto dodged out of the way.
"Itachi-sensei, what are you doing!?" Naruto jumped aside once more as Itachi threw himself at him with a kunai in his hand. He lunged again and this time cut Naruto's arm. Naruto tried to jump away but Itachi landed a spinning kick on his ribs, sending him flying. Naruto rolled on the ground and stood up quickly.
"I'm afraid he can't hear you. He is under an extremely powerful genjutsu, much like Tsukuyomi." Naruto gritted his teeth as he dodged Itachi once more. "You have no choice but to fight him Naruto. Only then will he stop." Danzo motioned towards the doorway that Naruto assumed he came in from and a giant iron gate slammed down. "And now you have nowhere to run."
Naruto didn't know what to do. Itachi ran at him once more and this time Naruto's insincts kicked in. He twisted out of the way of Itachi's kunai and grabbed his arm. Naruto tried to fling Itachi onto the ground but Itachi was too strong. Itachi dropped his weight and sweeped Naruto's legs. Naruto rolled away as soon as he hit the ground, just barely avoiding Itachi's fist. "Crater Fist." The ground around Itachi bent inwards as the cement crumpled under his power.
Naruto stood up and blocked Itachi's kick. *Damn! He's too fast.* He jumped away and Itachi jumped after him. Naruto formed a few handsigns but was cut off as Itachi grabbed his collar and flung him to the ground. Naruto landed hard and Itachi landed next to him.
"Naruto." Naruto flinched. He heard Hinata's voice, but it was coming from Itachi! "What's the matter Naruto?" Itachi said with Hinata's voice. "Don't you remember?" Naruto rolled away from Itachi's kick and quickly jumped up. Danzo was concerned. *What is he doing? Why is he teasing Naruto?*
Naruto was confused. *Voice Mimicry? Crater Fist… These are the first jutsu Itachi-sensei tried to teach me!* Naruto stood up straight and threw a few shuriken at Itachi. "Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!" The shuriken multiplied over and over. Itachi made a few handsigns. "Hardened Chakra Bubble Jutsu." He was encased with a bubble and the shuriken bounced right off of it.
Naruto smiled. *He's trying to communicate with me.* Naruto and Itachi ran at eachother. They formed the same exact handsigns and held out their right hand. Simultaneously they said, "Single Pronged Seal Jutsu!" At the last minute, Naruto dodged out of the way to avoid the seal, but Itachi did not. The seal hit him on the head and what seemed like a network of lightning arced through his body.
"Stop them! Stop them at once!" Danzo shouted as dozens of ANBU jumped down to surround them. Itachi looked up at Naruto and they locked eyes. Itachi smiled as three tomoe swirled into his eyes. He whispered, "Tsukuyomi."
That's all for this episode guys! I'm giving you all a unique opportunity. If there is anything you want to know about Itachi or his past or actions in this story, let me know. I will be sure to include it in the next chapter. All will be revealed soon enough. Please review and wait for me.