Disclaimer: I don't have any legal, financial or intellectual property rights in the Naruto franchise, those belong to Mashashi Kishimoto, Shounen Jump, Namco Bandai e.t.c:
Japanese Word Glossary:
Doujutsu - Eye technique
Bijuu - Tailed Beast/s
Amegakure - Hidden Rain
Iwagakure - Hidden Rock
Kumogakure - Hidden Cloud
Kirigakure - Hidden Mist
Sandaime - The Third
Mizukage - Water Shadow
Jyuuken - Gentle Fist
Hokage - Fire Shadow
Tsuchi no Kuni - Earth Country
Konohagakure - Hidden Leaf
Akatsuki - Red Moon
Kyuubi - Nine-Tails
Yondaime - The Fourth
Otogakure - Hidden Sound
Jinchuuriki – Power of Human Sacrifice – nickname of the containers of the tailed beasts.
Yasankai no Magatame - The necklace is the third treasure of the Japanese imperial dynasty and for the use of this story it is the ultimate mental defense (before it was destroyed in the last chapter), along with the Mirror (which Itachi uses with Susasnoo) and Kusangai blade (Oro's blade)
(Akatsuki's hidden base, River Country)
"How is he doing, Konan?" the icy voice of God realm questioned. Violet Rinnegan eyes flickered over the unconscious and bandaged form of Uchiha Itachi. The strongest of Pein's paths was standing beside a make shift hospital bed where Itachi lay silently, medical equipment hooked up and beeping steadily. The former Ame-orphans stood within a secluded part of the massive cavern that was Akatsuki's base.
Kisame had brought the wounded, bleeding partner several days earlier. Konan, Akatsuki's impromptu medic, had used all of her abilities to stabilize and save the Uchiha betrayer from the brink of death. It was touch and go for the first twenty four hours but he was fine now. "Itachi's will to live is strong. Fortunately, I've managed to cleanse his blood from the lethal pathogens and the damage to his wrists and ankles was not too extensive. The only true loss was his right eye; it may take a while before he adjusts to the loss of Three dimensional vision. I think that if he rests enough and receives proper treatment he will recover within three to five weeks."
"It would seem I should have heeded Itachi warning when Orochimaru defected five years ago. Immediate steps must to be taken in order to rectify my rare lapse of judgment," the animated corpse of Yahiko admitted tightly, his tone an icy snap.
"So the snake has finally gotten his hands on the sharingan?" a different voice cut in from behind them. A figure melted from within the shadows, seeming to blink into the cavern out of the darkness. The man was clad in a black Yukata with Hakama pants, a sword strapped to his side. The one eyed mask wielder was the true manipulator behind Akatsuki, the infamous Uchiha Madara. The eternal Uchiha's single visible eye narrowed as he took sight of his disciple's poor state of health and his lips twisted into a sneer beneath his mask.
"So it would seem," Pein replied quietly and turned his back on his 'benefactor'. "Orochimaru's hindrance to our cause is greater than I initially expected. But that is of no consequence, I will mete the wrath of god upon him for all his transgressions against Akatsuki before long."
"That would be foolish," the Uchiha patriarch criticized coldly and ignored the tension in his partner/subordinate's shoulders. "He is long gone by now. He's slithered back under his vast network of mobile facilities and underground caverns. You will never catch up and hunt him down now. He knows how we work and has probably anticipated this day would come. Hunting him down now will only prove to potentially expose yourself prematurely and endanger the plan to acquire the Bijuu in the future."
"No, Not acting is what would be foolish. Orochimaru is too dangerous to be left alive. He knows too much and is doing all in his power to impede our ambitions. I will not let his insolence go unpunished any longer; I will erase him from the board - Permanently." The wielder of the Rinnegan declared dismissively.
"No, you will not." Madara challenged Pein's declaration with all the impassive authority his near immortality allowed. Pein shifted his glance over his shoulder, his eerie doujutsu glaring into Madara's for a tense moment; Sharingan and Rinnegan locking silently.
"Fine, If you feel so strong about it, I will yield for now, Madara," the figurehead leader of the Akatsuki replied evenly. He then turned fully towards his 'master' and intoned a promise fiercely, "But know this, as soon as the situation becomes opportune I will exterminate him with extreme prejudice. God has spoken and so it shall be done." With that he turned and left, Konan shadowing hin as she always did.
As he entered the antechamber where he planned to hold the Bijuu extraction ritual once the jutsu was complete he sensed a presence and paused. "Zetsu, what have you to report regarding Hanzou's latest actions?"
"Leader-sama, unknown ninja forces have infiltrated Amegakure and have been assisting the loyalists. Your forces are suffering heavy losses and have been pushed out of the capital," the plant man reported. Another voice echoed from the man's body, feral and rough, "Yeah, the bolstered forces are too much for even your guerrilla units within Hanzou's own ranks. What are your commands?"
Pein's eyes narrowed, "So you're outsourcing your problems now, Hanzou? But to whom?" the unbeatable juggernaut silently contemplated what to do when an idea came to mind. His lips twitched as he turned towards Zetsu and issued his orders. "Spread the word out. All of our forces are to lay low. All attacks, raids and insurgencies are to be frozen effective immediately until further notice." Zetsu was confused by the command, but his leader turned and lifted his hand dismissively, signaling the conversation was over.
The tension amongst the great five was growing, Iwagakure was amassing the majority of their army, Kumogakure was bolstering its defenses and there were even rumors of insurgency movements within Kirigakure that threatened to topple the Godaime Mizukage.
A storm was coming, and Nagato, the chosen wielder of the legacy of the sage of six paths, would ride it to victory. Peace, Yahiko's ambition and dream, was coming and there was nothing that would stand in its way; not now, not ever.
Meanwhile, Madara knelt beside Itachi and examined his apprentice. "I know you're awake, Itachi. Enough games, there is much to be discussed regarding this...development."
The wounded Uchiha opened his left eye. His hand shakily moved to touch the bandages over his now missing right eye. His face twisted into a frown before he turned and gazed up at the form of his master and manipulator. "Madara-sama...?"
"I did not expect you to fail, Itachi. This is disappointing, to think you lost to someone that is your lesser makes me question the wisdom in sparing your life back then. "
Itachi did not flinch under his master's harsh criticism and simply sighed softly. "Orochimaru's victory was surprising I'll admit. But even I could not have anticipated him unearthing the Yasakani no Yagatama necklace. Wasn't that the same instrument that bended you to Senju Hashirama's will back in those times of chaos?"
The ancient rolled his eye at the mention of that ancient relic and snorted dismissively. "My decision regarding the alliance with Senju transcends your understanding, Itachi. But I'll admit I'm surprised it has been introduced back into the world. I had thought it had been lost and buried forever when Hashirama died"
"It is of no consequence, I destroyed it with Amaterasu," the prodigy revealed tonelessly. He curiously watched tension fill the elder's shoulders and knew he had caught him off guard. He felt a twinge of victory at unnerving the ancient manipulator, even if just a bit.
"I see. Perhaps keeping you around wasn't a complete waste of my time after all," he commented off handedly and smirked. "Since you heard my conversation with Pein, than I need not remind you of my command regarding Orochimaru? Regardless to your misgivings I will not tolerate any disobedience, understood?"
The prodigal Uchiha nodded faintly and then quirked his brow. "Is your 'rationale' in sparing him perhaps linked to the fact your masks are all one-eyed, Madara-sama?" It was difficult to sport a calm face through the intense glare the sharingan wielder shot him when the shrewd observation escaped his lips.
"You should be careful where you poke your nose, Itachi. Considering how unstable your health is it would be 'unfortunate' should an accident occur. Akatsuki would suffer if it lost one of its stronger operatives," he commented coolly. He smirked as he felt his 'pupil' tense as well and stood up, turning his back on Itachi as he prepared to depart.
"Duly noted, Madara-sama," the S-class traitor conceded but allowed himself a small smirk as the ancient Uchiha melted back into the darkness. The threatening reaction spoke volumes of the truth. It would seem his his master was not so invincible and invulnerable as everyone was led to believe. The information was very interesting and would serve the prodigy well when he came to his final decision regarding his future. The irony was not lost to Itachi as he was forced to admit there was a silver lining to losing to the snake sannin; even though it was extremely bleak.
(Hokage Tower, Central District, Konohagakure no Sato)
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up from his stack of papers darkly. He had just been given a verbal report by one Mitarashi Anko regarding Haruno Sakura. The report also included the details of a very questionable training exercise that garnered the attention of the Sandaime as it bordered on lunacy and/or insubordination.
"So let me see if I've got this straight," he muttered softly. "First, you chose to include Hyuuga Hinata, the same genin I benched indefinitely in this 'exercise' against my direct orders," he inquired in an intense manner.
His dark eyes flashing warningly as his glare shifted towards Yuuhi Kurenai. Said woman's teeth bit down on her inner cheek as she absorbed her master's wrath humbly. "Then you somehow thought it was wise to designate her as the 'target' in the center of a skirmish between inexperienced genin; a situation where she might have been wounded further or killed her..."
The professor's eyes shifted towards Gai and he rubbed his beard. "Not to mention that you two Jounin decided to personally intervene and 'spar' in the midst of a crowd of genin for the purposes of this 'training exercise'."
It only took him a moment before he turned his gaze towards the last jounin in the room. "And you, Kakashi. You allowed Naruto, that we've established has questionable emotional control, participate in a situation where he was faced not only by his hated former teammate but also shouldered the burden of protecting his wounded friend from her as well?"
He inhaled deeply and then folded his hands together before leveling a threatening glare at all of his wayward Jounin. "Worse, you didn't include Naruto's own genin cell for the chuunin exam in this little 'war game' so in a way you were impeding his own training. I am very disappointed in you all, I expected better foresight and thoughtfulness from my elite Jounin. Just whose idea was this?"
Kakashi seemed uncomfortable as he knew his revelation would make things very tense to say the least. "Hyuuga-dono, myself, Kurenai and Gai were all issued requests by Jiraiya-sama to instigate the training simulation. We both monitored and supervised the whole exercise and took notes on individual and team performance. Jiraiya-sama saw it prudent to review the current batch of genin himself and point out what he feels should be addressed in their training to maximize their abilities. He also assured me he planned to evaluate team ten in the future as I believe Ino and Shikamaru are both on individual training missions with their parents. That's also why they were unavailable or else I'm sure they would've been included, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed more as he brought his pipe to his mouth. It may be horrible for his dwindling health, but if he didn't ease his nerves now he feared he would do something he'd regret later. "That doesn't explain why Naruto was involved anyway despite the 'dangers' regarding his instability. Nor does it pardon the fact this exercise wasn't postponed until a time he could be joined by his own team. Finally, I see no relevance to Hinata's presence in this 'drill' my pupil concocted. So why don't you explain the rationale behind this...'idea' of his."
The Copy nin looked around him and saw nobody was going to come to his aid and so he sighed softly into his mask. "The training exercise had a hidden objective. Jiraiya-sama has been training Naruto in some methods of emotional control that helped him in his youth. Therefore, Jiraiya-sama approached me and told me of the exercise and all its aggregated goals. I agreed to its merits and when Jiraiya told me Naruto was ready I had no qualms in regards that we include him into the training mission so he could purposefully test his mettle under pressure. As for Hinata, she has been recovering and has been isolated from her peers so he thought the chakra exercise and brush with her friends and teammates would lift her spirits and aide her healing process."
"How could you be so reckless and naive!? Just what were you thinking, Jiraiya? Requesting my ass! Any 'request' you issue is as good as an order, nobody wants to be on your bad side. This is pushing it, even for you..." Hiruzen thought grimly before realization hit him as Kakashi continued and he bit harder on his wooden pip as his body tensed.
"He concluded that Neji should compliment his Jyuuken with genjutsu that will ease his close combat abilities. He...had reservations regarding Lee, but agreed Tenten should..."
Hiruzen lifted his hand. He had heard enough. He stopped the embarrassing charade before he decided to act out of spite. "I have much work to do, Kakashi. Each of you summarize these 'conclusions' in a report and have them on my desk by sunrise tomorrow." He felt old, tired and so very overburdened by his position. Why was he so upset? Was it the fact Jiraiya had acted in regards of Naruto without consulting him and in a way undermined his authority? Or was it that his student was being true to his promise in directly intervening in safe guarding the village in a more proactive way regardless to Hiruzen's reservations? He wasn't sure, but both premises angered him greatly.
"Has your mistrust in me brought you to the point where you're forcing me to micromanage every aspect of my genin's training just to prove my mettle, Jiraiya? I truly have become old and weak if you dare oppose my authority so directly. I swear if it weren't you, I'd have you incarcerated for this stunt. I can see some of the logic behind the mission but it isn't enough to absolve your actions; not this time. I grow tired of these struggles and insubordinations. It is time I begin the process of choosing a successor soon. I'm too old for this, but until my replacement is secured and official, as long as I'm Hokage; I will not be bypassed and overlooked like some genin."
He coughed into his hand several times, "I understand now, but in the future do not engage such 'questionable' training exercises without consulting me. All of you are to obey no orders regarding personal cross-training, changing your normal training methodology or team training strategies no matter whom issues such 'orders' or 'requests' without my authorization. Am I clear? There may be consequences to Konoha you and such third parties are all unaware of that must be considered. Oh, and pass this message to my son as well, I expect no such 'misunderstandings' to repeat themselves," he commanded firmly and proceeded to blow his pipe tiredly. His face revealed a weary, resigned expression that seemed riddled with burden and concern.
The jounin each nodded in bowed in turn. Kakashi however was uneasy with the 'subtle' command to ignore Jiraiya's further prodding, suggestions or directives without the Hokage's authorization. It was a sign of mistrust in the toad sannin that he wasn't sure was warranted and would no doubt bring much grief and rage to both Naruto and Jiraiya when he broke it to them they could no longer train together until further notice.
But despite his reservations he was Hokage and they were his loyal jounin, they would obey; it was their duty, their nindo and way of life. He was pretty sure Gai and Kurenai didn't have any qualms regarding the order, they weren't aware of nearly half the things the Copy nin was exposed to since he became Naruto's sensei.
"I only hope you know what you're doing, Sarutobi-sama. There is only so much Jiraiya-sama will be able to stomach and without him...I'm not sure what we'll do about Akatsuki and Orochimaru..." Kakashi thought worriedly as he and the other jounin shuffled out of the Hokage office.
(Underground Base, somewhere in the Forests between The Tea and Rice field countries)
"Orochimaru-sama..." the soft voice of Karin murmured from her place at the door. The genetics, biology and medicine researcher peered into her master's semi-illuminated chambers fearfully and her brown eyes widened as she heard a tormented hissing sound from within the gloom.
A spike of spike of chakra ignited from the lone occupant of the room, it's suffocating presence making it hard to breathe. "Karin! What are you waiting for? Come in..." The impatient command escape pale lips a moment before the snake summoner clutched the stump of his right arm as his nerve endings were struck by phantom pain. Yellow eyes narrowed as his fingers tightened over flimsy, sweat and blood soaked material clinging to his body. The agony was unbearable at times. It came in waves of pulsing, paralyzing liquid fire. The corrosion of his host body had been accelerated by loss of his limb. The spiritual pressure of his true form required a whole vessel. But with the container damaged the snake sannin's power was starting to corrupt the human tissue – and it hurt like hell.
The red haired woman scrambled into the room, her body shaking slightly. Her teeth tugged on her lower lip as the intense topaz eyes of the snake sannin narrowed down at her with all their frightening glory. "Did I not leave your explicit instructions to prepare me a candidate when I returned yesterday? Do you care to explain why you've yet to escort me to my new vessel?"
The impatient timbre in his voice was louder than thunder to the crimson haired female. She fell to her knees in front of him and called his name audibly in an apologetic tone. "O-Orochimaru-sama, Kimimato isn't healthy enough... "
"I told you I'm not interested in possessing him until he's healthy so calm down, Karin," the sannin's voice cracked like a whip. His blood lust spiked and brought her stammering, mess of disjointed words to a halt. His normally serpentine eyes seemed even more bone-chilling than usual; an intense, primal gleam freezing her in place. "Now explain what is wrong, slowly..."
"Y-You left so abruptly several weeks ago a-and you've refrained from contacting us as you warned us in advance. B-But, your absence inspired some of the test subjects to...well, to escape. Suigetsu, Genryuumaru, Sensuna and Gekidou have all fled and spread across the four winds," she informed the legendary criminal and watched his lips twitch.
"Is t hat all? You worry too much, Karin. Such setbacks are hardly worthy of such concern. Go, fetch Kimimaro and Juugo and take them you. Track down Genryuumaru, Setsune and Gekidou," Orochimaru mused dismissively. "Bring them to me, I will choose one, and make an example of the others, so my minions are less 'cavalier' in their loyalties in the future."
"What about Suigetsu...?" she questioned nervously and watched the pale faced murder's lips twitch as a deadly chuckle escaped him.
"I know exactly where he's headed and he is of no consequence to my plans any longer." His eyes flashed with amusement. "I'll let you live for now, you insolent little insect, as a gesture of good faith towards a potential ally. Your bloodline after all...is quite, interesting and may benefit him more than I."
The redhead dared a tentative smile and turned to leave, pausing at the door as she felt a violent spike of killer intent. "And Karin, the next time I issue an order you cannot fulfill, I would appreciate if you didn't lie to me. I have a propensity for violence when I'm deceived so I suggest you be honest with me in the future, yes?"
The genetic prodigy eyed her beloved master fearfully, though she admired his cunning, genius and power in all truth – whenever he was angry he terrified her. She slipped out of the room and slammed the door shut gently behind her.
Orochimaru's face assumed a frown the moment he was alone. "It seems I will have to modify my plans to a new timetable. Not to mention that dealing with that idiot Nori will be a difficult as usual. I had almost forgotten how annoying and humiliating catering to whims and ego trips of the weak is. But I guess it can't be helped, everything has to be perfect; nothing else will suffice for my ambition…for my revenge! But first...I have to 'teach' my subordinates just how steep the price of mutiny and betrayal is...personally"
But he had a more pressing endeavor to deal with as the door opened once more. A balding middle aged man stepped into the room. He clad in a dark traveling cloak and casual clothes in various shades of gray. He had been waiting for his master to finish his talk with his little red haired disciple, obeying the call he had received early from one of the master's couriers. "You summoned me, Orochimaru-sama?"
The sannin's licked his pale lips, moistening the dry tissue as his monstrous eyes narrowed a fraction. "Yessss....Kenji, I need you to carry a message to the border town of Tsuno in Tsuchi no Kuni. There is a woman there that goes by the name of Hakana Chizuru. She runs the inn there. Hand her this message and then return immediately."
The man known only by the alias of Kenji took a long, thin scroll from his master's hand. His dark eyes observed the various protective and locking seals. "It will be done, Orochimaru-sama."
With that the man bowed humbly and left the room. The moment he left the snake's lips split into a wide, malevolent grin. He laughed silently to himself before throwing his head back and laughing audibly, excitement, content and joy visiting the sociopath for the first time in many years. The sharingan was his (though breaking its genetic secrets would prove a most complicated endeavor), he had settled the score with Itachi and soon his plans would come into fruition.
After living in the shadows, crawling and clawing his way to power hidden from the prying eyes of both Konohagakure and Akatsuki it would soon (though the setback would complicate things to a degree) be Orochimaru's time to shine, and shine he would! All of his desires stood just within reach and this time he wouldn't let anyone stop him.
(Deserted living quarters, outskirts Konohagakure no Sato)
The hobbling taps of wood against stone echoed through the empty area. The crippled form of the former leader of ANBU dragged itself diligently through the silent alley. His mind was troubled over the continuously unraveling political situation. Just last week, some of his agents in Amegakure reported the military status in the country was stabilizing after three years of continuous unrest and random military uprisings. That was child's play however in comparison to the rumors of winds of change blowing in Kirigakure, one of Konoha's darkest, most bitter enemies since its founding.
He would have urged Hiruzen to send ANBU to investigate the rumors but he knew that was a hollow endeavor. The old monkey was too stubborn to ever take any advice from his 'rival'. Which beckoned the question, how was Konoha going to survive his incompetence in the time to come?
The one-eyed manipulator's hand tightened around his cane as the most troubling of the new developments came into mind. All of his spies within Iwagakure had been purged. Apparently Yondaime Tsuchikage, Kagome Ishimaru, was very different than his father and had recently authorized his intelligence corps to question, torture and otherwise execute inquisitorial powers over all foreigners and merchants that weren't from Tsuchi no Kuni proper.
His eye shifted over his shoulder as he felt a spike of chakra and his stride paused immediately. His body stiffened and the skin around his eye tightened. That was the second time in the last four months he could've been killed on a whim. Where were his guards? "Jiraiya, to what do I owe this 'pleasure'?"
The silver haired legend was perched on a balcony, half concealed in the gloom. The toad sennin shifted and kicked something off the elevated area. The form of two Root ANBU landed heavily in front of their master, the dust they kicked up accompanied by their pained groans. "You seem tense, old man. What's wrong? Is this what you're looking for...?"
The war hawk snorted while at the same time he bit the inner part of his cheek lightly. His brown eye narrowed further as he looked over his shoulder, locking eyes with Jiraiya that casually landed behind him. "What is it that you want?"
"War is coming, old man. You know it, I know it." Jiraiya commented bluntly and crossed his arms. "I'm here to warn you, I won't tolerate any shit from you, Danzou."
The war hawk's lips twitched and he was about to comment wryly before a tight grip the shoulder of his crushed and partially crippled arm, pain lancing through his body. It was hard for Danzou to keep his footing, but he bowed and knelt before no man – especially not Hiruzen's perverted brat of a pupil.
His hand twitched as he inwardly felt the urge to reach for his bandages and unveil his sharingan eye and give the foolish boy a lethal surprise, his last surprise in that context. But he was no fool, he was out of practice, had only a partially operating arm and was facing arguably the strongest ninja in Konoha's arsenal at the moment - suicidal stupidity was not a trait the ancient ninja indulged. "You fool, if I didn't have to retain this crippled disguise, I would school you on your place..."
"I may be forced to accept the fact Hiruzen-sensei spared that psychotic little bitch you've taken under your wing and molded into an assassin. But let me assure you something, old man. If I even suspect any foul play or any intervention that hurts Konoha's interests on your part...I will hunt you and your agents down with extreme prejudice..."
"I don't know what you're talking about. All I've ever done has only been in Konoha's best interests, you know that. I am the balance for your sensei's peace loving naïve ways. I keep this village grounded...now unhand before I decide to file a complaint against you, boy."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed dangerously as he shrugged his arm and knocked the war hawk to the ground roughly. He loomed over the fallen council member, his eyes flickering with a warning gleam. "I never have and never will buy your bullshit, Danzou. So don't fuck with me, my godson or my village. You won't like the results if you try..."
He turned to leave and lifted his arm in a farewell gesture, "Oh, and don't forget I'm watching you. When the time comes you had better stay true to your 'decelerations of loyalty' to Konoha, or I'll know otherwise and act accordingly."
Danzou coughed and struggled to grasp his cane, it just beyond his reach. The threat made by the strongest ninja in Konoha's arsenal was left hanging as the silver haired legend vanished. The former ANBU commander sighed when he finally managed to grab it climb back to his feet. His face remained cold, but his eyes blazed with intense icy fire.
He dusted himself and turned to leave, humiliated for now. "Arrogant child, you have no true understanding of the true good of Konoha. But I can pardon your ignorance and insolence, you were after all raised and taught by that pathetic old monkey. Regardless to your bravado and zeal, we both want the same thing – Konoha's best interest. And much like you, I also have a plan already in motion, Jiraiya. Soon, the first step in our glorious restoration will begin!"
(Two Weeks Later, One Week to the Chuunin Exams, Training field 43, Konohagakure no Sato)
Sarutobi Asuma sighed contently from his perch on a nearby branch. The heir to the Sandaime Hokage blew a ring of smoke as he observed his pupils kicking back and relaxing. He had worked them into the ground all morning and thought they deserved a break. After all, the chuunin exams were only a week away and he didn't want them to burn themselves out.
The bearded jounin pondered how much things had changed in only three weeks. Ino and Shikamaru had really started to take their training more seriously, inspired by the mission in Fukoka and most likely seeing how ill-prepared they were for a real life danger situation. Having to rely on Sakura's questionable methods and almost watching Chouji die seemed to have rattled them deeply, it as sad but at the same time a necessary evil.
Ino seemed to have approached Inoichi on her own volition and got the interrogation specialist to help her with genjutsu, stealth and long ranged weaponry and traps. The changes in her fighting style, ingrained by her father's close guidance were still in their baby steps but she was starting to exercise caution, strike more strategically and use genjutsu to cover her motions and attacks.
Shikamaru on the other hand seemed to have approached his father and sought ways to both compliment the Yamanaka fighting style and increase his own repertoire of jutsu and battle tactics. The Nara heir had expanded some of his family jutsu, becoming more intimate with the art of shadow manipulation and taken upon using some concealment genjutsu to blend into his surroundings and the shadows.
The Ino-Shika part of the legendary triad seemed to be developing nicely. However, Chouji's injury would imbalance their ability until he caught up with them. But in the meantime, Uzumaki Naruto filled in the hollow left by the Akimichi's absence quite adequately and that was being gentle as the blonde Jinchuuriki was a force to be reckoned with.
He wasn't sure exactly what Kakashi, and perhaps Jiraiya if the rumors had any merit to them, were teaching the boy. But the changes the boy had undergone in recent months were hard to believe. The boy was still somewhat excitable and emotional but to balance that he had learned to exercise more caution, remain patient and use his kage bushin like they were meant to be used.
Instead of wasting his chakra on summoning throngs of clones, the boy had taken to using no more than five to ten clones and spread them out. Some were used to cover, replicate or transform into his teammates to throw off the foes while other tested his foes battle prowess and tactics. This strategy gave the blonde intimate preemptive information that he shared with his teammates and they used against their opponents.
The supplement addition of his rather unique chakra based taijutsu, wind manipulation and jutsu made the Copy-nin's apprentice a very powerful offensive force that complimented his other temporary teammates indirect fighting style. All in all, Asuma felt really confident about the pseudo team ten's chances in the chuunin exams.
But, there was something bothering him about Uzumaki and his relations with team ten. Naruto and Ino were awfully close, perhaps too close. Even now they were sitting close, their shoulders and hips touching under the shade of the tree. Shikamaru chose to lie on the grass a couple of feet away from them, in the sunlight, enjoying a good cloud gazing.
There were little gestures, touches and brief eye locking that aroused the jounin's suspicion. He knew because he had only recently started courting Yuuhi Kurenai in secret and knew all about such 'clandestine' acts of affections. This was cause for concern or at the very least a reason for a stern talk with the pair/couple so they realized the possible ramifications of internal team romance.
Ino sighed softly as she gazed at Naruto from the corner of her eye. They were both sitting quietly on the bank of a river, enjoying the afternoon sun. This moment of respite was a rare occurrence. Ever since the chuunin exams began she had barely seen Naruto out of their training sessions with Shikamaru and Asuma. They hadn't had a chance to really talk and discuss where their relationship stood. After she approached her father about bolstering her training he eagerly took her under his wing.
But there was something else that had her worried, some time last week something had changed and her father picked up the intensity and seriousness of her studies. Unbeknown to her sensei and peers Inoichi had started blending lessons in physiology and psychology into her training. It startled her to a degree when she realized just what he was trying to do, begin her specialization in the arts of interrogation and assassination.
For example, at the moment, the Yamanaka heiress could tell her crush/friend was worried. It was one of the first lessons in body language she was drilled on. Oh, Naruto hid it well by trying to sport a calm face, but his shoulders were slightly tense, he kept on tapping the grass with his hand and he swallowed far too frequently than he should be. The blond genin frowned as she squeezed his shoulder lightly. Naruto started slightly, pulled out of his thoughts. "Ne, Naruto-kun, what's bothering you?"
The Uzumaki's eyes darted a bit erratically. His reply came out a bit too quickly for the blonde's liking and it showed by the frown that exchanged her smiling face. "N-nothing, Ino-chan, jus' thinking about something..."
The heir to the Yondaime was nervous. He had been accosted by Yamanaka Inoichi a week ago and questioned quite thoroughly about his relations and intentions with Ino. The master interrogator and genjutsu expert had gleaned Naruto's romantic interest and demanded Naruto tell her the truth of what he contained so she knew exactly what she was getting into. Naruto had protested and said it was top secret information that would get him and Ino into trouble. The axis within the Ino-Shika-Chou team had dismissed the complication by saying he would deal with the ramifications of whatever happens should the need arise.
He had become so distracted and preoccupied, still somewhat bitter and scared after Shino turned on him so callously during the meeting three weeks ago. His concentration in training had been shot and his performance was sub-par. He had confided in both Kakashi and Jiraiya over the issue and both elite ninja concurred with the Yamanaka patriarch due to the complications of Akatsuki and a possible war on the horizon.
"Tch, I wanted to be acknowledged, I wanted to be seen. But I didn't think it'd come with a huge bull-eye that screams 'KILL ME' plastered on my back that fucks up my personal life..." the Uzumaki thought as he shifted his gaze towards their other teammate that was dozing comfortable a bit to their left.
"Liar!" she chided in a soft, yet firm tone. She pouted and turned him around so he was facing her. "You've been distant all week, what the hell's up with you, Naruto! And don't yank my chain with your bullshit excuses anymore I can see right through you!"
He could've sworn he heard someone mumble the word 'busted' but it might have been a figment of his imagination. "It's not that simple, Ino-chan. I...I don't know how to say this...but..." he stammered uncomfortably.
The Yamanaka's eyes flashed with pain, confusion and uncertainty. "You don't like me! Is that it? I knew kissing you so soon was a mistake! B-but I thought...but you kissed me back!"
The shell-shocked young man stammered; unable to answer as the explosive barrage of statements and accusations flew out of his teammate's mouth in an inaudible, hissing tone.
Her remorseful face shifted to one of fury as her face flushed and she grabbed his collar and shook him for good measure. "Then why didn't you say anything for so long! How dare you string me along! I like...I liked you! Why did you..."
The last of the Uzumaki grabbed her wrists, panicking at the sight of possible tears in Ino's eyes. "No no! You don't understand...Ino-chan! Hold on! It's got nothing to do with you!"
"Oh my god...don't tell me you're gay! But you were so eager...and when we were kissing and you were against me...well I know I felt...and it sure wasn't a kunai!" Ino pondered out loud, despair filling her. "I knew it was true! All the good ones are either married or gay!"
Naruto's eyes widened like saucers and he choked slightly; mollified by her wrong conclusion. He thought about the text book silencing with a kiss technique he had seen in some of the romance movie he had accidentally sneaked into when he was a kid, but thought against it. Ino had a mean right hook and she seemed to be on a war path at the moment.
"It's got nothing to do with us or our relationship, Ino! Are you going to let me explain or what?!" Naruto snapped harshly, watching Ino's expression shift from shocked and surprised one to a sheepish and slightly embarrassed one.
"Geez, you really are troublesome sometimes..." Naruto murmured and sighed heavily. He looked down briefly, shutting his eyes tightly. He peeled off his moist undershirt and exposed his toned upper body.
He ignored Ino's slight sputter and blush, his mind too preoccupied by the enormity of what was to come. "Please let her understand...I-If she hates me too, I don't know what I'll do...I really do like her."
He opened his mouth and started whispering in a small, uncertain voice, "We were taught that Yondaime-sama killed the Kyuubi thirteen years ago, right?"
Ino nodded a bit fearfully. She had never seen Naruto's eyes so dim, their cerulean only partially visibly in their nearly shut state. Worse, his body seemed to sag and his lips were tightly pursed through every word he heaved out in a sighing manner.
His hands shifted as he brought them to chest level and assumed the tiger seal. He channeled some chakra through his body and shut his eyes tightly, his voice trembling slightly. "Well, that's a lie they use to cover up the truth. The Kyuubi cannot be killed. So Yondaime-sama did the second best thing, he sealed it away so it could never get out."
Ino frowned, thrown off by the way Naruto used of the present tense when she suddenly saw chakra glowing visibly over her crush's abdomen. The life-force shifted and morphed until it traced an intricate black pattern with a swirling shape in its center.
Her eyes widened as she remembered Sakura's mad ravings and warnings. Sakura referred to Naruto as 'crimson-eyes' and 'monster' and said the truth would put the fear of kami into Ino when she learned it. Her breathing quickened and chest tightened as her head spun as all the rejection, coldness and detachment he suffered in the village and the tormented gleam in his eyes made sense. "W-what does this mean, N-Naruto?"
Naruto grit his teeth, his body trembling badly as his voice cracked and shook. "I-I'm a...I'm a Jinchuuriki...the Kyuubi was sealed inside of me by Yondaime-sama when I was born."
Suddenly everything made a morbid, eerie sense and left Ino overwhelmed mentally and emotionally. She didn't know quite how to digest such news and her expression remained blank and bewildered as she attempted to grasp everything.
Naruto was about to bolt, his mind made up, this was a horrible mistake. She probably hated him now, or worse thought he was a monster and feared him. His muscles tensed but before he could move his body froze and locked down. He shifted his gaze over his shoulder and caught sight of the Nara sitting in a lotus position, his hands in the Kage Mane position and face twisted into a flat expression. "Shikamaru...what are you...?"
"Geez, you two lovebirds are just too much, how troublesome. Ino, Naruto isn't the Kyuubi, he's the poor guy that got saddled with it and has to bear its burden and the prejudice attached to it. Naruto, Ino isn't afraid of you or hates you, she's just shocked. It's a lot to take at once if you don't suspect it, ya know?"
"I-Ino-chan?" Naruto was unconvinced but didn't struggle, waiting anxiously for Ino's confirmation or dismissal. She slowly looked up to him with moist eyes, her lips trembling through an uncertain smile.
"It's ok...I understand...I don't hate you. How could I ever hate you? Baka!" she started softly before she shouted and slapped him, glaring at him heatedly before tackling him to the ground and beating on his body with her firsts. "Do you think so little of me?! I told you I care for you! That I like you!"
"Very Interesting..." an observer commented cooly from his hiding place as he watched Shikamaru complain audibly about being abused by crazy women and Naruto trying to withstand the relief mingled with outrage embodied by Yamanaka Ino.
The man pushed the glasses on the bridge of his nose and slipped away unnoticed as he sensed another presence nearby. He used a quick shunshin no jutsu to escape before he was exposed. His 'side-mission' had become quite complicated given the fact that Jiraiya of the Sannin had become a self-appointed sentinel that watched over Naruto.
"And now you're messing with the Jinchuuriki too, Orochimaru-sama? You've already brought yourself back into the attention of Akatsuki, do you also want to become an immediate threat by continuously sabotaging their plans and members..." The human chameleon and medic prodigy known as Kabuto pondered grimly.
He fulfilled his missions for Orochimaru to the letter despite his growing discomfort and gnawing doubt in the sannin's agenda and survival. The mercurial murderer was a wild card that could not be underestimated. He had proven time and time again that he had no qualms in popping in unannounced in person in any given time to deliver justice or do the dirty work. Ironically, the snake sannin renown in Otogakure for his zero tolerance towards treachery.
Kabuto reappeared elsewhere in the forest and smirked widely. "But nobody ever said anything about conducting my own pet projects, now did they...? I know just the person to use to solidify my contigency plans. Better safe than sorry after all, no hard feelings, Orochimaru-sama..."
The shady espionage and infiltration expert reviewed what he knew of the Uzumaki. "Anyhow, Uzumaki Naruto is high chuunin level in overall skill with Jounin level elemental manipulation and chakra levels. Overall threat level is minimal if pursued Kimimaro, Juugo or the sound four. His collateral that can be easily exploited with little resistance are: Yamanaka Ino, Umino Iruka and Ichiraku Teuchi and his daughter Ayame."
Kabuto of course didn't factor his Jinchuuriki abilities as he had no idea just how much he was able to control the Bijuu sealed within. And even if he could, the offset of using the level 2 curse seal or Kabuto's old blood by any of the aforementioned ninja would more than even the playing field. "The boy is emotionally stable but can easily be manipulated by hurting any of his collateral; advised course of action: distracting the toad sannin and then hostage situation exploitation."
The regenerator walked off quickly, "It's Time to go acquire my own little puppet. This is my small homage to you, Sasori..."
"Young love is grand, isn't it?" a voice startled Sarutobi Asuma as moved to stop Naruto when he watched him expose his seal to Ino. He felt a hand on his shoulder, physically holding back in place in a firm, tight manner.
"Jiraiya-sama, let me go. He's breaking an..." the chain-smoker protested urgently.
"He's breaking no law, kid. Inoichi told him to do it, and it's a necessary evil. Our enemies will find out what he contains if they haven't already. His immediate teammates need to be aware of the dangers surrounding him or it's strategic suicide if it's exposed in the midst of danger."
"But, Dad said not to..." Asuma hesitated, his eyes darting between the sight of Ino screaming and shaking Naruto and Jiraiya's grim expression.
"Yeah, he told you not to listen to the ravings of the maverick Jiraiya, is that it? I know, Kakashi told me about that bullshit. Hiruzen-sensei's decision seriously tested my patience and loyalty. To be honest the only reason I didn't pack up and leave him to clean up his own mess is Naruto himself and the fact I worry for Konoha's safety nowadays."
The heir to the Sarutobi clan sighed and reached into his pockets and procured a cigarette and his lighter. He lit the fag and inhaled the nicotine vapor deep into his lungs. He assented gruffly as he bit down on the tobacco and paper. "Of all the hair brained decisions he's made lately, that one definitely takes the cake..."
"Ya think?" Jiraiya snorted and crossed his arms under his chest, observing the calm after the storm. His godson and teammates were conversing jovially and quietly on the riverbank. "Don't worry, I'm sticking around for the exams so I'll keep an eye on things. More importantly though, you need to keep a close eye on Naruto when he's with you."
"Oh? Why's that?" The bearded wind manipulator murmured as he took another drag from his cigarette and sighed contentedly at the soothing sensation it elicited.
Jiraiya reached into his coat and flipped out a picture of a silver haired, bespectacled teenager. "I've caught this kid stalking him four times in the last three weeks. This individual is obviously keeping tabs on his movements and trying to make a dossier on him. I usually let my presence slip to scare him off Naruto's training in summoning toads and controlling his emotions to suppress the Kyuubi's youki."
Asuma seemed shocked that he didn't sense anything. Whoever that kid was, he was good that was for sure. He stayed his tongue and only conveyed his confusion and surprise by quirking his brow.
"When you're in the intelligence gathering and counter-intelligence business as for long as I've been you'll learn that exposing spies is tricky. They usually have suicide and fail-safe contingency plans to conceal the ones pulling their strings. I want to know who ordered this punk to follow Naruto so I'm waiting for him to slip up, ya see?"
The son of the Sandaime nodded his acquiescence "Are ya going to warn Naruto about inner-team romance?"
Jiraiya shook his head "Kakashi covered that, don't worry. Let the kid enjoy some happiness in his life, Kami knows he's had it rough for the most of it."
(Thirty Minutes Later, Training Field 11, Konohagakure no Sato)
Haruno Sakura pushed out a long, heavy sigh as she observed her pseudo temporary teammates sparring despite their training session having ended an hour earlier. Tenten was currently teaching Lee how to handle a three part staff. Apparently, considering Lee's ineptitude in the art of ninjutsu and genjutsu the next best thing Gai thought of was to augment the range and strength of his attacks with a weapon.
The sound of metal clanging against metal repeatedly was beginning to sicken the red haired kunoichi. It seemed to be a similar case with the weapons mistress. The older girl could barely stand on her feet, her entire body a shivering, aching mess of sweat, weariness and exasperation. She finally had enough and fell back, landing on her back.
The almond eyed girl tossed her battered weapon away as she gasped for air. "Lee-kun, let's...let's take a short break! I can't take it anymore..."
"But Tenten-chan! I've only mastered the third tier! If I want to be good enough for the exams, I have to..." he insisted before he blinked as he heard a soft chuckle from the tree above him. "Oh, what's so funny, Sakura-chan? How am I supposed to defeat Neji if I don't push myself to the extreme!"
"Lee-kun, I don't think you'll get to face Neji if you beat Tenten-san to the ground," she chided him and leaped to the ground, offering the bowl cut haired boy a small smile. She watched with a mix of amusement, exasperation tinged with disgust as he ate her words with such enthusiasm it was almost pitiful. "Even crimson-eyes wasn't this desperate...he truly is the embodiment of obsession..."
Her female counterpart shot her a grateful look and murmured 'thank you' as Lee helped her to her feet. The former team seven member shrugged her shoulders as her teammates bid her farewell, Lee having to help the physically spent kunoichi home.
"Geez, those two..." she whispered in exasperation. It wasn't something she planned but despite her better judgment, the two odd ball genin were just too adorably gullible and immature to detach from completely.
True, Lee was disgustingly obedient, altruistic and comically outspoken, but he was real. He had no masks, had no hidden agenda or malice in any fiber of him. It was such a pity too; she might actually miss him once his idiocy got him killed. In the meantime she found it far too easy to bend and manipulate him to follow her every whimsical whim. All she needed was to sugarcoat her words with some lower tones, adjust her body to accent her femininity and pet his ego and he was putty in her hands.
It was disconcerting to a degree and she was torn between pitying her pathetic peers and their blindness to the threat of the monster in Uzumaki skin and longing for true companionship in her dark, dismal situation.
Thinking of her lacking social life made her think of how she got to where she was. Her brows furrowed and her lips pursed as the voice of her violent alter ego hissed balefully in her mind "It seems the old tales about evil being had some true to them. Just look at how they're all kissing up to Sasuke-kun's destroyer like he's Kami's gift to Konoha...disgusting!". The assassin in the making grit her teeth as her eyes stung as she looked down. "It isn't fair! He doesn't even have to try hard and everyone fall to his feet. How the fuck does he do it? W-why does everyone hate me...and love him...?"
Her body trembled as she shot her hand and unleashed her chakra controlled chain, smashing a nearby tree trunk. Her chest hurt and her breathing became erratic as she found herself screaming audibly as she spun around in a half circle and slashed the other chain against another tree trunk.
"Why the fuck is my life such a mess! All I wanted was to stop him, avenge Sasuke-kun and be happy! How did it end like this?! Why can't I have friends and people look up at me like he does?!" She sobbed out, the hot, searing liquid falling down her cheeks and face.
She shot forth and smashed her fist into the thick wood with all her might. Pain mingled with soothing shot through her knuckle, so she hit it again and again. She couldn't breathe, the tension in her body paralyzing, but not enough to contain her self loathing and bitter fury as she abused the poor bark and her knuckles. "It's all my fault! Mom's kami knows where in Danzou's filthy hands. Nobody wants to help me; even Ino-chan's falling for that son of a bitch and keeps on trying to get me to apologize to him. Me?! Apologize to that freak!"
When her hands hurt too much to move she leaned her forehead against the battered, broken trunk. "We should've listened to mom...We should've never insisted on going to the academy in the first place! If we never met Sasuke-kun or Naruto then...I...then we wouldn't have to deal with all this shit!"
"Mom's going to die...and Danzou's going to fuck me and drop me...and it's all my fau..." she realized before she heard a twig snap. Her eyes narrowed and she spun around, trying to move but her arms and hands hurt so badly she only managed to slip and stumble awkwardly on her butt.
"My my, I couldn't help and witness your little confession and venting, Haruno-san." a smooth, somewhat oily voice commented softly.
Confused emerald orbs looked up at the form of a silver haired teenager with big around glasses clad in black and violet. "Who the fuck are you?!" the borderline sociopath hissed, her voice trembling slightly as she wiped the tears, sweat and snot off her face with the her forearm, gulping several times.
"Yakushi Kabuto, at your service." he greeted with a small smile and quirked a slender brow as Danzou's puppet as he did a small bow.
"Whatever, what the hell do you want..?" she asked him cautiously as she climbed back to her feet. "This guy feels off, he's far too calm and self assured. He's got me just where he wants me...but what does he want?" she wondered ominously. "If you hadn't gone bat shit crazy, we could've used a genjutsu...but our fingers are busted now, genius!"
"Such hostility, no wonder you've become a pariah. I would be more courteous towards someone who knows what happened to your mother, Haruno-san." His eyes flickered with mirth as he approached her, watching the way her eyes widened and body slackened with predator delight.
"W-what do you want...? Is this some kind of fucked up loyalty test?! 'Cause I won't betray..." the Haruno barked out hatefully, her body trembling and eyes wild as she backed up until her back hit a tree.
"She's dead," he intoned smoothly. "She died three weeks ago when the lower quarter exploded. She was being held in the cell block in the compound beneath it. They recovered this from the rubble. I thought you might want it." He reached into his pocket and took out a somewhat deformed and banged up engagement ring, the one her mom always kept on her person.
"Y-You're lying!" her voice small and trembling as it reverberated through her dry throat. She shook her head, vying to disperse the undeniable truth. Danzou had refused to give her a proof of life, even when she did well and the ring; the ring said it all. "Wh-why are you telling me this?! What do you want?!" she murmured in a glacier cold tone, a hateful flame swirling in the twin moist jade orbs.
"I have a plan that requires someone within Roots and you're the only one that I know of that hasn't been brainwashed by Danzou's indoctrination. When the time comes I will contact you with further instructions," he assured her, a small smirk reaching his lips.
She gulped and licked her lip nervously, eying him cautiously. "W-Why should I help you? Danzou will kill me if he even suspects I thought about turning on him?"
Kabuto turned from her, laughing softly as he lifted his hand, "Because, I'm the only one that can get you out of Konohagakure alive."
Jutsu List/Glossary:
Shunshin no Jutsu - Body Flicker Technique - is a basic Ninjutsu technique. The ninja will appear and disappear in an instant, allowing them to retreat or attack suddenly. To facilitate the movement the ninja will often use nearby elements such as mist, sand or leaves to mask their appearance or disappearance.
Kage Bushin no Jutsu - Shadow Clone/s technique
Amaterasu - Goddess of the Sun -Amaterasu, named for the Goddess of the Sun, is a Ninjutsu technique which uses the Mangekyou form of the Sharingan eye to create a powerful black fire. This jutsu is generated by the right Mangekyou eye. It has been said that anything within the Mangekyou's vision will burn to ash if consumed by the fire