I DON'T OWN NARUTO
"Alright, gang, bring it in. I've got some bad news. After sealing the ichibi Sasori and Deidara were both killed. The path to peace is never easy and while I had hoped we'd all live to see it, I guess that was just the wish of a fool. I thought we could open it up, maybe say a few words before we continued with other business. Who'd like to go first?"
"I would Leader-sama."
"Hidan, you have the floor."
"Now, I know my beliefs can be a little difficult for some, Jashin's way is not for everyone but neither Sasori nor Deidara judged me. Deidara even called me an artist. Sasori was always a calming influence and Deidara was always fun, I'll miss them both."
"Here here!"
"Anyone else? No? Ok, as much as it hurts we do need to move on and I've made an executive decision. Itachi and Kisame, I want you to go after the Nanabi. Hidan and Kakuzu, Zetsu reports that the Tsuchikage will be sending the Iwa Jinchuuriki to kill the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. Keep an eye on that confrontation and take whichever ones are too weak to fight back, with a little luck it'll be all three. Hidan, after what happened with the Yugito Nii I must remind you, we are not torturing these poor souls for the fun of it. We are not hunting them because they deserve it. Their collective sacrifice is the only path toward lasting peace."
"Hai, Leader-sama. It kinda got away from me."
"Mistakes happen, just don't let it happen again. If there is nothing else, you are all dismissed."
Leaving their meeting room, Kisame and Itachi head toward their shared room in silence. Once they arrive, they enter the room and engage some silencing seals.
"The Iwa Jinchuuriki, can they defeat Naruto?"
"From our little spar in Suna I'd say on a purely skill level? No. But he may try to reason with them, invoke their shared status to avoid conflict and that might get him hurt."
"Hn."
"You still planning to face him?"
"The die has been cast, Kisame and there is no avoiding it."
"Bullshit, you are making a choice, Itachi. You know if you just.."
"I will speak no more of this, Kisame. I'd appreciate you just dropping it."
"Fine, Itachi."
In a grotto under Senju waterfall lay Hinata and Naruto, slowly stirring to greet the day. Awaking to the familiar mop of indigo hair Naruto can't help but smile.
"As much as I'd like to, we can't stay like this all day, I need to get back."
"You sure?" Naruto said, stroking her hair.
"Unfortunately." she said.
"Well, Hyuuga, Hinata; liberator of the Hyuuga clan can I at least walk back with you?"
"I would like that, Uzumaki, Naruto…. That's all I got. You've accomplished nothing. Man, I think I picked wrong."
"Oh, how you wound me! How will I ever recovery?" he said in mock hurt.
"I'm sure I can make it up to you later. Now, no more stalling," she said as she jumps on his back, "forward my faithful steed."
"If I had to put money on you riding me this morning, this is not how I'd imagine it." he said before flashing to the exit of the Senju compound. The two continue to talk, while Hinata is still on his back all the way to the Hyuuga compound.
"This, is where we must part, my good sir," she says while giving him a bow.
"My lady, it has been an honor and a privilege," he says returning her gesture.
The two cause the guards at the gates to chuckle, while they give each other a quick kiss and a hug and go their separate ways.
As Hinata is entering her room she is stopped by a glaring Hiashi, "so this is why you betray your clan? For that boy?"
"How have I betrayed the clan? You must establish that before you admonish my motivations for doing so, Hiashi-san."
Bristling at how he was just addressed, he continues, "You betray us by overturning and dismissing our traditions. Traditions older than this village. Traditions that allowed us to be the strongest clan in the village."
Hinata can't help herself, she knows she shouldn't. What she is about to do is likely the very worst response she could have to this man but it's simply too late; Hinata laughs. Hard. This man, this ridiculous, small man.
"When have we been the strongest clan? Surely not during the reign of the first and second Hokage? So, after the second shinobi war, after villages stopped ruthlessly targeting every Senju they could? No, still had the Uchiha around then. Ok, so after the Uchiha massacre? Sure, I'll grant you that. So, that's been about ten years ago, right?"
Hiashi curtly nods.
"Well, seeing as how we aren't the most powerful clan now that means this tradition you're citing that's older than the village allowed us to be the strongest clan of Konoha for about a decade when such designation had nothing to do with us."
"What do you mean we aren't the strongest clan now?"
"The Senju clan has two Kage level shinobi. One of which could kill the majority of our clan if not the entirety."
"Surely you don't have that much faith in that boy."
"I'm talking about Tsunade-sama. It's crazy how people underestimate her. I'm going to tell you something that isn't widely known, Hiashi-san. Tsunade-sama has a weekly sparring session with a single ANBU squad and every squad dreads when it's their turn. She smacks us around like we're children, no one has reportedly been able to land a clean blow on her since she started this practice three years ago. Our most elite ninja get handled by our leader and you think a clan of one trick ponies that specialize in her strongest discipline is going to touch her? You can't be that delusional. As for Naruto, I haven't seen him in action since his return but Sandaime-sama and Danzo-sama told me about his assessment and they were beyond impressed. So, no, Hiashi, we are not the strongest clan. We've yet to produce a single S-rank ninja in our entire history. Our traditions hold us back, now I need to get changed because I have business to attend to. Good day." she finishes before entering her room, leaving a speechless Hiashi in the hall.
In Iwa the Sandaime Tsuchikage is sporting the largest grin on his face he's had since he learned of the death of the original yellow menace. Now confident that he'll kill the bastard's bastard of a son he's almost gleeful. Yes, this may in fact spark a war but given their jinchuuriki will be dead and he'll release the container's lineage just to drop their morale, Onoki is utterly confident in his plans. Initially Han and Roshi were reluctant to go along with this, neither having actively participated in a mission in years nor caring that the Uzumaki was really a Namikaze. It still annoys him how much effort went into getting his weapons to just obey. He's suppose to point at a problem and they wipe it off the map. Either way, the plan is set and he couldn't be happier. 'This will change Iwa' he thought. He'll curse himself for that thought one day in the future.
One Week Later
"Iwa's Jinchuuriki are requesting asylum. Apparently they don't feel protected by Iwa's forces against the Akatsuki threat but they said they'd only turn themselves over to our jinchuuriki. I'm not going to lie, I don't like this, it feels a bit too convenient but realities being what they are I simply can't ignore it."
"I believe we can handle it, Tsunade-sama."
"That's good, Kakashi. Because of who's involved I'll let you have command on this one. Just be alert and if this goes sideways, regardless of how Naruto feels, kill them both."
"Hai."
It took three days to get to the agreed upon meeting spot. Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about this mission. While it happened, it was unusual to brief a single member of a squad when said squad had multiple Jounin. Also, jinchuuriki just leaving their village didn't happen, most were conditioned to never consider it, Naruto met enough of his family in burden to be aware of that fact and for two of the oldest containers to want to defect, it just didn't add up. However, he had wanted to meet these two, hopefully he could establish a bond with them as well.
"Han-san, Roshi-san, I presume?"
"Hai." both replied.
"Hi, I'm Naruto Uzumaki Senju and I'll be your escort into Konoha. Are you guys ready to go?"
"What's the rush, Naruto-san? We liked to ask you a few questions first."
"Ok, go ahead."
"What is Konoha like?" asked Han
"Hot summers, tolerable winters. People are people."
"How were you treated there?" asked Roshi.
"Well enough." Naruto says before looking down and pinching the bridge of his nose. "May I ask a question?"
"Of course, Naruto-san."
"Those 40 Iwa shinobi, were they a just in case or will they be joining in?"
Both Iwa jinchuuriki dash back when Naruto says that, with Roshi performing hand seals
"Lave Style: Melting Apparition Jutsu" he says and a stream of mud is released from his mouth, melting everything it touches on contact. Naruto manages to dodge but is instantly struck by Han, a powerful blow that sends him flying backward. Looking to press his luck, Han races toward the down Naruto, only to be struck long distance by Storm Style: Laser Circus from a Naruto clone masked by a genjutsu from Sakura, catching Han in the abdomen.
Naruto instantly places a chakra suppression seal on Han. Roshi, realizing he can't perform a jutsu that close to Han without killing him, moves toward Naruto but is entrapped by wood, long enough for Kakashi to apply a chakra suppression seal as well.
"Sensei, we have a problem. There are 40 Iwa shinobi speeding toward here but that's the least of it."
"You ain't kidding, brat." said Hidan. As the Konoha shinobi square up.
"Kakashi Hatake, I could get quite the bounty from your head, brat but we aren't here for you nor the kyuubi today. You have a choice, try to fight us and you'll either be killed by us or the Iwa nin. Allow us to leave, which gives you the opportunity to avoid fighting the Iwa nin as well. What's it going to be?"
To this, Naruto is shaking mad. Yes, they just try to kill him and if his team hadn't prepared for that likely outcome he may very well have been seriously injured but can he let them suffer what they are about to? And what about Kurama's family.
"Go." he hears Kakashi says and he sees the smug satisfaction on the face of the one with the scythe. That smug, 'my victory was always assured face.' How Naruto hates that face. Such a Sasuke face. A face in need of humbling. The Akatsuki have collected the downed jinchuuriki, the Iwa nin were approaching. They should flee. The smart thing to do is flee. 'They are going to be tortured, the bijuu will be sealed in god knows what,' he thinks.
"It's unpleasant but my siblings will reform. Naruto, you know what you need to do. You know better than valuing nonexistent bonds."
'Fine but if I'm going to do this I'm doing it, are you ready?"
'Yes'
Tenzo, Sakura and Kakashi were looking at Naruto he hadn't moved for several seconds and slowly start to see orange markings emerge on his face. The markings are around his eyes and one on his forehead, similar to Tsunade's with a semicircle beneath it. When Naruto opened his eyes, they saw that his eyes were no longer blue but violet eyes with black slitted pupils. They then saw Naruto hold his hand up to the sky and saw a rasengan like ball form but shortly after started looking like a shuriken and was making a humming sound. Only Kakashi truly understood what was happening.
"He completed" he muttered in awe.
As soon as the technique was stabilized, Naruto threw it at the Akatsuki members. Each alerted by the sound and dodged, one to the left, one to the right but neither actually managed to avoid the technique as it soon exploded in a maelstrom of microscopic blades, lasting over five seconds. Soon there was a release of energy from the two jinchuuriki, signaling they were killed while neither Akatsuki member was getting up but they could hear a stream of profanity from the one with a scythe.
"How is he still alive?" asked Sakura.
"Jashinist" answered the three Jounin.
"We should get out of here, we can still avoid the Iwa nin, we have enough of a head start even without your hiraishin, Naruto." said Kakashi.
"I can't. Unfortunately the events that have just transpired have succeeded in getting my blood up."
"Oh." Kakashi replied knowing there wasn't much to do as the Uzumaki weren't known for being the most chill of people. He sees his student summon five shadow clones. Two toss a number of kunai that then multiply into several dozen and Kakashi has to stop himself from being jealous of the luxury to overload jutsu with no cost. Soon those kunai all explode, creating a great deal of debris and Kakashi can't put on his hand on the point. The other three run through hand seals for the Earth Style: Earth Siege Jutsu as an earth wall with a series of spikes formed just at the edge of the debris field and then dispelled themselves. With his sharingan active he watched as the original Naruto and the two remaining clones performed 63 hand seals before saying, "Sage Art: Nature's Fury" and soon Kakashi watched as three funnel clouds emerged from the sky headed, speedily toward the ground. The Iwa nin were caught unaware and by the time they noticed the tornadoes headed toward the torn terrain it was too late. The sound of flesh meeting rock and tree and bodies colliding with each other was sickening, their muffled screams of pure agony was even worse. One minute, fourteen seconds is how long Naruto held the jutsu and once it stopped no Iwa nin was moving. Naruto stated he could sense some still existing chakra signatures but not many and after sealing Hidan in a prisoner scroll the team started to return home.
"Hey, Naruto, what was that?"
"Could you be more specific Sakura?"
"I don't think I can."
"Ok, the markings were a result of me entering Sage mode which happens when you can absorb and utilize nature chakra and allows me to perform senjutsu. The technique that killed Han, Roshi, and that Akatsuki guy was the completed rasengan, completed with wind chakra and I call it the rasenshiruken. And the last offensive technique was just me extending me pulling and forming wind outside of me similar to how the Nidaime pulled moisture from the air, I just used it to form a few tornadoes."
"Naruto, that's amazing."
"Thank you Sakura, I'm just glad no one was hurt but I do wonder what this will do to the Akatsuki."
"We also need to figure out why Iwa is suddenly interested in killing you." said Kakashi.
"Could they have found out about your heritage, Naruto?"
"That could be it, killing their most infamous missing nin would get you on their radar. We need to hurry back and report all of this, Naruto you may have to be shelved for awhile." Kakashi offered.
"I don't see how that benefits anyone."
"Naruto, it is very possible an entire hidden village wants you dead."
"That wouldn't exactly be a new experience." Kakashi, Tenzo and Sakura all bristle at that.
"Granted but the difference being Iwa would have the support of their Kage. Naruto, I know you're strong but this should worry you."
"If Iwa becomes a problem we'll burn that bridge when we get to it but until the Akatsuki is neutralized completely, putting me on the bench is ridiculous. Iwa and Kumo both have a price on your head and you still complete missions."
"Naruto, I don't think you understand the depths of their irrational hatred of your father. This is a serious threat."
"I understand that, sensei. There isn't much to be done now, not until we talk to Tsunade-sama."
"Is he awake?"
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama, right this way"
Onoki was livid, almost beyond words. Two jinchuuriki, 40 Jounin and two S rank missing nin defeated by that goddamn Namikaze bastard. Of course, none of his shinobi were close enough to confirm it was all done by the Namikaze (every Iwa nin has gotten the impression that the kyuubi jinchuuriki is to be referred to only as "the Namikaze" and nothing else) solely but Onoki knows it's true and his belief is stronger than any fact. Now, Onoki is trying to get what information he can from the five survivors of that misadventure.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"Hai, Tsuchikage-sama. We were all keeping a pretty significant distance just in case Han and Roshi accessed their bijuu. At the first sign of conflict we all started to move in but we didn't rush as we didn't feel the release of any potent chakra and figured Han and Roshi subdued the Uzu… Namikaze. Soon we saw a giant orb of chakra and all started picking up the pace. Soon we heard a number of explosions and saw an earth wall with spikes coming out of it. Before we could even begin to move around the wall, three tornadoes emerged from the sky the force of which threw me back and gave me a concussion. I only remember waking up here, Sandaime-sama."
"Thank you, son, get some rest."
Soon Tsuchikage returned to his office with his advisors.
"We barely have enough for a Bingo Book entry. Damnit, how did they hide this brat? How?"
"Normally, if a shinobi drops off the radar I'd assume ANBU service, Onoki-sama."
"That can't be, can it? No one puts their jinchuuriki through that kind of training."
"We have to allow for the possibility that Konoha may, they were never known for utilizing their previous jinchuuriki, we don't even know who they were."
"Those insipid tree huggers would make a shinobi of their weapon. One more reason to despise them" spat Onoki.
"What are we going to do? Anymore overt attempts on the Namikaze's life and we may find ourselves at war with no jinchuuriki and no S rank shinobi outside of you."
"I don't know, just give me some time to think. Logically war isn't worth it to kill one brat but if we allow the Namikaze to live that could be bad for us in the very near future. I'll weigh my options.
In Ame, the true leader of the Akatsuki is taking the delay of his plans as well as one might imagine.
"That fucking brat. I should have killed him years ago! I don't care if I have to wait longer, I'm going to rip the kyuubi out of him just like I did that mother of his and watch as it destroys Konoha. Hehehehehe, yes, that's what I'll do. But I'll torture him first. Maybe make him watch me kill that rental mom he has, hehehehe, yes he'll suffer."
"Madara, you need to calm down. This was never about senseless violence, we need to rethink our plans. The Four and Five tails won't return for at least three years and we need new members."
"Shut your mouth, Nagato. I don't know how but this is partially your fault so shut up before you piss me off."
"Madara, buddy, do we need to get Itachi and Kisame here for a hug circle? You're kinda losing yourself to your anger."
"Ugh, just, ugh! I'm going to that new juice bar."
"Could you get me an apple, carrot and ginger juice?" asked Konan.
"Oh, I'll take a mixed berry and citrus." said Nagato through his Deva Path.
"Fine, anything else?"
"No/No" they both say and Madara leaves.
"That guy needs a vacation, ne, Konan-chan?"
It had been two weeks since Iwa's failed ambush and Naruto was currently working on some fuinjutsu at the Senju compound. When they returned, Kakashi was initially worried about Naruto's response to Iwa wanting him dead. Tsunade later informed him it was likely a response to having to kill the two jinchuuriki as Naruto feels a type of kinship with those who have been burdened like he has and after a few days, Naruto relayed as much to his sensei. Naruto, however, was down for long as he was spending a lot of time with his friends, family, and a certain lavender-eyed princess. Although she had been sent on an infiltration mission a few days ago and he hoped she'd be returning soon. Naruto was interrupted from his thoughts by a knock on the door.
"Naruto-sama, the Hokage has requested your presence in the council meeting room."
"Thank you, Boar-san. I'll leave immediately."
After quickly getting dressed, he did just that. Thanks to his partnership with Kurama, Naruto could feel negative emotions so he realized something was very wrong. Tsunade looked upset and even Hiashi, which Naruto wondered why he was there, was visibly shaken.
"Reporting, Hokage-sama."
"Thank you, Naruto. We have something to tell you and a potential mission. As you know, the Jashinist named Hidan was brought in roughly two weeks ago. After being interrogated by T&I we discovered that the man Akatsuki base is in Ame. We sent Jiraiya and Hinata to infiltrate the village but hadn't heard anything until we received this letter." Tsunade then began to read the letter:
To my favorite little orphan fox:
You have participated in the murder of four of my men. You have delayed my plans. This, I find unacceptable. I have killed your sensei, his body decorates my floor. Come and see. I have your lover, make me wait too long and I might "visit" her. Come and see.
The fox inside of you was always mine. It was when I ripped it out of your mother, it was when I forced your father to kill himself in order to seal it in you. It is now time to return my possession, it is now time for you to die, little fox. Your life was always mine, I've allowed you to leave for 16 years on a whim but no longer. If I have to come for you I'll kill everyone you love then I'll enjoy watching you scream in agony. Your death by my hands was always your fate, little fox, you're too weak to deny me; come and see.
Madara Uchiha
Naruto the letter and soon most everyone found it difficult to breathe as Naruto was letting out a massive amount of killing intent, going so far as to unconsciously slip into Sage mode.
"Your orders, Hokage-sama?" Naruto says through gritted teeth.
"You along with team Gai will leave immediately, I already have my ANBU informing them.
"Then I will take my leave."
"Wait!" shouts Hiashi. "Naruto-san, I know there is no love lost between us but please whatever you can do…"
"We are all shinobi so I won't promise to bring Hinata back healthy nor alive. But what I will promise you is that should she not make it out of there alive I will raze Ame to the ground. Believe it."