I wanted to believe in my heart that Konan hadn't betrayed me. As I walked with my team, I couldn't help but glance back at the blue haired kunoichi, who looked so lovely as she ventured through the Forest of Death beside Kisame and Deidara, leaving me, Itachi, Haku, and Anko behind. A small part of me wanted to approach her with true sincerity, apologize for how I acted, place my hand on her shoulder, then hoist myself off the ground so I could kiss her. But this was only a small fraction of me, my true being knowing that in the end, this was the best decision. She was a hazard, her alligance at this point questionable. I continued to walk with my back turned, not even humoring the voice in my mind that pleaded with me to glance back. Due to this, I was unaware that Konan had glanced back, before continuing on her mission.

"So, what's the plan Itachi-sama?" I asked Itachi, who was studying the map intensely.

"We will eliminate those who risk the highest threat, such as the Sage and Madara Uchiha," Itachi answered as he glanced up at me. "You will be in the greatest danger, due to the fact that you are the container of the Kyuubi. There is no doubt in my mind that if Madara is able to be resurrected, he would make it his priority to retrieve one of his greatest weapons... which is the Kyuubi."

"Madara Uchiha was a jinchuuriki like me?" I asked with my eyes widened in surprise at this revelation.

"No, he sealed away the demon fox in a scroll, making it his own personal summon," Anko answered as she joined the conversation. "His might was said to be the greatest in Konoha history... except for the one man who was able to beat him every time they fought... Hashirama Senju, the Shodaime."

"So... is it possible to beat Madara if he's resurrected?" I asked in an almost timid way, surprising myself at how scared I was of this man.

"Realistically... no," Itachi answered, which made my stomach slightly churn in response. "There is no shinobi alive at this time that could stand up to the might of Madara Uchiha... it was said that before his death, he did not only have the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, but also the once fabled Rinnegan."

"If he was able to awaken both of those occular abilities, wouldn't this make him stronger than the Sage?" Haku asked, which was a good question. I had no idea about this Sage or Madara Uchiha before this time, so the answer intrigued me.

"Well technically the Sage was only the wielder of the Rinnegan, so I would guess no right?" Anko asked Itachi, who shook his head no.

"The Sage was also the container of the Ten Tailed beast, plus no Rinnegan could ever match the Sage's Rinnegan," Itachi answered. "He was and most likely still is the most powerful shinobi who ever lived. Even Pain has admitted that the Sage's Rinnegan is far beyond his own. It would just be suicide if we were to face them."

"But you're Itachi Uchiha, genius mass murderer of the Uchiha clan!" I exclaimed. "Are you telling me if these guys were brought back, even you wouldn't be able to repel them?"

"I would be killed by both of them rather quickly," Itachi admitted to me, which really sent a shiver down my spine.

It wasn't like me to feel fear, but when I did, it frightened me even more just with that realization. If there was two people out in this world that even someone as powerful as Itachi couldn't beat, they were trouble. They needed to be stopped before they were resurrected, or even I would be in danger of being dealt with. This situation needed to be contained at all costs, no matter what.

"Naruto, are you alright?" Anko asked as she flashed me a concerned look. I opened my mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a strange unusual chuckle from Itachi.

"You're scared, aren't you?" Itachi asked as he continued to walk while Anko and I stood still. "You're still a child, so it's understandable. But this is the life you've chosen, this is the path you have created for yourself. On the path you've chosen, there will be bloodshed. And it might just be your own..." Itachi froze for a moment, glancing back at me eerily for a moment with his Sharingan, me looking back at him with surprise written all over my face.

"...If this is what you've chosen for yourself, don't look back," Itachi continued. "Your fate has yet to be set in stone, so live for the moment. But do not be surprised if you find nothing after you venture down this road…"

Itachi continued to walk forward after that statement, leaving me confused for the moment.

"We don't have time for this, let's go Naruto," Anko insisted as she pulled me down the road by her side.

OK, short chapter since my computer is acting up right now… grumble. Should be out with a new chapter soon!

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