Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Battletoads.
/
The sun had just set over the western horizon when Jiraiya reached the designated meeting place. Fisheries and warehouse workers were quietly finishing up for the night just around the block, and the cries of seagulls pierced over the slamming of tailgates and occasional 'good nights'. Once the last worker had left, Jiraiya determined it safe to emerge from his previous hiding place in an alley and stand by the storefront at a table with giant spools for chairs. He didn't wait long for a tall, hooded figure to turn a corner into the lane and drift his way. Although the figure was clad in a gray hoodie, spotless sneakers and new-looking jeans, the old man knew this was no straggling dock worker. The person's posture was too straight and steps too swift.
When the hooded person stopped across the table from him, Jiraiya pushed off of the storefront and huffed, "The pier is an awfully cliche place to meet, Uchiha. I would have thought you more creative." The long-haired elderly man purposefully began the confrontation in a disarming manner as to gauge the younger man. This meeting was already suspicious in and of itself, although necessary, as the Uchiha CEO had refused to provide any vital information over telephone for fear of wiretap. A reasonable fear in his position.
Being so close allowed Jiraiya to see Itachi Uchiha's features even under his hood. If the old man's joke had worked even just a little the Uchiha did not show any sign whatsoever. Itachi's face was a blank slate. Not being able to entirely read the situation made Jiraiya uncomfortable. Both continued to stand at opposite ends of the table, refusing to sit on the spool seats.
"For a writer like yourself I suppose it would be. However, Madara knows that I hate fish." Indeed, his nostrils were flaring like the smell was repugnant, but would not put his hand over his nose. "This would be the last place he would expect to find me."
"That's nice, kid. Where do you hide the goods in that get-up?"
"Drug deal jokes died in the 2010s, Gama." Itachi pulled a nondescript USB from his hoodie's stomach pouch and threw it onto Jiraiya's side of the table, where it clacked and skidded to a stop. "Everything I promised is there. Madara's assets, investments and investors, personal properties, citizenships-"
"He has more than one?" Without looking away from Itachi, Jiraiya casually reached out for the USB and tucked it inside his polo-shirt breast pocket.
"I believe he has acquired at least seventy with this identity. Until I manage more, this is all the information I have. You may do with it what you wish."
"No, that isn't all." The old Caucasian man attempted to stand taller, but felt his back crack. Was he really getting that old? No matter; he was a good two feet taller than the Japanese boy regardless. "Earlier today you said something about warehousing arms for our militias. Your motivation still isn't clear. How do I know all this information isn't botched? Or better yet, this driver could be a tracking device. Giving me information now could be beneficial to Madara later if he can get rid of a threat to his nomination."
"Madara has already bought out all of the delegates. His appointment is inevitable," Itachi retorted smoothly, "However, I have recently become... inspired to take action against his policies. A peace offering. You might recognize it." Itachi reached inside his hoodie pocket again, this time carefully tossing The Will of Fire across the concrete table. Jiraiya visibly scrambled to pick the book up with both hands.
"This is the original copy of Minato's thesis! The girl said she lost this!" He tensed up then, assuming the role of protective godfather. "I don't know how you got a hold of this, boy, but if you-"
"Unfortunately, I met with President Goodwin the week of the Libertopia incident and fortunately salvaged this particular copy before it was destroyed. Surely Miss Namikaze would like it returned. Minato's words were very enlightening, and I do not wish to spit on his grave any longer."
"Feeling guilty, Uchiha?" Jiraiya spat, "It was pretty convenient for your father that Minato was suddenly shot on his way home that night. What with Fugaku's Arab Spring scandal leaked online earlier that week."
"You and I both know that was no coincidence." Itachi looked at the table then, slipping his hands into his pants pocket. So he was feeling guilty after all. "It's too late for my family to be forgiven, but as a sovereign individual... I never asked for any of this, but please allow me to make things right."
A frigid breeze rushed in the lane from the sea, and Jiraiya fought not to shiver. It was not the wind, however, that made the old man feel so chilled. Itachi's words were so familiar. Minato had said those words to Jiraiya when the Dean of Letters at Kyushu University had threatened to terminate him for passing The Will of Fire. Minato had been ridden with guilt over getting his favorite professor into so much trouble. For the briefest of moments it was no longer Itachi Uchiha standing across the table, avoiding his gaze in hidden shame, but Minato Namikaze.
Perhaps giving the Uchiha boy a chance would be worthwhile.
"...I'll give the book to the girl, I guess, but she and the boy are the ones really hurt by your family. Not me."
"I am well aware. ...and thank you.
" Jiraiya snorted before making his way around the table, slapping a bear-paw sized hand on Itachi's shoulder, "You twenty yet, boy? Look old enough to still be using training wheels."
"...I'm twenty-one?"
"Good. I know some classy digs where we can get a jug of sake and talk some more about these goods you're wanting to supply us. Rich kid's buying." Jiraiya patted Itachi's shoulder again and started walking away down the lane toward the cluster of high-rises in the distance. The old man thought he heard a muttered "how do I always end up paying for these things?" before near silent footfalls proceeded to follow.
Free sake and a lifetime of information? Jiraiya had a good feeling about this particular Uchiha CEO.
/
Iruka's house was just as bland as his personality. Dull and conformist. It literally had not changed at all since Usagi's previous visits. The nondescript picture frames, neutral tan upholster, and formless sculptures reminded her of a therapist's office. The last thing the teenage girl wanted to do right now was talk about her feelings. Mixes of relief, hope, pain, doubt, anger and fear stirred in her chest like a typhoon that had not yet reached a harbor - talking about them would be the equivalent of the storm finally touching down. Instead of causing more chaos for those around her, Usagi decided she would concentrate on her loved ones' well-beings.
The moment the five had arrived at Iruka Umino's suburban home in the late afternoon Jiraiya had taken off on foot toward the city. Sasuke looked relieved to see him go, but Usagi had insisted she follow, knowing her godfather was probably meeting with Uchiha Itachi. If he was tricked... his old body couldn't afford to fight anyone off, but Jiraiya commanded she stay behind with finality. He disappeared around a stack of hedges down the residential street as Naruto held onto her arm firmly. "Don't worry, Sis. The Pervert will come back. Believe it!"Not only had this made her angry, but after a short dinner of just rice and pickled vegetables Iruka began insisting that Sasuke return to his own home, going on about school nights and family time. Usagi was grateful for the man's hospitality, but "Quit nagging him like a bitch, dude. No one cares if he's here but you." The three teenagers locked themselves in Naruto's room after that. Eventually Iruka gave up reprimanding them through the door and headed off to bed.
Naruto's room was full of life and a welcome escape. It, also, had not changed at all since Usagi's last visit. Posters of J-Hip hop and J-rock artists masked the wallpaper underneath in every corner, the hardwood floor had burn and crayon marks all over, and random junk littered every square inch of furniture space, including the one twin bed pushed to the far corner. Somehow Naruto had managed to find an aquarium in all this chaos to proudly show off his overweight pet bullfrog, Gamabunta. Usagi was sure that the frog was big enough to swallow her hand whole, so politely ("THAT THING'S AN EFFIN' DINOSAUR.") declined to hold it when offered. The rest of the night was spent attempting to beat Battletoadson Naruto's ancient NES. When, around two in the morning, that had proved to be an abysmal failure, the boys let Usagi have the bed and made pallets on the floor for themselves. The only girl hated being treated like a damsel in distress but... the bed was so comfy.
Jiraiya had not returned yet from meeting with Sasuke's brother and the goddaughter could only fear the worst. How could she lay in comfort, not knowing the whereabouts of the man that raised her, uncouth as he may be? As the overhead fan's light was turned out and the room was illuminated only by the blue screen of the television, Usagi found that as worried about her godfather as she may have been, she had not slept properly for the past three days. She could no longer deny sleep. Barely ten minutes had passed before her brother's obnoxious snoring in that equally obnoxious doggie sleeping cap replaced the silence and Sasuke gave a frustrated sigh and pulled his pillow over his head. "Retard..."
These were the last things Usagi heard before falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.
/
The next morning everything was covered in crisp snow. Iruka managed to convince Naruto and Sasuke to leave the sleeping girl for the frozen outdoors and go to school. Jiraiya had not yet come home. The boys felt guilty for not staying until Usagi awoke, but knew they had no more excuse to stay out now that Iruka would be working.
At school it was just as Sasuke had feared it would be. Everyone - students and staff alike - had noticed the Uchiha family crest adorning the tanks still stationed on the soccer greens now constantly accompanies by three American soldiers. This only caused more confusion among the student body who had plenty of questions to ask and rumors to spread. Many were angry and accusatory, although their remarks were so far from truth that Sasuke visibly brushed them off.
The boys found solace on the roof during lunch with their friend Sakura. Although the sky had darkened with heavy-laden snow clouds and temperature dropped dramatically again during the day, the trio rarely ate lunch anyplace else. They bundled up in blankets stolen from the infirmary and sat close to one another against the fence. Sakura always brought a bento which she shared along with melon bread and drinks the boys bought.
Eventually, Naruto proudly informed Sakura that Usagi was home, although leaving out some of the more gruesome details. The strawberry blonde was eager to meet with the golden blonde again. Usagi was rough around the edges, but she was so realthat friendship with her was an easy one, just like her twin brother. Sakura offered to help Usagi buy clothes and other things the refugee needed, to which Naruto eagerly agreed. "I sure as hell am not going to help her buy... panties and stuff. Believe it!" Naruto then suggested he and Sasuke "do something manly!", but Sasuke cryptically claimed to already have plans.
Back at Iruka's house, Usagi awoke late in the morning finding herself alone in her brother's bedroom, feeling both at peace and restless. The calm of this place felt surreal. Her entire body was warm with the tingling sensation of relaxation and there was finally no fear of being ambushed. The girl felt horrible for being able to sleep without knowing whether or not her foster-father made it back safely, but logic dictated she would never know the outcome if she simply stayed buried under her brother's sheets. It would be much easier to give into the warm sheets and the cold dreadful anticipation. Managing to wrestle herself out from under the comforter, she found the floor unbearably freezing and forced herself across it to slip on a pair of her brother's froggy slippers carelessly strewn about the bedroom. She peeked through the blinds to find snow abound and cursed to herself before trudging forward from her dragon's cave to smell what was probably burnt bread and coffee and... sake. Usagi rushed down the stairs, into the kitchen.
There sat Jiraiya, face fallen with obvious migraine. He held a mug of black coffee in one hand, newspaper in the other. The Pervert concentrated so heavily to read the newspaper through his headache that he didn't notice his goddaughter's entry. The dread that had filled her before began to dissipate now, replaced with relief. Every day she noticed the old coot's wrinkles becoming more defined despite his young attitude. The sight of a hungover and miserable looking Jiraiya filled her with such joy that she rushed forward to hug his neck, to which her old man sputtered, "Blast it, girl! My head is killing me..."
"You're an idiot!" The little hellion declared, smiling brightly despite herself. She quickly jumped back from him when he made to swat at her, flitting to the other side of the table where she grabbed a piece of burnt toast. A Jiraiya classic. "You're getting too old to be out all night!"
"Who's old, you brat? I'm just mature, unlike someone at this table wearing frogs on their feet." Jiraiya took a sip of his coffee and flinched at the bitter taste, attempting to continue reading his paper. Said slippered feet were put on the tabletop and wiggled near Jiraiya's face. He grunted in wordless response, turning a page. Usagi was quiet for a moment as she put her ignored feet back under the table and took a bite of her toast, loving what the awful taste it represented.
"So you're in one piece it seems. I take it things went well with the psychopath? I've been dying to ask!"
"Uchiha Itachi? Yes, you could definitely say that. Boy's not very good with his liquor, though..." Jiraiya said nonchalantly, still not looking up from his paper.
Usagi's eyebrows shot up. "You got him drunk? What exactly happened last night?" The teenage girl threw the crust left from the toast behind her, not caring where it landed in Iruka's kitchen. She was beginning to become upset with the fact that the old man did not seem to be taking this situation seriously all-of-a-sudden and could only deflect it by making an ass of herself. All the hype yesterday and now this?
"Let's just say he offered me a deal I couldn't refuse."
Usagi rolled her eyes and muttered, "Yeah, he seems to be pretty good at that." Then more loudly, "Now tell me what happened last night, you ancient fart!"
Jiraiya contemplated whether or not he should actually discuss with his goddaughter the deal he had made with the eldest Uchiha brother. He had absolutely no idea how she would respond, as the girl was nearly as unpredictable as her twin. After a long, distracted gulp of coffee, Jiraiya decided that the plan he concocted with Itachi was better revealed sooner than later. "You're not gonna like what I have to tell you but if you think you can be a big toad for me, I'll tell you." Usagi's squinty pout face showed she did not like being referred to as a toad, but regardless nodded in silent promise. Jiraiya rubbed his wrinkled face with the hand once holding the newspaper before continuing.
The writer told his foster-daughter all the other things Itachi had relayed to him: Madara's inevitable appointment, the mysterious influential family, the chips and their militias, and Madara's plan to hunt them all down. He watched her face morph into families of mixed emotions and wished he didn't have to expose her to any of these things at all. However, Usagi was at just as much risk as himself. She deserved to know. "Even knowing all this... there's too much we don't know. It's apparent that there is some conspiracy among the leaders of the now totalitarian nations and some global corporations, but no one seems to know their ultimate goal. Luckily, they - whoever 'they' are - seem to know less about these militias than we do."
"Really! What do we know?"
"...Akatsuki is what Pein and the others in Alaska call themselves. They are one of the remaining eight militias. Somewhere on Earth is a person that has Minato's data on Akatsuki stored in them. From the information the boy gave me last night, Madara doesn't seem to know anything about them yet."
"... I can't imagine that my father never said anything to you about these militias."
Jiraiya caught on quickly to what the sharp blue-eyed blonde was insinuating. "Don't get smart with me, now. I knew about Akatsuki because they formed just after I quit teaching. Back then they were just a few college dropouts who met to discuss philosophy but... eventually we saw the signs of state militarism expanding, so Akatsuki had to militarize themselves as well. When I began traveling to research for my Icha Icha series...I lost contact with everyone then for a while. I had no idea Minato had inspired other groups. And I sure as hell didn't know anything about these RFID chips."
This was a lot of information for someone her age and experience to accept at once, and Usagi wasn't entirely sure she should believe everything because of the source. She began eating a new slice of black toast and said with full-mouth, "Sho, wha'?" She swallowed. " Are we in hiding oooor does this all mean we're going to start distributing books in Japan now?"
The Pervert sat back in his dinner chair and crossed his arms. "That's the part you won't like. The Uchiha kid has agreed to throw in supplies and weapons to all the militias we find before Madara. The problem is actually having someone on the ground looking for these people... we agreed that person should be me. I'm going to travel again, snoop around and whatno-"
"WHAT?! But we just got here! I am not leaving Naruto again."
"Not you. Just me. I need you to stay here and keep an eye on things. Keep me posted. Work with Itachi."
"Work with him? How are you so sure Major Dick can be trusted, anyway? Yesterday you were slamming people into vehicles for mentioning his name!"
"I have my reasons and so should you."
Jiraiya gruffly reached inside his coat pocket and flung a tattered, thin book onto the table. The pig-tailed blonde let out a strange cry. The Will of Fire barely touched the wooden surface of the table before it was greedily grabbed up by her small feminine hands and held sacredly to her chest."Goodwin tried to have that destroyed, but the Uchiha boy saved it. He's given us a lot of resources to work with... resources that do not benefit him at all to give. Says it's for Minato's memory..." Jiraiya stood to leave the kitchen, first giving his goddaughter some parting words, "I'm heading back to Anchorage to start my search once I hear back from Konan. I'm expecting to be here another two weeks, max. Maybe you should come to terms with the risks we would be taking if I didn't."
Later, alone in the security of her twin brother's bed, Usagi lay under the sheet with her father's book. For the longest time the tears rolled and she was content with simply reliving the feel of the cover. All of the tears and seams and emboldened letters... she had memorized these textures long ago. Feeling them again was a sort of comfort too great for words. Almost... as if her parents were there with her, whispering their wise words to her in her time of need. That she had lost the book in the first place upset her enough, but the fact that sick bastard Goodwin defiled it with his bloody hands was what truly distressed the girl. The Will of Fire's savior was... unexpected. Perhaps she should really analyze her thoughts on the man Uchiha Itachi.
Uchiha Itachi allowed everything she stood against, simultaneously able to quote everything she stood for. Her greatest love ones trusted him... more or less, but the person he cared for the most did not trust him at all. He held honorable oaths while making dishonorable ones. He was willing to supply guns that could possibly be turned one day against one of the only living family members he had. He condoned old men gallivanting across the globe on unlikely goose chases. She hated having to accept, let-alone respect Jiraiya's decision to leave. To leave her... There were so many questions she had with only one person she could ask.
Usagi went to roll onto her side when something fell out of her father's book. Thinking it was one of the photograph bookmarks she kept inside, she reached to where the object lay on her shoulder. Instead she picked up something rather peculiar: a folded piece of stationery with 'Namikaze Usagi' scrawled on the outside in perfect English cursive. This was not anything that had been in her book before. Usagi sat up in Naruto's bed and looked about, as if the messenger were in the room, before hesitantly opening the folded paper to reveal Uchiha Corp letterhead - complete with business address and phone number - with the same cursive handwriting as before.
I promised you judgement over my transgressions. I feel necessary to appeal to you as if I could appeal to Minato by proxy. Trust is not something I expect from you, but the chance to earn it would be an honor. Name the time and place and I will be there.
There was no name or signature following the short note, but it was obvious enough who the letter was from. So this was about redemption, was it? Selfish, arrogant, and probably manipulative if his ability to convince Jiraiya was anything to read from. Perhaps that's why Sasuke seemed to hate his own brother. Usagi was not suddenly going to become a judge to appease a billionaire with a guilty conscience. The Will of Fire was not a religion, and she was not some priestess or heir of an empire. She was just going to have to meet with this man herself and give him her two cents, as agreed.
If nothing else she could probably bum a free meal off the CEO.
Later in the day Naruto came home from school with Sakura. According to the blonde boy, Sasuke had claimed to have somewhere to be. All three thought it strange that Sasuke didn't invite Naruto to go with him - where that place may be - but Usagi verbally blamed it on "his time of the month". After pleasantries with Sakura, it was revealed that the green-eyed girl actually came to help Usagi purchase clothes of her own. Sakura had even bothered to bring her own red skinny-jeans and fur-lined coat so that Usagi didn't have to go out looking like... whatever trash she looked like in Naruto's overly large t-shirt. Naruto had nabbed Iruka's credit card from the teacher's wallet and the two girls went out on the town together. Regardless of Usagi's hatred of girliness, it was decidedly the most fun she had had in months, and she got the sick guiltless pleasure of purchasing an entire new wardrobe and cell phone on Umino's credit line.
Wait until the nagging dolphin man saw the 30,000 yen Rav'ijor purchase.
That night, after the girls met with Naruto to walk Sakura home and Usagi was comfortably hogging Naruto's bed again, she took out her new phone and just stared at it. Should she bother contacting Major-Dick (she found Naruto's name for him so appropriate)-the-Guilty-Prick (her own added flair)? Usagi was sure there was no party happening on Friday after all the drama, so there was no rush, but... she decided she would give him a chance. Over the time that Jiraiya would be gone someone would have to watch the Uchiha family. She sent Sasuke's brother a simple text.
Tomorrow at 18:00, at the shrine on the hill. If you're late, I'll leave. Come alone.
/
This is part one of my update, since part two still requires major editing and... completing! Part two should be out within the week.
I hope everyone reading this had a Merry Christmas! I apologize for the long wait, but my Christmas was pretty awesome aside from the holiday work I had to do. It consumed most of my time and energy.
Rav'ijor is a Japanese lingerie store very similar to Victoria's Secret. Battletoads is an impossibly difficult game that came out in 1991 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Arab Spring is... you know what, just go read a newspaper.
Now that we're back on track...
Next Chapter: Sasuke confronts Itachi! What is his beef? Usagi makes some decisions and confronts Itachi herself! Man, can't this guy get a break?