Still don't own Naruto
Chapter 66: The Hero of Konoha
Nagato's jutsu was nearing it end and Konan and Naruto could do nothing but watch. "Tell me something Naruto. Do you plan to revive our clan?" Nagato asked as a small amount of blood began to trickle from his nose.
"That was indeed my plan, I even have the money put away, for a clan house to be built" Naruto said.
"I see, I'm glad to know our family will have a chance to be rebuilt to it's former glory. The diary, you keep it secret of course?, but do you plan to write about me?" Nagato asked.
"Yes of course I keep it secret can you imagine what some people would do with that kind of information. As for writing about you. I think I will, you may have been misguided in your way of doing thing's but your goals were not. I think your story would be a good lesson for future generations to learn" Naruto said. All the hatred he had felt towards Nagato was leaving him, he was giving his life to repent for his sins.
"I think that would be a fine idea. I would not like future generations to make my mistakes. I am also glad that I can in some small way help the the world even after I am gone" Nagato sighed.
"I can save you, the same way we saved Jiraiya, I could feed you my senjutsu you don't have to die" Naruto said an idea finally coming to him.
"I appreciate the offer but no, I would rather this be my time, it's I need to go apologize to Yahiko for creating more war and changing his dream of a non violent resistance into what the Akatsuki has become" Nagato said with a smile of acceptance.
"But Nagato he can save you!" Konan cried.
"He already has, he opened my eyes and saved me from myself, the dreams of Yahiko and myself rest within Naruto now" Nagato declared.
Naruto didn't like the idea of just letting Nagato die so soon after he found the right path. But he would not go against his wishes, "I'm sorry Nagato, I hope you find the peace you are looking for in the next life. I promise you, I will be the one to establish peace and order, even for Ame. I don't cave if it takes me a hundred year's, it's a promise of a lifetime! And I never give up, and I never go back on my word. You may not know it but you have taught me a lot, you taught me about pain" Naruto declared.
"I know you will. You will be the savior of this world I know it. But War inflicts death, injury, and Pain, on both sides. The death of someone dear is hard to accept. We try to convince ourselves there is no way they could die. You don't know war yet. You may try to find meaning in death, but there is only pain. And unbearable hatred, senseless deaths... Eternal Hatred, and pain that dose not heal. That is what war is. Naruto, I tell you this because this is what you will be facing in time. Thank you for reminding me of who I once was. Perhaps we were fated to meet and for my story to end like this, or perhaps this is the work of a true Kami. Either way I am glad to have met you, my quest for peace ends here, I pass my work onto you. Remember that I believe in you" Nagato said with a smile as he ended his jutsu and the life began to fade from his eyes.
Konan didn't shed a tear as she removed the crippled body from his machine but sadness was still etched all over her face.
Naruto saw her slowly removing the chakra rods from Nagato's back. "Would you like some help?" Naruto asked he to was a little sad to see the man laying on the ground looking crippled and defeated when just over an hour ago Naruto had perceived him to be a near undefeatable foe.
"No I would like to do this myself, but once we are done here would you take me to where you defeated the last path" Konan said sadly.
"Of course I will, is that Yahiko?" Naruto questioned.
"Yes, they are both precious to me and I wish to lay them to rest together" Konan said.
"I see, I think they would like that" Naruto said, he may not have known the three but just from Nagato's story he could tell that they were closer to a family than almost anyone.
"I know they would. Please when you write about Nagato, tell them he was a good man, he mad have gotten some things wrong in his life but he was still a good man" Konan almost begged of Naruto.
"I plan on it, but I still need to tell about what he has done. What are you going to do now? I would hate to think you would go back to the Akatsuki after this" Naruto questioned.
"No I am done with the Akatsuki, I was there for Nagato and Yahiko's dream. with them gone there is nothing else there for me, Nagato entrusted there dreams onto you, so I will believe in you also. I think I will return to Ame, I will have Ame willing to help if ever you ask for it. Also the secret of the Uzumaki clan is safe with me, I will not betray you or Nagato" she said as she finished removing the last of the chakra rods from Nagato's back and wrapped him up in her paper.
The paper wrapped Nagato lifted into the air and began to float next to Konan as Naruto led her back down the mountainside to where he left Deva path.
They walked in silence until they arrived to where Yahiko's body lay the evidence of the Rasengan still visible in the center of his chest. "Uh sorry about that, but kinda had to make sure he stayed down" Naruto said with a sheepish smile and scratching the back of his head.
"It's alright, you did what you had to, no more no less" Konan said calmly.
"I would ask you to make sure you keep Nagato's body safe but I already know that you will" Naruto said.
Konan turned to Naruto after finishing wrapping up Yahiko's body and created a bouquet of flowers out of paper. Walking over to Naruto she held them out for him to take. "These are for you, I pary that you will be the blossom of hope that never wilts. Send sensei my love, I cannot bare to face him yet after what we did" she said.
"He was never one to hold grudges, he still wanted to save Orochimaru after all. But I will pass on your message. I hope we meet again" Naruto said with a smile as he accepted the paper flowers.
"So do I Naruto. Good bye for now" Konan said and she disappeared along with the bodies of Nagato and Yahiko in a flutter of paper.
'It's over, but it is sad to see them go. Nagato was the only family I had as far as I know. I guess I could always go look for other Uzumaki on the family tree, but I don't think Baa-chan will just let me run off to Uzu again quite so soon' Naruto thought.
"Uh Naruto, there are groups in the village that are asking where you are and are getting ready to send out search party's" Katsuyu said.
"Tell them, I'm on my way home" Naruto said before giving one last glance to where Konan had disappeared from, before slowly beginning his trek back to Konoha.
(Konoha)
There was a huge gathering in the center of the village. Civilians, and all of the ninja who didn't stay behind to defend the village for what ever reason were flooding the village from the underground tunnels.
Katsuyu was telling the villagers about what had happened with Pein and how Naruto saved the village in various area's of the village.
"Naruto-chan did well didn't he Ma" Fukusaku said with a smile.
"Ya, he sure did Pa, but that doesn't mean I am going to believe he is the the destined child. That old toad is a looney" Shima croaked.
"Destined child or not. Naruto-chan has the ability to make the impossible, possible. If he is the destined child, then I would say the world is in safe hands" Fukusaku said proudly.
"You're right there Pa, but I think the boy would like to see his sensei and girlfriend when he arrives back in the village don't you?" Shima asked.
"Yeah I think that's a great idea. Kichi-chan the reverse summoning scroll, we need to summon Yugito-chan, and Jiraiya-chan here" Fukusaku ordered of the large orange toad that they were sitting on.
"Sure thing Oji-san" Gamakichi said and he spat out a large scroll like the one Jiraiya carried on his back.
Tsunade had been walking the village treating any minor injury that remained stopped when she saw the toads who were currently sitting alone happy to just be part of the background as the village already had begun the reconstruction and celebration preparation for when Naruto would return.
"You three shouldn't be back here alone, I'm sure the whole village would want to meet the sages who taught Naruto senjutsu and of course Naruto's personal summon" Tsunade said loudly enough for several small children who were currently riding ontop of one of the various Katsuyu clones to hear here.
Upon seeing the large orange toad the children abandoned there slug and rushed over to Gamakichi who paled as the children began to climb on his back.
Tsunade and the toad elders couldn't help but laugh at the poor young toads predicament. "That was a cruel move, Tsunade-chan" Fukusaku laughed out as he unrolled the reverse summoning scroll.
"Maybe, but it saved one of Katsuyu's clones from being a taxi service" Tsunade replied with a smile.
There was a large puff of smoke and two people appeared before them. "So, Naruto did it huh, I knew he would" Jiraiya said as the smoke began to clear.
"If you were so confident why did you ask the elder sage to send you to the battle every two minutes" Yugito said from beside him.
"That was just for insurance" Jiraiya protested.
"Yeah, yeah. What ever Jiraiya-sama. Besides you're not supposed to be fighting or even training for a couple of weeks yet, even with your Sage Mode recovery" Yugito replied.
"Oh what Tsunade-Hime doesn't know wont hurt her" Jiraiya said.
"No but I might hurt you" Tsunade said as the smoke finally cleared.
"Ah Tsunade-Hime, I was just saying how I would never begin training or fighting again until you said I could" Jiraiya said while sweating a little. He then turned to Yugito to ask a question that didn't really need answering. "I need to run don't I?"
"Oh yeah" she replied.
Jiraiya turned on the spot and took off with Tsunade yelling after him. "Jiriaya get back here! If you start training and get yourself hurt I will kill you" she screamed.
"Poor Jiraiya, his doomed if he stops running, but if he doesn't he is just going to get a bigger beating later on" Yugito sighed.
"Uh Fukusaku-sama, Shima-sama. Naruto is on his way back to the village now, Kakashi Hatake has gone to retrieve him, they will be arriving from the north shortly" Katsuyu informed the group.
They started to make there way out of the village to the northern gate where they expected Naruto to arrive from and they were not surprised to find the rest of the village making there way out to greet their returning hero. It was most unfortunate for Gamakichi who seemed to be attracting more and more small children after every bounce. 'Where do they keep coming from. I haven't stopped long enough for anyone else to get on, but there they are. What did I do to deserve this!' Gamakichi cried internally.
(With Naruto)
Naruto was casually walking through the forest back towards Konoha, he had long ago let his Sage Mode drop. 'Guess we will have to start rebuilding the village after our fight, but at least everyone is still alive, who knows maybe I can get some people to forgive Nagato for what he did. Father said he was being controlled by the man in the mask, Madara. I didn't want to believe it, but it almost makes sense, that was why I was able to change him and remind him of who he was. But for that man to be Madara Uchiha, it just seems unbelievable, that said you would have to be someone special to be able to manipulate a person like Nagato' Naruto mused.
"You know you shouldn't keep everyone waiting" came a voice from behind the blond.
Naruto whirled around to see Kakashi sitting in a tree behind him. The Copy Ninja jumped from the tree to land next to the blond before giving a quick wave. "Oh Kakashi sensei, I'm glad your alive" Naruto said happily.
"You know... So am I. But I think I have you to thank for that" Kakashi said with an eye smile.
"No, Nagato saved you, I just helped him discover who he really was" Naruto admitted.
"Still, you deserve far more credit, you took on all six of those things at the same time, I couldn't even take out two. And I had help, you have really come a long way you know that" Kakashi said proudly.
"I guess I have. Huh" Naruto said scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Well lets go, I'm sure the whole village is already talking about your victory" Kakashi said as he began to walk with Naruto. However despite Kakashi's statement about urgency they stayed at around the same pace Naruto was already walking at.
(Underneath Konoha)
Danzo was sitting in a bunker far underneath the village. He had been there since the invasion started. 'Now is my chance, I will seize the position of Hokage and Konoha will be reborn in my image, we will be known as the undisputed strongest village, Hiruzen teachings of pacifism and his talk about the Will of Fire comes to an end today' the old war hawk thought as his Root Anbu knelt before him.
"Danzo-sama the battle is over. The Kyuubi jinchuuriki won" a Root soldier said after landing in front of his leader.
"I see, what are the casualties we suffered?" Danzo asked. He wanted to know what he was working with when he confronted the elders and the Fire Daimyo.
"They were over a thousand" the Root member said.
"Were? What do you mean were?" Danzo asked.
"The Kyuubi jinchuuriki seems to have done something. Everyone who died within the village has been returned to life" the Anbu said.
'This complicates things, if there are no death's then Tsunade may still have some pull, but I can always remove that' Danzo thought. "Tell me, what of the damages to the village?" he asked.
"Over three quarters are in ruin, the center of the village is unrecognizable, and there is a large area around where the Hokage tower once stood that is nothing but a hole in the ground" the subordinate reported.
'Excelent, that is more than enough to have Tsunade thrown out as Hokage and have me instated' "Take this message to the Fire Daimyo, I need to go speak with the other elders" Danzo said as he stood up from his seat and handed the reporting Root member an envelope, he then left the chamber flanked by four body guards.
(Unknown Location)
A small section of a large tentacle fell onto the ground shocking Madara and Kisame. "What the?" Kisame said in shock. They had only just started sealing the Hachibi that morning, there was no way they could be finished with only two people performing the sealing.
"It seems, the Hachibi pulled a fast one on Sasuke-kun" Madara said. His voice was calm but underneath the surface he was seething.
"Yeah looks like it, so what are we going to do now, you said you would kill them if they betrayed you, sounds like some fun to me, I'm sure Itachi wouldn't mind too much" Kisame said licking his lips hungrily.
"I will deal with them, this may actually work out in my favor, it will give me more time to bend Sasuke to my will" Madara said.
"Oh well. I was hoping to have some fun. So what are we going to do about the Hachibi then?" Kisame said inquisitorially.
"I want you to deal with the Hachibi. Pein should be finished in Konoha by now, so we will have to hold the Kyuubi until the others have been sealed" Madara said.
It was at that moment when the ground next to them morphed and Zetsu rose from the ground. "Madara, we have a problem. Pein is dead, the Kyuubi jinchuuriki won. Not only that he seems to have figured out his fathers Hirashin jutsu" Zetsu said.
"The Hirashin? You mean the jutsu that gave Minato Namikaze the title of The Yellow Flash?" Kisame asked.
"Yes, he was able to take out all six of Pein's bodies single handed. But that is not the amazing thing" Zetsu said clearly still in shock.
"If that's not what is amazing about the brat's victory then what is?" Kisame spat.
"He somehow managed to get Nagato to betray us, he revived everyone who had died within the village during his attack. Even at the cost of his own life" Zetsu declared.
Madara who had been silent up to this point decided to speak "This is a set back, I did not see the boy beating Pein" 'But for him to betray me like that, how did he do it, I had Nagato twisted into the depths of his darker emotions, he was so easy to control. I can't believe he would turn on me so easily' Madara fumed inside while remaining calm on the outside.
"It seems we can no longer fight this battle in the shadow's, it's time to make preparations for the fourth great ninja world war" Madara declared as he disappeared in a ripple of time and space.
(With Naruto)
Naruto and Kakashi walked out of the forest and into the area he destroyed when he was transformed into his jinchuuriki state.
There waiting for him was what looked like the entire population of Konoha. "What tha?" Naruto stammered upon seeing the massive hoard of cheering well wishers.
"I told you they were all waiting for you" Kakashi said giving one of his patented eye smiles.
Naruto didn't have time to reply as he was nearly crushed by on rushing children of the village who wanted to ask Naruto questions about Pein.
At the back of the crowd slowly making there way forward were Jiraiya and Tsunade. Behind them Yugito was following.
"Well sensei would be proud to see the Will of Fire still burn's within this village" Jiraiya said as he looked around at all the happy faces.
"Yes, but I think because of Naruto it is stronger than ever. I have never seen anyone like him. Its like he is the embodiment of my grandfathers belief's" Tsunade said with a smile as they made there way to the front of the group.
There was still a large gap between Tsunade and where Naruto was nearly being crushed under a wave of over enthusiastic children, but he handled it with a smile that only Naruto could produce.
"He seems so peaceful and calm. You would expect he hadn't just had to fight someone as powerful as Pein" Tsunade said.
"Yeah but that's just who he is" Jiraiya said as they walked over to Naruto. "You did wonderfully kid" Jiraiya said before he clamped a hand onto Naruto's shoulder in a sign of affection.
"Thanks sensei, oh Konan sends her love, she gave me these but I think you should have them" Naruto said producing the bouquet of paper flowers Konan had given him.
"So you really changed them. When I was training the three of them they were always so happy, and peaceful, Nagato in particular hated to see people hurt. I'm so proud of you, for reminding them of who they once were" Jiraiya said.
"Thanks sensei, that means a lot coming from you" Naruto admitted with another smile.
Next Tsunade came over. "Well, looks like I have found my replacement ready made for when I get sick of this whole Hokage business" she said.
"I would love to take the job one day, but there is still far too much for me to do. Can't let myself get bogged down in the position just yet" Naruto joked.
"Heh, that would be right. No early retirement for me then" Tsunade sighed.
Next up Yugito walked over to Naruto, she didn't even say a word before she kissed him with as much passion as she could muster right in front of the entire village.
Typically this was met with a mixed reaction. There were woop's and cheers from most of the ninja, as well as some of Naruto's friends.
Looks of dismay and jealousy from large group's of the civilian women and kunoichi's. As well as, much to the dismay of Naruto some of the men.
Jiraiya as if a force of habit had taken out his notepad and pencil, which brought about a similarly predictable reaction from Tsunade who bonked him on the head.
"I'm glad you're safe, but next time. I am fighting too, I can't stand letting you fight a tough battle like that alone" Yugito whispered once they finally parted lips.
Once that was done it seemed like the whole village wanted to congratulate and thank Naruto individually. Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi even decided that they wanted an interview so they could sell a magazine about the blond. Naruto paled at the thought and respectfully declined, but he had the feeling that they would not let it drop so easily.
The party extend back into the village, despite more than three quarters of the buildings having been destroyed and rebuilding efforts having already begun, everyone was in a joyous mood, it was as if the rebuilding they were forced to do was nothing but setting up for a festival.
"I don't get it shouldn't people be sad? They lost there homes and places to work after all" Naruto queried.
"They are happy because you saved everyone, you should here some of the names they have been calling you already. The Hero of Konoha, the Miracle boy, the list goes on and on. Its rather Troublesome" said Shikamaru as he along with Naruto and the rest of there friends looked out over the broken village.
The rubble had been cleared out from a large area in the center of the village and large tents were put up in order to house the now homeless population that included Naruto and Yugito to live. 'Well I guess this would be a good of a time as any to build a clan house here in Konoha for the Uzumaki clan, I will talk to Tsunade Baa-chan in a few day's once the important stuff has been rebuilt' Naruto thought as a large group of people began to lead Naruto through the tents and giving the young couple there own private tent right next to Tsunade's. And most unfortunately for all three blonds Jiraiya was right next to them as well.
"Well we can hope he finds the fact that at the moment there are no hot springs in operation and everyone will need to wash off in the river until the water is back on distracting enough so that he leaves us alone" Tsunade sighed when she saw just how close her tent was to the old pervert's. 'I'm surprised he hasn't asked me for that date I owe him yet. But I suppose with everything that has been going on, it is understandable' she thought.
The festive party attitude lasted well into the night, long after most people would normally be in bed, the villagers and shinobi alike sat around fires singing songs and drinking what ever alcohol they could find.
Naruto had turned in early, his exhaustion was starting to get to him just a bit. As he lay in bed he heard someone enter into the Hokage's tent.
"Hokage-sama, an emergency meeting has been called for tomorrow morning. In attendance will be yourself, Jiraiya-sama, the village elder's your chief consultant Shukaku Nara, Danzo and the Daimyo" the man said
"I see, were you told what the meeting is about or did your master keep you in the dark" Tsunade said a small hint of venom in her voice.
Naruto who was laying there knew immediately what she meant by 'Your Master'. 'Danzo, what is he scheeming this time' Naruto thought as he slowly began drifting off to sleep.
End Chapter!
Ok time for a original arc before I head on to the Kage Summit, I don't think it will be anything major, just give Naruto a chance to kick some ass for awhile before I move onto some of the more serious things.