Do I Have A Purpose Anymore?
Chapter 2: A Hero Returns
Naruto silently walked along the dirt road not caring where he went, but just content to keep walking. Three days ago, he had just committed an act of treason; he had deserted the Village Hidden in the Leaves and KO'd Sasuke in the process who had desperately attempted to stop him.
However, nothing and no one could have stopped him thatnight. Naruto felt if he had spent just one more day in the village, it would drive him to madness. And once he had left, it felt good to have the wind in his hair and fresh air in his lungs, as he let out a comfortable sigh. Naruto felt just a bit happier now that he was out of the village and commented to himself.
"I hope they can understand why I left?"
Then it hit him, like a chakra enhanced punch from Tsunade. They wouldn't understand why he left. All they would be concerned with was the fact that he had left. The stark realization finally sunk into Naruto that he was a missing nin now. What's more he was a Jounin Captain of his former village, so they would never stop looking for him. He would be hunted down and be dragged back to the village, or killed outright to preserve the secrets he knew of Konoha from being revealed, as Naruto thought to himself.
'Perhaps this was what Sasuke had lived with, when he left the village, all those years ago? Was it this bad, this feeling of always having to look over your shoulder?'
Naruto didn't like this feeling, not one bit. The thought of fighting his friends was not a pleasant one to him, and it made him frown for the first time since he left at the thought of having to see the life fade from their eyes, to have their blood on his hands.
He quickened his pace a bit, as worry clouded his features before he exclaimed.
"I have to get out of here and fast, but where to go?"
He needed to find a place to stay for a little while to elude the tracker ninja that would undoubtedly be sent his way soon. Naruto knew his initial deterrent to stop them had been only temporary measure at the time of his departure. Konoha would never give up hunting for him that much was for certain, as he stopped walking and contemplated with himself.
"But where should I go? I can't take up refuge in Suna, at least not yet, that would put Gaara in a bad spot politically. Still I have to think of somewhere to go; I can't just walk around aimlessly."
Then it hit him and he knew exactly where he could go, even if it were just for a brief amount of time he would be safe there.
(Flashback Three Days)
Tsunade felt tears start to well in her hazel-colored eyes, as a bedraggled Sasuke walked into her office and gave her the heartbreaking news.
"I'm sorry Hokage-sama, it's no use. When Naruto left the village he created a few hundred clones and sent them off in various directions. The Inuzuka trackers can't tell which trail is the true scent of the real Naruto? The dobe could be anywhere by now.
Instantly, the Uchiha received an accusing glare from the Godaime Hokage not liking Sasuke's insulting nickname for Naruto, as she spat with condemnation.
"Never call him that in front of me again Uchiha and I want to know did you have anything to do with Naruto leaving?"
"No Hokage-sama, in fact I tried to stop him, which is why I look the way I do!"
"Alright, I want the whole story. How did Naruto respond when you tried to stop him?"
Sasuke sighed as he ran his left hand over his face, not sure if he should mention this next part, but knew he couldn't refuse his Hokage and begrudgingly answered.
"At first, he threatened to kill me and then when I told him that Sakura and I had broken off our engagement, he said that it didn't matter because the old Naruto died three years ago. He promised on our friendship that he wouldn't turn on or betray the village, but he said he just couldn't stay here anymore. He mentioned something about what's been taken from him he can never get back if he stayed here."
Tsunade buried her head in palms of her hands, as the buxom blonde Hokage wasn't 100% certain, but she had a pretty good idea what Naruto was referring to and the guilt of her role in that affair overcame her and she began to weep. After a few minutes, she inhaled a deep breath, raised up her head up from her palms and when she did, her expression was unreadable.
"He may be a friend to us all, but we can't let him leave the village like he did. As long as he has the Kyuubi sealed within him, he is a dangerous threat to our village. Not to mention all the secrets of the village he possesses as well. Because of all of that, I'm going to have to list him as an A-Ranked missing nin."
Sasuke was stunned beyond words upon realizing with horror what that meant for his friend and surrogate brother, as he shouted with disbelief.
"You want him dead!"
Tsunade said nothing as Sasuke glared at her, while the Uchiha's mind drifted to the memory of his fight with Naruto five years ago. When the blonde shinobi had literallybeat the hell out of Sasuke, and just when Naruto was about to deliver the final blow and end Sasuke's life as he should have, he relented. The memory of that day was forever engrained into Sasuke's mind.
(Memory Flashback Five Years)
A battered and bloody Naruto stood over and equally beaten Sasuke. His hand held a red Rasengan, and it was poised ready to deliver the final blow to the downed Uchiha, who lay motionless from the wounds Naruto had inflicted. So immense was Naruto's power that he had used only six of the nine tails of the great and powerful Kyuubi no Youko.
Sasuke coughed up some blood, and glared at his rival before spitting.
"Finish it you stupid dobe, put me out of-URK!
Sasuke gasped in pain, as Naruto's free hand suddenly lashed out and grabbed him by his collar hoisting the Uchiha into the air, leaving his feet dangling off the ground in midair as he was held there by his foe.
Just like Sasuke had done to him in the Valley of the End.
"No."
Was the lone word Naruto spoke, as he lowered his chakra covered hand, extinguishing the red Rasengan he held within it, releasing the red energy, as his eyes faded to their cerulean blue color before the blonde shinobi shouted with determination.
"You're coming back to the village teme, whether you want to or not!"
(End of Memory Flashback)
Sasuke smiled nostalgically at that memory.
'He fought like a demon that night, and yet he spared me.'
Then the reality of what the Hokage had just done re-emerged and rage overtook him, as he shouted with fury.
"After all he has done for this village, all he has done for ME, all he has done for YOU and you want him Dead? What kind of Hokage are you?"
The Fifth Hokage knew exactly how he felt, be she would no tolerate insubordination. Slamming her hands down on her desk with an audible, earsplitting crack, she scowled at the angry Uchiha before her before firing back in response.
"Fool, I said A-ranked not S-ranked which is an automatic kill on sight order. And damn it, I don't have a choice, but to list him as a missing-nin. The Civilian Council led by Danzo and those two old crones of my Sensei's teammates are just looking for a reason to force me to step down as Hokage. So if it looked like I was showing favoritism by not issuing that rank on missing shinobi of Naruto's caliber because of who he is that would just be the ammunition they need to oust me!"
"Hn, what a brave Hokage you are." Sasuke snorted sarcastically.
"Listen you little brat, there is no other way."
Looking at the picture of him and Jiraiya on her desk, Tsunade exhaled a sad sigh for her now dead teammate. In the picture he and a younger more cheerful Naruto were both smiling brightly eyes closed and flashing the peace sign to the camera. The image of Naruto and Jiraiya having calmed her down Tsunade looked up and said in a somber tone of voice.
"The Akatsuki were never finished off Sasuke. Naruto may be above Sannin or even a Kage level now, but so was Jiraiya back then and we all know what happened to him."
Sasuke hung his head in sad remembrance, the memory of Naruto weeping over the pervert's grave; it was still painfully fresh in his mind. The Sannin had been like a father to the hyperactive blonde much of his life and now he too was dead. Another of his precious people forcefully ripped away from him. Tsunade's next words made him feel like screaming, as he was helpless like a child in this situation.
"Uchiha Madara and the other Akatsuki are still out there. We cannot allow them to get a hold of the Kyuubi, for if they do, it will be the end of us all."
'I can't- no I WON'T let him be killed. I have to get him to come back.' Sasuke silently mused before asking.
"Hokage-sama, give me two weeks. I'll try everything within my power to bring him back."
Tsunade was more than happy to give him that time.
"Permission granted. But make it fast Sasuke and if he won't come back then you know what you have to do. As it is right now, I have to send out at least one ANBU team to try and find him to placate and appease the Council."
"I don't know if that's wise Lady Tsunade? If pushed too far then Naruto may just kill the ANBU squad if they find him before I do."
"Perhaps, this is why I'm going to send the ANBU team ISC."
"It's still a risk given Naruto's…..past relationship with one of them."
"I know, but I'm counting on that past relationship to keep Naruto in check if they do find him before you do. This is why you need to find him first Sasuke."
"Hai, Lady Tsunade." Sasuke quickly replied before vanishing in a swirl of leaves.
Only then, when she was certain that she was alone, did Tsunade burst out into tears, anguished at what she had just ordered the sobs wracking her body as she let the water flow freely. What an age they lived in when the young were forced to die before they ever got a chance to grow old, as she stammered.
"Naruto...I'm, I'm so sorry..."
However, unbeknownst to Tsunade A young woman with lavender-colored eyes had come by to drop off the daily hospital reports on the patients currently treated and had heard the entire conversation between the blonde Hokage and Sasuke. With tears streaming down her face to match Tsunade's Hinata Inuzuka ran out of the waiting room outside the Hokage's office. The former Hyuga heiress had just made a decision and soon Naruto would not be only Leaf shinobi listed as a missing nin before the day was through.
(End of Flashback)
Naruto felt a smile tug at his lips, as he stepped off the bridge and inhaled the deep sea salt air of the ocean. And when he looked around the island his eyes widened a bit, as he saw that over the past few years the Wave Country had prospered into respectable community that was bustling with life.
Naruto turned around to look back at the mainland and when he did he spied the sign that that was hung just over the bridge. Upon closer inspection of it, he felt tears of pride begin to well in his eyes.
'They named it after me, I'll be damned.' Naruto thought to himself as he read the sign.
The Great Naruto Bridge.
Built in honor of the hero who helped free us from oppression and gave us our courage, our faith, and our lives back to us. He will always be welcomed here, for as long as he wishes to grace us with his noble presence.
Then he calmly walked off the bridge, making his way to the one place he needed to go.
Tazuna nearly fell out of his easy chair, as a now teenage Inari burst through the door, slamming it against the wall and nearly giving the aged man a heart attack from the ruckus his grandson had created. Inari now had his crossbow strapped to his back, as he was clad in a white muscle shirt, and grey torn and faded jeans.
His face was alight with glee and excitement and he was impatiently tapping his foot on the wooden floor, as Tazuna recovered himself.
"Grandpa! Grandpa! Guess what?"
Tazuna groaned as he put a hand over his chest, his heart now beating like a drum.
"What's so important that you nearly gave me a heart attack? Damn it Inari, why do you have to scare me like that?"
Tazuna was too old to be spooked by most things anymore. However much to his aggravation his grandson still managed to scare the living daylights out of him on a daily basis without fail. And this time was no exception, as Inari paid him no heed to his complaints for he was visibly jumping up and down with excitement.
"It's Naruto! He's come back!"
That nearly gave the aging bridge builder another heart attack, as his eyes bugged out of his head and he exclaimed.
"WHAT? He came back ye say?"
Tazuna was out of his chair in an instant and his sandals met his feet a moment later, as he stood in front of his enthusiastic grandson, his own face now alight with happiness.
"That's wonderful news! Where is he?"
Inari now grabbed the hand of his grandfather, and roughly dragged him outside.
"C'mon! I'll take you to him!"
Naruto let out a sigh as he looked down upon the graves of both Momochi Zabuza and his protege Haku, the massive sword of the 'Demon of the Mist' now strapped to his back. It felt wrong to take the blade, it made him feel like a grave robber, but he needed it for protection and the sight of the 'Great Beheader' would give any opponent some pause before they attacked.
"Forgive me Zabuza, but I will need this and I will do your name proud with it."
As Naruto turned around, he a wind blow past him from behind and he could have sworn he heard a whispered voice say.
"Take it..."
That was all the confirmation he needed, and grasping the hilt from its place on his back, he felt the presence of Zabuza, the man even through death who had led Naruto to form his own nindo so long ago. This blade would serve him well; much like it had its former master. Naruto would honor the finely carved steel, and take good care of it.
Naruto exhaled a sigh, if he was to be hunted then he had found the means to defend himself. He would stay in the Wave for a short time until he could map out his next move. However, the blonde shinobi mused that he needed a disguise of sorts, as he thought.
'I wonder if there's a mask maker around these parts?'
"Naruto-niisan!"
Looking over his shoulder, Naruto felt a rare grin grow on his face, from ear to ear when he saw Inari and Tazuna racing towards him, whilst the elderly man was being pulled along by his grandson. It was an amusing sight as the aging man was visibly out of breath, as his grandson released him to race towards Naruto, who looked and was genuinely happy to see them again.
"Hey! Old man! Inari!" Naruto turned to face them fully and greeted them warmly, truly happy to see that they were alive and well. A moment later, Naruto was nearly tackled to the ground, as Inari grabbed the taller man in a big bear hug overjoyed to see his friend after so long a time.
"You came back! This is so cool!"
Naruto chuckled as he got an arm loose, and gave Inari the noogie of his life, causing him to release his friend for the bone crushing grip.
"Yow! Take it easy! You'll burn my scalp off!" Tazuna laughed as he watched the two goofing around.
"Simmer down Inari, let Naruto breathe!"
Naruto laughed as he was released, then noticed the crossbow strapped to the teens back.
"Looks like you've been practicing with that thing." Inara beamed up at his lifelong friend, and gave him thumbs up.
"I sure have, I can hit coin 50 yards every single time!" Inari proudly boasted, before the young boy noticed the massive sword strapped to the back of the ex Leaf Jounin, as well as the scratched Leaf Headband he wore now shifted to the side much like Zabuza's had been.
"Naruto-niisan, why do you have Zabuza's sword?"
Tazuna's smile collapsed into a frown, as he watched Naruto's face fall a bit as the blonde shinobi tried to explain.
"Well Inari, you see..."
However, Tazuna interrupted him and said.
"Inari, why don't you go let the townsfolk know that the Hero of the Wave has returned to visit us."
"That's a great idea grandpa; everyone will love seeing Naruto-niisan again!" Inari exclaimed before racing off. Tazuna then turned to Naruto and with a grim look on his face asked.
"You left the Leaf village didn't you?"
Naruto sadly nodded his head in confirmation.
"I can't hide anything from you, can I old man?" Tazuna shook his head as he moved his aching legs forward, and placed a hand on the shoulder of Naruto.
"You sure can't. I'm still alive for a reason. So, do you want to tell me why you left?"
"Not right now, maybe later if that's alright with you."
Tazuna nodded in understanding, but then his face lit up again, as he slapped the blond on the back jovially and said.
"That's fine, but enough of that lets go back to my place and have a welcome back party and you are the guest of honor!" Naruto felt like his old self, as he sheepishly scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah, I'd like that."
Tazuna laughed, and slapped him on the back again.
"Ah, it really is good to have the Hero of the Wave here with us again!" The bridge builder now gave him a thumbs up of his own, then did an about face, and began to lead the way down the hill strutting proudly when he saw a crowd of people with Inari at the front had assembled at the bottom of the hill. Turning his head around he shouted back to Naruto who was lagging behind.
"Well come on then, your adoring fans are waiting for you!"
The growing crowd beneath them cheered, as Naruto raised a hand in greeting and several of the more youthful teens started to chant.
"Naruto...Naruto...Naruto...!"
By the time they had come down from the hill, it had grown from a small whisper into a loud roar, and the bashful hero found himself shaking hands and answering questions with people he didn't even know.
"Thanks. No, it was no trouble at all. You're welcome."
This felt better; here he did not have to endure any anxiety, stress, or pain like he did in Konoha. Naruto knew could not stay here long, but for a moment he felt at home and at peace.
Naruto gave off a low whistle, as he peered into the distance, and saw the extent of the large crowd, which seemed to stretch on without end. He felt Inari grab his wrist, and drag him through the crowd, leading after Tazuna, who also had to struggle to get through.
"Damn, what a turnout." Muttered the missing nin, still awed that this many people would go out of their way just to see him.
Inari nodded as the crowd thickened, then thinned.
"What did you expect Naruto-niisan, you're a hero here!"
Naruto was about to reply when he suddenly frowned and looked off towards the forest about a mile away.
In the forest, a man sighed as he swept a strand of black hair away from his face, while he spied Naruto through a telescope in the crowd below. Heaving a weary sigh, he signaled his two companions to hold their position. They needed to get at Naruto when he was alone to spare any innocent civilians harm in case things went bad. So they would bide their time and wait, but one thing was for certain, as a thought went through the young man's mind.
'Well, we've found him, I almost wish we hadn't. Damn, I have a nagging feeling that this is going to be troublesome.'
Author Note: Well I hope you all enjoyed this extra bonus chapter from me posted this week. I was just blown away by so many people adding this story into their fav or story alerts categories after only a few days. Over 50 of you so far and I wanted to say thanks to all the readers for doing that. So this fast-tracked chapter posted is my way of showing my appreciation. With so many different readers the only thing I really need is more reviews so I can get an idea on how the story is progressing with all of you? They really do help an author out in knowing what people like about a story. Anyway, I should be posting the revised chapter three sometime next week. Thanks again to everyone for all of your support.
Take it easy and be good!
Kingkakashi