Yo..

It's time for the final chapter of this arc, now many of you want to know what happened with Mikasa's family.

I have decided to keep the second part of Mikasa's history a secret for a few more chaps, but don't worry it will be revealed when the time is right. Although, it is not exactly as Mikasa believes what happened with her.

Previous chapter, we saw a major NarutoXRangiku moment and a small kiss too. She will be the pillar who will rescue him from his darkness again and again.

The story will take a different turn now.

Enjoy the chapter...

Chapter 37

Mikasa Gaiden: His Path

Kushina Uzumaki had seen many things in her life, she had seen people betraying each other for power, for money, or for fame. But never in her entire life had she seen such a person who loved his family more than anything else in the world.

Naruto Namikaze.

Who was this person? She just couldn't understand him, even now when she looked in his eyes she could not understand his reasons.

Zetsu stepped beside her and placed a few metallic rods inside a body which was trapped in a small lab tube. The person's blond hair were flowing freely inside the water of the tube, his bruised body had been patched up with a special treatment that Madara had performed with her help.

"Nice work capturing him, Kushina. He can be of more use to us now," said Black Zetsu darkly, as she tried her best to look ignorant.

"What will you do with this brat?" asked Kushina coldly, her voice devoid of any emotions.

"He possesses enormous power, he can be a threat to our plans in the future. We have observed him for years, and he can definitely influence the people around him. And we cannot let that happen..." said White Zetsu mischievously, as Kushina got a real bad feeling about this.

"Are you going to kill him?" asked Kushina sternly, as another person stepped beside her- his face hidden by a spiral orange mask.

"Killing him would be showing him mercy, he is a foolish child who believes true peace is possible in this world, that the bonds of family and friends can change everything. So, no I won't kill him...I'll make him betray everything he stood for, I'll make him betray his friends, family, his soldiers, his comrades. I'll make him the biggest villain of this world...whom even his beloved brother will come to hate, and then everyone would realize how worthless this world is" said Madara darkly,

Kushina's eyes widened in shock, this was not supposed to happen. This was not the plan...

"He appears to have an alter ego too, maybe he would be better suitable for our task. So, will you seal his humanity away?" asked Black Zetsu eagerly, as Madara chuckled a little.

"As accurate as ever, Zetsu. Make the preparations, he will my biggest pawn in "Mugen Tsukiyomi" plan. We'll let him do all the dirty work" said Madara flatly, as Kushina gritted her teeth in anger.

"Are you scared of facing the ninja world, Madara?" asked Kushina furiously, as the man shook his head in disapproval.

"Why should I waste my energy and reveal myself when I have a pawn like Naruto, and a trusted comrade like you. Both of you alone, can shake the entire shinobi world on your own, get back to work Kushina, we still have a war to finish." ordered Madara clearly, before Kushina could even say a word the man disappeared in a vortex leaving her alone in the dark room along with Zetsu and Naruto.

Kushina looked at her savior, he was so young-barely 15. He saved her from the darkness in her heart by releasing the genjutsu that Madara had placed on her, he made her feel again, he considered her a human and not a Jinchuuriki.

And yet, instead of thanking him for this kindness she was doing everything in her power, to make his life miserable.

She still remembered their conversation after the battle was over...

(Flashback : A Few Hours Ago)

Kushina lay flat on the ground, her clothes were torn from many places while her body was covered in injuries. Dust and dirt flew around her everywhere as she currently lay still inside a giant crater.

Beside her was a young Anbu, who was badly injured. There was a large hole in his chest, while similar smaller holes could be seen on his hand's and legs. The person had apparently lost a lot of blood too.

She remembered him, he was Naruto Namikaze, son of Minato and Mikoto. She remembered fighting him, and their conversation a few minutes ago.

With all her strength, she slowly crawled towards the boy, his breathing was almost non existent and she knew he needed medical attention instantly.

"I won't let you die..." said Kushina weakly, as she bit her left wrist as blood started leaking out of her skin.

She was one of the few people in the world whose blood could heal any injury, although the injuries which Naruto had suffered would require something much bigger than this, but it would at least keep him alive for now.

Her blood had healed his injuries before when he had bit her on the neck, so she knew it was not dangerous.

But it would be a long time before he could even get up on his feet.

Kushina silently watched as he drank her blood, and she was quite astonished when his injuries started to heal slowly and slowly. The hole in his chest started to disappear, followed by the injuries on his limbs.

"I'm sorry for hurting you so much...I'm so sorry," said Kushina apologetically, as tears freely slipped from her eyes and fell on his handsome face.

She was surprised when a soft pair of hands touched her face, and his delicate fingers gently wiped her tears away. And the smile on his face was one of the most beautiful things Kushina had seen in her entire life.

"You have beautiful red hair..." said Naruto happily, and he was surprised when she came forward and hugged him tightly.

"Ow...my bones are still broken, you know..."

A sheepish smile came on her face as she quickly broke the hug, he was still in bad shape and needed medical attention. Her blood had just prevented him from dying, but it didn't mean he was out of danger.

"I removed the genjutsu placed on you...it seems I was right, someone else is the mastermind of this war," said Naruto tiredly, every part of his body felt as if it was on fire.

"How did you do that?" asked Kushina curiously, she was grateful to him but at the same time she wanted to know how he removed even Madara's genjutsu.

"I casted my ultimate genjutsu "Kamimusuhi (World of Illusions)", it is one of the abilities of my Mangekyo Sharingan that allows me to control the soul of a person. The soul is the most powerful part of a person, if you can control it there is no need to cast a genjutsu on the cellular nerves of a person's brain, the same concept can also be applied to Jinchuuriki. Even if you transform into your full tailed beast form, you are still humans with souls...which I can control" explained Naruto briefly, as Kushina was just left gobsmacked after that explanation.

A power like that came once in a millennium, just how powerful was he?

"You have a Mangekyo? How did you achieve that power?" asked Kushina in shock, however she narrowed her eyes in suspicion when he closed his eyes as if he was defeated.

"We don't have much time...what was your mission? And who ordered you to attack my company?" asked Naruto quickly, they barely had 3 minutes before that person with foul chakra arrived near his position.

"Madara Uchiha ordered me to either capture or kill you, while eliminating your company." said Kushina truthfully, as it was now Naruto's turn to be shocked.

"M-Madara...but he was supposed to be dead. It's just not possible.." said Naruto in disbelief,

"It is true, he is the mastermind of this war. He was the one who prompted Iwa, Kiri, and Kumo to start the Fourth Great Ninja war. Apparently, he wants to capture all the Jinchuuriki to create a new world, and in order to do that he wants to weaken the hidden villages before he starts his plan" explained Kushina briefly, as more and more things started to get clear in Naruto's mind.

"If what you are saying is true...then the shinobi world is on the brink of extinction. We are fighting amongst ourselves, while a greater danger is lurking in the shadows. And anything related to a Jinchuuriki's power could be dangerous. How can we stop him while preventing this war from destroying all the villages?" said Naruto out loud, he didn't have more than 1 minute until he was discovered.

He looked at Kushina, and a strategy came in his mind. But if this plan was to succeed, then his fate would be worse than death...

"Self sacrifice is the trait of a true ninja"

He remembered Commander's Fox words, for the greater good he had to make this sacrifice. He only hoped that his family would understand why he did it, and forget him like a bad memory.

"Hand me over to Madara"

"EXCUSE ME?" asked Kushina furiously, just what the hell was he saying?

''Madara believes you are on his side, he believes his genjutsu is still in effect. If you hand me over to him, you can gain his trust even more. Kushina, you can find out everything about his plans and inform my father. Thousands of lives are at stake, the entire world's existence is at stake.." said Naruto harshly,

"Absolutely not, he is obsessed with your power. He considers you dangerous, that is why he told me to kill you...but he wants you alive even more, in order to make you his pawn. He will make you his slave, Naruto that fate would be worse than death. I will make up some excuse, I will do something...but never again I will risk your life," said Kushina vehemently,

"She just doesn't understand...Madara is no fool, if he can turn the shinobi world upside down he can easily detect his genjutsu has been removed. Guess, I have no choice but to use that..." thought Naruto sadly, as his Mangekyo sprung in life.

Tears freely slipped from her eyes as she clearly realized he was ordering her to do this...and the worst part was, she couldn't stop it.

"Don't...please...don't make me do this..." begged Kushina in a tearful voice, as he gave her a sympathetic look.

"I'm sorry...but this is for the greater good. Save the world Kushina, you are the only one who can do it," said Naruto calmly, as he saw a plant like entity emerging at a distance.

"He'll turn you into a traitor, you deserve better...I will do anything you ask, but don't do this," said Kushina tearfully,

"Kushina, can you do me a favor?" asked Naruto silently,

"Anything..."

"Show the world that I died...most of all make my brother believe I died. If he knew I've been captured, he'll spend his entire life chasing after me and endangering his life against Madara. If that happens, my actions would be meaningless..." said Naruto sadly, as he realized he would never be able to see his family again.

But he steeled his heart, this was the way he would atone for the sins he committed. By believing in his comrades and his little brother, he wanted to do his part in saving the shinobi world.

If what Kushina said was true, then he would become like her. He would be branded as a traitor, everything he stood for would be destroyed.

But it was all worth it, if it meant his brother and his family could be free from danger.

"I want Itachi to live in a free world, a world where there are no wars...a world where his friends don't get killed. I want the same thing for you too. And for that world, I would gladly make this sacrifice..." said Naruto seriously, as Kushina sensed Zetsu nearing towards them and Naruto also started to lose consciousness again.

"I will save you one day, just hang in there and don't give up..." said Kushina sadly, as he gave her one last smile.

"Don't be sad, I'll always live on in the hearts of my friends..."

These were his last words before he fell asleep, as she just stared at him. Why was he so different?

She quickly wiped her tears away, as Zetsu came forward and stepped beside her.

"Excellent work in capturing the boy...Kushina. We want him alive now, Madara-sama requests your presence back at the base, we will bring him back too. Madara-sama has great plans for the boy..." said Zetsu mysteriously, as Kushina took a deep breath.

She would definitely save him, but for now she had to honor his request because even if this was painful, it was the right choice.

"Acknowledged, but you should replace his body with a clone of yours. It would be better if the Konoha ninja believe he is dead, at least until the time Madara-sama makes his move.." suggested Kushina slyly, as Black Zetsu grinned.

"You are too devious..." said Black Zetsu proudly,

"We will get it done..." said White Zetsu calmly,

(Flashback end)

A small tear slipped from her eyes, as she saw Zetsu experimenting on the boy. His occasional screams broke her heart, and by the time Zetsu would be done with him, he won't be the same as before.

He really did have a lot of faith in his comrades and his little brother, Kushina just hoped that it won't be too late to save him when she finds out Madara's true plan.

"You really did a number on him, Kushina. We will have to build his body again with your cells and even some other cells that we have," said Zetsu calmly,

"Is he hurt that bad?" asked Kushina seriously, but in truth she was scared.

"Of course, you destroyed most of his vital organs and many of his bones. He lost majority of his blood, if he was not a member of the Uchiha and Senju clan...he would be a rotting corpse by now. It will be a few months until he can get back on his feet, Madara-sama has asked you to make him more stronger, if need be we may even put half of the Kyuubi in him" said Zetsu seriously,

''Are you out of your fucking mind? He can't be turned into a Jinchuuriki, his body is not capable of handling such a burden," said Kushina furiously,

"True, but when we implant your cells as well as some other cells in his body, he will be capable enough to handle half of the Kyuubi. We are thinking of adding the Yin half into his body," said Zetsu thoughtfully, however Kushina quickly placed her sword on his neck.

"I won't give you the Kyuubi, nor will I assist in making this boy a Jinchuuriki.." said Kushina murderously, as Black Zetsu chuckled a little.

"You will do it if you want to live to see the world Madara-sama will create.." said White Zetsu suggestively,

"Kushina, you have earned Madara-sama's trust. You are our trusted comrade now, by capturing the son of your best friends you have proven your loyalty to the Akatsuki and to Madara-sama." said Black Zetsu flatly,

"What do you mean?" asked Kushina hesitantly, she had a real bad feeling about this.

"Madara-sama tested your resolve by making you fight with Naruto, he wanted to see if you had any feelings left for your past comrades and family. And he was really pleased, when you fulfilled his expectations. He has decided to let you live in the world we are about to create," said Zetsu flatly,

"I don't understand...he told me that I would be able to live in that world even if you take the Kyuubi out of me," said Kushina doubtfully, as Zestu chuckled a little.

"That was a lie of course. No Jinchuuriki can stay alive if their Biju is extracted from their body, not even an Uzumaki like you. But since you have proven your loyality to us, we will place half of the Kyuubi in Naruto. We'll make him the biggest terrorist of this world, a demon whom everyone would hate, and when we are done with him...we will extract the Kyuubi from him and complete our plan," said Zetsu victoriously, he had to commend his leader for such a devious plan.

Madara knew the Fourth Hokage was powerful enough to kill him and stop the Akatsuki, but no father could kill his own son. Despite not being too close, Naruto was still Minato's son and Madara knew Minato loved his son.

A father could never bring himself to kill his own son, and Madara intended to use those feelings against Minato.

Kushina felt as if the ground beneath her feet had shattered into a million pieces, this was the reason Naruto had asked her to fake his death.

"He knew this would happen..." thought Kushina devastatingly,

So, this was the choice he made. He chose darkness as his path, a life of hatred, loneliness and dishonor. He knew there would be no happy ending for him, and yet he discarded all his dreams and hopes to protect his family.

To protect his brother.

A brother who stayed in darkness, while the other stayed in the light. Just like Yin-Yang, he chose the hard path.

"How...are...you going to create the perfect world?" asked Kushina silently, she just couldn't take it anymore.

"You will find out in due time, for now we will provide you various battle plans of the 'heavenly alliance'. They are planning a secret operation to directly attack Konoha and wipe it out from the face of this earth. Go to Pein-sama, this mission can only be entrusted to you as Madara-sama trusts you" said Zetsu seriously,

Kushina gave a weak nod, as her eyes shifted to the semi-conscious Naruto who offered her a faint smile, and silently muttered 4 words that brought tears in her eyes.

"Let's seal away his humanity and wipe out his memories..." said Black Zetsu eagerly, as Kushina clenched her fists tightly and quickly ran out of the room with tears flowing from her eyes.

"This is my path..."

His words still rang in her head, there was no regret or sadness in his eyes. He was content with his decision, and he wanted her to help Konoha and Minato by helping them winning the war and exposing Madara, as the real villain.

Naruto hazily watched as Kushina disappeared into the dark corners of the base, his plan had worked and now they had a person inside the Akatsuki. He believed in Kushina and his comrades to make the right choices and live their lives to the fullest.

His eyes barely saw the person named 'Zetsu' edging closer to him, as a small sad smile came on his face.

"Well...it looks like this is as far as I can go, Armin, Kotetsu..."

"You are a great friend, Naruto. I'm glad I met you,"

"Hi, I'm Kotetsu Hagane, let's kick some ass"

"I entrust these brats to you. Protect and lead them well, Nidaime Taichou..."

"I won't leave you behind...and I keep my promises"

"No father could ever ask for a better son"

"Fight with courage and honor, and bring glory to this forehead protector and your country"

"Naruto, if you step out of that gate...then don't you ever come back"

A small tear escaped from his eyes, what a worthless son he turned out to be. But...

"I wish I could have seen her one last time..."

"I love you too, Nii-chan"

He smiled peacefully as he remembered that little brat who used to annoy him. He truly believed in his family and friends, and their power to change the world.

SLASH

One of Zetsu's devices pierced his brain as a strange light glowed inside the tube.

"Itachi, Mikasa, Rangiku, everyone...I'm leaving the rest to you."

Everything ends now!

Author's Notes: End of chapter.

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