Kaibunkage

Arc II

Chapter VIII

"I'll follow you anywhere… Just to see that face one more time."

- Karin

The Kemuri Council sat in their seats as the Naruto took in suggestions of what to do about the upcoming war.

"It is clear that Akatsuki wants the nine biju," stated Kurama Yakumo. "We don't know how many of the jinchuriki that they have already captured, but our two are safe."

"For the moment." Kamizuru Suzumebachi replied. "They know where our village is."

Miyukazi Saito then spoke up.

"Kaibunkage-sama, exactly what role would we play? And by we, I mean the village as a whole?" Naruto frowned at his question. "Would we be the sacrificial front lines? Or would we do absolutely nothing due to our relatively unknown powers?"

"The Godaime Hokage has died. We don't have to worry about being pawns in a war." Jin said.

"Kaibunkage-sama, what will you do in the war?" Now Naruto looked at Sasame as she continued. "We are technically forced to protect you, given your status as a jinchuriki. Yet, your duties as our leader defines that you go out and fight alongside with us."

Naruto understood that Sasame was keeping this as formal as she could, seeing as they were both good friends. He figured he had to keep it as formal as well before answering her.

"Hmm… That is a good question." Naruto said, causing Mei to release a small sigh. "I guess I'll have a weapon specialist watch over me from a distance while I fight."

"The Rokudaime Hokage, the legendary Tsunade, wants to extend an olive branch to our village." Hirameki Raijin, Sayuri's uncle, said.

"They are persistent…" Suzumebachi added.

Naruto sighed. "I'm going to meet her." The others around the table stared at their kage, each with their own different question. "For the sake of the war, as well as our safety, I'm heavily considering their help right now. I-"

"Why?" hissed Kurosuki Shin. "Konoha has done nothing to aid us in our years, only wanting our help for their personal gains. They will most likely leave us to rot after the war is done and they have used all of our resources."

"If we allow them." Raijin said.

"Lord Kaibunkage, what were you going to say?" Mei asked Naruto.

"I'm going to need to get into the village to learn more about what Itachi was talking about. Using my political status as well as my personal bond with Tsunade and Jiraiya, I should be able to access their lesser private archives." Naruto said.

Shin frowned. "And if that doesn't work?"

Naruto smirked. "I stole the Forbidden Scroll before I became genin and had no clue on what the Hirashineven was. What do you think I can do now that I've learned the move?" Shin said nothing else, finding no room to argue there. "Besides, I'm going to need Konoha for a very special reason."

"What is it Kaibunkage-sama?" Sasame questioned.

"Tatsuhiro Kuroma of the Tatsuhiro Clan and has gone through priest trainings to protect the sacred Dragon Blade. He is also looking for a bride." explained the Kaibunkage. "My agreement with Demon Country was to, not find a priestess, but find a suitable person to birth a strong one. Kuroma has agreed to do this, so long as he has he and his clan has Kemuri's protection, which I see nothing wrong there. His sister, Akari, will be aiding Shiori's priestess training. It's a win-win resolution."

Mei's brows rose. "So instead of marrying him to one of your suitable bachelorettes, you chose to marry him to a Leaf kunoichi or civilian…"

"If they agree to it wholeheartedly, then I know who my allies are." Naruto said.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Mei said. "This could make Tsunade and the Leaf Village feel as if we're asking them for something much more than we're willing to give."

"I know." Naruto said. "But I'm sure Tsunade will think of something. She and that Pervy Sage didn't get to see the age they do now by not thinking." Mei gave Naruto a small frown. "Don't worry about it Mei, I have a good feeling that the Hidden Leaf will come through on this."

"Let us hope." responded the former Kiri kunoichi.

Sakura watched as Yukimaru smiled at Guren, the Crystal-user being released from the hospital for the first time in three days. Sakura had taken Guren to Rin first, knowing that only Rin would be able to diagnose Guren with speed and proficiency. The former Oto Nin was then taking to a hospital in Yozora Town where she was currently at.

"Shouldn't you be at home resting?" the pinkette's green eyes locked onto Rin moving towards her, the older woman giving her a pleasant smile.

"I just came to see how she was doing." Sakura said.

"She's doing fine." Rin answered. "We have a disturbing piece of information though." Sakura frowned. "Hidan's head and body were gone when Kemuri shinobi came to retrieve them. There is a search throughout the country's boundaries, but nothing yet."

"His partner." stated Sakura. "They're probably gone now."

"Do you think we can find them?" Rin asked.

"Maybe… But I'm not allowed to leave the village." Sakura responded. "Shiori is my prime concern and I can't leave to chase after them."

Rin smiled. "Or is it that Naruto-kun is normally in the village."

"N-no!" Sakura replied, thought Rin's smile did not falter. "I'm going to return to Kemuri. I'll tell Naruto of Guren's recovery."

"Sure Sakura. Tell Naruto and Shiori that I said hi." Rin said as Sakura began moving to the exit.

"Whatever." the former Missing-nin stated, causing Rin to giggle quietly.

It was becoming too easy to pick on Sakura.

"I don't think you should do this." said a slightly worried Tsunade. "This kind of intel should be giving to the alliance as a whole, not just one man."

Jiraiya nodded. "I agree. But if this is where Akatsuki is located, then I have to see for myself. Besdies, you know that I won't get caught. And even if I do, I'm the Toad Sage! I can do it."

"Jiraiya, this isn't time for your pride. We aren't in our prime anymore! If you were put up against someone like Itachi or the masked man Tobi, then what?" Tsuande questioned.

"Hime, I can handle myself." Jiraiya said, his tone a lot more serious than earlier.

Tsunade sighed. "Even if I tell you not to, you're going to do it. So I just have one favor." Jiraiya nodded. "Be there at my meeting with Naruto."

"Ah, so the gaki finally caved in, did he? How'd you do it?" Tsunade grinned at the question.

"Well, I told him that instead of a genjutsu, he could show Shiori Konohagakure in all its glory." Jiraiya frowned. "While she may have not read the letter herself, in his response he told me how excited she was the hear that. From what he wrote back, she basically gave him her signature pouting which guilted him somehow into taking her here."

"Tsunade, you know as much as I do that Konoha will not be a safe place to store Shiori during war." Jiraiya spoke. "If that was your original plan, change it. Naruto will never agree to that, not with all the invasions it has seen in recent years plus his estrange relationship with the village."

"It was merely a thought." Jiraiya snorted at her comment. "What?"

"Nothing. Just thinking how long Naruto could stay angry at you when he finds out your original plan." said Jiraiya.

"Then maybe he will agree to send someone with you to Ame." Now Jiraiya's brows rose at the tought. Tsunade smirked, knowing her former teammate had not thought of that idea. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea, does it?"

"Only if you can get him to say yes. If not, then you're just wasting our time." Jiraiya said.

Tsunade frowned. "Is everything alright? You sound as if Naruto has some deep loathe for us."

"It's not that." said the Toad Sage. "Naruto left here for the Hidden Smoke Village. Among the village, they have Terumi Mei, a kunoichi with Lava and Boil release," Tsunade nodded. "The Tsuchigumo Clan, and we both know from sensei just how powerful they are." Again, Tsunade nodded. Hiruzen had been clear about the Tsuchigumo's kinjutsu. "Naruto's team is also powerful. Their strength seems to be assassination. The red lightning keeps the opponent paralyze for the other two to come in and deliver a swift killing blow. They also seem skilled in sneaking in and out of villages, as none of us spotted them until after Konohamaru's team failed to stop them. As well as tracking. Sayuri is a sensor, Ranmaru has his dojutsu, and Marashu can sniff out anyone. They're practically unstoppable together."

Tsunade took a moment to think about what Jiraiya was telling her. Was Naruto's village that powerful?

"Finally," Jiraiya continued. "There are the two Uzumakis themselves. Naruto, someone who has perfected his sage trainings as well as the jinchuriki of the Nine-tailed Fox leveled out much of the enemies single-handedly. And then there is his daughter, someone who, when older, can take away half of his power with just a thought."

"He has a lot of powerful shinobi…" Tsunade said.

"My fear isn't Naruto turning his back against us. We both know he wouldn't lift a finger to harm us without an extreme cause." Jiraiya replied. "But if one of the councilman were to let their hatred for him show during the meeting, then what will the other members of Kemuri do to us in our weakened state?"

Tsunade gave the idea a thorough consideration before smiling.

"I'm sure we'll be fine." Tsunade said.

"You're probably right." Jiraiya replied before Shizune came into the room. "Ah, hello Shizune! Might I say that you look-"

"What is it?" Tsunade cut her former teammate off, giving him a glare that dared him to finish the statement.

"The council is ready for you." Shizune told her mentor.

Tsunade rose from behind her desk.

"I'm on my way." Jiraiya lifted a brow when Tsunade turned to him. "Keep an ear out for anything on Akatsuki and Kemuri."

Jiraiya gave the buxom Hokage a mock salute as she left the room. He then turned to the Hokage Monument and stared for a moment.

"You're probably laughing your ass off at the village for how they treated the gaki…" Jiraiya said before smiling. "It's a good thing that he became more like you than Kushina." At that instant, Tsunade's stapler fell from her desk, startling Jiraiya. "Alright! Alright, I take it back! Sheesh, even in the afterlife you're violent."

Naruto inhaled deeply before exhaling slowly. He was currently meditating at his training grounds with Ranmaru.

"Sakura-san is near." Ranmaru said.

"She's behind you." Ranmaru opened his eyes to see that his former sensei was right. The pink-haired woman stood behind him, towering him from his seated position. "What did Rin-chan say?"

"She's being released today." Sakura answered, moving beside Ranmaru and sitting down as well.

Ranmaru heard Naruto give an unapproving grunt before rising. Naruto gave him a look with one eye still closed.

"I'm going to find Shiori-chan for lunch or Sayuri might have her pranking her class, again." Ranmaru said before leaving.

Naruto resumed his meditating, completely ignoring Sakura's presence as he did so.

"Hidan's body wasn't recovered." Sakura announced.

"We'll find him." replied the Kaibunkage. "I need you to do a special mission for me." Sakura opened her eyes and waited for instructions. "I have to go to Konoha for a meeting and I'm taking Shiori. While I'm in the meeting, I want you to show her around with Ranmaru."

"Hai." Sakura said. She looked to see the blond sporting a smile. "What's so funny?"

"Just thinking," Naruto said. "How does it feel to take orders from a baka?"

Sakura's brow twitched. "Are you seriously asking that?"

"Just curious." Sakura growled.

"I'd rather…" Sakura's words died as Naruto's eyes locked on to hers. He not only out-ranked her, but he out-powered her. Angering him was not in her best interest.

"Sakura," spoke Naruto. "There is something I've been questioning… When the time comes that I have to put a stop to Sasuke once and for all, which side will you choose?"

"Baka… Of course I'll be behind you. I'm sworn by duty, remember?" Naruto did not know whether or not that was her real reason, but accepted it nonetheless.

"If that's true," Naruto said standing up. "Then have you given up on your dream to return us back to Konoha?"

Sakura sat silently, something that did not go unnoticed by the young kage. She then stood slowly, a smile visible on her face.

"I guess so." she said.

Naruto saw Sakura preparing to leave the area and took in a deep breath. It had been years since he has seen his friend inside of the pink-haired woman.

"Sakura, wait," the Salamander-summoner looked at her leader. "Before you go, there is something I want to tell you." Sakura gave Naruto a skeptical look. "My confrontation with Danzo on the day I left."

Sakura released a quiet gasp. While she was successful in occupying her time with tasks at the academy and hospital, the question of what had happened remained in her mind endlessly. And for someone who had to know things like Sakura that was an annoying presence.

"After we failed to retrieve Sasuke," Naruto began. "Jiraiya planned on taking me out of the village for a training trip, though he needed authorization from Danzo first. He never got it. Instead, he, Kakashi-sensei, and Asuma-sensei trained me within the village whenever I didn't have missions. They got another jonin, Yamato-san, to help with the training."

Sakura remembered Naruto training with the first three men, but she had no clue that Yamato had helped as well.

"Sasuke's escape… Danzo had sent men out to allow Sasuke to escape." Naruto continued. "My sole purpose in getting stronger was to bring Sasuke back whether Danzo approved or not." Sakura's eyes widened. Danzo helped Sasuke escape? "I was forbidden to tell you this for reasons I didn't know until later… The Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan." Sakura frowned. "It is the final evolution of the Sharingan. Once Sasuke gained the Mangekyo Sharingan, Danzo wanted to blend Sasuke's eye with Shisui's, thus being that much stronger. Though now that I know about how the Mangekyo works, I doubt it would have worked as well as he pictured it."

"So Danzo helped Sasuke escape to Orochimaru? That makes sense." Naruto now frowned at Sakura's statement. "During the invasion, Danzo had said something about giving Orochimaru 'the Uchiha' and how ungrateful Orochimaru was."

"Huh… Anyway, I began to develop the Rasenshuriken in Konoha, but Kakashi warned me about using it while in village limits. So we constantly snuck out for me to perfect it, Asuma helping my wind-control to better perfect the technique." Naruto turned towards the sky. "But one of Danzo's men caught us one day and that's how I got involved with Root."

"You… You were apart of Root?" Sakura could not believe her ears, Naruto just standing still. "You baka! What the hell were you doing with them?"

"I didn't join them officially, though I did start training with some of the members. It was the only way I could train with my sensei." Sakura sighed, calming down a bit. Though she was still peeved that he would do such a foolish thing. "After a mission gone wrong, I used the imperfect Rasenshuriken which is why Danzo banned me from learning another jutsu above C-rank. He said that I was careless, even if I did it to protect Yugao at the time."

Sakura frowned in question. "But… Shion stated that you created the Rasenshurikenafter you met her, so how is that possible?"

"Well… The technique I used in Konoha was just a better version of that Rasengan. It had an outer shell that spun one way and a core that spun the other. But I couldn't throw it and maintain its shape at the same time. Thus, I call the imperfect version the Rasengan Bullet and the perfect version Rasenshuriken." Naruto informed.

"Oh…" Sakura said, thinking about the power of the two techniques.

"So where was I…? Oh yeah, after saving Yugao-chan," Naruto continued. "Danzo had men follow me around. And while some of the stores hated me for being a jinchuriki and failing to bring Sasuke-teme back, the ANBU behind me did nothing to allow me to shop there." Naruto smirked. "If it wasn't for Baa-chan, grocery shopping would have been a problem." Naruto's smile disappeared. "And then there was the news about Sasuke becoming a kill-on-sight order. Danzo had offered me an offer that the childish me probably wouldn't have refused… The chance of becoming Hokage."

Now Sakura was completely baffled. Uzumaki Naruto had a chance of becoming Hokage and refused? Jus thow much did she not know about the guy?

"The deal was quite simple. I would go and kill Sasuke, bringing his body back in one piece. Afterwards I would officially become a jonin, only if I joined Root. And then finally, after he got tired of the job and my allegiance was to him and only him, Danzo would retire and I would take his spot." Naruto then grinned. "I turned him down."

"What?" Sakura said astonished.

"I said no. I wouldn't forget the teachings of Old Man Sarutobi or Jiraiya for the sake of killing my former friend and being Hokage. And that's when he gave me the alternative… I kill Sasuke or watch you die." Sakura prepared herself, knowing she had heard this before without much detail. "Again, I refused, not wanting to put your life in danger… But then he told me of a mission he was going to send you on and a spy of Jiraiya's told him about the details of this 'mission.' I was put in a deadlock. Be responsible for your death or Sasuke's."

"So you left." Sakura said.

Naruto shook his head. "Not immediately. I thought Kakashi could give me some advice on what to do. His response was the first lesson he taught us. Those who disobey the rules are trash, but those who betray their allies are worse than trash." Naruto then looked at Sakura. "That is when I barged into Danzo's office. I was pissed that I had to choose but he didn't care. He revealed Shisui's eye and told me I had no choice. He nearly had me, but the fox's mind wasn't easily control. And that's when he began to take control of my body."

"He as in Danzo or Kyubi?" Naruto sighed.

"Kyubi. He lashed out at Danzo and those in the room, actually killing one of the men in the room. And then… It was like Danzo was in my head, talking to the fox." Naruto said. "He pushed it back into the cage, the chakra leaving me for a moment. I froze. Danzo had the Kyubi at bay and could brainwash me with just one eye. That night is when I decided to leave."

"And that's when I met you." Sakura replied.

"Not exactly…" Naruto said rubbing the back of his head in a way that reminded Naruto of his childish ways. "See, I ran into a little problem before leaving. Those losers sent by Danzo had a lock on me. So I had to give them the slip and beat a few of them. And then I met up with you."

Sakura's pride was now hurt. Not only did he knock her out like Sasuke had done, but he did it after defeat chunin and higher leveled shinobi.

"If I had enough time to explain this and more to you, I would have, but I didn't." Sakura nodded, now understanding what he was really sorry about.

"Is that everything?" asked Sakura.

"The important parts." Naruto answered. "We'll see if I ever tell you the whole thing or not. I can't have you knowing everything without fully trusting you again."

Sakura could only nod. He had told her the important parts of that night, why he left. Naruto had known Danzo to be a crooked leader long before anyone else and was followed by Danzo because of that. He was punished for knowing that Danzo was aligned with Orochimaru. And in the end, Naruto leaving the village kept herself and Sasuke alive.

"Naruto," the Shodai Kaibunkage looked at the medic. "Thank you."

Naruto grinned. "No problem Sakura-chan."

The honorific was more than picked up on by Sakura. She watched the blond turn and began walking towards the village, taking in the scenery as if he had not been there before. Sakura smiled a bit. Things were starting to look better between the two.

"You should hurry," Naruto's voice was hardly heard due to his distance. "I'm sure Shiori is waiting for you. And afterwards, how about a spar?"

"Hai." And with that, Sakura took off to meet her favorite blonde priestess.

Sasuke saw Itachi walk closer to him, on his brother's back was the legendary sword, Samehada. Sasuke frowned at that. While Itachi was pretty well-rounded in all subjects, he doubted that his older brother could wield such a blade with proficiency. From what Suigetsu had said about the blade, it chose its wielder. That meant that either Itachi had been chosen by Samehada to be its wielder, or Kisame was near and the blade was just being carried by the older Uchiha.

"His chakra…" Karin stated. "It's different…"

"How so?" questioned Suigetsu.

"It doesn't matter." Sasuke said. "Secure the perimeter. I don't want any interruptions."

"Hai." Jugo and Karin replied, Sasuke now walking towards his brother.

Itachi stared at Sasuke, his blurred image making him see the younger version of Sasuke for a moment. The smile Sasuke once beared blocked his vision before he blinked. Opening his eyes, he saw his younger brother, now a man with so much malice.

"So, you finally came. About time." Itachi did not respond to Sasuke's statement. "Years I've been training for this moment… But before that, I want to know why. Why did you do it?"

"…" the older Uchiha stood silently before speaking. "I did it for two reasons. One, to save the Hokage. Two… To see the light again."

Sasuke frowned. "The light…?"

"The more one uses our cursed eyes, the more darkness they see. I-"

"I don't have time for your riddles!" Sasuke shouted.

Itachi lifted a brow. "It's no riddle. But seeing that you're hasty," Itachi wielded the large blade from his back with ease. "Let's finish what I started years ago."

Sasuke activated his Sharingan. "You're mine!"

Sasuke charged for Itachi with a Chidori ready. The older Uchiha just activated his dojutsu, using his three-tomoe version instead of Mangekyo. With one skilled swing, Itachi had forced Sasuke to momentarily retreat, knowing about Samehada's special abilities. Instead of pursuing him, Itachi stood at his same spot, pointing the shark-skin blade at Sasuke.

"You're slower than your former teammate. Naruto, is it?" Sasuke gritted his teeth, hating to be reminded of Naruto's improvement.

"How do you even know?" Sasuke growled.

"I fought him. Three days ago." Now Sasuke was angry. Naruto had not only progressed in skill, but the blond obtained his goal first and fought Itachi first. "His skills had grown since we last met."

"Leave the dobe out of this!" Sasuke shouted as he did hand seals. Completing them, he executed the Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu with perfect. Shockingly, Itachi mimicked his maneuvers with just one hand, equally Sasuke's power effortlessly.

When the flames died, Sasuke held his lightning-covered arm towards Itachi, using a Chidori Spear to pierce his brother's heart. Instead, Itachi navigated around the lightning and began heading for Sasuke. Sasuke quickly retrieved Kusanagi from its sheath and blocked Itachi's blow with Samehada. However, Samehada was much larger than Kusanagi and Itachi was able to push Sasuke away with ease. As Sasuke went to swipe the seal on the underside of his wrist, Itachi produced kunai from his sleeve. The two brothers threw a barrage of kunai at one another. Both of their attacks landed.

"Good aim." Itachi said.

"Ditto." Sasuke replied.

The two brothers dispersed into a flock of crows and a ball of snakes. The blades fell to the ground harmlessly.

Sasuke appeared a distance away from where he his clone was hit, his Sharingan scanning the area for his brother. Sasuke then picked up on the opponent above him, moving out of the way in time to avoid Samehada's wrath.

"He's pretty quick with that…" Sasuke mused quietly before coming with the lighter and faster Kusanagi. "But you're not better than me!"

Itachi brought his teammate's blade up in time to deflect Sasuke's strike. Their blades now made an X in-betweeen them, Sasuke glaring into his brother's stoic eyes.

"I'm going to make you pay for what you did!" Sasuke grunted.

"Even in my weaken state, you're unable to lay a scratch on me." Sasuke sneered at the statement. "You've really fallen, Sasuke."

The two pushed away from one another, Sasuke gritting his teeth.

"Your eyes… They aren't fading." Sasuke frowned at Itachi's words before he saw his brother smirk maniacally. "Perfect!"

"What the…?" Sasuke shouted as Itachi came for him.

Sasuke was now forced onto the defensive, blocking every shot that was needed while dodging the others. Every once and a while, he would catch a glimpse of his brother's face noting the psychotic look it held. Using a Leaf Shunshin, Sasuke put space in-between the two.

"What's wrong with you? You've become insane." Sasuke stated.

Itachi smirked. "My battle with Naruto has made me like this… To think that I, a true master of the Sharingan, was backed into a corner by the dead-last of your class."

Sasuke's eyes went red with fury. Naruto had backed Itachi into a corner? Had he really become that strong?

"I'll do more than that!" Sasuke shouted running for Itachi.

Itachi swung Samehada, Sasuke dodging the blade in time. Though Sasuke soon slowed to a halt when he passed his brother, gripping his arm while Itachi chuckled.

"You're starting to understand now…" Itachi said. "I'm not swinging to maim you. I'm aiming for your chakra shroud." Sasuke growled in frustration as he turned for Itachi. "Invisible to the naked eye, but clearly visible to us. And with Samehada's special ability, your chakra becomes my chakra. Just as your eyes will soon become mine…"

Sasuke channeled some of his lightning-chakra into his blade, causing it to glow from the electricity.

"Sorry. I have other plans." Sasuke said before charging for Itachi.

Sakura panted as Naruto ended his new technique. He was starting to develop it, making more and more techniques off of it. Sakura doubted that anyone outside of the Shodaime Hokage could even put up a fighting chance with Naruto now. Maybe, she figured, if the Kyubi were to break free somehow and it and Naruto went toe-to-toe would there be someone else to survive the attack.

Well, next to Shiori and her shield.

"We should take a break." Naruto said, a small line of sweat on his forehead. The jutsu was powerful, but it took a chunk of his chakra and when used wrong, harmed his body as well. "Question, have you ever attempted to raise Bushy Brows with your Yang Seal Release? It might be a race worth seeing…" Naruto paused and then grinned. "Well, if people could actually see it that is."

"No…" Sakura was clearly tired, this being the third time Naruto has used his new technique, the first time she had went against it alone.

"Here you are." Rin said coming to the clearing. "I came to check in on the hospital and to deliver some of the refills that were ordered." Naruto gave a nod as Rin looked at Sakura. "Is everything alright with Sakura?"

"Exhaustion. Do you have any soldier pills on you?" With a nod, Rin moved to do the proverbial task and began healing Sakura while handing her a pill. "Rin-chan, I will be leaving for Konoha soon." Sakura saw the older medic glance at the kage. "We could be in the works of an alliance."

Rin sighed. "When I washed up on the shore of the Land of Ash, I knew that there would be a time where I had to go back to Konoha. I'll be ready."

"How?" was all Sakura could say at the moment, though Rin understood exactly what she meant.

"A few renegades from Iwa recognized me during my last mission with Konoha. They took me to a place that we now refer to as Chuukan Point. I escaped and ended up here in the Land of Ash." Rin explained. "I wanted to return home, but like Naruto other things occupied my time. Like aiding the people of Ash Country. And soon days became weeks, months, and years and then one day, Uzumaki Naruto was named Shodai Kaibunkage."

Sakura inhaled deeply, her body feeling a lot better than a few minutes ago. She now knew that Naruto had plans on returning to Konoha if what Rin said was true. But like Rin, Naruto had gotten caught up with helping others and then became Kaibunkage.

"You should really take it easy Sakura." Rin said.

Naruto snorted. "You'd have a better chance telling me that and I actually do it." Sakura glared at the blond as Rin rose. "Rin-chan… The chance of you meeting Kakashi-sensei again…"

Sakura could literally feel how uneasy Rin was feeling at that moment. She really had no idea on what Rin and Kakashi's status was other than teammates. Kakashi had emphasized the fact that he was much like Sasuke as a child and Sasuke did not have many friends let alone a girlfriend. So one could only assume that Kakashi, being the same, also had limited friends and a worse love life.

"In the words of a kage that I know," replied Rin with a small grin. "I can handle it. Believe it."

Naruto gave a nod, dismissing her with the gesture. He then eyed Sakura with a strange look that made the pink-haired woman to feel uncomfortable. It was worse than the time that she felt Orochimaru's killer intent or being deeply gazed at by a Byakugan-using Neji. Somehow, Naruto's eyes were completely seeing through her at the moment without any dojutsu.

And then he turned on his heels, his hands behind his back.

"Let's go Haruno-san." Sakura blinked at the change of formality.

Scrambling to her feet, she followed the man.

"Hai, Lord Kaibunkage."

A smirk came on Sasuke's face as he stared at Itachi in the second stage of his Curse Seal. Whatever was wrong with Itachi was clearly playing in Sasuke's favor. Itachi would be prepared to attack before coughing slightly. Not saying that this made Itachi a sitting duck, but it did give Sasuke a slight edge at moments. In fact, if Itachi's cough had not happen at one point in time, Sasuke might have been hit with Amaterasu a few moves back.

"Now do you see that I'm stronger than Naruto? That the match you had with him was nothing compared to what I can do." Sasuke stated.

Itachi stared at Sasuke, his right eye closed. With the effects of Naruto's battle never healing, he knew that this battle was near its end. Still, he would not go down before he had said everything that was needed to be said.

"If you go ever go after Naruto and he takes you seriously, he will kill you." The statement caused Sasuke to grunt in annoyance. "You fought me when I had a disadvantage and I still forced you into using your Curse Seal. You are nothing compared to Naruto."

The sound of lightning crackling was heard coming from Sasuke's body, before his body began to glow with electricity. His eyes narrowed in hatred before he thrust an arm upward, a bolt of lightning shooting into the sky.

"You will pay dearly for that, Itachi…" Itachi saw Sasuke lick his lips after the statement was said in an Orochimaru-like fashion.

The sound of thunder brought Itachi's gaze upwards, seeing a storm brewing above him.

"Naruto was always a fool. Haku… Zabuza… Gaara… He was foolish to let those stronger than him live when he had the chance to kill them." Sasuke said. "But I'm not Naruto."

Sasuke pointed the raised arm towards Itachi, the beast shaped lightning darting for the target at blinding speeds (Kirin). The attack hit its target, the ground quaking from the raw power of the attack. Sasuke dropped his hand, his body reverting to its normal self. He gazed into the smoke cloud in front of him with his Sharingan, wondering if Itachi had a trick to dodge the attack.

And he did.

The smoke cleared, a decaying Susanoo surrounding his brother. Sasuke had never heard or seen of such a technique, but he figured that he would learn it as soon as Itachi's eyes were blended with his own.

Sasuke glared. "Ugh… Why don't you just die?"

Itachi smiled. "You can never truly kill me, little brother… I'm more than a person. I'm an idea."

Sasuke was going to question Itachi's words before he saw the large guardian prepare for an attack. Sasuke flipped backwards while biting his thumb. As Itachi launched his attack, Yasaka Magatama, Sasuke slammed his hands onto the ground.

"Triple Rashomon!" the younger Uchiha shouted, the gates shooting up from the ground instantly.

Itachi's attack met Sasuke's defenses, the loud thundering sound booming throughout the area.

"Sasuke-kun…" Karin said watching from the distance she and the rest of Team Hebi stood.

Suigetsu whistled. "If that hits, our glorious leader died just like the last one. By an Uchiha."

"He isn't dead." Jugo stated.

"Are you crazy? That attack sliced through those walls like-"

"His seal… I can still feel it. He's alive." Jugo said.

"Yeah… Yeah! I can feel his chakra!" Karin cheered. "Go Sasuke!"

Suigetsu turned towards the battle in front of him. Not only was using the Triple Rashomon something only Orochimaru has known to use, but Sasuke's evasiveness had clearly risen since the Snake Sannin had died.

"Something's wrong." Suigetsu muttered to himself.

Itachi felt the rest of his chakra drop, his guardian dispersing almost immediately. He closed his eyes, thinking of his talk with Naruto. Coughing up blood, he opened his eyes. Despite his vision nearly depleted, he could still see his hands in front of him, though only a small bit.

Standing up, Itachi closed his eyes again, now using his ears to track his brother. He then heard footsteps coming for him in a slow walk and turned to face the attacker.

"You're nearly out of chakra. This is it." Sasuke said before Samehada moved. Sasuke was seconds from reating until several of vines grabbed the sword. "What the…?"

Sasuke's bewilderment only grew when he saw Kisame defuse with the blade. The shark-man was ready to attack Sasuke until Tobi arrived at the scene, stopping Kisame.

"What's going on?" Kisame growled.

"There isn't any room in Akatsuki for traitors…" Kisame eyes landed on Itachi, his blind teammate opening his eyes for the first time since his attack. "You gave the Uzumaki the Rinnegan, didn't you, Itachi?"

"No…" Itachi answered.

"Traitor? Rinnegan? What the hell is he talking about?" Kisame asked.

Itachi smiled, his blinding eyes looking at the sun for one final time.

"In my last moments, I want you to know something, Sasuke," spoke the older Uchiha as he blindly moved for Sasuke. He then reached out, feeling for Sasuke's head where he rested his hand. "Despite what you may think… Dad always talked about you in the Uchiha meetings." Sasuke's eyes widened as Itachi's grin became akin to the ones he gave years ago. "And I'll always be proud of being your brother."

Sasuke stood frozen as Itachi's bloody fingers moved. Out of fear and fear alone did Sasuke jab a Chidoriinto Itachi's chest. Itachi let out a gasp before his fingers tapped Sasuke on the forehead, his grin still on his face.

"Looks like… It ends with this…" Itachi coughed out. "Sorry Sasuke… There won't be another time."

Sasuke felt his brother's body collapse onto his. While he was tired from the battle, the thoughts of a life-long dream coming to an end kept him standing. He had single-handedly killed his brother, the prodigy, Uchiha Itachi. He had finally avenged his parents' death.

"Come," Tobi said to Sasuke. "We need to talk."

Sasuke slowly moved behind Tobi, Kisame carrying Itachi's body. Somehow he did not expect to feel grief in Itachi's death, but he did. His inner child could be heard screaming at him and soon, even his conscious thoughts came to the same conclusion.

He, too, was proud of being Itachi's brother.

The area was completely devoid of any life, dismembered bodies scattered around. A badly injured man struggled to cover his infant son who was crying loudly due to the carnage.

"I'll give you one chance," the man's fearful eyes moved upwards to see the annoyed face of one Hirameki Gyaku. "Where did they hide the Rokubi?" The man's lips stayed sealed, knowing better not to double-cross the Mizukage. "Silence from you too? Fine then. I'll just send the last of this pathetic village to hell!"

"Wait!" the man said in fear of his last child's life. "I'll… I'll tell you… Just spare my son."

Gyaku gave a solemn nod with a grim smirk.

One jinchuriki would soon fall at his hands.