Chapter 8: The Hunt for Naruto Uzumaki
-on a mountain region-
It was a cold night as it poured down raining on earth. For some reason the heavens was crying knowing something good wasn't going to happen.
"Sheesh, what a handful." Said a voice behind a man in a black cloak that had red clouds on it.
Standing on the cliff was a black hair young man that had black onyx eyes. This man was known as itachi Uchiha the older brother of Sasuke Uchiha.
"Yeah but having to bring him back without killing him, was quite a bother." Said itachi.
Itachi then looked up and noticed it was raining a little harder than usual. "It's raining let's go or we'll catch a cold. Leader is waiting for word that we've captured him. Immediately thereafter, the sealing of the Three-Tails and Four-Tails is to occur simultaneously." Said itachi.
"So we make him wait a lttle. Once the sealing begins we'll be working for quite some time." Said kisame.
"You must handle the elderly with care." Said itachi.
"You say that because you don't know him." Replied kisame.
"So you wouldn't understand what I went through." Said itachi.
"But, I was the one who asked to go alone. Say, you want me to beat your assignment half-dead too?" Asked kisame.
"Don't get so excited, Kisame. Don't underestimate the Nine Tails Jinchuuriki." Said itachi.
"Well, I'm a bit tired, you see. I wish we could catch all the tailed beast already." Wined Kisame. "Don't be so impatient, it's going to take some time." Said Itachi.
"I wonder about that. There's just a few more, right? And it's been decided that the Nine-Tails will be sealed last. Otherwise, the balance will be disrupted and the sealing statue will be pulverized. That's what leader said. After all, the jinchuriki need to be captured alive. So I say just catch them quickly and leave them tied up." Said kisame.
Itachi just sat near a tree as he rested his back against the tree. "Humph, fine with me, but remember we failed last time. If he's going to be sealed last, it's no big deal if we capture him last. And besides, Akatsuki is becoming too conspicuous lately." Said itachi.
"That's because he had the legendary sanin and the leaf village protecting, now he's alone he will be easier to capture." Said kisame.
"There's the summon, we've been caught dawdling." Said itachi.
-konoha-
"We target the members of Akatsuki, but the only information we have on Akatsuki is Itachi Uchiha, Kisame hoshigaki, and deidara." Said Tsunade.
"Ibiki can we get information about itachi out of him?" Asked sakura to Tsunade.
"I've already issued an order to all teams to capture a member of akatsuki if the opportunity presents itself, and to transport him here." Said tsunade.
"That will probably be very difficult. We won't be able to make them talk so easily. Even those we've already encountered were far too dangerous. And we couldn't even think about taking them into custody." Said Kakashi who appeared at the door.
"Then what are we gonna do?!" Asked sasuke.
"Well, until we come across an akatsuki member. We will pursue the akatsuki member in order to meet up with Naruto." Said Kakashi.
-with Naruto-
"I can't go on. Let's take a short break." Cried Suigetsu drinking his water.
"Yeah we definitely have to fix that stamina." Thought Naruto.
"As long as you drag your feet like that, well never get there!" Yelled Karin pointing a finger at Suigetsu.
"Well, pardon me. Unlike you I have a very delicate contribution." Said Suigetsu.
"Huh? Look, just evaporate and have your water leave like a ghost!" Yelled Karin.
"Why don't you get lost instead? I thought you had somewhere else to go." Said Suigetsu.
"Hey!" Said naruto getting everyone attention. The group was on a cliff and looked down to see a urban city type village.
"That's where we headed." Said naruto as he slide down the cliff walls by using chakra to his feet.
"Huh? This place i never saw anything like this." Said Suigetsu as he followed Naruto.
They soon enter the village by crossing a bridge. The village streets was empty and it seemed abandoned. Naruto soon turned into a alleyway before entering a hidden hideout.
"A hideout in a old ruin like this. It's new to me, hey Naruto is this one of orochimaru hideouts?" Asked Suigetsu.
"No, it have nothing to do with orochimaru. The Uchiha clan used this as a weapon store. We will prepare for the battle that will be fought." Said naruto before looking forward.
"The passageways looks so similar, it's easy to get lost in here." Said suigetsu.
"Sorry if it's depressing in here." Said a voice causing the group to turn around.
"It's been a long time denka and Hina." Said naruto.
"It's young naruto, after all." Said a dog who was able to talk.
"What's your business here?" Asked Denka.
"Weapons, medicine and various other things. We're preparing for training and battle." Said Naruto.
"Oh a reccon dog, hey come over here." Said Suigetsu sticking his hand out before it bit him. "Yikes." Said suigetsu.
"They're ninja cats, don't approach them carelessly." Said naruto correcting Suigetsu on his mistake.
"They'll tear you apart." Said Naruto.
"You should warn us about stuff like that from the beginning." Said Suigetsu.
"Did you bring us a gift?" Asked Denka.
Naruto dugged in his shirt pocket before taking out a bottle.
"Here a bottle of catnip." Said naruto holding it out, suddenly it was grabbed by Hina.
"Thank you." Said Hina.
"Follow me. I'll take you to granny cat."
They soon reached a room where sat a women on the floor covered in cats and dressed as one.
"I owe you, Granny Cat." Said naruto.
"It's been so long since we've met, but you're in such a hurry." Said Granny Cat who remember when she met Team 7 on an C-rank mission to help find her cats. Naruto was such a kind hearted boy when he was young but now he was calm, indifferent and a bit cold. You will be surprised this was even naruto.
"Yeah. I have something important to do." Said naruto.
"So you're going after Akatsuki after all? I know you since you were little but little did I imagine it would come to this. You the only one I know who's actually stepping up to akatsuki. Don't go and get yourself killed." Said granny cat.
Naruto digged in his pants pocket before taking out his frog wallet. He took out more than enough cash and sat it on the floor.
"I'm going thanks for everything." Said Naruto.
"Granny, don't we have something bigger for him to wear?" Asked a girl who was trying find something for Jugo.
"In that box over there!" Said Granny pointing to a box.
"But nothing fits." Said the girl.
"Then just wrap that curtain around him. I don't run a clothing store!" Yelled granny.
Jugo soon grabbed the curtain before wrapping it around his body as a cloak.
"Fine." Said Jugo.
-konoha-
"So find a Akatsui member and pursue them until we find naruto. Well then say we find a member. What next?" Asked jiraiya.
"About that. I have an idea can you spare me some time?" Asked Kakashi.
-A few minutes later after discussing the plan-
Sasuke walked down the streets of konoha with his head hung low until he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't look too pleased." Said Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya what are you doing here?" Asked sasuke.
"I hadn't seen you in a while sasuke. So I thought maybe we could share a meal." Said Jiraiya.
"Are you treating?" Asked Sasuke.
-Seafood dish-
The two sat at a table as they ordered they're food at Seafood dish.
"Cripes whats up with Kakashi sensei?" Asked Sasuke eating his fish salad.
"It can't be helped, there are lots of things to prepare for." Said jiraiya eating a fish sandwich.
"Like what?" Asked sasuke taking a sip out his water.
"One small squad isn't enough." Said jiraiya with a grin.
"What do you mean by that?" Asked sasuke.
"We have no choice but to find a way to detain a Akatsuki member. And that will require a coordinated effort with more ninja. Right now Kakashi has his hands full trying to get this organized. We all want Naruto back not just team 7 sasuke. But you see we dealing with Akatsuki here ordinary methods won't work." Said jiraiya.
"Probably not, and we can't just avoid them, can we?" Asked Sasuke.
"But naruto has grown powerful enough to kill orochimaru, probably even stronger than me." Said Jiraiya.
Sasuke eyes widened a bit at the thought of Naruto passing Jiraiya in only a short period of time. It wasn't hard to belive as Naruto kicked him, sakura, sai and Yamato butts back than. But he was stronger now.
"I know that, but I made that promise to Sakura and myself in the hospital that one day that we will bring Naruto back together without fail. At first I didn't pay it much attention as I thought naruto was just trying get attention and that he was just angry. I originally was going bring him back because I wanted him to suffer and know how it felt to be brought back. But then days went by and days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. And I realized that naruto was my only true friend and him being gone, it hurted you know. I was able to befriend naruto because we shared that same pain of being alone." Said Sasuke.
"Remember sasuke, it's not the number of jutsu he possess. What's important is to never give up that's the will of fire." Said jiraiya.
"How do I even have the will of fire if I once tried to leave the village and kill naruto with a chidori, and I also dropped him on his neck of a 60 foot cliff." Said Sasuke with his eyes staring at the plate.
"You have it in you Sasuke, I know it, everyone knows it and you especially know it. If you didn't have the will of fire you wouldn't had changed from the emo king to someone who wants to bring back they're best friend from the darkness. Naruto once kinda saved you from the darkness now you need to save him from that same darkness he's trapped in even tho it may be more difficult." Said jiraiya.
-Akatsuki hideout-
"Cripes, sealing the tailed beast is such a pain! And there's much more to go after this, right? Just thinking about it frazzles me." Said tobi.
"Now then which way? Hmm." Said Deidara.
"Umm excuse me senpai, "which way?" What? Do you mean?" Asked Tobi.
"What do you think?! Do we go for the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki whose in the middle of nowhere?" Asked Deidara.
"Our assignment is over!" Said Tobi.
"Are you kidding? Sasuke owes me one for punching me and Kakashi got my right arm. And I also can't forgive the Nine-Tails brat for killing orochimaru because I planned on killing orochimaru myself." Said deidara.
"Geez, once he set his mind to something he just won't listen." Said Tobi.
"Humph. We're going Tobi." Said Deidara who left the meeting.
"Oh dear, Deidara has gotten all worked up about going after the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki." Said kisame.
-somewhere far on a cliff-
Stood on a cliff was team hebi dressed in a new attire. The group wore long black cloaks with bage collars. Standing in the middle was naruto who hair shadow his eyes due to the rain.
"Let's go!" Said Naruto.
-konoha gates-
Standing at the gates was a group of konoha ninjas in a white cloak. Particularly Team 7 and Team.
"I see. You given it quite a bit of thought." Said tsunade looking at the team that consisted of Sasuke, Sakura, Sai, Kakashi, Yamato, Kiba, Hinata and shino.
"Say shouldn't we have brought even more guys?" Asked Sasuke.
"It's not a simple of man power, having more than three squads will make us too easy to detect. As well as interfere with the chain of command. And it will end up hindering our mobility. Restraining the enemy requires much more technique than mere killing. In coordinating the squads." Said Kakashi.
"It will be advise to choose members who are accustomed to working together." Said Jiraiya.
"Well, right now this is the best plan." Said tsunade.
"Well, we're about ready to set out, but I don't like this weather." Said Kakashi.
"All right! Let's go!" Said Sasuke.
"The rain is perfect for cooling off someone so fired up." Said Kiba.
"Okay, I'm issuing the order for a mission. To locate and detain a member of the Akatsuki! All of you be extremely careful and carry out your duties!" Said Tsunade In a commanding tone.
"Right!" Said everyone as the teams left the village and Jiraiya and Tsunade just watched as they left.
-Few hours later-
The team landed on the roof a village that was nearby. The rain stop and the sky was sunny and bright.
"All right, starting now our main mission is to find An Akatsuki member. And take him into custody." Said Kakashi getting nods from the team.
"Akatsuki goal is to round up the tailed Beasts. It's is already belive that they have the Three-Tails. According to the data obtained by Jiraiya, it's impossible they have infiltrated many lands and mainly the land of fire and will target Naruto. Naruto in particular is from the hidden leaf village. And he left three years ago to seek out orochimaru." Said Kakashi.
"So now he's heading for Akatsuki and Akatsuki is heading for him." Said Sakura.
"Alright! I'm going to meet up with Naruto no matter what." Said Sasuke.
"Well let's just take it one step at a time. Here's the search plan, using this aa the central point. We will search all four directions for five kilometers if we find nothing then we'll move the central point and spread out five kilometers from there. And we will keep repeating this strategy." Said Kakashi.
"Five kilometers, our wireless radio will be out of range! And then we're separated it'll be dangerous for us. The rules state that all patrols must be done by two-man cells." Said sakura.
"Don't get so worried sakura. Just watch." Said Yamato.
She looked to see Kakashi doing hand seals for a summoning jutsu to summon his ninjas dogs.
"Our voices which travels even faster than the wireless radios and our nose can instantly sniff out danger, we will protect you." Said pakkun.
"Alright let me explain the patrol team formation. This time two ninjas hounds will be assigned to each member." Said Kakashi two dogs walking towards Sakura.
"Hey sakura, you're such a snappy female as usual." Said one of the dogs getting a glare from Sakura.
"I'm partnering with shino." Said a dog.
"Ugh, you stink of insects." Cried another dog.
"You stink like a dog." Calmly replied Shino.
"Hello, let's work together in peace and harmony, hehehe!" Said one of the dogs walking to Sai.
Sai just gave them a smile, "I wonder if I can become friends with dogs?" Thought Sai.
"What about me?" Asked Sasuke.
"Sasuke you will be with Yamato and Hinata. And big bark bull." Chipped in pakkun.
"Let's work together, sasuke." Sasuke said hinata sasuke giving her a nod.
"And being a ninja hound user Kiba and I will each have one dog." Said Kakashi.
"So we're all set!" Said Kiba who was a little disappointed not working with Hinata.
"Listen up, everyone. Above all you will track Naruto scents if you find him verify his location and then return to this spot. Especially you, Sasuke don't go running off ahead of us." Said Kakashi.
"I know." Replied Sasuke.
"All right then, Let's head out. Scatter!" Said Kakashi as everyone jumped off the roof in different locations.
-With Naruto-
"So akatsuki, eh? I hope we can find them." Said Suigetsu before jumping and leaving the area with Jugo leaving Karin and Naruto alone.
Karin realized she and Naruto was alone and smiled in victory. "All right!" Said Karin before hugging Naruto.
"Naruto! I'm staying with you!" Said Karin hugging naruto and smiling. Naruto placed a hand on top of Karin head before cupping her cheek.
"Go get going karin, and don't get yourself in trouble okay?" Said Naruto causing Karin to blush and step back before leaving the area.
"Now it's time for me to search as well." Thought Naruto as he started to walk around.
-Somewhere else-
A large cloud of smoke covered the area before two white clay dragons spawned in the area.
"It's completely healed." Said Deidara checking out his arm that was stitched together.
"Yeah and which one are we going for? Sasuke or The nine-Tails?" Asked Tobi in that goofy voice of his.
"Well now, Which will it be?" Said Deidara jumping on his clay dragon.
"W-W-Wait D-Deidara senpai!" Said tobi before jumping on his clay dragon face first before it lifted him up into the air.
"Wait up!" Yelled Tobi.
-village-
"Who are you?" Asked a man in the shadows of an alley way.
"I guess underlings don't matter." Said Suigetsu before knocking the man up.
-inside a room-
A guy in a suit was sitting in his fancy expensive chair as he lit up a cigarette. He then heard a noise.
"What was that? Go check." Said the man to the man who was his body guard.
"Yes." Said the body guard before going to check it out.
Soon someone kicked in the door, Suigetsu stepping out.
"Huh? Who are you?!" Asked the Guard.
Suigetsu calmly walked in the room before rushing towards the man with his blade slamming him to the wall.
He had the the two man pinned down to the wall in a instant.
"You're that Akatsuki, What his name? Kaku...Kakuta...Kakusa...Kakushi?"
"K-Kakuzu." Said the man who was pinned on the wall.
"Yes, that one. You're that Kakuzu henchman, his book keeper right?" Askeed Suigetsu.
"I'll tell you anything you want to know, just please don't kill me." Beg the man.
"That's the way keep talking." Said Suigetsu who was grinning.
-With jugo-
Jugo walked through a forest a bird flew on his shoulder. He picked up the bird with one hand and lifted it up into the sky.
"Let me ask you guy." Said Jugo as he watched the birds fly into the sky.
-With Kiba-
"Akaumaru! Don't lose to the other ninja hounds! We'll be the first to detect Naruto scent." Said Kiba.
-With Shino-
Shino and the ninja hounds ran through a forest as they tried to find Naruto scent.
"You're too slow, Shino!" Yelled one of the dogs.
"Don't dawdle!" Said Shino.
-With Sai-
Sai and the two dogs following him ran across water using chakra to stick to the surface.
"Let's go! Pochi! Tama!" Yelled Sai.
One of the dogs scowled at Sai.
"Don't give me silly nicknames!" Barked one of the dogs.
-With Sasuke, Hinata, and Yamato-
Hinata was using her byukugan as she tried to search for Naruto.
"Naruto." Thought Sasuke.
-With Sakura-
"If you don't wipe that solemn look off your face, you'll scare off the boys." Said the dog that followed Sakura.
"What?" Asked Sakura.
"The more you chase the further they run away. You're a female that keeps on pushing aren't you?" Asked the Dog.
"Why don't you try pulling away for a change? What a thing to say!" Said sakura before staring at the ground.
"Naruto and i aren't like that." Said Sakura.
"Hey stop being so rude." Said the other Dog.
"It's just that I want to let Naruto know how I and everyone feels. Everyone is waiting for Naruto to return home. That's all." Said Sakura.
"If you were to come across Naruto again by yourself what would you do?" Asked one of the dogs.
"What do you mean?" Asked Sakura.
"If words didn't work last time what makes you think words will work this time? Or are you willing to hurt Naruto to bring him back?" Asked the dog who was genuinely curious.
"I don't know." Said Sakura.
"Let me ask you something Sakura. What if Naruto genuinely doesn't want to come back? I mean how do you think he will feel if he was dragged back into a village he doesn't want to be in. I know for sure I will hate it to go somewhere where I don't want to be. Sometimes I don't think you guys think at all. If we being honest here aren't you guys just being selfish? If you drag him back into a place he doesn't want to be what now? He's a missing Ninja who didn't have his name in the bingo book due to Tsunade. But do you really think the village forgave Naruto. What if you brought him back and they have him locked up for years or even worse killed?" Said The dog leaving sakura speechless.
She had never thought of it like that. And the dog was right. It was kinda selfish to drag Naruto back to a place he maybe don't want to be in at all. Her and her friends had all forgave Naruto and would Gladly accept him back. But what about the other Ninjas or villagers who didn't forgive Naruto. Was the thoughts that ran through Sakura mind.
The dog suddenly started to sniff the ground as he was getting close to a scent.
"What's the matter?!" Asked Sakura.
"I caught Naruto Uzumaki Scent." Said the dog causing Sakura eyes to widened.
"What?!" Said sakura as she and dogs quickly started to move down the village.
"The smell is faint, but it's getting steadily closer." Said he Dog.
Sakura suddenly looked back to see if she can find Naruto.
"What are you doing?! Hell be on to us before we can find him!" Said the dog who continued to sniff the ground.
"He's near. Sakura do you see Naruto around?" Asked the dog who sniffed the ground.
Sakura frantically started to look around, until she suddenly passed by a red hair girl with a black cloak.
"This isn't good. The smell is getting further away." Said one of the Dogs.
The other dog suddenly turned around and looked at the red hair girl and was able to sell naruto sent all over her.
"Sakura! It's her." Said the dog pointing his paw at the red hair girl with the black cloak who was walking in the opposite direction.
Sakura just stared at the women not knowing what to do.
"Naruto sent is all over her, it's on her body and face, they definitely had some contact with each other." Said the dog.
Sakura just stood there wondering what to do. Go and approach the women? Or capture the women and start questioning her.
-with deidara-
Deidara flew on his dragon clay with Tobi behind him.
"I found it Tobi." Said Deidara.
"And which one is it? The Nine-Tails or Sasuke?" Asked Tobi.
"What an opportunity. We're going together, Tobi." Said Deidara.
-with Sasuke-
"Sasuke, Hinata you understand right?" Asked Yamato who knew someone was behind them.
"Yes." Whispered Sasuke.
Yamato then turned around throwing shurikens at a tree.
Jumping from behind the tree was a man in a dark blue cloak.
-with Naruto-
Naruto sense two people behind him which caused him to turn around.
"Show yourself. Who are you?" Asked Naruto as he saw two shadowy figures coming from behind a tree.
-With Sasuke-
"You found me, after all." Said Kabuto who had one side of his cloak covering his face.
"Kabuto yakushi. You've got guts approaching us by yourself." Said Yamato.
"I wanted to have a chat with Sasuke." Said Kabuto.
"You're not getting away this time we're taking you in." Said Yamato.
"Hey! Kabuto! You should know where is Naruto!" Yelled Sasuke.
"Humph still can't get over Naruto eh?" Asked Kabuto.
"Is it true that Naruto killed orochimaru?!" Asked Sasuke.
"Yeah it's true. More importantly I brought you a present today." Said Kabuto reaching in his cloak.
-With Naruto-
"That outfit, You're Akatsuki." Said Naruto as he watched the lone figure come closer.
"So you're Naruto Uzumaki, You don't look like much are you really the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki?" Asked Tobi.
Naruto sent a glare Tobi way causing Tobi to run and hide behind a tree. "S-Scary!" Yelled Tobi.
Naruto looked up to see two White clay dragons before two clay bombs was dropped on him, causing a decent explosion.
Deidara landed on the ground as he smirked at his art.
-With Sasuke-
"What's that?" Asked Sasuke who looked at the book Kabuto handed out.
"Information our organization has gathered regarding Akatsuki." Said Kabuto.
"What of it?" Asked Sasuke.
"It's yours. You can have it." Said Kabuto.
"Unlike orochimaru, Akatsuki isn't after you." Said Yamato.
"It's a simple gift to Sasuke. A token of my gratitude. Plus Akatsuki is pursuing you. After lord orochimaru died. I lost sense of who I was. I never knew my parents or my homeland. The enemy found me and from the time I was little, Lands and villages didn't mean much to me. That is until I began surviving Lord Orochimaru. But now, he's gone too." Said Kabuto tossing the group the book.
"Just who I am? The agony of not having an identity. You can understand can't you, Sasuke?" Asked Kabuto.
"Like I can understand a thing you say." Said Sasuke.
"Humph I wonder about that. Are you Sasuke Uchiha? Or are you just Itachi Little brother? In the pass you was treating as nothing but the son of the Uchiha clan head and Itachi younger brother no true identity of your own. You must have questioned yourself about who you really are. But one day you told yourself you were Sasuke Uchiha. That's why you are sure about you're identity, and you found friends true friends. But instead of over coming orochimaru, I desperately clung to his power." Said kabuto showing the group his full face.
"I'm going to surpass lord orochimaru whom I absorbed. And discover a new, stronger self. I have find my new self and you have given me a hint to finding it. That's why I'm grateful Sasuke. Lord orochimaru is the symbol of reincarnation. He continues to live inside of me as an existence I must over come."
"You're a creep!" Yelled Sasuke.
"If I'm a creep then Naruto is a monster. After Naruto killed orochimaru I just simply absorb Orochimaru and transplanted him into my own body." Said Kabuto showing the group his arm that was also white.
"But, this life force is amazing. It's now steadily trying to take over my body." Said kabuto.
"What is that?" Asked Hinata who was looking at Kabuto in disgust.
Hinata activated her Byakugan. "One third of his body has already been taken over." Said Hinata.
"But I've already been fiercely resisting this takeover! I can feel this part of me that trying to to overcome Lord Orochimaru!" Said Kabuto with a crazy look on his face.
"Is that all you wanted to say? Well, give it everything you've got. In a jail cell in the Leaf Village!" Yelled Sasuke who rushed towards kabuto and started to attack him.
But Kabuto just smiled as he blocked and defect Sasuke attacks with one hand.
"All right! Gotcha!" Yelled Yamato who appeared behind Kabuto and grabbing him from the back.
"Behind you!" Yelled Hinata as she saw Kabuto use a substation with a log.
"When I'm able to fully control Orochimaru power I will fight you again Sasuke. But you come later First I will fight Naruto who brought down Lord Orochimaru." Grinned Kabuto.
"What are you going to do to Naruto?!" Yelled Sasuke but Kabuto left without saying anything leaving in a body flicker.
-With Naruto-
We did it! We brought down Naruto!" Said Deidara only to watch the smoke clear to see a white snake protecting Naruto.
"As expected Senpai." Teases Tobi.
"Shut up!" Yelled Deidara as he watch the snake leave in a puff of smoke.
"Tobi, look how he's glaring at us! Humph!" Said Deidara.
"You're ready to go, eh Senpai?" Asked Tobi.
Deidara and Naruto just stared at each other. Deidara blue eyes staring into Naruto red slits.
Author notes: Finally we can start the fights. Man this is going to be fun. See you all next time. Love all bye!