SIXTEEN

Ame: Part VI

A few hours later, Tsunade's office was packed with familiar people. Everyone from the Konoha 11, their senseis and even Ma and Pa were there. Jiraiya had plenty information to give and they were ready to hear it. Jiraiya walked by the two frogs and gave them a quick nod.

FLASHBACK

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Jiraiya exclaimed as he slammed his hand down on the concrete.

He was standing on top of the Hokage Tower just after he had spoken with Tsunade. She was summoning everyone and he knew it would take a while before everyone was here. He thought it would be the perfect time to explain what happened to Naruto to Ma and Pa. With a small puff of smoke, they two familiar frogs appeared below Jiraiya. The white haired man sat down across from them with a solemn expression.

"What's going on Jiraiya-boy?" Pa asked.

"There is something I need to explain to you two," Jiraiya said.

"Oh?" Pa pushed.

"Naruto…" Jiraiya started, "Naruto left the village. We thought the Akatsuki had killed him for the Kyuubi over three years ago. Naruto was taken and had the Kyuubi extracted from him, but the extraction didn't kill him. Instead of coming back to the village, Naruto stayed with the Akatsuki and became a missing-nin."

"Naruto-boy? Why?" Ma asked.

"He said it was because of the way the village treated him, but I am suspecting there is more to the story than he leads on," Jiraiya thought out loud.

"The way the village treated him?" Pa repeated.

"Yes. Naruto was abused and beaten by many of the villagers when he was young," Jiraiya explained.

"I never knew," Ma said.

"No one really did. It wasn't something Naruto shared very often. Only a handful of people know," Jiraiya said.

"Wait, the bubbly blonde that we used to know is now a missing-nin?" Pa confirmed.

"Yes," Jiraiya answered simply, "there is one more thing."

"Which is?" Pa asked.

"No one is allowed to know that we saw Naruto in the Hidden Rain Village," Jiraiya stated, "Not even Tsunade."

"What? Why?" Ma asked.

"Because I was ask to keep it quiet," Jiraiya said.

"By who?"

"Naruto."

Ma sigh and Pa shook his head, "Alright."

"Thank you," Jiraiya said, "We are holding a meeting to share the information we gathered in the Hidden Rain and I would like to ask you two to stay."

"We will," Ma nodded.

"Alright then," Jiraiya said as he stood up, "Lets head to the Hokage's office."

END FLASHBACK

"Alright! Quiet Down!" Tsunade yelled.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to face the blonde who now had Jiraiya standing behind her and two frogs sitting on her desk.

"You may or may not know that Jiraiya infiltrated the Hidden Rain village this past week," Tsunade explained, "What you are about to hear is S-Rank classified. We are telling you because of a certain blonde."

Several nods were seen, so Tsunade continued, "Jiraiya has received some important information and asked to share it with you all. So, Jiraiya, share."

Jiraiya nodded, "What I am about to tell you… well it's going to be hard to hear, but you all need to know."

Nods of understanding were the only reply, so Jiraiya continued, "When I first entered the Hidden Rain, I interrogate two of their shinobi for information about the Akatsuki leader and Naruto. According to them, Hanzo is no longer the leader. Their civil war is over. Pein is the new leader, as well as the leader of the Akatsuki."

"Hanzo was over thrown?" Kakashi asked.

"More like killed," Jiraiya replied.

"Pein is strong enough to kill Hanzo?" Gai asked.

"No," Jiraiya shook his head, "Naruto is."

"Naruto?" Asuma repeated, "Naruto killed Hanzo?"

"Who is Hanzo?" Shikamaru asked.

"Hanzo is a legendary Shinobi. He had a venom sac from the black salamander implanted him as a child, making him toxic to those around him. His breath could kill you. He was regarded as one of the strongest shinobi during his time," Gai explained.

"The only ones to go up against him and survive was Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya and Orochimaru," Kakashi continued.

"He was the one who gave Jiraiya, Orochimaru and I our names as Konoha's legendary Sannin," Tsunade explained.

The younger generation just nodded in understanding.

"I'll get to that part in a minute," Jiraiya said, "Pein is the new leader of Ame and the Akatsuki. Pein is also one of my old students."

"Wait, it wasn't one of those orphans you trained from Ame was it?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes, I believe its either Nagato or Yahiko, but I am leaning more towards Nagato because of the Rinnegan," Jiriaya said knowing full well that the last word would catch a lot of people's attention.

"Rinnegan?" Kakashi's narrowed his eyes.

"Rinnegan?" Tsunade repeated.

"Yes," Jiraiya nodded, "I fought three men while I was there. Each had the Rinnegan…"

"What is Rinnegan?" Kiba interrupted.

"Legendary visual powers, like the Sharingan or the Byakugan," Kakashi replied, "Although I have never seen it, so I don't know what kind of power it gives the user. Most don't even think it exists. Supposedly the Sage of the Six Paths possessed it."

"Well, it's real, I can guarantee that. And it gives the user incredible powers," Jiraiya replied.

"Which is?" Tsunade asked.

"There are six defined 'paths'; Human, Animal, Preta, Naraka, Asura and Deva. Each one gives the user a different power. The human path allows the user to read minds and yank the soul out of a body. Animal allows the user to summon various types of animals. Preta allows the user absorb any chakra like ninjutsu. Asura summons mechanized amour to the users body. Naraka uses the King of Hell for interrogation and restoration. Deva uses gravitational pull to repel and attract any object or human," Jiraiya explained.

"Wow," Sakura whispered.

With a jutsu that Pein-sama has been teaching me. It's a derived jutsu from his Gedō: Rinne Tensei no Jutsu…

"Rinne…" Shikamaru whispered.

"What did you say?" Asuma asked.

"Rinne… Naruto used a jutsu he said derived jutsu from Pein's Gedo: Rinne Tensei no Jutsu to revive Gaara," Shikamaru thought out loud, "At first I didn't understand what he meant, but now it makes sense. Pein, Rinne…"

"Wait, Naruto used a jutsu that was based off a Rinne technique?" Jiraiya asked.

"Yes, he called it Yoton: Shikatsu no jutsu. He used the eight gates that Gai and Lee use," Neji remembered turning everyone's attention to him.

"Yang release?" Tsunade thought, "Life and death technique?"

"We'll talk about Naruto in a minute," Jiriaya said trying to get everyone back on track, "The three guys I fought used only three of the six paths, meaning there are three others guys that poses the other paths."

"Wait, how can the Rinnegan powers be split up and given to others?" Kurenai spoke up for the first time.

"I wondered the same thing and I came to the conclusion that the six men are being controlled by one single Rinnegan user," Jiraiya said.

"That Nagato kid?" Tsunade confirmed.

"I assume so," Jiraiya said.

"So that means that Pein is this Nagato kid?" Neji asked.

"Yes," Jiraiya nodded.

"Then why wouldn't 'Nagato' fight himself? Why send six others to fight instead?" Shikamaru asked aloud.

"I don't know. Maybe because the users of the Rinnegan are able to see the other's view points, so it almost eliminates a blind spot," Jiraiya thought.

"Interesting," Neji thought.

"What?" Gai asked.

"With powers so great, it's hard to imagine splitting them up for a reason such as eliminating a blind spot," Neji thought.

"That may not be the reason," Shino spoke up, "there maybe be another that we have yet to find out."

Neji nodded in agreement.

"So if these bodies are being controlled by a single source then we take down the controller, who probably is vulnerable, it should take care of that, right?" Kiba asked.

"Essentially but its easier said than done," Jiraiya smirked, "the controller is located in the highest room in the tallest tower in the center of the village."

"At least we know the location," Kurenai said.

"Yes, but the problem will be getting there," Neji said.

"Yes," Kakashi agreed, "What's the Akatuski's plan exactly?"

"Pein said their plan was to create some sort of mass weapon which they would give to one of the villages. This weapon would destroy a village the size of Konoha in an instant, creating fear. The Akatsuki would control the rest of the villages using fear," Jiraiya explained.

"Why the Bijuus?" Gai asked.

"I don't know," Jiraiya shook his head, "The bijuu's are a large mass of demonic chakra that formed into an entity. They may be using that large amount of chakra to create the mass weapon."

"When we went to retrieve Gaara, there was a large statue in the cave," Kakashi pondered, "Maybe this statue has something to do with the sealing."

"If they are sealing all the bijuus, they are going to need something really large to contain that much chakra," Shizune said.

"How many tailed beasts are left?" Kurenai asked.

"Four," Tsunade said.

"Which are?" Gai asked.

"Well, Naruto said he was no longer the Kyuubi's jinchuuriki. Gaara isn't the one-tail's jinchuuriki," Jiraiya said, "The Yondaime Mizukage was killed during the third war, killing the three-tails. The three tails was captured then sealed. The two tails is currently located in Kumo along with the eight tails. The seven tails is currently located in Takigakure, however there is talk about moving her to another village. The last jinchuuriki left is the six tails is a missing-nin and he whereabouts is currently unknown. The four-tails and five-tails have been sealed."

"Which village is seven-tails jinchuuriki being moved too?" Kakashi asked.

"Kumo, the Takigakure believed it would be the best place, since it was the only village that hasn't lost their jinchuuriki yet," Tsunade confirmed.

Silence filled the room as questions of their formed blonde haired filled the young shinobi's minds. It was going to be a tough conversation, but it was one they needed to have in order to take down said blonde, along with the rest of the Akatsuki.

"Alright, now for the hard part," Jiraiya sighed.

"Naruto," Tsunade whispered dropping her line of sight to avoid everyone's eye contact.

"Yes," Jiraiya said, "I found out a lot of information about Naruto. Most was hard to hear. Let me finish speaking and I will answer any questions, understood?"

Nods.

"Alright," Jiraiya took a deep breath and continued, "When I interrogate those shinobi, as well as a few other villagers, I found out things about Naruto. First was that Naruto is actually well liked and respected in Ame, by the villagers, but by the shinobi, he is feared. Apparently, Naruto was the one who killed Hanzo, but not just Hanzo. Hanzo's family, wife, children, close friends, pretty much anyone who would stand in their way. Naruto destroyed everything as it was reduced to nothing. The shinobi call Naruto merciless, heartless and ruthless. He's Pein's prized apprentice. Pein said Naruto understood pain and suffering. He wanted the world to understand that pain. They said he was the most powerful man, besides Pein. It would take all of Konoha to take him down. According to Shikamaru, Naruto's been able to mimic the Rinnegan's powers, so I believe that's what makes him so strong.

"Naruto's mature. A lot. He thinks before acting now. He... He's become cold. He doesn't think about how's his actions affect others. He only assures that what he does is to accomplish his goals. Sacrificing anything in order to achieve those goals. When one becomes this cold... it can make someone... forget the true reason why they wanted to become strong."

Jiraiya took another deep breath then leaned up against Tsunade's desk and closed his eyes, only to reopen them a moment later, "there's one more thing. I don't know if its true or not, but if it is, then it sure would explain a lot. According to Pein, Konoha's council knew the Akatsuki were coming to the village and summoned Naruto and I back. They negotiated with the Akatsuki and said that they would hand Naruto over if they gave Konoha mercy if a war were to start. However, they also knew Tsunade would never go for something like that, so they did it behind closed doors. That's how everything played out the way it did."

When only silence came as a reply Jiraiya sighed and continued, "We also know that Naruto is the one who is reviving the Jinchuurikis after the extraction, so I choose to believe there has to be some good left in him."

"Before we brought Naruto back to Konoha, Gaara asked Naruto why he revived him, and Naruto replied that he didn't want anyone precious to him die for someone else's dream," Shikamaru said to no in particular.

"Maybe the Naruto we know is in there somewhere," Tenten said.

I want to tell them, but I can't Jiraiya thought as he glanced over towards the two toads to make sure they were going to say anything, who only gave him the same look.

"I don't know, Tenten," Neji shook his head, "The Naruto we fought was cold and heartless. Almost like he could turn off his emotions."

"I hate to say this, but I have to agree with Neji," Kurenai sighed and crossed her arms, "As of now... we need to assume that Naruto… that Naruto has malicious intentions towards Konoha."

"According to latest bingo book, he has been marked as a missing-nin," Asuma said.

"Speaking of bingo books, I was able to apprehend a copy of the missing-nin's book. Similar to the one Naruto had," Kakashi said, "It lists current high ranking shinobi from various villages with bounties on their heads. Asuma, Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama, Kurenai, and I are all listed in here. It also lists shinobi that have been taken down, and shows who took them down. It seems Naruto was able to single handidly taken down over 50 ANBU level shinobi with in the past year. He's dangerous... and although he is my previous student, he needs to be taken down, before he does any damage to Konoha."

"Unfortunately, I have to agree with you Kakashi," Tsunade nodded.

"But why would Naruto revive the jinchuuriki's?" Kiba asked, "I mean if he's so cold and dangerous, why would he do something like that?"

"Who knows?" Ino shrugged.

"It doesn't make sense..." Kiba shook his head

While listening to the other talk, Shikamaru took a glance towards Sakura who looked like she was about to break down any minute. For the past three years, she was the only one left from her team. Naruto was thought to be dead and Sasuke was gone. It was just her. Who knows how she felt? Did she blame her self? She probably feels horrible right now listening to her friends speak badly about her teammate. How could she imagine taking down Naruto? Shikamaru knew it was hard for him, so it must be just as hard for the rosette. Shikamaru shook himself from his thoughts just in time for him to hear the tail end of the conversation.

"Something tells me we aren't getting the whole story…" Asuma said.

"What?" Shikamaru replied turning every attention towards him.

"Shikamaru? Were you not listening?" Asuma asked, "All the information gathered from the recent events isn't adding up. One minute Naruto is cold and dangerous and the next we find a glimmer of hope. We see Naruto reviving people and saying he doesn't want anyone to die for someone else's dream, but we find he's been taking down shinobi left and right. Something tells me we aren't getting the whole story."

"Maybe Naruto is hiding something," Shikamaru said bluntly.

"Someone is hiding something," Neji replied narrowing his eyes.

"And I am determined to find out what and who…" Tsunade said wrapping up their conversation.

000

Naruto was walking at an unusually slow pace down a long hallway. His hands were stuffed in his pockets with his head hanging. His feet shuffled echoing off the walls as he finally made his way to the last door at the end of the hall to the room he was given as his own. He reached up and turned the nob. The door creaked, as it swung open, Naruto lifted his head when he felt a chakra sensation that was previously masked. The blonde narrowed his eyes as he flicked on the light.

"Itachi," Naruto reacted as the light revealed the raven standing in the middle of the room turned slightly away from him.

"Naruto," the raven replied as he turned his head to get a better look at the blonde.

"What are you doing here?" Naruto said as he slammed the door behind him then crossed his arms.

"I wanted to speak with you about a sensitive matter," Itachi replied.

"Oh?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Well, several matters to be more specific," Itachi explained as he turned to fully face the blonde.

"Well, spill it," Naruto ordered.

"Your feelings for a certain male haven't changed?" Itachi asked.

Naruto looked up a blinked in surprise, "A certain male?"

"Yes," Itachi nodded, "The Nara. Shikamaru I believe is his name."

"I… um…" Naruto fumbled with his words.

"Naruto, I know about your sexuality towards the male gender, " Itachi explained as his stepped forward so he was now only a mere foot away from Naruto's face, "And I want you to know that my own is the same."

"You're…?" Naruto started to asked but stopped when Itachi gave him a slight nod.

Naruto relaxed and sighed, but Itachi didn't move an inch. The two shinobi starred at each for several moments. Itachi was trying to gauge Naruto's reaction while Naruto was having a hard time discerning any emotions on the Uchihas face. Finally Naruto gave in and was about to ask the question when Itachi answered it for him. The blonde felt a pair of heavy lips pressed against his own. With his eyes still open he looked to the man who was kissing him, his eyes were closed. Something in Naruto made him want to give in, and so he did. Feeling Naruto give into him made Itachi put his hands around the others waist and pull him closer. Naruto placed one hand around the ravens jaw while the other went to the small of his back. Both men were pressed up against each other, until they felt something start to harden.

Naruto pulled away about an inch or so still holding on to Itachi's face. Both men were breathing hard. Naruto starred into the Uchiha's eyes and for the first time, saw the slightest bit of emotion. By the hard feeling pressed up against his own, Naruto knew what Itachi was feeling.

Hundreds of thoughts were running threw his head. He had never been farther than a kiss with another man before. Had Itachi done anything like this before? What about Shikamaru? Naruto loved the lazy brunette, but it was getting hard keeping those feelings hidden. It was also hard keeping the sexual desires every nineteen year old had, locked away. Naruto wasn't technically dating the Nara but would he still consider it cheating? Would it hurt Shikamaru?

Hard to imagine but Itachi was getting restless, shifting his weight so that he pressed up against the blonde harder. The raven could see the wheels in Naruto's head turning, debating on whether to go farther with him or not. But as soon as Itachi length pressed up harder against Naruto, it snapped the blonde out of his thoughts. Naruto pulled the Uchiha towards him and started kissing him harder and more passionate than before. Itachi got the inkling that Naruto wasn't planning on stopping; they were going all the way.