Chapter 21: Cleansing and Remains of the Uchiha

Itachi sat in a small little diner at one of the ports that still had boats running between the land of fire and land of water, while he sat waiting for his partner to show up. Itachi thought back to the events that happened last night with Naruto.

FLASH BACK

LAST NIGHT

Raising his tanto above his head Itachi bought it down but just inches from cutting into Naruto's neck he stopped, Itachi was panting his hand shaking now it was now Itachi's turn to ask why.

"Why Naruto, why didn't you move to defender yourself. Why isn't your mokuton reacting!"

Naruto noticed the one tear rolling down Itachi's cheek, and said. "Sensei you of all people should know my control over my abilities, even the ones which you believe to be sub consciously activated."

Still holding the tanto inches from Naruto's neck Itachi stated, "That still doesn't explain why you didn't move to defend yourself even going as far as to drop your katana in front of your enemy. Did you learn nothing from me NARUTO!" with a little anger coming out at the end.

"Why would I move to defend myself, I'm pretty sure I asked for you to strike me down." Naruto said without any emotion.

Slowly and shakily removing the tanto from within Naruto's neck Itachi ran his hand threw his hair and asked softly, "why?"

"Cause I believed if you had struck me down, than it would have proven my point that my life was meaningless." Naruto answered calmly.

Dropping the tanto to the floor, Itachi grabbed onto Naruto's shoulder and shook him, "YOU WANTED TO THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY LIKE THAT, LET ME TELL YOU NARUTO YOUR LIFE IS NOT MEANINGLESS! DO YOU REALIZE HOW MANY PEOPLE'S DREAMS YOU CARRY ON YOUR SHOULDERS! YOU CARRY MINE, HOKAGE-SAMA'S, JIRAIYA-SAMA'S, KAKASHI'S, LADY HINATA'S, ANKO's AND MOST IMPORTANTLY YOUR PARENTS….!" Than in a softer voice he said "Minato-sensei and

Kushina-sensei's they were the parents I wish I always had, everything they stood for was righteous and honorable."

Switching to an angry tone he said, "So if you think your life is meaningless than you are a disgrace to your family and their name, you do not deserve to carry the name Namikaze, Senju or Uzumaki!… How Naruto…. How could you disappoint me like this." Tears now flowing down Itachi's face

Naruto shook his head and said, "Am I really a disappointment Sensei? Or am I just being realistic for if you would have struck me down in your quest for power than tell me would their dreams not be for naught?"

"What are you talking about Naruto?" Itachi said in a soft whisper.

"Sensei…. Your actions and your teachings have shown me that you are the living embodiment of justice and righteousness. So tell me Sensei if a champion of peace like you could be swayed by temptations of power and corruption than is there any hope for this world. But you have proven me wrong Sensei, not with your words or even your actions but I can see it in your eyes."

Relief washed over Itachi as he asked, "My eyes?"

Giving Itachi the slightest of smiles Naruto responded, "A little trick Hinata-hime taught me, though I'm not as good as she is. But still I can see what you are truly feeling in your eyes. Yes you years of Anbu training have done so well to conceal the rest of your body from showing the emotion of sadness and remorse, but not even your training or Sharingan can hide the fact how much it hurt to slay your kinsmen regardless of how much they deserved it."

"You know why I had to do it?" Itachi asked slightly shocked.

Naruto shook his head and said, "No I don't but I assumed there must have been something you clan did or was going to do to warrant the genocide of your clan."

Itachi nodded his head slightly and said, "They were planning a coup on Konoha, they were growing unsatisfied with their status and position in Konoha."

Naruto was shocked at this bit of information and said, "That's insane didn't they realize they wouldn't have been able to win?"

Itachi shook his head, "They much like my younger brother allowed there ignorance to blind them, their belief that their Sharingan was all-mighty was their downfall. Though their plan to attack Konoha wasn't the only reason for their extermination it was just the straw that broke the camel's back. In my father's office there were multiple documents that linked him to multiple controversies in Konoha. One that stood out the most to me some documents that linked the Uchiha clan to the Kumo-Hyuga affair."

Naruto's eyes narrow slightly and flashed red for a second in anger, "How were the Uchiha's linked to that incident?"

Taking a breath Itachi gave Naruto a scroll and said sadly, "It seems that my father purposely had the police patrols neglected a route that led out of Konoha on that night, I'm guessing this was the route the Kumo-nin took. As you can see that wasn't the only way they plotted against the Hyuga's"

Naruto fumed with anger as he read off the scroll but that was not the only thing on the scroll, there were pictures of a four year old Hinata at the playgrounds most likely secretly taken to give to the Kumo-nin so he could identify who to kidnap, blue prints of the Hyuga compound, love letters with forged signatures between Hitomi and a noble that Naruto had never heard of, Test results of a poison that was nearly impossible to detect once the person died. then there was even a report of a rumor stating that the Byakugan had a blind spot. And that was just the beginning of the scroll

Naruto was now bustling with anger, resealing the scroll he asked Itachi, "Do you mind if I have this?"

Itachi nodded and said, "I expected you to ask that the moment I gave it to you. I also know that you will bring it to Hiashi-sama"

Seeing Naruto deep in thought Itachi said, "Do you now see why I had to do what I did tonight, the Uchiha clan was getting to out of control. They were becoming the cancer of Konoha, so I was assigned to cut it out."

I'm sorry Itachi," Naruto softly said in sad tone.

"It's okay Naruto, it had to be done or the consequences could have been dire. By slaying one clan I was able to save Konoha from possible destruction." Itachi responded

"But Itachi they ruined your life." Naruto stated

Giving a smile Itachi said, "Didn't you say I was righteousness personified? I understand that the needs of Konoha out-weigh my needs, so know this Naruto I choose to take this mission nobody forced it onto me, talks for peace with the Hokage had all but broken down so I choose to do this mission because of my love for the village much like how your father choose to give his life and your mom's life to save Konoha. Now that I can't continue my dream of peace and understanding in Konoha you must in my place, and with all that you learnt I know you can."

Returning a slight smile, "It's because I had a great teacher."

Shaking his head Itachi said, "Well I had a great student….. no a great brother." Itachi said as he reached over and drew Naruto into a hug."

"Naruto just promise me that whatever happened here tonight, aside from what you're going to tell Hiashi-sama you keep that between us. This isn't the time for people to find out about the traitorous Uchiha clan but in time the truth will be released, I also want Sasuke to still be able to at least live in Konoha. Though my faith in him has severely dwindled, I still hold on to the hope that he can be saved. But if he can't you know what you must do Naruto like me you must do whatever it takes to insure that Konoha is safe, and if Sasuke threatens that then I entrust you with decommissioning him in any form that you see fit."

"Yes Itachi-nii, I promise I will do all that you asked of me." Smiling Itachi just ruffled Naruto's hair slightly.

Naruto smiled slightly but quickly became depressed and asked, "What are you going to do now?"

Itachi answered also in a depressed tone, "I'm going to have to leave Naruto, for this mission to be complete all the blame of this must fall on my shoulders. I must play the part of the insane Uchiha, Itachi who slaughtered his clan."

Naruto just shook his head and said, "It so sad though."

Itachi slightly nodded and said, "Yes but believe me when I say that, even as a missing-nin I will always do what's best for Konoha. And I'm sure that one day we will see each other again, though it might not be on as friendly terms as this."

Naruto just sighed and said, "I understand Sensei… it must be done."

FLASH BACK

END

Itachi thought to himself quietly out loud, "Why couldn't you be more like Naruto Sasuke?"

Just than Itachi heard somebody say behind him, "You Itachi?"

Turning around Itachi saw a giant blue man with a haircut that further made him look like a shark. Noticing he had a kiri head band with a line cut across it.

Itachi replied, "Yeah and you are."

The man just reached inside his pocket and took out a red ring and tossed it to him and said, "Your partner."

Previous Night

With Naruto

Naruto walked slowly through the streets of Konoha back toward the Hyuga compound, it was nearly 2 in the morning and the streets were especially empty without the Uchiha Police patrols. Though he still made sure nobody saw him leave the Uchiha compound in case that anybody tied him to the cleansing of the Uchiha clan.

As he neared the Hyuga compound he thought about what he had read in the scroll Itachi had given him, just what would have happened to the Hyuga clan had the Uchiha's gotten what they wanted. It was clearly obvious the Uchiha's wanted to completely destroy them or enslave them.

Walking past the guards at the front gate Naruto decided he would immediately bring this to Hiashi regardless of what time it was.

He walked to Hiashi's bed room and knocked a few times. After about a minute the door slid open and there stood Hiashi in his sleeping kimono.

Hiashi might have looked wide awake and attentive but he was just putting on a strong front, he was drop dead tired. Hitomi had engaged in another one of her new games she had invented, which had involved a young student being abducted and trained to be a sex slave… to Hiashi horror that student wasn't a school girl Hitomi.

But Hiashi also knew Naruto wouldn't wake him up unless it was serious business, so while trying to sound like he wasn't sleepy he asked, "Naruto is there something wrong?"

With one look into Hiashi's eyes Naruto could tell he was tired so Naruto stated, "My apologizes Hiashi-sama I have some vital issue's concerning the clan, but seeing how tired you are we can wait till tomorrow to discuss them."

Just as Naruto was about to turn away Hiashi grabbed him on the shoulder,

"Regardless of how tired I am Naruto, if your information is vital or jeopardizes my clan in anyway than I need to hear about it immediately."

Naruto nodded and said, "I would be pleased to fill you in on the information I have acquired in the privacy of your study if you wouldn't mind Hiashi-sama."

Hiashi nodded his head and thought if Naruto needed to be in private to talk about this then it must be something severe.

Entering the room Hiashi closed the door behind Naruto and hit the network of privacy seals in his personal study. He walked over to his desk and sat down on the pillow motioning Naruto to sit in front of him. Than he poured himself and Naruto a cup of tea

Taking the tea with thanks Naruto took a sip, and then said in a serious tone. "The Uchiha have all been killed off with the exception of 2 that we know of."

Hiashi flinched slight setting down his cup he said in an solemn tone, "We all saw this coming, but for it to actually happen and for it to happen so soon… it's quite shocking." Hiashi returned back to his stoic voice and said, "After the official announcement we will go to pay our respects. Tell me Naruto who are the two remaining Uchihas?"

"Sasuke is the last remaining hopefully loyal Uchiha in Konoha, and Itachi was the other survivor but he was the one that cleansed his clan."

Hiashi's eyebrow quirked slight and said, "Such a shame that such talent goes wasted, but do you not mean massacred Naruto it is very unlike you to speak ill of the dead as such."

Unfazed by Hiashi comment Naruto sipped his tea again and said, "And you would be correct Hiashi-sama…. If we weren't talking

about the Uchiha's in particular, I wouldn't have dared to wake you up just to tell you this, but I have my concerning news to give you."

Naruto reached inside his flak jackets pocket and pulled out the scroll Itachi gave him and passed it over to Hiashi, who immediately opened it unsealing all the documents and pictures. Picking up a random document he read it and instantly clenched the document in anger after reading the first few lines

"They were going to accuse my wife for being unfaithful, by releasing to the public fake love letters!" Hiashi clenched out.

Naruto said slowly, "It would have destroyed Lady Hitomi's reputation regardless if you proved the affair to be false."

Setting the document down he picked up another one, which instantaneously led to his anger and killing intent to spike even higher, "They had a hand in my wives attempted murder and my daughter's attempted kidnaping! Fugaku you bastard I knew you were a sniveling conniving ass, but I never would have expected for you to stoop so low."

"Hiashi-sama do you still question why I renamed the massacre a cleansing? If you had somehow received any of these documents prior to tonight, I wager that you would have personally cleansed the Uchiha clan yourself." Naruto said would a bit of a smirk.

Slamming his fist down on the table as he just finished reading a 3rd document, Hiashi looked over at Naruto and said. "And you would have been correct in your wager Naruto, and it greatly upsets me I didn't have a chance in killing the bastard myself.

Naruto just smirked

Than Hiashi asked, "Though I have a question Naruto…. Where did you come across all these documents?"

Naruto stiffened slightly and said, "Hiashi-sama promise me that what I gave you tonight and what I said to you will never leave this room, at least not until the public is ready to accept it."

Hiashi nodded and said, "I swear upon my eyes and the lives of my family that no one else will know of this."

Relaxing slightly Naruto said, "Itachi gave it to me…"

Hiashi in minor surprise asked, "What….. But he slaughtered his clan why would he?"

"Do you really believe that Itachi would kill-off his entire clan just for fun?" Naruto asked

Hiashi shook his head,

"My Sensei has always been a righteous and honorable man, what he did was to ensure not only the safety of the Hyuga clan but the entirety of Konoha. I'm sure you saw that the Uchiha were growing discontent with their status in Konoha, and in short they were planning a coup."

Hiashi shook his head in disgust and said, "Why did you have to do this Fugaku, why couldn't you just stay complacent with what you had."

"There are just those who can't be satisfied, Hiashi-sama I know there is a lot for you to read here but do you mind if I confirmed something with you?" said Naruto

Hiashi nodded and looked directly at Naruto who asked, "Could you tell me where am I in your daughters room at the moment?"

Hiashi raised an eyebrow at that but turned on his Byakugan regardless, turning it off he said to Naruto "sleeping with Hinata in her bed at the moment, why would you ask this?"

"There was a document stating that theirs a rumor that the Byakugan has a blind spot, and you just proved to me there is Hiashi-sama." Naruto answered.

Hiashi gripped his desk and asked, "What… how?"

"You very subtly hinted it to me when I asked you check where I was in your room, I noticed you had to turn ever so slightly to check the entire room and had the Byakugan had full 360 degrees sight you wouldn't have needed to do that, though you can rest assure I have no idea where exactly the blind spot is…. Nevertheless it's still there." Naruto stated.

Giving Naruto a slight glare Hiashi, "And you know what would happen if this secret were to get out?

Nodding Naruto said, "Yes I know the danger it would put the Hyuga clan in, so you have my word that I will not speak a word of this to anybody."

"Thank you Naruto you have me and my clan's gratitude." Hiashi said with trust in his voice.

"I would never dare to put Hinata-hime and your wife in danger, not after all they have done for me. It has been a long and tiring night for me Hiashi-sama would you mind if I retired to sleep?" Naruto asked.

Shaking his head Hiashi said, "No I don't Naruto go rest I'm sure you deserve it."

Naruto stood up gave a short bow to Hiashi and left the room.

2 hours later

Hiashi sealed up the scroll and locked it away in a secret safe, which only he and his wife knew about. Turning off the lamp at his desk he left his study and trekked back to his room. Entering it he noticed his wife sleeping on her side cuddling his pillow.

Smiling he approached her and snaked his arms around her from the behind, and pressed his nose against her hair and inhaled deeply.

This served to awaken Hitomi slightly who just mumbled out sleepily, "Hmm Ashi-kun what's wrong?"

Rubbing his face against her hair slightly he said, "You know I love you so much."

With her eyes still closed Hitomi smirked slightly and said, "Is that so?"

Taking another deep breath of his wife's aroma he just said in a satisfied tone, "Yeah."

NEXT DAY

The next day it was publically announced that Itachi had slaughtered his entire clan with the exception of Sasuke, this news shocked the entire village and rumors started flying around Konoha on the reasoning behind Itachi's mental breakdown.

One such rumor was that Itachi was corrupted by the demon boy who was planning on using Hinata to irradiate the Hyuga clan next.

These rumors greatly disgusted Hinata, and she had all but lost all her faith for Konoha when one Shinobi made an attempted on Naruto's life when they were walking toward school.

He had just jumped off a tree branch and ran at Naruto, screaming that he would free the Hyuga heiress from his corruption by slaying the demon. Without even missing a step in his journey toward the academy Naruto just waved his arms and branches rose from the ground and subdued the man, who was almost immediately taken away most likely for a meeting with Ibiki or Anko by a member of the Anbu.

To no surprise of anybody Sasuke had missed the next week of academy, and when he returned he was instantly bombarded by his fan-girls asking if he was okay and if he need any company. Even Hinata had wanted to give her condolences to Sasuke, but instantly decided against it after what happened in a spar between Kiba and Sasuke.

The spar had begun as it normal with neither Kiba nor Sasuke giving an inch on each other, while Sasuke's Uchiha counter stance was on full display, it also showed a glaring weakness when fighting Kiba.

The Inuzaka's fighting style was too wild and unpredictable for Sasuke. Thus after 5 minutes and both competitors looking a bit worse for wear, Iruka called the match as a draw much to the displeasure of Sasuke who the moment Kiba had turned his way back towards Naruto and Hinata. Charged at him and tackled him from behind and bought his fist down in a club like fashion on Kiba's head.

The class immediately got wiped into a frenzy seeing the fight start again, and Sasuke's fan girls started cheering again seeing their hero beat the dog boy

As Sasuke raised his fist to pound it down again he was stopped before he could even swing downwards looking up he saw Naruto gripping his hand and his face was one of anger.

Trying to tear his arm away from Naruto Sasuke demanded, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING ASSHOLE, LET MY HAND GO!"

In a cold tone while increasing the pressure on Sasuke's wrist which made him flinch in pain Naruto asked, "No…. what are you doing Uchiha! the fight is over!"

Trying to pry Naruto's hand off of his he said while flinching slightly from the amount of pressure Naruto was putting on his wrist. "THE FIGHT IS OVER WHEN I SAY IT'S OVER! AND I WASN'T DONE WITH THE MUTT!"

Having enough with the Uchiha Naruto lifted him up by his arm and flung him away causing him to roll a couple of times. Then said, "Your superior said it's over Uchiha, learn to follow orders."

Sasuke gritted his teeth as he stood up clutching his wrist, "I HAVE NO SUPERIORS IM A UCHIHA, AND IF YOU WONT LET ME FIGHT THE MUTT THAN YOU FIGHT ME WEAKLING."

Naruto shook his head in disappointment as he turned to Iruka and said, "I accept your challenge Uchiha, Iruka-sensei do you allow this fight to precede?"

Iruka look at Naruto, he knew that Sasuke had definitely stepped out of line. And he knew about the one sided rivalry Sasuke had with Naruto. So Iruka decided to allow it since it was the Uchiha who asked first so if he was beaten than he could only blame himself.

Iruka nodded his head as both Naruto and Sasuke entered the ring and stood a few meters away from each other. Iruka raised his hand and just as he dropped it and said "BEGIN"

Naruto was immediately gone from his starting spot and a second later he appeared in front of Sasuke kneeing him in the stomach, Naruto heard a crack and be knew he had broken at least two of his bottom ribs. The force of this would have normally launched Sasuke out of the ring, had Naruto not reached out and grabbed his arm and dragged than slammed him in a overhead swing into the middle of the ring. It was more than enough force to completely dislocate his shoulder, landing face first into the dirt below Sasuke felt a foot on his back as his arm was held up painfully behind him.

The crowd was completely silent even the fan girls were quiet at the display of power Naruto just showed, none of the with the exception of Hinata had seen Naruto like this. Even Kiba who had been helped up by Ino and Hinata was shocked at the raw display of power.

Pulling Sasuke's arm back painfully, Naruto said to him in a tone dripping with rage and anger. "I can deal with you constantly mocking of me I can even deal with your disrespecting of your superiors…. But what I refuse to take from you is how pathetic you

are to dare to attack somebody behind their back after the match is over… especially when that somebody is my friend."

He pulled Sasuke's arm back even harder while continuing to hold the rest of his body down with his foot this made him scream in pain, "Even for ninjas that only use cheap and underhanded tricks, what you did before was low you are even worse than trash Uchiha." Naruto said as he released Sasuke's arm and walked away as Iruka called shakily, "Winner: Uzumaki-Senju Naruto."

As Naruto walked back toward Hinata, Ino and Kiba he was stopped when the pink haired girl stepped in front of him and shrieked out, "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM DOBE!"

Naruto narrowed his eyes and said, "Haruno please exercise some self-control when speaking so loud, or you might find yourself unable to at all."

Trying to walk past her Sakura shoved Naruto in the chest which made Naruto take a step back and caused a majority of the crowd to gasp out loud, "You think you're so cool by beating Sasuke-kun like that but you're not, your just a wannabe. Had Sasuke-kun been fighting at full strength then he would have beat you with one hand tied behind his back!"

Curious Naruto asked Sakura, "And what do you mean fighting at full strength Haruno?"

"Clearly Sasuke-kun is traumatized by the death of his clan and he must have so much important details to think about since he's going to be clan head soon, also you injured his wrist before the fight even started. Had you fought him any other day and if he wasn't injured than he would have beaten you stupid ass hands down," Sakura stated devoutly

Naruto just shook his head and said, "Your dear Sasuke-kun didn't seem so traumatized when he attacked Kiba so that excuse is folly, and didn't you state he could beat me with one hand tied behind his back then wouldn't his injured wrist be something similar to having one hand tied behind his back. And maybe your memory is lacking because I have already beaten Sasuke which I clearly remembered was before the death of his clan. So why don't you leave me in peace and tend to your precious Uchiha."

Later that day

Hyuga Compound

Naruto and Hiashi were sitting on the patio floor watching Hinata, Anko and Hitomi have a 3 way fight with their Snake Juken. It was at this moment a branch member walked up to them and said, "Hiashi-sama, Naruto-san, both of your presences is required at the council chambers."

Hiashi turned to Naruto and just nodded.