Hello ladies and gents! This is marks the last of the remodeled chapters! From here on out you'll be getting new chapters that progresses the story forward!

I hope you'll enjoy it and thank you all for your continued support!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto etc. etc. etc.

Micheru arrived at Tuva within the next two days. as per Ghost's advice, she had taken it slow and when she arrived, she immediately went to Rome's house. As per instruction, she quickly used a henge to make herself look like a random traveler and hurried to her old instructor's house.

Once there she rapped her knuckles and mere moments later the door opened, revealing Mayu. She smiled and gave a wave. "Hey mom."

She immediately got enveloped in a hug and couldn't help but laugh. "I wasn't gone that long!"

"I got extremely worried when we received no message after your fight! We feared the worst!" She looked around, her eyes slowly widening. "Is Ghost...?"

Micheru shook her head quickly. "No no! he's alright! He had some business he had to attend to so he'll catch up with us soon!"

Mayu quirked an eyebrow. "What kind of business?"

"Let me explain it all inside, I really want to sit down." She chuckled, scratching the back of her head.

Mayu guided her inside and she was met by a large group of Hunters, most of whom were the ones that got sent out on a similar assignment as she had.

Hawke was the first to speak up. "So how did it go?"

Micheru sat down and thanked Rome for the glass of water. "Well, it all started when we..." She then proceed to tell them all about how they had entered the village, concealing their identity and were trying to find their opponent. How they had finally had found their target, only to find out that there were two of them.

"I have to admit, I got scared at that point. We didn't expect two of them. But we managed to get through our first fight unscathed. But then Konoha shinobi butted in and they put an end to the fight...We really…Really should've ended it then and there."

The blonde continued her story and told them that the real fight happened at the arena, how Ghost had told her to keep the Konoha-nin at bay while he took care of them, almost succeeding. She purposefully left out the part about his demonic abilities. 'They won't understand, they'll go on a witch hunt.'

She eventually wrapped things up. "So, now Ghost has gone with the Akatsuki and told me he would be back as soon as possible."

Rome nodded thoughtfully. "If the Akatsuki could be persuaded to ally with us, that could help us a lot."

"Well, they are aware of the situation. I doubt they'll let the Unknowns do as they wish." Raibatsu said as he voiced his opinion.

Rome turned to Hawke. "You have a contact in their organization right? Try and get in contact with them. Hopefully they'll be able to help us out."

Hawke stood up. "I'll do it right away," He nudged with his feet against Raipa. "Come on, do something with your life and help me out."

"My p'urpose ies to annoy you." Raipa responded with a grin.

"You got that right!" Hawke wrapped his arm around Raipa's shoulder and both strode out the room.

xXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXx

Itachi hopped off a branch, in front of a large rock formation, closely followed by Ghost and Kisame.

"Undo the genjutsu, Itachi. I'm starving."

Ghost looked at the Uchiha as he acquiesced to the request , revealing a small metal door.

Kisame opened the door and led them inside, revealing a small dark corridor lit by torches hanging on the walls.

Ghost walked closely behind Kisame while Itachi made sure the genjutsu was set in place before following in their footsteps.

After a mere minute of following the small corridor they arrived at a large open room, with more hallways leading in various directions.

"You guys took the whole Akatsuki thing a bit too serious." Ghost muttered as he looked around. He could see various other members walking down the different hallways.

"This way." Kisame took the corridor on their right and the trio silently made their way deeper into the compound, passing various doors and other rooms.

"You've certainly grown in the last years, Naruto-kun." said Itachi as he walked next to the Uzumaki.

Ghost's eyebrow twitched. "Ghost will do, you know damn well why."

Kisame grinned. "Still hiding from Konoha, huh?"

"If they know I'm still alive and know who I'm affiliated to, they will hunt me down."

Kisame shrugged. "Kill em, always works for me."

Ghost grinned at the man. "Yeah, but unlike you I don't have an organization that approves of that."

"Should've joined us then, problem solved." Kisame turned around the corner, stopping at a double door.

"And letting you suck out my Bijuu? not the best idea."

"Always complaining really doesn't suit you," Kisame opened the door and waved ahead. "Leader-sama will meet you soon."

Ghost entered the room and glanced around. different sorts of furniture filled up the room. He walked over to one of the desks and noticed a small blue ring on top of a folded Akatsuki robe.

"Uzumaki-san, You've adhered to my request."

Ghost turned around and looked at a man with red hair. His face was adorned with piercings he had never seen before. But what was most surprising were his eyes. "Those eyes!"

"So you recognize them." the man spoke, his voice commanding and neutral.

Ghost took a couple of steps closer to the man. "I thought it was just a myth..." The leader of the Akatsuki had purple eyes with a ripple pattern around it.

"We're not here to talk about my eyes; We're here to talk about a common problem we're facing."

Ghost snapped his gaze away and nodded. "The Unknowns."

"That's how we used to call them. They however call themselves, Reavers."

"You've got a spy within their ranks?" Ghost asked. So far any attempts at infiltrating their ranks was filled with disappointment. They had been found in a matter of days. And their enemy weren't fond of their attempts of infiltration to say the least.

"He's been imbedded the moment they left the shores of Mirarca." The leader walked towards the table and looked at the contents that lay on top.

"Is he trustworthy?" The hunter asked.

"We of the Akatsuki don't betray each other. Now, onto more important matters. The Reavers are three weeks away. We need to strengthen our numbers."

Ghost couldn't help but nod at his statement. To say they were outnumbered was a slight understatement. "You suggest informing the hidden villages."

"There is no alternative. But that was not what I was speaking of," He gestured to the items laying atop the table. "We need more members. From what I've heard you are a capable shinobi."

Ghost quirked an eyebrow and looked down at the outfit laying there. "You're inviting your former prey?"

the man in front of him slightly tilted his head. "The Bijuu are no longer a concern of ours."

Ghost shook his head. "I'm with the Hunters. They've been good to me."

"They restrict you and hold you back from what you could be truly capable of. However, I do not want to tarnish a potential alliance. If you do not wish to join us, I suggest informing your leader and letting them know of our interests."

"I'll send them a message. I doubt they'll pass up the opportunity to gain more allies against the 'Reavers'."

The leader reached for the ring and handed it to the Hunter. "Should you reconsider."

Ghost glanced down at the ring and couldn't restrain his smirk. "From enemies to allies, huh?"

"Akatsuki doesn't seek conflict. We seek peace." The orange haired man stated calmly as he started walking to the exit.

Ghost looked at him with disbelief on his face. "You were hunting Jinchuuriki. You were murdering people everywhere. Your ranks are filled with mass murderers. That's not peace."

"This world must first know pain before it can have peace."

"That makes no sense whatsoever!" Ghost harshly responded. "You can't let people suffer and feel loss in order to have peace."

The Akatsuki leader looked at the Hunter with a calculative gaze. "The shinobi world has only known war and conflict but it has never truly felt pain. Our original plan was to expose this world to an amount of suffering and loss that it has never felt before. Only then will peace last."

Ghost looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "That is wishful thinking, to put it mildly."

"Apply enough pressure and at one point or another, all will collapse. In this case, cause destruction and loss of life on such a scale that the idea of conflict will never cross their minds."

"And you need Bijuu for that…" Ghost shook his head and looked away. "If we really need something that 'drastic' for us to finally change our ways...Maybe we don't deserve peace."

"We don't. Not that it matters. The Reavers will most likely succeed and through them, the world shall know pain on a scale unimaginable."

"We'll stop them." Ghost snapped back. The man in front of him was intimidating to say the least but he had vibe around him that put the Hunter on edge. He couldn't help but respect the man in front of him, not only because of his accomplishments, but also of what he was intending to do.

"Perhaps we will, but not alone. inform your allies."

Ghost pocketed the ring and was about to leave before he turned his focus back on the man. "What's your name?"

"My name is Pein." and with that the man left the room, leaving Ghost alone.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXx

After having spent a couple of days within the base, he had at first kept to himself. But it didn't take long before a purple haired woman knocked on his door.

"You can come in." Ghost said as he read the letter he received from Mayu.

Konan entered the room, looking around before settling her gaze upon the blonde. "I see you washed the dye out of your hair."

Ghost slid a hand through his hair. "Yeah, but the dye didn't work out as well as I'd hoped. At least my real identity is still a secret...mostly."

Konan sat down in one of the chairs situated in the corner of his room. "I'm curious what happened between you and Konoha."

"It isn't really common knowledge huh?"

She shook her head. "We hear things but those were just rumors."

Ghost folded the letter and placed it on the table. "Konoha is obsessed with their dojutsu. Especially the sharingan."

She raised an eyebrow in confusion. "How is that connected to your departure?"

"Well...I was a Jinchuuriki, you know we aren't the most liked people around. Others will always try and find a way to get rid of us."

Konan thought back on the capture of the Kokuo Jinchuuriki. Iwa had given it to them freely. "Jinchuuriki have always been shunned by most major villages."

Ghost clenched his jaw in anger. "Yeah…Well, when the last loyal Uchiha came barging in and told the council that I succumbed to the power of the Bijuu. They instantly wanted to seal my chakra coils."

Konan looked at the young man and could understand his reasoning. A boy at that age, with so little left a small push would be more than enough. "I can understand your reasoning behind it. In the end it turned out for the best didn't it?"

Ghost looked at his gauntlet. "It did. I came to realize that the 'Will of fire' is nothing more than a lie and that your comrades will abandon you. That they are a weakness and can only betray you."

She stayed silent for a moment, taking in the words he had spoken. "You seem to have found a new group of friends, comrades that are worth fighting for, didn't you?"

"I can't afford friends anymore. I only rely on myself."

"Yet you seem to have found a friend in Itachi ."

Ghost hesitated. He had met up with Itachi often . "Friend' is such a big word..."

Konan smiled and shook her head. "It may not mean much coming from someone who've only made enemies in the last years, but you can't do everything by yourself. sometimes you need friends." With that she stood up and gave him a nod before leaving the room.

Ghost watched her leave and soon followed in her footsteps, closing the room behind him. He headed for the same room where he had first spoken with Pein. clutching the piece of paper he had read earlier.

"Where are you going? Hn."

Ghost turned around and saw Deidera leaning against the wall. He had quickly deduced that he did not like the man. He was arrogant and downright irritating. "Talking to your boss."

"You can just tell me what's going on and I'll pass the message along, yeah?"

"How about, no?"

Deidera strolled over, noticing the folded letter in his hand. "What's in the letter, teme?"

Ghost turned around but was jerked back just as quickly. "You know, I was told to play nice...But I really don't want to. So how about you leave me be, and you go play with your clay toys or something?"

"It's art you f-." Deidera started, grabbing Ghost by the collar, pushing the blonde against the wall.

"Deidera, leave him be. You have other duties to attend to." Said Pein as he stood there, watching the two.

Ghost pushed Deidera aside before turning his gaze towards the leader of the Akatsuki. "I have news."

"Follow me."

Ghost followed Pein into a small room and handed the letter to the orange haired man.

"They are sending someone over to come to an arrangement. But I'm fairly sure that they will agree to your idea."

"Good, we can move to the next step of our plan." Pein stated as he handed the letter back to the blonde.

"The villages" said Ghost, stuffing the letter in his pocket.

"Indeed. I'll start informing the others."

Ghost nodded and turned to leave, only to bump into Kisame. "Sushi"

Kisame bared his teeth. "Brat, let's have a little chat; we have some catching up to do."

"We really don't." The blonde walked past the S-ranked shinobi, ignoring the footsteps behind him.

"Oh but we do!" he slid an arm around Ghost's shoulders. "It's been years since our visit to Irosa!"

Ghost suppressed a wince and shrugged off the arm. "Not now. I have things I need to do before the other Hunters arrive."

"Oh? are your friends joining us?"

Ghost sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration. 'This is going to be a long three days.'

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXx

A few days later, Konoha.

Sasuke strolled through the streets, his teammates alongside him. They were supposed to meet up with Kakashi but the man in question was always late. So in return they had decided to just follow his example. it had been roughly a week since the attack and everything had returned to normal. The damage that had been inflicted was repaired and Konoha was back to its normal duties.

"I wonder what kind of mission Kakashi-sensei got us, it better be something interesting. " Ridou said.

"I think it's a B-ranked mission, I overheard him talking earlier today with Asuma." Sasuke said as they walked past the marketplace.

Ridou seemed satisfied. "About time I-." The young man got interrupted by Kakashi who appeared in a puff of smoke.

"We have two individuals approaching the gate, from what I've heard, it's the Akatsuki."

"Akatsuki?! What are they doing here?" Sakura nearly shouted. worry etched on her face.

"It doesn't matter what their motivation is, we can't allow them entry, all available squads have been summoned are setting up at the front gate." Kakashi informed them before leading them to the entrance of their village.

"All available squads? Isn't that overkill?" Ridou asked as he along with Sasuke and Sakura caught up to Kakashi.

"It's the Akatsuki you idiot! their group is made up out of S-ranked missing ninja!"

The moment team 7 arrived they noticed a flurry of ninja activity, traps were set up and other teams were setting up the perfect ambush position. Sasuke noted that even the Hokage herself was preparing for a fight.

xXxxXxXxXxXx

Tsunade looked with narrowed eyes at the duo that were slowly approaching. Early intel was clearly off because she noted that only one was of the Akatsuki. The other was a Hunter.

"Lady Tsunade, all ANBU squads are taking positions around the forested area, encircling the two threats. We have various Jonin and Chunin setting up on the wall. Kakashi has also arrived, along with his team. Shizune said as she stood next to Tsunade.

"Good, and the civilians?"

"They have been evacuated into the caverns. The hospital has been notified as well. We have prepared ourselves as best we can, all things considering."

Taking one last glance at her shinobi before nodding in approval. "Get ready, but wait for my orders.

Seconds slowly ticked away and anxiety cut through the air. After what had happened to Gaara and some of the other Jinchuuriki, they feared that the Akatsuki would show up at Konoha, and demand information on Naruto.

The moment they were within their range did the duo stop. She noticed that the Akatsuki member was wearing a straw hat that effectively hid his face. The other she noted was a Hunter. His face was obscured by a dark hood.

"I thought they said it were two Akatsuki members?" Tsunade heard Ino say.

Her words were ignored and Tsunade assessed the ANBU formation. It was a perfect

crossfire. It was a textbook ANBU.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes and spoke up. "Put one hand on top of your head and the other on your elbow! If you don't comply within the next ten seconds, we will put you down!"

The Akatsuki member leaned towards his ally, softly speaking into the ear of his companion. "We could comply but that will most likely result into interrogation and they'll kill us afterwards. We'll never get the chance to persuade them."

The Hunter nodded. "You're right," he crossed his arms in defiance, ignoring the words of Tsunade. "Hokage, we are not here to attack your village. We are merely here to negotiate."

"We don't negotiate with scum like you!" a Chunin shouted bravely before gulping in fear when the Akatsuki agent slightly tilted his head towards him.

"You have nothing we want. This is your final warning. Surrender now!" Tsunade stated loudly as she raised her hand in the air. Every shinobi under her command tensed up and reached for a kunai, a shuriken or prepared themselves for a jutsu.

The two remained emotionless and still, their arms at their sides.

Tsunade's face turned into a scowl and was about to drop her hand when one of them spoke up.

"We know the status of Uzumaki Naruto." The Hunter calmly stated.

the Sannin froze on the spot. her look had changed from a scowl into one of surprise and disbelief. "Where?" she managed to utter, her eyes wide.

"That's what I thought; let's continue to conversation in private shall we, Hokage?" The Hunter spoke once again.

"Don't listen to them, Lady Hokage, You know that nothing good will come from this. I know you miss him! We all do, but negotiating with them will cause nothing but trouble!" Shizune spoke with desperation as she tried to talk her leader out of the decision she was likely to make.

Tsunade snapped her attention on her long time student and friend. " I know perfectly well what could happen. But it's worth the risk. Shikamaru, take Kakashi's squad and ANBU squad two. Set them up in my office. I want all other ANBU to set up a tight perimeter around the route to the Hokage tower."

"Troublesome...I mean understood Hokage-sama!" Shikamaru corrected his sentence and sprinted off.

Tsunade turned to Shizune. "I want all Chunins to set up a perimeter behind the ANBU, just in case they fail, understood?"

"Hai, I'm on it." Shizune said, sighing in defeat but following orders regardless.

Tsunade turned her gaze back on the two rogue shinobi. "Follow me. You will not draw your weapons or act aggressively. I won't hesitate to order my shinobi to kill you if you disregard my orders, you got that?"

"Don't worry, we're merely here to talk." Itachi spoke, keeping his identity hidden.

"Let's go." Was the only thing she said, cautiously turning her back on them and heading for the Hokage tower.

The Hunter glanced at his companion before nodding, following the Hokage towards their destination.

xXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXx

As they walked down the hallway, heading for her office, the Hunter better known as Ghost watched with disgust at the back of Tsunade's head. 'I seriously can't believe I'm being sent here a second time!'

They entered her office and Ghost immediately noticed his old teammates. He took a passive stance next to Itachi, in front of the Hokage's desk.

"Before we start I want to see your faces. You don't want me to worry, but I can't even begin to trust you, if you don't show me your faces." Tsunade took her place behind her desk, her chair shoved back.

Ghost glanced at Itachi and nodded. He slowly reached for his hood and pulled it back, revealing his blonde hair. His face hidden away by a facemask and sunglasses that protected his eyes.

Itachi grabbed the straw hat and took it off, revealing his black hair and grey eyes, as well as the unique lines underneath his eyes.

Ghost almost immediately realized their mistake, but by then it was too late.

"You! I will kill you!" Sasuke roared as he dashed for the Akatsuki member, who had now revealed himself as Itachi Uchiha.

Ghost sighed as he saw Sasuke aim a fist at his companion. "This is just brilliant," He said sarcastically as he saw Itachi block Sasuke's fist and push him out of the way.

"Itachi won't retaliate but I suggest you calm yo-." Ghost was interrupted as a kunai flew past his face that was apparently aimed for Itachi. "Hokage! I suggest you keep your shinobi on a leash!"

"Your companion is Itachi Uchiha, he massacred his entire clan! You shouldn't have brought him here. All things considered I should help the brat end Itachi's existence." Tsunade said as she glared at the man, her jaw set and her hands turned into fists.

The other shinobi were awaiting instructions, hands lingering on their pouches or gripping the handles of their katanas.

Ghost sneered at her and locked his gaze with Kakashi's slowly reaching for his blade. Only to freeze dead in his tracks. His eyes snapped towards Shikamaru who had his hands intertwined in a seal. "Nara, if you don't release your Kagemana no Jutsu this second, you'll be in serious trouble!" to emphasize he slowly started to straighten his back, letting the Nara now that he could break free if his order wasn't followed.

"Maa Ghost-san, you really shouldn't make threats when you're surrounded and trapped." Kakashi lazily said as he appeared next to the Hunter, a kunai poised at his throat.

Shikamaru turned to the hokage. "Lady Hokage?"

Tsunade remained silent as she watched Sasuke and Itachi flurry about in her office with Itachi dodging all the attacks and staying on the defensive.

Ghost's eyes flashed red as he lost his cool. "Hokage! if you don't order your subordinates to stand down, there will be severe consequences!"

Itachi instantly stopped his 'dance' and grabbed Sasuke's by his throat and pinning his arms down. "Ghost?"

Tsunade was initially taken aback but responded just as quickly, marching over to the blonde standing mere inches from his face, noting the red glow behind his glasses. "Are you threatening me?" she hissed in anger.

"Not only that, I'm also threatening the lives of some of your Chunin shinobi,"Seeing as he got her attention he continued. "To be more exact, Team Ebisu in Kaze no Kuni."

"How dare you!" Shizune shouted as she too joined in and got into an aggressive fighting stance.

"If you stand down and listen to our proposition, we'll release your team."

Tsunade glared at the man and was tempted to punch the man into next week. But the man's information regarding Ebisu's whereabouts were accurate so if what he told was true, she couldn't risk it. "Stand down, everyone. Let's hear them out."

Shikamaru instantly obeyed and dropped his jutsu, nodding at Kakashi whom in turn stepped away from the Hunter.

Ghost turned around and locked his eyes with Kakashi's lone eye. "Should've let those two intruders kill you all."

"What did you say?!" Ridou hissed as he marched forward, only to be restrained by Sakura.

Sasuke in the meanwhile had been slammed to the ground by one of Itachi's counters. He was then quickly restrained by the ANBU squad that was in the room.

"Let...Me...Go!" Sasuke growled as he struggled to get free.

Tsunade marched towards him and raised her fist threateningly. "Control yourself, Sasuke! Now is not the time!" The Hokage turned back to Ghost. "Tell us what you're here for and be quick about it!"

Ghost reached inside his robe and pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Tsunade. "These two attacked your village a week ago, remember?"

She unfolded the paper, revealing a sketch of the two intruders at the Jonin exam. "They're dead. What of it?"

"These two were part of an advanced scouting party. They were here to gather intel on the major hidden villages. Undoubtedly your spymaster told you of similar sightings in other villages, as well as my kind appearing shortly after.

Tsunade remembered Jiraiya telling her about it. "What business do they have with us?"

It was then Itachi spoke up. "They gathered intel on your military strength to send back to their main force that is currently heading towards the Elemental countries."

"How big is this force?" Kakashi asked, pocketing his kunai.

Ghost glanced at Itachi but remained silent. "We don't know. But they're powerful enough to wipe us all out."

There was a moment of silence before Tsunade spoke up again. "You're saying that there's an enemy coming that's more powerful than all the shinobi countries combined?"

"That's exactly what we're saying." Ghost said as walked around the desk and sat down in the Hokage's chair.

Tsunade's eye twitched in severe annoyance. "What are you proposing?"

"An alliance between your village and our organizations."

"You can't be serious!" Sakura shouted as she eyed them both with a large amount of distrust.

Tsunade looked at Shikamaru and Kakashi. "We need to discuss this in private."

Ghost waved with his hand. " You go and do that. I'm sure your ANBU monkeys will watch us."

"Escort them to the room across."

The ANBU followed her order without so much as a grunt, taking Itachi and Ghost to the room across.

xXxxXxXxXxXx

"What do you think, Shikamaru?" The Hokage asked one last time.

"Well, we have to consider they're both S-ranked criminal...I strongly suggest against it. There could be truth to their story but It's too convenient for them, especially the Akatsuki."

Shikaku whom was in the room as well nodded in agreement. "My son's right. We should

station extra ANBU outside the door and take them down."

Kakashi moved slightly . "I have my doubts about this. What if they're right?"

"The risk's too big. We have a chance to take down Itachi Uchiha. we can't waste this opportunity. We're doing it." Tsunade said with finality.

"But what about team Ebisu?" Kakashi asked.

"We have to somehow convince them to let them go, shouldn't be too hard I think," Shikaku answered. "give them the idea we're considering joining them, but first they have to release our team."

Tsunade nodded and gave the order to retrieve their 'guests'. Moments later the two were escorted back in.

"So, have you decided?" Ghost asked, crossing his arms.

"We won't decide anything before you release our team. You want an alliance while you have my men. That's unreasonable."

Ghost chuckled softly. "It was a bluff. We had a team that recognized Ebisu. We merely decided to use it to our advantage."

Tsunade locked eyes with Shikamaru before closing her eyes, a smirk appearing on her face. "Well that certainly makes it a lot easier."

Ghost tensed up, his grin turning into a frown. "Don't do anything stupid, Hokage."

A mere moment later, Kakashi appeared A kunai aimed at the back of Itachi's head.

Ghost and his partner seemed unconcerned. "So that's how it's going to be...You're making a big mistake."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes and snapped her head towards Itachi. 'Ghost's too calm for the current situation.'

"Where's Naruto!" Kakashi demanded, his kunai inching closer.

"Uzumaki's whereabouts..." Itachi softly spoke, his eyes settling on Ghost.

Ghost tilted his head, a smile appearing on his face. "We did promise that, Itachi." His fingers slowly gripped the katana strapped on his back.

"I guess we did." Itachi responded, his hands appeared from his sleeves.

"Kakashi, do it!" Tsunade roared and balled a fist, swinging it at Ghost.

Ghost was the first who responded. He ducked underneath her attack and stepped forward, disappearing with flashstep. He appeared mere centimeters away from Kakashi and slammed into him, using the speed of his unique ability, crashing the copy-nin through one of the walls.

Itachi's head jerked backwards as a kunai flew past his eyes. he retaliated with a handful of shuriken, throwing them in one swift motion, hitting two of the ANBU.

Ridou came barreling towards Ghost, a kunai in both hands swing them wildly yet accurately.

The Hunter twirled around and blocked it with his katana before grabbing Ridou by his hair, painfully pulling his head down slamming it into his knee. The dark haired konoha shinobi stumbled back, blood dripping from his nose

"Y-you'll pay for that!" he screamed and was about to charge back in but halted when he saw a smoke bomb drop at Ghost and Itachi's feet and exploded a mere second later, engulfing the two and a large portion of the room.

The duo jumped out of the smoke, their hands held up in a defensive posture.

Sasuke used the opportunity and charged in with a chidori. "I've got you now, brother!"

Unable to move in time, Itachi's eyes widened in seeming surprise as Sasuke's chidori rammed through his back and out of his chest. But instead of slumping to the ground, he merely spoke up. "Not exactly, little brother."

Sasuke looked to Kakashi, confusion written across his face before it turned into realization; he tried to jump back but was too late. A big explosion occurred.

In a last resort, Sakura threw herself to the ground, dragging Sasuke with her whilst the copy-nin made a dive for the desk.

When the explosion died down, Tsunade struggled to get to her feet. Clutching her side she coughed and looked at the destruction around her. She saw Sakura slowly getting up, dust and burn marks covering her figure.

Glancing at the ground she saw Kakashi lying motionless to the side of her desk. Her eyes slowly travelled upwards, where the window used to be, but that too got destroyed in the explosion, leaving a large gap that gave a view of the village where several of her shinobi were investigating the situation.

"You forced our hand, Tsunade," Ghost said as he appeared from the lingering dust cloud, with Itachi to his right. Both appeared unharmed. "We came here with a peace offering, but instead you chose this."

Shikamaru grunted as he slowly got to his feet, his legs trembling with exertion, panting heavily and clutching his side.

Ghost turned to Tsunade, whom was taking sharp intakes of breath before he slowly walked over, but not before purposely stepping on Kakashi's hand, whom was preparing to strike with the kunai in his grasp. "You were at a strategic disadvantage; a small office, not enough space for a wide assortment of jutsu. And to top it off, you had little information about your opponent's battle skills. You, Tsunade, made a terrible mistake."

"If you merely had said no, we would've left. We meant no further trouble with this pathetic village." Itachi added, looking at his brother with disappointment before rolling him on his back, using his feet. "We should go, Ghost, we only have a couple of days left. Everyone will be mobilizing by now."

Ghost turned to face the hole in the wall but was restricted by Tsunade who was clutching his leg. He looked down at her with disgust before slowly crouching down.

Tsunade forced herself to look up and was shocked by the sheer hatred the man seemingly had for her. ""Where is he! Where's my little brother? Where. Is. Naruto!" She hissed, tightly grapping the fabric of his pants.

Ghost smirked at her, slowly pulling his hood back over his head. "Your 'little brother' is lying six feet under." He stood back up and placed his hand on Itachi's shoulder. He pulled his leg free from Tsunade's grasp before disappearing in a flash.

"Naruto's d-dead?" Sakura stuttered as tears slowly made their way down her face.

Tsunade was speechless and just kept staring at the ground in front of her, where Ghost had been crouching moments before.