Kenpachi looked at the report with a narrowed gaze. His eyes flickering across the paper as he took in his defeat at Nami no Kuni.
"No survivors?" He asked, never raising his gaze to his subordinate standing in front of him.
The woman shook her head. "Unfortunately not sir. As per your command, they fought to the death."
The dark-haired leader gave a nod. "At least Lasting succeeded in carrying out his orders."
"What are your orders, sir?"
"The second Legion is assembling in Iwagakure, correct?" He asked a question he already knew the answer to, snapping the report shut and letting it fall to the table below.
The woman couldn't resist the smirk. "They are eager and ready, sir."
"Give the order to have them move at once. I want them to annihilate everything in their path. It's time we teach these shinobi the true meaning of fear. I will lead the forces myself."
"Victory is assured."
"That it is, Lena"
Looking over at his war table, examining the pieces representing his forces as well as his enemy's. Konoha had done exactly as he'd hoped, even though the enemy's losses were lower than he'd expected. With Konoha busy on retaking Nami no Kuni they had given them ample time to prepare their second, main legion.
x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x
With a jolt Naruto awoke from his 'slumber', only to be met with a stabbing pain to his head.
"Glad to see you've woken up, brat."
"Leave him alone, Kisame."
"You're no fun!"
Taking in his surroundings, the first thing he noticed was that they were all put in a makeshift cell, made of wood, with several seals attached to it. Around him were various Akatsuki agents, and his old teacher and friend, Hawke. With a groan, the blonde slowly stood up, holding his head with his hand, noticing the cloth wrapped around it. "Akatsuki surrendering? That's a new one."
"You let yourself be knocked out, brat. You're not one to speak."
Naruto let out a grunt. "Who tackled me?"
"The Inuzuka," Itachi crouched in front of him and slowly started unwrapping the cloth.
Naruto winced but let Itachi continue regardless. "I've had it with him."
Itachi leaned in closer, inspecting the stitches. "The kunoichi, Haruno. She patched you up. A remarkable medical-nin."
"Remarkably annoying, yeah." Naruto muttered, hissing in pain as Itachi reapplied the bandage. "Why didn't you fight back?"
"Because I ordered them not to." Konan spoke for the first time, sitting on the ground to the far right.
He quirked an eyebrow at her explanation. "And why is that?"
"For the sake of the war. Not that we'll stay in here for long. "I've ordered Zetsu to head to Konoha and inform Pein of the situation. He'll be here soon."
Naruto suppressed a shudder. Pein, the leader of the Akatsuki. Having only seen him in combat once, even then, it filled him with more questions than answers. He hoped he'd never have to face him in combat. "What does Konoha want?"
"For us to be punished, befitting of the crime." Itachi spoke up softly from the corner of the cell, hidden in the shadow of a ruined building.
Kisame snorted at that. "They can try. The only reason we haven't broken out is because we have to play nice. The moment this war is over, it all changes." He locked eyes with the blonde.
"Kid."
Naruto turned to the newcomer, Jiraiya. He narrowed his eye, but they held no anger. "Jiraiya, what do you want?"
"Take a walk with me."
Naruto hesitated, his eyes darting across the cell. "I think I rather stay here."
The wooden cell changed its form, creating an opening.
"Don't be such a brat. I just want to talk."
With a groan he stepped out of the cell and followed the older man. Ignoring the shinobi standing of to the side, having his hands formed into a seal.
"What do you want?" Naruto repeated the question.
Jiraiya shook his head. "What do you want?"
The blonde furrowed his brow. "I want nothing."
"Liar"
His eye twitched at the response and a sliver of annoyance roamed through his body. "I don't want anything, other than to be left alone."
"Liar"
"I'm not lyin-"
"Stop lying, kid." Jiraiya interrupted once more, guiding him past a small group of shinobi towards a small cozy house that had been left untouched from the war that had destroyed most of the village
"What is it you want, old man?!"
"To bury the axe." He answered before he opened the door, revealing the group of people waiting inside.
Naruto tried to stop and turn around, but Jiraiya grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him inside, shutting the door behind them.
It was Sasuke who stepped forward. He looked a little roughed up and tired, but other than that it seemed that he came through the fight well enough. "Naruto. We can't keep going like this. We need to talk. All of us."
Naruto sneered at him before looking at the group. All of his old friend were there. "I have nothing, absolutely nothing I have to say to you. You all call me a traitor. Look in the mirror."
"Insults and wound have been inflicted by both sides. But we need to make amends. We need to forgive each other."
"I have done nothing! I have left your pathetic village alone. It was you that hunted me. It was you that kept going after me. All I wanted was to be left alone."
"You've done nothing? What about the massacre you committed? The war crimes you've done. The people you've hurt along the way. You nearly killed Kiba!" Tenten exclaimed.
Naruto's eye locked with that of Kiba's. "Speaking of," he marched over to Kiba who was glancing to his friends with uncertainty. Naruto grabbed him by the collar and smacked him against the wall, the sharp claw digging into his skin. "I fucking had it with you."
"Naruto! Let him go!" Jiraiya yelled from across the room, while Hinata and Shino was trying to break his hold on the Inuzuka.
He glanced over his shoulder for a moment before cold cocking the Inuzuka, dropping him to the ground. "KEEP THE MUTT IN CHECK. THERE WON'T BE A NEXT TIME. UNDERSTOOD?!" He yelled in anger, inches away from Shino's face, before shoving him and Hinata away.
A tense silence fell while Hinata crouched next down next to Kiba, checking for wounds.
"You can't hold on to this hate forever, Naruto. You have to let it go." Jiraiya said as he stepped closer.
"He tackled ME."
Jiraiya held up his hand in a disarming gesture. "I know, I know. He had it coming."
"Naruto, Kiba is acting irrationally on his own. We just want to talk." Sasuke said.
The sudden outburst had increased his headache massively. He pressed his hand against his head, in a futile attempt to lessen the stabbing pain. "Don't even!" he jabbed his finger towards Sakura who he could already sense opening her mouth.
She snapped her mouth back shut and shrunk back into the corner.
The Konoha group looked at each other with unease. This wasn't how they expected it was going to go.
x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x
Ino looked at the blonde with pity and regret. Her old friend, if she could even call him that, looked weary. She remembered when they dragged him in the Konoha hospital after the battle for Kumo, looking absolutely battered. His eye was gouged out and his body was beaten to a pulp. Yet he didn't die. He recovered and continued the fight. 'It's crazy to think this boy…No this man was once the loud-mouthed Naruto. The village prankster.'
It was as if Naruto could read her mind. He stared at her for a moment before returning his gaze. "What do you want?"
"To talk." Said the stoic Neji.
"We all know how that will go."
"We want to know what it is you want." Neji looked at him with his pale eyes, taking in his features with interest.
Ino watched as he walked towards the bar and started rummaging through the cupboard. "You won't like the answer." He spoke.
"Regardless. what do you want?"
"Really, Naruto?" Jiraiya said watching as the blonde found a drink and opened it.
"Let me know how you would feel after your head was split open because of an idiot." Naruto barked back.
Jiraiya sighed but remained silent otherwise. "Continue."
"I want you guys to leave me alone."
At this point Hinata joined the conversation, her voice loud and confident. "I remember a Naruto in Kumo that was willing to sacrifice himself so I could escape. Now you want us to leave you be?"
Naruto's eye darted to her for a moment, before letting out something akin to a snort. "Don't get your hopes up. I thought that death was certain. I made the logical choice."
"And what about our expedition to Yuki no Kuni, where you opened up to me? And showed the Naruto from years past?"
"We were heading for the Toareta mori. I needed you sharp. Not a girl who wishfully wants to reconnect with a memory."
"You're lying Naruto!" she jumped up, jabbing her finger at the blonde. "I know the old Naruto is still in you! Give us a chance!"
Naruto's anger reared its head once more. Jumping from the counter "I'M NOT LYING!" he yelled abruptly, startling the group. "If one more person tells me that I'm lying, I will lose it!"
"Please give us a chance!" Hinata pressed.
"Another chance for you to stab me in the back?! I don't think so!"
"Josh! We were but kids, Naruto! We didn't even know what was happening until the sentence was already given!" Lee butted in; his otherwise hyperactive demeanor having dimmed down somewhat.
"And what did you do when you heard?" He barked back.
Thick brows furrowed together. "What do you mean Naruto-kun?"
"YOU HEARD ME!" He suddenly yelled, tightening the grip on his bottle before letting it snap into pieces. His headache, which had dulled, reared its head once more.
"We did nothing..." Kakashi spoke up from the corner.
"Exactly. If I really mattered, you would've fought tooth and nail for me. Like we did with Sasuke," He sneered at the group. "Apparently I wasn't worth the effort." He let out a near silent groan as he tried his best to ignore the splitting headache.
"What did you want us to do, Naruto? Go against the orders of the village, of the Hokage?" Shino quietly spoke.
"You could've done anything. But as I said. I wasn't worth the effort."
A pregnant silence fell upon the group, only being interrupted by the voices and other noises.
Jiraiya let out a dry cough, getting the attention of the inhabitants of the ruined house. "You have gotten their attention now, Naruto. What is it you want from them? And I really mean want? How can they earn your forgiveness?"
Naruto locked his eye with that of his old sensei, seemingly mulling it over. "They can't. You all have to accept that things will never be how they once were. Accept who I am now."
Hinata seemed unhappy with the answer. "And what if we do want to go back to how it was before?"
A shake of his head, along with a sharper tone showed his annoyance. "We all want things we'll never get. I have long since let go of my previous life. Now it's time for you to do the same."
It was dead silent in the room. They all looked at each other with unease. It was Hinata who stood up and walked towards the door. Before she left, she gave one last look towards the inhabitants. "I refuse to accept that the Naruto I used to know is gone."
With that she exited, quietly closing the door behind her.
Sasuke stared at the door for a moment longer before he stepped forward. "This started with me. I am the main reason the council turned on you. I betrayed you. You can't blame them for being ignorant fools, they were kids. If you want to aim your anger at someone, point it at me." He held out an outstretched hand.
Naruto stood up and looked at the outstretched hand. "You may have started the whole mess, but you aren't the sole reason for this situation," he grasped Sasuke's offered hand before slamming his fist into Sasuke's face. "Don't ever stab me in the back again."
Sasuke groaned as he fell to the ground, letting go of Naruto. "I guess I deserved that." He spit out a mouthful of blood.
"That and so much more." Naruto snarled before calming down slightly. He grabbed the Uchiha and pulled him to his feet. "I meant what I said. Don't ever betray me again." He emphasized his point by channeling demonic chakra into his eye, letting it glow bright red.
Sasuke felt a drop of sweat make its way down the side of his face. "I understand."
The glow disappeared and Naruto nodded. "Good."
The group of Konoha looked at the blonde with a mixture of emotions
Ino anxiously looked at Naruto. "Does this mean you'll rejoin the village?"
"Oh Ino…" Shikamaru muttered, facepalming at the idiotic remark.
"What do you think?" Naruto let out a taunt which held the perfect amount of sarcasm and annoyance.
Kakashi walked up to the blonde, patting him on the back. "Now, time for you to rejoin your friends in your cozy cell."
Naruto scoffed. "Still? Better company anyways…"
"Maa, Naruto, don't break my heart." Kakashi mocked as he guided the blonde outside.
Kiba who had regained consciousness earlier, was slowly getting to his feet, with the help of Hinata. He dipped his head low in shame.
"Everything's going to be alright, Naruto." Sakura yelled to his retreating back." The group slowly exiting the building, stepping onto the market square where large groups of shinobi were busy with taking care of the fallen and wounded.
"I know."
"How could you possible know?" Kiba muttered. The only member who still held clear anger for the blonde. Even Shino had come to the most logical conclusion and let go of what had happened before.
An orange haired figure stepped in front of Naruto and Kakashi. "Because I am here."
Naruto smirked and shook off Kakashi's hand, ignoring the unease in the pit of his stomach.
The others looked at the leader of the Akatsuki, anxiety and extreme unease settling in the group.
"Ghost, where are the others." Pein asked, his eyes settling on the Hunter.
"Still in a holding cell." He answered as he joined Pein's side.
"How did you get out?"
He nudged towards Jiraiya, who looked at the Akatsuki member with an unreadable expression.
"Oh, Jiraiya-sensei?"
Naruto looked at Pein with a confusing gaze that soon turned into shock. "Sensei?!"
"Yahiko, I heard you were around. I have already had the pleasure of speaking to Konan." Jiraiya spoke, his breathing hitched in surprise.
"We will talk later. I have other business I have to attend to," He turned his focus on Kakashi. "Where is Shikaku Nara?"
Kakashi sighed, knowing what was about to come next. He led the way down the market square, leaving behind the 'Konoha eleven'.
Jiraiya restrained the urge to stop Pein and make him talk. But he had to put his priorities straight.
They arrived at the command post which was made of a series of small tents set up in a circular fashion, with at the center a large strategic table. "Skikaku? Pein is here to see you." Kakashi stepped aside, letting Pein past.
Naruto was about to join but was interrupted by Jiraiya who pulled him back, shaking his head in the progress.
"Nara, Release my agents."
"Pein-san, they have committed war crimes, you know I can't allow them to go free."
Pein looked at the others who were gathered around the table. "Regardless, you will release them."
Choji's father, Chōza. Interrupted and blocked Pein's path. "Be careful, Akatsuki scum!"
Pein heeded him no mind. "If you don't do this willingly, I will march over and break them out by force. Not only will that result in unnecessary casualties, but also our assistance in this war."
Nara rubbed his forehead in annoyance before sighing. "As simple as that."
"As simple as that." With that Pein turned around and left. Leaving behind a frustrated group that were powerless to do anything.
x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x
It took little time for the Akatsuki and Hawke to be released. A few complaints were muttered from both sides, but they all knew that to win the war, they needed each other. What split the army down the middle were the war crimes that were committed. Prisoners were being killed left and right, and Konoha's command in Nami could do little but watch as Akatsuki and Hunters alike committed these atrocities.
A couple of days after the battle for Nami no Kuni, the main regiment started marching back towards Konoha, leaving behind a small but fortified detachment behind to make sure that the Reavers wouldn't try to invade again.
Naruto glanced over to his close friend, Itachi as they marched back to Konoha. The Uchiha was in conversation with Pein, which he unfortunately couldn't pick up on. Taking Nami no Kuni had been difficult, incredibly difficult even. Konoha's 1st brigade had suffered heavy losses. At the start they launched the offensive with 3000 men, highly trained shinobi at that.
They had come out with little over 1700 men, of which over half were seriously wounded and would need time to recuperate.
"Hatake, what do you think will happen next?" Naruto muttered, noting Kakashi's sudden appearance next to him.
"After they've regrouped? I suspect that they start marching to Suna, or us. They know they have to take one of us out of the equation.
"Gaara…" his fellow Jinchuuriki, one he considered a friend, though a distant one.
"The Kazekage? He'll undoubtedly have made all the necessary preparations."
"Didn't you find it surprising they sent an extra detachment, to hold Nami no Kuni?" Naruto asked.
"Well, with Nami no Kuni they had the opportunity to attack us from multiple angles, it would make sense to try and keep that.
"Yeah…But, specifically shifters. If they were preparing for an invasion, their force would be much larger. Defense wouldn't make much sense either, you wouldn't focus your defense on one type of footmen, they would adapt to the situation."
"I have trouble following where you're going with this, Naruto." Sakura spoke from his right.
"Shifters reportedly are trained to inflict maximum damage and casualties, not uncommon to be used for defensive purposes, but that wasn't their aim," Kakashi slowly puzzled the pieces together. "The objective was to hurt us, slow us down…"
"To make sure that we wouldn't be able to retaliate." Shikamarui joined in, having been listening to the conversation for some time.
"They are going to attack Konoha?" Sakura asked worriedly, fearing for the life of her parents.
"No, we would be able to support Konoha if we really needed to…No, they are going for Kaze no Kuni." Naruto responded.
'Not to mention the assault on Cha no Kuni.' Naruto thought dejectedly. Retaking Nami no Kuni would only prove to be effective whether the second brigade succeeded, which they would undoubtedly hear when they would reach the crossroads.
"We need to send word to the Kazekage!" Sakura looked to Kakashi, awaiting his reaction.
Kakashi locked his eyes with Sakura's. "It would never reach them in time. They're on their own."
"Not necessarily…" Shikamaru looked towards Naruto who caught on as to what he was aiming for.
Naruto sighed before turning to his right. "Itachi!"
"We can-" Shikamaru started before being interrupted.
"What is it?" Itachi appeared to his right, a neutral expression on his face.
"We need to head for Kaze no Kuni."
"Trouble?" He asked.
The blonde nodded. "It seems like it. I'm heading that way; you want to join?"
Itachi gave a rare smile. "Always."
In the background Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the duo, gritting his teeth as he tried to suppress the anger.
Micheru who was conversing with Hawke looked at the sudden shift and joined the group. "What's going on?
While checking his equipment he gave his fellow hunter a glance. "It seems we can't catch a break."
Micheru stared at her friend. "What do you mean?"
"They're planning to invade Kaze no Kuni." Kakashi answered. He too was checking his equipment.
The blonde caught on and faced him. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Maa, Naruto. Your diplomatic skills are terrible. They'll kick you out before you can say ramen."
"And what makes you think I want you to tag along?" Naruto narrowed his eye.
"A Konoha representative will help us Naruto." Micheru said while turning to Hawke, giving him a hug goodbye.
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Us?"
"You don't think I'm going to let you face the Reavers alone, do you?" she turned back, smiling at him.
Naruto hesitated. He wasn't sure whether it was wise to take her along. "You do know that if our assumptions are right, we'll be facing the entire might of the Reaver horde?"
She was done being kept back by her mom, like she was a fragile girl, which was what happened at the assault for Nami. "I know."
He had an unreadable expression. Eventually he nodded. "Okay…Okay."
Kakashi turned to Shikamaru. "Let Konoha know what's going on."
The Nara acknowledged his 'request'. "We will. Good luck Kakashi. See you soon."
"Guys please be careful!" Sakura said as she looked the trio with worry, but less so towards Itachi.
"We'll be fine!" the Huntress smiled at her.
"Alright grab on to something!" Naruto ordered as he prepared himself for his taxing ability.
His new teammates quickly acquiesced and grabbed his arm or shoulder tightly.
"Here we go. Good luck." Naruto gave Hawke a smirk.
Hinata, who had remained quiet ever since their conversation watched them with apprehension. "Be careful, okay?"
Naruto turned his head slightly, letting her know he had heard her. Breathing out, he stepped forward and disappeared. Taking Kakashi, Itachi and Micheru along with him.
The group of people stared at the spot they had occupied a mere second before. Dread and anxiety enveloping them.
I hope you guys/gals enjoyed the chapter! I know a lot want Naruto to just keep shouting and roaring but I honestly feel that this is the direction he would take. To reassure you all...no, this doesn't conclude Naruto's interaction with his old friends. this merely progresses it further.
Anyways, this wraps up Nami no Kuni's arc. Honestly the upcoming arc is going to awesome. I had so much fun writing. I am genuinely certain that you'll enjoy it too.
Thank you all for your continued support and until next time!