"So you're telling me the Akatsuki leader Pain and Akatsuki member Konan are going to attack the Hidden Leaf Village Sasuke??"
Sasuke heard Tsunade ask him once again. He of course couldn't tell her everything because he didn't want to interfere with the timeline too much
"And there's someone that will be controlling the Pains. A mastermind behind the scenes. As per Jiraiya's message." Sasuke said.
"Well there's two questions I have for you now. The first, how do you know this information and the second why don't we take care of the real Pain before everything happens?" Tsunade asked curiously.
Sasuke already came up with an answer for the first. Now for the second-He gave a subtle glance towards Naruto.
"I used my Sharingan to get intel from Itachi and that's because I don't know exactly where the real pain is." Sasuke responded.
"Hm well I thank you for telling us about that Sasuke. Do you think I should warn everyone and set up extra reinforcements around the village?" Tsunade asked.
"Not for now because they will probably notice it and change their plans. I will do my best to either kill or get them away from the village when they arrive." Sasuke said.
Tsunade and Naruto's eyes widened with surprise at that bold statement. They were the only two in the office other than Sasuke as Tsunade asked the rest to step out.
Naruto was quiet and attentive, but now decided to say something.
"Wait Sasuke won't you need help?? I doubt you can handle all the Pains plus his partner by yourself." Naruto said as he looked at Sasuke unbelievably.
'You have no idea Naruto.' Sasuke thought as he internally smirked.
"Will you be able to help Naruto?" Sasuke asked. He asked this question because he knew Naruto was going to go Sage Mode training and Naruto needed it.
"Well I should be back in time after my Toad Sage Mode Training. I'll make sure not to come back late." Naruto responded with a serious nod.
"I hope you know what you're doing Sasuke. Let me know if you change anything or whatever else. You both are dismissed." Tsunade said and Sasuke and Naruto left.
-Cutscene-
After wishing Naruto goodbye, Sasuke immediately made it back to his apartment. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't afford to talk to anyone right now. He had to plan because the time was almost near.
He would tell Tsunade about Itachi after this was all over. Naruto's training actually gave him a good idea on something he could do for himself.
Why not learn Sage Mode for himself? It would be easy for him to learn considering the fact he had the powers of Ashura and Hashirama cells on his side. He was basically a magnet for Nature Chakra, he just didn't know how to use it.
Instead of Toad Sage Mode, he wanted to learn Snake Sage Mode. Orochimaru himself couldn't master it because of his Chakra reserves, but his reserves were way superior to Orochimaru's.
In his past time he knew of the location because of Orochimaru, but strangely never thought of visiting there or getting Sage Mode. Probably because he was so preoccupied with his goals from before.
He will create a Shadow Clone to substitute his temporary leave. He will definitely make sure he's back before Pain's arrival.
He nodded his head. 'Let me not waste any time.' He thought.
-Cutscene-
With his base speed, it didn't take Sasuke long to reach his destination.
He remembered about the snake trials, but really didn't want to participate in them.
He would do this instead.
Sasuke pulsed a small bit of his Chakra in the Ryuchi Cave area and waited.
Eventually he watched as his familiar partner and friend revealed himself.
"Master Sasuke? What are you doing here??" Aoda confusingly questioned.
"Wait Aoda..you remember?" Sasuke asked, confused himself. He was sure he didn't get the summoning contract with him at this part of time.
He could see Aoda nod. "Indeed Master Sasuke. I remember it all, but I didn't tell anyone. If I may ask, what are you doing here?" Aoda asked again.
Sasuke was glad he didn't have to go and sign both of the summoning contracts again. He assumed Garuda also remembered about the future, at least hopefully he did.
"I'm here to learn Snake Sage Mode." Sasuke responded.
"Hm interesting. Well the White Snake Sage does request you since we all felt your Chakra. You don't have to go through the trials as she requested your presence personally." Aoda said.
Sasuke nodded. "Take me there." He said.
"As you wish Master Sasuke." Aoda responded and led the way.
-Cutscene-
"You are dismissed Aoda."
Sasuke heard the loud, strong, and light woman's voice of the White Snake Sage say.
Aoda nodded to them both before he left.
"Greetings Sasuke Uchiha. You want to learn Snake Sage Mode is that right?" She asked him.
Sasuke nodded. "Right away." He said.
"Since I felt the potential in your Chakra, I will heed your request. Now first I will inject your body with Natural Energy, if it is able to withstand it, I will train you in Snake Sage Mode." She said.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "And if unable?" He asked curiously.
"You will die for wasting my time." She replied without hesitation.
Sasuke hid his scoff. As if she could kill him.
"Are you ready" She asked.
Sasuke nodded his head.
"Bring your arm forth." She said.
Sasuke walked closer to the White Snake Sage and raised his arm towards it.
The White Snake Sage opened her mouth and her fangs were revealed. She lowered them and then pierced Sasuke's arm with them slightly. She injected a large amount of Natural Energy into his body.
Sasuke winced slightly as he felt all the Natural Energy. His face then turned calm as he took many deep and long breaths.
The Natural Energy settled calmly in his body and he could even feel the Natural Energy around him being absorbed into him at slow rates.
He looked himself over as he felt it. 'So this is what it feels like?' He thought with intrigue.
"Congratulations Sasuke Uchiha. You have passed the test. Not even your teacher Orochimaru has managed such a feat." The White Snake Sage said.
He could hear the actual proudness in her tone.
"So when do I start?" Sasuke asked.
"Right away actually. I hope you are ready." She said.
Sasuke nodded. "I am." He responded. With his genius and Dojutsu at the ready, this shouldn't be too hard to learn. He would make sure to learn it as quick as he possibly could because he couldn't afford to be late.
"Then let us begin." The White Snake Sage said.
-The Day of Pain Arrival-
Sasuke was back in his apartment, pacing back in forth.
In the beginning he got his clone's memories. The clone decided it will be easier to notify Tsunade of his training although he didn't say what type, just that he was preparing. She didn't mind and gave him good luck with it.
Right now he was waiting on Naruto, who should arrive at any minute now at his apartment.
His training went splendid and he even surprised the White Snake Sage with his beyond fast progress. He could say he was now a Snake Sage although he still needed some more training to absolutely perfect it.
The only person who knew he was in the Hidden Leaf Village right now was Tsunade as he already sent her a message right before he came.
Knock Knock Knock
He could hear fast knocks on his door and immediately went to open it.
"Just on time Naruto." He said as he let him in.
"I told you I wouldn't be late Sasuke. Now what's the plan?" Naruto asked.
"So first I will send you information about the Pains and Konan via Sharingan." Sasuke started.
Naruto nodded. "I'm ready." He said.
Sasuke activated his Sharingans and sent the information to Naruto.
"They are very strong and powerful, but I think us two can manage to defeat them." Naruto said seriously.
"Especially with us using Sage Mode. It should help greatly." Sasuke said with a knowing smirk on his face.
"Wait..you know Sage Mode Sasuke??" A surprised Naruto asked him.
Sasuke nodded. "Snake Sage Mode." He replied.
"That's so awesome! We're like Sage best friends, although snakes and toads hate each other!!" A smiling Naruto shouted.
"Ironic really, but let's get back focused. In order to find out Nagato's location we will need to stab ourself with one of the Black Receivers while we're in Sage Mode." Sasuke said.
"Because the receivers are filled with his Chakra and therefore will retrace it back to his location right?" Naruto asked expectantly.
Sasuke nodded. "Indeed, you've finally grown smarter Loser." He said with a smirk.
"Shut up Bastard! I've been smart! Now let's kick these Akatsuki members ass and show them why it was a bad idea to fuck with the Leaf Village!!" Naruto said with a Fox grin.
Sasuke smirked himself. "Right let's." He said and then both disappeared.
-Meanwhile-
"Any differences or changes in the environment?" One Leaf Soldier asked another.
"None as always. It's been perfect lately, real perfect." He responded.
"Alright I'll guess I will start on the next report before it's due." He said, but suddenly stopped.
They all could see an orange-haired man with purple eyes with lines in them. His attire was a cloak that was black and had red clouds on it.
"The Akatsuki?!" The Leaf Soldier yelled as he quickly got on guard.
Pain held one of his black rods and was about to stab the Leaf Soldier with it.
-Chiinngg-
"Mind if I but in??" Sasuke smirked widely as he held the black rod at bay with his Kusanagi.
Pain's eyes widened slightly. "Sasuke Uchiha? Aren't you suppose to be capt-" Pain was interrupted by a hard kick to his face, it launched him far back into the trees.
"Shut the fuck up Pain! You and the other Akatsuki will pay!!" Naruto yelled lividly as he arrived beside Sasuke. His Sage Mode was activated and he had on his red cloak and large scroll on his back.
"Sasuke Uchiha..Naruto?! What is-" The Leaf Soldier was interrupted.
"No time to explain, you all report this to the Hokage. Now." Sasuke said with urgency in his tone. She should already be prepared by now anyways, as he already told her the time of his arrival.
The Leaf Soldiers nodded and quickly used a Shunshin.
"I sense the others coming Sasuke, from above!" Naruto yelled.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the other Pains and Konan. He would have to get them away from the Hidden Leaf Village, so he and Naruto can go all out.
This will do.
Sasuke closed his eyes for a second and took a breath in. Purple markings appeared around his eyes. (Similar to Orochimaru or Sage Mode Kabuto.) He then opened his now yellow eyes with a black slit pupil.
"Naruto." He called out.
"On it Sasuke!" Naruto yelled and then he punched the ground hard. Dust, rocks, and debris were blown upwards to obscure the Pains and Konan's vision.
'What are they planning?' Konan thought as she wiped the dust away with her hands. She and the rest then landed.
"This dust is too thick to see." The Animal Path said.
"I'll jus-" Asura Path was interrupted.
"Sage Art: Inorganic Reanimation!" Sasuke yelled as he made a sign.
The Pains and Konan eyes widened as the trees and landscape around them shot at them.
The Preta Path smirked. "I got thi-"
Sasuke secretly smirked and held his hand out.
The Preta Path's eyes widened as his body levitated on its own and he was pulled forcibly in Sasuke and Naruto's direction.
The other Pains couldn't escape the trees and landscape and was forced to retreat backwards. Konan herself transformed into her papers and levitated herself upwards.
"Sage Art: Massive Rasengan!!" Naruto yelled and slammed it right into the Preta Paths body.
After the technique was finished, both could see the Preta Path's body broken and mutilated. He was dead.
"Grab a black rod and stab yourself with it Naruto. I will do the same as well." Sasuke said.
Naruto nodded. He grabbed a black rod and stabbed himself with it, Sasuke followed.
They closed their eyes to get a sense of Nagato's location.
"Gotcha." Naruto said with a smirk as he opened his eyes and Sasuke did the same.
"Let's hurry and destroy the rest of these Pains." Sasuke said and activated his Amaterasu to burn the Preta Path.
"Whoa Sasuke cool move. Where'd you learn it?" An awed Naruto asked.
"I'll tell you after all this is over." Sasuke said and he started to run in the direction of the Pains. Naruto ran alongside him.
-In the Leaf Village-
After getting the message from the Hokage, many Leaf Shinobi stood alert around different sections of the Leaf Village.
Sakura, Team 8, and Team 10 were at the forefront of the village.
"You said Sasuke-kun and Naruto are fighting Akatsuki members Hinata?" Sakura asked her again as she and everyone else looked at Hinata.
Hinata's Byakugans were activated as she looked. "Yes. They already took down one together and made the others retreat." She responded.
Sakura smiled widely. 'Go Sasuke-kun and Naruto! Do us proud!!' She thought as she innerly cheered for them.
"Wait Sasuke's back? Why haven't anyone told us yet Choji??" Shikamaru questioned out.
"Yeah when did Sasuke come back guys?" Choji asked.
"Sasuke-kun recently came back." Ino responded.
"Hm well isn't that interesting." Shikamaru said.
"What are they doing now Hinata?" Kiba asked.
"It looks like they are going to fight the rest of the Akatsuki members." Hinata said.
"I wish we could help, but the Hokage told us to stay within the Leaf." Kiba said.
"Hopefully Sasuke-kun and Naruto will be alright." Ino said worriedly.
-To Sasuke and Naruto-
"Hey Sasuke I don't sense Konan anymore." Naruto said as he continued to run.
"She must be with Nagato, let's hurry up and destroy the rest of these Pains." Sasuke responded.
Both then seen the rest of the Pains and stopped. They were now in a wide field that almost looked barren.
"I'm glad you decided to come to me..Naruto Uzumaki. Now I don't have to hunt you down." The Deva Path said.
"You all are irrelevant. After we destroy all of you, we are coming to you..Nagato." Sasuke said with dangerous narrowed eyes.
The Deva Path's eyes slightly widened. "How do you know about me Sasuke Uchiha? And what makes you so sure you can kill all of my Pains?" He asked.
Sasuke ignored his questions and with more than FTL speed he chopped the Naraka Path's head off.
The other Pains were shocked at his speed and jumped away.
"Summoning jut-" The Animal Path started, but was interrupted by Naruto.
"Oh no you don't! Sage Art: Rasengan Barrage!!" Naruto yelled and slammed the Rasengans in her back.
Her body made a huge crater in the ground from the impact.
"Tch Almighty P-"
"Push." Sasuke smirked as he finished the Deva Path's sentence and the last three remaining Pains were blown back.
Naruto landed beside Sasuke.
"Naruto the last three will be easy to handle. Create a diversion for the Deva Path. Remember the interval time." Sasuke said.
Naruto nodded. "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!!" He yelled and a couple Shadow Clones ran around the flanks of the Pains.
The Asura Path took his arm off and revealed the missiles. He shot each one at the clones.
Sasuke infused his Kusanagi with Lightning Chakra, ran to the missiles, and quickly cut them down in rapid succession.
He continued running towards the Asura Path.
"Chidori!" He yelled as he was about to pierce him through his chest.
"Almighty Push!" The Deva Path yelled and the gravity was pushed outward towards Sasuke.
Sasuke flashed his Eternal Rinnegan in a millisecond and he appeared where the Asura Path just was. The Asura Path was hit by the gravity and was blown back. Sasuke quickly activated his Amaterasu and burned his body.
"Sasuke Uchiha. How do you h-"
"Wind Style: Rasenshruiken!!" Naruto threw the attack in the Deva Path's back.
Sasuke smirked. 'Nice one Naruto.' He thought before his eyes then narrowed as he dodged the Human Path's hand.
"How do you have the Rinnegan Sasuke Uchiha?" The Human Path asked.
Sasuke ignored him. "This is the end for you." He said coldly before he appeared in front of the Human Path and slashed upwards.
The Human Path had a pained expression before his body split in two perfect halves. Sasuke activated his Amaterasu again and burned his body.
He saw that Naruto was finished with the Deva Path. They looked at each other before nodding. They then quickly ran towards Nagato's location.
-To the Teams-
Hinata's eyes widened with surprise and shock. "T-they did it..they actually did it!!" She yelled.
"Did what Hinata? What did the two do?" Kiba asked. He and the others looked eagerly and expectant at Hinata.
"The Akatsuki members are dead!" She yelled again.
"I knew they could do it!! Way to go Sasuke-kun and Naruto!!" A ecstatic Sakura yelled.
Shikamaru smirked. "I'll be they actually managed it." He said.
Shino smiled. He knew there was nothing those two couldn't accomplish when working together.
"Great going Sasuke-kun and Naruto!" A smiling Ino yelled.
"That'll teach them for trying to mess with us!" Choji yelled himself.
"Right that's what those bastards get haha!" Kiba laughed out loud.
Hinata deactivated her Byakugans. She could see the two run off, but she knew they were going to handle the real Pain from Hokage Tsunade's message. They would be more than alright.
"Let's report this to the Hokage." She said.
-To Sasuke and Naruto-
Naruto opened up the fake tree bark as he and Sasuke entered Nagato's hidden location.
Konan stood on guard as the two approached.
Now Sasuke figured he could do this a couple ways.
He could kill them both. Take Nagato's Rinnegans and call it a day.
He could kill Nagato, take his Rinnegans, and place a Genjutsu on Konan so she would forget.
But he figured this third way would probably be the best.
"Before you spout your nonsense about pain and peace let me show you both something." Sasuke said.
Nagato, Konan, and even Naruto's eyes were wide with surprise.
"What are you going to show them Sasuke?" Naruto asked curiously.
"..something they will understand." Sasuke said as he looked at both Nagato and Konan. He activated his EMS and showed it to them.
After a few minutes Nagato and Konan looked at Sasuke with empathetic, saddened, and understanding expressions.
Nagato looked at Naruto. "I give you my sincerest apologies Naruto. I know that you might still hate me..and I wouldn't blame you, so do what you wish." He said
"Nagato.." Konan said as her eyes softened as she looked at him.
Naruto was shocked himself, but then his face turned serious. "And what will killing you accomplish Nagato? Nothing..nothing at all." Naruto then pulled out a familiar book to Nagato's surprise.
Sasuke watched the conversation that ensued with interest. What he showed the two was a part of his future that he was glad to be away from. They didn't know it was exactly his future as he made the Genjutsu seem like an alternative. He figured he could still get another Eternal Rinnegan regardless because of the Hashirama cells inside him, but that was thoughts for later.
They finally finished their talk with each other. He could feel a new aura around Nagato and Konan. Almost as if a burden was lifted off their shoulders. They looked..relieved.
"The Leaf Village has the Hidden Rain's support." Nagato smiled a small smile.
"Naruto you can go on ahead. I have to talk with them really quick." Sasuke said.
Naruto nodded and waved as he left.
"Sasuke Uchiha..you are very intriguing." Konan said as she looked at Sasuke with interest.
"I agree. What you showed us..we would remember it for the rest of our lives." Nagato said.
Sasuke nodded. "Indeed. I want to heal you and free you of those black rods." He said.
Nagato's eyebrow raised and Konan looked surprised, not expecting to hear that.
"And how do you plan on doing that?" Nagato asked curiously.
Sasuke smirked as the King of Hell appeared behind him.
Nagato actually chuckled a bit. "That's right. I almost forgot. How do you even have a Rinnegan Sasuke?" He asked.
"It's a secret." Sasuke said as he watched as the King of Hell's long tongue like arm extended from its mouth and grabbed Nagato.
Nagato winced in much pain as he was lifted and it brought him back in its mouth. It began chewing.
After a couple minutes Nagato walked out, looking rejuvenated, healed, and healthier.
"I thank you for your help Sasuke and don't worry, your secret is safe with us." He smiled gratefully and nodded to him.
Sasuke felt arms wrap around him and looked to see Konan surprisingly hugging him tightly.
"I really thank you for your help as well." Konan released him and handed him a paper flower that had a seal on it. "If you ever want to talk or speak with me in person, infuse this flower with Chakra." She gave him a warm smile.
Sasuke didn't expect that, but nodded and grinned back.
"I will take my leave now. Farewell for now. Nagato. Konan." He said and left.
Nagato walked up to Konan. "You seem fond of him." He said.
Konan placed a hand over her chest as she felt the long lost feeling again. She wouldn't mind getting to know him more. "..We all must move on eventually. Let's head back to the Hidden Rain Nagato." She said.
That was something Nagato could agree on. He could admit he felt joy walking on his own two feet again.