(Chapter 16: A Crow Caught in the Act)
The month of April had come quickly and for some not fast enough as it meant one more month until they could graduate and earn their headbands, which was something that both Sasuke and Naruto were all too eager for. Given that it meant that they could not only finally be official shinobi together, but it also meant that they could go on missions as ROOT operatives together, as the Ultimatrix wielder and Uchiha had both agreed that the time for Sasuke to go on missions with him wasn't quite right yet.
However, things weren't all sunshine and roses for Naruto due to his changes from the Ultimatrix having turned him into more than a physical match for his siblings it had driven both of them up the wall…yet none moreso than Naoya who was aggravated that his pissant brother could actually had a chance against him.
(April 7th, 997 S.E, The Academy, 12:58 Pm)
It was after their lunch period as Hayase was smirking at her prank that would finally get a rise out of Naruto as she waited for her brother to fall into her trap.
'Finally, I've got him right where I want him.' Hayase said to herself as she saw her elder brother walk in alongside Ino
"Uzumaki what're you doing?" Mizuki questioned before her trap was sprung
But the white-haired Chunin soon got his answer as Hayase with an impish grin made a snake seal which had a seal overhead empty out enough neon blue paint, 4-month-old curdled milk, and dog-shit from the Inuzuka pens to cover her brother from head to toe and in a puddle spanning some near 40 feet out from him; with the Ultimatrix wielder turning towards her with a nonplussed look on his face. However, instead of anger, frustration, annoyance, or even irritation when she tried to sense his emotions…there was nothing she could find; as though she were looking into a brick wall which frustrated her that even with this as a good chunk of the class laughed at the paint and crap covered Naruto; that she still couldn't get a beat on him.
Yet her mood was soured as a now angered Iruka who saw his student and fellow operative a bright teal-colored and foul-smelling mess, and looked up at the recently activated seal to know that this was Hayase's doing. So without another word he moreso ordered her to his office where she'd have detention until graduation, and that her parents would be informed of her actions as a result of her prank, and not wanting to further upset or go against Iruka or Mizuki who glared daggers at her she went about her 'merry' way; while Naruto just gave her a wtf look, and Ino as well as Sasuke glared at her as well.
But nonetheless, Naruto who was more peeved than anything that he had his clothes ruined asked if he could go and change from his ruined clothes; which both Chunin instructors obliged given both the heinous act in question on top of the fact that the shapeshifter wreaked. As such after a good 12 minutes of getting hosed down thanks to Ino knowing a few low-ranked water jutsu, and his having luckily packed a spare change of clothes just in case he was caught in one of Hayase's pranks; meanwhile the students were outside due to the abhorrent smell of the classroom.
"Alright, everyone. We will be having a slight delay for our final lessons of the day. While we get Lady Kushina to come get her daughter, and someone to clean the classroom." Mizuki told the class before heading back inside to help with the cleanup from Hayase's prank
"...You ok, Naruto?" Ino asked her fellow blonde
"Other than the fact that I'm going to have to bathe in body spray for the next week. I should be fine." Naruto answered back tersely
"Just one more god-forsaken month, and I'll never have to deal with her again." Naruto further spoke whilst his face was crinkled from the foul smell that embedded itself into him
"With how much she gets away with, next month can't get here fast enough, as far as I'm concerned." Ino replied in disdain of Hayase's actions
"By the way, Naruto. Here, I figured you'd need this." Sasuke chimed in, as he passed Naruto a can of cherry blossom scented cologne
"Where did you find this stuff at, Sasuke?" Naruto asked as he took the bottle
"I swiped it from Uncle Obito when he wasn't looking…Before you say anything he and Juri were being jackasses at the compound, so I figured that he could do without his favorite bit of body spray when he goes on date nights." Sasuke told the Ultimatrix wielder who took the bottle from said Uchiha
"And you got away with it scot-free?" Naruto questioned
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him. Besides, you need it more than he does." Sasuke said back
"Fair enough…Anyways, what do you guys having going on for the rest of the week?" Naruto asked as he began to spray himself down
"I'm helping Shisui with babysitting duty so my schedule is pretty full." Sasuke informed the blonde
"I've got work at the flower shop all this week…Now that its spring, we're going to be super busy." Ino spoke as she both loved and dreaded this time of year
"Well, at least you guys aren't going to have to be on pest control. Because, I'm gonna be busy setting up shit to make sure that my crow problem I've been having gets shut down, and quickly." Naruto told them with a look of irritation etched across his face
"Crow problem? Is there something wrong, Naruto?" Ino asked in confusion
"I don't know what it is, Ino. But for some reason, I have been having these weird ass crows follow me around non-stop. I keep killing the suckers every time I can…since they're some creepy looking' fuckers, with those beady red eyes." Naruto answered back
"At this point, if I have to see another one, I'm gonna fuckin' lose it." Naruto added in irritation as he was strongly considering making flame-spewing turrets to torch them
"...Wait, did you say they had red eyes?" Sasuke queried as he was putting two and two together at the mention of red-eyed crows
"Yep, some weird red and black ones, why?" Naruto asked
"Naruto, crows are my brothers' summons…Summons that he's famous for using for long-distance reconnaissance and surveillance on his missions. It is how he was able to become one of the best intel-gatherers in the village." Sasuke told the Ultimatrix wielder
"So what, your brother is spying on me?" Naruto asked back
"Well, he's either doing it on the orders of your parents. Since they've finally found out about you no longer being at their house, or a more unlikely culprit but still probable one could be Lord Jiraiya. After all, you have mentioned that he's been trying to get you on board with whatever hair-brained plan he has…So he's decided to use my brother to track your locations and keep him informed." Sasuke surmised
"I can see why Pervy-Sage would hire him to be my personal stalker, but I don't get why my parents would since so far they haven't come close to realizing my body double at home…Otherwise, they would've been on a witch hunt to find out where I live." Naruto said in believing it was more likely for the Toad Sannin to have Itachi spy on him than his parents
"First of all, what does Lord Jiraiya want with you? Second, you have a body double at your parents' house?" Ino asked in confusion
"I don't know what he wants with me, and also Ino…It's a bit of a long story on me having a robotic doppelganger." Naruto answered back before shaking his head
"But that's beside the point? What do we wanna do about the fact that your brothers' my potential stalker? Because that's gonna be an issue." Naruto wondered
"First things first, Naruto. I'm going to need you to catch one of his summons to bring to Shisui or Obito." Sasuke told Naruto
"Wait, why them?" Naruto questioned
"Think of it this way, Naruto. If we tell them outright that Itachi is following you around without evidence. Its going to make us look crazy, if we tell them this without it…So if we do this, then we're going to need that." Sasuke replied
"Alright, I can do that no problem…Matter of fact, I've got something I've been working on that should make that possible." Naruto told him with a broad grin
"I'll trust you to handle that, then…Meanwhile, after that, I will get Shisui and Uncle Obito to help us catch him in the act." Sasuke replied
"Is there anything I can do to help with this? I don't wanna be sidelined when someone's being a total creep to Naruto." Ino asked, fully on board to help out
"There actually may be something you can do. However, it will take some further planning." Sasuke answered back
"Good…I still can't believe that your brothers' following, Naruto around…That's a whole other level of weird." Ino said in feeling her skin crawl at the thought of someone watching her
"How do you think I feel?" Naruto asked as his skin crawled in equal revulsion
"Regardless, once we gather the evidence. I think that this is truly going to put the screws to Itachi." Sasuke replied his features hardening
"You gonna be good, Sasuke? Since I know that look and I know that your super pissed at him, my guy." Naruto questioned seeing the steely-eyed mask that was his friends' expression and knowing that said expression only happened when he got really angry at someone
"I will be…For now, I'd like to be alone until we are called back into the classroom." Sasuke said to the blonde as he wandered off elsewhere
"Should I want to know what's going on with him?" Ino inquired
"You don't…Its…Its family issues." Was Naruto's only answer
"Is it really that bad? Sasuke seemed pretty mad when he realized it was Itachi spying on you for Lord Jiraiya." Ino wondered in regards to the furious Uchiha
"Let's just say that if it is true; then Itachi's gonna have to look for somewhere else to stay." Naruto told the blonde Anodite
"Wow, I didn't think things were that bad with them." Ino responded
"They are, so there's not much else we can do besides help get him in the act." Naruto said back
So after everything was said and done after the extensive cleaning so the class wouldn't permanently smell of the toxic combination of Hayase's prank, the day went on as normal. However, it was once Hayase got home and wasn't only grounded by both her parents later on that day, but earned herself a well-deserved whoopin' from her mother that she sat fuming in her room.
All the while the Yin half of Kurama who had manifested itself in the form of a crimson-furred version of itself with a bone-white skull mask, it's lower half wreathed in golden flames and it's upper-half more muscular than what it was originally
"You know, something. I really don't understand what you were hoping for with that prank of yours." Yin Kurama spoke confused as to the end-result Hayase was expecting
"What I had hoped for was that maybe just this once, I could get him to show me something! Anything that wasn't just him looking either bored or annoyed by everything. But yet AGAIN, I can't even get so much as a sliver of anger or at the very least irritated." Hayase seethed at the fact that she couldn't get so much as a minor reaction beyond indifference
"But every time he's with Sasuke, or that blonde bitch Ino. He's all sunshine and rainbows…just what the hell do they have that I don't?!" Hayase furiously wondered
"Probably the fact that they aren't massive cunts to him, and people he actually wants to spend time with." Yin Kurama spoke in seeing such a thing to be plain as day
"What are you talking about? He should be lucky to spend time, or get to be around me! I'm…" Hayase spoke or rather began to say before an ethereal tail smack to the face stopped her
"For the love of my father, will you just shut up already with that garbage, you continue to spew from your mouth? I swear, it's a wonder why he avoids you like the plague…I'd do it too, but unfortunately for me; this blasted seal has me bound to you at all times." Yin Kurama said tired of hearing her narcissistic ramblings
"D-Did you just bitch slap me with your tails?" Asked a gobsmacked Hayase as she felt the inside of her jaw burn from the phantasmal strike
"I wonder what else could've hit you, you self-absorbed tool." Yin Kurama snidely answered back
"What was that for? Don't hit me because I'm right about him being grateful too…" Hayase said once more as another whap to her face from the apparition's tails struck her to the point of bloodying her nose
"The more you keep blathering on about how your brother, who mind you is actually someone deserving of what he gets; should be grateful to bask in your presence. The more I'm going to keep hitting you with my tails." Yin Kurama replied having long sense grown tired of her obscene amount of egotism
"Besides, he isn't beholden to give you anything. Between your ego that is the size of Gamabunta's fat ass, and the fact that you and your brother bully and belittle him. I'd run away from you two in a heartbeat as well." Yin Kurama added getting her attention at that last bit
"Wait, what do you mean run away as well? Naruto's right here in the house with us?!" Hayase demanded in confusion
"If you haven't figured it out by now, after all these months. Then you truly are a spectacularly arrogant fool." Yin Kurama replied in delight as he watched Hayase fumed at being denied an answer
"Tell me RIGHT NOW what's going on!" Hayase hollered as the masked apparition merely grinned before smacking her in the face once more with their tails
"No, I don't believe I will. Besides, it'll be nice to see you figure things out for yourself for once." Yin Kurama shot back with a devious grin
"So that's why, I'm going to leave you to figure things out for now. Have fun." Yin Kurama further spoke before disapparating in a plume of golden flames
"Damn it, Damn it, Damn it!" Hayase fumed in impotent anger
"Just what the hell is that goddamn fox going on about?! Naruto wouldn't dare run out on us. Especially, when everythings' great as is…That stupid fox has to be lying, there's no way he'd mess up my perfect life." Hayase said in wondering just what her half of the 9-tails could be on about
'It really is a shame that I couldn't be sealed into that Naruto boy. He's far more clever and worthwhile than either of these brats…No matter, at least I'll have some worthwhile entertainment when they realize their folly with him.' Yin Kurama said to themselves from within their seal as they watched their host fume and seethe impotently
(1 week later, April 16th, 997 S.E, 8:40 Pm, Uchiha Compound)
It was later on at night as Fugaku, Sasuke, Naruto, Obito and Izumi were gathered to discuss the matter of Itachi stalking him; given that thanks to Naruto having built a capture device to help round up Itachi's crows as evidence…Suffice it to say that the Uchiha's weren't happy about this whatsoever.
"Well, between all of Itachi's crows that we've caught with these. On top of the fact that some handy-dandy drones I've made flew over the village to catch Itachi watching me all over the village…I think it proves that he's committed to being my stalker thanks to Pervy-Sage." Naruto said as he finished showing them footage from a drone that he hooked up to a projector
"So in conclusion, it looks like in addition to him ghosting his clan, and being a deadbeat to his not even 6 months old kid. He'd rather follow me around for whatever reason; than spend time with you guys…If that ain't fucked up, I don't what is." Naruto further spoke as he ended the feed from his projector and began to pack up everything involved
"...Naruto would you mind stepping out for a moment? This…This is a lot to process." Izumi requested
"Sure no problem. I have already done and said everything I needed too…By the way, Sasuke and Ino were a massive help in getting enough of Itachi's summons' captured for this to work. Otherwise, this would've been a whole lot weirder to explain." Naruto replied in not knowing how else he would've been able to explain this if it weren't for Sasuke's and Ino's help
"By the way, Sasuke. Good job on getting all this stuff taken care of." Obito congratulated his godson
"Considering that I had Naruto's machinery to help us, and Ino's capabilities. It was a matter of being careful to choose when and where we could capture them…To be honest, they never saw it coming." Sasuke said with a smug smile at being able to get the jump on so many of Itachi's summons
"That being said what do we do now?" Obito questioned
"I think that it is rather obvious what we do going forward...I just didn't think that things would come to this." Fugaku spoke gaining all Uchiha's in the rooms' attention
"We pay Itachi a much-deserved visit. As I feel that with his devoting time to watching Naruto on the words of a good-for-nothing lecher, rather than using it to be here for his wife and child. Is more than deserving of kicking him out of the clan, and revoking his privileges in regards to being apart of it; in all its totality." Fugaku further spoke surprising everyone at the decision
"Are you sure about this, father? Don't get me wrong, I don't care for Itachi that much. But are you sure that that is the best option?" Sasuke asked, surprised that his father was so ready to go through with a punishment rarely done to those in the Uchiha clan
"I am. He has already shown that he cares less for his own kin, and more for the village than his own flesh and blood. Therefore, given the circumstances and after many months of thought and contemplation. I have made the decision to expel him from the clan." Fugaku said although despite his resolute expression the weight and regret of doing so could be felt in his words
"Never thought I'd see the day when Itachi Uchiha of all people would be booted out of the clan…Then again with how far he's had his head his ass I can't say I didn't see it coming." Obito spoke in hating to see one of his own go out like this
'Can't say we didn't give him a chance to shape up before it happened…Hell, everyone practically told him it was gonna happen if he didn't straighten out.' Obito remarked to himself
"Neither would I, but this is a choice that I didn't make so carelessly. Especially, when it comes to one of my sons…I honestly never imagined I'd see the day where I'd be banishing my son from the clan, but here we are." Fugaku said in regretful disgust over the entire situation concerning his eldest
"No one blames you for having to do this father. This was inevitable given Itachi's zealotry towards the village." Sasuke replied in attempts to comfort his father
"Was it? Was it really, Sasuke?" Fugaku questioned
"It honestly feels as though had I and the rest of the clan not pushed Itachi to strive so hard; that any of this could've been prevented…Then perhaps I wouldn't have to boot him out of our clan." Fugaku lamented at the fact that with no other real option in sight in his mind that he would have to regretfully kick his eldest son from their clan
For the Uchiha clan leader had always wanted the very best for his children, and wanted them to strive to be the very best whether it was a shinobi or any other field they sought after, yet even still in concerns to his eldest had he felt a considerable deal of guilt for having pushed him to be the best there was. That in Fugaku's heart of hearts had he not been so quick to push him to strive for greatness to the best of his abilities, that perhaps Itachi wouldn't have winded up so single-mindedly zealous to the village at the expense of his bonds with his own clan, family and moreover his wife and son.
"Father, you shouldn't blame yourself for how things have transpired. Itachi would have wound up this way regardless." Sasuke said putting a hand on his fathers' shoulder
"Sasuke has a point, Fugaku…Itachi would have been super devoted to the village anyway. You know as well as I do that regardless of how much you or anyone else pushed him, that he would always be mega devoted toward the village as he is." Obito added in knowing that either way they sliced it that Itachi's devotion to Konoha would have stayed the same regardless of his circumstances
"It's just one of those things that're super constant about people. From Naruto being a technology-obsessed nerd who loves ramen, Lord Jiraiya loving to do his 'research', Kurenai being a drunken asshole, or my girlfriend being a menace. There are just some things in people that are fixed constants, and Itachi's being hyper-committed to the village is one of them." Obito further spoke in regards to how Itachi's zealous devotion was just one of those 'meant-to-be' things about him that couldn't be helped
"I suppose the two of you are right…I just cannot help but feel responsible for all of this in one way or another." Fugaku replied
"That being said, I feel as though we've neglected to have the opinion of the person most connected to Itachi. After all, this affects her the most out of everyone gathered." Sasuke spoke as he turned toward Izumi
"Given that Itachi's actions have heavily affected her. I feel that we should hear what she has to say in regards to his being kicked out of the clan." Sasuke said as the rooms' attention turned toward the sole female in the room
"To be honest with all of you. I feel that nothing will really change if this goes through…He already isn't here as is; to help with anything. So if this all is to truly go through; then at least it will make it a reality." Izumi replied sullenly at how regardless of what happened that she would still be a single mother by the end of everything
"Are you sure of this, Izumi?" Fugaku asked his daughter-in-law who nodded
"I am…At this point, Itachi has all but said that he doesn't care about our relationship nor Mamoru. He has had more than ample time to change his ways and be here for the both of us. Yet he has refused to even do the bare minimum…So I am just too tired to hope for any miracles that he will change at this point. So do what you will. I no longer care for him in my life." Izumi answered back with all the exhausted weariness of a neglected lover
'Damn, that's cold/Can't say I blame her.' Were Obito's and Sasuke's thoughts
"I see, and would you like to accompany Obito and I when we go to confront Itachi on his actions; concerning not only Naruto. But his impending banishment from our clan?" Fugaku questioned
"I would like that, Fugaku. He has denied me for far too long…If anyone is going to let him feel the weight of his consequences for ignoring the clan. Then I would very much like to be a part of it." Izumi answered back, tired and angry of her former 'lover'
"Very well…Considering how there is very little to further discuss in regards to Itachi's actions. Then at the very least, I feel as though we can call this meeting of ours to an end." Fugaku said as Sasuke nodded before going to take a somber-faced Izumi back to her home
"...Do you think that I am making the right decision, Obito? This is still my son we're talking about, and I still can't believe I am doing this to him." Fugaku asked feeling his shoulders' slump from the weight of what he was about to do to Itachi
"Honestly, I think it may be the best thing to do right now…The longer we put this off, the worse the clan is gonna resent him for ghosting them and playing servant boy to the village. At least this way, we can do a clean break and get him out of here before it gets any worse." Obito answered back knowing that Itachi's being booted out of the clan had to be done
"I know, but this is still my child…my eldest son. And even though I must do it, and show him that his actions have severe consequences. That my heart still breaks to do this to him still." Fugaku replied feeling his heart grow heavier and heavier by the second
"Look, Fugaku. The best thing we can do right now is just let him go, and let him commit himself to the village as he always wanted." Obito spoke knowing that at this point the situation had to be handled as it currently stood
"After all, I would do this for Mamoru's sake. I'd don't think it would be good for him to come home; knowing that no matter what he does, that he's always playing second best in the eyes of his father. At least this way he can grow up being beloved by his family and clansmen, instead of in the shadow of his father's devotion to the village…Take it from me, being forced into second best does no one any good." Obito advised to the elder Uchiha who could only let out a wearisome sigh
"I suppose you are right about this Obito…That being said, I think I'm going to go bed right now. This entire debacle has stressed me to no end, and I want to lay down and not think of it till tomorrow." Fugaku told the scarred Uchiha
"Hey, I don't blame you at all for turning in. This is some pretty heavy shit to deal with...No father wants to exile their own kid from the clan." Obito spoke as he began to walk outside with the Uchiha clan leader
"...Thank you for your counsel, Obito. I'm sure that one of these days you'll make a fine Hokage." Fugaku said as Obito let out a small chuckle
"Dear God I hope so, otherwise we're all fucked…Anyway, go on and get some rest. Your gonna need it." Obito told Fugaku who nodded before heading to his house to rest for the night
'Oh, Itachi you poor bastard. If only you got your shit together earlier we wouldn't have to do this.' Obito said to himself as he plopped himself down on the ground to take solace in the warm April night
(ANBU HQ, 12:50 Pm, 3 days later, April 19th, 997 S.E)
It would be a few days later as Itachi was returning from his lunch break to his office to do look over mission reports…yet when he opened the door to do so; he was met by the presence of his father, Obito and to his surprise a dour looking Izumi.
"What are the 3 of you doing in my office?" Itachi questioned
"We're here to talk to you about your place in the clan, Itachi." Fugaku answered back
"If this is about my absences from the compound; then I will be sure to make time to do so after i finish looking over these reports." Itachi spoke
"That won't be necessary. Seeing that given your incredible commitment to the Anbu and the village overall. I and the rest of the clan have seen fit to give you all the time you need to fully commit yourself. After all, who are we to hold you back from serving the village to the best of your abilities." Fugaku said to his eldest child
"What are you getting at, father?" Itachi asked semi-confused
"What I'm getting at, my dear son. Is that since you feel that you commitments far outweigh your responsibilities to not only your clan. But to your wife and child as well. That it had came to a unanimous decision to kick you of the clan." Fugaku told Itachi whose stoic countenance broke and became one of complete surprise
"I'm being what?" Itachi spoke completely thrown through a loop
"You heard your dad, your bum ass is getting kicked out! Plain and simple you absentee jackass!" Obito said back
"While he didn't have to say in that manner. Yes, you are being banished from the clan." Fugaku said to a still-taken-aback Itachi
"Look at it this way, now you will no longer have to suffer the indiginity of your clansmen holding you back. Nor will you have to worry about any other distractions from your work." Fugaku added
"Why do this to me? I have done nothing but do everything as you've asked of me. I have ascended to the utmost position in the Anbu, with the exception of becoming Anbu commander. I have worked tirelessly to make my case to become a Hokage candidate…and yet for all of that, you deem that necessary to kick me out of my own clan?" Asked an incensed Itachi
"I deem it necessary, despite all of the hard work you have done. That for all of the achievements you have accomplished, you have forgotten the most important thing in our clan..Moreover, one of the core ideals to the Will of Fire you claim to follow.." Fugaku replied
"And what would that be, father?" Itachi asked in annoyance of his time being wasted on top of his now being exiled for no good reason in his perspective of things
"It would be that we cherish the bonds between one another. That we care for and stand by one another, something that for all your attempts to play golden boy to the village higher-ups have forgotten…Izumi here is evidence of that alone." Fugaku said as the somber-looking Uchiha stared her ex-lover down
"I have done nothing to her at all. So I fail to see the point in having brought her here, or why she is relevant to my exile from the clan." Itachi responded failing to see how his 'wife' was important in this
"You are right about one thing, Itachi. You have done nothing to me at all for the past 2 years now. And honestly, I am fed up with it, I am fed up with competing for your attention and most of all I'm fed up with you not being there for our son." Izumi spoke
"That's why I am done with you, Itachi. Because, for my sake and our childs' sake, I cannot afford to keep wasting my time; hoping that you will actually be there to help me take care of our child…But moreover actually be there for when I need my husband, instead of goddamn shadow clone whenever I do see you." Izumi further spoke in trying to keep her voice from cracking as she looked at the father of her child with contempt, sadness and regret
"So what does this mean then? Are you leaving me…is that what this is?" Itachi questioned in confusion of what was going on
"This is exactly what it means…At this point, I don't see any further reason to stay with you when you aren't even there. I shouldn't be able to count the amount of times your shadow clones come by our house, and even then that's fleeting." Was Izumi's sharp response
"Izumi, you have to understand that what I am doing for the village has to take precedent. I am more than sorry that you feel this way. However, my duties and responsibilities to Konoha must always come first." Itachi answered back resolutely
"Is that why you couldn't even spare so much as a pittance worth of time; when I was in labor giving birth to MY son?...Is that why I had to spend countless hours at night putting him to bed, and feeding him without you to help? Is the village more important; than helping me raise the son that you wanted to have? Is that what I'm hearing?" Izumi questioned as she looked the ANBU captain dead in the eyes
"...Don't make me answer that, Izumi…I love my son regardless." Itachi replied
"If you love him so much, then why have you been spending all of your surplus time spying on Naruto?...It seems to me that if you really cared about your son, that you would spend it helping Izumi out with him; instead of spying on my sensei's son." Obito chimed in
"Thank you for bringing that up, Obito, as that is a very good point that is incredibly relevant to this as well." Izumi spoke as her expression hardened towards her husband
"If you cared for our son, as you say you do. Then tell me why it is that instead of spending it with him, and helping me raise our son. That instead, you are off spying on Naruto at all hours of the day…stalking a teenager when you should be helping to raise our child, or at the very least be with your own family." Izumi added giving her ex-lover a stern glare
"Unfortunately, I cannot tell you why I am spying on Naruto. Only that is on orders from Lord Jiraiya." Itachi said back in having been sworn to secrecy by said Toad Sannin
"And what is so important about Naruto that you could not order one of your subordinates to do this? Surely if it was that important; you couldn't have devoted manpower of your own to do this." Izumi wondered as to what it was that made Naruto that important
"Again, I cannot tell you the full details. Only that, Lord Jiraiya had informed me that he is a danger to the village, himself, and the jinchuuriki…And that should he become an issue that I am too…" Itachi said but the glare from Izumi and moreso Obito stopped him from saying anything further
"That you're to what, Itachi? Because if you were going to do what I think you were, on some half-assed assumption from that perverted dickhead. Then I swear to God, I will make sure that you never walk again!" Obito near-exclaimed with naked killing intent aimed at the usually stoic Uchiha
"If it is for the good of Konoha, and if in my continued surveillance of Naruto that Lord Jiraiya deems he must be eliminated then so be it." Itachi stated
For Itachi no matter what or whom it would be would tolerate anything that threatened the village; regardless of if it were Naruto or even his own clansmen then he would see it eliminated post-haste if he could ensure Konoha's safety
'Mental note, stomp the shit out of Jiraiya for putting this jackass on spying on my godson.' Obito seethed as his Mangekyou Sharingan briefly flared to existence
"...If you are so absorbed and dedicated towards spying on someone; who either you won't tell me of why they're so dangerous. Or moreso that neither you nor Lord Jiraiya have any evidence that you can provide. Then I see no reason to continue being your wife…" Izumi spoke as she began to walk out of Itachi's office
"Izumi, you have to trust me that I am doing the right thing concerning Naruto. Please if you would you just be patient…" Itachi said as he tried to reach out towards Izumi who turned to glare at him with her own Sharingan
"I have been patient with you for far too long, Itachi…Moreso than what I should have. So if you want to say anything to me, or see your son for once. Then you can do so when you collect your things from our…or rather my house." Izumi spoke as she shoved Itachi aside with a tired and just-done-with-it look upon her face
"...I have already said what I cam here to say to you…You have until the end of next week to collect all of your things from the compound, as from hereon you are no longer welcome as part of our clan." Fugaku said with a solemn and regretful expression on his face
"I am sorry that it has come to this, Itachi. But you brought this upon yourself when you chose the village over your flesh and blood." Fugaku spoke as he walked out of the office looking as though he'd aged by a decade or so
"Do you have anything to add, Obito?" Asked a defeated Itachi
"Yeah…The moment you try to do anything to Naruto. Then I will personally show you why I am the wrath of our clan." Obito said as he walked up to Itachi until he was face to face with him
"You may be a prodigy among our clan, and one of the greatest shinobi in the village. But if I find out that you so much as put a hair out of place with Naruto, on Jiraiya's orders. Then I will make you plead to God for a merciful death…Are we golden?" Obito further spoke as both his eyes had turned into their Mangekyou form
"Do you really think you can…"Itachi tried to say but the brilliant blue of Obito's Susannoo arm soon pinned Itachi to the wall
"When I ask you something, you'd better answer me like you got some goddamn sense…Now then are we golden? Because their won't be a next time we have this talk, if I see you anywhere near Naruto while I'm around." Obito asked the air millimeters away from Itachi's face vibrating with Kamui
"We are perfectly clear, Obito." Itachi replied as he was thrown across the office with a thud
"Good, now do yourself and everyone a favor, and do your damn job…That's about all you have left right about now." Obito said before teleporting away from a disheveled and despondent-looking Itachi
(The next night later, Land of Sound, 9:45 Pm, April 20th, 997 S.E)
It was late at night as Orochimaru after a long night finishing further work on his final body was sitting beside himself, as in his hands was a picture of himself during the last Shinobi war with his once apprentice in Nawaki.
"...Is their something you wanted, Kimimaro?" Orochimaru asked sensing the presence of the Kaguya
"Not at all, Lord Orochimaru. I merely wanted to see how you were doing, given how quiet you have been as of late." Kimimaro spoke as he walked over toward the Serpent Sannin
"How thoughtful of you. However, you can rest assured that I am doing well." Orochimaru replied although the thoughtful and regret-laden expression on his pale face said otherwise
"Are you sure? You seem to be…troubled by that picture you're looking at." Kimimaro questioned as he saw Orochimaru's gaze still locked onto the picture of him and his former apprentice
"I am not troubled, moreso reflecting on what could've been is all…Simply thoughts of how things could have turned out had I been just a few steps faster during the war. Perhaps, my favorite apprentice could've survived and become something greater." Orochimaru replied mournfully
"Is this about Mitarashi?" Kimimaro questioned once more
"No, Anko couldn't hold a candle to the potential that my 1st apprentice had…The one I am talking about is Tsunade's little brother, Nawaki Senju. My first student, and the very first person that made me believe I could be a sensei and something more as a man besides Tsunade and Hiruzen-sensei." Orochimaru answered back
"...Had he survived that day, he would've been well on his way towards being Hokage…Would've made a splendid one at that, if I am to be honest with myself." Orochimaru further spoke in memory of the Senju's indomitable will toward being Hokage
"If you don't mind my asking, Lord Orochimaru? What happened to him?" Kimimaro asked
"It was a few days right after his 17th birthday. We were going on what we thought would be a simple rescue mission in Kumo…However, it wasn't all to be on that day." Orochimaru said as his mind flashed back to that horrid day in question
"Apparently, it was an ambush to kill me. Hence why when Nawaki rushed in to try and save our men, it was too late before I could stop him…Before anyone knew it Nawaki and our targets were obliterated by a trap set by the 2 tails jinchuuriki at the time. I tried to save him, but when there is nothing more than his torso, skull and his left arm…its hard to do anything in that instance." Orochimaru further spoke
To this day the Serpent Sannin still had vivid night terrors of that day where had he a bit more wherewithal, or had used all of the talents he had at his disposal to get Nawaki away from the explosion; that he could've lived; instead of being shredded by the fiery death trap that turned him into burned unrecognizable husk.
"I am sorry to hear that, Lord Orochimaru." Were the only words the Sound Five leader could even say
"Its fine, Kimimaro. I have had over 20 years to grieve for the loss of my best apprentice…Still, as one of my greatest regrets, it is also the inspiration as to why I do everything that I have accomplished thus far." Orochimaru told the white-haired Kaguya
"So he is the reason you have involved yourself with aliens, alongside your research into creating 'super-soldiers' as you call it?" Kimimaro surmised
"Correct…Understand that the Curse Marks that you and the Sound 4 have are the first step towards that. The combination of Senjutsu and my cursed seals have yielded great results so far. However, as Nawaki had encouraged me while I was still loyal to Konoha. To aim for the fantastical, and go beyond our limitations…Hence, why I have been working alongside some of our new friends. Say what you want, but our contact is what will aid in creating the next phase of taking humanity to its next step." Orochimaru told him
"What next step are you talking about?" Kimimaro asked
"While, the power of Senjutsu is a great resource all on its own, and my experiments into improving my men have yielded great results thus far. It is all towards evolving us towards our next step in greatness." Orochimaru answered back
"And more importantly, an evolution that will guarantee that no one will suffer from the effects of their own power." Orochimaru said in catching Kimimaro's attention
"Does this mean that you've finally found a cure for my illness?" Kimimaro asked with a long-awaited hope in his voice
"Indeed it does, Kimimaro. Although, the procedure won't be ready until this fall at the latest…Given that this will require some cybernetic augmentations I've procured from them that won't be ready until then. However, you can rest assured that you will soon gain a new level of strength from this, and no longer be held down by the weight of your disease." Orochimaru promised
"T-Thank you, Lord Orochimaru. I don't know what to say." Kimimaro said with a rare joy and hope swelling within him
"You do not need to say anything else…Next to Kabuto, you are one of the rare few I can trust to put my life in. After all, you are one of the rare few that I can talk freely to about my more…personal matters." Orochimaru said back with a small thin smile
"And I am grateful that you trust me with such matters…I hope that you will continue to do so in the future." Kimimaro replied
"I see no reason as to why I shouldn't. You have gone far and above what I have asked, and have presented yourself as a more than capable leader in regards to the Sound 4…This in tandem with your use of your Kekkei Genkai have shown me that you are one of the most exceptional within my ranks." Orochimaru told the Dead Bone Pulse user
"As such, I couldn't be more proud to have you at my side." Orochimaru further said to his subordinate who had the faintest traces of a smile spread across their face
"Thank you for your praise, I promise I will not fail you in the near future!" Kimimaro swore to the serpent Sannin
"Good, as I have plans in the future that will require you to be at your utmost…Especially in Kirigakure in concerns to those we are shepherding away from the massacres there." Orochimaru told the white-haired young man
"Do not worry, I can assure you that I will not fail you when the time comes. I promise you this as the few remaining of my clan!" Kimimaro promised
"Good. Now then, is there anything else that you wish to ask of me? As you are more than welcome to speak freely." Orochimaru questioned
"No, not at all. I mostly wanted to see how you were doing, as your people need their leader…As such, I wanted to make sure that everything was right with you." Kimimaro replied sated to see that his leader wasn't in any distress or duress
"I can assure you, that I am fine…Now then, go and take the night to yourself Kimimaro. You have certainly earned it for all of your hard work." Orochimaru told the Kaguya member before him
"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru…Perhaps, I will visit with Jugo. It has been a while since I have been able to visit with him." Kimimaro said knowing he owed his orange-haired friend a visit
"Then by all means go and visit with him. I'm sure that he misses your company, given how busy you have been these past few months." Orochimaru replied knowing that Kimimaro and the Sound 4 had been hard at work as of late
"Again, thank you for your kindness. I promise you that it will not be taken for granted under my watch." Kimimaro said back before departing to go and see his longtime friend
"...Just you wait, Nawaki. I am going to make the world we had talked about come true…That soon enough, the world will know a stability and peace that Jiraiya and his toads can never accomplish." Orochimaru swore to himself as his gaze once more focused on the picture of himself and Nawaki before he left his quarters
'And nothing, not even those two brats prophesied to bring 'peace' will get in the way of that.' Orochimaru promised to himself as he went to continue his work on his final body
So with Itachi now having been booted out of the clan and Izumi having made it clear that she has abstained herself of her former lover….what more is there to come in the approaching days to come? Find out in the next chapters of, The Alien Soldier!
Alright, that takes care of that as I hoped you guys have enjoyed this chapter as Itachi's actions have now come to their conclusion in regards to his now former clan; alongside some stuff with Orochimaru and Kimimaro that I thought would be cool to put in.
That all done and out of the way, I hope you guys will continue to enjoy the rest of what's to come in the story, also any favorites, follows, reviews or suggestions are welcome. As per usual flames are ignored since if ya don't like then go on and read/support someone else's story that's more your speed.
So without much else left to say, this is Nomadic Chaos using the power of said chaos to give you guys some good stuff to read; for the next chapter is gonna bring it up to the Graduation and last bit of our Prelude; so stay tuned for that.
Prelude Theme Song: Regulate by Warren G and Nate Dogg
Random End Song: Stone the Crow by Down
Now then onto some of the reviews from the previous chapter.
Kourtney Uzu Yato: It feels great to be back Kourtney and I've missed you too, but don't worry I'm back in action and ready to cook with some new stuff I've got in the works. One being a reboot to my Harry Potter story awhile back that Pravus has mentioned; that I'm real excited to start back up given that now...Harry is gonna be a problem for everybody; light or dark faction aligned in the British side of the Wizard World so stay tuned for that...Moving on I hope you like what I did for Itachi's commupance for his actions given that its fitting seeing as how now, since he wants to be so dedicated to being a loyal guard of Konoha he has all the time to do so at the expense of now being perma-kicked out of the Uchiha clan and all of the privileges and status that comes with it. Also, in regards to Gaara its pretty much the fact that if it weren't for Maki or Pakura that she wouldn't be as held together as she is presented, and actually there may be the case for her switching sides over to Konoha in the aftermath of the Chunin Exams for how horribly she's treated in Sunagakure. Lastly, Orochimaru has been planning on how to eviscerate Jiraiya's plans for ages given that with so much time to plan a get back as well as a benefactor to help supply them with alien tech...suffice to say that Jiraiya is gonna have his world come undone in due time.
volcasiron30: Well, you'll have more than enough to ponder who it is since Orochimaru's patron/benefactor will be making their debut at the end of the Chunin Exams. Also, for Orochimaru's final body, it won't be like that, but moreso on finding that one singularly powerful piece of Alien D.N.A that can make them so powerful that not even Jiraiya or Minato combined would be able to stop the Serpent Sannin from doing whatever they wished, as to Orochimaru they want a final body that will be the pinnacle of pure perfection both physically and aesthetically. Also, yes Naruto will as out of those you've mentioned he has Echo-Echo's, Cannonbolt's within his version of the Ultimatrix, and furthermore they will appearance-wise look differently than what you would see normally, after all this is a different universe so it stands to reason that when Naruto turns into them they'll look different to varying degrees.
God of Wind 200: In regards to Naruto's further inventions the idea of a superior version of Cell does intrigue me, given that it would make for one helluva biological weapon. But actually some of Naruto's further inventions will be inspired by the Warhammer 40K universe, considering that Naruto's main focus is on militarization and industrializing the village. As such wants to make sure that his home will be ready for all and any enemy forces at any given time, and while the idea of cyborgs like Android 17 and 18 are a possibility, that's something out of Naruto's wheelhouse for the time being considering that full-scale thus like that too a person is a tricky process; given that one wrong move and you now have murder-droid with near infinite power and stamina running around without a worthwhile killswitch in place.