By the time Naruto made it back to the village he felt like he was going to starve to death. He had headed straight for Ichiraku's. The horrible storm he had been traveling in the last day or two was finally letting up. He slurped down the last of his ramen. He was exhausted. He told himself he could sleep after he took this scroll to Granny Tsunade. He still didn't know what he was going to tell her. He put his mind to it as he worked his way to her office. Before long he was standing outside the doors, two Anbu stood guard.
"I'm here to see Granny Tsunade." One of the Anbu disappeared into the room. A few seconds later the door opened for Naruto to come in.
"What is it Naruto?" She looked as tired as he did.
"I have something I need to talk to you about. You seem tired, did something happen?" He already knew what happened.
"Is that what you came to talk to me about? How tired I look. It's nothing you need concern yourself with. What do you really want to talk about?" He took a breath.
"I have intel on the Akatsuki for you." He handed her the scroll.
"What do you mean?" She opened the scroll and began reading it. "Where did you get this?"
"Well it's kind of a long story."
"Tell me Naruto." She gave him a stern look.
"The mission you sent team seven on awhile back, well, I met this guy while we were traveling. He has been working for the Akatsuki since they were founded, making weapons for them and other odd jobs. The only reason he talked to me at all is because he saw my headband. He used to live in the Leaf. Ever since the new leader, Tobi took over, the Akatsuki he had worked for in the beginning and believed in doesn't exist anymore. He was worried for the safety of the village and the world. So, he told me he was willing to be our man on the inside and report back on anything he heard that was worthwhile."
"Why are you just telling me this now?"
"Well, I wasn't sure if he was going to follow through on his word, I figured I would come to you the first time I heard from him. Here I am." He was trying to keep a cool face, but his insides were in knots.
She raised an eyebrow towards him. "Does this man have a name?"
"I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone his identity. Please just trust me on this granny. The intel is good."
"Very well, good job Naruto." He nodded and left the room.
"Shizune, summon the elders at once."
"Yes my lady."
xxx
"It was Naruto who got this?" It was Danzo.
"That's right." Tsunade confirmed.
"I don't like this. We don't know enough." It was Homura.
"I agree, that boy needs a tighter leash." Koharu chimed in.
"What has Naruto done to deserve this mistrust?" Tsunade asked angrily. "He has done nothing but help the village and when he asks for our trust on one matter you refuse."
"Very well, we will leave him be, but allow me to post an Anbu to him. To oversee." Tsunade clenched he fist at Danzo's request. She didn't like it, but she conceded.
"Very well, but tell him he is not to interfere." Danzo nodded and the meeting was dismissed.
xxx
When Suigetsu and Sasuke finally caught up with Deidara he had complained for the entirety of the next day about how they had been late. He was so weird, with his mouth hands, and constant babbling's about art. Sasuke was looking forward to killing him. He had sent Suigetsu on ahead to "scout" out the enemy. What he was really supposed to do was clear the area so that he could take on Deidara without having to worry about needless casualties. He was hoping he could just sneak up on him and slit his throat, but he knew even Deidara wouldn't let his guard down enough for him to that. It had taken about three days in total to get to the supposed location of the "pesky" ninja Madara had sent them after.
When they came out of the forest Suigetsu was standing there waiting for them.
"Ready to get this party started?" Suigetsu looked at Sasuke.
"Is the area clear?"
"Not a soul within 10 miles." Suigetsu said.
"How did you get them to go?"
"Do you really want to know?" Suigetsu gave Sasuke a mischievous look.
Deidara gave them both confused looks. He still hadn't caught on to the fact that he was about to be on the wrong end of Sasuke's sword. Sasuke and Suigetsu gave each other a nod and they were moving, they had their swords drawn in the blink of an eye. Swinging full force towards Deidara, confusion, realization, and then rage flashed across his face. For being a primarily long distance fighter, he dodged quickly, but he had to put a lot more space between them if he was going to survive. He threw some clay bombs at his feet creating some smoke cover and forcing his two attackers to draw back momentarily.
Just when Deidara thought he had successfully put some space between them a foot connected with his back. Sasuke was too fast, he had made it behind Deidara in seconds. He smashed forcefully into the ground leaving a small crater. Suigetsu was standing back, sword sheathed.
"You seem to have this all under control. Since I did all the work of clearing the area, I am going to leave this too you." With that he disappeared into the forest.
Sasuke smirked. "Whatever." He walked over to Deidara.
"Damn you Sasuke." He coughed out some blood.
"I had expected you to be more difficult. Either my plan was really good, or you are extremely stupid. I don't think I have to tell you which option I think it is." Deidara started laughing maniacally.
"You actually think you are getting out of here alive? I would never let the likes of you kill me. I'm going out in style. My art is an explosion!" Sasuke didn't like the sound of that. He would just have to kill him before he had a chance to…express himself. Sasuke's sword was back in his hand. He plunged it into Diedara's chest. When he went limp Sasuke smirked. He turned to walk away when he heard Deidara laughing.
"GOTCHA!" He laughed uncontrollably. Sasuke was convinced. This guy was a total wackadoo. So much so that Sasuke had just used the word wackadoo to describe him. Deidara's whole body had become transparent. He was literally one giant bomb. This was bad. Sasuke took a moment to think. He walked over to his sword, leaned down and put one finger on it. He looked Deidara in the eyes and gave him his best smirk. Sasuke enjoyed how much it enraged him.
"Now DIE!" Sasuke sent an electrical charge through the sword. Now it was his turn to laugh as Deidara stared in shock when he didn't explode. Sasuke said two words.
"Lightning style." Electric charges rendered Deidara's explosives completely useless. He sent a powerful charge into Deidara in a steady stream. Deidara let out a blood curdling scream as the lightning cooked him from the inside out. Once his screams stopped Sasuke pulled his sword out and cut off his head for good measure. He watched as the head rolled off to the side.
"Tch, idiot." He slid his sword home. Now how was he going to explain this to Tobi…
xxx
The morning sun shone brightly, making for a beautiful traveling day. It was drawing close to a week since Sasuke's intel drop and Naruto had every intention of being at the cave when Sasuke came back. He didn't want to miss him again, it could be any period of time before he got to see him again if he missed him this time. He was going to have to be slick about leaving the village, an Anbu had been trailing him ever since he had brought the scroll to Granny Tsunade. Danzo's doing no doubt. Damn he really hated that guy. Naruto picked up the backpack he had filled with supplies and prepared to head out. He had gotten smarter since the last time. He had let his emotions get the best of him and experienced the consequences. As he walked through the town he turned down an ally where he couldn't be seen, he quickly made a shadow clone, and transformed himself into another person. His clone continued on the way he had been heading and the real him left out the side he had just entered. He gave himself a mental pat on the back when he saw the Anbu continue in pursuit of his clone. He was beginning to wonder if he had needed to be so careful when he broke into the headquarters. If they would fall for as juvenile a deception as this they probably never even noticed the barely open personnel file drawer. Not that anyone was going to come and ask him about it, so he would probably never know. Once he got a little ways outside of the village he released the transformation jutsu. He had set off at a brisk pace, his excitement to see Sasuke driving him forward ever more quickly. Time had seemed to drag by during the previous weeks, he had felt like he was living life in slow motion. Yet at the same time it seemed to fly as he continued to devise his master plan. The day when the current elders were no longer in power couldn't come soon enough.
Due to the nice weather and anxiousness to see Sasuke, Naruto had made to journey in half the time. It seemed extremely fast when compared to how long it had taken last time he had gone and had to travel through that wretched storm. Naruto had quickly checked to see if Sasuke had arrived yet, when he was sufficiently convinced that he had beat him, he had put his things down and had gone to sit out on the ledge that looked out over the way he had come. A slight breeze blew gently against his face, it tousled his hair. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back enjoying the sun on his face. It had been a while since he had felt this relaxed. This content. Probably laying all wrapped up with Sasuke was the last time he had felt this way. He smiled at the thought of seeing Sasuke again, and the idea of getting all tangled up with him again made his heart race and excitement course through him.
A deep gravelly voice that he instantly recognized had ripped him from his relaxed state. It turned his contentment into contempt. He didn't bother to get up or turn and look.
"So, this is where you come to meet your little informant." Danzo stopped a few feet away from where Naruto sat.
"What makes you think I don't just come here for the view?" Naruto couldn't keep his clear distaste for the man out of his voice.
"I don't know what you're playing at boy, but you can't out smart me." Naruto smiled to himself as his stood and turned to face Danzo. "I know it was you who broke into the headquarters. I'll admit, it took me a bit to figure it out, I nearly didn't, but just as I was about to give it up I figured it out. Everyone had said the enemy vanished like ghosts, and there was no physical evidence anywhere. I couldn't figure out how that was possible, and then I realized, there was one particular ninja in the village who was extremely proficient with shadow clones. Only one skilled enough to be able to maintain that many shadow clones for a coordinated attack. I don't think I need to tell you who." Naruto's face was expressionless.
"I suppose I should be flattered that you think me so skilled."
"Stop playing games!" Danzo shouted, his anger clearly rising. "The only thing I haven't been able to figure out is what you want with the identities of the Anbu operatives, but it doesn't matter now."
...So, they had fallen right into his trap...Naruto smirked inwardly. It had been worth putting that fail safe in place after all...
"The only thing that made any sense was that you had sided with the enemy." Danzo flashed an evil smile. "That would also explain how you got that detailed bit of intel you brought to Tsunade." Naruto knew this was heading nowhere good, but he couldn't help but feel proud of himself for the masterful trick he had pulled off.
"I won't give up my informant and unlike you, I haven't sided with the enemy." Danzo sighed.
"You leave me no choice. I will have to put you down like the beast you are." Naruto gritted his teeth.
"Bastard. You're the only beast here. If anyone is going to be put down it's you." Naruto got into fighting stance. "So, you came all the way out here by yourself to confront me? I hope you're ready and have a back up plan."
"I came out here to kill you, no other plan is necessary. I simply will not fail. nine tails or not, you cannot defeat me."
"Glad to know you haven't shared your findings with anyone else, that means it will die here with you, and no one will know where to find your body. A suitable death for the likes of you!" Naruto's intense dislike of the man flowed forth as he charged. He had never anticipated the opportunity to kill Danzo would arise, and certainly not so soon, but he wasn't complaining. The force of their blows connecting pushed them both back, the shock wave causing the trees to lean and dirt to get thrown into the air. Danzo's block had been fast. Faster than expected, he was incredibly strong. Then again, he certainly hadn't held onto power this long by being weak. If Naruto was going to win he was going to have to be careful.
xxx
Sasuke saw a plume of dust fly into the air. Something or someone had just connected forcefully enough to cause the trees around him and Suigetsu to rustle. It was coming from the direction of the cave. There were few persons or things powerful enough to create that big of a shock wave and only one of those things would be in the area he was heading towards. Sasuke picked up the pace.
xxx
Danzo threw his cane away and Naruto let his cloak fly away into the wind. Danzo started to undue the large brace he wore on his arm. Naruto took the opportunity to gather nature chakra. When the last of the heavy contraption Danzo kept on his arm fell away it revealed a horrifying deformity. His arm was discolored and full of eyes...Uchiha eyes...Naruto felt his blood boil. He had all those people killed, and he benefited from it. They didn't need to die. He had used Itachi as a means to an end, and Itachi had played right into his hands. Naruto let his anger rage unchecked. He could feel the nine tails excitement and anticipation for the battle. It would be difficult to keep it at bay. At least no one was around if he did lose control. He would just have to make this quick.
"Sage mode." He charged. As he ran Danzo pulled the bandage back from his eye that he always kept covered, when he opened it Naruto saw there was another Uchiha eye, and Danzo was using the Sharingan, he was going to have to be extremely careful, this was proving more difficult by the second. He reached into his pouches and sent kunai flying. Danzo blocked them and was prepared for Naruto's attack, he blocked the powerful kick and threw Naruto back with a powerful punch of his own. Just as Naruto was about to go in for another attack he froze. Pain surged through his body, he could feel the nine tails trying to take over. Was this some kind of genjustu? Only a moment ago he had been in complete control. He grabbed his stomach as another bought of pain shot through his body, it forced him to take a knee. This was no genjutsu, something was wrong.
"Don't you understand boy. You cannot defeat me. I can control the nine tails, you have no defense against me. Once I extract the nine tails from you I will be able to do anything I want, and you will be dead. No one can save you." Danzo walked over to Naruto hunched over on the ground. He gave him a solid kick, it sent Naruto flying onto his back. It was all he could do to stay conscious from the pain of the nine tails starting to break free of the seal, he barely felt Danzo's kick. Danzo stood over him watching as his suffered, reveling in it. Naruto wanted nothing more than to kill the man where he stood but he couldn't overcome the pain. Danzo picked Naruto up by the throat with his deformed arm. He slammed him into the rock face, Naruto was helpless against his attacks as Danzo continued to slam him into the side of the mountain over and over again, despite his best efforts the world went black.
"That should keep you from causing me anymore trouble." Danzo let Naruto's lifeless form drop to the ground. He wiped Naruto's blood off of his hand. "Now I can extract the nine tails in peace. This seal may take some time to break completely."
xxx
When Sasuke and Suigetsu finally broke through the tree line and could get a clear line of sight on the cliff side Sasuke had come to a grinding halt, it was as if he had run into an invisible wall. He stood in shock. Suigetsu had slid to a halt behind him almost running into him. Sasuke knew Suigetsu was talking to him, but he wasn't listening. His eyes were glued to the scene in front of him. Danzo had Naruto by the throat and had just slammed him into the mountain side. Clearly not for the first time, a small crater had formed in the shape of Naruto's body. He had watched has Naruto's lifeless figure fell to the ground Danzo was cleaning Naruto's blood off of his hands. Sasuke lost it. He let out a yell, it was filled with all the emotions he never let show. Purple chakra exploded all around him, it blew Suigetsu back. As Sasuke yelled it grew, slowly taking shape, first bones appeared, then muscles and flesh, before long a giant humanoid chakra warrior had formed. Sasuke was completely cloaked inside of the beast. Danzo had turned when he heard the commotion. When Sasuke's yell subsided he locked eyes with Danzo, revealing the new form of his eyes, his Mangekyo Sharingan had awakened in both eyes.
"What luck, if it isn't Sasuke Uchiha, you've grown more powerful." Danzo smirked. "It will make killing you all the more enjoyable."
Sasuke let his emotions rampage, he wanted to feel them all, he would channel them into killing Danzo...painfully. He would spare no expense, show no mercy. Danzo would experience the consequences of laying his hands on something that belonged to a Uchiha.
"Sasunoo." He released his restraint and flew at Danzo. He smashed Danzo into the side of the mountain. "Do you really think you can fool my eyes?" Sasuke growled, he turned and looked at Danzo standing a few feet away, the fake Danzo his chakra warrior had pinned to the rock dissipated. Sasuke walked over to Naruto and lifted him gently into his arms. Holding his lifeless body only served to increase his anger, while ripping his heart in two.
"You will pay for this, with your life." Sasuke slowly walked towards Danzo, his warrior drawing its sword. It was then that Danzo realized.
"It's you...you're his informant." Sasuke said nothing. "Hm. It would seem I have been played for a fool. Quite the interesting development indeed." Danzo put everything he had into his next attack. He charged Sasuke. It was futile. Sasuke's warrior plunged his blade into Danzo to the hilt. Blood pooled under Danzo's body. There was no defense. In this fight, Danzo did not have the upper hand. Sasuke was stronger in every way. His stolen eyes gave him no advantage. The giant chakra humanoid disintegrated and Danzo fell to the ground. He lay face down in his own blood. Sasuke kicked him over onto his back and stared into his eyes, he wanted to watch as the light left, to be the last thing the bastard saw.
"You...y-you...you lo..." Before he could finish his sentence Danzo died. Sasuke didn't care to hear his last word anyways.
"Suigetsu." Sasuke turned to look at his companion that had made his way up the mountain as soon as Sasuke had picked up Naruto. Suigetsu had known better than to interfere. He had kept his distance until he saw the battle coming to an end. "Take his body and throw it into the ravine on the other side of the mountain. Keep his head. Suigetsu nodded.
Sasuke carried Naruto into the cave and laid him down gently on the bed. "Oh Naruto..." Sasuke leaned over him, his eyes filling with tears. "I can't lose you..." Sasuke's legs gave out as his emotions overwhelmed him and exhaustion overcame him. He knelt next to the bed, his forehead against Naruto's, he held tightly to one of Naruto's hands, he ran his other hand though Naruto's sunshine colored hair that was matted with blood. His tears came in rivers, every shallow breath Naruto took filled him with relief and torn him to pieces at the same time. Every time he started to get his emotions under control he would look at Naruto, hovering on the cusp of death and the tears would flow fresh. He wanted to do something but all he could do was hope Naruto had enough strength to come back to him. Sasuke whispered those words into Naruto's ear over and over again.
"Come back to me...please don't stop fighting...come back to me, come back..." Sasuke finally bit back his tears and gathered what strength he had left and started to carefully look over Naruto. Cleaning and bandaging any wounds. He had never wished he knew medical ninjutsu more in his entire life. He had washed all of the blood out of Naruto's hair and bandaged his head. Once he had finished Sasuke had pulled the chair up beside the bed, he sat watching over Naruto, waiting anxiously from one breath to the next. It was a few hours before Suigetsu appeared out of the darkness, carrying Danzo's head. It was wrapped in Naruto's cloak.
"Sasuke...you have to rest...you're about to collapse from exhaustion." Sasuke didn't move. "You'll be no good to him unconscious..."
"But what if he..." Sasuke couldn't even finish his sentence. "I'll watch over him. I promise I will wake you if there is any change." Sasuke chewed on his lower lip as he considered. He knew Suigetsu was right, but he didn't want to take his eyes off of Naruto for a single second. He put his head in his hands.
"Suigetsu, I can't...I...if anything happens to him..." Suigetsu placed a hand on Sasuke's back.
"I know. You don't need to say anything." Sasuke nodded. "Why don't you lay down with him. I'll watch over you both." Sasuke's limbs felt heavy as he slipped off his shoes and climbed into the bed next to Naruto. His movements sluggish and uncoordinated. It was like he was watching himself move. He wrapped Naruto in his arms, holding onto him as if his embrace was the only thing holding him to this world. He nuzzled close to Naruto's ear and gave it a little peck. He let out a sigh.
"You always did rush in and get in over your head. You're such a fool." Sasuke talked quietly into Naruto's ear. "I do not give you permission to die. You are a complete idiot, but you are my idiot. Mine. Do you hear me Naruto?" He paused for a moment when he started to lose his composure. "...I love you..." He whispered it gently into Naruto's ear. Choking back the sob that was trying to escape. Before long the weight of Sasuke's eyelids became too much, and sleep overcame him.