Hello all Storm here with a new chapter on the spookiest day of the year, Halloween! And fitting given that the team being sent to save Naruto and Yūgao will be going against a bunch of blacksmiths dressing themselves up as Ninja. While we also get a familiar flashback of Naruto and Satsuki first meeting. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
Kakashi and Yamato stood off to the side as they watched Satsuki's and Hinata's training, having resumed the usual training schedule a few days after Naruto and Yūgao left for Takumi Village. Though they did still take a few D-Rank Missions, not taking anything higher with Naruto gone. The only exception being when they were sent to investigate the Fire Temple.
Something that still concerned the Copy Ninja and Mokuton user, when the latter had been informed of their mission. Having been sent out on another mission at the time, leaving him to hear about it after his return.
"Why do you think Orochimaru would attack the Fire Temple? Or recruit someone like Kazuma for whatever he's planning?" Kakashi asked while glancing at Yamato, who could only sigh and shake his head.
"The better question is what wouldn't Orochimaru be planning. The Fire Temple and the Ninja Monks were among those who trained specifically in handling all things supernatural, whether it's killing or sealing things that normal Ninja can't handle. The knowledge they'd have within the temple alone would be enough to get Orochimaru's attention, wanting to get his hands on it so he could learn more about the supernatural." Replied Yamato, with Kakashi nodding in agreement.
Given Orochimaru's goals of becoming immortal and learning all the Jutsu in the world, capturing and experimenting on Yōkai is something he'd want to do given how long some of them can live. Which would mean he'd want information on how to capture them. And the Fire Temple would have information like that.
"Yeah. And then there's Kazuma, a former member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, he'd have intimate knowledge of not only the Land of Fire as a whole, but also the Daimyō. Not to mention that Kazuma has his own allies, all of them being incredibly powerful, no doubt they have special skillsets that would help in his goal." Said Kakashi, knowing that would be the real danger with Kazuma's knowledge of the Land of Fire.
"Then there's the fact he now has a pseudo-Jinchūriki with him as well, one that seems to not be completely stable going from what you've heard. Even more so we have no idea how much of the Kyūbi's Chakra was sealed inside this Sora kid, nor how many tails he could potentially unleash." Yamato added, though both of them knew he could at least deal with Sora if they ever encountered him.
"That gives three separate motives. One is Orochimaru's developing an interest in studying Yōkai. Two is that he's making plans to try and strike at the Daimyō to plunge all of the Land of Fire into chaos. And three…he's putting together an army." Kakashi stated gravely, making Yamato look at him in surprise.
"An army? You don't think he'd actually try and attack Konoha, do you?" Questioned Yamato, knowing that for how much Orochimaru would want to destroy Konoha, he wouldn't be foolish enough to attack it head on.
"In a straight fight? No, Orochimaru would never do something like that, even with any allies he has it'd be too reckless. But we can't rule out the possibility that he could be planning to attack the village, if he's gathering allies and trying to weaken our defenses." Said Kakashi as the Mokuton user frowned but couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Knowing that even if it's low, there is a chance that Orochimaru's planning to launch an attack against Konoha, if not try to start an all-out war.
Before they could say anything else, their attention immediately turned to Pakkun when he appeared in a puff of smoke in front of them. With the appearance of the Ninken also getting Satsuki's and Hinata's attention. Making the girls stop their training and go over, wondering if they're being sent on another mission.
"Kakashi! It's an emergency, Yūgao summoned me and said that she and Naruto were attacked by Takumi Ninja, and that Naruto was captured by them!" Pakkun said, much to their shock and concern, along with anger in Satsuki's case.
"What do you mean they were attacked and Naruto was captured?! How could they not handle a bunch of blacksmiths playing dress up?!" Satsuki demanded, knowing that Naruto wouldn't be captured, let alone defeated, by blacksmiths that thought they were Ninja.
But along with her shock, concern and anger that Naruto and Yūgao had been attacked, with the former being captured, the ravenette was also scared. Not knowing why he would've been taken and for what purpose, only that she's terrified something was going to happen to him. With it not helped that she's still on edge from the Fire Temple Massacre bringing up memories of the Uchiha Massacre.
Everything and everyone she'd lost, until the only person she had left was Naruto, who still stuck by her through everything, no matter what happened or what she did. Something that hasn't change since they first met each other.
*Flashback*
A five-year-old Satsuki smiled widely as she walked next to her mother, Mikoto Uchiha. Having spent the day together, something they haven't been able to do a lot after Satsuki began her training, with them being able to do so today due to her father and brother being too busy to train with her.
Currently, they were walking through the park as other people went about their business, while children ran around laughing and playing. Though Satsuki suddenly stopped and looked over at the playground but saw no one playing at it, or even seeming to go near it. The only person she was a blonde boy her age sitting on a swing.
'He looks sad.' Thought Satsuki upon seeing the boys downcast expression, making her frown at why he's just sitting there by himself.
"What is it Satsuki?" Mikoto asked, getting her daughters attention.
"Kaa-san, look, that boy is sitting by himself." Said Satsuki, pointing in the boys direction.
Looking, Mikoto did see the child sitting by himself with no one around or even getting near him, before her eyes widened only to frown sadly at seeing who it was.
'Naruto.' Mikoto thought, knowing exactly who it was and was saddened at the state he's in.
The Uchiha Matriarch knowing it's Naruto, the son of her best friend Kushina Uzumaki, along with her former teammate and childhood friend/love, Minato Namikaze. Though she also knew that nearly everyone else who saw him only saw him as the creatures sealed inside of him, the Kyūbi.
Though more than that, she also looked at the godson she'd been forbidden from taking in and raising, even being forbidden from so much as interacting with him.
It had devastated Mikoto when she learned two of the people she loved most in the world had died, leaving Naruto alone, even worse that she knew he'd have had the Kyūbi sealed inside of him. Not only losing his parents, but having the burden that she knew Kushina would never want him to have being placed on him.
She had fully intended to take Naruto in and raise him alongside her own children, refusing to let him be alone. Unfortunately, when Mikoto had gone to retrieve him, the Sandaime refused to even consider the idea of Naruto, the Kyūbi Jinchūriki, being raised by the Uchiha Clan. With nothing Mikoto said changing his mind, even going as far as placing a restraining order against her, preventing the ravenette from going near Naruto.
Something that angered the matriarch and made her sorely tempted to just take Naruto somewhere far away, where he'd at least have the chance to grow up safe and no one knowing who he is. Along with to spite the Hokage by taking Konoha's Jinchūriki. The only thing stopping her is the danger it'd put her family and clan in. Not to mention how Naruto would still be hunted to be brought back to Konoha, regardless of what he'd want.
Though Mikoto then tried going to hers and Kushina's other friend, Hitomi Hyūga, to see if she could get custody of Naruto. Only to get the same result, with Hitomi being denied adopting him and forbidden from interacting with Naruto. Leaving them to only be able to watch him from afar until Hitomi soon passed away as well, after giving birth to her second daughter. Something that only saddened Mikoto further at losing another friend.
The only thing she even agreed with the Hokage about is that he kept Naruto's Jinchūriki status a secret, in the hopes he could have a semi-normal childhood. But even that didn't last long, as a few months ago word began spreading that the Kyūbi was sealed inside of him and that he was responsible for the death of the Yondaime Hokage. By the time the Sandaime learned, it was too late to do anything but forbid the older generation from telling the younger generation the truth.
'Not that it stops anything.' Mikoto thought bitterly, as even without knowing the truth, parents still kept their children away from Naruto, telling them he's "dangerous" and a "troublemaker", that they should shun him.
Mikoto was only further angered by the fact she could guess who was responsible for leaking Naruto's status, and already knew the Sandaime would let him off with little more than a slap on the wrist.
'If I had my way, that mummy would've been put in the ground years ago, in as many pieces as possible.' Thought Mikoto, knowing if there's one person she utterly despised, it's Danzō Shimura.
Now she wasn't only forced to just watch her godson grow up alone with no family, but now be hated and shunned because of the Kyūbi. All while he has no idea who his family is, or why he's hate and left alone.
'Then again…' Mikoto thought, looking down at her daughter, getting an idea before crouching down to Satsuki's level.
"You're right, Satsuki, he does look lonely. Who don't you go introduce yourself, that way he won't be anymore." Said Mikoto, making Satsuki look at her in confusion.
"Why?" Satsuki asked, wondering why her mother wanted her to go talk to him, with Mikoto merely smiling and patting her on the head.
"I feel that you two could be great friends." Mikoto replied, knowing if things had been different they'd have grown up as siblings.
'And if Kushina was here, she'd already be planning the wedding.' Thought Mikoto in dry amusement, being able to just picture the redhead cackling as she planned everything out.
Satsuki frowned at her mother's words before looking back at the boy with a curious expression then back to her mother after a few moments, before nodding and smiling at her.
"Okay Kaa-san!" Satsuki said, trusting her words that they could be friends before she ran up to the whiskered blonde.
"Hello there!" Said Satsuki while smiling at Naruto once she reached him, getting the Uzumaki's attention.
With Naruto looking at Satsuki in surprise, glancing around for a moment to see if she might be talking to someone else. Only to see no one else was around, surprising and confusing him further that she's actually talking to him.
"Hi…?" Naruto said unsurely, not used to anyone approaching him.
"I'm Satsuki Uchiha. What's your name?" Satsuki asked, curious to know what his name is.
"Uh…Naruto…Naruto Uzumaki." Replied Naruto, surprised again when Satsuki held out her hand which he slowly took in his and shook.
"It's nice to meet you, Naruto! So…do you wanna play?" Said Satsuki, making the Uzumaki look at her in surprise.
"Play?" Naruto said, honestly confused at what's happening.
Not only did someone approach him and introduce herself, but now she's asking if he wants to play with her.
"Yeah, or we could train together if you want. I've been learning Shurikenjutsu, I could show you some if you'd like." Satsuki offered with Naruto still looking at her with wide eyes, before he slowly began smiling.
"Th-that…that sounds really great. Yeah, I'd really like to train and play together." Replied Naruto, making Satsuki's smile grow wider before she grabbed his hand again.
"Great! Then let's go!" Stated Satsuki as she pulled Naruto along with her.
*Timeskip*
Naruto threw a handful of shuriken, watching them fly through the air before curving around the trees and hitting the targets that had been set up. Smiling at watching the shuriken hit the targets, despite not going anywhere near the center, pleased at the sight.
"Way to go, Naruto! You've really gotten better with using shuriken." Satsuki said, smiling at the Uzumaki, which he returned.
"Thanks Satsuki, you've really helped a lot with curving them through the air." Replied Naruto, thankful for her help with his Shurikenjutsu.
"Yeah, I know. I'm sure soon you might be as good as me." Said Satsuki with her smile turning into a smirk, making Naruto roll his eyes but smirked at her as well.
"Or maybe I'll be better than you and then you'll be learning from me." Naruto retorted, before the two smiled at each other.
Though before the two could say anything else, their attention turned towards the sound of footsteps coming towards them. With both children looking to see who it was, Satsuki smiling and running over to them when she saw it was Itachi.
"Nii-san! Are you finally going to start helping me with my training now?" Satsuki said as she soon narrowed her eyes at her brother, before yelping when Itachi poked her on the forehead and smiled at her.
"Sorry Satsuki, I've just been busy, but I've managed to get some free time now." Replied Itachi, having been busy after he was told that he'd be placed in the Anbu, with him needing to get acquainted with his new squad mates and working with them on missions.
Before the older Uchiha narrowed his eyes at Naruto, recognizing who he was, not that Itachi cared about Naruto being a Jinchūriki. Having a few memories of his mother spending time with a redheaded woman, she introduced him to. Though he didn't know everything, just enough that his mother had wanted to take Naruto in, but had been stopped by the Hokage.
What Itachi did care about was the fact he was a boy, a boy that was spending time with his little sister when they're both alone.
"And you are?" Itachi asked, looking down at Naruto, making the whiskered blonde gulp nervously at the dark look in his eyes.
"U-uh…I-I'm Naruto Uzumaki, i-it's…nice to…meet you?" Said Naruto, feeling a little better when Satsuki ran up and grabbed his hand.
"Yeah, this is Naruto, my best friend! I met him when Kaa-san and I spent the day together. Naruto, this is Itachi." Satsuki introduced, with Itachi's eyes narrowing further at seeing them holding hands.
"I see…so, do you intend to enter the Academy, Naruto?" Questioned Itachi while idly taking out a kunai and twirled it around his finger.
"Y-yes." Naruto replied, flinching when Itachi threw the kunai into a tree before pulling out another one.
"And are you planning to remain Satsuki's friend while in the Academy?" Itachi said, with the Uzumaki nodding slowly in response.
"Y-yes. W-why wouldn't I?" Said Naruto, only for Itachi to throw the kunai into the tree again and take out another.
"Well, it wouldn't be strange for you two to become rivals, after all everyone in the Academy wishes to be the best and strongest. And you certainly seem like the competitive-type with Satsuki being rather competitive, herself. I merely wish to make sure that if you two compete together, you won't end up hurting my sister." Stated Itachi, making Naruto frown a little that he thought he'd hurt Satsuki.
"Stop it Nii-san. Naruto and I can still be friends and rivals, but I'll still be stronger." Satsuki said, frowning at her brother in annoyance, before smirking at Naruto.
"Yeah right, I'll be way stronger than you! You'll be needing to catch up to me in no time." Naruto retorted with a smirk as well, only to gulp when Itachi threw the third kunai into the tree.
"So now you think you're better than Satsuki?" Itachi asked rhetorically while narrowing his eyes at the whiskered blonde.
"U-u-uh-uh, I-I me-mean…n-n-n-no-not right now. Satsuki is really strong; she's even helping me train!" Naruto said.
"Then you're not strong. How would you be able to protect Satsuki if she needs help? Or will you just do nothing if something happens to her?" Demanded Itachi, much to Satsuki's annoyance.
"Itachi! I wouldn't need anyone to protect me or help me, I'd be able to handle myself just fine!" Satsuki said, annoyed at her brothers attitude when it came to her.
"Now, now Satsuki, I'm merely making sure that you'll be looked after when you become a Ninja and go out on mission." Itachi said while patting her on the head, which only annoying her further as she smacked his hand away, before the older Uchiha turned back to Naruto.
"Answer the question. What would you do if Satsuki was in danger?" Said Itachi, with Naruto slowly backing away as Itachi walked towards him.
"I-I w-would um…protect her." Replied Naruto, starting to freakout at how Itachi was approaching him.
"Protect her how? What exactly are you planning to learn and train in as a Ninja?" Itachi asked.
"U-u-u-uh-uh-uh…N-Ni-Ni-Ninjutsu?" Naruto said, not sure if that was the right answer.
"Only Ninjutsu? What if you face an enemy skilled in Genjutsu or in Taijutsu? Or someone that can counter your Ninjutsu? What if they're simply stronger?" Said Itachi.
"I-I-I-" Naruto said, trying to answer only for the older Uchiha to interrupt him.
"What even are your intentions towards Satsuki? Is she really just a friend or do you see her as something else? Do you plan for her to be more than a friend?" Itachi demanded while activating his Sharingan as Naruto backed up into a tree.
"Wh-wh-what else w-w-w-wo-wo-would s-sh-sh-sh-she b-be-be-be-be?" Naruto asked.
"What else would she be? Are you now saying she's not good enough?!" Said Itachi, narrowing his eyes, only for the whiskered blonde to quickly shake his head.
"No! No, no, no, no! Satsuki is really great, and I really like her! She's the greatest friend I could have!" Said Naruto, but this only seemed to anger Itachi.
"You do like her, then?! How are you planning to corrupt her?!" Said Itachi, only flinch slightly when Satsuki kicked him in the shin.
"Stop it! Kami, you do this all the time! Why are you so embarrassing and weird Nii-san?!" Satsuki said, standing in front of Naruto while scowling in irritation at her brother, annoyed at his overprotectiveness, which usually scares away any other kids from befriending her, no one wanting to get on the bad side of the Uchiha Clan's Prodigy.
While Itachi looked at her in disbelief that she actually did that and what she called him.
"But…but I'm trying to make you're safe, Satsuki." Itachi said, only for the ravenette to let out a huff and cross her arms.
"Well I'm perfectly safe and Naruto wouldn't do anything to hurt me. And he definitely wouldn't embarrass me like you or act all weird." Retorted Satsuki, only to growl lowly when she saw Itachi leaning against a tree.
"I'm a failure…nothing but an embarrassing weirdo…who's sister hates him." Itachi muttered, believing Satsuki now hated him for simply trying to keep her safe.
"Nii-baka." Satsuki muttered, embarrassed at his behavior, while Naruto's prior fear started turning into amusement at the sight.
*Timeskip*
Satsuki sat at the end of the dock where she once practiced her Grand Fireball Jutsu, looking down at the water with a dead, empty look in her eyes. Having just been discharged from the hospital a few hours ago, after nearly a week since…
'Why?' Satsuki thought, fighting back the fresh wave of pain and sadness as her mind went back to that night everything had been taken from her.
She had stayed late at the Academy to get some more training done before returning to the Uchiha Compound, eager to tell her family how much she's improved. But when she arrived, she'd only seen things that had been burned into her mind. Having seen buildings destroyed, weapons scattered around, and blood splattered everywhere while bodies lined the streets.
It was something that shocked and horrified her before she took off running to her home, finding more bodies along the way, hoping that her family was at least safe. Only to be met with an even more horrifying sight, Itachi standing over the bodies of their parents. Revealing that he had massacred the entire clan to test his power, including their own parents. Before then using some Genjutsu to force Satsuki to watch it happen over and over again, much to her horror at having to see everyone die.
Satsuki then ran, terrified that he was going to kill her too, but Itachi caught up to her, revealing that he wasn't going to kill her that she wasn't worth killing. But he was going to let her live as the final test of his abilities, the only one he believed could challenge him, the little sister he never loved. Telling Satsuki the secret of the Mangekyō Sharingan, that to unlock it she needed to kill her best friend, just like he did.
After that everything became a blur for Satsuki, only feeling pain, sorrow, anger, hatred, and several other emotions, though she still remembered the last words Itachi said before he left.
"If you want to kill me…curse me! Hate me! And live a long and unsightly life…Run away…run away…and cling to your pitiful life. And then some day, when you have the same eyes as I do, come before me."
'Itachi…Itachi!' Satsuki thought as the pain she felt was slowly replaced by nothing but pure rage and hatred, a desire for revenge to find and kill him for everything he's done, to make him suffer and show him who's really the weak one.
"Satsuki."
Satsuki was pulled from her dark thoughts when she heard Naruto's voice, turning her head to see the Uzumaki looking at her with a hesitant expression.
"What do you want?" Satsuki said coldly, making Naruto flinch slightly.
"I…I just wanted…I wanted to…come to see after…after what happened." Said Naruto, having heard about the Uchiha Massacre once word began spreading to the rest of the village and had immediately wanted to check on the ravenette to make sure she was safe.
"Fine. You saw me, now go away." Said Satsuki before turning back to the lake, wanting to just be alone.
"Um…if you wanted to talk, then I'm here to listen to anything you want to say. Since I figured that…you'd want to-" Naruto said, only for Satsuki to cut him off.
"That I'd want to what? Talk to someone? Talk to you? Well I don't, I want to be alone. So leave me alone!" Satsuki retorted, with Naruto frowning in hurt at her words but didn't move to leave.
"Okay, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to, we could just sit if that would help. I'm just trying to he-" Said Naruto, but was cutoff again as Satsuki stood up.
"Well I don't want your help and I definitely don't want you around!" Yelled Satsuki as she now glared at the whiskered blonde, while Naruto looked at her in surprise.
"Sat-" Naruto said.
"Just shut up and leave! Get that through that thick, empty skull of yours, I don't want you around! And I sure as hell don't want a loser like you as a friend! I didn't even care to try and be your friend, the only reason I even talked to you in the first place was because my Kaa-san told me to! I was perfectly fine leaving you alone, like the pathetic loser you were! So is that clear enough you stupid dobe?! Now leave!" Satsuki screamed, the Uzumaki looking like he's been struck with each word from her, before looking at her in hurt and sadness.
Though it didn't last long when he soon glared at her as well.
"Well screw you! Who'd want to be friends with some spoiled brat like you, anyway?! I only came here to make sure you were alright and safe, because I cared! But if you only want to be a selfish jerk, then fine!" Retorted Naruto before grunting when Satsuki punched him in the face.
"Shut up! I didn't ask you to come here or for you to care! The only thing I want is for you to get lost, but apparently you're too stupid to even understand that!" Shouted Satsuki, only to be knocked down when Naruto got up and shoved her back.
"Why don't you shut up! You think you can say and act however you want?! That you can push around anyone you want?! That you're better?!" Naruto said, with Satsuki quickly getting up and tackling him to the ground, punching him repeatedly while the Uzumaki shielded his face.
"I am better, dobe! You'd be nothing but the worthless deadlast if it wasn't for me helping you! And if you have such a problem with me, then leave already! I want you gone, but you won't go away!" Satsuki yelled, crying out when Naruto suddenly slammed his head into hers, throwing the Uchiha off of him.
The whiskered blonde then quickly got up and pinned Satsuki to the ground when she tried getting up, making the ravenette thrash around to try and throw him off.
"Because I care, even if you don't! I thought we were friends and friends are supposed to take care of each other! And because…because I know what it's like…" Shouted Naruto before lowering his voice, while Satsuki glared up at him.
"You don't know anything! You never had a family in the first place, you were alone from the very beginning! What makes you think you could know anything about what it's like?! What it's like to lose everything! You have no idea what it's like to lose someone!" Screamed Satsuki, with Naruto looking down.
"Yeah…I don't know what it's like. I never had anyone to come home to, no one to pick me up from the Academy, I don't know what it's like to lose a family. But I know what it feels like to be alone…it's the worst feeling in the world, to have everyone treat you like you don't exist, that you're not even there…it makes you want to do anything to have some look at you, even if it's just as an annoyance. Maybe I don't know what it's like to lose a family, but I know what it's like to be alone." Naruto said before glaring at Satsuki.
"You want to hate me, beat me up, say that we're not friends?! Then fine, do whatever you want, but I'm not leaving! I'm not going to let you be alone, because even you don't care or want me around, I'm still your friend! Got it?!" Said Naruto, refusing to let Satsuki be alone like he was and experience that kind of sadness.
"And what if you staying just means I'll kill you one day?!" Satsuki demanded, unable to hold back her tears any longer as she broke down crying, while Naruto got off of her in shock.
"Wh-what? What're you talking about?" Naruto asked, with Satsuki sitting up and trying to wipe her eyes of the tears that kept coming.
"Itachi! Itachi was the one…the one who killed everyone! He…he did it just so he could test his power! And…and that I wasn't worth killing, that's the only reason he let me live! Because he wants to me to have the same eyes as him, the Mangekyō Sharingan! He used it on me too, making me watch him kill everyone over and over again! He wants me to challenge him with those eyes, just as another test! And…and I have to kill my best friend to get them! Now just leave…leave so you won't die!" Cried Satsuki, preferring if Naruto hated and avoided her than let herself be tempted to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan by killing him.
Naruto looked at her with wide eyes, not believing what she just said, not only that Itachi's the one who massacred the Uchiha Clan, but what he said to her. Before the whiskered blonde went over and pulled Satsuki into a comforting hug, the ravenette continued to cry as she tried weakly pushing him away.
'What happened.' Naruto thought, mentally cursing Itachi at what he's done, while wondering what happened to the cool and intimidating yet funny older brother he became acquainted with.
Or wondered if he existed at all, if it had all just been an act he put on so no one suspected what he was really like.
"So what? If you think that's going to make leave you alone, then you're wrong. I don't care about whatever that bastard said or about any stupid eyes, I'm not leaving." Said Naruto, something that confounded the ravenette as she looked at him with tearful eyes.
"Why? Why would you risk yourself to stay with me? What happens if I try to kill you?" Satsuki asked, wondering why he'd willingly risk his own life like that.
"Because you're my best friend and I know you. You're really smart, stubborn, one of the strongest in the Academy, you don't let anyone try bossing you around, but you're also kind and caring. You'd never do anything to hurt someone you care about, and you're the greatest friend anyone could ask for." Naruto said, smiling at Satsuki, making her blush at his words.
"I'm your only friend." Muttered Satsuki, only for both kids to wince.
"I…I'm sorry." Satsuki said, apologizing both for everything she just said and the lack of tact in that statement, only for Naruto to wave it off.
"Don't worry about it, it helps more to let all that out after what happened. And one other thing is the Satsuki I know would never kill me for power, so I know you never do anything like that. And I promise that you'll never need any stupid eyes to fight anyone, because I'm going to be there to help you." Stated Naruto, refusing to let Satsuki go after Itachi alone, not if he could help her.
"No! Itachi's my responsibility to deal with and mine alone!" Said Satsuki while shaking her head, not willing to let Itachi take away anyone else she cared about.
"Well too bad, he became my responsibility too after he hurt you, so I'm helping you deal with him. And no matter what else you decide to do, I'm always going to be here no matter what! Whether you like it or not, I'm staying!" Naruto said, smiling at the ravenette, having no intentions of letting Satsuki do anything alone.
With Satsuki blushing more intensely at his words and promise, feeling a warmth spread through her body at the idea of Naruto never leaving her side. Before she quickly turned away from him to hide her blush and to calm her rapidly beating heart.
"Baka." Satsuki muttered good naturedly, much to Naruto's annoyance as he pushed her lightly.
"If you're going to keep insulting me, maybe I'll just stay long enough to dye your hair and clothes pink." Said Naruto, causing the Uchiha to give him a warning look before the friends began laughing together.
*End Flashback*
'Naruto.' Satsuki thought in worry of what could be happening to him right now.
"Even if the people of Takumi Village aren't officially Ninja, they shouldn't be underestimated thanks to their weapons. Their skill in wielding them and the abilities they possess make it so they shouldn't be underestimated, regardless of their own abilities. Even more so, if they were ambushed." Kakashi said, with Yamato nodding in agreement.
"Agreed. And with Takumi Village's distaste towards the Hidden Villages, especially the Five Great Nations, they must've been plotting this for a while. Meaning they've been preparing to ambush a Ninja they'd need for their plans, while Naruto and Yūgao were just unlucky enough to be their chosen targets." Yamato stated, aware that whatever the Takumi Ninja were planning, they'd likely been prepared for anything they'd encounter.
"Yeah. Now let's go." Kakashi said as he and Yamato vanished in a Shunshin to the Hokage's Office.
*Hokage's Office*
When they reappeared, Kakashi and Yamato saw Asuma, Kurenai, Gai and Anko were already present.
"Do you all know why we're here?" Kakashi asked rhetorically, seeing their expressions and knew they were already aware.
"Yes, Hokage-sama told us the basics but not everything." Replied Kurenai, feeling just as worried given that Yūgao was her friend and that Hinata cared about Naruto, and is likely worried about what happened to him.
"I'm looking forward to making these wannabe Ninja assholes see what real Ninja can do." Anko stated with a wicked smirk, given Yūgao's her friend as well and is eager to crush the Takumi Ninja.
"And all of you will get the chance, Takumi Village has crossed a line and must be dealt with for such a transgression. First here is all the information Yūgao was able to provide, thanks to a trustworthy blacksmith that's allied with her and Naruto." Said Sarutobi, handing them copies of the report Yūgao sent him to read over, with the Jōnin all frowning at the Takumi Ninja were planning.
"Your mission is as follows, eliminate the Four Celestial Symbols Men and all those allied with them that get in your way. Prevent the resurrection of Seimei, as well as ensuring any future attempts are prevented by destroying his body. Lastly retrieve both Naruto Uzumaki and Yūgao Uzuki. Once you have completed your objectives, send a message so the Anbu squads that I've deployed will move in and neutralize Takumi Village in its entirety." Hiruzen said, intending to make sure they can never pull something like this ever again.
"We'll get it done, Hokage-sama." Replied Kakashi, the others nodded in agreement before they quickly left the office to head out immediately for Takumi Village.
But before they arrived at the gates, they were stopped by Satsuki and Hinata running up to them, with Kakashi and Yamato frowning at seeing them.
"What do you two think you're doing?" Yamato asked, having a feeling but hoped they were just seeing them off.
"We're going with you." Stated Satsuki, with Hinata nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, we want to help save Naruto-kun and Yūgao-sensei." Hinata added, neither of them wanting to stay behind when their friend/crush and one of their teachers are in danger.
"Absolutely not! This mission is far too dangerous for Genin, and we'll already have enough to worry about without needing to make sure two are safe." Kurenai said immediately, not even entertaining the idea of them joining on the mission.
"Kurenai's right, you two. While it's admirable you want to help save them, just leave this to us." Stated Asuma.
"Agreed. The six of us are more than enough to handle the Takumi Ninja, alone." Added Yamato.
"But-" Satsuki said, only for Kakashi to cut her off.
"Enough, neither of you will be coming and that's final. There will be times for you two to prove yourselves later, but now isn't that time." Kakashi said, not wanting to let his other students endanger themselves as well.
"Yosh! I can see your Flames of Youth are truly burning bright with the desire to save your comrades. But have no fear, we will be back in no time them Yūgao and young Naruto before the day is even done!" Said Gai, giving them a thumbs up and a large smile, assuring them that they'll have no trouble saving Naruto and Yūgao, and dealing with anyone in their way.
"Just leave it to us, brats. This'll be quick and easy dealing with a bunch of dumbasses trying to act strong." Anko stated before the Jōnin all immediately left, heading for the gates, leaving Satsuki and Hinata behind.
With the Uchiha Heiress scowling in annoyance, hating that they weren't allowed to help save Naruto and Yūgao, while Hinata frowned in worry. Also not liking it, but wondered if it would be better if they stayed, to avoid getting in the way or being targeted.
"What should we do, Satsuki?" Hinata asked while looking at the ravenette.
"We're going to follow them. I don't care what they say, I'm not staying here while Naruto-kun and Yūgao-sensei are in trouble, especially not after being attacked by a bunch of wannabe Ninja blacksmiths that rely on their damn weapons." Said Satsuki, refusing to stay behind when she could help.
"Are you sure? They will be going against six Jōnin, that seems like they could handle anything the Takumi Ninja have." Said Hinata, only for Satsuki to shake her head.
"Maybe they can, but like Kakashi-sensei said, they shouldn't be underestimated because of their weapons. And who knows what else they have or if they have ways to slow them down. We can't risk it, not if we can do something to help." Satsuki replied, making the bluenette frown before nodding after a few moments, knowing she's right and there's a chance the Takumi Ninja had something else in store for any reinforcements.
Before they took off after the Jōnin, making sure to stay far enough behind to avoid being seen or detected, but close enough to not fall behind.
*Later*
It didn't take long for the retrieval team to arrive in the Land of Rivers with how fast they were traveling, knowing it won't be long before they reach Takumi Village. Though before they could reach the village, they stopped in a large grassy plain. Seeing Ryūgan standing at the other end, flanked by thirty Takumi Ninja, all of whom they saw were wielding different and unique looking weapons. Though unlike Ryūgan's Garian Sword, the weapons all looked to be copies of each other.
"It's about time you Ninja showed up, I was getting bored and eager to kill whoever was sent to try getting that runt back." Ryūgan said with a smirk while leaning on his triple-pronged blade.
"You knew the Hokage would send a team to retrieve the Ninja you kidnapped, yet you still did it, anyway. Rather foolish, don't you think." Stated Kakashi while narrowing his eyes at the Takumi Ninja, with Ryūgan's smirk growing.
"Yes, for you all, because none of you will be leaving here, alive. Even better that we'll be killing the renowned Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake. With you all dead, the rest of the Hidden Villages will know what's coming for them." Said Ryūgan as he pointed his sword at them.
"Big talk coming from a half-pint, like you. Shouldn't you be playing with toys rather than weapons?" Anko said tauntingly, almost insulted that they sent a runt to try and stop them.
"And shouldn't you crawl back to the brothel to came from." Retorted Ryūgan sneering at the Tokubetsu Jōnin, with Anko gaining a dangerous gleam in her eyes.
"I'm gonna enjoy shoving that sword up your ass!" Said Anko, intending to deal with Ryūgan personally.
But before either side could make a move, Satsuki and Hinata jumped out from their hiding spot, standing alongside the Jōnin. Much to their chagrin, especially Kakashi, Yamato, and Kurenai at seeing they disobeyed them.
"I seem to remember telling you two to stay in the village and that you weren't to follow us." Kakashi said.
"Save the lectures for later, preferably after we deal with these wannabes. And don't even think of trying to tell us to stay out of the fight or go back, because we're not leaving." Retorted Satsuki, with Hinata nodding in agreement.
"Kakashi-sensei, we're not going to abandon Naruto-kun, Yūgao-sensei, or any of you, not if we can help it. It's like you told us, those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash." Hinata added, reminding the Copy Ninja of the first lesson he gave them.
With the Jōnin looking at them in shock at seeing how determined they were to help save their comrades. While Kakashi, Yamato, and Kurenai couldn't help but feel a large amount of pride for the girls.
'Hinata…you really have grown haven't you.' Kurenai thought, now really seeing just how much Hinata's grown from a shy, stuttering girl that couldn't hurt a fly, into a Kunoichi that wouldn't hesitate to jump into a fight to save her friends.
'All three of them, they're going to becoming amazing Ninja one day.' Thought Yamato, proud to help Naruto, Satsuki and Hinata grow into the amazing Ninja he knows they'll become.
'Minato-sensei, Obito, Rin, Kushina-senpai…you'd all be proud of them, that Naruto has such loyal comrades.' Thought Kakashi, knowing his own team and Naruto's parents would be proud at how far these three are growing and their loyalty to each other.
'My Eternal Rival…your Flames of Youth are truly burning brighter than ever before and have helped your students shine just as bright.' Gai thought, noticing the look of pride and happiness Kakashi gave his students, happy that his rival has grown from the darkness he developed in Anbu.
Remembering how he helped push for him to be pulled from the Anbu after being refused by the Hokage and Danzō from joining, due to not having the darkness required for the work they perform.
"Yes, yes, it's all so very touching. How about this, you all just stand there and let us kill you, that way you can die together." Ryūgan said, making the Ninja narrow their eyes at them.
"Kurenai, Anko, you two deal with him, he matches the description of one of the Four Celestial Symbols Men, so watch out for his sword and what it can do. Satsuki, Hinata, you two stay with them to deal with the remaining Ninja. The rest of us will go on ahead to get Naruto." Said Kakashi, with the four Kunoichi nodded in response.
With Kakashi, Yamato, Gai and Asuma quickly rushing forward, jumping up high into the air over Ryūgan and his followers to continue onward.
"Stop them!" Ryūgan ordered, channeling Chakra into his sword to unleash his dragons, with his followers pulling out their weapons to attack the Ninja before they could try disrupting the ritual.
"What's the matter cowards?! Are you afraid to face us yourselves?!" Satsuki asked mockingly, making the Takumi Ninja stop and glare at the Kunoichi.
"What did you just say, runt?!" Demanded Ryūgan, angered at the insult, while the ravenette merely smirked at him.
"Are you deaf as well as a has-been?! I guess you can add that along with you all being a bunch of hypocrites, too! You all talk so much about how you hate Ninja, yet here you all are, wearing headbands like Ninja, using Chakra like Ninja, ambushing enemies like Ninja! Except you're not even real Ninja, just a bunch of has-been blacksmiths playing dress up and thinking a few fancy toys you created make you better! The only thing you're proving is who's really superior! And in case you're all so idiotic that you still can't figure it out yet, it's none of you!" Said Satsuki, her smirk growing at the pure rage on the Takumi Ninja's faces.
"Forget the others, they'll be dealt with! Kill them, but no one touch the loudmouth, she's mine to finish!" Ryūgan yelled, intending to kill Satsuki personally for the insults to them and their weapons.
"Bring it." Satsuki said pulling out her swords and merging them into their bow form, wishing to humiliate them further by killing them with her own weapon.
*With Naruto*
*Mindscape*
Meanwhile, Naruto had soon found himself back in his mindscape, seeing it was once again the moonlit forest it appeared as when he first met Zen-Aku. Only for the Uzumaki to be surprised, when he appeared across from someone else, someone he didn't recognize.
"Who…are you?" Naruto asked, looking at the stranger that was in his mindscape.
They were a tall, lean-built, and stoic middle-aged man. He had pale skin, high cheekbones, stubble, and long ragged black hair with brown highlights. His attire consisted of a tattered white dress shirt with an upturned collar and cuffs, black pants, low-heeled boots, and a long, amorphous black overcoat with a burgundy highlight that flares out into ragged ends, along with seeming to constantly move in an unseen wind, as well as brown-tinted, semi-transparent wraparound sunglasses.
"You know who I am, it is you who granted me a physical form. The one you created by your own hands and now seek to wield, to unleash onto your enemies. You know me, and you know my name." Said the man, with Naruto looking at him in surprise before realization slowly dawned on him at who this is.
"You're…Zangetsu."
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Kakashi and Yamato watching Satsuki's and Hinata's training, while discussing what Orochimaru could be planning by attacking the Fire Temple. Before Pakkun soon arrives and informs them of what's happened to Naruto and Yūgao, much to their shock and worry, especially Satsuki at learning Naruto's been captured.
Before we then see a flashback of when they first met, taken from the original "Return of the Duke Wolf", but with more added details such as Mikoto's knowledge of who Naruto is and why she couldn't raise him herself. Along with showing Naruto meeting Itachi for the first time, who's shown to be more overprotective of Satsuki than Sasuke, and then after the massacre. And unlike the original, Naruto stands his ground and gets through to Satsuki, learning what happened and what Itachi told her of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
With Naruto still refusing to leave Satsuki and promises to stay by her side no matter what, which also shows Satsuki's feelings begin growing from just friendship into something more.
Then back in the present Kakashi and Yamato head to the Hokage's Office where the others have arrived, being briefed on the mission and what they'll be doing. Before they head out only to be stopped by Satsuki and Hinata who want to help rescue Naruto and Yūgao, only for the Jōnin to refuse and make them stay in the village, which the two ignore and follow them anyway, refusing to stay behind.
With them then encounter Ryūgan and thirty Takumi Ninja, with Satsuki and Hinata revealing themselves, reminding Kakashi of the first lesson he taught them much to the Jōnin's shock and pride. Deciding that Kurenai, Anko, Satsuki, and Hinata would to stay to deal with Ryūgan and his followers, while the others go ahead, with Satsuki taunting the Takumi Ninja angering them enough to stay and fight the Kunoichi.
Finally we see Naruto within his mindscape where he encounters Zangetsu himself, having manifested a physical form within his mindscape to meet Naruto. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway. And have a Happy Halloween!
Storm out