WHY I'M SO STUPID?
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Sorry it took so long, I was busy wondering when Naruto would finally end considering the fact that Madara Uchiha wasn't the final boss, and now they decide to have the final showdown between Naruto and Sasuke. I'll tell you this much, if Naruto doesn't get a happy ending after that, I'll be far from pleased.
Oh, and somebody brought up the fact that I didn't put in a scene where Karin and Naruto meet, and I would like to thank that person. To tell the truth, I plum forgot about her and with all the stories I need to update, and all the one-shots I keep squeezing in, it's hard to remember every little thing. So sorry about that.
Previous
A couple of hours later were when the teams returned from Suna and after noticing the look on their faces. "As nice as it is to see that everyone is back alive and well," Tsunade started to say, "But what's with the look on your faces?"
This was when Naruto said the sad shocker, "Obito Uchiha is still alive and is with Akatsuki."
Now
No one could tell if they saw right or brave enough to say out loud, ANBU included, but everybody could of swore that Tsunade's hair went gray for a few seconds, even with her jutsu still on.
"Are you sure?" Tsunade asked the first thing that would come to anyone's mind. After getting a nod from the group, "How can you be sure?"
"Because when me and Itachi battled him, he had a sharigan eye," Naruto started to explain, getting everybody else's attention at the fact that a third Uchiha was still alive, although that wasn't all that needed to be told, "And he was wearing a mask with an orange spiral and only one eyehole that was over the right eye."
Tsunade's eyes went wider at this, before taking a quick look at Kakashi, and from the sad look on his face; she knew that it had to be true. She knows that she would be the same way if she found out that if Dan and Nawaki were not only alive, but also fighting for the enemy. After looking back at Naruto, the look on his face said it all, "Let me guess, there's more bad news."
Naruto gave a slight nod, "Yeah, I sensed a second presence, one too similar to Obito, and Kyubi sensed it and told me something that you are really not going to like," He said, "Madara Uchiha is alive and living in Obito."
While Tsunade felt like her age caught up to her for a few seconds, "Wait, how is Madara Uchiha still alive?" She asked, "Especially since he was defeated by my grandfather?"
"Did they ever find the body?" Naruto asked. When Tsunade had a look that said she wasn't sure, "Well, Itachi has a theory on that."
After Itachi went through the explanation about how Madara might have found the true final stage of the Sharigan. "I'm not sure of the name, or how different it is to my Mangekyo Sharigan, so I need to go through our clan's archives to see if there is anything about it."
Knowing when this conversation would become nothing more than a standstill, Tsunade asked for the rest of the mission report, which she did, as well as a challenge to a sake drinking from Chiyo (Yes she lives in this because this time, everybody was able to stop the demon removal in time to where Gaara is alive and never died) whenever one of them decides to visit the other's village. Unfortunately, the message involved a crack about her age that she was tempted to head over to Suna and challenge her right now, especially if it would help her get out of paperwork.
After dismissing them, Naruto stopped to ask something, "By the way, on the way here, we watched the perv flying towards the border. I take it you gave him my bill before you sent him flying?"
A smirk appeared on the Hokage's face, one that would put the Grinch's to shame, "Oh yeah, and it felt good knowing that I got to teach that idiot a lesson about messing with other peoples' lives." Tsunade said, "And believe me, I was more than glad to do it after you told me how close your parents were to breaking up because of that man."
"Yeah, according to my parents' journals, besides bills, some of those times he took my dad's money was when he was going to buy a ring to use to propose to my mother, and according to Kyubi, she was starting to have doubts." Naruto said.
Tsunade had a sad look, learning that two of her closet friends that were completely inseparable, almost separated because of her teammate's reckless actions, "And what kept that from happening?" She asked.
"I did, when she became pregnant, a month later, father was finally able to propose." Naruto explained, "They were going to wait until after I was born to have the wedding, but another factor prevented it."
Inside the seal, Kyubi had a guilty look on his face. Even though he only recently started to learn to respect humans thanks to Naruto, he can't help but still feel guilty because, even though he was under somebody else's power, he was the reason why Naruto became an orphan and the reason why the village unjustly abuses him. While he admits to there being some good times during his times being caged in Mito and Kushina, there are still moments that he would love to forget due to how uncomfortable they make him feel, like when they have PMS, which even for the strongest of demons, the scariest thing to live through, and whenever they've got intimate with their loved ones. While he might be a pervert, watching it from the woman's eyes is something that still gives him nightmares.
Anyway, back to the main topic, after seeing how instead of family and happiness, shifting through memories, the blonde for the first five years was taking constant abuse, while the rest of time was spent trying to survive without giving the village anymore reason to get rid of him, death or the boot, he decided to give Naruto a gift to make up for all the crap he had to deal with The gift involved the blonde's Rinnegan, or rather reawaken it's full, original potential, something he can remember when he was with the Sage of Six Paths. The main problem was, considering how long it's been sense the Sage died, Kyubi can't remember what it was, but there was a familiar feeling when looking through Naruto's memories of the present, or rather, to his dislike, involved the Uchihas, or more specific, their eyes. While remembering the eyes of the Mangekyo Sharigan that started this mess, something about it almost felt familiar. After getting a good look at the memories of Kakashi and Sasuke, or more specifically, their Sharigan eyes and what they looked like, 'That's it.' It finally clicked. It finally clicked, now all he has to do was talk to the boy.
Anyway, back in the physical world, "So anyway, considering that my birthday is tomorrow, you might want to get the hospital ready for multiple casualties." Naruto said, before finally leaving the office.
It didn't take long for Tsunade to figure out what he meant by that: Tomorrow, anybody trying to maintain a tradition is going to be in a rude, and very painful awaking when Naruto decides to defend himself, this time with the law being on his side and the villagers who attack will no longer have the council as a shield from responsibility.
A couple of minutes after he left, Tsunade felt a presence by the window, which could only be one of two people who uses it as an entrance, but one of them left by shunshin. After looking towards it, Jiraiya, who must have a better recovery rate then a Uzumaki considering how many beatings he can walk away from, even from the ones Tsunade gives him, was looking at her with a look she hasn't seen for at least 20 years now. It was the look he had when he found out that 2/3 of his team was wiped out, and she was sure he had it when Minato and Kushina, but she noticed that he was also feeling extreme guilt, meaning that he came in when Naruto mentioned what price his student had to pay for his reckless enjoyment.
Meanwhile, outside of the tower, Sasuke was intercepted by Karin once she heard that he was back in the village. While she understands that Sasuke is a ninja and parts of the job involves leaving the village for long periods of time into heavy danger, that doesn't' stop her from acting like either the smothering girlfriend making sure there isn't a scratch on him or the girlfriend with the lusty look, telling the boy that he better stay at a hotel for about a week. Right now it's the concerned one, which wouldn't be so bad if she didn't make a spectacle about it, and Itachi decided to take a picture of his discomfort just for his own little amusement factors down the road. Mainly being a brother.
This was when Naruto stepped out and noticed the pair. While he would leave them alone, he walked up to them, trying to greet somebody that is going to change everything. The happy couple turned to greet the blonde, "Hello, Naruto." Karin greeted, knowing who he is since he is the only blonde man around their age, with Sasuke greeting him with a small nod, too embarrassed to talk.
"Hey Sasuke, hey cousin." Naruto said, catching both off-guard, "That's right, she my cousin, from the Uzumaki Clan. Remember when I told you about some of the traits that my mother's clan possesses?" When he got a nod from them, "Well, from reading my mother's notes, turns out another common factor is that they are mainly redheads."
After giving them time to process this new info, Karin's eyes went wide, "Wait, did you ever meet a girl named Tayuya when you fought Orochimaru?" She asked, remembering her friend who shared some of the same problems of remembering her past as her."
"You mean a girl with red hair that uses a flute as a weapon and a vocabulary so colorful, it would make most sailors consider a job change?" Naruto asked.
Karin gave a small nod, "Yeah, that's her to the letter." She answered, "We were both found by Orochimaru when we were too young to remember our families and when we got older, and we've started to suspect that he might be the reason why we were orphaned in the first place." She then looked up towards the blonde, "Do you know what happened to her?"
"Yeah, she's out trying to find her place in the world, so who knows, she might come looking for both you and Kin." Naruto said, deciding to take his leave, but not before deciding to give Sasuke a fair warning, "Oh, and to let you know, Uzumakis are known for almost endless stamina." He said in a low whisper.
When it became two again, two different colors showed, Karin was red at the dirty little thoughts running through her head about what they could do together, while Sasuke was paler then a Hyuga because there are a few things the Sharigan can't help him out with.
Sakura is on her way to the academy, finally finding the time to put her plan in action. When Naruto left on his trip, while a part of her was hoping that Naruto would fall straight in love with her the moment he returned no matter what, the denial side, the other part wanted to try and start paying Naruto back for everything he has done for her when she never wanted to admit that she was wrong about titles and what she thought about the boys.
After her training started to reach high note, and she started to get used to working at the hospital, Sakura also began teaching a class at the academy on basic healing so that way at least some of the genins knew how to take care of themselves when they get to c-rank missions. Something that Tsunade was able to bypass the council on because they refuse to admit that leaving it off was one of the reasons why so many genin die while out on the field, some more ignorant in thinking that their kids were safe because nobody would dare to face their wrath, while the rest just said blame it on Naruto, acknowledging the fact that the boy was the perfect scapegoat and money maker for them because of how the villagers used to view him.
Anyway, after about a month of getting used to being called sensei, Sakura thought about looking into Naruto's school files to see how badly the dean and instructors had sabotaged his progress, but the problem was, at the time, she was always too busy, with the classes, becoming a chunin, training with Tsunade and her team, working at the hospital, by the time she was done for day, the main thing on her mind was dinner and a long rest.
After reaching her destination, Sakura headed straight for the records room. After going through them until she reached her target, the pinkette opened Naruto's files and her eyes went wide because some of the classes Naruto flunked out of, she can remember them being because the teachers always found an excuse to throw him out, so that way he won't learn anything crucial, while the rest were just due through sabotage by purposely teaching him the wrong thing. From spending time with the boy, and finally realizing that the one she knows now, Naruto was completely opposite from the files she has on him. In some ways, Naruto would have been another prodigy, her class's Rookie of the Year, but instead, some of the tests were purposely as flunked even though some of the answers Naruto written were marked wrong just for the hell of it, or even appeared to be erased due to the handwriting not matching the rest of the answers. Some of which was during Mizuki's time as a teacher, meaning that he purposely needed to make it where Naruto was easy to manipulate.
Deciding that she has had enough, she closed the file and took it with her back to the Hokage's Office. She could have left it behind, but then somebody at the academy would try to make it disappear so that way there would be no incriminating evidence to be used against them.
Kakashi was talking to Shizune about something that he has put off long enough. Usually, she would leave a clone to do her work while her and Kakashi 'caught up' on things, but now it's a bit more serious, especially for Kakashi outside of battle. "Are you sure about this Kakashi?" She asked, helping him fill out a form, "I mean I know what they've done is inexcusable, but still, this is going a little too far."
Kakashi gave a small sigh before answering, "Shizune, what I'm doing is stopping something that should have been stopped with the Third. Have you looked through the thing that has happened between your leaving the village and your return?" When she shook her head no as an answer, "What the old council has done is beyond inexcusable. They over stepped their authority so many times, especially when it comes to my team and why they've almost ended as badly as they could have."
Shizune could tell that it must be something really personal if the council could force Kakashi to do whatever they want. "Tell me everything." She said, wanting to help bring more closure to her boyfriend who is trying harder to move on from his past.
By the next night, on the day that is both Naruto's birthday and the day of the Kyubi Festival, outside what is now Naruto's old apartment building, considering the fact that while he was gone, Tsunade helped find a new, better place to live while he went out to help a friend, with the utmost of secrecies.
Right now Naruto is facing down a small crowd of diehard 'fox hunters,' 35 total, and armed with any weapon they can find, people who go out of their way to destroy him, only to be outsmarted at every single turn, that would leave him unscratched, and safe under the protection of the kage. Before, even when Naruto is strong enough to defend himself, he couldn't because the moment he fought back against larger numbers back then, all they would have to do is go straight to the council, and the main and civilian council would just say that the demon is either starting to come out or harmed so innocent people, and the offenders would be seen as heroes.
Now, with most of the civilian council replaced and their powers reduced, along with Naruto being acknowledged as a ninja, Minato's son and somebody to be respected, Naruto is facing what is left of his oppressors, his sword at the ready and he won't be needing his Rinnegan for this. "So, you think you are strong enough to take on somebody that has always been stronger then you?" He asked, deciding to add fuel to the fire.
"You have never been stronger than us, demon." One man yelled out.
"You always ran away from us like the coward you are, monster." A woman yelled out.
"Oh, this coming from somebody who needs to bring in almost half the village to take on one innocent boy." Naruto said, causing them to growl, "I decide to play it smart by making sure my apartment is protected from the true monsters of this village while also making sure I'm with the Third because that is the only person that the council can't order to relinquish me, just like he has trouble ordering your pathetic ass to jail because the council is protecting you."
This caused some of the villagers to get nervous, because he pointed out their only shield from jail, especially from any other crimes that they have committed towards other people because they were needed to put the kyubi-brat in his place. "Well you are still not allowed to attack us since the law states that a ninja can't attack a civilian." Another man pointed out.
"The same can be said in reverse, a civilian can't attack a ninja either." Naruto said, causing them to become even angrier, "Plus the law doesn't say a ninja can't defend himself, meaning that if you were to attack me now, I will be within my rights to fight back, and this time, the people who are now in the Civilian Council would call it self-defense on my part since you dare attack the son of the Fourth Hokage."
"You are not the son of the Fourth you monster!"
"We will avenge you for sullying the Fourth's name with such lies!"
"You even dare walk around looking like our village's hero just to mock us, demon!"
"Mock!" Naruto said, looking at them like they really are morons, "Wouldn't looking like the Fourth be more of problem for the Kyubi since it would remind him every day that I look like the man that I defeated him?" Seeing how that thought probably never occurred to them, or they just didn't care when it came to Naruto, "As for sullying my father's name, look who's talking! He asked for the village to treat his only son as a hero and instead, you use his name in vain just so you would have an excuse to attack his own son, while also stating that you are finishing what he has started, but why would he have a bunch of weak-ass cowards do such a thing since they runaway whenever something decides to fight back."
This was the final straw for the villagers. Everything they've tried to use to make the blonde try and take his punishment for the Kyubi's actions was shot back at them, making them out to be the true villains, and the brat has the nerve to get ready to fight them, so now they need to remind him what his place is in this village. Plus some of them lost a lot of money when Naruto won the whole Chunin Exams and got promoted. Three of them charged towards him, one carrying a broken bottle, another with a dagger, and the last with a pitch fork. Within a blink of an eye, all three were taken out, one was sent flying through the crowd into a building, another went flying in a Tsunade like style and the third was out like a light with just one punch. This caused the rest of the villagers to finally realize that this was no longer the boy that they can abuse as much as they want. Instead, it's a young man who will no longer become what the village wanted him to be.
While the smart few decided to just drop their weapons and run away while they still can walk, the rest decided to keep convincing themselves that there is strength in numbers. So they all attack, but it barely lasted a minute, with Naruto being the only one still standing, the only thing damaged was his clothes, while any wounds he received were already healing up, the only thing used was taijutsu and kenjutsu. He didn't kill anybody, just gave them all a good, long overdue beating, and the closest thing to getting maimed would be their pride because the blonde didn't even once hesitate to fight when they tried to attack him.
Knowing that the ANBU and other ninjas that were watching the whole thing, and they would be more then glad to take them to the hospital, while one or two of them would go inform Tsunade that night, Naruto put his sword back into its scabbard, and walked away. From that night on, word will spread that Naruto Namikaze is no longer the village scapegoat and anything that goes wrong, is from now on that person's fault.
Well, here is the latest chapter. Sorry it took so long, but I was trying to time it where I can post it onto Naruto's Birthday. Sorry for the weak fight scene, wasn't sure how to make it work since it was Naruto vs the villagers and no matter how I would have written it, it would still be one-sided. Anyway, seeing how the final battle between Naruto and Sasuke is finally being written, one thing I can say is that I hope Naruto at least gets a happy ending because he is past due for some happiness. Read and Review, and have a Happy Halloween.