Chapter 8

Pen on the paper left a dark path behind it. A woman in the tent sitting behind a desk with a pen in her hand writing on a paper with her head bowed soon stopped and dropped the pen on the table and leaned back. She sighed and stretched and rubbed her itching hands.

"What have I gotten myself into?" She groaned and stared at the stack of paper in front of her. Mei was a strong woman who loved to fight for her people. With boil and lava release bloodlines at her disposal, she thought to fight for her people and protect them against people like Yagura. A man she hated the most.

She'd have been on a battlefield with her people fighting to protect the Mist country from Yagura's region if she hadn't chosen for this job. But someone else would have ended in this position if she had refused to take this job, the leader of the rebel army.

Being a leader was a very hard job. dealing with paperwork was one thing but sending your own people to their deaths was another, emotions that she had learned to suppress.

Her thoughts turned towards the boy that will be coming here to aid her with the current battle going on. Someone would think what a boy no older than eight years old would do to win a war. But she knew better, she knew the potential Naruto had and prowess he will show when he'll grow up.

Six months ago, she'd visited the hidden leaf and saw him on the streets of the village. A boy with red hair walking with his hands in his pockets and looking straight ahead with a mask of indifference. Mei doesn't know why the Yondaime Hokage had shown that side of Konoha to her. seeing Naruto glared by people around him and how he was related to the Kyuubi incident. She wasn't surprised to see people's reaction.

Mei knew that Yondaime would gain something from this, sending Naruto here was a dangerous move. A Jinchuuriki of their village leaving and staying here. There was something that was missing in the picture. She liked Minato, a person with good motives and goals. A person that was doing everything in his power to protect what's precious to him and to bring peace in the shinobi world.

But in shinobi world you can't trust anyone, not even your heart. For a Kage, village will be his/her first priority. Minato had given her two choices, either to leave Konoha without any help or accept Naruto into their ranks. A person, a Jinchuuriki of their village. But why would Minato give Naruto to Kiri. of course, he would go back to Konoha after the war. but why would they just abandon Naruto, their Jinchuuriki? Was it because Minato hates Naruto? No, She doesn't think he hates Naruto. Then why? Sooner rather than later She will find out why.

"Come on Mie-sama, you can't complain like this. Our people need a strong leader. Back in our day's women were stronger and fight beside their husband." Mei grimaced before an evil smile spread across her red lips. She stood up and went to Ao who was standing in front of the desk. The only words that registered in her mind were women, strong and husband.

"Shut up Ao or I'll kill you." She said in a sweet voice before exiting her office.

"So, this is where you will leave me." Naruto said in an indifferent tone. Both Kakashi and Yugao turned towards him and nodded.

"Yes, from here onwards you're on your own. This is where we will say goodbyes." Kakashi eye smile. He was no longer wearing his dog mask.

"You're saying as if you will not see me again Inu." Naruto raised his eyebrow, his hands folded across his chest. He shook his head and turned towards Yugao.

"I believe a time will come when I'll know your real name cat." Naruto extended his hand towards her and she did as well. He grasped her hand, turned it around and kissed her knuckles without breaking eye contact.

"You're a strong woman, in body and in mind. Hope to see you soon." Yugao just stood there surprised before taking her hand from Naruto's grip and pretended to clean her knuckles where he'd kissed. She saw him opening his mouth to speak something after seeing this but he stopped and turned his eyes towards the boat waiting for him.

Yugao bent down to his eye level and ruffled his spiky red hair and smirked.

"You're a kid Naruto-kun." She said simply before standing up.

"Hey Inu would you mind teaching me your Chidori someday." Naruto turned his attention towards the one-eyed guy when he was in the boat. Naruto saw Kakashi turned around and tilting his head to the side, as if thinking.

"Someday, maybe."

"Would you allow me to use Chidori if you come to know that I know how to perform it?" Kakashi turned his head to the other side and studied Naruto with his eye. Shrugging his shoulders, he nodded his head.

"Sure, why not. If you come to know how to perform Chidori then I'll allow you to use it. But so you know, I'm the only one so far who knows how to perform it." Kakashi eye smile at Naruto and narrowed his eyes at him when he saw him smiling faintly.

'What are you up to?' Kakashi and Yugao stood there for a while before turned around and left.

"He is a strange kid. Don't you think Kakashi-senpai?" Kakashi glanced at Yugao before turning his attention towards the book in his hands.

"Yes, strange and mysterious. But there is something that is now bothering me. The thing he said to me about Chidori. How he will learn it unless I taught it to him." Kakashi frowned. There was something that he'd missed about Naruto. He knew that Naruto was far stronger than he let on. Minato-sensei had told him not to underestimate him. But why would he ask for permission to use Chidori? He doesn't know how to use it or does he? He will have to look into his file back in Konoha. Maybe he would find something about the mysterious redhead.

For now, let's just concentrate on his precious. Kakashi blushed under his masked and giggled. Yugao on his side sighed and rolled her eyes.

Back in Konoha Sakura exited her apartment just in time to see Nawaki and Sasuke coming towards her. She tied her pink hair in a ponytail before greeting them.

"You guys didn't have to act as my bodyguards, I can take care of myself you know and besides I don't have many enemies in Konoha." Sakura said to them with a straight face before leaving them behind.

"Who does she think she is? We? Her bodyguards?" Nawaki looked at Sakura's back with annoyance.

"She thinks herself as a strong Kunoichi in training." Sasuke replied.

"You're being a prat again Sasuke." Nawaki shouted.

"Yeah whatever and don't shout Nawaki. I can hear you clearly." Nawaki growled and swung his fist at Sasuke who ducked and smirked at him.

"Are you guys coming or should I've to drag you to your house." Sakura looked at them with a stern expression.

"Hey who do you think you are huh. We can do whatever we want." Nawaki looked at her with annoyed expression

"Should I've to remind you guys that I'm Naruto's friend." Sakura smiled thinly at them before turning around and entering into the Senju compound. Sakura looked around and then turned to bodyguards.

"Well, aren't you going to lead me to your house Nawaki?" She raised an eyebrow when Nawaki glared before huffing.

"Well, well, well. What we've here." Kushina looked at three children that came into the compound bickering. The kids stopped arguing and turned towards the red-haired woman.

"Ka-chan, this is Sakura." Nawaki said in a pained voice. Kushina turned towards the pink haired girl and who had a pleasant smile on her face.

"Hello Kushina-sama, it's so nice to finally meet you. Naruto often talked about you." Sakura bowed slightly before looking at the woman who had a sad smile on her face.

"So, you are Naruto's friends. What did he tell you about me?" She turned and motioned them to follow her.

"That you're a very kind and strong woman with beautiful red hair." Sakura said with a fond smile.

"Did he really?" She said surprised as she unconsciously touched her long red hair. A fond smile on her face as she thought about Naruto. It's been two days and she misses him already.

"I miss him too. He is the only friend I had but now he is gone." Sakura shrugged as she sat on the couch in the living room.

"You don't have to think like that Sakura. We're your friends." Nawaki smiled at Sakura as he sat down beside his mother who ruffled his hair.

"Yes, he's right. You can come here any time Sakura. You don't have to feel so lonely." Sakura shook her head.

"It's not that. The attachment that I'd with Naruto can never be replaced with anyone else. He understood me like no one else could." Kushina was about to say something when her husband entered into the house.

"Hey kids, Kushina-chan. How we're feeling today?" Minato turned towards the girl that he hadn't seen before.

"Hokage-sama. I'm Sakura, Naruto's friend. He might have told you about me." Minato looked at Sakura confused before nodding his head.

"Oh yes. Now I remember. He told me about you before he left. He told me that you're capable for it but I just want to know if you will be able to handle the stress and the expectations that the forces have for the program." Minato looked at Sakura with calculating eyes.

"I won't let you down." The answer was simple but had the emotions and the feelings that Minato wanted in every candidate for operation Midnight.

His eyes turned towards the other kids. Nawaki and Sasuke were looking at him and Sakura with expectant eyes. They were expecting to be told about what they were talking about. Their eyes were filled with curiosity.

"And did he told you about the program as well?" It was a statement rather than a question. Minato was certain Naruto had told her about the program.

"Of course, Hokage-sama." Again, the answer was simple but this time there was no emotion in it. The Hokage wouldn't be surprised if she turned out to be a fearsome kunoichi in the future. Everything was there in her to become one. It was like a large block of stone, they just have to remove some small stone here and there and carve it with tools, then it will be ready to defend Konoha.

"Tou-san, what is operation midnight?" Minato looked at his son, his eyes glanced towards Sasuke before turning to Nawaki. He could tell they have lots of questions in their minds. Even Kushina looked curious.

"It's a program for young kids who wants to become a ninja." Minato gave them a fatherly smile before glancing at Kushina who was looking at him with narrowed eyes.

"Can we join it? I'm sure Sakura would need us there." Sasuke suggested. His eyes glanced towards Sakura who scoffed. Minato gulped and looked at Kushina who stood and smiled at him.

"Minato-kun, can we talk in private?"

"Yeah sure." Minato stood up and left the living room with his wife.

"What are you doing? Haven't I told you that our son will not going to join that program." Kushina glared at her husband as he squirmed under her gaze.

"You know very much how things will turn out Kushina-chan. Please try to understand. Just think when Naruto will come back stronger and more powerful, what do you think Nawaki will feel?" He reasoned. She cared for their son as much as him.

"I'm worried about him Minato. I know one day they will going to face the world outside of this village. You sent Naruto there. And you know what he will be facing and turning into. I don't want my other son to face that horrible world so soon." She said stubbornly as she glared at her husband who was looking at her surprised.

"Son?" He questioned.

"Yes." She said quietly as she stared into space, "Naruto is like a son to me. He has everything that I wanted in my child. I love Nawaki and all but you know what Minato-kun? He is the second person who said that I've beautiful hair." She turned to eyes towards husband with a fond smile.

"Well, I should have seen that coming. But Kushina-chan I'll not sending them to missions. After they complete their training then they will and it will not be until they turn twelve. And besides the training will not be like what you're expecting it to be." Minato grabbed her hand and gave a soft squeeze.

"Oh, come on don't be so persistent now."

"Fine." She sighed defeatedly.

Naruto took out the black cloak and put it on as the rain started pouring around him. He made his way towards the port. It was not far away from him but after traveling and fighting those bad guys, he felt hungry. He looked around the market that was filled with people not too long ago. The rain cleared the path for him. He saw a ramen stand and went there. There were some people sitting there already eating hot steaming ramen.

"Ah, what type of ramen you want stranger?" The man behind the corner smiled at Naruto. Although he couldn't see the face so he doesn't know whether the smile returned or not.

"Vegetable ramen." The man nodded his head. Naruto took his seat and turned his eyes outside of the shop. The rain was pouring, the lightning was flashing and the clouds were thundering. He saw how people were running like chickens to avoid rain, how some were walking without a care in the world. His eyes turned towards the two men who was following a woman. Naruto could feel the eyes of a man who was sitting far away in a corner. He could feel his chakra, he was suppressing his chakra signature. But the red eyes hidden behind his cloak hood told him the different story.

Naruto nose twisted as it felt the delicious aroma that entered into his senses. The sight looked delicious as well. He broke the chopsticks and tucked in.

After paying the food, Naruto left in search for his target and soon enough he found a caravan merchants ready to go to Mist.

"You need help sir?" Naruto took off his hood and revealed his face to the old man who was trying to lift a heavy box from the ground. His smile was small filled with politeness.

"It will be very noble of you to do that young one." The old said, his wrinkled face twisted into a grateful smile. Naruto helped the old man as he questioned.

"So, where you're heading to?" He said.

"Mist."

"Is it safe to go there?" Naruto looked around, his eyes searching for the man who was watching him in the ramen stand. He tried to sense the chakra signature but couldn't.

"Well, I don't think it's safe to go there unless you're very familiar with the guards that stationed there. I've been in this business for thirty years now and the guards knows me very well so it's not a problem for me to go there. They have tightened the security after the war broke out." The old man finished with a grunt as he lifted another box.

"Yeah, you're right. The war had taken so much from us. I lived not too far away from the Mist village with my parents. We were ambushed by some thugs. They killed them. I ran away and was able to save my life." Naruto sighed dramatically as he wiped the fake tear from his eye.

"I'm so sorry for what happened to your parents young one. Don't you have anywhere to go?" The old man looked at Naruto up and down with keen eyes. Naruto just shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't have anywhere to go. I could find some work in the Mist village if I were able to go there but I don't know if someone will take me there without money."

"Oh, that's no problem young man. I've my own boat. You can come with if you want. I'll take you there." Naruto smiled in gratitude.

"That would be great."

Naruto was sitting in the boat looking around the sea. It was huge with waves thrashing.

"How much time it will take for us to go there?" Naruto said without opening his eyes.

"It depends on the weather and sea. During normal conditions, it takes two hours to reach there. Now that the rain had stopped, just pray the sun comes out." The old man took out a smoking pipe and lit it. The rest of the journey went smoothly without any interruptions. As soon as they reached the shore Naruto turned towards the old man.

"Do you think you will be able to get me into the village?" The old man looked at Naruto with the same keen eyes. Naruto could see the old man looking at him more cautiously.

"Who are you really?" That's it, he didn't want to use it on such a kind old man, but he doesn't have a choice. Beating around the bush was not his thing.

"Genjutsu Sharingan." Naruto's red eyes connected with the old man.

"You will take me to the Mist village and help me to pass the guards. You will not tell anything about me." The old man's eyes turned glazed as he nodded his head like a puppet.

"Now move." Naruto said in a strong voice. He deactivated his sharingan and suppressed his chakra. They left the sea and entered the forest. The forest that was filled and hidden behind the mist. Chill run down his spine as he was surrounded by the mist. The only thing he could hear was the footsteps of himself and the old man that was walking beside him. There footsteps moving through the grass. Naruto could feel eyes watching him, he could feel the blades and the kunais, ready to be thrown at him. The killing intent and the intensity of the chakra was growing minute by minute.

He knew that he had to suppress his ninja abilities if he wanted to succeed. But it's damn annoying and irritating to act like a civilian. Then he saw the gate of the village. There were several guards stationed there. They were all watching them like a hawk. There were five anbu level shinobis that were watching them from the shadows.

"Halt! State your business." Naruto stopped as he dropped the cart that was filled with goods. Three guards came towards them. One of them started looking through goods. The other two stood in front of them. Their eyes looking at them suspiciously.

"Who're you kid?" The shinobi who scanned his body for any weapons questioned.

"He is with me." The old man said.

"What's your name?"

"Menma." Naruto said meekly.

"Menma? What a funny name!" The shinobi wrote down the info on the notepad before heading towards the gate.

"All clear!" The shinobi who was searching through the goods shouted. They walked and walked until the gate was out of sight. Naruto disappeared, leaving the old man to his own devices.

He created dozens of clones and sent them all around the village. Now that he'd succeeded into his first objective, he should now plan for the second one. Doing what he'd come here for, it wouldn't be easy for him but he doesn't have any choice. It will take time to establish his base and feet in this place but he'd do it.

The next day

"So, what do you think Danzo? Should I tell the Hokage or not?" Orochimaru's tongue came out his mouth like a snake. He smiled when he saw how Danzo staring at the file that was in his hands.

"Where did you get this?"

"Now, now. Do you really think I'll not look into the things that you left back in Konoha? I'm sure you know why I did this." Orochimaru gave the file to Kabuto and stared into Danzo's eyes.

"Do what you want to do Orochimaru. But I know that you will not give this important info to Hokage. I know you better than that."

"Correct you are." Orochimaru stood up from his seat and unfolded the bandages around Danzo's arm.

"I'll give this info to Naruto himself in person and at the right time. I'll manipulate him into thinking that his parents had abandoned him. He'll listen to me, I'm sure of it. And I don't have to tell you that how much potential he has with the Senju blood running through his veins." Danzo shook his head and remained quiet. He doesn't trust his brain and tongue as Orochimaru trust his. Right now, Orochimaru has told him his new goal. It was like he knew that Danzo will not be able to do anything with this information but what if Danzo himself went to Naruto and told him the truth.

'But I don't even know where he is.' That was the problem.

"You don't even know where he is." Danzo said with as much confidence as he can. He saw Orochimaru smirked.

"No problem Danzo. My spies will be able to find out where he is." Danzo stood up from the bed.

"My payment."

"I know." He took out a scroll from his pocket and threw it at Orochimaru. "Weaknesses in Konoha defences." He said and disappeared from the hideout.

One week later

A week had passed since Naruto appeared in Mist village with a new name and a new face. Menma. A boy whose parents had died and he was left alone in this world. A boy with black hair and blue eyes. It was impossible for anyone to recognize him. Naruto had done an amazing job by hiding his true face and identity.

"Menma?" A voice shouted as he stood up from his seat and headed towards the man and his supposed sensei. The first thing that he did was gathered information about the shinobi academy here. Today was his first day in the academy. And he knew it was going to be a boring day. He can't wait to go outside of this building and hit the library. The thing that he liked the most was that the academy children were allowed to read even the jounin level material in the library.

"Introduce yourself Menma." The teacher said as Naruto turned around with his blue eyes looking towards the children sitting in the class. The children without any bloodline, he knew that much.

"My name is Menma. I want to become a shinobi so that I can avenge my parents. My goal is to eliminate all the bloodline monsters in the Kiri." Naruto finished, his voice was filled with passion and thrust for revenge. Everyone is this village was loyal to Yagura, the man who had wiped out many bloodlines clans from his country. The man who had turned this country into a bloody Mist.

Naruto pocketed his hands and walked away from the academy towards the library alone. There were children that were going with parents but most of them were alone. Maybe because they were orphans.

The rest of the day was spent in the library until his sensei came and sat in front of him.

"Menma." Naruto looked up and saw the blue haired man looking at him with his black eyes.

"Here is your allowance that was given by the Mizukage himself. And here are the keys of your apartment." Naruto took the offered money and looked at the keys curiously.

"But sensei I'm an orphan. Shouldn't I supposed to go to an orphanage too?" The Mist shinobi smiled at Naruto as he shook his head.

"Yes, you were supposed to but Mizukage took an interest in you after your little speech today in the academy. So, he gave you an apartment. He is a very good man Menma. He is doing everything in his power to protect us. If I were you I'd do everything in my power to please him even if I have to sacrifice my life." The man stood up from his seat and motioned Naruto to come with him.

"I know you're new in this village. So, I thought it'd be best to show you the way to your apartment." Naruto nodded his head and followed his sensei.

The apartment was small. A bedroom with attached bathroom, a kitchen and a balcony. But for Naruto it was enough and there was a training ground not too far away from his apartment. He could see the trees of the training ground from his apartment.

Later

Naruto was sitting in the balcony of his apartment with a pen and scroll in his hand. His eyes drinking the street lights that were glowing in the cold dark night. His mind thinking about the things that he wanted to tell him. What to write and how to write. It's been only a week since he came here and he knew that the anbu were watching him all day. They had been watching him since he came here. It's risky to send a letter to him but that's what he came here for, to send information to them.

Sighing he wrote the letter with as much detail and information as he could. When he was done, he sealed the scroll.

"Kuchiyose no jutsu (Summoning jutsu)." Naruto summoned his animal contract. A white crow stared at him with its black eyes.

"You know where." He gave the scroll to the bird before it took off. Now his work had been done. It's now their headache to take the information and act upon it.

A week later

"Are you sure they are capable enough to pull that off?" Sandaime Tsuchikage said. The man in question pushed his round glasses upward.

"They're more than capable Sandaime-sama. Danzo Shimura is one of them." The man with round spectacles smiled reassuringly at the kage.

"You want them to make the first move but they aren't making it. Even after everything that you'd done around their borders." He continued.

"The Yondaime Hokage is too noble to do anything dirty."

"But the actions in the previous war doesn't spoke his nobility." He continued in a taunting voice.

"Watch what you are saying kid."

"It's a good opportunity to take the right-hand man of the Hyuuga clan head." The man waved his hand in a nonchalantly, as if he wasn't afraid of the kage sitting in front of him.

"What you will gain from this?"

"Nothing. Konoha is our enemies and so is the Akatsuki. We want to eliminate them. That's all." Sandaime narrowed his eyes at the boy. The boy smiled at the old kage before disappearing. The sandaime leaned back in his chair and stroked his beard in thought.

"What will you do now. I know you will contact them. The question is will you involve Kumo in this or not?" The commander of the Iwa forces stepped from the shadows and looked at his leader with a questioning gaze.

"I'll not involve him, and I know Raikage will not involve himself in this scheme. We have intel that he will be out of the village next week, the opportunity has presented itself to us. We can't let it go. Go and give them the order to take down Hyuuga Hizashi." The commander bowed before disappearing.

'You will not be the strongest after I'm done with you Konoha.'

Two days later

It was the first time Hizashi had set his foot outside of the village after he'd been appointed as the head of midnight. Neji had been very ecstatic when found out that he'd been chosen as one of them. It was the first time since he'd seen Neji looked so happy after the death of his mother.

He shouldn't be worried about his son. Itachi will take care of him. Neji will grow stronger and will be able to erase the division in their clan. Hizashi doesn't know why but he has a feeling that he will not return alive from this mission.

The mission that was assigned to him was a simple one. According to the intel that was provided by Jiraiya, there was a village that had been founded by the name of Otogakure. Their objective was to find out who was the one behind it and what their motives were.

"Okay everyone this mission is simple and I know we'll succeed in this. Just remember one thing, teamwork is the most dangerous weapon known to our world." With that said, Hizashi turned around and disappeared into the forest.

'Neji, I hope you will turn your hatred into love.'

Two days later

"Just like leader-sama had predicted, we found our target here. Hizashi Hyuuga you're under the shadow of death right now." Hizashi looked at the two man in front of him with stoic face. The men wearing black cloaks with red clouds grinning at him like mad men. He hadn't expected to be ambushed by the rogue ninja. By the look of slash headbands around their heads, it's very easy to figure out that they turned criminals before becoming rogue.

Though what was their purpose, he doesn't know. Not too long ago these two were against four Konoha ninjas but three were killed by them. One of them had shown remarkable strength and the other had shown long range mastery in weapon.

"Who are you and what do you want from Konoha? Do you know what you have done?" Hizashi demanded.

"We've killed your three men and now you're saying what we want. Then listen, we want your blood." The man with the triple bladed scythe taunted and he smirked. "Just one drop of blood and you will be dead. That's all I need to kill you."

"Hidan you shouldn't play with your food. Be serious, this man is no push over."

"Just what I need now. Another lecture filled with clumsiness from you Kakuzu." Hidan threw the scythe at Hizashi who jumped back to avoid the scythe. At the same time, he ducked the punch from Kakuzu.

'That Hidan guy is nothing without his scythe. But that Kakuzu guy is real trouble. He can use all five elements until one of the hearts was destroyed by my comrade. This means I have to destroy the remaining hearts to kill him. But before that I have to send this information to Konoha.' Hizashi thought before biting his thumb to draw blood and wiped the blood on his palm before summoning a messenger eagle. Then he created the shadow clone. The clone disappeared with the bird in the forest.

Sometime later

"Our enemies are still here." Minato said while looking at the two S-ranked shinobi, all looking beat up.

"Hizashi did a number on them." Itachi looked at his enemies with emotionless expression. He could see the four broken masks scattered on the ground. Hizashi's lifeless body was lying on a mark that was drawn by blood.

"Pity he wasn't able to kill us. I don't think you will either." Hidan said with a bored tone. His scythe on his shoulder.

"Hidan and Kakuzu." Minato said while looking at them with cold blue eyes. He doesn't know who was Hidan and Kakuzu anyway.

"Yondaime Hokage." Kakuzu spoke while stepping ahead of Hidan.

"This one is Kakuzu." Shisui who was standing on his right side spoke without taking his eyes from the enemy.

"Were Danzo was wearing the same cloak that night when he attacked you?" Minato glanced at Shisui who nodded his head. Itachi was on Minato's left side looked at the cloak with more warily now.

"So, they are the…"

"Akatsuki." Minato finished in hardened tone as he stepped ahead just like Kakuzu did.

Not too long ago a messenger bird arrived in the Hokage tower from Hizashi. He'd quickly gathered Itachi and Shisui and flashed at this place. It was a new rule that was created by himself. The shinobi who will take S-ranked missions will be given one of his kunai to be used as a last resort to call him for help. But Hizashi had used his kunai too late. If only he'd called him sooner…Minato looked around the bodies of his fallen shinobi.

It was another sneak attack on Konoha to weaken it. Now they'd now choice but to mark the Akatsuki an enemy of Konoha. The one who hired the Akatsuki will pay as well.

"Itachi, Shisui? Take the bodies and leave this place immediately. They're not the only one's present in this place." Minato glanced in the direction of two o'clock before disappearing in a yellow flash. A while later everyone heard the screams that erupted behind the trees. Then Minato appeared in the same place.

"So, this was Iwa's doing." Minato's voice was colder than before. The drops of blood could be seen on his cheeks and forehead.

"Tell the Tsuchikage to expect the war on his doorstep." Not anymore. He'd allowed the attacks to come and go without taking necessary actions. He hadn't allowed his heart to hardened but it's time that he should, otherwise many Konoha shinobi will die like Hizashi.

Minato was about to attack Kakuzu when a holographic image of Pein materialized. "Your mission has been completed. They are dangerous, it would be best to retreat." The image disappeared. As much as Hidan wanted to take the Yondaime Hokage head on he can't.

"Deidara now." Kakuzu shouted and jumped back with Hidan. The Konoha shinobi looked up and saw large birds made of clay coming down towards them.

Minato touched Shisui and Itachi who were holding their dead comrades and flashed away. They heard the explosion and felt the earth trembled underneath them.

"Should we go after them?" Shisui looked at his leader for permission.

"I don't think it would be safe to go after them. Maybe some other time, for now let's go. We have much work to do."

Naruto woke up early in the morning before changing into white long shorts and blue shirt. He wrapped bandages around his forearms to hide the seals and took a look into the mirror in front of him. A boy with black hair and blue eyes stared at him. A boy with the name Menma. A new identity, a new place and new people to deal with. But he hadn't seen anyone glaring at him or staring at him with hatred or saying that he was the one responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.

He felt at ease now with this new identity. Sometimes he just wondered what it would be like to just run away from everything with this new identity. Many times, this thought came in his mind. What it would be like to forget the Naruto part in himself and just live the rest of his life with the name Menma.

He exited the apartment and closed his eyes to take a deep breath of fresh air. But the real thing that he was doing was sensing chakra signatures around his apartment. There, he felt one was on his right side and the one was in front of him.

Naruto appeared in the academy and sat down in the corner. The children came and sat down in their own seats. Muttering and glancing at him as they passed by him. The sensei came and gave them a lecture, just like usual.

"There is one thing that I want to tell you." The tone that the sensei had used was very serious and filled with dread. The class went quiet as they waited for the teacher to continue.

"Konoha had attacked Iwa and Kumo." Naruto closed his eyes and sucked in a breath.

'So, it started huh.'

"Figures. Those power-hungry tree huggers will do anything to gain control on the rest of the nations." A boy who was sitting in the front seat said distastefully.

"I say we should go to war too, to bury those fools where they belong, under our feet."

"Yes. That will teach them a lesson." The whole class erupted into chaos.

"ENOUGH." The sensei shouted. "You all are fools!"

"I don't think Konoha is the one who had started this war." Naruto spoke for the first time. The sensei and the class stared at Naruto or in their case Menma with confusion.

"The tension between the nations had been created by Iwa and Kumo after the Kyuubi attack on Konoha. They thought that they now have a chance to conquer it, but they were hesitant because of the doujutsu clans in Konoha. We all know that Kumo had tried many times to kidnap the doujutsu users or other children with rare abilities." Naruto paused and glanced at the whole class. The students were looking at with full concentration. It was like he'd telling them a very interesting story that they had never heard before.

"And I don't think Konoha's leaders are so fools to go against the two great villages that have an alliance between them and both of them have the power of the four jinchuurikis. And we don't have enough resources to fight two wars." His logical answer turned their heads towards their sensei for conformation, as if they still don't believe him.

"What Menma saying is true." The sensei said without taking his eyes from him. Naruto met his gaze without blinking. He could feel many questions forming in the sensei's mind. What Naruto had said was different from what the sensei had told them. This means that Naruto doesn't trust the sensei's words. He knew the children around him will not look too deep into it. But the sensei was not a child. He'd come to the same conclusion.

"We're already at war with the bloodline users. We can't fight two wars on two different fronts. So, it would be best to stay neutral in this war." The sensei glanced at Naruto again before returning his attention to other things.

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