Chapter 12

One week later

Amegakure was a small industrial village. This land had been a battleground for three great ninja villages for wars. People of this village suffered terribly from the previous wars. The small village and its inhabitants had isolated themselves from the rest of the world so that they could live in peace and save their village from war effects.

Hanzō of the Salamander was one of the greatest leaders who had done everything to protect this land. He was known for his prowess in ninja arts and feared so much that enemies had been known to flee at the very sight of him.

There were many horrible things that he'd done for the sake of Ame, and one of them was eliminating the Akatsuki. Hanzō, with the help of Danzo Shimura, had been able to kill the Akatsuki leader. They were becoming way too powerful for his liking and as a threat he'd killed them.

But by doing this, a new threat greater than before appeared.

A man with the name of Pein with his angel, Konan. They killed Hanzō and everyone who was related to him. They took control of Ame and ruled over it. Keeping everything under their tight grasps. Having tight security and being isolated from rest of the world, no one knew what's going on in this area.

People of this village had never seen this Pein, a self-proclaimed god. People believed it and obeyed his every command. His angel was assigned to give his messages to the people.

It's rain constantly in Ame and its surrounding area. It was like the sky was always crying and washing the innocent blood that had been spilled in this land. The only thing that Ame's citizens could conclusively say about Pein was that he'd stop the perpetual rain every Sunday and whenever he had to leave the village.

'I'll stop this rain.' He remembered, his friend saying these words to him. But he was unable to achieve this dream and killed by Hanzō and Danzo. But he got power to stop the rain, he got power to bring peace in this land.

The tallest tower in Ame was also Pein's base of operation. It had four humanoid faces at each side and was connected to two smaller towers. The tongue of the face that Pein sat on, looking out over the city has Rinnegan-like eye patterns and was depicted with a pipe and has piercings, with its tongue stuck out. Somewhere inside was a chamber hidden behind a solid wall where the Six Paths of Pain's bodies were stored when not in use. At the base of the tower, members of Pain's forces deliver bodies. Its height allows Nagato to transmit chakra signals to the Paths regardless of their position in the city.

"Nagato?" He opened his eyes and looked at his friend and the last connection to his childhood. Nagato always liked Konan. Without her, he knew he was nothing. She'd turned into a beautiful and strong woman. Nagato had promised himself after Yahiko was killed that he'd protect Konan no matter what. He'd do anything to bring peace to her, to bring the world without any suffering and pain for her.

Nagato had pale white skin with straight red hair, a sign of his Uzumaki heritage. When he was very young, his eyes were covered by his hair, preventing his Rinnegan from being visible. When he started training to be a ninja he parted his hair so that only his right eye was covered. After he performed Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique his hair turns white as a side-effect of the jutsu, and it remained white. Linking with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path left a number of black receivers embedded in his back and caused his body to become very emaciated, limiting his mobility. For this reason, he spent most of his time in a mechanical walker from which he could control the Six Paths of Pain. He likewise did not personally wear any of the typical Akatsuki clothing, having his Paths wear it instead.

"Konan? What is it?" She was standing in front of him with a stoic face. Her Akatsuki cloak covering her body.

"Orochimaru was spotted in Suna. Someone from Konoha has changed the one-tailed Jinchuuriki's seal. They are planning to assassinate Wind Daimyo." Nagato remained silent, going through the information that he'd received. Konan waited silently for his answer.

"Does Madara knows?"

"No, I don't think so." She said.

"I'll use Magic Lantern Body Technique to contact with Danzo and Juzo. They are the closest to Suna."

"What are you planning to do?" She inquired.

"We both hate Danzo. You will see what I've planned." Having said that Nagato activated his technique and appeared in a dark cave with an illusionary body. And soon enough, the remaining Akatsuki members started appearing in the cave.

These virtual images looked like the member they represented, the only difference being that they were standing up with their hands in a seal. The images were also transparent, except for the eyes.

"We've received information about one-tailed Jinchuuriki. The Jinchuuriki's seal has been modified. The Kazekage is planning to kill Wind Daimyo with the help of Konoha shinobi. Danzo and Juzo." Pein turned his eyes towards them and ordered.

"You are to eliminate the threat after they succeed in their mission. I'm sure Ichibi Jinchuuriki will accompany them in this mission. Make sure to capture him alive."

"Hai, Leader-sama." The virtual images disappeared from the cave.

And somewhere in the desert Danzo and Juzo opened their eyes. Danzo had an indifferent look on his face, his mind running through every memory related to Uzumaki Naruto. What should he do now? They will be going to meet after so many years. He doesn't have his anbus with him this time. All of his anbus had been killed by hunter Nins. It was all Minato's fault, to make him so vulnerable.

Still, he does have his precious Sharingans with him, and Mokuton as well. Will it be enough to kill Uzumaki Naruto? Someone other than him would underestimate Uzumaki because of his age. But he will not, after all, he was able to kill Yondaime Mizukage.

'I'll tell you who you really are Uzumaki Naruto before I kill you.'

"Those Konoha shinobis, do you know anything about their abilities? Danzo." Juzo questioned. "We have to make some plans before we strike." He said.

Juzo was internationally known for his inhumane brutality. He was shown to be a laid-back individual who was loyal to Akatsuki, obeying Pain's orders without question. He preferred to approach his missions as professionally as possible, creating formations in order to better synchronize with his partner. He was one of the seven swordsmen of the Mist and wielder of Kubikiribōchō, known to survive Might Duy Eight Gate Formation after the third ninja war.

Juzo was a slender and tall shinobi about the same height as the sword he wielded. He had no eyebrows, creases under his eyes, and a cross-shaped scar on his right cheek. He also had a red shaped marking covering his jaw.

"Don't underestimate them, despite being fairly young they are strong. That's all I can tell." He said honestly. But he doesn't think Juzo will survive if he ended up as Uzumaki Naruto's opponent.

'I'll be able to defeat him with the use of Izanagi.' Thanks to Orochimaru, he can use Izanagi several times and with Mokuton at his disposal, Naruto wouldn't stand a chance against him. He'd seen the fight between Yagura and him, he knew Naruto could only use five elements and Biju's chakra.

Danzo's thoughts turned to Orochimaru. He hadn't seen that man after their last meeting. He wondered what he'd do with the information that he'd given him about Konoha's defense mechanism. Orochimaru wouldn't invade Konoha, he doesn't have an army for the invasion. But he can't be certain, doing his experiments and sneaking around the elemental nations, maybe he was planning something big and waiting for a right moment to strike.

Orochimaru has always been arrogant, since the beginning but he was a smart individual who was one of the candidates for the Yondaime Hokage's position. He knew how to make people change their hearts, he knew how to make people follow him.

'Konoha, Hokage.' A bitter taste appeared in his mouth. He wanted to become a Hokage. Instead of Minato, he should have been the one elected for this position. He can't go back in time now, he had been manipulated and trapped by Madara. He can't go back to Konoha; he can't go back to his Root bases.

After all, everyone and everything will be waiting, not for him but for his blood.

Naruto was sitting on the training ground relaxing and watching Hinata practicing Hyuuga's Taijutsu style. He could see her struggling with the katas. Her form was surrounded with uncertainty and shyness. It was like she doesn't think she would be able to do it. She doesn't have the confidence that he'd seen in Sakura back then.

Sakura was confident, all she needed was someone to guide her in the right direction, and he was the one who guided her until he left the village. Then he requested Tsunade-sama to take her under her wing, at the same time she was accepted in Midnight.

Hinata on the other hand never had someone to give her confidence and a push she needed to become just like Sakura or maybe even greater than Sakura. With the help of Byakugan and a nearly perfect chakra control, she could even surpass Tsunade in the medical field.

Hiashi had never shown kindness to Hinata, a person with a soft and fragile heart. He'd tried to make her stronger and stoic like the typical Hyuuga by going against her natural nature, her kind nature.

The result? Hinata turned into a shy weak minded girl. Not only that, it even suppressed her potential to become great.

Naruto stood up with a grunt. 'What a drag!' Well, it would be beneficial for Konoha in the end.

"Hinata?" He called her. Her movements stopped immediately as she turned towards him with a confused expression. Her lips parted as her white eyes tried to adjust to his appearance.

Naruto bit his lower lip. 'So damn cute!' He thought and brought his face closer to hers. A blush appeared on her cheeks as she averted her eyes.

"N-Naruto-kun! Why are you looking at me like that? But more importantly, what are you doing here?" She said, almost whispered.

Naruto sighed and placed his hand under her chin and forced her to look at him. "You are very cute!" He said with a smirk. She blushed brightly as she tried to turn her head the other way, but Naruto forced her to look at him.

"And you have very beautiful eyes." He said and this time she shuddered slightly.

"But…" Naruto's tone turned cold as his smile disappeared from his face. "You're weak." He pierced her stomach with a kunai. Her eyes widened as her pale white jacket turned red. She felt pain as her eyes turned misty.

"N-Naruto…kun? W-why?" She gasped. Naruto stepped aside and saw her dropped to her knees, clutching her stomach. Hinata tried to use medical jutsu to heal but found out that she couldn't use chakra. She could feel chakra in her body but she couldn't access it, it was like someone had…

Her eyes widened further as she stared at Naruto with a betrayed expression. He'd sealed her chakra. But when? She can't believe it, she never thought someone like Naruto would betray her, her leader, her own comrade.

"Like I said before, you're weak and someone like you don't belong to Midnight." Naruto's cold voice and eyes stared at her stoically.

"Just because I'm weak," Hinata muttered, her head lowered as she stared at blood soaked grass. "You won't get away with this. Sasuke, Neji, Nawaki and Sakura…t-they will…"

"They will what? Don't worry Hinata, I'm going to kill them just like I'll kill you." Hinata looked at Naruto with horror stricken face. She coughed blood and gasped.

"You will not! The Naruto I know, he will never do this, and the hero of Kiri would never betray his friends." She yelled and stood up on her shaky legs. Through her half parted eyes and a pained expression on her face, she glared at him.

"I already have," Naruto said with a smirk as he turned his head towards left and motioned Hinata to look at that direction. Hinata turned her head left and saw a clone of Naruto coming towards them with Sakura. Her eyes widened.

"Sakura?" Hinata looked at Sakura, her hands were tightened in front of her with ninja wire. Her mouth was blocked with a piece of cloth. She was struggling as Naruto's clone was dragging her towards them. Her eyes were filled with tears and fear. She was looking at Hinata desperately.

What in the world happening to her? Why all of a sudden? Why Naruto turned into like this? Why, why, why…?

"Naruto! Please don't do this, why are you doing this? Please stop!" She tried to stop back her tears but unable to. "Please! I beg you."

"Sacrifices should be made, for the sake of Konoha, for the safety of Konoha. You guys are weak. You will be a hindrance. This will be a good riddance."

"Please don't do this! Sasuke, Nawaki, and Neji will defeat you. They will stop you!" Naruto shook his head and took out a scroll from his storage seal. His eyes lingering on Hinata as he opened the scroll.

"Ahhhh…" Hinata screamed when she saw Sasuke's head stared at her from the ground. His wide lifeless eyes stared at nothing in particular.

"They are all dead." Hinata looked at Sakura who was crying, she could hear her muffled voice filled with hopelessness. She was shaking her head and struggling with her confine.

"It's time to end this, first I'll kill Sakura in front of you and then I'll kill you next." Naruto's clone took out a kunai and placed under Sakura's chin who was on her knees. The real Naruto looked at Hinata with an indifferent look on his face.

"What are you going to do now Hinata? Won't you stop me from killing your friend? My clone is only waiting for my order before he slits her throat." Hinata was just standing there staring at the ground. Her body shaking, her fists clenched. It couldn't be real, it can't be. Everyone, Sasuke, Neji and Nawaki, a boy she liked. Naruto had killed them, all of them and now he will be going to Sakura and her too.

'I never give up, no matter what.' Her eyes widened when a grinning face of Nawaki appeared in her mind, his determination and his hard work. He was her shadow, he was her hope, a light that always showed her path, a way to move forward no matter what. In every circumstance, he gave her determination to never listen to anything that her father or her clan says about her.

'Nawaki-kun, you were my light, you gave me the determination to do anything, and you were my source of confidence. Now that you're gone, it feels like I've returned to what I truly was years ago.' Hinata gritted her teeth as she stared at Naruto with hatred. A look of pure fury appeared on her face.

'Don't worry everyone! I'll join you soon but not before avenging your deaths.' Hinata attacked Naruto head-on, not caring about anything. She doesn't care about her injuries; she doesn't care about her chakra. She won't stop until she'd kill that monster or die trying to kill him.

"YOU MONSTER!" Hinata yelled and sent a punch towards Naruto's face. Naruto's eyes widened. Those words, it has been awhile since he heard those words. For a moment anger covered Naruto's features but he soon schooled them and tilted his head to the side to avoid Hinata's punch. Hinata sent another punch towards Naruto's stomach whilst Naruto grabbed her right hand with his left and slapped her with his right. A kick to her chest dragged her away from him. Naruto started walking towards her, an emotionless look on his face. Hinata stood up again and panting heavily.

"No matter what happens, I won't stop until I kill you!"

"You can't kill me in that state and with this pathetic resolve." Naruto taunted.

"At least I have resolve unlike you, you monster." Hinata took a deep breath and charged again with all her might.

'I won't give up! I won't give up. If I succeeded killing him now, then I'll become powerful and stronger so that I can protect what you wanted to protect. This is my promise to you Nawaki-kun and to everyone. I just wish that I'd have told you what I truly feel about you Nawaki-kun.' When Hinata was in front of Naruto she gathered what the small amount of chakra she could in her body and activated her Byakugan. Naruto wasn't expecting this as his eyes widened when he saw her Byakugan. Her index and middle finger struck Naruto's, heart. Hinata felt satisfied when she saw Naruto's heart exploded in his chest. Naruto tried to grab Hinata but she jumped back and fell on her knees. She saw Naruto coughed a large amount of blood before his face hit the dirt, dead. A small bloody smile appeared on her face as her vision started to turn into darkness.

'I won. I avenged their deaths.' Hinata fell unconscious and everything turned into a reality.

"Truly a remarkable Byakugan!" Naruto stared at Hinata with awe as he canceled his Nightmare genjutsu.

"I'm sorry for what I put you through Hinata-chan, but it was necessary." Naruto picked Hinata bridal style and smiled at her.

"Sleep well, Byakugan princess!" He left the training ground. Unknown to him Uchiha Sasuke was watching the whole time.

"Hun!" Sasuke deactivated his Sharingan and disappeared.

"I want to talk to you." Naruto looked up from his cup of ramen towards Sasuke. He had a frown on his face. It was late in the night as they were sitting in a ramen stand to enjoy their cup of ramen when Sasuke appeared.

Neji and Sakura looked at Naruto with a confused expression on their faces. Nawaki wasn't paying attention as he was gulping noodles at inhuman speed.

"Let me finish my meal." Sasuke nodded his head and left the bar. He waited outside for Naruto to come. Sasuke sighed and stared at the moon.

'Itachi.' He clenched his fists as he thought about his brother. 'I will, one day…'

"What do you want to talk about?" Naruto interrupted Sasuke's thoughts, though he doesn't know that. Sasuke tilted his head to the side and looked at Naruto with his Sharingan activated.

"What did you do to Hinata?" Hinata was still unconscious, Sakura was taking care of her. Of course, no one knew what happened to her, well except Sasuke.

"You were watching us?" Naruto questioned.

"Don't play games with me Naruto. My espionage skills are better than anyone in our team, even better than yours." Naruto looked at Sasuke and rolled his eyes.

"Everyone has a weakness, every jutsu has a weakness." Sasuke gritted his teeth when he heard those words.

"What do you want Sasuke?" Naruto looked at Sasuke seriously.

"The genjutsu that you used on Hinata, it was not an ordinary jutsu. And you used your eyes to cast a genjutsu on her. Only one doujutsu is capable of that." Sasuke said. He saw the indifference look on Naruto's face.

"Answer me damn it." Sasuke almost shouted when he saw Naruto's bored look.

"What are you saying? I can cast genjutsu, I can cast a genjutsu without any hand signs."

"Bullshit!"

"What is bullshit?"

"What are you saying is, bullshit! You know what? I'm done with your secrecy, we are your teammates and yet you haven't shown anything to us. You do not trust us. I'm going to change my squad after this mission. I do not want to work under a leader who keeps everything away from me." Sasuke yelled and disappeared from Naruto's sight.

Naruto took a deep breath and exhaled, he pocketed his hands. "Well, it'd be a good riddance." He said and turned around and saw Neji and Sakura standing there with their eyes narrowed at him.

"Naruto?" Sakura said.

"It was necessary for her survival; it will make her stronger." He said.

"Or it will break her forever." Naruto cringed when Sakura glared at him.

"I'm a little bit concerned about Hinata's health but I know she will be alright. I'm concerned about the things that Sasuke said though. And I've noticed it as well, we don't know anything about you. Why is that? We are your teammates and we suppose to trust each other." Neji said critically.

"You said that you will tell everything at the right time when this right time is going to come or is it not going to come?" Sakura said forcefully.

"It's not as simple as you guys think, I myself don't know anything about myself." It wasn't a lie, he doesn't know where he came from, who he was and why does he have a sharingan.

"But maybe we should be able to help you? Come on Naruto, tell us, what you are hiding from us." Sakura pressed on, forcing Naruto to tell them. She really wanted to know about it. What Sasuke has said, she hadn't liked it when he had refused to tell her earlier but not now, Neji, Sasuke and she glanced at Nawaki who had a cup of ramen in his hands and noodles in his mouth, they will support her and they will force Naruto to tell her.

"What you did to Hinata was necessary for the next mission, you said it yourself, and I think I understand but don't you think it is necessary as well to tell us about your abilities? It will be good for the mission, to know what your comrades can do and capable of." Nawaki said as he gulped the rest of his noodles with one go and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

Naruto looked at all of them and saw their stubbornness, they will not be going to leave him easily from this situation.

"Fine! I'll tell you when Hinata wakes up." They agreed.

Sasuke was lying on his bed when he saw everyone appeared in their apartment, even Naruto. He glared at Naruto and turned his head towards the other side.

"Oh come on, he's agreed to tell us," Nawaki said to Sasuke cheerfully.

"Like I care about him."

"That's such harsh words Sasuke, he's our teammate."

"And we're his teammates as well," Sasuke yelled and glared at Naruto.

Naruto looked at him calmly, although he felt guilty for keeping everything from them, "I have my reasons."

"Yeah right." Sasuke scoffed and buried his face in his pillow.

"Nawaki, leave him be," Neji said, Nawaki stopped and at that moment Hinata stirred.

"Hinata!" Sakura rushed towards her and examined her with medical jutsu.

"How are you feeling?" Naruto leaned in to make eye contact with her. Hinata looked confusedly at Naruto before her eyes widened and…

Slap.

"How dare you. How could you?" Hinata hiccupped, her eyes shed tears as Sakura hugged her tightly and comforted her.

"I think it was the right thing to do." Sakura glared at Naruto and motioned him to shut up.

"You've screwed up big time mate, I don't think she will be going to forgive you anytime soon," Nawaki whispered and patted Naruto's back and gave him a sympathetic look. "But it was very idiotic."

"S-Sakura-chan, N-Naruto…" Hinata hugged Sakura tightly and shuddered as she remembered his genjutsu.

"He…he used genjutsu on me…"

"You don't have to tell us anything now Hinata. Take rest." Nawaki pushed Hinata back covered her with a blanket.

"I-I s-saw h-his r-red e-eyes." Sasuke's eyes widened as if something had confirmed and he turned abruptly towards Naruto who was already looking at him.

"As I told you when she wakes up then." Naruto shut him up.

"Is she going to be alright?"

"Naruto! I'm very ashamed of you. I knew you would do something like this. She was always like this but she never failed a mission. We thought she'd become confident by going to missions and seeing the harsh reality of the world bit by bit. But you…" Sakura shook her head and sighed.

"She is not like you. No one will be like you. You have been experiencing these things from the start. I was able to hold your mental tortures but she wouldn't be able to. Please don't do this again." Sakura looked pleadingly at Naruto and waited for him to say something, to say yes.

She knew how cruel Naruto could be in his training, mentally and physically. It's no surprise to her that she had become one of the best medics in Midnight in such a short time. But she had paid a very hefty price. She had gone through nightmares every night for several months after being exposed to Naruto's genjutsu.

"Okay!" Naruto said with conviction and nodded his head with determination, for what? She doesn't know. "I'll let you take care of her training." Sakura nodded her head and smiled in relief.

Next day

"I hope we're not too late." The Kazekage said to Naruto as they entered the chamber. There were seats at the both sides of the table for everyone to sit. The sand shadow was sitting in the front seat with some Jounin sitting around the table.

"No, it's alright. It was very difficult for them as well." Naruto said as he motioned towards Sakura, Sasuke, and Neji.

"Yes. Someone has informed them. It would be slightly difficult."

"If he knows about our plan then he will hire mercenaries for his protection. I don't think he will go to another ninja village for help because of war." Neji said as Naruto motioned him to tell what they had gathered in their scouting mission.

"His palace is highly protected with guards; they can be taken out easily. We detected some traps around the area. But we were unable to detect someone with high chakra reserves." Sasuke said.

"I'm sure he will get help from someone, maybe he will hire rouge ninjas." One of the sand Jounin said.

"Or maybe he will contact a mercenary organization," Sakura suggested. Her eyes glanced at Hinata who was sitting beside Nawaki. She can't see her expressions because of the anbu masks.

'I hope you are ready for this, Hinata.'

"So what is your plan Menma-san," Kazekage said and Naruto looked at him with surprise.

"Are you sure about this. I mean shouldn't you be planning for this mission."

"I trust your abilities, and I know you will succeed in this mission. Besides, you will be leading this mission." Naruto nodded his head and stood up from his seat for the briefing.

"This is an assassination mission. And this mission is ranked S. Our target is the Wind Daimyo." Naruto attacked the pic of wind Daimyo to the notice board. He then attached a map of wind Daimyo's palace. Everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats. Their blood pumping and their adrenaline rushing in their bodies. Everyone was paying full attention to the briefing.

Sasuke, Neji, and Nawaki looked at each other and nodded their heads.

Sakura rolled her eyes under her masks. Typical boys.

"It will take us one day to reach our target location. According to our scout's reports, this place is guarded with almost two hundred samurais."

"How many shinobi are you going to take for this mission?" Baki questioned. He has two distinctive, red markings on the right side of his face, the only visible part of his head, with the rest being covered by his turban-like head gear and by a sheet hanging from it on the left side of his face. He was wearing the standard attire of a Suna-nin, complete with a forehead protector and flak jacket.

"Only my team."

"You think you would be able to succeed in this mission with only one team." He sounded unbelievable.

"Baki-san, as I told before, this is an assassination mission. We go in, kill him and go out. We will not use lethal force unless we have to, is that clear?" Naruto said the last part to his teammates.

"Hai." Baki looked at all of them with unbelievable eyes.

"This mission will turn into a suicide mission if you will take only one squad with you." He said.

"Baki," The Kazekage said, "They know what they are doing, and I know you are concerned about the success of the mission, but I've complete faith in them." Baki looked at his leader and nodded his head. If the Kazekage has approved of it, then he will trust his leader's judgment.

The double doors of the chamber opened and Gaara entered. He looked at everyone until his eyes landed on Menma.

"I'm going with you guys on this mission." He said clearly.

"No, you are not," Naruto said before Kazekage even has the chance to speak.

"Menma listen, I know you are concerned about my well-being but I'm fine." To prove his statement Gaara released his sand that attacked Menma with unbelievable speeds, it was faster than he imagined it to be. Menma was not ready for this surprise attack, but he was able to dodge it barely.

"Like I said, you are not going." Menma motioned towards the attack that even had surprised Gaara. Gaara stood there without saying anything as Naruto resumed his briefing.

"In this mission make sure to hide your identities. We can't let our enemies know our identities in any way. Is that understood?"

"Hai." Naruto turned to Gaara and addressed him.

"You can only fight with your sand. It would reveal your identity to the enemies and they will come after you, even to Suna. Because this is Wind Daimyo that we are talking about." Gaara nodded his head and accepted his reasoning.

"Anything else that you want to add, Kazekage-sama?"

"No, I don't think so." The meeting ended and Gaara looked at his father, expecting him to say something but he walked passed him without giving him a glance.

"Orochimaru-sama!"

"Kabuto? You are here. I hope you did what I asked you to do."

"Yes of course." Kabuto adjusted his glasses and looked at the snake sannin, "they will go after Danzo after discovering about it, I'm sure of it."

"Itachi and Shisui are Naruto's friends. They will leave Otogakure and search for Danzo, and at the same time, Naruto will go after Wind Daimyo. I'm sure Danzo is waiting for a good opportunity to strike as well. He is hiding near the Daimyo's castle." Orochimaru's voice was sickly sweet as he licked his lips with his long tongue.

"I wasn't able to see Naruto-kun's battle with Yagura but now I can."

"Are you sure our plan will work? I mean, you're evolving Akatsuki in this and they are already after you." Orochimaru looked at Kabuto with his yellow piercing eyes for a moment.

"Do you think I'm a fool? The Akatsuki want Jinchuurikis more than me. I'll stay in the shadows for a while. I've many things to do before I strike." Orochimaru stood up from where he was sitting.

"Now let's go Kabuto. We are going to Uzushiogakure."

"Uzushiogakure? For what?" Kabuto questioned as he followed Orochimaru.

"To perfect Nidaime Hokage's technique." Kabuto's eyes widened.

"But what about meeting with Kazekage?"

"The time is not right. We will wait for Naruto-kun to get back to Konoha." Orochimaru smirked slightly as a grin appeared on his pale face. 'Soon, I'll show the world what I can do. Even the Akatsuki will fear me. Just wait for me Sasuke-kun, I'll give you the power that you desire.'

"Danzo Shimura!" Itachi and Shisui looked at each other in thought as they exited the hideout.

"It's not possible. Danzo can't be." Shisui shook his head as tried to make a connection between Naruto and Danzo.

"I know. Danzo wanted Naruto-kun for root when he was in Konoha but Hokage-sama refused. If Naruto is Danzo's child, then he would have been able to take custody of Naruto easily at that time." Shisui nodded his head. It makes sense. Danzo would have taken Naruto in his care when he was young. And if Naruto was Danzo's child then why Danzo revealed his Jinchuuriki's status to the public?

"What if Danzo know who his parents are?" Shisui looked at Itachi for a moment before his eyes widened.

"Now I get it! Danzo is the only one who knows about Naruto's parents. Orochimaru was somehow able to find out that only Danzo knows about Naruto's parentage but he was unable to track Danzo."

"This means if we want to know about Naruto's parentage than we should first find out where Danzo is," Itachi said as Shisui grinned.

"Yes! That's it. Let's go Itachi. We've to contact Jiraiya-sama.

"How are you feeling now Hinata?"

"I'm fine Naruto-san." Naruto sighed and sat in front of her. She turned her face away from him.

"Please leave, I don't want to talk to you." Her voice was seriously calm. She was doing her best not to yell at Naruto for what he did to her earlier.

"I'm sorry!"

"I said LEAVE." Naruto stood up with a grunt and exited the room. Sakura was standing there with her hands folded in front of her.

"It will take time I think. Gather everyone in the training ground. It's time I tell you guys." Sakura nodded her head as Naruto left her without giving her a glance. He was feeling guilty for his actions. She can't blame him; he had never worked as a leader in the past. He wants best for his teammates. But he doesn't care about other's feelings and their emotions, what they want and how would they feel about his actions.

Of course, Hinata would have been very happy if Naruto had offered her to help her in a more decent way. But the actions that he took to help her, it was productive but idiotic as well.

Sakura gathered everyone and even Hinata who was reluctant first and arrived at the training ground. He was sitting in the meditative position. His face was calm and motionless, it was like they were staring at the face of a dead man. His red hair danced in the wind as he took a deep breath before opening his eyes. He stood up and looked at everyone and even Hinata who averted his eyes.

Without making any hand signs he created a shadow clone.

"This mission will be going to be very dangerous. In this mission, you will see a glimpse of a true shinobi war. I advise you guys not to hesitate for even a moment because if you do it might cost you your life or your teammate's life. Teamwork is very important for this mission.

I've created two teams for this mission. Hinata, Nawaki, and Sasuke, you are Team A. Neji, Sakura and me, we're team B. If you guys are against the pairing than feel free to make suggestions." Naruto paused as they nodded their heads for him to continue.

"Team B will take care of our target while Team A will cover our backs. You will eliminate everyone who will raise a weapon against us. Put your faith in your brain, no in your heart." Naruto took out a scroll and threw at Neji.

"Your mask's name is Eagle. It is for a reason. This summoning contract belonged to your father before he died in Oto." Neji's eyes widened as he stared at the scroll.

"B-but I didn't know about that!"

"He never used it in his life, why? We will never know. I'm their summoner as well." Neji looked at Naruto before nodded his head and stared at the scroll, as if not sure what to do.

"Sign it later. You don't have to give any tests. I've already taken care of it." Neji nodded his head. Naruto took a deep breath as if he was going to reveal a big secret.

"You guys wanted to know about my abilities?" They all nodded eagerly as if they were waiting for this moment for a while. Naruto shook his head as a small smirk appeared on his stoic face. His eyes closed as he spoke.

"I'll spar with my clone to show how much stronger I'm. But there are things that I want to tell you before this. There are many things that I don't know about myself. I'll not lie to you guys; I don't even know who my parents are. And no, I'm not an Uchiha!" Having said that Naruto opened his eyes slowly and revealed his Sharingan.

Everyone gasped. Even Hinata was staring at him with shock. "You are an Uchiha!" Sasuke growled.

"Like I said before Sasuke. I do not know about my parentage. I'm orphan."

"But how do you have a Sharingan?" Sakura said. Neji was standing there patiently waiting for Naruto's answers. He was surprised but he knew Naruto will answer their questions truthfully. There was no need for him to shout and show impatiens.

Sasuke was the worst. Maybe he was jealous or maybe he was frustrated. Hinata doesn't know what to say. She felt out of place all of a sudden and wanted to run away from this commotion. Nawaki was looking at Naruto with shock, gaping as he stared at Naruto.

"Holy…"

"Remember the Uchiha incident. Danzo's Root anbu were not only attacking the Uchiha clan but they attacked me as well. During the fight, I awakened my Sharingan. I never told anyone, I've only told you guys about this. I'd prefer it if it'd stay that way." Naruto then turned to his clone and motioned him to attack him.

Everyone forget what they wanted to ask as they saw the fight begin.

Konoha

"Let me introduce you to your teammates. This is Sai and this is Konohamaru Sarutobi. They will be your teammates with your Jounin Sensei Yuuhi Kurenai."

"But Hokage-sama? I thought…"

"I know Shino but your father denied." Shino adjusted his glasses and nodded his head.

"I understand."

"It's nice to meet you bug boy." Sai faked smiled at Shino and turned to Konohamaru, "and to you as well, monkey." Konohamaru's ears twitched as tick mark appeared on his forehead.

"Who do you think you are calling monkey, you pale freak." Sai faked smiled again and responded.

"You?" Minato sweat dropped. 'I'm sorry Kurenai-chan, I hope you will be able to handle them easily.' Minato sweat dropped again when Shino used his bugs to stop Konohamaru from attacking Sai.

"AHHHHH!" He yelled when he saw bugs on his body.

"Bugs, bugs, bugs...!"