A/N: Hey here's chapter 12. Sorry for the delay, was on a bit of a vacation with my family. I also rewritten this chapter a few times. Not really sure how I wanted to handle it. Lastly, I also went back and reread how I ended my invasion arc. As I said, I didn't want to go deep into it, because I wanted to focus on my own story. Chapters 7 and 8 was written differently, and I hope I made up for it. Anyways, enjoy!

The streets of Konoha were calm, but the air was thick with anticipation. Something darker was looming. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Hikari rushed through the village, their pace urgent as they followed Pakkun. The ninken, small but sharp, kept his nose low to the ground, sniffing the faint trails that led them toward their target—Naruto.

Kakashi's mind raced. The Akatsuki—Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki—were in Konoha. Jiraiya had warned him of the organization's interest in the Tailed Beasts, particularly the Nine-Tails sealed within Naruto. This was more serious than he had anticipated, but panicking now would only make things worse. They needed to act, and they needed to act quickly.

As they moved deeper into the village outskirts, Kakashi kept glancing at Sasuke, who was walking just ahead. His young student's shoulders were tense, his fists clenched, and Kakashi wasn't prepared to deal with the fall out that was about to come. Surprisingly, Sasuke didn't catch on to who was undeath that cloak and hat. However, hell was going to break loose when he did.

Beside him, Hikari moved silently, her eyes focused. She had barely spoken since they encountered Itachi earlier, but Kakashi could sense the turmoil in her chakra. Something about seeing Itachi had affected her deeply, though Kakashi wasn't sure why.

"We're getting close," Kakashi murmured, his voice breaking through the heavy silence. "Pakkun, any sign of them?"

The small dog nodded, sniffing the air. "Naruto's scent is stronger now. He's with Jiraiya, not too far ahead."

"Sasuke," Kakashi said, his voice calm but firm. "We need to stay focused. You can't let your emotions get the better of you. Especially with what is about to come."

Sasuke shot a confused look over his shoulder, his brows furrowed. "What is that suppose to mean?"

Kakashi's eye softened, but his voice remained steady. "I don't really have the words to explain it."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. That was way too vague... It was like Kakashi was trying to protect him from something. What?

xxx

Standing outside in the miniature training field at his parents home, Naruto with Jiraiya, concentrating intensely. In his hands was a rubber ball, swirling with chakra as he attempted to pop the ball.

"Come on…" Naruto muttered to himself, his brow furrowed in concentration. The chakra within the ball wobbled, and for a brief moment, it looked like he was making progress. But then, he collapsed on a knee from exhaustion.

"Ah, man!" Naruto groaned, wiping his face. "Why is this jutsu so hard?"

Jiraiya chuckled from where he sat nearby, watching his student with amusement. "What did you expect? This is one of the Fourth Hokage's signature techniques. You thought it'd be a walk in the park?"

Naruto shot Jiraiya a determined look. "I'll get it! Just you wait, Pervy Sage. I'm going to master this jutsu and be even better than my dad!"

Jiraiya smiled at that, a flicker of pride in his eyes. Naruto's drive reminded him so much of Minato—relentless, determined, and full of potential. But before Jiraiya could respond, he felt a sudden shift in the air. His senses flared, and he stood up quickly, his expression turning serious.

"Something's not right," Jiraiya muttered.

Naruto blinked, confused. "What? What's going on?"

Before Jiraiya could answer, an ANBU appeared out of the shadows, his voice urgent. "Jiraiya-sama, we've had sightings of two Akatsuki members near the village. It's Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "Damn it… I thought we had more time."

Naruto's face twisted in confusion. "Who's that?"

Jiraiya didn't answer directly. Instead, he grabbed Naruto by the arm, pulling him close. "No time to explain, kid. We need to get to the Hokage Tower now."

But before they could move, Jiraiya's instincts flared again. His hair shot outwards, forming a protective barrier around Naruto just as Kisame's massive sword, Samehada, came crashing down. The ANBU dropped dead with perflectly aimed kunai.

The impact was hard, the force of the attack sending tremors through the ground. Kisame grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming as he leaned into his swing. "You're fast, Jiraiya. I'll give you that."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock as he took in the scene. "What the hell?! Who is this guy?!"

Jiraiya stepped in front of Naruto, his expression grim. "Naruto, stay behind me."

Before Naruto could respond, Itachi appeared on the roof of a nearby building, his cold gaze locking onto Naruto. His Sharingan glowed ominously, the weight of his presence pressing down on the entire area.

"We don't have time for this," Itachi said quietly, his voice calm. "Hand over the Nine-Tails."

Jiraiya's grip tightened as he stepped forward, placing himself between Itachi and Naruto. "You're not taking him."

As Jiraiya squared off against Kisame, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Hikari arrived at the scene, landing in a defensive formation around Naruto. Kakashi's eyes immediately locked onto the two Akatsuki members, his expression darkening.

"So, it's true. They're after Naruto…" Kakashi muttered, his Sharingan already active.

Sasuke's expression twisted with fury the moment he saw Itachi. "Itachi!" he roared, his voice filled with hatred as he charged forward, Chidori sparking in his hand.

But before Sasuke could reach him, Itachi's cold gaze shifted toward his younger brother. With a flick of his wrist, he caught Sasuke's Chidori-infused hand mid-air, stopping the attack in its tracks.

"It's been a long time Sasuke," Itachi said calmly, his voice devoid of emotion. His eyes slowly transforming into his Mangekyo. "Looks like you still aren't strong enough yet."

Sasuke struggled against Itachi's grip, his entire body trembling with rage. "I'll kill you! I swear I'll kill you!"

Before the situation could escalate further, Hikari stepped forward, her own Mangekyo Sharingan flaring to life. She had seen this power before—Madara's and Izuna's. It had been years since she had felt this kind of oppressive presence.

Itachi's eyes flickered with curiosity as he noticed Hikari's Mangekyo. "Another Mangekyo," he murmured, his tone thoughtful. "Interesting."

Hikari's hands trembled slightly, but she forced herself to stand tall. She wasn't a frightened girl anymore. She wasn't a tool to be used by the Uchiha.

Before the tension could rise further, Kisame grinned widely, his grip on Samehada tightening. "Looks like we've got ourselves a fight. About time things got interesting."

Itachi's expression remained calm as ever. "No, Kisame. We don't have time for this. Our objective is the Nine-Tails, not meaningless fights."

Kisame scowled, but he didn't question Itachi. "You're no fun," he muttered, though the grip on his sword loosened slightly.

Itachi's attention shifted from Sasuke, Hikari, and Kakashi, who were now all standing in front of Naruto, to Jiraiya. The calm composure of the older Sannin clearly annoyed Itachi. Despite the danger they all faced, Jiraiya had not wavered. Itachi knew this wasn't a battle they could win quickly without attracting more attention, and time was against them.

"Itachi!" Sasuke's voice was strained as he tried to break free from his older brother's grip. "Face me, coward!"

Itachi glanced down at Sasuke, and for a brief moment, a flicker of something passed through his cold gaze—something that wasn't disdain or anger. It was almost sorrow, though it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

"Sasuke," Itachi said softly, "you're still weak. I told you what you need to do if you want to kill me."

Before Sasuke could react, Itachi released his grip, and kicked Sasuke back with minimal effort. Sasuke recovered and landed right next to Naruto, his frustration mounting. Itachi turned to Hikari, his eyes narrowing slightly as if examining her more closely.

"You possess the Mangekyo Sharingan," he said, his voice filled with quiet curiosity. "But I thought all those who possessed it were gone."

Hikari's heart pounded in her chest. She stood firm, meeting his gaze with her own Mangekyo activated, but memories of the past resurfaced again—memories of Madara and Izuna, of the power that had once controlled her. She wasn't sure if she hated or feared Itachi more for reminding her of them. His presence was overwhelming, and it was clear that this he was on another level.

"It doesn't matter who I am or where I come from," Hikari replied, her voice steady despite the tension in her chest. "You're not taking Naruto."

Naruto, standing just behind Jiraiya, was confused and overwhelmed. He didn't know who this "Itachi" was or why everyone was so tense, but he knew one thing for sure: he wasn't going to let himself be captured without a fight.

Kakashi, however, recognized the power gap between them. He knew that despite the strength of the group standing with him, Itachi and Kisame were far more dangerous than they could handle alone. He glanced toward Jiraiya, hoping the Sannin would make a move soon.

Itachi, clearly sensing the looming danger of being surrounded, took a step back, his eyes still on Hikari and Kakashi. "This is foolish," he remarked calmly. "You're all too weak to stand against us."

Sasuke's anger flared once more, his hand reaching for his kunai. But before he could move, Kakashi raised a hand, blocking him. "Stop, Sasuke," Kakashi ordered, his voice firm but calm. "You'll only get hurt if you rush in now."

Kisame chuckled, amused by the scene. "This is getting boring. Maybe I should liven things up a bit."

His sword, Samehada, hummed with energy as he prepared to charge at the group. But before he could, Jiraiya stepped forward, raising one hand, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to shift slightly. His presence alone sent a warning to the Akatsuki members.

"Don't underestimate me, Kisame," Jiraiya said, his voice cool but filled with authority. "You may be strong, but you're not in a position to start a full-scale battle. Not in my village."

Kisame grinned. "Bold words for an old man."

Jiraiya's eyes flashed with resolve, and his long hair bristled as chakra flowed through him. "You forget who I am," he said, his voice steady. "If you make a move, I'll make sure you regret it."

Kisame's grin widened. "I'd love to see you try."

The tension in the air was palpable as Itachi and Kisame stood their ground, the oppressive silence broken only by the faint rustling of leaves. Kakashi, Hikari, and Sasuke remained in defensive positions, ready for any sudden moves. But Itachi's eyes, now unreadable, softened ever so slightly as he observed the situation.

"Kisame," Itachi said calmly, "we're leaving."

Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan flickered slightly, a glint of warning flashing in his red eyes. He briefly glanced at Hikari. She was a mystery, her presence unexpected, but now was not the time to investigate further.

Kisame scowled, his shark-like grin fading into an expression of disappointment. "Hmph. Just when things were getting interesting." He glanced at Samehada in his hand, the massive sword humming with energy as if hungry for more chakra. But he obeyed Itachi's command, taking a step back.

"Consider yourselves lucky," Kisame growled, his eyes flashing with a predatory gleam. "Next time, I won't be so lenient."

Itachi, his posture as composed as ever, turned to leave. Before he vanished into the shadows, he locked eyes with Sasuke one last time. "Sasuke," he said, his voice cold and distant. "You lack the hatred necessary to defeat me."

Sasuke's blood boiled at his brother's words, but before he could even think of attacking again, Kakashi placed a firm hand on his shoulder, keeping him grounded. "Let it go," Kakashi warned. "We need to regroup and be smart about this."

Hikari stood silently, her heart still racing from the intensity of the confrontation. She knew Itachi was powerful, but seeing him firsthand reminded her of the power Madara and Izuna had wielded in the past. There was no mistaking the danger of the Mangekyo Sharingan, and her own awakening of it still left her uneasy.

Without another word, Itachi and Kisame disappeared in a blur of speed, leaving behind nothing but the lingering tension of their presence. The moment they were gone, the oppressive atmosphere lifted, but the weight of the encounter still clung to them.

The tension in the clearing finally eased, though the air was still thick with the weight of what had just transpired. Sasuke stood frozen, his fists clenched in frustration. He hadn't been able to do anything—once again, Itachi had left him feeling powerless.

Hikari deactivated her Sharingan, her breath finally steadying as the danger passed. Kakashi relaxed as well, though his eye remained sharp, scanning the surroundings in case of any lingering threats.

Jiraiya turned to Naruto, his expression serious. "We need to get you to the Hokage Tower now."

Naruto, still trying to process everything, nodded. "Who were those guys? Why are they after me?"

Jiraiya's face softened slightly. "I'll explain everything soon, Naruto. But right now, we need to make sure you're safe."

Kakashi stepped forward, placing a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Sasuke, I know you're angry. But we'll find another way."

Sasuke yanked his shoulder away from Kakashi's grasp, his eyes still burning with rage. "Don't tell me to calm down! I was right there! He was right there!"

Kakashi sighed, his voice calm but firm. "I understand. But this isn't the time."

Hikari, still regaining her composure, glanced at Sasuke, her expression unreadable. She knew what it was like to be consumed by hatred, to be driven by the need for revenge. But she also knew where that path led—destruction, for both yourself and those around you.

"Sasuke," she said quietly, "you'll get your chance. But not today."

Sasuke's jaw clenched, his entire body trembling with frustration. He turned away from the group, walking a few steps toward the trees, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and despair.

Naruto watched him go, his own expression filled with concern. "Sasuke…"

But before anyone could stop him, Sasuke vanished into the forest, disappearing from sight.

Jiraiya sighed heavily. "Let him go. He needs time."

Kakashi nodded in agreement, though his eye remained focused on the direction Sasuke had gone. "We need to regroup at the Hokage Tower and report what happened. This won't be the last time we see the Akatsuki."

Hikari remained silent, her thoughts distant as she replayed the encounter with Itachi in her mind. The Mangekyo Sharingan, the power she had once only associated with Madara and Izuna Uchiha, was now right in front of her again in the form of Itachi. The coldness in his eyes, the way he treated his own brother—it stirred something in her. She could feel a sense of dread creeping back into her thoughts, a feeling she hadn't wanted to face since being released from her seal. But this was her reality now.

Jiraiya gently guided Naruto forward, snapping Hikari out of her thoughts. "Come on, Hikari. We need to report this to Lord Third."

She nodded, forcing herself to push aside her turmoil for the moment. They couldn't afford distractions now. They had seen the true threat of the Akatsuki, and they couldn't let that slip by without taking immediate action.

As the group made their way toward the Hokage Tower, Kakashi kept a steady pace beside Jiraiya, his expression still grim. The encounter had been brief, but it had revealed more than he had expected. It wasn't just the power of the Akatsuki members that concerned him, but also the timing. Itachi and Kisame were clearly here for Naruto, but why now? What were their true intentions? Kakashi knew they couldn't take any chances, especially with Sasuke being as volatile as he was.

Deep in the forest, far from the village and his teammates, Sasuke came to a stop, panting heavily. His hands were trembling as he clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He couldn't control the rage that boiled inside him—the helplessness he had felt once again when facing Itachi. Despite all of his training, despite how much stronger he had become, it still wasn't enough.

"Why…" Sasuke growled under his breath, his eyes burning with hatred. "Why am I still so weak?"

Images of the Uchiha massacre flashed through his mind. The blood, the bodies of his parents, the cold, indifferent gaze of his older brother. And then, Itachi's words echoed in his mind again: "You're still weak, little brother."

Sasuke slammed his fist into the nearest tree, the bark cracking under the force of the blow. It wasn't enough. Nothing was ever enough.

His mind raced with thoughts of revenge, of power, of proving to Itachi that he wasn't the weak little brother anymore. But now, more than ever, he felt like a failure. He had been right there—Itachi had been within his reach—and yet, he had done nothing. Kakashi had stopped him, Hikari had interfered, and then Itachi had simply walked away as if Sasuke were no more than an insect beneath his feet.

A sudden, dark thought crept into Sasuke's mind. He needed more power. But how? He felt a quick pulse of pain and his hand subconciously went to his neck where the cursemark was. He closed his eyes, taking in deep breaths as he tried to steady himself. The encounter had shaken him, but he refused to let it break him. Not yet.

xxx

The Hokage Tower loomed over the village as Kakashi, Jiraiya, Naruto, and Hikari approached. The building, though familiar, felt heavier now, carrying the weight of what they had just encountered. As they entered, Jiraiya sent a quick nod to the ANBU stationed at the entrance. Word of the Akatsuki's arrival had already begun to spread.

The group was quickly led into Hiruzen Sarutobi's office, where the Third Hokage awaited them. His old eyes immediately sharpened at the sight of Jiraiya and Kakashi, reading the seriousness of the situation in their expressions.

"Lord Hokage," Jiraiya began, his voice tense. "We encountered Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki near the village. They were after Naruto."

Hiruzen's face darkened, his fingers steepling in front of him as he processed the news. "I see… So the Akatsuki have finally made their move."

"They didn't engage fully," Kakashi added, "but it's clear that they're interested in capturing Naruto. We managed to drive them off, but this won't be the last time."

Naruto, standing slightly behind Jiraiya, clenched his fists, a mixture of confusion and anger swirling within him. "Why are they after me? What did I do?"

Hiruzen's gaze softened as he looked at the young boy. "It's not what you've done, Naruto. It's because of what's inside you."

Naruto's eyes widened in realization. "The Nine-Tails…"

Jiraiya placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, his expression somber. "The Akatsuki are an organization made up of powerful rogue ninja from different villages. Their goal is to collect all of the Tailed Beasts for reasons we still don't fully understand. But we do know one thing—they won't stop until they get what they want."

Naruto's heart pounded in his chest as the weight of Jiraiya's words settled over him. This wasn't just about him. It was about the entire village, about the people he cared about.

"I won't let them take me," Naruto said firmly, his voice filled with determination. "I'll get stronger. I'll protect everyone."

Hiruzen smiled faintly at Naruto's resolve. "I believe you will, Naruto. But you won't have to do it alone. We'll do everything we can to protect you."

As the conversation continued, Kakashi noticed Hikari standing quietly off to the side, her expression distant. She hadn't spoken much since the encounter with Itachi, and Kakashi could tell that the meeting had affected her deeply. He walked over to her, lowering his voice so the others wouldn't hear.

"You did well back there, I wasn't sure how you would react to Itachi." Kakashi said softly, his eye fixed on her.

Hikari's eyes flickered, but she didn't meet his gaze. "His chakra was overwhelming. I felt like I was staring back at them again..."

Hikari clenched her fists, her mind still replaying the encounter. "He reminds me of… them. Madara and Izuna. The way they looked down on everyone, like we were just pawns in their plans. It's the same with Itachi."

Kakashi remained silent for a moment, considering her words. He heard from Lord Third about Hikari's past, about her connection to the Uchiha clan from a different era. It wasn't something he fully understood, but it was clear that this encounter had dredged up old wounds for her.

"We'll deal with the Akatsuki," Kakashi said after a moment. "But right now, we need to stay focused. There's more at stake than just revenge."

Hikari nodded, though the turmoil in her eyes remained. She knew Kakashi was right, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.

As they retreated deeper into the woods, Kisame finally broke the silence. "You're letting them off too easy, Itachi. We could've wiped the floor with them."

Itachi's expression remained neutral as they moved swiftly through the trees. "There was no point in continuing that fight. Our objective is the Nine-Tails, not meaningless battles. Fighting them now would've only drawn more attention."

Kisame grumbled under his breath but didn't argue further. He respected Itachi's judgment, even if he didn't always agree with it.

"It's strange, though," Kisame mused, his tone casual despite the situation. "That girl... I wasn't expecting multiple Uchiha. I was told it was only you left, but now there are three."

Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly, though he kept his thoughts to himself. Hikari's appearance had been unexpected, he was sure there were only three left. Him, Sasuke and... that man. He hadn't expected to encounter another Mangekyo user aside from himself. But that was a puzzle for another time. Right now, the Nine-Tails was their priority.

"We'll regroup with the others soon," Itachi said quietly, his gaze fixed ahead. "The next time we return to the village, we'll be ready."

Kisame chuckled, the excitement returning to his voice. "I can't wait for the real fun to start."

With that, the two Akatsuki members disappeared into the depths of the forest, their presence fading into the shadows, but their mission far from over.

Thanks for reading!