Chapter 22 revised and edited. Review or PM me on what you think about this chapter now.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Naruto anime/manga all I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
'Heavily demonic voice'
'Fox talking'
"Fox thinking"
*expression*
Jutsu
Flashback
Chapter 22 – Itachi Uchiha
Naruto was at Ichiraku Ramen eating his fifth bowl of ramen for the morning, while thinking over everything that had happened during the Chunin exams, in particular, about Gaara and his Jinchuuriki status.
"I wonder… if I told my friends that I housed the Kyuubi… would they be afraid of me, or see me for what I am?" Thought Naruto, as he mechanically ate his meal.
Ayame noticed Naruto was eating without his regular gusto and decided to mention something.
'Naruto, what's wrong, you're not eating like you normally do?' Asked Ayame.
It took Naruto a while to respond, as he was still deep in thought.
'Oh, I was just thinking about some... stuff.' Replied Naruto quietly.
'Hey Ayame, if I told you I had a really big secret, one that might change the way you thought about me.' Naruto paused before continuing. 'Well, do you think you would still see me as myself?' Asked Naruto.
Unknown to Naruto, Ayame already knew that Naruto housed the fox, but never told him, so it was rather easy for her to reply.
'Well if I was really your friend, of course I would still see you as yourself silly.' Replied Ayame with a smile.
'Thanks Ayame.' Said Naruto happily, before he began to dig into his ramen like normal.
As he got to his eighth bowl, he heard someone else enter and sit next to him.
'Hey brat.' Said Jiraiya.
'What's up pervy sage?' Replied Naruto, much to Jiraiya's chagrin and Ayame's amusement.
'Didn't I tell you to stop calling me that?' Growled Jiraiya, trying to save face.
'Yeah, but I won't until you stop doing your "research".' Replied Naruto, making air quotations as he said research.
'I will never!' Declared Jiraiya, before getting back to what he wanted to say.
'Anyway, are you up for a mission brat?' Asked Jiraiya, already knowing the answer.
'Sure.' Said Naruto, before becoming pensive again.
'What's wrong kid?' Asked Jiraiya.
'Oh, nothing, I'm just, thinking about, things.' Said Naruto, apprehensive again.
After a while Naruto spoke up again, momentarily pausing in his eating.
'So what's this mission?' Asked Naruto, mildly curious.
'You and I are going to track down my old teammate, Tsunade.' Said Jiraiya.
'What, that's it? No thanks then, I need to get stronger.' Said Naruto.
"Hmm, what can I offer him? Darn, I should have held out on the Rasengan." Thought Jiraiya.
'Well, I could teach you Fuuinjutsu, you know the thing that the Fourth used to beat the fox.' Whispered Jiraiya.
At this, Naruto shot up like a bullet, his back going ramrod straight.
'You can teach me that?' Asked Naruto with stars in his eyes.
'Of course, after all, I was his teacher.' Said Jiraiya, puffing out his chest a little.
'Deal pervy sage.' Said Naruto, before finishing his ramen and bolting out of the shop, heading home to pack.
"Well that was easy." Thought Jiraiya, before hearing Teuchi chuckle as the man handed a slip of paper to Jiraiya.
'Huh, what's this?' Asked Jiraiya.
'The bill.' Replied Teuchi, before laughing.
Jiraiya looked down and his eyes bulged and almost fell out of his sockets.
'NARUTOOOOOOOOOO!' Shouted Jiraiya.
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Later near the gate
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'All right, I'm ready.' Said Naruto, with a small backpack containing what ramen, ink, and sealing paper he had.
'Ok, let's head out then.' Said Jiraiya, as they begun to walk away, internally thinking of ways to get back at the blond for sticking him with the ramen bill.
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In the village
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Kakashi was standing outside a tea shop after his interest had been grabbed by two men in black cloaks with red clouds. Kakashi had just finished talking to Asuma and Kurenai who he had been teasing, suggesting they were on a date, which the couple denied.
'Hey Kakashi, you said you wanted to see me.' Said Sasuke, as he walked up to Kakashi's position.
The shorter of the men stiffened as he heard this, causing Kakashi to take notice and confirm his suspicion.
'Oh yes Sasuke, I have a new technique I wanted to show you, but something has come up at the moment. Don't worry however, we can just do this later. Come to the usual training ground in three hours at noon.' Said Kakashi, before he turned back to look at the men in the teashop, but noticed they were gone.
Asuma and Kurenai disappeared, while Kakashi gave Sasuke a small wave before vanishing with a Body Flicker as well.
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Near the outskirts of the village
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Kakashi arrived to find Itachi Uchiha, the person who single-handedly murdered his entire clan in a night, leaving only Sasuke alive, standing behind Kurenai who was squatting down holding her stomach in pain. At the same time, Kakashi also spotted Kisame Hoshigaki, ex-member of the Seven Swordsmen and he was slashing at Asuma with his sword, which was partially covered by bandages, with only the tip of the blade free.
Kisame made hand signs before calling out his attack.
'Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu.' Said Kisame as his chakra washed over the group.
A wave of water rose up and a glob of water was launched at Asuma, but it was blocked by the exact same attack.
'Well I told you guys to deal with them, but I guess you guys needed a little help.' Said Kakashi as he arrived behind Itachi, while his clone stopped Kisame's attack.
Itachi felt a kunai pressed against his chest before saying monotonously, 'Shadow Clone Explosion.'
Chakra began to build up in the clone, causing Kakashi's eyes to widen, before he quickly grabbed Kurenai and jumped to where his clone was. The real Itachi appeared next to Kisame moments later.
'Why are you here?' Asked Kakashi.
'Oh, just came by to visit, among other things.' Replied Itachi coolly.
'You're here for Naruto, aren't you?' Said Kakashi, which caused Itachi to raise an eyebrow.
"Hmm, Kakashi seems at ease… that must mean either Naruto isn't in the village, or he believes he can beat me. Most likely the former." Thought Itachi.
Itachi quickly changed his eyes, turning them into the Mangekyo Sharingan.
'Asuma, Kurenai, close your eyes now!' Commanded Kakashi.
'Whatever you do, don't look into his eyes, with them he can create powerful illusions which only the Sharingan can combat.' Continued Kakashi.
'Admirable, Kakashi, trying to protect your fellow Jounin, however, you appear to have overestimated your own skills, Tsukuyomi.' Said Itachi, as he looked into Kakashi's Sharingan eye.
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The area seemed to morph and now featured a red moon, which cast a red light throughout the illusion, with a cloudy atmosphere, giving the background a blood-red appearance. Kakashi looked at himself and realised he was now depicted in an inverted grey scale
'This is the world of Tsukuyomi, in here you are at my mercy, and it will remain that way.' Explained Itachi, who upon finishing his sentence, caused Kakashi to be tied to a three-point crucifix.
Itachi then stabbed Kakashi, with his blade going right through him. After this, five more Itachi replicas appeared and did this again.
'We will be in here for three days.' Said Itachi, as the clones finished stabbing him.
The scene reverted to the beginning and Itachi said, 'Only seventy-one hours fifty-nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds to go.'
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Kakashi suddenly collapsed to his knees in the real world, startling his comrades.
'Kakashi, what happened, can we open our eyes?' Asked Kurenai in worry.
'N-no.' Gasped Kakashi, his breathing now ragged and strained.
'Y-you Akatsuki, you're after Narut-to for the n-nine tails, aren't you?' Asked Kakashi through his ragged breathing.
Itachi coolly stared at Kakashi, before responding, 'Kakashi, it seems like you will be coming with us.'
'Does this mean I can fight now?' Asked Kisame, giving a wide grin and showing all his razor-sharp teeth.
'Yes Kisame.' Replied Itachi, which prompted Kisame to charge.
'You're mine!' Shouted Kisame, while bringing his blade down on Kakashi's downed form.
Kakashi's eyes widened, before a green blur appeared in front of him, which kicked Kisame and sent him flying back to Itachi.
'G-Guy?' Gasped Kakashi, while being both confused and thankful at the same time.
Kakashi then collapsed face down in the water, his willpower having reached its limit.
'Who are you?' Growled Kisame.
'I'm the Leaf Village's Fiercest Green Beast, Might Guy!' Said Guy, pointing his thumb at his chest.
'Ha, mighty stupid looking guy if you ask me.' Retorted Kisame.
'Don't underestimate him, Kisame.' Said Itachi.
'Kurenai, Asuma, open your eyes, it's okay, just don't look into Itachi's eyes, look at his feet.' Said Guy.
Asuma and Kurenai hesitantly opened their eyes and looked down.
'Kurenai, take Kakashi to the hospital. Asuma, you hold them off with me until the ANBU get here.' Said Guy.
Kurenai went to pick up Kakashi and slung his arm over her shoulder, while Asuma walked next to Guy.
'All right, things are getting interesting now.' Said Kisame happily, before Itachi interrupted him.
'No Kisame, we aren't here to start a war. Let's go.' Said Itachi, before he and Kisame disappeared in a burst of speed.
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With Jiraiya and Naruto outside the village.
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'Say, pervy sage, who is this woman we're looking for?' Asked Naruto curiously.
'She is one of my old teammates, a legendary healer and well...' Started Jiraiya, before he broke out into perverted giggles, causing Naruto to raise an eyebrow at him.
Jiraiya snickered a little but noticed Naruto's expression warranted an answer.
'She has got huge melons.' Said Jiraiya, while emphasising what he meant, causing Naruto to sweat drop.
'Yeah right, anyone with things that big wouldn't be able to stand.' Scoffed Naruto.
'You'll see, Naruto. Also, she has earned the nickname of 'The Legendary Sucker'.' Said Jiraiya, who actually knew about her terrible gambling luck, but decide to let Naruto's mind explore the possibilities.
"Hmm, I wonder why she got that name…" Thought Naruto.
In Naruto's mind Kurama chuckled because he had a suspicion that how she got such a nickname was not what Jiraiya was suggesting, but also knew that it was fun to mess with people, especially Naruto so he stayed quiet.
'Well, here we are.' Said Jiraiya, as they had reached a town only half a day's travel away from Tanzaku town.
'Well what are we going to do now?' Asked Naruto.
'I think we might as well head out and look around, but first, I will tell you about the three prohibitions to all shinobi. They are women, money, and liquor. The only way for you to stay away from these things would be if you give me your money.' Finished Jiraiya with a grin, while holding out his hand, thinking this could be his payback for the ramen.
Naruto's old prankster side kicked in again, which gave him an idea.
'Ok, here you go, pervy sage.' Said Naruto, giving Jiraiya a very fat fox wallet with red fur and one long white tipped tail.
Jiraiya's grin almost split his face, which gave Naruto the opportunity he needed. He discretely made hand signs behind his back, first making a clone, which he quickly transformed into a wallet identical to the one he gave Jiraiya, and lastly performed a quick substitution with the one Jiraiya was holding, while he distracted him by saying there was a pretty lady walking by, instantly grabbing Jiraiya's attention.
'Ok Naruto, I'll see you later. Go get a hotel room for us, ok?' Said Jiraiya, as he walked off giggling madly.
Naruto then made another clone and sent it after Jiraiya, so he could tell him what happened later while he went off to get a hotel room.
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In the Leaf Village
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Sasuke was walking towards Kakashi's apartment, wondering where he disappeared to.
"What could have come up to make Kakashi leave so abruptly like that?" Thought Sasuke.
He opened the door to his apartment and saw Kakashi staring straight ahead in his bed, with the covers up to his nose and his Sharingan showing, with Kurenai, Guy, and Asuma standing around.
'What happened to Kakashi and why are all you Jounin in his room?' Asked Sasuke.
'Well, uh you see.' Begun Guy, before a Leaf special Jounin named Aoba barged in and asked, 'Is it true that Itachi has arrived in the Leaf again and that he's after Naruto?' Before he looked around and saw Sasuke with a shocked, almost worried look on his face, before Sasuke ran out of the room.
'Idiot.' Said Kurenai.
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Sasuke was running through town and arrived at the ramen stand, frantically looking around for Naruto, but couldn't see him anywhere.
'Old man, have you seen Naruto?' Asked Sasuke urgently.
Teuchi took a while to remember, but eventually spoke.
'Master Jiraiya came by and took him a few hours ago. I think Jiraiya said they were going to head for an outpost town near Tanzaku Town, where the two of them were going to be looking for his old teammate.' Recalled Teuchi
Sasuke quickly left after hearing that, while Teuchi was disappointed he didn't buy anything.
"I have to find them. Naruto doesn't know what he is getting into. Itachi will destroy Naruto if he is after him." Sasuke thought in worry.
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Naruto, having settled down in his hotel room, began reading a scroll Jiraiya gave him on beginner Fuuinjutsu, when he heard a knock on his door.
"Hmm, my clone never came back, so it can't be the pervy sage." Thought Naruto.
Naruto put his sword back in his sheath, which was a dark crimson in colour and attached it to his back, with the scabbard along his spine.
The knocking continued, and Naruto then opened the door, seeing two Sharingan eyes, each with three magatama in each eye.
'Naruto you'll be coming with us.' Said the figure which was garbed in a black cloak with red clouds, with a facial structure similar to Sasuke's.
'Well from what I heard from Sasuke, you don't look to be a mad killer at all, in fact, I hardly sense any emotion from you at all, although you appear to have regret buried deep inside you.' Said Naruto calmly, while Kisame raised an eyebrow in curiosity, whereas Itachi simply blinked.
'Well Naruto, you appear to be more perceptive than we have been led to believe.' Said Itachi.
'Itachi, should I cut off a leg to make sure he doesn't try and run for it?' Asked Kisame.
At that moment, Itachi glanced at Naruto and Naruto looked into his eyes and saw something hidden deeply, it was pain and suffering.
'Itachi, were you aware that a certain snake has his eyes set on your brother?' Asked Naruto, as he slowly moved his hands near his blade on the off chance that Kisame tried a sneak attack.
At this Itachi frowned, but when Naruto continued, he let some emotion show.
'He has also given him something he calls a gift.' Finished Naruto, at which point Itachi's eyes quickly betrayed him and revealed anger, sadness, and a great deal of pain for only a second, but it was enough for Naruto to sense.
'Shadow Clone Jutsu.' Said Naruto, as a clone of him popped up next to him and quickly gave Kisame a kick, catching him off guard, as he didn't expect such a wild brash move, which sent him fifty metres through the hotel, as Naruto's clone was also wearing weights.
Naruto's clone then threw a three-pronged kunai and flashed away in a blur of orange.
'Now Itachi, let's talk about why a supposed mass murderer cares about his little brother who hates him greatly.' Said Naruto.
Itachi stared at him impassively for a while before speaking.
'Naruto, how far would you go to protect the village? Could you kill for it, die for it, kill your best friend, and even give up everything you held close and dear for it?' Asked Itachi, his tone not giving away why he would ask such a question.
'I would do everything I could to protect the village and those I care about in it, as for my best friend.' Naruto paused before continuing, 'I don't think I could kill Sasuke for the village, however, if he tried to destroy it for whatever reason, I would stop him without killing him. Also, I would certainly throw away everything I held dear to me if it meant saving or protecting those who acknowledged me in the first place.' Concluded Naruto surprising Itachi.
'I too would have made those choices and in fact I did.' Said Itachi, now surprising Naruto.
'Naruto, look into my eyes.' Said Itachi which Naruto did, before he was then pulled into the Tsukuyomi.
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'The truth is, Naruto.' Began Itachi, who appeared next to Naruto, the pair in greyscale standing in an expansive abyss.
'That the genocide of my clan was a mission.' Said Itachi, which shocked Naruto.
'What?' Asked Naruto in disbelief, before Itachi raised his hand for patience and continued.
'The Uchiha clan grew angry over time and the makings of a civil war were brewing. My best friend, Shisui Uchiha, had one of his eyes stolen and gave me his other in an attempt to protect the village. In fact, I see most of his ideals and goals in you. His eye was stolen by a man named Danzo Shimura. Naruto, if you ever meet this man, tread carefully, as he is a ruthless war hawk and will kill you immediately if he thought you were a threat to the village. However, I digress. Anyway, relations between the Uchiha clan and the village were deteriorating rapidly and as such, I was ordered by the council and Danzo to eliminate my own clan.' Said Itachi, with a slightly remorseful look.
'Why? Couldn't you have used diplomacy?' Asked Naruto, who while not a politician, knew there are peaceful ways to solving problems.
'They failed.' Said Itachi flatly, before continuing, 'It was rather unfortunate though that Sasuke found me just as I had killed my parents and being as young and naive as he was, I told him that I killed our clan and family to test my capabilities.' Itachi paused and studied Naruto, who seemed to be thinking about something while Itachi spoke.
'He later activated his Sharingan against me and actually knocked off my forehead protector. I then knocked him out and made him forget about activating it and made it seem like I was a villain and insane, while telling him to hate and despise me, as that would be the only way for him to grow stronger.' Finished Itachi.
Naruto absorbed this information before coming to a conclusion.
'Itachi I am really sorry for all that has happened to you in your life, as you have clearly suffered a great deal just like me. I can also sense as though you are still holding out on information, such as your illness, but I won't dig into that if you don't want to tell me... however, if you continue to push Sasuke down this path, he may go insane and betray the Leaf Village, which I'm sure you don't want. That's why you need to decide what you will do now in order for your sacrifice to have not been in vain.' Concluded Naruto as he looked Itachi in the eye, at which point Itachi nodded and ended the Tsukuyomi.
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Naruto blinked as Itachi's eyes reverted back into the normal Sharingan instead of the Mangekyo, as the world became full of colour again.
Kisame had destroyed Naruto's clone and Naruto received its memories.
"Huh, that was strange." Thought Naruto, before Kisame arrived again next to Itachi.
'Brat, I would kill you if it wasn't against our mission!' Growled Kisame, looking slightly ruffled but otherwise unharmed.
Itachi however spoke gaining both of their attention, 'Well it has been a long time, foolish little brother.' He declared, before turning to look into Sasuke's own two magatama Sharingan eyes.
'Itachi. Uchiha. I've fostered all my hatred for you… and today you shall die!' Proclaimed Sasuke.
'Well this is interesting, I thought you killed your whole clan, Itachi.' Said Kisame in curiosity.
'Enough talking, now you die!' Said Sasuke, as he made hand signs and then formed a ball of lighting in his hand named, a technique he learnt from Kakashi during the training for the Chunin exams.
Sasuke's lighting covered hand cut through the walls as he rushed at Itachi, preparing to attack him.
'Chidori!' Shouted Sasuke, his hand about to pierce his brother's heart.