Naruto: Redone

by OrangeGokage

After the Kyūbi's attack on the village, the Third Hokage decided it would be best for Jiraiya to take his godson and leave the village. Six years later, they return but the village has not forgotten that fateful night and realize Naruto is the Kyūbi's container. When Naruto wakes up in the hospital, his caretaker is gone. How will this change and affect Naruto?

81. Chapter 81

"Hiraijin no Jutsu!"

It all happened instantly, Hebi was teleported to a completely different location from where they were a moment ago. Sasuke couldn't believe how instant it truly was. The Uchiha was certain that his Sharingan would not have been able to comprehend the speed at which they traveled. He wasn't even sure how they traveled.

They were just there now.

Was this the power of the fabled Fourth Hokage? Did Naruto finally figure it out?

"Holy shit!" Naruto exclaimed, stumbling from mild vertigo. "That actually worked!" He laughed to try and brush off his nerves and dizziness. "I can't believe it really worked."

"What the hell just happened?!" Karin shouted. "Where are we?!"

Sasuke quickly took note of their new surroundings. "You figured it out?"

"Sort of." He chuckled.

They were in the middle of a forest, assumingly far away from any opposition. He saw under a nearby tree there was a clone meditating. "You planned this, didn't you?"

Naruto dusted himself off. "You could say that. I didn't plan on you aligning with the Akatsuki, though."

"Where is the jinchūriki?" Haku questioned. "He is no longer with us."

"...I teleported him to a safe location. I'm sorry, Sasuke, but I couldn't let you take him."

The Uchiha pulled himself up to meet his friend's hard locked gaze. He didn't like the idea of standing against Naruto like this. The two of them would butt heads over the smallest things but never wavered in support for their endeavors. It felt like the true definition of brothers.

This was no longer a childhood friendship that had grown apart with age. Naruto and Sasuke were bonded together with blood, sweat, tears, and trauma. Their bond was not so easily broken. They've stood against each other before but would always come to an understanding and departed as friends.

This time, it was completely different.

"...I'll be seeing you, Naruto."

"...Likewise."

Hebi disappeared into the forest. Naruto waited for enough time to pass for Hebi to be far enough away before turning to the meditating clone. He knelt and tapped the forehead protector, releasing the transformation.

Sorry, Sasuke. I didn't mean to lie to you, but I need Killer B to be safe. The Akatsuki can't have him.

In that instantaneous movement, Naruto was able to hide Killer B in plain sight by transforming him into a clone. The whole idea was to make Sasuke believe that Naruto had planned the entire thing by leaving a clone behind.

Naruto thought of that on the fly.

Killer B was still unconscious, probably would be for some time. Now, all Naruto needed to do was wait for the man to wake up.

I guess I could read.

-Konoha-

Shikaku dreaded every meeting he had with their newly appointed Kage. Despite the pure efficiency of Danzō's 's policies and mandates, Shikaku believed to his core that Danzō's plan was for his own benefit and not Konoha's. Some would call him a conspiracy theorist or political activist for how he so strongly and openly disagreed with Danzō.

Sometimes, in the eyes of history, those who go against the norm of society were often those who had the most to fight for.

"Lord Hokage." Shikaku approached the desk. "This came for you via messenger hawk. By the looks of the markings, this is straight from the Raikage's desk."

Danzō broke the wax seal and read the scroll. It was unsettling to see Danzō smile. "The Raikage and Tsuchikage are calling a Five Kage Summit. Very good. They want to discuss the end of the war."

"Are you certain of that? Why would the Mizukage be included in this? Kirigakure has no stock in this."

"You forget, Commander Nara, that an island was blown to kingdom come because of our war, specifically by our own jinchūriki. I've been communicating with the Fifth Mizukage for some time about the reparations for that incident. I will be the one inviting her, whether they want her there or not." A pre-written letter was handed over to his assistant. "Get this sent to the Mizukage right away."

"Yes sir." The young, female chūnin hurried out.

"And it is lost on me that you are doing a messenger's job delivering this piece to me. Why is that, Jōnin Commander?"

"Something like that should not be handled by a genin." Shikaku quipped. "We're talking about the end of a near five-year bloodshed. This is our utmost priority."

"With that, I fully agree." Danzo placed the letter inside the locked drawer of his desk. "The meeting is set to be in four weeks in the Land of Iron, due to the country's neutrality. Mifune of the Samurai will be the chairman that oversees the meeting."

Shikaku hated when they agreed on things. "I've heard good things about him. He should be fair to all parties."

A ROOT operative entered without warning. He silently moved through the office and whispered into Danzō's ear, leaving just as quick and silent as he came. He left a scroll in his leader's hand.

This can't be good.

"Hm. Troubling." Danzō read the scroll silently. "Very troubling."

"What is it?" Shikaku questioned.

"We've just received word from Chōza Akimichi from the eastern front. It seems our jinchūriki fled with the enemy's jinchūriki." Danzō turned away from the shocked expression on Shikaku's face. "My hand has been forced."

"What the hell is going on?! What did Naruto do?!"

"He not only disobeyed my orders to engage and defeat the Eight-Tails jinchūriki, but he also fled with the members of the Akatsuki and the captive jinchūriki." Danzō sighed heavily. "On paper, it seems our beloved jinchūriki has betrayed us."

"Hold on! We can't jump to that conclusion! Naruto has never been one to do something without a good reason." Something wasn't adding up. Not with Naruto and certainly not with Danzō. "We should speak with Naruto first before anything is done."

"I agree. I have a platoon of ROOT operatives stationed in the area in the Land of Lightning. With the division's assistance, we should bring Naruto in and let him give his side of the story." Danzō turned back to Shikaku. "I'll send word at once."

Shikaku wasn't liking this at all. Something was wrong. He was too quick to turn on Naruto. It might be trap. I need to warn him.

-With Killer B-

The grogginess was what the man hated the most about hangovers. It hurt more than any headache he's ever had. Then, when the light burned his eyes, that pain would amplify. Everyone always made fun of him for the sunglasses, but they served a purpose.

"'Bout time you wake up."

An unfamiliar voice, and it wasn't the one that captured him.

"What da hell?" The man slowly pulled himself up to the warmth of a fire. "What's ya name, fools ya fool?"

"Not even gonna what happened?"

"I'm not in those bastards' clutches, I could care less what kind crutch you use."

Why is he talking like that. That doesn't even make sense. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I saved you from the Akatsuki."

Killer B took note of the setting sun. It's been a few hours. "Still lil sore...da ox sure is flopping."

"...Do you always talk in rhymes?" And they're not even good rhymes.

"Not rhymes. Rapping is my game!" Killer B would usually boast about his passion, but he felt this wasn't the time for that. "Say...you feel familiar in some way. I think, you and I, know each other...fools ya fool."

"...You feel that connection too." Naruto patted his chest. "They're connected, y'know."

Killer B felt his partner rumble. "Connect in ways only they say, I suppose...fools ya fool." The ox jailer shifted. "Why'd you rescue me? You put yourself in harm's way."

"We're all that's left. The other seven have been sealed away." Naruto hid his guilt and shame; he didn't need to burden Killer B with that. "We need to come together and defeat these guys."

Killer B wasn't surprised by the suggestion. "Solid idea, my man. There's just one problem. We're at war, full scale style. And my main dude isn't one for helping, for real."

"You're main dude?" These rhymes were going to get old quick.

"My older bro, he's the Raikage, yo."

"Oh."

"Besides, you an't strong enough. You need da full powa' of the Nine-Tailed Fox...fools ya fool."

"What do you mean by that? I have Kurama's cooperation, and he helps when I need him to."

"Ahhh. Now, that is certainly something is full of absurdity. You know his name, yet you don't own his claim? That just makes ya a fool's fool, fools ya fool." Killer B stopped, shaking his head in disappoint. "Nah, that one was whack." He scribbled something down in a notebook.

"What are you talking about? What do I need from Kurama?"

"You gotta master the Tailed Beast's power, yo! Take control and make it your own, bro!" Killer proudly proclaimed. "Like me and Eight Tails, we flow like honey and butter, overflow with woe!"

A twinge passed through Naruto's head. The horrible rhymes were giving him a headache. "So, how do I go about getting Kurama's power? Like do steal it from him?"

"Nah, fool. You battle the beast within you, proving your worth in the rattle of the cage."

"I've got to fight Kurama?" Naruto questioned. "But we're on good terms. Don't you think he'd just let me use his power?"

"Oh yeah! Friend or foe, it's all for one! Do not you misunderstand, my friend. You are taking the beast's power, their life essence! You and your beast become one, together forever!"

"Wait a minute! I'm gonna take his life essence?! Taking his power will kill Kurama?!"

"No no, fool! Listen with your ears, not your rears. Taking a Bijū's life essence is nothing more than taking on their powers into your own. A Bijū's cannot be undone without shame. Becoming in the same. Shinobi and Bijū, in holy matrimony!" Killer B cringed himself. "No no. You an't marrying the damn thing."

"Just tell me straight. No rhymes."

The annoyance was clear on Killer B's face, even through his black sunglasses. "First, you learn the truth about yourself. Only the pure of heart can pass through the waterfall. Then, you enter the forbidden chamber and enter the belly of the beast. That's where your battle will be." The man pointed at his own beating heart. "It won't be a matter of power, but will and heart. That beast within you has all the power, but do you have the heart and will to wield it?"

The Eight Tails jinchūriki suddenly shot to full height, a towering six foot and three inches.

"When you find your heart, you come to me. I will show you the way."

Killer B collected his things, gearing himself for a journey.

"You're leaving?"

"Long travel ahead. Need to get a head start before my bro comes to find me." Killer B sighed in relief. "I want to enjoy some freedom before he forces me back into that hidden prison."

Naruto leapt up and got in front of Killer B. "Wait a minute! How will I know I'm ready? How will I find you?"

"If you don't know now, you'll know when you're ready."

Killer B moved around the smaller jōnin and gave a lazy wave as he disappeared from the light of the fire, leaving with more questions than answers.

Naruto, confused and frustrated, sat back by the fire. There were many things that had happened for the last few days, weeks, and months. He felt he was stuck in an avalanche, an unrelenting force of nature that wiped away everything in its path.

If I'm taking the life essence of him...how is that not the same as killing him? And how will I know I'm ready? God, I hate cryptic shit. I just want a straight answer.

The avalanche had only just begun.

-Eastern Front F.O.B-

"Commander Maito Gai, Captain Chōza Akimichi."

A group of hooded, masked operatives approached the command circle within the large meeting tent in the center of the base. The man in question turned to the newcomers.

"Discussing the next phase of battle?"

"I'm sorry, but who are you?" Gai questioned. "This is a leader's only meeting. You'll have to wait outside until we're finished."

"This pertains to the war, commander." The leader approached the table. He tossed a scroll across the table, unraveling as it bounced over the map of the terrain. "This is an order for cease fire from Lord Danzō's desk. For the time being, the war is at a standstill. You need to withdraw all shinobi and have them return to this station immediately. World leaders are meeting for a summit to discuss the end of this dreadful war."

There was a moment of silence before loud cheers echoed as all leadership sprinted out of the tent to spread the word. None took a moment to see what else was written in the order. All that mattered was the end of the war.

Gai and Chōza were the only ones that remained.

"Commander Gai, where is Naruto Uzumaki?"

"I am not entirely sure. He had his own mission from the Hokage. He left a few days ago. What do you need from him? I'll pass along the message when he returns."

"Negative, commander." The leader stated immediately. "We have an order to apprehend Uzumaki and return him to the village for questioning."

"So, you did get my message?" Chōza smirked. "Good. It's about time that brat gets what's coming to him."

"What message? I didn't authorize any message. What is going on here?" Gai needed to start asking questions. There was a doubt in the back in his mind about this. "Who are you exactly?"

The leader pulled his hood back and removed his mask, revealing the orange hair. "My name is Fuu, and I am Lord Danzō's right-hand man for ROOT. I only reveal myself because our organization is no longer in hiding. We are the new police force for Konoha. And our first assignment is to bring the traitor Naruto Uzumaki to justice!"

"Naruto a traitor?!" Gai glared at his counterpart. "What did you tell them?!"

"That Naruto is a traitor! You saw what happened out there, Gai!" Chōza shouted. "He fled the scene with the jinchūriki he was supposed to taken down and with that traitorous Uchiha that is now aligned with the Akatsuki! What else is there to say?!"

"We let Naruto tell his side of the story!" Gai defended, yelling directly into Chōza face. "Naruto has done nothing but good for Konoha! You go out and ask many of those shinobi out there and they will tell you just that!" The Noble Green Beast turned back to the ROOT operative. "You will not be taking Naruto anywhere until this whole mess is sorted out!"

"You have no authority, commander." Fuu, with blinding speed, tapped Gai on the forehead. Gai collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"What did you do to him?!" Chōza shouted, kneeling down to check his friend.

"Relax, captain. I used a simple technique to disorientate his mind. I would not kill a fellow Konoha shinobi. He'll wake up in a few hours." He placed his mask back over his young face. He faced his squad. "As far as we know, Uzumaki is still in the area. Find out his location. Lord Danzō wants him imprisoned in the detention center to be questioned before he leaves for the summit. He does not want any loose ends."

The squad vanished quickly, returning to their respective platoons to instruct them further. Fuu turned back to Chōza.

"The Hokage expresses his thanks to you, Captain Chōza, for alerting us of this treachery."

"Just get the son of a bitch." Chōza would forever be disgusted by that kid. "He's an abomination that needs to be kept away. I've hated him ever since that horrible day. I hope he rots for all the pain he's caused."

Fuu was consistently impartial when it came to his missions. He did not care about anything other than completing his given task, ROOT taught him to bury his emotions and mask them without detection. But, this one time, he was compelled to a question.

Fuu just had to know.

"Why do you hate Naruto Uzumaki so much? What has he done to you?"

"It's because of him that all of this has happened! The war, the attacks on the village, all of it! Every single incident in the past sixteen years can be traced back to him one way or another! If he goes, people will finally stop dying! There will be peace!"

Fuu, intrigued by be the justification, had one simple question. "And if they don't? If war continues and death still comes, how will you feel then?"

Chōza, astounded by the question, had nothing to say. Blinded by rage and hate were only good on the surface. The moment those feelings were question; the veil could be lifted with a gust of wind.

"Captain Fuu! Uzumaki has entered the base! We have him surrounded!"

-With Naruto-

"What the hell is going on?"

Upon his return to the eastern front's F.O.B, Naruto was quickly enclosed by all the ROOT operatives. To no surprise, not one of the many operatives said anything. It wasn't until their commanding officer entered the fray.

"Naruto Uzumaki, it's a pleasure to meet you." Fuu approached him. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Captain Fuu Yamanaka."

There was a small part of Naruto's brain that twisted. Two people with the same name wasn't uncommon, but not that name.

No one else was allowed to have that name.

"What's going on here? Why are you guys surrounding me like this?"

"Well, for starters, why don't you tell me what happened with the Eight-Tails jinchūriki? From my understanding, it was your mission to eliminate that individual."

"...And how do you know I didn't?" Something was wrong. Very wrong.

Fuu uncharacteristically chuckled. "Do you take us for fools, Uzumaki? We have studied your habits, your mannerisms, your battle tactics, everything about you for years. Your personal file is the second most detailed in our collection. You let the jinchūriki and the rouge Sasuke Uchiha go. If you didn't, they would be here."

The man drew is dual bladed, blunt end tanto, causing the other operatives to draw their blades and restraints. "By the order of the Sixth Hokage, you are under arrest for traitorous acts against Konoha and her people. Once you have been placed under arrest, you will be escorted back to Konoha and be charged with treason and desertion."

Naruto instantly realized what was happening. This was a set up. This whole mission was meant for him to be labeled as a traitor. For whatever reason, Danzō was using Naruto as a scapegoat.

Gotta get out of here. Now.

"Comply, Uzumaki. It will be much easier."

Rather than comply, Naruto smirked. "Sorry. I was never one to follow rules very well."

Nine clones appeared out of thin air, no warning or hand sign. At first, all eyes remained on the original. But, as the operatives closed in, all the dodging and misdirection caused the original to be lost within the group.

Yet, ROOT knew that Naruto could use clones to complete confuse them. This counter was created to box him in.

Four operatives leapt back, positioning themselves into a large square formation.

"Doton: Tsuchi Kairō!" (Earth Style: Earth Corridor)

With their combined technique, a massive cavern rose from ground that trapped Naruto within. ROOT operatives leapt to the small opening and looked down below. Moments later, Naruto was trapped in the cavern with dozens of ROOT operatives.

"Take it easy, Uzumaki. We are not here to harm you. None of this is personal."

Thirteen in here with. More than twenty outside waiting. And I have no doubt there will be others in the forest.

"Really? Kinda feels personal."

Two chains launched from either side of him. A lame attempt yet planned perfectly. Naruto leapt over the chains, only for two operatives to dive into him. Each slapped him with restraint tags, completely immobilizing him.

Through the electricity stunning his body, Naruto was able to force a smirk.

Boom.

On que, the clone exploded. It was not a powerful detonation; it was meant to disorientate and confuse. That moment of daze gave Naruto a chance to escape up to the exit.

Dodge left and jump down.

Chōza barreled out of the tent, shouting orders at nearby shinobi to assist ROOT in capturing him. That was no surprise, Chōza had always hated him. But curiously, Chōji and Lee were not following those orders. They seemed hesitant. It was good to have friends that didn't believe the narrative.

Reverse Summon to Grandpa Sage? That's my quickest escape.

That was quickly let go. There was no telling what kind of abilities these ROOT operatives had. And this was all coming from Danzō, he couldn't risk the toads like that.

Disappear into the forest. Leave no trace or trail to follow. Become a ghost.

Naruto dodged left and rolled right, leaping over ROOT and Konoha shinobi alike. He was being painted as the bad guy, but he would not act like one. Naruto was refusing to fight back, opting to be strictly on the defensive.

Naruto would not harm another Konoha shinobi like this. Not for this.

Naruto ran like hell. He knew if he was caught, there was no escape. Danzō would lock him away and throw away the key. Everything that Itachi and Konan told him were true. Shikaku's distrust was spot on.

Enough of this.

"Fūton: Daitoppa!" (Wind Style: Great Breakthrough)

The strength of the wind that Naruto released from his mouth was unparalleled, forcing all shinobi around him to be shoved back by sheer unbridled power.

Three clones quickly appeared around him, forming a triangle formation.

"You leave now, and you'll be marked as a traitor, never to be given the grace to explain yourself." Fuu extended his hand out. "Come with us now and there will be no consequence for this."

No words. No emotion. There was nothing to say. He was a traitor now, in the eyes of the world.

Naruto vanished without a trace, gone with the wind.

Fuu watched as the tension quickly dropped from his operatives' eyes, moving through the widespread confusion of the Konoha shinobi. They were not sure what was happening, the hesitation proved that.

"Fellow Konoha shinobi, lend me your ears for a moment!"

As the ROOT Captain motioned for the brigade join around him, the other operatives stood watchful.

"Now, I understand you might have some questions and concerns about what just transpired. Let me assure you that this was at the order of the Sixth Hokage, Danzō Shimura."

There was in more confusion. Danzō was elected as the Sixth? Most were blissfully unaware.

"Lord Danzō was certified as the next Hokage just recently, thanks to a strong vote of confidence from the Fire Daimyo. And it was his first offical act as Hokage to promote Naruto Uzumaki to a Jōnin as a reward because of his actions and heroics on the western front. Because Jōnin Uzumaki, Gateway Task Force was halfway to Iwagakure. And if it wasn't for the Akatsuki's attack on the village, I have no doubt in my mind that Iwa would be under our control."

"Then what the hell was he doing out here?" A shinobi called out.

"This doesn't make any sense! Why would Naruto betray us?!" Another questioned.

"Lord Danzō gave Uzumaki a special assignment to track down and eliminate Kumo's remaining jinchūriki, much like was assigned to do with Iwa's jinchūriki Rōshi. But the remnants of the Akatsuki beat him to it. And, as many of you saw, Jōnin Uzumaki vanished from the battlefield with the Akatsuki and the jinchūriki. Now, both are unaccounted for."

Fuu needed to really spin the next part. This was his true mission. Spark unrest and plant seeds of doubt.

"Lord Danzō received word about this and wanted answers, as a good leader would. That is why my platoon and I are here. Not only to bring news of the ceasefire but to escort Uzumaki back to Konoha for questioning. He was no sort of trouble or risk of being in trouble. Lord Danzō just wanted to know what happened is all."

Fuu held the scroll up, showing the evidence of his mission.

"You can read my orders yourselves. Jōnin Uzumaki immediately became defensive and made a run for it, indicating he is not innocent. That's why my team reacted like they did, it was direct to threat.. As you all saw, I gave him one final chance before he disappeared. He did not take it."

Fuu would yell this at the top of his lungs.

"With authority of Lord Sixth, Naruto Uzumaki is now considered a traitor and deserter of Konohagakure! You will engage with hostile intent, kill or capture!"

-With Naruto-

The instantaneous movement was something he never thought he would have to get used to. That sudden shift feeling was odd, to say the least. Being in one place while instantly being in another place was as expected. Not normal.

Whatever dad and Lord Second did to ever figure out this technique is mind boggling. I'm glad I never have that much free time on my hands.

Naruto sat there, letting the vertigo pass.

"...Never thought I'd add traitor to my resume."

"This clearly was planned out. You realize that don't you?"

"I had that feeling, yeah. Everything was too...convenient."

"Danzō has been a crafty one for decades. He's most likely been studying you for months, learning how you operate. He knew you wouldn't take down the Eight Tails. He knew your next move before you did."

Naruto untied his headband and held it, rubbing his thumb over the symbol of his village. This just felt wrong. He was no traitor. He had spent his life protecting Konoha, no matter what the rest of the village thought of him.

That was always a strong sense of pride for Naruto. No matter what people thought of him, he would still protect them. He never understood why, he used to question it a lot when he was younger. But there was never a question as to loyalty. Turning against Konoha was never an idea.

"It only makes you wonder what that Warhawk is planning. You were clearly enough of a deterrent that he needed to remove you from the equation."

Pocketing his headband, Naruto felt stable enough to stand again. "It does make you wonder, doesn't it?" Naruto lad his map out in the grass, planning his route. "Right now, my list is short on people to trust. Most are in Konoha, I can't even think about going home right now."

"Us against the world? Seems fair to me."

Naruto folded the map and put it back in his pouch. "The war is over, so all the divisions are being recalled home. With any luck, the one person I know I can trust should already be back." He dug his cloak out of his bag to help conceal is identity. "I need to get there as fast as I can."

Naruto Uzumaki, the rouge shinobi, headed towards Sunagakure.

-With Hebi-

"You're recovering nicely. Even after Orochimaru's death, that Curse Mark is still working wonders for you." Madara found the battered team in their dwelling, struggling to make it back. "Which begs the question, why didn't you use that power to help defeat the Eight Tails?"

"Orochimaru is my former mentor I used to gain power. Now that he's dead, I wanted to figure out my limitations without the use of the mark. So, when I use that power, it only increases my battle strength and not hinder." Sasuke

The shakiness and vision blurriness returned as he tried to grab the glass of water on the box next to him, knocking over the glass and shattering it. This was beginning to happen more and more.

"Everything alright, Sasuke?" Karin questioned.

Sasuke rubbed his eyes, freeing them of the disorientation. "I'm fine."

Madara firmly grabbed Sasuke's chin, glaring into his eyes. Sasuke quickly pulled his face away.

"What gives?!" Karin shouted defensively.

"Interesting. The deterioration has already started."

"Deterioration?" Sasuke questioned. "What are you talking about?"

"The Mangekyō Sharingan is the pinnacle of ocular jutsu, it far overpowers the base Sharingan and other ocular jutsu like the Byakugan. Throughout the entire history of the Uchiha clan, there are only a select few that have ever advanced the Sharingan this far. Even fewer to understand the burden that this power carries."

Madara's eye morphed into his awakened Sharingan, emphasizing his words. "As you've noticed, your body has been very weak. Your vision blurred. And your chakra reservoirs have not completely refilled yet. These are all drawbacks of the Mangekyō."

Sasuke used the box to steady his balance. It was not hard for him to connect the dots with what Madara was telling him. "So, continued use of my Mangekyō will make these symptoms worse then, I take it?"

"Yes. Normal circumstances, you'd get a few years of usage before the drawbacks fully kick in. Itachi's blindness wasn't affecting him until a few months before his death. His medicine helped prolong the side effects of the Mangekyō .It seems with you, however, that is not the case."

Sasuke pulled his cloak over his shoulders. "What do you mean? Why am I any different than Itachi? We have the same parents."

"You've only recently awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and are already showing strong signs of vision detrition, which is usually the first thing to go. My assumption is because of all the enhancement drugs that Orochimaru gave you greatly changed your body chemistry, meaning how your body is responding to the strain of the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Sasuke never questioned what Orochimaru was doing, mostly because he didn't fully care. He assumed it was all for the idea of taking over his body. That scenario was never going to happen: he just allowed Orochimaru to think it would.

He needs Itachi's eye far quicker than I could have anticipated. I was hoping to get a bit more use out of him before I finally held up my end of the deal.

"What's the cure for this? How do I stop this detrition from happening?" Sasuke wasn't in the mood for this. He needed to get passed this hurdle continue his quest for revenge.

"The Eternal Mangekyō is the cure. Once you take on Itachi's eyes, you'll all the power of the Mangekyō without drawbacks. You will also be granted Itachi's abilities with the Mangekyō as well."

"Then are you going to hold up your end of the deal?"

"You didn't. You blundered, Sasuke."

"I had the Eight-Tails defeated."

"Yet, there is no jinchūriki. You did not do as you were asked, Sasuke. Looks like you'll have to earn that power another way."

Lightning sparked in his hand, chirping like hoard of roaring birds. "I am not your errand boy, Madara! I am not Itachi! Give me what we agreed upon!"

A sigh of disappointment escaped the man's throat. "It seems you have forgotten the gap between us, Sasuke. Attacking me now does nothing to further anything. Your best plan is to follow through on the agreement."

The lightning arched then began to dissipate. The strength he momentarily felt faded quickly. He was still not at full strength and probably would not be for a while.

"...What do I have to do now?"

"This is to your benefit, Sasuke. The five Kage will be meeting for a summit in the Land of Iron a few weeks from now. I want you to go there and confront Danzō."

Perplexed, Sasuke moved to sit back down the nearby table. "Why in the world would I make my move on Danzō there? The other four Kage will obviously get in my way."

"This will be your best chance to get Danzō alone without the support of Konoha's full army. You will have to probably take down some bodyguards but you'll have a clean shot at the Hokage." Madara sat on the other side of the conference table. "Tell me Sasuke, how do you plan on taking down the other elders that backed your brother into a corner? Storm the village and execute them in the street? How do you expect the shinobi of Konoha to react to that? You've been listed as a traitor."

"I have no quarrel with Konoha. Konoha, itself, did not kill the Uchiha clan. Konoha did not force my brother into choosing between his clan and the longevity of the village. Those elders forced my brother into that position and forced him to make an impossible decision. I know that it would be impossible to do without Konoha involving itself in my business. I don't want to deal with Konoha..." Sasuke's eyes were behind his hands, the Mangekyō shining through his fingers. "...but they, too, will feel this hatred of mine."

Madara could feel the power from Sasuke's Mangekyō. Despite the strong drawbacks of the awakening, Sasuke's will and hatred for those who destroyed the Uchiha clan have fueled his power into new heights. In all of recorded Uchiha history, there was never a clan member that could utilize power like this at whim.

Sasuke was the perfect successor.

Unprecedented. Sasuke Uchiha...you are probably the only Uchiha that could ever come close to my power. With you leading, the Uchiha will rise again.

The ground next to Madara contorted, revealing a green Venus-fly trap head. "Madara..."

"We come bearing newwwwssssss!"

"I am aware of the Kage Summit. Sasuke and I were just discussing it."

"No." Black Zetsu answered. "The Nine-Tails jinchūriki. There is a new development."

"Danzō has designated him as a traitor." White Zetsu added. "He has excommunicated their biggest asset."

"Naruto betrayed Konoha?" Saying that was completely wrong. Sasuke knew Naruto would never do something like that.

"Unlikely. Danzō has an angle; he does nothing without a reason."

Madara could only wonder the Warhawk's plan. There was not a logical reason for forcing a jinchūriki out. Danzō knew of the Akatsuki's plan, he wanted no part of it years ago. He wanted the Nine-Tails for himself.

Perhaps Danzō is finally making his move to gain control over the Nine-Tails. Maybe I will pay the Warhawk a visit.

-Sunagakure-

The night was cool, a rare occasion in the desert. Even with the deep drop in temperature, it was still considered 'hot' by visitors, but those who are used to the heat know these are the best nights.

Gaara felt a full relief for the first time in months. Being away from his village was never easy, but, after leading shinobi into battle he has come to appreciate the moments in his quiet office. Both his siblings took turns filling in for him in his deployments, yet the same work somehow remained.

"Now, why would Temari approve these policies for travel between Konoha and Suna? These are huge expenses with very little gain."

There was a slight shift. The same shift he's felt for hours now. He remained seated, seemingly unaware of the intrusion. He would surprise the surprise.

A cloaked shinobi silently leapt through the open window and slowly slid the glass shut. His target remained seated at his desk, blissfully unaware of his presence.

A quick strike of sand pinned the intruder's foot to the ground. Of course, the entire building was made of sand. The Kazekage had full control of each particle.

The seated Kazekage dissolved, telling the intruder that he had been tracked this whole time. The real Kazekage rose from the sand on other side of the room, ready to end the intruder's life.

"Remove your hood or be buried underneath 100 tons of sand."

The intruder rose his hand in peace, unveiling his face.

"Naruto? What in the world are you doing here?" Gaara quickly stopped the control over his sand. "I could have killed you."

"Danzō betrayed me, Gaara." Naruto stated quickly, deescalating the situation. He didn't have a lot of time. He didn't want to be discovered by a nearby sensory unit. It wouldn't be long. "I need your help to get a message to Shikaku Nara in Konoha."

Shocked, Gaara met his friend face to face. "Danzō betrayed you?! What's going on?!"

"I don't know, but I need your help." Naruto watched out the window for a moment before moving to lock the door. "Please, Gaara. You're the only one I can turn to right now."

"Tell me what has happened, Naruto." The Kazekage sternly demanded. "I will alert my guards that you somehow have slipped by. This isn't a game. Throwing out accusations like that aren't to be taken lightly."

"Gaara, I really don't know. Danzō gave me a mission to hunt down the Eight-Tails. I found Killer B but…the Akatsuki and Sasuke got to him first. I was able to save him, but I let Killer B go. Danzō used that to frame me as a traitor."

There was too much to unpack. "A traitor? What is Sasuke Uchiha doing with the Akatsuki? You need to give me more information!"

"Just get Shikaku here and I'll explain everything to the both of you." Naruto knew that his presence was detected the moment he stepped into the office. "Please Gaara, I need your help."

"Lord Kazekage, is everything all right? There's been an alert in your office." The doorknob jingled. "Sir! Is everything okay?!" The voice was Kaito's, Naruto recognized it.

Naruto took one last look at Gaara, pleading for help in his eyes. Three clones appeared around him in a triangle formation. There was the slightest nod from the Kazekage, telling him he would follow through on what was asked of him.

"I'll meet you in the southwestern region. There is an old outpost there, it's been abandoned for decades."

A nod full of trust. "Please don't tell, Sakura."

The door exploded open as the tri-formation vanished without a trace.

"Sir, what is going on?!" Kaito busted in, scanning the room. "Our sensor's indicted that there was another person in here."

"...No, Kaito. It was a false alarm." Gaara moved back to his seat, picking up where he left off. "Good response time."

The head of security glanced around the room once more, making sure he didn't miss anything. He was suspicious of this 'false alarm' but his leader had just returned from the front lines just recently. There were expected bumps in the road while transitioning back to normal life inside the village.

"...Thank you, sir. I'll return to my post." Kaito turned to leave. "It's good to have you back, sir. At least, for now."

"Have a good evening, Kaito. It's good to be back. I hope now this war will come to close and everyone gets to come home."

Alone in his office once again, Gaara looked out over his village. Small lights throughout were dwarfed by the billions stars above, guiding those through the desert. Even now, Gaara could feel Naruto's presence. He could feel all those in the desert, wandering the sandy plains.

You better have a good reason, Naruto. You've never given me a reason not to trust you, neither has Danzō. I hope there is a good explanation all of this.

A hawk came flying to the closed window, tapping its beak to the glass. Gaara slid the window open and untied the scroll. It was from Konoha, specifically Danzō.

Convenient. Looks like this is playing out in your favor, Naruto. Or, if what you say is true, Danzō is a step ahead of you. Shikaku will be here in two days time to discuss the Kage Summit. I'm certain that man has already come up with a plan for what's coming.

Things were taking shape. Decade long plans were coming to fruition. War coming to an end.

The world was changing. Shifting into place.

Yet, the times would get worse long before it would get better.