*looking like it's gonna be NarutoxMei Terumi*
Summary: When Itachi reported to the Sandaime after the Uchiha massacre, Hiruzen had one request for the Uchiha. "Please take Naruto with you." Itachi was loyal. What could go wrong?
Link: https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13933661/1/
Word count:84k
Chapters:8
Chapter 1: Alive
Naruto's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit passages of the underground tunnel housing Orochimaru. Kabuto walked beside him, silent as a slithering reptile. After digging deep into the hideout, they came across cages. Deformed humans. Locked like caged birds. Forever lost into creatures of Orochimaru's design.
It was sickening. Orochimaru was sickening. He had no moral compass. He tore apart families. Took children from their mothers and turned them into animals of his liking. All to satisfy his quest for immortality and the need to know. To consider this creature as a human was making a mockery to civil people who cherished life and respected the lives of others. Innocent people. Corrupt scums. The Sannin no difference. All humans were meat bags for him to poke with his needles.
"I can feel your contempt." Kabuto said in a quiet tone, dripping with a hint of amusement.
Naruto glanced at the man through the corner of his eyes. The Crimson eyes burning within the darkness of the passages.
"Why did Orochimaru invite me?"
He'd been minding his business. Going about his life as usual when Kabuto appeared before him. A smile and well wishes from the Snake Sannin. It was on a whim that he accepted. Suspicious, yes. He already knew Sasuke danced with the snake. Having abandoned Konoha in a quest for power. A pity, the quest would never gain its fruits.
"He wished to speak with you. But never informed me of his intentions." Kabuto shrugged. "Doesn't it demand more chakra since you always keep your Mangekyo activated?"
"I have chakra." He quickly downgraded. He didn't want a certain Uchiha seeing those eyes.
"I would offer to lessen the burden by providing you with Hashirama cells. I'm sure Orochimaru-sama would be interested in how things react with your Uzumaki genes."
Him strap in Orochimaru's bed and allow the venomous reptile to dip its fangs into his skin? Hell would freeze. And someone would have to come with water capable of extinguishing the flames of Amaterasu before he forced himself into such a position. He was not to be defiled.
Naruto didn't even offer Kabuto a response. "Has Danzo been in good health?"
"Yes. Way too healthy. His has been rather busy."
"Snakes that get their thrills in the darkness will always be busy hunting in such times."
There was no stability with the Great Nations. There were no signs of another war. But the scales were sliding toward a blood festival. Someone like Danzo who craved such madness would find peace there and an extra gear to weave his magical wand. Doing things that nobody could do. All for the glory of the Hidden Leaf. Truly, a mad man. A relic that should have ceased to exist in the past wars.
"I wouldn't even be surprised if he fanned the flames himself." Naruto added in a flat tone.
"Still intent on killing him?"
"Without question." He glanced at Kabuto for a second and then added. "Maybe I'll come to this place afterward and burn it to the ground. I'm sure the Sound Lord will give me this piece of land is thank you afterwards."
Kabuto laughed. "Orochimaru-sama has a good relationship with the Sound Lord."
"A pity. He must be a twisted kind of person then."
"It is not about being twisted. He gets what he wants and Orochimaru-sama gets what he wants."
A lesson he had learned all too well. People sometimes didn't care who they worked with. Even in his side jobs, there were people who pretended to be Saints, but worked with morally questionable people.
When agendas collided, nothing mattered.
"Well, that is how things are in this treacherous world. Peace does seem to dilute me at times," Naruto said with a small smile on his lips.
"What is this peace you're talking about?" Kabuto asked. "Your life is hardly peaceful."
"A matter of perception."
They came into what appeared to be a hall. It was brightly lit. Orochimaru sat on what appeared to be the head of a snake. It suited him. To make it picture perfect, he could have transformed into a snake. Maybe that would make it for an imposing image. You'd think you were talking to a deity than a pitiful human who refused to accept the mortality of all. If you told Orochimaru there was one thing certain in life, and that was death, you'd have him roll everything looking for answers to the question of immortality.
Naruto stopped at a good distance, folded his hands across his chest. And then glanced at the woman staring at him like a hawk. A devoted soldier. But she was piling it on a bucket of crap that did not deserve such loyalties.
"I'm normally respectful toward those in power and my elders, but Orochimaru, you do not deserve my respect. You're a scum that should be thrown deep into the bottom of the sea."
Of course, they would have to seal off his chakra, cut off both hands and then, strap him with something heavy, to ensure he didn't end up floating.
Orochimaru laughed, finding it amusing. "You would not be the only one who has bad wishes for me, Naruto-kun."
"Unsurprisingly." Naruto said. "What do you want from me? I would rather not spend too much time in your presence, lest I lose everything I ate earlier."
"Be careful. You dare not speak to Orochimaru-sama in that way!" Guren stared at him, looking as if she was ready to discipline him.
Naruto looked at the woman with a raised eye brow. "You must be number three. The Crystal user. I have heard much about your strengths. But it is not an honor to meet you."
Guren felt offended. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Naruto stared for a moment. He wondered if he should indulge her. A sadistic woman who'd follow all of Orochimaru's demands. Maybe she even pleasured him at night. Did Orochimaru even have a body like that? He shook his head and then focused on the Sannin.
"I'd thought we'd talk a bit before getting into business. I haven't seen you in a long time."
"I remember you were running with your tail tucked behind your legs. I still find some amusement in that memory."
A humiliation Orochimaru would rather not talk about in front of his subordinates. Kabuto was there. He had seen everything. But they didn't speak much about it. After all, Orochimaru had fled and left the man behind. He had found his way back home. With an infuriating message from Naruto.
He had underestimated the Sharingan and Naruto's use of it. The young child at the time had used it like Uchiha and had arrogantly mocked him. To flee from a child had hurt his pride. But he could forget about it. He had Sasuke now. The good thing was that in that moment he affirmed his need to acquire the Sharingan no matter the cost.
"Orochimaru-sama!" Guren shouted at her master. "I cannot allow him to talk to you like that."
"What are you going to do?" Orochimaru asked with a laugh. He had no care if Guren got hurt. But he didn't think Naruto wouldn't go overboard while here. He was a guest and Orochimaru could always step in if he needed.
Naruto glanced at Guren.
Guren fell to her knees, clutching her head with eyes wide. Naruto turned back to Orochimaru.
"Konoha has your picture. So they now know you're alive." The Sannin spoke as if nothing happened.
It wasn't like he could hide forever. That was only possible through death. But that it was coming from the lips of Orochimaru bugged him. Naruto was adept to keeping a cold trail. How Konoha got a picture of him puzzled him. The explanation was this twisted person in front if him. For what reason, Naruto didn't have the desire to know. It was likely only going to make his mood sour.
And he'd gone all the way to redhead.
"You got it for them?"
"Yes. But the one they have is rather special. You're closely guarded and rarely show the Sharingan. I figure it is to hide the Konoha connection."
"Why would you do something like that?"
"I wanted to see how my sensei would react to it. Jiraiya has been running around for any leads looking for you. I'd heard sensei considered it a failure on his part," Orochimaru explained with a grin.
"That means they'll be actively looking for me. You want Konoha to see what they should not see. I dislike having to dance for someone's tune, Orochimaru. You should cease and desist from making such unpleasant moves." Naruto replied in a flat tone, eyes narrowed dangerously.
Orochimaru laughed. "Or what, Naruto-kun? What are you going to do about it?"
The Sharingan blazed for a second before Naruto calmed himself. Last time around, he got the jump because the Sannin had been overconfident and underestimated him. Surely, the same trick would not work twice.
"I didn't come here to fight. And I will avoid that much if it can be helped. But if you continue to behave in such a manner, I will come back for a fight."
He didn't need the pressure of having Konoha hunt him down. Surely, the Sandaime was taking all measures he could imagine. At this rate, he may have to see the old man. But since he was going to Konoha anyway, it was best to make that effort and lay out things to the Hokage. He had no interest in Konoha and didn't want to be fighting their shinobi each time they came across him.
It would be a bother. A nuisance to his peaceful life. At least now that he had yet to take action. But even if it was for a day, Naruto wanted to enjoy this freedom.
He sighed. "It's really going to be a bother."
"Not as much as when Konoha finds out about your little secret."
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "I won't ask how you know. But if you wish to continue living out your numbered days, you won't say anything to Konoha."
If they knew, it would just make things a little trickier. No question their very best would exercise their best efforts to attempt to capture him. And maybe try to re-educate him. Great Nations did have some notion that they were the rulers of the shinobi world and all lived according to their standards.
Konoha would be better served hunting the likes of Orochimaru than looking for him. But that just symbolized the warped priorities the village had. It lost nothing in the Sannin's rampages. But maybe gained something. With him, there was much sentiments involved. The fear of the Kyubi and the need to work out their guilt over their failures to protect the only thing Minato left behind when he decided to die for the Leaf.
"Kukukukuku… I didn't know my days were numbered, Naruto-kun."
"We are all just mortals. We will eventually die. Unless of course you make it to the realm of immortality. But if you can still die by the sword, then you're not really immortal."
Orochimaru was well aware of this much. His jutsu may allow him to avoid aging to death, but he could still be killed. Perhaps it was true to say he didn't have the real immortality. He nonetheless had the time to make research and make it possible to attain that which even the Legendary Sage of Six Paths could not achieve.
Orochimaru quickly changed the subject, not wanting to think deeply about his mortality. "What do you say? Konoha will be after you. And other villages might do so. You've been safe so far because Konoha has been secretive. Even I didn't know you were the Kyubi's Jinchuriki. Who'd permit the Jinchuriki of the Kyubi to roam free? Join me, Naruto-kun."
Naruto laughed in response. "So this is how you operate. You create an environment where I can't function and then offer yourself as the savior. It is no wonder your people are loyal. It is because outside of you, they have nothing else."
"You won't join me then…" Orochimaru still smiled. "A pity. I thought Sasuke-kun would get a training partner who is proficient in using the Sharingan."
Itachi's beloved younger brother. Admittedly, that was part of the reason he accepted the invitation. But he wasn't going to turn things upside down looking for the damn Uchiha. There was still time. He would see the Uchiha another day.
"I don't have a particular interest in the Uchiha." He lied with an indifferent shrug. "If that is all, I shall depart." Naruto said and then turned away from the Sannin.
The second he did so, his eyes connected with those of Sasuke. The young Uchiha had a stern look on his face. Almost as if he'd heard what he just said and took offence in it.
So this was Itachi's brother. It was the first time he was seeing the Uchiha. No doubt, Itachi would still love his brother even though joined a traitor to Konoha. Brotherly love. How envious Naruto was. In fact, he wanted to step on the Uchiha's throat for this reason alone. But he held him self. To be mocked by an incompetent person as Orochimaru would be humiliating.
"You must be Sasuke Uchiha. Nice to meet you. I'm sure we will meet again soon enough," Naruto said, before shifting his eyes toward Orochimaru. "Have you trained him well?"
"You can spar with him and see for yourself. I do want to see which one of you is stronger."
A comparison between him and the child in front him? What did Orochimaru think of him? Did he forget that he also faced humiliation and had to cowardly retreat in the name of a tactical move? Did he think because Sasuke also had a Sharingan there would be a balance?
"That is laughable." He said turning his eyes to the Uchiha.
"You're not Uchiha. Where did you get those eyes?"
"Who knows? Maybe from your father?" he paused. "Or maybe from Itachi. Where ever, it does not concern you, Sasuke."
"Are you mocking my family?"
Naruto scoffed. "You asked a question, I answered. It is not my problem that the proud Uchiha clan was killed off by one person. And to think their only survivor would end up turning out to sell his body to Orochimaru."
Sasuke's fully matured Sharingan flashed to life before blurred out of sight. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Naruto, his sword pointing at the redhead's throat.
"You should be thankful that you wield the power of my clan than talk that way."
Naruto stared straight at Sasuke's eyes. Was he supposed to be impressed or scared off by the Uchiha's speed? Naruto lifted his right hand, his index finger pushed the blade away from his throat.
"Maybe I'll indulge you a little," he said.
Sasuke's eyes worked over time when Naruto suddenly disappeared from his view. The speed was so fast, even his Sharingan couldn't keep up in time for his body to react. Naruto flashed behind him, his gloved right hand flashing toward the back of his neck. He willed his body to move away, the redhead only missing him by a whisker.
Sasuke then twisted around, his left foot raised high. It swiftly cut the air, heading straight to Naruto's right shoulder. Naruto only raised his right hand, seeing the incoming attack. The kick hit his wrist but he did not budge.
"Weak," he muttered with contempt. "Itachi could do better."
Lightning burst through Sasuke's sword in a backward stab, attempted to stab him through his gut. But Naruto saw it coming and leapt back. The second he landed, the Lightning extended in a flash, nearly piercing through his throat. But he shifted his head just enough to avoid the blow.
"Oh?" He smiled. "That is some impressive manipulation of the lightning element. I'm impressed."
Sasuke felt like he was being mocked. But he smirked. "Bold words from someone who is just running away from me."
Naruto turned toward Orochimaru with a disappointed look on his face. "Orochimaru, you've taught him your arrogance…"
Sasuke took advantage of the moment. He flashed in front of Naruto in a blur, driving his sword, coated with lightning toward the redhead.
To his shock, he saw Naruto's hand blur through the predictive vision of the Sharingan. The redhead's left hand grabbed the blade of his sword. It wasn't bear handed. There was something in those black gloves.
An immense amount of raw power pulled his sword, forcing him toward the redhead. Sasuke felt like paper as he was being pulled. His eyes went wide as his vision became blocked by the palm of Naruto's right hand. He hadn't seen anything. An iron grip grabbed his face, the fingers slowly crushing into his skull.
There was not even the time to think of how powerless he felt when Naruto lifted him. It was all happening too fast. He winced when the redhead slammed him the hard floor, burying his upper body into a crater. As if that wasn't enough humiliation, the redhead's right foot stomped into his chest, knocking the wind out of him for a second.
"Arh!" Sasuke cried when something pierced through his shoulder.
It was his sword. When did he lose it? He was sure he had still been holding it. Genjutsu? It was ridiculous. Being Uchiha and being caught in a Sharingan Genjutsu?
"That is one way to use Genjutsu against those with visual prowess. But then again, I cast it and then closed off your vision. You must be smart when using Genjutsu," Naruto explained lightly. "You do not have the Mangekyo. What a disappointment. You'll never get close to Itachi at this level. Now then, if I let you go, you'll just attack me. So, let me help you sleep…"
"You think you can… ahhh!"
Naruto released an incredible amount of electricity, shocking the Uchiha. It was so intense, even parts of his clothing burnt. But it didn't knock the Uchiha out cold. Naruto put a finger on the Uchiha's forehead.
"Genjutsu won't make you sleep. But let us disrupt things a little. Don't want you activating the cursed seal to charge at me."
And Sasuke went to sleep.
Naruto turned around to face Orochimaru. It was noteworthy that Guren seemed happy about what just happened.
"I'm disappointed in you, Orochimaru. After all this time with him, and this the best you can do?" Naruto shook his head. "I thought Sannin were better than this."
"Kukukuku…" Orochimaru laughed. "You've had a better start. But I didn't think Sasuke would be so outmatched."
"Prove your usefulness by training him. Maybe he will have enough power to stab me through the chest." Naruto said. "Since I have showed you that you still have a long way to go, you'll tell me how to get into Danzo's hideout without being noticed."
"Danzo is a useful partner." The Sannin adopted a thoughtful look. "He did advocate for my killing when I left Konoha. It is only fair I share some information as well. I survived," Orochimaru hissed. "Now, I wonder, will he survive? I would love to see your sword in action Naruto-kun. Where did you even get it?"
As far as information was concerned, the swords, not sword that Naruto used was a special piece. His Kusanagi could cut through anything and extended its length. But the swords Naruto held had more secrets. They often displayed the power of Fuinjutsu. And a sharpness that rivaled his.
"I'll explain it to you one day after you've experienced its sharpness."
Naruto let loose of a long breath, put hands inside his coat and then started walking away from the hideout.
The silent road. Alone. It signified much of his days and life. There was little reprieve when he went to Kirigakure. But when away, he was a loner who wore a mask, hiding his identity from other people. For how long would he have to carry the mask? Konoha denied him an existence, and ironically, he denied himself his true identity by wearing a mask. But it was a necessary precaution. If he could freely walk about, then Konoha would be banging on his door, thundering with questions he had no appetite to answer.
At least at home, there were no masks. He wasn't alone.
Still, he did have to visit the Sandaime Hokage. A talk with the old man would make things better. Maybe he won't have to hide from Konoha Hunter-nin or the village's shinobi. No doubt, many never got to deal with their emotional traumas because of his disappearance. His mere presence would awake bad memories. He would rather not gain notoriety by hunting down Konoha shinobi.
"Still, to be powerless is a curse in a shinobi world." He remarked, thinking about the people Orochimaru abducted and then turned to monsters.
At least, his days were numbered. But so was with everyone. Nobody was allowed to exist forever. Orochimaru desired as much. There were one or two who defied the laws of nature. But they could be killed. True immortality in essence was impossible for humans.
"You could have just killed the Uchiha." Kurama said, ignoring Naruto's statement.
"I'm sure you'd have danced. But that was satisfying. I got a little bit of happiness. Would have been happier if he broke a leg."
Envy was a despicable thing. There was no other reason Naruto wanted to hurt Sasuke aside from envy. The Uchiha had been the beloved of Itachi. Even as they bonded, it was clear, the true love of Itachi's heart was his younger brother. Naruto envied that love. He never got it. He was maybe a friend. But not the little brother he wanted to become. Maybe things could have changed if Itachi had lived longer. Maybe not.
Still, he smiled. "I still did enjoy it a bit." He repeated with a bit of emphasis.
Maybe it was an inferiority complex. There was no comparison between the love of Itachi for Sasuke and him. Sometimes this madness even made him question if the Uchiha even loved him.
"Even if you didn't kill him, you could have at least gorged his eyes out. It would just be less Sharingan. And there would be no future Uchiha."
"Hahaha," Naruto laughed.
The hateful Tailed beast was truly loath to be in the presence of the Uchiha. Or even be at the mercy of the gaze of those crimson eyes. It had even admitted it detested the fact he wielded those very eyes that have seen it controlled. Of course, Naruto wasn't going to nurse the Bijuu's ego by denying himself of power that would help him survive in this miserable world.
"Your contempt for the Uchiha is something else. Then again, Madara uttered some despicable words to you."
Kurama narrowed his eyes. "And you used the Sharingan to make me talk."
"You were being a spoiled child who refused to talk to me."
"I have lived for many years. You dare call me a spoiled child?"
"You were acting like one. I say so with all due respect."
The Kyubi scoffed. He wondered if Naruto's respect was really earnest or just a farce.
"The day I manage to get free, I am going to kill everyone who is close to you."
"Hahaha…" Naruto laughed at this. "You've hated me since the day you were sealed into me. I didn't particularly like you for killing my mother. But I'm over that. Your threats and hate carry little weight."
The indifference in Naruto's tone rubbed Kurama the wrong way. The redhead didn't give an inch that he hated him. Not even a little. It was like his hatred was irrelevant. And Kurama proudly called himself hatred incarnate. And yet, a human just rolled his eyes in the face of it. Nothing could be more offensive than that.
Maybe it was fitting. Compared to the hate fellow humans have dished out, this was nothing. He was just a Bijuu and the people of Konoha were fellow humans. The very people his parents died to protect.
"When I kill those close to you, I'll see if you won't hate me."
"Hating would only be the natural response. I am human. That is how we respond. But I wish you wouldn't. We get along, don't we?"
Kurama didn't have a positive relationship with Naruto. But they were not hostile. The redhead had dared manipulate him with his sharingan. They spoke. Every now and then. Kurama would say he was hatred incarnate. But before Naruto, all that hatred amounted to nothing. He shrugged it off as if it was nothing. It was actually offensive. The redhead didn't even hate him for that matter.
When the Bijuu didn't say anything, Naruto spoke again. "It is rather cruel for Orochimaru to keep from Sasuke that Itachi is dead."
"He doesn't know?"
"No. If he knew, things would have been different. I didn't even use the Mangekyo for this reason. I wonder what will happen when he finds out."
"He will find an opportunity to kill you."
"Indeed. He has much hatred within him. If Itachi is dead. Then he must find another object. He will come to me."
"But you're unlikely to kill him."
"Itachi never said I wasn't allowed to kill him. His message had been to protect Konoha, even if it means stopping Sasuke." And there was still Shisui's eye. That could still be used. But Naruto didn't have the desire to do so.
Besides, nobody was ever to know he actually had that eye. And once he got his hands on Danzo, he would get the other eye and hold a pair.
Kurama roared in laughter. "As if you would protect Konoha."
Naruto joined the Bijuu in laughter. For different reasons. For him, it was just that the very thought of being Konoha's guardian was laughable. The village made him miserable and drove him to the edges of insanity. It was so bad that the Sandaime thought he was better suited to be with a person who massacred his entire clan and family. How twisted was that?
Worse, there was some irony. Naruto desired family and he was coupled with a man who butchered his in the name of Konoha.
Naruto did not owe Konoha anything. The Uzumaki have given everything for the Leaf. It stopped with him.
Yet, he couldn't go back on the promise to he made to Itachi. Shisui's eye could have been used to compel him. But it was not. He had begged in his death bed to protect Konoha from Sasuke if there was ever the need.
"Maybe I will. I owe Itachi that much."
"The dead remain dead. No need to be bound by their words."
"Laughable: Madara has long been dead and yet you cannot get over those words he said to you."
Kurama ignored this. "I wonder how Konoha will react when it knows that you'd run to protect Kirigakure and watch Konoha burn to ashes."
The bloodbath that occurred in Kirigakure made him see the true horror of Shinobi world. Orochimaru just reaffirmed this much. Either way, fighting for Kiri's freedom from the grip of Yagura had been a reckoning in his life. He learned things. Formed new friends.
"They are friends that I have made. I helped to bring peace to their land. And they value that."
"And yet you lie to them. You've never been truly open with them. They don't even know you're a Jinchuriki."
Naruto spoke as if he hadn't heard anything. "It would be a waste for me to just allow that to be destroyed. But there is nothing in Konoha. Just violent people who I care not for…"
"A pity. Your father would be disappointed."
"Even your jokes are not that funny. You should stick to just hating," Naruto replied in a flat tone. "But you underestimate that woman. I think she already suspects this much. No, I know she has her suspicion. She just won't bring it up unless I do."
"Why do you call them friends when you continue to lie to them?"
"Who knows? It is possible to care for someone and still lie to them. I have grown attached to Kiri. It wasn't the plan. I'd gone there to seek an escape from Iwa. Things just flowed…" to the good at least. He quickly changed the subject. "Maybe I really should have burned Orochimaru alive."
"And the Uchiha."
"Sasuke has a right to be alive, for now. I still want to see what Orochimaru does in the void that will be left by Danzo's death." Naruto replied. "He seems to be itching toward chaos. But mainly for Konoha."
"I really don't care about that."
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Of course you don't. Most likely trying to figure a way out." He said. "You'll care when I say I must speak to the Sandaime. Maybe after, I can transform into you and see how they would react."
Kurama laughed. "As if you'd do that."
Naruto laughed and then blinked, realizing he was walking all alone while laughing out loud. If someone ever saw him, they would think he was mad.
"Maybe not. But I must speak to the Sandaime. I won't be hiding forever and it would become a problem if I keep running into their shinobi."
"What would be the problem?"
"I didn't grow in Konoha. Most of them would have had the time to deal with their issues while seeing me. But I have been away for a long time. Maybe many just sought to forget. Seeing me for the first time might lead them to do something reckless."
"I wouldn't mind that."
"Some of us don't like to live in violence."
"Says a shinobi."
Naruto smiled. "Yeah," he said. "We truly are violent creatures. But we cannot conform to such norms when there is a better way. We train to kill and protect. But it wasn't mean we must kill for the fun of it. You can be a shinobi and still hate violence."
"You don't to hate violence."
"Unnecessary violence, I detest."
Guren stared toward the darkness Naruto had disappeared into. She felt humiliated. Damn Sharingan Genjutsu. She needed to develop a counter for it. The only thing that soothed her sadistic soul was the fact that Sasuke was also down, with Kabuto now walking toward him.
"I could have taken him," she said to Orochimaru.
The Sannin laughed in response. Guren never did lack the confidence. But maybe this was a little too much for her. "You think?"
"In a fair fight, yes." She nodded. "And I think that makes me the better candidate to host you, Orochimaru-sama."
With her feelings toward Yikumaru, Orochimaru didn't think she would saying such things. She had a good body, but her Crystal release was no longer desirable. Not when he had the Sharingan in his grasp. The body of an Uchiha was worthy of being a host to him. He would have even taken Itachi's, but by the time he arrived there, the Uchiha was long dead.
And Naruto was waiting for him.
"Patience, Guren. Your time will come." He stared at Sasuke. A little disappointed but then glanced at Guren. "If you think you can handle Naruto. Go follow him to Konoha. Once he has done what he wants to do, and succeeds, ransack Danzo's base for anything that connects us. If he fails, send my greetings to Danzo."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Kabuto watched Guren leave and glanced down at Sasuke. He couldn't understand what Naruto did to knock him out. It was likely Genjutsu that was done through direct injection of chakra, to mess with the brain. He removed the sword and checked the wound on the shoulder. The sword had pierced through. Well, Naruto wasn't fooling around.
"Was it necessary to send her out?"
"I want to see how she does this job, given her conflicted emotions with that boy. And when she does come back, he won't be around. There is enough time to move him. I want to see if she will still be loyal if I tell her he is dead or has been sent to do his duties."
Kabuto didn't think there was any another reason for that aside from Orochimaru being cruel. His little experiment had worked. For a woman who was loyal and had sworn to give her body to Orochimaru, Kabuto had never thought she would ever start to stand in front of him when it came to that boy. Worse, she was a cruel and sadistic woman. How did someone like her even learn to love?
The world was indeed full of mysteries.
He healed the Uchiha and then touched his forehead, his hand glowing light green. After a couple of seconds, the Uchiha stirred. His eyes snapped open and then he swatted his arm away before standing up.
"Kukuku," Orochimaru chuckled, seeing the murderous glare the young Uchiha was sending to him. "Why the foul look, Sasuke-kun? Did you have a bad dream?"
"You promised me power, Orochimaru."
"And power I have given you."
"Apparently, it isn't enough. If you have nothing more to give me, I will leave."
"Now, now, don't be hasty, Sasuke-kun. That wasn't a fair fight. And you didn't even use your cursed seal. If you want more power, I can give you."
Orochimaru wasn't going to mention that Naruto was still a Jinchuiriki. He didn't want to break the Uchiha's fragile ego. It would just spill all over to him and complicate simple matters. Still, he'd never thought that Sasuke would be dealt with so easily. Sure, Naruto had humiliated him and then told him all his Ninjutsu was useless. A damn 13 year old child had told him that. He'd never been so pissed off and humiliated.
Still, he thought that because Sasuke had the Sharingan, he would perform better. But Naruto had just battered him without even trying. A mockery of all the training he has done. Against normal people, Sasuke was better. Yet against Naruto, there was a mountain to climb.
At this rate, it wouldn't be far off to say the redhead was indeed Itachi's protégé.
"You're still too soft, Sasuke. You refuse to kill."
Sasuke ignored this. "He is not Uchiha. Who is he?"
Orochimaru blinked and then hissed in laughter. It wasn't surprising that Sasuke didn't know about Naruto. After all, Konoha had pretty much erased his existence after he left. And there were the laws of the Sandaime. Maybe his sensei had thought people would just forget about him.
"That was Naruto Uzumaki." Orochimaru answered. He then added just to see Sasuke's reaction. "He was trained by your brother. I think he is still not far. If you want, you can still catch him."
If looks could kill, Orochimaru would have been chocking just by the look Sasuke gave him. The Uchiha picked his sword and then walked away. Although angry, Orochimaru knew he wasn't going to follow Naruto. He was probably going to brood in his room, or maybe release some stress by fighting some of his experiments.
Once Sasuke was gone, Kabuto glanced at his master. "His ego is rather fragile."
"A complete opposite for Itachi. We don't even have to bring in Naruto," Orochimaru said. "But he is fine that way. If he was straight like Naruto, he would be difficult to control."
"Indeed," Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Why did you really call Naruto, Orochimaru-sama?"
"I wanted to see Sasuke's improvement." The Sannin frowned for a second. "There is still room for improvement. I didn't think that Naruto-kun would deal with it like that."
"Naruto is a Jinchuriki." Kabuto pointed out.
Orochimaru shook his head. "Naruto uses the Sharingan so well because he is Uzumaki. They have always had strong chakra and powerful life-force."
"The Uzumaki."
"Yes," Orochimaru nodded. "What do you think is going to happen in Konoha?"
"I don't know. It will be difficult. Danzo isn't the easiest person to deal with." Kabuto blinked. "He left without the information he wanted."
"We'll send someone to give him," Orochimaru grinned. "But also send for Danzo to be notified that someone is out to kill him. I want to see how he will react."
"You're not saying who because you're still a little angry that Danzo was the one who was pushing for you to be hunted down after you left Konoha."
"We were partners and the moment I was discovered; he was quick to abandon me. Not that I needed him." Orochimaru still knew many of Danzo's secrets. "I'm just warning him because I am thankful for this chaos that he has started with Konoha and Suna. It creates a room for us to work. Danzo is failing to bring in Iwa… we could do that for him…" the Sannin laughed madly.
"Would Konoha handle it? It isn't the same as before."
"If it falls, it falls."
"With Iwa involved, it will." Kabuto smiled. "But I wonder what Naruto would do in that situation."
Orochimaru was going to make life difficult for the redhead. He wasn't going to forget that humiliation and at the end of it, he would take Itachi's eyes. "Maybe nothing." The Sannin replied. "The advantage of the Mangekyo is obvious."
"Naruto didn't use it."
"Most likely didn't want Sasuke to see he was using his brother's eyes, if he does remember Itachi's Mangekyo."
"And when he does?"
Orochimaru laughed. "Will he? I won't wait forever. I have nurtured him enough."
It was 11 longs years that felt like a century. Years of heavy burdens. Feet dragging and self-castration. Had it been an option, Hiruzen would've mutilated himself to attempt to atone for the guilt he felt. Most days, it was doom and gloom. Especially when Jiraiya was present within the office.
But glancing through the streets, there was no dark cloud. Konoha has rejoiced. The villagers breathed relief when Naruto disappeared along with Itachi at the night of the Uchiha massacre. It had left Hiruzen weak when somehow, it was blamed on the Kyubi. If it hadn't been ludicrous, he would have laughed. But according to some twisted minds with high levels of creative thinking, the Kyubi had done it as vengeance for the Uchiha controlling it during its rampage. It never ceased to amaze him how creative stupidity became in an attempt to digest the things it couldn't understand.
After these long years. Hiruzen found a picture. Jiraiya presented him with evidence that indeed Naruto was alive. If his mind had not gone senile, the Uzumaki was about 17 years old. He certainly looked older. The hair may be crimson, but the whisker marks gave him away. The tagged earrings. Just like Mito. Maybe a heritage of the Uzumaki. Even his face was partly hidden by his hair, Hiruzen could still tell it was indeed Naruto.
For a second, he hadn't cared for the crimson eyes. He was just pleased Naruto was alive. Just happy Kushina would not butcher him for losing her son.
"When and where was this taken?"
"About a month ago in the Cloud country." Jiraiya replied in a quiet tone, eyes staring at the village streets through the window. "Wasn't his hair blonde?"
"Must have dyed it." Hiruzen responded. "I had feared when Itachi's letters stopped that something had happened to them." The professor let loose of a long breath.
Jiraiya glanced at his sensei and then back at the streets. He couldn't fault the old man for making the decision he made. While secrets had to be told, Jiraiya had understood the decision. Itachi had killed everyone in his clan to protect Konoha. Surely, someone with that love for the village, was better equipped to train Naruto while saving him from the horrors of hatred. He blamed himself. The Sandaime had suggested it seeing the situation was bad, but he had rejected. He wasn't suitable to be a guardian, he had said.
"This must mean Itachi is dead. Those eyes are certainly the Sharingan."
The Sandaime Hokage took the picture and stared at it once more. Without question, that was a Doujutsu that belonged to the Uchiha. Given Naruto was with Itachi. And the Uchiha's disappearance, it was safe to guess those were Itachi's eyes.
Itachi had to be dead. If he was alive, he'd have come here already. He would have checked on his beloved brother. He would have demanded answers on why he failed to protect Sasuke. But there was no letter. No appearance. Just a silence that said too many words.
"It begs the question."
"What happened."
"We can only answer the question by asking Naruto."
Jiraiya didn't want to consider it. But something had happened between the redhead and Itachi. And signs signaled to unpleasantness. Naruto was alive and he hadn't bothered to make an appearance here or even sent word. It couldn't be that he didn't remember them. He knew them. But he just chose not come here. And that raised another question that neither wanted to ask. For it had damning thoughts and conclusions.
"His trail has gone silent again. I have my eyes set out. You think the red hair is an attempt for disguise?"
"Most likely. You have find him, Jiraiya. You have to."
"You don't have to tell me twice. I will find him. This is partly my fault anyway."
Hiruzen wasn't going to debate on whose fault it was. But he was happy that they at least knew the redhead was alive. "Kakashi will at least smile," he said. "Yet, another one of our failures. Sasuke-kun has also fled to Join Orochimaru. Nothing has been done right."
"The massacre weighed heavily on him. And he had no one."
"We made attempts but he was not willing to let anyone in. Kakashi tried," Hiruzen shook his head. He put on a serious face. "We have to consider that Naruto might be hostile. If he remembers his home and has no interest in coming back, then he is hostile."
"I don't want to think about that."
"But we have to. You can see that he is perfectly fine. Roaming around but has no care for Konoha. He should be 17 now. He has a clear mind."
A difficult thought to digest. But this was reality. A harsh one that they had to face. Hiruzen had made many mistakes. Been accused of being naïve by many. And sometimes not far from the truth. Nonetheless, when things were glaring as this, he would not permit sentimentality to get the best of him. Something happened and Itachi was no longer with them. Naruto had been old enough to know Konoha hated him before he departed. He had asked questions about his parents and suffered in the orphanage. He'd been made miserable by the villagers despite his attempts to make things better.
It wasn't unthinkable that he would have negative feelings. Naruto was human. He was not born a saint. He could hate and love. And the fact that Itachi's letters stopped long ago, just meant that he most likely grew without the Uchiha. Who knew who influenced him? Nobody knew his mind.
They had to take into consideration everything. Leave doors open in order to react accordingly.
"Do we let others know about this?"
Hiruzen shook his head. Part of safety had been discretion. "We have kept this a secret from the village and others to avoid our enemies trying to gain him. He is still a Jinchuriki of the Kyubi. There will be no village that won't race to recruit him."
"Would he join Konoha's enemies?"
"Why would he not? If they offered him a home and treat him well, there is no logical reason to refuse. Naruto was young when he left. Such things as loyalty were not in him." Hiruzen replied. "We cannot let others know. We must continue to do this secretly."
"I already have nine tails. I don't need a tenth."
When the words registered, Guren nearly jumped in surprise. But she just took a stance, just in case an attack came. None came. And she glanced up at the branch of a tree. There Naruto was.
Huh? She'd been following him. She glanced toward the direction she'd seen him some seconds ago and stretched her senses. He was still there. He wasn't exactly being stealthy. But now there were two of them. A clone? When did he make a clone? She had been following him for a while now. How did he even get so close to her without her noticing him?
"The important thing is not processing how I cheated you but how to get out of this situation."
"I am not as easy as Sasuke." Guren replied with equal force.
"I never said you were. You obviously a powerful kunoichi. Hence Orochimaru keeps you close to him. But as I said, I don't require a tenth tail."
Was he telling her to take a hike? Orochimaru didn't say anything about this part. In fact, if she stopped tailing, and went back, she couldn't do the mission. The important part was getting into Danzo's secret base and ransacking it.
"If you're going to tail someone, at least don't get discovered. It is annoying." Naruto said in a stern tone, without really looking down at Guren.
He didn't even want to know what the Sannin was planning to do about this. He didn't care. If Guren could stop following him, he would go about his business without any complaints.
"Please turn back, Guren-san. You are not my target. At this moment, you are a nuisance."
"You're taking me lightly." And he would regret it if he did so.
Naruto raised an eye brow. He already knew what he needed to know about her. But fighting her was pointless. Unnecessary even. And he would not allow her to drag him to something so fruitless just because of her confidence in her power. There was nothing wrong with being confident. She just didn't have to drag him into it.
He pointed a finger toward her. The Mangekyo Sharingan was activated as he did. "I'm a little cruel. So, I'll do this… Amaterasu."
"Ahh!" Guren flinched, holding back a cry as black flames engulfed her right hand. She quickly encased them with crystal to put them off, but the flames continued to burn, crushing her Crystal.
"There is nothing that can extinguish the flames. You just have to chop your hand off to save yourself."
Guren frowned deeply. She made more attempts but nothing worked. They were already eating into her flesh. He gritted her teeth in anger. She would pay him back for this. Orochimaru was going to fix this up. He would get her a new arm. But would she still be able to use two hand signs?
She closed her eyes, creating a crystal blade an prepared to cut off her hand. But before she could do anything, the flames died away. She covered it with crystal to stop looking at the flesh.
"I must apologize for that. You did not seem like you wanted to turn away. You may be doing this because you want to prove your worth to him, but you're being a nuisance to me. Go back and get that treated and I'll be on my way. However if you insist, it will be end of you."
Leaving Yukimaru behind? Who knew what Orochimaru or Kabuto was going to do to him? That boy would die and it would be her fault.
She glared at Naruto and then turned away.
"I will remember this moment and get back to you."
"That is just the sort of thing that gets you needlessly killed."
"Do it if you can."
"She dares me." Naruto shook his head but did not do or say anything. He jumped away and went on his way.
"Danzo-sama!"
Danzo cursed at the loud voice cutting him from his hegemony. Tobirama had never selected Hiruzen. He was Hokage and Konoha was unmatched. Having all the Bijuu, and ruling other nations with an iron fist. But the voice brought him back to the cold-hearted reality. The man he had adored and passed him and chose his rival as Hokage.
A truly loathsome situation he would never get over until it was corrected.
"What is it, Inoe?"
"There is an intruder."
Danzo frowned. He had received word from Orochimaru that someone was coming to him. He thought the Sannin was pulling a fast one on him. Or maybe it did have something to do with his actions in dragging Konoha into a troublesome situation with Suna. It was so far disappointing. Hiruzen would not blink. Nor would Rasa. An extra push was required.
But who would dare invade his holy ground at this time of the night? There was no need to even think about the intentions. Nothing good was going to happen.
"Have you identified him yet?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Secure the base. Make sure nothing comes in and out."
He wouldn't want noise attracting Hiruzen's Anbu. It would be disastrous for him. There were things here he didn't want the Sandaime to see.
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
The stench of blood welcomed Danzo as he entered the hall where his seat was. His trusted body guards flanked him. An expressionless mask settled. Four bodies lay along the way. A silhouette sitting on his seat, crimson eyes staring back at them. The Mangekyo Sharingan that belonged to Itachi. Danzo couldn't forget this eye. But it was not Itachi sitting there. The Uchiha was a loyal servant, he wouldn't do this.
When the lights flickered on, Danzo noted that it was Naruto. He had already suspected that the redhead was alive. It was just that the agents he sent never returned, so he never truly had any information to work with.
He glanced at the bodies. Two had very long, black swords stabbed through them.
"Kyubi." He muttered coldly. "You have saved me the time and effort to look for you. You have done well coming here in person."
Naruto was resting his head on the palm of his right hand. He didn't change his posture while staring at the War Hawk.
"You are one of those who see me as nothing more than a weapon. I was told that you were a little happy that I left with Itachi."
"I was happy because Itachi was a loyal servant. He would have taught you loyalty to Konoha above all things." And maybe tame the Kyubi. An uncontrollable tool was useless.
Loyalty to the village. Service to the village. What was with a village that a shinobi was willing sell everything, including family just so he could protect it? Naruto didn't understand it all. He refused to understand this notion. There was also a saying that one was at their strongest when fighting for their loved ones. Then it had to be family and village. Perhaps not. The role of a soldier was that of sacrifice. It was no wonder many of them never had families. They just lived. Sacrificed and them died to be remembered as heroes. Some never to be remembered because they did their work in the shadows.
"Things happen. But maybe if he lived long enough, he would have done so." Naruto said casually. "I wanted to talk to you about a couple of things before killing you."
He said such words in a simple manner. So nonchalant you wouldn't think he was talking about killing people. It just made Danzo realize that the redhead was used to killing. He was a trained killer. Maybe Itachi do something good.
"Is there something to talk about? You just need to submit and serve Konoha."
"Submit?" Naruto laughed. "There is none of that. I do not belong to Konoha. And will never submit to its service. My family has done enough for this village."
Danzo narrowed his eyes. The redhead would need some re-branding it seemed. He was stating it in plain terms he had no love for Konoha. That he had Itachi's eyes meant that controlling the Kyubi would be easy.
"What happened to Itachi?"
Naruto really didn't want to think about that heart breaking moment. They'd only been getting closer. He was learning to trust. The value of friendship. And the importance of family. But life happened. Fate wanted nothing but to screw him over to ensure that he died miserable. It was on that moment that he gave this world and its logic a middle finger.
"He died," Naruto waved his right hand. "What do you hope to achieve by making Suna fight with Konoha? The Sand has no chance. So, what is the purpose? Is it just for the love of chaos?"
"Itachi did not train you well. I'm disappointed."
Naruto sighed. The War Hawk wasn't going to answer his questions. But nothing unexpected. Though, he would have liked to kill some time just talking to the War Hawk, just to understand how his mind worked.
"Well, we should get to it. And I would rather you not stress yourself too much. I don't want anything happening to Shisui's eye."
Naruto then stood up. His eyes turned to Torune. If he was not mistaken, that was the troublesome shinobi here. Naruto didn't want to be poisoned. The logical step was to simply deal with him quickly before he got held up cutting down the others. The two closest to Danzo were strong ones, and the rest it was just nuisance.
"Torune… Fu…" Danzo started firmly. "Deal with him. I will join you. He is obviously not going to be easy if he has Itachi's eyes. He is also a Jinchuriki."
To underestimate the redhead would be his downfall. If he came here alone, he had to be confident. And that he was able to reach this place meant he already knew about them. Someone must have given him information and it could only be Orochimaru. Damn that snake. Hiruzen should have killed him when he had the chance. After this, he had to strengthen his hand in dealing with him. Collaboration was not useful if the Sannin was going to plot against him when he wasn't looking.
"Understood, Danzo-sama."
Fu and Torune charged forward. There were ten others with them. They were facing against a Jinchuriki. They had to be careful. But this was their home. They could quickly deal with it.
"Intel is always important for shinobi. You know the one is Aburame with deadly use of poisonous bugs and the other is Yamanaka." Naruto said staring directly at Torune.
"You've done your homework," Torune stated. "But it isn't going to help you."
Naruto shook his head, waving his index finger. "Amaterasu."
Fu jumped away from Torune when the man was ignited by black flames. He glanced at the redhead, who's left eye was bleeding while he walked toward them with steps that appeared to be giant.
He gave the order for the others to attack.
Naruto didn't stop walking when the ten started darting toward him. He increased his pace slowly before disappearing in a flash of red. He appeared behind the ten, standing atop of one the long swords, while holding the other.
Fu blinked. How had that happened? It could only be teleportation. He had teleported to one of his swords. But the other?
He had no time to think as the redhead lunged toward him, holding both swords with both hands. Fu brought out a small blade and took a defensive position. Within the blink of an eye, the redhead was in front of him. The sword held by his right was weaving horizontally toward his waist. It was likely to cut through him given its speed. He swiftly aligned his sword across his body.
Clang
The blades clashed, causing sparks to fly. He gritted his teeth, feeling the immense strength behind the strike. What worried him was the other sword Naruto held. His relief came when another shinobi jumped from behind, stabbing a sword toward the back of the redhead.
Naruto saw this coming with his Sharingan. He drove his second sword in a backward stab. The long sword pierced through the Ne's chest. As he did, Fu jumped away.
"Water Style: Water Bullet!"
Naruto narrowed his eyes toward his left side. A bullet of water was speeding toward him. He pulled the man he had stabbed and used him as a shield. The bullet crashed into his body, water splashing all over as it he skidded a little.
While skidding, a Kunai hit the floor, marked with an explosive tag.
Boom!
The tag exploded forcefully, giving rise a column of crimson flames. The intense flames burnt for a second, with no sign of Naruto. But from within the flames, one of his swords was flung, having been thrown in speed. It was speeding toward the group.
They attempted to dodge the sword and successfully did, letting the sword flash between them. But then, Naruto suddenly flashed above the sword, his body upside down. He grabbed the sword, and then suddenly twisted around. There were cries as blood splattered into all directions.
Naruto landed down, holding both swords. Blood dropped beside him. And a lower half of a Ne agent. Two more dropped to the floor behind him.
While he was stabbing both swords to the floor, A Ne agent flashed in front of him. But the man suddenly froze, eyes wide as he was caught in Genjutsu. Naruto grabbed him by his throat as he sensed projectiles from behind. He twisted around, hurling the man toward the projectiles.
The second he did so, a kick hit him on the shoulder, sending him flying. He rolled in the air twice before landing, away from his swords. But it was a non matter.
The second he tried straightening up, two appeared, flanking both his sides. Seeing attacks coming, he held up both hands, creating a defense. Their kicks hit both wrists.
"Water Bullet!"
The same jutsu once again but this time, it slammed into his chest. The water dragged him. Sending him crashing into a wall.
When he crashed into it, he was forced to teleport away when multiple Kunai were sent toward him. He would have been filled with cuts had he not avoided it. He teleported straight toward one of his swords.
"Got you."
Naruto's eyes worked over time when he heard those words. The remaining five had surrounded him, stabbing swords toward him. They had predicted he would teleport to one of his swords. He nodded. That was a good plan. One worthy of an applaud. But still not good enough.
He held a single hand sign.
Chakra chains burst from his body. The five Ne agents didn't see it coming. The chains pierced through their chests, halting them from their tracks.
Naruto held another hand sign and lightning burst through the chains. There were pained cries as the lighting shocked through their bodies. So intensive that their clothes caught flames, and their bodies were burnt to the third degree.
Naruto canceled his chains, and glanced at his shoulder. A kunai.
"Tsk," he swore. "Carelessness." He said, removing the kunai.
He then picked one of his swords and turned to Danzo. Seeing the War Hawk. The ten Sharingan on his right arm. He whistled. "That is some armory…" he said. "Still, it is rather cold for you to let you people get killed while you watch."
"It is their duty to die for Konoha."
"But not your duty."
Danzo didn't reply. But it didn't seem like Naruto was going to attack. He glanced at the sword Naruto left behind. And then back at the redhead. A Sharingan and teleportation.
"You've learned the Nidaime's jutsu."
"Not quite. As you can see, I can only teleport to my swords. No matter the distance. So the jutsu is only limited to these two tools." Naruto replied with disappointment. "There has been too many jutsu to learn and many things to do. But this is still sufficient."
"You will become useful to Konoha. A very powerful tool for me. You'll make up for those you've killed today."
Naruto stared at the War Hawk with a look of disdain. "I'd thought to fool around, but this constant talk of tool and weapon is annoying me. You do need a weapon but a blade. I do not like people who degrade my existence like that."
"Those thoughts are irrelevant. Reality is you will become a weapon."
Danzo went immediately on guard when Naruto lunged at him. The picked up a kunai and used it to try to block the swinging moving toward his left side, just above his shoulders. It was too quick to dodge without slowing it down. The sword cut through the Kunai, but it gave Danzo enough time to fall backwards, bending his body around his knees as he couldn't jump back in time to avoid the long sword. He watched carefully as the sword went past him.
But he felt pain shoot through his left knee. He was forced to fall on his back as Naruto swept him from the ground.
"When did you get the sword?"
He cursed inwardly. To think he would be forced to use Izanagi so early. But he couldn't move that well with the wound Naruto inflected on him. The redhead was precise in his strike. It went straight to his knee. He couldn't move freely with it.
"Ah, you made the move knowing I only had one sword. Since you are going to die, let me tell you," he said lifting the sword on his left hand. "The sword can also come to me. So, while charging at you, I summoned it."
He tried to stab the war hawk but his presence suddenly vanished.
"Wind style: Vacuum Sphere!"
Naruto twisted around in a flash while leaping into the air. It seemed like bullets were speeding toward him. He held both hands in front and twisted them in blinding speed, creating a wind barrier by twisting both swords in a fanlike motion. The Jutsu slammed into his barrier, but failed to pierce through it.
Danzo suddenly appeared behind him while he was still blocking the attack. The man was holding a kunai, enhanced with wind chakra. He swung the kunai in a downward slash, aiming and his left shoulder. But before he could hit, a chakra chain burst out from his back, piercing through his chest.
In the moment, the jutsu cancelled and each and without even looking back, Naruto stabbed both his swords in a backward jab. The both swords pierced through Danzo's belly.
The man vanished from before Naruto could say anything.
Naruto turned around, a thoughtful look on his face. Danzo's very presence had just vanished. What was it? Izanagi? Noting that one of Danzo's eyes closed, he confirmed his suspicions. Without knowledge of the jutsu, he'd just be blinking, baffled over what just happened.
Itachi was right, understanding the structure of Jutsu and having knowledge of it was very important for a shinobi. The Sandaime Hokage was said to be able to know and understand a jutsu by just seeing it once. Knowledge was truly important but also its application.
"Izanagi, huh? I didn't think I would see it today. But Danzo, you should know, Izanagi only rewrites reality that occurred when it was active. You didn't active hate it before I struck you. That is why your injury still stands."
Danzo remained perfectly calm. He would just have to ignore the pain and focus on restraining the Kyubi. He could not kill the Jinchuriki. He would lose a valuable weapon if he did so.
"Itachi failed in providing guidance but at least he trained you well."
Danzo said, doing hand signs. "Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere!" He inhaled in large amounts of air and then compressed it, releasing a large sphere of wind from his mouth. The crushing jutsu rushed toward Naruto.
Naruto threw away both swords and followed after Danzo, releasing the same Jutsu. The Jutsu collided, resulting in a huge explosion of wind chakra.
When the explosion cleared, Danzo flashed in front of Naruto, as if he was flying, swinging a wind sword toward his chest. But the War Hawk never reached the redhead. He froze in midair for a second before Naruto caught him by the throat.
"Genjutsu?" Danzo didn't care that he was being lifted up into the air. "I'm impressed. But those are still Itachi's eyes. Though, it is still a little weaker."
When the War Hawk tried to stab him, Naruto let him go and then jumped back.
Naruto came to stand still. He was running against time here. Konoha Anbu could come up here any moment.
"I don't have the time to kill your many times. But there is no other way unless I make you cancel Izanagi." He adopted a thoughtful look. "Hmm… let us use this as a training session. There are some styles that work better with a live subject."
Danzo took out a Kunai, getting ready to attack the redhead. When Naruto started rushing toward him, Danzo coated the kunai with wind chakra , turning it into a wind blade. He took note of the fact that Naruto was darting toward him with only one sword at hand.
The redhead blurred out of his view, causing him to twist around, while lifting his sword in a vertical position. The wind blade clashed with Naruto's metal. Admittedly, the redhead held a lot of strength. Before he could make another move, Naruto waved his left hand. His other sword suddenly appeared, and a swift strike cut through his left arm. Blood gushed out when the sword slices through.
This forced Danzo to use Izanagi once more.
He appeared a distance away from Naruto. The redhead was moving well. But avoiding using Ninjutsu. Then he was afraid that he would have to face Konoha shinobi. But avoiding to go all out would be his downfall.
"Just give up."
Naruto raised an eye brow. "You think I do not have a way of making you undo Izanagi?" Naruto released a small amount of chakra.
He hurled on his swords straight toward Danzo. Knowing that the redhead could teleport to it, Danzo jumped away, and then took a different direction.
He was forced to hit the breaks when Naruto suddenly appeared in front of him. When the redhead burst into a murder of crows, Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"Genjutsu again?"
"Indeed."
Danzo narrowed his eyes from behind, hearing the voice. Naruto didn't attack. He was just holding his hands together. "I'm not sure this will work. But let us try a different method… shall we?"
Danzo jumped away, feeling Naruto release more chakra. Whatever it was, it required a lot of chakra. It was an impressive amount of chakra that the redhead was releasing. But quite expected for a Jinchuriki who is also of the Uzumaki clan.
Naruto stood straight, eyes closed. He held one of his swords in a vertical manner across his face, and then sheathed the other. He held a single sign, two fingers lifted.
Danzo widened eyes when Naruto suddenly disappeared. He saw nothing but just when the redhead was standing still behind him, in the same posture as before. It was only then pain shot through his body. He glanced down, a shower of blood gushed out around his waist and slowly, he started to fall, his upper body severed from his lower body.
He vanished from reality and appeared a distance away. Naruto was still standing in the same posture. An aura of chakra still surrounding him.
Even with his Sharingan, Danzo didn't see anything. What the hell was that technique? It was obviously a Kenjutsu style. Something he'd never seen before. He glanced at his arm and then back at Naruto. he still had more lives. But he had to figure out how to defend himself against that technique.
Why wasn't the redhead attacking th-
His thoughts were cut off. He clearly saw it this time. Not the swing of the sword. But Naruto in front of him. Both eyes were open, all fingers folded.
His right shoulder fell off, blood gushing out. Danzo fell to his knees, holding his shoulder. He cursed Naruto. He wasn't immune to pain and at this rate, he was going to lose all his eyes.
Izanagi rewrote reality and he vanished. Along his arm. He appeared behind Naruto. But the redhead did not turn. He was holding his sword normally.
"Izanagi can only be kept active for a certain amount of time. So, even if you don't release it, once that time limit passes, it activates on its own… how many minutes passed before my first strike until now?"
Danzo couldn't tell. It was about a couple of seconds. Izanagi should've been active. Why was Naruto asking him about the time? Now that he thought about it, Naruto did two releases of chakra and then held two fingers. Was there some relation to that?
"Genjutsu?"
"Indeed, Danzo. But one that messes up with your sense of time only. It isn't exactly an illusion. I released chakra. As long as you are within the range of this disruptive chakra, your sense of time goes off. To you, things were moving quickly, but not quite. The requirement of my jutsu is that I disrupt your sense of time first. It requires a lot of chakra and concentration. So, I can only use it against a single opponent. I counted the seconds, one of your eyes closes after a minute. Look at your arm." Naruto said in a measured tone.
Danzo glanced down. Four more eyes were still open. He frowned and looked back at Naruto. The redhead was smiling.
"Ah, I lied about the explanation. Everything was an elaborate scheme. Really, I just moved fast enough that you didn't see me." He laughed. "It's a bad habit of mine… well, you bought the lie. So it can work. There are four eyes left. Five if you include Shisui's eye."
Damn brat. Playing him like that. Was this all for jokes? Holding back wasn't going to do it for him at this case. But he couldn't really push all out not unless he forced the redhead to use the Kyubi's chakra. That would no doubt alert Hiruzen and he would lose his chance of gaining the Kyubi for his use.
"I've joked enough." He said, his mood completely changing. "Day should break soon. It is better to finish this before people wake up." After saying this, he started walking toward Danzo with an expressionless face.
It was like Danzo was facing up a completely different person. The aura around the redhead. His eye focus. And his sword seemed heavier.
The redhead then blurred out of his view. Completely vanishing.
Danzo blinked, looking around. His body froze and he glanced behind. The redhead was standing there, looking at him with eyes that could only be said to be that of an adult looking down on a child who has done something very wrong.
It was insulting but Danzo remained calm.
"You were holding back."
Naruto lunged, striking his sword in a upside swing. Danzo didn't have time to react. He had already resigned himself to being hit the second the redhead appeared behind him. The sword cut through from his left hip, making its way up until his right shoulder. It all happened slowly. He felt every inch of the blade.
Blood gushed out, his guts spilling to the cold floor. He coughed some more blood before disappearing as Izanagi activated.
He appeared behind Naruto while in mid-air. He took out a shuriken, blew wind into it and then hurled the spinning shuriken toward the redhead who had yet to turn around.
Naruto sensed the spinning attack from behind. There was no time to face it. He fell backwards swiftly, while still in the motion, lifted his sword. As the wind enhanced shuriken went past him, the tip of his sword stabbed through its center. And he twisted around, hurling it back toward Danzo.
Danzo had already readied another shuriken. He hurled it toward the incoming attack. The two collided, sparking an explosion before cancelling each other.
The War Hawk landed down gracefully. While holding a wind enhanced kunai, with the intention of hurling it toward Naruto but the redhead flashed in front of him. When both feet touched in front of him, there was no even a word said. Nor when his sword weaved through air in horizontal slash, aimed just below his left shoulder.
Clang!
The sword collided with his. If not for the wind, the it would have cut through it. Danzo gritted his teeth. The weight behind the strike was immense. His hands trembled. He had to use both hands to stop being overpowered.
His eyes narrowed toward his right. Naruto's secondary sword appeared out of nowhere. He tried to leap backwards to avoid the downward swing, but he didn't move fast enough to avoid it. It cut through his shoulder, severing his arm from the rest of his body.
As he landed a couple of feat away, holding onto his left shoulder, the blood works no longer a sight to bother, he swore at the redhead.
"Hurry up. I don't want to kill you twice before Izanagi activates." The redhead said harshly. "I do say so with respect."
"Is this the best you can do with your swords?"
"No. I'm just waving the swords around. There are moves I formed but you're not worth that effort. You do not deserve the dignity of being chopped by moves I invented. Just swinging it will do…" He smiled. "I take it back. I have no shred of respect for you."