Two figures clad in black and red cloaks look upon Konohagakure from under their straw hats.
"Feeling homesick?" The larger of the two asks with a distinct grin.
Red eyes savor the view of their owner's home.
"Not at all."
They slowly make their way through the village. Suspicious glances are a bounty. Most likely the result of having been attacked not six months ago by enemy nations. For two people to stand out as much as they are right now would be idiotic, least of all for people who are meant to be gathering information in enemy territory.
But the Akatsuki is broadcasting a message to the people that they interact with in any capacity. Those who fight them, those who attempt to interrogate, and those who see from the sidelines what they're up to know to spread word of unnaturally powerful Shinobi wearing black cloaks decorated with red clouds.
We are here. We are strong. Do not defy us.
It is a simple message to a world governed by power. Together, the Akatsuki can topple nations. If people like Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame are the ones taking orders, then what does that say of the monsters with the strength to control them? This organisation works in the light and dark simultaneously. The goal is the capture and containment of the Bijuu, but for what purpose Itachi knows not.
Akatsuki has been established as a mercenary faction, operating as hired muscle for esteemed and rich clients in secrecy. Some consist of Daimyo, others being the greater Shinobi Villages. Guaranteed success is hiring the Akatsuki, and therein lies the beauty of the manipulation. All they are to the world are mercenaries, hiding their true purpose while gathering intel on the whereabouts of their true goals.
This secrecy is a strength of the Akatsuki, but Madara is a fool if he thinks Itachi won't exploit this. Once they are inevitably confronted, Itachi will drop the hints about scouting for Jinchuuriki and Bijuu.
Capturing multiple Jinchuuriki and Bijuu and containing them long enough to seal them one by one is simply not possible, not even for the strongest Shinobi in the world. Senju Hashirama may have been able to accomplish such a feat, but if Uchiha Madara himself and a man with the legendary Rinnegan still need days, maybe weeks at a time to seal the Bijuu into the Gedo vessel, then it speaks quite clearly that the process is arduously difficult and requires a large number of powerful Shinobi to assist them.
Itachi had questioned why Madara didn't just capture them in one fell swoop and keep them contained on his own.
"My battle with Hashirama left me broken and a shadow of my former ability." The masked man speaks factually and clinically. "The sealing will require a great deal of time. Only an incredibly powerful wielder of the Rinnegan or the Mokuton can control that many Bijuu and Jinchuuriki at once, and that time invites the nations that those beasts belong to stop our plans in motion. We do not know where all of the beasts are, nor have we sown enough chaos to make it easier to capture them. The Bijuu must be sealed in order to prevent the vessel from being damaged."
Another weakness of the Gedo Mazo that Madara confirmed carelessly. The Bijuu must be sealed in order. And that is part of why he and Kisame had been sent to Konoha, to confirm who the Nibi and Kyuubi Jinchuuriki are. Word spreading throughout the nations says that Konoha is in control of the Nibi once more, but the Jinchuuriki is unknown.
Madara suspects that the Kyuubi is sealed in the son of Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato, and that the cover was that it had been sent away by Kushina-sama's powerful Fuinjutsu.
"It is refreshingly naive that you think your Yondaime defeated me." Madara's voice conveys a smile, even if it is hidden. "He may have injured me and caused me to flee to recover, and I suppose that is a testament to his ability. But who walked away from that battle alive, Itachi-kun?"
The masked man left the battle early, so even he doesn't know where the Kyuubi is. But still...
Not Namikaze Naruto.
Not Uzumaki Naruto.
Uchiha Naruto.
How could anyone have missed this? How could Madara attack his own daughter? Although thinking about it, Madara also slaughtered Uchiha children in their sleep a few years prior. That alone speaks of his depravity. Of his own depravity. That he would volunteer to cut down his mother and father-
"How about some sweet buns, Itachi?" Kisame asks as they near a shop, dragging him from his thoughts.
Itachi says nothing but enters the quaint little restaurant, the low flaps dragging on his hat. Although he'd like a hearty meal for a change, stores like this are full of people mingling and talking about happenings in their vicinity.
A waitress approaches them with a pen and pad in-hand, held up above a heavily-pregnant belly.
"May I get you anything, gentlemen?" The waitress gives them a practiced smile.
Kisame spouts off an order on both of their behalves, knowing that Itachi isn't fussy. He throws in some tea for good measure.
"Your village seems to be in high-spirits, young lady." Kisame puts on his best friendly voice. "We were worried when we heard that Konoha had been attacked. We didn't think outsiders would be allowed in at all."
Ignoring the fact that they hadn't just been let in. They snuck in like rats in the walls.
"It was a terrible day," She sighs sadly. "Many lost their lives but our Shinobi are the strongest in the world. Tsunade-sama is working very hard to make sure everything gets back to normal. We've had some bad luck over the last couple of decades."
"Oh, that's right! A terrible incident with the Kyuubi happened right?" Kisame keeps it up. For such a brutish man, Itachi had never suspected he could be so sly.
"Yes, apparently the Kyuubi was sealed in a woman before that day, and when it came time for her to give birth, it escaped and tore up our village. I was scared for my life, but apparently Yondaime-sama tried to seal it in his son."
"Tried? Was it too strong?"
"More like Yondaime-sama's wife was too strong. She didn't like what her husband was going to do so she kind of... poofed it away? Like a Shinobi trick. It hasn't come back to haunt us so I guess whatever she did worked."
"That's a relief," Kisame sighs with a fake, unconcerned shrug. "At least I know I'm not gonna be eaten by some giant fox monster today."
"Himari! Have the gentlemen ordered?" A voice from behind the bakery register calls out.
'Himari' Rolls her eyes in exasperation. "Yes dear! They were just asking about the recent happenings in the village!"
She turns to them both sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, I'll get your order ready right away."
Kisame gives her a dismissive wave. "Not a problem my dear, thank you."
The two Akatsuki share a discreet nod, knowing that nothing of actual value was gained from that conversation. It could still be a ploy, the Kyuubi may still be sealed in Uchiha Naruto but unless they get close to him, they won't be able to tell from his chakra if he's a Jinchuuriki or not.
Itachi and Kisame sit and eat patiently, silently hoping that the woman will come back with some more recent updates from the village.
Sasuke makes his way to see Yuito and Himari before going home. Jiraiya had been instructing him to never train in the use of the Nibi's chakra unless supervised by him, Naruto, or the strange ANBU that could apparently suppress Bijuu chakra with the rare Mokuton Kekkei-Genkai.
Naruto had been badgering him to let him know whenever 'Tenzo' was watching him, most likely to observe the Mokuton in action to unwittingly help him train in it. Sasuke is the only one that knows what Naruto is up to, seeing as he's the only one that knows that Naruto is trying to see if he can build a Mokuton Chakra Nature using remnants of what is inside of him already. He thinks that Karin might suspect what's going on, although it could just be passed off as another of Naruto's eccentricities that he's suddenly bringing home pots with soil and bulk sachets of plant seeds.
He walks under the flaps of the bakery to let his... Well, he doesn't know what to call them yet. But he trusts them, and maybe even loves them a little bit.
"Yuito, Himari! I'm home!"
He pretends not to notice the two strangely dressed, silent customers at their own table for two.
"Sasuke!"
Himari waddles over to him immediately and snags him in a hug. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees the shorter one stiffen ever-so slightly.
"How was training? Come, sit down."
"It was fine. Naruto thinks that my training is going by pretty quick because I'm compatible with Nibi. And besides, he made the seal so I guess he knows what he's talking about."
He hears a rattle and his eyes are drawn to the mysterious duo in the bakery. He sees a blue hand holding a wobbly cup of tea, under a pale and shaky hand that dropped it. Himari seems not to notice it with civilian-senses.
"I suppose." Himari is ever-fretful, not understanding Shinobi techniques and culture but always puts first what she can conceivably understand, and that is the safety of those she considers her own.
"And besides, putting up with the 'nine-lives' and 'pussy' jokes is harder than the training. Nibi is nicer than Naruto is."
Himari narrows her eyes when she hears Yuito cough to hide a laugh. Her head cranes around mechanically and Yuito hides his grin quickly.
"Sasuke-kun, those men..."
Sasuke's eyes return to the cloaked strangers, only to find that they aren't there at all.
There's a small wad of cash to pay for their meal on the table.
"Strange folk." Yuito comments idly.
"Get help. NOW."
Naruto grins wickedly. Karin is unimpressed.
"That's it?"
In a little pot is a Bonsai about the size of her pinky finger.
"I grew this today." Naruto's Sharingan gleams in pure excitement.
"It's tiny." Karin shoots him down, or tries to.
"It's progress!" Naruto jumps to his feet. "Can't you see?! I have the Mokuton!"
"Onii-chan grew a plant!"
The only person whose opinion matters leaps to his defense.
Naruto smirks.
"Damn right I did." Naruto turns to face his adorable, sweet baby sister.
Only to see Kakashi and Shizune standing behind her, gawping.
There's an uncomfortable pause while Naruto thinks of some bullshit to weedle his way out of admitting that he has the Mokuton.
Minako ignores this and inspects her Onii-chans plant.
"I actually bought it like that." Naruto tries ineffectually.
Kakashi's deadpan expression is outlined on his worn mask.
"I saw you grow it. Just now. And you said that you have the Mokuton."
"You were all under my Genjutsu from the moment you set your eyes on me."
"No we aren't. I also heard your careless language in front of my daughter." Shizune gives an equally monotone response.
Naruto's eyes narrow.
"Name your price."
"Babysitting duty. Two Months."
"Done."
Loud, rushed knocking on the door interrupts their little playful spat. One of Naruto's Kage Bunshin that'd been hiding in another room, studying Medical Ninjutsu, goes to answer it.
"I still think breathing fire and making a huge skeleton monster is cooler than growing weeds." Karin provides her unfiltered opinion.
"What if I grew you some flowers?" Naruto asks with what he hopes is a convincing, innocent smile.
"...Alright. Show me."
Kakashi feels like what he's seeing is an eerie recreation of another time.
A younger Kakashi watches his recent mentor confront the brutal red-head from Uzu.
"I've mastered a Jutsu that will be instrumental in defeating you!"
Minato-sensei looks increasingly crazy as each day passes.
Kushina-san is unimpressed.
"Show me."
A kunai whizzes past her head at a speed that little Kakashi couldn't even comprehend.
Sensei suddenly appears behind her, sweeping her up in a bridal-carry.
She looks surprised. Her mouth is hanging open ever so slightly, with the tiniest tinge of pink on her cheeks.
Before she clobbers him in what outsiders would call a 'deathmatch'. To the people that know them... It's 'courting'.
Kakashi snaps out of the memory and observes Naruto. He watches as Naruto place his hands together in a tight cup-shape with his fingers pointed forward.
Naruto takes a deep breath, looking unusually calm and at peace. His Sharingan rove over everyone in the room, particularly at Karin and Minako.
"Life." Naruto whispers to himself, finding some meaning in the single word to drive his spiritual chakra forward.
Nothing happens at first. But then they watch as tiny roots form between the gaps in his hands and inordinately larger, green stems with buds on the ends sprout at the top.
The buds begin to bloom, and Kakashi will admit that he finds himself a little struck to be the witness of something delicately beautiful coming from such a violent person. But even when creating life, death is ever-present in Naruto's heart and mind. They seem to be balanced. Never was there an Uchiha that could do something like this...
Black Roses.
The symbolism is not lost on him.
Karin doesn't seem to understand it, but this time she's actually impressed with the 'romantic gift' and takes them from his giving hands with a stunning smile.
Naruto is delightfully embarrassed.
"They're so stupid and oblivious." Shizune sighs fondly.
"Yep." Kakashi smiles.
"Naruto!" Sasuke barges in from the door after apparently being roadblocked by Naruto's clone, which dispels. "Kakashi too!"
Kakashi and Naruto both straighten at Sasuke's serious tone.
"The Nibi told me that these two foreign Shinobi are really powerful. They're skulking around the village right now, we need to find them."
Powerful foreign Shinobi seems to be an ongoing issue with Konoha as of present.
"She says that one of them has as much chakra as you do, Naruto."
"That can't be right." Kakashi is not inexperienced with the unexpected, but Naruto has more chakra than anyone in Konoha.
Naruto stands up with crimson eyes glimmering ominously.
"Maybe we should investigate."
Itachi takes control of the administrator girl using his Sharingan. He forces her to use the intercom to speak directly with Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama, Uchiha Itachi is here to see you." She speaks as if it's an everyday occurance.
"Guard the door. I'll get information about the Jinchuuriki myself." Itachi orders Kisame.
"Heh heh, you're pretty confident Itachi-san." Kisame chuckles.
His rage is simmering. He can feel it in his eyes. Itachi doesn't let it show on his outside persona, and perhaps he's allowing his emotions to control him like so many in his clan before him.
Sasuke is the Jinchuuriki of the Nibi.
He opens the door, coming face-to-face with Tsunade and her elderly advisors. There is clear and blatant fear on the faces of the advisors, and Tsunade is tense, knowing that if it truly came to it then she would not be able to defeat him alone.
And then he slams the door shut behind him.
"Why is my brother a Jinchuuriki?"
The terse demand that is hardly a question spurs Tsunade to provide a quick response.
"Sasuke willingly became the Jinchuuriki after the Nibi was used to assault Konoha." Tsunade answers, and there is something very careful about her words that Itachi does not agree with.
"Do you understand how much this compromises my mission?" Itachi narrows his burning eyes. "I will do anything to protect him, but even I cannot protect him from the Akatsuki leaders. Both of which are stronger than I. At which point did you think it would be acceptable to make my brother a Jinchuuriki when the most powerful criminal organisation in history is hunting the Bijuu?"
Tsunade's hands clench tighter together. "It was not by choice. Sasuke was the only person in the vicinity that could safely contain it during the invasion. The person that sealed it couldn't seal it in themselves so they took the next best option, which Sasuke volunteered to do. Regardless of your love for your brother, Konoha has not stopped moving forward in time since you left. The life of a Shinobi is tumultuous, you know this better than anyone."
Itachi takes note of the deliberate way she doesn't include the Sealers gender, but it matters little given what he learned at the bakery earlier.
"Uchiha Naruto. Perhaps I should have a word with him."
Her eyes narrow.
"You'll regret that wish."
There is a bright flash of blue light outside the Hokage's office window.
A massive construct with glowing yellow eyes moves its arm and a punch is rapidly approaching the glass panes, making the light blue glow unbearable to look at.
Kisame bursts through the door. "Itachi-san!"
Itachi morphs his Sharingan into their Mangekyou state and yellow chakra rushes up around him. Tsunade grabs her two advisors by their robes and leaps out one of the windows, smashing her head through the glass without injury.
There is only a second before collision.
Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi leap at incredible speed across the rooftops to the location of the powerful Shinobi. The Nibi points Sasuke in the general direction, leading Naruto to sense more precisely where they are.
"The Hokage tower," Naruto speaks aloud over the rushing wind. "Nibi is right, one of them has a Suiton affinity with enormous chakra. The other-"
He cuts himself off with a clenched jaw.
"Naruto?" Kakashi's tone is short and clipped, wanting to know about the other intruder.
"The other one is an Uchiha with the Mangekyou Sharingan."
Sasuke falters, Sharingan whirling into life in response to negative emotions.
"Itachi..." He breathes. They had been that close to his family?!
"Both of you get close to me." Naruto orders, not giving Sasuke any time to think.
His eyes transform into their Mangekyou state.
"Susanoo!"
They quickly become nestled in the stomach of the imperfect Susanoo. It tramples though the streets as everyone leaps out of the way. Shinobi quickly fall in line and follow Naruto's creation, knowing that this is too serious not to drop everything.
Naruto makes his approach, sensing the precise location of his target in Tsunade's office and knows he needs to make a decisive move to protect the Hokage.
The fist of his Susanoo launches through the windows and collides with something that doesn't budge an inch.
His eyes widen. What in the hell could stop his Susanoo?
Naruto focuses his Sharingan, seeing the bright yellow chakra blocking his punch with a massive shield.
"I see." He mutters aloud. Itachi's Susanoo ability must stop all frontal damage. He wonders how much it can withstand before breaking.
The two rogue-nin make several synchronised leaps to the Hokage Mountain, running east on it to make a quick escape.
"Yasaka no Magatama!" Naruto summons three magatama in each palm of his Susanoo, sending them flying erratically at each side of Itachi to prevent all of them from being blocked.
Sasuke's sclerae change to the Nibi's, creating his own Jutsu with its chakra.
"Katon: Kasha Hosenka!(Kasha Phoenix Sage Fire)" Blue, almost decorative flames flurry out of the Susanoo in a combined assault.
The blue shark man weaves his way through several signs before spitting out a veritable tsunami.
"Suiton: Dai Bakusui Shoha!(Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave)" The colossal tidal wave absorbs all of the force from Naruto's magatama, stopping them in the waterfall that's now tipping into the village. Sasuke's fireballs fizzle out despite the Bijuu Chakra.
With the villagers now at risk to the rushing waters, Naruto is forced to abandon his pursuit of the criminals and join the efforts to contain the water.
The water descends rapidly over the Academy, and Naruto wills his Susanoo to drop Kakashi and Sasuke down.
He rushes and stands over the Academy and hears the panicked screaming from the children.
About a dozen of the Shinobi that followed him to the Hokage Tower all slam their hands on the Hokage Mountain in unison.
"Doton: Doryuuheki!(Earth-Style Wall)."
Walls sprout out of the mountain, forming a bowl of earth over the Academy and the water crashes into it.
Naruto knows that it won't hold long enough to save the students and teachers and makes his Susanoo squat under the bowl, holding it up with its back and arms. The pressure of the lake and stone strains him as he struggles to maintain form.
The knees of his Susanoo buckle. He really only has one option left. Naruto has never tried before, but lives are on the line.
Tsunade barks orders at the Doton Shinobi, telling them to make an aqueduct as soon as possible. She doesn't know how long Naruto can hold up a lake on his own so she seeks to drain the water to the border of the village and evacuate the Academy and surrounding area.
She watches as Naruto falters under the strain before a massive upswing of chakra hits the senses of every sensor-type in the entire village.
The light blue Susanoo glows even brighter. Plates move along its 'skin' as it grows larger and larger. A hood shaped like a dragon swallows the head of the construct and transforms it into something distinctly different to before, menacing gold chakra in its fiery mouth under a long demonic nose. The bald being grows swaying hair with twin locks on either side clasped by bands.
And then a pair of majestic wings unfurl, spreading wide and holding up the lake on their own.
Naruto's Susanoo settles into a kneel and is now unfazed by the immense weight on its back.
In the jewel on its forehead, Naruto resides patiently. At first. Then he becomes less enthused.
"If you don't mind, I have places to be FOOLS! Get this damn lake off of me!"
A day passes from the utter chaos of another attack on Konoha.
Naruto is present in the meeting room of the Hokage Tower while repairs are made to Tsunade's office.
Jiraiya has returned after mingling with some of his sources one town over to see if Itachi and Kisame had been present at all.
Kakashi, Sasuke, the Shinobi Council and Elder Advisors are all congregated in the same place.
The Godaime brings everyone's attention to her.
"The Akatsuki is our discussion point today. We have managed to confirm that this criminal organisation almost exclusively consists of S-Rank Shinobi, and that their goal is the capture of Jinchuuriki and Bijuu. The two confirmed members are Hoshigaki Kisame, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and Uchiha Itachi from our own village."
"We don't have an accurate timeframe for when they actually start hunting the Bijuu." Shikaku speaks up, giving his opinion on the situation. "All we know is that this was a scouting mission to confirm who the Jinchuuriki of the Nibi is, and if we had any other Jinchuuriki in our possession."
Sasuke nearly sneers at the word 'possession'.
Naruto openly gives his own statement.
"We can no longer retaliate against Kumogakure and Orochimaru. The chaos of war will make it far easier for the Akatsuki to mobilize and capture the Jinchuuriki. Current grudges need to be settled unless it provides a pathway to intel about the members of this organisation. The more Bijuu they capture, the more powerful they become. Theoretically."
"Sasuke is no longer safe in Konoha." Jiraiya states. "He needs to be taken away in case more members of the Akatsuki come to capture him, he'll need to be on the move until we get an estimation of when they'll start their operation."
"Absolutely not." Koharu objects.
"Sasuke must stay in Konoha where he has the support of the village to defend him." Homura continues.
"Keeping Sasuke here is inviting more chaos. The ease at which they nearly killed the Academy students is proof of that alone. If they bring even more members with destructive abilities, there won't be any Shinobi that can defend him, least of all against Itachi who may be stronger than our Hokage." Naruto refutes stoically. "The passphrase to the detection barrier around Konoha will also need to be updated."
Tsunade sighs, rubbing her forehead before looking at Sasuke. "What do you think of this?"
Sasuke doesn't want to leave. He doesn't want to go right before his honorary family has their first child but he doesn't want them to be used against him if he stays.
"I..." Sasuke trails, unsure of what to say.
"I'll take him." Jiraiya offers. "I can keep an eye on the seal and train him in the use of the Nibi's chakra on the road while we gather information about the Akatsuki."
"Do you agree with this, Sasuke?" Tsunade asks tiredly.
There's a brief pause before his hesitant response.
"Yes. I agree."
Jiraiya puts a hand on his shoulder.
"C'mon kid. Say goodbye to everyone because we need to go as soon as possible."
The sage ruffles Naruto's hair. "Good luck kiddo, I'll see you when I see you."
"You too, old man." Naruto turns to Sasuke, putting out his arm.
Sasuke clasps him by the forearm, looking disappointed at the result of this meeting.
"I'll see you, Naruto."
"Yeah Sasuke. I wish things hadn't turned out like this. You were starting to become bearable. Likeable even."
Sasuke smiles wryly.
"I wish I could say that you're bearable." He says, to which Naruto smirks.
"I hope you kick yourself in the balls on the way out the village." Naruto bids him farewell.
Kakashi gets his word in before they go.
"I'm proud of you Sasuke, more than you realise. I hope your journey is safe."
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei." Sasuke grabs him by the arm as well, not knowing how to state just how important Kakashi has been to him over the past year.
Sasuke and Jiraiya leave, and it's back to business in the meeting room.
"I'm going to request time away from the village as well." Naruto begins. "My destructive power cannot be practiced or refined here, I need space to prevent anyone from being at risk."
"Because of your Susanoo?" Tsunade cuts in before her advisors can shoot it down.
"That, but also because of this."
Naruto weaves a Snake seal.
There is only a brief pause before a tiny tree with black leaves grows on the end of the round meeting desk.
Gasps echo in the hall.
Tsunade gapes, and not one person mentions her emotional visage.
Sasuke's throat is tight when he visits Himari and Yuito.
"Sasuke?" Himari asks softly.
"I've come to say goodbye." His voice gets hoarse. "There a group of powerful criminals who want the Nibi inside of me, and I need to leave the village for a while to keep everyone safe."
"Oh honey..."
He breaks down against his will.
Sasuke spends the last of his time in Konoha with his family.
"Karin! We're going on vacation!"
"Sweet! Let me pack my stuff!"
"I need to say goodbye to my baby sister anyway."
"This is it, huh?" Sakura tears up.
Team 7 is assembled at the main gate of Konoha. Naruto is cuddling Minako but when she proves inconsolable, he manages to pass her back to her glistening-eyed mother.
"Don't worry Sakura." Naruto gives her that ever-cocky smile. "We'll be together again. This is just the life of a Shinobi in our age. We do what we have to."
"I know." She wraps her arms around her beloved teammates. "You two better not forget about me."
"Never, Sakura." Naruto and Sasuke speak in unison.
"Seeya, Sakura." Karin bids her goodbye as well.
"Bye Karin, take care of this reckless dummy for me will you."
Naruto rolls his eyes as Karin nods solemnly.
They all turn and leave. Naruto and Karin split at the road, and give one last wave to Sasuke and Jiraiya.
A week passes and Naruto uses the fist of his Susanoo to smash through an inconspicuous area in a vast field with tall grass.
He and Karin drop down into a small stone lair.
Naruto pushes open the crypt in the middle of the room and takes an object out of it.
Uchiha Madara's Gunbai blasts the dust out of the tomb.
------------------
Explanation for the word 'Kasha': According to Japanese folklore, there's a demon cat called the Kasha. I felt it would be appropriate to syle some of Sasuke's Jutsu after learning that fact.
Itachi's Abilities: I always felt that the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror were copouts in the main series. Itachi is already the perfect plot convenience character, so I'm changing those items to be intrinsic to his Susanoo and be more defeatable. Itachi will not be the flawless genius in this story that he is in canon.