Chapter 7: 7
Chapter 8:
Naruto stood tall, his breath heavy but steady, as he gazed at the fallen form of Itachi. A proud smile played on his lips, and Yachiru giggled, perched on his shoulder.
"Kenny won!" she cheered, her voice full of uncontainable excitement.. To his surprise, the Uchiha slowly got to his feet, swaying slightly from the effort. His cloak was torn, blood staining his otherwise composed form.
Their eyes locked. For a moment, the world around them faded as Itachi's Sharingan spun. Naruto froze as the familiar sensation of Tsukuyomi gripped him.
"Tch," Naruto muttered, his grin fading. "This again? Haven't you learned? Your little tricks don't work on me anymore."
Itachi's stoic demeanor didn't falter. "Relax, Naruto," he replied, his voice even. "I only wish to talk."
Naruto's suspicion flared. "About what"
Itachi folded his arms within the illusionary world, the black void around them contrasting his crimson eyes. "Tell me, why did you leave the village?"
Naruto snorted. "Why should I tell you? Not like it's any of your business."
"Humor me," Itachi replied.
With a shrug, Naruto relented, his voice laced with frustration. "Fine. I left because I've had enough of their lies, their treatment. I'm sick of being their scapegoat, their punching bag. That village was never my home."
Itachi's gaze softened, a flicker of regret crossing his face. "I understand," he said, his tone unexpectedly gentle. "The same village I sacrificed my family for turned its back on you. But I believe you deserve better, Naruto."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Better? And what exactly do you mean by that?"
Itachi took a deep breath. "I want to train you. You have potential—immense potential. But you rely too much on instinct. Your fighting style is raw, unrefined. With proper guidance, you could become a force to be reckoned with."
Naruto blinked in surprise, his usual bravado faltering. "Why? Aren't you after the Nine-Tails?"
Itachi shook his head. "The Nine-Tails has never been my goal. I follow orders, but capturing the tailed beasts is not my ambition. I see something in you, Naruto—something worth nurturing."
Naruto's expression grew contemplative as he mulled over the offer. "I'll... think about it," he said cautiously.
The crimson-black void faded as Itachi released the genjutsu. Then, stepping closer, Itachi raised his hand, and a crow emerged from his sleeve. Before Naruto could react, the bird flew into his mouth.
Naruto staggered, choking and clawing at his throat. "What the hell was that?!" he sputtered, glaring at Itachi.
"A gift," Itachi said calmly. "One day, you'll understand." Itachi said cryptically, before turning to Kisame's unconscious form.
---
Itachi staggered toward Kisame, his body screaming in protest. He gripped Samehada, wincing as the sword drained his remaining chakra. Ignoring the drainage, he placed it into Kisame's hand. The weapon quivered before feeding chakra back to it's master, healing Kisame's injuries.
With a groan, Kisame stirred, his eyes snapping open. "Ugh... What happened?"
"It's time to leave," Itachi said weakly, before collapsing against a tree.
Kisame stood, his strength returning. His gaze shifted to Naruto, now holding Nozarashi in his hands. The sight made Kisame whistle in appreciation. "That's a fine blade you've got there, kid."
Naruto smirked. "Next time, I'll cut you down with it."
Kisame chuckled, wrapping Samehada in bandages. "Looking forward to it, kid."
As Kisame lifted the unconscious Itachi onto his shoulder, he muttered under his breath, "Pain's going to be furious we failed again."With that, the duo vanished, leaving only the faint ripple of their departure
The moment they disappeared, Nozarashi cracked and shattered, reverting to its makeshift tanto form.
Naruto glanced at the makeshift Zanpakutō in his hand, only to watch it splinter and crumble.
Yachiru giggled. "That tanto wasn't strong enough to hold your Zanpakutō's power!"
Naruto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Guess I'll need a real sword."
---
The Akatsuki gathered in their holographic forms, their images flickering ominously. Pain stood at the center, his Rinnegan commanding attention.
"Where is the Nine-Tails jinchūriki?" he asked coldly.
Kisame sighed. "We failed."
Pain's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And your excuse this time?"
Deidara smirked faintly, silently reveling in Itachi's failure.
Itachi spoke calmly. "Naruto has grown stronger since our last encounter."
Kisame added. "The kid's like a demon. Knock him down, and he just gets back up stronger."
Konan's voice was skeptical. "If his strength grows so rapidly, why didn't you neutralize him with your Sharingan, Itachi?"
"I tried," Itachi admitted. "But my genjutsu was ineffective. He's... evolved."
"The kid sounds interesting," Deidara added with a smirk. "Maybe I'll take a crack at him next time."
Sasori remained silent, though his mind was already working." A puppet with that kind of power... His fingers twitched at the thought. What a masterpiece it would make. A puppet capable of evolving mid-battle... a creation worthy of eternal perfection. That boy will belong to me, one way or another."
Hidan sneered. "You guys are pathetic. Just bring him to me, and I'll show him Jashin's wrath!"
Kakuzu grunted. "If you're still alive long enough to do it."
Pain raised a hand, silencing the bickering. "Enough. If the Nine-Tails is as strong as you say, then I will handle him personally."
---
Kurama fumed within his cage, his crimson eyes blazing. Naruto's resilience was infuriating. He was supposed to despair, not revel in the chaos of battle.
As Naruto rested with Yachiru, Kurama pulled him into his mindscape.
"Boy," Kurama growled, summoning Naruto into his mindscape.
Naruto appeared, arms crossed. "What now, fuzzball?"
Kurama's voice was cold. "You deserve to know the truth. About your parents, The third hokage and your senseis... and their betrayal."
Naruto's smirk vanished as Kurama spoke, his words cutting deep. He learned that his father, the Fourth Hokage, had sealed the Nine-Tails inside him, condemning Naruto to a life of suffering. Hiruzen's failure to protect him. Kakashi and Jiraiya's absence, despite their closeness to his parents.
Naruto's fists clenched, his knuckles white. "They all knew... and they left me to suffer."
Kurama's lips curled into a cruel grin. "Yes, drown in your despair, boy."
But Yachiru hugged Naruto tightly, her presence pulling him from the depths of his anger.
"It's okay, Kenny," she whispered. "Everything's going to be fine."
Kurama's eyes widened as he heard her voice echo in his mind. "Stop trying to manipulate Kenny, fox," she warned, her tone sharp and deadly. "If you don't, I'll destroy you."
The Nine-Tails froze, fear creeping into his ancient heart. Just what is this girl?
---
Jiraiya found Naruto near a riverbank, Yachiru perched cheerfully on a rock beside him.
"It's been a while, Naruto," Jiraiya said, smiling warmly. "I'm glad you're safe. Who's your little friend?"
Yachiru waved. "I'm Kenny's best friend, Yachiru!"
Jiraiya's smile faltered at Naruto's cold stare. "What do you want?" Naruto asked.
"To bring you back to the village," Jiraiya replied.
Naruto's predatory grin returned. "If I go back, it'll be to burn it to the ground."
Jiraiya's heart sank. Tsunade was right. He's broken.
Naruto's reiatsu flared, his hand gripping the tanto tightly. "Show me the strength of a Sannin," he demanded, lunging forward.
Jiraiya dodged Naruto's initial strike, the blade carving a crater into the ground. Naruto followed with a kick, and Jiraiya blocked, wincing at the force.
"Earth Style: Dark Swamp!" Jiraiya shouted, trapping Naruto in the sinking mud.
"Stop this!" Jiraiya pleaded. "We can work this out!"
Naruto's feral grin faded, it was replaced by a pained expression" Where were you when I needed you. It took you 13 years...
Jiraiya froze, guilt washing over him. "I... had responsibilities as a Sannin. My duty was to gather intelligence and protect the village. I couldn't be there"
"You could've visited!" Naruto yelled, his voice cracking. "Even once in a while."
Jiraiya bowed his head. "I'm sorry."
It's too late," Naruto growled. Golden reiatsu surged, taking the shape of a cackling skull. The swamp evaporated under the pressure.
And so, the battle begins