7/13/2014

Hello people, long time no see. I hope everyone's enjoying this so far. If you don't then that's okay too, not everything is going to be liked so I still love you all. Before I get back to writing, yes I know that Naruto dad's name is Minato. But here is a little information for newer Naruto readers, if you were here or on any forum before Minato ever had an official name 'Arashi' was the 'place-holder' name and was used in quite a lot of fanfics back then until his real name was released. And this fanfic was started way before his official name release. Damn i feel old still remembering that stuff and my oh my is this fic old LOL. So if you ever see Arashi in another old fanfic again you'll know who they are referring to. Are you happy that you've learned something from this fanfic? :P Who knows I might go back and change it to Minato or I might not, it depends on how I feel. Also I haven't been keeping up with Naruto much anymore (the last chapter I read was obito getting talked by naruto). I'll go back and read it once it's finished. On with the story.

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Ch. 15 Exchange

Raikage Tower

The Raikage took off his robes. Many scars were shown all over his body. There wasn't a single inch on his body that wasn't scarred. He was a tall man and extremely built.

"Do you think he'll come?" Seiji asked him.

Izanami put on his shirt and gear, "yes, if he's a Konoha shinobi he'll come."

"I can't believe the sannin was looking after his team. We can knock two birds with one stone," Seiji commented.

Izanami just shook his head, "No, we'll let the sannin and his team go in exchange for him."

Seiji was surprised, "You're not serious are you? This is a once in a life time opportunity."

"Look," Izanami replied seriously, "if he was that easy to kill I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble of kidnapping his team."

"So what's your plan then?" Seiji asked.

Izanami sat in his chair, "Here's what we'll do. When he comes we'll exchange the sealing jutsu that I place on Tsunade to him. By doing that he won't be able to use any ninjutsu that requires handseals. Then we'll let Tsunade and the kids go."

"Why don't we just kill the kids, Tsunade and him when we exchange the sealing jutsu onto him?" Seiji asked.

"Because even if he can't use any ninjutsu he'll be hard to kill. You did say he was faster than the 'White Fang' didn't you? If we attack him immediately or kill the kids Tsunade will join the battle. This can cause a problem because Tsunade is an extremely skilled shinobi and I don't us fighting two strong people."

"What if he suddenly decides to attack us and Tsunade joins in when we exchange the sealing jutsu?" Seiji asked.

Izanami shook his head, "He won't do that."

Seiji's eyebrows raised, "That's the most logical and most sure way success so that all of them could survive."

"Yes it is, but I know he doesn't want to put his team or Tsunade in danger. He'll let us exchange the seal onto him and come with us. That way Tsunade and his team will have more time to distance themselves from us. This will pretty much guarantee Tsunade and his team's safety. But this is also exactly what we want. The further Tsunade distance herself from him the easier it'll be to kill him."

"I see. So you're letting Tsunade go in exchange for a higher chance of killing him."

"Yes, if he's as strong as you say then he has to die matter what. It's a shame that we can't kill the sannin also, but he's a bigger obstacle. I will need your help to ensure that we kill him. If we kill him quick we can try to follow Tsunade and the kids, but that's not a priority," Izanami said.

"What should we do if Tsunade decides to come back and help him?" Seiji asked.

"If that happens you'll go and confront her if we haven't killed him yet. You should be able to kill her by yourself. After you kill her you'll come back and help me if I haven't already finish him off," Izanami said.

Seiji nodded.

*tap, tap*

The knock came from the window. Seiji opened it and a raven flew in with a letter attached to its leg. He took off the letter.

"Our shinobi says that he's here and by himself," Seiji told Izanami.

Izanami stood up, "Let's go get Tsunade and the children."

Izanami and Seiji reached the cellar and Seiji opened the door.

"It looks like he came," Izanami said to Tsunade. The seal around her wrist that Izanami put on her was completely purple in color. She also knew that the advance sealing jutsu could only be used on one person at a time.

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Naruto was standing in the middle of a clearing. It was a bright night with the full moon shiny down on him. Just like the letter said he was surrounded by shinobis, but they didn't do anything to him. He thought of plan after plan and each one seemed more feeble than the last. How was he going to get everyone out of this one? It didn't matter now. He would have to go by instinct. He saw the Raikage in the distance with his team and Tsunade. The shinobis that were in the trees came closer to him, but they didn't do anything. As he reached the Raikage and Seiji the shinobis from the trees gather around them. They kneel as they approached the Raikage and Seiji. He saw that the Raikage was beside Tsunade's and she had some seals around her wrist. They were about 15 feet away from him.

"Kneel down in front of the Raikage," a bald shinobi behind him said. Naruto ignored him. He punched Naruto in the stomach and Naruto buckled to all fours.

Tsunade said, "Naruto," while the 3 kids yelled, "Sensei."

"That's better," the shinobi said.

"That's enough," Seiji told the shinobi.

Naruto stood back up and stared at the Raikage and Seiji with hate in his eyes. He also saw that Tsunade wasn't hurt at all. So she probably went with them because one of the children got capture.

"There's no need to look at me like that. I'm glad you decided to come alone. The situation is simple. You come with us and we'll let your team and Tsunade go," Izanami said.

Naruto laughed, "And why should I believe that? You lured me out to the Kage meeting just so you can kidnap my team."

"That's right, you don't know what I'll do, but if you try anything funny I'll kill the children and Tsunade right now in front of you," Izanami said. "Or you can turn tail and go back without Tsunade and your team. As you've probably guess if you do that my shinobis here probably can't kill you. But if you leave I'm sure we can find a lot of uses for a senju descendant" and he grabbed her chest. Naruto saw Tsunade wince when she was grabbed.

Naruto was just about to leap at him, but before he could the Raikage pulled out a knife to Tsunade's throat.

"Hey now be careful or I might actually do it," Izanami said. Naruto backed down.

Izanami gave him a smile, "Now that's a good boy. We actually might get somewhere today. As I've said you really don't have much of a choice if you want your team and Tsunade to survive. As you can see this seal makes it so Tsunade can't do any ninjutsu. I'm sure you've also realized that it's a pretty advance seal so it can only be put on one person. You can switch places with Tsunade and they can go home while we take you with us."

Tsunade moved her head ever so slightly telling Naruto not to agree with the plan. When he saw the seal it was as the Raikage said. It was an advance sealing jutsu that seals a person's ninjutsu.

"How do I know you won't order your men to attack my team and Tsunade if I agree?" Naruto asked.

"You don't," Izanami answered. "But, I'm pretty sure that without the seal Tsunade can take care of quite a few shinobi and I've got you to look after."

Naruto thought it over. He probably won't attack Tsunade, the team, or me because it'll be too much of a risk if I join Tsunade in the fight even if I can't do any ninjutsu. Of course he knows that I'll also stall for time so that Tsunade and the team can get further away from here which means he'll most likely let the children go too. But this also means that Tsunade will be further away and therefore won't be able aid me as quick. I see... There was only one thing he could do.

Naruto closed his eyes for a second and opened it, "Alright."

"No, don't!" Tsunade and his team yelled.

Naruto gave them a smile, "Don't worry."

Tsunade shook her head, "No, don't do it Naruto."

"Good choice," Izanami said. He walked over with Tsunade while his team was behind Seiji. "Alright let's do it. Try anything funny and I'll tell Seiji to kill your team."

Naruto and Tsunade were face to face with the Raikage still holding her hands behind her back.

"Don't do it Naruto," she said softly as they were face to face.

"Tsunade, when we exchange the seals quickly take my team as far away from here as possible. Don't come back. I'm putting my trust in you," Naruto said to her. She was still shaking her head in disagreement. The Raikage grabbed Tsunade's hands and put it forward. "Stick out your hand," he told Naruto. Naruto obliged and held her hands while she was still shaking her head. The Raikage did some hand seals and put his hands on Naruto's wrist, "Exchange." The seals disappeared on Tsunade's wrist and appeared on Naruto's wrist. Izanami nodded to Seiji to step aside so the team can get pass him.

The children ran up to Naruto, "Sensei, why? No, please don't..."

Naruto smiled at them, "Hurry and get out of here. Tsunade will look after you three."

"Naruto I..." Tsunade started, but Naruto interrupted her, "This isn't the time." She nodded and she took the team went with her.

Izanami waited until Tsunade and the children were gone, "Well, you're a noble shinobi," as he kick Naruto's left arm causing it to break. "Just reassurance," he added.

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Please be okay Naruto, Tsunade thought to herself as she leaped through the branches.

"Hurry guys. We've got to get as far away as possible from here," Tsunade told the team. They were in complete silence.

Kioko spoke up, "It's our fault sensei's in this mess. If only we were stronger."

"Don't think like that," Tsunade told her.

"But it is. It was also our fault that you were caught. We're so worthless. You wouldn't have been caught if it wasn't for us. You should have just continue fighting those guys when they caught us and let them kill us, then sensei and you wouldn't have been in this mess. What's the point of saving us if you're going to lose someone like sensei?" she asked. Arashi and Seishin were also thinking the same thing although they didn't voice it.

Tsunade turned around to look at her while still continuing her pace through the branches, "Let me ask you a serious question."

Kioko nodded.

"Would you do what you just said if you were strong?" Tsunade asked her.

She immediately answered, "Well no, but..."

"Exactly, so it's not your fault. I've been saved numerous times when I was younger and weaker by stronger konoha shinobis. I'm sure it was the same for Naruto. That's why neither I or Naruto will ever blame you guys for something like this. This is what separates konoha shinobis from other shinobis. If we did what you said and sacrifice a weak shinobi to save a strong shinobi we'll be doing exactly the same thing as other hidden villages. Never forget this because that's what it means to be a konoha shinobi. Remember this when all three of you are stronger, it's not number of jutsus that makes a shinobi truly strong, it's their will to protect others and their will to never give up. It's our bonds that makes us so strong. So I don't want you guys to stop blaming yourselves okay?"

Kioko and the others nodded.

As they traveled Tsunade couldn't sense any shinobi following them at all. I see, the Raikage is extremely cautious because it's Naruto. This probably means they know he's pretty strong and that's why no one is following us.

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Naruto felt his left arm break when the kick connected. He winced and dropped to his knees again, but controlled himself so that he wouldn't scream. He picked him back up.

"Get up and follow me," Izanami told Naruto. Naruto did as he was told. He was following the Raikage just to buy time. Of course the Raikage was also buying time so Tsunade could get further on ahead.

It was a moment before Izanami spoke up, "You know, I'll never understand Konoha shinobi. You're willing to sacrifice yourself for a couple of genins and a sannin."

"That's why you'll never be as strong as us," Naruto retorted.

"That may be true, but it also means you guys have a great weakness to exploit so it's easy to kill a stronger opponent."

"You call it a weakness, we call it a strength and don't get ahead of yourself you haven't killed me yet."

Izanami laughed, "As expected from someone like you. You don't fear death do you?"

Naruto answered, "Quite the contrary. I fear death. I have many things to live for and many things I want to do. A lot of my friends are waiting for me."

They continued walking for quite about 30 minutes getting nearer and nearer the hidden village of cloud. This should be enough time for Tsunade and my team to get to a safer location. If I get too close to the village my chances of survival will lessen.

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The further she was from Naruto the more worried she got. Was he okay? Was he alive? Will he ever come back? Will she ever see him again? She barely even gotten to know him. The thought that she might never get to see him or even something as small as how he felt about her haunted her as she moved on. She wanted to go back to make sure. Images of Naruto's dead body raced through her head and she tried not to think about it, but of course this only made her dwell on the subject even more.

Tsunade stopped and the 3 children also stopped.

"Is something wrong?" Seishin asked.

Arashi knew what was on her mind and he spoke up, "You want to go back don't you?"

"Yes, I'm sorry," Tsunade said.

"Don't worry about us. We also want you to go back to save sensei," Arashi looked at the other two and they nodded. "I don't think sensei will be able to take them on without any ninjutsu. Please go back and help him, you're the only one here who can," Arashi told her.

"But what about you three?" she asked.

"No one followed us I think. We should be able to get home from here. We pretty far away," Arashi told her. "We'll be careful." Arashi went up to her and hugged her waist and the other two followed, "Please bring him back. I don't want him to die because of us."

"Thank you," she said, "and be careful on the way back."

They nodded while she turned around and started traveling back at full speed to the village of cloud.

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Naruto was the first to attack. He aimed for the Raikage's leg, but the Raikage leapt out of the way.

"So you want to do it here?" he asked Naruto as he jumped to Seiji's side about 15 feet away.

"Might as well. When were you going to try to kill me?" Naruto asked.

"I was thinking when we get inside the village's wall, but right here is fine for me," he took off his shirt and cracked his neck. Naruto saw that he had numerous scars. Knowing that those were battle scars and not sparring scars Naruto knew that the Raikage was a battle worn shinobi and that direct attacks wouldn't work no matter how fast he was. His small slimmer of hope was starting to fade. I should have known. He is the Raikage after all. I was hoping he was a desk sitting paper signing kage. Great, how am I suppose to get in an attack if I can't use any ninjutsu and one of my damn arm is broken. This is starting to look bad.Naruto sensed that the other cloud shinobis weren't coming to help. I see, it's only going to be them two and the shinobis in the woods are going to distract me whenever possible. Naruto hate to admit it, but the Raikage thought the plan through thoroughly.

Seijin was the first to initiate with flurries of kicks. Naruto was able to block some of them while dodging most, but a swift kick to the stomach sent him flying 20 feet. Knowing that they wouldn't let him rest he got back up as quickly as he can as a serpent looking lightning hit him straight on. He almost fell back down, but stood his ground. Shit, should I activate my senjutsu? Naruto thought to himself. No, I have to find the right time. These guys aren't going to be easy and I can't show them too early or they'll adjust. Just then he felt a shuriken coming from behind and jumped. It was from a random shinobi in the trees. The Raikage was at his face tried to punch him, but Naruto was able to move so the punch wouldn't hit his vitals. The punch did graze his shoulders causing a cut. Naruto knew what this meant, damn, a blunt attack making a cut. His punches are extremely fast and heavy.

For 10 minutes both of them continue to wear Naruto down. He was injured with burns, cuts and bruises, but no major vitals were struck yet.

"Impressive," said the Raikage. He was unscathed as was Seijin. "Even though you quite injured you've managed to make us miss your vitals. I was right not to face you in a fair match."

Just as he said this Naruto felt a familiar chakra far off in the distance. No Tsunade. Why did you come back? We won't be able to kill both of them. They're too strong if it's a two on two match. Both of us will just be killed in my current state.

"I could sense that Tsunade has returned," the Raikage commented. Naruto's eyes widen a little. "Yes, by your looks you've also sensed it. This is great. We'll get the two of you tonight." He nodded for Seijin to go confront Tsunade and Seijin left the battle.

Naruto was surprise. He was sure that they would have waited for Tsunade to come and join the battle for a two on two fight, but instead it looked like the Raikage's plan was for Seijin to confront Tsunade while the Raikage finish him off. I guess the Raikage really wants me dead. We still have a little hope then. If Tsunade can beat Seijin and I hold up long enough we might actually get out of here. But, it was still a grim hope. He knew that the Raikage was well above Tsunade's current strength. Also just as Sakumo said Seijin was likely above Tsunade's level, but still...

"I see a glimmer of hope in your eyes since you've sensed Tsunade's chakra. Well, let me tell you something to squash that hope, Seijin is more talented shinobi than her. He'll be able to beat her," Izanami said to Naruto.

"That's where you're wrong. Tsunade will beat Seijin. Tsunade came and save me. You've clearly underestimated a Konoha shinobi. If it was a regular fight I'm pretty certain Seijin would win. Even a fight to the death he would probably win. But, when a Konoha shinobi is protecting or trying to save someone that they care about their skills and abilities rise to a level they've never been to before and she came to save me." The time is now. His outlines around eyes were orange and his pupils were not round anymore, instead it was a bar like a frog's.

And in an instant, "Rasengan."

Caught by Naruto's speed Naruto pressed the Rasengan into the Raikage's chest. Knowing that this would probably be his only chance he pump more and more chakra into the Rasengan. He felt the ball cutting into the Raikage's chest and he press forward. Come on. The Raikage grabbed Naruto's arm and was able to swing him away. Naruto looked at the Raikage kneeling and saw huge amount of blood pouring from where he hit him with the Raikage. The Raikage stood up and blood was still dripping out of his chest and the side of his mouth.

He wiped the side of his mouth, "to be holding back with a jutsu like that until the right moment even though you're near death. You're as calculating as ever. But, sadly it won't work."

Naruto looked at the Raikage's chest and to his surprise it was already healing. Shit he can heal himself. It's probably a blood-line. This sucks.