Hi, this is the former Takuya Uciha. I decided to change my pen name because my former one...well, just wasn't a good idea.

Well, this is the story I had talked about in my last may move slowly at first, but bear with me.

This story takes place immediately after the events of Chapter 408 of the Naruto manga and onward. In other words, this is the manga if I was part of the plot development along with Kishimoto.

I currently have the first 11 chapters done, and am working on the 12th.

I have also decided to include an opening theme, and have not decided on an ending theme.

I do not own Naruto. I do, however, own this plot and my original characters.

Enjoy!

Opening: Daia no Hana (By Yoriko, Black Cat First Opening)

Hajimari wa itsumo sou gunjou no sora no shita
Chikai wo tatete ima boku wa aruki dasu!

Yeah, kin iro ni hikaru sabaku (moeru kaze)
Daia no hana wo sagashite (samayoi tsuzukeru)
Hajimete dareka no tame ni ima boku wa ikite iru!

Mamoritai! mono ga arun da!
Mou nido to nido to ushina wa shinai you ni!

Yeah, kono mune ni aru negai (yurameite)
Kanaeru tame nara boku wa (ikura demo kizu tsukou)
Waratte ite hoshii kara ima boku wa yaiba wo nigiru!

Kirisaita kioku no naka afuredasu
Akai akai kage wo kiru!
Kono tsume ga hibiwaretemo tsukamitore
Mamoritai taisetsu na mono nara!

Aruka wo omotte naita

yoru ni saita daia no hana!

Mamoritai mono ga arun da!
Mou nido to nido to ushinai wa shinai!
Nari hibike dare yori chiisaku hakanai
Dare yori tafu na kono kodou!

Chapter 1: Revelations

"So, it's decided then," spoke Fukasaku from Tsunade's desk. "You will train under me at Mt. Myoboku and learn the sage arts."

"That's right," responded Naruto. "But just what are these sage arts?"

"Powerful techniques worthy of a Sanin. Unlike ninja arts, these techniques utilize the natural energy surrounding you. "

"…Huh?"

Fukasaku sighed in exasperation as he explained, "Look, have you ever seen Jiraiya-chan use any unique jutsu?"

Naruto frowned and folded his arms as he thought. "Besides summoning you guys?"

"Yes. That was one of many toad techniques that Jiraiya-chan learned. Along with that, you'll be learning techniques varying from creating an Ultimate Rasengan, to achieving a sage mode to increase your natural abilities."

"Ultimate Rasengan? Sage mode? What do you mean?"

"This Ultimate Rasengan surpasses your Oodama Rasengan. As for sage mode, when you access it, it will be similar to your…other unique ability, though not nearly as dangerous."

Naruto knew he was talking about the Kyuubi. "So if I learn this Ultimate Rasengan, I'll be able to beat Pain?"

"YES! That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Fukasaku yelled, his mouth wide and his eyes white with anger. 'Idiot!'

"That's great!" said Naruto, grinning. "If I can do that, then it'll be easy!" His expression darkened and became serious. "It's just…I have to avenge Ero-sennin…he was like a dad to me."

"He was more like a father than you know," Fukasaku replied, his voice equally serious and a little sad.

Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and the others stared, confused. "Fukasaku…you're going to tell him the truth about Jiraiya?" Tsunade questioned, her brow furrowed.

"That's right," he replied. "The boy has the right to know. Now, I want everybody except Naruto-chan and Tsunade to leave the room; this was meant for only the boy to hear."

Shikamaru shrugged and went through the door, quickly followed by Shiho. Sakura and Kakashi stood where they were; Fukasaku stared pointedly at them.

"It's all right, I already know about it," Kakashi said, in an uncharacteristically serious tone.

"Fine...girl, I need you to leave; this is only meant for Naruto-chan to learn."

"Sorry," Sakura said, stepping next to Naruto. "I want to hear this also. I'll be right here with him."

"But-" "No, it's all right," Naruto interrupted. "She can listen to this; I trust her with my life and she's my best friend." Sakura smiled at him as Naruto faced the old toad.

Fukasaku sighed and said, "Fine." Leaning forward slightly, he stated, "In blunt terms…Jiraiya-chan was your godfather."

Naruto's eyes widened as his grinning face slowly changed to an expression of shock. "…What?"

"You heard me. The perverted sage that you traveled with and trained under was the man who gave you your name."

Naruto stared at the ground and stood still as memories of Jiraiya rushed back.

He remembered being taught the Summoning Jutsu and the Rasengan. He remembered having to put up with the perverted sage peeking in on half-naked girls. He remembered being encouraged by Jiraiya to not give up and become a great Hokage. Naruto's jaw clenched and as a sweatdrop formed on his face as his revelation struck him.

He looked up, his fist trembling and his eyes slowly turning red and slitted, and grated out, "Why…didn't anybody tell me?"

Naruto glared angrily at Tsunade and Kakashi, daring them to answer. "Simply put, it wasn't necessary to tell you at the time," Kakashi said. "Even if we did tell you, you wouldn't have believed us."

Naruto glared at them. "But…" He twitched as a slender hand laid itself on his shoulder. He turned around to see Sakura gazing steadily at him with an understanding expression on her face. Naruto slowly let out his breath and his eyes turned back to their normal deep blue.

"Hey…I think I'm going to wait for a bit before I go to this Mt. Myoboku," Naruto said slowly as he turned around and walked out the door.

In the Village Hidden in the Rain, in Pain's hideout Madara and Pain were sitting facing each other.

"So, we'll be sending Kisame for the initial invasion of Konoha tomorrow, to confirm that the capture will go smoothly," Madara said, leaning forward.

"I see…how's Sasuke-kun doing with the eight-tailed host?"

"It shouldn't take long to capture him. Sasuke-kun intends to capture him by tomorrow afternoon. I only wish I could capture the nine-tailed host myself, as I have unfinished business with the fox."

"Hmm…" Pain closed his eyes half-way reflectively. "Remarkable that a shinobi like him can be so easily manipulated due to a turmoil of emotions. But then, he will need to experience pain if he is to conquer Konoha."

"Indeed. He was so confused when he learned the truth about Itachi, it was simple to bend him to the power of my Mangekyo."

"Although, it isn't just a simple mind-control jutsu, is it?"

"Not quite. It merely brings the target's dark side into dominance. By increasing my influence within their consciousness, more of their inner darkness is brought out, and as a result, some of my power flows to them."

Madara's Sharingan glinted as he stated coolly, but with a bit of menace, "Once I fully utilize this power, nothing will stop from destroying Sasuke from destroying Konoha. Even if others of the Uchiha clan were still alive and tried to stop him, he would merely swat them aside as he brings his home village to its knees. Neither friends nor family will be able to stop him."

Several hours later, it was mid-night and people were spending the night in different ways. In the Land of the Clouds, Sasuke was leaning forward on his sword, watching the entrance to the eight-tailed host's training ground intently, longing for the destruction of his former village.

In Konoha itself, Naruto was lying on his bed, his hands behind his head and his blue eyes full of loss and pain, reflecting on happier times with his sensei.

But for a third person, Konoha was off in the distance. A cloaked figure landed on the top of a tall tree and looked at the slumbering village. "So that's the Village Hidden in the Leaves…" said the figure slowly. He pushed up his taped-up glasses as he murmured, "Looks a lot like what Sensei said it would be."

The figure looked up at the moon carefully as he said, yawning, "Looks like I'm gonna get there around mid-morning." The figure dropped down back down to the ground, but not before the back of his cloak revealed a strange design that simultaneously resembled a curled dragon and a flickering flame.

Daia no Hana (English Lyrics)

It always begins under the ultramarine sky
I make a promise now and begin to walk!

Yah, the desert glows in gold (I keep on wandering)
Searching for the diamond flower (in the hot wind)
For the first time, I am living for another person!

I have something I want to protect!
So that I never, ever lose it again!

Yah, I have a wish in my heart (shaking)
In order to make it come true (I'll get hurt as much as it takes)
I'll clutch my sword now because I want you to smile!

My nails rip through the red, red shadows
That fill my torn-apart memories!
Even if they split, let them grab
That precious thing I want to protect!

The diamond flower that bloomed the night I loved and cried for someone!

I have something I want to protect!
I'll never, ever lose it again!
Let it ring out, this heartbeat that's smaller and fainter than anyone else's
But also tougher than anyone else's!

Please read and review! :)