Darthemius AN.

No, I am not dead, thank you very much.

Now really guys. I know I took too long to update this part, but there are several reasons for that. First of all, you might… just might have noticed the size. And if you don't, I'll tell you. It took 50 pages. Yep.

So from that being said, you can guess that the chapter is a little long…

Secondly, there are way too many difficult scenes in this one. Come on, it's the last chapter guys! Final fights, revelations, choices. It's not that hard to create out of nothing. Not just that, you have to make it entertaining, believable and satisfying. BESIDES! It was also rewritten several times because of one thing or another.

Not just that, but I was hesitating too much on the ending. Make it tragic? Or happy? Or maybe neutral? The mix of three? So many possibilities… Well, fear no more for I have finally decided how to end it all. Some of you might like it, some might not. But as an author, I asked myself: "Where do I want my characters to end up?"

It took me just a moment.

So anyway, here it is. Enjoy this story for the last time if you can.

P.S. I'm not even gonna comment on the manga progress. Because after Sasuke said: "I wanna be a HOKAGE!" I smacked my head against the wall and lost consciousness for a whole day.

CLAIMER: Kishimoto? Never heard of it… Is it good to eat?

...

Chapter thirty: Retribution.

"Shin-ne!" – talks.

'Nah.' – thoughts.

"You will." – demonic/jutsu.

...

Konohagakure's outskirts…

"From here on out we'll divide into a team for diversion, and another for search. I'll go over it once more. The diversion team will be Shuradou, Chikushoudou, Gakidou. The search team will be Tendou, Ningendou, Jigokudou. Konan, you go with the search team."

"Got it." The blue haired woman replied.

"Konoha has placed a spherical barrier that covers the land and air around the village." Pain stated.

"So if anyone without permission enters the village, they will be noticed immediately." Konan's eyes narrowed.

As usual, Pain showed no emotions. "As planned, we'll send Chikushoudou up in the sky above. We'll give the enemy the wrong idea about our numbers in order to confuse them. Wait for Chikushoudou's summon…"

Konohagakure no sato. Prison dungeons…

"Join Konoha?" Hinata chuckled in amusement, looking down at the only other occupant of the room, who was currently tied to a chair.

"Sure, why not?" Suigetsu grinned at her. "It's not like I have anything better to do."

"Do you take me for a fool?" Hinata glared at the prisoner. "Hozuki Suigetsu… I've heard rumors about you." The girl crossed her arms. "They said that you enjoy killing so much, they actually started to call you the second coming of Devil Zabuza."

"Oh, I'm flattered that you know so much about me!" Suigetsu's grin widened. "How about you tell me about yourself."

Hinata raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Come on, just a little." Suigetsu continued. "I mean, I already learned that you're the ANBU Commander…"

"An assistant actually." The Hyuga corrected.

"Well, soon-to-be Commander, no matter." Suigetsu shrugged. "I don't really care about your rank; I want to know the girl behind the mask." He waged his eyebrows suggestively.

Hinata tilted her head to the side. "You're really blunt, you know. Not to mention brave, for actually trying to hit on your jailor when we're discussing the matter of your life and death."

"Oh come on, what's the big deal, Hina?!" Suigetsu asked. "I mean, you let guys like Kisaragi into your ranks! Compared to him I'm…"

SLAP.

"Quiet." Hinata interrupted, backhanding Suigetsu across the face. "Jin Kisaragi's service to Konohagakure no sato is none of your business… And don't call me Hina!"

"Hehehe…" Suigetsu laughed. "Have anyone told you that you're cute when you're angry?"

Hinata's eyes narrowed. "You're about to cross a very dangerous line." She said dangerously, placing her right foot on his left knee.

"Not really. The worst thing you can do is kill me, and I'm fine with that." He grinned at her. "If I'm to be executed, I want you to do it."

"Why?" The raven haired girl asked as her eyebrows furrowed.

"Easy. Because your face will be the last thing I'll see."

"Huh?" Hinata hated to admit it, but she was flattered. Since that Chuunin exam four years ago, no one had the courage to even speak to her with any hints of familiarity. "I have to say, I envy your guts." She said, removing her leg, and standing back straight. "Just tell me one thing, why should I appeal to Hokage-sama for your possible recruitment?"

"Easy. You said it yourself, I'm a good killer." Suigetsu responded. "I have nowhere to go, so how about I kill for your village?"

"Hm." Hinata looked her prisoner up and down. "You're making a good point. Konoha is in need of good killers… After all, shinobi's work is first and foremost killing and stealing. And our current way of teaching is covering that very… mildly. I'm the only real killer out of my entire age group…"

"Great!" Suiget's exclaimed suddenly to Hinata's surprise. "How about you tell me about your academy days more during… let's say, a candlelight dinner?"

Hinata's lips curled into a smirk. "You're awfully cocky for a prisoner. Still, perhaps there is a place for you in…"

"Your heart?"

"…Konoha corps." Hinata finished, rolling her eyes. "But make another comment like that, and I will change my mind."

"Got it ma'am!" Suigetsu grinned widely.

"What about your association with Uchiha Sasuke and that other girl?"

"Meh, I don't owe anything to them." Suigetsu stated. "I'm my own man… was, until I decided to join you… Konoha I mean!"

"Hmhmhm." Hinata chuckled. "We'll see about that…"

BLAST.

The ground above them suddenly shook after something like explosion was heard in the distance.

"What the hell was that?" Hinata asked, looking up sharply.

"How the hell should I know?!" Suigetsu yelled.

"Hinata-sama!" The door suddenly slammed open, revealing a single ANBU member. "The village is under attack!"

"Invasion?!" Hinata asked in shock. "Who is the enemy?"

"It's Akatsuki, Hinata-sama."

"Tch." The girl spat, moving towards the exit, when…

"Wait!" Suigetsu shouted at her back. "Release me, I want to help!"

Hinata looked over her shoulder and paused deep in thoughts.

"Hinata-sama, you don't actually think that…" The ANBU member was suddenly interrupted when Hinata took out a single kunai and threw it Suigetsu's way.

"Yikes!" Said prisoner yelped, but quickly found himself released from the ropes. "Huh?"

"Don't fall behind, rookie." Hinata said, turning away, and running out of the room.

"When your sweet cheeks are in front of me?" Suigetsu whispered to himself, rubbing his sore wrists. "There ain' no way!"

Konoha dango shop…

"No way! You actually gave in to Asuma's pestering?!"

Yuhi Kurenai sighed heavily. "Well yes… It's not like I'm becoming younger with each day. Besides, I have to say that among all of my so-called suitors, Asuma was the most determined one. So yeah."

"Nah, he's not my type."

"Who is? I swear you're gonna end up alone if you won't change this attitude of yours, Anko."

"Mmm." Said purple head chewed on her dango. "I don't mind… as long as I can have enough sex to sustain me for a day."

Kurenai slapped her face. "And what if you can't?"

Anko shrugged. "Then I'll just force someone into it."

"I should've expected something like this from you… And you're probably right." The ruby eyed woman exclaimed. "Settling down is out of character for you."

"Yup!" Anko exclaimed happily winking at her friend. "You know I was thinking about taking another brat for torturing… I mean tutoring. Who knows if I'll get another… Oh, sorry."

Kurenai's face darkened. It was a known fact that she hated Jin Kisaragi for murdering her friend Yugao.

"It's okay, Anko…" She said. "Just try not to mention him again, alright?"

"Y-Yeah. Still, what about you? Thinking about getting another team?"

"Not really." Kurenai replied. "Actually I was thinking about retirement."

"At the age of twenty six?! Come on!"

"Yeah, you may be right…"

"Of course I'm right!"

Suddenly…

BOOM.

"The hell was that?!" Anko yelled as she and Kurenai got into their battle stances.

"Sounds like… an invasion?" Kurenai suggested as more explosions echoed around the village.

"You're shitting me!" Anko said in amusement. "Who's crazy enough to attack the village directly?!"

CRASH.

Two women covered their eyes from dust as a single man in black cloak with red clouds landed on the ground in front of them.

"How about this guy?" Kurenai asked.

Anko looked the newcomer up and down. "Nah, not my type either." She stated, making Kurenai slap her forehead again.

"Where is Namikaze Tsubaki?" The man suddenly asked.

"The princess?" Anko asked. "No idea. Check out the ramen shop or her house…"

"ANKO!" Kurenai yelled. "It's the enemy! You mustn't disclose any information!"

"Oh really?" With that Anko took out a kunai and licked it. "Too bad. I guess I'll have to correct my mistake by killing you."

"Interesting." The man said emotionlessly. "Let's see how you do."

Konoha hospital…

BOOM.

"What the hell?!" Tsunade yelled, observing the village from hospital's roof.

"Tsunade-sama!" One ANBU member appeared in a puff of smoke. "We're under attack, please step back inside…"

"Shut up!" Tsunade exclaimed in outrage. "Akatsuki! Attacking the village! Head on! The nerve!"

"Tsunade-sama, please…" ANBU member pleaded.

"I told you to shut up!" The woman slammed her hand into the floor. "Kuchiose no jutsu!"

PUFF.

"How may I be of assistance, Tsunade-sama?" The giant slug asked.

"The village is under attack, Katsuyu! I need you to help everyone who's wounded or in battle!"

"Roger."

"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune ran towards her master. "What are we going to do?"

"Tch." The legendary medic spat. 'He's as bold as he said.'

"Remember, don't try to fight him." Words echoed in her head. "I don't want you killing him before I do."

"Heh." Tsunade smirked, despite seeing her home village burned.

"Tsunade-sama?"

"We will do nothing, Shizune." The blond woman stated.

"What?!" Assistant's eyes widened. "But the enemy is…"

"He is just a moron who thinks he's a god…" Tsunade's smirk widened. "And just about to find out that he's not."

Miles away…

"Is that what you really want, Tsubaki?"

Said girl stopped her advance in the middle of some clearing.

"Yes." She said after a slight pause. "I have decided… I know what I must do."

Girl's only companion, one Uchiha Sasuke, gave a heavy sigh. "Are you absolutely sure about… Wait, what is this?"

"Hm?" Tsubaki glanced over her shoulder to see what Sasuke was talking about. "That's…"

"Smoke." Sasuke finished for her. "Only Konoha is in that direction. That can only mean one thing, the village is under attack."

"Nonsense." Tsubaki said, turning her back on the village. "No one is stupid enough to attack Konoha head on."

"Orochimaru did." Sasuke countered.

"Orochimaru is dead." The red head reminded. "Unless you lied about that."

"I didn't." The Uchiha stated. "However there are people in this world who are far more dangerous than Orochimaru."

"I know."

"And yet you still…"

"Sasuke." Tsubaki glanced over her shoulder again, but this time her gaze was directed right between Sasuke's eyes. "If you wish to go back to the village, then do it. I'm not holding you."

"Listen to yourself!" The Uchiha finally snapped. "You…"

"Don't care."

"W-What?" Sasuke asked in shock.

"You heard me." Tsubaki said gravely. "That village's state is no longer a concern of mine."

"You…" Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "You have changed, Tsubaki."

"Only a fool never changes his opinion in his life."

"And what about your parents?" Sasuke asked, folding his hands. "Will you abandon them too?"

"If I have to." The red head exclaimed. "Now, are you with me, or not?"

"Damn stubborn girl." The Uchiha grunted. "Fine, where are we going?"

"You tell me."

"Huh?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "You mean you don't even know where we are going?!"

"Not exactly. Do you know of any Uchiha hideout nearby?"

"Well, there is one, but…" Sasuke paused. "Why would we go there?"

"There is no time or point for explaining. Lead the way."

Konohagakure no sato. Market district… or what's left of it…

"What's the situation?"

"Hinata-sama… cough…" One wounded ANBU began. "Several enemies have infiltrated the village…"

"I can see that." Senior ANBU replied. "I need more than that. Numbers, abilities, affiliations!"

"They… cough… They all have slashed Amegakure headbands on as well as black cloaks with…"

"Red clouds?" The girl asked.

"Y-yes…"

"Akatsuki for sure." Suigetsu said from behind her. "No one else is stupid enough to wear that crap. I mean it's hideous!"

"Quiet, Hozuki!" Hinata hushed. "Go on, soldier."

"We don't know the exact number… cough… but they all look the same… cough…"

"What do you mean the same?"

"Same hair color, same piercing, same eyes…"

"Uh-oh, that ain't good." Suigetsu stated.

"Why?" Hinata asked, turning to him.

"Well, I might have an idea who that guy is." The swordsman replied. "And if my guess is correct, then we'll have a pretty tough fight on our hands."

"Enough, who is this guy?" The girl asked in frustration.

"Well, the guy's name is Pain. And I believe he is the leader of their little group." Suigetsu explained. "From what I managed to learn during my stay at Orochimaru's, that guy is incredibly strong. He has six bodies, and each of them has some unique ability."

Hinata's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean six bodies?"

"Exactly what it sounds like." Suigetsu explained. "He calls them Six paths of Pain… no idea why."

"This is ridiculous." Hinata shook her head. "No man can have six bodies."

"Exactly what I thought when I first heard it." Suigetsu nodded. "My guess is he uses those bodies as marionettes, while he himself hides in some hole."

"Interesting theory. So what do you suggest we do?"

"Well, obviously we need to kill the real one. But I doubt six others will just let us do that." Suigetsu shrugged. "So I guess we just have to kill them first."

"Alright." Hinata nodded. "You, try to get to the hospital." She told to the downed ANBU member and then turned to Suigetsu. "You're with me, Hozuki."

"Nice!" Suigetsu exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "I mean, yes ma'am!"

Hinata only rolled her eyes and rushed into one of the buildings.

'Where the hell is she going?' Suigetsu thought to himself, giving chase. "Oh…"

"You never actually thought I'm gonna fight one of those Akatsuki freaks unarmed?"

Suigetsu looked around the house that happened to be a weapon shop.

"Now that's what I call a lot of tools." He said, looking around again. "Still there is no…" And then his heart skipped a beat. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

"What?" Hinata almost jumped in surprise. "Why are you yelling?!"

"THIS!" Suigetsu shouted, picking up a massive zanbatou from one of the shelves. "Why the fuck is this here?!"

"Ah, the sword..." Hinata breathed a sigh of relief. "Konohagakure has no known zanbatou specialists. What do you suggest we do with it?!"

"Nice!" Suigetsu said, swinging the massive blade around. "Now we stand a much better chance against that Akatsuki motherfucker!"

"Won't you take anything else?" Hinata asked in slight surprise, exiting the shop.

"Nah, I don't need anything else." Suigetsu said confidently. "Now it's only the question of finding them… or not." The white haired teen finished, observing a single man in black cloak with red clouds.

"Where is Namikaze Tsubaki?" The man asked stoically. "If you tell me, I will let you live."

Hinata's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You will not take her." She stated, taking her battle stance.

"Wait, one question!" Suigetsu suddenly exclaimed. "Are you Pain?"

"Yes." The man replied. "How do you know that?"

The white haired teen grinned. "A little ugly dead snakie told me."

"Orochimaru." Pain glared dangerously. "It is very fortunate for him that he's dead."

"Yep. Say, what's with the piercing?"

Hinata's eyes rolled into the back of her head. "Can you be a little more serious?!"

"Of course I can, but why…"

"Bansho Ten'in!"

"WHOA!" Suigetsu yelped in surprise when he was suddenly pulled towards Pain with some unknown force.

"Know pain." The Akatsuki leader said, impaling Suigetsu on a steel rod that came out of his sleeve.

"Guh!" The white haired teen gasped in shock…

"Hozuki!" Hinata yelled.

…Shock that quickly turned in a big shit eating grin. Pain couldn't understand what was happening until he looked down. No, his attack hit the mark perfectly… But there was no blood coming from the wound…

There was water.

"Got ya." Suigetsu exclaimed happily. "Take us both out, Hina!"

"Hakke Kushou!" Hinata yelled without hesitation, throwing an open palm forward.

"Guh." Pain grunted as he was hit in the chest with… something. Pain's eyes could see it all; despite Suigetsu's body obstructing his view. He saw chakra gathering in girl's arms, he saw the strike… but that was it. Unless it was not a chakra attack, which, as Pain concluded, was exactly the case. "You will pay for that."

"Sure we will."

Pain raised his head… and for many years was astonished at what he saw. Suigetsu stood in front of him with a raised zanbatou… But that wasn't shocking. What was, was that the white haired teen had a dinner plate size hole in his chest… and paid absolutely no mind to it.

"Send me a bill from the underworld." Suigetsu said, bringing his sword down to behead the fearsome Akatsuki leader, but…

CRACK.

"Huh?" Suigetsu tilted his head to the side when another body jumped in the way... if you can call that a body. "The hell is that?"

"Shinra Tensei!"

"GAH!"

"Hozuki!" Hinata yelled as her partner was blown away through the building with tremendous force.

"You have to be commended." The first pain said, slowly getting up from his knees. "You actually managed to kill one of my bodies."

"That was just the beginning." Hinata replied dangerously. "I don't know who you believe yourself to be, but there is no way you will leave this village alive."

"Hm." Pain looked down on her arrogantly. "You're underestimating me girl. A mistake that will be your last." He said as two more bodies landed beside him.

"And you're underestimating the power of Konoha ANBU." With that Hinata snapped her fingers and a few dozens of masked shinobi landed around them. "Let us properly welcome you in our village."

"And don't forget me." Suigetsu said, getting out of the rubble. "I hope you weren't planning to start the party without me."

"I was." Hinata responded. "But since you're here, you might as well join. Attack!"

"Your numbers don't matter." Pain stated confidently. "Today this village shall know pain."

The Land of Iron…

"As the one who gathered you all here…" Mei Terumi began, looking at the other occupants of the round table. "I believe I should start…"

"I apologize for the interruption, Mizukage-dono…" One Yondaime Hokage… interrupted. "But I don't see any reason to beat around the bush."

Mei just raised her hands defensively with a disarming smile on her face. "By all means, Hokage-dono."

Before continuing, Minato looked every Kage in the eyes. "No disrespect intended, my colleagues, but I came here to talk about one thing only. Akatsuki." He stated as his blue eyes narrowed dangerously. "Those people went too far. So what I'm about to do is make that organization my personal enemy. What I need to know is your stance on the matter."

"I assure you, Hokage-dono…" Gaara began. "Akatsuki are no friends of mine."

"Those bastards took my brother!" Raikage yelled, slamming his fist against the table. "I will not stop until I wipe them from the face of the Earth!"

"That's good… Because I'm making an ultimatum." Minato stated. "If you're not with me on this, then you're against me. Attempt to stay out of the conflict will be viewed as siding with the enemy."

The Tsuchikage gritted his teeth. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"I am the one who defeated you and your village in the last war." Minato said stoically. "Or maybe I should remind you who exactly you're dealing with?"

"Enough!" Raikage roared. "You can remind each other all you want in your own free time. Don't waste mine. Now it shames me to say, but I agree with Hokage." He linked his eyes with the blond. "I don't know what your reasons are, but if you're stating that Akatsuki is your enemy, I'm with you. That does not make us friends though."

"Makes no difference to me." The Hokage responded.

"I am with you as well." Gaara spoke in his usual calm manner. "Akatsuki almost succeeded in killing me once. I will not give them another chance."

Minato nodded at him and turned to the oldest of the group. "Tsuchikage. I know you don't like me all that much…"

"That's an understatement, boy." The old man replied, glaring at the blond.

"And the feeling is mutual, believe me." Minato stated. "But consider this; do you really want to have me as your enemy… again?"

Onoki, the great fence sitter, held a long pause, trying to melt Minato with his glare. Unfortunately for him, he didn't possess such ability…

"No." He stated gravely. "Regrettably I'm simply too old to fight you again."

"Good." Minato finally turned to the only woman present. "Are you going to say anything, Mizukage?"

"Who, me?" Mei smiled innocently. "Not really. I'm just waiting for that special someone to show up."

Everyone's eyes narrowed at this.

"Who are you talking about?" Raikage asked.

"That would be me…"

Konohagakure no sato…

"Kuso…" Hinata cursed, panting heavily. Almost an entire ANBU division was wiped out by that single person in front of her.

"Damn this guy is strong." Suigetsu muttered, standing on one knee to her right. "Any ideas?"

"Tch." Hinata straightened and glared at four remaining Pains. "We fight, what else. Konoha shinobi never give up."

"What foolishness." Pain in the middle spoke. "Look around you." He motioned his hand at the fallen bodies of Konoha soldiers. "All this could be avoided if you just told me Namikaze Tsubaki's whereabouts."

"Yes, only for all this to still happen if you manage to capture Kyuubi." Hinata countered. "Don't take us for fools, we know exactly what you want."

"Do you?" Pain asked in amusement. "Or do you simply assume that I'm the villain because I attack your home village?"

"What are you talking about?" Suigetsu asked back.

"You may not believe me, but I'm trying to create peace."

"Bullshit, man." Suigetsu snorted. "Now you look around. Does that look like peace to you?!"

"To me? It does." Pain replied. "For without pain people will never be able to understand each other."

"Hm." Hinata's face betrayed no emotion. "You're just another psychopath, nothing more."

"Psychopath?" Pain raised his hand. "That's no way to talk to a God. Bansho Ten'in!"

"KYAH!"

"HINA!"

SLASH.

"W-What?" Pain asked in shock, looking down at his chest.

"So much for a God."

Pain looked at the newcomer in anger… "Namikaze… Kushina…" …Before rolling his eyes into the back of his head and falling down limply.

"One down." Kushina said smugly, sheathing her blade. "Three to go."

"Actually there were six." Suigetsu corrected.

"Who cares…"

"Kushina-sama…" Hinata spoke, getting up from the ground. "Cough… Ksuhina-sama, you must leave now! He looks for your daughter and…"

"Who cares." The red head spoke again.

"What?" Hinata's eyebrows rose.

"Who cares what he came here for?" She grinned. "As long as I can kick his ass everything is is fine."

"Hm." One of the remaining Pains spoke. "Looks like the rumors about you were true. You are as reckless as you are dangerous. Still, I can assure you that you will not win this fight."

"We'll see!" Kushina exclaimed, disappearing from view.

"She's fast." Suigetsu muttered in awe.

"One!" Kushina stated confidently, slicing one of Pains in two. "Two!" Faster than even Pain's Rinnegan could follow, the red haired woman made a horizontal slash, swiftly removing second Pain's head from his shoulders.

"Kushina-sama… awesome…" Hinata whispered, witnessing older woman's skills.

"Three!" She stated happily, burying her sword in last Pain's chest. "You're out haha!"

"Not exactly." That same pain stated, placing a hand on her head.

"W-What?" Kushina stuttered as she suddenly felt herself unable to move.

"These bodies are just weapons. I can revive them anytime I wish." Pain stated. "I heard about your abilities, and know that fighting you would take too much time and strength. Especially after the leveling I delivered to your village. This will make things way simpler." He closed his eyes. "Strange. Even you don't know where she is. And from her profile, she wouldn't stand by watching her village's destruction. That means she's actually not here… Which in turn means that I don't need you any longer."

Hinata and Suigetsu could only watch in horror as Pain raised his hand… taking Kushina's life force along with him.

"KUSHINA-SAMA!" Hinata yelled, but it was already too late. Woman's body hit the ground with a firm thud, announcing her passing into the underworld.

"A shame. It looks like I will have to replace all six." Pain said emotionlessly as his last body joined his latest victim on the ground.

Some distance away…

"Cough…"

"Nagato!" Konan yelled worriedly. "You shouldn't push yourself so hard."

"I must." The Rinnegan user said maniacally. "Or the peace will never be achieved."

"Alright, I believe in you, Nagato." Konan nodded her head. "What about the girl?"

"Apparently she was not in the village…"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I just killed her mother and she didn't come out." Nagato stated.

"Really?" Konan's eyebrows rose. "Now that was unexpected…"

"Yes." Nagato agreed. "I never expected them to move her out of the village."

"Not that." Konan waved her hand. "I meant that woman actually coming out to fight you. Wasn't part of the plan, but bah, who cares…"

"Plan?" Nagato's eyebrows furrowed.

"Yep, that one."

SLASH.

(Starting song: Hellsing Ultimate Ova Soundtrack: Jazz Funk theme)

"GAH!" Rinnegan user's eyes widened to their limits. "Konan… why…?"

"I'm terribly sorry, Nagato, but…" The blue haired woman raised her head sharply, looking her childhood friend dead in his eyes. The look on her face was the most terrifying thing Nagato has ever seen.

The look of pure madness…

"IF ANYONE DOESN'T LOVE THE LORD, JESUS CHRIST, LET HIM BE ACCUSED! O' LORD COME… AMEN! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Y-You!" Nagato exclaimed in horror. "But how! I saw you die!"

"How? Now that is a good question indeed!" 'Konan' responded, also twisting the blade in Nagato's chest. "I guess I can… enlighten you, as a parting gift from one idiot to another. Actually I thought you of all people had the brains to find out."

"What… cough…" Pain spat some blood. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about this!" 'Konan' waved at herself with her free hand. "You morons would be able to see any form of Kawarimi with those eyes of yours. However…" With that 'Konan' tore her cloak open, showing the one thing that terrified Nagato even more.

A big fat chakra receiver in her chest.

"Clever, isn't it?" 'Konan' said, grinning victoriously. "I knew you would be too arrogant to even assume that I can do the exact thing you do."

"You… Since when…?"

"My! Another interesting question! Never expected that from you. Anyway, since when you ask…" 'Konan' rubbed her chin in thought. "I believe it was even before my so-called death."

"W-What…? But then…"

"I could kill you any time I wished? Yep. But finishing you off was never actually my goal. I just needed you out of the way for the time being. And now, when I have no more use for you, I'm simply gonna remove you. I could always fight you fair and square, but why should I?"

"But… Cough… Just one…" Nagato muttered, looking down at the single chakra receiver in Konan's chest.

"Yep." 'Konan's grin widened. "Controlling just one body is way easier. Besides, I'm not as far as you usually are, so that's that."

"But what about your death! I saw it was you!"

"Ah, now there was the tricky part." 'Konan' explained. "I couldn't sacrifice my own body now, could I? Still, I have to make my death as realistic as possible. Took me two years to actually figure out the answer. Say, have you ever heard of demon country?"

"Cough… No…"

"Yep, exactly what I thought. You see, apparently they have no shinobi force… BUT! Their regular soldiers possess a… really remarkable skill. Know what that is?"

Silence.

"Exactly! The ability to change form without any restriction!" 'Konan' stated cheerfully. "Trully outstanding! There is a downside though. Once you do that technique of theirs, you have no chance to turn back. But I don't care about that. So long story short, I just caught some poor idiot, made him shift into myself and used him as a sacrifice. Smart ne?"

"Cough… What about your sword?" Nagato asked as his sight started to become blurry.

"You mean this?" With that 'Konan' pulled her sword out of Nagato's chest. "Just a cheap fake…" She paused. "Actually, scratch that. It was not really cheap…" Another pause. "Actually, scratch that too. It was really not cheap. Still worth every penny though. And umm… I don't know how to say it but uh… I think our time is really up, your divine lordship."

"Cough… As long as I won't be hearing your speeches anymore…" Nagato whispered, using the remains of his strength.

"That's the spirit! Oh, one more thing…" 'Konan' quickly raised her free hand and punched Nagato straight in the face. "Always wanted to punch a God."

SLASH.

And just like that, Nagato's head fell on the ground, breaking the life of what was supposed to be a child of prophecy.

"Man I feel good!" 'Konan' exclaimed cheerfully. "I bet I would have a boner right now if I had a dick. Killing gods always made me horny!" With that she pulled the remains of her cloak open, revealing dozens of exploding seals. "AMEN!"

BLAST.

The Land of Iron…

"I don't know how you were able to sense me, Mizukage, but you have to be commended."

"YOU!" Minato leaped from his seat, kunais in both hands. "You've got some guts showing yourself in front of me again!"

"Who is this man, Hokage?" Raikage asked dangerously as all bodyguards rushed to the scene.

"Why ask him when I can simply tell you myself?" The man in the orange mask and Akatsuki cloak responded, sitting down. "I am Uchiha Madara."

"Nonsense!" Onoki yelled. "Madara is dead."

"I assure you, I am very much alive." Madara exclaimed. "But I'm not here to talk to you about my health. I am here to tell you my plans."

"Tell us your plans?" Minato asked. "Just like that?"

"Indeed. I have nothing to fear from any of you."

Mei couldn't keep the smirk off her face this time. 'Should I just break him now…? Nah, I think I'll let him finish. It's rude to interrupt after all.'

"I call it the 'Moon Eye' plan." Madara continued. "By using the energy from captured biju I will project a very powerful genjutsu onto the Moon's surface, placing the entire world under my technique. Everything will become one with me, and the true peace will finally be achieved."

"Genjutsu?! Peace?! What nonsense are you talking about?!" Minato spat in anger. "A true peace can only be achieved by the combined efforts of others!"

"How very idealistic." Madara said in amusement. "However, that's exactly what I expected from you. Almost two decades have passed since our last meeting, Namikaze Minato, and you haven't changed a bit. Still a naïve fool with a false sense of security…"

"And you're still a deranged psychopath." Minato countered.

"A psychopath, am I?" Madara chuckled. "Then what does that make the ones around you? Look at those two." He pointed at Raikage and Tsuchikage. "They believe that peace can only be achieved if one nation conquers all others. Kazekage? The boy who've been killing people since he was five? The poor kid does not know what peace even is. That leaves you…"

Mei just winked at the masked man.

"It shames me to admit it, but I don't know anything about you. That does not make any difference though. All individuality will be erased with the creation of the perfect world." Madara stated confidently. "All I need is two more tailed beasts."

Raikage raised an eyebrow at this. "Two?"

"Indeed." The masked man nodded. "I have told you my plan, it's time to deliver my ultimatum. Give me the remaining biju, or there will be consequences."

"You will not get my daughter!" Minato yelled.

"Wait a damn…" Raikage wanted to speak, but Madara interrupted him.

"Very well. Then you may consider that the fourth great shinobi war has just officially started."

"Wait a goddamn second!" Raikage yelled, bringing everyone's attention to his person. "What do you mean you need two biju? We thought you only need one!"

"You are wrong." Madara replied. "Hachibi and Kyuubi are still out of our reach."

"WHAT?! Then where the hell is my brother?!" Ay yelled in anger.

"Oh, he's alive and well."

Everyone turned to Mizukage as she said that.

"He will be returned to you after this meeting… along with your other jinchuriki."

Now that surprised even Madara himself. 'What is this woman talking about?'

"It was you!" The dark skinned man bared his fists. "You kidnapped my brother."

"Not exactly." The woman replied, smiling innocently. "He was simple left with me for safe keeping."

"Then who…?!" Raikage paused. "Wait, I believed that Yugito's biju was extracted."

"Indeed, it was." Madara confirmed.

"Then what do you mean she will be returned?! You meant her corpse?"

"Never seen such an annoying corpse…" Mei muttered to the side. "But before we go any further, there is something I'd like to ask." With that she gave Madara her best predatory smile. "You sure were quick to declare a war. A great one at that. Tell me, Madara-san, are you sure you even have an army to fight with?"

"I'm sure." Madara stated confidently.

"Really…" Mei's grin widened. "In that case I was asked to relay a one simple message… Revenge is a dish best served cold."

A complete silence reigned in the room for about ten seconds. Then, without any word or warning, Madara simply disappeared into thin air without a trace.

"What?" Gaara asked. "What just happened?"

Mei released a breath she was holding. "Nothing much… He just did it."

"Who did?" Onoki asked.

"Jin… Kisaragi." The woman replied with a distant look on her face.

"WHAT?" Minato and Ay yelled at the same time. "What he did?"

"Everything." Mei stood up from her seat. "You may consider that the fourth great shinobi war has just officially ended." With that she turned around to leave, but quickly found one Yondaime Hokage blocking your path.

"What do you know about Jin Kisaragi?" He asked dangerously, raising one hand with a kunai in it. "I suggest you answer truthfully."

"About Jin? Not much." Mei replied, taking out a pocket watch. "But I do know a thing about your village…"

Minato's eyebrows rose. "What?"

"According to my watch, it has just been invaded…"

Uchiha hideout. Outside…

"This is it." Sasuke pointed at the building.

"Alright, let's hurry…"

"Let's not."

Two teens stopped dead in their track.

"Who's there?!" Sasuke yelled, drawing his sword.

"So' you've actually come. Just as he said you would." The newcomer stepped out of the shadow and smirked. "He was right… I hate it when he's right."

"Which is always." Tsubaki said, narrowing her eyes. "I'm also not surprised to see you here, Tayuya."

"Hm." Said girl smirked. "You're not so bad. However…" She took two blades from her back. "I cannot allow you to go any farther. The critical moment approaches."

"As expected. However…" Tsubaki took out Raijin and activated it with a hiss. "I cannot allow you to stand in my way."

"Fascinating." Tayuya exclaimed, placing one of her swords on her shoulder and pointing the other's tip at Tsubaki. "I've been waiting for this. This world doesn't have enough place for two red haired bitches. There must be only one."

"Whatever you say."

Uhciha hideout. Inside…

"What… What is this?" The self-proclaimed Uchiha Madara asked, standing in the middle of the Uchiha hideout… In the middle of the absolutely empty Uchiha hideout.

Yep, whatever was there before no longer was. Instead there was a single boulder in the middle… with one person on top of it.

"Ease my job." Said person spoke. "What does it look like?"

(Starting song: "Last man standing" by Pop Evil)

True, shadows covered man's face… But Madara knew that voice too well.

"Kisaragi." The masked man hissed lowly. "I should've known."

"Hey there, big boss man!" Jin replied cheerfully. "How do you like my work?"

"What work?" The Akatsuki leader asked, narrowing his only single eye.

Jin's eyebrow rose. "You mean you still haven't noticed? Hmhmhahaha! Okay, I guess I'll tell you… But before that, I must ask you to remove your mask… Obito."

"So you know…" The brown haired man reached for his mask and took it off.

"Indeed! I know you… I know eeeverything about you!" The blond grinned from ear to ear. "Your goals, your desires and…" He jumped down from the boulder. "Your dreams."

Obito glared at him. "What are you talking about?"

"So you still haven't noticed? Okay, Hishouken!" With that Jin raised his hand and threw a single ice blade at… the ceiling.

"Huh?" Obito tilted his head in confusion at the sudden action… Only for confusion to turn into the look of horror when the ceiling suddenly crumbled, allowing the sunlight to light the area Naruto was standing in.

What was so horrifying you ask? No, it was not Jin. He remained exactly like Obito remembered him… It was the boulder… As it turned out to be a giant head… A giant stone head with nine eyes.

"You…" Obito whispered in silent horror. "What have you done…?"

"Easy!" Naruto responded, spreading his arms victoriously. "I have just crushed everything you worked for since you were a teenager! Everything you hoped for, everything you strived for, everything you longed for, everything you dreamed for! I have finally crushed all that!

Obito just continued to stare in shock.

"Your army of clones…?" He waved around the room. "Devoured by snakes! Your biju weapons?" He kicked the stone head with so much force that it was launched into the air and smashed to bits against the wall. "Destroyed by my sword! Buddy Madara? Erased for good! And now the only thing that's left… is to end your miserable existence forever."

"…Why…?" Was the only thing Obito managed to squeeze out of himself.

"Why?" Naruto asked back in amusement. "Very simple… payback." Suddenly his smile disappeared, replaced by angry scowl. "Because of you… Mikoto-san died…" He clenched his fist. "Because of your idiotic dream… Because poor Obito wanted the world where little Rin is alive… WELL I CHOSE THE WORLD WHERE LITTLE RIN STAYS DEAD! FOR GOOD!"

"YOU IDIOT!" Obito yelled back. "In my world I could reunite you with her! You could've been happy again!"

Naruto's eyebrows rose. "Reunite me? With Mikoto-san? Hm… Hmhm… Hmhmhmhahahahaha! AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Naruto laughed madly. "Take a look at this, you moron!" He looked his enemy deed in the eyes and activated his Rinnegan. "You know what that is, right? And you also know what it allows me to do. Besides, me being a jinchuriki gives me almost unlimited supply of chakra. And what that means, is that I can easily resurrect anyone without dying myself. I even tested it twice on Niibi and Hachibi jinchuriki…"

"Hachibi. So you actually extracted him…"

"I did, but who cares." Naruto grinned evilly. "Resurrect little Rin? Or maybe your pal Madara? Hell I bet I can even resurrect Rikudo Sennin himself…"

"Then why don't you…"

"Because!" Naruto yelled angrily. "Answer this, what do you think Mikoto-san would've done if I did that? She would just slap the lips out of my mouth and then probably beat me to death herself for everything I've done." He paused. "That's why I'm glad that I accepted this hard truth a long time ago… Dead should stay dead."

Obito shook his head. "You're still so naïve…"

"No. I was naïve when I thought that I'm avenging Mikoto-san." Naruto smirked again. "Oh no, pal. I'm not avenging her, and I definitely don't want her back. Everything I've been doing up to this point is for me and no one else. And now, the only thing left for me to do…"

The world around them suddenly shifted.

"…Is to take your life."

Obito's eyes widened. "This is…"

"You know this world, don't you?" Naruto's smirk widened. "How do you call it… Kamui?"

"Pretty bold, even for you." Obito replied, relaxing a little. "In this world shinobi techniques don't work. The only thing that does is our eyes. But that doesn't matter. I can leave this place anytime I wish…"

Silence.

"W-What?"

"Hmhmhmhmhm." Naruto chuckled darkly. "You're wrong about one thing. You can't leave this world anytime you wish. And neither can I. Do you actually think that I would leave things to chances after planning my revenge so thoroughly?! Oh no. You see, this Kamui is different from the one you use. It was created by both of our eyes."

"Both?"

"Indeed. You haven't even noticed how you activated your own Sharingan, haven't you?" Naruto mocked. "Exactly. So since this world was created by both of us, neither will be able to leave until the other is dead." The blond drew his sword. "End of the line, poor Obito. Time to face the music."

Obito glared silently, drawing his own blade. "You sound too overconfident, Uzumaki. Don't forget, you have yet to defeat me."

"Wrong!" Naruto stated. "I have already defeated you! All that's left is to put you down like the rabid dog that you are!" With that he rushed forward and clashed swords with his nemesis.

CLANG.

"Hmhmhm." Obito chuckled. "Well, well. What do you know. This world works both ways, doesn't it?" He mocked. "Neither Hiraishin, nor your ice techniques work here as well. All that's left are your skills as a swordsman."

"Which are still better than yours." Naruto responded, pushing Obito back and following with a crushing spinning kick to Uchiha's ribs.

"Guh." Obito grunted as air was knocked out of him.

Naruto, on the other hand, had no intention to stop. Closing the distance once again the blond then proceeded to unleash a barrage of sword slashes and thrusts onto his opponent, which Obito found extremely hard to avoid or block.

"What's the matter?!" Naruto mocked, not stopping his onslaught. "Getting tired already? Well I've just getting started!" He yelled as he finally managed to get through Uchiha's defense and land a shallow cut on his chest."

"Uh." Obito hissed, somersaulting backwards several times to create some distance.

"Hmhmhmhmhm." Naruto chuckled, swinging his sword relentlessly around himself. "Come on, can you do no better? I expected an actual struggle!" He spread his arms in a welcoming gesture. "Come, old pal! This is as close to equality as it gets! No jutsu, no summons, no interruptions! Just yourself and your will to live! And between the two of us, I bet you have it more than I do."

"And how did you figure that out?" Obito asked.

"Simple, you are struggling just for your survival." Naruto's grin widened. "The only thing that keeps me going is the wish to see you go before I do!" With that he ran forward again, and Obito found himself struggling once again.

Still, despite not being a great swordsman, he still managed to hold himself against one of the best swordsmen in the world… if not the best.

'Damn, he chose the battlefield too wisely…' The Uchiha cursed silently. 'At this rate I will be forced to use it.'

"Amaterasu!"

"Fuck!" Obito yelled, barely managing to jump away from the deadly black flames.

"Nice reaction." Naruto commented, straightening again. "Did you forget? Only our eyes work."

"I did not forget." Obito responded, standing up as well.

"Of course you didn't." The blond grinned evilly. "But unlike me you don't have the luxury of Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan… You know, I take it back. Fuck the sword fight! Let's have some race instead! Amaterasu!"

"Gh." Obito grunted, trying to outrun the black flames once again… and failing. 'Shit, they're catching up… NO!'

"BURN, YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" Naruto screamed enthusiastically as he saw Obito getting covered from head to toe with black fire. "HAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA! YES! FINALLY!" He walked closer to the burning corpse. "What a disappointment, I expected he had at least one trick up his sleeve…"

"And rightfully so."

SLASH.

"Wha…" Naruto stared in shock with wide eyes at the sword blade that was sticking out of his chest. Slowly he turned his head to look over his shoulder… Only to see Obito again. Alive and unharmed… mostly. "H-How…?"

"It was foolish of you to believe that you can outsmart me in eye techniques, Naruto." Obito stated as his left eye slowly closed. "Izanagi. The technique that allows the user to shift the reality and make dreams come true at the cost of your eyesight. You couldn't possibly know about this technique, that's why…"

(Starting song: "Nightmare" from Code Geass soundtrack)

"Of course I could." Naruto interrupted and, fast as lightning, did a single motion with his hand…

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

…Swiftly removing Obito's only good eye.

"Hmhmhahahaha!" Naruto laughed, grabbing the blade behind his back and, with a loud hiss, removing the sword blade from his chest. "Surprise, surprise, bastard!"

"GAH! YOU SON OF A BITCH! I WILL KILL YOU!" Obito continued to scream, rolling on the ground clutching his face.

"I really doubt it." Naruto replied, crushing the removed eye in his hand. "Now for your information, I not only knew about this technique, I planned onyour usage of it. For you see…" He slowly walked towards the lying Uchiha, leaned down and… tore out his second eye.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH! GOD DAMN YOU, UZUMAKI!"

"Hmhmhm, already." Naruto muttered with relief in his voice. "But before we go any further, I must apologize. You see, remember when I said that neither of us can leave this world until the other is dead? Well, I kind of lied."

"W-What…?"

"Yep, you see…" Naruto held a pause. "We only can't leave while our eyes exist. And to be completely honest, killing you was never in my plans."

"You…"

"You think death is enough punishment for you?" Naruto grinned evilly. "Not in the slightest, pal. In this world you will not age, you will not sleep, you will not tire… and you definitely won't be able to leave."

"N-No…"

"I have done all I could." Jin whispered to his fallen enemy, all hints of mockery gone from his voice. "I have destroyed your allies, your weapons, your goals, your dreams. And now… now I will not let you die. Oh no, you will live forever, knowing that you have failed again and knowing that you have lost everything again… and knowing that it was I who took it all from you…"

"Uzumaki… Please… don't do this!" Obito pleaded, clutching his bleeding eye sockets. "Don't leave me here!"

"You wanted a new world? Well, here it is…" Naruto said, waving his hand. "A whole world, just for you…"

"No… NO!"

"Enjoy." Naruto whispered in his nemesis's ear, finally disappearing from that place forever.

"UZUMAKI!"

Back in the real world…

"Over… It's finally over…" Naruto muttered, clutching his bleeding chest. "Ah, dammit…"

"So… you've really done it this time."

The blond smiled at hearing this voice. "Looks like it. But it seems I was wrong about…" He turned around and… barely had the time to rush over and keep the girl from falling. "Tayuya! What happened?!"

"Cough… You were right of course…" The red head replied weakly with a faint smile on her face. "Sorry… I failed…"

"No, no you didn't." Naruto whispered, noticing that she, just like him, had a hole in her chest. Though hers was much bigger and, judging by the amount of blood on her clothes, was created a while ago.

He lowered on one knee and held the girl closer to himself. "You did everything I asked of you… Everything but that."

"Yeah… But it seems I won't be around for much longer to do it." Tayuya spoke sadly.

"You don't have to… Not anymore."

"…Why?"

Naruto held a small pause. "I'm not a medic, but… there is one thing I can do. And at my current state it will be enough for…"

"NO!" Tayuya yelled loudly despite her injuries. "I will not let you sacrifice yourself… Not for me… Not if I have to live on, knowing that I was the reason of your death… And if you do that after I die… then I will just kill myself again."

"You…" Naruto stared down at her in shock. "You never intended to kill me, did you…?"

"Of course not…" Tayuya whispered, closing her eyes.

"…Even if that's what I wanted?"

The girl shook her head lightly. "It's a good thing that it ended like this…"

"Is it?"

"Yes… Because I won't be able to live in the world without you…" She whispered. "You're a shithead… Naruto…"

The blond just hugged her closer and closed his eyes. "Yeah, I know…"

Silence.

"Tayuya?"

Silence.

Naruto held his breath and listened in.

No heartbeat.

"How sad…" The blond whispered, laying girl's motionless body on the floor and standing up shakily. 'I wonder if it could've ended differently…' He thought, summoning his sword and removing it from its sheathe. 'She did everything I asked, except for that… Is this love? The willingness to give everything for another? Did she love me…? Did I love her?' He paused, placing the tip of his blade above girl's body. 'Perhaps not… But then again, I wouldn't know even if I did.'

SLASH.

"Frozen… Requiem…" Naruto whispered, watching sadly how Tayuya's body turned into diamond dust. "Farevell, Tayuya… You won't be waiting long."

Steps. He heard multiple footsteps approaching quickly. But he didn't move from his position. He knew exactly who that was…

"JIN!" Tsubaki's yell reached his ears.

The blond allowed a small smile on his face. 'Right on time, Tsubaki…' He thought, not even looking girl's way.

"Naruto!" Sasuke entered the room with drawn sword. "This ends now!"

"Hmhmhmhmhmhm…" Naruto chuckled. "Now? As in right now? Hahahahahaha! Sorry to disappoint you, Sasuke, but this has already ended…At least it did for me."

Tsubaki looked around the enormous room. "Where is Tayuya?"

"Gone."

"Gone?" Sasuke's eyebrows rose. "You mean you finished her off?"

"And what if I did?" Naruto responded with a smirk. "Were you starting to like her?"

"No, but she didn't deserve to die like that…"

"He didn't kill her, Sasuke." Tsubaki interrupted. "It's not like him."

"Hmhm. You know me too well, girl." Naruto said, finally turning to his new company.

The fight against Tayuya didn't go too smoothly for them as well. Sasuke had scorched marks all over his left arm, and Tsubaki had bandages around her ribs.

'That's what delayed them.' Naruto concluded, moving his own hand to cover his chest. "But by killing Tayuya you prevented her from taking my life, so…" He swung his sword. "That responsibility falls upon you."

"Stop, Jin. I'm not here to kill you." Tsubaki stated. "Quite the opposite. I'm here to give you a reason to go on."

"Go on?!" Naruto said in amusement. "That's funny 'cus I sure as hell don't want to…"

"I'm pregnant, Jin."

"Wha…?" Naruto and Sasuke stared at her in shock.

"What are you saying?" The Uchiha asked.

"The truth." Tsubaki dropped the bomb. "We're going to have a child, Jin."

"But that's impossible. I'm your brother and…"

"We're not related, Jin."

"What?"

"I…" She hesitated. "I wanted to tell you back at Hoshigakure. There are no similarities between our cellar structures. Tsunade-sama confirmed it."

'So that's what she was going to say…' Naruto thought quietly.

"Tsubaki…" Sasuke whispered, still in shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I… I was afraid you'll abandon me."

"Stupid girl, of course I wouldn't have." Sasuke replied with a smile. "I… I may not like it, but… I don't care what you do as long as you're happy."

"Thank you, Sasuke." He turned her head. "You see, Jin! There is no reason to reason to go! Stay. Stay and we…"

"No."

Tsubaki's eyes widened. "W-What?"

"I said no." Naruto looked at her dangerously. "I'm afraid I cannot let this to happen."

"What are you talking about?" Tsubaki asked cautiously, taking a step back in slight fear.

Instead of response, Naruto simply took a battle stance.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!" Sasuke yelled, doing the same, standing protectively in front of Tsubaki. "Tsubaki gave everything she had to you! She's even carrying your child! And you…"

"And I cannot allow that." Naruto finished. "You should've stayed away like I told you, Tsubaki. Now it's too late." He raised his blade. "Touga Hyojin!"

Tsubaki just watched in shock how a huge wave of ice approached her. 'He's really trying to…' But her train of thoughts was suddenly interrupted by a pair of hands that quickly picked her up and moved out of harm's way. "Sasuke…"

"Tch." Said Uchiha spat, placing the girl down on the floor. "You really have fallen, Naruto." He stated, drawing his blade and attacking head on.

But even with his injury, Naruto was able to evade by jumping over Sasuke's head. Using his momentum, the blond then tried to cut his opponent in two from the above.

CLANG.

"You're not as fast as you used to be." Sasuke said after effectively blocking the incoming strike. "Looks like even you can't fight at your best after an injury like that."

"Even my worst is far better than your best." Naruto replied, disappearing in a flash of yellow.

Sasuke could only widen his eyes when a devastating uppercut knocked the air out of him, sending the last Uchiha up in the air.

"This is our difference." Naruto stated stoically.

Five more flashes, and Sasuke's body was already flying through hideout's roof.

"No!" Tsubaki yelled, using Hiraishin to teleport on the roof next to Naruto and… hug him from behind as he was about to attack Sasuke again.

"Let me go." He spoke emotionlessly.

"I can't!" She screamed. "Please, I beg you, Jin! You have to…"

"Shinra Tensei!"

"KYAH!"

Sasuke raised his head just in time to see Tsubaki getting blasted away by an unknown force…

Something inside him snapped that moment.

"AAAAAAHHH!" He yelled angrily, lashing out at Naruto with a barrage of sword strikes.

'What the…?' Naruto himself was surprised by ferociousness of Sasuke's onslaught. Even with Rinnegan activated he was getting pushed back. Also… "Guh." His free hand went over his bleeding chest…

Big mistake.

"Chidori Eiso!" Sasuke shouted, throwing his sparkling left hand forward.

"Ah!" Naruto gasped as a spear of lightning pierced through his right shoulder. "Hishouken!" Immediately he retaliated by throwing an ice blade at his opponent.

Sasuke, however, noticed that movement and used his instant move to quickly create some distance… Or at least he tried, for as soon as he stopped, he found Naruto already there, attempting to cut off the last Uchiha's head.

'Please work…' He thought.

"Fubuki!"

SLASH.

"Wha…?" Naruto exclaimed in confusion when instead of Sasuke's head one hand-like wing was separated from his body.

SLASH.

"Die!" Sasuke screamed, running his sword through Naruto's chest, but…

CRACK.

Naruto's body crumbled into ice.

"Hishouken!"

SLASH.

Now it was Sasuke who was pierced, but…

Sasuke turned into snakes.

"You're not the only one who can do that." The Uchiha exclaimed from behind him. "Substitutions are useless, Naruto. Our eyes can see it all."

"As much as I hate to say it, but you're right." The blond responded, slowly turning around to face his enemy.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. As much as he hated to admit it, but Naruto was tough. Even with grave injuries like those, he appeared to be fine… Though it was clear to Sasuke that he was faking it. His skin was too pale and eyes half closed. His blood was flowing out of his chest even before they started talking.

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke shook his head. "Before we finish this, I want to know one thing… Why?"

"Why what?" Naruto asked back.

"Why are you doing this?" The last Uchiha asked. "You said it was over. That means you have finally gotten your revenge. Why throw your life away?!"

"Hm." The blond smirked. "So you know about that… Very well, Uchiha Sasuke. If you strike me down, I will tell you."

Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed. "Fine, if that's what it takes!" With that he rushed forward, fully intending to do what Naruto just suggested.

"Haha, come, last Uchiha." Naruto said, raising his right arm. "Let's see if you have what it takes to overcome my best sword technique!"

Sasuke recognized the stance immediately. 'The same he wanted to use against me during chuunin exams… Yukikaze.' He learned the name from Orochimaru. Even the old snake himself proclaimed that he couldn't defeat this technique…

But Sasuke was not going to stop. With all strength he had left Sasuke rushed forward and attempted to run Naruto through with his blade.

And Naruto… smiled.

SLASH.

"Wha…?" Sasuke's eyes widened as he slowly withdrew his sword from Naruto's abdomen.

"Cough…" Naruto spat some blood, finally falling down on his knees. "Nice… Nice work, Sasuke…"

"You… Why?"

"Hmhm… Cough, Cough! Hmhmhm… Why what…?" The blond replied, chucking lightly between coughs.

"I knew that move. Yukikaze." Sasuke stated. "You could kill me easily just now… Why?"

"What could be easier…?" Naruto spoke quietly, raising his head. "You… Cough… You have her eyes you know…"

Said eyes widened. "Mother…"

"Yeah…" Naruto smiled. "Kill you? That would mean that I erase the last remaining piece of her… I could never do that…"

"Then why dammit!" Sasuke yelled. "You said you'll tell me! Why?! Why do all that?!"

"I thought you of all people would understand…" Naruto muttered weakly. "Do you know what it's like to live with constant pain in your chest? Right in the place where your heart is supposed to be…"

"…Yes, I know."

"And I know… And I don't want to know it anymore…" Jin explained. "I've tried everything: vengeance, murder, sex, alcohol… Nothing seemed to work. However…" He smirked again. "There is one thing that will definitely work. And since I can't die by Tsubaki's hand, I guess you'll have to do."

"I…" Sasuke hesitated. "She loves you, you know… Tsubaki."

"Yeah, I know…" Naruto whispered. "But someone like me does not deserve to be loved by someone like her… I'm just gonna ask you this, take care of Tsubaki for me. Consider this my first and last request."

Sasuke shook his head at this. "You don't have to ask about this." He responded, raising his sword above Jin's head. "Is this what you really want?"

"…Yes." Naruto bowed his head and closed his eyes. "And I thank you, Uchiha Sasuke, for what it's worth…"

Naruto's smile widened. Bliss. A pure nothingness will finally embrace him. He waited long… He waited for so long. And finally, finally! All his problems, all his pains, nightmares and fears will be gone in a flash…

Silence…

'Now…'

Silence…

'Now!'

Silence…

'NOW!'

SLASH.

'At last…' Was the last thought that came through Naruto's mind… until a realization hit him.

There was no pain… Or at least new one. Instead…

"Why…?" A meek defeated voice asked.

Naruto slowly opened his eyes to see a scene that was enough to shock even him.

The sword of Raijin was sticking out of Sasuke's chest.

"Ts-ubaki…" The blond whispered. "What are you doing…?"

"Do you deserve my love now?" She asked emotionlessly.

"Wha…?"

"I will not let you die, Jin." The girl explained. "And if I have to become a traitorous bitch, just like you, in order to do that, then so be it."

"Tsubaki… guh…" Sasuke spat blood out of his mouth. "How… How could you… After all I…"

"I'm sorry it has to be you, Sasuke." She replied. "I wish there was another way, but… I told you this before; I know what I must do."

"You…" Uchiha's eyes widened. "You've… I WON'T FORGIVE THIS!"

With a loud roar, a massive beast made out of lightning appeared from the clouds.

Naruto slowly raised his head to look at the sky.

"That's…"

"Kirin!" Sasuke yelled in anger. "THE THREE OF US WILL DIE TOGETHER!"

Tsubaki just stared in shock. She had no idea Sasuke had something like this in his arsenal. Giving her one final look of hatred, the beast roared once again and finally descended, leaving nothing in its trace. A blinding flash of light later and…

"NO!"

THUNDERCRASH!

Konohagakure no sato…

"OUCH!" Mitarashi Anko yelped as a wet bandage was pressed against her wounded shoulder. "Careful, you asshole! You're fucking treating a lady here!"

"Oh really?" Suigetsu asked in amusement. "And here I thought that ladies don't walk around half-naked, cursing at everyone, who's trying to help them?"

"Yes, they do!" Anko yelled. "You just have no idea about Konoha ways! Where did you get this guy, Hinata?! He's completely useless."

Said pushed herself off the nearby wall with a slight roll of her eyes. "That useless guy saved my life more than once today. And unlike the three of us, he actually knows a thing or two about medicine. So either let him help you, or wait for the next recovery squad to bring you to the hospital."

"Fine, fine…" Anko muttered, looking away.

Hinata just shook her head at the woman. 'How could someone like her become a jounin…?' With that thought she turned her head to the other woman in the group… the one that she respected despite everything. "How do you feel, Kurenai-sensei?"

"Oh, it's nothing, Hinata. I'm fine, thank you." Kurenai replied, trying to cover the fact that she was dead tired. "It's not like I've never broke an arm before." She said, glancing down at her bandaged left hand.

"Okay." Hinata nodded. "Are you sure you don't want us to escort you to the hospital?"

"No, it's fine." The ruby eyed woman responded. "We'll wait for the recovery squad. Besides, Anko should calm down to that moment."

"I see… Well, just tell me if you need anything…"

"Hinata!"

"Hokage-sama, you're back!" The ANBU replied and quickly tried to regain his posture.

"Konoha…" Hatake Kakashi whispered in shock, landing beside his old master. "What happened…?"

"Something terrible." Jiraiya responded, looking around. 'I don't see enemy bodies. Who could've done this?'

"My lord, we have an emergency…" Hinata stated.

"Yes, I can see that!" Minato interrupted angrily. "Just tell me who the enemies are and where are they."

"The enemy…" The Hyuga heiress gulped. "The enemy has been apprehended, Hokage-sama. The situation is under control, but…"

"But? But what?!" Minato snapped at her. "Answer me!"

"I… I think you should see for yourself, my lord…"

The ruins of Uchiha hideout…

"Uh…" Tsubaki moaned, slowly regaining her consciousness. 'Damn that hurt… JIN!' She immediately jerked up… Well, tried to at least, because she quickly found it impossible with the amount of weight on top of her.

"Damn." She cursed, gritting her teeth. 'I can't just lie here! I need to get to…' Her train of thoughts was suddenly halted when she finally realized that she didn't need to go anywhere. The object of her desire was right here, lying on top of her.

"Jin!" Tsubaki yelled worriedly. "Get… OFF!" She hissed angrily, throwing the rubble away from them and laying Naruto on the ground gently. "Jin!"

Nothing. His chest was barely moving. And with the amount of blood he lost, Tsubaki quickly realized that he doesn't have much time left.

"Please don't die, Jin! Don't leave me!" She yelled, desperately looking around for something… anything to help her.

But of course she found none.

'KYUUBI!' She screamed in her head. 'Do something!'

"What do you want me to do?" The demon replied. "I'm not a god; I can't revive the dead…"

"HE'S NOT DEAD!" Tsubaki shouted out loud. 'You disabled his healing factor once! Turn it back on!'

"Already tried." The biju stated. "I can't have him die, remember? But the thing I tried last time will not work."

'Why not?'

"Because I did not disable his healing factor, I took it." Kyuubi explained. "The only way for him to get it back is to take it from me by force…" He paused. "And it doesn't seem like he's in any condition to do that."

'I… Please, there have to be something you could do!' Tsubaki begged as tears started to fall from her eyes. 'I will do anything!'

"Anything?"

'Yes, anything! Just save his life!'

"Well…" Kyuubi thought for a moment. "There might be a way to keep him alive. But I doubt you will agree to it…"

Tsubaki hesitated. 'Does it involve me releasing the seal?'

"Yes."

'…Very well.' With that Tsubaki placed her hand over the seal and twisted her wrist. "Do it."

Silence.

"…No fear." Kyuubi spoke in awe. "You truly deserve to be admired…" Were demon's final words before Tsubaki could not feel his presence inside her mind.

The effect was instant. Within two seconds Naruto was completely covered in red chakra and… his wounds actually started to close… fast.

"J-Jin…?" Tsubaki asked cautiously, hoping for the best… and fearing the worst. "Jin… Please tell me it's still you…"

"Uh…" A stiffed groan suddenly escaped Naruto's throat. "Dammit… You just couldn't let me die in peace, could you…"

Tsubaki sighed in relief. "Thank god…"

"How did you do that?" He asced, finally opening his eyes. "I was pretty sure I was a goner."

"I…" She bit her lower lip. "I don't know. Kyuubi did something after I released it out of the seal…"

"You did that?" Naruto asked, raising an eyebrow. "I envy your guts. Still…" He gathered his strength to sit up. "Are you sure he even did something? I don't feel any different."

"I'm sure." Tsubaki nodded. "You were dying a minute ago. And now…" She looked him up and down. "You look almost completely healed."

"I see…" Naruto looked around the ruin. "What happened to Uchiha?"

Tsubaki frowned. "He used that jutsu of his, trying to kill all three of us. But you covered me with… whatever that was."

"Susannoo." Naruto explained. "Mangekyo Sharingan's absolute defense."

"Right. As I said, you covered me… But no one covered him."

"Indeed…" The blond paused. "So you actually used him and stabbed in the back afterwards?"

Tsubaki shrugged. "Seems so."

"And? How do you feel now?"

"I feel…" Tsubaki paused. "Hungry."

"Hm… Hmhmhm… Hmhmhmhmhahahaha!" Naruto laughed loudly. "What am I ever gonna do with you?"

"I don't know." She took a thinking pose. "How about finally admitting that you love me?"

"Fine." Naruto shrugged. "I love you. How does that sound?"

Tsubaki snorted. "Terrible. It lacked warm, kindness and any feeling whatsoever."

"Hmhmhm. Then I guess I need more work on my…" Next words died in his throat when two strong but gentle arms enveloped him in a bone-crushing hug. Closing his eyes, Jin did the only thing any man could do in this situation. He hugged the girl back.

"I'm not letting you go, Jin." She whispered in his ear. "I don't care what you did before and what you're planning to do next. Even if you end up against the world, I will be at your side."

"Yeah, I know…" He smiled sadly. "You do understand that I'm the most wanted criminal in the world now, right?"

"Yes, so what?"

"Were you lying about a child?"

"What?! Of course not…!"

"Then how the hell are you going to raise it if we'll be constantly on the run?"

Tsubaki paused. "Well maybe you're just gonna stop searching for more adventures on your rear end and actually agree to settle down somewhere quiet?"

"You know…" Jin thought for a moment. "I don't know about quiet, but there is one place… Besides, I believe their offer still stands."

"What offer?" The red head asked.

"I'll tell you later." Naruto replied, waving his hand. "But before that… there is one more place I wish to visit…"

Konohagakure no sato. Namikaze mansion…

Surprisingly enough, that was one of the few buildings that remained completely untouched by the latest invasion…

What couldn't be said about house's sole occupant. And though Namikaze Minato suffered no physical injuries, on the inside he was on the verge of death.

"I knew you would come." He spoke calmly, not turning away from the fireplace. "I've been waiting for you two."

"Were you?" Amused voice asked. "Nice place by the way. Always forgot to comment on that…"

Taking a small pause, Minato took a gulp from the bottle of sake he was holding in his left hand.

"Kushina is dead…" He said gravely.

"Yep, I know."

"Was it your doing?"

"That? No, actually that wasn't."

"I see…" Minato took another gulp. "So, are you going to kill me now, or do you want to ask something first, Naruto?"

"I do actually…" Said person walked around the armchair and looked down at the Hokage. His drawn sword resting on his shoulder. "You know, with everything that happened in my day, I stopped to care a loooong time ago. Training, plotting, killing… hell I even forgot when was the last time I asked myself." He paused. "But now, with all other questions answered, with all riddles solved, with all debts paid… there is only one question that comes to mind. Why?"

"Why I decided to throw you away you mean." Minato added, taking another gulp. "Are you sure you want to know?"

"What, is it some great secret?!" Naruto exclaimed sarcastically. "I doubt anything can surprise me at this point."

"You might very well be…"

"Enough!" Naruto yelled. "I've studied your character! You're not the person to throw any child away, much less your own son! Why?!"

"…Because you are not my son, Naruto." The Hokage stated.

"Sure! And she…" He pointed behind Yondaime's back. "…Is not your daughter! What is…?!"

"Of course she's not." Minato replied, drinking from his bottle. "I knew that all along."

"Wha…?"

"I am not fertile, Naruto." The Hokage stated. "I cannot have children."

"Huh?" Tsubaki raised her voice for the first time in the conversation. "What are you talking about?"

"Only two people knew of this. Kushina and the doctor." Minato explained. "The diagnosis was final. I'm not capable to have children. Kushina always wanted kids, but… she loved me too much to leave me because of that. But I didn't want to see her suffer, so I suggested… medical pregnancy."

"And she agreed?" Naruto asked in slight surprise.

"So you don't even know who my father is…" Tsubaki concluded.

"No, I don't…" Minato responded. "But I didn't care. The moment Kushina brought you into this world was one of the happiest ones in my life. I had a daughter… My only child."

"Only?" Naruto asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed…" Minato drank from his bottle again. "That day, Kushina brought me a daughter… We never had a son."

"Eh? Then how do you explain this?!" Naruto exclaimed loudly, teleporting one step to the left in a flash of yellow.

"Hmhmhm." Yondaime chuckled at this. "I can explain that very easily. For I created this technique, and I know exactly how it works." He locked his eyes with Jin. "The Hiraishin's seal responds to one's cellar structure. So, in order to use my own kunais, it's not possible even for my blood relative. You have to literally be me… Which is exactly the case with you."

Naruto's second eyebrow joined the first one. "Say again?"

"You are not human, Naruto…"

Silence.

"Right… Then who do you think I am?"

"I have a better question, who do you believe yourself to be?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "What are you insinuating?"

"Tell me, how did you get those eyes of yours?"

Jin paused. "…It's from Mikoto-san's blood that…"

"Even if the process was possible…" Yondaime interrupted. "You would've died in the end. No one can have two nervous systems in their body."

"But I survived!" Naruto shouted. "Because of Kyuubi I…"

"No, you didn't survive because of Kyuubi…" Minato stated. "You survived because you are Kyuubi."

Naruto hated when he was wrong… but by god he was. He was never more surprised in his entire life.

"Say what?!"

Minato took a deep breath. "That day… when Kushina was about to give birth, her seal…"

"Cut the crap!" Naruto interrupted. "I know all that already! Get to the point of how the hell am I Kyuubi!"

"Very well." The Hokage nodded. "When the intruder was gone, Kyuubi was still on a rampage. And Kushina's seal was completely broken, so sealing the fox back was out of the question. However, using her still fresh connection with Tsubaki, Kushina drew on her last remaining strength to channel demon's energy into Tsubaki's body, allowing me to use master seal and imprison it."

"But that wasn't all." Tsubaki said.

"No, it wasn't." Minato shook his head. "Kushina was too weak from childbirth and Kyuubi's breakout to use her chakra properly, so only about forty percent of demon's energy got sealed. The bigger part was still running rampant." He drank some sake. "To tell the truth, at first I wanted to sacrifice myself and use Shiki Fujin, but Kushina refused to let me go. She said she can come with another way if she had some time with Uzumaki seal scroll. So I thought for a way to give her time. Of course I could use a weaker seal to temporary imprison the beast, but there was a slight problem with that plan."

"Problem? What problem?"

"No one was around." Minato stated. "Tsubaki already had her seal and Kushina was out of question. I could try myself, but with most seals it was impossible. So I came up with a really bold idea…" He paused. "I created a Kage Bunshin."

Naruto's eyes widened. "You… WHAT?!"

"I was desperate." The Hokage explained. "And I was running out of options. So I thought what the hell, the worst outcome would be Kage Bunshin's destruction. But instead… something really unpredictable happened. I believe Kyuubi's wish for survival was so great that when I sealed it inside of my clone, the demon chose to seal his own power in order to escape the destruction. But apparently, all the power my cloned body had got sealed away as well. So all that remained… was an infant."

Jin's heart skipped a beat. "So you…"

"You have to understand. I didn't know how long it would take for the clone to dispel. It could be a day, it could be a week, it could be a month… And what would happen then? Another massacre?" Yondaime snorted. "Those fools from the council… They really believed you must be killed in order to get rid of Kyuubi for good. Idiots. The complete opposite would've happened. No, killing you was out of question. I have to make sure you survive… But on the other hand, I wanted you as far away from Konoha as possible."

"I see…" Naruto glared at him. "So I owe you for my happy childhood…"

"Yes…" Minato expected a punch, but it never came. Instead…

"Then what about my seal?" Jin asked.

"Simple ink. It has no meaning."

"Fascinating." Naruto smirked. "I think you should know. Tsubaki gave all of her biju energy… my energy, back to me."

"Then you've finally come the full circle." Minato nodded.

"Really? So why am I not a giant nine-tailed fox?"

"I don't know… perhaps because that's what you want." Yondaime replied. "Do you wish to kill me now? I don't have anything more to say to you."

"Now?" Naruto asked as suddenly an amused smirk appeared on his face. "You know, three hours ago I didn't even believe I would see your ass ever again. Half of an hour ago, I was fully intending to finish you off. But now? Now I think I'm gonna do the thing I have never done before." With that he swung his sword several times and… placed it back in its sheathe. "My vengeance… ends now."

CLICK.

"Mercy?" Minato asked in surprise. "Never expected that from you."

"Hmhmhmhm. It doesn't have anything to do with mercy." Jin stated, walking around the armchair and moving towards the exit. "Do you know what I see when I look at you? A man defeated. A really pathetic sight. Killing you will be a show of mercy. Besides…" He stopped in the door frame and looked over his shoulder. "If I'm not your son, then I don't have to use the name you gave me. And…" He paused. "…Early in my life, I learned what it is, to have nothing. Your turn."

Outside…

"Are you okay, Jin?" Tsubaki asked worriedly as she and Jin walked away from Namikaze household.

"Sure, why wouldn't I be?" The blond responded.

"Well, you learned…"

"Everything I've learned means absolutely nothing." He stated.

"What?! But you…!"

"Yep, me." Jin grinned at her. "I'm still an asshole I always was…" He said, placing a hand on girl's cheek. "I still love you, and I still don't care about anything else."

"O-Okay…" Tsubaki replied with a faint blush on her face. "Still, are you sure we can walk around here just like that?"

"I don't really think that Konoha's in any condition to stop us even if they try." Jin exclaimed. "Besides, we're going straight for the exit, so I doubt anyone will even notice us."

"I guess you're right… Wait, why are you stopping?" Tsubaki asked when Jin suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

"Wait." He said, raising his hand.

"What?"

"Just wait…"

3… 2… 1…

BLAST.

"Kyah!" Tsubaki jumped in shock when behind them… the Namikaze compound was blown up to smithereens.

Jin grinned in satisfaction. "Yeah, just as I thought."

"Did you do this?" Tsubaki asked.

"Nah, if I wanted to kill him, I would've done that back inside." The blond replied, waving his hand dismissively. "He did it himself."

"But… why?"

Jin snorted at this. "What would you do if you lose everything?"

"I… don't know."

"Exactly." He pointed behind his back. "And he didn't know as well. "Which resulted in that. So, are you ready to go?"

"Yes… though you still haven't said where we're going."

"Oh yeah. Well, I hope you're not afraid of height…"

Ten years later. Kumogakure no sato. Raikage's office…

"Nice sight." Jin said, looking in the window. 'If there is anything I like about this job, it's the sight…'

"Here are the papers, Raikage-sama." A young woman with blonde hair exclaimed, placing a stack of paper on the desk.

'And if there's anything I hate, it's this paper crap.' Jin thought with a scowl. "Fucking hell! Why is there so much, Samui?!"

The woman folded her hands under her big… assets. "That's because you spent the previous day drinking with Yondaime-sama."

"Che…" Jin voiced, sitting down at his desk. "I'm gonna kill the one who made me take this job!"

"You're not gonna kill your wife, Raikage-sama." Samui responded.

"Tch. I really hate you, you know…"

"Then why did you appoint me as your secretary?"

"So I can stare at your rack every day." Jin said simply, taking the first document from the stack. "If I have to sign these damn papers, I'll at least have someone like you to bring them to me."

"Yep, just as I thought. Have a nice day, Raikage-sama." Samui said, leaving the office.

"Dammit." Jin placed the document down and leaned his head on his elbow. 'I can't believe I'm doing this for almost ten years already. Time sure flies by…' He chuckled. 'The strongest ninja my ass! All I do is sign these damn papers… And Orochimaru wanted to become Hokage at some point. I salute you for hitting the deck when you could, you poor bastard, wherever you are…'

The office door opened… making Godaime Raikage smile immediately.

'Still, there are some good things in this…'

"Daddy!" A little girl with red hair leaped over the desk with grace of a butterfly and landed on her father's lap.

"Ouf! I told you not to do it, Saiko."

"Why not?"

"Because one day you might land… the wrong way." Jin winced. "And then I won't be able to make you a younger brother you oh-so-wanted."

"Really?"

"I think you'll manage anyway."

Jin's smile widened. "Good morning, Tsubaki." He said to the woman in the doorframe. "Seeing you always make things better."

"Flatter will get you everywhere, dear." She said with a grin, walking over and kissing his cheek.

"Hmhmhm, I'm glad to see you too. Though I have to say…" Jin frowned. "Since we spend the previous day doing the you-know-what, I really have to work today. So, not that I don't like it, but… What do I owe?"

"Well, me and Saiko decided to go for a walk." Tsubaki explained. "And while we walked by the tower…"

"Dad! When will you make me a genin?!" Saiko whined.

Jin rolled his eyes. "That again…" He took a deep breath. "I told you already, Saiko-chan. I will make you a genin as soon as you pass the graduation exam."

"But dad! I already know all these useless jutsus!" The little girl complained. "I even have Sharingan now! Look, look!" With that her eyes actually shifted, turning red with a single tomoe in each eye.

"That still doesn't mean…"

"But you let Naoto-niisan pass!"

"Exactly." Jin countered. "That's because Naoto actually passed his exams after a whole year at the academy."

"But…!"

"Why do you want to graduate so much?" Tsubaki asked her daughter.

"Because…" The girl blushed. "Because I want to become strong as soon as possible so I can protect daddy…"

"Aww, you're so sweet, Saiko-chan!" Jin exclaimed, hugging his daughter. "But remember, if you wanna become strong like your dad, you'll have to listen to him. Got it?"

"Well yeah…"

"Good. Since you understand, I have something special for you." Jin stated, taking out a scroll from his pocket. "Here's the new training regimen I designed just for you. And who knows, if you manage to complete it today, I might also include a new jutsu."

Saiko squealed loudly, hugging him tightly. "Thank you daddy, you're the best!" The girl yelled happily, darting out of the office faster than a bullet.

"Well that takes care of that… Little training maniac." Jin muttered. "I swear, even I wasn't so obsessed with training at that age!"

"Wasn't you?" Tsubaki asked slyly.

"Alright, I was." Jin replied. "But I was, and still am, a crazy motherfucker. Which can't be possible in her case… I hope."

"Well she is your daughter." Tsubaki smirked. "By the way, did you hear? Tsunade-sama has retired."

"Oh really?" Jin raised an eyebrow. "And who did they choose as a successor?"

"Oh, you're gonna love this. It's Hinata."

The blond snorted. "No shit?! Never knew she had it in her…"

"Yeah, I even remember your first comment about her." Tsubaki stated.

"Really? What was it?"

The woman waved her hand. "Something like 'that useless bitch will die on her first real mission'."

"Yeah… Well, I have to give credits where credits due. And I'm not prideful enough to say that I was wrong." The Raikage said. "Still, pretty bold on their part to make a clan head their Kage…"

"Well, Kumo actually chose you as their Kage." Tsubaki countered. "What's bolder than that?"

"Hmhmhm." Jin chuckled. "Touché, my dear. Actually…" He paused. "What are your plans for… right now?"

"Well, I was about to go home and…" Her eyes widened. "Wait, you don't mean… Here?!"

Jin smiled slyly. "Sure, why not?"

"But your assistant! She… KYAH!" Tsubaki squealed when Jin picked her up and placed on his desk.

"She already left." He said, throwing his cloak away.

Tsubaki shook her head at him. "Didn't you have enough last night?"

"Did you just say enough?" Jin chuckled. "Besides, I really promised to make Naoto and Saiko a younger brother… or sister. And I never go back on my word…" He leaned down. "That's my way of the ninja…"

THE END

...

And THAT IS IT! Whew, took quite a while to write all that down. And I thank all of you guys, who were with me till this point. Without you this story would never have been written.

Several facts about the story:

The idea of Naruto getting discarded was actually picked up from Harry Potter's 'The other boy who lived' scenario.

Originally Naruto's character was supposed to be made after Hazama (Another character from BlazBlue series) But that would've looked too much like EHD, so I had to give it up. Besides, Jin's character is more fitting for this scenario. I might write a 'Hazama' Naruto sometime later…

Seven hookers, three old ladies, two dogs and one sheep were killed in the making of "Way of the Rattlesnake".

The idea of Tsubaki not being Minato's daughter appeared in my mind the moment I wrote it. It wasn't planned, it wasn't intended. It just appeared in my head one second, and I decided to write it down.

Last two chapters took five month to write and publish.

All of my friends have yet to read this…

Ok, I believe that's all and this story will probably not be updated again. So let me say it just one more time…

FUCK LIKE HELL AND SLEEP WELL.

With best regards.

Darthemius.