"...has been killed"
Those three words struck clean through his heart as his eyes widened in shock. His lips opened slightly in an effort to say something, but no words came out of his mouth and looking at the broken look in his father's eyes was enough to validate that it was true.
Minato watched sadly as his younger son took a few steps back, the shock was clearly evident on Itachi's face combined with the anger that was slowly developing inside his heart.
Murderous sharingan eyes bore into devastated blue eyes, as the son looked at his father with disbelief.
"Why?"
Minato was surprised with this question, his son's tone was so low...it was as if,
"Why does it always have to be my brother? Why does he always suffer while I..." said Itachi sadly, his voice was full of guilt and regret as tears started to appear in his eyes.
His father came forward and put a gentle hand on his shoulder, Minato slowly knelt down so he could look his son in the eye.
And he saw it, the pain, the guilt, the anger...and most of all the regret.
"It's not your fault..." said Minato comfortingly, as Itachi shook his head vehemently.
"I should have been there, I could have done something...instead of sitting in this FUCKING VILLAGE!" yelled Itachi furiously,
"Calm down..."
"What did you say? Calm down? My brother was killed...while I sat idly in the village." said Itachi bitterly,
Minato looked in his son's eyes and for the first time he found something disturbing. Itachi simply couldn't accept that Naruto was defeated...and intentionally was blaming himself for his brother's death. Was this the unconditional love that many Uchiha were never able to control?
Even if Minato was from the Senju lineage, and his sons shared his blood...they were still half Uchiha.
Naruto was the second person in history after Madara to activate the Mangekyo when his best friend died, he had regularly read about his son's activities and Naruto was literally losing himself every day in the war.
Baku even mentioned that Naruto was suffering from the Curse of Hatred, and there was a lot of darkness in his heart.
He only had one son left, and the cracks had started to appear in him too. There was no way he would let Itachi walk the same path as Naruto...
If Itachi was like this, then Mikoto...
"It would be a disaster, if she finds out Kushina killed her son then she would not stop until she destroyed the Akatsuki or herself. Her love for Naruto was far greater than what she had for both me and Itachi, he meant everything to her. I can't let that happen..." thought Minato worriedly,
But what could he possibly do? If he didn't do something, then two insane Uchiha's would be unleashed on the world...two people who would only live for revenge. They won't care about themselves or anyone else if they got justice for their fallen son/brother.
All this time he had thought Mikoto was the center of the family, only to realize that it was Naruto.
And now he was gone...
The Namikaze family would fall apart, and if anything happened to either Itachi or Mikoto...he would crumble. His heart was already filled with regret and guilt, only if he had not sent Naruto into Blacklight his son would be alive today, he could not handle the loss of another person of his family.
And if Minato fell, then Konoha and entire Fire Country would soon follow...
"When a big tree falls, the earth shakes"
He still remembered these words, it were said by Tobirama Senju when the Second Ninja War had started just after Hashirama died.
In order to prevent any further losses, he had to contain the situation. And the only one who could help him was Itachi...
"How did he die?" asked Itachi remorsefully, as Minato took a deep breath.
"I'll have to be careful with my words..." thought Minato carefully,
"It's classified. But know this, your brother died saving his comrades...he died as a hero," said Minato comfortingly, as Itachi gave him a disgusted look.
"There is no glory in death, father. The fact that you are hiding the information about his death only shows that Naruto was a Blackops soldier.." said Itachi smartly, as Minato's eyes widened in shock.
"How do you-"
"Before he left Naruto told me something, it was as if he knew that he would die in the war. Kaa-san stopped talking with you, she would not react in such a manner unless you sent her son in a very dangerous place. And most of all, Naruto never replied to any of my letters...either my brother didn't care about me, or he was forbidden from any type of communications. I think it's the former...all of these circumstances prove that he was either in the Anbu or something much more dangerous. I want the truth, Tou-san" said Itachi darkly, as his sharingan spinned wildly,
"Shit.." thought Minato in shock,
Before he could say something, Itachi had already made his move and after a few seconds a furious look appeared in his eyes.
"So, it was your old teammate...Kushina Uzumaki," said Itachi seriously, as Minato tried his best to hide his shock.
"It's not what you are thinking...listen to me-" said Minato hurriedly, but he was cut off as Itachi turned around and started walking away.
"Where do you think you're going?" shouted Minato angrily, he just had enough of this nonsense as the father in him was overwhelmed by the Hokage.
Itachi slowly turned around and saw the look in his father's eyes, he didn't hate Minato for what he was trying to do. But at the same time, he could not let his brother's murderer roam freely.
"Tou-san...I know everything," said Itachi silently, as Minato clenched his fists tightly.
He had underestimated Itachi for a simple 13 year old boy, however Itachi was so much like Minato. He was always one step ahead of his opponent, and he could predict an enemy's move before the person could even execute them...he had did the same thing to Minato right now.
It was as if Minato was fighting a younger and more deadlier version of himself.
"Itachi, you must understand revenge is not the path Naruto would want you to undertake" explained Minato patiently,
"You're wrong, I do not want revenge..." said Itachi mysteriously, as a frown appeared on Minato's face. His sons were so dark and mysterious...
"Then what is your goal? I will handle Kushina myself, you should not risk your life. You are all we've got left..." said Minato pleadingly, as Itachi's eyes softened on hearing that.
"It is not Kushina who killed my brother...she was just a medium" said Itachi sadly,
"What are you saying? I don't understand..." said Minato confusedly,
"Tou-san, I'll help in you in protecting Kaa-san...but I want something from you," said Itachi firmly, and judging from the firm tone the boy was dead serious.
"Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that I would see such a day..." thought Minato painfully,
But he loved Mikoto, and he could not drive her on a path of self destruction...
"I want to join the war..."
"Impossible..." said Minato flatly, he made a promise to Naruto and there was no way he would break it.
"The other ninja villages started this war, their madness led to murder of thousands of innocents. My brother was another victim of their madness, I will crush Iwa, Kiri and Kumo...it is time they are shown their place," said Itachi murderously,
"Itachi..."
"This is your problem, Tou-san. You can't go too far, you are not willing to do anything that preserves the peace...and because of such ideology we are in this situation. In this world, the powerful people crush the weak...it's the law of nature, but still the shinobi world is a violent place and it's time they are taught order," said Itachi seriously,
"Is this really, my son? What happened in the past 6 years with him?" thought Minato in shock, what happened to the little boy he left behind years ago?
"The world must live by discipline and rules, it is the only way peace can be preserved. Those who break those rules must be punished, or else people like my brother would keep on dying. I will change the system of shinobi..." explained Itachi briefly,
Minato looked his son in the eye, he was really shocked on hearing Itachi's goal for peace.
"Itachi, you're so much like that man..."
_
_____________________________________
(Unknown Location)
He cautiously walked through the dark corridors of the base, this place was really creepy, being constantly contaminated with foul stenches. Nevertheless, this was his mission and he had to do everything to gain their trust.
His eyes shifted towards the person walking beside him, he was probably the most dangerous man to ever walk on earth.
Uchiha Madara
Naruto still could not believe that Madara was alive and walking beside him, or was this an impostor? But he possessed the Mangekyo which only Madara had throughout the history of the Uchiha clan...so many mysteries with no answers in sight.
"You seem troubled..." said Madara sharply,
Despite Madara's belief Naruto was not under his control, he and Ikiryo had worked together and were successful in preventing Madara from placing him under a genjutsu. Both of them had an agreement, that whenever they were dealing with Madara only Naruto would be in control through Ikiryo's assistance...while around Kushina and the other members of the Akatsuki, Ikiryo would take control in order to avoid suspicion as Kushina and probably Orochimaru were aware of Naruto's feelings and behavior.
"I want to know how do you plan to create the perfect world, Madara-sama?" asked Naruto devotedly, as the sharingan wielder looked at his puppet suspiciously.
"Do you doubt my power?" asked Madara sternly, as Naruto shook his head quickly.
"Apologies, I can never doubt your power. But at the same time, we are up against the entire shinobi world..." explained Naruto slyly, as Madara chuckled a little.
"No need to worry, everything is going as per my plan. You will know my true plan when I deem you worthy," said Madara flatly, as Naruto had to use every ounce of his willpower in order to prevent himself from attacking this man.
"And how can I earn that trust?" asked Naruto obediently, he had to know what Madara was up to or else the world was doomed.
Madara suddenly stopped walking and shifted his gaze to Naruto as the boy looked him straight in the eye. Both the Uchiha tried to search their intentions, until Madara gave a short nod to Naruto.
"How strong are you?" asked Madara seriously,
"I am still not at my full strength, but I am feeling better thanks to you. I can fight trained ninjas...but it would be some time before I could take on Kage level ninjas" said Naruto truthfully,
"Will you follow my command?" asked Madara darkly, as an uneasy feeling started forming in Naruto's heart when he noticed the amount of malice in Madara's eyes.
"Your wish is my command" said Naruto forcefully, no matter how much he hated this...he could not attack Madara in his current state, and certainly not without finding out the true intention of the Akatsuki as it would render his entire operation useless.
Madara narrowed his eyes at the boy, Zetsu had said that he could be trusted...but still this was way to easy. Naruto was a powerful Blackops Captain, who also possessed the Mangekyo sharingan...could it be that he was faking to be loyal to him?
Or was he really devoted to him now?
"Guess, there is only one way to find out..."
He looked at Naruto, the boy was wearing a dark black cloak and blue pants. His face was covered by a dark blue face mask, and he didn't have the Konoha headband any more. The only thing that could make people realize his identity were his silky blonde hair.
Naruto was surprised when Madara took out a dark orange colored spiral mask, it was the same as the one which Madara was currently wearing. The older Uchiha slowly came forward and handed the mask to Naruto.
"Put it on.." commanded Madara, as the boy gave him a suspicious glance but nevertheless put on the mask.
As soon as he put on that mask, he slowly felt himself being pulled into a mysterious swirl.
_
_____________________________________
(Kiri)
"We're here..."
Naruto slowly opened his eyes and watched curiously as he found himself standing on a small hill top, Madara was also beside him and the man's eyes were currently fixed on a small village below the mountain.
"Did you teleport us here with your Mangekyo?" asked Naruto curiously,
"Yes, and in time you shall learn to do it too. Naruto, the Akatsuki is planning an operation that would wipe out Konoha's armies...they are a threat to our plans" said Madara seriously, as the young Namikaze was shocked by such information.
"Keep calm, remember your training..." thought Naruto nervously, he could not even spare a hint or he would be dead.
"Is that why you brought me here?" asked Naruto flatly, and his suspicions were proved correct when Madara pointed his finger at the village below the mountain.
"Hai, that village down there is called Narita. It is a strategic location that has a secret passageway to Kiri, the Mizukage has a stronghold around the entire village to prevent Konoha's armies from infiltrating. The defense is absolute, and not even Konoha's army can break through their formation unless they are willing to sacrifice an entire division...which they cannot do if they want to win this war," explained Madara briefly,
"Damn it..." thought Naruto frustratedly,
"However the villagers are planning to revolt against the Mizukage and will attack his forces from the rear. This will put the entire Kiri forces in disarray, providing the perfect opportunity for Konoha's Blacklight soldiers to destroy them completely" said Madara seriously,
"But why would the people of Kiri betray their own Kage?" asked Naruto in shock, he had a real bad feeling about it.
"They view the Mizukage as a tyrant who put their nation through an unnecessary war and want him dead. They want Konoha to win, in order to end the war and save them from their suffering. Naruto, if this village falls...the rebels would gain advantage and together with Konoha's armies they would crush the Mizukage. If Kiri falls, the Heavenly Alliance will lose the entire sea, Iwa is already close to defeat and if Kiri is defeated too then Konoha would use the sea route to infiltrate into Kumo and end the war" explained Madara cunningly,
"Now, I shall test your loyalty Namikaze. If you are truly a traitor then you will try to kill me for Konoha's victory..." thought Madara victoriously,
"Damn you, Madara. You know I'm not strong enough to kill you, but if I don't attack now Konoha will lose the golden chance of ending this war. I-"
"Naruto, don't attack him. You will die if you fight him now," warned Ikiryo truthfully,
"But, the war-" said Naruto in protest, as Ikiryo gave him the most murderous look he could muster.
"Will continue, even if you die here. Madara started this entire war, he turned nations against each other. Even if what he says is true, and you are somehow able to kill him at the cost of your life...then this war will end. But there is so much that we don't know about the Akatsuki, they can have alternate plans too...they will start another war, and you won't be there to stop them," advised Ikiryo seriously,
"But my comrades..." said Naruto painfully, the thought of losing an entire division was frightening. He couldn't lose Mikasa, Izumo, Rangiku...
"Believe in them..." said Ikiryo proudly,
"Huh?"
"You always told me your friends had the power to turn the tide of the war. If you try to do everything yourself, you will fail...just as they laid their faith in you, it's time you believed in their power too," said Ikiryo sagely, as a small smile came on Naruto's face.
"I understand Madara-sama, what should we do to stop Konoha?" asked Naruto devotedly, as Madara's eyes widened in shock.
"So, it's true he really is under my genjutsu...the Naruto I know, would jump at the opportunity to save his comrades but this person standing in front of me doesn't care whether they live or die. What's going on? Orochimaru told Zetsu that the boy could be acting to be our ally...this will prove whether he is truly loyal or not," thought Madara darkly,
"Kill them"
"What?" asked Naruto in shock, as Madara pointed his finger at Narita village.
"Kill every villager down there. Every man, woman, child...they are a threat to our plans. This is my will..." said Madara cunningly, as he saw the boy was frightened on hearing that.
"But they're innocent...they're just civilians, Madara-sama" said Naruto in protest, "This can't be happening..." thought Ikiryo worriedly,
"This is war, there are no innocents. Everyone is an enemy, you must be willing to destroy your enemies totally...or do you disagree with my order?" asked Madara sternly,
A cold chill went through Ikiryo's soul as he spotted hundreds of villagers living inside the village. All of them were non combatants, not even one of them was a shinobi...this was not war, this was genocide.
Even Ikiryo could never bring himself to kill so many innocent people, but if Naruto disobeyed then Madara would kill him instantly and the world would be doomed. If Naruto was caught tonight, then it won't be long before Madara suspected Kushina...
He saw Naruto's shoulders slumping in defeat, he was a shinobi and had pledged to protect Konoha at all costs...and tonight it was his soul that would be sacrificed.
"Naruto, we can try to escape...maybe use the same jutsu which Madara used." requested Ikiryo,
"Ikiryo..." said Naruto calmly, as his Mangekyo sharingan flared to life as his gaze shifted towards Narita village.
Ikiryo's eyes softened when he heard his request, to think he would have to go this far...
"I understand...I'll take care of it," said Ikiryo promisingly, as Naruto took in a deep breath.
Madara was surprised when the boy knelt down in front of him,
"Very well..." said Naruto stoically, and Madara watched in fascination as the boy's eyes were devoid of any emotion now.
"Guess, you were wrong for the first time Orochimaru. I have total control over this boy, now I can easily fulfill my plan" thought Madara victoriously, as he pointed his finger at the small village down the hill.
"Remember, no survivors...''
As soon as that command was released, Naruto vanished with a quick shunshin as Madara's gaze shifted towards the soon to be annihilated Kiri village.
_
_____________________________________
(Narita Village)
It was just a usual night in Narita, the people were busy living their lives although the effects of war could be clearly seen in various corners of the village. Many of the houses were burnt down as some people opposed the Mizukage's decision to start a war, however the people had survived someway.
Until now...
A few people spotted a lone boy standing on a small ridge, his face was covered by a dark orange spiral mask...and he was staring at them with those dangerous dark red eyes.
"Who are you?" asked a young female,
The villagers were surprised when the boy jumped down on the ground, however their anxiety increased when they saw a sharp sword in his hand.
A few men quickly ran forward and surrounded the boy as they glared at him hatefully.
"Leave right now, boy. We won't tolerate any intruders..." said a middle aged man, as he readied his fists to attack the intruder.
They took a step back in fear when his dark red eyes turned into a strange shape that resembled the symbol of a devil.
Naruto looked at the faces of these innocent people, the men were nervous and were preparing themselves for a fight, while the women and children were scared of him.
"Naruto, let me take over..." suggested Ikiryo calmly, as the young Namikaze glanced at the people sadly.
"It was my choice to infiltrate Akatsuki, and I will be responsible for tonight..." said Naruto seriously,
"This is for the greater good..." said Ikiryo sympathetically, as Naruto closed his eyes in defeat.
"I don't have a choice...this world is merciless. I finally understand...Mikasa" said Naruto painfully,
"Oi, are you leaving-" said another man furiously,
SLASH
The villager's were horrified when Naruto sliced the man in half as his eyes murderous sharingan eyes shifted towards the others.
"BASTARD!"
Hordes of men quickly charged towards Naruto as he witnessed the anger, the grief and the fear in their eyes. And to his nightmare his sharingan was recording each and every moment of it.
"Ah"
"GAH!"
"No, don't kill me!"
Ikiryo watched in shock as Naruto started killing every person that came in his way. Few of the men tried to overwhelm him...only if these people knew they were up against a Blackops Captain.
He grabbed the ankle of a young boy who was probably in his teens, as the young Kiri villager glared at him with pure hatred and disgust.
"Burn in hell, monster!" said the young boy, as Naruto plunged his sword deep in the boy's heart.
"This is my hell..." said Naruto regretfully,
Pure chaos spread across the entire village as people started running like chickens, women and children were screaming and crying. The men were trying to kill him, but not even one of them had the strength to finish him...no matter how much he wanted them to end him.
As he took a sharp turn around the corner he came across a young mother who was carrying her infant child in her arms. When she saw him, and the blood stained sword in his hand tears quickly came in her eyes.
"Please, don't kill us...I have a son," Begged the woman, as a lone tear slipped from his eye.
His hands started trembling, the sword in his hand felt so heavy and the woman seized that moment as she quickly started to run away.
Madara watched intently as the boy shunshined in front of the woman as his sharingan eyes bore into her soul.
"I'm sorry..." said Naruto tearfully, as he plunged his sword in the women's chest and a lone kunai in the newborn infant's brain.
BOOM!
"Run away!"
"KAMI!"
"No...please...N-!"
For the next 1 hour hundreds of similar screams ran across the entire village, fires erupted everywhere. Every few minutes the screams in one area would be very high followed by a deafening silence. Explosions rocked the entire village as streams of blood erupted everywhere.
As Madara walked through the now destroyed Narita village, he could see the genocide which was committed on his orders.
"(cough)...(cough)...This again.." said Madara in an irritated tone, as he quickly wiped away a few drops of blood from his mouth.
Everywhere around him were dead bodies, although the boy had given the villagers quick deaths. None of them had suffered for even a second, and true to his orders he had killed everyone.
Men
Women
Children
Elderly People
Pet Animals
...not even the infants were spared.
Every single person of Narita village was butchered in and the place was now converted into a ghost village.
And there he was...his successor standing on a pile of bodies, his entire clothes drenched in the blood of the 200 innocent people he had killed tonight. The blood on his sword was still fresh as even now a few drops were falling from it and drenching the bloodied ground.
Madara stepped in front of the boy and looked in his dead, cold, killer sharingan eyes.
"It's done..." said Naruto stoically, his voice devoid of any emotions.
"Did you feel anything for these people?" asked Madara sternly, as Naruto's gaze shifted towards the innocent people lying dead on the ground.
He slowly sheathed his sword and stared walking away from Madara in order to hide the tears waiting to be unleashed from his eyes.
"I don't feel anything..." said Naruto seriously, but in truth those words were indeed true...he couldn't feel any type of emotion in his heart.
"Today, you became a true member of the Akatsuki..." said Madara proudly, any trace of doubt now erased from his mind.
"I have great plans for you, Naruto..."
_
_____________________________________
And cut. So that is it for this chapter hope you guys enjoyed and see you in the next chapter.bye
Chapter 40: Re