Demon of the Hidden Leaf

Ch. 17: Revenge of the Spiral

"What do you mean I can't go after the little bastard; he nearly killed my son!"

"I know that, but there's no telling who Sasuke Uchiha is meeting to take him into Oto; for all we know it'll be Orochimaru himself."

Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose, trying desperately to fight off the exhaustion seeping into her body as she listened to Tsume Inuzuka continue her rant.

Saving the woman's son had taken all night; Sasuke's Chidori had landed opposite of Kiba's heart.

Whether through quick thinking or the Uchiha rouges carelessness one couldn't be sure, all Tsunade knew was that Kiba was very lucky to still be breathing.

"Listen, Tsume, I've sent a squad of ANBU to track down Sasuke and have him returned to face punishment. With the charges against him, it's highly probable he'll be executed once his DNA's been taken-"

"What for!? That clan is nothing but a shell of the disgusting monster it used to be; why can't we just be rid of them for good!?"

Tsunade felt her restraint snap a little.

"Because our world doesn't work like that! Like it or not, the Sharingan is a powerful tool and not having it weakens our village significantly!"

The Hokage felt her breaths coming out ragged, and forced herself not to reach under the table for her bottle of alcohol stashed in the corner.

Instead the blonde pushed herself to her feet, and turned towards the window so as to stare out at the village.

"You weren't there, Tsume. You didn't see what the Uchiha clan is truly capable of with those eyes of theirs; Kakashi can't even scratch the surface of the Sharingan's true power."

Tsume heard how her village leader's tone seemed to grow hollow and quiet, and saw through the reflection of glass that Tsunade's mind had traveled back to a time and place the Inuzuka matriarch could never know about.

The quiet atmosphere began to unsettle her however, so Tsume swallowed her anger the best she could and bowed to the pig-tailed blonde before excusing herself.

Yet even as she left, closing those strong wooden doors behind her, the mother of two swore to herself that she'd make Sasuke Uchiha pay dearly for everything he'd put her family through; dammed the consequences!

So blinded was she, that Tsume didn't notice when she passed the trio of Naruto, Sanosuke and Hayate as they now made their way towards Tsunade's office.

But the blonde chunin did notice the mother of his former classmate.

"Do you guys really think she's still gonna let us go out on this mission after last night?"

"We'll be fine," Sanosuke waved him off, "the deserter isn't any real harm to the village since he didn't know anything, and the way he was apparently trying to leave means his choice wasn't born out of a desire to hurt the village."

Hayate popped a small, yellow sphere into his mouth before agreeing with the other man.

"Besides," the sickly Jounin added, "Snow country isn't anywhere near Otokagure, so we'll be fine regardless."

This carried them the rest of the way, but when Sanosuke knocked on the door they each heard their Kage groan before calling them in.

Only Naruto paid attention to the little saucer set on her desk.

"I get why you two are here, but what's one of my chunin doing with you?"

"Well," Sanosuke spoke first, "Ma'am Hayate and I were hoping you'd allow us to take young Uzumaki along with us on our supply mission."

"What for? How is sending you off with one of my newest chunin any benefit for a mission like this?"

Hayate coughed, though not as horribly as usual, before attempting to give an answer.

"With all due respect Lady Hokage, this goes far beyond our mission to the village; it's an effort to keep a promise to someone important."

Tsunade stared down her Jounin and the former rebel with a furrowed brow and hard set to her jaw.

"A bit late for that, don't you two think? It's been, what, thirteen years? Why choose now?"

"Because I want to go," Naruto countered.

He stepped into the Hokage's line of sight and made sure not to blink with every word that came next.

"I met TenTen's dad right before the discovery of Kiba's beaten body and, after a bit of sparring, he offered me a chance to accompany him and Hayate-san to Snow Country; I accepted."

One of Tsunade's elegant eyebrows arched.

"And you think you're in a position to male such a request, chunin? Especially after your recent...troubles?"

The whiskered boy's answer wasn't anything like the adults expected.

"No, but after what I've been told about this place I feel like I need to go; to get stronger, better. To become the kind of man who'd never make such a careless mistake ever again."

There was something else, she could see it in his eyes, so with a wave of her hand Tsunade ordered the two older men to leave.

"I need to have a talk with Uzumaki before I make my final decision, you two can get started on your own packing in the meantime."

She hadn't even spared them a glance with her words, and both knew this meant there was no questioning Tsunade's decision, so with a few parting words to Naruto they left the two blondes alone.

The jinchuriki watched then, after the door was shut, as Tsunade began to weave a series of hand-signs before pressing a single finger against the center of her desk.

He felt a pulse, just for a moment, but once it passed Naruto could feel that something was different about Tsunade's office.

"It's a special silencing seal handed over to the Kage so that no one can eavesdrop on their private meetings."

Naruto scoffed, "So you're a mind-reader now?"

"No dummy, the question was just written all over your face. Now, mind telling me about what your real reason for going to Snow is?"

The younger blonde lost his mask of annoyance in an instant, and in its place sat a look of grim confliction.

It was quiet in the Hokage's office then, and the silence stretched on for what felt like hours before Naruto finally decided to break it.

"Because I got this the day I became a chunin, and now I need to find someone in Snow Country who can make my sword stronger so that I can find out the truth behind what happened to my mother."

Tsunade nearly fumbled the rolled up letter thrown to her at Naruto's admission, but after seeing how cold the boy's own eyes had gotten she felt more inclined to believe him.

Then, she unrolled the letter, and her jaw dropped after reading what was inside.

"N-Naruto...who gave you this?"

"I'm pretty sure it was that perverted old sage; though I can't really remember. But I've seen how the freak writes, so I know he wasn't the one who actually penned the letter."

Tsunade immediately noticed something…

"You didn't tell him about this, did you. There's no way he'd know about what's written here and not tell me. Naruto, how come you-"

"Because you're the only one I feel like I can trust, Tsunade. You weren't here during the Nine-Tails attack, so I don't believe you had anything to do with what may or may not have happened to my mother."

The young chunin scrubbed his face with his hands as he sighed and settled heavily into the chair set before the Hokage's desk.

"All my life I've wondered about my parents, but now that I'm finding out my father might be some edge lord's stooge I just...I just don't know."

'Not to mention what this would do to the village,' Tsunade lamented to herself.

The Yodaime was a celebrated hero for heaven's sake! If word got out that the shining star of Konoha was a brainwashed figurehead, Teunade didn't even want to think about what sort of shit storm that would kick up!

Just imagining the sort of civil war Naruto's letter could cause made the Godaime want to puke.

So, she pinched the bridge of her nose, and let out her own heavy breath before telling Naruto he could go to Snow Country.

"I don't know just how true, if at all, this document is but there's one thing I do agree with it on; Danzo Shimura."

"He's one of the three village Elders, right?"

Tsunade chuckled ruefully at the boy's innocent answer, though she couldn't blame him either.

"That's putting it mildly; he's as old as the Third was. Older, now. Danzo is as shady as they come and has bribed, blackmailed, or killed to get to where he is today."

The blonde Kage stopped for a moment to retrieve the bottle of sake she'd kept stashed away, and poured herself a drink before continuing.

"His goal is to become the Hokage, and turn the entire village into a full military-state. It's because of what I know about him that I'm inclined to believe this letter...no matter how much I don't want to."

Naruto settled back in his seat, crossing his arms as Tsunade took a second shot.

"So you're letting me get stronger more so as a deterrent against Danzo, and any schemes he might be cooking up behind the scenes now that a new Hokage's in town, is that it?"

Tsunade sighed; she noticed she'd been doing that a lot lately.

"Technically, yes. But I am going to work with you to uncover the mystery behind this letter, so if any of this is true you'll have the power to help your mother rest a little easier."

The young chunin scoffed, not too happy with being used as a piece in a game he didn't even want to play, but accepted the deal nonetheless.

"I guess that means I should hurry up and pack then; I'm okay to assume you'll let Hayate-san and Sanosuke know I'm going too?"

"I will," Tsunade gave a firm nod, "just try to stay alive out there chunin Uzumaki; Snow Country isn't as polite as the Land of Fire."

The pair of blonde's managed to share a smile despite their last words, and Naruto gave a salute as he went to walk out the door.

"I'll do my best to remember that, Hokage-sama. But...if you'll let me, I'd like to ask about bringing just one other person along for the mission."

xXx

As Konoha's jinchuriki was heading home for his latest assignment, the boy's biggest admirer had just finished her morning training and was heading to Ichiraku in hopes of catching the blonde.

Hinata felt as though she'd been in a different dimension with how little the heiress had left her clan's compound.

Days and evenings were packed with enough training that the kunoichi could hardly keep her eyes open at dinner before collapsing into bed.

'But it'll be worth it when I can show Naruto-kun how strong I'm becoming~"

Images of the whiskered chunin gushing about her leaps in strength, and eventual awakening of the Byakugan's more advanced levels filled Hinata's mind and made the heiress giggle happily as she nearly skipped through the streets.

She'd even put on a new outfit, one the village princess had bought because she was sure it would catch Naruto's eye but had been too shy until now to wear it in public.

The pastel, orange summer dress dropped down to Hinata's knees while flowing over her growing curves like water. A white sun hat rested over the girl's shoulder-length dark hair, trimmed by an orange ribbon, while white sandals replaced Hinata's usual mission boots.

Over her shoulder, the giddy kunoichi's purse swung with every excited step she took, its lining packed to bursting with enough money to spend an entire day eating ramen with the blonde of her dreams.

'After all, they say the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach~'

Hinata was just imagining what her and Naruto's wedding would be like when she turned the corner and spotted the chunin's favorite hangout.

But there was no sign of Naruto.

The only person seated at the bar was the girl Hinata knew to be on Neji's team.

Sagging a little at this discovery, Hinata tried to console herself with the fact Naruto had to come by eventually for lunch, so she'd just wait for him.

'Besides, my afternoon training doesn't start for another few hours, and I haven't been called in for any missions lately. I'm sure it'll be fine.'

With this uplifting idea Hinata's shoulders lifted again and she was just about to continue her skipping when Neji's team-mate let out an embarrassed shriek.

"WHAT!? NO I DON'T; WE'RE JUST FRIENDS!"

Immediately Hinata assumed the bun-haired girl was talking about Neji, and she giggled behind her hand at the idea of the stern Hyuga managing to get a girlfriend.

However this was just the thing she could use to pass the time, so the young heiress quietly shuffled to the side of Ichiraku's and used the 'Transformation' technique to look like an unassuming brunette before sliding into the stall and taking a seat.

Beside her, TenTen froze for a moment at the new arrival, but after noticing that she didn't recognize this girl decided it was safe to continue denying Ayame's crazy claims.

Totally unaware of the consequences.

"L-Look, Naruto's a great guy and all, b-but just because we have a good time hanging out doesn't mean I w-wanna be his girlfriend."

She didn't take notice of how the other girl's fingers suddenly tightened around her menu.

And, apparently, neither did Ayame Ichiraku.

"Aw, c'mon, who do you think you're kidding with cheeks that red~ Just admit it, you've at least got a crush on the lovable goofball."

TenTen covered her ever reddening face with her menu with a squeak.

"N-No way; you're just s-seeing things! Who'd like a-a show off like Naruto!"

Ayame had a face like the cat that caught the canary, and she leaned over the counter to gently pull TenTen's makeshift shield away. Then, the cute ramen chef propped her chin with a single hand as she pointed a single finger at the weapon mistress.

"I say you would, otherwise, why else would you be hanging out around here without even ordering anything? Especially since you said yourself Naruto was about to head out on a mission~"

"W-Well, she's doing…it? Hey, where'd the other girl go?"

During the teasing Hinata had slipped away, leaving TenTen at the mercy of Naruto's self-appointed matchmaker.

"I didn't see anyone," Ayame shrugged before sending the younger girl a cheeky grin, "or are you just trying to distract me so I don't ask you about Naru-chan's smile next?"

Despite her best efforts, TenTen did wind up pulling up a mental image of the very smirk Ayame was talking about. She even started to get lost in a daydream before a chorus of playful laughter shocked the genin back to the real world.

"So, tell me again how you don't have a crush on our favorite blonde~"

TenTen groaned, "Can I just order now, please?"

xXx

At the same time, in the Land of Snow, Princess Koyuki struggled to keep her breathing in check as she huddled inside of a small cave in the mountains.

Beyond the crude doorway she could hear the howling snowstorm as icy pellets rained from the sky.

But there was something else too, something sinister outside.

Doto's henchmen.

How he'd managed to buy the skills of three former members of the Seven Swordsman Koyuki couldn't even begin to fathom, but thanks to them she and her people were completely cut off from the outside world.

As tears leaked from her eyes, the former actress couldn't help but wonder; what had she done to deserve this!?

All Koyuki'd ever wanted was to see her face on the big screen, yet here she was running for her life because her own uncle was trying to kill her over a throne she didn't even want!

As she agonized over what sort of horrible fate awaited her if Doto's assassin's got a hold of her, Koyuki sent out a silent plea wet with tears for someone...anyone, so save her.

xXx

Itachi and Kisame walked quietly from another meeting with the Akatsuki. Birds chirped in the trees and wind rustled the leaves, but both men were silent until they felt the omnipotent pressure of Lord Pain lift from their shoulders.

"The guy isn't even here and he still makes my blood run cold; I don't know how you stand it Itachi."

"Practice; my father carried himself the same way. Growing up, I treated speaking with him like a training exercise to better conceal my true thoughts."

Kisame scoffed.

"I can't imagine the chief of police holding a candle to an overbearing weight like our terrifying leader."

"Not now, obviously, but when you're a four-year-old child who's just starting to learn how to be a shinobi, your father may as well be scarier than the Death God himself."

The shark-like missing-ninja hummed as they walked, taking in his partner's words and mulling them over with a critical eye.

"You almost sound like you miss him," he finally said.

Itachi was silent; his dark eyes staring, unblinking, ahead.

It was silent again, but only for a moment, before a new voice rang out as the pair came upon a waterfall.

"Those sorts of feelings are common for a young man; even Itachi isn't immune to human emotions."

Both men slid down easily to one knee and bowed their heads before a light laugh drew their attention.

"How many times have I told you; that's not necessary. I may lead our little rebellion, but all I require is your trust and loyalty. I've no need for grand-standing."

Beneath the shadow of their hood it was impossible for one to see just what this mysterious figure looked like, while an influx of chakra to their vocal chords kept their voice laced with an ever-changing accent.

But, seated leisurely atop the rounded surface of an impeded boulder, it was hard to imagine that the lackadaisical newcomer could hold any sway over such legendary and frightening shinobi.

'And yet they're every bit as scary as Itachi when he uses those crazy eyes of his,' Kisame groused.

The Uchiha himself merely offered a sigh before standing again.

"You'll have to excuse us; it's become a force of habit."

"I'm well aware," a playful smirk tugged at the hooded figure's lips, "from what I've managed to gather about him, Pain is quite the theatrical individual."

This time Kisame chuckled.

"You've got no real idea; sometimes I wonder if he practices his speeches in front of a mirror. He's so precise and well spoken, it's almost unreal."

The figure shrugged, "If he's to he the God of a new world order Id imagine he needs to be Mr. Hoshigake. But enough about that, I've just gotten word about you two's next assignment."

Both men subconsciously shifted to stand a little straighter at this, their eyes gleaming with determination and a drive to succeed.

"Naruto will be heading to the Land of Snow soon and I want you both to follow him. You'll be making sure nothing kills the boy, but also, I want Itachi to reveal himself."

This got a raised brow from the rogue Uchiha while Kisame grumbled about his partner getting to have all the fun.

"You'll get your chance again soon," the hooded figure laughed, "as he'll need help learning how to better wield his weapon."

They stood up then, dusting off their robe as they continued to speak.

"As you know, Kisame, many swords increase their strength by at least ten-fold after a single trip to Snow Country. Who better to teach him how to harness that power than a member of the greatest group of swordsmen to ever live?"

While this helped to placate the moody Fishman, Kisame still had one more issue with the plan.

"That still doesn't explain why only Itachi gets to reveal himself to the kid. If I'm supposed to teach him too, why shouldn't we both talk to him?"

This time it was the former ANBU who spoke, answering his partner's unhappy inquiry with a line Kisame wouldn't have expected in a million lifetimes…

"Because who better to tell the son of Kushina about her life and demise, than the woman's only student?"

Another laugh slipped by the hooded figures lips as they watched Kisame's eyes bug and his jaw nearly hit the floor.

"You mean Itachi never told you?"

"I never thought it mattered," shrugged the Uchiha prodigy.

His partner sputtered before glaring hard at the younger man.

"How can you say that? Don't you know who she was; what she could do!? Kushina Uzumaki-"

"Was a friend, mother, and mentor. She was taken from this world before her time, and now I'm going to do everything in my power to see that those responsible pay dearly."

Seeing the activation of Itachi's Mangekyou silenced Kisame, and he struggled to breath under the steady leak of killer intent coming off of his friend in waves.

Their true leader however, seemed totally unphased by this and spoke freely.

"Well said Itachi; Danzo and his fellow pigs will soon meet their ends. Which brings us back nicely to your new mission. And with the Nine-Tails as your intended target, it won't seem out of place at all to Pain."

Kisame caught something in their words, and a cheeky grin showed off his sharpened teeth as he went on to speak.

"So I guess this means the jig is almost up, huh? No more red clouds?"

You could hear the smile in the masterminds voice as they spoke next.

"That's right; your days in the Akatsuki are over. It's time for the sun to set on Pain's dream, and with it will rise a new dawn…"

A single, small hand slid out from the figure's cloak fixed in the 'release' seal.

In a flux of chakra their cloaks all rippled, and soon enough the very symbol of the Akatsuki was replaced with a mark matching that of Itachi and Kisame's true leader…

A brilliant, blood-red spiral.

"Fukuraru."

xXx

A/N: Well, Kiba isnt actually dead, go figure. This chapter was also technically supposed to be posted yesterday, but I admit I went out with some co-workers and wound up spending the night sleeping off my drinks at one of their houses since I don't prefer to drink and drive.

It's been a while, but here's the next chapter of my attempt at a version of the Naruto-verse. I struggled a bit with the name of Itachi and Kisame's new group, but decided at work to use Fukuraru; which is a splicing of 'revenge' and 'spiral'.

Bacially they are 'Revenge of the Spiral'; a tool to bring about the justice owed to Kushina Uzumaki.

I'm also curious if anyone's got a guess as to who the 'hood figure' is that leads this new group.

Interestingly enough, Hinata Hyuga is a chaactr I totally adore and am supportive of, but wound up forgtting about after her last scene with her father lol. Unfortunately, Naruto has already formed such more interesting bonds with both Ino and TenTen that I just don't see him having the room for the Hyuga heiress smh. Also, her eventual fall is actually inspired by my friend's personal dislike for the character, since I want to see if I can write her in a darker copacity without making her the typical cold and unfeeling Hyuga.

Also, I think I honestly forget about a few different characters in the story since, in my opinion, they aren't that important.

A product of Kishimoto creating an unneccesarily large cast in my mind.

Naruto's talk with Tsunade was something I didn't forget though, and simply wanted a better time to slot it in the story as she will become one fo the main characters he interacts with; essentially taking the place of Jiraiya.

Also, I went back and added Kiba and Sasuke's fight to the previous chapter, rather than placing it as the beginning of this one since it wouldn't have made as much sense after I thought about it.

Anyway! I'll do my best not to take so long with the next update, and for anyone who reads it I want you to know Warrior Instinct has not been abandoned since I've been messaged about it a few times since the last chapter. Until then, let me know what you think(respectfully) of Demon and know that I'm happy to speak with anyone about it or any of my other stories!