Earlier - Amegakure)

"No that wouldn't make sense." replied Yugito as Jiraiya nodded. Just as Jiraiya began to speak, Yugito heard a voice in her head.

"Kitten. Look out!" shouted the Nibi in Yugito's head. Yugito stopped immediately from an invisible force. Yugito stopped as if she a rope grabbed her and before she could alert Jiraiya, a pure white hand covered her mouth. Yugito was then dragged backwards and thrown toward a building in the opposite direction of where Jiraiya was heading. Despite the speed of the toss, Yugito managed to flip around and land gracefully on the wall before looking out at her assailants.

"It's a chameleon...with those Rinnegan eyes. It used its tongue to stop me." said Yugito looking at the animal that stopped her. The chameleon was invisible beforehand as Yugito watched it revert back to normal. Yugito then turned to the person standing next to the chameleon as she saw a white man slowly turning his appearance into her. "What?"

The white man eventually turned into an exact copy of Yugito before he gave an evil grin. "Hi Naruto-kun. Sorry for dying in front of you." said the exact copy of Yugito before she turned and sprinted to where Jiraiya left. Yugito frowned at that before watching the chameleon dispel in a poof of smoke.

"What just happened?" questioned the Nibi in Yugito's head as her Jinchuriki just shook her head.

"I don't know but it's not like I'm going to let him just take my place like that." thought Yugito before noticing a vortex appear in front of her and out stepped the Masked Man. "It's this guy."

"Hello Nibi." said the Masked Man as Yugito frowned at the man.

"You're not going to let me stop him are you?" questioned Yugito as the Masked man nodded his head. "He'll never get pass Jiraiya-sensei. A clone jutsu doesn't make up for chakra signature."

The Masked Man just shook his head. "That is where you're wrong. That clone jutsu is special. He's your exact copy." said The Masked Man as Yugito's eyes widened. "And when I kill him in front of Naruto, your boyfriend will react in one of two ways. He'll crumble and become useless...or he'll destroy everything in his path. Each of which I'm fine with as they'll serve a purpose. He crumbles, we'll capture him. He destroys everything, he'll be wanted for destroying an entire village. A win win situation. So you just stay put."

"Naruto-kun." thought Yugito as she saw the Masked Man put up a barrier to keep her from trying to spike her chakra and alert Naruto. It also served the purpose of not allowing her to leave as she realized it was a powerful barrier. "I have to find a way to get to Naruto-kun before something bad happens..."

(With Naruto - Present)

"Senpo: Mokuton: Senbi (Sage Art: Wood Style: Thousand Tails)" whispered Naruto as he clutched to the lifeless Yugito in his arms. The ground trembled as a thunderous roar was heard from underneath the water. Jiraiya, the Toad Sages on Jiraiya's shoulders, Nagato and Konan all bore witness to a massive wooden fox emerge from the lake below.

Konan just stared with wide eyes as she saw how massive the wooden fox was, almost half the size of her village. "Is this the power of a God?" thought Konan just baffled at the fox's size and the power that it emanated. "We can't compete with something like that."

Konan then looked over at Nagato to see him unyielding in the face of the massive fox. Konan became surprised that Nagato continued with a fearless face as no matter who you were, that fox was definitely imposing. Nagato may have seemed calm on he outside, but internally he felt the same as Konan. The fox stood at full height with Naruto sitting atop its head holding Yugito and Jiraiya standing there amazed at its size.

"This is something like a fairy-tale." thought Jiraiya as he looked down the fox to see all the large tails swishing. "Are there really a thousand tails. Maybe those stories Sensei used to tell about what Hashirama-sama could do were true. This is inhuman."

"Sensei.." said Naruto as he continued to stare at Yugito while talking to Jiraiya. Jiraiya heard his apprentice and turned toward him with the Toad Sages on his shoulder.

"Yeah Naruto?" said Jiraiya as Naruto never turned his head from Yugito.

"Is this reality..." said Naruto as Jiraiya empathized with the young man, having seen Tsunade go through the same. "This is a Genjutsu. There's no way...There's no way. There's no..fucking way."

Jiraiya noticed Naruto's voice turn slightly demonic at the end. "His eyes...they're slit like if he was using the Kyubi. He'd using Sage Mode and the Kyubi's power at the same time." thought Jiraiya before seeing Naruto stand with Yugito in his arms. Naruto turned toward the emotionless looking Nagato.

"I'm going to kill you." said a Kyubi-enhanced Naruto as the wooden fox let out another thunderous roar that created a powerful shock wave. A wave formed from the power behind the roar as it made its way to the Rinnegan wielder. Naruto watched as Nagato and his Paths defended against the mighty wave and Kurama had a few thoughts in his head.

"Something felt off about Yugito before she died." questioned Kurama in his head as he then realized he could have been wrong. And even if he was right, part of Kurama wanted to see just how strong his Jinchuriki was. "The brat is finally showing it all. I've never seen him go all out before on an opponent."

The wave died down due to Nagato's Paths as they all looked up at Naruto on the fox. Naruto placed down Yugito as he looked at Yugito one last time before vanishing in a high-speed Shunshin. Naruto landed just behind the 5 remaining Paths who all jolted at the speed he moved at.

"Shinra Tensei." said Nagato's Deva Path pointing a hand at Naruto. The force ripped through the air at the Kyubi Jinchuriki as the Deva Path looked to see Naruto gone but found a Rasengan settled in the middle of his stomach.

"Rasen Senko Cho Rinbu Kosan Shiki (Spiraling Flash Super Round Dance Howl Participate Formula)." said Naruto as five Rasengans were on the bodies of the Paths, blowing them all toward Naruto's massive wooden fox. The fox noticed the Paths approach and timed their arrivals perfectly as it slammed a tail directly into the Paths, skewering them straight through the stomach.

Konan grew more fearful as Naruto turned toward them now. "He just annihilated the five Paths as if they were nothing." thought Konan as she noticed Nagato leap off the bird and land atop the water facing Naruto. "You aren't serious Nagato..."

"This is the second time Yahiko was taken from me." thought Nagato as he felt more power due to the lost connection between his paths. Nagato then began to feel furious about that fact as he continued to look at Naruto without fear in his purple eyes. "Let's see how you do now Kyubi. My power is concentrated."

Naruto noticed Nagato activate a Jinchuriki cloak, likely the chakra his Preta Path absorbed from before. The two then met in a clash of orange vs red, Naruto clutching Nagato's fist and Nagato holding Naruto's other wrist.

"Asura Path" said Nagato as an arm grew from his neck and shifted into that of a cannon. Energy began to form in front of it as it locked dead on Naruto's head. Just before the beam fired off, Naruto let loose a roar as Nagato flew backwards from the powerful shockwave created. Nagato flew backwards, causing his cannon to fire up as Naruto then planted a kick into Nagato's sternum that sent him straight to his back on the water.

"Just because you have my chakra doesn't mean you can compete against the real thing." said Naruto as Nagato felt the effects of the kick to his chest. "I wonder if you know the pain you caused me just now."

"Of course I have. I know exa-" started Nagato only for Naruto to cut him off.

"Shut the Fuck Up. I didn't ask you to say anything." said Naruto as he placed his hands in the snake seal. Naruto channeled chakra as his Wooden Fox's eyes glowed before it let out another roar. A wood clone spawned to life out the Senbi as the clone looked over at Yugito. "I am going to show you the true definition of pain."

Naruto's clone grabbed Yugito and jumped down off the fox with Jiraiya as the Fox roared once again and jumped high in the air. Nagato noticed the trajectory of the jump and realized it was heading for his village. Nagato scrambled up and began a sprint toward Amegakure in an attempt at stopping the fox but it was for not as Naruto appeared in front of him and belted him with fast punch that impeded him.

Nagato clutched his chest again as he looked up helplessly as the Massive Fox landed just outside his village, laying waste to it from the outskirts in. People's screams rang out at the Fox's sudden appearance and explosions were heard as Nagato just stared wide-eyed at the fox beginning its attack on his village.

"I believe it was you who said "Pain caused this...and until you feel the same pain I did, you'll never know the feeling."" said Naruto. "If that's the case. And you want to share everybody's pain. Then why not feel the pain Konoha did when their village was almost destroyed by the Kyubi."

"Shinra Tensei." said Nagato as he blew Naruto backwards with the force of his jutsu. Nagato then made another attempt to get to his village but the distance was too much and Naruto was already on him as Nagato needed to focus on the Jinchuriki or risk being blindsided and hit again.

Nagato's punches and kicks weren't landing on the faster Naruto but the time limit for another Shinra Tensei was up and he pointed a hand at Naruto.

"5 seconds." thought Naruto getting the timing down as he lunged a hand out at Nagato.

"Shinra Tensei." said Nagato but before the jutsu went off, Nagato felt Naruto grab his wrist. Naruto just smiled as he was hit again with the same invisible force but this time dragged Nagato with him. Naruto flipped through the air from the force of the jutsu, flipping Nagato with him as devious smile crossed his face at the leader of Akatsuki. Naruto slung the Rinnegan user into the water below as he fell directly above him with a knee aimed at his head.

Nagato hit the water hard but managed to roll out-of-the-way as Naruto went careening into the lake below. Nagato made another attempt at going to his village but felt the lake rumble again. Nagato watched as a forest sprang up immediately around him but at the tops of the trees were large orange flowers. Nagato then watched the flowers bloom as an immense amount of pollen came fluttering down.

"The pollen has a sleep-inducing effect." thought Nagato covering his mouth and nose before waiting a few more seconds. Nagato placed both hands out as he let loose another Shinra Tensei. Nagato jumped out of the forest to see Naruto standing in between him and his village still. Only this time, Naruto had a captured Konan in his arms.

"I have 5 seconds to show you the same pain I felt when Yugito died." said Naruto with a tri-pronged Kunai placed at Konan's neck. Konan normally would have been able to turn to paper and avoid the jutsu but the chakra-suppressing wood entangled around the rest of her body apparently stopped that. "Watching her die in front of you will be worth it."

Nagato watched as Naruto moved his kunai back before moving his arm forward.

"NOOO!" shouted Nagato as Naruto's kunai made its way to Konan's neck.

(Konoha - Root Base)

Darkness. Darkness met him as he awoke with his eyes closed, fearing opening them. The man felt a presence to his right and one right next to him as he spoke with a tired voice.

"Is this heaven...or hell?" questioned the man before he realized he was lying on his back. The man tried to get up but a gentle hand landed on his chest and held him firm.

"Please don't move. Or try to open your eyes." came the calm voice of a woman. "I healed you but you won't feel 100% for a few days."

"I'm alive?" questioned the man as he heard a voice he recognized as his little brother's.

"Yes you are Itachi...Itachi-nii." came the voice of Sasuke situated on a bed laying next to his elder brother's, eyes bandaged just like Itachi's. Knowing Itachi was confused, Sasuke spoke again. "Sakura..."

The pink haired medic nin nodded as she turned to Itachi. "Your sickness, I healed it. Sasuke-kun gave me the notes on it and I solved it from there. You were nearly terminally ill since 13 and the fact that you lived long enough til this point is nothing short of amazing." said Sakura as she added. "And your eyes may hurt because I exchanged them with another set."

"EMS...Sasuke." thought Itachi before finally recognizing the eyes in his head and speaking to Sasuke. "These eyes are.."

"Yes. When you passed out at the end, I knew you didn't want to die. I could feel it." started Sasuke as he added. "So I saved you. And I replaced your eyes with the one given to you by your best friend and the one Danzo stole. Your body accepted them easily."

"Shisui's eyes.." said Itachi. "Then that must mean that you have my eyes?"

"Yes. I can feel the power behind them and it's fascinating honestly." said Sasuke before getting slightly serious. "I don't truly know how you feel now. But I know the truth of the massacre. And I can reason with how hard it may be to live with something like that. So you have two choices nii-san. If you want to continue living, I have a way to allow you back into Konoha's ranks. If not, Sakura can and will kill you painlessly with a lethal injection. It's your choice."

Itachi laid still for several minutes pondering the thought as flashes of his life went through his mind. Another several minutes passed by as Itachi allowed a small smile.

"What do you have in mind?" questioned Itachi as Sasuke smiled. Itachi then heard another voice in the room he didn't realize was there.

"Welcome back, Itachi Uchiha." came the voice of Konoha's Hokage, Tsunade Senju. Itachi's eyes would have opened in shock for not the bandages wrapped around his face keeping them shut. Sakura noticed Tsunade's look and understood as she began to make her way out of the room with her sensei.

"Tsunade-sama..." said Itachi with a low voice. Tsunade just smiled as she walked out of the room with a few more words before fully departing.

"Heal up fast now. The world is still revolving and there are still bad guys to kill." said Tsunade as she walked out of the room with Sakura to allow the two brothers time alone in the comfort of the small room located hundreds of feet below Konoha.

(Amegakure - Earlier with Jiraiya)

Standing atop the massive fox, Jiraiya watched his student place Yugito down and vanish in a high-speed Shunshin.

"Naruto..." said Jiraiya as he watched his student lay waste to all of Nagato's Paths in the span of a second after landing.

Even Fukasaku grew shocked at Naruto's ability. "When did Naruto-chan get so strong?" questioned Fukasaku. "The chakra he's emanating. This Fox he created. And he's still able to...Jiraiya-chan did you know he was this strong?"

"I had an idea beforehand, kind of." said Jiraiya speaking of when Naruto saw the Masked Man. Shima decided to add her own two cents about Naruto.

"The boy did train heavily using clones but I didn't think it would result in this." said Shima as the three Toad Sages noticed a wood clone grow out of the fox right next to them.

The wood clone grabbed Yugito as he turned to Jiraiya. "We need to get off this fox." said the clone as he jumped off the fox, followed by Jiraiya. As they were falling, Jiraiya noticed the fox roar and jump toward Amegakure.

"He's going to destroy an entire village." said Jiraiya as he looked at his apprentice. "His personality really is becoming more like the Kyubi."

Fukasaku noticed Naruto's intent and hearing Jiraiya, he posed a question. "His personality is becoming that of the Kyubi?" seeing Jiraiya nod, Fukasaku realized the reason. "He unlocked his seal."

The Naruto wood clone nodded his head. "And I know Boss's thoughts. He will destroy that village given what he was thinking just then." said the clone as it looked at Yugito. "Normally he wouldn't but with Kurama and him syncing, it gave him some of Kurama's maliciousness. Which is a good thing but.."

"Innocent lives will be loss." said Jiraiya as he watched the fox begin its assault on the village, starting with the outer part and moving in. As the fox began, Jiraiya noticed Naruto stopping Nagato from advancing and attempting to protect his village with tall, flowering trees. The Toad Sages and Naruto's clone then watched as Naruto easily grabbed Konan as she became distracted with looking at her village and watching Nagato, trying to figure out which one she should protect.

"Don't do it Naruto-chan.." said Shima even though she knew the girl was Akatsuki, she just didn't want to watch him kill someone solely off of revenge and with evil intent. Jiraiya and Fugaku felt the same but knew they couldn't and wouldn't stop him. Jiraiya's eyes then perked up as he felt a familiar chakra spike come from Amegakure.

"She's alive." said Jiraiya

(With Naruto)

"NOOO!" shouted Nagato as Naruto's kunai headed for Konan's neck. Naruto's kunai pressed into Konan's neck but didn't draw blood as he stopped just before. Nagato looked at Naruto shocked to see him not kill her.

Naruto removed his kunai as he shook his head. "I can't do this. My sensei taught me better.." said Naruto as he put his kunai away. Naruto then looked at Nagato before his own eyes widened. "Yugi-chan..."

Naruto turned toward Amegakure as Nagato appeared next to Konan, freeing her and holding on to his last remaining friend. Nagato then looked up at Naruto as he continued to stare at Amegakure and Nagato knew why.

Naruto felt the chakra spike of Yugito accessing the Nibi's power as his heart jumped in his chest. Naruto's Senbi stopped its assault on Ame as Naruto's wood clone dispelled, dropping the other Yugito. The original Naruto vanished in a Shunshin as his fox jumped back out to the lake, ending the attack on Amegakure.

Yugito stood still having flared her chakra moments earlier before she took off her disguise, revealing her dark blue eyes and pony-tailed blonde hair. The barrier the Masked Man created was crushed by the swing of one Naruto's Senbi's tails and Yugito took immediate advantage of that. The Masked Man noticed the barrier dispel and upon Yugito flaring her chakra, he left her alone with another vortex realizing the Kyubi Jinchuriki would immediately head this way. He was proven right as seconds later, Naruto appeared in a shunshin still accessing his Sage Jinchuriki Mode. Naruto stared at Yugito as his heart stopped aching from the events that happened earlier.

"Please tell me this is real." said Naruto as he walked slowly to the blonde girl before him. "Please tell me this is real..."

Naruto now stood in front of Yugito as she could feel Naruto's emotions radiate through his eyes and chakra fluctuations. Yugito just wrapped her arms around the Kyubi Jinchuriki as she whispered in his ear.

"Yes Naruto-kun. This is really me." said Yugito as she felt Naruto slowly moving his arms around her to hug her back. "The other me was a clone.. Some kind of special clone that that guy made somehow. I saw that fox by the way...are you okay?"

Yugito then felt a tear drop to her shoulder as she moved her head back to look at Naruto's face. Naruto kissed Yugito, full of emotions, as he moved his head back and another tear of joy fell from his eye.

"I thought I loss you.." said Naruto kissing the Jinchuriki girl again. "I thought they killed you..."

Yugito just smiled before wiping the tear from Naruto's eye and kissing him. "I'm here..Foxy-kun." said Yugito with a smile when Naruto gave a small laugh at the nickname. Naruto then looked up and around him as he noticed dozens, maybe hundreds of Ame shinobi staring at him and Yugito.

Naruto could feel the emotions of the Ame ninjas as Naruto understood their feelings. Naruto just stared as one of them pointed his sword at the two Jinchuriki.

"You dare come to Amegakure and attempt to destroy it?!" shouted the man as his sword trembled. His sword trembled not because of how angry he was, but due to how scared he was at what he saw just now from the fox assaulting part of his village.

Naruto looked the man in the eye as he nodded his head. "I am sorry for the destruction I caused your village." said Naruto as the man looked slightly shocked at the apology.

"But..but you. But-" started the man only to hear a voice cut him off.

"Stop." came the voice of a red-head man as all the Ame shinobi looked over along with Naruto and Yugito. All of Amegakure's residents grew wide-eyed at the man as they dropped their weapons and bowed.

"Pain-sama." said the man before feeling Nagato appear before him and raise his head.

"Please stand. And my name is Nagato." said Nagato to the man as the man nodded his head. Nagato then looked at Naruto before walking toward the Kyubi Jinchuriki with Konan following behind him. Nagato stood before Naruto as Rinnegan eyes met Naruto's Sage Kyubi eyes. "How do you do it?"

Naruto grabbed Yugito's hand a little tighter before feeling Yugito give him a reassuring squeeze in return.

"How do I do what exactly?" questioned Naruto as Nagato elaborated.

"She died in front of you. It may not have been her but there's no way you knew that before she spiked her chakra. Especially considering your actions that followed." said Nagato before adding. "So how did you not kill Konan?...or even allow your fox to fully decimate my village. You could have made it land in the heart of my village but instead it only attacked the remote area, the area Hanzo lived in that no one comes close to. There were no deaths, no injuries...How? How do you not succumb to your pain and want revenge on those who caused it?"

Naruto just stared at Nagato for a second before answering. "You're wrong. I wanted nothing more to kill you, Konan, and your entire village. But what would that solve?" questioned Naruto. "My Sensei taught me that this world is full of hate and that hate only causes more hate. It's a never-ending cycle. If I kill you, whose to say one of your ninjas or some ninja that followed Ame wouldn't come and attack me and my village, taking away more of my loved ones. My goal is to stop the cycle and bring the world to true peace. And I'd be going directly against my goal if I did exactly what I wanted."

"How can you say that? How do you know your goal won't change? Or you won't fail?" questioned Nagato as Naruto channeled his chakra and the orange fox on his exposed right arm glowed a bright orange. A poof of smoke occurred as a book dropped out of it and Naruto caught it. "This world is cursed and because of that, peace is impossible."

"Then...I will break that curse. If there is such a thing as peace, I will attain it. I promise." said Naruto. "You've proven to me that I won't change. Even after you killed the girl of my dreams..my world. I still didn't succumb to the pain and change. Maybe it's because of this book. My name, Naruto, does come from the main character's name."

Nagato's eyes widened slightly as he recognized the book. " The Tale of the Utterly, Gutsy Shinobi...written by Jiraiya, the Toad Sage." said Nagato as Naruto nodded his head.

"I may not know exactly how to find that peace." said Naruto placing the book back into his seal. "But I know that I've tried and will continue trying. And if in the end, my method doesn't work..then I'll move on to the next. And continue until I find it. I won't give up. I never give up. That's my Ninja Way."

Nagato allowed a small smile to grace his face as he looked at the Kyubi Jinchuriki. "Naruto Senju..." said Nagato as he turned slightly with Konan following his movements. "Come with me. We have many things to discuss."

Naruto looked at Yugito, who only nodded her head, before he looked out to see Jiraiya smiling at him. Naruto saw Jiraiya mouth the words, Way to Go Gaki, as he smiled heavily at his sensei. Naruto then walked behind the red-head leader of Akatsuki with Yugito holding his hand, planning to never let it go. At least for a few hours.

The Ame ninjas that gathered around the Jinchuriki all paused at that as they looked at each other. "The fuck just happened?" questioned one of them as several around him agreed. "I mean. Yeah he didn't kill any of us but he attacked our village?"

An elder ninja nodded his head but disagreed. "You're right. He did attack us but then again, he didn't kill anyone. Frankly, he only destroyed the part of the village no one ever goes too. That huge plot of land that once belonged to Hanzo turned ruins." said the elder ninja as several other conversations began to ring out around him but all ended when the ninja pointed out to the lake. "Plus, if we were to fight him. That thing would come back."

A thunderous roar sounded out over the lake from the Senbi as many of the Ame ninjas stopped their chattering and just nodded their heads.

"You're right. Let's just go back to drinking and let Nagato-sama handle it." said the ninja as many around them cheered their approval.

(Three Days Later - Konoha Main Gate)

"Tsunade-sama. They're coming back." said Sakura watching as her sensei walked back and forth around the main gate as she bit nervously at her fingernail. "Sensei!"

Tsunade stopped moving as she looked at Sakura. "I'm sorry Sakura..it's just, they were supposed to be back by now. Or at least made contact with me to let me know they are alive." said Tsunade as Sakura could understand.

"Naruto and Yugito are both going to Kumogakure afterward." said Sakura before adding. "Only Jiraiya will officially come back here and when he does, I'm sure you'll be the first one he contacts."

Tsunade just smiled slightly. "Thanks Sakura." said Tsunade before adding. "But still, they are late and I can't help but feel this way."

Sakura just nodded her head but before she could speak, an enormous poof of smoke occurred directly in front of them.

"This is where Naruto got that from." thought Sakura as from that cloud of smoke, Jiraiya appeared standing atop a toad. "That is just...there's no reason for any of that."

"From the Sacred lands of the T-" started Jiraiya only to be gripped into a bone-crushing hug from Tsunade, appearing in front of him on his toad. Jiraiya just smiled as Tsunade let him go and smiled at the much taller man. "I missed you too Tsunade-hime."

"What took you all so long?" questioned Tsunade. "I thought you all would be done there sooner? Did you all run into trouble? Was Naruto or Yugito hurt? Are you hurt?"

Jiraiya picked up a hand to stop Tsunade. "We are all fine Hime. Yugito and the kid headed to Kumogakure for her reprieve." said Jiraiya picking up a photo of the two smiling and looking healthy just one day prior. Jiraiya then bit his thumb. "And it took us so long because of this."

In a poof of smoke, a toad appeared as it opened its mouth wide and a scroll came rising up out of it. Jiraiya grabbed the scroll before the toad dispelled himself and Jiraiya handed the scroll to Tsunade. Tsunade opened the large scroll as after a few minutes of reading, Tsunade gasped sharply.

"Amegakure. They want to join our alliance?" questioned Tsunade as Jiraiya simply nodded his head. Tsunade then noticed the several shinobi listed on the scroll as she pointed at one of them. "Akatsuki members, it has the skills of each of them on here. I'm assuming Naruto copied this info and is going to give it to the rest of the alliance."

Jiraiya just nodded his head. "Yeah. The kid did it all. And I can't wait to tell you how." said Jiraiya with a grin as Tsunade just looked at him with narrow eyes.

"Okay. Get to telling then. What's stopping you?" questioned Tsunade as she noticed Jiraiya's grin turn lecherous.

"I'll be glad too. Tonight, on our date." said Jiraiya as Tsunade's eyes widened. "Little Black Dress."

Tsunade just blew out a sigh before accepting her fate. "One Date." said Tsunade as Jiraiya just nodded and said he'd pick up the busty Kage at 7 sharp. Sakura just smiled before Tsunade remembered her she had something to take care of today, causing her to leave the main gate to attend to it. Tsunade just headed to her office to gather a few items before heading to where Sakura went.

(Under Konoha - Root Base)

Still laying down on the small beds in the remote room, Sasuke laid in his own bed next to Itachi in his bed as they waited. The two brothers then heard the door to their room open as they felt one person enter the room.

"It's time." came the voice of Sakura as she smiled. "Who's first?"

Sasuke just sat up in his bed as he smiled slyly. Untangling the bandage around the back of his head, the entirety of the bandages fell from his head as he sat with his eyes closed. Opening his eyes, Sasuke gasped at the new design.

"They're beautiful." said Sakura as Sasuke moved to the mirror in the room. Standing in front of it, Sasuke looked at his eyes. Sasuke's eye didn't change much from his regular Mangekyo, the only difference was that Itachi's Mangekyo appeared in the middle of his, just straighter and no longer curved. Sasuke just smiled at the change as he could feel the power radiating off the eyes.

"I need to test these." said Sasuke as he noticed Itachi standing right behind him. Moving slightly out-of-the-way, Sasuke watched Itachi unravel his own bandages. Itachi opened his eyes to see his own Eternal Mangekyo. Itachi's normal Mangekyo seemed to evolve as instead of just a tri-bladed Shuriken, Itachi's eyes were now 8 lines, all arching out from the center of his eye.

"It looks like a Dharma wheel almost." started Sakura looking at the beauty of Itachi's EMS. "It's like...just beautiful. Both of your eyes. It's just fascinating."

Itachi just smiled as he brought his hand into a fist and flexed his muscles. "I'm free of the illness. It really worked." said Itachi as he looked toward Sasuke. "You said you needed to test your eyes? I need to do the same and feel out my body, I feel healthy again."

Sasuke just nodded his head. "Let's do this." said Sasuke as he and Itachi.

(10 minutes later)

Sasuke laid flat on the ground with Itachi standing over him with a small smile on his face. Tsunade and Sakura stood just a ways away as they both had shocked faces.

"Itachi Uchiha is an animal." thought Tsunade having watched the spar just now between the two Uchiha brothers. "How much did that illness affect him? And now that it's gone, how powerful is he? He's like Naruto in that aspect. He made it look effortless just now."

Sasuke had the same idea as he was thoroughly handled by his elder brother just now.

"It wasn't even close." said Sasuke out of breath as he laid on the ground. "I felt like I was six again..how strong are you?"

Itachi just continued to smile. "Get stronger and you may find out." said Itachi before seeing Tsunade land on the ground in front of him. Itachi then noticed there were some items in Tsunade's hands. "Is that..."

"Yes." said Tsunade as she held an Anbu uniform in her hands and some documents. "Itachi Uchiha. I, Tsunade Senju, pardon you of all crimes against the Land of Fire and Konohagakure as a whole. You are a free man and your wanted picture will be removed from every Bingo Book."

Itachi just stood stock still after hearing that bit of information. Having been on the run for so long and having to hide his face, he was finally free. Granted he knew that people may still come after him and he still wouldn't be able to show his face in Konoha from his previous actions, but he was free. Even though freedom came with his 'death' in the real world.

"And due to your circumstances.." started Tsunade continuing with what Itachi already knew would happen. "You've been drafted into Root. As its first Commander. Congratulations. Sasuke Uchiha will guide you for the next couple of weeks while you get assimilated and used to the Root program. Remember, we'll want people to think you're dead and that Sasuke killed you, that's why he has your eyes to prove it. However, you may want or need to go to the mainland eventually and I have a way that you can."

"You're going to disguise me? How is that possible Hokage-sama?" questioned Itachi before seeing Tsunade point to herself.

"A special Henge that only I know. And is unbreakable unless you run out of chakra." said Tsunade as Itachi just smiled.

"Maybe I am blessed by Kami." thought Itachi as he got ready for the weeks ahead.

(Kumogakure - Same Time)

"I am blessed by Kami." thought Naruto as he stared perversely at his long-time girlfriend get dressed. Yugito knew Naruto was staring at her and while getting dressed, moved about it in a way that was unbelievably hot to the young man. "Okay, that shimmy at the end is just taking it overboard."

Yugito buckled her pants having 'shimmied' to put them on as she turned toward Naruto.

"What ever do you mean?" questioned Yugito before smiling cheerfully at the flustered young man standing in her room. It was surprising that even though she'd been gone for nearly two months, her apartment still stayed clean and paid for. Likely her Raikage's doing to make sure she still felt at home when coming back to Kumogakure.

Yugito then watched Naruto fidget slightly due to the tightness in his pants and she realized why.

"Awww Foxy-kun. You liked what you saw huh?" questioned Yugito as Naruto just blew out a snort.

"Heh. I saw you. Whoever said I liked you?" questioned Naruto in return as Yugito just smirked.

"A one thousand tailed fox assault on Amegakure could attest to that fact." said Yugito smiling as Naruto just rolled his eyes. "But don't worry, I'll take care of my sweet little Jinchuriki. For now, come on. We have to go now or we'll be late."

Naruto just grunted as he followed behind the Nibi Jinchuriki. "Who is this for again?" questioned Naruto holding up the present in his hands. Naruto rattled it a few times but couldn't come to terms of what could be inside.

"It's for B-sama. It's his birthday and luckily, instead of sending that present like I planned. We came here and I can give it to him in person." said Yugito as Naruto nodded his head. "And we can't be late to the party or we'll be denied entrance. Bee is like that."

"I always hear about this guy. Kirabi better known as Killer B. But I've never met the guy." said Naruto.

Yugito perked up at that. "Really? You've really never met Kirabi-sama?" questioned Yugito as she walked hand in hand with the Kyubi Jinchuriki and led him seemingly off into the mountains that surrounded Kumogakure. Naruto just shook his head as Yugito became slightly shocked at that. "Well I guess you only come to see me usually or just to drop off a scroll. You'd never really get the chance to meet him."

"True. Is he as annoying as everyone says though?" questioned Naruto as Yugito pointed a thumb up, then down, and then held it sideways.

"Everyone's perspective is different." said Yugito. "Some people adore him, like his students and much of Kumogakure who attend his rap concerts. Some people can't stand him, like me and the Raikage-dono. But you can't help but love the guy, he's amazing when you really get down to it. He'll grow on you that's for sure."

"Word. Well I can't wait to meet this guy. How long is this walk by the way?" questioned Naruto as Yugito said 5 miles. "Five Miles?! Why can't we just run there?"

"We could." said Yugito as she then looked at Naruto. "But I want to hear all about what happened in Amegakure. You still haven't told me and there'll be nothing better to do in the meantime. I might even take you behind one of these Mountains and have my way with you if you do."

Naruto grew tempted at that as he'd been opposed to having to retell one of the worst moments in his life, but Yugito did have the right to know. And frankly, who didn't want Yugito to have her way with them?

(5 miles away - Kumogakure)

"I'm Kirabi! The Best emcee! My flow is hearty, time to start this party! YEAH!" came the loud, rapping voice of a man with brown skin and a tattoo of bull horns on his face. He wore the standard outfit of a Kumo shinobi with a long scarf wrapped around his neck that hung all the way to the floor. On his back though, the man had seven swords strapped to it and a pair of sunglasses hiding his eyes.

"Bee. The party doesn't start for another two hours." came the voice in Bee's head from his Eight-tailed Bijuu, the Hachibi. "Maybe you should save your raps for then."

"Maybe you're right. But I can flow all night. YEAH!" rhymed Bee in his head as he felt a few people appear outside his home. "Seems some people are here. Birthday Party about to appear. YEAH!"

Kirabi walked outside of his small cave as he looked out at the people standing there. Kirabi's demeanor changed slightly as he noticed that it was 4 people, all donning cloaks that only one group wore.

"Akatsuki." said Bee as several of the members smiled. Bee recognized all of them as he looked. Standing there before him were Hidan, Kakuzu, Deidara, and Kisame.

"Hachibi. Mmmm." came the voice of the Iwa Bomber, Deidara, as he looked at the Jinchuriki. "Kisame. You can handle him correct. Make it fast because once you start fighting, the whole of Kumo will be coming and we'll only be able to hold them back for so long."

Kirabi then watched as the tall, blue-skinned member of Akatsuki grinned at him and placed that huge bandaged sword over his shoulder.

"Kisame Hoshigaki. A pleasure to meet you." said Kisame as he grinned and went running toward the man known as the Perfect Jinchuriki.

(Amegakure - Same Time)

"AHH!" came the pained scream of Nagato as his body felt on fire, starting from his legs up. Nagato couldn't control his body anymore as he looked up to see the Masked Man holding a hand seal. "What did you do to me?"

The Masked Man heard Nagato's strained voice as his mask just stared back at the downed Leader. "You think you could just betray me and not receive consequences?" questioned the man as he added. "Not only did you not beat the Kyubi..which I would have been okay with if he defeated you. But you allowed him to leave..and leave with information on all the members of Akatsuki. I'd have done this sooner if I didn't think he'd stop me."

Nagato just looked up at him before smiling. "There's nothing you can do about it." said Nagato. "It's already been done. And even if I die here today, there'd be nothing you could do to stop Naruto. You can't beat him as you are. I know it and so do you. Even with your special jutsu, you'd have to touch him and in that instant, he'd kill you without hesitation. You've already loss, you're just prolonging the inevitable."

"That is where you're wrong." said the Masked Man as Nagato noticed Zetsu appear in the room as well. Nagato began to struggle against Tobi but it was futile really. "You think I wouldn't have safeguards if you ever betrayed me. Those cells that I used to reconstruct your legs were created out of Zetsu. Meaning, 20% of your body is of my creation, a creature I control. And due to it syncing with the rest of your body, I essentially control you as well."

Nagato knew it was useless the moment he felt the stinging sensation. He knew this day would come but he didn't realize the Masked Man had such a leg up on him. Nagato laughed at his own pun that Naruto surely would have if he said it out loud. The two days Naruto stayed in Amegakure made the young man really grow on Nagato, even though the first quarter of that they were enemies.

"It seems I won't be able to see the true peace Naruto will bring about in the world." thought Nagato as he closed his eyes in a short prayer. "Do well Naruto-kun. I believe in you."

Nagato then felt Zetsu melt over his body and take control of his hands as he formed a hand seal.

"Gedo - Rinne Tensei no Jutsu (Outer Path - Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique)" said Zetsu for Nagato as he forced the Rinnegan wielder to channel his chakra. Nagato felt the strain immediately from the technique as blood rolled out of his nose and his hair immediately turned white, along with his body turning frail again. Nagato also turned back into the old man he looked like before hand as his technique took effect.

Zetsu melted back off of Nagato as the once red-head let out a few shallow breaths. "Who.. did you bring back?" questioned Nagato as the Masked Man walked over to him.

"That's of no concern to you." said the Masked Man as he placed a hand over Nagato's eyes. Holding his hand there for a few seconds, the Masked Man then pushed the dying man down as he took both his Rinnegan out of his eyes. "Thank you for collecting at least six Bijuu for me. But with your betrayal, you're useless to me. Especially as you are now. Goodbye Nagato."

The Masked Man then left in a swirling vortex as Nagato looked up to the ceiling, although his eyes were closed due to no eyes being there.

"I'm sorry Konan." thought Nagato with his last breath as his body finally gave out on him. Konan would eventually come up from running errands to find him and surely be devastated. Nagato prayed she'd stay strong and lead Amegakure to peace in his death though. Naruto would surely help with that and that allowed Nagato to die with a smile on his face.

(Unknown Location)

The Masked Man appeared in a devoid looking place that had what appeared to be a fossil of a dinosaur as its building structure. The Masked Man took a deep breath before walking inside of his hideout. It was a short travel to where he could feel another man sitting in his hideout.

"So you actually went through with it." said the Man with a smile on his face as The Masked Man just nodded his head. The Masked Man then handed the man the two Rinnegan eyes as he easily placed them both back in his empty eye sockets.

"Welcome back.. Madara." came the voice of Zetsu as the man looked up with both Rinnegan shining bright.

Omake: NaruYugi - The Lost Files (Marriage)

"Welcome to Amegakure." came the voice of a gate guard as he allowed the 6 tourists in after a rigorous body search. Naruto and Yugito, still disguised, thanked the man as they began to walk into the village. Naruto then felt the person to his left tap him on the shoulder.

"Yes?" questioned Naruto as it was an elderly woman and another man smiling at them.

"I just wanted to say that you both are a lovely couple." said the woman with a warm smile. "Your interactions the way here were priceless. Don't they remind you of us Kenji?"

"Huh?" said Kenji, the woman's husband, as she just continued smiling at Naruto and Yugito.

"I feel the same way Kenji-kun." said the woman before beginning to walk away from them. "May Kami bless your marriage. Hope to see you all around."

Naruto nodded toward the woman before looking at Yugito. "Well Mrs. Kitsune. Apparently we look good as a married couple." said Naruto as Yugito nodded her head.

"Well we just look good period. Putting us together is just unfair to all the other couples." said Yugito as she and Naruto began to navigate their way through the village.

"You're right. Might as well get married now then." said Naruto absent-minded as he took a few more steps before it registered in his mind what he said. Naruto noticed Yugito had stopped immediately and upon turning to her, smiled at the girl sheepishly with a hand behind his head.

Yugito then smiled excitedly. "You want to marry me?!" questioned Yugito enthusiastically as she looked at Naruto.

"I don't know about all that. What made you think I'd want to marry you. That line earlier was just to see how you'd react." said Naruto as Yugito shook her head at him with a smirk on her face.

"That's what this ring is for." said Yugito smiling at the gorgeous ring wrapped around her finger for her disguise. "You're using the illusion of a mission to find out not only my ring size but my ring taste, how being my husband would be, and all that. This is a self-imposed sub-mission isn't it?"

Naruto was caught red-handed but didn't want Yugito to know that. He wasn't ready for marriage yet but figured that a trial run would help ease his nerves about such a big commitment. Nonetheless, he still didn't want Yugito to know about his hidden intentions, it was supposed to be a secret and his male pride wouldn't allow his female lover to win this.

"Pssshhhh. Yugi-chan. If I wanted to marry you, I'd just do it." said Naruto as he noticed the toad bar. "Clearly you just want to marry me is all. I know it. You ain't got to lie Yugi-chan. You ain't got to lie."

Yugito's demeanor never changed. "You want to marry me." said Yugito with a smirk on her face as Naruto just let out a defeated sigh.

"That obvious huh?" questioned Naruto as Yugito just nodded her head. "I wasn't trying to marry you Yugi-chan. But I did want to know what it would be like, even if it was for a mission. To be truthful, I'm terrified."

Yugito grabbed Naruto's hand as she laced her fingers with his. "It's okay Naruto-kun. I'm scared too." started Yugito as Naruto looked at her with wide eyes. "I know I act a certain way when someone brings it up and tells you "you should 'hurry up and marry that girl", but I'm just as scared. It's just like when we became boyfriend and girlfriend. I was scared I'd somehow we'd mess up the relationship and have this horrible break up."

"Yeah. But we didn't." said Naruto as Yugito nodded.

"Exactly. But then again, marriage is a whole other animal." said Yugito as they neared the Toad Bar. "I know I love you. I love you more than anything. I just don't know, I feel like we need a catalyst or something."

Naruto went silent for a few seconds as they entered the Toad Bar and sat at a few stools in front of the bar. Jiraiya was behind the counter pretending to be a real bartender as they would just wait for a few unsuspecting Ame ninjas to walk in so they could get information on the Akatsuki leader.

Naruto then snapped his finger after a few seconds as if confirming something.

"I have an idea." said Naruto as Yugito perked up at that. "We'll wait for a catalyst then. Something that just makes us realize that no matter what, nothing will ever change between us."

"Good idea Naruto-kun." said Yugito before feeling a couple of ninjas walking toward the bar. It was time to put their plan in action. "I hope you didn't jinx us though."

"Did I?" thought Naruto before two Ame Genin walked into the bar. "Naw. I'm sure I didn't"

(Later that Day - Amegakure)

"You totally jinxed that." said Yugito as she walked with the Kyubi Jinchuriki. Although Naruto was carrying the pretty Jinchuriki on his back, piggyback style, after their long day in Amegakure. Nagato had gotten them a hotel as they decided to stay for a while considering their fatigue and conversations. Naruto just laughed slightly before turning his head to slightly look at Yugito.

"My bad. I didn't think it'd happen so fast." said Naruto.

Yugito nodded her head before sneaking a kiss on Naruto's cheek. "I'd say that was definitely the catalyst needed." said Yugito before realizing she still had the ring Naruto gave her on. "Oh, I forgot to give this back."

"Don't. Keep it." said Naruto turning his head back as Yugito grew shocked at that. "It's actually a promise ring my dear. A promise that when all of this is over, when the Akatsuki threat is over, I'm going to put a real ring on that finger."

A smile crept on Yugito's face that wouldn't leave anytime soon.

"So you kinda like me?" questioned Yugito as she saw Naruto shake his head.

"No. Not at all." said Naruto. "I love you. I love you so much Yugi-chan."

Yugito moved her head forward, making Naruto turn his to see why she was moving only to receive a kiss from the Nibi Jinchuriki. Naruto reveled in the kiss as Yugito broke it after a few seconds.

"I know. You know." said Yugito before adding. "Ame knows. That Big ass Fox sure let them know and probably the entire world."

Naruto just smiled before continuing toward their hotel room for the night. He had a whole two weeks reprieve with the woman of his dreams and likely the future Mrs. Naruto Senju. Life felt right for the couple branded NaruYugi by his Hokage and it would only get better. Both enjoyed their lives before but one day they just woke up and wondered how they lived without one another. And if it was up to them, that day wouldn't return for a long, long time.