FOREWORD
A story is only as good as its' conclusion. I firmly believe that staement. That is why the conclusion of Naruto was so disappointing to me. It completly ruined Sakura's character. In the end, she was irrelevant to the story. How many pannels were wasted developing her relationship with Naruto only to have her remain living in a lie. She remained with the one that spurned her, who tried to kill her, even though he never loved her in the first place. What kind of maessage does that send to female readers? Naruto's character was tarnished in the end as well. He never told the girl that he loved how he felt. He didn't surpass the generations that came before in love. Moreover, he didn't do as his mother told him and find someone like her. What message does that send to people like me who identified with Naruto and wanted him to perservere and fulfill his dreams? Hinata's character, through fandom support alone, rose to a level of prominence that I don't believe that her character was ever intended for. She had no real importance tp the story, and when she did appear it felt forced. If her story were to be brought full circle, she should have declared herself able to walk on her own. Instead, she continued to live on devoting her entire being to Naruto without having a seperate existence. The way things ended, Kishimoto may as wel have combined her's and Sakura's characters into one person. Finally we come to Sauske. He was made out to be anti-hero. The word hero should not be associated with his name. He deverved no reward for his actions. He may have lost an arm but Naruto did as well. So where are the consequences? I understand that Kishimoto was probablly pressured to end things this way so that more stories could be told that appeal to the broadest portions of the fanbase without his involvement. But, I had really hoped that he would end the story with integrity. My fondness of Naruto only began when I saw the potential of the NaruSaku relationship. It was a parallel storyline that added to the richness and depth of the story as a whole. I was almost ashamed when that story was amputated in the final two chapters. There was no resolution, not closure. It just vanished.
I felt that, we as NaruSaku fans deserved more. So I decided to try and bring that something more to life. So here it is. Dedicated to all of the loyal NaruSaku fans that have frequented this site over the years, I offer Naruto: The Remption Chapters.
Enjoy!
NOTE: Chapter 1 is a bridge to the original storyline. Some elements are the same. Some are modified. My oringinal fanfiction truely begins with Chapter 2. Also, something threw my indentations out of whack sorry for any inconvenience.
CHAPTER 1
DIVERGENCE
Madara stood over the Second Hokage, pinned to the Gedo Mazo statue with a myriad of black chakra rods. The Second was completely immobilized, no longer able to fight back.
“Truth be told… I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment,” Madara said with an edge of triumph in his voice. “You were the one that killed Izuna.”
“I’m nothing more than a moving corpse,” the Second retorted bitterly. “Anything that you do to me now is meaningless… What did you wish for so badly that it drove you to resurrection? Our time should have long since ended!”
Madara remained calm, “I’m going to succeed where Hirashima failed… in creating a country. But, the failure of this world stretches much further back along the stream of time than Hirashima.”
A White Zetsu appeared below. “Those on the verge of death require immediate treatment. I’ll head out immediately.” He sank back into the ground, leaving no trace that he was ever there.
The Second deciphered White Zetsu’s cryptic message. “… and the Infinite Tsukuyomi, that’s your so called treatment?”
“Precisely…” said Madara looking off into the distance. “Hirasima’s country was a shameful contradiction. Man seeks peace, yet at the same time yearning for war… Those are the two realms belonging solely to man. Thinking of peace while spilling blood is something that only humans could do. They’re two sides of the same coin. To protect something, another must be sacrificed…” He looked back down at the Second, “That is, unless everyone were to be part of a dream world.”
The second noticed movement in the sky above. “You do have a point,” he said grinning. “But, that choice is not yours to make,” he continued in his thoughts.
The Second shot a chakra pellet attack from his mouth. Madara used Susanoo to block it. He was distracted from the attack bearing down on him from above.
Not even the Raikage, Mizukage, and the Tsuchikage’s attacks could get through. The masked man was much more formidable than they had anticipated. He launched a counter attack using a jutsu harnessing all five chakra natures at once. The Edo Tensei Third Hokage used the same jutsu to counterbalance it. The rest of the alliance were running out of chakra, leaving the Third as their last remaining line of defense.
Orochimaru watched from behind a massive piece of rubble as the masked man did battle with the alliance. He studied the man’s jutsu with interest. They were familiar to him.
Suigetsu was becoming impatient. They had arrived in the middle of a war, and all they had done so far was to help save some old hag. He wanted to do something more than to hide in the shadows. He was one of the Seven Swordsmen after all.
He finally felt that he had held his tongue long enough. “Orochimaru, what are we waiting for?” he asked impatiently.
“Our objective is to catch up to Sauske. That is all,” Orochimaru hissed over his shoulder.
Suigetsu felt a quiver of fear work its’ way up his spine. He had almost forgotten who he was talking to. He thought for a moment. Then, a bit more respectfully, he said “Jugo and I found some papers hidden away in one of your lairs. They said some things… about Madara… and Sauske.”
Jugo remained silent. Karin’s attention was drawn at the mention of Sauske’s name.
“Is this about what you found out while you were studying him?” Suigetsu asked.
“Yes,” Orochimaru said with his attention back on the battle. “We must prevent Sauske from making contact with Madara at all costs.”
Gaara’s sand cloud rocketed right into the midst of the battle. Everyone paused momentarily. Naruto was with him. Something wasn’t right.
“There,” Gaara said.
He arrived in front of Shizune, Tsunade, and Sakura. Sakura rushed forward seeing Naruto’s still form.
“Naruto!”
“There’s no time to talk!” Gaara shouted. “Hokage, come with us. Naruto has to recover on the way.”
“I have no chakra left for medical ninjutsu. Take Sakura with you. She still has some…” Tsunade replied.
“What did they do to Naruto?!” Sakura shouted.
“Just come! I’ll explain later!” Gaara yelled back with urgency in his voice. “Get onto the sand!”
Using Byakugan, Hinata had seen Naruto vital signs from a distance. She tried to run to him but faltered. She had used up too much chakra.
“Naruto…” she whispered.
A White Zetsu appeared next to the masked man. “Naruto Uzamaki. He’s from the Uzamaki clan. He will resist, but nothing can be done. Jinchuuriki die once the biju is taken from them.” He said confidently.
“That’s an absolute rule,” the masked man concluded.
Sauske had taken advantage of the Second’s play, leaping off of the painted hawk that Sai had drawn. He was closing in fast, ready for the kill. But, he wasn’t fast enough.
Madara noticed at the last moment and stopped Sauske a mere meter away. Sauske couldn’t move. His sword fell harmlessly to the ground.
“After all of the time that I gave you, this is the best that you could do?” he asked with distain. “What a disappointment.”
He slammed Sauske into the ground with tremendous force. Sauske was immobilized, but he looked up Madara with contempt.
“I will not lose here,” he said defiantly. “My eyes have not gained this power only to be stopped by you.”
“No, you were meant for something far grander than a pitiful death at my hands.”
Sauske looked up at him confused.
“The pain and suffering that caused the evolution of your eyes didn’t occur by mere happenstance. It was all part of a carefully cultivated plan”
Madara paused allowing Sauske to digest his words.
“The fact that there are only three Uchiha fighting in this conflict means that Obito carried out the mission that I set forth for him. He was to find a direct descendant of mine. One with whom I shared a close genetic match. Then, he was to arrange the extermination of the rest.”
As Sauske processed the information, his expression morphed from confusion to fury. The man standing before him was the one. He was responsible for the death of everyone in his clan, including Itachi.
“He was to exert influence from afar, cultivating the strength of that individual. That is, until the day came for my glorious resurrection. It was to be Gedo Art of Rinne Rebirth that brought me back to this world. I would have been an old man… An old man in need of a body capable of wielding my Rinnegan and awakening them.”
Sauske continued his silence, processing what Madara was saying.
“The Rinnegan truly are remarkable. I can pour my existence into them and transfer it to another with a simple jutsu. However, that will no longer be necessary. The plan was altered. My youthful body was regenerated by Edo Tensei. I was reborn complete. All that remains is to reacquire my eyes. A new vessel is no longer necessary… You… are no longer necessary.”
Madara moved forward and grasped the hilt of Sauske’s sword. He raised high above his head. Sauske closed his eyes. The end was coming. He waited. Nothing happened.
Sauske blinked his eyes open and looked up. Madara had paused, contemplating something.
“Then again,” he said with an ominous tone. “I could always use a spare.”
Madara brought the sword down, the metal glinting against the moonlight. The slice bisected Sauske’s eyes. He screamed.
“No…” Karin said, her voice trembling.
“What is it?” Jugo asked, concerned.
“Sauske… his chakra… it was just cut in half. He’s in trouble.”
“Time to move,” Orochimaru said. “Which way Karin?”
She pointed in the direction of the battle with the masked man. She wore a fierce expression. “Follow me!” she screamed.
Team Taka finally entered the fray.
Sakura was desperate.
“Hold on!” she said to the unresponsive Naruto. “You mustn’t lose! You’re strong! You’ll… You’ll definitely survive!
She felt her own Nine Tail’s chakra fading. Her medical ninjutsu began to fail.
“At this rate, Naruto will… die!”
Naruto’s heart stopped beating. Sakura was stunned.
“Get a hold of yourself!” Gaara shouted.
“Why? Why isn’t medical ninjutsu working?!”
“The Nine Tails was removed. That’s why we need to get him to the Fourth Hokage as soon as possible.”
Gaara thought back. As Kurama was ripped from Naruto, he made a final plea to Gaara. The other half of his chakra resided with the Fourth Hokage. The only way to save Naruto was to find the Fourth and replace the chakra he had lost.
“The Nine Tails told me that there was no other way to save him.”
“How long until we get there?” Sakura asked with newfound resolve.
“Still a few kilometers.”
Sakura knew what she had to do. She cut Naruto’s shirt and made an incision on his side. She reached into his chest cavity and used what little chakra she had left to begin massaging Naruto’s heart.
“As long as I’m here, I won’t let you die so easily!”
“I’m speeding up!” Gaara shouted.
“Go!” Sakura urged, and they surged forward.
“Out of the way!” Karin screamed as she attacked the masked man head on. She unleashed chakra chains that broke through the man’s attacks.
Jugo and Suigetsu couldn’t believe what they were watching.
“The same power as Kushina Uzamaki,” Orochimaru observed.
The masked man formed a wooden staff, moved in, and skewered Karin. She bit her arm, healing herself instantly.
Suigetsu cut in, firing his Double Gun technique right into the masked man’s face. While Jugo reached out with cursed mark chakra, pulling Karin away from danger. The mask began to crumble.
Orochimaru extended his neck and bit the masked man. The cursed seal was activated. The man fell to the ground incapacitated. The rest of the mask crumbled away revealing Captain Yamato’s face.
Sauske cried out in agony. Blood streamed down his face. He was blinded. Madara dropped the sword and waited. White Zetsu soon emerged from the ground next to him and presented the right Rinnegan.
Madara inserted it, and using his new senju cells, was able to absorb it. He formed a hand sign, and the Juubi’s chakra, condensed within the Gedo Mazo statue, began flowing into him. A chakra cloak appeared around him, a ring of black chakra spheres formed at his back, and a black chakra staff appeared in his hand. A new Ten Tails Jinchuuriki was born.
“Now only one piece remains for me to be complete. Zetsu watch over this one until I return.”
“Yes,” said Zetsu simply.
Madara rose off the ground, free from the earthly constraints of gravity. Then, he rocketed away, heading for Obito’s location.
Sakura performed CPR while massaging Naruto’s heart. She was literally forcing him to stay alive. She remembered back to all of his boasting about becoming a Hokage greater than any that came before.
She thought, “Now your stupid dream, now it’s… I won’t let you die… I can’t! I absolutely can’t let you die. It’s right in front of us!!”
Team Taka raced toward Sauske’s location. Karin could feel a massive power near him.
“What is it?” Jugo asked.
“Sauske’s chakra. It’s stabilized, but he isn’t moving. Another huge power is heading away from him… Someone else is still there though.”
“No matter,” said Orochimaru. “Any obstacle other than Madara himself can be dealt with.”
He was confident, but Karin still didn’t like it. She increased her pace. “Hey Karin… Wait up!” Suigetsu shouted.
They were getting close.
White Zetsu stood watch over Sauske. The boy had gone still. Zetsu wasn’t sure if he was unconscious or trying to bait him into a false sense of security. He decided to put the later thought to the test. He picked up a rock and threw it.
Sauske lashed out, unleashing his shuriken summoning seal. They clinked harmlessly away across the area where the rock had fallen.
Zetsu decided to have a little fun while he was waiting for Madara. He smiled cruelly.
“How does it feel?”
Before he could complete his sentence Sauske threw more shuriken. This time Zetsu melted into the earth and rose back to the surface on the opposite side of Sauske.
“How does it feel to know that throughout your entire pathetic existence, you have been little more than a puppet?”
Sauske hurled more shuriken. Again Zetsu dodged.
“Shut up!” Sauske shouted.
“How does it feel to know that your future is not your own? How does it feel to know that all of your goals, all of your desires die today? How does it feel?”
“No! Get away from me!” Sauske shouted, helpless as a lowly genin against the monster that now presided over him.
Zetsu began to laugh at Sauske’s pitiful state. It started low and grew into a full blown cackle. Sauske was beginning to believe that he really was dead after all. Then… it stopped. There was no sound. Sauske listened hard. He heard a gurgling noise. Suddenly, it stopped too.
“Sauske!’ Karin cried out.
Orochimaru’s Blade of Kusanagi had caught White Zetsu completely off guard. There had been no sound. Orochimaru had unleashed it from hundreds of meters away. Team Taka’s presence had never been detected.
Karin screamed when she saw the nature of Sauske’s wounds. She ripped a piece of fabric from one of her pant legs and placed it over Sauske’s eyes.
“Bite,” she commanded.
Suigetsu and Jugo arrived, and watched with concern. Sauske did as he was told. Karin knew that the wound would heal, but Sauske wouldn’t be able to see. It was beyond her power to restore his eyes.
Orochimaru stood behind her. He seem to read her thoughts.
“This won’t do. This won’t do at all…” he said slyly.
Karin and the rest of Team Taka looked at him with questions in their eyes.
In order for Sauske to follow his own path and influence the outcome of this war, he must have the site of the sight of the Sharingan.
“But, I can’t…” Karin began.
Orochimaru cut her off, “Oh, there may yet be a way. Karin, can you still follow that large chakra that left here?”
“How could I not? I could probably sense it anywhere on the planet.”
“Good,” said Orochimaru bearing his fangs in a gruesome smile. “Take us to it.”
Guy, Lee, and Tenten were trying to reconnect with the rest of the alliance.
“Let’s burn our youth power to the max provide reinforcements!” Guy shouted.
Then, he promptly collapsed forcing Lee to support him.
“Yes, but you’re exhausted Guy Sensei!!” Lee said.
“Your body can’t keep up with your thoughts,” Tenten added.
Lee noticed something flying through the air. It flew by them fast.
“That was Gaara’s sand,” Lee said. “…and I think that Sakura san was with him.”
“Why are they going back?” Tenten asked.
“They are heading to where Kakashi is,” Guy said. He looked thoughtful, “Considering that Naruto’s Nine Tails chakra has vanished and that Sakura of the medical team is with Gaara, I believe something has happened at Kakashi’s location… Lee, Tenten, let’s go!!”
Madara flew high overhead. He felt a strange discomfort in his chest. He expelled the blockage by spitting from his mouth. The sacred sage tools, the Amber Jar and the Crimson Gourd fell out into the night.
“The Six Path’s tools?” Madara snorted. “Who cares? Now I feel lighter.”
“Tenten, don’t complain!” Lee was saying.
“I have a bad feeling,” Guy said.
Then, something fell from the sky, crashing into them both. Tenten recognized the objects instantly.
“These are…”
Minato and Kakashi were at a stalemate with Black Zetsu. After possessing Obito and accessing the remaining strength of his Sharingan and Rinnegan, he had proved to be a formidable opponent. Minato held a prepared a Rasengan. Kakashi had his hand at the ready with a Chidori.
“You’re stubborn,” Zetsu said panting.
“I can’t sense Obito’s consciousness anymore…” Kakashi said quietly.
“Let’s go Kakashi,” said Minato preparing for another attack.
“Wait Minato!” shouted Kurama halting him in his tracks. “Try to change your chakra to the sensor type.”
Then, Minato felt it. Naruto’s chakra was gone.
“This is…”
“We were too distracted by this fight,“ Kurama growled. “He has definitely lost my other half!”
Minato released his jutsu. As he did so, Gaara’s sand cloud finally arrived.
“Kakashi Sensei,” shouted Sakura looking down.
“What happened?!” Kakashi asked.
“They extracted the Nine Tails from him… At this rate he..!” Sakura started.
“Naruto!” Minato yelled.
Gaara shouted, “The other Nine Tails gave me a message. Seal your half of his chakra in Naruto, and he can be saved.”
“I leave him to you Kakashi,” Minato said looking at Black Zetsu.
“Ok…” Kakashi replied. “Gaara?.”
“I’ll help,” he said taking Minato’s position.
Minato thought back to the days before Naruto’s birth. He thought about Kushina. He remembered how badly she had wanted to fulfill the role of Naruto’s mother. She had wanted to nurture him and watch him grow so badly. Then, he remembered his own thoughts at that time. He had yearned take on the role Naruto’s father. He had wanted to be his protector. It was a part that fate had never allowed him to play… until now.
Minato executed a hand sign and began sealing Kurma within Naruto once again.
“What is that thing?” Gaara asked, not taking his eyes off their adversary.
“I don’t know…”
Black Zetsu began to laugh. “What am I?” He echoed. “I am a shadow created in the final moments of Madara’s battle with the First Hokage.”
Kakashi knew that Gaara was ready. They had to wait for the right moment to present itself. They let him continue to speak.
“It was I that allowed him to survive the mortal wound that he had received. We went into hiding, and Madara developed a plan to purify this wretched world. However, He was immobilized by his injuries, and his youth had left him. It had to be restored. A true Uchiha would be needed, one with proper bloodline traits to awaken the full potential of the Rinnegan. Unfortunately, we found none at that time… Resurrection. It became the only option. So, a pawn was needed, someone that could be made completely loyal to our cause. That’s when we came across this fool.
Obito’s right eye cracked open. He was awake, and he was listening.
“We saved him. We restored him using methods discovered through experimenting with the First Hokage’s cells. Madara gained his trust and learned of his close bonds with his teammates. Then… it was left to me.”
Obito’s Sharingan widened in shock.
“It was I that created a crisis to draw the Fourth Hokage away. I arranged for the girl, Rin, to be killed. I made sure that his best friend, Kakashi, would be the one to do it. And… I made certain that Obito was there to watch.”
“What?” Kakashi spat out, hardly believing what he was hearing.
“From that day forward, our goal became his. Madara died, but Obito, guided by my influence, carried out our plan perfectly. That is, until he decided to betray us. Fortunately, Madara foresaw his treachery and was prepared.”
“No!” Obito uttered in horror. They had manipulated him. They had used his feelings to their own ends. They were responsible for Rin’s death.
“Yes!” Black Zetsu said with glee. “Now the end is drawing near. What am I you ask? I am Madara’s will. I am the realization of his dream.”
With that he prepared to attack.
Then… he stopped, “What?” he asked with surprise.
“No more,” Obito said, once again exerting his will and preventing his body from moving.
Kakashi and Gaara saw their chance. Kakashi flew forward aiming a Chidori for Black Zetsu’s face. Zetsu began detaching from Obito. It created a gap that Kakashi’s hand flew through. The Chidori grazed Zetsu. He screamed. Gaara’s sand wedged between the two and flung Zetsu into the air. Kakashi looked up and used Kumi. In an instant Black Zetsu vanished.
“Obito!” Kakashi shouted and rushed to his side.
Gaara approached and looked down at them. Then, he looked back to Naruto. The Fourth Hokage and Sakura were still tending to him.
He noticed something else. Something so terrifying that he’s gasped. The others looked up. Standing there… only a few meters away… was Madara himself. No one moved.
“It is time for me to collect what is rightfully mine,” he said looking at Obito’s body lying on the ground.
Kakashi rose and moved in front of Obito. Gaara joined him.
“You fools. You cannot oppose me now. It is over. I have won. Simply stand aside and allow me to become whole. I will let you join my new, perfect world. No one else has to die.”
Kakashi glanced at Gaara. Gaara looked back. They nodded to one another.
“If you want Obito…” Kakashi said. “You’ll have to take him.”
“Very well,” Madara responded with a disappointed tone. “Have it your way.”
Madara unleashed one of his black chakra spheres directly at Kakashi. There was no time to react. Kakashi couldn’t dodge it. Suddenly, a massive blast of air deflected the attack, sending it off course. A giant dust cloud rose up from where the attack landed.
When the dust settled, the source of the intervention appeared. Guy had arrived just in the nick of time.
“So… this is Madara…” Guy said.
Before Kakashi could respond, Guy leapt forward.
“Seventh Gate… Gate of Shock… Open!”
Blue steam enveloped Guy as he prepared to attack.
Madara smiled recognizing the technique, “You’re underestimating me if are not using the Red Steam,” he said confidently.
With incredible speed, Guy appeared right in front of Madara. His hands were clasped for his deadliest attack.
“Midday Tiger!” he shouted.
The two figures were obscured by a massive explosion. When the debris in the air cleared. Guy was down. Madara unleashed another of his chakra spheres at close range. At the last moment Lee appeared, seemingly from nowhere. He pulled Guy away, out of the line of fire, back to Kakshi and Gaara’s position. Madara watched from afar.
“Are you Ok, Guy Sensei?” Lee asked.
“Yes,” he said looking at Madara.
“If taijutsu won’t work… he’s too strong,” Kakashi murmured.
“It’s too early to say that taijutsu has failed,” Guy replied, stepping forward once again.
“Sensei?” Lee asked looking at his master.
“Indeed, it is not always possible to do what we wish to do. However, it is important to believe in something before you actually do it… That was my spirit when I first challenged you, Kakshi.”
“Guy… you mean…” Kakashi began.
“This isn’t a bluff,” Guy declared. “It’s time for the Leaf’s blue beast to become a red beast.”
Lee wore an expression of pain as tears began to form at the corners of his eyes.
“Lee, don’t make such a face. Smile as you watch me.”
Guy thought back to all of the time that they had spent together, to how much alike they were. Then, he smiled, brandishing the nice guy pose and wink for the last time.
He shot forward, straight for Madara. Using his thumb, he jabbed himself in the chest.
“Eighth Gate…Gate of Death… open!” he cried.
Red steam formed all around him.
At that moment, he thought back. His father, though not talented, had taught him the power of youth. The villagers had made fun of him for his weakness, but he continued to train. After twenty years, he was finally able access the power granted by unlocking the Inner Gates. With the situation dire, he had unleashed the Eighth Gate to fend off the assembled might of the Seven Swordsmen. He had done so to protect the next generation. Now Guy was prepared to do the same.
“Go, Guy Sensei,” Lee said to himself.
Guy unleashed a new attack, one reserved for the Eighth Gate alone.
“Evening Elephant!” he shouted.
The blast knocked Madara back. Guy was beginning to advance, but he hesitated the pain was too much to follow through. Madara regained his balance and managed to counter Guy’s follow up.
Gaara watched Lee closely. The intensity of his gaze was something that Gaara had not seen before. Kakashi noticed.
“Opening the Eighth gate will grant the wielder immeasurable power,” he explained. “But the user, without exception, will die.”
Gaara thought back to the close bond that Lee and Guy had shared. He pitied Lee for what he must have been going through.
Guy recovered. He built up his speed, avoiding Madara’s attacks. This was it, his last chance. The attack required a massive upsurge in speed, moving five times faster than normal. It would allow him to him to attack Madara from multiple directions almost simultaneously. He moved in again.
Madara fired off yet another chakra sphere. It was headed right for Guy. Suddenly Guy disappeared. The attack flew through empty space. Guy reappeared almost instantly, still on target. Kakashi had used Kumi to help Guy avoid the attack.
“Evening Tiger!” Guy screamed.
By that point, it was too late for Madara to defend against it. He was pulverized from multiple directions at once. He was sent screaming to toward the ground, the crash sending a massive shockwave across the countryside.
Guy landed and paused waiting.
Madara emerged from the crater where he had landed. He was battered, but he was still on his feet.
“Excellent,” he said. “Truly splendid. This is the most excited that I’ve been for a fight since Hirashima.”
Guy knew at that moment that he had lost.
“Now… It’s my turn.” Madara said with a maniacal smile.