Naruto stood atop the cliff of his old training grounds. He eyed the village for a moment, taking in its peaceful state after the attack before turning his back to it and surveying the area.

He could tell a battle took place and from the looks of overturned ground, he determined Sakura had been involved.

He branched out with his chakra, connecting with nature through his newly learned sage mode to feel the residue chakra in the air from the recent battle.

The blonde locked onto the menacing chakra he had felt before. Not just when he was with Hinata but from a long time ago. The churning exams. More specifically, he recognized the chakra belonging to Orochimaru.

Had Orochimaru come back for Sasuke? Was he planning an attack on the village just after its recent attack? Why did he take Sakura?

All these thoughts ran through his mind as he followed the trail without waiting for backup. If he had to, he'd do his best to handle the snake himself.

As Naruto ran through the forest, his thoughts wandered to the tiring journey they'd be on so far. Kakashi had told him about him and Sakura leaving the village without Tsunade's permission and although he hoped Tsunade made a quick recovery, he was relieved that Danzo hadn't found out otherwise they surely would have been treated as rogues.

His thoughts then went to Sasuke. He and his surrogate brother had come so far since their battle. The removal of the curse mark had been painful for the Uchiha and it took some time for him to get back to his old self but the two had a deeper understanding of each other now than they did before. They had vowed to battle all out one day when the right time came.

Naruto had heard that Itachi helped in the battle with Pein and even lost his life for the village. He hoped the older Uchiha would be abstained from his crimes and seen as the hero he truly is.

A twig snapping suddenly brought the blonde from his thoughts as a force knocked into him from the side.

Naruto could do nothing but brace himself as he slammed into a tree.

As he composed himself and wiped the blood from his lips, he glanced up to see the man he was looking for; Orochimaru.

The snake stood with a smirk "I was hoping Sasuke would be the one to rescue his lover but it seems old feelings die hard, don't they Naruto?" He seemingly hissed.

Naruto glared at him as he noticed Sakura's limp body on the ground next to him.

"What do you want?" Naruto snapped as he readied himself for a serious battle.

"How do you think Sasuke will feel when he learns you couldn't save his precious lover?" Orochimaru smirked before pausing "Then again, you'll be dead so maybe he'll want to thank me"

"By what? Giving his body to you?" Naruto growled, he could feel Kurama's anger at the man responding with his own.

"I have other means of attaining his body" The smirk never leaving his lips.

Naruto frowned but tried to calm himself as he realized the opportunity he had. He had told Kakashi that the snake would hold answers to their goal. Specifically to Danzo.

"Orochimaru! Tell me, why haven't you attacked the village? It's in a vulnerable enough state. The new Hokage is a bandaged old man. What have you to lose now" Naruto questioned as if he didn't care about the village but Orochimaru knew better.

Instead of answering, the snake lunged forward with an attack, sending Naruto into a frenzy of acting on defense. He could barely keep up with the Sannin and took more than a few hits.

As time passed and the blonde became more sloppy in his defenses. Having already used most of his chakra against Pein, Orochimaru took the opportunity and struck Naruto through the chest as he was recovering. He hadn't expected it and therefore didn't have enough time to move so that the blade wouldn't hit his vital organs.

Naruto coughed up blood as he glanced down at his chest. He could feel the sword grazing his heart.

'Kurama...I...don't think...I can do this...alone anymore' Naruto weakly thought to his friend as he fell to his knees.

Kurama stirred within the blonde.

"You'll die here, Naruto. The villagers won't even remember your name. Your teammates will move on and live happier knowing they don't have a burden hanging over their heads anymore. As for Danzo-"

Naruto's head perked up at the mention of Danzo. He knew the snake was working with him, he just needed proof. As it were, he felt as though whether he got it or not didn't matter much anymore. He could feel himself growing weaker by the second.

"-He's a valuable asset to growing my collection" Orochimaru smirked as he stepped forward to finish the job.

Naruto's eyes widened as he heard Orochimaru's remark.

'So it's true. Danzo's using root to cover for Orochimaru. That's why their lives never last long. They're gifts' Naruto thought to himself as he felt Kurama finally reacting to his condition.

He could feel the healing starting but it wasn't going quick enough. Naruto closed his eyes, the last thing he saw being Orochimaru walking toward him with a sickly smile.

When he opened them again, he was in his mind with Kurama.

The fox stared down at him with curiosity "What will you do now, kit?"

Naruto frowned at the ground "Orochimaru and Danzo working alongside each other was something I always expected but now that it's true..."

The blonde trailed off as Kurama stared at him, knowing where his thoughts trailed.

Naruto glared up at the fox with determination "He won't get away with this."

Kurama grinned as Naruto was suddenly pushed back out of his mind and caught Orochimaru's sword in his hand at the last minute.

Naruto stared up at Orochimaru with red and yellow eyes. His sage and Kyuubi chakra mixing.

"You're wrong. Even if the village forgets me, that's fine but my team." Naruto growled "They're my family and they'll have my back to the end!"

Orochimaru scowled at the young teenager before he was sent flying past Naruto with extreme pain in his back.

Naruto watched the Sannin go past him before glancing at his teammate who seemed to have woken up and proved his point.

"Ra" Naruto grinned.

Sakura stood with her smoking fist in the air and smirked down at him.

"Let's end this" She stated with determination and anger in her eyes. Now was their chance to get back to Orochimaru for taking Sasuke from them and causing havoc on the village. Now was Naruto's chance to take revenge on the Sannin for killing Lord Third.

Naruto stood with Sakura as they faced off the Sannin. They wouldn't let him escape again. This time...one side would fall.

___

Kakashi and Sasuke had continued true to their orders and stayed by Danzo's side on the way to the land of Iron.

Danzo had been told he would be relieved of his title as soon as they arrived. It was safe to say, the bandaged man was unhappy with the arrangement.

Danzo glared at the two beside them as they were escorted. Luckily for the temporary Hokage, he had chosen his own bodyguards who were all from Root. If Kakashi or Sasuke tried anything, Root would interfere.

"You've never had an interest in being Hokage, Kakashi-san. Why decide to step up now?" Danzo questioned as they walked with a glare in his eyes.

Sasuke tensed as the four Root members walking closer as if noticing something they did not.

Kakashi, however, remained calm as he glanced over to the bandaged male.

"Let's just say I wasn't content with how things were unfolding" Came his cool response.

This caused Danzo to come to a halt. It almost seemed as though Kakashi was trying to provoke him but he wouldn't falter just yet.

The man said nothing as they continued to walk, eventually arriving at the border of the land of fire.

This is where Sasuke had his suspicions that Danzo would try something. A man as politically powerful as Danzo wouldn't risk going against his Daimyo within the land where they had the power to execute him.

Sasuke mentally prepared himself for anything whilst Kakashi simply stared ahead, enjoying the sudden change of scenery.

It was winter in the land of Iron though it always seemed to stay like that. Kakashi had never admitted to anyone that he rather enjoyed the cold weather. For all the times he'd been to the land of Iron, and none with good departures, he knew what to expect but for now, he'd enjoy being back in the cold fresh air.

"The temple isn't far from here, let us be quick" Danzo muttered his order before taking off with his root close behind.

Sasuke glanced at his sensei with skepticism and Kakashi took this quick opportunity to speak with the young male.

"Are you really so naive to let your emotions get the best of you, Sasuke?" Kakashi questioned in a cold tone.

Sasuke straightened up as he narrowed his eyes at the accusation.

"I'm perfectly in control-"

"You lost your cool in the Hokage's office. In front of the Hokage." Kakashi interrupted.

Sasuke's head snapped to Kakashi "He is not my Hokage" The Uchiha sneered.

Kakashi shook his head "Right now, he is. Whether you like it or not, you respect your superiors. Do you know how easily Danzo could have killed us off if it weren't for Jiraiya and the elders? Everything we know would have come to an end." Kakashi explained.

Sasuke turned away "I wouldn't have let it happen."

Kakashi sighed "You would have run from the village? Do you think the others share that sentiment? I know Naruto would have stayed and fought until his dying breath and then where would you be? Alone?" He questioned, trying to make the young male see reason to his actions.

"But nothing happened. The elders stopped him."

"Oh? Are you so dependant on the very elders that agreed to Danzo's idea for the execution of the Uchiha Clan?"

Sasuke simply glared heatedly at his sensei, at a loss for words as it seemed whatever he would say keeps being turned against him.

Kakashi sighed again "Sasuke, I taught you three ultimate control over your abilities and emotions yet you keep proving me wrong by your actions. Tell me, have I failed as your sensei, or do you no longer see me as such?" He questioned, a tinge of vulnerability showing through his usually cool and hard exterior.

It derailed the young Uchiha. He hadn't meant to behave the way he did and thinking back, he had lost control of his emotions for a split second. To most, even shinobi, this was understandable but to Kakashi's students - it was unforgettable. 

Usually, his Sensei would train them over and over again until they have complete control again but it seemed Kakashi felt the need for them to find control themselves this time. 

Sasuke mulled over this so much that he hadn't noticed his sensei was waiting for an answer and when he didn't receive one, Kakashi turned away and continued after their current Hokage. The older Jounin wouldn't let the Uchiha's silence affect him, he knew the boy could wander deep into his mind and lose track of what was happening around him. He was more similar to Naruto than Sasuke realized.

Sasuke followed along until they came upon Danzo again. The man wasn't going very fast which gave the duo a chance to catch up but their location was near and that meant trouble for sure. 

The group arrived at the Samurai's temple and greeted the guards at the front though they were quick to their noses up at the ninja. 

It irked Sasuke but still, he reminded himself to keep calm for the sake of his sensei. Perhaps it was time to train by himself on his control.

The samurai were told only one other person was allowed inside as the Kage's guard or second in command. Kakashi had stepped up before Danzo could suggest one of his root members and gave the old man a dark glare.

Unfortunately for Sasuke and Danzo's minions, this meant they had to wait outside in the courtyard until the meeting was finished.

Sasuke glanced at the Root members before taking a look around and noticing more guards being stationed and more shinobi arriving through the gates. He watched at the fourth Raikage walked past with a fiercely strong aura around but the Uchiha held his head high and watched him without fear. The Raikage glanced at the Uchiha with narrowed eyes but continued walking.

Slowly, the rest of the Kage arrived and had their guards wait outside with Sasuke, no words were exchanged whilst the Uchiha waited with Danzo's root. 

He could feel a fight coming on and couldn't help but feel excited about it. It had been a while since he could let loose.

Slowly, Sasuke closed his eyes and enjoyed the wintery sounds of nature. A smirk slowly grew onto his lips as he thought about what was to come.