.
Outside Konoha
Two figures moved like streaks through the forest canopy, their leaps so fluid it was as if the trees bent to carry them forward. Their destination: the ruins near the Village of Sound, once Orochimaru's domain.
Haruto's Rinnegan glowed faintly, never once deactivating. His senses brushed across every ripple of chakra in the distance.
Not Orochimaru. He was gone. But… Kabuto. That familiar, serpentine chakra.
"I killed Orochimaru. That should've ended his schemes," Itachi muttered, his voice low.
Haruto was silent for a long moment, eyes narrowing. "…True. You'll never obtain an Eternal Mangekyō now. But Kabuto? He can still manage it—with Hashirama's cells."
Itachi's gaze flickered, unreadable.
"No need to worry," Haruto continued calmly. "We just put Kabuto under a strong genjutsu, and he'll work for us."
The Uchiha said nothing more. The two simply pressed forward.
---
One Hour Later
Haruto came to a sudden halt, his cloak rippling as his body stilled. He sank into a meditative pose, eyes closing.
Bluish chakra shimmered around him, spilling outward like a living aura. It surged across thousands of trees until it reached a gate, and beyond it—Kabuto, hunched over, smearing ashes onto his skin.
"Found him. At last."
In the same breath, a blazing yellow cloak enveloped Haruto. His hand shot out, grabbing Itachi by the collar. Then—he moved.
The sheer force of his acceleration shredded the air. The ground beneath him was untouched, not even a footprint left behind. Ultimate speed.
But when he stopped, he looked down. His hand still clutched the collar. The problem?
Itachi was gone.
---
"Damn it—cough!"
Itachi stumbled, emerging from the stomach of a deer he had instinctively used as cover. He pressed a hand to his temple, breath uneven.
"So fast…" he muttered, half in pain, half in awe.
---
Meanwhile, Haruto stared at the empty collar dangling from his fingers. "…Umm." He shrugged and let it fall.
"Kyomu," he whispered, and his body shifted, intangibility wrapping around him as he slipped soundlessly past the laboratory doors.
Inside, Kabuto was hunched over, muttering. "Lord Orochimaru… Lord Orochimaru…" He rubbed the ashes across his arms like sacred ointment, his voice shaking with reverence.
Haruto's lips twisted into a smirk. Creepy.
When Kabuto finally noticed the intruder, he froze. His snake-like pupils contracted. "Who are you?"
Haruto ignored the question, his laughter starting as a low rumble before breaking into a sharp bark. "You actually smeared his ashes on yourself. Ha… disgusting. Weird desire, don't you think?" He wiped a mock tear from the corner of his eye, then his Rinnegan flared.
Genjutsu.
The lab dissolved. Kabuto now stood on polished stone, cherry blossoms drifting through the air. Petals brushed against his shoulders, filling him with a strange peace.
Ahead, a woman and child walked hand-in-hand. He blinked at them—then froze. Nonō.
Voices echoed in the distance:
"She can only be saved with Hashirama's cells!"
"Does anyone know how to do it?"
"I do!"
Kabuto stepped forward, compelled, and began the procedure.
Haruto, watching from outside the genjutsu, allowed himself a small, satisfied grin. Perfect. Itachi's surgery… handled by Kabuto himself. Eternal eyes, mehh...checked. Next step: bend the Akatsuki's morals until they obey like loyal hounds. Obito will gather the beasts, but when the Gedo Mazo stands… it'll be my plan that decides everything.
His gaze flickered to Kabuto, who had stopped and was now examining Itachi's bandaged body. The chakra inside clashed violently, swirling in dangerous patterns.
Haruto stepped forward. "Kabuto. Do you know Edo Tensei?"
Kabuto hesitated, then nodded curtly.
Haruto's smirk deepened. Good. Very good.
---
The Next Day – Konoha
"What?! Haruto isn't with me?"
Naruto's voice cracked through the Hokage's office.
"We don't know where he went…" Tsunade admitted, folding her arms. Her expression betrayed unease, though she didn't show it openly.
"Hmph! Who needs him anyway!" Naruto puffed out his chest defiantly, turning to the others. "Come on, guys! We can do this ourselves!"
Sai tilted his head. "…Wouldn't it be wise to bring him along?"
Naruto spun on him, face red. "Oh yeah? What's the matter—you scared, pussycat?!"
The room fell into awkward silence. Even Sakura pressed a palm to her forehead.
After a long pause, Naruto coughed into his fist and forced a laugh. "Heh. Anyway… let's go!"
The four-man squad—Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Kakashi—left Konoha, leaping from tree to tree as they headed toward Sunagakure.
---
POV: Haruto
"Hmm…" Haruto's eyes gleamed as he studied Itachi, who was testing his restored sight. The Mangekyō spun steadily, brighter than before.
"Better?" Haruto asked.
Itachi gave a faint nod. "Much better."
"Good." Haruto placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stay here. Keep watch on Kabuto from a distance. White Zetsu may be lurking nearby."
Itachi frowned. "And where are you going?"
Haruto's form shimmered, his features shifting until another face stared back at Itachi.
"To Akatsuki."
---
Akatsuki Base
The chamber was dim, the air heavy with power. Tendo Pain sat at the center, surrounded by the members. Only Black Zetsu and Tobi were absent.
"Everyone," Pain's voice echoed, firm and commanding. "There is a truth you must hear. The 'Pain' you see before you… is merely a clone."
Murmurs rippled through the group.
The puppet body stood and stepped aside. Another figure entered, red hair bound back, the real leader draped in the Akatsuki's cloak.
"I am Nagato. The true leader of Akatsuki." His Rinnegan glowed as he scanned the faces around him. "Our purpose is unchanged: to bring peace to the world. But war is upon us. The Fourth Great Ninja War approaches. And our enemy is—"
The doors creaked open.
A voice cut him off. "Uchiha Madara."
Haruto stepped forward, disguised, standing beside Nagato. Gasps filled the chamber.
"This time," Haruto declared, "a rat has infiltrated Akatsuki. A rat named… Tobi."
The members exchanged dark looks.
"You all know him," Haruto sneered. "But he is no ally. He seeks only to use you—to resurrect Uchiha Madara."
Kakuzu scoffed. "Bold words, brat. This another one of your tricks?"
"Shut up," Haruto snapped, his voice thundering through the hall. "Listen well. Tobi's goal is the Ten-Tails. He will gather the beasts, forge a false world with genjutsu, and drain the life of every living being into a single fruit of power. A lie disguised as salvation."
The henge dissolved, revealing Haruto in his true form. His Rinnegan shone with ruthless light.
"I am Uzumaki Haruto—the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and the wielder of the Rinnegan. If you want real survival, follow me."
For a moment, silence. Then—
"You saved my life once," Kisame rumbled. "I'll follow you."
"I'll join… if I get Tobi's corpse for my collection," Sasori added.
"Will there be bounties?" Kakuzu asked flatly.
"Can I show my art in front of everyone?!" Deidara burst out, eyes sparkling.
"Yes," Haruto replied smoothly, lips curling. "And there will be plenty to admire your art."
"I'm in!" Deidara shouted.
One by one, the others agreed.
"Then it's settled." Haruto's grin widened. "You'll help Tobi gather the beasts—except the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails. Those are mine."
Puzzled glances flickered, but no one challenged him.
Later, as the others dispersed, only Nagato and Konan remained.
Nagato's eyes bored into him. "Tell me, Haruto… do you truly seek peace?"
"Of course," Haruto answered easily. "Who doesn't?"
"Then why stoke the flames of war?"
"Because," Haruto said simply, "when Madara is resurrected, even the Five Kage Alliance won't scratch him. They'll be crushed. If we don't prepare now, Akatsuki has no future."
Nagato studied him for a long, silent moment. Finally, he gave a small nod. "Then… you fight not to create war but...a long lasting peace...."
Konan's paper wings rustled softly in the silence.
Haruto only smiled.