In The Leaves | A 'Naruto' fan story | SasuNaru

Pain

It felt like Naruto went through another whiplash of events, because the next ones he was unprepared for. 

Naruto trained under Fukasaku to master the same technique Pervy Sage learned, Sage mode, which took a lot of time to learn. But while he was training, events was happening in Konoha. 

The killer responsible for Jiraiya's death named Pain, brought destruction in Konoha, and destroyed everything in search for Naruto's Nine-Tails. 

Naruto did not sense the destruction until he was able to, and immediately went back to help everyone. 

He eyed everyone that suffered the aftermath of the destruction, and fought Pain on his own to bring an end to his killing spree. 

He met his father, Minato, when his Nine-Tails went out of control when Hinata Hyuga was injured by Pain in front of him. 

He tamed his transformation down just in time and continued to fight. 

But in the end, Naruto figured out that he was a puppet being controlled by someone else, and ran to find them-which was a good amount of distance away from the village itself. 

He saw the man responsible and stood there calm despite the anger and rage rising inside of him. 

The Pains was being controlled, because the real Pain was driven by hatred. He wanted to stop the circle of hatred, but ended up spreading it more instead. 

"Everybody is driven by hatred, why is hatred so overwhelming that it almost could be disguised as a addictive drug for your mind?" Naruto thought, his eyes glaring at the real form of Pain. "Sasuke is driven by hatred, he's driven by hatred, I am driven by hatred. But as much as I hate him for killing Pervy Sage, I won't kill him. The circulation won't stop. Talking is the only way to end this." 

Naruto told Pain the same answer Jiraiya told him years ago, and Pain asked him why he believes that's the answer. Why does he believe peace will occur when it's impossible if mankind still exists? 

"Because i'll never give up." Naruto said, determination in his tone. He kept his composure and never looked away from Pain. 

"How can you say that and truly believe you won't change?" Pain asked, his expression more serious than earlier. It was clear Naruto jogged a memory that made him interested in Naruto's words. 

"I," Naruto clenched his fist and looked down. "...have experienced pain too, not just a small amount, no, a lot, and I've been experiencing it for years." Naruto bit his tongue to keep his tears inside, he told himself he won't cry again. That he'll be strong for both Sasuke and Pervy Sage. He has to be. "Pain will come and go, but I will still continue to bring this world peace!" Naruto looked up at Pain. "Because that's who I am, Naruto Uzumaki!" 

"You're a mysterious guy, but...I'll put my faith in you to bring peace into this world." Nagato, aka Pain, said before making the hand gesture to summon the Demonic Statue to heal everyone in Konoha. 

When Nagato's arms fell to his side, he looked up at Naruto, who was about to walk away. "Tell me...what drives you to be a ninja?" 

Naruto stops walking and says; "It's love, I'm creating peace to be able to finally get the love I desired for years. That is what drives me to be a ninja, also to be Hokage but that will come true anyway. I believe in that too." 

~

Everyone cheered for Naruto, who smiled at the villagers for finally trusting him for the first time in sixteen years of his entire life. 

It was worth sixteen years of his own pain to reach this moment, but he wants to reduce someone else's pain to see them smile also. 

Sasuke's pain.