Vision of Truth II: Shield and Sharingan (Naruto)

Explanation

Chapter 37: Explanation

"Thank you for finding her, Jiraiya," Tsunade said. "Good work. You too, Naruto."

"But we didn't really find her," Naruto said. "I mean, we did, but we didn't rescue her or anything. She was just there."

"We believe you was intentionally led to us," Jiraiya said. "The Akatsuki wanted her to return to the Leaf."

Tsunade frowned. "Why would they want that?"

"I can answer that question," Kiku said. She climbed onto the Hokage's desk and sat with her tail wrapped neatly around her paws. "Itachi said the Akatsuki and the Leaf share an interest in closing the portal, so he wanted to give us a week to work things out so we'll be ready for the solstice."

"Itachi Uchiha?" Kotaro said with a growl in his voice.

"Perhaps we should let Katsumi start from the beginning," Kakashi said.

Tsunade nodded. "Go ahead, Katsumi. Tell us everything to happen. Do not hold anything back. We are not here to judge you."

"O-Okay," I said. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "The night of my birthday I- I felt Itachi's presence near the portal. I thought he just wanted to talk, so Kiku and I went to meet him. He said he wanted to help me, but I had to know him first. I agreed to that, which is how I got this bracelet." I held up my wrist, and the others moved in closer.

"Is that-?" Kotaro started.

"Yes," Tsunade said. "When two people wear them, they share their emotions and pain with the other."

Kotaro's eyes narrowed. "And what use does he have for these?"

Kiku swished her tail. "Let her finish."

"The purpose was for us to bond," I said. "A bond between two members of our clans is required to affect the portal. The Akatsuki wants the portal closed like me because it would interfere with their plans."

"And what plans are those?" said Tsunade.

I shrugged. "World peace?" She gave me a dubious look. "I didn't ask for any details. They wouldn't have let me live if I learned too much. If you're expecting tons of information from me, you're not going to get it. They were very careful not to let anything slip. All I know is that they require the tailed beasts - all of them - for their plan, but you probably already knew that."

Tsunade sighed. "Yes, we assumed as much. Do you know the names of the members and anything about their jutsus?"

"Yeah, I can give you that later if you really want it, but I don't see how it will help much. Anyway..."

"Your bonding was successful?" Kakashi said.

I nodded. "Yes. We spent a lot of time together, and we did become close. We will be ready for the summer solstice."

"This is outrageous!" Kotaro roared. "You cannot trust this Uchiha. I warned you to stay away from him."

I rounded on him, my anger flaring. "That is your reason for objecting? Your problem with him is his clan, not that he's from the Akatsuki? At least if it was the latter, your judgment would be based on actions he chose, not something that is out of his control."

Kotaro narrowed his eyes at me. "You don't understand."

"I understand prejudice just fine. Prejudice is rampant in both worlds. You did not always feel this way. What happened?"

Kotaro's eyes flickered to Kakashi for a fraction of a second before returning to me. "Life happened. I grew up, and it's time you did too."

"Hey, that's not-" Naruto started.