As Midnight Draws Near

The Battle of His Life Part 4: The Real Battle Begins!

     His presence on the battlefield was overwhelmimg. As Naruto gazed into his firm eyes, he felt chills go down his spine. This man was someone to be feared, especially if you got on his bad side. The stories about him circled through the leaf village and Naruto couldn't help but hear a few tales. In Konohagakure, he was a legendary ninja and someone not to be trifled with. He was definitely someone Naruto never thought he'd meet, but when he saw those eyes, he knew, he was looking at the face of the Uchiha prodigy.

     "I-I-Ita-chi Uchiha? Why are you here?" Naruto stuttered, with a puzzled gaze. "Naruto Uzumaki, or should I say Namikaze?" Itachi spoke, swiftly. "How did you know about that?" Naruto questioned, clearly bewildered. "That's not important right now. Naruto, I've come here to help you, I'm not who you think I am." Itachi explained.

     "Itachi, is that really you?!" Hiruzen cried out! Itachi turned around and looked at the Third Hokage with sympathy in his eyes. "It's good to see you again Lord Third, don't worry, I'll help fix this mess," Itachi reassured. Hiruzen's expression softened, and a smile graced his lips.

     "Those eyes...so you're an Uchiha then. I would've thought they had already been wiped out by now." Tobirama spat. "They almost are, there are only two Uchiha left in this world. Itachi wiped all of them out when he was just a boy, he's been considered a highly dangerous criminal in the bingo book ever since. The only survivor was his little brother Sasu..." Itachi had thrown a kunai straight at Orochimaru's head before he could finish. "Don't you dare say his name!" Itachi yelled, enraged. Orochimaru chuckled as everyone look at Itachi with shock. Even Tobirama was speechless. After a few seconds, Minato finally broke the silence, "Itachi...what drove you to do something like that? What happened to you?" Tobirama then spoke up too. "Good news, but for someone to turn on their clan like that, that's not..." Itachi fiercely shot his eyes at Tobirama, and his pain could be seen clearly. "Tobi, that's enough. Just stop already," Hashirama warned.

     "Don't go judging Itachi based off what this snake told you!" Hiruzen told. "So was it a lie?" Kushina asked, although she guessed it wasn't. "No it's true, just not the whole truth," Hiruzen tried to explain. "What do you mean by that Hiruzen?" Tobirama curiously questioned. "Itachi is a loyal Leaf shinobi, he always has been. He loves this village more than anyone I've ever met, he might have even been my successor after Minato died. At the time we had Itachi reporting to us about what the Uchiha elders were planning and when we heard new of a coup d'etat we had to take action. The Leaf elders didn't take kindly to this news, and so...we assigned Itachi a mission: wipe out all of the Uchiha and take the blame and never come back to the village. He loved the village so much that he complied. The only person he couldn't kill that night was Sasuke, his little brother. Itachi should be considered a hero, but instead the story has been twisted and he's seen as the villain." Hiruzen finished, shame shown on his face. The battleground was silent yet again. Even Orochimaru was surprised to hear this dark Leaf secret. Tobirama instantly felt a ping of guilt, but wouldn't admit it. He also wouldn't admit that he felt a sort of respect for the Uchiha standing before him, as did everyone else.

     "I'm glad to hear the will of fire shines so brightly. I'm sorry young one for the pain you've had to endure. You are a true shinobi of the Leaf and take pride in me saying, I have the utmost respect for you," Hashirama declared. For a split second, Itachi's lips rose up into a slight curve. Itachi looked down at Naruto and held out his hand, "Let's do this," he said. Naruto smiled, "I'm glad to fight alongside you Itachi!" Naruto exclaimed, taking Itachi's invite and standing up. They were ready and everyone could see it now. "Finally, you were all boring me to death!" Orochimaru teased. "Now, are you ready to die!" Orochimaru cried launching foward with all of the reanimations.

     "Get behind me!" Itachi ordered Naruto. Naruto jumped behind him as a huge chakra armor formed around them. Tobirama and Hiruzen launch several jutsu at them all block by this shield of chakra. "Is that..." Hashirama started. "It's a susanoo!" Tobirama finished. "He's awakened the Mangekyo, this won't be an easy fight," Minato explained. "Split them up!" Orochimaru ordered. "Naruto stay close to me, if they split us up, that could be the end," Itachi shouted. Just as he did, Minato suddenly appeared behind him and teleported them away. Itachi scanned the battlefield, noticing that Minato, Kushina, and Orochimaru were gone. "Crap! Good luck Naruto!" Itachi yelled. Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen got into a battle-ready position. "Young one, or rather, Itachi..." Hashirama started. "I know," Itachi interrupted, "I'm capable of handling myself." Tobirama smirked, as well as the other Hokage. "You better, if you hope to have a chance of surviving!" Tobirama shouted. The Hokage and Itachi launched at each other, knowing this battle wont be without its it's casualties.

A/N: Hey guys, I know I've been gone a while but I'm back now and at the peak of my inspiration!! I can't wait to put out more chapters! Be expecting more of them very soon! Vote, comment, whatever it is you wanna do, Ja ne!