Author: G.A.M.M.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

The Story So Far:

It has been five years since Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata died.

The world has erupted in fire and the chaos of war.

A mysterious man has appeared from the north and become Tsuchikage. Together with the new Mizukage and Kirigakure, Iwagakure has attacked Kumogakure. The shinobi of Kumo have been forced to retreat to Sunagakure.

Suna has been under siege for a year, and even with Kumo bolstering their forces, they will be unable to withstand it much longer.

The Great Shinobi Alliance has been disbanded.

Konohagakure stands alone.

Under the rule of Shimura Danzo, they have rebuilt themselves into the greatest of the hidden villages once more. However, there are forces at work that will soon bring the shinobi of Konoha to their knees.

'The Years of the Empty Tower' are about to end.

The Rokudaime has returned.

The fate of the world had rested in the hands of the man who had died for his village and the woman who had died for loving him.

Now they are gone and the shinobi world stands on the brink of penultimate destruction.

The shinobi of Suna, Kumo and Konoha are giving in to despair.

But not everything was at it appeared...


Feeling my way through the darkness guided by a beating heart.
I can't tell where the journey will end, but I know where to start.

They tell me I'm too young to understand. They say I'm caught up in a dream.
Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes. Well that's fine by me.

I tried carrying the weight of the world, but I only have two hands.
Hope I get the chance to travel the world, but I don't have any plans.

Wish that I could stay forever this young, not afraid to close my eyes.
Life's a game made for everyone, and love is the prize.

So wake me up when it's all over, when I'm wiser and I'm older.
All this time I was finding myself, and I didn't know I was lost.

-'Wake Me Up', by AVICII


Chapter 42:

'The Journey'


"Utterly preposterous!" The Kyuubi no Yoko, King of all Things Cute, roared.

Iruka restrained Naruto for the nth time, trying to keep him from adding insult to injury.

"Please, Kurama-sama. The need is dire."

"What does the world matter to me? What do I, Kurama, King of the Bijuu, care of worldly affairs? Leave this place before I decide to eat you!"

The chibi-fox leaped at Iruka and dug into his black gloves with tiny teeth.

Even the man who called himself Veritas had trouble keeping himself from laughing.

"Kurama-sama, it is not just the world that is at stake." He managed in a grave tone. "You know of what I speak. You know your duty."

The Kyuubi let go of his glove and tumbled to the ground, raising his hind-paw to scratch himself behind the ears.

"Yes... that much is true. However, what reason do I have to help you? Why should I be held to obligations I can no longer fulfill?" The god-beast asked contemptuously.

"Screw your contempt and screw your obligations!" Naruto shouted passionately. "I made a vow on Hinata-san's blood. I never run away and I never go back on my word: that is my nindo-dattebayo!"

The Uzumaki immediately clapped his hands over his mouth in horror. He had taken an oath that he would never utter those words again. He hadn't said them in over four years, nor had he used his trademark catchphrase. That he was saying it now was testimony that he was truly beginning to lose his mind.

"Haven't heard you say that in a long time, brat."

Naruto reddened in anger. "I don't care what you think. I'll do whatever it takes to fulfill my vow..." He grimaced, hating that he had to say what he was about to say. "Believe it!"

"Bwahaha!" Kurama laughed vehemently. "I know your mind better than you think, brat. If you think breaking one oath to fulfill another is enough to sway me then your are mistaken. This might be my own personal hell, but at least here, I am my own master. I will not help you just to become a slave again."

Veritas rubbed his brow in consternation. He knew reasoning with a demon was difficult at the best of times, but Kurama was being impossible.

There was only one card left he could pull.

"What if you did not have to be contained within Naruto-san again? What if there was a way you could remain your own master and fulfill your duty?" He asked, betting everything on one last gamble.

"It is not possible." The Kyuubi remarked obstinately. "I know your limitations, Guardian. What you offer is false!"

"It is not." Veritas proclaimed boldly. "I can offer you your freedom. However, it is not without a price."

The Kyuubi rolled about on the grassy ground, chasing a stray butterfly. It was like he was a mere kit again, and he hated that he could not completely control himself anymore. Perhaps the Guardian was worth listening to.

"Name your offer." He rumbled (squeaked.)

"It was not my intention to do this. As you know, something eternal must be sacrificed to return to the world. It is the price required to use the Jinsei Ge-to. I was going to offer you peace, but now I understand you seek revenge. So this is my offer: allow me to sacrifice your power instead of your soul."

"Out of the question. How can I have revenge without my power?"

"It is not impossible. You will be returned to your original state when you were created by the Rikudou Sennin. It will take time to regain your power. However, you may reclaim it eventually. What are a five hundred years to the King of the Bijuu?" Veritas goaded.

"Nothing at all." Kurama admitted. "Yet, as you said, the time has come to fulfill my obligation to the world. If the 'Key' or any of the other Guardians fail, I will not have my revenge. You are proposing I trade my power for but a chance at what I seek. Surely you cannot expect that I, Kurama, King of the Bijuu, would agree to such a deal?"

"I do not." Veritas agreed. "Naruto-san, I will require something from you as well."

Naruto clenched his fists. He would pay any price to get back to Hinata. He needed to know if she truly loved him. More importantly, he needed to understand his own feelings. In those last few days he had felt a glimmer stir in the recesses of his heart. He wanted to follow that glimmer. He wanted to know what it meant.

"What is it?" He asked firmly.

"Kurama-sama can retain a fraction of his power at a price. You must give up part of your essence to restore him. Your ties to the world will be diminished. I can honestly not say whether you will survive the Jinsei Ge-to. If you do, the essence that ties you to the pattern of the world will be greatly diminished. Should you stray from the light for even a moment, you could cease to exist entirely. I do not suggest this path lightly. It is full of peril."

"You're saying if I get hurt really badly, I could... fade?"

"Yes, that is what I am saying."

Naruto closed his eyes and searched his soul. 'If it's for Hina-chan...'

"I'll do it." He said with absolute conviction.

Whatever the risks, he would find her. He was Uzumaki Naruto, and he never went back on his word.


"Hmm... yes, how do I say this... bakamono!"

Hiama lashed out deftly with his staff, cracking Hinata over the head for what seemed the thousandth time.

It had been two weeks since she was able to get out of bed and move around. Hiama had told her it had taken a month for her to recover to that point. He had been avoiding all her questions, refusing to teach her anything important, at least as far as she knew. He constantly demanded respect, yet other than who he was (the first Hyuuga) he was undeserving in her opinion. He wouldn't even tell her how he was still alive or where they were, other than it was an island to the west of the Land of Wind.

"I'm trying damnit!" She shouted defiantly.

The staff bopped her again.

"Hmm... what did I say about cursing?"

The former Hyuuga Heiress sniffed indignantly.

"What does it matter how I speak? It's not like your teaching me anything useful anyway."

She braced herself for the inevitable wrath of the crazy old Hyuuga's staff, but it did not come.

"Hmm... yes, useful you say." He muttered. "Very well. Pour the tea!"

Hinata rolled her eyes. The old man was absolutely insufferable. What could she possibly learn from performing tea ceremony?

'That he likes it strong.' She thought forlornly. 'This is complete bullshit.'

She groped for the teapot, searching in the eternal darkness. She had heard it said that if you lost once sense, your other senses would compensate. That was proving to be woefully inaccurate. It was true she was forced to rely on her other senses, but she couldn't smell, hear, taste or feel any better than she remembered.

She found the pot and lifted it to serve the irascible old man. She predictably fumbled it, dropping the fine china in a-

'Eh? I dropped it. It's made out of thin porcelain. Why didn't it shatter?'

"Hmm... yes, nothing useful was it?" Hiama took the teapot and banged it against her head. "Now am I getting through that thick skull of yours, hmm?"

Hinata was torn between rage and awe. The old man had been sitting more than ten feet away from her. He loved that filthy old cushion and always sat in the same place when she served him tea. How the hell had he moved so quickly? More importantly, how had he managed to catch the teapot without seeing it? It didn't make a sound when it fell, and was sealed too well to let out a pungent odor... it was impossi-

"Impossible, yes? That is what you are thinking."

Hinata bit her tongue. How the hell did he know that?

"Hmm... how do I know? It's obvious from your posture, yes."

The flustered young Hyuuga bit back a curse. The old man had done something. That was certain. Now that she thought about it, he consistently knew where she was, what she was doing, and sometimes even what she was thinking or feeling. Was he telepathic, lying about being blind, or just incredibly lucky? Well, he was certainly no telepath. She would be permanently unconscious considering all the things she called him in her mind. He had to be blind, he frequently cursed when he tripped over a chair or a cushion she had moved. Lastly, there was no way anyone was that lucky. She had been with the insane geezer for a month and a half. No one had a run of luck that lasted so long.

"What did you do, Hiama-sensei?" She asked respectfully, albeit reluctantly.

"I did nothing. Yes, it was the pot that did something." He teased in that annoying tone of his.

"What did the pot do?" Hinata asked in defeat.

She could allow Hiama this one victory. She would to whatever it took to get the hell out of here, wherever it was.

"Hmm... yes, it is simple. The pot simply did not feel like breaking." He teased again.

"Please, Hiama-sensei, I promise not to curse again. I humbly beg your apology and wish to redeem myself by serving you tea."

Hiama barked in dry raspy laughter. "You have quite a lip on you, yes, but I accept your apology. A master is allowed to indulge his apprentice every once in a while, yes."

'That asshole, mocking me like that.'

"Now, now, don't think such nasty thoughts. Hmm... yes, such thoughts are bad for your health. How do you think I've lived all these long years, hmm?"

"Tea?" She asked innocently.

Hiama broke out in a loud braying laugh. A moment later he stopped, caught up in coughing fit. He had been having them more and more often lately.

"Enough of your flippancy. Yes, be quiet and pay attention."

He sounded somewhat serious for the first time since she'd met him.

She did as he asked and sat quietly, hoping he wasn't about to go on another unintelligible tirade.

"Hmm... yes, how to begin? How do we tell her, hmm?" Hiama asked himself, tapping his staff, and sounding truly insane, not for the first time. "Yes, yes that will do nicely. The beginning, that is the place to start... Many years ago, when the world was young, a man by the name of Outsutsuki Hagoromo walked the earth. He was an honest and simple man, and desired nothing more than to bring peace to the world. Yes, he was a worthy soul, but his path was not his own. Indeed, it is said he created our world. Yes, in a way that is true, he created our world as it exists in this era. Hmm... no, this was not our world to begin with. We do not know where we come from. Yes, that is the beginning."

Okay, perhaps it wasn't a tirade, and it wasn't completely unintelligible, but the old man was definitely rambling and off his rocker.

"Hmm... yes, to understand this world we must understand where we came from..."

Hiama trailed off in silence, lost in thought.

"Where did we come from?" Hinata prompted.

"Eh?" Hiama asked, sounding confused. "How should I know?"

A vein pulsed dangerously on Hinata's forehead.

"Then what the hell is the point of this story?" She demanded in outrage.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, the point is that is what you must do. In order to usher in the new era you must learn what we have become and why. Yes, that is the answer. Indeed, that is why you are here. Hmm... some refer to it as destiny. I prefer to think of destiny as something that doesn't force me to keep company with such an ungrateful girl, yes."

"Ungrateful?" Hinata replied in disbelief. "I have done nothing but cater to your every whim since I got up from my bed. I do your dishes, I wash your laundry, I cook your food, I mend your things, I serve you your disgusting tea. What more do you want from me? What more can I possibly do..."

Hiama let her sit in silence for some time. At length he broke the silence, scooting forward and gently placing his gnarled old hands on her shoulders.

"You truly love him, don't you?" He asked, not unkindly. "I can sense there is a man in your life, yes. I may be blind, but I am not ignorant. Indeed, I am sorry this is your burden to bear. Yes, no one deserves such a fate. Indeed, had I the choice I would perform this task myself..." He let out a troubled and tired sigh. "I am old, Hinata-dono. My time in this world is coming to a close. Every day I feel myself weakening. Hmm... I do not think I shall last much longer. Had I the strength, I would carry this burden for you child, but it is not mine to bear. Yes, it is hard to walk such as path. Yet, the first step is always the hardest. All I ask of you, child, is to get on your feet and walk."

Hinata felt all the sorrow she had held deep inside her heart come pouring out. How could this senile old crazy understand what she was going through? How could he know that her heart was broken, that a piece of it had chipped off never to return? How could he comprehend her pain? How did he expect her to carry on when she had nothing left to give? Her soul had been torn asunder, and her strength had been cruelly ripped away. How could she walk the path he spoke of when she couldn't even see the way?

"I... " She sobbed, crying into his chest. "I'm sorry Shishou. I can't do what you ask."

"Yes, you can." He said firmly and proudly. "You were destined to have the scroll. Just as I was destined to start you down the path of your journey."

"How am I to travel? I am blind."

Hiama stroked her hair. "Your are blind, child, but it is not your eyes that do not see."

The former Hyuuga Heiress sniffled, pushing herself back onto her knees.

"What?"

The fatherly old man poured the tea into a cup and handed it to her, cradling her hand within his.

"Come to me when you understand my words. Yes, then you will be ready. Indeed, then your training can begin.

Hiama left her there without another word.

Hinata cried in the silence, mourning all she had lost.


"Alright. Brace yourselves."

Veritas, Naruto and Kurama stood in the middle of a massive and intricate set of seals. Veritas hands flew as he formed hundreds of hand signs, preparing to unleash a technique that had not been used since before their world had drawn its first breath. Red chakra poured out of Kurama, draining into the seals to power the technique. The process took less than five minutes, but it seemed an eternity to Naruto.

'I'm coming Hina-chan. Wait for me a little longer.'

The seals activated and pillars of white and ultraviolet light burst forth from them. The spectacle was all around them, consuming their bodies.

"Fuinkinjutsu: Jinsei Ge-to!" (Sealing-Forbidden Technique: Life Gate!)

A few moments later, it consumed their souls as well.


Hinata walked up the steps to the cave that served as her temporary home.

She could smell Hiama waiting at the top of the steps.

"I am ready, Shishou." She said serenely.

"Yes, I can sense it. Come, we shall begin."

It was just over a week later. Hinata had struggled long and hard to come up with the answer to Hiama's riddle. His words had run through her mind over and over again. After five days she had given up, and walked out amongst the trees and salt-tangy air of her unknown asylum. In despair, her thoughts turned to her Naruto-kun again. She had cried long into the night, until she felt the cold warmth of the moon on her face. She belonged to the darkness now. That was who she was.

Yet, it was not who she was meant to be.

Long ago, in another life, she had been a happy ignorant girl. A girl who had hopes and dreams and loves. A girl who had longed with all her heart to fill the world with light. Now that light had been taken from her forever. She had lost everything. All that remained were her memories of who she once was. The last gleaming of light laid hidden in the depths of her soul, in the heart of a boy who had once dreamed of being Hokage.

She would have followed that boy anywhere. He had been her stars and her moon, her sun and her light.

That was when she realized who she must become and what she must do.

For once upon a time, she had been Hinata, the girl who looked to the sun.

"Show me the path, Shishou, and I will walk towards light."

Hiama smiled.

And Hinata smiled too.

She was still beaten and broken, cursed to wander forever in the darkness. Yet, she would always remember how she had once loved the light. One day, perhaps she could find it again.


"Wh-what... where?"

Uzumaki Naruto laid on his back in the ruins of an ancient and long forgotten city.

He had been there before.

Uzushiogakure.

"So you're awake, brat."

A plain red fox stood on top of a pile of rubble.

"K-Kurama? What happened to your voice?"

The kit huffed, flicking its one tail behind it. It sprang from the pile of rubble and landed on Naruto's chest.

"This is your fault, brat." He said accusingly. "It's a miracle you survived at all."

"It is." Veritas said, sitting on a broken stone. "You overdid it as usual, idiot."

"I don't understand."

"Of course not!" Veritas exclaimed. "Bakamono! Did you never learn to think things through?!"

"Umm... what exactly did I do?" Naruto asked, confused.

"You gave me too much of your essence, brat." Kurama huffed. "Look at me now! I've been reduced to an infant instead of a kit! I'm as I was when I was first born!"

"I can't believe you survived." Veritas said. "Were you anyone else, you probably would have already faded. As it stands, I can sense you are slowly losing your bond to this world. I doubt you'll last very long at this rate. I'd say you have a few years at best."

The Kyuubi jumped off his chest and regarded Veritas suspiciously.

Naruto picked himself up off the ground and stared at his hands. They seemed... odd somehow. They didn't look any different but they felt... thin, like half a packet of miso in a big bucket of ramen.

"So this is the price I pay." He said softly. "I'll have to move quickly. I have to see her again first."

"Idiot! I told you, you overdid it!" Veritas yelled, pacing back and forth.

"Veritas-san?" The Uzumaki asked.

"What is it?" He asked irritably.

"You sound like Iruka-sensei."

Veritas froze. He looked down at his reflection in a puddle of muddy water. A smile slowly spread over his face.

"I..." He said, joy building in his voice. "I'm me again."

Kurama stared up at him. "You are no longer a Guardian."

"How can that be?" Naruto asked.

"Each Guardian is given a specific power, for a specific time, for a specific reason." Iruka explained. "My purpose has been fulfilled and my task is over. It is clear to me now that I was sent to save you specifically, Naruto-san. The kami only have a limited amount of influence in this world. I'm not sure why, but it seems as if they reach out from a great distance, like a veil has been drawn over this world."

"That's because it has." Kurama said quietly.

Naruo and Iruka looked at him in askance.

"Long ago, before this world drew its first breath, a man once walked the land I called home. This man had a dream: to create a perfect world. He possessed incredible power, but more importantly he possessed incredible conviction. He had tried and failed to change that world, and so he sought to create his own. He was well intended, but he let his dream consume him. He stopped at nothing to achieve his goal. He harnessed the power of the most terrible being in all creation: Shinju, the Jubi, though that is not what it was called originally, nor was the ten-tails its original form, that happened later, when it came with him to this world. He used its power to create this world as it exists now. We Bijuu were all from that world. We were the ancient god-beasts that roamed the world and watched over its people. We tried to stop the man, but it was too late. We were taken with him into the new world, into the new era."

"That man was the Rikudou Sennin. He was great and powerful, but he was only human and made a critical mistake. By using the Jubi's power to create the world it became tainted. We Bijuu too began to become tainted. We could feel ourselves becoming cruel and malicious, terrible and more powerful than we had ever been. When the time came for Rikudou Sennin to confront the Jubi, we stood beside him. The power corrupted us even further and soon we knew we had passed the point of no return. We could never again be the protectors of any world."

"The man known as Outsutsuki Hagoromo spoke with us before we lost ourselves completely. He already had sired two grown sons by this time, and was old and failing. With the last of our good-will we agreed to his request, and he split the Jubi into us. Thus did we become the demons known as the Bijuu."

"Wait a minute." Iruka said. "The Rikudou Sennin split the Jubi into the Bijuu. This I know is true. How can you have existed before the Jubi?"

"Fool! Were you not listening to me?" Kurama shouted. "The Rikudou Sennin split the Jubi into us, the Jubi did not create us."

"But the legends..." Iruka trailed off.

"Are called legends for a reason. You misinterpreted them. The Jubi's power was split among us. We were not split from the Jubi. He divided the Jubi into nine fragments of power and gave them a physical from, we nine. We were the physical form given the power, not the power given physical form."

Naruto chuckled. "I thought it was obvious. Kurama could never live with being part of a greater being." He taunted.

"You really are a brat." Kurama said. "Now, I must tell you the rest. Outsutsuki's two sons tasked themselves with fulfilling his dream of a perfect and peaceful world. The elder son was given the Rikudou Sennin's Rinnegan, and the younger son was given his strength of body and spirit. The elder believed the key to peace was power, while the younger believed the key was love and understanding. This turned into a feud and then a war, which trickled down to their descendents: the Uchiha and the Senju. When they died, the knowledge of the world from which this one was created was lost. We Bijuu alone remember that world."

"Before Hagoromo died he foresaw a great doom. He foretold that one day we Bijuu would be called upon to fulfill our ancient purpose and protect the world for a last time, to usher in the new era and return this world to what it once was: a land without shinobi. He told us that when that time came, we must stand together again and combine the power of the Jubi. Then we would know the meaning of true power."

"I don't understand." Said Naruto. "How can you protect the world now? Iruka-sensei said you could you still fulfill your obligation. How can you do that without your power?"

"We Bijuu are the Anchors that hold this world together. This world was created from the Jubi, and the Jubi's power was entrusted to us. That power is one with us now, no matter where it might be, just as we are connected to each other, no matter where we may be. I can sense the time is near. I must journey and find the other Bijuu. I can sense many of them are in one place and another is... moving somewhere in the north. The time has come. I must depart."

"Just like that?" Naruto asked. "You drop a bunch of exposition on us, say you need to go save the world, and leave?"

"I don't need to explain myself to you.""

"You're just a regular fox now. I owe you for all the times you helped me out. Besides, you seem to know a lot about this fadey-shadey stuff, so it would be good to have you around."

"Very well. I will journey with you." Kurama said.

"What about you Iruka-sensei?"

"There is an organization I must look into." He said. "Then I will return to Konoha."

"Then it is decided." Kurama announced.

"Let's go." Naruto agreed.

The clock was ticking and his time was running out. He had to find Hinata. It was time to walk down the road of a new journey.

His final journey.


"Hmm... yes, it seems you are beginning to understand." Hiama said slowly.

Hinata sat in the lotus position, sweat drenching her brow.

What Hiama was trying to teach her was either insane or brilliant beyond imagination. She had been in the same position for hours, trying to sense him as he moved quietly around the room. It was proving to be nearly impossible. Any success she had had so far was only because the old man had made some tiny noise, or because the wind shifted in the wake of his passage. Who knew that sitting in one place could be so exhausting?

It had been a week since her epiphany, and so far Hiama's training was proving just as frustrating as it had been before. The only difference was that she had greater resolve now.

"Hmm... you can stop for now. I believe you must hear the rest before you can understand any more, yes."

Hinata opened her eyes, gazing sightlessly towards the sound of his voice.

"The rest of what?" She asked.

"Why, the history of the Hyuuga, yes." Hiama said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"The last thing you talked to me about was the Rikudou Sennin. I don't see how that has anything to do with the Hyuuga."

Hiama's cane bopped her on the crown of her head.

"You see a little now, but do not think you see-all. Indeed, I could not see-all even in my prime, even with that ability, yes."

The younger Hyuuga rubbed her head in irritation. At this rate she would have a permanent lump on her head.

"Okay, so I can't 'see' as well as you. Please enlighten me, Shishou." She said sweetly.

"Hmm... you really do deserve the cane again, but I will let it pass this time. You will be less likely to see if I hit you again, yes."

Hinata prepared herself for his inevitable rambling.

"The Rikudou Sennin's sons fought each other for many years and their descendants became the Uchiha and the Senju. Yes, this I have told you. Hmm... what happened next I have not. No, that was not the end of their legacy. Indeed, there was one thing the Rikudou Sennin's sons agreed upon. They both wanted to know who was right: was power the key to peace, or was it love and understanding? Thus did they decide the world would have to be preserved so their descendents could determine who was right."

"Indeed, they struck this last accord and gifted two groups of people with special abilities. The elder son gave the first group of people the strength and knowledge to protect the world, yes. Hmm... the younger son gave the other group of people the wisdom and vision to preserve the world's balance. The elder son gave those he had blessed the ability to seal this world in this place, so it could never again return to whence it came. The younger son gave those he had blessed the potential to draw a veil over this world, so it could not be found by man or kami, indeed, I played no little part in that, but I will tell that story another time."

"It was several centuries before we Hyuuga became a clan in Konoha. Indeed, we were the group blessed by the younger son."

Hinata was dumbstruck. Her clan was fated to bring balance to the world? What kind of crazy scheme was that?

"Hmm... during those centuries many wars ravaged the land. No, we did not have the strength of the other group, and so we developed the powers given us. Indeed, we used the wisdom we were blessed with to balance our chakra and use it with precision from any and all of our tenketsu. Thus did we have the need to develop a method of striking others accurately. Thence, did we blind our children, forcing them to adapt another way of seeing. Yes, they exposed their eyes to their precise and pure chakra constantly and over many generations this begot the Byakugan."

Hinata felt uncomfortable. The Hyuuga's ancestors had blinded their own children? That was why all Hyuuga's eyes were white? (Or pale-lavender in her case.) It was very disturbing.

"However," Hiama said gravely, "this is what heralded the end of our clan's dedication to our sacred duty. I was the first Hyuuga to have eyes that could see in ten generations. Indeed, I was the first to possess the Byakugan. Yes, when I was born with vision the caretakers were baffled, for the Hyuuga had been blinded at birth for five generations and born blind for the next five. Thus, when I channeled chakra into my eyes like my blind brethren had for ten generations, did I activate the Byakugan for the first time in history, becoming the first Hyuuga."

"I was the first-born of the first generation of the Hyuuga. Most of my peers were born with eyes that could see. Thus did we establish our kekkei-genkai. However, the Uchiha and Senju created ripples of war that nearly resulted in our destruction. The Hyuuga were a small group of people originally. Thence were we forced to breed with our non-Hyuuga caretakers, and the true power of our kekkei-genkai was lost."

Hinata couldn't keep her silence any longer. The kekkei-genkai of the current Hyuuga clan was incomplete and weak? Impossible.

"You're saying we lost part of our kekkei-genkai? The Byakugan is unsurpassed in extending vision and penetrating solid matter."

"Yes, that may be true. However, that was only a part what the Byakugan did originally. In its original form, the Byakugan was intended to counter the Sharingan and the Rinnegan, or at least I thought so."

"That's ridiculous. How could the original Byakugan possibly counter the movement prediction, unquenchable flames, dimension shifting and copying abilities of the Sharingan? As for the Rinnegan... there is nothing in the world that can counter every style of jutsu ever created. The Byakugan is powerful, but nothing is powerful enough to defeat the Sharingan and the Rinnegan."

The cane lashed out and cracked her upside the head once again.

"Hmm... were you not listening? I said the original Byakugan could counter them. No, not defeat them. Indeed, that would be quite impossible. Yes, think of the Byakugan as a stone building. Were there a fire, it would not burn. Would the fire be snuffed out by the stone? Of course not. Yes, the Byakugan renders the Sharingan and Rinnegan useless, but only against one who possesses the original ascended version of the Byakugan... like you, Hinata-dono."

Hinata nearly fell over in shock.

"I...I d-do?" She stuttered, for the first time in over five years.

"Indeed, I have seen the weaves about you. You have seen in color, yes. That is the precursor to the Byakugan's true power. Yes, you have the potential. No, it is not possible to use it to its full potential, for you are blind. However, you may be able to master a part of it, as I have. Indeed, it will be very difficult, but with my help it may be possible."

"Does this have something to do with the teapot?" She asked suspiciously.

"Ah, you see?! Indeed, you do! You are beginning to see!" Hiama said excitedly. "Yes, yes it may be possible. No, it must be possible. You are a 'Key,' my dear. Yes, it is your duty to right the wrongs our clan has made. You will fulfill our sacred duty, even if you have to kill every last member of our clan..."

He broke off in a fit of wracking coughs. His episodes were getting worse and he was staying in bed a little longer each day. Hinata hoped he would survive long enough to teach her what she needed to learn.

'Don't go dying on me now, you old bastard. I'm not done with you yet.'


"Umm..."

Naruto sat in a ruined building in the company of the no-longer fearsome one-tailed non-demonic Kurama.

"Can you sense it yet?" Kurama growled impatiently. "I'm getting hungry, brat. Hurry up before I decide to eat you."

"I'm trying! It was your idea to stay in Uzushiogakure. We could've been in Konoha by now, but no, we have to sit here day after day looking for some stupid-"

Kurama pounced on his chest, digging into the skin of his shoulder with his fangs. He was no longer a cute little-chibi fox, and they actually hurt. A little.

"Would you stop that already?" Naruto complained. "Look, this is pointless. We've been here for weeks. It's a miracle we've been able to find any food at all. If we stay much longer we're gonna starve."

He idly flexed his hands. They felt a little thinner than they had three weeks ago. They weren't visibly different, but Naruto could tell they had begun to fade. He would continue to fade one part at a time, until the last of his essence broke down, so Kurama had told him. At that point, his body and his soul would cease to exist in this world. Every minute he spent in Uzushiogakure was one he should have spent searching for Hinata. He needed to know the answer to his question. He needed to find her.

He needed to be with her.

'I do.' He thought with sudden clarity. 'I must find her before the end.'

"Try it again." Kurama commanded gruffly. "Concentrate this time."

"Alright... one more time for today. When we run out of food, I'm leaving."

He closed his eyes and focused once more. He had no idea how he was supposed to find whatever it was Kurama wanted him to find. All the ex-demon had said was that what they needed to find was somewhere inside the Uzumaki clan library. Naruto had already found the ruins of the library. Apparently, it wasn't the right one. Kurama insisted that the Uzumaki's true heritage was waiting somewhere in the depths of one of the many whirlpools that surrounded the island of Uzushiogakure. Naruto was beginning to think the fox wasn't an all-knowing beast-god from an ancient world at all. How the hell could you hide a library underwater? Wouldn't the books get all wet?

'He probably is just getting revenge for being trapped inside me all those years. Now he's trapped me here, away from the one thing I need to find.'

"Hurry, brat. There is evil at work in the land to the west. I can smell it on the breeze."

Naruto drew as much chakra as he could safely. He was still adapting the changes in his body. He had less chakra than he use to have. It was part of the price he had paid. He no longer contained the Kyuubi, and his essence couldn't take the strain of holding as much chakra as it once could. He was still very powerful, still stronger than any shinobi he had known in terms of raw power. However, the gulf between him and the other powerful shinobi was not nearly as wide as it had once been. On the other hand, his chakra control had improved considerably. He would be capable of performing and refining more complex jutsu now. It was almost worth the difference in power. Almost.

Suddenly he was struck with an idea. An atypical, out-of-the-box, Uzumaki Naruto idea.

He imagined himself as a needle in a compass. He imagined that needle swinging about freely, waiting to find its bearing.

'Eh? What's that?'

A vague feeling of being pulled somewhere came over him.

"I... I think I feel something."

"Keep at it, brat."

The needle was quivering back and forth now. It was getting closer and closer to finding its mark.

'Just a little more. Come on!'

The imaginary needle stopped dead.

"It's over there!" He exclaimed, leaping to his feet.

Kurama followed at his heels as he ran to the shore. Naruto pointed out to the distant eddies and whirlpools, to the largest disturbance in the water.

"It's in there." He said.

"Hmm... this presents a problem. I do not have the power to part the sea with a flick of my tail anymore."

"Yeah, and I can't do any Suiton jutsu. It would take someone at the Mizukage's level to deal with something like this."

The fox turned abruptly, heading for the ruined bridge to the mainland.

"It's time we go, brat. There is nothing more we can do here for now. You must seek one who can part the waters."

"I'm not exactly on good terms with the Mizukage right now, or anyone, for a matter of fact. I'm supposed to be dead, remember?"

The little god-fox regarded him critically. "You should remain that way. You have begun to awaken now. Soon you will be a slave to your purpose."

"I'm not a slave to anything or anyone." Naruto snorted contemptuously.

"You don't have a choice in the matter. You have a sacred duty to fulfill. You have no choice. You are the Guardian of the 'Seal.' You must find the Key. Only the Key can unlock what lies beneath those waves."

"Key-shmey. I'm out of here."

Kurama gazed at the Uzumaki as he set out to cross the ruined bridge of Uzushiogakure.

Where the brat went, he would follow. He needed his strength to find the other Bijuu.

That is, if he didn't decide to eat him first.


The teacup landed in Hinata's outstretched hand.

"Yes, yes very good."

After two more weeks of training, she had finally managed to manipulate the weaves around the cup to pull it about a foot.

It was slow going, but she had to admit the technique had incredible potential. If she could master it, she would be able to alter the effects of any jutsu. A Katon jutsu would part around her without her having to move or use a counter jutsu. The possibilities were as frightening as they were exciting.

"Shishou?"

"Hmm?"

"What would happen if I altered my own weaves, or another person's?"

Hiashi looked at her sharply. It did not matter that neither of them could see. Hinata could feel the pressure of his gaze.

"You must never under any circumstances attempt to alter the weaves of a living thing. They are vastly complex, and nearly impossible to alter in the first place. Even if you did manage it, the results would almost certainly be catastrophic. Never alter the weaves of a living thing, not even if the fate of the world is at hand; especially if it is. Were it not for that forbidden technique, the world may never have been put in such great peril in the first place. Perhaps if I had not discovered that technique, I could have ended the threat before it began. Or perhaps not, that technique is the only thing that has a chance."

It was the first time Hinata had ever heard him speak without so much as a "hmm," "yes," or an "indeed." Hiama sounded completely serious for once.

"Hai, Shishou." She said respectfully. "What do you mean 'that forbidden technique?'"

Hiama let out a tired sigh and sat down on his favorite cushion, coughing as he did.

"Yes, I must tell you the rest. Listen closely. Listen and understand the cost of hubris, for this is the story of my own downfall. Understand?"

"Hai."

The crazy old man may have been senile and half-insane, but he was an unparalleled genius and a great teacher. Though she still hated many of his eccentricities, she could not deny she respected him. Hyuuga Hiama was truly the greatest Hyuuga to ever bear the name. She had known of his exile and that he had been cast out for doing something forbidden. Now he was about to share that story with her.

"Yes, it was shortly after my last child was born. It was then I discovered the true power of the Byakugan. Hmm... yes, I must start at the beginning again. When I first discovered the Byakugan it was as you had described it to me. Indeed, most of us saw only in black and white. However, the strongest among us, unlike what you told me, saw in shades of gray. This is the origin both of our true power and the conflict that tore the clan asunder."

Hinata sat in rapt attention. The Byakugan had seen in shades of grey?

"Yes, you see the purpose of the Byakugan was twofold. That was where the disagreement began. Those of us that saw in shades of grey believed it was a sign. Indeed, we believed that the Byakugan's true purpose was to see the world in all the shades of gray. We believed that the Hyuuga's foremost purpose was to remain true to our duty and maintain the balance of the world. However, the vast majority of our clan could only see in black and white. No, they did not understand balance as the strongest of us did. Instead, they believed there was a clear distinction between right and wrong, good and evil. They believed the purpose of the Byakugan was to determine the fate of others and to defeat our enemies."

Hinata grimaced. That sounded about right. Her Father had said as much to her. When she was a child.

"Sad, yes, but there was nothing I could do to persuade them. Thence did I disagree with my peers. Yes, I believed that shades of gray were only the beginning. To achieve true balance one must see in all the colors and shades of the world, thus did I believe. However, my peers believed that shades of gray were enough. The ancient symbol of our clan is the yin-yang. Indeed, it appeared when we used certain techniques."

Hinata knew what he was talking about. He was referring to the heart of the eight trigrams.

"Still, they were right in some aspects. The Jyuken was designed to protect, not to kill. This was a shade of gray my peers understood quite well, and many of the others did too. However, none of them believed we needed to go beyond what our ancient symbol represented. Thus did I attempt to disprove them."

"I succeeded." He said bitterly. "Yes, I did, but the price was too high. I discovered that the symbol of our clan was our secret strength. Thus did the clan come to covet the great powers: the Yangken Ryuu, the fist of light, love and creation, and the Yinken Ryuu, the fist of darkness, hatred and destruction. The strongest among us could use both. However, those that saw in black and white could only use one, for the most part, though a few could still use both. Thus did I forsee a great doom in the future of our clan."

"Yes, we became divided among those who wielded the Yangken Ryuu and the Yinken Ryuu. It was only the efforts of my peers and me and the few other special ones, we that could wield both, that kept it from coming to civil war. Indeed, I should have been satisfied with the bargain that was struck. Those that wielded the Yangken would lead the clan, and those that wielded the dangerous Yinken would be sealed, incapable of using its power. No, I did not believe this was right. Creation cannot create without destruction to destroy the dead and the useless. Indeed, this is the principle upon which our world and other worlds function."

Hinata quietly cleared her throat. There was a question she needed to ask.

"Other worlds?"

Hiama let out another sigh, more tired and sorrowful than the last.

"Yes, this is another part of the story. Indeed, this was my greatest triumph and my greatest defeat. When the Elders began to research a seal to accomplish their task of sealing the Yinken-wielders I refused to help them. Instead, I journeyed out into the world seeking answers. I traveled to the western coast at the end of the great desert. Yes, from there I built a boat and sailed out into the unknown, seeking the truth. On the way I discovered this island. Indeed, did I find that truth. For beyond our continent was another world."

Hinata gasped in surprise. 'Could it be?'

"Is this the world that exists parallel to our own? The one I told you about, that we have learned new technologies from?"

"Indeed, it is, though it is not parallel. Yes, we exist in this world, but we are veiled from it now. Yes, thus did I discover it. However, at that time it was still as primitive as we once were. Yes, they were a simple and cruel people, obsessed with greed. They lived in a state of continuous war, much as we did. However, they did not possess chakra as we do. Indeed, a very few had great spiritual power that some in that world referred to as 'magic.' Yet, it was a power unlike our own. Greater in some ways, but far more limited and not intended for war. Yes, they worshipped many strange kami in that place. There were some large islands to the east and north of our continent that had similar kami. However, they were all of them different. Thus did I discover the truth."

"What is the truth?"

Hiama was seized by another episode of wracking coughs. It took him almost two minutes to recover.

'Come on, you old bastard. Don't go dying now.'

"That I do not know. However, I do know some of it. We are not of that world. Hmm... we came from another place."

"Then where did we come from?"

"Hmm... that is the part I do not know."

Hinata almost sighed in relief. Hiama's "hmms" had come back. That meant he was nearing the end of his rambling. For once, she was almost sorry that he was.

"I returned to our land. Yes, I returned to find the seal the Elders had contrived nearing completion. Thus, with my new knowledge did I approach the Elders. Indeed, they were as terrified as I of the other world. Yes, they agreed something had to be done and the seal was set aside for a time. Thus did we strive for ten long years to find a solution. At last, we found a way to use our power to hide our world, as the younger son of the Rikudou Sennin intended. Hmm... yes, using the power of the Yangken and the Yinken we created a massive Kaiten, as you call it. However, it had been modified to suit its purpose. Indeed, it was as weak as it was large. Yes, it only needed to be powerful enough to obscure our continent. Hmm... yes, even at the height of our strength as a clan, it was barely enough. Yes, it was capable of diverting those who came near it. The rotation creates an eddy around our world, and the Great Kaiten was created of such pure chakra that it appears as if nothing exists where our continent is but the sea."

That was... amazing. Were the Hyuuga really once that powerful?

"However, I knew this was a temporary diversion. Indeed, the Elders turned back to the seal, despite my protests that the Great Kaiten would not have been possible without the Yinken. Thus did I turn to our ancient symbol for guidance. Yes, it revealed to me the truth, for within the light of the yang and the dark of the yin existed a single drop of their counterpart. Indeed, I realized wielding hate for the sake of love, and love for the sake of hateful retribution, was the key to the Byakugan's true power. Indeed, when one possesses both the Yinken and the Yangken and does one of these things, they will unlock our clan's true power and see in all the color and shades of the world. Thus did I name it: the Sekengan. The "World-Eye" or the "Humanity-Eye. Both are appropriate."

'So that's what it was. When I used that dark power to save my Naruto-kun, I used my hate for the sake of love. That's why I saw in color.'

"Yes, this is the ultimate form of the Byakugan. The Seken Byakugan, the 'White All-Seeing World Eye.' Indeed, it is very powerful."

"Wait, how does seeing in color make our kekkei-genkai more powerful? I remember the detail was greater, and maybe I could see farther, but that was all."

"Ah, but you were not using it for its true purpose. The Seken Byakugan is not meant to see far. Indeed, such is the power of its penetration that it can see close... very close. Indeed, it can see the very matter of which we humans and all other things are comprised. Yes, it can even see the very weaves that hold our world together. Yes, by seeing the weaves and being aware of our own, we can use our pure and precise chakra to affect the result of an action. Just as I have been teaching you. Although you can not see the weaves, you have activated the Seken Byakugan. Thus can you sense the weaves."

Hinata was, in short, floored. Literally. She fell to the floor in disbelief. If what he said was true, then the Seken Byakugan could be used to manipulate weaves with such accuracy that it could alter any technique. There was nothing it could not counter. It was the penultimate doujutsu. With it, she could become more powerful than she had ever imagined. She could surpass everyone. She would be the strongest shinobi in the world!

Yet, how could she achieve that dream if she was blind?

"What about the Blood Seal?" She asked, in a mixture of curiosity and determination.

"Hmm... oh, yes, yes. When the Elders discovered I could manipulate the very fabric of space-time they were not pleased. Indeed, they deemed the technique forbidden and refused to add it to our clan's scrolls of jutsu. Indeed, such was their outrage that they used the incomplete version of the Caged Bird Seal, as you call it, on me and sealed my Hyuuga kekkei-genkai entirely. It was then I foresaw the great doom, wrote my prophecies, and threw them and the self-summoning teleportation scroll (which could only be activated by the blood of one who possessed the Seken Byakugan, or seen by a Guardian or a Key, as I have told you) at the Elders' feet when I left. Now all I have left is manipulating the weaves, for that is not something of our blood, but something of the world. Yes, they could not take it, but they took everything I had ever created. The adults of the Main House Hyuuga, as they came to be known, were forbidden to teach or speak of the Yangken. It was erased from our clan's jutsu scrolls. Indeed, they also swore the Branch House Hyuuga, as they came to be known, to secrecy, even after they modified the seal and perfected it to seal only the Yinken."

"The seal also had the unintended effect of sealing the Byakugan at death. Thus have you told me, and thus have I come to believe that they continued to use this reason as an excuse to seal the Yinken. However, those of the Branch House would still be able to use the Yangken, should they ever rediscover their heritage, but it would be very rare. The Yangken and Yinken inherited from a peron's parents. No, it is unlikely anyone in the Branch House could wield the Yangken unless they were closely related to the Main House. Perhaps it is possible. Hmm... yes, you told me that our blood has become thick once more. However, the knowledge of the my techniques are now lost, I you have told me. Only the destined one of our clan would have the strength to unlock them both without help."

"Yes, perhaps that is why my blood is so strong in you. Only the strongest among us at the peak of our power possessed both the Yangken and the Yinken. Indeed, from how you have learned to manipulate the weaves without the vision of the Seken Byakugan, I suspect that your strength even surpasses my own. Yes, you are likely the strongest Hyuuga in the history of our clan. Indeed, you would have to be, for you are a Key. Only the Seken Byakugan has the power to do what must be done. Indeed, only one who can manipulate the weaves could affect the sacred seals that were created to maintain the Great Kaiten."

Hiama suddenly seized up and started coughing again, hacking up wet gobbets of blood.

"Hmm... yes... it appears I have spoken too... much. Yes, I... believe I have said... all that must be said."

The old man had been laying in bed longer and longer each day. Today he had barely had the strength to rise at all. Now it appeared he was at the limit of his strength.

"No, there is... one more... thing... I must tell you. Yes, this island... it is called Shin Hi... the Sacred Flame. Yes... the Great Kaiten... was cast here... here are the weaves of the world weakest... the easiest to alter... Yes, I altered them... so I might live long enough... for you to come. Hmm... yes, for each month... that has passed... a year has gone by... outside of... this place. I... must tell you... Indeed, it was here... the Will of Fire was born... when the Hyuuga came to Konoha... they..."

He broke off in another fit of wracking coughs.

"Listen, Hinata-dono... you must find the other Keys... yes, this is the secret I discovered in that... other world. Indeed, the Great Kami of that world... spoke to me. We are not... of that world and... should not be here... Indeed, he told me of the Guardians and the Keys... Yes, you must..."

Hiama fell to the ground, losing himself for a moment to the hacking.

Hinata dared not interrupt him now. The old man was prone to distraction. These words might very well be his last.

"There is one... you must find... that one will... find... the others... that one is... the... you..." He reached forward and grasped her hand. "Earth... you must... find..."

The old man let out one last wheezing cough and-

'No!'

The former heiress shook him vigorously. She needed him to tell her how to break the Blood Seal. How could she possibly hope to succeed when she was blind?

"How to I break the seal? How do I regain the Seken Byakugan?!"

Hiama stirred and coughed weakly. "True... love." He hacked and coughed again, laughing hysterically. "I... jest... find... power... not... you... source... A...an...chor."

The last of the legendary first Hyuuga's strength left him. Hyuuga Hiama died with many regrets, but in the end he had come to accept those regrets and die in peace.

Hinata did not cry. She had honored and respected Hiama. He had known his time was near. He had accomplished his task.

Now she had to accomplish hers.

She packed up her things and went to the dock that held Hiama's little boat. He had told her the island was to the west of the Land of Wind. She could only assume it was on the border of the Great Kaiten.

She had a long journey ahead of her.

Hinata got on her feet and took the first step of that journey.

It was time to return to the world.


A/N: Well, that's that.

This chapter was just over 10k words and had a lot of back story. I needed to be sure I revealed what I intended to, alluded what I intended to, and left out what I intended to. This chapter was dialogue heavy and didn't have a lot of scenery or inner monologues. That's okay, I intended it to be that way. I felt I wrote enough of those things in this chapter. The rest of ANBU's future chapters will return to their detailed scenery and inner monologue roots.

Sorry it took a little while.

Now the stage is set for the final part of ANBU. You'll notice I used the recent canon to create part of the back story and move the story forward. Thanks Kishimoto!

An important point, that I did not mention directly in this chapter: Naruto was in the afterlife for roughly two and a half days, each day in the afterlife was a year in the world, and thus he returned to the world two and a half years later after he 'died.' Hinata was with Hiama for two and a half months, and each month on the island was a year in the world, thus she returned to the world two and a half years later after she 'died.' I'm sure a few of you will understand what this implies.

They both had reasons for not returning to Konoha. They are now tasked with being part of the people who must work together to 'save the world,' for lack of a better phrase.

What did you guys think of my back story, especially regarding the Hyuuga? I know they are both pretty big leaps from what Kishimoto wrote in the canon, but I thought they were pretty good. Yes, I did not pull Hinata's Shining Style out of a hat just because I wanted her to be strong. I had planned something like this regarding the Hyuuga from the beginning, though Kishi helped out with the back story of the Bijuu. I only had a vague idea about them. The Jubi and the Rikudou Sennin helped me refine that idea. The 'other world' was mentioned early in the fic, as well as about half way through. I recommend going back and reading the little bits of Hiama's prophecies I revealed. They will be central to the outcome of the story.

You'll also notice that Hiama spoke of multiple Keys. He is not mistaken, so don't write off Danzo just yet. I don't want to give it away, but if you've read a certain particularly famous and classic fantasy series, by a world renowned long departed author, then you might understand what I'm getting at. Even the blackest villain can have a part to play in the end.

This is the final chapter that will come out until I return from boot camp. As I said, it is the only good stopping point in Part III. ANBU is now officially on hiatus, sorry folks.

I will go back and work on the overhauls now, as well as complete the first part of The Vagabonds and the first arc of NARUTREK, along with finally updating Guardian: Reloaded! I will publish the next chapter of NARUTREK in a few days, followed by G:R! and a couple chapters of The Vagabonds. If you like my writing style and my ideas, I recommend reading them while you wait for me to return from boot camp.

Some of you have expressed disappointment that this story seems to be losing its dark themes. Yes, given what happened in recent chapters, I can understand why some of you might think that. Don't worry, these last chapters were just the calm before the storm. There will be some comic relief and happy moments, but remember it's always darkest before dawn (the ending of this story will be a bloody dark dawn indeed.) Yes, only a few characters have a completely 'happy ending', but even those endings will taste bitter given how much their friends and comrades lost. Yes, some people will have a very tragic ending. Do not worry, for those of you who read this fic for its dark themes, I can assure you, you won't be disappointed with what is coming next.

On a side note: this is a redemption story, at least in regards to the main characters. That is not to say what will happen to them will be good, but the point of Part III, which I have now titled 'Salvation,' is that even people who have been beaten and broken can heal and regain or save some of what they lost. The point of Part II which I have now titled 'Destruction,' is that love and intimacy can be more destructive than productive, as you saw at the end of Part II. The point of Part I, which I have now titled 'Redemption,' is that people can find solace in the most unlikely of places.

The next to chapters will be titled 'Requiem' and 'Aeternum' and will follow some of the travels of the two X rank foreign shinobi.

Thank you so much, all of you: you lovers, you haters, you critics, for continuing to support me. All of you are very important to me. Whether you love, hate or are just a critic, I appreciate all of your reviews. I hope you will continue to read, enjoy and review ANBU after I come back from boot camp. In the meantime, I recommend you go back and read what I have suggested, along with the overhauls, particularly those of chapters one and two.

I will go back and overhaul as many more chapters as is reasonable before I leave. One of the reasons is to fix the grammatical errors and spelling errors, but that is not the main reason. I intend to add more foreshadowing, including a few scenes with Danzo. It is clear to me now that I didn't drop enough hints regarding his game with Shikamaru. I will also be adding to, taking from, or slightly changing the inner monologues and dialogues of Naruto and Hinata. I felt they were a little to childish and melodramatic the way I wrote them. How they behave in this chapter is somewhere more along the lines of what I intended.

I will complete all the overhauls before I start posting again after boot camp, so you may have to wait a little longer. The honorifics are one of the most important changes. You'll notice Hinata thinks of Naruto now as 'her Naruto-kun.' That is mentioned in the chapter two overhaul, and is key to her growth as a character. I'll be going back to change her honorifics and Naruto's to make their relationship more strained and formal. I believe this will be truer to my vision for ANBU's completed final version.

Farewell for now in regards to this story. Thank you for inspiring me to continue writing. One day I will try and publish my own stories. I look forward to acknowledging all of you in my first book when it comes out. I already have it planned... but that is another story for another time.

Thank you all,

Sincerely,

-G.A.M.M.