Author's Note: The premise of this fic is Kumo OP, kinda like Terran (Marines QQ). I'm just fixing that bug where they could lose. Also the Leaf dumb. Like really dumb. And so is Kumo. Why try steal da kine heavily guarded Hyūga kid when there's a jinchūriki with no guardian who's always alone just sitting there? I also decided to try explain why NO ONE in the leaf recognizes Naruto described by Jiraiya as the spitting image of Yondaime. Or why no one remembers the Uzumakis, despite their clan symbol being EVERYWHERE in the Leaf and Uzumakis being the wives of two Hokages including the FOUNDER.

Oh yea, this is my first time ever writing a fanfic. Constructive reviews please!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. In one of the many possibilities of the continuum shift I might, and congratulations! You've been given observer powers! Now sit back, relax, enjoy one of the many possibilities, and keep your eye out for those split 1/480,000th of a second opportunities!

Mistakes Were Made

Prologue

-Somewhere in Amegakure near some houses, During the Second Shinobi World War-

Rain dripped off the hood of the shinobi and gathered in craters left by explosive tags and jutsu. There were several dome structures surrounding the ninja in the war-torn country, some caving in from structural damage.

The shinobi was a dark-skinned male of average height with a slightly muscular build. He wore a cloak over his white, one shouldered flak jacket and had a katana strapped to his back. A gust of wind blew the rain straight into his face.

'Gah how on earth did I end up in Amegakure? I was sure we went a completely different way. Almost like something intervened and sent me here. Huh, I feel like I'm being observed or something.'

The shinobi wiped the rain off his face and then formed the ram hand sign to focus. He closed his eyes and sent out a few pulses of chakra.

'Hm, guess it was just my imagination; picking up traces of something though, something big.'

The shinobi slowly drew his katana and made his way over to the house that contained the chakra traces. He hadn't sensed anyone, but Amegakure was an active warzone and one could never be too careful. He silently opened the door and slipped into the shadows, katana held in front ready to strike. Not until he had methodically checked every room for traps or ambushes did he sheathe his katana and begin to investigate, still on high alert and routinely sending out pulses to check for any newcomers. Most of the house was ordinary for the war-torn region; the home abandoned and raided for supplies. What stood out was the hallway, in which several dry bloodspots and two corpses lay. The corpses wore green flak jackets with red spiral designs on the back and shoulders, and their forehead protectors bore the tell-tale circular symbol with a triangle off its bottom left corner that signified shinobi of Konoha.

'No signs of traps, no damage to the house from explosives or ninjutsu, and these bodies don't have any taijutsu, weapon, or normal jutsu damage either. They died with kunai in hand so they weren't taken off guard. Konoha has some of the strongest shinobi. Who could have done this?'

The ninja formed the ram hand sign again and picked up the traces of chakra that had led him here, and cautiously set out in that direction.

-Uchiha Compound, 7 years after Kyuubi Attack-

A cold wind blew through the window. A young, dark-haired boy, around twelve or thirteen, stood in a dark room illuminated only by the pale moon in the window. Standing between him and the window was a taller, older, and similarly dark-haired young man. The boy wasn't entirely sure why he had been called here, but he held his questions as the man began to speak.

"Once appeared a nine tailed demon fox, whose mighty tails could level mountains and cause tsunamis. To fight the demon the village assembled all the shinobi from the village; one brave shinobi managed to seal up the demon but because of that lost his life. That shinobi was called Yondaime Hokage….

And so the story goes. What they never told you, Itachi, is why the Fourth chose that particular child to seal the demon in. And let me now show you why."

The world blurred around Itachi except for the blood red orbs and black windmills of Shisui's sharingan. Itachi almost gasped as he plunged into the dark void below. He slowly opened his eyes and found himself in the familiar office of the Hokage. There, he saw two men and a woman, all around their mid-fifties, standing behind the Hokage's desk as a younger Shisui knelt before them. He soon recognized them as Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, with the village elders, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.

"The son of Yondaime and the last Uzumaki? Then why…?"

Homura and Koharu locked eyes with Shisui, their eyes narrowed with no expression on their face. Homura responded gravely to Shisui's question.

"It is because he's the Fourth's son and last Uzumaki we need you to do this."

Koharu explained more fully, her tone every bit as serious as Homura's. "If one of the other villages were to discover this, they'd spare no resources on an assassination or kidnapping. This we cannot allow. As a jinchūriki, last of a powerful clan, and son of a Hokage, he will draw too much attention and put the village at risk."

Shisui stared blankly. This made no sense. Why couldn't they just train him like all the other clan and jinchūriki kids? No other village tried hiding their jinchūriki like this. "Surely we have someone who could watch over and protect him? Why not Jiraiya-sama? Or how about Yondaime's student Kakashi-san? Maybe even Itachi's family, weren't Kushina and Mikoto best friends?" 'Even putting him under Danzō would be better than this.'

Homura shook his head. "Impossible. We simply can't spare anyone strong enough to guarantee his safety. We especially need Jiraiya with Yondaime gone, and Kakashi's in ANBU; similarly Fugaku's a clan head and head of the police so he and Mikoto will be far too busy. Mikoto just had Sasuke after all, they'll have it hard enough finding time for their own son, let alone someone else's."

Koharu nodded in agreement and added another reason. "Besides, it's not about Naruto. The constant infiltration attempts will become a risk to the entire village. If one were to succeed, who knows what that village might do next with our defenses cracked?"

Shisui could see their points but he still couldn't believe this was necessary. Surely there was a better way? "I…guess that makes sense. Still, this doesn't seem right. Hokage-sama, is this what you intend?"

Hiruzen stared blankly for a moment before looking up, as if deep in thought. He hadn't moved the entire conversation, were it not for his reputation Shisui would've questioned whether or not he was even paying close attention.

"Yes Shisui, this is my decision. I regret that we can't give the Fourth's son the life he deserves, but we must put the good of the village first."

Homura jumped in the moment the Third stopped. "Exactly, which is why Shisui, we need you to wipe the connection between Naruto and Yondaime and all knowledge of the Uzumakis from the village's mind."

Itachi blinked twice before he looked back at Shisui, now several years older.

"What are you saying?"

Shisui stared down at Itachi before continuing: "It was a mistake, and I should have noticed it then. The strange laws afterwards. The policies on Naruto, who wasn't assigned a single guardian. Why did Sandaime retire? Why did Danzō, constantly at odds with Sandaime, immediately support his return? Sandaime's mind had been slipping. That's why he retired unlike most other kages. By the attack, Sandaime didn't even realize that Danzō was manipulating him. He was nothing more than a puppet. Only, Danzō isn't thinking any clearer than Sandaime. I followed the order, thinking they'd assign someone to watch Naruto and start training him immediately. I thought maybe Danzō wanted Naruto for himself; turn him into an elite agent. But no one, besides occasionally Sandaime, even watched over Naruto much less trained him. What's more, they let the villagers remember the Kyūbi but forbade them to speak of it, causing Naruto to suffer resentment for reasons he'll never know. I've lost faith in this village Itachi. The leaders have lost touch with the will of the founders. The people we should look to as heroes and train as our best are covered up, resented, and ignored."

Itachi slightly raised an eyebrow, warily awaiting Shisui's next thoughts "But what can we do?"

Shisui never broke eye contact with Itachi, his voice softer but resolute. "For ourselves, nothing. We could never abandon this village we've worked so hard to protect. However, the will of fire passes to the next generation, we should ensure they have a better future than we."

Itachi had an idea of where Shisui might be heading, but he immediately stopped that train of thought. No loyal shinobi, much less Shisui, would suggest that. "What do you suggest?"

Shisui turned away from Itachi and walked towards the open window. As he gazed out at the moon, dark clouds began floating across the sky, a shadow creeping up over Shisui, half obscuring him in black. Shisui's voice dropped as he replied,

"There is another village that would appreciate the talents of Konoha's children far more than Konoha ever will."

Itachi's eyes narrowed as his Sharingan activated, his body tensing as he realized Shisui's intentions. A rock lodged in Itachi's throat as he struggled with the thought. Shisui couldn't be serious.

"That's a betrayal of our village, everything we stand for."

Shisui spun around with frightening speed, startling even Itachi, his calm demeanor gone, his eyes burning bright.

"Open your eyes Itachi. How does the village treat Naruto? Or how about the newest Hyūga kids, one abandoned more everyday while the other branded with a curse seal? Or how about your own brother? How does your father treat him? What kind of a life will these kids have?"

Itachi almost flinched from the sheer intensity emanating from Shisui. He took a moment to compose himself, but chose not to suppress the fear. That anxiety would prove useful if the worst came to pass.

"Jinchūriki…kekkei genkai…these abilities are feared everywhere Shisui…not just in the Leaf. They might not have the best life here, but they certainly will do no better anywhere else."

"That, Itachi, is where you are wrong. You mean well but just listen to me for a moment. I've thought about this for a long time, and am not doing this blindly. There is in fact an opportunity for a better life. Kumogakure instituted a policy a while back that they would accept anyone into their village, from poor orphans to rejected children. Surely you've heard of the three new jounin of Kumogakure, called 'the new sannin?' I've discovered they were once orphaned refugees from another nation, their parents killed by the warring villages and they themselves abandoned by their countrymen. The Cloud treats their ninja well, and has a camaraderie rivaling Konoha's. Here…"

Shisui tossed an object at Itachi. Itachi almost moved to defend himself, but his Sharingan predicted a non-offensive path from the projectile. Itachi deftly caught the object out of the air and found himself holding a notebook. He opened it and found ANBU information regarding Kumogakure's recent 'foreign recruitment program.' 'Hm, they even went out of their way to save bloodline kids from Kirigakure.'

"I'll leave you to your thoughts for now. Come to me within a week should you decide to help me forge a brighter future."

Itachi caught only a tiny flicker. Before Itachi could respond, Shisui had vanished.

-Outside Hyūga Compound, Midnight, One week later-

"How dull" Darui muttered under his breath as he moved silently toward the Hyūga compound. The dark Kumo ninja wasn't sure why the boss agreed to this, but Darui wasn't going to question an order from the Raikage, even if the Raikage himself didn't fully agree with it.

As Darui prepared to leap over the Hyūga compound wall, he heard a soft ruffling in the bushes behind him. He jumped to the left as fast as he could, barely avoiding the shuriken that implanted themselves in the wall. He quickly turned to face his attacker, cleaver drawn, finding not one but two dark haired figures behind him. If Darui had any doubt as to their purpose, it was dispelled as he noticed the distinctive crimson eyes with three tomoes of the Uchiha clan.

"Konoha police? Well this mission's ending will be quite dull. I'm sorry boss looks like this is the end for me."

Darui prepared to fight for his life; however, he realized after a minute neither Uchiha had entered a combat stance.

The taller Uchiha spoke first. "You did know Hyūga Hiashi was watching you right?"

Darui deadpanned as he realized how foolish his plan had been. 'How dull, we would forget who we're stealing from wouldn't we.'

"It's dull, but I guess I have to fight you guys and escape now?"

Darui remained ready for battle, though he was somewhat confused, as still neither Uchiha had made any indication they wished to fight beyond the first shuriken.

"That, or you can listen to our proposal."

Darui was confused at what these policemen had in mind. They couldn't possibly think someone loyal enough for a suicide mission in the Hyūga compound would consider turning traitor.

"I won't betra…."

The shorter Uchiha cut him off.

"How would you like the son of Yondaime and the last Uzumaki along with an Uchiha?"

Darui's jaw dropped. The son of Konoha's Yellow Flash and an Uzumaki like the one Kumo had tried kidnapping years ago plus another powerful doujutsu? Now he was really confused.

"You guys have to be messing with me."

The shorter Uchiha spoke again, his voice dead serious.

"If we were trying to kill you, we would have let you jump over that wall. You can come with us or you will be captured or killed."

Darui still couldn't believe his ears, but the young Uchiha made sense. They had no need for such an elaborate plot when they could just kill him now, so he really didn't have much choice.

"Uh fine, lead the way."

Inside the compound Hiashi deactivated his Byakugan as two Uchihas confronted the lone Kumo ninja. 'Itachi and Shisui, two of the most talented and most loyal shinobi in Konoha. They are more than enough to handle one foreigner.' With that Hiashi returned to bed.

Hiashi missed the tiny, almost silent foot steps down the hall. There stood a small dark-haired girl, hands by her lip with an active Byakugan.

"N-Naruto-kun…"

-In the Forest outside Konoha-

Darui's jaw dropped as the taller Uchiha put down a blond-haired boy with whiskers, the spitting image of Konoha's Yellow Flash. Even without being a sensor, Darui could feel the chakra emanating from him.

"How much chakra does this kid have?"

"Quite a bit, as expected since he's the Kyūbi jinchūriki."

Darui's jaw dropped even further.

A clone of the younger Uchiha who had escorted Darui out of the village appeared holding a young boy who himself looked like a younger clone of the Uchiha. The clone placed the Uchiha child next to the blond boy and dispelled. The taller Uchiha waved his hand over the two boys.

"May I introduce Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyūga."

"Wait who?"

Darui's jaw dropped as the taller Uchiha pointed at a tree back towards the village, and he saw a tiny, dark-haired girl with distinctive white eyes peering out from behind it.

The shorter Uchiha explained. "I see, so that wasn't Hiashi watching us."

-Flashback-Back at the Hyūga Compound-

Hinata watched as the three figures stood watching each other. She recognized the leaf headbands on two of them, but couldn't identify the symbol on the headband of the third. She was afraid they were going to fight when they all turned and started walking away. The shorter Konoha ninja made a clone, who left the group, and then started walking with the unknown ninja towards the village gates. The taller Konoha ninja, however, separated from the group. Hinata nervously put her fingers together as she realized where he was heading.

"T-that's where N-Naruto-kun's house is…"

The young girl was almost frozen in fright…but she couldn't stay home. What if Naruto was in danger? No one looks out for Naruto; if he were in trouble no one would come to help in. Hinata couldn't help herself as she quietly moved to the Hyūga compound entrance and slipped off after the taller Konoha ninja.

Shisui slowed his pace so that his young tail could keep pace with him. 'The Hyūga heiress? She also won't have the best treatment if left here. Very well, we shall send Kumo a team of three.'

-Back in the present-

Darui almost had a heart attack at this point. He fully expected to wake up from the dream any moment now. No wait, the Uchiha's must have put him in a genjutsu for their cruel pleasure. 'Konoha must sure be dull if they have to torture me for fun.'

The taller Uchiha walked up to the young girl, visibly trembling with fright.

"W-where are you t-taking N-Naruto-kun?"

The Uchiha reached out towards the young girl and lightly tapped the back of her neck with a knife hand. "Don't worry, everything will be alright."

The taller Uchiha walked back over with the now unconscious Hyuuga girl. He laid her down next to the two boys, kneeled in front of the children, and closed his eyes.

"Are you sure about this Shisui? That technique strains you immensely."

"It's necessary for this to work. Keep a sharp eye out, Itachi."

Itachi vanished leaving Darui with Shisui and the three children. 'Itachi and Shisui? The two genius Uchihas? Yep, definitely genjutsu.'

Shisui opened his eyes. Darui noticed an immediate change. Gone were the three tomoe that characterized the sharingan, replaced with a black pinwheel design.

"Kotoamatsukami."

Darui was about to Kai (release) when he realized Shisui was looking at the three children.

"Um what are you doing?"

"Cheating. When you arrive they'll believe they've grown up in Kumogakure."

Darui's eyes narrowed. "Won't a genjutsu wear off after a certain time?" 'Could they be offering these kids as sleeper agents?'

Shisui shook his head. "Not this genjutsu. This is the strongest genjutsu in existence. A genjutsu so strong the victim's mind believes in the genjutsu as its own thoughts."

Darui's eyes widened. Were he talking to anyone other than a true master of the Sharingan he wouldn't believe what he was hearing. 'Planting thoughts in the minds of others without them realizing it. To think such a powerful genjutsu exists. So this is the power of the Uchiha.'

Itachi reappeared, a kunai in hand.

"Shisui, they're here."

Shisui closed his eyes and stood up. He looked weary, sweat dripping down his forehead. He was breathing heavily and Darui saw blood streaming down from his left eye. 'It seems that technique is not without risks.'

"That's fine, I've finished here." He turned his head and looked at Darui, his eyes once again the Sharingan Darui was familiar with.

"Go now, rejoin your team, and treat your charges well. Raise them to be great ninja, and preserve our will of fire."

Darui nodded, though he didn't understand the part about a 'will of fire.' He stooped down, gathered up Hinata and Naruto in one arm and Sasuke in the other, and vanished.

Darui left just in the nick of time as four shinobi wearing ANBU gear with tantos on their backs and masks on their faces appeared. Their masks each bore the character "Ne" for root.

Shisui's eyes narrowed as he prepared for battle. A kunai appeared in his hand.

"Let's go Itachi," said Shisui, leaves appearing where he had just stood a moment ago.

-A river not far from Konoha-

An elderly man stood over Shisui as Shisui lay unmoving on the riverbank. Shisui was panting, his body refusing to move. He could feel pain everywhere, was seeing doubles of everything, and the world was growing darker every moment.

"You're the last person I'd expect to betray the village, Shisui-san. What you've done will devastate Konoha's future potential. I'm curious to your reasons, and the identity of your partner."

Shisui's mouth curled into a smirk, despite the immense pain.

"You've been extinguishing Konoha's will of fire since the newest flame started. I've done what was necessary to preserve that will, and turn it into a bright beacon. As for my partner, let's just say in a bit it will no longer matter; with what you're planning."

The old man closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Or a thunderous storm that will destroy Konoha. Shisui you are an enemy of this village now and as Konoha's protector I will end you. However, I will take your eye; you may find redemption as your techniques will continue to protect Konoha."

Further away Itachi stood over the bloodied bodies of the final Root agents. Say what you would about Danzō, he knew how to train strong shinobi. Unfortunately for them, they were facing Itachi Uchiha, genius of the Uchiha clan and master of the Sharingan, no one would report to Danzō tonight. Itachi turned and set off to find Shisui…

Itachi arrived to find Shisui lying on the bank of the river, unmoving, battered, and blood streaming from his closed right eye socket. Itachi rushed over to his friend's side and checked his pulse. As he did Shisui's left eye opened and he began coughing.

"It's…too late *cough* for me now Itachi. I've already…written this."

Shisui's arm slowly rose. Itachi moved to take the note out of Shisui's trembling hand. Shisui slowly nodded.

"Make it…convincing. Danzō took…my eye. Take my other. Protect….our will of fire. Thank you…Itachi."

With that Shisui's eye closed and his body slumped back. Itachi closed his eyes as rain started falling around him. It was unclear whether the drops on his cheek were rain or tears.

-Raikage's Office, Kumogakure, One week later-

The huge muscular form of the fourth Raikage stood behind a stone desk, curling an enormous weight in his hand. A cricket leaped onto his hand, causing him to pause for a moment before placing the cricket on his desk. 'A good omen? Hopefully so, Darui's taken too long to get back.' He resumed his workout as a male shinobi in the white flak jacket of Kumogakure appeared, kneeling before him.

"Darui has returned, Raikage-sama."

The Raikage continued curling the weight as he bellowed out.

"Very well, send him in!"

The door slowly opened as Darui stepped into the room. So far he gave the Raikage no need to fear, as he bore no sign of injury or even fatigue beyond that of travelling. He had the same laid-back expression on his face as always, but the Raikage could swear he was holding back a huge grin.

"Sorry for taking so long boss, but we picked up a little something extra on the way. It'll be dull, but let me tell you the whole story. You're not going to believe this."

Jutsu List

Kotoamatsukami (aka Inception): The ultimate genjutsu granted by Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan that allows him to manipulate targets by entering their minds and creating false experiences. It's considered genjutsu of the highest class as the subject is unaware that they're being manipulated.