Naruto : Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

"Naruto… I haven't seen you for so long…" Sakura sighed.

"Sakura… yeah… it's been so long."

"You okay?"

"I am fine, Sakura…" He looked at Sakura. The girl he had liked. They went through so much together. Those missions, training with Kakashi, Hell Camp, and the war… 

But his feelings for her were dull at the moment. He had thought it over.

I want to save Tsuyu… 

In his mind, Tsuyu will continue to commit slaughter, for 'peace'.

He wasn't stupid to not know the masked man was the one who freed 9 tails and killed his parents. 

But, everyone wanted peace in their own way, even if their methods were questionable, but each of them wanted what's best. Naruto too wanted to have them in his own way. 

That he believed in people making their own choice, that they are capable of choosing to forgive, understand, for peace.

Tobi doesn't mind that Naruto wanted to find his own path. He believed Naruto wouldn't find it. Only Infinite Tsukiyomi would bring eternal peace.

Tsuyu's method, which was just Nagato's method, would only bring temporary peace. He recalled the massacre Tsuyu committed.

If that was what peace was, I don't want it… Tsuyu…

"Sakura… let's have a get together… with everyone… we can eat barbecue… or… I don't know, come over to my house?" Naruto looked wearily at Sakura. 

It will be goodbye…

"Naruto! Sure!" Sakura smiled.

In a few days, they gathered in Naruto's home, together with everyone. Ino, Hinata, Kiba, Lee, Neji, Shinno, Choji, Shikamaru, Tenten, and finally Sasuke and Sakura.

Tsuyu came over for a while with Flying Raijin, seeing everyone playing games together. To appear normal, she used a transformation technique on herself, looking normal like usual. But a part of her wished she could be accepted on her decisions and what she was. If she transformed, it was admitting to herself people couldn't accept her. And it was sad for her. However, the peace was won by her, and she didn't regret it.

She removed the blindfold. Her eyes were blue, like it used to be.

"Tsuyu! Come join us!" Kiba was the one who invited her. Everyone noticed her presence, but it's as if no one felt comfortable enough to call out to her, but they still gave smiles.

"Sure… just for a while."

Tsuyu went to sit down with them. Her perception lets her see even the smallest change of expression, the increased heart rate, the stiffened muscles.

She had never experienced such a thing, really. Even in her previous life, even if she was cold and cruel, there was a sense of normalcy and closeness with her subordinates whenever they got together like this. 

But she learned one thing. It was because she was a walking calamity that was capable of killing anything. She was a walking nuclear - that had once launched them.

At times she felt distanced even from her own humanity. 

Only Kiba, Naruto, Sasuke, Ino, Tenten and Hinata didn't have much change in their body. Oh well, Kiba was too excited whenever she's around.

She looked at Kiba who was obviously staring at her and now pretending to play with Akamaru as if he didn't just get caught staring.

… Maybe. It was funny how Kiba acting like that made her feel human still.

She took some cards, playing with them. They laughed and chatted, even with her. But there was a sense of strangeness. Maybe because at the back of their mind, she was someone who could kill the sannin in public, someone who could turn people into a living weapon, and someone who could massacre a hundred thousand without blinking an eye.

But everyone acknowledged that Tsuyu was Konoha's hero. Without her, Konoha would really have been gone. So despite the moral complexity, they still were her friends.

The whole Hyuga clan knew there was a Byakugan in her eye socket. It was Hinata's cousin that died in the war. In fact Kumo (as expected) had stolen it, but Danzo retrieved it back.

He announced his intention to use it as a gift for Tsuyu. No one denied it. Simply because they fear her. Secondly, was that they had higher status and riches coming from the current situation. Overall there was no downside to giving it to Tsuyu. If given back to the Hyuga clan, they would simply keep it for future use. Which so far… never happened. 

Even if a main lineage had their eyes gauged out, they would be dead when that happened. So where would the extra eyes be used? They had a few pairs of spares from previous generations, taken out before they died of old age or other injuries. Overall, Hiashi believes it's better left with Tsuyu since it would just rot in the clan. The threat of Akatsuki that had 1 tail to 7 tails also let the elders agree, agreeing Tsuyu having more strength was better for everyone.

It was public knowledge that all tailed beasts except 8 tails and 9 tails were captured by Akatsuki. The knowledge itself made no one ever complain to Tsuyu, because for them, Tsuyu was the only thing keeping Konoha safe.

You have to realise each tailed beast previously was a nuclear deterrent. Now the opponent had 7 tailed beasts. Konoha had two. Normal civilians would count and thought Konoha only had an equal if not lower chance to fight Akatsuki.

Overall, most people in Konoha felt that Tsuyu wasn't invincible. She was the sole existence keeping Konoha safe from Akatsuki's threat. Only those who had witnessed her power using KCM mode would know she was far stronger than each of the tailed beasts.

"Hey. Haha… I won. Lucky." Naruto chuckled a little.

Even his smile and laughter seemed like it hides sadness behind them.

She missed the -dattebayo!- thing he said before. How long has it been since she last heard it?

"I have a lot of work to do. It's fun to hang out with you guys." Tsuyu stood up after spending half an hour with them.

"Wait… Tsuyu." Hinata stood up and stopped her from leaving.

"Um… don't overwork yourself alright?" Hinata said gently. 

"Don't worry, Hinata." Tsuyu smiled softly.

With Hashirama cells in her arms, she felt her body was changing more since the transplantation. So she won't get tired. Even the Sharingan in her eye didn't consume anything at all even if it was open all the time. She had Kurama, Gyuki, Reibi, and Nue. While Hashirama cells that were Yang, were balanced by the Sharingans that were Yin. Her Yin-inclined body from the baptism of Yin Kurama chakra her entire life made her compatible with Sharingan, and able to hold Hashirama cells way better than Danzo ever could as they counteract extreme Yang lifeforce.

Kiba wanted to talk to her more, but it was embarrassing and he's afraid others would think he was too desperate. Well, everyone knew really…

Naruto hung out with Kiba for a while in his room.

"Hey!" Kiba climbed and hugged Naruto just to tease him. Naruto had been gloomy all the time and he wasn't smiling like he used to.

"Hey! What are you doing…" Naruto blushed slightly.

"Haha. Your little sister said to give you more hugs."

"Tch…don't… get too close…" Naruto blushed, trying to shift his legs slightly.

"Hm…hey hey… what's this? Hehe…"

"Wait… I-"

"Oh wow! Hahaha!"

***

Naruto got out of his room after minutes. His face flushed. Kiba too. Who knew what happened. Naruto looked at Kiba strangely.

"Later, Kiba…"

"Hm… um. Yeah. later… um… we cool…?" Kiba rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah… cool." Naruto rubbed the back of his neck as well. 

Naruto looked at Kiba's departing back, holding his chest. It's warm here. He would miss his friends… 

Tsuyu returned home late. With transformation jutsu, everyone on the street treated her as normal, and even people looked at her with admiration.

"I am home…"

"Tsuyu… want to get ramen?"

"... Sure." Tsuyu smiled. It felt normal.

The two went to Ichiraku. Naruto blew the steam off, before slurping with relish. He ate 4 whole bowls this time. And he looked, as usual as he could be. Tsuyu felt… happy.

"Teuchi-san. Your ramen is really the best!" Naruto smiled. 

"Haha. You are very welcome then."

Tsuyu looked at Naruto's expression, a soft smile grazed her lips.

He's finally looking better.

Naruto looked at Teuchi, then at the ramen, then at his little sister.

"Tsuyu…" Naruto called out.

"Hm? What is it, nii-san?"

"You will always be my little sister… no matter what." Naruto had thought everything through. What he's doing, what he's about to do.

"... Thank you, brother…" Tsuyu's eyes softened. Hearing that comforted her.

Naruto smiled, but there was a hint of vicissitude in his eyes.

Tsu-chan… I will find another way… I promise… you won't have to be cruel anymore…

There was light in Naruto's eyes, as if he had reached a conclusion. That he was no longer empty or lifeless.

Naruto looked at Tsuyu, then her arm, then back her eyes. 

I will keep them in check… you won't have to worry, Tsu-chan. You don't need to become a monster to protect Konoha… or to protect me…

In the week after Obito invited him, Naruto had a leap in growth. He would join to keep Akatsuki in check, because he knew Tsuyu worried that they had all tailed beasts except the ones in her. And the Rinnegan user too. He arrived at a conclusion that she became a monster to protect them.

And he hated it. He wanted to find another way, so she won't have to be cruel anymore. He knew Tsuyu was kind somewhere. How she had treated him all this time… even if she killed ero-sennin… or those others… She loved him.

"Nii-san? Why are you crying…" Tsuyu patted Naruto's back. In fact, she felt relieved that Naruto even cried. That there were emotions left.

"Nothing… I just… Sorry, Tsu-chan… I keep troubling you." Naruto wiped the tears, smiling at her.

Tsuyu rolled her eyes.

"You always did, brat…"

"I will… stand on my own from now… don't worry for me okay?" Naruto said to Tsuyu, saying his goodbye and also declaring.

"Hm? Sure…?" Tsuyu wasn't sure what the sentence meant. But seeing Naruto's positive body language, the light in his eyes, she felt reassured.

The two returned home, going to their separate room.

***

Meanwhile Tobi was already in Sasuke's room.

"Sasuke Uchiha…"

Sasuke woke up the moment Tobi made its appearance, his sharingan instantly opened.

"Who are you…"

"Like you… I am a survivor of the Uchiha clan-" Before Tobi could make an introduction, suddenly Sasuke's Sharingan turned into a 3 pronged windmill pattern, blood bled from one of his eyes.

Amaterasu!

"Ah…!" Tobi was burned by black flames, he fell off the window…

…

Ah! Sasuke gasped as he closed his eyes. What… is this… my Amaterasu activated on its own?

But from the shadow, Tobi appeared as if unharmed.

"Itachi left such a thing for you… as expected of him…"

Sasuke gasped, his heart racing. But then his eyes softened.

So it's true… what Tsuyu said. He did it for Konoha… and for me… to think he still wanted to protect me then… How ridiculous and stupid of you, brother.

How could Tsuyu leave an unstable bomb like Sasuke uninformed after he had executed Itachi. She knew Sasuke must have had questions on why Jiraiya worked with Itachi. And only she could answer them.

A month after the war, Tsuyu had sat him down to talk about the matter. As a sibling of a brother, she spoke through Itachi's lens. The fact that he was unable to kill Sasuke, was proof that he had a sentiment left.

"Back then, the Uchiha clan was planning a coup. An Uchiha in a mask, claimed to be Madara Uchiha, instigated the rebellion most likely. He planned to control 9 tails, to launch the coup."

"No… how… how could that be…" Sasuke shed tears of despair.

"Your brother did what others couldn't… so that Konoha would remember the Uchiha clan as a victim, not as a rebel who could have destroyed Konoha. And he would want you to be its hero… that was why he tried to make you hate him, Sasuke. But in my opinion, Itachi felt guilty for what he did and thought being killed by you would atone for his sins. That's for you to judge."

"Nii-san…" Sasuke closed his eyes, both his hands covering his face as he shed tears after hearing the truth.

As he turned to look at Tsuyu, Tsuyu had a surprised expression.

Mangekyo…

Sasuke's tears stopped as he was left in deep thought. He had seen thousands of deaths, witnessed Tsuyu killed a hundred thousand for peace. 

And he understood the cost of peace more than anyone after witnessing Tsuyu's own methods. He could understand Itachi loved the village, maybe more than his own clan and family. But he also… loved me, that he left me alive…

Once he learned of the truth of the Uchiha Massacre, he felt heartbroken. But, knowing Itachi's intention and his will, and the war he went through, he decided to respect his wishes. Because he was his brother.

***

Coming back to the present, Sasuke observed the man in mask, the sharingan in his eye.

"You… You are the one who instigated my clan to rebel!"

"W-what? I-" Tobi was shocked. Who? What? How?

"I will kill you!" Sasuke's mangekyo flared. Lightning produced from his palm.

Chidori!

Oh no! He never expected his plan to be ruined!

"AHH!" Tobi screamed as Sasuke's chidori pierced him. 

Oh, well, he was just joking.

He looked down on Sasuke who had a confused expression on his face as his chidori passed through like air.

"Too bad… you are too foolish to not see how wrong the village was."

Tobi levitated down and disappeared into the earth.

"Don't you run away!" Sasuke tried to step on him but it just passed through.

"Damn it!" Sasuke's brain was running. He quickly went out to notify the person in the mask had come to Konoha.

***

Tobi quickly went to Naruto. He thought Sasuke was the easiest to convince! Who would have thought someone already told him! And made Itachi some sort of weird hero that even that kid got tricked!

As Naruto sat down on his bed, Tobi appeared and sat right on his bed. He act leisurely, trying to make Naruto not warry.

"So you are coming?"

"I will. But I want to find… my own way. I don't agree with yours." Naruto's eyes turned serious.

"Hmph. Fine. Come… we all share a common goal. For true peace." Tobi stretched his hand out to Naruto. 

Naruto took off the necklace, rubbing the crystal for a while. 

Goodbye… Tsu-chan… Konoha… you guys…

As Naruto placed the necklace on his desk, he took Obito's hand. Space swirled as Tobi took him away through Kamui.

Tsuyu opened her eyes, frowning. She felt uneasy. 

Byakugan!

"Huh…? Nii-san… where did you go?"

Her Byakugan explored a 10 kilometres area around Konoha, trying to his chakra signature. He saw a few ninjas were moving around, seemingly an intruder had come in.

She sat up, took the kunai with Flying Raijin seal and channeled her chakra. Multiple seals in different directions were felt in her senses, both close and far. In fact she couldn't exactly differentiate them unless it was in her own vision. But she could memorise how each location was marked with different markers so no matter how far, she knew the seal with a certain marker was placed on a certain coordinate.

The sun… that's the marker I gave him.

She searched for a few seconds, but she found it was nearby, and sensing the direction… that's Naruto's own room and Byakugan confirmed it as she locked onto the necklace still in Naruto's room.

Her pupils contracted, realising Naruto was gone without the necklace.

No…! Where did you go!?

Byakugan! She used more chakra, her Byakugan explored 20 kilometer radius in Konoha. 

Where are you…!

Tsuyu stood up, even in her pajamas. Collapse Release: Extreme Weight Drift.

She flew in the air and used her Byakugan to search for Naruto over and over again.

Where are you? Where are you? Naruto… come on. Don't do this…

She flew all over Konoha, her Byakugan constantly searching.

Her arms trembled. He bit her lips until it bled, though it healed in the next instant.

Her chakra leaked out throughout all of Konoha, waking up the most sensitive shinobi.

Danzo woke up in a cold sweat. Tsuyu? What's going on… 

Damn it… damn it… 

WHERE ARE YOU!?

Tsuyu was panicking, her Byakugan looking expanding, straining. 

After minutes of searching, her body stopped shaking. Her expression was numb.

…

She floated down to the ground. Danzo quickly went to her.

"Tsuyu, what's going on…"

"Naruto… he was gone…" Tsuyu's voice was weak. Almost a hint of despair. She thought he wouldn't be targeted… She thought she had made the Barrier Team update the barrier and strengthen it more. Fu*king useless barrier team! I will disband all of you!

Danzo and Tsunade widened their eyes in shock.

Danzo turned around and raised his hands.

"Barrier Team! Check surveillance and in and out of the village! All ANBU, ROOT, SORA, you are to search for Naruto Uzumaki! Issue a bounty order, only ALIVE, and any information regarding him!" Danzo felt his heart shaking for Tsuyu.

To think someone dared to touch her only reverse scale! Either you are a fool, or you are a lunatic! And what happened to the ANBU supposed to keep Naruto on watch?! What happened to the Barrier Team that they let the man in again!? SO USELESS!?

The whole of Konoha was woken up from their sleep. 

Sasuke gasped in shock after hearing his best friend was gone. He immediately knew who the kidnapper was. That man who claimed to be Madara! 

Damn you! I will kill you Madara! His sharingan glowed in red light, his mangekyo bled as he grieved for the closest person he had in this world.

The disappearance of Naruto Uzumaki, the brother of the Demon, son of Lord Fourth, shook the shinobi world.

Some thought it was done by her enemies, some thought he ran away unable to stay with the Demon.

But most of them share one same thought.

That they had touched the one thing that kept the Demon at bay.

Tsuyu returned to her home after hours of travelling throughout the Land of Fire, using her Byakugan as she flew to find him.

"Nii-san… where are you…" Tears rolled down her cheeks. It was the first time she had, since she was into this world…

***