Chapter 41

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Minato couldn't believe what he just heard. Naruto escaped?! And all he thought to do was leave a message?! He was staring wide-eyed at the guard who was standing in the doorway as he tried to process all of the thoughts that were swirling in his mind. Suddenly a question entered his mind that he had to ask. "Is he still in the village?" He was trying to keep his voice as level as possible so he didn't hint at how worried he was.

"No, Lord Hokage. Reports say that he was seen leaving the village right after escaping, and he was too fast and too strong for anyone to stop him. Please forgive us." The guard swiftly bowed to Minato as he continued to plead for forgiveness.

Minato waved off all of the apologies quickly. "You aren't at fault, I don't blame anyone."

"Th-thank you, Lord Hokage! I assure you we will be more prepared in the future."

"I'm sure you will be." Minato quickly dismissed the guard. He had too many things to think about and once again it was just him and Inoichi left in his office.

"Minato." Inoichi began speaking as soon as the two of them were alone again. "I think Naruto's message to you was about him leaving. I don't think we need to worry. He said he would be back."

Minato sighed loudly as he collapsed back into his chair and rested his head in his hands. "I know that. It's just that...I have a feeling I know where he is going. I just hope he will actually be okay."

"Where do you think he is going to go, Minato?" Inoichi was intrigued at this point.

"I'm almost positive that he is going to go back and fight Madara alone."

Inoichi just laughed slightly at Minato and the worry in his voice. "I know you're worried about him, Minato." He carefully placed a hand on Minato's shoulder as he continued to speak. "But that boy is stronger than we can even comprehend. He will be fine but, if you follow him, he will be worrying about you and won't be able to fight using his full strength. He will be back, I believe in that."

There was a tense silence as Minato thought over Inoichi's words. When Inoichi was about to walk out of the room, Minato finally spoke up. "You're right, Inoichi. And I know that Naruto is strong. For now, we need to put our efforts into finding out what Danzo is up to, and just hope that Naruto gets back soon."

"I'll help however I can." After that Inoichi walked out of the room and closed the door, leaving Minato alone to think over everything that has happened in the last few days.

* * * * * *

Naruto had been running for a while before he finally stopped. He knew that he was quite a ways away from the Leaf Village now, and he took a breath of relief before finding a shady tree to sit under.

"Well that was easier than I thought it was going to be. Though I still think you were holding back a little, Kit." Kurama suddenly spoke in Naruto's mind, laughing a little at their impromptu escape from the prison.

"HAHA! Well I wasn't trying to hurt any of them." Naruto was trying hard not to laugh at Kurama's comment. Though the more he thought back to how everyone had panicked and the look on all of their faces, the less he was able to hold it in. In almost no time at all both him and Kurama were laughing hysterically, unable to stop.

When the laughter had finally died down, Kurama spoke up again, surprising Naruto with the seriousness in his voice. "Kit, why did you decide not to bring anyone with you to help?"

"For one, I am NOT going to put anyone else in danger if I can help it. For two, if I had anyone else with me, I would be too worried about them getting hurt that I would be distracted and I also wouldn't be able to go full out. It'll be better for me to go alone."

"Alright Kit, I get it. Though I do suggest we make sure that we are both at full strength before we attempt anything."

"Yeah! I know that! Geez, you stupid fox." Naruto crossed his arms as he glared at Kurama.

"Hey! I was trying to help, brat!"

"Ugh!" Naruto dropped his head into his hands. I'm getting a headache. "Let's just find somewhere to camp for the night. I'd prefer not to be found."

Naruto stood up and continued to walk further into the forest, and farther from the road until he finally found a good spot to camp. It was a small clearing that was hidden completely by the large trees surrounding it. This will be perfect for the night. Naruto was thinking this as he started to put up seals around the area as an extra precaution of safety. He didn't want to be taken off guard by anyone in the middle of the night.

Naruto spent the rest of the day meditating, before he gathered some food to eat for dinner. "Man, I miss Ramen." He couldn't help but pout a little at the fruit he had gathered. "Oh well. That's what I get for running off before packing anything."

With nothing left to do, and the sun disappearing, Naruto decided it was best if he went to sleep for the night.

* * * * * *

Minato had just arrived home after a very long day. He was stressed about Naruto leaving, but he knew that Inoichi was right, and he had to let Naruto do his thing, but that was only stressing him out more. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't even realize he was standing at the door to his home until he heard a familiar sweet voice speak to him.

"What are you doing just standing out here, Minato?" Kushina was staring at him from the now open doorway like he was crazy.

"Oh, I'm sorry Kushina. I must be more tired than I thought. It was a long day."

"Minato, we've known each other since we were kids. I know when you're lying to me. So what's wrong?"

Minato sighed when he realized he had been caught, but he also knew that if he didn't tell the truth that he would have to deal with an angry Kushina and he shuddered just thinking about that. "Alright, I'll tell you."

He proceeded to tell Kushina how he suspects Danzo of planning something to take down the Leaf, and how he erased parts of Naruto's memory. He also explained how Naruto broke out of prison and left the village. He also didn't skip the part where he was worried and stressed over everything and he didn't know what he should do about it all. By the time he was done it was now late at night and he was extremely tired.

"Wow Minato, that's a lot to deal with all at once." Kushina knew she didn't have any answers for her husband. All she knew was that she wanted to comfort him and take his mind off of things for a while. "How about we go lay down?" Kushina held her hand out for Minato to take and as soon as he did, she led him to bed.

The next morning Minato was once again sitting at his desk in his office when the door opened. When he looked to see who it was, he was delighted to see who it was. "It's good to see you, Shikaku. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I have reports that show that Shinobi from the Mist have been getting close to our borders. We aren't sure why, and that brings up many questions. We need to have a strategy in case they decide to try and invade us."

Minato nodded in agreement to needing a plan. He would not allow the people in the village to be put in any more danger. "Alright. I'll leave the finer planning to your sharp mind Shikaku, but I want them to be under close watch. If anything worth questioning happens, I want teams of Jonin ready to subdue them and make them go back home."

"Anything else, Lord Fourth Hokage?"

Minato thought for a moment before he had an idea. "Yes actually. I want you to take Rin, Obito and Kakashi with you. Kakashi doesn't have any missions right now, and Obito and Rin need something to do as well."

"I will start on that right away. I'll report back with any news." Shikaku didn't waste any time before he turned and left, leaving Minato to ponder on everything that was happening.

Just what is going on right now? The war is finally over, yet it feels like the opposite. And now I have to worry about Danzo. Without any more hesitation Minato started pulling all the files he could on Danzo. He was determined to find anything he could on the man so that he could try to find any hint on what he was after and what his 'plan' was.

* * * * * *

"Naruto, are you even sure that we are going the right way? You've been walking forever!"

"Hey shut up Kurama! I'm sure that this is the way!"

"No offense Kit, but you've never been good with directions."

"I'm good with directions!"

"Not really...And now things are different from what you're used to. Just admit it, you're lost."

"I AM NOT!"

"Yes you are you brat! Stop being so unbearably stubborn!"

"I'm not being stubborn! I just know that I am not lost! You're the one being annoying!"

"Sometimes I wish that I could eat you."

"No you don't! You like me!"

"I wish I didn't..."

"Kura! Don't say that! We are friends, comrades!

"Then admit you're lost!"

"W-wha?! Ugh..."

"I didn't hear you."

"..."

"Naruto."

"Fine... I'm lost. Are you happy now?!"

"Very. Now find the next town so we can figure out where we are, get a map, and find out how to get to Madara."

"Fine."

Naruto and Kurama had been arguing back and forth the entire day. Mostly because they had nothing better to do and they were both extremely bored. Though neither one would admit that they like the company of the other.

It had been a week since they started their journey, and they still had not found a village. Naruto was getting frustrated and was about to start up yet another argument with Kurama when he finally spotted buildings in the distance. "Oh my Kami, finally!"

Naruto ran as fast as he could to the village, excited to finally be able to eat real food and actually sleep.

"Don't forget why we are actually here, Naruto." Kurama started arguing with Naruto again, earning a harsh look from Naruto.

"I'm not stupid, Kurama! But we have been walking forever. We'll rest here tonight, and make our way to Madara in the morning. Geez, relax now would you."

Naruto didn't waste any time in finding a place to eat and eating until he felt like he was going to burst. When he was fully satisfied and had found a map of where they currently were, he decided to get a room for the night so that he could be fully rested for the fight he knew would be coming.

Naruto woke up as the sun started to shine through the small window. It was barely sunrise but he knew that he needed to get up. They were currently in between the great nations, and surprisingly they weren't actually that far from the Mountain's Graveyard. "Hey! At least we were going in the right direction!" Naruto exclaimed happily as they started their trek once again to the desolate area. "We should be there today if we hurry!"

"Good. I'm ready to kill Madara. I hate him more than anyone else." Kurama had let out a low growl as he mentioned the evil man.

"I know you do, Kura. Don't worry, after we're done with him he won't be able to hurt anyone ever again."

After their short conversation the two of them were quiet as they navigated their way through the mountains, making sure they weren't setting off any traps that could have been set. When they finally reached the area where the entrance had once been, they were met with the collapsed tunnel and no way in. "Well I guess we'll just have to blast our way in." Naruto smirked as he held his right hand out to his side. "Lava-style; Rasenshuriken!" As his jutsu made contact with the rock there was a massive explosion as all the rocks seemed to clear with ease.

Naruto could hear Kurama laughing slightly as he continued to make his way towards where the tunnel was that led to the underground area he had been kept before, continuing to clear a path if it was needed. As he reached the seemingly endless passageway, he descended without any hesitation. No matter what, he was going to put a stop to this today.

When he finally reached the bottom he wasn't surprised by how dark it was, and he decided to follow the trace of chakra that he could detect. It wasn't long before he heard the familiar dark voice of the man that he hated most in the world.

"Welcome back, Naruto Uzumaki. I sure have missed your company."

Naruto glared back trying to contain his anger; only letting one word slip out of his mouth that was laced with malice.

"Madara."


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