Chapter 102-Conflicted

Naruto looked in the room where his latest experiment was being bolted to the floor in the next room. Only Yithian glass was between him and the machine. The machine looked like a camera, with metal blades at the front and many green glowing diodes. The clones set up a large log as a target. As soon as they left the room Naruto put on his goggles. Herbert smiled behind his mask as Konohamaru pressed buttons on the console. The diodes on the device began to glow and Konohamaru pointed to a small button on the console.

"The honor is yours", said Konohamaru.

Naruto nodded as his hand moved to press the button. The lights glowed brighter and the machine made a whirling sound before it started to pour out black smoke and caught fire. Clones walked in and put the fire out.

"Plasma Cannon prototype is a failure", said Konohamaru.

Herbert visibly deflated.

"Come on, this thing is a Yithian creation, you said yo know this technology. Can't you get it working", asked Herbert.

"Most of the components needed cannot be found on this planet. I had to improvise. And the technology on this planet fluctuates wildly making it difficult to find suitable substitutes", said Konohamaru as he deactivated the device.

"Well we'll get it eventually. We always do, just keep working on it Konohamaru", said Naruto.

Konohamaru nodded. Herbert stretched his arms as he watched Konohamaru leave. Naruto looked to Herbert.

"What is the status on the tree", asked Naruto.

Herbert's posture shifted slightly, in such a way that he seemed pleased with himself.

"Introduction of Zetsu's cells have cause a few more mutations, namely the leaves have mutated to function and appear just like the leaves of a Venus Fly trap, coincidentally, there are no more insects in the cave due to the tree feeding on them, this allows the tree to gain extra energy seeing as it is incapable of getting sunlight" said Herbert.

Naruto nodded.

"Anything else, what of the pods", asked Naruto.

"The roots have dug deep, at the moment our calculations say that there are more than five hundred thousand pods on the tree. Embryo have appeared within the pods, but at this time we cannot figure out how long until the gestation is complete. Nor what is going to come out of the pods. The fluid that feeds the embryo also acts as a form of preservation to slow the process my guess is it makes the embryo develop safely, so while we may not have an army any time soon, fewer embryo will die if the process was more rushed", said Herbert.

Naruto nodded. Herbert motioned for Naruto to follow him. After several moments they arrived in Herberts lab, where a misshapen fetus was preserved in a glass vat containing a mixture of chemicals allowing Herbert to examine it. Herbert looked at the fetus before turning to Naruto.

"I took the liberty of extracting one of the embryo, D.N.A sequencing shows traits of both Uchiha and Senju, I am not sure if they will have the Sharringan at this point, but if not we may be able to remove the sharringan grown on the tree and implant them, assuming whatever comes out has eyes. There are a few signs of Danzo's D.N.A but what is interesting is a multitude of different plant cells present in the embryo. We have detected Venus Fly Trap and Oak is most present, but the embryo has a secondary system of veins that functions similar to vines. While in the pod these veins emerge from the skin to absorb nutrients from the main tree. I believe these vines will develop into prehensile retractable tendrils. Tests show the vines are developing a defense mechanism similar to poison ivy. I got the rash to prove it to. It's not deadly, but it itches like hell. Finally, the thing has thorns, tipped with a numbing agent that in sufficient doses causes paralysis", said Herbert.

"Impressive specimen", said Naruto.

"And it's still developing, however it is showing signs of improperly developed chakra coils, similar to Rock Lee. I don't think what ever comes out will be able to mold chakra, they might be able to use it, but they may not be able to mold it and will be limited in their abilities", said Herbert.

Naruto nodded.

"Regardless, we have the ability to grow a replaceable army. Now all we have to do is find the Tree Obito used to create Zetsu and destroy it, best not have any competition", said Naruto.

Herbert shrugged.

"I'll leave that to you. I have to begin developing a way to reliably control whatever comes out of those pods, thanks t their slow development I have plenty of time", said Herbert.

Naruto watched as Herbert began working at studying the fetus. Naruto took one last look at it before he walked out of the building. It had been a few days since Itachi had his eyes removed, and at the moment he was still catatonic. Sasuke had yet to find out, but only because Naruto had not ran into the boy. No doubt he was of training.

Naruto flashed into his office where he dropped the transformation hiding his more demonic features. He looked at his shadow as three tails swung chaotically. He tapped his blackened claws on the wood in a rhythm of four beats. Naruto closed his eyes to sigh. He ran his tongue over his fangs to test their sharpness. All in all the alterations to his body from demonic chakra were complete for the most part, though his shadow would most likely gain more tails. Naruto closed his eyes.

Waking within the seal Naruto walked through the library until he arrived at the arena beneath. There the fox lay sleeping. It was missing three tails. Kurama opened a single eye to look at Naruto.

"Why are you here", asked Kurama.

"I came to see how you were doing", said Naruto.

"I have been better, and I have been worse. Though I expect that will not always be the case as my tails disappear", said Kurama.

Naruto nodded.

"Have you learned where the two other paths in the seal leads", asked Kurama.

"Not yet, and until I know what conditions there are for the two paths to open I am hesitant of speeding the process", said Naruto.

"Why tell me things yu have already told me", asked Kurama.

"No reason, just updating you on the progress", said Naruto.

"You mean lack of progress",said Kurama.

"We are on the right path, just be patient", said Naruto.

"I'll be patient when I live no more", said Kurama.

"As you wish", said Naruto.

Naruto sat down before the cage looking at the massive fox.

"Something you wish to discuss", asked Kurama.

"Maybe, I don't know. We have the great cult, Akatsuki, and now we have some group stealing corpses, and another abducting whole villages. It seems every time I get close to stopping an enemy, a new one shows up, frankly I don't know which is the greatest threat at this point, and am having trouble trying to think where to start. My resources are spread thin at the moment and I don't have enough intel", said Naruto.

"Alas, that is life. You of all people should know that it never was going to be easy saving the world. There are plenty who don't want it saved, and more who want it for themselves. It is simply the way things are", said Kurama.

"I know, but micromanaging every available resource is getting difficult, strategy was never my strong point. That's Shikmaru's thing, and I can't ask him to run an organization for me, even with clones there aren't enough hours in the day. Either way it won't last, once I figure out who these two mystery organizations are I will be able to plan accordingly, but waiting for my sources to get some intel is frustrating, and I don't like not knowing what to expect", said Naruto.

"Hope for the best, plan for the worse, as the humans say. You plan for the worse well if what you tell me is true, but your problem is without hope then it is all for nothing. Hope keeps you sane, keeps you focused. Without hope you have nothing worth fighting for, and considering what you fight, you need something worth fighting for if you plan to win", said Kurama.

Naruto smiled.

"Thanks Kurama", said Naruto.

Kurama nodded before returning to sleep.

Naruto opened his eyes to look at his office, he looked around him before something caught his eye. He was in his eldritch form. His eyebrow raised in confusion. He did not go into the mindscape in that form. Closing his eyes he shifted to normal. He thought nothing on what just happened, labeling it as a curiosity.

Walking out his office he watched the clones work around him. Diligent as always, Every single one knew what the stakes were, and every clone was a copy of him, allowing him to do multiple tasks simultaneously. Idly he imagined where he would be without the clones, but dismissed the thought. Best to focus on what really happened rather than think of what could happen, it would just be a waste of valuable time.

Naruto took a deep breath as he headed to the training grounds, he would have to get someone else first so that what was to happen next would not go to badly, but it was time Naruto talked to Sasuke.

Sasuke struck the post over and over again, each time slightly altering the punches to cause maximum damage with minimum effort. It was a style he was uncomfortable with, long used to a more warrior like approach, pure offense, with poor defense. Perhaps it was his state of mind that made more offensive moves easier to actually learn. But Sasuke wanted to be adaptable. After everything he seen since meeting Naruto he realized it was best to always be prepared. You just never knew what mind shattering monstrosity is going to pop around the corner to eat your sanity.

Sasuke sensed Naruto coming. He smirked as he decided to show off his progress, if only to see what the reaction on Naruto's face would be. This move was an idea Sasuke made himself, and he wanted to see someone react to it.

Sasuke created a Chidori in his right hand as a rasengan formed in his left. Carefully, he put both hands together as he concentrated adding the chidori's electric nature into the Rasengan. After a second the rasengan orb changed slightly, moving in a slightly more chaotic patteren. Sparks crackled off the orb and Sasuke pushed his hand forward and destroyed the post.

He breathed heavy as he tried to catch his breath, that move took a lot out of him.

Naruto raised an eyebrow as Sasuke pushed the chidori rasengan hybrid into the post, It was an interesting way to artificially add nature chakra to the move, though from what Naruto has seen the rasenan was mostly coated with lightning chakra rather than forcibly given the element. Still it was an impressive feat. But Naruto ignored it. He had something important to do first.

"Sasuke, we need to speak", said Naruto.

Sasuke looked on cautiously to Naruto before shrugging and following. Once Naruto felt ready he stoped before turning around.

"Sasuke, what I am about to tell you must be thought through clearly and I need you not to act rash", said Naruto.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at Naruto before giving a noncommittal gesture to continue.

"Itachi is here, unconscious, and missing his eyes", said Naruto.

Time seemed to stop as Sasuke's eyes widened ever so slowly. His pupils looked all around him as his brain flashed with old memories of an event best left forgotten. Naruto looked at him and Sasuke's first instinct was to sprint as fast as he could to the medical labs. But he fond his feet frozen in place. In fact, he found he couldn't move at all.

He looked down to see Naruto's shadow to connect to him, keeping him in place. For a moment he believed Naruto somehow learned to use Nara clan jutsu, until looking Behind Naruto to see Shikamaru standing a few yards away, using Naruto to extend his own shadow.

"Thank you Shikamaru", said Naruto.

Shikamaru shrugged, causing both Sasuke and Naruto to mirror the gesture.

"Sorry about this, but precautions must be taken I said I need you not to act rash, not ask you not to act rash", said Naruto.

Sasuke glared at Naruto, his face painted with contempt, a face Naruto had seen many times in his life from the villagers, and he was long immune to the glare.

"Let me go Naruto", demanded Sasuke.

"Not until you tell me what you plan on doing", said Naruto.

"I have a right to see him", said Sasuke with venom.

"Yes you do, but as your friend and teammate I have the right to know what you are planing to do when you see him", said Naruto.

Sasuke opened his mouth to respond only for it to snap shut a moment later. Sasuke turned his head away from Naruto.

"I don't know what I'll do", said Sasuuke.

"Exactly, right now I need you to think with your head, not your instincts", said Naruto.

Saske struggled to move but the Nara's shadow kept him in place. Eventually he gave up struggling. He glared at Naruto for several moments before closing his eyes and attempting to will himself calm.

"Fine, give me five minutes but after that I see Itachi", said Sasuke.

"You have my word", said Naruto.

Naruto nodded slightly to Shikamaru, strugling to do so with him being held with it as well. Shikamaru saw the gesture however and retracted his shadow. Naruto turned to Shikamaru.

"Thank you for the help Shikamaru", said Naruto.

"Don't worry about it", said Shikamaru lazily. After five minutes of Sasuke simply standing there looking to the ground Naruto motioned for Sasuke to follow as he brought him to his brother. Shikamaru followed in case Sasuke decided to do something rash.

Sasuke walked into the room to see the broken form of his older brother. The thought running through his head were much more vivid as the massacre played before his eyes once again. He shook his head to look closer at Itachi.

Sasuke stood still as a statue for over ten minutes looking at Itachi. His face blank, but his eyes betrayed dozens of emotions. After more time passed Naruto realized if Sasuke would kill Itachi, he would have done it by now. He pointed his head toward the door, and he and Shikamaru left Sasuke to be alone with his brother.

Sasuke sat next to his brother. He took in a deep breath.

"Hey Itachi, it's been a while", said Sasuke emotionlessly.

He received no response. Sasuke looked at the bandaged from of his brother before his emotions began to flow out. It was illogical, and stupid, but Sasuke felt he deserved for Itachi to answer him. He closed his eyes and took in a slow deep breath, it calmed him a bit.

"I hate what you did, I wanted to kill you, I still kind of do. I don't know if I hate you, but I know I don't like you. I don't know if I ever can again. Five years of nightmares almost every night, five years of waking up alone, five years of silence and now that I finally have you right in front of me, at my mercy. I don't know what to do", said Sasuke.

Sasuke stayed silent as he watched his brothers chest rise and fall slowly. He looked at his brothers unprotected neck ad his hand twitched for his kunai bag. As soon as that happened he laced his fingers, twitching his thumbs.

"I could do it right now. Make sure you never wake up. Some part of me wants to end you, but now I know the truth. I can't kill, or maybe I can. I really don't know at this point", said Sasuke.

He rubbed his eyes behind his glasses, tears flowed down his face.

"When you wake up, we have to talk. I want to hear it from your own mouth. Not some file, not from Naruto, or anyone else who knew about everything that happened that night, I want to hear it from you. So wake up", said Sasuke.

For the next few hours Sasuke sat next to his older brother. Until he fell asleep in that very chair.