Chapter 104 - Preparing for the Fungi

"Then we are in agreement, tomorrow we will go to the CDA and inspect if it for ourselves", said Mifune.

Naruto smiled, until he heard a static sound from his pocket.

"Excuse e, that is home base contacting me", said Naruto as he removed a small communicator from his pocket.

"This is Naruto, I am in the middle of a meeting, this better be important", said Naruto.

Naruto let go of the button and a deep unnatural voice could be heard.

"Forgive me my lord, It is Xel. We have discovered why entire village populations are disappearing, it is worse than we feared", said Xel.

Naruto raised an eyebrow as everyone leaned in closer to hear the voice on the radio.

"Who is it", asked Naruto.

"My lord, it is the Mi-go"

Naruto froze. Everyone looked at him in confusion as he began to take shallow but deep breaths as if he was afraid.

"What is a Mi-go", asked Mei.

Naruto didn't answer He quickly pressed the button and spoke fast.

"I want every available squad looking to the skies, I want any remains of the victims you can find examined, Pull all of our spies from there current task, ask for rumors of UFO's in the sky. I want to know if this is a single ship or an invasion fleet. Tell Konohamaru to work faster on production of Plasma cannons, begin production of anti aircraft weaponry, and outfit the shinigami for ship to ship combat, I want everything we know on my desk ASAP, we cannot waste a moment. I'll be there for more plans", said Naruto.

"Thy will be done my lord", said Xel.

Naruto got from his chair.

"I have to leave now, I'll be back tomorrow for the tour of my base, excuse me", said Naruto.

"Hold on boy, what is a Mi-go", asked Onoki.

"Something that I have to prepare for. I'll explain tomorrow, I can't waste any time. I'll be back", said Naruto.

Before anyone could say anything Naruto grabbed Herberts and Sasoris hand and disappeared in a flash.

"Was that the flying thunder god", asked Onoki who only stared at where Naruto once was.

Naruto wasted no time as he walked into the communications room. His clones working on overtime as they sen out the orders through the radio equipment. Naruto looked at the massive viewing screen at the back of the room where Xel and Konohamaru watches as it attempted to lock onto a chakra source to view.

"Status", said Naruto.

"The village was empty, burned bodies was all that remained. A few managed to be recovered, but they are burned beyond all recognition. Dr. Shinno and Amaru is examining them as we speak. Based on what we have seen there were at least five Mi-go in the area. No survivors. We are trying to lock to use the viewing screen to find the Mi-go but I doubt they have chakra to be seen, even so they are not made of ordinary matter, it was well known during the great war that the Mi-go were excellent spies due to the fact that whatever matter they are made of made them unable to register on photographic film, allowing them to bypass our security cameras without anyone knowing. It is why they were so successful during the war even though they lack psionic powers, no one knew they were coming to attack until it was to late. It is possible the screen may not be able to see them", said Konohamaru.

"My lord, if I may. The screen used chakra to lock onto a target. The Mi-go do not register on ordinary Photographic film, this is true, but the viewing screen is anything but ordinary. If anything the screen must be altered to view things other that chakra if we are to locate the Mi-go. Alow me access to the Necronomicon and I will find a way to improve the viewing screen", said Xel.

"Do it", said Naruto.

Xel bowed.

"Is this an invasion", asked Naruto.

"To few Mi-go for that. And at one village at a time it is doubtful. These methods are similar to the ones their scientists used to capture prisoners of war so they could study them for weakness. Seeing as the bodies were left behind they must be after something specific that can be taken with ease and burned the bodies so that no one could know what that was. We will know when Shinno contacts us. I believe this is a single ship of scientists, during the war the Mi-go research vessels had anywhere between thirty and fifty scientists", said Konohamaru.

"At least there is that, but we cannot take any chances. A ship of scientists may be more dangerous than a fleet of soldiers. I want the Shinigami prepped for battle by the end of the day. Once we locate the Mi-go ship we will be prepared for combat", said Naruto.

After saying that Xel returned with the Necronomicon.

"I will alter the Viewing screen the best that I can, I suggest you prepare our forces", said Xel.

Naruto nodded he turned to the clones.

"I want to expand our influence. As such we are going to take a few areas under our name. We still have some of Gato's deeds to land, his base in Wave will be the first area we take. communication equipment is to be moves there, it will also allow us to have another base of operations in the event this one becomes compromised. As of now Gato's old base is to be called the Nest. We will begin altering radar equipment to locate the Mi-go craft. I will also see what else Gato left behind and begin construction of bases all around the elemental nations once the Nest is online", said Naruto.

He watched as the clones began to relay the orders to the others. He looked back to the viewing screen before turning to Konohamaru.

"Can you build more of these screens for our other bases", asked Naruto.

"With proper help it can be done. I will need access to the Color, if I can alter the screen to view it, then I may have an idea on how to alter it to view the Mi-go, I will collaborate with Xel for the project, reluctantly", said Konohamaru.

"Duly noted, do what you can. But the plasma cannon takes top priority", said Naruto.

Konohamaru nodded before leaving the room.

Naruto flashed out of the room to appear in Herberts Lab where he and Dr. Shinno were looking at charred remains. Dr. Shinno has a shocked expression on his face.

"Anything from the remains", asked Naruto.

"In all my years of medicine, I have never seen anything like this. somehow, and I don't know how. These people had their chakra coils removed surgically. Whatever did this is a master surgeon, I was only barely able to see the scars. I have never seen such surgical precision", said Dr. Shinno.

"The Mi-go are stealing chakra coils, they want to use Jutsu", said Naruto.

"On the bright side, just looking at the remains has lead me to new discoveries in the field of surgery. I'll begin documenting my discoveries", said Dr. Shinno.

Naruto nodded before turning to Herbert.

"Herbert, do you still wish to become a cyborg", asked Naruto.

Herbert tilted his head before nodding.

"Yes. Why are you asking", asked Herbert.

"We need a better breed of soldier to combat the Mi-go, I plan on using Amachi's notes on genetic engineering to our advantage as well. So tell me how would you like to volunteer for cybernetic augmentation", said Naruto.

Herbert smiled.

Sakura's fingers twitched as the puppet Aegis moved around. It's long legs firmy locked to the ground as it's shield like body moved all around her. Aegis's movements were much more jerky since she was practicing using it with only one hand. Ivy was safely stored away.

Sakura twitched her thumb causing retractable spike to appear on the shield body, a new feature. Once done she lowered Aegis to the ground and inspected it. Then she heard the sound of wood hitting wood. She turned to see Sasori clapping, but the sounds made was more like the clacking of wood.

"Impressive my student. A defensive puppet capable of great mobility. It is a beautiful puppet. Tell me, what did you name it", asked Sasori.

"Aegis, I'm trying to learn to use it with one hand so I can use Ivy with the other", said Sakura.

Sasori nodded.

"A good tactic for the budding artist, I am impressed. Now for the reason I am here", said Sasori.

He reached to his back where he unsealed a small red scroll.

"This scroll will prove useful in your task. It was written by my grandmother, and given to me before I fled my village. It is information on how to use puppets with a single finger. Those who master it would be able to use up to ten puppets at once. It is not something I can teach, you must read the scroll and understand it yourself", said Sasori as he threw the scroll to Sakura.

"Once that is finished, I will show you my methods of controlling more advanced puppets", said Sasori.

"Yes Sasori-sensei", said Sakura as she sealed Aegis and opened the scroll.

Sasuke sat next to his unconscious brother, he had not left the spot since he came in. At the moment Sasuke was sleeping in the chair. As a light sleeper he instantly woke when Itachi began to stir.

Sasuke opened his eyes to see Itachi slowly get up. He shot up, causing Itachi to freeze.

"Who is there", asked Itachi.

"It's me", said Sasuke.

The smallest smile came on Itachi's face.

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

Sasuke took a deep breath before looking at his brother.

"I suppose you have some questions", asked Itachi.

"Only one, I want to know why you killed everyone", said Sasuke.

"I thought you knew of the attempted takeover", said Itachi.

Sasuke's hands balled into a fist but otherwise he remained calm.

"I know, that isn't what I asked. Why did you kill everyone, even those who had nothing to do with the takeover, why leave me alive", asked Sasuke.

Itachi remained silent for a moment before turning his head to Sasuke. Despite the bandages, and being blind, Sasuke could swear Itachi could see him.

"At first, the third only wanted to quell the rebellion by talking to the leaders, namely our father. Danzo however met me and gave me a choice, the lives of our clan or you. Danzo wanted the Uchiha to be sacrificed for the good of the village. The Uchiha are cursed. It is called the Curse of Hatred, the antithesis of the Will of Fire. The Uchiha become cursed when the sharingan is activated, the more powerful our eyes become the deeper we dwelve into darkness. It consumes us, victims of the curse will do anything to prove the Uchiha clan's superiority. Father was consumed by the curse, angry at the village for our isolation after the nine tailed fox attacked. He lost sight of what was important, the village as a whole. Instead he focused only on our clan. To focused on the clan and revenge for the isolation. Very few Uchiha are capable of transcending the curse. Danzo knew well of this curse, and to protect the village further ordered that the entire clan be destroyed so as not to risk it", said Itachi.

Itachi straightened himself in his bed as he thought some more on the past.

"However before the massacre I was approached by a masked man, who claimed to be Madara Uchiha. He was attempting to bring war to Konoha. Originally I was going to ignore Danzo and follow the Hokage's orders, but instead I made a deal with Madara. In return for not attacking the village I offered to help him gain vengeance against the Uchiha for turning there backs on him. He agreed, and in the end I had went through with Danzo's idea, leaving only you alive. After you witnessed the murder I knew you fell to the curse, but I also saw the potential to destroy Madara for the good of not only the village, but all villages. After doing what I did I wanted to die, but I still had work to do. When you became strong enough you would kill me, and take my eyes. I hoped that you would destroy Madara and save the world", said Itachi.

Sasuke sat looking at his brother, thinking on everything he heard. Itachi continued.

"Now, I learn that there are far worse things out there than Madara, or Obito as I have been informed. I no longer have my eyes, but I can still fight. I knew that the Mangekyo Sharingan would make me blind, and have trained myself to fight blind. Now however, you have a choice little brother. I am at your mercy. What will you choose", said Itachi.

Sasuke stood up looking down at his brother.

"Itachi", said Sasuke.

Itachi's head turned to Sasuke. Sasuke lifted his hand and punched his brother with all his might in his face. Itachi took it before turning back. Blood leaked from his nose and mouth.

"You deserved that", said Sasuke as he shook his hand to fade the pain away.

Itachi smiled.

"I suppose I did", said Itachi.

Sasuke flexed his hand for a moment before sitting back down.

"You should get some rest, I'll talk to Naruto on getting you some eyes. I'll be back later", said Sasuke.

Naruto stood over the table after finishing working On Herbert. He wiped his hand after finishing the procedure. He looked at the seal array on the outside of the mechanical parts. Placing his hand on the Chest he pumped in his chakra. The array lit up for a brief moment before fading and the mechanical parts changing into a more human looking body, void of any evidence of cybernetics. Herbert's mechanical eyes opened. Inspired by the same technology used in Deidara's telescopic eyepatch.

Herbert stood up from his bed to inspect his body. At first he looked exactly the same, confusing him. Until he channeled chakra into his limbs. The legs shifted as the hidden mechanical parts changed and moved to become silver digitigrade legs, similar to dogs only made of steel. He easily shifted them back to normal. He looked at his arms as they transformed into a large tube. The parts taken from Zaku modified to shoot pure chakra and a retractable blade in his forearm. His chest covered in body armor grafted to his skin.

"So, what do you think", asked Naruto.

"I think I love you", said Herbert as he put his mask and cloak back on.

Naruto nodded.

"The armor uses the fox within you as a power source, the seal array allows you to change your body between a human looking body and your cybernetic one. The only evidence of your cybernetic augmentation is your eyes, a perfect infiltrators who can become a battle ready soldier in moments. All technology used to make the cybernetic parts is courtesy of Sasori, made of powerful reinforced steel and some chakra metals. It took him a while to apply his knowledge of puppets to cybernetics, but he proved invaluable in its construction. The Digitigrade legs were his idea, allowing for swift acrobatic movements", said Naruto.

Herbert smiled.

"Lets go kill some aliens", said Herbert.

"Let s not be hasty West, remember who our enemy is. They have over sixty five million years more experience than us. They achieved space flight before the first humans came to be", said Naruto.

"So what do you want me to do", asked Herbert.

"As of right now equipment is being moved to Gato's old HQ in Wave hereby Known as The Nest, Radar equipment mostly. Clones will keep in contact while they search the skies for any evidence of Mi-go crafts. The Mi-go are abducting civilians in random villagers without ninja, there is no set pattern. I believe eventually Wave will be a target. You are to go to Nest and run it for the time being. Acting as the commander. If Wave is attacked you are to counter attack with a small army. We have reason to believe the Mi-go are only Scientists. I want all Mi-go you find dead. There bodies and any equipment they have is to be shipped back here for study. As of now you are in charge of Nest", said Naruto.

"What about my work here, I still have to research the Danzo tree", said Herbert.

"Keep a few shadow clones here. We will use seals to make them durable. But I want you there personally, your clones won't have the fox, and as such won't be able to use the cybernetic augmentations", said Naruto.

Herbert nodded.

"Sounds good to me, alright you want an alien corpse, you got an alien corpse. When do I start", asked Herbert.

"Prepare today, you are to be there before I have to bring the Kage here. Don't let me down Herbert, I am putting a lot of faith in you", said Naruto.

Herbert nodded.