Chapter 2: Planning

Naruto awoke the next morning with a bad feeling. His small apartment was lucky enough to only have broken windows so his floors near the windows were a little wet from the rain. He got out of bed, freshened up and got dressed in his usual orange jumpsuit. Deciding he wanted to speak to Tsunade about a few things he had breakfast and headed out. The village, his village, looked terrible. Buildings were ruined and only those near the hokage tower were still standing.

He didn't like the idea of an evacuation. The village worked hard to get where it was now. Were they just going to abandon everything they had worked for? Naruto knew Tsunade wouldn't do anything like this without a good reason to and that was nagging at the back of his mind. Was Danzou that dangerous or was it his ally who was dangerous? Everyone knew Danzou's goal was to become hokage so why would he just drop his goal like that? He really did hate not knowing anything.

His train of thoughts was stopped when someone greeted him. "Yo." It was Kakashi and he didn't look very happy either. "Morning, Kakashi-sensei."

"Going to Tsunade?"

"Yeah, maybe she knows a few things."

"I doubt it. She was just as confused yesterday. We can't even blame the akatsuki for this because they helped us yesterday."

"I guess so but where was Sai during everything? No one saw him at all."

Kakashi didn't answer but he was also wondering where the pale shinobi had been. He was part of Root so maybe he knew a few things. The two were walking through the streets now and a few people were trying to salvage personal items. Naruto's day was spoiled already just by looking at his village. Maybe things would get better but he highly doubted it.

….

Tsunade walked to her office with Shizune by her side. "Where is Sasuke?"

"Still in prison Tsunade-sama. The prison is in good condition and no one has escaped."

"Good. His condition?"

"His eyes are healing well but he still won't join Konoha again."

Tsunade sighed. Sasuke was being a pain in the ass as always. No matter how much anyone tried to talk him into joining Konoha again it would just be for nothing. She kept Sakura away from him though because when Sakura was near him she was a walking bomb just waiting to explode. She thought back to when she had this conversation with Shizune when Sasuke had been captured six months ago.

Flashback

"Sasuke has been captured? Where is he now?" Tsunade leaned forward from her desk in surprise at the news she had just heard.

"Yes, he is currently in prison with Kakashi and Naruto who are trying to change his mind about a few things. His followers have been put in different cells. Also we will be drugging his food to knock him out so we can perform the operation of severing his chakra paths to his eyes." Shizune replied.

"You really think he will fall for that?" Tsunade asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It's worth a try." Shizune said with a shrug.

Funny thing was he actually did fall for it. When Tsunade talked to Shizune again she had more news.

"His chakra paths to his eyes have been severed but he still has his vision although it is a bit blurry but it will heal in time. His hands also have chakra suppressing bracelets on."

"What about his lackeys?"

"The female gives orders to anyone and does not have much fighting ability but she is a sensory type. The one male's body can become liquid at will so we have also had chakra suppressing bracelets put on for him after he tried to escape once. The other male has a curse seal of Orochimaru and has a bit of a temper."

"Is he dangerous? If so have someone control the seal or get rid of it. Orochimaru has been dead for over a year now and we can't have his experiments running around."

"Right. Also Sakura can't be near Sasuke as she tends to shout a lot and take her anger out on him."

"Oh good grief." Tsunade rolled her eyes at her student's rash behavior.

End Flashback

They still kept Sakura away from Sasuke for safety purposes but they couldn't leave him to rot in jail while they leave Konoha. That and their enemies might have plans for him so it wasn't safe to leave him just anywhere. Tsunade knew what she was going to do. She had slept on it or rather stayed awake all night thinking about it since sleep evaded her. She had already dispatched shinobi to fetch Shikamaru and Kakashi and they would be arriving soon.

But first she needed that intimidating leader of akatsuki here to help her. Arriving at her office she sat at her desk and looked to Shizune. "Go fetch the akatsuki leader." Shizune left immediately to find Pein.

….

Sakura woke up to the sound of snores and soft breathing. Looking around she saw she had fallen asleep on a chair in the hospital and someone had placed a jacket on her. Ino was already awake and checking up people that were also awake. It was sad really, all the innocent people who always had to be hurt because of ninja who are insane or getting there. Sakura thought back to when Suna had attacked and shuddered. The village had also been in a terrible state after that.

"I see you're awake. Freshen up and help me replace these people's bandages." Ino said. Sakura did just that and when she returned asked Ino a question.

"Have you been outside again?"

"Yeah, it's horrible. I checked it out this morning since I was too tired yesterday. You should see for yourself before you get to work again, Forehead."

This drew a smile out from Sakura and she replied "If it's as horrible as you say then I don't want to see, Pig, but I wonder what Tsunade-sama is going to do." Ino smiled.

"Probably want to punch something."

"That is, honestly, possible. Her temper is worse than mine."

The two laughed a little and continued with their jobs, Sakura headed towards Lee to make sure his leg was alright. Gai was snoozing in a chair close by and Lee was sitting upright against the wall. "Morning, Lee-san." She said with a smile.

"Morning, Sakura-san. Is my leg alright, can I leave soon?"

Sakura shook her head but said "You can leave if you want to walk in crutches but only tomorrow."

"Okay, did Tenten leave?" Lee asked looking around.

"Yes, she left last night after you fell asleep but she said she'll be back later."

Lee nodded and let Sakura do her business, flinching now and then, as she checked his leg and replaced the splint and bandages. She then said she'd be back to check on him later and went to another patient.

….

"This sucks balls. Kakuzu, I'm hungry." Hidan complained.

"Shut up and go get your own food, runt." Kakuzu replied with a grumble.

"Tch, stupid old fart." Hidan stood up accidently stepping on Kisame. The group had decided to sleep in one of the deserted houses that were still standing and since it was relatively small with only two beds Pein, obviously, and Konan got beds while the others slept on the floor.

"Ouch, dammit." Kisame said.

"Suck it up, fish-face. Seriously, why did the bitch get a fucking bed? My back hurts like hell."

"Because she is a female now stop complaining or we will stitch your lips closed again." Pein answered from the doorway. Hidan decided not to say anything since having your lips stitched together was not a pleasant experience and neither was messing with Pein. There was a knock at the door and Hidan stepped over the sleeping bodies that were still not wearing their cloaks and went to answer it.

"What the fuck do you want?" Shizune stood at the door with a raised eyebrow. Now she knew why they had stitched his lips yesterday. She had just followed their chakra that led to this house since they hadn't bothered to hide it.

"Uh, Tsunade wants to see Pein." Shizune replied.

"Hey, Pein-in-the-ass! The old hag wants to see ya." Hidan shouted and then looked at Tonton in Shizune's arms. "Can I eat that? I'm starving." First this guy is blatantly rude when answering the door, then he disses her teacher and now he wants to eat her cute pet? Shizune resisted the urge to punch Hidan and just ignored him. Pein knocked on Konan's door and she came out already dressed. Then the two left with Shizune.

"Tch, she could've just said no. Stupid bitch." Hidan muttered and went to the fridge.

…

Shikamaru woke up when his father shook him awake.

"Dad? It's too early, leave me alone." He said and pulled the blankets over his head.

"Tsunade is asking for you. You really should go before your mother comes to get you."

That woke Shikamaru up and his father almost laughed at his son's fear of his mother if it wasn't for the fact that they were both scared of her. They weren't scared of her, more of what she would do. His father left the room and Shikamaru got dressed had breakfast and left. The times when Tsunade called on him were becoming more frequent and it was troublesome.

He strolled down the streets at his own comfortable pace. Some people were trying to repair their homes while others salvaged what they could. Shikamaru genuinely felt sorry for them. He doubted any of the other clan's homes have been damaged in any way like the Hyuuga or Inuzuka. The Nara hadn't had any problems and their forest was perfectly fine so it was all very strange. Very strange indeed and he doubted he would know the answers anytime soon.

…

Tsunade had been talking with Kakashi and Naruto when Shikamaru had come in.

"Ah, you're here. Just bear with me, we are waiting on two more people." Tsunade said. Shikamaru inwardly sighed. He could've still been snoozing if it wasn't for his dad who knew him inside out. Tsunade continued to talk to Kakashi and Naruto.

"So we're really going to evacuate, Tsunade-baachan?"

"Yes, but only the villagers and it will only be for the time being, unless you want the village completely destroyed by Danzou?"

"No, but…"

"Don't worry. If Danzou sees that there are no villagers or shinobi in the village maybe he won't destroy it."

"Wait, what did you mean only villagers will be evacuating, Tsunade-sama?" Kakashi questioned.

"Exactly what I said but don't worry, I have a plan." Tsunade said with a smile that made Kakashi's skin crawl. Then she said "That is one of the reasons I called Shikamaru here as he will be of much use."

"Me? Why didn't you just call my father?" Shikamaru asked.

"You have more knowledge on the ninja of your generation than your father." Before Shikamaru could reply Pein walked in with Konan and Shizune.

"Ah, good. We can begin now. Naruto, Shizune, sorry but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. You will argue too much about a few things." Tsunade said. Shizune frowned but said nothing and left. Naruto would've argued but Tsunade gave him a warning glare and he shut his mouth and scowled at a grinning Kakashi before leaving.

"Right then, shall we start?" Tsunade stated before taking out a few pages scribbled with notes.

….

Hinata walked out of the Hyuuga compound to see her older cousin walking out the entrance and called for him. When hearing her voice he stopped at the gate and waited for her as she ran to him. They greeted and then Hinata asked "Where are you going, Neji-niisan?"

"The hospital. I heard Lee was there so I'm going to visit him. Maybe Gai-sensei and Tenten will be there as well." He replied with a shrug.

"I see… then I'll come with you." Neji nodded and there was a momentary silence before Neji asked "Isn't it strange that the compound wasn't harmed in anyway?"

"Yes, it is rather strange. But our home is on the outer edge of the village… but then again so are all of the other clans. We should probably ask Shino-kun or Kiba-kun about it."

"Yeah, we can find them when we finish our visit." Hinata smiled and the two walked the rest of the journey in silence.

….

"Okay, so everything is concluded? Right then." Tsunade stated and began putting her notes away.

"So the only problem we have is food, right?" Kakashi said, "Food and … Sasuke."

"Yes, but I already know what to do with Sasuke. It's just the food."

"I doubt any of the shinobi would like to carry food during any of this…" Pein stated. That had Shikamaru thinking for a moment.

"That's it! No one would like to carry food but what if something held it for them? Tsunade-sama we should probably call Tenten." Shikamaru said.

"Tenten? Oh I see what you're getting at. Why don't you go get her? And hurry please." Tsunade said.

"That is not necessary. Konan can find this Tenten in a few minutes." Pein said. Pein nodded at Konan who disintegrated into thousands of sheets of paper who then neatly folded themselves into butterflies. These butterflies promptly left through the window to find Tenten.

….

Lee was chatting with Sakura, Ino and Tenten about back in the days when they were all brats. Lee would remember the times Tenten threw a fit over the smallest of things and when he pushed himself over the limit over a simple failure. Sakura would remember when Ino and she had fallen apart over Sasuke and the fierce rivalry between them. Ino would remember all the times she tried to get Chouji to stop eating as much and would end up accidently insulting him. Tenten would remember the huge ego Neji had that had been hurt by Naruto.

The four laughed about it and Tenten said "Hey look, a butterfly." She pointed at the butterfly that was flying above their heads.

"But why is it inside a hospital?" Sakura asked with a frown. Tenten was about to touch it when it flew out of her reach. Suddenly there were thousands of butterflies coming through the entrance and it was then that the group realized that it was paper butterflies when it starting unfolding and sticking together to form the shape of a head, then a body, then feet. A woman.

"You are Tenten, correct?" The woman asked the shocked girl.

"Y-yes…?" Tenten replied.

"Okay, you are to come to the hokage's office immediately as she has a request for you. Get there as fast as you can." With that the woman once again dissolved into butterflies that exited out the entrance with a surprised Tenten following behind.

….

Tsunade continued going over her plan with Pein, Kakashi and Shikamaru, trying to find any flaws that might cause difficulties. The only flaw that they could come up with was team work. Tsunade insisted a good yelling would make the plan work but the three men were not convinced. Tsunade was frustrated and she really wanted to punch something but she couldn't get out at the moment.

"So what are this Tenten's abilities?" Pein asked.

"She uses a type of teleportation jutsu. Instead of summoning animals she summons weapons. She can seal them away as well." Shikamaru said.

"Ah, I see what you're getting at." Pein said. They sat in silence for a few minutes, waiting on Konan and Tenten and when the two did arrive Konan came through the window while Tenten came through the door.

"Ah, Tenten you're here. I'm going to get straight to the point. You use teleportation jutsu, correct? Will it work with food if you sealed it away as well?"

"Um, I don't know, Tsunade-sama. But I could try it." Tenten said with a shrug.

"Good, get to it right away." Tsunade said. There was a bird's cry by the window and when Tsunade looked it was the familiar bird used by Sai. She immediately took out a scroll and the ink birds flew into the scroll and becoming words.

Tsunade-sama

I have interesting news though it would be best if I told you in person as it is quite dangerous to say over messages. I will just say that I was not part of anything that was planned by Danzou. I will be returning in a few hours.

Sai

…

A/N: lol it was fun to write the part with Hidan. Hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did ^.^. and to the reviewer who said plot was too fast, I slowed it down a little. Hope it was good enough.