Crisis on the Island of Shadows

Chapter 4: The Alliance comes Together.

A week had passed since Sarutobi and his Gennin had arrived. The Raikage, Kazekage, Tsuchikage, Hoshikage, Orrochimaru, and Salamander Honzo had finally made it to the temple and all the Gennin had been settled. Currently all of the leader sat in a small chamber with a large round stone table and a dozen stone seats around it.

Sarutobi sat at the largest of the stone chair signifying he was the lead speaker of the gathering. After everyone had been settled Sarutobi began to speak. "First of all I would like to thank you all for getting her so quickly... second of all... I wish to apologize for the inconveniences that this has caused."

"Nonsense," The Tsuchikage said. "A class Zero emergency is top priority. Now, would you care to explain the danger and why we have had to bring all our current Gennin forces."

"Yes," Orrochimaru said stroking his chin. "This is highly unlike you sensei, what could call for us to bring children into the situation?"

All eyes were on Sarutobi and he sighed. "It pains me to say... but these children... are our only hope of survival."

"What do you mean?" Subaku asked with a raised eyebrow.

Sarutobi was silent for a moment before he asked. "Who here knows the story of the Shodaimes and what they did as children?"

The Tsuchikage's eyes widened along with the Raikage's and Kazekage's. "You can not mean..." The Tsuchikage stated going rigged in his chair.

"What are you talking about? Don't leave us in the dark." Salamander Honzo said through his re-breather.

Sarutobi nodded and then began to tell the tale of the young Shinobi that were taken from there clans and sent to an unknown land. He explained all he knew about the incident that his mentors had told him. About the great evil they had faced and how they had sealed it away after battling it for three long years. About how he had received word of the damaged seal and that only a single security seal had been lifted before the demise of the Guardians. When Sarutobi was finished all sat still in their chairs with grim faces.

"This is bad..." Subaku whispered finally looking up at Sarutobi.

"Indeed. Now you know why I have asked you to bring these Gennin here. They are our only chance to stop it before it breaks free." Sarutobi said reaching into his robes and pulling out an aged scroll. "Sealed in this scroll is an ancient sea chart that was given to the Shodaime Hokage. It is the only one of its kind and we'll need to copy it. Also sealed inside is a crude map of the island, it was made by Uchiha Madara when he still possessed the Byakugan. Its the only knowledge we have of what the island looks like."

Mei nodded and held out her hand. "I'll have them copied as soon as possible." Sarutobi nodded and quickly opened the scroll before unsealing the two maps. He handed them to Mei and then he continued to speak.

"Now that the situation is known we must prepare. Specific duties will need to be given to certain Gennin in our forces. A Commanding officer for each since they will need to work together and not everyone will follow a single leader." The leaders gathered nodded. "We will also need Medic's, Scouts, Supply officers, runners for messengers and anymore that you can think of. We need to get our forces organized as soon as possible."

The leaders nodded in agreement. "Now," Sarutobi asked. "How many Gennin Teams do we have in total?"

The Raikage then relied. "We have a total of fifty eight Gennin squads for a total of one hundred and seventy four Gennin."

"Mei, do any of your Gennin squads know how to handle and sail a ship?" Sarutobi asked.

Mei nodded counting her fingers. "Yes, six of my eight teams can take care of a ship and with Naruto-kun's help we can get them fully crewed and sailing at full sailing capacity."

Sarutobi nodded. "That is a good Idea, Naruto's help would definitely help in this case."

"Naruto?" The Tsuchikage asked with a raised eyebrow.

"A Gennin in my forces that can use Kage Bunshin like no other." Sarutobi explained quickly, the less he explained about the blond the better. The Tsuchikage nodded and Sarutobi continued. "We'll need ships to, fast sailing ships. The faster they can make the trip the more time they will have."

"They can use my ships, they are fast moving transport ships that can rival Kiri's Sea Devils." The Raikage said.

"Speaking of the Sea Devils, "Mai said scratching her chin. "I think I can get them here within a couple of hours. We can resupply them and fit them with more hammocks for the extra amount of Gennins."

"My personal transport ship the Skipping Stone is at your disposal," The Tsuchikage said with a grin. "She is the pride of Iwa's fleet and can sail at forty five knots..."

"You can use my ship the Sailing Serpent as well." Orrochimaru said with a nod. "She's very maneuverable and can cut through the water like a hot knife through butter." And so the leaders began to make preparations for possibly the most dangerous undertaking that Gennin Shinobi had faced since that time eighty years ago.

Three ours later...

Naruto sighed as he rubbed his his wet hair with a towel. His clones after mapping out the place had discovered bathing areas and he had been thanked heavily by most of the female Shinobi that had arrived. After drying his hair he walked over to one of the built in stone benches and grabbed his sealing scroll. He had been wondering why he had yet to change into his new equipment, today he resolved himself to do so.

Quickly unrolling the scroll he quickly unsealed a set of clothes with his chakra. He quickly slipped on a pair of boxers before putting on his black pants with the dark orange at the ends. He then put on a sleeveless black shirt followed by the sleeveless black jacket with the dark orange on the top of the shoulders. He then slipped on the Kakashi-like mask and his headband.

With a smile he nodded and then unsealed his new pair of black sandals and attached two Hip pouches one on each side. He grunted as he strapped on his shin guards, arm guards and plated black gloves. He then unsealed his Anbu regulation Kunai and slipped them into the holsters in his jacket and slipped the scroll into his left hip pouch.

He did a quick stretch in his new clothes and then with a nod walked out of the area. As he made his way down the corridor he noticed several of the Kiri Gennin teams running down the adjacent hallway. "Hey," Naruto called out. "Whats going on?"

One of the Kiri-nin pointed down the hallway and shouted back. "The Kage's are calling for us to meet at the main chamber. Hurry up!" The Gennin then took off after the rest of his teammates.

Naruto quickly followed after and soon entered into a large domed room with hundreds of stone benches, most currently being occupied by the fifty eight Gennin Teams already sitting down. Naruto looked around for an empty in the back row. He sat down quickly and let out a sigh. "Hey do you now what this is about?" He asked to the Gennin next to him.

The Gennin turned to him with a raised eyebrow. He had short black hair and bright green eyes. He was wearing a maroon colored jumpsuit with golden lines on the sides, and strangely enough, a pair of baby blue sandals and a headband of the same color. He smiled politely and then said. "Either we're going to get the biggest Ice-cream party in history or we're finally going to figure out why we're all here."

Naruto smiled at his joke. "I would love some orange sherbet..." Naruto said with a chuckle. He then held out his hand. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto, I'm from Konoha."

The Gennin shook his head with a smile. "Yagani Daisuke, from Taki," Naruto then turned his head back towards the front of the room were a raised stone platform rose above the heads of the Gennin in the front rows.

A few moments passed as the Gennin murmured all about, then all of a sudden all of the Shinobi leaders were there before them. All became quiet and Sarutobi stepped forward. "I know all of you have been wondering what you are all here for and why." Sarutobi took a deep breath and then continued. "Well... there is no easy way to put this so I will just come out and say it. As of two weeks ago the whole world has been on the brink of disaster. Right now our respective villages are preparing for the worst."

Sarutobi then turned to then pointed out at the Gennin. "All of you are here, because as of right now..." Sarutobi sighed deeply. "...You are our only hope for survival." Almost all the Gennin gasped in shock. Sarutobi then straightened his back and cast a steely eye across the gathered Shinobi. "We have recived word that a being of immense power, one stronger than the Kyuubi no Kitzune is breaking free from a seal that our founding Kages sealed away. We have no Idea what the danger truly is, we have hardly any information about the threat or how to stop it."

Sarutobi took another deep breath. "This task, this heaviest of burdens falls to you. For you see, seals so powerful have been place around the destination of your mission, The Island of Shadows, and they prevent anyone of a certain rank to enter it. Unfortunately only one seal has been removed... The G-Seal... The Gennin Seal. You are the only ones that can reach the Island, the only ones that can save this world. You will have to investigate the Island, find out all you possibly can, and hopefully stop this catastrophe. You will all have to work together as one if you want any hope of returning home."

Sarutobi then turned to Mei and she nodded before stepping forward. "As the Hokage has said you are the only hope we have of coming out if this... alive. In three days time all of you will set sail to a land that we are very unfamiliar with... This place... This Island of Shadows is very far from the elemental nations. It will take about one month for you to get there." The Mizukage then turned to where most of her Gennin sat. "It is up to you my Gennin that this task will fall upon. You are the ones who will be sailing the ships that will take you and your fellow Shinobi across the sea."

With a small wave of her hand a Chunnin appeared with several long sheets of rolled up parchment. "These are copies of the only known sea chart that can lead you safely to the island. I will have then dispensed to you and your teams as well as further instructions after this meeting."

Stepping back behind Sarutobi, he then continued to speak. "Now that you know your mission, specific duties and positions have been given to certain Gennin among you." Sarutobi turned towards the Tsuchikage. "Since you have the most Gennin here, you may go first."

The Tsuchikage nodded and took a step forward. "Alright then, as I call your names please step onto the stage... " Gennin after Gennin were called onto the stage and given certain positions and duties. From the Iwa Gennin, to the Kiri Gennin, and so on until finally Sarutobi was the last to speak.

"As I call your names I want you to come up and stand next to me... Shikamaru Nara... Ten-Ten Kanazuchi... Hinata and Neji Hyuga... Sasuke Uchiha... and Naruto Uzumaki." The Gennin quickly rose to their feet and took their places on the stage. As Naruto made his way to the stage many eyes locked on to him. He was dressed the most battle ready of them all. Naruto suddenly thanked himself for deciding to wear his new equipment.

Sarutobi eyes locked on to him for a brief moment and he seemed to nod in approval. He then looked towards Shikamaru. "Shikamaru Nara..." He started. "From what your father and my son have told me you are a very brilliant strategist... You are given the duty of tactician, you will guide your fellow Konoha Shinobi with your knowledge and try to bring them home..."

Shikamaru nodded hearing the seriousness in his words. "Yes Hokage-sama..."

Turning his gaze to look at Ten-Ten he spoke. "... Ten-Ten Kanazuchi... you are Konoha's up and coming Weapons Mistress and know the art of sealing. Your duty is to not only teach your fellow Leaf-Nin how to use Fuuin Jutsu but everyone else if they do not know already. Also you will be in charge of Konoha's supplies. You will be the Supply Officer and a Med-Nin since I know you took the basic Medic Nin-Jutsu course in the academy..."

Ten-Ten nodded "I will do my best Hokage-sama."

"Neji Hyuga," Sarutobi said as he faced the long haired teenager. "Your clan is highly remarked for being excellent tracking and detection skills, your Uncle has told me that you have excelled in useing your Byakugan to an amazing degree. Your responsibility is to keep your eyes out for any treats."

Neji nodded "I will do as asked Hokage-sama..."

Sarutobi's eyes then flickered to Hinata. "Hinata Hyuga, you are also to use your Byakugan..."

Hinata bowed "O-of course Hokage-sama..."

Sarutobi shook his head "I was not finished Hinata," He said and the shy heiress flinched expecting a reprimand. "I also know you took the courses on First-Aid, Poisons and Antidotes, and Herbalism. Your Sensei has reported that you make excellent healing salves, along with spotting useful and dangerous plants almost instantly. I wish for you to help your cousin and also be a Medic-Nin with Ten-Ten."

Hinata bowed again "Y-yes Hokage-sama..."

Sarutobi nodded and then turned to Sasuke. "... Sasuke Uchiha... reports from your Sensei tell me you know most of the Uchiha's Katon jutsus, that you are adept in the Uchiha interceptor Tai-Jutsu style and that you have activated your Sharingan. You are to be an overall Combat Shinobi. Its your duty to protect your fellow Gennin with your combat skills and also to teach them some of your clans lesser Katon Jutsu'."

Sasuke nodded rather reluctant at giving away his Jutsu. "As you wish Hokage-sama."

"Naruto Uzumaki, out of everyone in this room..." He said catching Naruto's attention. "You have the largest chakra pools, you have a mastery over the Kage Bunshin like none ever seen before, you also have a mastery of traps, evasion and infiltration. Your sensei has also mentioned that you work well with Sasuke in combat situations. Your senses have been know to be on par with Inuzuka standards, you have an ingenuitive mind, you have a power inside you that on one else has..."

Naruto hearing this nodded knowing exactly what he was talking about.

"...and you are the most charismatic." He said catching everyone's attention. "You've encouraged your team to continue on a mission that was too dangerous to complete, changed enemies to friends... and inspired a country to fight for their loved ones." Sarutobi then placed a hand oh Naruto's shoulder. "So... I am making you the Konoha Field Commander." Most of the Konoha Gennin gasped in shock.

Sarutobi's face then hardened. "From now on everyone here is your responsibility Naruto, you understand that, right?"

Naruto nodded. "I'll protect them all... or die trying." He said without any hesitation.

For that single moment Sarutobi swore he could see another blond he had once known standing in his place. Sarutobi then gave him a satisfied nod and returned his gaze to the others still in their seats. "If I know anyone that can keep the rest of you going... even when it seems like all is lost... it's Naruto..."

Sarutobi then straightened up. "Now that this had been taken care of, Naruto, along with the other Field Commanders named today are to follow us. Everyone else is dismissed."

Naruto suddenly felt Sarutobi's hand on his shoulder and they vanished in a swirl of leaves. Appearing on a balcony outside the meeting room Sarutobi turned to Naruto. "I was hoping that you wouldn't wear your orange jumpsuit, I'm rather surprised you had the time to get these done."

"I had them made the day before we left Konoha... I kinda had a warning the day prior." Naruto explained.

Sarutobi's eyes widened. "But how did..." Sarutobi trailed of as Naruto patted his stomach. "I see... so the Kyuubi has sensed the danger as well..."

"Yes, he hasn't talked to me since then but I think that small amount of contact took a lot out of the fox. He said that if I and many others united that we may stand a chance... I'm actually kinda surprised he was able to foresee all this." Naruto said with a wave of his arm.

Sarutobi nodded with a frown. "It appears I might have to make a small modification to your seal as well."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what?"

"I have had to modify the seal on the youngest son of the Kazekage... he is a Jinchuriki as well." Sarutobi explained. "I also examined the seal of the Kumo Field Commander, Nii Yugito. She is also a Jinchuriki, It is fortunate that the Raikage recived our summons the day before her promotion to Chunnin."

"Why would you need to modify my seal though?" Naruto asked.

"Because from what we have learned so far, the Bijuu have been cooperating with there host, it appears that they to wish to stop this evil from breaking free. So I will make a slight modification that will allow the Kyuubi to speak with you freely." Naruto nodded and Sarutobi then shook his head. "I've gotten of topic, what I wanted to talk with you about is this before the meeting."

Sarutobi reached into his robes and pulled out an old and worn headband, it's metal plate polished and scratch less."... I've decided to give you this headband..."

"This thing is really old Jiji... is it your old Headband?" Naruto asked making Sarutobi chuckle.

"No, Its not that old... but it did belong to... a very strong and brave Shinobi... He gave his life for our village... and it is thanks to him that we are all alive today..." Sarutobi then passed it to Naruto. "He would have wanted you to have it... As do I... It belongs to you, now."

Naruto stared at the headband in shock. "This... this belonged to..."

Sarutobi nodded. "Yes... I hope you wear it with pride, Naruto." Naruto nodded with a smile. "Now, come on. We have much to discuss and very little time to do so. With that said Sarutobi walked into the meeting room with Naruto by his side.

well hope you like this I'm getting so tired of writing explanation chapters and stuff.