Chapter Four

Back in the Hidden Leaf Village Tsunade tells Jaraiya why she really sent Naruto on this mission. Jaraiya consulted her as to why she sent his pupil on an extended mission without his consent first.

"I still don't understand why he had to go, its not like the Hyuga was incapable on her own."

"I know, but it seemed wrong to send her on this long a mission by herself. I don't think she was incapable, just that it would have been harder on her without him. In addition, Naruto has the Akatsuki on him. It wont be long before they try another abduction attempt."

"I see, well let's hope for the best. If I haven't told you already, I was following the Akatsuki for some time. Monitoring their movement and what the organization is trying to accomplish. To me their motives are still unclear but one thing is for certain. Their main goal is to capture all the tailed-beasts, and the number one on their list is the Kyubi. They also have come across as they type of guys who will not stop until they are either dead or have what they want."

"They sound like a bunch of spoiled children to me, I can't possibly think of what they would do with all those horrible creatures."

"Who knows, according to some information I've gathered even most of the members don't even know the answer to that. Apparently it's a secret only known to the highest members, and it's a well kept secret."

"So, based on your seemingly unsurpassed knowledge on these nutcases. What do you think our Narutos' chances are of staying away long enough for the heat to die down?"

" Honestly, it's a very slim chance. They are relentless in their pursuit for these beasts, and will go through anyone to get them. That's why when I herd you sent him away. I immediately sent someone to go watch over him, the only person I know who can hold his own against the Akatsuki."

"What are you talking about? Why didn't you tell me this? Who is this mystery man that you sound so confident of." Jaraiya chuckled in a madman sort of way, he turned with a shit-eating grin on his face.

"Oh, but you shouldn't have to ask Tsunade, for you already know who it is." Tsunade looked at Jaraiya with a confused look. She had no clue what he was talking about.

"What do you mean 'I know who it is'? I need a hint if I'm going to figure it out."

Jaraiya did the same chuckle again, he knew as soon as he started to give the hint it would hit Tsunade like a ton of bricks. This was going to be fun, to see her reaction and the shock on her face.

"He used to be a member of this village, until about a year before the Kyubi struck. He was very talented, reported to be dead many years ago. And most importantly, he was The Fourth's greatest rival."

Tsunade's face turned to complete shock of fear, there was no way he was talking about… No, it wasn't possible, she would not believe him. For Naruto's life she hoped he was joking.

"NO WAY, HE DIED YEARS AGO. I'V HEARD THE STORIES AND I'M TELLING YOU THERE NO FREAKN' WAY."

" And I'm telling you those stories are a load of bullshit. He made those stories up so nobody would go looking for him. He's alive and kickin', just laid back a few years but his strength has not waned."

"If he was still alive, then why didn't he help out when Orochimaru attacked? Why didn't he come here and be Hokage? His strengthh surpasses mine comletly."

"Think about it Tsunade, if he really wanted to be Hokage he could have challenged The Fourth for the title. He's had little idea with what happened here and he probably wouldn't care. I wouldn't blame him, the way this Village treated him. I think him and Naruto will get along great. They both have a lot in common, more so than I think either of them know."

"I just hoped you know what your doing Jaraiya, for the both of us. I don't know what results might come from sending him to the Village Hidden Hidden Shadow. By the way, how the hell did you track him down?"

"I bumped into him while out on a little trip a few months ago, I was doing more research on by newest book when I saw him training. I told him of Naruto and he seemed interested enough. I kept in tact with him in case I ever needed his help. When I told him of the situation and what he might be up against, he just couldn't resist. You know him, he never has and never will back down from a challenge."

"Well sounds like he hasn't changed at all, and he does sound a lot like Naruto. I hope he knows the situation fully."

"Like he would be any less capable, I don't see what your so worried about."

" I'm worried that he might change Naruto and Hinata people who hang around him were never quite the same after they did. They always seemed, demented so to speak, like they suddenly became crazy."

"Its ok, he hasn't changed much but what little he has is for the better. He has regained some sanity from what I can tell. The Fourth may have considered him a rival if they were more alike, but the two of them are so different. But in the same since their differences made them great friends. One of the only friends he ever had. The only time I ever remember seeing him cry was when I told him The Fourth was dead. I broke that to him when I first saw him a few months back. I knew he would be upset but I had no idea him and The Fourth were such close friends."

"I had no idea they were friends at all, they seemed to argue a lot, as well as fight. They didn't seem like the close friends type."

"Well, they were friends in the same since a Naruto and Sasuke. They may not admit it, but the really do consider one another a friend."

The conversation ended and Tsunade went back to her job, while Jaraiya went back to his "research". Meanwhile, there were others conversing about the missing fox boy and Hyuga heiress but lets just say this conversation was a little darker. It was at the Akatsuki Headquarters, somewhere in uncharted territory. There were nine men sitting at a long table. The table was black with red clouds painted all over it. Four men sat on each side, with one man sitting at the end of the table. They were discussing how they were going to get Naruto and how to be discrete about doing it.

"Well first order of business is how were going to track down this boy. It seems that the Leaf Hokage has sent him away on an extended mission in hopes that we will give up the chase." One man spoke sitting on the left side of the table.

"We need to find out where she sent them. If we can figure that out, then there will be no need for long and pointless searches." This man was sitting on the right side, when he looked up his eyes glowed blood red. There was no mistaking the Sharingan. Itachi spoke with swiftness, obviously frustrated with his previous failure.

"Why did you even speak Itachi? It's your fault we even have to go looking for the boy in the first place. You are in no position to be making suggestions." Another man responded, coming from the same side of the table as Itachi's. The man's voice spoke swift and was thunderous.

"Hmph, you want to look me in the eyes and say that." Itachi responded his head not moving from the position it was in; his voice was cold and ominous. There was a long pause until the man sitting at the end of the table decided to have a word with the men.

"You two need to relax, I already have it under control." Then mans voice was smooth and serene. He didn't sound like the kind of guy who would strike you down in an instant, but he was. His malevolence and malice knew no bounds, as he had proven time and time again. The other members of the organization either had great respect of his power, or great dread of it. He had never shown any sign of a temper, but was quick to act when he felt the necessity. His eyes sent shockwaves of horror down the spine. His eyes were cold and showed no signs of empathy or pity. His bitter disposition made him the kind of person whom you feared to be around.

" I took the liberty of calling in a few favors, bearing in mind my need for this

Particular tailed beast is greater than most. I had someone of rich background go to Tsunade and covey to her that the Hokage of the Village Hidden In the Shadow requested ninja to oversee their ninja-training program. She told her that this mission would take some time to carry out, as they wished that their program got off to a strong start. We've had connections in that vicinity for some time who can aid us in our pursuit, if all else fails we know where they are going to be. So if it comes down to that we can just send some of our own. I'm not suggesting that it will come down to that, I'm just saying its best to be prepared. However, if we do have to resort to desperate measures, who should we send?"

"I volunteer for the duty, I need to make up for past blunders." Itachi responded without delay so that no one else could volunteer before he did.

"Ok Itachi, since you seem so enthusiastic about fixing your position in this organization, I'll let you and Kisame go. Only if it comes down to that, understood?"

The two men nodded and the meeting was dismissed, everyone went their own separate ways until further notice from the leader. The leader left the table after everyone else was long gone. He walked to the wall behind his back, did a few hand seals and gently placed his palm against the wall. A door appeared and that man slowly opened it. He entered and began his way down the long and spiraling staircase until he reached a room. The room was filled with scrolls and great weapons; the room was the size of a small stadium. He walked over to the center of the room and sat inside a large circle painted on the ground. The paint was actually his own blood. He did roughly a dozen seals then pressed both palms against the floor. Suddenly a large cloud appeared in front of his face. He spoke some words under his breath and instantly Naruto and Hinata appeared in cloud, they were still curled up together and fast asleep. The man snickered and stood up, the cloud quickly disappeared after he stood.

'So the boy and the Hyuga heiress are together now. Such a good couple, it would be heartbreaking to see them ripped away from one another. Well, if you have a heart that is.' The man chuckled in an insane tone. He then continued to walk over to a nearby fireplace and sit in a large chair.

'This is all going according to plan; there is no potential way to fail. Tsunade and Jaraiya are so naïve to what is going to take place, as is anyone besides me and the other high status members of the Akatsuki. All is going according to plan, but still I cant help but feel that something is out there. Something that has the supremacy to stop me, but what….'

TO BE CONTINUED!!!