Disclaimer; …………Okay, I don't own Naruto, Tsunade, Sasuke, Hinata (dang), or any of the others. Tetsuya's mine though! I made him, so there!

Author's note; More reviews people! The story is really about to get going now!

hope master; Glad you like it. Remember though, this is only the early stages of the story. You'll see how this relates to our favorite #1 knuckle head ninja soon!

Sozoku; Happy to disappoint you on the 'Mary/Gary Sue' point. I don't much like super powered OC's either. I wanted Tetsuya to be strong, but not the greatest. I think the order of power for the Yonnin would be Orochimaru (bleah), Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Tetsuya.

Dragon Man 180; Yep, he's the turtle hermit (but don't think he's going to be like Master Roshi!). However, I ask you and all others to be gentle with me when you meet the Boss turtle this chapter; I'm sorry, but it was the best I could come up with. As for Orochimaru; what can I say? It's always the quiet ones.

Shinobi' s Fire; Thanks for the sites. I'll start using them more in later chapters. Tetsuya will be able to use some special jutsus like Jiraiya and Orochimaru, but don't count on them being anything too flashy. Remember, he's the analytical mind of the Yonnin, not the power. About him having turtles; I didn't want him having any real advantages over any of the other Yonnin other than his ability to increase or decrease his chakra output depending on his mood. At the same time, a turtle is an excellent defensive creature, which makes it perfect for Tetsuya, as wind jutsus are, in my opinion, better suited for defense.

Now on the the movie (er…fanfic)…

The Legendary Four

Chapter 3

Apprenticed to the Greats, the Future Strongest!

"NINPOU! KUCHIYOSE NO JUTSU!!"

A hand was thrust upon the ground, and an intricate web of seals flowed out from under it. The three genin watching gaped in awe as a large cloud of smoke plumed outward. They felt the chakra being molded, and wondered what was coming forth.

Suddenly the ground shook as a large…leg stepped out of the smoke. The three children jumped back, each pulling a kunai from their pouches as the smoke dissipated. What was left had the youths dumbstruck.

A giant snapping turtle stood there, easily as large as the Hokage tower. However, not like one the children had ever seen before. Its shell was covered with red Konoha symbols, and it had an eye patch over its right eye. Around its shell was a leather holster, where what looked like a large sword was slung. Its remaining eye was a bright teal color, and seemed be glowing with…

Mirth?

"Don't be frightened, my young friends," a man said, walking around one side of the large beast. His wild brown hair fluttered in the wind, and his steel grey eyes reflected a calm, almost soothing air. "This is the friend I told you I was going to introduce you to today."

The lone girl in the group, a pretty little thing with blue hair and a dress to match, took a trembling step forward, "A-ano…T-Tetsuya-sensei…w-who…"

"Timid little egg, isn't she?"

"EEEEEP!" the girl screeched, leaping behind one of the boys, a rotund youth with orange hair and black body armor. The boy wasn't exactly keen on the idea of being a human shield either.

The third boy, a pale youth with long dark hair and white eyes looked on. He didn't seem afraid, but he hadn't stepped forward either. It was almost like he was trying to blend into the background. The beige outfit he wore certainly made him less noticeable.

Tetsuya sighed. Six months, and I still can't get the kid to show some initiative, he thought, He must still be afraid of what might happen if he does something to displease the clan council. Was I really like that, Sarutobi-sensei?

"Relax everyone," the tall man said, "This guy won't hurt you. He's a friend of Konohagakure. This is Lord Gamera, of the turtle clan." (AN; for those of you groaning, go on, I deserve it)."

The rotund youth was trying to shake the girl off his back. "C'mon, Taiya," he said, "If Tetsuya-sensei says it's alright, it's alright! He hasn't let us down yet, has he?"

"I-i…I don't…know," she replied, twisting the French braid ponytail she had slung over her shoulder, "He…he looks kinda…"

"Scary?" the giant turtle asked, earning yet another frightened squeal from the young kunoichi, "I get that a lot kid. But don't worry, I'm a good turtle." The giant head bent down to stare at Tetsuya. "So what's with the grandstanding, Tetsuya-kun? You don't usually show off like this."

"It's a lesson, Gamera-sama," he replied, pulling out his lucky 50 ryo piece and beginning his passing the coin over his knuckles, "This lesson is all about molding one's chakra. I've already taught them the basics, so now we're onto advanced lessons. I figured a practical demonstration was in order."

"A practical demonstration? Then why use kuchiyose no jutsu?"

Tetsuya looked up at the giant amphibian. "You know very well why," he replied. He brought his hands together. "Sorry to have bothered you. KAI!" The giant turtle vanished in a puff of smoke.

"A-ano," Taiya began.

"I know what you're going to ask, Taiya-chan," Tetsuya interrupted, "I'm not angry at Lord Gamera; he had a right to know why I had called him. A summoning should never be done frivolously. I used kuchiyose no jutsu because another techniques require emotional intent that I cannot use, but you children can."

"Is there another reason, sensei?" the pale eyed youth asked, "I sense something else in your intent."

Tetsuya smiled. "I suppose there is, Hizashi-kun," he said, "But that will have to wait until tomorrow. Now, I want you three to take a jog around the village before you head home…and I do mean jog Chouma!" He said, looking hard at the portly member of his team.

"Awwww," the black garbed boy groaned, as he and Hizashi began running off, "I hate running!"

Tetsuya shook his head, then looked at the timid girl in front of him, "What is it Taiya-chan?" he asked, bending down on one knee in front of the girl.

The girl seemed to fidget even more under the gaze of the steel like eyes of her jonin instructor. She had always idolized the man before her, along with the other members of his old Team Seven.

The Legendary Yonnin.

"A-ano…sensei," she started, "I…I want…"

"You want what?"

Taiya began twisting her ponytail again. She frowned at herself at inside. Tetsuya-sensei always says I have great potential, she thought, But how can I compare to Hizashi and Chouma? I don't even have a bloodline like them…

"I know that train of thought, young lady," her sensei's voice penetrated, "And I've told you before not to worry about bloodlines and the like."

"Eeep," she said. How does he DO THAT?

"I told you before, I like to play cards," he said, "I've taken Tsunade for Kami-sama knows how much because I can read her face. Of course, in Tsunade' s case that's not saying much…" He shook his head. "Maito Taiya, listen to me very closely."

The blue haired girl looked up into her sensei's eyes. She forced herself to stop shifting from foot to foot, and let go of her ponytail.

"A true ninja, male or female, is not made by a doujutsu," he said, "Look at Jiraiya, my old partner. He has no bloodline either, but he is more powerful than me." At Taiya's gasp, he smiled, "But I'm not weak either. I can only use fuuton jutsus, but I don't let that hold me back. I work hard, and try my best. That's the outlook you need to take as well."

"…the outlook…I need to take?" the girl asked.

"Yes," the brown garbed man replied, "You want to be strong for Chouma and Hizashi, right? Then set a goal for yourself, and reach it. Then set another and reach that. Just because you don't have a bloodline doesn't mean you are at any disadvantage." He stood up and led her to the river. He picked up a stone and dropped it in, making a small splash and earning a giggle from the young girl.

"Look at the ripples, Taiya-chan," he said as they spread across the water, "One small action created a huge reaction. If you change yourself just a little, other things will change as well. That's what life is."

"Life…is change," the blue haired girl muttered, "So…i-if I work hard, I can change?"

"Exactly," the yonnin said, and then grinned mischievously, "And you can start by running quickly. Your teammates are probably halfway to the second bridge by now."

"EEEEP!"

Tetsuya smiled as he watched the girl shoot off like a rocket. He glanced up into the sky, and frowned as he saw a raven circling overhead. Something is wrong, he thought.

He vanished in a swirl of leaves.

Jiraiya smiled at his team, all recently promoted to chuunin status. The Inuzuka girl had some impressive strength, as did her pup, Kuromaru, was a definite asset as a tracker (though how she stood that heavy parka during summer time was beyond him). The Haruno boy definitely had inherited his mother Hanako's chakra control. The boy might have been teased for the pinkish tinge in his hair, but he had some definite skill.

But the Kazama boy…

"Yosh, very good Kogane, Sakubo," he said, "Keep up the good work. We'll meet again tomorrow. Sandaime-sama has told me we'll be receiving a B-rank mission. I want you to get a good meal and a good nights rest."

"Hai, Jiraiya-sensei!" Kogane said, "C'mon Kuromaru! Last one home gets first choice of the meat!" She leapt off, the black and white pup yipping at her heals the whole way.

Sakubo nodded, "Ja, sensei!" He smirked at the boy currently under Jiraiya's foot. "See you tomorrow Arashi!" He walked off, much less…enthusiastically as his female counterpart.

Jiraiya smirked, then looked down at the struggling youth beneath him. "Well?" he asked.

"So I fell for the trap! I admit it! I was careless!" The blond youth shouted, struggling to extricate himself from underneath his sensei's sandle. "But I was sure I had it right this time!"

Jiraiya frowned. "'Had it…' oh brother," he muttered, shaking his head, "That 'special jutsu' you were talking about? So what did you figure out about it this time?"

"Direction," came the reply.

Jiraiya felt a sweat drop on the back of his neck. "Direction? What do you mean?"

"I'd tell you if you let me up, ero-sensei!" Arashi shouted, the yelped as he felt the wooden togs of Jiraiya's sandles dig into his back. "ITAI!"

"I told you not to call me ero-sensei!" The white haired man shouted down at his pupil. He sighed, then let his student up. "Listen to me Arashi."

The blond genin looked up in surprise. His sensei rarely ever used the tone of voice he heard.

"I applaud you trying to create new techniques, and I'm interested in seeing your new idea," the yonnin said, "But you lack focus! If you don't master the basics first you won't be able to move on to the advanced ideas you'll need to become Hokage like you desire."

"But my idea will work!" the boy shouted, "I've been working on this technique ever since we first learned about chakra at the academy!"

Jiraiya shook his head. "Fine then," he replied, "Show me." Arashi gulped, then started looking around.

"W-what, here? Now?" he stuttered.

"Yes," the elder man said, "Here. Now."

"O-okay…" he said, pulling out a paper baloon, then walking over to a nearby stream. He filled it up, then placed it into the palm of his right hand. "Here goes."

Jiraiya felt the boy begin to feed his chakra into the water, forcing it to spin. The baloon started to flatten out as the water was pushed round and round.

He raised his eyebrows when Arashi began to force it to go in more than one direction.

I see, he thought as his student pushed more and more chakra into the balloon, By making it spin in more than one way, he adds to its force. It becomes like a minature storm in his hands. His eyes widened as the baloon popped. Arashi stood there, panting, as whispes of his chakra floated by. Jiraiya grunted.

"Impressive," he admitted, drawing a grin from the panting boy, "But I see two big problems." At Arashi's scowl, he smirked. "I see you know them as well."

"Its really hard to controll, and its difficult to sense when there's enough chakra for it to work," the boy said, dropping his head.

"Okay, so there's three problems."

Arashi jerked his head up in surprise. "Nani?"

Jiraiya grinned, flashing a 'V' for 'Victory' sign. "You need a really cool name for it too!"

Arashi fell forward, planting his face in the ground. "I…itai," he groaned. Jiraiya laughed loud and hard, until he saw something in the sky.

A raven near the Hokage tower.

"Arashi, keep practicing that move," the white haired man said, "I'll see you tomorrow." He vanished in swirl of leaves.

"Ano?" the boy asked the space where his sensei had stood, "What's going on?"

Jiraiya and Tetsuya frowned as Orochimaru relayed the news. Behind the pale man was a pallet where a body was kept under a white sheet.

The sheet was stained with blood in many places.

"I don't know how, but the Iwa-nin found out we were there," the smooth sounding voice of the Snake Yonnin was saying, "I told the boy to run, but he was more concerned with the little girl…Anko…I think her name is…than with listening to me."

"And the information?" Tetsuya asked, "Did they get the scroll you were carrying to the Raikage?"

"No, Nawaki-kun made sure they didn't get it," the serpent-like boy replied, "He burnt it before the kunai reached him." He frowned. "At least it wasn't a total waste of life."

"Has anybody told Tsunade?" Jiraiya asked.

"She was out on a mission," Tetsuya replied, "I don't know if she's returned yet or not."

"She's just arrived in town," came a voice the three young men knew well.

"Sarutobi-sensei," they said in unison, bowing to the white garbed leader of the village.

The elder man nodded, then walked over to the corpse. A look of sadness was etched on his face. "This will break Tsunade's heart," he muttered, "His name will have a place on the memorial stone." All three men nodded.

"I would have rather seen his face on the Hokage monument," Tetsuya replied, looking down the hall, "She'll be here in a few seconds."

Jiraiya shook his head. "If it weren't for the fact that I have a mission with my team tomorrow, I'd go and get stinking drunk," he muttered. His two companions nodded.

"NAWAKI!" The blonde medic-nin cried out as she rushed into the hospital wing. Orderly's were knocked over as she ran down the halls.

It can't be true! Oh Kami-sama please let it not be true! Tsunade thought as she ran.

Her brother had only been a genin for a year. He shouldn't have even been near an 'A' rank mission like the one Orochimaru was supposed to be on.

She came barreling down the hall, screeching to a stop as she saw her other four teammembers standing infront of the door. Oh please no…

"Where is he!" she shouted. Tetsuya grimaced as Orochimaru explained the situation. Jiraiya held his friend as she began to weep. Tetsuya made a sign to Orochimaru, and the pair walked away, leaving Jiraiya to comfort the sobbing woman.

"How did they find you?" he asked as the pair walked down the hall, "The mission was borderline 'S' rank. Security was top notch."

"I've already ruled out a traitor amongst us," Orochimaru said, "I can only guess that Kumogakure must have betrayed Sarutobi-sensei's trust."

"But the treaty was benificial to both sides," Tetsuya muttered, "We teach them some of our hidden jutsu, provide trade and labor for their factories, and they aid us against Iwagakure and the Tsuchikage. It makes no sense for them to betray us."

"Maybe they wanted something we weren't willing to give?" the snake yonnin asked.

"Hmmm," Tetsuya replied, "I've met the Raikage before. He's young, but an honorable man. His chief advisor though…he struck me as a jealous type."

"Who was he jealous against?"

"The group I was with included Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuuga Shikuko," he said with a slight blush at the mention of his former love interest. He pushed the old feelings for her out of his head. Her son was his new pupil afterall. "He said he wondered what it would be like to see all there is to see…" He stopped and stared at his partner.

"The Byakugan," Orochimaru confirmed, "Hyuuga Ibichi was part of my group. The Iwa-nins seemed to focus more on him than anyone else."

"The Tsuchikage has always feared the Hyuuga clan's Jyuken taijustu and the Byakugan," Tetsuya said, "If the Raikage's advisor is one of Iwagakure's spies…"

"Then both sides have been betrayed," the pair finished.

Tetsuya looked back towards the room they had just left. "Not that it will do Tsunade any good to know that," he muttered, "I lost my elder sister to the family bloodline. I've never lost family on a mission. I wonder what hurts the most; not having been there, or wondereing if it would have mattered anyway?"

Orochimaru grunted, then walked away. "The boy was a ninja. He accepted the risks that come with the title."

Tetsuya glared at the man. 15 years, and he still pisses me off, he thought, then quickly calmed himself as he felt the chakra storm inside of his body begin to surge. I still don't like the guy. He really is as cold blooded as his namesake.

Orochimaru smirked as he walked down the hall. The death of the Makoto gaki could only aid his plans. Tsunade would be distracted by her loss, and Jiraiya was going to be out of town for at least a month on the 'B' level mission his team had received. As for Tetsuya…

The pale man surpressed the urge to hiss aloud. Over the 15 years the two had served together, there had never been any sort of friendship between them. It wasn't hatred, but rather a sort of…dark jealousy, on both their parts.

Everyone knew that Orochimaru was the strongest of the Legendary Yonnin. He possesed speed, power, and none could match his knowledge of ninjutsu. He was the favored student of Sarutobi Sudara, the Sandaime Hokage.

Yet he envied Tetsuya.

I'm better than that teme in nearly every way, the serpent yonnin thought as he walked down the hall, So why do I feel so jealous of him? He's the weakest of the four, just barely above the current head of the Uchiha clan…

At the thought of the Uchiha clan, Orochimaru grinned. It was well known how he envied the Sharingan, the famous bloodline limit of that clan; the ability to copy almost any jutsu after seeing it only once was something he desperately desired. It would make his seemingly impossible dream a potential reality.

He continued to smile as he walked down the hall, only to pause at a sudden comotion near the pediatric wing.

A young girl, at best no older than 6, came running down the hall, medic-nins hot on her trail. He was surprised to see several of them sporting slight wounds and bruises. One of the orderlies was actually limping.

The girl was what peaked his interest, however.

She was dressed in rags that barely clung to her scrawny form. She sported several large cuts and bruises, and one arm was tightly wrapped in a sling. Her brown eyes were wide with fear, but also a look of…

Delight?

"Yamero!" Orochimaru shouted, bringing the impromptu chase to a halt. The girl stared up at the tall man, not out of fear like he had been expecting.

It was awe.

"What is the situtation here, Yakushi-san?" he asked, looking at the various wounded medic-nins in amusement.

"There's no problem, Orochimaru-sama," the head of the medic team said, "We were just trying to asses this girls injuries…"

"Baka-hentai! You tried to take my shirt off!" the girl shouted, "Teme no Kuso!" There were quite a few gaspes at the girls vulgar language, but Orochimaru found it quite amusing.

"She did all this?" he asked, gaining a not from Yakushi, "Interesting. Ku ku ku ku." He knelt down next to the girl. He smirked upon seeing her face. Now I remember her, he thoought, The girl Nawaki was protecting during the ambush. Anko, I think it was.

"Neh, Orochimaru-sama," one of the medics spoke up, "We need to…"

"I'll handle it from here."

A few people started in surprise. Orochimaru was the only one of the Yonnin who had never taken active interest in children before.

"Demo, Orochimaru-sama…" Yakushi started.

"What's your name child?" the serpent like man asked, kneeling down in front of the girl. She fidgeted under his piercing yellow eyes for a moment before answering.

"Anko…Mitarashi Anko," she replied.

"Well, Anko-chan," he said, "The doctors here need to see to your wounds, and then I'll take you to get something to eat." At her surprised look, he smiled. "My name is Dokuno Orochimaru. I'm going to take you on as my new apprentice."

9 years later…

"OROCHIMARU-SAMA!"

The serpent like man smirked as he turned to see the purple haired girl rushing towards him. The years under his tutelage had certainly been kind to the young kunoichi named Mitarashi Anko.

She hadn't grown tall by any means, but she was starting to fill out nicely…and she certainly had no problems showing it, with the fishnet body suit she wore, along with the kaki skirt (that really seemed more like a very wide belt, and long tan overcoat. If she hadn't been wearing an off-white leotard underneath she could have easily been mistaken for a young dominatrix.

The girl landed infront of him in a combat stance, four senbon popping out of her sleeve and into her waiting fingers. Orochimaru frowned at that. He had never been happy that his pupil had taken to the weapon favored by the one member of his group he despised the most.

"Well, well," he tall man replied, "Anko-chan, nice to see you. I'm surprised you survived." He smirked as the girl brought a hand up to her neck.

"Why, sensei?" she asked, falling back into her fighting pose, "Why are you abondoning the village! Why did you put this mark on me! TELL ME WHY!" She hurled the senbon at him.

He swept his left hand upwards, catching the four needles mear milimeters from his face. "Your technique is still sloppy, Anko-chan," he said, "You really should have taken Tetsuya-kun up on his offer to teach you how to use senbon in combat." He brought his right hand up into a snake seal. "Kai!"

Anko gasped as a burning pain erupted throughout her body. "AHH!" she cried out., dropping to her knees and writhing in agony. Orochimaru smiled at the site, but leapt away as a group of shuriken embedded themselves into the ground where he had been standing.

Jiraiya stood there, a look of anger mixed with betrayal etched into his face. "Torturing your own apprentice now, Orochimaru?" he asked, "You really are lower than a snakes belly."

"Hmph, Jiraiya," the pale man smirked, "So you came after me. I suppose Tetsuya is up there as well?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "Tetsuya left on a mission yesterday." Orochimaru smirked.

"You and him both, still Sarutobi's lap-dogs, huh?" came the sardonic response.

Jiraiya frowned. "Orochimaru…"

"I will find my own destiny," the pale man laughed, "I will be the strongest of all! I will defeat even death itself to achieve my goal!" He looked at Jiraiya. "You, Tsunade, Tetsuya…you mean nothing to me."

Jiraiya looked at the man who had once been his friend pleadingly. "We, who are called the Yonnin…we've been companions since we were children, haven't we!" he shouted, "Why would you turn your back on everything you've worked to protect!"

"You really are a simple person, Jiraiya," Orochimaru replied scornfully, "You have no idea what I was doing. Everything I've done has been solely to advance my goal." He crouched down into a fighting stance, and began focusing his chakra. "You'll never be able to beat me."

"Think about what you're doing, Orochimaru!" Jiraiya pleaded, readying his kunai.

"YOU'RE PITIFUL!" his former friend shouted, rushing towards him. Halfway to him, his neck extended, fangs bared for a killing blow.

Shimatta! Too fast, I can't dodge…the white haired Yonnin thought.

"FUUTON! SONIC ARROW JUTSU!"

Orochimaru was forced to leap back as the pulverizing burst of air screeched through the area where his neck had been. Both duelists turned to see a third man standing there, his hands blurring through a seal sequence.

Dragon, ox, rat, crane, crane, tiger, horse, dragon.

"FUUTON! SLICING TORNADO JUTSU!" Tetsuya cried, spinning around, before thrusting his hands forward, a tornado forming before him. He applied his chakra to the whirlwind, sending it spiralling towards the pale traitor.

Snake, tiger, dog, rat, rat, horse, snake, Orochimaru thought even as his hands flew through the symbols. "DOTON! GROUND TSUNAMI JUTSU!" He raised both of his fists up, then slammed them on the ground, forcing the earth to rise up like a wave, rushing forward to meet Tetsuya's tornado.

Tetsuya had already leapt away, and was now facing Orochimaru's right side. Neither one spoke for several long moments.

Orochimaru started to chuckle. "Jiraiya said you were on a mission," he said, "It seems he's finally learned how to bluff."

Tetsuya smiled grimly. "He wasn't bluffing," came the reply, "It was just a courier mission to a local daimyo. I got back just a few hours ago."

The pair stood ready to fight, both hands twitching slightly. For many seconds, their minds fought the battle for them, each move being visualised in their heads.

Finally, after several long moments, both stood straight. Jiraiya stared at Tetsuya in shock when he spoke.

"Go."

Orochimaru smirked, then vanished in a plume of black smoke.

"Why did you let him leave!" Jiraiya shouted, "We needed to take him back!"

"Because, the best outcome of a battle here would have been two deaths," Tetsuya replied, "Together we probably could have stopped him, yes, but it would have come at the cost of Anko's life." He pointed at the girls neck.

Jiraiya stared, looking at the strange marking on the girl. "A curse seal?"

"He's been experimenting with mind control jutsu," Tetsuya nodded, bending down and pulling out a senbon, "With this on her neck he could have killed her instantly. Then while we were distracted he would have gone after one of us with the Kusangi, killing the one he aimed for." He thrust the senbon down against the back of the whimpering girls neck, striking a pressure point with the tip. She collapsed into merciful slumber. "We'll need the old man and your student to look at this. Seals aren't exactly my forte."

Jiraiya nodded numbly, picking the young kunoichi up. Anko's was the story he felt most tragic in this sad event.

"She'll be fine, after a while," Arashi said, after placing a locking seal over Orochimaru's curse, "But she'll always be vulnerable to him now. Both because of the curse seal, and her own feelings."

Sarutobi nodded, his face grim. He looked over at the two remaining Yonnin. Two of my original four, he thought, And Tetsuya's team seven broken with the death of Chouma and Taiya's crippling. Is this to be the legacy of team seven? The team of tragedy?

"We've already sent messangers to Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure," Tetsuya was saying, "Orochimaru has been declared and 'S' rank nuke-nin. I doubt it will do any good though. He's far too good to be caught by a simple hunter team."

"I should have watched him more closely," Sarutobi muttered, "I knew he was upset at my naming Arashi-kun as the Yondaime, but this?" He sat down, and for once looked every one of the 52 years old he was. "Tsunade gone with the death of Dan, and now Orochimaru. How could it have come to this?"

Tetsuya bowed his head. "It is not the place of men, even kages, to know how life will turn out," he said, "I know I will die because of my bloodline, but I don't know how or when." He placed a hand on the old man's shoulder. "You could never have seen this coming. We were all blind to his real ambitions."

Jiraiya looked out the window. "What about the reports of the Bijuu? The Yonbi and Shichibi were imprisoned from what I heard, and the Ichibi is in Sunagakure."

"The Nibi and Sanbi never leave the mountains of Stone country," Tetsuya replied, "The Gobi and Rokubi are sealed away in children from Grass and Waterfall. The Hachibi still slumbers according to last reports."

"And the Kyubi?" came the old man's voice.

Both men turned to their leader. Tetsuya shook his head. "There's no information on him at this time, sensei," he replied, "I say we should be thankful for small favors."

"Hmmm," Sarutobi replied, then looked at Arashi with a knowing smile, "And you, Arashi-kun? I understant you and Shizuka are to be wed at the new year." He smirked at the young man's blush.

"Y-yes, Sarutobi-sensei," he said, "I guess I finally impressed her enough at the last tournament."

Tetsuya smiled as his sensei, old friend, and their mutual apprentice chattered on about Arashi's upcoming nuptuals. I've no doubt he'll make an excellent Hokage, he thought as he left the tower. He walked along the roads until he spotted someone that brought a smile to his face.

Shikuko.

The woman looked up from her tea as he approached, smiling as he took a seat. "A far cry from how you used to act, Tetsuya-kun," her soft voice carried a hint of amusement.

"Well, you can't always be the invisible man," he replied, "So how's Hizashi?" At her downcast look he frowned. "Hiashi did it again, didn't he?"

Shikuko nodded. "Sometimes I wish I had been born into the branch house," she whispered, "Then my children wouldn't hate each other." She looked up into his grey eyes. "Or that I had been able to see you before."

Tetsuya nodded. "Life is full of regrets," he muttered, "Just continue to show your sons that you love them, and eventually there will be peace." He smiled, cupping her cheek. "I too wish things could have been different, Shikuko-chan."

He stood up, and looked down at her. "I'll make you a promise, my oath as a ninja," he said, "If I can ever help heal your clan, I will. I wasn't able to heal my team, but I will not let you down. This I swear."

Shikuko smiled. "No matter what, I will always believe you, Tetsuya-kun," she replied. She stood up as well. "I must return. There is a council meeting tonight. I hope to see you soon, my friend."

"And I you," he replied, "Matte ne, Shikuko-chan."

"Ja matta, Tetsuya kun," she replied, walking off.

It would be the last time he would ever see her again…

"YOSH! TETSUYA-OJISAN!"

"OOOOF!" Tetsuya grunted as a dark-haired boy with enormous eyebrows slammed into him. "Easy there, Gai-kun! You're harder than you look, y'know."

"Hai, gomen gomen," the young boy replied.

"Gai-kun, could you set the table please?"

"Hai, oka-sama!" the young bundle of energy called, rushing into the kitchen as a woman with blue hair rolled out in a wheel chair. Tetsuya had to swallow a lump in his throat at the sight of the one who had been his chosen apprentice.

Maito Taiya.

"Don't look so glum, Tetsuya-sensei," she said, rolling towards him, "I may be trapped in this kami-cursed chair, but I won't let it stop me from being the best I can be!" At his smile, she continued, "Besides, Gai-kun is growing stronger day by day. He's in the running for the #1 rookie slot this year."

"I heard," Tetsuya replied, sitting down, "I came to see if you're going to teach him about the Gates.:

Taiya frowned, then looked at her son as he rushed back and forth placing the table. "I will leave it up to him," she replied, "In a year or so, I'll tell him about it, and give him the scroll. In the end, it has to be his decision, no?"

Tetsuya nodded. "Before you do that, teach him kuchiyose no jutsu," he said, "The better he is at molding chakra, the better chance he'll have at managing that kinjutsu."

Taiya nodded. At the look in his eyes, she frowned. "You can't blame yourself for what happened with me, sensei," she said, nodding when his head jerked up. "I made the choice to learn the Lotus techniques, and I wasn't prepared. You tried to stop me if I recall."

Tetsuya bowed his head. "Losing Chouma was bad, but losing you or Hizashi…I don't know why I didn't act sooner. I failed you, my student."

"You failed no one!" she barked, "You taught me that people change not because they have to, but because they want to. I chose to learn, so I was prepared to face the consequences." She straightened up and flashed him a 'V' for 'Victory' sign. "I'm still basking in my youth, and I'll do so for as long as I can. I have no regrets, other than making you sad, sensei." She placed a hand on his. "You'll find another heir, and whoever that person is will be a true credit to the Turtle Yonnin's Legacy."

"Oka-sama, I've finished!" Gai shouted, "And I did it in only 3 minutes and 45 seconds! Next time I will do it even faster, or if I can't, I will run to the top of the Hokage monument entirely on my hands!"

Tetsuya and Taiya both looked at the boy who was grinning like a maniac. At Tetsuya's questioning look, Taiya shrugged. "I gave him the same advice as you gave me that day, and he took it to heart," she replied, "A little too well it seems."

"Sweet Kami-sama…"

Sarutobi stared at the form in surprise. He looked up at the brown garbed man with a raised eyebrow. "You are certain this is what you want?"

Tetsuya stood there, a travel pack by his side. "I am, sensei," he replied, "Jiraiya will be leaving soon heading the western route. I will take the southern. It is really the only way to learn about his plans."

"Hmmm," the Sandaime muttered, "Will you be here for Arashi's induction as Hokage in a few months? Though you two are not close, he has a great deal of respect for you above any of the others."

Tetsuya smiled. "I will try, sensei," he replied, "If I'm not back for the cermemony, I will at least return for the wedding." Both men smiled at that. "We'll have to break out that special bottle you have hidden the nose of your face on the monument."

Sarutobi looked shocked. "How…"

"I'm a Mikazeno, sensei," Tetsuya replied, tapping the side of his nose, "I have a very sensitive sense of smell. It may not be on par with an Inuzuka, but I was able to notice the last time I was staring at your face." Sarutobi had the decency to look sheepish.

"Don't mention it to Jiraiya," the old man said.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

Next time; Many years, and many new faces. Old friends have moved on, and new winds are beginning to rise. What will come of the of the raw potentials, as the time comes to advance? The Legendary Four, Chapter Four, Gathering of the Old Guard, The Chuunin Exam Begins! Be there!