Kakashi, Naruto, Shizune and team Gai stood in front of Tsunade. She had just finished listening to their report on the mission. She was glad that she made the right choice in sending an extra team. She was saddened to hear that Chiyo was dead. While they might have been enemies, she respected the old bird. She turned her attention to the teams.

"Well, you guys deserve a very long rest. You have done well and we are down to eight members of the Akatsuki. You are all dismissed with the exception of Naruto. We need to talk about this book that you created." Tsunade said. Everyone left the two blondes alone.

"What's up granny?" Naruto asked.

"I'm really impressed with this book. While I'm disgusted with the method or how many perverts there are in the world, you did well. However, I'm curious about this section of your book." Tsunade said, pointing to a section titled 'unknown'.

"Oh that. That's a group of S-rank criminals that I could not really get any information on. It was either that they would not tell us or there was no information on them." Naruto explained. Tsunade nodded as she looked at the book. One picture got her attention. She turned her attention back to Naruto.

"Okay brat, you're dismissed. I'll call for you when it's time." Tsunade said.

"Alright, later." Naruto said and vanished with a burst of wind. Tsunade just looked at the picture and couldn't help but be worried.

XXX

Naruto entered his apartment and let out a sigh of relief. He just wanted to get to his room and lay down. She caught the sight of someone on the couch but did not turn to face them.

"Hey Ino," Naruto greeted.

"Hello." Naruto stopped in his tracks and turned to face the voice that he did not recognize. He saw a young woman who looked to be sixteen or seventeen. Her wild, untamed pink hair was covered by a ball cap. She was black slacks and a white button up shirt that had the sleeves rolled-up. Her feet were up on the coffee table and her light brown eyes looked at him with disinterest.

"Uh, who are you?" Naruto asked.

"I could ask you the same question." She said.

"I live here. Please tell me that Ino didn't rent out my room?" he asked.

"I wouldn't put it pass the bitch to do so but it wasn't with me." She answered.

"Who are you calling a bitch and who are you talking to?" Ino's voice shouted. She entered the room to see Naruto. "Oh hey, when did you get back?"

"Just now, mind introducing us?" Naruto asked.

"Tayuya, this is Naruto, original owner of this place. Naruto, this is my project, Tayuya." Ino said.

"I've told you to stop calling me that. I'm not you damn project and if you call me it again, I'm going to dunk your head in the toilet." Tayuya spat.

"Please do that Ino. For me, do it for me." Naruto said.

"Funny," Ino mocked. "Anyway, I'm on my way out. You better not mess up the place or there will be consequences. And, don't forget that you still owe me a dress." Ino ordered.

"Why yes master Ino. Do you want me to shine your shoes for you?" Naruto said in a mocking tone. Before she could counter, Naruto sped away and made his way into his room. Ino puffed her cheeks out at being ignored. Tayuya chuckled and was impressed with Naruto.

"Heh, I like him. He got you to shut up." Tayuya said. Ino glared at her before turning her nose at her. They made their way out of the apartment.

XXX

Tsunade was sitting in the common room, looking over the reports. She had sent word out to those villages that Naruto could not get information about. She used her wit and charm to get what she wanted. She already received a few replies and Jiraiya was out getting some more. As she continued to read, the door was opened. She knew that she gave instruction to not be disturbed but she saw the elders and knew that this was going to be another headache.

"I'm assuming that you are not here to join me for tea." Tsunade said.

"We are here to speak about Naruto." Koharu said. Tsunade gave a brief look to Shizune who refused to look at her. She sighed and put down the report she was reading.

"Okay, let me tell you something. I know what you are going to say and I disagree with it. Keeping Naruto locked up in the village, does not help him. Not only would it make him a bigger target, he will become a pain in the ass. His skills would be wasted." Tsunade said.

"We agree with you." Homura said. Tsunade and Shizune looked surprised by what was said. "That's what you get for assuming the worst Tsunade. We did not come here to ask you to limit his activities. We do, however, would like you to place him on a team."

"A team? Is this for his protection?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes. We do not doubt the boy's skill. He is deserving of his rank. However, there is still the threat of the Akatsuki that we must be aware of. A team with some strong shinobi would put us more at ease when he is out in the field." Koharu explained.

"Well, I don't see a problem with that. It can be done, even with Kakashi on the shelve for a while. I do have someone in mind as a jonin leader. I also have someone else in mind who would be able to keep up with the two." Tsunade said.

"That's good. All we ask is that we assign the third member of the team that you are building." Koharu said.

"Who did you have in mind?" Tsunade asked. The two looked at the door and Tsunade followed suit. She did not look happy to see the two who just entered the room.

XXX

Naruto stood in front of Shikamaru who looked very annoyed. Naruto had a frown on her face. Shikamaru could not blame him but he really did not wish to deal with this.

"What do you want me to do Naruto? You know how Ino is. You trained with her for god's sake. What makes you think that me, Chōji or Asuma can do anything?" Shikamaru asked.

"Well what about her dad or her clan?" Naruto asked.

"That's a bad idea Naruto. Things between Ino and her clan are not all that great." Shikamaru said. Naruto narrowed his eyes at that.

"Is that why she living with me?" Naruto asked seriously. Shikamaru cursed and tried to come up with a way to explain things. That's when Chōji entered the area.

"Hey Shikamaru, I brought you lunch." The teenager said. That's when he saw Naruto. "Oh hey Naruto, I heard that you were back. Did you meet any of the others?"

"I was on a mission with team Gai about five days ago. I met team Kurenai earlier as I was looking for either one of you. How are things with you man? You've bulked up some." Naruto said. Chōji just rubbed his head. That's when all three felt something coming toward them. Naruto and Shikamaru jumped out of the way while Chōji enlarged his fist. He punched a white and black lion with some strength. This lion suddenly turned into ink. Naruto and Shikamaru turned to see someone on the roof. He was a pale skinned teenager with black hair and dark eyes. They saw the symbol of his forehead protector was from here.

"You know that guy?" Naruto asked.

"No, I've never seen him before." Shikamaru said. They heard the sound of something getting squashed. Chōji walked up to them, his hand stained with ink.

"Why is he attacking us?" Chōji asked.

"Why don't we find out?" Naruto said and took off. The teen watched and drew several more lion on a scroll. He did a single seal and poured his chakra into the scroll.

"Ninja Art: Super Beast Scroll." He said. The lions jumped off the scroll and launched themselves at Naruto.

"Ignore them Naruto!" Shikamaru shouted as his hands were already in a seal. "Ninja Art: Shadow Stitching Jutsu!" Shikamaru's shadow split into several tendrils. They stabbed and destroyed the lions, dispelling them. Naruto launched himself at the teenager who removed his tantō. Naruto pulled out a kunai and channeled his chakra. When the two blades clashed, the tantō was snapped in two. He was surprised by the move and jumped away to gain some distance. Naruto tossed the kunai, disabling the chakra. The teen countered with a kunai of his own but it left him open for a knee. The boy was stunned due to the distance that Naruto covered.

The teenager slammed into a chimney and exploded into ink. Naruto looked around for the guy but he was gone. He turned back to the ink and narrowed his eyes. Just who was that guy?

XXX

"So you had to retreat?" Danzō asked him. The teen was kneeling on one knee and had his head down.

"Yes, it seems that he was stronger than we thought. He was able to use something similar yours and Asuma Sarutobi's when it comes to weapons. He also covered the distance between us and landed a knee. I am sorry sir." He reported.

"Do not worry about it. While I am surprised that fool Jiraiya trained him so well, I am not surprised by it. Do you remember your mission?" Danzō asked.

"Yes sir."

"Good, your name for this mission will be Sai." He said. The teen looked up and gave a creepy smile.

"Sai, I like that name."

XXX

Tsunade looked at the two inside her office. She gave them both a serious look.

"As of right now, you two will be a part of team seven. You'll be a team until I deem it necessary." Tsunade said.

"So I am teamed up with an ANBU. Shows how much I'm trusted." Tayuya spat.

"He isn't here for you Tayuya. I trust greatly. You have done great as a Konoha kunoichi. He's mostly on the team for your third teammate. He is a part of 'Ne'." Tsunade explained. The two gave her a serious look when they heard that. Tayuya nodded in understanding as did the ANBU member. Tsunade gave him her attention.

"As of now, you are no longer part of the ANBU. You will turn in your mask and your codename for this is Yamato." Tsunade said. The man pulled off his mask and faced his kage.

"Understood lady Hokage." He said.

XXX

Naruto arrived to meet the Hokage after he was summoned. He arrived with his pack and in his uniform. He stood in front of her and waited. Tsunade faced him and handed him the picture.

"I'm sending you to the Hot Water Country. From the symbol on the forehead protector, he was a part of the Hidden Hot Water Village. It is not a debunked village since they focused more on being a resort area." Tsunade explained.

"You think that the village still exists?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, I got word from the daimyo that the area of the village is still there. It's just in ruins and many are not willing to go there. We have permission to go in and search for any information about this man." She said.

"Okay. Am I going alone?" he asked.

"No, your team is waiting for you at the gates. Now, don't keep them waiting." Naruto gave a mock salute before vanishing. He reappeared close to the gate to see three people. He recognized Tayuya who was wearing yellow capris, a black and grey collar shirt with zippers on the sleeves. She wore fingerless black gloves with steel plates and had something strapped to her back. Her pink hair was tied into a ponytail. The man he did not recognize.

He wore a standard attire of a Konoha-nin, with a flak jacket that seemed to be modified. He wore a happuri-style forehead protector that framed his face. Then there was the third guy. Seeing him pissed him off.

"You!" The teenager, who was wearing a short black-and-grey jacket with red straps, smiled at him. He also wore a high-collared midriff shirt, black pants, shinobi sandals and gloves with his index and thumb fingers exposed.

"Hello again, my name is Sai. Let's be friends." He said to Naruto. He got his answer with a swift punch to the jaw.

XXX

"So, where are we going now leader?" asked a female. She had on a marron top that expose her chest, which was tied with a purple sash, tied like a bow in the back, and some biker shorts. She had on leg and arm warmers. She had light blonde hair and brown eyes. She was swinging the weight end of her kurisagama lazily.

"What does it matter? I just want to kill something." Asked a very tall male. He was wearing a forest green ninja outfit. It was a little loose on him. His wrists and ankles were wrapped in yellow tape. To his side, a large double-bladed weapon laid. His skin was tanned and his was bald. His grey eyes had not pupils.

"Why are you two so eager to kill someone? Can't you just enjoy the down time?" asked another male. He had a head of short green hair, black, heavy-lidded eyes and no eyebrows. He wore a sleeveless black shirt, an obi around his waist, a pair of pants, sandals and a sleeveless, high-collared, blue and orange jacket. He also wore bandages around his wrists and ankles.

"Che, what wrong with you? Don't tell me that you're scared?" the taller male asked.

"Of course I'm concerned. We are messing with three powers that could kill us. If we had more men, then I wouldn't be so concerned." He argued.

"Pussy." The female spat mockingly.

"Enough. We are going to the Hot Water Country. Someone contacted me about something." The shortest of them said. She was female and had short pink hair. She wore a short black dress with red trim and small, light grey jacket, with samurai leg armor on each side. She stood up and made her way toward the country. The others just followed her lead.

XXXXX