Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the Wheel of Time. This is a non-profit work of fanfiction meant only for entertainment.

Hinata Sedai
by Lerris Smith

-«Chapter Seven»-

Obito considered as he read the report the Zetsu clones had compiled. A whole new type of power that only women could use. He idly wondered if Konan could learn it, but then her chakra abilities were not something he would want to see sacrificed for it. He was sure that he could persuade Pein to collect a few of them, but to what end? They had no chakra in their systems for any kind of seal work to be effective on. It was replaced with this new power. Zetsu had even seen one of their gateway's made, which brought to mind how exactly could one even hold one of these people? Sure they were still human and could be killed, but that too didn't advance his goals. There was always blackmail, but it tended to be of little long term use against ninjas.

He supposed eliminating all the users might be a net positive, but then he doubted it worth it. Power wasn't the problem, well unless someone had a lot more than he did, which they did not. Could he perhaps acquire one and force her to do this warder bond on all the members of Akatsuki and thus make them stronger? It didn't seem worth it, since it would also make them vulnerable to the kidnapped person's death, who might commit suicide just to spite him.

It was surprising that Konoha was training the Kazekage's daughter, even if unofficially although the bit about fostering a marriage between her and one of the leading Konoha clans was simple logic and good planning.

Orochimaru had changed bodies again. The interesting bit was that he apparently intended to take the Hyuga heir's body as his next when his current finally failed in three years and hers was older. It was clear he still had some intelligence in Konoha, though how much was unclear. Still, he was actually quite curious how that would work out. Orochimaru's technique was, after all, based on chakra. Did Orochimaru truly believe that he could keep his potential for chakra and get access to this new power? Now that would be convenient if it worked. He himself had no intention of even considering Orochimaru's messed up technique. No, there was no point in messing with perfection, but then more powerful minions never hurt. Yes, he would definitely like to see the outcome of this, though it might be worthwhile to redirect him to one of the secondary subjects.

Kumo had upped the guards on their Jinchuriki and Konoha had, what they had. Somehow his puppet Kage in water had gotten himself killed, incidentally freeing that beast while the resistance ran into a large sum of money. Zabuza was also aiding him as well, and the last the Zetsu clones could track, Gato had hired him before Hidan took that side job from Gato. The Konoha team in Wave had encountered Zabuza earlier, but from all accounts did not do well. His best guess was that Yugao's team did their trick, eliminated Gato, then under orders from the third tossed Zabuza a pile of money which whey knew would be funneled right into the resistance. That again brought them back to Hinata as the likely suspect in Hidan's death. The acquisition by Konoha of the last of the Yuki clan appeared to support the basic premise.

He had given Pein and Konan a standing order to recruit any of these young women that looked promising. Unfortunately, Konoha seemed to have the key to finding them. Hinata again, presumably, but that was not certain.

Right now his best plan seemed to be to wait till team Yugao was fielded, then destroy them all with overwhelming force. The Kyuubi would take a few years to reform, but it would at least reset the playing field, assuming of course that the death god's seal didn't change the rules, or that bond thing.

Then again there were alternatives. Killing the power user was supposed to make the host want to kill himself. Sure that had the potential for the Kyuubi brat to run wild, but as long as they used that moment to suppress and package the brat, it could work. Yes, that could work well. It would lose the potential that the young Hyuuga represented, but it would give him what he really wanted...

Perhaps it was time to start his collection after all, but first perhaps there were others that might find some of what he learned interesting. There were always opportunities in chaos... The one he wanted here was to gain knowledge. After all, why send your own minions to test your enemies, when you can use someone else's.

-«oOo»-

Jiraiya laid Kusagakure's new bingo book down on Sarutobi's desk already flipped to the page of interest. It included a fairly recent picture of Hinata Hyuga. The Hokage picked it up and read, "Hinata Hyuga is the daughter heir of the Hyuga clan of Konoha, but is currently believed to not have access to chakra nor to the dojutsu that makes her clan famous. She is believed to have use of a new form of power that is available only to women. Further it is believed that she personally was responsible for killing the S-ranked missing ninja known as Hidan, making her at least A ranked by definition."

"How the hell did they find this out?"

Jiraiya said, "Unknown, although Orochimaru having spies we haven't found seems likely. When I investigated it appeared that someone else slipped the information to Kusagakure, and made sure it got into their bingo book printing. It was just released, but even so there must be hundreds of them out by now. There is little point in trying to stop it now."

"We have barely been able to keep the information secret a year. That is unacceptable."

Jiraiya said, "Yes the spy or spies are important, whether or not he or they is still around. I'm more interested in why the information was released. Someone wishes to test us."

"I doubt this is Orochimaru. He might be interested in her as a host perhaps, so I doubt he would want to endanger her."

Jiraiya said hesitantly, "Perhaps you are right."

"Have Ibiki review security yet again. I'm willing to compel a few mind walks, if required. Don't forget to remind him to use the notes we have on Akatsuki members. Zetsu was their spy if memory serves."

"It has been gone over before, yet we will do so again. The problem is we are not sure how to catch Zetsu, if indeed he is involved. In Hinata's time only his weaker clones were killed. She thought someone must have killed the original, but she has no idea if that happened or how. I doubt he is impossible to kill, any more than Hidan was, but getting him to appear where one of us can carry it out is another matter. We also need to kill the original and not a copy. For that matter, how do you detect what is essentially a plant that can easily disguise its form?"

Jiraiya continued, "There is also the matter of the teams. Sai works reasonably well on Gai's team, but I'd rather not keep all these new abilities in one spot for an easy target. You also need to promote Hinata back to chunin at minimum, probably today. Hinata can't avoid her home forever, even with her father's help."

"Ah hell," muttered the Hokage. "Very well. First Hinata, second the mess of her family."

Jiraiya said, "She has been teaching for over a year, and teaching well. I don't think Naruto even truly understands how lethal he is now. That combined with her existing skills, including her skill at developing completely new and frighteningly effective fighting styles for both her and Naruto is chunin at minimum. Special Jounin would be my vote, and possibly promoting Tenten and Naruto to Chunin. There is no need to separate the team or anything."

"I can't do it, at least not without revealing things we cannot reveal. We may have been too cautious with the Chunin exams. They would need a few fairly big and splashy public missions for me to swing those without causing a lot of resentment. I do have an idea, but I'll have to think on it."

As things went, he was not going to get that time.

-«oOo»-

Teams Kakashi, Yugao, Asuma, and Gai were in the Hokage's now crowded office along with Kurenai.

The Hokage said, "There is not a lot of time. I actually hesitate sending you all, but you are what is available now. First of all the gloves are off. If you need to use a skill you have developed to complete this mission then do not hesitate."

Kakashi's face looked grim. He said, "Iwa?"

The Hokage nodded. He said, "Naruto, I know this is a lousy time to say this, but we kept the secret of who your father was from you since Iwa might use it as an excuse to come after you. Your father was Minato Namikaze, otherwise known as the fourth Hokage. Your mother was Kushina Uzumaki. She was one of the few surviving Jounin of Whirlpool country before she joined the leaf."

He said simply, "My father was.." Hinata clapsed his hand right hand with her left.

Sarutobi added, "I know this is a rush. There is not much left of your father's estate. The Kyuubi destroyed it all, though Hinata and the others have slowly been cleansing the Kyuubi's taint, and when they are done it will be a very nice place to build a home. There is not much else I can give you. The main thing is if Iwa doesn't already know, they are liable to figure it out when they see you, and I have no intention of weakening this group when Iwa is already heading this way."

Naruto just nodded.

Kakashi asked, "What is our mission? It is surely not the front lines if we are taking genin, right?"

"Correct. Your mission is to bypass the Iwa offensive entirely. You are to collect, alive preferably, the Iwa Daimyo and his two children and bring them here. Make sure you get the Daimyo's official seal as well and any papers that look useful that you can get on the way. When they are guests here, we will try to use that to get Iwa to end this war before it begins. If that fails, you may be called to the front lines sooner than I would like."

Kurenai asked, "Who is in charge?"

"Asuma has the most experience being a Daimyo's guard, so he is first, and then by seniority, so Gai, Kakashi, Yugao, Hinata, and Kurenai."

Kurenai blinked. She said, "Isn't Hinata still a genin though? I know she has additional experience."

The Hokage said, "Technically her experience now exceeds your own, and as we will be depending on her abilities and those she has trained, in this case she outranks you, though not in general. I'll deal with the official rankings soon. Suffice to say I've been trying to draw attention away from her."

Kurenai nodded. Naruto nodded absently as well, still lost in thought about his father.

"Hinata, do you know a good spot to open a gateway to?"

"No, Hokage-sama. I have never been to Iwa. If you had a map I could probably get close though."

The Hokage pulled a map off the shelf and unrolled it showing the detailed interior of Iwa and in particular the palace where the Daimyo should be. Kakashi, Gai, and the Hokage agreed on a forest about ten miles north of there. Hinata opened a horizontal gateway a mile up above the table. Kakashi then pointed to a likely area and Hinata let the gateway collapse.

"Be back in thirty minutes ready to go. Dismissed."

-«oOo»-

The teams left and quickly returned with everyone back within twenty minutes. Hinata created the requested horizontal gateway about thirty feet up. Naruto carried her through easily absorbing the impact with chakra he channeled to his legs. He was always there when she needed him. She sent him a small smile for his efforts.

Similarly, Neji carried Tenten through and at a glare from Temari, Shikimaru carried her through. This arrangement kept Hinata and the others from breaking their legs, since they lacked the ability to reinforce them.

Shikimaru said, "It's a pity that we couldn't just open a gateway right into the Daimyo's quarters."

Several turned to look at Hinata. She said, "The best I could do without being there is what we did, that is to open a gateway high up to figure out the geography, then progressively refine it. Gateway's do take a fair amount of energy as well. Saidar is infinite. My strength is not."

Asuma said, "This works well enough. The main thing is expect us to have to use skimming to get away once we are in. Now, from what I can tell, I think we just need to head south. Gai, have your team take point. We want to avoid confronting anyone if we can, but if we can't we have to make sure they can't give warning."

They went very quickly. Yugao, Hinata, Tenten, and Temari kept up well, although the later two appeared to be struggling a little bit to do so.

Finally twenty minutes into their journey Neji paused and the others gathered around them. He said, "There is a team about a kilometer ahead and other teams to either side making a perimeter. If we divert enough not to be noticed by the one, we will likely be noticed by the others."

Hinata said hesitantly, "It is possible to make a very short range gateway. With no time at all to learn a place. Distance is limited. I could probably manage a kilometer. I would have to guess at the destination though. I do not know this place at all."

Asuma said quietly, "It is a better plan than fighting. We can still do that if we must, but fighting risks our mission, so lets try to avoid it for a little longer. Neji, resume point. We continue for another half a kilometer. Hinata forms a gateway, preferably in the air again. Neji and I look through and if it is a go, we go right then, so be ready. From now on in, use hand signs whenever possible. We are in enemy territory and I fully intend to get out alive. I after all have a date to go to." A bit behind Kurenai blushed.

Temari said quietly, "I hate to suggest it, but my legs are killing me. I also can't silence my footfalls as I could when I could use chakra. We either need a short break, or ..."

Asuma said quietly, "Understood. Hinata, how much of a break would you need to open that same gateway from here?"

Hinata said, "At least an hour, and half that if I hold the power, though doing so will tire me noticeably. we could as easily skim the distance although I'm not sure how to view our destination before hand with skimming. To open a long gateway I'd need close to half a day, with as unfamiliar as I am with here. I can maintain the pace, but it is affecting my capacity. That can be worked around though. We can take each others fatigue away. It is not the same as true rest, but it will be close enough for our purposes."

Asuma asked, "Is that dangerous?"

Hinata shrugged. "It is a bit worse than a soldier pill. It should work on regular ninja as well of course, but won't restore any chakra, though you may recover it quicker. As with a soldier pill, the danger truly comes from multiple applications. There is a simple variant of the weave that would allow a horse to run at its fullest right until it died. Using it on a human is almost certain to kill them."

Asuma nodded. Such things were not new or surprising, even if this was a different form. There would always be kinjutsu. He knew that he would request that weave, if doing so meant he could at least give someone else a chance at life. He said, "Okay, let's get hidden. The channelers will heal the fatigue from each other at their discretion and we will rest one hour, then gateway directly from here. This will likely be our last break before we go in. Neji, you are our primary lookout."

They all nodded. Temari relieved Tenten's fatique and then Tenten handled Temari and Hinata's. This saved Hinata's strength for the gateway and anything else they might encounter. They eat and drank a little bit as they silently waited for their rest to come to an end. Shikimaru pretended to fall asleep, but the light kick Temari gave his form put an end to that. Soon enough they were ready to go and the gateway was created. The problem was they would lose their cover when they went through.

After they went through the channelers quickly wove the mask of mirrors on each member of their party making them look like a group of Iwa guardsmen. A henge would have been spotted by fellow ninja, but this easily made it past the town gates. They were well into the keep before the first guards challenged them. The jounin quickly dispatched and sealed the bodies.

The keep was prepared for an incursion, so there was little doubt that they had sanctioned the attack on Konoha, or at least know about it. Thankfully they were already inside what was supposed to be the secure perimeter. The jounin killed another eight guards, two chunin.

Then they ran into the real resistance. Hinata killed a jounin by quickly freezing him in place with air and then slicing his head off with her power wrought sword. Temari managed another, while Naruto quickly sliced the heads off two that were getting close to Hinata. Shikimaru held two, allowing Gai and Neji to kill them. Tenten even killed one by forcibly removing the air from around his head so he could not scream. It took longer than Hinata's method, but it was no less certain.

The last found was a maid. Shikimaru held her as Ino activated her clan's jutsu. She then used the body of the maid to look around the Daimyo's living quarters. Noticing some dirty laundry she picked it up before returning and tossing it in a corner of the side room the team was in and rejoining her own body.

Hinata waited until Ino shifted back then hammered the back of the maid's head with the handle of her sword knocking her out. Asuma looked at her and just shrugged. Their was no harm in sparing the maid.

Asuma said quietly, "Let's finish this. Myself, Gai, and Kurenai will sneak in and knock the family out with chloroform. One minute later, Hinata will lead the rest in. Since we have time, I want to do a very quick search of the Daimyo's quarters for anything of interest, so you will split up into your respective teams. Three minutes later, or at the first sign of trouble we are leaving. If you find anything like a safe, just try to bring the whole thing. That should avoid the worst of the booby traps for now."

They all nodded their understanding. Naruto found one safe, while Shikimaru found what appeared to be something hidden in the floor. Neji helped him try to figure out how to open it. Unfortunately it was keyed to the chakra presence of someone who was unlikely to cooperate. Naruto just shrugged and used his power wrought nuckle busters to slices the boards away with wind chakra until the smaller safe was exposed. He started to grab it, but Neji suggested he use a clone to be safer. The safe turned out not to be booby trapped, so the clone handed it to the real Naruto.

Kurenai seeing the clone had an idea. She said, "I'm trained in infiltration. If I make a shadow clone, and one of the channelers disguises it as one of the guards we killed, and we take that guard with us."

Asuma said, "I read Koharu's report. The psychic backlash when your in Konoha and the clone dispels is liable to be dangerous."

Kurenai said, "It is worth the risk. We don't have to go home directly. Yugao and I can hide in the forest until the clone dispels then she can gate us home."

Asuma looked to Yugao who said, "I can not, as yet create the larger gateways, and it takes me longer, but I can do this. It might be better if we all skimmed there first though. I haven't focused on skimming and I doubt I could make anything reliable from here."

Asuma said simply, "Agreed. Let's do it."

Kurenai quickly created a shadow clone and Temari disguised it, even as Gai tossed the guard's body over his shoulder. At Hinata's prodding, Tenten opened the skimming gateway. They traveled for only about ten seconds before the portal opened again, deep into the forest outside iwa. They all got out."

Asuma said, "I'd actually rather not leave Kurenai and Yugao here by themselves."

Naruto said, "I'll stay." Hinata said, "I will as well."

Asuma stopped and thought. Their objectives were met, but there was no gaurantee it would stop the approaching invasion. He asked, "How long before you could make a clean gateway home Hinata?"

"A half a day while holding the power. Twice that if I let myself truly rest. If we link, I might be able to cut that in half, but it will needlessly tired everyone out. I don't recommend it."

"Link," asked a curious Temari who after a look around figured her question was not going to be answered.

Asuma turned to Naruto. He said, "As you know, Hinata is in the Bingo book and is a person of interest by, well everyone, including Iwa. In short it is pointless to even try to avoid Iwa finding out about your parentage, since we have to protect Hinata anyway."

Naruto was confused. He asked, "What do you want?"

"Do you feel up to generating a large amount of Kage Bunshin and then using them to search and destroy Iwa Ninja? We would have to make sure they are all dispelled before we leave, but that would be a way to hurt them a great deal without actually risking ourselves."

"I can do it," he said, suddenly uncertain.

Asuma said kindly, "Focus on ninja only. I would suggest Chunin are better. The memories will be bad enough..."

Hinata looked like she really wanted to object. What he had asked was a cruel thing to ask a now fifteen year old. She was't given time as Naruto focused a truly ridiculous amount of Chakra and yelled, "Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." The field was filled with hundreds of copies of Naruto Uzumaki who quickly, yet quietly scattered.

Asuma said, "There is a very good chance that they may now look this way. I know it is outside our orders, but if we can make a serious dent in Iwa's forces it greatly increases the chance of htis plan working. Hinata, on my order, get us out of here, best available method. Naruto, if you hear the order dispel your clones. Everyone else, be ready for a fight. You all know how fast Ninja can move if it comes to it."

Asuma watched in amazement as Naruto created several hundred more clones who dashed off. This was followed by Naruto nearly passing out in exhaustion and a wisp of red chakra. Hinata caught him and turned him to face her. She said softly, "Enough. You have done enough."

"But."

Hinata could tell the first time he felt the impact of memories. She didn't know what his clone experienced but she knew it was bad. The little bit of his feeling that crept past her masking of the bond shown his dogged determination to protect them all. There was no choice. None at all. Hesitantly and carefully she let the mask she had kept on their bond slip.

"Wow, Naruto said in wonder. All this time?"

Hinata nodded.

The others looked on, not really understanding, save for Tenten who smiled a small smile even as she glanced back at Neji, who had again activated his special eyes.

Hinata held on tighter.

One hour passed, then two.

Naruto said, "I did what I could, but they are coming. There are not many clones left."

Kiba shouted, "Let them come! We will kick their arses."

Kakashi bopped him on the head and said, "The goal is not to fight a losing battle, but to complete our mission." With that he created his own shadow clones. Gai and Asuma followed suit.

Hinata said, "I have an idea. It is slightly risky..."

Asuma prompted, "Quickly. We have minutes at best." "Agreed," spoke Neji quietly.

"Tenten will make a skimming platform twenty feet or so in the air." Preemting her question she added, "Just picture the entrance further up. I'll link with Yugao. Temari, you can join as well. Put yourself on the point of embracing saidar and permit the temporary link. Once there I think I can make a large gateway to under the ocean. I can't control the destination well right now, but I hardly need to.."

"Do it."

Tenten created the skimming platform with Neji jumping her up to it. The other all jumped or were assisted up to it, with Asuma helping Hinata and Gai helping a still chakra exhausted and mentally battered Naruto. The other genin grabbed their new houseguests.

Yugao again allowed herself to be pulled into the link. Temari tried her best. It almost didn't work, but just when Hinata was abount to move on she felt Temari enter the bond. Hinata pulled deeply from Saidar, using all three of their potentials to the fullest. It was worry some, but she thought she also felt a trickle of Naruto's chakra in that mix. She ignored it and wove by far the largest gateway she had ever done. It was at least one hundred foot wide and half that tall.

Now came the hard part. She had to extricate herself from the weave without allowing it to close. She pulled harder as she wove delicate threads of chakra to tie off the weave. It was almost too much. The pain meant she was near the limit for them all. She wove the last threads and carefully separated them all from the true source and letting the link fall apart. All four lost consciousness.

The water was still gushing out in torrents, flooding the parched land.

Tenten said, "Hinata expained the theory. She tied the weave. It will eventually fail. We should go."

Asuma said, "The clones are done. Dispel any that haven't. Let's go."

With that Tenten began to will the platform through nothingness to move.

Silence filled the air till a few minutes later Kakashi asked, "How long?"

Tenten replied, "I don't know. Hours not days is my guess, but there was a lot of the power used."

Tenten chose to make the platform they traveled on the rough brick floor of her father's blacksmith shop complete with brick walls. It took them nearly half a day to get back and by then Tenten was so exhausted from maintaining the platform that she collapsed once they were clear of it. Neji caught her as she fell to the ground. The other one power users weren't much better. Naruto was in decent shape physically, but clearly had not fully accepted what he had done yet. Tenten made the gateway exit just outside the wards Hinata had originally established outside of the slab that was left of Naruto house. Anko, had apparently returned since they left, for she came out of her somewhat more elaborate tent.

Kakashi mused, "I wonder why she picked here. Though I do approve."

Asuma nodded. "Yes, I agree. They can rest here, while we go report. Anko, what is Konoha's status? And actually why are you still out here?"

"We expect to engage the enemy within the next twelve hours. Casulaties are expected to be high. It seems Iwa built up more than we knew. I was just trying to rest before it all began. It is easier here somehow, even after.."

"Very well. Anko your in charge here. Make sure our new guests stick around. If you have any place to sleep comfortably, give it to the channelers. Myself and the rest of the jounin will go report."

-«oOo»-

When they reached the Hokage's office they were unsurprised to see Tsunade and Shizune present.

"Report." Shizune and Tsunade began to absently check them for injuries.

Asuma said, "All mission objectives met with no casualties. We killed about a dozen getting in. Kurenai had a clone stay behind to spy for a time, which we waited on. While waiting nearby, on my orders, Naruto's clones killed at least fifty ninja forces before we left. The estimate is thanks to Kurenai's clone. Naruto is current unconscious, having tapped out his chakra and used what felt like a small amount of the Kyuubi's before Hinata stopped him from continuing. As expected, Naruto's actions compromised our position. Per Hinata's idea and my approval, Tenten prepared a skimming platform for us all up in the air. From that platform the remaining channelers linked and wove a massive gateway at least a hundred feet wide which opened into the ocean somewhere. Her team was able to somehow tie off the gateway so it stayed going after we left. Our best guess is that it is still going, and will be for a few hours, though that is only a guess. Hinata may be able to tell us more when she wakes. All channelers are exhausted, and Naruto's chakra is no doubt depleted, but the key concern is the amount of death he caused and remembers. I think Hinata will handle it, but care should be taken, especially with the Kyuubi's chakra making an appearance, albeit a small one. Currently everyone else is recovering on Naruto's property. We also have sealed two safes, one was well hidden."

"Best guess on enemy causalities?"

"One to three hundred, the larger portion"

"Kurenai, did your clone learn anything of value?"

Kurenai glared at Asuma but recovered herself quickly. She said, "They are furious and blame us. I saw the massive wave of water coming, before I had to dispel. It likely killed many of the genin that were sent out to investigate. I also heard them yell about the missing safes. They seemed particularly concerned about those. They have sent a message to their ninja, recalling some to help with the search. That's all I have. I had to dispel the clone before we left."

Shizune said, "Be glad you did. I did a very minor bit of healing there, but it was trivial. Sometimes I think people forget that it is a Kinjutsu. I also healed a little lung damage, but nothing of note. Sadly, I believe that Kurenai will have to be assigned to the academy and not the front lines."

Sarutobi said, "Explain."

Asuma now looked very worried. Shizune smiled and said, "Your going to be the mother of a little girl. She is several weeks along."

Sarutobi said, "Congratulations. You are now in charge of securing the shelters."

"Hokage-sama." she said, carefully questioning the order.

"That is an order." She nodded.

The Hokage said, "My guess is the easy to find one may be a bomb, with the small one you said was hidden, hiding anything of value. I'd ask Jiraiya, but he is at the front lines. I believe Danzo has a decent seal master. He can take a crack at them." He signaled an ANBU who took the sealed safes and headed to Danzo's office.

"If there is nothing else? No. Very well, Shizune, head to the hospital. You will be needed there. Tsunade, go to the camp with me. We need to get a signature or two, and perhaps some jewelry. After that, I'll be for the front lines. Should I fall, you are in command. Everyone else, collect any able genin and report to Shikaku for assignment. The work you did today may head off, or at least shorten the war, but the next move is Iwas."

Tsunade said, "I'll direct Sakura to the hospital. She can be more help there."

The Hokage nodded.

-«oOo»-

The Hokage was pacing by the time Danzo reported his finding. Danzo's seal master lost a shadow clone to the larger safe, which was as the Hokage guessed nothing more than a bomb that was set to go off as soon as the safe was opened no matter what you did. The hidden safe was far more interesting. It was exactly what the Hokage was waiting for.

It seemed the Iwa Daimyo was particularly corrupt and had even encouraged both of the recent wars. His current plans appeared to focus on obtaining Hinata, and not killing Naruto, although his own notes suggested using the son of their hated enemy as a rallying point. He even had a marriage license filled in for his oldest son to Hinata. The most likely explanation was that he believed that Hinata's abilities could be passed on to her offspring, and he intended to have them.

The documents also included how the Earth Daimyo had ordered low ranking missions where he knew Ninja would die on them, because he got bribed to allow certain shipments to be stolen. By this time Yagao had recovered and at the Hokage's direction took her place in her ANBU squad. The Hokage went with the squad via traveling to the front lines. He now had all he needed to end this, that is assuming Iwas unreasoning hate of the yellow flash didn't negate all reason. In time Konoha could win the war through attrition, but it would cost them heavily. They really needed another generation to fully recover from the last set of wars and the Kyuubi's devastation, although a few more years just to let this set of Genin grow to full strength would be very welcome.

Sadly, he knew he had to plan for having to use them soon, yet he was sure he was missing something. Right now the fresh genin teams should be guarding Konoha, but he knew how easily a city could become the front line.

-«oOo»-

While he was waiting on Iwas reply, he wrote out the orders for the field promotions of Naruto, Tenten, and Hinata, promoting her all the way to special jounin.

Nearly six hours later, and who knows how many dead, word had came back from Yugao that Iwa had accepted the information, but so far were not stopping the attack and he had been forced to send more ninja, one of which was Kakashi. Kakashi put his team temporarily under the command of Gai.

The rest of Yagao's team and Temari had at Hinata's request jouined them at the front lines where they learned of their promotions. They were now there with the rest of his immediate command staff. Shikamaru had tagged along with Temari.

The Hokage said, "So far it does not look like Iwa is going to stop, despite how well we have bloodied them. I don't like it, but I have ordered the execution of the Earth Daimyo and his family."

It looked like Naruto was going to say something, but a glare from the Hokage and a sad nod from Hinata stopped him.

The Hokage sighed, seeming as old as he truly was at the moment. He said, "Since everyone is here, let's have some ideas on how to end this war before Konoha is too weakened to fight off another aggressor. My preference is for the Iwa nin to be decimated, since they seem too stupid to know when to stop starting this crap. I also want Onoki dead at some point."

Hinata said, "Any of us could open a gateway now for some of our Daimyo's guards right back where we were. If we deny them supplies and take over key areas the war may end sooner."

The Hokage nodded. "That is similar to burning crops and poisoning wells. That hurts the civilians and fosters hate that lasts generations. It may come to that, but it is not a first choice. What else?"

Shikimaru said, "You did the water thing. Why not up the game and drop massive amount of explosives through a gateway right onto the Iwa camp say in the middle of the night? I mean they are likely to be packed together for safety. Let's exploit that."

Sarutobi mused, "Our Daimyo would have the explosives for the main army. If we did this, how would we pull it off? They would typically be hauled on wagons. Can you even make a gateway that big? How would we set them off."

Neji said, "They could be stored in scrolls. Set a delay then toss them in. Some might be aimed by myself or others, for that matter."

Hinata said, "Yugao is probably stronger than me right now, as it has to do partially with age which limits me. She might be able to make a gateway large enough for a small wagon. I would have to team with at least one other to do so. I recommend we reduce the size to something that will fit through a normal sized gateway, and then have a ninja throw it through. That way we could do simultaneous attacks."

Kurenai said, "Though it wouldn't be kind to Naruto. His clones are very effective, and might be better than explosives. We would have to be positioned closer though, so the backlash doesn't kill him."

Naruto said, "If needed, I can do it.'"

Shikimaru suggested, "It might help to dress Naruto like the fourth. I know he knows the Rasengan, even if in most cases his clones are far more lethal with those wind blades. Still, given it is Iwa."

Hinata said softly, cautiously, "Wind Release: Rasenshuriken."

"What is that?" the Hokage asked.

"It was Naruto's ultimate attack in the future. It was easily S class. He combined his wind affinity with the Rasengan. His first attempt with it nearly shredded his arm. The fifth forbade him to try again. It was not until he became a sage that he perfected and stabilized it, but such training requires him to be older. As it was, I know he nearly became a frog statue far too many times. I thought maybe I could try something with Saidar and a clone..."

Jiraiya stepped up, "If it is a sage this needs, well I happen to be quite good at the Rasengan." He held up a Rasengan in his right hand that he seemingly formed without effort.

Hinata said, "We can try. Naruto's clones are likely more that sufficient to add the wind chakra without risk. Someone would have to be ready to open a gateway at a moments notice to dispose of an unstable result, but it could work, and if it blew up on the other side of the gateway..."

Sarutobi said, "I approve, but I don't like it, particularly for a new chunin, yet let's go ahead with this plan. Collect the explosives. Throw them in first. Naruto, you can provide clones can follow to further cut down their forces and demoralize them. Alternate between the Rasengan and your normal attack, as well as providing clones to Jiraiya, but under no circumstances are you to deplete your chakra over about half way. War is not about big battles. It is about who is left."

Jiraiya, Tenten, Hinata, and Naruto left for their own training.

The Hokage turned to Temari. "Temari, Fire country does not have the capacity to take over Iwa if it comes to that, yet Fire combined with Wind could do so. We have not as yet asked for assistance from your people. What say you?"

Temari said, "I can not speak for my father, yet he is ambitious. If he could carve out a section of Earth Country, I think he would like that. He will also be pleased at learning what I have been taught. Of course, it has not been two years yet, but I think that cat is out of the bag one way or another. I do not believe he will be angry though. In his place he would not have had my counterpart taught at all. Once he finds out about what I have learned he will no doubt order me to teach others which means I will be recalled to Suna. Hinata-san did say I had learned enough to be safe some weeks ago."

They were surprised when Hinata walked up with the others.

Hinata said, "Well, it is not as if you could not travel back and forth for training. Your lessons could continue then." Hinata then unstrapped the sword and sheath they had spent so much time forging from her back. It was of course a power and chakra forged blade. It was thin and light and slightly curved with only one edge. All an all it was a master work.

She said, "I know you were not offered any of the new blades, and I know you have eyed this one. I would have you have it if the Hokage will permit it." She held out the sword to Temari.

Temari gulped as she gingerly took the sword and exposed several inches of the blade. She listened absently when Hinata said, "I have found feeding threads of lightning into it works best, though you may find a different result."

Temari said quietly, "This is a masterwork. Are you sure?"

Hinata said, "My old blade will work temporarily. It is more important that you have what is needed to protect yourself, particularly since lazy over there is still not your warder. We are still few. I would not risk it becoming fewer." She glared lightly at Shikimaru who was carefully not looking at either of them, though she saw that he did glance at Temari often.

The Hokage said, "Temari, if you accept that blade, you must take responsibility for it. It must not fall into our enemies hands. I do not believe they could duplicate it, yet just having it could cause problems."

Hinata said, "That blade should last generations. Do not waste time or whetstones trying to sharpen it. It is unnecessary."

Temari looked more surprised at that, and more than a few others looked curious. She said, "Thank you. I will make sure it stays in my family, or is locked in our families vault should I pass until another is considered worthy. Father would insist regardless, yet I would do so even without his insistence. Should I go now and try to get help?"

"Yes Temari-san. Please go now. If the answer is by chance no, I ask that you return. You have a place with us, if you want it." Temari bowed before forming a gateway and stepping through.

-«oOo»-

She stepped through to her room in Suna. A bit of blood on the floor revealed that the opening gateway had sliced through her cat's tail. She quickly healed the now shorter tail before heading down to the Kazekage's audience chamber. With luck, her father should be there about now.

When she entered, all eyes turned to her.

"Where is your fan daughter?"

"I request that you assemble teams to fulfill our side of the Fire-Wind Alliance."

"I have not yet made that decision daughter, nor has there been an official request."

"I am the official request. As token of our alliance I have been taught new skills and have been given me for my own use this." She took fourth her new blade from her back sheath and all and set it in front of her father.

Curious, her father picked up the blade and unsheathed it to appreciative murmurs. He gave it several test swings pleased. Sensing their leaders wishes, one of their equivalent to Anbu carried in several logs and set them down in front of their leader. With a blur of speed wind chakra raced along the edge as he sliced through a half dozen logs and buried the blade half way through the floor. Surprised, he started to pull it out, only to have to flow wind chakra again to remove it. He then looked at the blade very carefully again. There was not the smallest nick or imperfection. Hesitantly, he re-sheathed and returned the blade to his daughter.

"A gift worthy of a Kage's daughter. Use it well. It is very likely priceless."

"I know."

To Baki he said, "Assemble those that can be spared. Be ready in two hours for a possible deployment." Baki bowed before leaving in a wind shunshin.

"Tell me daughter. Tell me what you have been learning and why you are missing your fan. You have changed much. Can you even use that blade?"

"I have began to learn, though it is a secondary task. If you will permit it, I will demonstrate."

The Kage motioned to a nearby guard who proceeded to draw a sword and dash toward Temari. Before he got within ten feet the guard seemed to just stop in air.

"Interesting," her father said. "A master of air. No. No amount of chakra control could have hidden wind manipulation on that scale from me."

Temari held the man in the air as she unsheathed her sword. "I only just received this gift. It was given to me by my teacher. It was her very own, though I would imagine she will make another." Crackling lightning spun off the blade and shot to nearby objects. "No, Hinata is lightning." The Kage's eyes narrowed at the name. Temari continued with, "I am wind."

With those words the lightning fell away only for the blade to take on a soft white glow. Temari then swung the blade. This caused a blade of air to launch away from her. It missed her opponent and embedded into the already sliced logs."

"Enough," said her father. "Tell me, can you teach these things?"

Hinata released the guard who scrambled back into his original position. "Yes father, though they hid a few things, though less than they originally intended to I think. I do not know how to spot a woman who has the potential, nor do I know how to test them for it. I can create gateways, to move from place to place instantly, yet I've never been taught the lesser form, that works even if you do not know the place well where you are. There is much left to learn. When they agreed to teach me, I agreed to stay with Konoha for two years, of which more than a year is left. As a daughter of a Kage, I have kept my word."

"Unaceptable. While I can agree that you need to continue to learn, you also have a duty to your people."

"They know this. They know by me coming here that the original deal is ended. Hinata gave me the sword, because, come what may I believe she wishes me well. She has also agreed to continue to teach me. With Gateways I can move back and forth as needed to meet my duties."

"How often can you open one of these?"

"In truth, with the other help I have given Konoha today and this demonstration, I likely will need to rest after I bring our forces through."

"So, the intelligence on the Hyuga heir fits here as well. Chakra in exchange for this. So no chakra enhancement at all. Does this power offer alternatives?"

"Ninja can move across the country quickly. If I know where I am well and the destination, I can move across in an instant. Ninja can move very quickly. I can ensnare them in threads of air natured Saidar and move them around. The standard elemental forms have counterparts, though they are not quite the same. Hinata can heal someone from near death, while I can only use the more crude battlefield version of healing, and not nearly to the same degree. The weapon you hold is, as near as I can tell a product of the power, though I know not how it was made and I sincerely doubt they will ever give up that secret."

"I would speak with you privately daughter."

Temari nodded as they entered her father's private chambers. Her father used a soundproofing jutsu.

"You will have what you asked for. You may continue your training. At least half your time must be spent here to pass on what you know."

Temari bowed nodding her understanding.

"I have another request. Understand that I cannot make this request official, yet you may be able to help."

"I am yours to command, Kazekage-sama."

"I ask this not as your leader, but as a foolish parent. Can you, or can they help Gaara? I have heard disturbing rumors about a group hunting the Jinchuriki, and with Gaara as he is, well I can't really assign guards too close to him."

"You have given up trying to kill him?" asked a curious daughter.

Her father sighed. "I screwed up with Gaara. I admit that. The only solution seemed to be his death, yet not even that worked out as I hoped. Regardless of my failures, I will not allow some upstart group to take a member of our family. I can wait a little longer, but if a solution is not found then I will have to kill Gaara myself, to at least deny our enemies the strength they could obtain from Shukaku, so tell me, can you or they help?"

"You know that Konoha has the Kyuubi?"

"Yes. It is the worst kept secret in the elemental countries. Naruto Uzumaki correct?"

"I only saw him use a burst of its chakra once, and that was after he created a truly massive amount of shadow clones."

"So, their sealing skill clearly eclipses our own. Very well daughter. I will trust you with our ninja and with our family."

Temari bowed again, more deeply this time.

"Is there nothing else daughter?"

"I require a small room I am familiar with to be set aside and guarded. Perhaps in an area that is already guarded. Not even a pet may enter. An opening gateway is lethal. As it is, our cat lost half his tail."

Her father thought for a moment. "These gateway's are troubling. Is there no defense against them?"

"It is difficult to gate to an exact location you have not been, so if you keep the other channelers away from an area..."

"Sound advice indeed. Very well. Across from your room is the room that used to be used by your nanny. I believe you are using it for storage. Will not that work?"

Temari blushed faintly. "That will be fine. I considered it for a gateway, but well."

"Your junk."

Temari said nothing.

"Go clean. I'll send some help. Dump it all in your own room if necessary."

-«oOo»-

The Hokage was surprised when not two hours later Temari led ten full teams into the camp, having gated to just outside it. It seemed that the Kazekage was eager for conquest, just not so eager to strip Suna bare. Well that was fair enough, since the retreating Iwa forces could head back that way.

-«oOo»-

The original Naruto shook as memories of tearing through the Iwa Ninjas fell over him. The routine was simple. The pressing Fire and Sand forces would force the Iwa ninjas to regroup. Konoha would then dump bombs on their heads through holes in the air, plus whatever attack the odd Jounin wanted to toss in. Kakashi was particularly inventive with the lightning based wolves. At the same time Temari would unleash several particularly nasty wind slashes with her new sword and ended with a dozen or so Naruto clones that would either slice through the enemy nin or blow holes in them with Rasengans at random. Sadly they were still holding on, still determined to win. It made no sense.

-«oOo»-

Sakura had somehow ended up in the medical tent for the frontline troups. Tsunade had apparently decided that some practical experience was in order. She still missed Sasuke, but she soldiered on. There was nothing else she could do. Helping her were Ino and Kiba. They were there to both guard her back, so she could focus, and simply to help her sort the wounded.

-«oOo»-

Yugao took Temari with her and went to gather the needed explosives while the rest of Yugao's team was working with Jiraiya. Hinata laughed quietly at Jiraiya's toad like form, complete with twin elder toads. Well she laughed until she had to dodge a massively long toungue that came out of nowhere.

She said, "I've seen this before, but never really had it explained. Generally the original Naruto would be in sage mode, create a big rasengan, while two clones would feed in wind chakra. I know that somehow he was able to throw it while in sage mode, but I don't know how. Perhaps we could start small."

"Agreed," said Jiraiya as he formed a half sized Rasengan. Naruto's two clones steped up and ever so slowly streamed wind chakra into it, only for the whole thing to blow up in Jiraiya's face.

Tenten offered to heal Jiraiya who accepted quickly and appreciatively, half suprised that flesh reformed over his fingers so easily. If he hadn't been in sage mode...

Hinata said, "Try again with three clones Naruto."

As it turned out the clones got a lot farther than Jiraiya did.

Jiraiya said, "It won't work with me. Different chakra sources won't mesh without exploding. I suppose I could try fire, but I kind of like my fingers.." He flexed them.

Hinata said, "And it won't work for one of Naruto's clones either. Not enough stability."

"Let me try." asked Naruto.

Hinata hesitated. "Together then."

"What? No. It is too dangerous."

"Then let's not try. I think I may be able to help stabilize the jutsu. If this is to have any chance, I need to be right there with you."

Jiraiya said, "I'm not sure this is a good idea. He only stabilized it before with sage chakra."

"I am willing to bet on Naruto and the power, at least for a test."

Tenten said, "I'll help. If we can't stabilize this, then having me around to open a gateway is useless."

Hinata said, "If things go bad, I'll release the ring. Protect Naruto."

Teten said, "I'll protect everyone."

Jiraiya said, "Fine, but stop if I tell you. If things get out of hand, I'll try to stabilize things."

Hinata began the link, absorbing Tenten into by long custom. Their bond with Naruto making it easy to establish. Hinata moved behind Naruto and wrapped her arms around his arms. Tenten remained a step or two behind. Naruto formed two clones.

Hinata said, "Start with the plain Rasengan. We will do what we can."

Naruto quickly formed the basic rasengan, only for the form to wobble. What was Hinata doing? At first the ball starting spitting streams of water. They hurt but did not harm. Then it seemed that Hinata was adding wind, but it didn't seem to build like his own chakra based version. It was just there. Then she changed to fire. It got unpleasant to hold, but hardly seemed an ultimate weapon.

Hinata said softly, "I've not used much, but it seems that shape based chakra does not bind with elemental threads of Saidar. Add wind, but slowly Naruto."

-«oOo»-

Hinata was more than a little worried as she watched Naruto feed wind natured chakra in. It was already more stable, likely due to the original, but she knew it wasn't good enough. She repeated the process and quickly found that fire was technically better, but water was a close second, with her own affinity for water making it the obvious choice.

She watches as the Rasengan expanded. It lacked the distinctive shape of the Rasenshuriken. It was also missing something. Saidar had stabilized it, but something was missing. Cautiously she fed a thread of spirit from the link into the orb. Spirit to bind all things together. Instantly the orb began to compress and thin. Naruto quickly held up his hand to avoid cutting himself and Hinata in half. She thought about the link they all had together and with that in mind extended, not just Saidar, but chakra as well. It worked. The Jutsu moved away from them.

Tenten spoke, "Throw it Hinata. You have what is needed."

"No, I give you the honor." With a thought the link was in Tenten's capable spirit. Tenten gestured with her right hand and the jutsu shot off into the trees obliterating dozens before exhausting itself.

"It worked," said a shocked Jiraiya.

Tenten said, "Let's do it again," perhaps a bit too eagerly.

"I think," Jiraiya paused, "That we might as well use the next test against their forces."

-«oOo»-

The Hokage asked, "How goes things?"

Kakashi said, "Pretty well all in all, even if it does change warfare considerably. You could see some of the Iwa scum practically crapping themselves when a dozen Yondaime look alikes suddenly formed Rasengans."

The Hokage turned to Jiraiya, who was grinning like a fool, as if to get an answer to that question.

Jiraiya said, "We did it, well we being my godson and the two young women. I couldn't do a thing. Even with Sage Chakra, I couldn't use Naruto's wind natured chakra."

"You let Naruto try it?"

"Some perhaps, though it was more of a team decision. At any rate, Saidar stabilized it, well that and probably this Naruto's chakra control."

"Fine. We will speak of it later. Let's finish this. I believe the next bombardment was going to be in two hours. If your team is ready, why not do it now. They should have scurried back together by now anyway."

-«oOo»-

Jiraiya was more than a little bit concerned about this trial, but the truth was, if they were going to end this short war soon, then a crushing defeat was their best bet. It wouldn't make the average Iwa ninja not hate them, but nothing was apt to do that, well other than Konoha being wiped off the map. It would, however, preserve the most of Konoha's forces and make other's think twice about repeating this. Of course it was still unclear what made the fence sitter get off the fence. He had, in Hinata's timeline, ordered his own granddaughter to kill Naruto, so simple hatred could be a motivation. Hatred, plus fear of waiting for Konoha to get stronger perhaps? He did not know. Certainly the rock Daimyo was in it, or rather was in it, but Onoki was still his own man.

He supposed he had rushed this a little without much testing, but aborting should be reasonably easy, and tiring out people before the real job was also a bad idea. He noted that a few of the Suna Jounin had crept into the audience, including Temari's sensei Baki. Well that was fair enough. Temari would play her part.

For a moment he considered summoning Bunta to try to execute one of his larger combined fire attacks, but no, just using Sage mode was about the best he could expect from the toads. They would only actively engage in the fight against humans if Jiraiya was directly threatened or if Konoha was. Sage mode right now was just to save them if things went pear shaped.

-«oOo»-

The Hokage said, "Temari-san, Yugao-san, you have a go. Create the gate. Hinata, Naruto, and Tenten you have a go as well. Let's try to end this. Everyone else, interception duty, but do not block the field of view, unless I give the go."

Naruto created a pair of shadow clones as Hinata embraced him from behind, with her arms wrapping around his. Tenten simply placed her right hand on Naruto's arm.

An extra large Rasengan formed above his hands, which he quickly held above their heads, with Hinata and Tenten moving with him. His clones began to feed in wind chakra with Hinata and Tenten linked and feeding in threads of water and spirit. The thing quickly morphed into a ten foot wide disc of death.

Yugao said, "That is big enough."

Hinata pulled deeply on the link and then once more traveled along their bond to the jutsu before lifting it from Naruto's hands, while someone keeping it linked to the chakra he was supplying, as well as their own combined power. The disc started to wobble. The piercing whine was hurting their ears and had to have warned their enemy. Tenten grabbed hold of Hinata's left arm with her other hand. Curiously, that seemed to help. Balance was achieved. With just a thought she rushed it through the barely large enough open gateway and dropped it.

"Now!" she said.

Yugao instantly released the weave for the gateway.

Negi was standing by with his eyes active, looking not at the gateway, but where it was going. "Amazing. Their camp is just gone."

"Survivors?" asked the Hokage?

"Perhaps a third. Many ran when they heard the sound, but the jutsu expanded to at least a hunderd times its size. There is likely some wounded of course."

"Enough. Rest, but be prepared to do it again, should there be needed."

One hour later, a battered and weary Kurotsuchi walked up holding a white flag. She didn't have any visible weapons or pouches, though there was a scoll peaking out of her pocket. She was cautiously escorted to the Hokage.

"What say you, Kurotsuchi of Iwa?"

Nearby, Hinata tensed, but a hand on her arm from Yugao prevented any other action.

"You are the victors my lord Kage. We surrender without conditions."

"What of your grandfather?"

"My grandfather perished attempting to stop your last assault. We heard the noise and knew something was coming, but the actual attack took us completely by surprise."

The Hokage said, "If you wish peace, we will require his body. This foolishness will end."

"I know." With that she carefully slipped a small scroll out of her belt and set it on the ground. "May I unseal grandfather's body? I ask that you destroy it, or allow me to, after you confirm the kill."

"Unseal it."

Kurotsuchi did so, before walking backwards about a dozen feet.

The Hokage motioned an ANBU to check it. They did a complex identification technique, as well as collected a small sample of his blood. The ANBU said, "This appears to be in order, though I would like Tsunade to check the sample to be sure."

The Hokage stepped forward and blurred through his own jutsu before shouting, "Katon Karyuu Endan." and incinerating the corpse until there was only a pile of ashes. He then stepped back and said, "You may reseal the ashes if you wish." The same ANBU tossed a sealing scroll to her. She bowed and did so. No doubt there was some dirt and burned grass mixed in, but it was the best she could do, and more than she hoped for.

Sarutobi said, "Know that there are consequences for this foolishness. As of this day the entire leadership of rock country is dead. We had hoped capturing your Daimyo would cause you to pause. It did not. We had thought exposing the truth about his manipulations would do so. It did not. We had thought the beating you were getting might cause you to turn from your course. It did not. Your country aided in the destruction of our ally Uzushiogakure. Your country attacked us time and time again. Then when the Yondaime defeated you you swore a personal vendetta for a war you yourself started. Even now I'm doubtful if this will end it. Tell me now Kurotsuchi of Iwa, what would you do in my position?"

The young woman carefully placed the scroll in her pocket and stood up. She looked so very sad, as if she was crying, but without tears. "I stand for my people, for my friends and family. Do what you want with me, but please let them live. Most just followed the dreams of an old fool." There were actual tears in her eyes now.

"Very well. I will require you to sign a formal surrender. If there is anyone more senior remaining, they too must sign. The terms are simple. All shinobi must disarm and return to their homes. Any attacks on allied forces will result in death. Any shinobi that refuses to return, after reasonably being able to, will be killed as missing nin. In return for all that I will provide reasonable levels of medical and other supplies. You may send for your own medics if you wish, along with a small escort if you feel it is needed. We expect to be informed of all such missions so there are no misunderstandings."

Hesitantly she asked, "Could we bring a few of our worst wounded here? They won't make it if we wait..."

"Fine, but even a hint of treachery will result in death."

Kurotsuchi looked relieved at that.

"And me?"

"Short term, after signing the surrender and terms document, you will be sealed to prevent chakra use. Then you will be given over to Konoha torture and interrogation. If you cooperate fully, it need not be a lengthy or painful procedure. Your memory will be scanned and analyzed to determine what brought this war, and to give us clues how to go forward."

"May I stay here until my people are healed, at least for a little while? Seal me if you want. I have no medical knowledge anyway, but I can at least try to comfort them and make them comfortable."

"I will allow it, but do not let me regret it."

She smiled, please with what little concessions she could get. "And afterward?"

"I can make no promises, save this. You will not be used to create more with your bloodline. I'm doubtful you can be returned to Iwa, since some might, willingly or not use you as a rallying point. There is a chance you might be able to become either a Wind or Fire Kunochi, but that depends on you and the results of your interrogation. Can you let go the hate?"

Naruto came forward, Hinata not far away. Naruto said, "I hardly believed it when I was told. So you are the one who killed me."

Hinata whispered, "classified." Naruto seemed not to notice.

"I don't understand. You are the child of the fourth Hokage. I know my grandfather wished you dead, but I don't believe I've met you, though come to think of it, I suppose I have killed a few of your clones. Is that what you mean?"

Naruto turned to the Hokage and said, "Jiji, would it be possible for me to talk to her from time to time?"

The Hokage was surprised. He asked, "Why would you want to do that? I know I hate to waste potential, but a talented Kunochi like her, who almost certainly has reason to hate you is not generally a risk I would like to expose you to."

"What other choice do we have Jiji? I know we had to defend our home, but that is done. Hinata-chan told me about the cycle of hatred, about how we tried so hard to stop it. How do we stop it, if we do not stop it?"

Jiraiya grinned proudly at his godson.

The kunochi was surprised by the chunin's behavior. She quietly asked, "Was his father like that? Kill hundreds of his enemies, yet wish he didn't have to?"

Jiraiya stepped up to her and said simply, "Yes, Minato was exactly like that. We all lost so much when we lost him and his wife."

She nodded, not convinced, but not about to argue either.

-«oOo»-

Sarutobi said, "Asuma you will take your team to Suna and conduct preliminary negotiations with the Kazekage with an aim to splitting Earth Country approximately in half. It probably makes more sense for us to keep the east half, but with this new ability it may mean less than it used to. Either way, I trust you to begin negotiations. I expect that joint Leaf and Sand teams will have to help keep order in the near term. Look towards stability, which will include salvaging those Iwa ninja that can be integrated into one of our forces. Some will no doubt have to stay in Iwa to do missions and stabilize the economy. Perhaps splitting their ninja village into two smaller ones for local missions, managed by either Suna or Konoha will work. Do what you can and I will attend when things are further along. Temari will form the gateway home and go with you, including bringing any of her ninja that wish to return." Asuma nodded and left.

He continued, "After they are gone, I will go meet with the Fire Daimyo and arrange what is needed to finish this. We need his army if we are going to stabilize Iwa. Yugao and her team will attend with me along with Kurenai and Gai's team. Kakashi, you are in charge here in the interim. Make sure the surviving rock nins don't do anything stupid. You have discretion on helping wounded and injured, but do not risk our forces."

Kakashi nodded, absently reaching back for his favorite novel.

Naruto pulled on Hinata's arm. She looked at him and sighed. She whispered, "You would have me heal them." Naruto's pleading expression was clearly having an impact. Tenten looked on as well, curiosity in her eyes before looking over at Negi, clearly some concern there. After a moment she nodded, indicating that she would follow Hinata's lead.

Hinata said, "Pardon, Hokage-sama."

"Yes, Hinata."

"I ask that myself, Naruto, and Tenten remain here. We may be some help healing the survivors and if things turn bad, we may also be of use."

The Hokage mused, "Some good public relations perhaps, at the expense of yet another secret. I am uncertain of this. If Yugao's team stays, then the Daimyo may be insulted since they were key to our victory and he will no doubt want to meet them. Jiraiya, what is your opinion here?"

Jiraiya said, "It is fairly simple really. Sure we risk offending the Fire Daimyo, but he is going to provide the troops. He really has no choice at this point in time. More importantly, sooner or later word will get out about how we could have healed more than we did, and when it does, it will breed hatred again. I recommend following Hinata's or rather Naruto's plan here. I will go with you to the Fire Lord. Perhaps that will help to appease him, and we can always bring them to meet him at another time."

-«oOo»-

Sakura grew weary of patching up Ninja. Her meager chakra reserves were already exhausted and she was resorting to simple splints and bandages to do her job, though she did direct some of the worst to the other medic nins. Their chakra too was low, but they did the best they could. Now they had another forty enemy ninja's they were expected to heal, with more than a third in critical condition. It was just too much. Then there was that enemy kunochi that was just allowed to walk around. Sure she didn't get in the way. In fact she moved quickly to get out of the way, if a doctor even seemed to be looking in their direction and sure the Iwa patients seem to actually appreciate her time, but it was still odd. Shouldn't she be somewhere else?

She was surprised to see Hinata, Naruto, and Tenten walk into their makeshift hospital and then come up to her. Naruto asked, "Who is the worst?" He was looking not just at their own wounded but at the rock nins.

"Things are pretty stable on the Konoha side, though the doctors are exhausted. About a third are in critical on the Iwa side. I don't have exact figures, but if you can do something I do have my notes. We lined them up in order you see, and as soon as one of our medic nins recovers we will do what we can. I have just been providing liquids and bandaging the best I can for now. You know it's a pity that we don't all have your stamina Naruto."

Naruto winced, as if it was somehow his fault. Hinata said, "Tenten and I will do what we can. Naruto, can you help Sakura? She looks exhausted."

Naruto held out his right hand which soon pooled into a pool of soft green chakra. "I can't heal with it. I'm still not good enough, but I heard that sometimes med nins can use chakra, and I have practiced. It is at least medical chakra, right?"

Sakura stood there stunned. She held out her right hand over his and just sensed it. "I can't do that technique now, particularly with how low on chakra I am, but some of the other med nins can probably do it. Come on, I'll introduce you."

Hinata and Tenten moved to the head of the line. Hinata said, "Before we begin, remember that our strength is limited. Heal only the critical areas and move on. Remember the strength for our form of healing comes in part from the patient." Tenten nodded as they both got started. Nothing visible happened. They just seemed to be holding their patients heads.

Sakura brought Naruto over to the lead medical ninja and said,"I believe that he may be able to help. Show him." Naruto repeated the process for generating medical chakra, with the head medic also placing a palm about it, sensing its qualities.

"It is crude, yet impressive in its own way, given your chakra reserves. If you can sustain that it would be useful, but are you sure you can sustain that, and only that." Sakura thought his emphasis on the word only was curious.

"Yes, for quite a while. If I get tired I'll have to stop though."

The man nodded. Sakura had the feeling that there was a conversation she was not hearing. Nevertheless the man walked over to the line of Iwa ninjas and looked at the first two with Tenten and Hinata. He asked curiously, "Are they doing something?"

Hinata and Tenten were far too focused to speak. Naruto said, "They are healing them. Its this new jutsu thing they are doing. I know, we can help. We combined things before."

The man seemed dubious, even as Naruto formed more green chakra over an obviously ruined arm. The medic nin hesitated, but went through the seals for the mystic palm jutsu, while directing Naruto to funnel his energy just over the medic nin's hands, where it could be safely used.

"Wow, that is. Nevermind. Keep it up. This is working. After a few minutes, the man said. Focus on what your doing Naruto. Ignore everything except the creation of chakra whose only purpose is to heal. Your thoughts affect medical chakra. As it is, half of your energy is going to waste and your causing me to use more than I should."

His complaint seemed to be heard as Naruto suddenly focused deeply, though that focus was almost broken when Hinata brushed up next to him.

This went on for quite some time. Tenten would handle the serious cases that were within her abilities, while the team of three handled the more serious cases, including effectively regenerating several limbs that were previously recommended for amputation. Two hours passed. Tenten set down to rest. The head medic switched out with another, yet Naruto and Hinata soldiered on. Another hour and a half passed when Hinata cupped, not a new patients head, but Naruto's with her hands. Their was no ice water sensation, but simple words. "Enough. We have done what we could do. I know you are exhausted and I know I am as well. Enough."

The medic who was helping them said, "Agreed. Everyone who was critical is stable. Quite frankly you three did a small miracle here. Now leave the rest for us and get some rest. Sakura find them some food and make sure they and you eat and rest. I'm going to do the same, once I update my notes."

"Hai."

In the corner, trying to remain largely unnoticed by the newcomers, a dark haired Iwa kunochi said softly, "Not just regret. Strange." Seeing that the strange team that had accused her of killing one of them was gone, she resumed her duties, making sure each of the Iwa ninja had what few comforts she could provide.