Author's Note/Message: I'm sorry for the chapters being post these times. I'm being affected by some recent happenings. I hate SCHOOL.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Changing Motives

Chapter 9 – New Allies, New Enemies

Team Obsidian slowly made their way back to the camp where they left Naruto and the missing-nin their senpai called 'Sasuke.' Making some cautious moves as they went tree-hopping, Team Obsidian made sure that they made their way back discretely and not to attract any attention. Even though it was the sole purpose of patrolling to know if there were people present around, Team Obsidian made it a habit to be careful when they were moving so as not to let their presence to be announced. Safety was Naruto's first decree to them when they started receiving missions that involved them out of the village, and they knew that the blond would kill them if they returned hurt. So much for their overprotective senpai…

As they neared the location, they could already see the blond ninja up and above, packing things around the camp. When they touched ground, Team Obsidian greeted Naruto. "Good morning, Naruto-senpai. Did you sleep well?"

"Of course, Sumi-chan, Nebi-kun, Moko-niichan." He smiled to each one of the team. "I have a peaceful night." Naruto then sent a gaze to the raven-haired ninja still under Nebi's jutsu. He was sitting and leaning on the tree, looking at them as if they were stones that he could break with just his glances. Team Obsidian returned the stern look at Sasuke, each of them giving off their best glares against him.

Since Nebi was the one who would act more adult in the team, he was the first one to break the glaring match and returned his attention to Naruto. He started speaking to the blond ninja. "Naruto-senpai, what are we going to do now?" The question quickly snatched the attentions of the other two members of Obsidian, which prompted them to listen to the answer of Naruto.

"Since we are three days away from the border of Fire, if we are not already to consider the presence of Oto and Konoha patrols, I want all of us to return more quickly than the time we spent going to Fire." Naruto began explaining. He needed not to reveal his map since he knew Team Obsidian had memorized their path from the time he first explained their way. "According to Takashi, the information he had this time is vital for Iwagakure, and I don't want to spoil it by returning at a slow rate. From this moment on, we change our travel times. We will now proceed at night, and taking some stops during the day. This we will do until we reach the border." Naruto paused for a while, thinking more for the patterns of travel that they would use. "But the problem lies in Kusagakure-Fire border." He revealed a certain scroll from his backpack. "According to some news that Takashi also was receiving, there has been a lot of activity between Kusa and Konoha. It seemed that Konoha patrols are reaching over the border of Kusa."

"Well, their alliance seems to be working on their mutual groundwork, isn't it?" Sumi asked.

"I doubt it." Naruto said. "I don't think Konoha would just give its help because it wants to help Kusa. If there will be anything that sways Konoha to move, then it's the presence of a problem that could possibly threaten the village."

"What could that be, senpai?" Moko asked.

"It's hard to believe it, but even Kusa and Fire are experiencing the problems that some rogue ninjas are giving. I think that Kusa can't handle the situation themselves, so it asked the help of Konoha to fend itself from the rogues. But since Konoha has deemed the situation somewhat of importance to its safety, it has obliged the call and sent some patrols to help Kusa." Naruto explained. Naruto pondered inside his mind. He remembered the last private briefing that he had with the Tsuchikage the day before they were sent. As some ideas came clouding his mind, the conclusion he had already formed in the beginning was starting to solidify. The evidences that were now present were proof enough to make a point to the Tsuchikage. And as soon as they reach Iwa, he would march into the kage's office and tell his mind to him.

"Naruto-senpai, what about him?" Sumi raised the question.

He almost laughed himself off when he totally forgot about Sasuke because of the sudden conversation brought up by Team Obsidian. He started walking near the ninja. When he reached a suitable spot for a dialogue, Naruto started talking again. "Sasuke."

Sasuke just looked up to Naruto dryly. His dark eyes always showed no mercy whenever it looked at something or someone. But to Naruto, his eyes were just orbs of pain that had left it empty. The threats that were supposed to be silently thrown by those unforgiving eyes were blank and meant nothing to Naruto. He knew the meaning of those eyes, and so he empathized with what the raven felt. He discarded the glare and proceeded talking. "You see, as the Iwa doctrine has it – or every ninja village is too – it's either we take you as prisoner for interrogation or we kill you as the last two options for ninjas defeated in battle by us." Naruto gave him a small grin. "I know you would don't want the second option."

"I can always choose to escape." Sasuke replied.

"Sasuke, if that option has always been available to you since the moment we've captured you, then you should have taken it from the first second it was available." Naruto smiled grimly. "But, as you've told me last night, you really can't escape the jutsu Nebi used. Don't try to bluff me when it's obvious." Naruto said, trying to stress the last part of his statement.

"Hn." Sasuke turned his head away from the group.

"We can just kill him, Naruto-senpai."

"No." Naruto gave a very sharp answer. "No one will hurt him until we've brought him together back at Iwa."

"What made you think he will come with us without protest?" Nebi asked.

"Teme," Naruto called the attention of the raven. "Choose between the two: you will walk with your own foot or I'll carry you with my clones in fangirls henge?"

As soon as Naruto finished his question, Sasuke suddenly stood up from sitting on the ground.

Naruto observed Sasuke warily as the four of them jumped from tree to tree. Talking high leaps from branch with some earth clinging around your torso and abdomen area was a hard task to accomplish, since his hands were disabled for him to assume a more balanced stature. But since he was Sasuke, he knew that the raven could channel some chakra into his feet for him to 'stick' to the tree branch for him to fall. But that wasn't the thing that made him watch the raven. He was thinking of the possible reason why Sasuke suddenly came with them without too much protest – as Nebi expected. He was sure that Sasuke really didn't want to be carried by his clones – but that was too shallow for the enigmatic Uchiha to take as a reason. He could feel that there was something different.

And that he would know. What Uzumaki Naruto wanted to know, he would know.

He jumped closer to Sasuke, which made the raven look at him with slight irritation. "What do you want?"

"I'm just curious, Sasuke." Naruto replied. "I'm sure the petty clone-in-fangril-henge wasn't the reason why you joined us." He said. "And I'm sure that no ninja would just go with his captor without something in replacement or something being planned hidden." He gave the Uchiha a dubious glance. "What is it that you aim? Do you want something in return, or are you planning something?"

"I really am bothered with the way you speak to me." Sasuke answered, without looking to his listener. Who would not be troubled when someone you know who was a loudmouth, accepting, and an idiot talked to you in an intelligent manner? He heard him and that team – Obsidian, if he remembered it right – talking about returning to Iwagakure. Just from the information and analysis that he made, Sasuke was impressed and doubtful at the same time. The change was drastic, but that made him suspicion if the one with him was indeed Naruto. After all, he hadn't told him anything about becoming an Iwa-nin, and that was one part of the whole picture that made him apprehensive of Naruto.

"Things change." Naruto answered.

"No one will believe it's you."

"As if I'll let them know it's me." Naruto stressed. "You should know that Tsunade had just announced my death few days ago."

Sasuke was just able to give him a dry stare. It seemed that he had missed too many things already. What he couldn't understand was the incongruity between what Naruto told him last night and what he just said that day. If Naruto's story last night was true, then the announcement of his death should have happened from that point of time – three years ago. But it had been three years from that event, and Naruto said that Tsunade finally announced his death. Why would she do that just now? "Hn."

Naruto, sensing that Sasuke's famous 'Hn' meant more than a shrug, thought that he needed to explain some things to the raven. "Unfortunately, Tsunade was so depressed about it and knew that she needed to hide it from amongst the people of Konoha. So for three years, the only reason they could come up to cover my death was that I trained under Jiraiya. That was also the thing that made them easier to announce my death. Who would question a death under the training of the always-travelling-into-the-dangerous-lands sannin?"

Sasuke just took in the explanation without question. That was enough for a reason for the sudden change in attitude and personality. But still, Sasuke was more curious about Naruto's becoming of an Iwa-nin. He wanted to know what made Naruto join the village. What made Naruto change?

"Hey, Teme, you still didn't tell me why you didn't refuse to us." Naruto broke his thoughts.

Sasuke just glared at Naruto. He hated that derogatory term. He didn't reply.

"What of Orochimaru? Will he find you?" Naruto continued to barrage Sasuke with questions. "About that, why didn't I see any Oto-nin with you? Do you really like to brood alone? Don't worry, we brought the sword. So, why didn't you use the sword to fight us? I know you can defeat Team Obsidian but why not use it?"

"I've killed Orochimaru."

Naruto seemed to have his mouth plastered by a ton of clay. He just couldn't speak after hearing what Sasuke told him. Naruto just smiled after some pondering. He finally had a conclusion in mind, after hearing that single sentence. "I knew you wouldn't let yourself be a pawn for that snake-freak."

Sasuke was stunned. "I am expecting you'll ask me how I defeated him."

"Nah." Naruto said, smiling. "That will spoil our spars, Teme. If you tell me what you're capable of, then I'll find out a way to defeat you. I don't want to ruin the three years that we haven't met – let's see who's stronger now!" Naruto shouted the last part of his statement, which caught the attention of Team Obsidian. What was happening to their senpai?

"Urusai, dobe." Sasuke silenced the blond.

"We'll see about that… after you meet the Tsuchikage." Naruto told him, and evil grin plastered in his face.

It took them five days to reach the border of Earth from their mission.

As soon as they reached Iwagakure, Sasuke was amused to see the people greeting Naruto as their group sped towards where the Tsuchikage was staying. It seemed that everybody knew Naruto, and Naruto was greeting them back with the same energy the villagers were giving him. If his memory still served him right, it was one thing Naruto wanted to have when they were younger – recognition from people. Right now, he was having it from the people of Iwa. He would make a mental note of that, as one of the possible reasons for staying in Iwa.

Some multitudes of steps and walks later, they'd reached the office of the Tsuchikage. The cold walls of the room could bring chills to the people coming there, and since the kage wanted to retain the cold atmosphere of the room, he'd ask the builders of the place to dimly illuminate the room. The place was more like of a cave, since the stone walls and the lighting had made a terrible combination that made it look like one.

"Tsuchikage-sama, we're back." Naruto suddenly announced, which brought the head of the kage into looking at them. He dropped his writing material and waved the group to go nearer into his table.

When they were nearer to him, the Tsuchikage finally noticed the tall man with pale skin and black hair. He was restrained using an earth technique. "Who is he?" Ōnoki asked.

"Ōnoki-jijii, the man comes after the debriefing, alright?" Naruto told his leader.

Sasuke also noted the Naruto was still disrespectful of his superiors.

Team Obsidian and Naruto reported to Ōnoki about Takashi and handed him over the scrolls that served as additional information for Iwa. They've also told him about the current status of Naruto to Konoha, which didn't surprise the Tsuchikage – much to Obsidian's relief and curiousity. After that, Ōnoki dismissed Team Obsidian, which left Naruto, Sasuke and the Tsuchikage in the room. The latter nodded his head to Naruto, signalling him to spill some information about the man.

"This is Uchiha Sasuke, a ninja that came from Konoha, now a missing-nin. We came across him when we were near the Oto-Konoha border. Team Obsidian and I fought him and was restrained after being defeated. I brought him in the hopes that he could help Iwa in our mission." Naruto said.

"A missing-nin…?" Ōnoki said. "Naruto, what made you think he will help Iwa and I'll accept him in this village?"

"Ōnoki-sama," Naruto's voice was hurt, especially the accepting part. "He was my teammate back in Konoha."

"He's on the Bingo Book, I should say. We have all rights to kill him. I don't want more rouges or missing-nins pestering our place already." The Tsuchikage answered.

"Ōnoki-sama, I'll make sure he won't do anything stupid." Naruto said. "If he does, then I'll go assassin."

The Tsuchikage smiled. He looked straightly at Sasuke, which attracted the attention of the raven. "Alright. Since you are a missing-nin of Konoha, and we don't have any good relations with that village, I can reinstate you as a ninja of Iwa, if you like it. But of course, it will bring some questions like it did to Naruto's part. But I'm sure I can do something about it, since it will just be Konoha which will make a fuss out of it." He continued. "Do you approve to be an Iwa-ninja?"

Sasuke looked at Naruto, and then back at the Tsuchikage. "Fine. I don't think I can escape the clutches of Naruto anymore."

The Tsuchikage smiled grimly. "Then I will give you another mission, Naruto."

Naruto straightened at the word 'mission'.

"We've finally made out something from the pieces of information being brought back by our ninjas from missions that involved the rouges scattered around the borders of Earth Country." He said, standing up from his seat. He walked slowly and went to the next available window. "And the last thing you've given us, Naruto, was the final puzzle piece." The Tsuchikage revealed the said material. He threw it on his table.

"So…" Naruto said in a long breath. "It's Takigakure?" Naruto spoke, looking at the forehead protector with the symbol of Taki drawn in it.

"Yes." Ōnoki said. "It seemed that they are bolstering their forces." The Tsuchikage explained.

"But what's the relation of the rogues to the military actions of Taki?"

"The rogues are either distractions or as part of reinforcement. But I'll take both options as true." Ōnoki said. "If you've noticed it, the rogues actually bordered Takigakure." He said, pointing at the map hanging on the wall. "If some of your mission reports are true, then Kusagakure and even Fire are experiencing the rogues. They serve as distraction since it will take out the eyes of some ninja village to some military amassment.

"Takigakure had remained too silent over these past years." Naruto said. "I could get the idea that they've been quiet since they are making their forces stronger."

"And that is what I'm afraid of, Naruto."

"What are the plan and the mission then?"

"Make war with Takigakure."

"Kakashi, I'm sorry if I need to bring you out for another mission." It was the greeting that Tsunade made for that morning, which didn't mean anything to the Hatake's part. Kakashi didn't care if he was going to have another busy day, week, or months. That time, he needed them frequently. He was grieving too hard and he wanted to distract his mind away from the matter. He still couldn't accept that Naruto was finally gone, and he was accusing himself for being so irresponsible to have let his student die. One more death and he knew that he would finally lost his sanity – hell, he didn't even know if was sane when Naruto died. He was one important person, and he let him die. Naruto's death made him think that someone was disappointed of him.

"No grudge taken, Tsunade-sama." Kakashi answered.

"The mission I will give you is an A-rank, since we'll do it in coordination with Kusa." Tsunade handed him a scroll. "Finally, after some days of attrition conflict, the rouge ninjas that were giving Kusa a problem had made a stand against the village. The attacking rogues now did it in a systematic manner and are currently pinning Kusa. It seems that every rogue that have inhabited the borders of Earth country, Kusagakure, Amegakure, and Takigakure have concentrated themselves in the Taki-Kusa border." Tsunade explained, pointing a spot north of Kusagakure. "Your mission is to help fend off the attacking rogues until orders for you to stop are given. Reinforcement will come in a slow manner, since we don't want the rogues knowing that Konoha is also sending its force to help Kusa."

"With what team I'll be with?" Kakashi answered.

"You are free to choose the members of the team you want." Tsunade answered.

"Is that all?" Kakashi replied.

"Yes." But before Kakashi turn to left, she was able to speak. "I hope you choose the people who aren't still grieving for Naruto; you don't want some people breaking into emotions while in a mission."

"Hai, Tsunade-sama." Kakashi vanished in a cloud of smoke.

Tsunade continued on working with her paperworks.

The First Patrol Team stood just in front of the village gate, waiting for the Hokage to finally give them the final order for them to start their mission.

Neji was observing Kakashi, since he had noticed that there was something different with the jounin. From what Sakura had told him in the past, Kakashi had a bad habit of going late. He often went an hour to three hours late, according to the significance of the mission. But his presence there – he was even already there when Neji arrived! – was some discrepancy with the knowledge he knew. The single visible eye of Kakashi was enough for the Hyūga to discern what the jounin was feeling. Kakashi was hurting inside.

Of course, the announcement of Naruto's death was something that shocked Neji. He saw his death as a major loss, and Neji was a little sad that one of the people he started to respect that changed his view in life had died. He knew that Naruto was a nexus of ideas and new hopes, and his loss was one great blow against konoha. But Neji quickly accepted the truth of life that ninjas could also die in battle. Naruto was a great loss, but it was part of ninja life.

"Kakashi-sensei, you haven't told us any brief about the mission we're going to have." A deep voice said, which made Neji look at the source. The hooded figure with a jacket reaching his knees was staring – behind those dark sunglasses – to the jounin. Shino.

"I'm sorry, Shino, but I think we'll have to wait for the Hokage." Kakashi politely answered. It was one of the sign that there was something wrong with non-Uchiha Sharingan user. Whenever he and Gai met, he would always show a disrespectful side. Or maybe he was just aware of the Aburame's formality...?

The Aburame remained silent.

"Tenzo," Kakashi called the other member of the team. "I know you are also one of the ninjas sent some days ago as patrols for the rogues. Where have you been assigned?"

"I was sent near the Fire-Oto border, Kakashi-senpai." The ninja answered.

"Are there any irregularities there?"

"Not much." Tenzo answered. "But we saw a group Kusa-ninjas travelling there. We didn't even bother to ask them, since we couldn't just intrude in their ways. As long as they remain normal, then we don't have to do something against them. But according to one of my members, their papers are authentic."

"You scan through them?"

"No, but his eyes can."

"Ah." Kakashi's reply came short. He silently thought about the presence of Kusa-nins walking in that part of Konoha. What could they be doing there if they knew that rouges were becoming a problem to their village? There was something amidst there, and he wanted to know about it.

Tsunade arrived.

"Kakumo-ojisan, we're going for another mission." Naruto said to the person sitting in one of the chairs in that small apartment. Naruto made sure he had a habit of going to his ojisan whenever he had a mission that needed the latter's attention. Well, the Tsuchikage's plan was crazy enough that he needed the help of his Kakumo-ojisan.

Kakumo looked at Naruto and smiled. "What is it now that the Tsuchikage wants?"

"He wants to make war with Takigakure, ojisan."

Kakumo suddenly laughed that he had almost fell in his chair. "That old man, he really can't understand the meaning of peace…"

"It can be justified, I think."

"What made you think so?"

"Takigakure is the source of the most recent problems being experienced by almost three ninja villages including us." Naruto began to explain. "If we are to end their hostility, then we can live for another time without pests such as them."

"You know, wars are just waste of time."

"That always comes from your mouth."

"It's true."

"So, don't you want to ask why I went here?"

"Spill."

"Ojisan, we think that Kusa will be going ask for Konoha's help in this one. Can you please help us in evading a certain ninja?" Naruto said.

"Who?"

"Hatake Kakashi."

Kakumo suddenly smiled again. Upon hearing the name, his blood suddenly went active, as if his energy began to pour and he needed to release it. "It has been years since we last met, and I want to test his capabilities now." Kakumo told Naruto. "Alright, you can expect my arrival. I know you hate to be seen by that man."

"Naruto, where are––" Sasuke suddenly entered the place, unaware that there was another person inside. When he saw the person, his mouth could only stutter as his blood boiled into some unhealthy heights.

"HA!" Kakumo exclaimed. "This is getting fun!"

- End of Chapter -

I'm a writer who wants everything be vague.

Naruto's death is a fuss I don't want to clarify in a direct manner. Sorry if it brings confusion.

It's Christmas break next week-!