[Akatsuki hideout]

Pein was not happy. Not one bit. Zetsu had just returned after losing the Hollow Four and the Jinchuuriki at the same time. He reported seeing them in Uzu's ruins, then they just vanished without a single trace. The fact that they killed Hidan was one thing, but to completely evade the spy master of the Akatsuki was another entirely.

Pein had no idea who these four were or just how strong they were and that was a major disadvantage to any other hidden village in the Elemental Lands. He would have to tread carefully from here on out. If one of them could kill Hidan without much effort, then who knows what all four of them could do when serious.

"Are you alright Pein?"
A feminine voice spoke from behind the man.

Pein turned to see his closest ally, Konan, approach him with a wary eye. He turned back around as he looked out a window to the rainy countryside.
"It is the Hollow Four."
He began with an irritated undertone.
"Not only have they taken four Jinchuuriki from us, but they have also eluded us once more."

Konan sighed as she had known that those four were causing her once friend so much headache. She looked back towards him and asked in a calm tone.
"So what do we do?"

Pein scowled out the window in response.
"When I confront them, they will know that they should never have defied a god."

Konan looked down in disappointment as she knew that he was too far gone at this point.

[New Uzu]

Right now in a large dining hall, a celebration was being held for the return of the lost heir to the Uzumaki clan. Everyone from the village was there as they had prepared a massive feast for not only the returning Naruto, but his team and guests as well. The night was filled with amazing food, a lot of hilarious entertainment from some of the oddballs of the clan, and an all around joyous time in general.

Naruto sat next to Mito as she drank her own personal sake and enjoyed not having to work on paperwork for once this month. Hinata and Sakura were seated away from them and actually having a decent conversation with some of the people there. Haku had joined in on the fun, chasing children in a game of tag. The Jinchuuriki were also enjoying the festivities as they ate and talked to others.

Mito, finishing up her third bottle of sake, sighed in content before looking towards Naruto.
"I seriously can't believe what you've just told me."
She spoke in a confused tone for a bit.
"So let me get this straight. You and your friends were killed years ago and transported to another world as these powerful beings, died there, then resurrected by Kami to make this world peaceful? Did I get all of that Naruto?"

Naruto smirked as he leaned back in his chair.
"That's the shortened version, yes."

Mito sighed as she leaned back in her own chair and looked up to the ceiling.
"Damn. I couldn't think this family of ours could have any more strange things happen to it."

Naruto raised a brow.
"What do you mean?"

Mito sighed again and looked back to him with a partially serious look.
"I'm gonna assume that you've noticed the genjuutsu I'm using, right?"

When she saw him nod, she continued.
"The thing is, this genjuutsu can only be used by Uzumaki's by blood. Meaning that anyone else who tries this will simply age faster, but it also has an odd side effect."

"What's that?"
Naruto asked her as he narrowed his eyes a bit.

"The user seems to stop aging entirely."
Mito spoke with a downward look in her eyes.

"That explains how you're still here then."
Naruto spoke out, getting her attention.
"You used this juutsu to put yourself back in your prime when Uzu was invaded. You did it to protect your family and eventually retreat with them."

Mito smirked.
"Smart. Definitely didn't get that from Kushina."
The two chuckled a bit as they downed some more sake as the night continued on.

As the party was drawing near an end, Mito brought Naruto and his allies with her to her office to discuss what they were going to do now.

"Right now, our goal is to liberate the current Jinchuuriki."
Sakura spoke in her stoic tone.

"Well from what I've heard, Kumo treats its Jinchuuriki nicely and fairly."
Mito said as she propped her arms on her new desk.
"Aside from them, there's also the one tailed Jinchuuriki being unstable due to his seal, the three tails dead now, and the six tails is missing."

"You're well informed."
Hinata spoke with a narrowed eye.

"We have our own spies all around some of the major villages."
Mito answered, unfazed by Hinata's glare.
"Aside from the traitorous Konoha, we have eyes and ears almost everywhere."

"That explains how you knew of the four of us so easily."
Naruto started.
"Be that as it may, we're going to need a place to lay low and bring other Jinchuuriki to so we can start the next step."

"You're welcome to stay here and so are your allies and the Jinchuuriki."
Mito spoke with a smirk.
"But know that if they cause any trouble, they are in a village filled with seal masters of the highest caliber. So I suggest you make sure things don't go south so fast Naruto."
Naruto nodded as he and the others left the office to find a home for now. Before they left though, Mito stopped them with her next words.
"If you're gonna go and get other Jinchuuriki, then I know the one tail is going to be in the Chunin exams held in Konoha next week."
The four stopped and looked back to her as she smiled at them.
"Just fruit for though."

[Konoha]

Right now, Sasuke was training with Kakashi and Danzo like a mad man. He needed to get stronger not just to kill his brother now, but to defeat the Hollow Four and take their power for himself. His arrogance was on full display as Kakashi was teaching him even more fire based juutsu and even his prized Chidori technique. It wasn't all that hard for Sasuke as he just watched what Kakashi and Danzo did and copied them into his repertoire.

While this was going on, none were aware of a small snake watching everything with great interest.

Orochimaru was fully prepared for what was to come in the Chunin exams and attaining the young Uchiha's body, but he was also interest in the Hollow Four. If he could find and convince them to join him in destroying Konoha with him, then maybe even taking a body or two for later on. Oh the possibilities were endless if everything went his way. Despite how Iwa felt about the four, and their need to destroy them for taking their Jinchuuriki, Orochimaru still wanted the four to join him.

As the training session ended, Sasuke left the area to return home, excited and smug at the fact that he was given permission to participate in the Chunin exams. He was so full of himself that when he made it to his home, he didn't even notice the pair of red, Sharingan eyes watching him from afar.

"I can't believe you."
A feminine voice whispered out as they disappeared from the shadows.

This feels like the perfect place to stop. I know its short and all, but the next chapter will be the start of the Chunin exams. I will also introduce a few OC Uzumaki characters that will be helping the four as well as eventually show who the mystery person is.

Till then.

Bye-bye.