Kaibunkage
Arc I
Chapter X
"My name is Hirameki Sayuri! I like spicy foods and I hate anything that is sweet! My hobbies is training and hanging out with my friends. And as for my dream… I will avenge my parents and kill my older brother!"
- Hirameki Sayuri
The trio made their ways to the gates of Konoha silently. The two guards at the main entrance only gave a glance at the trio before moving to the side quickly. The word "Ash" clearly seen on the dark gray hat, they did not want to be the ones to make a bad impression. Plus, the man to the right seemed extremely frightening.
After the trio had walked into the village and were well out of the hearing range, the two guards looked at one another.
"The Kaibunkage…" Izumo said to his teammate.
"Yeah, I know. Man they give me the creeps!" Kotetsu added.
Izumo sighed. "I hope Danzo knows what he's doing."
"Me too… We don't know how much longer Orochimaru is going to hold off on the attack." replied Kotetsu. "Let's pray to Kami this works."
"Hai." Izumo stated.
Gaara had called his brother and sister into his office. Despite the current threat from Akatsuki that still lingered in the air, he figured that now would be a good time to tell them about Matsuri's pregnancy. He was going to announce it to Naruto at the upcoming Festival of Lights. This meant that there would probably be a large discussion about his and Matsuri's future, mostly on Temari's part. As much as he would love to have met his real mother, Temari did a fairly good job showing him the love and fear one received from a mother.
"So what's the big important mission that no one else can hear?" Kankuro asked.
"How do you know it's a mission?" replied Temari.
Kankuro shrugged. "Why else would we be here?"
"It could be-"
"Temari, Kankuro," he hated it when those two began arguing because it was usually him that kept Temari from bashing his brother's face into the ground with her fan. "This isn't a mission."
"Told you…" Kankuro grunted at Temari's snide comment.
"It's bigger than any mission. It has something to do with our family." Gaara's words drew a frown on his siblings' faces. "What I tell you must not leave this room until the night of the Festival of Lights, understand?" The two nodded. "Good… Over the past year, Matsuri and I have been seeing each other in secret."
"What? You mean that you've-"
"Kankuro, quiet!" Temari chastised before looking at Gaara. "Go ahead Gaara."
"…" Gaara had a feeling of what Kankuro was going to say and chose to keep his temper at bay. It was no secret that Kankuro had an eye on the Kazekage's assistant. What angered Gaara were the comments Kankuro had made about Matsuri during their time dating. Some were a bit too descriptive and provactive for the redhead's taste. "Anyway, she came to me two weeks ago with some news…"
Temari frowned before her eyes lit in realization. When Gaara said that he and Matsuri had been 'seeing each other' she figured the occasional date. Now she knew exactly what he meant.
"I don't know what to say…" Temari stated. Gaara gave his sister a small glare as he studied her. "I'm… Shocked." A raise of his eyebrow asked the silent question. "I thought you were… You know. Pure."
"Pure? Shocked? What are you talking about? And what's the news?" questioned Kankuro looking back-and-forth between his sister and brother. "Someone answer me!"
"Baka…" Temari muttered before addressing Kankuro. "Matsuri's carrying your future niece or nephew."
If possible, Gaara swore he saw Kankuro's face paint pale. If he were the type, Gaara would have 'explained' to Kankuro the advantages of having increased stamina, animal instincts, and a girl who had ideas that would make Jiraiya blush. But such torture would have to wait until Temari was away.
Far away.
"So… What are you two going to do?" Temari asked Gaara. She thought she saw a smirk curl onto his face when he was thinking, but it ended no sooner did her voice came out of her mouth.
"Due to my position, we will need to move Matsuri into a more secured home. One that I have access to." Kankuro flinched both times Gaara said the words 'position' and 'access'. He thought his brother was doing this unintentionally, but when Gaara's eyes met Kankuro's, Kankuro knew exactly what Gaara was doing. "We're in a tight situation Kankuro. One that requires your and Temari's assistance."
"Sure thing, Gaara." Gaara gave Kankuro a small nod and then looked at Temari.
"I am announcing it at the Festival of Lights. Good news is exactly what Naruto needs after Aku's betrayal." Gaara told his siblings.
The door opened to reveal Matsuri.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Matsuri said.
"What is it, Suri-chan?" So Gaara could not help but to frustrate his older brother more. And by Kankuro's reaction to Matsuri's small blush, it was working.
"Um… The messenger hawk from Hoshi has returned. Do you have the list of guests attending the festival?" asked Matsuri, her face still a bit pink at Gaara's response. She was used to calling her that in private, but in the company of Temari and Kankuro it was a bit embarrassing.
"Right. Kankuro," Kankuro looked at Gaara. "Find Baki. He has the list that we need."
"Hai, Kazekage-sama." Kankuro replied before walking out.
"Temari, can you give Suri-chan and I some time alone?" Gaara requested more than asked.
"Sure." Temari said as she left the expecting couple in the office.
"Gaara-kun, I'm sorry. I-"
"There's nothing to be sorry about." Gaara interrupted, causing Matsuri to smile. "I have decided to announce the news at the festival, like you suggested earlier."
"Thank you, Gaara-kun." Matsuri said.
A smile played on the Kazekage's lips.
"You're welcome, Suri-chan."
Green eyes opened to the world for what felt like the first time in years. There were no threats of being captured by Hunter Nins and/or shinobi from Konoha. There were no bad dreams of running into a former teammate and being wiped off of the face of the earth. The weight that once crushed her was somehow lifting…
Yet another one was taking its place.
"…up! Daddy said you need to wake up!" Closing her eyes, Sakura idly wondered how Naruto did it. Uzumaki Shiori was a little ball of blonde energy and no one, from the mythical Sage of the Six Paths to all nine jinchuriki, could keep up with her. "Sakura! Get up!"
"Shiori-chan, that is not how I said to wake her up." The jumping on the bed ceased and Sakura opened her eyes once more to see Shiori standing on the bed looking down at Sakura.
"She's awake!" Shiori stated.
Sakura blinked in grogginess and confusion. Due to her large yellow jacket that had sleeves that swallowed up her arms worn open to reveal her white shirt, Sakura thought she was looking at Shion and the blonde was, for some reason, getting back at her. But she then realized that Shiori's pants were purple, not red, and Shiori's smile was more Naruto-ish than anything else about the girl.
Sakura yawned. "Good morning, Shiori."
Shiori fell to her knees beside Sakura with a pout.
"You promised to show me the rest of the village with your jen… Ken…" the girl paused with a thoughtful expression making Sakura deduce where she got her brains from. "Genjutsu!"
"You have school." was the reply from Naruto. Sakura turned to see him at the doorway, his arms crossed. He wore his normal black shirt and orange jogging pants, causing Sakura to think that he has or was going to go train. "Come on Shiori-chan. Jakken will be here any second."
"Oh alright…" the little girl said in a defeated tone. Sakura watched as Shiori hopped off of the bed with a saddened expression. "See you later Sakura…"
"I'll show you later." Sakura said. Shiori turned to her with a wide grin.
"Really? Thanks Sakura!" Shiori replied before Naruto exhaled.
"Jakken is here." Naruto said. "How about-"
"I'm late Daddy! Gotta go!" Shiori said running past Naruto.
Sakura, wearing a pink shirt with black shorts, sat up in the fairly comfortable bed.
"She's something else." Naruto gave her a small shrug, ending her first attempt of a conversation. "She's interested in traveling. More specifically to-"
"The Hidden Leaf Village. I think I know more about my daughter than you do." Naruto interrupted. "I'm still debating on what to do with you Sakura. You're obviously so warped in your own wants that your life doesn't even matter to you anymore. I can't have you running in and out of the village whenever you please for fear that you'll attract Kiri's Hunter Nin."
"Then why didn't you let Sasuke finish me off?" questioned Sakura.
"…" the Kaibunkage stood silently. "I don't know."
That was obviously not the right thing to say as Sakura's pink brows furrowed. How could he not know? He decided to do it and then he did, right? Obviously there had to be some reason he showed up in Wave Country and then brought Sakura back to Ash Country.
"I'm worried about you, Sakura." While his voice had yet to change from the fatherly tone he was using with Shiori, Sakura's eyes still grew wide. "You've… Remained the same. Still uncertain about things. You would like for me to come to Konoha… Yet you have come to accept my life here in Kemuri."
"How can you tell?" Naruto actually snorted before responding.
"I know your type." His response caused Sakura's face to distort in confusion and anger. "Shion-chan had a lot of inner battles, some she told me and others I had to figure out. I figured it was a woman thing but Sayuri is as blunt as they come."
Sakura's eyes went to the bed sheets. "I want things to be set right… I want us to somehow go back in time and fix our mistakes."
"There are no mistakes, Sakura. Our defection, Shiori's birth, even… Even Shion's death wasn't a mistake." Naruto said. The last part was harder to say than he originally thought. "Still, I'm confused and worried about you. I know you mean well, but you have to have seen the obvious hints that nothing will be like you want it to be."
Sakura sat quietly, not liking this conversation at all. While she could mask emotions just as easily as the standard jonin could, she had a terrible weakness when it came to her friends, something Ino fed off of every time the two were together. Naruto would probably break her with mere words if she did not change the topic.
"I have to leave," Sakura realized that Naruto must have felt something similar to her emotions as he was also dodging the topic. "But, I want you to know something. The night that I left… I meant it. I am sorry for whatever you experience afterwards."
With nothing else said, the Shodai Kaibunkage left Sakura in the room with her thoughts. Those words that she had exchanged with Naruto, much like the one's said between her and Sasuke, haunted her since that night. The scenario of a stronger Sakura being able to stop one or both of them also played as well. Why didn't she scream when Sasuke left? Why did she let Naruto get so close to her?
"Ugh…" she grunted as she removed herself from the bed. Disgusted with her thoughts, she moved towards the door to begin her search for the closest shower.
"Oh, um…" Sakura turned to see Chojuro standing. "H-hello Haruno-san… Lord Kaibunkage has asked me… To keep an eye on y-you…" Sakura frowned a bit. "N-not that you need protecting! But to make sure that no one attempts to… You know, attack and you retaliate."
"He thinks I'm that weak?" Sakura asked with an eyebrow arched in question.
"It's to keep the others safe."
"He thinks I can't control my temper?" By now Sakura's hair paled in comparison to Chojuro's face.
"N-no…! I hope…" Chojuro fixed his glasses. "Um… We are planning for the Festival of Lights, a celebration adopted from Demon Country." Sakura gave a nod. It had been all Shiori talked about yesterday, sans her wishes to see Konoha and how great her father was. "Are you alright, Haruno-san?"
"I need to take a shower." Sakura stated.
"Oh, the shower is this way." Chojuro said leading Sakura away. "Um, if you don't mind me asking, but you were on the Kaibunkage's genin squad, right?" Sakura gave him a small nod, though he was too busy looking ahead to see it. "Was he always so hard-working?"
Sakura hesitated in her response. Truth be told, she had only paid attention to his training after the Chunin Exams, more specifically after he defeated Neji. Before then, he was just an annoying blond who constantly bothered her. But she figured that any genin who could learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu let alone the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu must be a hard-worker.
"Yes." she stated.
"Oh… And did he use the Shadow Clones for everything?" Sakura actually smiled at the statement.
"Of course." replied Sakura as she attempted to think of a fight he did not use his treasured technique.
Chojuro stopped in front of a door.
"Um, here is the bathroom. There's soap, cloths, and towels in the closet. If you need anything, just call." Chojuro said before walking away.
As Chojuro walked away, he shuddered at the thought of Sakura somehow giving him the slip and then harming a fellow shinobi of the Hidden Smoke or a civilian. Naruto would not be happy and neither would Mei when she returned. In the words of Hirameki Sayuri:
His ass would be lava fried.
Sumaru stepped into the classroom, several of the students awing at his very presence. Since the expansion of Hoshigakure, the academy had gone from a dingy cabin to an actually school building with several of classrooms and teachers for all ages. The class he was currently looking at was the graduating class. By the end of this semester, they would be genin. Well, most of them anyway.
"Lord Hoshikage," the teacher, Shikoru Aiko said as he entered. She gave him a bow, her chin-length brown hair dangling from her head. "What a surprise."
"Please, rise." Sumaru stated. The woman did as she was told and Sumaru turned to address the class. "I just came to see the next generation of Hoshi shinobi." Sumaru's eyes glazed over the fairly large class. "To think, my replacement might be in this class."
Aiko nodded. "Indeed, it's a promising class."
"Um, Lord Hoshikage," Sumaru eyed the speaking girl. "Is it true that Lady Shion's death will take us into another war?"
"I really wish I could answer that, but there's no definite answer." stated Sumaru. "Lady Shion was dear to all of us and Akatsuki has to pay for her death. Be that as it may, Hoshigakure houses none of…" Sumaru paused. "What Akatsuki is looking for."
"Jinchuriki?" the same girl stated.
"Right," Sumaru had no clue on who was leaking information to academy students, but he was going to find out. "Hoshigakure does not house any containers. We will side with our friends in Kemuri, and help when needed, but there is no definite answer yet."
"Why does other villages laugh at us?" a boy with shaggy dark red hair asked. "My brother said that during the Chunin Exams in Kumo, none of them took Hoshi Nin seriously."
"I will answer that question," Sumaru said. "But you may not like the answer." Sumaru removed his hat before returning his stare towards the students. "Being one of the two kage-villages that are outside of the Five Great Nations, people underestimate us. They say that the term 'kage' is just a term when referring to the Hoshikage or the Kaibunkage. Our village was at one time just a few people that gained power from a meteorite and now that that form of training is gone, we're weak. We're pathetic."
"But we're not! I could kick anyone of their asses!" the boy declared.
"I'm sure you could, which is where my dream comes from." Sumaru smiled before continuing. "Being a part of Hoshi, you're each a star. As of now, your star does not shine as bright as the veterans of the village. But one day, when it is time for me to step down as Hoshikage, one of you will have to take lead and shine the brightest out of everyone else. If you're bright enough, no other village can deny your or any other Star shinobi's existence."
"Whoa…" the boy said.
"I'm going to be Hoshikage!" the girl that asked the first question stated with certainty. "I'm going to be the star that lights up every village's sky!"
Sumaru chuckled. "Well, first you have to become chunin. But I'm sure that if you keep a level head and stay focus, then maybe you will. And if not you, then maybe someone else in this very class…" This got the other students to glance at one another, each attempting to guess who was a more likely candidate than themselves.
"Lord Hoshikage," another boy asked. "Who is stronger between you and the Kaibunkage?"
Sumaru smirked. "While smoke can rise, it can never reach the height of the stars. Remember that."
While the class snickered and oohed at the statement, Sumaru was grateful to throw a jab at Naruto, only because it was no secret that the Kaibunkage did the same thing with the academy students. Besides, if Naruto had a problem with that, Sumaru would be glad to spar with him again.
"Lord Hoshikage," Sumaru turned to see Yotaka. "We have a visitor."
"Who is it?" Sumaru questioned.
"Um… His name is Hanya Nori from the former Hanya Clan…" Yotaka informed.
Sumaru frowned. The Hanya Clan was to the Land of Woods what the Uchiha Clan was to Konohagakure. They were the founders and main members of the Prajna Group, an elite branch of ANBU for Hanyashi no Kuni.
"He says he has a proposition for you and Hoshigakure." Yotaka stated.
"I'm on my way." Sumaru said before walking towards the door.
"Is everything alright Lord Hoshikage?" the girl from earlier asked.
Sumaru gave the class a reassuring smile.
"Everything is fine." stated the Hoshikage while mentally disagreeing with himself.
A clan of assassins within his village was anything but fine.
Danzo sat down at the table with his council present along with the three representatives from the Hidden Smoke. Mei removed the large kage hat from her head, gaining gasps around the room.
"Terumi Mei…" Danzo stated. "This is quite the surprise."
"I'm here as the representative from Kemuri. To my left, Hirameki Sayuri, and to my right, Kazudan." Mei introduced. "We are glad to be here in Konoha."
"Right. Well," Danzo began. He was really not in the mood for small talk. "Let's talk about the Kaibunkage's refusal to my offer."
"He has his reasons. Reasons that I do agree with." replied Mei. Like Danzo, she wanted to get this meeting over with and return home. "The shinobi you sent were respectable and they made a strong point. However, when the Kazekage asked for Konoha's help months ago, you rejected it. Twice."
"We have apologized for our-"
"If I may," Mei interrupted. "Kemurigakure no Sato is a lovely village. Prospers on its missions quite well. The Kaibunkage wished me to ask this one question for him personally. What could Konoha do for our village?"
"A marriage proposal from one of our most notorious clans." Danzo answered. "If the Kaibunkage should allow us to become allies, we will allow a top-rank Kemuri shinobi to marry Hyuga Hinata."
"Oh brother…" Sayuri muttered, rolling her eyes. The action caused Mei to glare at the teen. "Sorry…"
"Hyuga Hinata is the eldest daughter of Hyuga Hiashi. She is of jonin rank, gaining the title not too long ago. She is well-educated and a master of the Jyuken." Mei's eyes narrowed at Danzo's statements. She hated it when a leader pawned off one of their women as if they were cattle. "All we ask is for your allegiance."
"What does her father have to say?" Mei's eyes turned to Hiashi as she stated this.
Hiashi bowed. "We agreed."
Mei heard Kazudan give a grunt before nodding.
"Right. Well, as a representative, I can't fully agree to anything. But I can take Hyuga-san to Kemuri, with your permissions of course, so she could find a suitable husband. Still," Danzo's visible eye narrowed at Mei. "There is no way of telling what the Kaibunkage is feeling. He could reject the deal completely and send Hyuga-san back home instantly."
"Forgive me," Tsunade spoke up, causing Mei to turn her eyes at the older woman. "But this Kaibunkage sounds a bit… Stubborn. You make it seem like once he makes up his mind, he does it."
Mei smiled. "Our leader had stubborn role models."
Tsunade first assumed that Mei was making a crack at her, Jiraiya, and Kakashi, possibly even the Third Hokage. They were all quite stubborn on certain things after all. Then, she thought about the chances that Mei knew who she was talking about. Maybe Mei was clueless about what Tsunade was doing?
"This leader of yours must like his secrecy." Now it was Inoichi that spoke. "He has not been seen by a lot."
"Or, he has been seen yet no one knew who he was." Mei countered. "He is someone who cannot sit still for long."
Shikamaru frowned. "Stubborn and energetic…? There aren't a lot of people I know that can possess such troublesome attributes and still be quite strong."
"If you're attempting to guess just who our leader is," said Mei as she looked around the table. "Stop. If he wants to reveal himself to you, then he will. But, for the simple fact that he has run into both Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto on two separate occasions, my guess is that he still harbors ill-will for the village they originated from."
"You'll have to forgive those two. They were trained by-"
"I have met and spoken with Hatake Kakashi. I think I know." Koharu did not necessarily like being interrupted, but allowed this to happen for the sake of a new ally.
"While Haruno Sakura's well-being is none of my concern," spoke the Hokage. "Uzumaki's does. He is Konoha's jinchuriki. He belongs to us. So, if you could reveal where he was last known traveling to, it would be most helpful."
"Kumogakure no Sato."
Mei's words caused the Konoha Council to flinch. She inwardly smiled at the lie. It was believable, seeing as the current Raikage would accept Naruto, with hostility of course, due to him being a jinchuriki, Namikaze Minato's son, and an Uzumaki. Plus, due to the extreme dislike between the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Cloud, there was no real way for Danzo to check to see if she was telling the truth or not.
Perfect lie.
"I see." Danzo's voice was barely audible as he thought about all likable scenarios that depicted Naruto's visit to Kumogakure.
"Your leader," Koharu said. "Seems to have garnered the audience of the Kazekage. So what did Sunagakure offer Kemurigakure that created their alliance?"
"That meeting was strictly between the kage from Star, Smoke, and Sand. Even I was not allowed to witness it." Mei answered, partially telling the truth.
"Troublesome…" Shikamaru muttered.
"He has not even hinted what it was?" Shibi asked.
"Nothing." replied the former Kiri Nin. "I wish that I could be more helpful, but he has purposely kept me out of the loop."
"If there are any animosity between you and that so-called kage, there is always room for one with your talent here in Konoha." Homura stated causing Mei to laugh.
"Animosity? There is no animosity between me and any of the Smoke citizens. Well, except for one girl who continues to call me old…" Sayuri took a small subconscious step backwards, knowing Naruto was miles away and unable to reach her in time. When she returned, she would ask to be marked like Sakura and Shiori are so he could use Hirashin to save her from Mei's attacks no matter where. "And as for your statement." Mei's voice had drastically changed from her normal respectful tone to her 'kage' voice. "He has earned the title kage and was appointed this position by the citizens and the Ash Daimyo. He is respected, not only in our village, but in others as well. For you to call him a so-called kage would be equivalent to calling the Sannin mere genin."
"There's no way he could be that powerful. If he was, he wouldn't be hiding behind you, now would he?" Koharu stated.
"Listen you hag! Sensei could mop the floor with anyone of you!" Sayuri declared, pointing towards the elder.
"Learn your place child." Sayuri allowed some of her DemonicLightning to dance around her arms.
"You first." the Smoke jonin growled.
"Sayuri, that's enough." Mei said before rising. "This meeting should end before the tension rises any further."
"Agreed." Danzo said. "Please, send my regards to your Kaibunkage."
"I will. Oh, and to you," Sayuri and Kazudan flinched as Mei smiled in her sweetly sinister style towards Koharu. "Say that about our leader again, and I'll kill you myself."
The threat sent chills through the air as Mei placed the kage hat back on her head and led her guards out of the room.
"Sai," the man was by Danzo's side in seconds. "Take two more and follow them. Find out what they are hiding."
"Hai Hokage-sama." Sai replied using a Leaf Shushin to exit the room.
Danzo dismissed the council with a single nod, sitting in the room by himself. He had no clue on who the Kaibunkage was, but he was about to find out. And when he did… When he did…
A smirk played on Danzo's lips. Another village would soon fall.
Sakura sat in a tree, relaxing in the shade and cool breeze that swept the area. Her mind, as brilliant as it was, was currently stuck on one problem. Her problem. Her desire for things to go back like they once were, even if that meant Sasuke ignoring her and Naruto annoying her. She just wanted someone, somewhere, to reverse the hands of time and things resume like the good old days. It was stupid for her to continue like this, she knew that, but still this was the only real thing she had fought for. Naruto and Sasuke were the only real losses she had experienced in life, despite them being alive and well.
Still, they were not the same as they once were. None of them were and it bothered Sakura. She was okay with growing up. It was the growing apart that bothered her.
"There you are!" Sakura's emerald eyes turned towards the ground to see Shiori smiling brightly up at her, Ranmaru behind the girl. "I looked everywhere for you!"
Sakura smiled. "I was here resting Shiori."
"No rest! Finish the tour!" Sakura gave a small smile. This girl clearly had the princess persona at times.
"Shiori-chan, that's not how you ask someone to do you a favor." Ranmaru said, his hands in his pockets.
"Sorry Sakura." Shiori said. "May you please show me the rest of Konoha? I want to see where Daddy grew up."
Sakura always had a knack for genjutsu, but recreating a walk-around tour of a place the size of her former home took some energy. Energy she was not ready to waste willingly at the moment. Still, she had promised Shiori and it would be wrong for her to go back on her word. Unlike her teammates, she still tried to live up to her word no matter what.
"Alright Shiori. Here we… Go?" Sakura stated.
Shiori's eyes had changed and the girl stood planted on the ground. Sakura saw a floral design in each eye and looked at Ranmaru with worry. However, the teen just awaited behind Shiori before the girl blinked and fell backwards in a comatose fashion.
Ranmaru sighed. "I knew it was about time for this to happen…" Shiori gave a tired groan before her eyes fluttered opened. "So what did you dream about Shiori-chan?"
"Uchiha Sasuke." The name forced Sakura to jump out of the tree.
"Uchiha? What did he do?" Ranmaru asked.
"He stabbed a blonde lady with lightning." Shiori explained. "She had a thingy right here." Sakura frowned when Shiori pointed to her forehead. "He was bad."
"Chojuro," The swordsman who had been keeping an eye on Sakura all day as instructed looked at Ranmaru. "I'm going to relay this message to Naruto-sensei. Keep an eye on Shiori-chan for me."
"Hai." Chojuro said as Ranmaru quickly hopped away.
"Shiori," Shiori looked at Sakura. "Did the woman's 'thingy' look like this?" Sakura revealed the black diamond for Shiori to see and the little girl shrugged. "What's wrong?"
"It had marks." Shiori said.
"Like this?" Sakura replied, going against her and Naruto's orders by using the Yin Seal Release.
"Yeah! But not the same color." Shiori said.
"I have to go." Sakura said ending her technique.
"Haruno-san, wait!" Chojuro stated. Sakura paused in her departure and looked at Chojuro. "Sometimes Shiori-san's 'dreams' are not instant. They could take weeks, months, maybe years."
"That's a risk that neither I nor the old Naruto would take. And you can tell him I said that." Sakura said before running off at high speeds.
"She's so cool!" Shiori said before looking at Chojuro. "When I grow up I want to be just like her!"
"Let's hope not." Chojuro said fixing his glasses.
"Hanya-san, you have yourself a deal." Sumaru said as he shook the man's hand, seconds before he placed his mask back on.
"The Hanya Clan and the Prajna Group are at your service, Lord Hoshikage." Hanya Nori said in a deep voice.
"And you guys are now under the protection of Hoshigakure no Sato." Sumaru stated. "Please remain at your campsite and I will send for you when your desired compound is finished. Your children are welcome at the academy… But they will have to go through the evaluation test."
"The rumors about you are false. You are indeed a kage." Nori stated. "There is one thing that bothers me though… Your relationship with the Hidden Leaf."
"As of now, there are no ties to the Hidden Leaf Village." replied Sumaru. "I understand your past dealings with Danzo." Despite his face being behind a mask, Sumaru still felt the narrowing eyes of Nori. "If there should ever be a time where I would even consider thinking of asking for their hand in alliance, believe that I will run this by you and you will be the first person who will speak at the council meeting."
"Thank you, Lord Hoshikage." stated Nori with a bow.
Sumaru gave a small nod and the man walked out of his office, Akane soon entering.
"Should I send a message to the Kaibunkage?" Akane asked.
"No. I'll tell him at the festival." Sumaru replied. "For the moment, we need to prepare a meeting for tomorrow. Hoku-chan needs me at home today."
"Oh. Something special planned?" asked a grinning Akane.
"Go." The Hoshikage's assistant left the room with a smile on her face. "I need a new assistant."
Mei walked down the path with her two escorts, Sayuri to her right and Kazudan to her left. The girl to her right was currently nursing a small lump on her head for commenting on Mei's age a few moments ago.
"I don't like those guys." Mei glanced as Sayuri spoke while rubbing her head. "They're all… Shady."
"You can only get shade from tree leaves." Mei spoke.
"Actually," Sayuri responded. "Clouds make shade. And a cloud of smoke or sand can make shade. And rocks create shade if their big enough. So that doesn't make-"
"Shut up Sayuri." Mei interrupted.
"Lady Mei how long do you want them to follow us?" Kazudan asked.
"Let them come to the village. Our 'weak' leader will be glad to teach them a lesson." Mei said with a smile.
"I say we turn around and kick all their asses!" Both Mei and Kazudan sighed at Sayuri's words. "Fine! If you don't want to do it, I'll do it. Just say the world Granny Mei and I'll do it!" Mei instantly stopped and Kazudan swore he saw flames in the visible eye of Mei.
"Run." Kazudan said to Sayuri.
Hearing Naruto's enforcer sound fearful was more than Sayuri needed to use her Mayfly Technique and leave the area.
"Kazudan," Kazudan began to sweat a bit as Mei smiled at him. "Excuse me while I go murder Hirameki Sayuri. Make sure that those three following us arrives to Kemurigakure safely. If our leader won't deal with them, I will."
Kazudan nodded as Mei walked away in a calm manner. He then turned his head to scan the area. The three Leaf shinobi were now heading the opposite way at a face pace. And sadly, he wanted to join them.
The small village known as Ishigakure no Sato was not a village many outsiders spoke great things about. Sure, their military was above the standard for being one of the lesser known villages and they were pretty disciplined in their training, but many villages knew them for one reason. And that reason was Kagami Dōsame.
Currently, the leader of the Village Hidden in Stones stood in his office. His veteran brown eyes scoured the iron gates that stood as his village's main gates. His graying black hair trailed down his back freely. He took a hand and stroked his long white beard in a thoughtful manner. He was currently wearing white tunic with tan pants.
His mind played all the risks he had done for his village. His meeting with Naruto has made him realize just how old he was now. In his prime, he probably could have taken Naruto out back then. But he wasn't…
Until recently that is.
A smirk played on his face as he moved his hand onto his forearm where he saw a symbol that resembled a lemniscate, the infinity symbol.
"Kagami-dono, we are ready for your departure." one of the guarding jonin said from behind his closed door.
"I am on my way." Dōsame stated. "I retrieve my armor."
"Hai." Dōsame heard footsteps heading away.
"Soon we will meet again Uzumaki…"