|Konoha: 3 days after the Gaara retrieval mission|

Naruto was staring at the information on his desk that was given to him by Itachi. So far, he had been able to identify all the members of the Akatsuki and had information on them. Naruto had identified all but two, the 'leader' and his partner, whom Naruto had identified as Pain, or Nagato, and Konan. And now he was just waiting on Jiraiya to get back to Konoha so that he could get the information. Suddenly, the seal on his arm that alerted the team when there was a Konoha team was in distress flared. Naruto shunsined to the HQ. All other members were there.

"Tenten, take Neji and Ino with you to deal with the problem. If you need backup, you know what to do." The three nodded and left, not even bothering to tell the guards. The rest of them just waited for the message that everything was all right. After about five minutes, the team got the okay message saying that the team Naruto had sent would be able to handle it. Naruto nodded to the team before climbing out of the Hokage Monument, and jumping off down into the city. While he was falling, Naruto saw a hawk, meaning he had to see the Hokage.

"Hokage-sama," said Naruto as he entered the office, "You wanted to see me?"

"Ah, Naruto, here you are. Jiraiya is back in Konoha. You should be able to find him near the bath house." Naruto nodded. Jiraiya always was a pervert. Naruto opened the window behind Minato and said, "I'll bring Jiraiya back here so that we can both hear the answers." Naruto jumped out and using his mastery over wind, floated to Jiraiya. Naruto found Jiraiya in a tree with a telescope, giggling like the pervert he is. Naruto walked up to the tree and punched it, dropping Jiraiya into the hot springs. From what Naruto could tell, Haku, Anko, Yugao, and Kurenai were currently bathing there.

"EEK!" shouted Kurenai. "That's Jiraiya!"

"Let's get him," said Yugao, and from behind the fence, Naruto could hear Jiraiya being pummeled before he was finally thrown over the fence. Naruto picked up the unconscious body before going back to the Hokage's office.

"So you got him, did you?" asked Minato when he saw Jiraiya's unconscious form.

"Yeah. Just threw him into the hot springs. Fortunately for me, Haku and some of her friends were in the springs at the time and they pummeled him to unconsciousness, before throwing him out. After that, I picked him up, and brought him here."

"Good," said Minato, before weaving some hand seals and whispering, "Water Style: water fountain jutsu." Minato spat a small fountain of water at Jiraiya, who suddenly woke up.

"Huh? Where am I?" asked Jiraiya.

"In my office, sensei," replied Minato.

"How did I get here? I was peeping just a few minutes ago…" trailed off Jiraiya before looking at Naruto. "It was you! You knocked me into the hot spring and let me be beaten up. Why?"

"Well, for one, you're a pervert. And two, I needed information, and if you're peeping you won't give me any."

"Fine, you got me there, kid. What do you need to know?" asked Jiraiya. Naruto sat down across from Jiraiya, his elbows resting on his knees, chin resting on his hands, and leaning in slightly.

"What do you know about a person called Nagato and Konan?" asked Naruto. Jiraiya's eyes widened, his heart lurching.

"Where did you hear those names?" asked Jiraiya.

"From Itachi, my spy within the Akatsuki. The leader's partner is called Konan, a purple haired woman who uses paper Ninjutsu. The other one is an orange-headed man who possesses the rinnegan. Itachi said that he has heard her call him Nagato when they are alone."

"That is impossible," said Jiraiya. "Konan and Nagato died during the second great shinobi war."

"Well, either you are mistaken, and they faked their deaths, or these are two different people with the same names."

"But that would be impossible since Nagato was the only one who had the rinnegan. But the orange-head wouldn't be Nagato that would be Yahiko. Nagato was a red head." Naruto pondered this.

"Jiraiya, did Nagato have full control over the rinnegan when you left?" asked Naruto.

"Well, no," replied Jiraiya.

"Then it may be possible that a new ability emerged after you left. I believe I read somewhere that the Rinnegan can use other bodies to see from. Basically, the user is controlling six other bodes that all have different abilities. If this Yahiko person was dead, then Nagato could use his body as one of his 'paths' or bodies to function as him."

"Then, that might be true," said Jiraiya, thinking. "If what you say is true, then the rinnegan is much more powerful than I thought."

"And, based on your information, I can accurately surmise the abilities of Pein, or Nagato. But I must know the abilities of his partner, Konan."

"Well, when I taught her, she uses mainly paper jutsu. She was capable of manipulating paper in any way you could think of, from using the paper as a spear, which could pierce solid steel, to using it to wrap around and strangle the enemy to death," said Jiraiya, surprising Naruto and Minato.

"Wait a minute," said Minato, "Are you saying that this girl had a kekkai genkai that we have never seen?"

"Well, to be honest," said Jiraiya, "I'm not entirely sure what made it possible for her to use the paper Ninjutsu as she did. But if that's all the information that you need, I'm going to go get back to my research." Naruto and Minato sighed, but nodded, nonetheless.

"So," said Minato after Jiraiya had left, "Now that you have this information, what are you going to do?"

"Well, first I'm going to input this data into the system with all the information on the Akatsuki. Then I am going to write up a bio on the two members, and finally I am going to travel to Suna and deliver this information to Gaara myself. Any problems with that?"

"No, I have absolutely no problem with that. And as with the rest of the team, you may leave when you are ready. Dismissed." Naruto got up and did a slight bow before exiting the office, this time through the door. As he walked home, he saw the Ichiraku Ramen stand.

"Hello, Old man," said Naruto as he sat down.

"Naruto," exclaimed Teuchi. "It's been two years since you ate here. How have you been?"

"I've been doing well. Sorry about not coming, but I was on training trip for two years. But I'll take one of your miso ramen to go."

"One miso ramen to go coming right up," said Teuchi, as he pulled out the materials for the dish.

"So where is Ayame nee-chan?" asked Naruto.

"Oh, Ayame? She just took a weeklong break. She should be back and working in about four days. Why?"

"Just curious," said Naruto. After a few more minutes of conversing with Teuchi, the ramen was finished and given to Naruto, who walked home with it. After saying hello to Natsmui and Kushina, Naruto took his ramen upstairs and sat at his desk. After taking out a scroll, a brush, and some ink, he began to write up a report, compiling all the information he had gathered on all the Akatsuki members. After he had finished compiling the information, Naruto started writing the report on the rescue mission. While he was doing that, he was also eating his ramen and pondering when it would be a good time to tell the team that Itachi was actually part of his spy network.

"Naruto nii-san?" came Natsmui's voice. Naruto quickly hid the scroll to Gaara and turned around to face Natsmui.

"Yes?" Naruto.

"Is it true?" asked Natsmui. "I found a scroll in Tou-san's room stating that you have been in league with Itachi. Are you a traitor?" Natsmui drew her sword. Naruto stared at her, flabbergasted before breaking into laughter.

"You…thought… I was in league with Itachi?" asked Naruto. Natsmui nodded. Naruto got up and hugged her. "No, Itachi is in league with me. Itachi is part of the spy network I created during our training trip. He is my informant."

"Then, why?" asked Natsmui.

"Tou-san probably put it there to make you realize the truth. Damn bastard," said Naruto. "Anyways, I'm leaving for Suna soon. Do you want to come?"

"Sure," said Natsmui.

|With Ino, Tenten, and Neji|

After the three had arrived on the site, they had dealt with the missing-ninja, who had all been low Chūnin level. The only reason they were able to overrun the Konoha Chūnin was that they had numbers on their side. After that, Tenten, Neji, and Ino escorted the three Chūnin back to Konoha. However, on their way back, a Kumo missing-ninja Jounin landed right in front of them.

"So, you were able to defeat my men," said the Jounin as he drew his katana from his back. "I'll kill all of you."

"Like hell you will," yelled Ino as she went to draw her sword, but was stopped by Tenten.

"Ino, stand back. You too, Neji. I will show you the fruits of my training with Naruto. I will show you why Naruto nicknamed me Flower Blossom."

"Oh?" asked the Jounin. "Do you want to take me on all by yourself?"

"Yes, I will, Akuma Zanko, the Demon Blade."

"Oh, so you know who I am, do you?" asked the Jounin.

"Yes. And while I despise you for abandoning your comrades, I respect your skill with the blade," said Tenten as she drew her blade, "Now, let us do battle!" Tenten took a step forward and disappeared in a flash and reappeared right behind Akuma, who easily blocked the slash, and was surprised when he saw Tenten smirk.

"Why are you smirking?" growled Akuma.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura," whispered Tenten, suddenly her blade dissolved into pink petals, which swarmed Akuma mercilessly.

"Demon Slash!" yelled Akuma, scattering the petals, which just attacked him again, and he repeatedly did the same thing. However, after five minutes, he was running out of chakra very fast. "Damn," muttered Akuma, "Is this how it's going to end? Getting killed by a little girl."

"Yes," said Tenten as she raised her hand, open, before curling it into a fist. Suddenly the pink petals came at Akuma from all different sides. Akuma smiled.

'Well,' thought Akuma, 'At least I'm dying by the blade, just like I wanted to.' The different petals impaled Akuma, before he collapsed, dead.

"And that's how it's done," said Tenten, sheathing her sword. "Now let's get going." The six then continued on their journey towards Konoha. As they were jumping through the trees, they saw Naruto and Natsmui travelling through the trees.

"Naruto!" shouted Ino.

"Hey, Ino," said Naruto.

"Where are you going?" asked Ino.

"I have to deliver some information to the Kazekage. Natsmui just wants to come because she's bored. I'll see you back in Konoha," replied Naruto before he and Natsmui took off again.

|With Naruto and Natsmui|

"So," said Natsmui, "Things between you and Ino still aren't back to normal?"

"No," said Naruto. "After that incident at Kumo, things between us will never be the same. We will never be able to interact in that way again, although I will cherish those times."

"Will you ever give her a second chance?" asked Natsmui, defending one of her closest friends.

"No. I found her sleeping with another man, and in my room no less. How would you feel if the person that you were in love with was found sleeping with another random boy in your room?"

"I would be enraged," said Natsmui, "But I would be able to forgive them at some point. You haven't."

"I have, Natsmui. I just act indifferent to her now. I don't think I'll ever get over what I saw that time. And I know for a fact that she was in the right state of mind," said Naruto. Naruto just shook his head. "Let's stop talking about Ino. Now let's get going. Race you there!" Naruto used Shunpo, which he had finally mastered a few days ago, with Natsmui following close behind use Shunpo as well. This way, Naruto and Natsmui arrived at Suna in only two days, although they did stop to rest for an hour because they had spent so much chakra.

"Halt!" shouted the Village Guards. "Who goes there?"

"It is I, Naruto. I come with information for your Kazekage with new information on the Akatsuki that we have gathered."

"Very well. Wait here until Temari arrives to escort you to the Kazekage's office," said the ninja as he flared his chakra. Temari appeared a few seconds later.

"What is wrong?" asked Temari, before she saw Naruto. "Naruto, what are you doing here?"

"I have come to see your sister. I need to give her some information and run through it with her," replied Naruto, not leaving any room up for debate.

"Got it. Follow me," said Temari. Naruto, Temari, and Natsmui proceeded to the Kazekage's office. "Gaara," said Temari, "Naruto and Natsmui are here to brief you on some new information. Should I leave?"

"Yes," replied Temari's sister. "That would be for the best." Temari nodded and left the room. "So," said Gaara as she placed her hands on the desktop, "What new information do you have?"

"As you know," said Naruto, "I gave you a basic list of information on all the known Akatsuki members except the "leader" and his partner, right?" Gaara nodded. "Well," said Naruto, pulling out a small leather bound book, "This is a detailed book on all the Akatsuki members, detailing their techniques, their history, and even their personality. And as can be inferred, the strongest is Pein. But there is something to worry about him. He has the Rinnegan."

"The eyes of the Rikudo Sennin?" asked Gaara in surprise.

"Yes. He has those eyes. We've been able to determine some of his techniques, which you'll find in the books, as the Rinnegan is an Uzumaki blood trait, although it rarely awakens in the Uzumaki. In our history, there have only been two other Uzumaki to awaken it, and those two were during the Shinobi Clan Wars. And other than that, there is also the fact that his teacher is of the elite class."

"Who is his sensei?" asked Gaara.

"Jiraiya. He trained Pein, or as he was known then by Jiraiya during the Second Great Shinobi War."

"Wait, what?" asked Gaara, leaning forward in her chair. "Jiraiya trained him? What was he thinking?"

"Calm down, Gaara. Remember that it was when he was younger and from what Jiraiya said about the boy, he was very kind and tried to help in any way possible. Something during the course of the war must have changed him. Do not be so quick to judge," said Naruto.

"I'm sorry, Naruto. It's just that this is so frustrating. What could have done this to him?"

"I don't know, and I don't care. He may have been Jiraiya's student once. He may be family, but what he is doing is wrong and I will put a stop to him. And now that I have briefed you on what is in there, may we be dismissed?"

"Of course," said Gaara. Naruto and Natsmui bowed and left, leaving Gaara to her devices. Naruto walked through Suna, his happi billowing in the wind. Natsmui was at his side, her scarf and happi also flying in the wind.

"Let's get going," said Naruto, not wanting to be in this desert wasteland for any longer than necessary. The two of them started using Shunpo to get through this desert and back to Konoha. Again, it only took two days. When they finally got back to Konoha, the first thing they did was lay down and rest for about a whole day.

|Next Day|

Naruto was sleeping peacefully, when the seal on his wrist went off. Naruto shot out of bed, threw on all of his equipment, and raced to HQ. Based on the level of this distress signal, he was going to have to personally lead a squad.

"Shikamaru, Choji, you're with me. Ino, you take Lee and Shino as backup. The rest of you wait for any more distress calls, got it?"

"Ye sir!" yelled all the members of the first response squad. Naruto rushed out of the village, ready to help whoever needed it. As they were rushing through the forest, the distress call got even stronger, signaling that a new and more powerful enemy had appeared. Naruto and his team landed in a clearing that had Two Konoha Jounin and Two Konoha Chūnin. Opposite of them were three Iwa Jounin.

"Naruto," yelled Kotetsu, "Get out of here."

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. You see, I am the leader of the First Response Team and you have called my team. And these four will not be leaving this clearing alive."

"Heh, you're pretty cocky, kid," said one of the Iwa Jounin.

"No, just confident. Choji, Shika, Formation Execution." Shikamaru and Choji took up their place behind Naruto. "Konoha Jounin and Chūnin, stand back."

"What are you talking about?" yelled one of the Jounin, "You won't stand a chance against him!" Ino dropped down from the trees dropped down from the trees and knocked the Jounin out cold.

"Anyone else have a problem?" asked Ino coldly.

"No, I am sorry," said the other Jounin. Ino grabbed the Jounin that she had knocked out cold and retreated back into the trees.

"Hmph. Well, I guess we'll just have to take this up a step," said one of the Iwa Jounin, drawing his war hammer from his belt. The others drew an axe and a mace.

"Hmph. Choji, take the one with the mace. Shika, you take the one with the axe. I got the one with the war hammer. Naruto sealed the blade that Kami had given him and unsealed Rairiki. "Go, and no holding back!" Naruto rushed at the one with the war hammer and blocked his hammer strike.

"Do you even know who I am?" growled the one in front of Naruto.

"Tatenashi, the Sutoraiku o hanmā (A). Your buddies are your students, Hazashi and his brother Hiazashi. All three of you are masters in earth jutsu. You are also able to integrate your earth jutsu with your weapons," replied Naruto. "But do you know who I am?"

"Naruto Uzumaki, the heir to the Uzumaki Clan. You are the leader of the Infamous First Response Team, the Electric Dragon of Konoha. And, the only one to ever defeat Itachi Uchiha in combat," replied Tatenashi.

"Yes. But there is another name that you have forgotten. My sword. Now let me tell it to you. Now strike, the celestial heavens, Rairiki!" The sword morphed, growing the chain and lightning shaped blade attached to the hilt. Naruto spun around, disengaging from Tatenashi. As he turned back to face Tatenashi, he threw the chained blade, which wrapped around the hands of Tatenashi, and pulled, making him drop his War Hammer.

"Earth Style: Earth Slab!" yelled Tatenashi, as a slab of earth rose from the ground. Naruto quickly disengaged the chain and reeled it back in.

"Lightning Slash!" yelled Naruto, slashing diagonally with his katana. The slab of earth toppled as Tatenashi yelled, "Earth Style: Quake Jutsu!" Tatenashi landed on the ground, causing a massive tremor in the area, knocking Naruto off his feet. Just as Tatenashi was about to bring down his fist into Naruto's stomach, Naruto raised the arm with the gauntlet and launched kunai from it, hitting Tatenashi in the eye as well as in his mouth, causing him to fall backwards onto his knees and cough up blood.

"Now, lightning shockwave!" Naruto slammed the hilt of his katana onto the ground, causing a wave of lightning to shoot towards Tatenashi, pushing him back. "And time for the follow up, Wind Style: Gale Storm Jutsu!" yelled Naruto slashing with his free hand, causing multiple blades of wind to slash Tatenashi.

"Damn you," ground out a bloody and cut up Tatenashi. "I should kill you where you stand."

"Yeah," said Naruto. "But you can't. You are going to die. Kido Seal," whispered Naruto as he used the tip of the blade to form a blue circle made of chakra that was made up of two circles, one a little bigger than the other one. And in the space between the two circles, there was the kanji for lightning. "Lightning!" Naruto slashed vertically down, through the seal, sending a bolt of lightning right through Tatenashi, letting blood spurt out of the wound.

"I may be dead, but others will follow in my footsteps," whispered Tatenashi, before collapsing, dead. Naruto walked over to Tatenashi and sealed his body in a scroll. Naruto turned to see Choji using his Zanpakutō to kill Hazashi, the one with the axe and Shika use the shadows to kill Hiazashi, the one with mace.

"I see you are all finished with your opponents," said Naruto.

"Indeed. Let's get back to Konoha," replied Choji. Naruto leaps into the tree and helps the injured Kotetsu get back to Konoha.

"So what were you guys doing all the way out here?" asked Naruto as Kotetsu leaned on his shoulder.

"Hokage-sama had heard rumors about enemy ninja being in the land of fire, so he sent us to investigate. Actually, those three were a part of a group of about 10 enemy ninja. Those three were just stronger than all the other enemy ninja and had sat back and watched as we tired ourselves out. Only when we had finished off the other ninja, did they attack. That is when we issued the distress call and high tailed out of there, until they surrounded us," replied Kotetsu.

"Which is where we came in," finished off Naruto. "I see. So you were merely on patrol duty," teased Naruto.

"Yeah," said Kotetsu, before he realized what he said. "Uh, forget I said that."

"Oh, no I won't," said a grinning Naruto. "So what did you do to get you patrol duty?"

"I lost my Chūnin ID," whispered Kotetsu.

"What was that?" asked Naruto, grinning the entire time. "I couldn't hear you. Could you repeat what you said?"

"I lost my Chūnin ID, okay?" screamed Kotetsu.

"That was all I needed to hear," replied Naruto. "You know you're never going to hear the end of this, right?"

"Should have never told you," muttered Kotetsu.

"But you did." The group continued their small banter until they reached Konoha, where they went to the office of the Hokage to give their report.

"Hokage-sama," said Naruto as he stepped forward, "When we received the distress call, and saw how big of a distress it was, I immediately mobilized two teams. The main team was Choji, Shikamaru, and myself, while Ino, Lee, and Shino were backup in case any one of us fell. Upon arriving at the scene, we found two Jounin and two Chūnin badly injured and so I had them taken out of the battle area by Ino. We then did battle. Basically, we all defeated our opponents, which reminds me, how much is the bounty for Tatenashi, the Sutoraiku o hanmā (A)?"

"Let's see here," said Minato, taking out his bingo book. "He appears to have a bounty of about 1,500,000 ryo. I assume you have his body?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama," replied Naruto, taking out the scroll with the body of Tatenashi in it and handing it to the Hokage.

"Good. I'll have the money wired to your account before the day is over. Continue with your report," said Minato.

"Well," said Naruto, "There's not much more to say. The only other thing we did was bicker on our way back to Konoha. That is all."

"I see. Well, then go get some rest. I'll have the money wired to all of your accounts. Dismissed." Naruto and the rest of the ninja bowed and disappeared. As Naruto walked, he ran into a face that he had not seen for a while: Kiba.

"Hello, Kiba, is there something that you need?"

"Yes. What does it take to get selected to be on your team?"

"Not much really. To join this team you need teamwork, the will to never give up, and finally, humility. All of these traits are what makes up the characteristics of each member of my team, and why all of them can wear our emblem on our backs with pride. If you were to join and wear it, I would be ashamed to be the leader of this team. However, I can spar with you, if you wish?"

"You would really do that?" asked Kiba.

"Sure, why not? Besides, it's not like I have anything better to do."

"You're on," said Kiba, racing towards the training grounds, with Naruto following behind closely. When they landed in a clearing, Naruto noticed that a lot of the rocks and tree trunks and fist indentations in them.

"Is this where you train by yourself?" asked Naruto. Kiba nodded. "It looks like you've finally started taking your training seriously."

"I have. Now," said Kiba, settling into the Inuzuka Taijutsu style, while Akamaru, who had been with Kiba the entire time growled, "Let's go."

"Indeed," said Naruto, getting into the Xinyi Lihue fighting stance. "Show me how much you have grown since we last fought, Kiba Inuzuka! Don't hold back!" Kiba charged, throwing a leg sweep, which Naruto jumped over, followed by a high kick. Naruto just used his hand, to maneuver around the leg, and did a double kick to Kiba's face.

"Rising Claw!" cried Kiba, bring up his claw like nails, which extended, slashing Naruto in the face.

"Hm? That was good. But try this on, Hakka Soudou Shō!" Naruto pushed his palms into Kiba's stomach, and sent him into a tree. Or at least he would have, if Akamaru hadn't leaped in and grabbed Kiba by his hair.

"Thanks, boy," said Kiba. "Now, let's go in tandem! Beast Clone Jutsu!" Akamaru transformed into an exact copy of Kiba. "Now, fang over fang!" Both Kiba and Akamaru rushed at Naruto.

"Hmph, good try. Wind Style: Wind Barrier." A ball of wind surrounded Naruto, who had his hands in his pockets, sending Kiba and Akamaru into the ground. "Wind Expulsion." The wind that surrounded Naruto, flew outwards towards Kiba and Akamaru, giving them serious cuts. Kiba laid on the ground, his eyes swirling.

"Will defeat you," whispered Kiba.

"Hey, Hey, are you okay?" asked Naruto, kneeling down to look at Kiba. "Guess not," said Naruto when Kiba didn't reply. "Oh well. Guess I got to take him to the hospital." Naruto picked up Kiba, and swung him over his shoulder. He looked at Akamaru who had already gotten up on his feet. "Akamaru, can you tell Tsume-san that Kiba won't be coming home tonight and that he is in the hospital?"

"Arf!" barked Akamaru. Naruto smiled and muttered, "Burst Stream!" Naruto disappeared and reappeared in front of the hospital. He entered, and saw his mother, who was working as a medic nin.

"Naruto, what are you doing here?"

"Kiba needs some treatment. He and I went to far in a spar."

"I'll say. If you are going to train with him, don't be so reckless! Jeez. Go home. I'll take care of things here," said Kushina. Naruto left, and continued home.

A/N

(A) Hammer Strike