"Naruto," Ino said as I turned to stare at her, "Today's the day isn't it." I nodded at her before I turned my attention elsewhere. It's been a week since I've start started helping Ino with her training and things have been going well. Her training was rushed but I'd have to say it went well. While it wasn't perfect Ino's taijutsu had made some progress. Using fuinjutsu I was able to give her some of my chakra before teaching her the Kage bushin no Jutsu. However, she could still only make two.

With the help of her clones we were able to fix her taijutsu and teach her one NinJutsu, Earth Release: Earth-style wall, a defensive B-rank earth style Jutsu. That was all I was able to teach her as we had a short amount of time and that time was up.

FlashBack

I was walking back to Hikari's house with Ino on my back. She had sprained her ankle while practicing so I gave her a piggyback ride back. "Naruto you're here," Kakashi said as he spotted me. For some reason, he was waiting in front of Hikari's door again. "And Ino's with you, perfect," he continued.

"Is there something wrong," I asked as I followed him inside.

"Yeah are we in trouble," Ino asked from on my back.

"No we just need to talk is all." I thought we were going to have a private conversation until I walked into the living seeing the rest of the genins there. 'So this is about the Sins huh,' I thought as I placed Ino down into the last open seat. She was blushing profusely as everyone stared at us. Ignoring their gazes I stood beside Kakashi with my arms folded.

"You have a week to surrender or Konoha will lose something more valuable than your lives," Kakashi read off a note as he placed it on the coffee table that was in the middle of us all. "That was the message the Sins left us."

"Something more valuable than our lives, is that suppose to be the loss of the Sharingan?" Shikamaru questioned Kakashi.

"That could very well be the case," Kakashi lied. I knew that they were talking about me.

"You mean me," Kyuubi interjected.

'Whatever.'

"Very well be, does that mean you had something else in mind," Shikamaru said catching Kakashi off guard. Kakashi wasn't accustomed to Shikamaru so it's no wonder he underestimated him and paid the price for it.

"That's correct Shikamaru however that something is an S-rank secret," Asuma said before anymore questions were asked

"Then how would the enemy know and who has this important thing that we're talking about?"

"I do," I said bluntly causing all eyes to once again be on me.

"I always knew you were troublesome," Shikamaru mumbled loudly.

"Does this mean they'll try to take Naruto alive?" questioned Ino.

"I'd be safe to say that yes," Asuma replied.

"Then we have to protect him! Especially since this thing is more Important than our lives," Ino shouted.

"Protecting me isn't the mission at hand, protecting the village is," I said ending the debate that was about to happen before it did.

"I'm afraid Naruto's right. All we can do is prepare for their attack," Kakashi said.

"Ino I know you, Shikamaru and Choji have been trained together as kids but it's been months since you have. I need you to train with Shikamaru and Choji again," Asuma said getting a nod from Ino.

"Sakura you should stay with Naruto. And I don't want to hear you complaining," Kakashi said shutting down the pink haired girl who was no doubt about to throw a fit. "Sasuke you'll be training with me to learn how to use your Sharingan," Kakashi said getting a smirk from Sasuke.

"Okay, I need everyone in these groups when the enemy attacks a week from now. The fact that we have this note means that someone infiltrated the village without being noticed. We can't have that happening again," Kakashi said with a seriousness in his voice that I've never heard before.

"Those bastards gave up the element of surprise which means their underestimating us, let's make them pay for it," Asuma said trying to fire everyone up.

Flashback End

"Naruto I...I'm worried about you," Ino said stuttering.

"There's no need to be."

"Yes, there is! Those guys know your secret and might try to capture you. I won't even be able to help if you get in trouble," Ino yelled in concern.

"Ino we've been over this a thousand times, I'll be fine. Plus Sakura is going to be with me," I reminded her, slightly annoyed.

"I used to be like Sakura so I know what you have to work with and if that's case I should be even more worried!"

"You should be more worried about yourself Ino and your teammates. Stay focused on the task or you'll get hurt," I warned her. "I've been surviving by myself just fine and nothing going to change that. Plus I'm much stronger than before. Now let's go," I said leaving the forest. We quietly headed back to Hikari's house to meet up with our teammates who probably just woke up and started to get ready.

With Ino having to train with Shikamaru and Choji we had to train at night. Sometimes we fell asleep in the forest, in which I would have a shadow clone prepared to act as us so I wouldn't upset Kakashi. We quietly snuck into the house replacing our shadow clones before meeting up with our partners.

It wasn't a surprise to see a scowl on Sakura's face when I approached her. "Don't get the wrong Idea Naruto this isn't a date or anything so don't think for a second that I like you."

Ignoring her jab I gave Sakura a fair warning. "Pull your own weight Sakura, if you get taken hostage I won't be sticking out my neck for you," I said harshly as I walked by her.

"Like I'd need your help you loser," Sakura scoffed.

"Just shut the fuck up and follow me," I said not waiting to see if she was or not. I really didn't care if she didn't, that was her own problem. Pulling out a map I navigated myself through the empty village, Knowing that we'd be attacked today Kakashi and Asuma had helped to evacuate the villagers to a camp they created in the forest outside the village.

"Where are we going," asked Sakura as she struggled to keep up with me. I ignored her question and kept walking. "Hey don't ignore me," Sakura said as she placed her hand on my shoulder, pulling me back. I quickly shoved her hand off before glaring at her.

"I said to shut up and follow me. I don't have time to answer your questions!" I said angrily trying my best to keep my voice down. With that I continued on, moving at a faster pace to make up for lost time. I soon made it to the middle of Xertisque that was a round-a-bout with a water fountain in the middle.

"We're here," I said coming to a sudden stop causing Sakura to pump into me slightly.

"Sorry," Sakura apologized. I ignored her apology while proceeding to jump on top of the water fountain. Balancing on the tip in a meditative position I close my eyes as I release my chakra. During the week of preparation I figured out I was a sensor, a trait found in some Uzumaki's.

With my huge chakra reserves, I was able to make a chakra detection barrier around the whole village, though I had to be in the center. Knowing this I was instructed to keep a look out for the enemy ninja's and set off and explosion in the air to signal them.

However, as I sat here there were no chakra signatures around that I didn't recognize. "What are you doing?" Sakura half yelled. "We can't just sit here!"

'This girl's going to get us killed,' I thought with my eyebrow twitching in annoyance. "If you most know I'm setting a barrier around the village so I can detect when the enemy enters."

"I don't see any barrier."

"That's because it's fucking invisible!" I snapped at the pink haired girl. "Do you really think the enemy would waltz in if they saw a freaking barrier around the place!" I growled as I went back to focusing on the village. My eyes widen as I felt someone come up from underground. This person wasn't any pushover either. There chakra reserves were big enough for them to be a jonin. Not only that but the amount of killing intent he was releasing was suffocating.

"Well-" Sakura started before I lunged at her and covered her mouth. Sakura started to struggle, trying to scream but I kept my hand firmly around her mouth.

"Shh, there's someone here! We have to hide," I whispered into her ear. Once she stopped resisting I pulled her by her hand over to a random house before trying to open the door. "Shit," I said as I struggled with the door knob, the house was locked.

I looked around frantically searching for a place to hide. That's when I noticed that there was a chimney on the roof of the house I was trying to get into. "Climb to the roof," I instructed Sakura as I wasted no time making my way to the top. Once on the roof we quickly made our way over to the chimney.

Sakura didn't need me to tell her to get in as she jumped inside as soon as we got there. I hid behind the chimney waiting for Sakura to make her way down first. I didn't need my sensor ability to know that the enemy was getting close as I could feel his killing intent and it only got stronger the closer he got.

I gulped as I could now hear his footsteps approaching, he was down there. Taking a risk I peeked my head out just a little so I could spot the enemy. Looking down I spotted a guy wearing a light green fur coat. The front of his hair was black while the rest of it was white, like Kakashi's. Though, there was a braided strand of his white hair hanging from the left side of his face.

He was wearing a black and silver vest under his coat with a red shirt under his vest. For a ninja, he was not only heavily clothed but fashionably as his pants match with his vest. I tucked my head back in as his red eyes scanned the area. There was no way I could climb down the chimney without him spotting me now.

That man was dangerous, an S-rank criminal at that. His name was Brain 2 the son of Brain the man who almost became the 5th Raikage of Kumo. This guy was the leader of the sins no doubt, at least I hope so. If there's someone stronger than him here then we'll all die. I'm not even sure if Kakashi could handle this guy.

I waited patiently as Brain 2 walked away before quietly going down the chimney. The chimney led me to the living room of the house. It was there that I found a trembling Sakura beside the chimney exit. She was sweating profusely with a terrified look in her eye. Brain's killing intent must have done this to her. I couldn't blame her, though. If I were, to be honest, Brain's KI did a number on me too so it's not surprising that the effect it had on her was more drastic.

We have to get out of here but Sakura was in no shape to travel. She'd move slowly and jump for every little thing, maybe even scream. 'I should leave her,' I thought as I started to walk away. That's when I heard Sakura whimper my name.

"N-Naruto, help me," came Sakura's shaky voice. I froze in place in anger. It wasn't too long ago that I was Naruto, the dobe, the dead last etc to her. She didn't want my help but now she's in trouble and now she needs me, now I'm wanted!

But I couldn't leave her. If I left now she'd die for sure, but in all honestly, do I really care if Sakura dies or not? The truth is no I don't, but they'll be repercussions for leaving her here. Abandoning her won't sit well with Kakashi and Asuma much less the Hokage. But if I help her I risk dying. Even if catching a Jinchuuriki is ideal there was no guarantee that they wouldn't try to kill me.

But also the only way I could get out of here is with a decoy. There was no way I could outrun a S-rank ninja. Sakura could be a good decoy, a Shadow clone wouldn't work, he'd see right through it. "What do I do?" I questioned out loud to no one in particular.

"What do you do indeed," questioned an unfamiliar voice from behind me. I turned around to see Brain smiling at me.

"Shit."

Sasuke POV

I was waiting at my post on the west side of the village waiting for Naruto's signal. I was beginning to get impatient. I've been training with Kakashi and I couldn't wait to test my Sharingan out. Then I'd prove myself to everyone. With my Sharingan not only could I get revenge on that bastard but I could also take down Naruto, I had to.

'I don't need anyone to help me kill Itachi,' I thought angrily while I twirled a kunai. That's when I felt it, killing intent. But the strange thing was it was coming from underneath me. I jumped out the way having experience with this Jutsu since Kakashi used it on me once.

I narrowly dodge two hands that shot out of the ground, but it didn't stop there. Two more hands came at me though these ones were made of stone. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu," I said as I blew up the two hands. I covered my face as dust flew everywhere and the wind picked up blowing me back as I was close to the explosion.

"All you have to do is tell me where that blonde is," I heard a guy say from inside the dust cloud. I could see his wavy figure as he walked closer to me. By the time I stood up he was visible. It was that guy who was with that black haired kid last time. I couldn't help but smirk.

"You want to find Naruto and I want to find that black haired kid so how about we make a deal?" I said smiling from ear to ear. Finally, I get to fight!

"Oh, and what do you have in mind."

"Whoever loses takes the other person to their comrades," I said activating my Sharingan.

"Sounds good to me," the ninja said as he charged.

Shikamaru POV

I whipped my head around as I heard an explosion. I could see smoke rising from the west side of the village, Sasuke's post. He was probably being attacked. But if so Naruto should have sensed the enemy and give off the signal.

Which can only mean that Naruto has gotten captured, or worse? "Ino, Choji keep your eyes open the enemy is attacking!" I said to my two teammates who were behind me.

"But Naruto hasn't given off the signal yet," Ino said.

"Yeah but there's was an explosion over at Sasuke's post. We have to assume he's being attacked."

"I heard it too," Choji said.

"But then Naruto most have been," Ino said not daring to finish her sentence.

"Hmm, I was hoping to find Kakashi but I guess you guys will have to do," I heard a voice say from behind us. Ino, Choji, and I quickly jumped together, getting in formation. Before us stood a black haired woman with golden eyes. 'How'd she get here,' I thought worried.

There's no way we wouldn't have seen her if she ran here, unless. 'Their traveling underground,' I deducted. This how they most have gotten to Sasuke and probably Naruto too. 'I guess I'll just have to do it,' I thought as I threw kunai's at the woman as a distraction. After that, I attached an explosive tag to a Kunai before throwing up in the air.

Kakashi's POV

'That's the second explosion today the enemy is definitely attacking,' I thought as I looked at the explosion that just happened. 'Naruto,' I thought as I took off towards the center of the village. If they were attacking that would mean something has happened to him.

Sensing kunai's coming at me I pulled out my own and turn around quickly to deflect the rest. With the enemy not letting up I was forced to dodge a kick that came from behind me. 'There's two of them,' I thought, landing after a backflip.

"Kakashi Hatake huh. I was hoping to find that blonde haired boy, well he's a half red head now," said a young boy with black hair. Standing beside him was a green haired man with black almond-shaped eyes. His hair was kept in a high ponytail. He was wearing a gray hood which covers his lower face. He had on a dark red kimono with over mesh armor, with a spear on his back.

'So they haven't got Naruto yet,' I thought relieved somewhat.

"No matter, either Gluttony or Wrath have found him. For his sake I hope it's Gluttony," said the little boy with a smirk, causing me to worry again. If I had to guess from the way he's talking about him, this Wrath person was their leader, if he found Naruto it'd be bad.

"Then I guess I'll just have to finish this up quickly," I said raising my headband to reveal my Sharingan.

Asuma POV

The explosion that went off, that was the signal. But it came from Shikamaru's post, what happened to Naruto? I need to help my team but Naruto's a Jinchuuriki so if he's in trouble by right I should help him. 'But I can't just abandon my team,' I thought while taking off in their direction.

I'll help my team and then we'll quickly find Naruto. However, a large muscular man landed in front of me creating a huge crater on the ground. He had red hair and had a giant club in his hands. He wasn't wearing much, green jacket and shorts with a yellow shirt underneath.

"Where do you think you're going."

"Right through you," I said pulling out my chakra blades.

Naruto POV

"The names Brain," Brain said to me reaching out to me for a handshake.

"Naruto," I said backing away from him, that caused him to smile.

"It's nice to meet you Naruto. It's not every day you get to meet a Jinchuuriki you know."

"Well it's not every day I meet an S-rank missing-nin," I said causing his smile to widen.

"Oh," Brain said looking quite amused,"so you know about me."

"I've read the bingo book."

"So you must know I'm a reasonable man," Brain said causing me to scoff.

"If you call slaughtering a whole village reasonable then yeah, I guess you are," I said sarcastically.

"And who might that be behind you?" Brain asked causing Sakura to hide behind me.

'Don't fucking hide behind me!' I thought vigorously. However, I held my peace so as to not upset Brain.

"A friend of your's I take?"

"She's not my friend," I said venomously.

"Doesn't seem that way to me but I'll take your word for it. So Naruto," Brain continued, "what's your thoughts on Konoha. I'm sure as a Jinchuuriki you weren't very welcomed."

"That's none of your concern."

"Ah so I was correct and let me guess. That girl, she hasn't been nice to you at all has she, no doubt because of what her parents have told her about you. But the second she's in trouble she clings to you pathetically having no one else to turn to," Brain said causing my eyes to widen in shock.

'How did he know,' I thought puzzled as to how this man could have assessed the situation so perfectly without any information on us at all.

"It shows in your eyes you know, your hatred towards your village, your hatred toward her. And your body language makes it obvious that her clinging to you makes you uncomfortable."

I stayed quiet not sure of what to say. I'm pretty sure anything I'd say right now would make things worse than they already were. "Do you want Konoha destroyed Naruto? I can make that happen, all you have to do is tell me where the scrolls being kept, all you have to do is join me," Brain said once again holding out his hand to me.

"He's trying to manipulate you, I'm not saying Konoha's better I'm just saying this guy's full of shit. Don't trust him."

I have to admit, what Brain was saying was very appealing and he actually had me won over. But if I'm, to be honest, I trust the Kyuubi more than anyone in the world right now. We've together for way too long and while we haven't talked much in the past years at all, he has never tried to harm, so if he says to not trust him I won't.

'So what do you suggest I do?'

"I'll lend you my chakra then you make as many Shadow clones as you can and take off in the chaos. With my chakra, you'll be faster so if he even follows the wrong clone you'll be gone."

'I think that might actually work!' I thought as I released Kyuubi's chakra causing Brain's eyes to narrow at me.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu," I shouted causing 1000 clones to appear. With the house not being big enough to hold so many people, it quickly exploded in a cloud of smoke and dust, the smoke being created by my clones. With that, I took off in a random direction with hundreds of clones in my wake.

'What do I do now?'

"Go to that Hikari girls house and reach out with the sensor ability and find a jonin and head there quickly!" While heading to Hikari's house I heard two explosions, one from Sasuke's post and the other one from Ino's, they were being attacked.

'I'm trusting you to keep her alive Shikamaru,' I thought. Ino was the sixth person in Konoha to not hate me. Granted she and Tenten didn't know about the Kyuubi but there was still a chance that they would get over it.

If someone were to hurt Tenten in any way I'd kill them mercilessly and the same goes for Ino now even if I do find her slightly annoying. Arriving at Hikari's home I quickly went inside, wasting no time getting into my meditative position. It was harder to concentrate knowing an S-ranked ninja was chasing after me but I manage to make another chakra barrier.

Reaching out with my chakra barrier I was able to find Kakashi. He wasn't that far from his post, however, he was already battling two people one of them being Envy.

'I'm coming to help Kakashi-sensei,' I thought while taking off.

Kakashi POV

'That chakra, Naruto,' I thought as I dodged the spear sent after me by sloth. However, I wasn't fast enough and the spear was able to graze my cheek, leaving a cut behind that was deep enough to draw blood. 'I wouldn't have been able to dodge that if I didn't have the Sharingan.'

"Losing focus will get you killed Hatake," warned Envy in an attempt to rile me up.

"Same goes for you, Summoning Justu," I said summoning my squad of ninja dogs who quickly latched on to the spear wielder. "Lightning blade," I said coating my hand in lightning. Soon the area was filled with the sound of chirping birds. Wasting no time I quickly ran my hand through the man heart effectively killing him while covering myself in his blood.

"Sloth," Envy screamed as I pulled my bloody hand out of his chest. "You'll pay for this," Envy said as he glared at me with hatred in his eyes.

"No," I said as my canine squad appeared behind me, "You will."

Asuma POV

"Is that all you've got," Laughed the freak who calls himself Gluttony as he took a punch to the gut.

'Hate to admit it but I really don't think my punches have any effect on this bastard at all,' I thought as I hopped away from him panting. I've wasted my energy punching this guy to no avail.

"Dodge this," announced Gluttony as he brought his club down on me. I dodge the attack that left the ground in shambles, effectively saving my own life.

"Keep announcing your attack like that and I'll be able to dodge them easily," I said as I gave him a punch to his face, he didn't even budge. 'He's fast,' I thought as I saw his club coming at me at speeds he's never used before. Taken by surprise I wasn't able to dodge the attack and took it head on.

The hit sent me flying, almost like I was a baseball and he was a batter who had just hit a homerun. My fall wasn't any prettier as I created a crater upon landing. 'He's as fast as he is big, this could prove to be troublesome,' I thought as I struggled to my feet. It wasn't long before Gluttony landed before me, in his same old show of strength.

'It's time to stop playing around,' I thought, bumping wind chakra into my brace knuckles. "You're not the only one who's fast around here," I said throwing a punch at his face which he dodges causing me to smirk. 'He must have sensed my bloodlust and noticed he couldn't have taken the blow head on, but,' I thought as a cut appeared on his cheek, 'it's no use.'

"It's hard to dodge what you can't see," I said seeing Gluttony's confused expression. "There's sharp winds covering my brace knuckles. The next cut will be deeper," I said with a smirk which riled Gluttony up.

"You bastard," Gluttony shouted as he charged at me with a battle cry.

'This will be easy from now on,'

Sasuke POV

'Why, why can't I beat him,' I thought, dodging a punch of a golem. There were four of those things coming at me, one of them containing that bastard. "Fire Style: Pheonix Flower Jutsu," I said releasing four miniature fireballs at the golems.

"Is that the only move you have," Mocked Greed as the golems regenerated.

'I thought the Sharingan was a gift, but I found out otherwise. These eyes are cursed,' I thought barely dodging another one of those bastard punches. I could see it now, I could actually see it all but, I couldn't do anything about it.

Punch after punch I saw coming but wasn't fast enough to dodge it. It felt like I was frozen in place just waiting for him to hit me, it was Humiliating. I, Sasuke Uchiha was a freaking punching bag! And to make matter's worse, the only thing I've been able to do once he made these golems is run!

'I'm low on chakra, I probably only have one Fireball left in me,' I thought, panting.

"I was hoping you'd at least do as good as you as your blonde friend but I guess everyone can't be as special as that kid," Greed said causing anger to flare within me. I won't accept him, I won't accept that dobe at all. He's not right about a single thing he said. He has no right to judge me, that orphan would never understand what I've been through. I just have to prove him wrong.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu," I said using the last of my chakra. I fell to one knee panting, my Sharingan now deactivated. I knew I didn't get him, but I couldn't help but feel at peace. This was it, the end of the road for me. Itachi got what he wanted, the Uchiha clan is even closer to extinction now.

'I'll reject you till I die Naruto Uzumaki,' I thought, seeing the golem fist approaching quickly.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu," came a familiar voice, and just like that, the golem stopped.

"Human Boulder," shouted the Akamichi as he used his clan Jutsu to destroy the golem in front of me. "Expansion Jutsu," He shouted again as he made his hand giant, making quick work of the other two golems. Not letting up he grabbed the golem Greed was inside of immobilizing him. Then the Nara wrapped his shadows around him.

"Ino now," Shikamaru shout.

"Got it, Mind Transfer Jutsu," Ino shouted before her body went limp.

'You don't have to do this by yourself,' I heard Naruto's voice say before I passed out.

Shikamaru POV

"That's two down," I said as Choji tied up greed.

"What do we do with Sasuke, he's out cold," asked Ino as she rested Sasuke's head in her lap. I had noticed for a while now that she had stopped calling him Sasuke-kun, she was out of that stage, Kakashi must have done something. 'If only Sakura could do the same,' I thought with a sigh.

Speaking of Sakura, we had to help Naruto and her. However, that woman did a number on us and we were low on Chakra. "We'll head to Hikari's house and leave Sasuke there, then we'll find Naruto and Sakura," I said wincing as my wound from before opened up. I quickly squeezed my upper arm to try and stop the bleeding.

'I should have known this would happen,' I thought.

"Shikamaru your arm," Ino said. She's been like this for a while, worrying about everyone.

"It's fine we don't have the time to patch it up and the wound would just open up again if we run into anyone," I said brushing Ino off. With that, Choji threw Sasuke over his shoulder as we headed to Hikari's house.

It took us longer to get there with our injuries slowing us down along with the challenge of carrying Sasuke. However, when we got there after passing hordes of Naruto's clone I noticed that the door was open. Naruto's clones wouldn't stop to listen to no matter what we did, which really hurt Ino but seeing the door open gave me and idea.

"Those clones, they were diversions so Naruto could come here," I said as we approached the door slowly.

"So that means Naruto might be inside," Ino said her voice swelling up with hope.

"Something like that," I said throwing Ino off. 'Naruto's the strongest one of all of us. If this person was able to beat him then they have to be troublesome,' I thought, fearing who we might find inside. There was no say that Naruto got away.

Walking inside we quietly placed Sasuke on the couch as we search the area only to find a shaking Sakura.

"Sakura," Ino said as she ran to her ex-best friend. Sakura took this chance to cry in Ino's arms. Not wanting to be an ass I gave Sakura five minutes to get control of herself, but when she kept crying I knew we couldn't waste any more time.

"Where's Naruto," I asked kneeling down to Sakura level.

"He ran away from that man. That man, he was terrifying, being so close to him I almost lost my mind! All I could do was hide behind Naruto," Sakura choked out looking down right terrified. Her pale face even gave me the chills. "He kept calling Naruto a Jinchuuriki. He tried convincing Naruto to help him saying he'd be treated better and that he'd destroy Konoha. He knew about how I treated Naruto." Sakura almost screamed.

'A human sacrifice, wait no don't tell me,' I thought as my eyes widen. "I-It all makes sense now."

"Shikamaru what did you figure out," Ino asked.

"Yeah, dude tell us," Choji urged as they both, including Sakura, looked at me expectingly.

"Did Naruto accepts that man's help," I asked ignoring their questions.

"No he didn't he," Sakura said before she paused.

"He what," I asked impatiently.

"He started using this red chakra and did some Jutsu and that's when I lost consciousness and woke up later then headed here to hide, the door was open when I got here so I think he was here before me," Sakura said.

"Red Chakra," Ino questioned.

"That doesn't matter right now, if Naruto was here that means we can catch up to him," I said a little irked.

"Yeah, your right, sorry," Ino said.

"Sakura you stay here and take care of Sasuke. Ino Choji and I will search for Naruto. Now let's go," I said rushing out the door.

"So what's the plan Shikamaru, we're not exactly trackers," asked Choji

"I need Ino to swap minds with the animals nearby, they must have a memory of Naruto if he's been through here."

"I'm on it, Mind Transfer Jutsu," Ino said swapping minds with a bird flying towards us. I caught Ino's limb body before she fell to the floor as a horde of birds flew towards us, lagging quite some distance behind the first one that Ino swapped minds with.

'They must be retreating,' I thought as we waited for Ino to return. It wasn't long before I felt her moving.

"Ino are you okay," I questioned.

"Yeah I'm fine," Ino said between pants as she struggled to stand on her own. She must nearly be out of chakra. "That bird he didn't see Naruto but he in his memory I found blood, lost of it ahead."

"Then that's where we'll go. Ino you should stay, help look after Sasuke with Sakura."

"No I have to come," Ino said defiantly.

"But Ino your-" I started before she cut me off.

"I was mean to Naruto. I would bully and call him names and treat him like he was an animal, no worse than that, a pest. But when I needed him he was there for me, he...he saved my life. So I'm definitely going to be there to save his," Ino said with determination in her eyes.

"And here I was thinking that it was Kakashi who changed you, it was Naruto all along," I said with a smile making Ino blush. "I own Naruto too, so we'll save him together," I said while making a fist. I saw how people talked about Naruto, how they looked at him. I was so curious I asked my dad about it but he never said why so I continued to watch him. Naruto wasn't treated like a pest, he was treated like he never existed. But I turned a blind eye towards him thinking it was way too troublesome to meddle in. No, the truth is I was fooled by his fake smile.

"Let's go," I said no longer wasting any time. The place Ino was talking about wasn't far away, only 5 miles, a short distance for a ninja to travel. However, as we walked around dread filled us as saw blood splattered against every other tree.

Naruto had retreated towards the forest but apparently it didn't help him. As we walked past the blood-stained tree's we found a clearing. However, it was what was in the middle of the clearing that made Ino fall to her knees.

In the middle of the clearing was a pool of blood. I placed a hand on Ino's shoulder as she cried her eyes out. I closed my eyes in anger while gritting my teeth, I was too late. They took the body because even dead Naruto was valuable.

However, we weren't able to mourn for long as the ground started to shake causing me to fall on my butt, an earthquake is what I thought it was at first. However, an earthquake didn't explain why it was it was raining heated gold. Or why there was a huge torrent of flames bursting in the sky, torrents of fire that were huge enough to destroy this whole village.

But that's when I saw it burst out of the ground, it's blue scales glistening as It made contact with the sunlight.

"Fuck, it's really a dragon!"