PinkiePieParty122894: Alright, I can finally type your full username by memory! It took a little while with the numbers but your consistent updating gave me a lot of practice. Ma and Pa will make some more appearances, one of which where they will actually see one of the serpents. Thanks for the reviews, I hope you keep them up, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Gammagyro: Yakumo will get more scythe abilities as she goes along and I may put a little bit more into the story and abilities of her scythe. She will also gain more lethal and intimidating genjutsu that I've decided to mix with her fuinjutsu. For Sasuke's spear, I took your advice about it being double bladed and I think it turned out well in terms of utilizing both of his elemental chakra types so I couldn't have done it without you. As for Tsunade, she might try during the middle of the Kiri Arc which begins this chapter.
Princess Sin: I'm glad that you're enjoying the story and are excited. And it's very possible that once the twins feel powerful enough or see Naruto again that they may go in for the kill despite what Tsuranabi says. As for Jiraiya vs. the twins, I thought about it but decided that if he went anywhere near the twins, The Shinigami's Blade would diced him into a thousand pieces and ship him back to Konoha before he could even say "Hi" so they probably won't face off.
DxGRAYxMAN: Yes he does. I kind of hint at it this chapter, but it will be revealed soon and I hope that you and the other readers like the direction I go in with the sage mode.
Jasmine: When I saw your review, I was almost done writing this chapter and literally felt like you were watching me from somewhere. Jiraiya and Tsunade will join Team 11 and what happens will change Jiraiya and Tsunade's entire outlook on Naruto. As for Danzo, I'm slowly entering parts of him that portray him in an antagonistic light kind of.
Wolven Phoenix: I'm happy that you are enjoying it and to answer your question about Naruto becoming a BAMF after learning sage mode. Yes, yes he does.
Animaman: Jiraiya is really stubborn and won't see the truth until he sees it for himself *hint hint. This Kiri arc is actually going to be big not just for Team 11 but for Jiraiya and Tsunade as well. For some of the people in the story, their entire reality will change. Whether or not Jiraiya is one of those people, you'll have to see. I will say that by the end of the Kiri arc, Jiraiya's opinion will have gotten incredibly worse or incredibly better. As for finding dirt on the elders, I don't know about all of that, but I plan on Minato maybe getting Kakashi to look into some of the things Danzo is doing so that I can also bring Kakashi back into the mix.
(Team 11 Training Ground)
It had been ten months since the members of Team 11 had begun their own individual training. Each of their teachers had decided that it was time to get them re-acclimated with one another in a spar against one another. Naruto stood with his sword resting on his shoulder as he looked at his friend Sasuke wielding a spear and his girlfriend Yakumo yielding a large scythe. Grinning, Naruto removed his blade from his shoulder and got into a battle stance. "We don't have to go this far you know. We could just go at each other with jutsu and fists. It might be more fair that way" Naruto said smiling.
Sasuke frowned and Yakumo rolled her eyes. "Naruto, we need to see where we stand in terms of using our weapons. Besides, if we were using ninjutsu I'd kick your ass all the way to Kumo. I want us all to go all out, it's the only way to test how far we've come" Sasuke said with his usual confident smirk. Yakumo and Naruto both smiled at their friend's answer. It was good to be back with one another.
The Uchiha ran at his blonde friend as the ends of his spear lit up in fire and crackled with electricity. Jabbing at him with high speed strikes, Naruto swiped each attack away with his sword. He was so focused on his fight with Sasuke that he almost didn't realize Yakumo in the air swinging her large scythe at him. Almost. Naruto deflected another attack from Sasuke and raised his sword to block Yakumo's strike. Yakumo stayed suspended in air while trying to put more pressure on her boyfriend's sword. Naruto shook his head and swung his fist into Yakumo's gut only for her entire being to collapse into sheets of paper. He didn't have time to wonder about what just happened as Sasuke quickly appeared behind him with his spear. Just as Sasuke jabbed forwards once again, his fellow ninja was replaced with a log which frustrated Sasuke. After pulling back his spear, he couldn't seem to find Naruto with his eyes. Smirking, Sasuke threw his spear into the air and shouted "Lightning Rain" sending lightning bolts to a nearby tree as they tracked the blonde's chakra.
Naruto cursed seeing the attack and it's ability. Jumping from the tree, Naruto turned in mid air and yelled out "Hammer Slash" as his sword strike got rid of the lightning chasing him. When Naruto landed, both of his legs were held down keeping him from moving. Looking down, he saw two arms that had risen from pieces of paper that now held him. Seeing an opportunity, Sasuke threw his spear which was beginning to become engulfed in flames at Naruto. Noticing the predicament he was in, Naruto held his sword and made a heavy slash that actually knocked Sasuke's spear. Seeing that Yakumo was still holding onto him, Naruto made a hand sign with one hand. "Voltage Vortex" Naruto said as a spiral of lightning surrounded him shocking anything and everything within close proximity of him. The jutsu worked as Yakumo let go and disappeared back into the paper.
"I've gotta say I'm impressed with the paper ninjutsu and the way that you are using it Yakumo" Naruto said looking around, searching for the brunette. "But you'll need a little more if you plan to take me down" Naruto said which got a chuckle that seemed to come from everywhere in the area. "Oh Naruto, you know better than anyone ninjutsu isn't even close to my best asset" said the voice of Yakumo before ten Yakumo's rose from the ground around Naruto and surrounded him in a circle. "Now Naruto, let's have some fun. Porcupine's Prison" yelled out Yakumo as each Yakumo raised their arms. A moment later, Naruto was surrounded by what seemed to be glowing senbons all directed at him. He tried to move but found that his body wouldn't obey him no doubt a bonus affect from his girlfriend's genjutsu. Closing his eyes, Naruto prepared for the pain. Each senbon launched at great speed and started to pierce his body. It didn't take long for Naruto to be completely covered in senbons. "SASUKE NOW!" shouted Yakumo. Not able to move his neck to see his teammate, he could feel the heat coming from whatever jutsu Sasuke had planned. Whatever it was, it was powerful.
Sasuke had both of his hands together and a large burning sphere prepared to fly at his comrade. "Solar Destruction" Sasuke shouted launching the ball of fire at the boy who thought he was paralyzed with senbon. As the ball of fire neared him, Naruto cursed himself for falling into this situation. Taking as deep of a breath as he could, Naruto pulsed his chakra disrupting the genjutsu. He was no longer littered with senbon, but he knew that the wounds were there thanks to Yakumo's ability to make a genjutsu illusion into a reality. Turning around, Naruto was faced with the incoming attack. Thinking quickly, Naruto made a shadow clone. When it formed, he looked at it and both nodded. As Naruto watched his clone create his Tempest Rasengan, Naruto removed what appeared to be a regular kunai. The only difference was a very special seal on the blade. Throwing it into a tree behind his teammates who were too focused on Sasuke's attack to see the kunai, Naruto quickly flashed to the location. He watched as the clone slammed his attack into Sasuke's causing both jutsu to explode. Sasuke and Yakumo were worried for a moment until they both felt a steel kunai against their throats. Naruto and a shadow clone stood behind the two with a smile. When the two gave up, he removed the kunai and moved in front of them.
"You guys did great! You actually almost had me" Naruto said very surprised that he had to resort to using the hiraishin to win. Both of his teammates nodded as well. "Yeah well we aren't the only ones who got stronger. I see you've got some new tricks in your bag" Sasuke said with a smirk. Naruto smirked right back. "You have no idea Sasuke" he said before looking towards the nearby trees. "How was that dad?" Naruto shouted. After Naruto's shout, Minato, Kushina, Itachi, Konan, and Orochimaru walked into view. Each of the adults were smiling. "We're all very impressed with each of your progress. The original plan was two years of training but you three have definitely changed that. Keep it up because I believe that each of you are on a legendary track" Minato said getting nods from each of the adults and smiles from the students. After hearing their praise, the three chunin began to catch up on what they did for training while Minato turned to his group. "I want each of you in my office. Konan is going to give me the report on Kiri and I want each of you there to hear it" Minato said getting nods from the group.
(Base of Shinigami's Blade)
Tsuranabi was sitting in his chair when Karasala, the third swordsman, entered his office. "Thank you for coming Karasala" Tsuranabi said which gained a nod from the man. Karasala was of average height and average weight. He had brown hair and a large scar that went from his right temple to the edge of his mouth. Other than the scar, there was nothing unique about his appearance. He wore a white sleeveless shirt and white pants. Red arm guards were attached to his wrists and large red boots covered his feet. Though his appearance gave off nothing special, he was easily one of the most dangerous swordsman in the world not only because of his skill with a blade, but the ability that he used in battle. Karasala had the ability to completely change the density of anything his sword struck. He could make a weapon as dangerous as a silk blanket and could destroy a person's body with a single cut by making a limb so weak that it was useless or so heavy that it would be impossible to lift it. It was an ability that made him one of the most dangerous swordsmen in the entire world.
"Sashira said you wanted to see me" Karasala said to which Tsuranabi nodded and stood from his chair. "Yes, I have a new mission for you. When Iliel went to Konoha, his goal was to kill each of the kages there to create instability within the ninja villages. He failed to do so and died as a result. Now it seems that his attempt at creating chaos backfired as the villages are starting to ally themselves with one another against us. All of it because Iliel couldn't keep his mouth shut" Tsuranabi said clenching his fists slightly before taking a small breath and relaxing. "I have discovered that Konoha plans on sending help for Kiri's rebellion to remove Yagura from power and bring stability to the Mist. That can't happen. Chaos must continue to brew in Kiri until our plan is ready to execute. You will go to Kiri and you will make sure that no one kills Yagura" Tsuranabi said to which Karasala nodded in understanding.
Seeing that their meeting was done, Karasala began to leave Tsuranabi's office but stopped at the door. "What if the boy who killed Iliel arrives in Kiri" Karasala asked to which Tsuranabi sighed. "Karasala, you are an important member to the Shinigami's Blade. The kages have become complacent in their abilities while we grow stronger. That boy is the only one who can challenge us at the time. I would prefer if you do not kill him, but do not risk your life to spare his. At the moment he is my only option for obtaining absolute power but I'm certain that down the line more will rise from the ashes of the ninja world. Keep him alive if you can, but kill him if you must" said Tsuranabi.
Tsuranabi looked at the ground. "Let us see Naruto if you are worth the effort that I've put into you. Will you fight and obtain victory or will you die and be lost to time itself? Whatever the case, I will be waiting for you Lunar Soldier" Tsuranabi said before laughing loudly.
(Hokage's Office)
Minato sat in his office surrounded by Kushina, Itachi, Konan, Orochimaru, and Tsunade. "Konan, I'd like for you to give your mission report now" Minato said to which Konan nodded and stepped forward. "Honestly Lord Hokage, it's not going as we had hoped. The Mizukage's forces have been steadily defeating the rebels. If we are to help the rebel forces then it's now or never" Konan finished making Minato look down in thought. The blonde hokage was silent for a moment before looking back up at everyone who occupied his office. "We can't afford to send out a large amount of our forces while the Shinigami's Blade is poised to strike at any moment, but perhaps I could send a skilled team to assist the rebels in Kiri" Minato said before nodding. "Itachi, I want you to gather your team and prepare them for a high A to S rank mission. Tsunade, I want you to find Jiraiya for the two of you will join Team 11, Kushina, Itachi, and Konan in assisting the rebels. Orochimaru, I will need you here in case the Shinigami's Blade or any other enemy gets any ideas. Jiraiya has just returned from Mount Myoboku but I haven't seen him so you may have to search for a while Tsunade. All of you except Orochimaru leave in three days" Minato said getting different looks from those in the room.
Kushina looked very concerned as any mother would and Tsunade looked very unsure about Minato's choice of sending Team 11. Tsunade was also secretly worried about Jiraiya who wasn't his most stable or logical self these days. Itachi and Konan both had serious looks on their faces but knew that their students would be up to the task despite their lack of experience. Orochimaru simply nodded his head at Minato's decision. He wasn't worried about Sasuke especially since his teammates and Itachi would be there. Orochimaru knew that there was another reason for keeping him in the village besides a defensive measure. Even after nearly a year, Orochimaru was still not trusted by a fair amount of the village and so sending him out on an S rank mission could cause concern and questions about if the Snake Sannin would purposefully sabotage the mission or betray the village in some way. Orochimaru needed to stay in order to build up trust within Konoha and Minato knew that.
"Orochimaru, I want you to assemble the council so that I may address them. Itachi, prepare your team for they leave next week" Minato said before dismissing everyone. As the ninja filed out, Kushina stayed behind. Minato sighed and put his head in his hands. "Am I doing the right thing Kushina?" Minato asked to his wife who had her arms crossed. Kushina took a deep breath and thought about what to say before responding. "I don't know Minato. I don't want my son put in the middle of a war. I can't lose him again. But I also know that we need Kiri if we're going to beat the Shinigami's Blade. I know that Naruto far surpasses chunin level, hell I would say that he surpasses most jounin and that's during the day. I'll never agree with putting my son in harm's way, but he is a shinobi now and he isn't going to be alone in this. I trust your judgement just as I always have" she said before walking and giving him a quick kiss before leaving.
Minato nodded and with a renewed confidence made his way to the council room.
(Team 11)
Naruto, Sasuke, and Yakumo sat at their training ground under a tree going over what they had done in the past ten months. "Yakumo, you're getting a lot better with your scythe and your paper ninjutsu. I am curious about that last technique, "Porcupine's Prison". How did you hit me with it?" Naruto asked which got a wide smile from Yakumo. "Kushina sensei has been teaching me a lot about seals. One of the most recent seals I learned was the paralysis seal which I caught you in. I'm sure you noticed the glowing circle under you when the jutsu started?" Yakumo asked to which Naruto nodded. "Well, that was the seal activating and keeping you still while I set up the genjutsu to strike you down" the brunette said smiling. Naruto and Sasuke both smiled while thinking about how much progress she had made.
"What about you Sasuke? How's your training gone?" Naruto asked his Uchiha teammate. Sasuke looked at both of his teammates and snorted before displaying his usual smirk. "Let's just say that what you saw in our battle doesn't even compare to how strong I've truly gotten. I have nearly mastered my sharingan and my taijutsu is nearly flawless. Not to mention that I have created a multitude of jutsu and my ability with my spear is something that others would be jealous of" Sasuke said beaming while Naruto and Yakumo rolled their eyes at his "Uchiha Confidence (Arrogance)" before chuckling. The sound of his teammates laughter caused Sasuke to look back at Naruto and Yakumo and stand up. "Mark my words, you will see that I, Sasuke Uchiha am the strongest Uchiha to have ever lived" Sasuke said with a fire burning in his eyes which caused his teammates to chuckle more.
Naruto stopped laughing eventually while Yakumo continued to giggle. "So does that mean that you're stronger than Itachi sensei?" Naruto asked which caused Sasuke to cross his arms. "Of course I am. The blood running through my veins have allowed me to far surpass my brother" Sasuke said proudly. Immediately after Sasuke made this claim, Yakumo stopped giggling but Naruto gained a smirk on his face. "I bet you wouldn't say that to his face" Naruto said to which Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I bet you that I would. Even he must admit that" Sasuke started before noticing that Naruto was no longer looking at him. Rather the blonde was now looking behind his Uchiha teammate. Slowly turning around, Sasuke was met with the sight of his brother who had his sharingan activated. "Hey Itachi, I thought that you were in a meeting" Sasuke said laughing nervously. "Okay, I'm sorry that I said all that. I know that you are stronger than me, I was just" Sasuke tried explaining but Itachi quickly put his hand up to stop him before smiling.
"Calm down brother. I'm not angry at you, but I am a bit disappointed. What was the very first thing that I taught you?" Itachi asked. "Confidence keeps you alive, overconfidence gets you killed" Sasuke responded making Itachi and Naruto nod their heads. "Correct. I have high hopes for you little brother as I see in you even more potential than I ever had. I'm counting on you not to let arrogance be your downfall" Itachi said before looking over his whole team. "Alright Team 11, as genin you were regarded as the most powerful genin team that Konoha ever produced. Now, you are chunin. With that position, you receive more responsibilities, some riskier than others. I have returned from the Hokage with a mission of the upmost importance. The three of you along with Konan, Kushina, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and myself will be going to Kiri to assist the rebels in their war against the Mizukage. This is a high A to S rank mission for which we will leave in three days. Do any of yo have any questions?" asked Itachi looking over the reactions of his three chunin. No one said anything or moved until Naruto raised his hand. Itachi nodded towards Naruto and the blonde asked his question. "Is there anything specific that we will be doing when we get there?" he asked.
Itachi shook his head. "When we arrive, our group will locate the leader of the rebels and get our instructions from whoever it is" Itachi answered. Noticing that his team had no more questions, Itachi asked his. "Naruto, you have heard about your teammates' progress, wouldn't it be polite to share yours?" Itachi asked. Naruto chuckled at the question. "My dad taught me a lot about sealing and taijutsu, I made a few ninjutsu, and I even created a couple of new seals" Naruto said impressing his teammates but not fooling his sensei. "Anything else Naruto?" Itachi asked to which Naruto grinned. "Well, let's just say that I have a new and very powerful trump card" Naruto finished.
(Council Room)
Minato sat in his chair with Orochimaru standing beside him. The rest of the council looked expectantly at their leader. "Today, I decided that that the situation in Kiri could no longer be ignored by Konoha. We face a giant with malicious goals set in mind. The Shinigami's Blade is the largest threat to not only Konoha, but every nation unless we stop it. In order to do so, we will need help. Iwa, Kumo, and Suna have already allied themselves with us leaving only Kiri who is still in their civil war. To stop the Shinigami's Blade, all shinobi nations must come together which is why I have assigned a mission to a very special group of ninja in hopes that they can change things in Kiri" Minato said getting confused looks all around. "Who may I ask is this special group?" asked Shibi Aburame, the head of the Aburame clan. Minato took a deep breath before answering. "I have assigned Tsunade Senju, Jiraiya, Itachi Uchiha, Konan, Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, Yakumo Kurama, and Sasuke Uchiha to head to Kiri and assist in any way possible" the blonde kage said before and out roar started, mostly from the Kurama head. "ABSOLUTELY NOT! YOU WILL NOT SEND MY DAUGHTER THERE!" Murakumo Kurama, head of the Kurama clan, shouted. Ever since the invasion during the chunin exams, Murakumo couldn't stop worrying about the danger that his daughter was putting herself in every day.
The blonde shook his head. "Listen to me, all of you. The Shinigami's Blade is a threat of which the world has never seen. One member, only one, was able to beat three kages and a kage level jinchuriki to a pulp without so much as a scratch. We will need all nations to unite if we even want to stand a chance against them" Minato said getting nods from some of the council members. Shikaku was the next council member to voice his thoughts. "What do we know about the Shinigami's Blade?" asked Shikaku Nara, head of the Nara clan. Minato shook his head while answering. "Virtually nothing. Nothing stands out in the Bingo Book, no recent attacks, even Jiraiya's spy network hasn't been able to find anything. All I know is that their goal is "Peace by Submission" which is what the man who I and the other kages faced told me" answered Minato which caused Shikaku to put his hands together.
"You know Lord Hokage, you told us that the attacker known as Iliel died which was verified by the other kages. You did not however tell us how he died or who killed him" said the elder, Danzo who looked at Minato with calculative eyes. Minato simply looked at Danzo and said, "You're right. I didn't", before moving on with the meeting which caused Danzo to clench his fist at the disrespect the young kage showed. His thoughts were interrupted when a civilian council member spoke up. "Is there any way that we could make a deal with The Shinigami's Blade" asked the council member to which Minato answered "No" before moving on and waiting on the next council member to ask a question.
The process of asking and answering questions eventually began to come to a close after an hour of being in session. Hiashi Hyuuga, head of the Hyuuga clan, asked the final question. "Why are you sending three chunin along? Why not replace them with ANBU or regular jounin?" asked the Hyuuga. Minato sighed. It was the question that he had to be very careful in answering. "I have decided on sending the former Team 11 based on their abilities and attitudes towards these types of situations. I know that they will keep level heads and I am also very much aware of how powerful each of them are. They will do fine" Minato said confidently before dismissing the council. When everyone had left, Minato sat thinking about the mission. "They will do fine" Minato said once again to himself.
(Tsunade)
Tsunade had gone through a couple of bars and the village hot springs before finding her perverted teammate. He was unconscious not far from the hot springs, evidence that he had been caught peeping and been served the swift hand of justice. Waking him up, she helped him over to a nearby bench as both sat down. "Jiraiya, we've been called on by the Hokage to go to Kiri along with Itachi, Kushina, Konan, and Team 11" she said. Jiraiya was still rubbing his head when Tsunade informed him of the mission. "Kiri? No, I have to keep looking for Menma and Narumi. I don't have time to go to Kiri and stop a war" the toad sage said sitting straight up. Tsunade shook her head. "You don't have a choice. Besides, we may find some clues about Menma and Narumi's whereabouts in Kiri" Tsunade said making Jiraiya look down in thought.
Honestly, the man didn't want to go. He saw it as a waste of time and didn't want to be near the boy who caused his godchildren to be taken from Konoha, but the possibility of finding Menma and Narumi caused him to nod his head in agreement. "I'll go under one condition" Jiraiya said getting a confused look from the Slug Sannin. "I want a peek at these babies" Jiraiya said reaching for Tsunade's breasts causing her eyebrow to twitch violently. Not a second later, Jiraiya was sent flying across Konoha.
Author's Note: Thank you everybody for the continued support. It means a lot that so many people are not only reading the story but enjoying it as well. Some info for the future. Next chapter entails the journey to Kiri, arriving in Kiri, some fighting etc. I have also decided that I will be giving Itachi a love interest so yeah. Naruto will face off against Karasala later on in which he will show a new skill that many have anticipated. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter and don't forget to REVIEW!