Author Note: N/A
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-Chapter XXV-
By the time the week is over, most of the younger generation has resorted to whining and complaining about the amount of training they have to do everyday. Because Jiraiya has not yet returned from his trip, the Jounins decide that they will keep the youngsters around to further their training. However, after finding that they have exhausted most tactics to keep the youngsters' spirits up and continue their training, the Jounins finally decide the give them one day off but order them to stay in the training ground so that they don't attract any potential enemies by their movement. Most of the teenagers complain that Yamato's technique would've attracted the enemies if there were any in the area, but the Jounins stand their ground and the teenagers eventually accept their decision. While everyone is hanging out amongst themselves, Naruto wanders off to the side to continue his training. He has finished the waterfall training just a couple of days ago and was ordered to spend yesterday in bed to recover from chakra exhaustion by Sakura. It doesn't take long for Sasuke to join him, who has also completed his phase of training. Kakashi has shown the two of them how to use chakra and form manipulation to improve on their signature technique, promising the two of them that he'll teach them the other's technique when they finish improving their own technique.
"So, how far have you gotten along teme?"
"Further than you I'm certain."
"We'll see about that."
"Sasuke-kun, this is supposed to be our day off. Come on, don't you want to have some fun with me?"
"Karin. I'm busy."
"But Sasuke-kun…"
"Just let them go. Once they have their little rivalry going, nothing you do can break them up," Sakura says.
"And why should I listen to you."
"You're only wasting your time," Sakura says, walking away.
"Uzumaki, I challenge you to a spar."
"Yugito-chan…? OK I guess, it's not like I'm making any progress here."
Turning around, Yugito walks off toward a bigger clearing, leaving Naruto to catch up to her with Sasuke and Karin closely behind. When the pair starts loosening up, everyone else in the training ground gathers around them to watch the match. While Naruto is oblivious to how Yugito's opinion of him shifted during the week, it certainly hasn't escaped anyone else.
"By the way, Uzumaki-san, do not hold anything back. I intend to fight at my full strength."
"OK. I never liked holding back in a fight anyway."
The pair starts out with simple Taijutsu moves, that is, until Naruto starts mixing in some of his Jyuuken moves to throw Yugito off balance and land several solid hits. Jumping back to put some distance between them, Yugito starts forming hand seals and sends out several of her weaker fire techniques. Naruto manages to use Fuuton: Renkoudan to blow out the fire techniques. However, Yugito is waiting for that move and uses Katon: Karyuuendan to take advantage of the wind. Everyone in the clearing winces as the enlarged fire dragon rushes through the spot Naruto is standing and Sakura is almost ready to rush in to tend to Naruto before Kakashi stops her.
"Boy, that was close. I didn't know you would be this serious Yugito-chan."
"How… how did you get behind me!"
"I've always been behind you. That was only a Kage Bunshin that you were fighting," Naruto says, grinning, "well… if you're going to be that serious, I'll just have to step it up too. Looks like Sakura-chan'll be busy when the spar is over."
"Yes… I'm sure she would be quite busy putting you back together."
"Your spar will have to wait," Kakashi says, stepping in before either side can make another move.
"We are being called back," Asuma says, pointing to a messenger bird in the sky.
Fifteen minutes later, everyone is gathered in front of Tsunade in the Hokage's office. Standing next to the Hokage is a stoic Jiraiya. From his reactions, Naruto knows that something serious must have happened or else Jiraiya would've stirred up some kind of trouble by now.
"All right. What happened Ero-Sennin."
"On my way back, I found an injured monk. His temple was attacked by the Akatsuki who were looking for Chiriku."
"No… Chiriku, is he?"
"Unfortunately Asuma, yes."
Kurenai walks over and places her hand on Asuma's shoulder. Looking back, Asuma nods with a sad smile at Kurenai's gesture. Everyone turns their attention back to Tsunade when she clears her throat.
"I'm sorry for you loss Asuma, but as heartless as it is for me to say it, we do have more pressing matters to attend to, like facing off against the two Akatsuki members. From the report Jiraiya got from the monk, it would appear to be Kakuzu and Hidan that attacked the temple. It's best if we go out and attack them than for them to come into the village to search for Naruto."
"So should we gather the Nijuu Shotai then Hokage-sama?" Asuma asks.
"No. We should still have a couple of days left. Jiraiya arrived at the temple just after the Akatsuki members left and he headed back here at top speed."
"I left the information on Akatsuki with Ebisu. Did you get a chance to look it over Shikamaru?"
"Yes…"
"Out with it. What's the plan Shikamaru?" Ino asks.
"How troublesome. Why do you always have to be so loud…" Shikamaru grumbles, "from the information, we will need a lot of raw power to fight against this team. I propose a team of Naruto, Gaara, Yugito, me, Sakura, Sasuke, Yamato, and Kakashi."
"I'm going too."
"That will not be necessary Asuma-sensei. I considered other people, but as I've said, this mission requires raw power, the ability to obliterate the target on impact. While I'm sure everyone here are very capable in eliminating targets, the impact range of the others' techniques are more local. I've considered Gai and Lee as well, but we need them as back up in case Itachi and Kisame decide to start their hunt as well. Gai's team should be near the village scouting the area for those two just in case and Gai has the best chance of holding off Itachi."
"I'll go with Sasuke-kun too. I can help you guys track them down with my ability."
"Then help Gai's team," Sasuke says.
"Yes, I have an idea why they hunted down Chiriku. We only need to search the bounty centers around the temple," Shikamaru explains.
"So Sasuke-teme, looks like we only have two days to complete our new techniques."
"Like it would even take that long."
"If there's nothing else Tsunade-baa-chan, Sasuke-teme and I need to get back to training."
"Fine, the eight Shikamaru picked can go to training and organizing for the mission. The rest of you stay here and Jiraiya will give you instructions on protecting the village."
Two days later, just as Hidan and Kakuzu walks out of the bounty center, they find Gaara and Yugito standing there waiting for them. Unleashing his scythe, Jidan manages to slice halfway through Gaara, which turns out to be a Suna Bunshin, before his weapon is stuck in the sand. Looking over to their other target, they find Yugito slowly dissipates into a sand raccoon.
"Saikou Zettai Kougeki: Shukaku no Hoko!" A voice screams from behind the bounty center.
The two nuke-nins manage to jump out of the way before the spear makes contact. Just as they do, Kakuzu is caught in the back by Kakashi's Raikiri while Hidan is caught by Shikamaru's Kage Mane no Jutsu. Just as Kakashi jumps away, a pile of black goo starts pooling at Kakuzu's feet.
"So I guess the information is correct after all. We need to kill him more then once."
"Information? So I guess you have some help from a spy. Then you must know what our abilities are. Yet you are still foolish enough to challenge us."
"We will do more than just challenge you. We'll defeat you! Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Yugito screams.
Two large clouds of smoke billow from behind the bounty center. Turning around, Kakuzu is shocked to see Shukaku and Nekomata charging toward him when the smoke clears. Turning toward his partner, Kakuzu attacks Shikamaru so that he will release the technique before grabbing Hidan and escaping the scene. The two giant beasts come to a screeching halt right in front of the other two ninjas and lay down to allow the two Jinchuuriki to get off before transforming into two Narutos whom disappears after making sure everything is all right to report back to the original.
"Kakashi, did you manage to get it?" Gaara asks.
"It's right here."
"Looks like the first steps are successful. Not to mention that this should buy Naruto and Sasuke a couple more days to recover," Shikamaru says.
"Look at it this way. At least they did get their new techniques down," Yugito chimes in, "but to think that it would take this much out of them. It's probably a one-shot deal if they want to use it in the next fight, especially for Uzumaki. If they miss, we're all in trouble."
"How troublesome. I would have a bit more confidence in Naruto than that. You might not have known him for too long, but the rest of us have seen him done the impossible too many times to count."
"Yes… I suppose I would be a living proof of that…" Gaara says.
"Let's head to the next check point. Naruto should've found out what happened here through the Kage Bunshins and told the others."
When Kakashi's team arrives at the designated spot, they find a wooden shack standing there. Without another thought, Kakashi opens the door and walk in, knowing that Yamato's team have already arrived and are waiting inside.
"It looks like you two are doing better," Shikamaru says as he walks in.
"Heh, I was just a bit tired. You know that I won't let something like that slow me down."
"I was just suffering from slight numbness from an electric shock. It doesn't take too long to recover from that."
"How about giving me some credit for putting you two back together!" Sakura screams, punching Naruto and Sasuke on the top of the head.
"Ugh, and they wonder why I was short when I was growing up."
"Do you prefer if I'm not around then," Sakura growls through her teeth.
"No," Naruto says, grinning, "but you could stop hitting me on the head."
"Fine," Sakura answers, smiling.
Noticing the smile on Sakura's face, Sasuke carefully moves out of the way, trying to keep the pink-haired girl's attention off him. A solid punch to the stomach later, Naruto is sent through the ceiling of the first floor and slams against the roof of the building. Gaara, Shikamaru, Kakashi, and Yamato stare at the unconscious form of Naruto, who has created another hole in the ceiling on his way back down, shaking their head and muttering about idiots. Sakura stomped off inside the kitchen after the punch to get some food, which sent the hiding Sasuke jumping out the window before coming back inside through the front door.
"Shall we prepare a funeral?" Gaara asks, nudging Naruto's body with his foot.
"Sakura'll come around to heal him soon enough. Until then, leave him alone or Sakura will turn her anger on you," Kakashi says, "can you fix those holes Yamato."
"Huh? Oh those? Sure."
Half an hour later, Saukra walks back into the living room and find the still unconscious Naruto on the ground. The others outside of Yugito have cleared out a long time ago so that they are not around to infuriate Sakura any further. Nibi's Jinchuuriki has deemed it amusing to draw an outline around the unconscious boy's body and is now leaning against the wall to gauge Sakura's reaction. As she watches Sakura walk over to treat the wounded, Yugito notes that Sakura seems to be struggling to hold in her laughter and keep up her anger mask.
"It is perfectly fine to laugh you know."
"It… it's not… not funny…" Sakura says, obviously struggling.
"I think you really did some damage this time. I would've thought he'd be up by now."
"He is up. He's just trying to draw attention to himself," Sakura says, hitting Naruto on the head.
"Sakura-chan… that punch really hurts."
"And I'll send you to the basement if you don't get up this instance."
"We don't have a basement."
"Exactly."
Naruto practically jumps off the floor and hides behind Yugito. Smirking, Yugito reaches behind her and throws Naruto at Sakura, causing them to hit the floor in a heap. Suddenly, the door opens, revealing the others with a bunch of wild fruits and a few small dead animals.
"Are we… interrupting?" Kakashi asks.
"No!" Sakura screams, scrambling away from Naruto, "it was…"
"Anyway. What did you guys bring back?" Yugito interrupts before Sakura can finish.
"Oh, just some food we gathered in the forest. We had to leave at such short notice that we barely have any time to pack," Yamato says.
"All right, give me those and I'll fix lunch."
"Umm… Sakura-chan… perhaps I should cook. You've done a lot already."
"Naruto is right."
"Naruto, Sasuke, do you have a problem with my cooking!"
"No, no, no! It's just that Sasuke-teme and I don't want you to… uh… overwork. Yeah, that's it. We don't want you to overwork."
"Why you little…!"
The others sigh at Naruto's stupidity. While Sakura is reeducating Naruto's thought process, Yugito takes the food off Yamato's hands and walks into the kitchen. After turning Naruto into a pile of broken limbs, Sakura notices the sweet aroma coming out of the kitchen.
"All right, lunch is ready," Yugito screams from the kitchen.
"Wow, they look great Yugito-chan!" a miraculously recovered Naruto says as Yugito lays the dishes on the table.
Sasuke elbows Naruto while gesturing toward Sakura with his head. The pink hair girl has her head down with her bangs covering her face. Looking up with a fire in her eyes, Sakura screams out that she's not hungry and stomps to her room. A while later, Sakura tries to leave her room in search for food, thinking that everyone has finished lunch. Just as she is about to open the door, there's a knock from the other side.
"Sakura-chan, are you still angry?" Naruto screams through the door.
"I wasn't angry!"
"…Right… Anyway, I brought you some food. I figured that you must be hungry by now."
"I'm not hungry!"
"Aw… come on Sakura-chan. I even took the time to cook this myself."
"You… cook?" Sakura asks, opening the door.
"Of course. Living by myself for so long, I have to at least have some idea how to cook. I don't know how good or bad I am at it though… so… you get to be the test subject I guess. This is the first time I cooked for someone else after all."
"So… you're offering me your first time, is that it?" Sakura asks smirking.
"Yeah!"
"…You have no idea what I meant do you?" Sakura asks again, her smirk slipping slightly.
"Of course I know what you mean Sakura-chan. I told you, this is my first time cooking for someone."
"Just… put down the food and go back to reading."
"You're not… angry at me for reading that?"
"Let me put it this way. I don't intend to live like a widow after I marry you. Now shoo."
Sakura pushes a completely confused Naruto out of her room before slamming the door and leaning against it with a blush on her face. Shrugging and giving up on understanding his teammate's words, Naruto decides to head outside to catch some fresh air and get back to reading like Sakura told him to. After all, he is scared stiff of taking that book out ever since Sakura found out about it. Even if Sakura says she understands it, that doesn't mean that she's OK with it, but what she just said seems to give him the green light to continue. He has already gone through that book once and he is still completely clueless about half of the stuff said in the book, but that's why he needs to read through it a few more times so that he can understand it. After finding a tree just outside the small wooden shack to his liking, Naruto takes a seat and leans against the tree trunk before taking out his book. He is so focused on his reading that he doesn't even sense someone walking up to him.
"…Icha… Icha… Tactics… you pervert!"
"Eh? Yu… Yugito-chan?"
"Don't you Yugito-chan me, you stinking pervert! How dare you read that garbage! I might have forgiven you for what you did to Kin and Sasame after they told me exactly what happened, but I will not forgive you for this!"
"Ah, Naruto, I see that you found my book," Kakashi says as Yugito turns sharply toward him with fires burning in her eyes, "I… guess now would be a bad time to ask you to return it to me?"
"You! No wonder your student turned out this way! You are a pervert yourself!"
"Um… I'll come back later," Kakashi says before running away from the irate girl.
"It would appear that I need to reeducate you about your views on females," Yugito says, turning her attention back to Naruto.
"Wait, Yugito-san!" Sakura screams, running out of the house after sensing a spike in Yugito's chakra.
"Haruno-san, please excuse me for a moment. I shall be done with him soon enough."
"Wait, you don't understand," Sakura says before whispering into Yugito's ears.
"That… is his reason?" Yugito asks, eyebrows twitching, "and you believe him? That is the worst excuse I've ever heard!"
"Wait!" Sakura says before whispering into Yugito's ears again.
"…Fine. Given the situation, I find that excuse tolerable. I shall forgive him this time," Yugito says, sighing, "but if you do want to read that, do it in your own room."
"Yes, ma'am!" Naruto screams before running back inside.
"…Men."
"Aw, don't be so rough on him Yugito-san."
"I guess I should go back to training. The next mission is going to be much tougher than the last one."
The next day, the two squads easily track down Hidan and Kakuzu as they head toward Konoha. The two squads separate the two Akatsuki members with Kakashi, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Gaara leading Hidan away while the other four stay behind to fight Kakuzu.
"Feels like Neko wants to come out and play," Yugito says, looking over at her team with a smirk.
"I think Baka-Kitsune wants to come out too."
"Your Bunshin-Henge combo won't be fooling anyone anymore."
"Is that so… Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
Two large clouds of smoke erupt and when they clear, there are two large Bijuu standing where the two Jinchuuriki were.
"You still think this is just a trick!" Naruto screams from the top of Kyuubi's head.
"There are several ways of testing that."
Taking off his cloak, Kakuzu focuses his chakra and the three creatures on his back detach from their host. The three creatures move in to attack but their attacks are easily blocked by the Bijuus' tails. Slightly unnerved by the power of the Jinchuuriki, Kakuzu decides to switch his target to the other two members of the squad to hopefully make the two Jinchuurikis expose themselves to an offense while trying to protect their teammates. Leaping off the Bijuus, the two Jinchuurikis order their summons to protect Yamato and Sakura while they fight Kakuzu. As soon as they jump off, one of the creatures from Kakuzu's body moves in to attack.
"Katon: Zugokku!"
"Suiton: Hahonryuu!"
"Thanks Yamato-sensei! We owe you one!"
"Just focus on winning the fight!"
"Naruto, another one is coming from your left," Yugito screams.
"You have one behind you too!"
Concentrating their chakra, Naruto uses his Fuuton: Rasengan to attack the enemy behind Yugito while Yugito attacks the one behind Naruto with her Katon: Karyuuendan. The two attacks, with their elemental benefits, easily overpower the Raiton: Gian and Fuuton: Aggai and cause heavy damages to the two creatures. Just at that moment, the three creatures seem to retracting toward Kakuzu while the host is on the verge of collapsing.
"Look like Shikamaru's plan is working to perfection."
"…Plan? I see… you used Hidan's power against me… don't think for a moment that this fight is over!"
Kakuzu tries to call the creatures back to draw their power and their organs so that he can continue fighting. Using her strength, Sakura creates a fissure in the ground to trap Kakuzu's leg while Yamato creates three traps to catch the creatures before they can return to Kakuzu's body. Before Kakuzu can recover enough to move around, Naruto has already dispelled the summoning to draw on the extra chakra and uses his new technique.
"Eat this! Fuuton: Rasenshuriken!"
The attack slams against Kakuzu, cause a large spiraling sphere of destruction that completely shreds away the three creatures while causing heavy damages to Kakuzu. It doesn't take very long for the combined effect of Hidan's technique and Naruto's Rasenshuriken to kill the Akatsuki member.
"Naruto, are you all right?"
"Yeah, my arm feels dead though…"
"Let me treat it quickly. I probably won't be able to completely heal it, but I should get it back to good enough shape that Tsunade-shishou can finish the job."
"Looks like you're done here too."
"Kakashi-sensei! So I guess Hidan is finished too?" Naruto asks while Saukra is checking on his arm.
"Do not underestimate my new technique dobe."
"Whatever. It's just a variation of your Chidori. Mine however, is a completely new technique. I told all of you that I'd be better than the Yondaime. Ha, I even perfected a technique that he didn't finish."
"Yes, and almost took your arm out the first time you used it in a fight," Sakura says, slapping Naruto's shoulder.
"Not to mention if sensei had more time, there is no doubt that he would've been able to perfect it as well."
"Blah, you guys just don't want to give me any credit."
"Anyway, I've done all I could for your arm Naruto. Let's head back so Tsunade-shishou can take a look at it."
"Yes, but we should clean up the scene first. Yamato, can you deal with Hidan and Kakuzu's bodies and take them back to Konoha?"
"Of course. You can count on me senpai!"
As soon as the two squads return to Konoha, they immediately head to the Hokage Tower to report on the mission. After hearing everything about what happened, Tsunade takes one look at Naruto's arm before ordering him out of her office.
"But Tsunade-baa-chan! I can't go on missions when my arm's like this!"
"I know. That's why I won't treat your arm."
"But… but I…"
"No buts! I'm ordering you to stay in the village to rest up and recover from your injuries."
"Hai…"
"Good. Kakashi, Yamato, show me where you're keeping the two bodies."
"Well Hokage-sama… there is… one more thing that I should tell you."
"What is it Kakashi?"
"While there is no doubt that Kakuzu is dead, there is some complications involving Hidan."
"What do you mean by 'complications'?"
"Well… you see… he isn't exactly… dead per se."
"Kakashi…" Tsunade says, glaring at the copy ninja.
"Perhaps it's best if you see for yourself Hokage-sama," Yamato intervenes before his senpai gets pummeled.
"Fine. You two lead the way. And Naruto. Go home and rest up."
"I'll see to it that he goes home straight away Tsunade-shishou."
As soon as the Hokage leaves the office, Naruto immediate starts complaining about Tsunade refusing to treat his arm, earning him a punch on the head from Sakura. Before Naruto can complain, Sakura pulls him out of the Tower and into the street then proceeds to push him in the direction of his home. There are some slight concerns from some of the villagers as they see Naruto's arm in a sling, but one look at who he's with and the crowd goes back to their business. After all, the Hokage's apprentice is the third best medic-nin in Konoha, only behind the Hokage herself and her assistant Shizune. When they finally get to Naruto's home, the pair finds four people calmly sipping tea in the living room with several luggages littering the floor.
"Hiashi-jii-san, Hinata-chan, Hanabi-chan, what brings you here?"
"Naruto-nii-chan, you're back!"
"Naruto-kun, greetings."
"Naruto, Hyuuga-san says he has something to discuss with you," Temari says.
"Yes… may I speak to you in private?"
"Uh… sure. Let's head up to the study."
"Wait, Naruto, you have a study?" Sakura asks.
"Just because I don't use it doesn't mean it's not there Sakura-chan. Anyway, let's go Hiashi-jii-san."
Ignoring the incredulous looks from Temari and Sakura, Naruto leads Hiashi upstairs and enter one of the rooms in the front hallway. Gesturing for Hiashi to take a seat, Naruto sits down behind the main desk.
"So… what is so important that we need to talk in private?" Naruto whispers, "is it some kind of village secret that I need to know about?"
"Well, no. It's just that I want to know if you intend to marry my daughters."
"What? Uh… yes… if they are willing of course…" Naruto says, blushing and scratching the back of his head.
"Very well. I would like for you to arrange two rooms for my daughters."
"But… but I promised Temari-chan that I wouldn't marry…"
"Yes, I'm aware of your arrangement with Kazekage-sama. Hokage-sama deemed it important enough to alert several of the clan heads about that, myself included. However, there are factions amongst my clan's elders that are against my leadership and might use my daughters as a means to get to me. I intend to weed them out but I need to make sure my daughters are safe. Their most likely tactic would be to place a modified caged bird seal, one that I do not know how to remove, on Hinata and Hanabi since they will be marrying out of the clan. However, if my daughters are placed under your protection before the elders can intervene, given your association with Hokage-sama and Kazekage-sama, they will think twice before making a move."
"Very well Hiashi-jii-san. I promise you I will protect Hinata-chan and Hanabi-chan with my life."
"Good. I know I can count on you Naruto. Hinata and Hanabi have already been informed of my decision for them to move in, so I shall take my leave now."
"Hiashi-jii-san, please be careful. Hinata-chan and Hanabi-chan will be very sad if something were to happen to you."
"Oh, don't worry about that. After all, those old fools won't stand against two generations of Hyuuga geniuses. I have Neji helping me out. He will be the one to succeed me seeing how both of my daughters are marrying out of the clan. That is the reason I need to eradicate the factions against me so Neji will have a smooth transition to clan leadership when the time comes."
"Well… if you need any help. I'll be right here Hiashi-jii-san."
"Oh I won't hesitate to ask if you're needed, future son-in-law."
The following week is marked by a drastic increase in absentees in Konoha's scouting department, with almost all the absentees being members of the Hyuuga clan. During that week, the clan seems to have completely isolated itself from the rest of Konoha. However, ten days after Hiashi left Hinata and Hanabi in the care of Naruto, the Hyuuga clan head shows up again with Neji in tow to inform Naruto that the elders of the Hyuuga clan has been removed from power and that Neji's seal has been removed so that everything is in order once again, much to the relief of Hinata and Hanabi, who only found out about his father's plan when Naruto told them about it five days prior.
Additional Author's Note: Leave a note if you like the story.