The Warm Oyster-Inn room.
''I still say we should take the tour now rather then head out on our own Lady Koyuki.''
The samurai said and Koyuki sighed at the steadfastness of her bodyguard when it came to looking for immediate threats even in safe places.
'' Ayatsu I'm telling you this place is safe but if it will make you feel better you may bring half the normal number of guards for such an outing to another daimyo's place but no more.''
Sighing the young commander of the guard nodded and said.
''Very well Koyuki sama still I am sorry you did not get to talk to Naruto sama privately about your offer.''
Hearing this Koyuki blushed a bit then sighed.
''A time will come we are here in his own nation and I have requested a meeting much like the other daimyo today isn't my day but soon it will be and then we will talk about this arrangement.''
Sighing the man looked at his daimyo she seemed calm and serene but he could tell her emotions were a whirlwind and silently cursed how powerless he felt. Before getting an idea and standing up and saying to his daimyo.
''Excuse me Lady Koyuki I must head out to attend to a personal matter please forgive me as I leave Iyatsu to command this post.''
Hearing this she waved him off saying to him.
''That is perfectly fine Ayatsu and thank you for being such a good listener and hearing my concerns.''
Bowing his head he said to his daimyo.
''not at all Koyuki sama my father would be ashamed if I would have done anything less but I am sincerely honored to have a friend and daimyo to serve such as you.''
Blushing a bit at the praise she watched her samurai leave and soon Kogomi came in with four more samurai and she silently sigh thinking.
' I really do miss being able to travel like back in my actress days with a more minimum guard.'
She thought as she looked outside the window at Jing and felt anxious as her eyes looked at Naruto's office building.
Daimyo of Jing's Office-Current time.
''Lord Naruto can see you now Lord Kanjou he is prepared for your meeting.''
Smiling the equally young daimyo nodded thanking the secretary as he made his way in and Naruto caught sight of the wave daimyo .Who was a young man wearing a daimyos robe over some samurai armor with a small gold and black hat on his head .He had goatee which was a dark shade of purple much like his hair his silver pupil eyes and a sword on his belt showing he was a man prepared to defend himself said daimyo bowed his head slightly to Naruto who did the same and took his seat which was quickly flanked by two samurai guards.
''Naruto dono it is good to finally meet you again I thank you for being able to quickly meet with me as it seems you have been quite busy recently.''
Smiling Naruto responded with his own smile saying to him.
''I have been the Tai-gen attempted a raid which we soundly repulsed without casualty to our men however I am concerned as they are unique they literally are half men half tiger until they die in combat then they revert back to humans.''
Hearing this shocked the daimyo but he kept his cool asking with an interested gaze.
''Really and just what sort of attacks have they done compared to ninja?''
Sighing he said.
''Ninjutsu though they seemed shocked when we did it apparently it's not as encountered here and most see it as a form of arts similar to magic from our experience.''
Sighing the wave daimyo said to that.
''I see so trade would be well protected even with these Tai-gen good I wish to establish a more firm relationship when it comes to trade with both of us earning a fair stake .''
''Fifty fifty then through trade costs included?''
Asked the blonde and the man smiled at him.
''You know you can get a better deal than this don't' you Naruto dono most daimyo would try to haggle and get it to be more favorable for them.''
At this Naruto sighed then said to him in a slightly tired tone.
''True but that makes little sense especially when I would rather have your friendship then some extra Ryo out of this deal it is far better for both of us to make a good influx of wealth for our peoples.''
Hearing this Kanjou had a big grin on his face as he said.
''A very good point a very good point which is why I wish to offer your men more for their presences on some of our larger transport ships specifically some mercenaries from your mercenary corps.
Hearing this the blonde had a small smile and the negotiations continued well with both parties being more than satisfied with their new deal.
Land of Rivers –Border.
''So that's them huh? The so called Kazekage we should strike now.''
Said Shiranami holding his scroll sword up and his partner Hiruko could only sigh and shake his head .
''Not yet we need to make sure that this is all of them I sent a scout out it should be back soon.''
Grunting Shiranami said to him.
''Fine you wait I'll strike Hey! sand bastards die!"'
He yelled opening his scroll l sword and yelling .
''WIND!"'
Before performing a slashing motion the scroll glowed as it unfurled the Kanji for wind turning form black to white before flying off and hitting the air and a large burst of wind pulsing towards with blue chakra erupted charging the sand delegation.
''DEFEND LORD GAARA!"'
Yelled one and the other let out cries with the eighteen sand ninja moving to stop them nine of them taking out fans and slashing their large fans digging into and canceling the wind wave. Then seeing their kage was still safe the others began to prepare their jutsu several puppets launched a barrage of kunai at Shiranami who sneered at them as Hiruko slammed to black hardened arms into the ground while saying.
''Steel Release: Steel Gate.''
Instantly a thick slab of steel rose from the ground blocking the kunai and jutsu fired by the Sand ninja with Shiranami leaping over it yelling out fire and unleashing a torrent of flame form his scroll before turning around the scroll and ripping off the tip of the paper revealing a blade underneath. Slashing at the ninjas trying to take him head on Shiranami who quickly killed them without remorse before with his fingers making kanji for explode and launching it at the fan wielding ninja preparing another wind jutsu .
However his kanji hit a wave of sand exploding into it and it's maker was forced to leap out of the way of an incoming wave of top of a further back section of it which began to rise was the Fifth Kazekage Gaara Sabaku.
''Do you really believe we can attack me with impunity twice Akatsuki?''
He asked angrily in his monotone voice while Shiranami grinned saying.
''If the sandal fits wear it .Or in your case gourd why don't you be a good former Jinchurikki and do our work for us before we have to hurt you.''
Narrowing his eyes at the two Hiruko sighed stepping forward.
''You're not going to make this easy very well Kazekage we have orders to make it messy if you resist either way alive or dead you will not be making it to your meeting which is no doubt with the Hidden Leaf's Hokage.''
Narrowing his eyes Gaara motioned with his arm outward saying.
''Leave no survivors Itseki send a weasel summons to my sister and have her reverse summon all the ninja she can gather this will not be lo-''
''Earthstyle: Devouring Earth.''
The medic ninja said and soon the Earth rose into two large sections shocking the Kazekage and his ninja who were quickly over taken by the ninja and Hiruko sighed and said to his partner who turned at him glaring and said.
''We have a job to do not a full length battle and I'd rather not test this body against a kage just yet not without the final piece to my form.''
Scoffing Shiranami said to the missing ninja.
''Pfft of course Daimyo sama why would we need to fight him I mean it's nto like the Kazekage's not going to break up form the ground and kill us if we stay!And how is Sunagakure going to get pissed at the leaf because of this?''
Sighing Hiruko pointed to one of the men and said.
''If you would kindly retrieve a few of the bodies I have a jutsu that is a part of my kekkai genkai it is similar to the shadow clone jutsu but uses corpses if you would kindly retrieve those three I can revive them temporarily and have them do my will .''
Hearing this made Shiranami's eyes widened before a twisted grin came upon his face as he said.
''You know what you're not as much of a pussy as I thought you were Hiruko your actually willing to get your hands dirty I thought your preference for just Ninjtusu would say otherwise.''
Scoffing the White haired ninja opened his vest and touched it with his hand which glowed red with the diamond seal. Another seal on his chest opened and black goop rose splashing into his hand as he removed his hand form the similar glowing red seal with letters all around it on his chest he said hand holding the black goop.
''Just because I like to use my mind and test a foe does not mean I am unable to fight them head on you'd best remember that for one day our interests may clash and on that day I will show you like anyone else little mercy.''
Draggign and dropping three of the sand ninjas bodies Shiranami said.
''Yeah yeah so how are you doing to defile these bodies? I've got a jutsu or two that can make them walk and fight against their will but well that genjutsu and the kinjutsu I have won't do much good with dead bodies.''
He said as he looked in fascination Hiruko made a half ram seal and slammed the goopy mess onto the chest of the body with the sounds of carving and cutting going out Hiruko told his partner.
''I na very direct way this is akin to my flesh when in this form and connected to me a slow transfer will enable me to seep my essence into them and much like a puppeteer with a puppet once fully formed the goop will enable me to pull the strings from a distance with my mind.''
Hearing this the other man couldn't help but whistle and say.
''Damn that's creepy but I like it I really need to stock up on some more Kinjutsu.''
He whispered a bit as the graphic process went on neither paid much attention not the time their minds both devoted to watching/performing the task of ensuring the relations between the sand and Leaf were very ,very strained.
Land of Fire Hokage's Office-Three days later.
Tsunade sighed and looked at the clock the time going like precious sand in an hour glass a variety of reports on her desk which she glanced over as she stayed with her thoughts.
'Were doing well surprisingly thanks to our warning one of Kumo's cloud balloons was captured and Stone's attempts to invade through the land of rivers have been halted and repulsed .With Roshi being exposed at the mountain and retreating back to Stone's encampments. Still I cannot help but feel uneasy Jiraiya should have been here by now.'
She thought and the window opened and coming in via a summersault and a one hand stance Jiraiya said.
''Miss me hime!?''
Groaning Tsunade said.
'"Sit down Jiraiya you're late!"'
Sighing the Toad sage nodded and leaned against the wall by the window seal.
''Very well I guess your still not in a good mood despite the reports of Stone still being out of the country as well as Clouds attempts to take the Cedar villages lands being stopped.''
Sighing the Hokage said to him shaking her head.
''That's still not enough Jiraiya! Especially since we both know Stone and Cloud will only see these as setbacks. Both have manpower Jiraiya in bulk especially Stone and neither is shy about using it if they have to and now that both their surprisingly subtle plans have failed they will be coming in force.''
Sighing the toad sage had to give Tsunade that much and said so.
''You're right Tsunade we both fought Stone in the past their stubborn and thick headed when it comes to giving up a fight once war's been declared . And Cloud well they're sneaky they love espionage and when they can't use it , they rely on overwhelming force and skilled ninja to get the job done. And with both coming after us we know what that means for Fire country as both have numbers greater than the total number of active ninja and samurai in the Fire daimyo's service.''
Tsunade sighed heavily knowing what her teammate had left unsaid.
''Invasion possibly of the capital but given Onoki's aversion to Samurai and A wanting to conserve his forces they won't go for the heavily fortified lands without ninja until they have to. No they want to come here to attack us after ransacking as much of the nearby infrastructure as they can to help weaken us.''
She said and Jiraiya nodded it was common tactics when dealing with a village on an equal tier rather than bloodily attacking head on in the first round or trying to go after soft lands with their back turned to fortified foes the enemy would usually try to take out the biggest threat first.
''True Tsunade hime hmm the Kazekage is late isn't he that is surprising I had heard he was very punctual.''
Sighing Tsunade said to the Toad sage directly.
''He is however I believe he is nervous about the matter of Naruto our village has not declared a status on him because we had hoped to prevent Cloud and Stone from capitalizing on it any word from the toads on Naruto?''
Sighing the toad sage shook his head saying.
''No he has had some issues where he is they said and as such they have not told him yet.''
Sighing Tsunade muttered.
''Great the brats got his own drama going on while we're trying to get ready to hold on for our villages life , still at least this gives me more time to figure out what I should say to the Kazekage if he asks about Naruto.''
Nodding the toad sage sighed and both were shocked as a toad with ogles was summoned into the room .
''Kosuke san is something the matter ? What's wrong ?''
Taking a deep breath Kosuke said.
''Jiraiya your contact came it Blurring Wind he says that Sunagakure is considering retracting form your villages alliance and declaring war on you.''
Hearing this made the toad sage ask immediately.
''What? Why!?''
And instantly that question was answered as Genma Shiranui game into the room his long senbon in his mouth as he said.
''Lord Hokage it would appear that a messenger has come from one of our teams in the field they were attacked by some cloud ninja before being saved by Sand ninja. They all managed to get away fine however the sand ninjas had screamed that this was the final time they would be honoring the alliance and that there would be vengeance for Lord Gaara for the attack we performed on his person with the entourage of his ninja save three being believed to be dead.''
Hearing this chilled Tsunade 's blood and Jiraiya looked grim she cursed loudly before saying.
''Can anything else go wrong!?''
With that another ninja came in wearing a uniform of the T and I the glasses wearing ninja with a bandana on his head bowed and said.
''Hokage sama! We have received intelligence form one of the captured ninjas form the team the sand ninja assisted! One of them was a part of the group that Orochimaru sent to the Raikage apparently he asked for an alliance of some sort against us and it is believed he already sent one to the Tsuchikage.''
Hearing this made both Sannin pale and show more anger then either expected both of them thinking the exact same word at once.
'Shit.'