PA: It took a little while to get back into the feel of writing Naruto only, but it's here, the latest chapter of Black Knight. Will probs work on the new High School DxD crossover next, other than that I don't really have anything more to add here, other than I didn't exactly notice it had been half a year already... uh ooops?

Cerulean Knight: At the moment the only real levels in Genjutsu are used by Kurenai and Hanayuki. With Kurenai using the Oni Arts style, which she considers to be stronger than her regular Genjutsu, though she has all but finished her training now, so did she reach 'real' Genjutsu like Hanayuki did? But if there was a Tier Three for Genjutsu, I have a feeling that Kami's Voice would be one of the jutsu from it.

Disclaimer: I own none of this.

Naruto let out a tired sigh as he stretched himself out on the comfy couch in his fathers office. Under his head were the supple thighs of one Yuuhi Kurenai, this was allowed to happen for a few reasons, firstly, Mei returned home to Kirigakure to actually do her duties as a Kage for a little while, the second was because Kurenai won in in a game of chance for the position to be the Uchiha's lap pillow, her hands combing through his long hair as she looked fondly upon his face. His eyes closed as he stretched his senses out far.

Yugao was not far away, no in fact she was standing right behind them, she had not really left Naruto's side since she found out about what Orochimaru did to her, scared that if she took her eyes off of him, he would vanish like their child did.

Cracking an eye open, Naruto let a soft smile spread across his face, "They're back..." Three years had passed by in what felt like a flash. Well for him it was only two, he wondered how much stronger his little sister had gotten while he was gone. Now some may be wondering why the leader of the Executors and Anbu was just laying around in the Hokage's office, your answer is something simple, he was on leave. It was something that Naruto hadn't known, but apparently Shinobi of Konohagakure get given two weeks off that they can take each year... His had simply been piling up, sure he took a day or two off of work here and there, but that was for training mostly, and even the two and a bit years he was just gone for was considered a mission.

Needless to say, he was enjoying his time off, though he wasn't quite free from work, Anko had stepped up and was taking command of the Executors and Anbu along with Sasuke and Fu while Naruto and Yugao were away, he gave them a hand every now and again, mostly because he was planning to leave them to Anko at some point anyway. Kage was sitting across from them, being very subdued, submissive even under the presence of Naruto.

He was now as strong as this body could become, his intense training the past three months was enough to finish expanding his pathways and refining his control to an absurd level, even his Ginshi had improved, though some of his abilities were still out of his control in his current state... If he dived into the Avatar form then they opened up, yet he couldn't see a reason for it right now, he could say that as he had an overview of the members of Akatsuki and from what they were able to gather about seven of the members... They were not a major threat to him by themselves, though there was always Killer Bee from Kumogakure, even if they seemed to be at peace for now, things could change in an instant.

Minato gave a tired sigh as he finished signing off on a piece of paperwork, "It's been three years now... I wonder how much they've grown."

"I didn't hold anything back when I had my clone training Natsumi... If she kept at it, at the rate she was going she would bee near your level in shape manipulation father. Her speed will have probably increased a fair bit as well, I want to say around the same level mine was at Chunin, though considering she is a power type compared to my technique type it should be a bit impressive," Naruto answered plainly.

"I find it hard to believe that you're a technique type," Kurenai spoke softly as she tussled his hair.

Minato rose a brow before giving a light chuckle, though he wasn't the one that answered, it was the quiet woman sitting across from the trio, "Naruto-kun, from what I remember was not always one of the strongest. He was one of the weaker chunin, in terms of strength anyway, though that was because of his age, not many people should expect a child Shinobi to defeat an adult in a contest of strength, thus he was forced to use skills like Genjutsu and his abilities to make traps and quick strategies to overcome his opponents, and although now he can just use high level jutsu without any real issue, he seems to prefer using his speed and accurate strikes to take down his enemies."

"His strength came after a mutation formed in his body," Minato answered pressing his lips into a thin line, "Though he was already starting to grow strong because of Kurama... Even so it was the mutation that pushed him into this unnatural powerhouse you see before you."

This subject was still a sore spot for Kage, though she found out that Minato had hidden the fact because he thought it was best that Naruto, who seemed to be immune to the virus was kept away from them while they tried to find antibodies and see if the chakra network could be maintained, hence why Naruto himself thought she had passed, it was all Orochimaru, he had their bodies brought to him and experimented on them beyond human reason... At the end he offered them freedom of a sorts if they came with him... How they hadn't known that it was Orochimaru doing those experiments was still beyond her.

The doors opened and Tayuya entered, joined by Sasuke and Fu who must have finished work for the day, "We just received reports that Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Natsumi have been spotted on the way to the village, it is hard to believe it has been three years already," Sasuke added as an afterthought.

"Yeah I know... You actually turned out better than I thought you would Sasuke..." Naruto spoke evenly, though there was a faint hint of pride in the man's voice.

The raven-haired teen gave a stern nod, "I trained hard and listened to my instructors, anything less and I may have strayed. Thank you for giving me a chance Sensei."

"Everyone deserves a second chance," The older Uchiha breathed out tiredly as he sat up, his eyes a bright green before turning back to his Sharingan.

Natsumi had just walked through the checking point, her blonde hair pulled back into the twin pigtails she had when she had left. A wide smile on her face as she looked around her, "Seems like Naruto-nii is in Tou-san office... I don't think that the Mizukage is here at the moment. There is a really strange chakra near the others though." She wore a pair of black shinobi sandals, her feet and legs were covered in a fishnet style mesh, honestly it looked more for show than protection, this lead up to her waist, where she had an dark orange combat skirt covering a pair of spandex shorts. It seemed as though the mesh was a body suit as it covered her midriff to her neck and even came down to her wrists. Her bust, which had grown quite a bit in her time away was covered by a dark blue tube top while a long sleeved white open jacket came down to her wrists, with what looked like armored gloves covering her knuckles. Around her neck hung her headband.

Kushina inwardly gave a small sigh, ever since Kurama had shown her how to use her high wind affinity to act as a sensor the teen had been trying it whenever she got the chance. It was already explained to her that it was different from the way that Naruto sensed people, but it still felt like it brought her closer to her brother, while he was able to see chakra clearly, she could feel it through the air. Unlike her daughter, Kushina was still wearing her standard Jounin outfit. She knew she looked good wearing it and had no plans of changing such a thing either.

Apparently it was a good way to get used to the feeling of nature around her, and while she had the toad contract, more than a little put out that she didn't get the cute cats like her brother, but still coming to see how great they were, she had vowed to become a sage one day. She didn't want to be someone that Naruto felt like he always had to protect.

"Naruto may have made a new friend... Is that so bad?" Kushina offered, after patching things up... Somewhat with her daughter, she was being kinder in the way she addressed the man, taking a look around she frowned, "It looks like we were attacked while we were away Natsumi-chan..."

A civilian nearby heard her and gave a light chuckle, he was busy moving boxes around, so he couldn't see the two being him, "Danzo, that old guy that was normally hiding away in the corner of a room tried to attack, he really underestimated Naruto-sama's elite forces though, I still remember the night it happened, lightning was flying through the air and it even looked like their was a battle up in the air at some point. Kirigakure sent aid as well, they helped protect the hospital and even escorted the civilians like me there... That Marashishi, she was really young, but I can see why she is a Jounin elite, despite all the pressure she kept a level head."

"Shishi-chan?" Natsumi mused before giving a light chuckle, "Well that makes sense, though it is hard to remember that she only plays being an airhead at times... She is really good at it you know?"

The civilian gave a small shrug, "Only spoke to her for a little bit, I didn't want to keep the little miss long. Though the pair she had with her were something else, the little Ice Girl, as cold as her Jutsus at time, then you had Zabuza, I thought he was gonna attack us at first, he has a pair of nasty eyes."

"Zabu-kun, nah he is a pussy cat," Natsumi commented with a wave of her hand, "Did you see Mei-onee?"

"You must be pretty ballsy lass, the Mizukage is someone we should respect, not only that but she in engaged to Naruto-sama I think... Well I heard that Marashishi talking about it, they have a relationship of some kind, and apparently it is pretty good," He spoke before placing the box down and wiping the sweat from his brow.

"I know, see Naruto is my older brother," Natsumi said cheerily causing the man to turn around in shock before giving a quick bow of his head.

"Natsumi-sama, Lady Kushina, sorry but I didn't see you there, and you were listening to me rattle on all this time," He quickly apologized and bowed again.

Kushina gave a friendly smile, a part of her wondering where her husband had been during all of this, while Natsumi gave a small shrug, "It's okay, I am glad people are starting to see the good side of Naruto-nii, he is always working hard you know?"

The civilian leaned back and gave a hearty chuckle, "Not at the moment Natsumi-sama, that brother of yours is on leave, still in the village but he is on holidays, I heard he has his apprentices running the Anbu and that Elite force of his... uh Executors I think?"

"Yeah Sasuke-kun and Fu-chan were about to start their training when I left, I bet they got really strong while I was training."

"Strong is an understatement, we saw Sasuke-sama fighting against someone, looks a fair bit like the person that now follows Naruto-sama around, but not my place to say, anyway that battle was intense, the Hokage tower had to be built from scratch, but the boy grew those wings of his and by the Kage those things were a sight in themselves. You Shinobi have some crazy powers, sometimes it is a bit much for a civilian like me to understand, but I am glad we have people like Naruto-sama around, I heard he is a major buffer against the other villagers, after seeing him pull out those lightning techniques I can see why," The man seemed to get lost in his thoughts for a time before sighing and giving a light shake of his head, "Well I have kept you long enough, seems like someone is here to pick you up," He stated with a warm smile before nodding his head at the building behind them.

Standing there with a small smirk on his face was Sasuke, he was clad in Anbu gear with a long black coat over the top, his chakra was really well hidden, in fact even looking at him now and trying her sensing abilities she couldn't see him, "I thought I would remind you to head to the Hokage tower before you lost track of yourself again Natsumi."

"Oi Teme! I wouldn't get lost or anything!"

"I do hope there hasn't been too much paperwork for you today Sasuke-sama?" The civilian asked joyfully.

Sasuke gave a kind smile in response, "Not at all Shudo, then again Sensei helped us out earlier today, I think he wanted us to be free for when my bratty teammate came back along with Lady Kushina."

"Well isn't this a strange place for a reunion?" A feminine voice called from beside the two Namikaze's, it was Tsunade, she hadn't aged a day, more like her illusion hadn't aged a day but no one dared to say that to her.

Standing beside her was Sakura, wearing the red cross that medic-nin from Suna and Kiri wore as well, symbolizing what they were, it was a double edged sword, while it kept them from being killed in the field most of the time, it often led to them being captured to heal the enemy before being tossed back into the wild as thanks.

She was wearing a combat skirt and shorts like Natsumi, only hers was a dull pink in color. her hair was cut short and kept in place by her headband giving her a spiky finish behind like Sasuke used to favor when he was younger. Her top was red and tight leather gloves covered her hands, she gave a small wave to the two, "It's good to see you both again."

It was a little sad for her really, Sasuke was working so hard that he barely had time to spare for just catching up with friends, or if he did have free time it was spent training or spending time with that blonde bimbo when she was in town. Maybe now that Natsumi was back their team would be together a bit more often... Though seeing as Natsumi was a Special Jounin and Sasuke was a full Jounin, along with being in the Executors... While Sakura was a Chunin... There was just too much of a gap between them now. Not to mention Natsumi had left the village to get special training, there was no doubt she was Jounin level now at the least.

"Oh! You became a medic-nin, they're really handy. I poisoned my chakra system a while ago and they really helped me out," Natsumi rubbed at the back of her head with a cheery smile while Kushina just shook her head.

Tsunade rose a brow in question, "What kind of training were you doing?"

Natsumi poked her tongue out of her head and gave a wide smirk and a v for victory, "Like Sasuke I got a Tier Three Affinity, although mine is for wind, my lightning is pretty strong too, though I haven't gone past Tier Two. I spent some time in a hurricane, not really planning on letting myself become one with lightning like you or Naruto-nii. It really hurt though and because of how large my coils were it would have taken a really long time to heal, even with my natural right."

"Ninjutsu this, ninjutsu that, really you seem to have forgotten that you spent the equivalent of 10 years learning Fuinjutsu," Kushina muttered out, earning a sympathetic look from Tsunade.

"I know Kaa-chan, but really no one really understands Fuinjutsu, so it would matter to them if I said something like 'In my time away I learnt how to deal with a parallel matrix pattern for a reverse seal formula dealing with Yang natured chakra," Natsumi reasoned getting a look of confusion from Sakura and one of mild understanding from Tsunade. She knew the difference between a linear and parallel matrix, but that was after spending so much time with Naruto and Jiraiya when they were working on seals.

Sasuke gave a small nod, "Not bad, though I hope it didn't take you 10 years just to do that."

Natsumi gave a wide smile. Though before she could answer Kushina did it for her, "If that was all she learnt I would be disappointed. When I left her to her own teaching she was roughly at a level where she can store energy from techniques through air script, and have the ability to increase the gravity of an area by tenfold."

"Good, it looks like we might be able to trade notes, I have been working on area fuinjutsu as well, only I was more focused on the aspect of time over the space itself," Sasuke replied before nodding his head, "Anyway we should get going, Naruto-sensei and Hokage-sama are waiting for you both."

There was a loud knock at the door before the group of five came in, apparently Tsunade and Sakura were on their way to see the Hokage anyway so they tagged along. Instantly the busty blonde healer locked eyes with Kage, Tsunade didn't know how to feel in regards to her. If she had paid more attention there was a chance she would have been able to save the girl from going through those horrors.

Though a part of her also believed that the girl was stupid for believing something so silly spoken from someone that she hardly knew. Thankfully she didn't have to make that choice, Naruto had made it for everyone, Kage was his personal assistant, now under the protection of the Uchiha clan. He even stated that should she step out of line he will kill her on the spot, regardless of what has happened between her.

That was something that unnerved Tsunade, he had always been like that. He was charming, without even meaning to be and would forgive you once, though if he believed you were beyond help, he would show no remorse in ending you. In the few missions she had watched him he was easily able to befriend the target before killing them without even batting an eyelid. Such dedication to his village was scary.

And there he sat, a bored gaze looking over them with the slightest twitch in his smirk, his chin resting on the shoulder of Yugao, who was now seated on his lap while Kage and Kurenai sat beside him. That look in his red eyes, it looked as if he was assessing the strength of Natsumi by just looking at her, though that was possible, he had trained enough people from trash into jewels that such a thing might have happened somewhere along the line. He was clad in a pair of Anbu pants with what seemed to be a tight muscle top, Yugao and Kurenai both in Anbu pants wearing purple and black respectively for their t-shirts. Kage was clad in her normal robes, even in her time off she tried to stay as formal as possible.

Because of his choice of clothing, the tribal markings from his summons were clear as ever, he tilted his head to the side and gave a small smile as he closed his eyes, opening them again and showing his bright green slits, "It has been a while Imouto, Kushina... You seem more confident, that's good."

Natsumi pointed her finger at Naruto, "I said I would beat you when I got back, so I made good on my promise."

Kage gave a light chuckle drawing all eyes to her, "Sorry but that is impossible Natsumi-sama."

"Uh... Do I know you?"

Kage slowly shook her head, "My name is Senju Kagemena, I am the personal assistant of Naruto-sama. Although formerly, many years ago I was one of your Anbu guards."

Natsumi pressed her lips together in thought before quickly shaking them off, "Never mind that, what did you mean impossible?"

"Naruto-sama has reached the peek of his physical strength, he can not get any stronger without entering Sage Mode or his Avatar State, any more and he will break his body, as he is now he causes damage if he fights for too long," Kage answered which caused Natsumi to widen her eyes in shock.

"Wow Naruto-nii! You got that strong while I was away?!" She got into his face and had stars in her eyes as she gazed at him, "Now I really want to fight you!"

"Form a well rounded team and come back to me, as you are now, sorry, but I can not afford to fight against just you," Naruto spoke as gently as he could, it was sad that it had come to this, but he had become a trump card for Konoha to use, if he injured himself in a spar against his little sister trying to test her strength when he was needed on the field... He wouldn't forgive himself.

Natsumi looked a little downtrodden before turning around to face Sakura with a calculated gaze, "Have you been practicing your Suiton?"

The pinkette bit her lower lip, "It hasn't been my main focus, but I am much better than when you left."

That was all Natsumi needed, "Okay, then I want to form Team 7 only replacing Kurenai-Sensei with Fu!" Seeing the somewhat hurt look on Kurenai's face she quickly expanded, "You're already really strong Kurenai-Sensei. Sasuke told me about some of the things you have been working on, and I don't even want to try thinking about it. Plus I spent all of this time training, so I know that the others haven't just been sitting around, plus Fu can turn back any noise that Naruto-nii makes, whereas your Genjutsu aren't really effective against him... Sorry Kurenai-Sensei..."

The hurt look was fake and quickly turned into a warm smile, "I am glad to see that you are using your head a little more now Natsumi-chan. I would have actually been disappointed if you had of chosen me to fight against Naruto-kun. Not only can he dispel most of my Genjutsu with a simple glance, but he is the one that taught me how to make the ones that can't be dispelled so easily... He knows my abilities inside and out."

"You chose Sasuke and Sakura because between the three of you, you cover all the elements, allowing you to create strong combination techniques," Naruto answered for anyone that hadn't made the connection yet, "Plus you figure that because Sasuke it my disciple that he will understand how I fight, and in some sense you are correct, but that goes both ways, the same with Fu. You ruled out Anko because while she is strong, you have no idea of her abilities, Yugao wouldn't fight against me and Marashishi is not here. So the team that you made is the best possible with what you have."

Kushina lifted a hand up to her mouth to cover her small giggle as Natsumi pouted at being so easily read, "I wasn't going to let her continue with her brash way of thinking after all Naruto."

"Hopefully it wasn't too difficult for you. Though I guess I have gotten what I came for, I'll leave it up to you to report how your trip was... Oh, also... Hello again Jiraiya," He tilted his head to the side and gave a wide smile as the wall seemed to bulge before the white-haired Sannin came out.

"I guess my old age is starting to catch up to me if you can spot me so easily," He gave a small sigh, "I just thought I should let you all know that Akatsuki seems to know that Natsumi is also the Kyuubi Jinchuriki, they are saving her for last, but they will be coming at full force. They have discarded attacking Naruto unless they are in full force."

"And about that other thing I asked?" Naruto mused, though everyone could see how his eyes sharpened to a level where they very well may be able to cut glass.

Jiraiya ran a hand through his hair, "Most of my leads turned up to be stale, though I have put toads in those spots in case they come back... At the moment I have nothing for you Naruto... Sorry."

Yugao tightened her grip of his hands and Naruto gave a small nod, those sitting on either side of him grabbing onto his arms, "Well, I think we will go home and study, I still have things to learn after all," With that the group was swallowed up in a green flame and they vanished.

Kushina rose a brow, having multiple people travel in a single Shushin was something thought to be impossible, "Is he really as strong as that woman said?" Kushina asked those in the room.

Minato gave a small nod, "All he can really do is work on his affinities and bring them all up to Tier Three. But that will take years, for now it is just control and learning more about the world. He beat Tsunade in a punching contest... Without enhancing his fist with chakra. He has become our Trump Card."

"Is there anyone that can fight him then?" Kushina asked, really wouldn't he get bored if he was at that level?

"At the moment, by the estimation of Leo-sama... Killer Bee from Kumogakure is the closest person to him in singular strength... Otherwise he is a nation killer like his Grandfather and Tsunade's..." Minato gave a small sigh as he folded his fingers in thought, "Like them though... His power is killing him."

"WHAT?!" Natsumi ran up to her father's desk and slammed her hands down smashing the wood in half, causing those in the room sans Kushina to widen their eyes, that was chakra enhanced, very hard to break, "Th-that's not true..."

Tsunade took a breath to calm herself before speaking, "At best Naruto has twenty years left. Everyone in this room knows, as does Kurenai, Mei, Kage and Yugao. His body is being pulled apart by his Ginshi, because it is a power that humans aren't meant to contain... If he was an Uzumaki... There is a chance that he would live longer, but I really don't know. I am trying to find ways to improve his condition, but so far I haven't found anything."

"He knew the whole time," Minato let out causing Natsumi's head to snap towards him in shock.

"What do you mean?"

"The markings you saw on his body were to help stabilize his Ginshi, they are helping to prolong his life already by letting it flow through his body easier, but in the end... He has sacrificed himself to protect us all. Suna, Kiri and Konoha all seem to be free of threats, not including Akatsuki, purely because no one wants to test their defenses against him," Minato shook his head sadly, "I just thought that you should know Natsumi-chan, so that it doesn't come as a surprise to you later."

"B-but now I don't want to fight him..." She blinked away at her stinging eyes, "I just want to get to know him better."

"If you took back your challenge because of this he would take it as an insult," Came the stern voice of Sasuke, his face was stoic, there wasn't a smile or smirk like normal and that scared Natsumi.

Had things really turned so bad while she was away? No they were already bad before she left... If this was caused by his Ginshi then they had been there for a time already, just they were hidden from her... She didn't like growing up if she was going to find out things like this, "But Sasuke... This is Naruto-nii, I can't fight him if he is going to get hurt."

"Do you think I enjoy standing next to him and watching him teach the Anbu... Despite knowing what is wrong?! No I hate it! But this is his choice, he wants to make Konoha strong enough that it doesn't need him anymore. If you feel like this than just try to imagine how Kurenai-Sensei, Yugao and Mei feel, do you not think that their hearts ache when they hear that he is going on a mission? Or when he says that he is going to go train for a bit, they know what is happening, yet all they can do is support him. They love him for who he is Natsumi, so do I, I wish it wasn't true but it is, all we can do is spend time with him," Sasuke lifted his sleeve up and wiped at his eyes, smudging the tears before giving a small sniffle, "If he stopped protecting us because he was getting hurt... He wouldn't really be Naruto would he?"

Natsumi could only stare in shock as Sasuke shook himself straight, "Forgive me Hokage-sama... I'll be taking my leave."

"Understood, you are dismissed Sasuke."

Lightning shot down and swallowed him up as Natsumi reached forward to try to stop him, she bit her bottom lip and shook her head lightly, "How can you let him do this to himself Tou-san?"

Black flames crackled as a large tiger walked out on his hind legs, his muscles looking very human-like, metal gauntlets on his hands while a steel blade was attached to the tip of his tail, his feet were covered in leather straps that seemed to be for support more than anything else, "He wanted to protect his sister... No matter what it cost him. Not even Leo-sama could fault him for that so we did our best to help ease the Ginshi in his body to slow the process. So chin up Natsumi, Naruto-sama hates it when you cry."

"Tai..." She spoke weakly looking at the tiger before stumbling forward and clutching his fur and burying her face into the tiger, "I don't want to be protected... I don't think I could handle seeing my friends and family get hurt... I can't make difficult choices like Naruto-nii, and I don't know if I could sacrifice myself like he does without a care... But I don't want to see anyone get hurt!"

Tai-Long lifted his hand and gently dropped it on top of her head, rubbing it gently, "That's a good attitude to have Princess, we are looking for a way to save him as well, but for now, all we can do is make sure he accomplishes his goals right?"

Sniffing slightly Natsumi nodded into the tiger, "Hai!"

"Atta girl, now stand up and be a strong cub, you still have to show us all how strong you have gotten while you were away don'cha?"

Taking a step back the small blonde rubbed at her face and gave a stern nod before palming her first in front of her chest, "Namikaze Natsumi is going to push on Tai!"

"There we go, now keep up that smiling face for us all okay?"

Natsumi nodded again before flashing a grin at the tiger who smiled back before vanishing in a black flame, quickly snapping her head back to Minato who was waiting patiently, along with Tsunade, Kushina and Sakura she gave a wide smile, "Namikaze Natsumi reporting back from her extended mission!" A slight bow was made with her head, and it seemed like she was in business mode now.

A couple of days had passed, and we could be found in the Hokage office once again, there was a small cloud of smoke outside from where Naruto was sitting, having been childishly scolded by Kushina for smoking in Minato's office, despite the man himself saying it was okay.

He found it odd, but she was acting a lot more like a mother now that she came back from the training trip. Sasuke, Sakura and Natsumi were all standing in the Hokage office, they were about to head on a mission, Yugao as a favor to Sasuke filled in for him with the Executors today. After all he wasn't so cold as to never speak to his team again, nor go on missions with them anymore just because he was promoted.

As Minato was about to give them a list of high ranking missions the door was slammed open, "Hokage-sama!" Minato pressed his lips into a thin line before nodding sharply, giving the man permission to continue, "Sunagakure was attacked and the Kazekage was kidnapped. They are requesti-"

"Hokage-sama we should be sent to Sunagakure, we were already planning on going on a mission, and if it is who I believe it is that kidnapped Gaara, then they will need us," Sasuke answered plainly.

"I second that motion," Came the voice of Naruto as he extinguished his cigarette before stepping through the window, he was in form fitting black armor with golden trimming, a large tiger was on the back of it with its tail curling around to the front, draped over his shoulders was his tattered black Executor cloak, having had it remade and reinforced, Naruto walked up and quickly gave a glance over the paper the messenger was holding, his eyes going over it quickly before he frowned, "It seems that I will be going with you, there is a high chance that it is the Akatsuki, though there is a slight chance that it isn't if that is the case it is still worth looking into seeing as they were able to infiltrate a Hidden Village and escape with the Kage without any real issue."

"Naruto-sensei?" Sasuke questioned as the grandson of Madara just shoot his head lightly.

"I will be coming with you, if it is Akatsuki I will be leaving one of their members to you three while I take on the other," He took a small breath before looking at Minato, both had hard eyes before the blonde Kage gave a stern nod.

"Then consider this your mission, Leading the reformed Team 7 will be Uchiha Naruto, offer your aid to Suna and get their Kazekage back, dismissed!" Minato spoke sternly and gave a quick nod of his head to the group before the gave an affirmative one back.

The trio turned to Naruto who seemed to be thinking something through, "Temari left earlier today so she more than likely doesn't know, we will head out the north gate and follow her trail until we pick her up before shooting straight to Suna... I will provide transportation... Meet at the gate within half an hour, that is all."

With that Naruto vanished in a green bolt, appearing again at the gate, "Tai, I need you to get the five fastest transport tigers for me," He knew that the tiger heard him and that allowed him to leave the task to him before turning and walking up to the gate guards, they stiffened as he approached it appeared that they had been slacking off, from what he could see they were playing cards, "Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke and Namikaze Natsumi will be leaving on a mission with myself, Uchiha Naruto as the leader. This can be checked with the Hokage who just issued the mission."

They nodded sharply and marked the names in the outgoing book just as Sasuke landed next to him, "How do you expect us to get a trace, on foot it would take quite a lot of time to reach Suna, not to mention that the carrier hawk more than likely took half a day to reach us anyway?"

"We won't be traveling on foot," Like that there was a crackling sound as flames spread across the pathway, large tigers climbing out of it with saddles on their backs, they varied between white and orange, though the strips always stayed black, "I called in a favor to make the trip faster, plus they will be able to make it easier to track the scents that may have gone cold to our noses."

Sasuke gave a light shake of his head, "Always thinking so far ahead, I see you summoned the one for Temari-san now, really you don't leave anything to chance."

Tai shrugged his shoulders as he approached, "Ya know, Leo said next time to ask for the Lions, they will be more than happy to help out the Avatar. Anyway, I am gonna go help Yugao whip some Executors and Anbu into shape. Always pretty funny to watch you humans try to push past your limits," With that he vanished again.

Moments later Natsumi and Sakura walked up with wide eyes at the tigers, who had taken to laying on the ground and looking at the nearby civilians, thoroughly spooking them stiff, the largest of the group stood and slowly made its way over to Naruto before dipping its head, "Avatar-sama. We are ready to leave at your order, I was tasked by Tai-Long to be your mount for the trip."

"Understood, we will be heading straight to Suna after picking up Temari who left earlier," Naruto confirmed for those that had just arrived. He was a tad impressed, it had taken them less than five minutes to arrive. Meaning that they more than likely already had everything they needed for the mission.

The large tiger, who was the only one that broke the white/orange with stripes theme going was pure black with bright green eyes, with a small kick off Naruto landed on the saddle, grabbing onto the handle with his left hand as the large tiger turned to face the gate, the other of the group quickly doing the same as they started a slow pace out, "For those that are new to this, we are about to increase the pace, so lean forward and try to make yourself smaller, tighten your legs around the saddle and grasp the handle tightly," Naruto called back as the tigers started to jog slowly, while the humans leaned forward before they broke into a full sprint, dashing through the trees at speeds that made Shinobi look slow.

Sasuke felt confused on how to feel, yes he could reach this speed and even surpass it by a small margin, but not for the whole trip to Suna, he was sure that Naruto could make it faster if he ran it, though that would leave the others for dust. It seemed as though he wanted everyone to stay together, it was also for that reason why the group started to slow after about half an hour.

There was a glimpse of dirty blonde hair and a black combat kimono in the distance, the tigers pulling to a light jog before entering a walking pace gained the attention of the woman as she turned around, "Uchiha-sama?"

"Temari come with me, Sunagakure was attacked, we're on our way. It seems that it may have been Akatsuki as Gaara has been taken," That was all she needed to jump onto the tiger and pull up next to the blonde.

"Then we have no time to waste Uchiha-sama, how do I ride one of these?"

"Nya, lean forward girl, kinda like you are presenting yourself to be mated and dig your heels into my saddle, grab the nob and squeeze it tightly for me okay? I really don't want you to fall off, no actually I do, then I would have to lick you back to health," The tiger under her spoke.

Temari responded with a small sigh and did as instructed, "I have a boyfriend by the way."

"So do I, it can be a secret between us girls nya~"

Shaking her head Temari looked back to Naruto and gave him a once over, he was strangely focused, peering over her shoulder she could see Natsumi with them. It actually made sense now, though from what Temari knew, Natsumi and Gaara were close well kinda, it was her that suggested that he went for the position of Kazekage after all.

Though she caught sight of what was under the Uchiha's cloak, the last time she had seen that armor it had been nowhere near as finished and it was hanging up on a rack waiting for someone to get back to it, "I didn't know that you got your gear from the Land of Iron Uchiha-sama?"

Naruto paid her a glance but looked ahead, "If you are referring to my armor, it was made by my kenjutsu instructor, it was the final piece he made before he rushed to fight the Sanbi..." He let the unspoken words ring in the air for a few moments, "We should be going, what I am wearing is not as important as the state of your country."

The tigers jolted forward as they started again their large paws striking the ground as they tore through the forests. In the end it only took six hours to reach Suna, a record that even Naruto was a little impressed with. They were waved through when they saw Temari and came to a stop outside of the Sunagakure hospital. According to everyone Kankuro had gone and given chase, only to be found poisoned.

That was Sakura's job, to treat the Suna sibling so they could get the most recent information about what they were fighting. He was sitting out in the waiting room, and people were keeping their distance from him, an older lady stormed across the room and Naruto lifted his hand to catch her incoming attempt to stab him, "As always Madara, you're a sharp one."

Naruto creaked an eye open and narrowed it, taking in the wrinkles and the grey hair, "Just because I have the same appearance as my grandfather does not make me him," Naruto let out a slow breath, it had happened a few times, it seemed that like the others, this woman was still stuck in her past.

Taking a step back she waved her hands lightly, "Ma ma, I was just tricking you see?"

Not a single word was brought by what she said, Naruto took another good look at her before giving a small nod, "Must put you on edge. Your grandson was part of the team that attacked your village after all."

"Oh, so the Black Knight knows even me?" She questioned, deflecting Naruto's own, leaving him to believe it was best that they didn't speak about it.

"Chiyo of Suna, poison expert and puppet master, during the Third Ninja War you were a target for me, though my mission was canceled so that I could offer support to a nearby squad, while most would class you as ambidextrous you are actually left handed, eating your food with your right to trick those spying while you only work on your puppets with your left, thinking anything less will lead to a failure. When you believe that the fight is going to be easy to win you shift your left foot to forty-five degrees and keep it out in front, allowing you to pivot quickly to check your surroundings, you are cautious, some may even say to the point of being paranoid, though those that lived through the war would call it experience," Naruto quickly listed.

Chiyo's response was to give a small smile, "You must be very good at stealth, I didn't even know I was being watched."

"I was not always strong, I wouldn't have been more than ten when I was set to take you out, so I had to use every advantage that I could gather."

The elder lady gave a happy nod, "Good good, not enough people can think like that anymore, they always want to learn new ninjutsu, shunning the other arts, your skills are very impressive though, you have three SS ranks all with different skills, though I do not see why they haven't been added into one yet, it isn't really a secret anymore is it?"

Naruto gave a small chuckle, "I just don't think that they want to go through the effort of adding a SSS ratting for me. Plus that would just be admitting that Konoha had the strongest Shinobi right now."

"That sounds more like them... The children these days... They have different eyes to those that grew up in the war, they fret over things like relationships and who is the 'coolest', it makes me a little sick," Chiyo poked her tongue out and shook her head from side to side like it had a bad taste on it.

"I guess that is where we think differently," Naruto started getting her attention, "I enjoy seeing them fret over such trivial things, though they aren't as strong as we were back then... We never really got to be happy. We were always fighting, so we never had time to settle down and relax. Though these kids, they really enjoy what they are doing, despite how much they whinge about it, they will still come back and do their best. I guess I really like that, it makes me feel that maybe all that fighting wasn't for nothing."

Chiyo looked at him strangely for a few moments before chuckling, "Well I never did think of it like that. Though this may come across as strange, I do have a request," Her answer was for Naruto to raise a brow, signalling that he was listening, "When you come to fight against my Grandson... I want to be there, to see what he has become and maybe even offer my support."

Naruto pressed his lips together in thought, "If you can keep up with our pace, I don't have an issue, though we won't be slowing down once we get moving."

"I can understand that."

The door slid open showing a tired looking Sakura, "Kankuro is up and he just needs some time to heal, it was off to the east just past the buried temple where he fought Sasori."

"Then that is where we will start, Sakura, take a brether for a bit I will gather the others."

"But Sir I c-"

"Sakura, rest, we will leave once I have gathered everyone... You just relax for now," His voice was soft, but Sakura could see those cold eyes, this was an order.

She dropped her head a little before nodding, "Understood, I think that I'll go take a quick nap."

Sakura curled up on one of the chairs and promptly fell asleep, he couldn't blame her though, she had spent nearly four hours removing all the poison and finding an antidote for it, for those four hours her focus had to be immense.

Drawing a hand up to his ear Naruto hit a small button, "Sasuke, in fifteen minutes we will be leaving from Sunagakure Private Hospital."

Tracking was easy, the scent was still fresh enough that Naruto didn't even need help as the group tore across the desert, slowly coming to a more forest like terrain before finally coming across a large boulder, a string of seals strewn across it, Naruto pressed his lips together in thought, "Natsumi... Do you know three lock sealing?"

"Hai, I never had a chance to practice though, so at best I only have experience with two lock," She answered back quickly.

Naruto gave a nod of understanding, "There isn't much difference between two and three, I'll take the center piece," With that he walked forward before taking a seat, Sasuke moving on his right and positioning himself diagonally behind him, while Natsumi did the same on the left, as one they formed a set of handsigns before slapping the water and forming long black links to the seals and circles around themselves.

Sakura and Chiyo watched as they continued to move in perfect sync and widdle away the seals on the boulder, it had to be more efficient than the other method to get rid of it surely.

The trio held the ram seal as a large amount of kanji appeared in the water around them, they quickly found the ones that they were looking for and forced them to float up into the air forming a new seal that was placed over the one on the boulder, causing it to sizzle before it split in two, the black lines receded to fuinjutsu users before they stood up and shook their hands cracking their fingers a few times before walking forwards.

The first thing that they noticed were the large amount of projections standing atop fingers before their eyes were drawn to Gaara is body slowly falling to the ground as the last traces of Bijuu chakra left him, Naruto frowned, "Akatsuki..." His voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"Uchiha Naruto, Namikaze Natsumi, the hosts of the Kyuubi, Sasori you shou-" The ringed eye speaker was cut off by the blonde male in front of the Konoha shinobi plus Chiyo.

"Oi I reckon everyone is just scrambling for nothing, I can take him with my art!"

"Deidara... Take the Kazekage and leave," When it looked like the blonde, now known to be Deidara looked ready to retort the remaining one, which seemed to be Sasori spoke again, "Do not make me repeat myself Deidara."

"Whatever," A large white bird formed from his hands and picked up Gaara in its talons before Deidara jumped on its back and tore out over the top of them.

"Naruto-nii!"

Glancing over at Natsumi he saw the expression on the girl face, "Sasuke, Sakura go with Natsumi, that is Deidara, the mad bomber, his clay is an earth jutsu, so use lightning against it. Be careful you three and I will see you all again when this is over."

They gave sharp nods and gave chase, once they were out of sight Naruto took a relaxed stance and summoned the katana form of Sakura into his right hand, twirling her around a few times before lightly tossing her into the air as she took a human form, her eyes narrowing at the others in the room, "So these are the people after you, oh? The eyes of the sage... It won't be enough, no they are simply to weak."

Naruto had a bored look on his face, tilting it to the side, his eyes quickly changing, the red turning to black as the black changed to red and morphed into a fuma shuriken with a matching cross behind it, "I am going to start hunting you, two by two, until I have culled your group, I will have you feel the fear of having a demon chasing your scent."

"You will learn pain Uchiha Naruto, I will make the world understand through pain."

Reaching up to his back, Naruto tapped a seal on his back summoning a pure black katana, bringing it to his front he pointed it up at the ringed eyed man, "Pain? You think you understand pain? You don't know pain, and you don't know fear," Taking a small breath they could see chakra radiate from his body, it was so dense that it was visible, tearing apart the ground below him, Sasori had to bring his tail around to defend as rocks flew up towards his body, "Come, I will take all the pain you can unleash, bring your whole group and I will show you why I am called a demon."

The ringed leader looked over to the only other man in the room with red eyes, "Itachi?"

"At this point, all we have left are the Sanbi, the Kyuubi, Nanabi, Hachibi and the Nibi. Removing Uchiha Naruto would be the best way to lower strong adversaries, though it will require more attention than even going after both Kumo Jinchuriki," The stoic man answered.

A man with beady looking eyes beside him gave a roar of laughter, "Well aren't you just a vicious thing Itachi, treating your old Sensei so coldly? Eh, never mind, I really just want to test him out."

Sasori peered back at the leader who gave a slight nod of his head, "Do you best Sasori," And with that the projections faded.

Naruto tilted his neck to the side and let it pop into place before lightly shaking his head, "Chiyo, please don't try to support me, just protect yourself."

"I agree with the Uchiha, should you get involved you will only slow our fight down Old Woman," Sasori grunted out as his scorpion like tail swung around the room and carved up the earth.

It had begun, the Red Scorpion vs the Black Knight. The first clash with Akatsuki.

PA: Training is now over, now we are coming into fights again, where everyone gets to show how much they grew. IMPORTANT: When I said that Naruto can not get any stronger in this chapter, at the current level his base strength is the same as Madara's, that means without either of them powering up, they are tied for raw power, Hashirama is the same, and I plan to have this as the 'human limit', the point where you become so strong that you start eating into your lifespan when you fight.

I just wanted to make that clear, so some people didn't rage at the sudden jump. Also so you guys have a map of sorts I have a quick outline for you for coming chapters, basicly, these are main events.

Naruto v Sasori + Team 7 v Deidara.

Meeting Kabuto + Naruto v Orochimaru start.

Yugao v Kabuto + Sasuke v Izuna + Naruto v Orochimaru continued.

The Akatsuki fight.

Kage summit + Naruto v Shi.

War start.

So yeah there is still quite a bit to go, hopefully I won't just go on break again like last time.. but then again I haven't really watched any Naruto lately... So full of filler. When it gets back into action I will have more inspiration, but anyway, until the next update!