I do not own Naruto or Steven Universe.

"Believe in Steven!" normal speech

"Believe in Steven!" thought/mind speak

"Believe in Steven!" demon speech

Chapter 24: Joining Plans

*Otogakure; Otokage's Office*

Orochimaru walked in the Kage's office and shoved opened the door to reveal a couple of his ninjas standing near the desk.

"You better have a good reason for interrupting my research!" the Snake Sannin ordered as he was deeply annoyed. He was looking at some of Sasuke's cells to see that they have been drastically alter since the last time he looked at them.

"Forgive the interruption, Lord Orochimaru," one of the Oto ninja said as he and the other ninja bowed towards Orochimaru, "but we have brought in someone that might interest you."

The Snake Sannin looked as he then asked, "Where is your other squad member?"

The other Oto ninja looked and said, "She was killed during our attempt to apprehend the subject. We were only able to apprehend the subject thanks to Kabuto-sensei using his nerve attacks on the girl."

"Well where is the subject now!?" Orochimaru barked loudly, nearly causing the two Oto ninjas to flinch.

"The subject is with Kyuketsuki-san as she had mentioned the Uzumaki boy that Konoha had previously banished." the first ninja said, hiding his slight fear, "Kabuto-sensei is also with them so that he could keep an eye on the prisoner."

Orochimaru took a look at the two ninjas before he left the office and traveled through the halls until he heard an unfamiliar voice.

"So you're saying that you have Bloodstone's gem surgically implanted in the place of your real heart?" asked a feminine sounding voice as Orochimaru walked in to see a young woman with neon green skin wearing an outfit that had reminded him of that dreadful outfit of Gai's. Her hair was yellow green in some sort of square-like or triangle-like shape while a light green visor seemed of cover her green eyes and the inverted triangle shaped green gem that sat upon her forehead. What really caught his attention was that the woman's fingers were not directly attached to her, but instead floated around where her hands would be if she had them.

"That is correct, my dear." Orochimaru said as he caught the woman's attention as well as Kabuto's and Sasuke's, "I am the one who performed the operation on him as a…favor of a now deceased connection."

"Lord Orochimaru!" Kabuto said as he quickly kneeled before said Sannin, "Please forgive me as I was about to bring her in for interrogation, but Sasuke had wanted to talk to her after she had mentioned Naruto."

"So you're the one who performed such a…sick and perverse tactic on Bloodstone's gem?" the woman asked with visible disgust both on her face. Kabuto quickly got to his feet and pulled a kunai out.

"You will show Lord Orochimaru respect!" Kabuto roared as he was about to teach the woman a lesson when Orochimaru placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping the medic in his tracks.

"While I am the one who gave Sasuke his new heart," the Sannin said with a smirk, "I am however just the one who performed the act. Why killed the executioner for doing his job?"

"So…Peridot was it?" Sasuke asked as he turned his attention to the green woman before him, drawing her attention towards him now, "You mention that you had met a person by the name of Naruto Uzumaki, am I correct."

"You're only half-correct as he goes by Naruto Gemm now." Peridot answered calculative, "Don't know how a creature like him came into possession of a Sage's power, Amber of all Sages. Wouldn't have been the same as I noted that he didn't have any form of scarring around the two gems so Amber must have done something…either that or Naruto Gemm is Amber."

"Naruto is a descendant of Amber as she had formed a powerful clan known as the Uzumaki Clan." Sasuke enlightened her.

Peridot's face contorted in a look of further disgust as she said, "Ugh! I couldn't believe that she would do such things with any of this planet's inhabitants!"

"However," Orochimaru said with a smirk, "the Uzumaki Clan is nearly extinct save for whatever stragglers that are remaining, including Naruto Gemm."

"I would love to get rid of every single one of those sick abominations!" Peridot said with disgust evident in her voice, somehow earning a smirk from both Orochimaru and Sasuke.

"How would you like to help me in getting rid of Naruto?" Sasuke asked as his gem glowed, "We have a common goal as you and I both wish to be rid of him. Much like he disgusts you, Naruto has disgraced me by defeating me in combat before running away like a coward; I must have my vengeance against him."

Sasuke then stood up and said, "Naruto had defeated us when we face him on our own, but together we can erase the stain that he is out of existence. What do you say?"

Peridot looked at the young boy before her as she remembered getting beaten by the Crystal Gems and her equipment getting destroyed by them. She also didn't know the location or the status of Jasper, but she knew that Jasper was never an easy foe to take down as the only one who seemed to be of a real threat to her would be Rose Quartz…or more correctly Steven as he possesses Rose's power.

Getting onto her feet, Peridot looked at Sasuke carefully before she kneeled towards him.

"I am yours to command," she said as she remained kneeling, "Lord Sasuke."

*Konohagakure; Namikaze Estate*

Naruto was in the large open space in the basement level of his house with one of the ANBU that was assigned specially to him as this ANBU's Mokuton would help keep Kurama's power in check. However…

"Alright Captain Yamato," Naruto said as he gave the unmasked ANBU a piece of paper with a drawing on it, "think you can make something like this?"

"Of course Naruto." Yamato said before he formed a few seals and added the needed chakra. Naruto was surprised that Yamato wasn't joking about his Mokuton abilities as he created what Pearl had drawn out on the paper.

Now standing before two was an arch made out of trees that was melded into the wall and was structure to match the picture. The arches were actually statues of Naruto and Amber facing each other with their fists meeting each other, forming the connecting point of the arch.

"Perfect," Naruto said as he heard the sound of footsteps entering the empty room, "and just in time too."

"Is this what I think it is?" Pearl asked as she looked at the wooden statues with the others Gems and Tsunade looking as well.

"Yep!" Naruto answered with a smirk until he saw the Godaime, "what brings you here, Baa-chan?"

Holding herself back with a cough, Tsunade brought out some scrolls and handed them to Naruto, Pearl, Lapis, Amethyst, and Garnet. The selected Gems opened the scrolls and applied some chakra to the seals, with Pearl helping Amethyst, to reveal four green vests and a forest green vest.

"I am here to announce that Naruto Gemm, Pearl, Amethyst, and Lapis Lazuli are now within the ranks of chunin while Garnet shall be given the rank of jonin." Tsunade announced proudly. "You will be able to take on higher ranked missions and with Garnet being a jonin, she can take a genin team if she wants too."

"Why don't I get a vest?" Steven asked as he felt left out.

"That's because you'll be given the rank of genin, Steven-chan." Tsunade answered as she saw the disheartened look on said boy's face, "While you will be able to take missions, you will only be given D-rank or low C-rank missions under the command of a jonin sensei, but I am willing to bend that rule a bit if you or any of the Crystal Gems have to leave on a mission that involves your group. Garnet is the only one out of the group that has Sannin travel rights, meaning that she can come and go at her leisure, but if any one leaves unauthorized, then that is considered a very high-leveled crime punishable with prison time or death."

Steven gulped in fright at the implication of just going out of the village on his own.

"Don't worry," said Tsunade as she looked at Garnet, "Garnet here agreed to be your jonin sensei, so you will take missions under her order along with Ebisu's team."

Believing she had gotten the ordeal out, the Godaime looked at the wooden arch and asked, "So what's this?"

"Well," Naruto said as he crossed his arms, "Amber had written down on a scroll of using her powers to create portals to different warp pads that ran on her power combine with a natural energy source. I'm thinking that if I can do this right, I can create a portal between here and Beach City, with your permission of course Tsunade."

"That is if you get it working." Garnet bluntly said, "This is Amber we're talking about, a powerful Sage that had even trained Rose Quartz and founded the Uzumaki Clan."

Naruto nodded as he knew that something like creating a portal wouldn't be as easy as putting in a door.

"Alright," the blond said as he placed his hands on the sides of the arch, "stand back everyone!"

Everyone retreated to the room's entrance while the gems on Naruto's wrist began to glow brightly. The blond then began to focus real hard as a wall of golden light was seen in the arch to reveal Greg and Connie cleaning the temple a bit.

"Wha…ng on!?" Greg said in pure shock as he feel on his rear from what he saw, "Naruto…"

"No way!" Pearl said in surprise at what was happening before her, "He's actually doing it!"

"But what's wrong with it?" Amethyst asked as the image of Connie and Greg rushing towards them was fading in and out, "It looks and sounds like the TV with bad reception."

"Got to…make it…work!" Naruto said with slight strain as sweat began to roll off his face.

"…ruto!" Connie said as she approached the warp pad, "What's wro…aptured?"

"We're fine!" Naruto said as the bright glow on his gems began to fade, "Just…working on…something!"

Unable to keep it up, Naruto let his arms drop to his sides as the image of Connie and Greg vanished to reveal the room's wall.

"Naruto!" Pearl said as she rushed towards the panting blond, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah…" Naruto said as he tried to catch his breath, "…just worn out. I was able to at least pinpoint the warp pad at the temple. I just couldn't keep it up. I'm missing something to make it work."

"Don't worry," Garnet said as she kneeled next to her son, "I'm sure you'll get it. Just rest for a moment as we'll begin training in a few hours."

Naruto nodded in agreement as he and the others left the room and climbed upstairs into the living room.

"Hey Garnet," Tsunade said as Naruto sat down on the couch with Pearl sitting next to him, "I'd like to talk to you about something."

"What is it?" the Gem asked as Yamato said his farewells and exited the house.

"Counting yourself," Tsunade began to ask while Amethyst and Steven went into the kitchen for a snack, "how many fusions are there within the Crystal Gems?"

Garnet hummed for a moment before she said, "Well, there are eight of us: Opal, Sugilite, Alexandrite, Topaz, Star Sapphire, Tiger Eye, Sardonyx, and myself. Pearl and Amethyst form Opal, Amethyst and I form Sugilite, Naruto and Pearl form Topaz, Naruto and Amethyst form Star Sapphire, Pearl and I form Sardonyx, and Naruto and myself form Tiger Eye. You have already witness Ruby and Sapphire forming into me."

"What about Steven and Naruto?" Tsunade asked as silence soon followed immediately, "I'm sure that they can fuse into a strong Gem."

The silence was awkwardly deafening as Naruto and Pearl looked away while Amethyst and Steven entered with plates of food.

"Why's everyone being quiet?" Amethyst asked with a teasing smirk, "Sounds like someone died."

"I asked Garnet about Gem Fusions and asked if Naruto and Steven fuse into something powerful." Tsunade answered, causing Amethyst and Steven to tense up, "What's going on?"

It was quiet until Naruto let out a sigh and said, "We might as well mention him because if we don't, then we'll never hear the end of it."

"Mention who?" Tsunade asked as she was now even more curious than before.

"Zircon." Garnet answered with authority in her voice, "An uncontrollable Gem Fusion between Naruto and Steven. He is as powerful as he is unruly."

"He's strong enough to toss even Sugilite around like a ragdoll," Naruto said as he tightened his fists, "and she's as huge as Gamabunta!"

"WHAT!?" Tsunade yelled out in pure shock at the idea of a lone person being strong enough to easily lift the boss summon for the Toads.

"Yeah and he was about a head shorter than Stevonnie." Pearl commented as she easily remembered the unruly fusion.

"Are you saying that there's a fusion among you that could be as powerful as a Bijuu!?" the Godaime asked incredulously.

"We really don't know," Naruto said with a serious tone in his voice, "and we don't ever aim to find out as once was enough!"

"What do you mean!?" Tsunade asked, "If I remembered correctly, Naruto, you faced off against the Ichibi, faced down one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, faced against Orochimaru, TWICE I might add, and even ran into two members of the Akatsuki and lived to tell each moment. Now you're saying that one little fusion scares you because he's out of control!? This isn't the Naruto I know!"

"You won't be saying that once you've been on the receiving end of Zircon's attacks!" Naruto countered just as heartedly, "Steven and I lose control the moment we form him! He was such an impact that we even have a completely ludicrous law passed in Beach City that Steven and I are to never form into Zircon willingly unless Konohagakure was completely flatten by people with the same clothes, the same eyes, even the same personality straight down to the core and all of Konoha's inhabitants are in Beach City seeking refuge!"

"But you're working on a portal that will take you to Beach City!" Tsunade countered.

"I said that Konoha had to be flattened meaning that this house has to be destroyed as well." Naruto said as he soon got up from his seat and opened the door leading out of the house, "Now forgive me, but I think you might have overstayed your welcome, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade let out a growl before she relented and walked out with the door being shut behind her.

"You might have one this round," Tsunade said with determination in her eyes, "but I WILL get you and Steven to form Zircon."

Night had fallen as Garnet was looking through the library while Amethyst, Steven, and Naruto were sleeping and Pearl and Lapis were watching Naruto sleep. She had done some training on her own a while ago in the basement as to not disturb Naruto or Steven. It was a normal night for the red Gem.

"Maybe Pearl shouldn't have been so rough on Naruto," Garnet said to herself as she remembered how the pale gem had gone after Naruto as punishment for that Sexy Jutsu he invented, "Then again…"

Garnet then froze as she suddenly got a vision through her Future Vision. The Gem blinked as a dreadful shiver ran down her back at what she had seen. It was a figure that was twice her own size with glowing red eyes as a dangerously shining smirk. What had brought the dread through the vision was the three gems that were adorned on the figure's body.

"…no…"

*Hokage's Office*

The next day showed Tsunade sitting at her desk with Asuma, Jiraiya, Kurenai, Gai, and Kakashi, who was being supported by Yamato and Shizune, standing before her.

"I'm sure why you are wondering why I had called for all of you to be present for this meeting." Tsunade said as she looked at the ninjas before her.

"It must be highly important if I had to be dragged out of the hospital." Kakashi commented professionally as even though all he had was bad chakra exhaustion due to using his Sharingan, he wasn't even supposed to leave the hospital grounds.

"Yes." Tsunade said as she kept the serious tone in her face, "I gather you here to inform you of what I had learned about the fusions the Crystal Gems can perform and one of them…could be stronger than Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and myself combined."

"You're…You're joking!" Jiraiya said with shock on everyone's faces, "Right Hime?"

Tsunade remained silent until she said, "I wish I was. I learned of a fusion that goes by the name of Zircon formed by Naruto Gemm and Steven Universe. From what I was told, they had only performed this fusion once and Zircon is strong enough to toss another Gem Fusion that is the size of Gamabunta around like a ragdoll."

Despite years of keeping in emotions reigned, everyone let out gasps of shock at such an idea.

"Bunta told me about how he faced Sugilite," Jiraiya said as he remembered the Toad telling him about that day, "but this Zircon character can easily toss her around just like that!?"

"That is what's been revealed to me." Tsunade said as she laced her fingers, "However, because of that one moment when they first formed Zircon, Naruto and Steven both refuse to fuse into him as I have asked them this morning when they arrived for mission and even some time before this meeting as the other Gems interfere, mostly Garnet."

"We need to find out just how powerful this Zircon is," Tsunade continued as she lightly smirked, "and I have a plan: We'll send Garnet and Pearl out on a false mission while sending Lapis out on a message delivery to Suna with Captain Yamato going with her as to not arouse suspicion. We can easily have someone distract Amethyst long enough for us to convince Naruto and Steven to form Zircon and keep him controlled long enough for us to get enough data."

"I'm not sure about this." Gai said as he had an uncomfortable look on his face, "We're forcing Naruto and Steven to do something that they refuse to do."

"While I'm with Gai on this," Kurenai added in, "but we may need to do this should there be a circumstance that requires such a warrior as Zircon…that is if he's as powerful as they say he is."

"That's right." Tsunade then added, "But even if Naruto and Steven can't control him, we can have Kurenai use a genjutsu on Zircon to fool him into fighting Kisame. Once we gathered the data we need, all we have to do is get Zircon to reform back into Naruto and Steven. We will need all teams and senseis so I'm going to have Kakashi take a couple of soldier pills to help with his recovery as we need to do this tomorrow without any hesitation."

"This all sounds easier said than done." Kakashi said as he adjusted himself, "What if we can't control Zircon, even with a genjutsu placed on him?"

"That's less than likely as no being is immune to genjutsus as even puppets are affected by them and I will have a few squads of ANBU waiting to jump in." Tsunade said with a confident smirk, "This plan is foolproof. Everyone is dismissed."

Everyone left as the Godaime let out a sigh as she said, "I'm sorry Naruto, but we really need to do this."

*Forest*

Team Gai were in the forest as Gai had explained the situation to his students.

"Are we really going to do this to Naruto and Steven-kun?" Tenten asked with doubt about the idea, "I mean, they sounded pretty adamant about not forming Zircon."

"I actually think that it is a good idea." Neji said as he crossed his arms, "While I don't like the idea myself, we really do need to see if Zircon is as strong as the Crystal Gems claim him to be."

"Tsunade already has plans for Garnet, Pearl, and Lapis as all we need is someone to distract Amethyst long enough to get the information we need." Gai said as a gleam formed in Tenten's eyes.

"I think Lee should take care of Amethyst." the young kunoichi said, getting a shocked look from her teammate.

"I'm not going to do this as it is unyouthful to force anyone to do something that they absolutely refuse to do!" Lee stated as he took a stance.

"Lee," Gai said as he got his student's attention, "there are times where we have to perform acts that go against our beliefs as it could be a matter of life or death. What if there comes a time where we do need someone that is powerful enough to easily lift a boss summon like Gamabunta without effort?"

Tenten then leaned near Lee's left ear and whispered, "You could also get to know Amethyst more and let her know more about you."

Lee fought the blush that was forming lightly on his cheeks at the idea his teammate had given him. He wanted to get to know the purple Gem more, but he didn't want to be deceitful about it. But he also knew that this might be the only moment to have a chance at romance as no girl would ever date a guy like him.

Lee lowered his head in shame as he then said, "I'll…I'll do it."

Gai placed a hand on his student's shoulder and said, "I truly am sorry about this, Lee, I really am. After we learn more about Zircon, you and I both shall run a thousand laps around Konoha as punishment."

Lee said nothing as his sensei dismissed the team so that they could be ready.

*Hokage's Office*

The day of Tsunade's plan had quickly arrived as Garnet, Pearl, and Lapis were standing before the Godaime as they were summoned into her office.

"I have couple missions for you three to complete." Tsunade said as she gave Garnet and Lapis separate scrolls, "Garnet and Pearl are to investigate a mining village as there had been reports of a creature rampaging through the mines, making it difficult for the workers there. Lapis Lazuli is to go to Sunagakure with Captain Yamato and deliver a message of high importance to the Kazekage, Gaara."

The blonde then turned towards Garnet and said, "Naruto has already explained to me about the deal between you and him involving Lapis and I will let you know that Yamato will report everything Lapis does and I will let you look at those reports."

Garnet stood with an uncomfortable silence before she said, "Agreed, but only if you hold onto your end of the deal."

"Of course." Tsunade said with a nod, "You're dismissed."

Pearl and Lapis left as Garnet gave the Godaime a long look before leaving herself.

After waiting a moment to be sure that the Gems left, Tsunade then said to herself, "Time to put this plan into motion."

*Namikaze Estate*

Lee had just approached the estate and hesitantly knocked on the door just loud enough to be heard.

I really can't believe I'm doing this, the taijutsu expert thought to himself as he waited a moment before knocking on the door again, but I guess I have to do what I must…Still doesn't feel right.

The door opened to reveal Amethyst as the Gem said, "Oh hey Lee! You just missed Garnet if you were looking for a good sparring partner; I tell ya, she can really send anyone running after one fight with her."

"I-I was a-actually wanted to know if…" Lee began as he was a bit nervous about the question he had in mind, "…if you'd like to go out and explore Konoha some more. I mean…what better person to show you the place that no one else knows about. We can even visit my dojo or-"

"You have a dojo!" Amethyst cheered with glee as she dashed out of the house and began to run through the village after grabbing Lee's hand, "You HAVE to show me!"

Lee did his best to hold on as he was accidentally drug across the ground while a thought had entered his mind…

Please forgive me…

What will happen to Naruto and Steven? Will the Konoha ninjas meet Zircon? Don't forget to rate and review!

Ja ne.