(And here you go.)
A week had past since the group was sent to retrieve Sasuke. Naruto, Kiba, Chouji, and Neji were finally up and about, though Sasuke was still unconscious. At that time Naruto, Ino, Hun, Tsunade and the Foot ninja were in Sasuke's room, "Sasuke still hasn't moved." Ino said.
"Well we can't put it off any longer," Tsunade sighed, "The council is getting agitated from waiting so long."
"Well what can they do with him still unconscious and all?" Hun asked.
Naruto sighed hating to think of what they'd do until he glanced over to Sasuke seeing his shoulder move, "Sasuke?" he asked and the others gasped looking over.
Sasuke groaning as he opened his eyes slowly, "Naruto?"
"Yeah Sasuke it's me." Naruto answered.
"You're alive." Ino gasped.
Sasuke groaned in pain before realizing where he was, "So I'm back here? How could I have lost again?"
"Truth be told Sasuke, I wished I didn't have to fight you." Naruto replied.
"Well you will eventually be fighting him again." A voice said as a force field appeared around Sasuke.
"What's going on?" Tsunade called.
"What is this?" Naruto gasped.
Suddenly on the force field appeared five faces looking at them, "So sorry but we have business with this boy. For he is the key to the return of our master." One said and in a flash Sasuke was gone from the bed.
"No!" Naruto shouted rushing to the bed seeing Sasuke was completely gone.
"What happened to Sasuke?" Ino gasped.
"And who were those five?" Hun gasped.
"I don't know." Tsunade replied in equal shock.
"Well this is definitely not going to sit well with the council." Naruto sighed.
The next morning, Naruto and the retrieval squad were presented before Tsunade, while Jiraiya, Homura, and Koharu were on Tsunade's right side. Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari stood off to the side with Hun, Zabuza, Kushina and Haku. The Clan Heads and civilian council members stood by. Naruto wore his Shredder armor because he had a bad feeling something was going to go down and he couldn't take any chances, "We shall now begin the trial what happened during the last mission." Tsunade began, "Shikamaru as the Chunin Leader of the retrieval squad you may speak of what the mission was for."
So Shikamaru explained the details of what their mission was including all the stuff that linked to it involving Orochimaru. Each of the retrieval squad members explained the details of their battle and how they came out of it alive, until it was Naruto's time to explain, "I had caught up with Sasuke in the Valley of the End." He started.
"Sasuke refused to come along quietly so I had to fight him so he'd be too weak to continue on his own. In the beginning I had the upper hand, until his Sharingan reached its final level," Naruto continued, "Sasuke then took control of the match, and was able to predict my movements and counter them, and with Sasuke using the Cursed mark of Orochimaru it was harder for me to fight back. I had to use Kyubi's chakra just to match him. With it amplifying my strength and speed I seized control of the fight." He got several glares from the civilian council about using Kyubi's power.
"Suddenly Sasuke turned into a demonic form using the power of the curse mark like the other members sent to bring him to Orochimaru. He came at me with a dark powered Chidori, but my Kyubi enhanced Rasengan was able to overpower it. Kakashi-sensei and Zabuza got there and helped us both back to the village," He said and was nervous about how to break it to everyone about what happened, "We were all hospitalized after the mission and Sasuke was unconscious, until yesterday where he woke up, and suddenly was abducted by an unknown force." He finished which got gasps out of the civilians and the jury.
"Unknown force, what the hell's that supposed to mean!" a civilian member lashed out.
"You let him escape!" a female member shouted.
"Order!" Tsunade called, "I was there to witness it myself and he is telling the truth. We even have evidence to prove it." She said holding up a videotape. She inserted it into a TV and VCR that was brought in by an Anbu and they showed the footage that was recorded by the hospital security camera in the room, "As you can see this was not the work of Orochimaru or anyone associated with him." She said and stopped the tape, "Well, jury?" asked Tsunade.
Before the whole council could vote a single civilian shot out of his seat, "Naruto Uzumaki should be executed for letting Sasuke Uchiha escape!" his outburst caused the civilian council to agree which got Naruto pissed off.
"Excuse me! Sasuke was going nuke-nin on his own accord. Besides the mission was to keep him out of the clutches of Orochimaru, it never said anything about anyone else!" Naruto shouted.
"Nevertheless!" another civilian shot up.
"What was I supposed to have done? None of us saw this coming we don't know anyone else who is after Sasuke!" Naruto added.
"Naruto Uzumaki brings up a strong piece of evidence," Tsunade agreed, "We only know of Orochimaru wanting Sasuke, but seeing a new force wants him leads us to further investigate other outside forces."
"Arigato Hokage-sama." Naruto thanked her.
"So then what about Sasuke Uchiha?" Hiashi asked, "Seeing as how he may not have left with these people willingly he still has left the village."
"Yes, we have no choice but to put a bounty on Sasuke's head." Tsunade answered.
"A fine choice Hokage-sama, and to make it better, I'll seek Sasuke out personally." Naruto said.
Suddenly the roof shattered, as Danzo dropped in along with several Root Anbu carrying weapons, "You won't live long enough to do so brat." Danzo said.
"Danzo!" everyone gasped.
"You are breaking an entering onto a trial, Danzo." Tsunade frowned.
"I can no longer sit by and watch this Kyubi brat get away with failure." Danzo growled.
Naruto frowned as did Kushina as they approached him, "You have a lot of nerve showing up here Danzo, especially after what you did to both of us!" Kushina shouted.
"Kushina, still alive?" Danzo asked.
"And waiting to settle the score with you!" Kushina added.
"I'm afraid you've waited in vain woman." Danzo replied.
Naruto growled, "YOU ROBBED ME OF MY MOTHER FROM BIRTH YOU OLD FOSSIL! YOU LIED TO HER, MY FATHER, THE SANDAIME, EVERYONE!"
"I only did it for the good of the village!" Danzo argued back.
"By depriving me of a childhood?" Naruto shouted.
"I had wanted to raise you as a weapon for the village, making us feared all across the ninja land! But that fool Hiruzen wanted you to live a normal life. That fool." Danzo spat which got outrages out of everyone for verbally bashing their deceased Sandaime.
"You are lower than scum, ruling by fear making everyone cower like vermin. Is making enemies all you ever cared about?" Naruto shouted, "Foot ninja come!" he called and dropping through the same hole in the roof was Naruto's Foot ninja.
"Attack!" Naruto and Danzo ordered their ninja as they went on the attack.
Lucky for Naruto his Foot ninja made quick ease out of the Root Anbu, with some of them only getting a few minor injuries and nothing serious, "It's over Danzo, the Foot Clan towers over Root!" Naruto declared.
Danzo's eye tightened as he reveals he had a sword hidden in his walking stick and ran for Naruto ready to attack, "I'll kill you here and now demon!" Kushina smirked as she concentrated and suddenly chakra chains emerged from the floor, holding Danzo in place, "Stop let go of me, what is this?"
"That's the power of the Uzumaki clan Danzo. Those chains shall hold you in place long enough for you to meet your demise." Kushina explained with a smirk.
"You cannot do this to me I'm a member of the council in Konoha!" Danzo demanded.
"How wrong you are Danzo," Tsunade said, "Because you've gone behind the backs of Konoha so many times with your lies and methods you are considered a traitor among Konoha ninja."
"Which means I won't get in trouble for doing this!" Naruto said standing above Danzo raising his left arm with the gauntlet, "If you see a man by the name of Gato in hell, give him my regards!" he said and dropped the gauntlet down on Danzo and the old Warhawk coughed up blood before growing limp. The chakra chains vanished and he fell down dead.
Two regular Anbu appeared and took the corpse of Danzo, and the Root away. "Sorry for that interruption, now council what is your answer?" Tsunade asked her teammate and her sensei's old teammates.
Homura stood up, "We've decided that Naruto Uzumaki is innocent and he is allowed the job of finding Sasuke Uchiha."
Tsunade smiles, "Good, and further more from this day forth the civilian council is forever disbanded for your lack of judgment." She ordered and the civilian council knew they were defeated, "Now that that's taken care of, Chouji Akimichi, Kiba Inuzuka, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Naruto Uzumaki step forward," So the five Shinobi approached as Tsunade continued, "For your success of retrieving Sasuke despite his sudden re-abduction, you did keep the Sharingan out of Orochimaru's clutches. As well as taking on each of his most powerful Shinobi I am proud to grant you five Genin to the rank of Chunin."
The five genins eyes lit up as well as the heads of their family. An Anbu presented them each with a Chunin vest that they dawned over their regular attire, while Naruto knew he'd have to put it on when he got out of his armor. The boys were very excited as Ino ran to Naruto, "Way to go Naruto!" Ino cheered as she hugged her man.
"Congratulations master." Hun bows his head in respect.
Later that day, Naruto was in Oroku Saki's temple with Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kushina, Hun, Zabuza, and Ino, "What, you want me to go on a three year training mission with Ero-sennin?" Naruto asked Tsunade.
"Hai. Sasuke may be gone, but whoever took him has to be powerful, and Jiraiya will help you continue your training to improve your abilities." Tsunade explained.
"That is if you're willing to accept it, Naruto." Jiraiya added.
Naruto looked to everyone and smiled, "It'll be an honor."
"Perfect. I'm giving you a week to prepare since it's going to be three years you'll need the basic essentials." Tsunade explained.
"I know, but as for the Foot ninja and their training," Naruto began until he motioned to Ino, Hun, and Zabuza, "Hun, Zabuza you two will continue to further teach the trainees the style of the Foot clan, while you Ino will be temporary leader. Can you handle it?"
"I'll do it for you Naruto." Ino bowed her head.
"As shall we, Master Shredder." Hun replied as he and Zabuza bowed their heads.
"Good because right now I want to test something out that I have stumbled upon here in the temple," Naruto said standing up and walks to the cabinet that was used to hold the Shredder armor. He reached inside a compartment and pulled out a glass crystal ball. "I found this crystal ball in the compartment of this cabinet with some directions for a Jutsu, but I haven't figured out what it's used for."
"And you want to test it without even knowing what it'll do, is that safe?" Jiraiya asked.
"I will vouch for Master Saki and what he left here for someone to find." Naruto said as he placed the crystal ball on a pedestal and performed some hand signs, "Summon!" he called as the crystal started glowing and the room started fading away into a white void.
"What is happening?" Kushina gasped.
"I don't know." Zabuza answered, until they saw someone approaching and he got ready to fight.
"Stand down, Zabuza." Naruto ordered as he saw who was coming into the light.
The person was a man wearing the white robe Naruto would always wear when he's not in his Shredder armor, he also short black and purple colored hair.
"Welcome travelers, to my private void in the afterlife. I am Oroku Saki 8th generation master of Ninjitsu, and the old Shredder," He introduced himself and turns toward Naruto, "You are Naruto Uzumaki correct?"
"I-I am." Naruto replied.
"You're Oroku Saki the first Shredder?" Ino gasped.
"That is correct my dear. I set up this crystal containing a fragment of my essence that could be communicated with should anyone ever use the Jutsu I left behind." Saki explained.
"Oroku Saki let me say it's an honor to meet you. I am Lady Tsunade Godaime Hokage of Konoha.' Tsunade introduced herself.
"Ah the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama, you look well." Saki complimented her.
"And I am Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of Kiri and one of Kiri's original Seven Swordsmen." Zabuza introduced himself.
"I am honored to meet such a skilled swordsman." Saki bowed his head making Zabuza feel proud of himself.
"Oh man Master there's so much I want to tell you. I don't know where to start." Naruto began.
Saki smiled as he put a hand on Naruto's shoulder, "Start at the beginning my boy."
"Well I just want you to know I am honored to have discovered you and your reputation," Naruto started, "When I discovered your temple those many years ago, and read your history I looked to you as a mentor."
"I'm touched." Saki smiled.
"I've been working hard to fulfill your last words to raise a new army of Foot ninja and restore the Foot clan to its glory." Naruto explained.
"I'm pleased to hear that. For since you've discovered my temple I have been keeping a close watch on you from the afterlife, and I'm very impressed with how far you have come," Saki explained, "I am proud to call you the heir to the Shredder."
"Hearing that coming from you means a lot to me," Naruto smiled trying not to cry, "And I want you to know more that I intend on getting stronger than I am now, for not only the Foot Clan but for the ninja nation as well."
"And you will indeed become stronger, Naruto. I can see it in your eyes," Saki smiled, "Now then, it is time we depart for now," He said as the void started fading, "I leave the Foot clan under your care, Naruto. Make me proud."
"I will Master Saki!" Naruto called as Saki vanished with the void and they appeared back in the temple.
"That was incredible." Kushina gasped.
"I'll say." Jiraiya agreed.
"Master?" Hun asked wondering how Naruto is feeling after all this.
Naruto looked at them all smiling, "I've got a lot of work to do and I don't aim to let my master down." Everyone else smiled at his dedication and admiration to Oroku Saki.
Meanwhile far away in Orochimaru's underground compound, angry screams were heard. Orochimaru was inside a different with all of his face except for his eyes bandaged up. He was tearing up his room in anger, until Kabuto enters, "Vented enough frustration yet?" he asked.
"Now it's all ruined! Sasuke is gone, my top five most skilled ninja are been beaten and killed." The new Orochimaru growled.
"So then what are we going to do now, my lord?" Kabuto asked.
"We will destroy all of Konoha, starting with that Kyubi brat that called himself the Shredder!" Orochimaru growled.
"Don't bother, it's not worth it." A voice said as they looked to the doorway of the room seeing Sasuke standing their smirking and no longer wearing the Konoha headband.
"Well-well Sasuke you made it, what perfect timing." Orochimaru chuckled.
"How did you make it here?" Kabuto asked.
Sasuke smirked, "Some friends showed me the way. Why don't you meet them?" he asked and appearing in the room were five human looking creatures but each looked like they represented five main elements. One looked like he represented metal, another of earth, one of water, one of wind, and one of fire.
"Who're all of you?" Orochimaru demanded.
"We are the Foot Mystics." The Metal one answered.
"Or more commonly known as the Heralds of the one true Shredder." The Fire explained.
"Heralds?" Orochimaru gasped.
"One true Shredder?" Kabuto gasped.
"Yes and these guys have promised me more power than you could ever hope to offer me." Sasuke added.
"You're a fool boy! Don't you want to destroy Itachi?" Orochimaru bellowed.
"Make no mistake that's still my ambition, just not with help from you." Sasuke replied.
"You'll pay for turning down, Lord Orochimaru!" Kabuto shouted as he ran to them.
The Metal mystic stepped forward, turning his arms into metal blades and spun like a tornado heading for Kabuto. Kabuto's fate was being cut to pieces, "Kabuto!" Orochimaru gasped seeing his right hand man sliced and diced.
"And you're next." The Fire mystic said as he and the other four approached Orochimaru, who still hadn't gotten used to his new body yet was still vulnerable to attacks. They powered up their elements and attacked the screaming snake Sannin and blood splattered everywhere covering the room as there was nothing left of Orochimaru.
"That didn't take long." Sasuke said.
"So you see young Uchiha, we can offer you real power, power that this feeble one could never acquire." The Fire mystic reasoned with him.
"Well you've got my attention. Now tell me about these artifacts I need to collect." Sasuke requested.
"Of course, master." The Water mystic said as they all walked off leaving the compound only to destroy it when they exited.
Meanwhile that night back at Konoha, inside the temple Naruto in his armor and helmet stood on a high platform looking down at all his Foot ninja, which included the rookies. While standing at his side was Hun, Zabuza, Guy, Kushina, and Ino in her armor as well,
"My Foot ninja, I stand before you with news. In a week I shall embark on a three year training trip to further my abilities," Naruto declared which got the Foot ninja concerned, "But fear not, I shall return within three years. During that time you will continue to train under the guidance of Hun, Zabuza, and Guy. And furthermore, until I return you will follow the orders of Ino Yamanaka the Lady Shredder." He declared as Ino approaches presenting herself before them.
"Foot ninja, while my strengths and abilities are not completely on par with that of Master Shredder, I shall do what I can to make a good leader for you all." Ino declared hoping she'd make a good impression.
One member of the foot clan stood up and threw an arm up, "All hail the Lady Shredder!"
"Hail Lady Shredder!" the other Foot ninja agreed.
Hun approached and stood at Ino's side, "I'm at your command, mistress Ino." Ino smiled knowing she's going to be enjoying the next three years of being in charge.
Soon a week had past, and Naruto stood beside Jiraiya wearing his white robe while he kept the Shredder armor and Sword of Tengu in a summoning scroll rather than lugging it around by hand or draw the attention of others from wearing it. They stood outside the village gates, while the Foot clan which included the other rookies, Tsunade, Shizune, Kushina, Zabuza, Haku, Guy, Hun, Iruka, and Ino stood before them.
"Foot Ninja, today marks the beginning of my training period. In three years I shall return stronger, faster, and smarter than ever," Naruto declared, "Until then, you are all to train harder than you have before. And when I return I shall expect a full report from Hun."
"We bid you a good luck on your trip, Master Shredder." Hun bowed his head as do the other Foot members.
"Naruto, we should get going." Jiraiya reminded him.
"Of course, sensei," Naruto said and looked to Ino and kissed her, "I leave the Foot clan in your hands, Ino."
"You can count on me, Naruto-kun." Ino nodded with a smile assuring her words.
Naruto turned to leave and looked back, "I shall see you all in three years." He said before walking off with Jiraiya ready to begin his three long training period.
(And that's the chapter. Don't miss his return next time.)