Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and only use it for entertainment purposes.

Tsunade was sipping her sake as she read over the scroll on her desk. The scroll was the result of a request she made to the Sanctuary she made almost six months ago. The request was for any information the Elders had on the Kyuubi. It took this long to compile all the information.

There was a knock on her door and Shizune entered and for once with no paperwork. Seeing her mentor and friend busy reading a scroll made her curious. "What are you reading Tsunade-sama?"

"Hmm?" Tsunade looked up from the scroll, "Oh Shizune, I was just looking over this scroll the Elders of the Sanctuary sent me on the Kyuubi." She then put down her sake and picked up the scroll. "Listen to this, 'The Kyuubi no Kitsune also know as the Beast of Cataclysm is said to be responsible for the lack of any life in the wastelands of the West Continent. An old water dragon was the only witness to the devastation and he was out to sea at the time. The sea dragon reported that the Great Beast for some untold reason called upon all the power it had in all of its tails at once. When this happened mountains were destroyed, tsunami crashed into the land, tornadoes uprooted forests, and fire scorched the earth. And this was only what the water dragon could see. After only three days of this the Kyuubi left the continent and only a barren wasteland remained. This is the only account of the Kyuubi ever using all of its power at once. Since that time at most it has only used at most four of its nine tails at once, the Kyuubi is the only one that know the reason why.'"

There was silence in the room before Tsunade stood up and went to the window and gazed up at Yondaime's carved face. "I asked Lea'so, that Youkai that Naruto's team returned with, if she knew about that. She said that no one of her kind had ever told her of that story." She then shook her head, "Arashi was lucky he was able to seal the Kyuubi when he did. I doubt if the Kyuubi took Konoha seriously we would be standing here today."

"How much of Kyuubi's power can Naruto-kun control?" Shizune asked.

"Naruto said he can use the fifth tail now in battle," Tsunade answered. "He can only use that many for a few minutes though. For an extended fight, say an hour Naruto can use two tails with relative ease. What confused me was that Naruto said the Kyuubi once told him not to use more than one or two elements at a time. I was confused at the time but know I think that when the Kyuubi uses more than one of its powers the have a tendency to combine and increase in power. Makes me wonder what the other Great Beasts are truly capable of."

"What confuses me Tsunade-sama is why the Akatsuki is trying to capture all of the Great Beasts," Shizune said. "One is hard enough to control as it is. What makes them think they can control all nine."

"I don't know," Tsunade admitted. "Maybe if we ever capture one we can find out."

Shizune sighed at that, "Not likely. S-Class Missing-nins are almost never captured. They are either killed or run away nothing in between really."

"Yeah I know," Tsunade said. "All we can really do then is try and stop them before what ever they're trying to do backfires and the Great Beasts want retribution."

For the sheer sake of changing the subject Shizune asked, "Where is the Youkai that Anbu Team 12 brought back. I would suspect she is being watched rather closely."

"After we talked about the Kyuubi she asked if she could see the Sanctuary," Tsunade said.

"So she's there?" Shizune asked.

"No," Tsunade answered. "I'm still debating on where she stand around here. I agree with Gai's decision when he brought her here and she could be useful against Oto and Orchimaru but I just don't know what to do with her yet. I've asked for advise from Elders and they are deciding if they will take her in or not."

"So where is she?" Shizune asked.

"Currently she's in the forest on the west side of the village," Tsunade answered. "Its pretty isolated around there so villagers are not likely to run into her. She's being watched by some Anbu to make sure nothing happens."

The battle taking place between Kakashi and his team and the Oto-five was not progressing well for the Konoha shinobi and their Suna companion. The Oto-five had gotten the drop on them and had already activated their level one curse seals. The surprise attack forced the team to separate making them easier targets. Currently Kakashi and Sakura were fighting a two on two battle between a woman with a sound generating devise on her arm and another woman with three large rings. The worked extremely well together. Their strategy was rather simple but effective at the same time. The one with the rings would was using chakra strings to control the rings and keep the two Konoha shinobi at bay and every time they tried to maneuver past the rings the one with the sound devise would use it to disorient Kakashi and Sakura. The two women were using their Level One Curse Seal so it gave them an advantage in speed and power. Even with Kakashi Sharingan activated he was having trouble dodging the rings. The sound devise was interfering with his equilibrium. "Still even though we're at the disadvantage their still only toying with us," Kakashi thought. "I may have to use it, but it is so draining and we still need to locate Gaara."

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura said. "Why aren't they attacking us. Their only defending and keeping us at bay. It's like they want to keep us from something."

That was when the objective of the fight came to Kakashi. "You're right Sakura," Kakashi said. "They are keeping us from something or more precisely someone, Sasuke. We need to end this soon and help him."

Mean while not far away Sasuke was crouched behind a tree with his Sharingan activated. He was dealing with two opponents with Level One Curse Seals on his own. The trouble was they did not seem to be interested in attacking to cause major damage. Only minor injuries that would not do much to his fighting ability. "Are they trying to keep me in good condition for Orochimaru?" Sasuke thought. He knew what Orochimaru wanted him for and it made sense that the Snake Sannin would want his 'new body' in good condition. "If I could just keep them in my sight this fight would be over!"

A noise to Sasuke's left alerted him to another attack. He dodged the dozen kunai and shuriken by jumping up onto the tree branch above and sent a counter attack of his own shuriken back at the tree the attack came from. He heard the hitting of wood and a puff of smoke indicating Kawarimi no Jutsu had been used. Sasuke made a fist in frustration as another of his attacks missed. "This is getting me no where," Sasuke thought. "I need to clear the brush to get these guys out in the open!" Forming some quick hand seals Sasuke called out, "Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu! (Grand Fireball)" The large fire ball blazed across the small area of forest burning much of the under brush and low branches away.

As Sasuke surveyed the damaged looking for his enemy he was blind sided by an attack from behind. "Well looks like we'll have to attack you in the open know," a tall muscular man with several tattoos covering his body said.

Sasuke was about to attack the man when another attack caught him from behind. Sasuke turned to see a man with a large scar on his neck with the Level One Curse Seal covering his body. The scarred man started doing hand seals that Sasuke recognized Kamaitachi no Jutsu. He was about to counter the jutsu when a voice behind him called out, "Suiton Suiryuudan no Jutsu! (Water Dragon Blast)" and was slammed into a burnt tree just as several blades of wind started cutting into his body. The odd thing was neither jutsu did all that much damage to Sasuke.

"They're just playing with me!" Sasuke thought. With each attack only doing minor damage Sasuke became more frustrated. To him each attack was a slap in the face at the strength he had gain in the past three years. What was even more frustrating was that they way his opponent were attacking made the Sharingan just about useless. One would always stay out of his line of sight and then attack distracting him. Thus letting the first hit him with another jutsu. "I have to get past them, Itachi is so close!" For a moment Sasuke felt a slight burn coming from the back of his shoulder when he thought that.

Sasuke was about to go on the offensive when he heard, "Konoha Renppuu (Leaf Rising Wind)."

The one with tattoos rose quickly into the air after getting hit by a kick from a person in an Anbu uniform. While he was still in the air a call of "Hakke Sho Sho! (Vacuum Palm)" came out and with his Sharingan activated Sasuke saw the chakra displace the air as it hit the one with tattoos right in the chest.

Sasuke took a moment to observe his two rescuers and recognized the stances they held. One was one he copied three years ago and the other was one he had seen used often enough to recognize as Jyuuken. "Konoha Anbu," the tattooed man stated. "We've lost our chance for now. Send the signal to withdraw." The one with the scarred neck nodded and threw a kunai into the air. Seconds later the kunai exploded because of the explosive tag on it. "Until next time Uchiha Sasuke." He and his partner then disappeared in a burst of smoke.

"Can you see where they went?"

"No, they must have placed an anchor point for the teleportation jutsu outside of my Byakugan's range. We should meet back with the others."

A few minutes later Kakashi's team, Chiyo and Anbu Team twelve were standing just outside of the small forest near a slow moving river. "Thanks for the assistance," Kakashi said. "I take it Tsunade-sama sent you."

"Yes," Neji removed his mask. "Hokage-sama has sent us to assist you in the search for Kazekage Gaara. Do you know where Akatsuki is located?"

"We were following Gaara's scent when we were ambushed by those Oto Shinobi," Kakashi explained. "I can still detect the faint smell of sand and blood in the area."

"So can I," Naruto said removing his fox mask. "It's dissipating so we should get a move on."

"As soon as Sakura is finished checking us for serious injuries we'll move out," Kakashi said. "Naruto and I will take point in order to follow the scent. Neji you and Tenten cover our us from the rear Sasuke and Lee with take the sides with Chiyo-sama and Sakura in the middle." A few minutes later Kakashi and Naruto were sniffing around and soon caught the direction the scent was coming from and they were off.

After a few minutes of jumping from tree to tree Kakashi turned to Naruto, "By the way Naruto where's your sword?"

"I noticed it had some cracks in it after our last mission," Naruto answered. "I didn't have enough time to fix it so I had to leave it behind this time. Didn't want it breaking in the middle of a fight."

Chiyo listened to the conversation but she did not take her eyes off Naruto once. He was the one that came to aide and while she was grateful that was not caused her to hold her attention. It was the way Naruto had appeared…

Chiyo was gasped at what she had just witnessed. Her opponent was about to attack her again as he had knocked away one of her puppets and took the opening it had left in her defense. The shinobi from Oto was just two steps away and was about to thrust a kunai at her when there was a flicker of yellow and suddenly he stopped.

Chiyo was surprised to see the a Konoha Anbu had appeared in between the two and held a kunai to her attacks throat. She recognized the technique from descriptions various Suna shinobi have given in reports some twenty years ago. "Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker)" Chiyo thought. "Konoha's Yellow Flash! The Yondaime Hokage!" For a moment Chiyo thought she truly was going crazy in her old age. Everyone in the shinobi world knew the Yellow Flash had died defeating the Kyuubi fifteen years ago. "No its not him. But who could have learned that jutsu?" Speaking up Chiyo addressed her rescuer, "Anbu who are you?"

"Uzumaki Naruto," the Anbu in the fox mask said. "Don't worry Obasan this trash is dead." A sudden explosion from fifty meters away distracted Chiyo and Naruto enough for the Oto-nin to jump clear and then teleport away….

"Another Yellow Flash," Chiyo thought as she ran next to Sakura. "He even looks like the Yondaime. Could this be his son?" Chiyo only had more questions as the eight shinobi continued towards their destination.

In the dark carver Zetsu addressed the other members of Akatsuki on the results of the ambush by the shinobi from Oto. "They did not appear to be trying to capture Itachi's brother. Only trying to provoke him and distract the other. The Oto-five were driven off by a Team of Konoha Anbu that came to the rescue. It also appears that the vessel for the Kyuubi is with them."

"We still need more time to extract the Itchiubi (One Tail)," the leader said. "We only need to fend delay them for a few hours."

"They will undoubtedly arrive here," Sasori said. "Do we attempt to capture him?"

"No," the leader said. "There are too many others with him. Once we extract the First Great Beast we'll leave this place and the body."

"The question in which of us goes to distract them?" Zetsu asked.

"Kisame and I shall go," Itachi said. "My foolish brother will be easily distracted by my presence and that will keep the others off balance."

"Then go," the leader said. "But only use thirty percent of you chakra. We will need the rest to finish extraction the demon."

The group of eight shinobi was traveling at a quicker pace now that Naruto and Kakashi caught a strong trail of Gaara's scent. Just as they reached a small meadow Kakashi and Naruto caught two additional scents that just entered the area, "There two people up ahead," Naruto reported to the others.

"Byakugan," Neji thought. He scanned forward and immediately turned off his blood limit. "Get down!"

Not having to be told twice all of them hit the grown fast just before a giant wrapped sword spun over their heads. "Looks like I missed too bad," Kisame said as he caught his Samehada.

When Sasuke looked up his anger flared, "ITACHI!" Acting entirely without reason Sasuke activated his Sharingan and Chidori and charged his brother.

"Sasuke no!" Kakashi called out but it was too late as just as Sasuke was about to reach his brother Kisame knocked him into a near by lake and soon had him trapped inside a water prison.

"That idiot!" Naruto said standing up. He glanced to the others standing up and sent Neji an unspoken question.

"The one next to Itachi is the Mizu Bushin (Water Clone)," Neji answered. "The real one is holding Uchiha prisoner."

"No look at Itachi's eyes," Kakashi ordered. "That's how he'd get you with the Mangekyou Sharingan." Everyone turned his or her heads away from Itachi at the order. "Lee, Neji, you two and I will handle Itachi. Naruto, Tenten, Sakura, Chiyo-sama free Sasuke and deal with Kisame."

"Why are they facing Itachi?" Sakura whispered to Tenten.

"They are the best to handle the Mangekyou Sharingan because Kakashi has faced it before and Lee and Neji can use their Taijutsu without looking directly at Itachi," Tenten answered.

The group split into and went for their targets. "The first thing we need to do is free Sasuke," Naruto said. "We can't attack at a distance because we can't risk hurting him. We have to get in close."

"I'm no good at close range," Chiyo said. "However I can use my puppets to get close enough. But I will need a distraction to get them ready."

"I can do that," Sakura said. "I've got just the thing for that."

"Alright after Kisame lets go of Sasuke Tenten and I will handle him," Naruto said. "We were both trained by one of the Seven Swordsman of Kiri and are familiar with the abilities of his sword."

"Agreed," Chiyo said. She was somewhat surprised to hear two Konoha Anbu had been trained by a Kiri shinobi but let that slide. The plan had a good chance of success. "Sakura go!"

Sakura did not hesitate as she ran towards Kisame. Kisame gripped Samehada in preparation to counter Sakura's charge. He also readied more Mizu Bushins to help defend him. When Sakura was close enough she made some quick hand seals, "Doku Gasu! (Poison Gas)" She blew out a large black gas cloud at Kisame.

Kisame was surprised by the attack and had to jump to avoid the attack. As he jumped out of range he saw two puppets coming at him from above. He had no choice but to let go of water prison and grab his sword with both hands. He swung the shark skin blade and cleaved the puppets in half. As soon as he landed however he heard, "Alpha Spin!" and saw Tenten spinning towards him with her sword extended in front of her like a drill. He blocked the attack his sword absorbing the chakra Tenten needed to continue the attack.

What Kisame did not plan on was Naruto and three Kage Bushins coming up behind him. The Kage Bushins grabbed the shark like man while Naruto charged in with his most powerful jutsu, "RASENGAN!" the swirling ball of chakra and wind was thrust into Kisame's stomach and sent flying back. When he did not get back up Naruto relaxed and asked, "How's Sasuke?"

"He's fine," Sakura reported. "How's Kakashi-sensei doing?"

While Naruto and his team went after Kisame. Kakashi, Neji and Lee prepared to fight Itachi and Kisame's Mizu Bushin. "We have to get in close," Kakashi instructed. "Lee, you and I are faster than Neji so we'll charge Itachi while Neji, you take out the Mizu Bushin so it doesn't get in the way." He stepped forward a head of the two young Anbu members, "And remember don't look at his eyes." Without another word he dashed forward with Lee following behind him.

Neji circled to the side with his Byakugan activated trying to get close enough to use Jyuuken. When he saw the Mizu Bushin try and intercept Kakashi and Lee he dashed forward. He aimed his strike at the neck of the Mizu Bushin and after dodging the sword strike he struck the neck and upper chest of the clone. Not more than a second after that the Mizu Bushin dissolved back into water. When he turned his gaze to his companions Neji saw that Lee was attacking Itachi with his eyes closed using a controlled version of drunken boxing and had opened the Initial Gate. While Lee was doing this Kakashi was attacking with several Kage Bushins while he charged up his own Chidori.

"Lee! Move!" Kakashi ordered as Itachi was in the perfect position to use Chidori. Lee quickly moved out of the way and Kakashi drove his hand into Itachi's chest. What surprised him was that instead of Itachi falling to the ground a complete stranger dropped.

"What happened?" Lee asked.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura called. The three turned to see the others coming up. "We beat Kisame but…" she then noticed the dead body of the stranger Kakashi killed. "It happened here too. What's going on?"

"If I were to guess I would say some advanced mind control and Henge was used on these men," Kakashi answered. "They thought and fought like the originals but were merrily being controlled." He then addressed Sasuke, "Sasuke come here." Sasuke obeyed his sensei knowing he screwed up. He looked at Kakashi in the eyes and then dropped to the ground. "I've put him under an advanced sleep jutsu. Sakura and Tenten will stay here and look after him while the rest of us go after Gaara. We can't have him on the mission any longer he is too much of a risk." There was no argument, even from Sakura who was upset at what Kakashi did but said nothing. The remainder of the group left without another word fallowing the scent trail that would lead them to Akatsuki and Gaara.