AN: Thank you for all of the reviews – even those that disagree with some of the story decisions I appreciate you sharing your opinion.

My next recommended story is Team 7's Ascension by Eilyfe. The world is much darker and more realistic than cannon. I like to think my Kakashi is very similar to the Kakashi in that story. I highly encourage you to read it!

Chapter 35: Challenge Accepted

Team seven had picked up Kurenai's body, Kakuzu's corpse and the still screaming dismembered body and head of Hidan. Team seven wasn't quite sure what was keeping Hidan alive. The brain needed blood and oxygen to function but evidently Hidan's strange chakra allowed it to operate despite not being connected to a heart and lungs.

The return trip to the village went uneventfully and they reported in. After careful discussion with the T&I unit they released Hidan to their tender mercies. Kakuzu was taken to the hospital and given to Tsunade to perform the autopsy.

Jiraiya had met with them and let them know he would inform Asuma. He also congratulated them on taking down two S-class shinobi. While Jiraiya would rather have Kurenai alive then the potential intelligence they were going to get from Hidan he would not look a gift horse in the mouth. For a long time he had been operating in the dark about the Akatsuki and their true motives. Their cell based operation meant that Itachi didn't know the full scope of the Akatsuki plans. Having intelligence form a different angle would be invaluable.

An emotionally exhausted team seven returned to their base of operations. In two days they would attend the funeral and be out in the village under their real faces.

***BREAK***

Anko had not taken the news of her friend's death well. Kurenai had been one of the few shinobi in the village who didn't ignore her or outright look down on her. As Orochimaru's old apprentice the village had distrusted her ever since his defection. With her being part of the kill team that went and finished him it was getting better but habits were hard to change and Anko wasn't quite ready to forgive and forget.

But Kurenai had been different. She had seen a hurting kunoichi and had comforted her. They had become fast friends. Outside of information she learned as part of her Torture & Interrogation duties she was cut off from village gossip and information. Kurenai had kept her in the loop and they had spent long hours drinking and chatting.

And now her friend was dead. And one of the bastards that had done it to her was in the interrogation cells and she wasn't allowed to pay him back. Ibiki had told her it would not be professional for her to personally take a hand in the interrogation. Anko thought that was stupid.

'The piece of shit regenerates what the fuck are they worried about?'

Anko went to work out some steam in her favorite training grounds, the forest of death. It held no danger for a jonin level shinobi like her. Well that wasn't quite true, it wouldn't be a good idea to take a nap there. Anko worked out her frustrations by turning one of the thick trees into kindling with nothing more than taijutsu strikes.

The snake style of fighting was all about attacking with tremendous force and precision from unexpected angles. It had served her well in the career she had made for herself. Teasing Iruka, chatting with Kurenai and a thorough enjoyment of her job had kept her sane. Teasing Iruka was new. Her job was pleasurable but its joys transitory. Her only real grounding was Kurenai.

And she was gone.

Orochimaru had beaten the tears out of her and even now they would not fall. But she still trembled with regret and rage. After another several hours of tree murder she had spent her rage for a time. In her exhausted state she thought about what made Kurenai, Kurenai. Kurenai was happiest when she was with her team or when she was with Asuma.

'I know you would want me to be happy Kurenai. You told me I should stop teasing poor Iruka and actually ask him out. I still think you're crazy. It's never going to work. But for you Kurenai, I'll give it a shot.'

***BREAK***

The Akatsuki convened using Gentoshin no Jutsu (Astral Projection Jutsu). They had to use this jutsu since not all of their members were in the same geographic location. Pein began, "Kakuzu is dead and Hidan has been captured by Konoha."

Kisame laughed, "The zombie combo taken out? Good riddance."

Pein turned his gaze on Hoshigaki, "You should respect your comrades."

Sasori asked, "Who defeated them?"

Zetsu rasped, "Kakashi Hatake's team."

Kisame grinned and looked over to Itachi, "Hey isn't that the team your kid brother is on?"

Itachi inclined his head.

Deidara looked intrigued but didn't say anything for the moment.

Sasori asked, "Should we try to retrieve Hidan? He was new to our organization but the leaf could still learn too much."

"No. Suna and Konoha are allied; if we attack Konoha it will put our negotiations with the Kazekage at risk. Hidan did not know much enough about our plans to take that risk," Pein replied.

"Hatake's team is getting stronger are you sure you will be able to handle the nine tail's jinchuuriki?" Sasori asked this and looked toward the projections of Itachi and Kisame.

"No problem, 'Kisame replied.

"I do not foresee any issues," Itachi all added.

Pein called the impromptu meeting to a close, "Your current orders are still standing. Sasori you will take over as treasurer."

One by one the projections winked out and the Akatsuki went about their duties.

***BREAK***

Jiraiya sat behind his desk as Ibiki Morino explained the lack of progress with their prisoner.

"Hokage-sama, the prisoner has yet to break during interrogation. Pain affects him but has not caused him to give up any information."

Jiraiya nodded, "Have Inoichi try his hand at it then."

Ibiki bowed and then said, "We still aren't sure how he is actually alive. I'd like to have Tsunade-sama review the rest of his body and head. There may be some medicinal benefits if we can learn how he is regenerating."

"I don't think we will. His chakra is not natural. But it wouldn't hurt go and have Tsunade take a look."

Ibiki bowed and left the Hokage's office.

The funeral would begin soon and Jiraiya was not looking forward to. He hated funerals but as Hokage he had to preside over the fallen.

'There are too many names on the memorial stone already. And I have a feeling before we are done with the Akatsuki there will be many more added.'

***BREAK***

The funereal was a solemn occasion. Kurenai Yuhi was well liked in the shinobi community. The Aburame, Hyuga, Sarutobi and Inuzuka clan were present in numbers. In the academy, young would be shinobi were taught not to show emotions. The academy instructors would be hard pressed to justify that rule if their students were in attendance.

Asuma Sarutobi lost almost all composure. Kiba was right there with him. Hinata and Shino pulled off a neutral façade but even their blank faces had an aura of mourning and barely suppressed pain. It was a day eerily similar to the day of the third Hokage's funeral. While attendance was lighter some of the emotion was stronger. The Sandaime had lived a long and legendary life. He had seen his students become master shinobi and had seen his children and grandchildren grow. Kurenai had died childless, her future cut tragically short.

Death wasn't a rare occurrence for shinobi but this one touched more than most. When it ended team seven filed off while the rest of team eight and Asuma stayed and kept a silent vigil.

***BREAK***

Kakashi and Shikaku were with the Hokage when Asuma stormed into the office. It had only been a day after the funeral and Asuma didn't look like he had slept a wink. The ANBU had let him in because they knew Jiraiya. Jiraiya would not have wanted blood in front of his office because of a grieving shinobi hadn't followed proper protocol when seeing the Hokage.

"Jiraiya-sama I request, no I demand information on the Akatsuki. I am going to hunt every last one of those bastards down and kill them."

The Akatsuki was a secretive organization not a secret organization. They were a mercenary group that was highly skilled and took missions. They had done a lot of work in the Land of Earth and had also collected a number of large bounties. The fact that Asuma knew of the Akatsuki was unsurprising.

Jiraiya sighed heavily as he looked at Asuma's angry eyes.

"The Akatsuki who did this to Kurenai is dead and his partner is being interrogated and will eventually be killed as well. Don't give yourself over to vengeance."

Asuma slammed a hand down on Jiraiya's desk, "No! Kurenai was everything to me. I wasn't there to save her but I will avenge her."

"Vengeance has already taken place. Kakuzu is dead. Hidan will soon follow," Jiraiya countered.

"There are more of them, I refuse to let them live out their lives while Kurenai lies dead in the ground!"

Jiraiya was about to say more but Kakashi spoke up first.

"Actually we do plan on dealing with the Akatsuki but there is a problem with having you help."

Asuma did a double take, "What do you mean?"

"You're too weak."

Asuma exploded, "I'm an elite jonin! I was one of the twelve guardians. I may not be an S-class Sharingan implanted freak like you but I can fight."

Kakashi looked bored. "You're not half bad but you've stopped progressing. You've gotten lazy and against the Akatsuki you just don't cut it. This is the organization that has Itachi Uchiha as a subordinate."

Asuma growled at Kakashi and took a threatening step forward. Kakashi simply looked on placidly. Asuma thought better of attacking someone in the Hokage's office and struggled to regain his composure.

"Jiraiya-sama, Kakashi is wrong. I am strong and if his team can fight the Akatsuki and win then so can I."

Kakashi responded before Jiraiya could. "There are two differences between you and my team Asuma. My team follows my orders and in your emotionally compromised state I don't think you will. The second reason is simple; all of them are stronger than you."

Asuma's jaw dropped for a second and then he laughed. "Your arrogance is amazing. Your team is good but one on one I can take on any of them unless Naruto used the kyubi chakra."

Kakashi stood up, "Asuma the leaf village needs to be strong so I'll make you a wager. If you can beat the opponent of your choosing from my team in a one on one battle next week you'll be part of the next operation against the Akatsuki. However if you lose then you get put on a training schedule devised by Gai and myself. Only after you finish your training will you be allowed to join in any mission against the Akatsuki."

Asuma confidently agreed, "All right Kakashi you have yourself a deal."

Jiraiya asked, "Asuma who do you wish to fight?"

"Sakura," the bearded jonin replied.

Kakashi didn't react and Asuma left feeling as if he had gotten one over on Kakashi.

After Asuma left Jiraiya turned to Kakashi, "He's going to be pretty mad when realizes there is no operation planned against the Akatsuki."

Kakashi gave his Hokage an eye smile. "True but I have a strong feeling we'll have to fight them again. The Akatsuki does a lot of work in the Land of Earth and I know they are going to be itching to send assassins after Naruto. My strategy of faking missions outside of Hi no Kuni isn't going to work forever."

Jiraiya changed the subject to the upcoming jonin trials. "Any surprises?"

Kakashi shook his head, "No, it is gratifying that Iruka feels qualified enough to be a jonin. He was pegged as a career chunin but with some pushing from Naruto he agreed to continue training. Imagine if every Konoha shinobi started to train that way…" Kakashi trailed off in a thoughtful voice.

Shikaku groaned, "Not this again."

Kakashi held his hands up, "Just making a point not starting another argument."

Jiraiya scanned the list again, "Looks like your son is ready as is Neji Hyuga."

Shikaku sighed, "Shikamaru has the intelligence to win if he bothers putting in the effort. His taijutsu is still only chunin level. His Genjutsu detection, clan based ninjutsu and battle field tactics are jonin level."

The discussion drifted onto other village business. Jiraiya and the Mizukage had exchanged correspondence and they were trying to make arrangements for a formal meeting. Neither side had full trust in the other.

Kakashi gave it some thought and finally said, "We're going to have to take a risk if we want this to go beyond letters back and forth. Mei won't come here and it would be too risky to go the Hidden Mist village, but we will have to meet in the Land of Water. Security will be a major issue, I would insist on going with you if that is your decision."

Jiraiya waved him off, "Bah Kakashi, I was surviving ambushes while you were learning how to walk."

Kakashi nonchalantly responded, "I know, you're old that's why I need to protect you."

"Why you…"

Shikaku barked out a laugh, "Walked into that one Hokage-sama."

Jiraiya muttered something about a lack of respect and the three continued to go through the myriad issues that came up when running a hidden village.

***BREAK***

Kakashi broke the news to Sakura the following day during training.

"What do you mean I am fighting Asuma Sarutobi one on one?"

"Maa, you'll do fine."

Naruto showed his support as well, "You can do it Sakura-chan! Asuma is even older than Kakashi-sensei!"

Sakura had to smile at the remark while Kakashi did his best to pretend he never heard it.

"But sensei, I'm low jonin in taijutsu. My ninjutsu is limited to the academy basics and one Katon jutsu. While my Genjutsu is probably the best in the village he knows it and will expect it. Trying to drop a Genjutsu on someone who is expecting it is twice as hard!"

Kakashi simply shrugged, "I guess you'll need to figure out a plan then."

Sakura began thinking about various battle tactics and strategies she could use against the far more experienced jonin.

"Oh and to make it more interesting my cute little chunin, if you lose no fuinjutsu for a month."

Sakura shuddered, "No! You can't be serious sensei. I'm about to make a breakthrough on the chakra limits per kanji dilemma! It could revolutionize how items are stored!"

"I guess that means you have ample incentive to win."

Kakashi turned to Naruto. "While Sakura is preparing for her fight it's time you invent your own jutsu that can harness the extreme amounts of chakra you have access to."

The two left a now utterly motivated Sakura to her thoughts.

Naruto asked, "Hey where is Sasuke anyway?"

"In the village, he had a few people he needed to meet in regards to signing a summoning contract."

Naruto grinned, "That's good but nothing ever beats toads!"

"Having a summon is not just about combat strength. For example the contract I hold allows me to track shinobi as well as any Inuzuka. It's good that you have pride in your allies but don't look down on others."

"Hai Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi had moved to the largest training room in their base. The room was massive and had seals etched along the walls that would prevent all but the most devastating jutsu from causing too much damage.

"Naruto, jutsu are created with efficiency in mind. Some jutsu can have extra chakra forced into them and expand the effects but even then it is wasteful. I want you to create a new Futon jutsu that is both powerful and chakra intensive. A jutsu that only someone with massive chakra reserves can use. That means I'm not looking for some overpowered "Futon: Daitoppa" (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough), I'm looking for something unique."

"What should it do?"

"Massive area effect damage. Both Sasuke and I have assassination techniques for single targets. You also have the Rasengan and your chakra conducting katana. What we need is another large scale jutsu, something even bigger than Raiton: Jibashi Daino (Lightning Release: Massive Electromagnetic Murder)."

Naruto wasn't quite sure how to create his own jutsu and so the two had a long discussion on how it could be done. The hand seals directed the flow of chakra in specific ways. The first step was to imagine how a possible jutsu would function and then find the hand seals that would direct the chakra in that fashion. Jutsu crafters and theorists went through hundreds of different combinations before actually trying something. The process could take years. But Kakashi explained how Naruto had the amazing advantage of being able to test ideas at a much faster pace thanks to his clones.

"Naruto you've come a long way in the intelligence and knowledge department but I don't expect you to be a jutsu crafting genius. Instead I want you to try to anything that seems like it could work and through simple brute force numbers come up with something viable."

"My father created awesome jutsu and I am going to too! Believe it!" Naruto was confident in his eventual success.

Kakashi was pleased with his enthusiasm. "I'm sure you will Naruto."

***BREAK***

Sasuke chose to seek out Konohamaru first. It was written in the accounts of the kyubi attack that Enma the monkey had been summoned by the Sandaime. He had transformed into a diamond hard adamantine staff that had enough power to knock back the nine tailed fox. That kind of power was appealing to him after his clash with Iwa's jinchuuriki.

He waited for Konohamaru to finish his day at the academy. The boy would be graduating soon and Sasuke dropped down next to him and his friends. He inclined his head slightly and said, "Konohamaru Sarutobi I would like a few moments of your time."

Konohamaru looked startled and said, "Hey aren't you Naruto's teammate? Is he back in town? Why doesn't he ever visit me anymore! I'm his rival you know."

Sasuke smirked at the idea that the kid was a rival to Naruto.

"I can pass along your questions to Naruto. But I wanted to talk to you about something else."

"Like what?"

"I'm an incredibly talented ninja. I guarantee you that I'm better then whoever they have training you is. What I'm offering is private lessons from me. I know jutsu that they wouldn't even dream of teaching you until you reached chunin. I can help tutor you and make sure you are ready for the very first available chunin exam."

Konohamaru's eyes were shining. Sasuke Uchiha had a reputation. He was the last Uchiha, the top ranked member of his academy class. He was a natural genius, wielder of the Sharingan and on the deadliest team in the village. The chance to train with him was an excellent opportunity.

"I'm interested. What do ya want in exchange?"

"I want to sign the monkey contract."

Konohamaru opened his mouth in surprise. He then looked down, "Sorry but that isn't an option."

"Why not?"

"The monkey clan has been in my family since before there was a Konohagakure. We have never allowed any shinobi outside of our family to sign. Sorry but I cannot allow it."

Sasuke was taken aback by the firm rejection.

Konohamaru kept talking, "But I'm still interested in training! I don't know a lot of jutsu but I do know one called the sexy jutsu that…"

Before Konohamaru could even finish Sasuke disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

***BREAK***

If Sasuke couldn't have the monkey contract then he would settle for his second choice. The snake contract had a lot to offer. Not being able to summon Manda would be frustrating especially since Naruto could summon the toad chief but it would be better than nothing.

The current holder of the snake contract was Anko Mitarashi. She normally worked with Konoha's Torture & Interrogation department but was currently on leave. That meant he had to track her down. He eventually found her in a secluded training area sparring with Iruka.

Sasuke watched with his Sharingan. Iruka had improved significantly. His taijutsu strikes were swift and had power behind them. His Suiton ninjutsu wasn't flashy but it was quite effective defensively. Sasuke applauded the fast creation of a water clone to accept the blow of dozens of snakes that had poured out of Anko's sleeve. The real Iruka had counter attacked and Anko had been forced to break off her attack.

The two noticed Sasuke and called a halt to the spar. Iruka spoke first, "Ah Sasuke what can I do for you?"

"Actually I came to talk with Anko-san."

Iruka blinked, "Oh all right." Iruka looked slightly unsure of himself but he cleared his throat and then said, "Anko did you still want me to uh…"

Anko smiled, "Of course and you better not be late!"

Sasuke saw heat enter Iruka's cheeks and he quickly waved goodbye to the both of them and used a shunshin to beat a hasty retreat.

Anko had a smiled in the direction he had gone.

Even if Sasuke wasn't a genius it was obvious the two had something going on between the two of them. Sasuke however was the last person to care about who was dating who in the village and didn't comment.

"All right brat what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I'll be direct. I want to be a signer of the snake contract."

Anko was taken aback by the request. With Orochimaru's death the snake contract had reverted to her, she was now the human link to the snake clan. She could add signers on if she wished. It actually didn't cost her a thing either. Most snakes served the holder of the contract based on strength. In snake society, the weak served the strong. If you summoned a snake that thought you were weak it could get extremely ugly. Before Orochimaru had turned against the leaf he had told her the history of the snake contract and how in the past several shinobi had lost their lives to their own allies.

"Hmm there are some things I should explain about the snakes first. They aren't like the toads, slugs or monkeys. They only respect power. But if you feel it's worth the risk I'll let you sign on one condition."

Sasuke had expected some sort of quid pro quo. "And that is?"

Anko sighed, "Tell Kakashi to get over it. I know I screwed up on the Orochimaru mission but I'd like him to go back to the way things were before."

"What do you mean?"

Anko explained, "Most of the village hates me. Half think I'm some sort of traitor and the other half think I'm a psychotic torture happy home wrecker. Kakashi was one of the few who would treat me just like any other shinobi. We weren't friends or anything like that but it was nice to have someone who treated me like what I am. A kunoichi who serves her village to the best of her ability."

"I'll see what I can do but that seems reasonable enough. Tell me more about the snake contract and I'll talk with Kakashi tonight."

AN: Sorry about the constant scenes changes but there were a lot of perspectives I wanted to get in. Team eight will be addressed more in the next chapter.