Ah, i had to pump out the last few pages of this. Looks like the one page-one episode rule I came up with is a lot harder to work with when you're reading manga or watching youtube. Anyways, I think this chapter will be more interesting, it's surprising how near the climax is, heh heh heh.

Disclaimer: is everyone ready to see Naruto's sage rage? I know I sure as hell am.


Speed of the seal

"C'mon, faster!" Kisame said, tapping his palm with the back of his hand, "That the best you can do?"

"Damn it, this isn't easy!" Naruto replied, as he ran through all of the hand seals, "Why the hell does this matter anyway?!"

"The point between creating and using a Jutsu that's most dangerous is using the seals." Kisame replied, shrugging an unconscious and gourdless Gaara back onto his shoulder, "So you gotta make sure the time it takes is next to nothing, now FASTER!"

"Gah!" Naruto cried, as he resumed the training, "Ne! Ushi! Tora! U! Tatsu! Mi! Uma! Hitsuji! Saru! Tori! Inu! I!"

"Now reverse!" Kisame ordered, hurriedly.

"I! Inu! Tori! SarUUAAAH!!!" Naruto cried out, as he suddenly got a cramp in both his hands. He began wringing them out madly, cursing to himself as the pups danced around him.

It was the day after Kisame and Gaara had their fight, yet the red haired boy was still to regain consciousness. Kisame assured Naruto it was just chakra exhaustion, and stated that even the Ichibi would be taking a nap after that. However, when he thought he heard a content sigh coming from Samehada, he couldn't help but feel unease.

They made their way over a rocky ridge, the world to either side a shallow decline of grey boulder and stone. The trees had all but disappeared, one could hardly believe that this was still the Land of Fire. The harsh sun stared at them from above, its piercing gaze bringing dry tiredness to the already fatigued Naruto. The lack of a breeze forbade him any relief, and the scattered path they walked across wasn't exactly easy on the feet. The pups knew this discomfort especially well, their still soft paws were more used to the soft earth of the caves they were born in, compared to the warm stones which made this road.

"Alright, give your hands a rest for now." Kisame said, rolling his eyes, "We'll work on your Kenjutsu, starting with stance transference. Don't bother with the feet, just the hands."

"Right." Naruto replied, sliding Eko from his sheath. He loosely tied the pups' leash around his belt, before taking the katana in both hands. He watched Kisame intensely, awaiting the drill he had become familiar with during their first trip. The older Shinobi kept his eyes ahead though, watching the distance and taking a slow, deep breath.

"Seigan!" he barked. In an instant Naruto responded, flicking Eko up so the hilt was near his waist, while the tip level with his shoulders. He straightened his back and relaxed his hands, "Tenchi! Hasso! Daijodan!"

Naruto followed the instructions perfectly, first raising Eko so that he was completely vertical, and above where his knee would have been. Then he lifted the blade higher, so that the hilt was next to his neck. From there he raised Eko above his head, tilting it back roughly forty five degrees. He looked at Kisame for the next instruction, but only saw his sensei smirking.

"Alright, looks like you've learned all the stances anyway." he said, "Then next-"

"Gah…" Gaara groaned, as his eyes fluttered open. Kisame glanced over his shoulder at the young boy, grinning broadly.

"Look who's finally awake." he said, shrugging Gaara onto his feet. He kept a grip on the boy's shoulder until he was sure he had his balance, before continuing on, "Naruto-kun, get him something to eat will ya?"

"On it." Naruto replied, sliding Eko back into his sheath. He then reached into Gaara's satchel, which he had also been carrying since the owner was out, and handed him a pack of dried meat. Gaara, who had a hand pressed against his forehead as he regained awareness, accepted the pack silently, "You feeling alright?"

"I'm fine." Gaara replied, begrudgingly. He tore open the pack and took out a string of meat with his teeth. He then took it in his hand and tore it off, chewing thoroughly.

"Anyway, we'll be reaching a good spot for some training soon." Kisame said, from his position ahead, "A good place for focusing."

"What kinda place is it?" Naruto asked, speeding up to catch up with Kisame.

"Eh, just a quiet little grove." Kisame replied, with a shrug, "However, it is guarded by a small group affiliated with Konoha."

"Konoha?!" Naruto repeated, "What does that mean?"

"Just that if we stick around there too long we might have some company." Kisame replied, evenly, "Then again, that could be an opportunity for some good Kenjutsu training."

"I think you and I see good opportunities differently." Naruto said, tiredly, "Couldn't we just go someplace that isn't guarded?"

Kisame chuckled to himself, shaking his head. Naruto continued to feel his exasperation, knowing full well how hard it was to change this person's mind.

"We'll go to that place." Kisame said, definitively, "We'll have at least a day or two there before anything should happen, the guards won't trouble us right away. They're a cowardly bunch, and they don't want to admit to what they've been guarding. It'll be fine until they send out a message to the leaf."

Kisame suddenly turned his head to the sky as a fluttering sound came in. A small carrier pigeon flew through the air towards them, straight for Kisame. The missing-nin raised his hand in the air, and the bird landed on it, giving a hooting announcement. With a cocked brow, Kisame reached up and removed a small scroll attached to the bird's leg, before flicking his wrist and shooing the bird away. He then unwrapped the scroll, studying the minute writing closely.

"Hmm… how interesting." he muttered, as he scanned the writing. After few seconds, he wrapped the scroll again and slipped it inside his cloak, before continuing on as if nothing had happened.

"What was that?" Naruto asked, watching his sensei curiously.

"Just a little update on something." Kisame replied simply, "Though it certainly sounds like a good opportunity."

"What is?" Naruto asked again, persistently.

"It's no matter right now." Kisame said, his tone dropping, "Practice your seals again."

"Ugh, alright." Naruto grumbled, tensing his hands again.

* * * * *

Neji sat on the rooftop of the Hyuga clan's main household, basking calmly in the sunlight. He rested his arms on his knees, serenely gazing into the courtyard below. Among the passing breeze carried the sound of a girl's grunts of effort, and the sound of wood being struck.

He watched Hyuga Hinata as she trained diligently, striking a large wooden post with her open palm. Her back was to him, she stood in the shadow of the post as she attacked it. Neji didn't need to see her face to know she was using her Byakugan, it was clear that she was trying to get as much out of her free time as possible. However, she was missing points and slipping up quite often, it was clear she was distracted, and just as obvious why. Neji was within the range of her eyes after all.

"Good morning, Hinata-sama." he said, making his presence known. Hinata came to a stop, turning around to look at him. Her Byakugan faded away, and her arms rose to her chest as she nervously looked up at her older cousin. She found eye contact too difficult though, and soon broke it.

"Good morning, Neji-niisan." she whispered, her quiet voice only just reaching Neji's ears. Neji placed his hand on the slates of the roof and slid down, landing neatly on the ground. Hinata flinched from the sound of him touching the floor, but he could see she was trying her best to remain calm.

"You seem to have recovered well." he said, in a soft tone.

"Y-yes." Hinata replied, looking to her right as her fingertips brushed each other, "I was told I could go on missions again soon."

"Is that a good idea?" Neji asked, leaning against the wooden column to his left, "It looks like you're losing your focus."

"No, I'm fine." Hinata replied, looking off to her left this time. Neji sighed, he could see just from looking at her that she didn't believe her words either.

"Very well then, do not allow me to disturb you." he said, gesturing for her to continue. Hinata paused hesitantly, turning away with frequent glances to Neji. But she then had her back to him, and after a few uncertain breaths, she calmed herself as best as she could. She raised her hands in a seal, focusing her chakra.

"Byakugan!" she called. Neji felt her brief chakra spike, and a faint smirk appeared on his lips. He watched as his timid cousin readied her stance, revealing her palms to the post. She reached back, readying a strike, but then paused.

Thump… thump… thump… thump…

Neji didn't look to find out who it was walking behind him, he didn't need to. There were very few here that would so leisurely walk through this place, and of those few there was only one who could make Hinata hesitate like that. Her father.

"Is there a reason you are here, Neji-san?" the voice of Hyuga Hiashi asked, as the footsteps came to a stop.

"I am currently overseeing Hinata-sama's training, Hiashi-sama." Neji replied, without looking back. He felt Hiashi's eyes linger on him momentarily, before the sound of footsteps came and slowly went again. Hinata hadn't moved in the slightest, even after her father had left. Neji read her thoughts, and straightened up. He stepped down into the courtyard, aware that even with the Byakugan Hinata barely noticed him, "You know something Hinata-sama?"

Hinata looked at Neji in surprise, taken aback by just how casual both his tone and movements had become. Her Byakugan disappeared once more, and her stance lowered back to the uncertain one.

"What is it, Neji-niisan?" she asked, as he drew nearer to her.

"It's surprising really." Neji said, in a relaxed manner, "Sasuke-kun seems to have quite some respect for you."

"Huh?!" Hinata exclaimed, shock breaking her nervousness, "What- I- I don't know what you – mean!"

"He was quite upset after the preliminaries." Neji explained, stepping around to a tall, decorative rock and leaning against it, "He didn't like the way I dealt with our match."

"Oh… is that true?" Hinata asked, her gaze and tone lowering as she recalled why she'd been nervous in the first place. Neji cocked his head at her slightly, his smile widening.

"You know Hinata-sama, though you may be overly timid and gentle, I have to admit I admire your tenacity." he said, earning a look of surprise from the girl, "Is it because of Hiashi-sama?"

"I-" Hinata began, before faltering. It seemed what little confidence she had left was breaking down around her, just as Neji had expected.

"This is why I told you that you should quit being a ninja." he said, folding his arms, "Doing all of this merely for Hiashi-sama's approval will do you no good in the end."

Hinata dropped her gaze, not wanting to look into Neji's eyes. Even for a Hyuga, his were especially penetrating.

"I- I know I can do it." she said, tentatively, "If I can show him that- that I'm worthy… then maybe…"

Neji straightened up suddenly, causing Hinata to stop mid sentence. The look on his face suggested nothing, and as he walked towards her, Hinata felt herself swallowing hard. His eyes weren't upon her, but somewhere behind her. Yet that didn't give her the slightest feeling of ease.

"As you wish." he said, as he passed her by. Hinata's eyes widened in surprise as she felt his hand pat her head, "Then please do your best."

Hinata, stunned, stood quite still as Neji disappeared through an awning into the street. It wasn't for several moments until she looked back, her eyes looking a pair of full moons.

"Niisan?" she wondered aloud, with a bewildered expression.

* * * * *

"Is this it?" Naruto asked, peeking through the thick bushes.

"Yeah." Kisame replied, stepping out from the wilderness casually, "Don't bother hiding, even the guards aren't allowed in here."

Naruto cast a glance around, before getting to his feet and climbing out. They stood in what looked like a vast grove, green grass running around a large, crystal blue pond. A thin stream ran into the pond, disappearing through the trees up ahead. Off to the distance, many tall and snow capped hills could be seen, greyed as they were by the horizon. Naruto took a look around, but his eyes eventually fell on Kisame, who was heading in a very specific direction.

In the centre of the pond, on a small outcrop of land, there stood a tall and well grown tree. It cast several thick branches across the pond, creating what looked like a dome shape atop quite a portion of the water. Jade leaves covered the many intertwining branches, though because of the season some had fallen to float atop the water's surface.

"Over here." Kisame said, stepping onto the water as he walked towards the tree. Naruto glanced back as he heard Gaara walk through the bushes, before the two of them moved to join their sensei, "You see this tree?"

Naruto and Gaara stepped onto the outcrop, standing behind Kisame. They both looked over the tree, neither able to see anything of interest.

"What is it?" Naruto asked, looking up and around, "There something here?"

"Yeah, the tree."

Naruto reached back and flicked Eko's hilt, something he came to find annoyed Eko to no end. He stepped closer to the tree, looking up and down it blankly.

"The bark doesn't line up." Gaara concluded, as he stood at Kisame's other side.

"Right." Kisame confirmed, reaching out with his hand. Naruto watched as he ran his finger across what seemed to be a long, thin scar which seemed to course right around the tree, "They cut this tree down, remove a layer of wood, and just stick it back on with a good Jutsu."

"What for?" Naruto asked, as he touched the scar as well.

"This place… call it a lab." Kisame answered, with a grin, "This tree is a prototype. You remember when we first began nature manipulation training, that piece of paper?"

"Yeah…" Naruto replied, casting his thoughts back, "You mean this tree is…"

"Nah, that was another one." Kisame said, shaking his head. He placed his palm on the bark and looked up to the higher branches, "This is a different kind of tree. A very different kind."

Gaara turned away from the tree, his interest failing quickly. Inversely, Naruto began looking at it wondrously, Kisame's words alone piquing his intrigue.

"So what's the deal?" he asked, growing impatient with his sensei's stalling.

"That other tree has been modified to identify the nature of a person's chakra." Kisame explained, lowering his hand and turning to Naruto, "This one however, has been created to amplify the quality of that chakra."

"What?!" Naruto exclaimed, taking a step back, "Seriously?!"

"Yes." Kisame replied, noticing Gaara's disinterest, "But more than that, it could potentially cut the time taken for nature training by about a third."

Gaara's tension spoke more than an expression ever could, and Kisame's expression said more than his words. He knew he once more had the boy's attention, and went on.

"The purpose of this tree is to allow Shinobi to master nature manipulation early, and also to create weapons which will gain power perhaps equal to the Ekokaeten."

At these words, Naruto's expression slipped. Behind him, he sensed that Eko felt the same as he did. Power equal to Eko's…

"Naturally, our objective is to destroy this tree." Kisame said, slapping it with his palm, "But before we do that, why not get some use out of it, and perhaps take a souvenir as an extra bit of help?"

"A souvenir?" Naruto repeated, "So, we're taking some of the tree?"

"Just enough to give an advantage." Kisame replied, with a shrug, "But for now, we'll get to training."

He looked back to give Gaara instruction, but to his surprise the boy already had a leaf clasped in his hands, his brow furrowed in deep concentration.

"Heh, not bad." Kisame commented, before looking at Naruto, "Well what are you waiting for? GET TO WORK!"

"Gyah!" Naruto cried, jumping back, "Hai!"

* * * * *

It was surprising, but Kisame had been right. Even though they spent most of the rest of the day there, not once were they disturbed. The sun had fallen down to the other side of the sky, and now loomed over there as it gave the land one more look over. If there was anything out of place, aside from the lack of wildlife, it was the slash marks now cut into the ground, and some of the surrounding trees. Naruto pressed his palm against the bark of one of those trees, sweat dripping down his face as he panted for breath.

"Alright, we'll stop here." Kisame said, placing Samehada back on his back, "Continuing won't do any good."

"Alright." Naruto exhaled, sliding down to sit against the tree.

From the bushes behind, Koyane and the others appeared, padding up beside him. each of them took the place he lay to be the place they sleep, and so they too lay down on the ground, taking a rest from their less meaningful day. Kisame glanced at them as he sat down at the tree next to Naruto, smirking to himself.

"You wanna explain how your swordsmanship is so sloppy?" he asked, with deserved arrogance, "Last I checked, you had at least some skill with Kenjutsu. Now you're just flailing around like a moron."

"Hah… sorry Kisame-sensei…" Naruto replied, his chest heaving. He watched Gaara, who still stood on the outcrop with the leaf clutched in his hands, "I guess I got a little distracted."

"Lemme guess, you got too friendly and it made a mess of things." Kisame said, with a knowing look.

"Ah… well…" Naruto replied, his reason for sweating suddenly becoming nerves. He didn't exactly want to go into details about the events around his meeting Rika, or more precisely, his losing Eko, "Yeah."

"What an idiot." Kisame grumbled, "Didn't I teach you the only person you need close is the one in front of your blade?"

"That's not exactly the greatest philosophy." Naruto muttered in reply. He shuffled slightly, so his arm was resting on his knee, "But… I did screw things up."

Kisame nodded sagely, bowing his head to his chest. Naruto let his hand hang limply, his breath coming back but his expression didn't relax. He seemed lost in thought, his eyes faraway and his expression showing nothing.

"You know that if this tree isn't destroyed, it'll only aid Konoha?" Kisame said, the collar of his cloak hiding his face. Naruto nodded, something Kisame noticed from the corner of his eye, "You wanna be the one to take it down?"

Naruto paused, looking past Gaara and straight at the tree. He thought about what this tree could do, and how it could benefit Konoha. He remembered what the ANBU squad that intercepted him had told him, that Iruka was still alive. And then he remembered that dream he had, with Haruno Sakura, and old man Hokage. For some reason, that dream had stuck pretty firmly in his mind. Particularly, the point where he turned from Zetsu and fled back to the village. He thought about it.

"Yeah." he said, quietly, "I'll do it."

"Good boy." Kisame replied, with a smile, "Make sure and break it nice and good. Do a good job and I'll reward you."

"Sure." Naruto replied, as he slid further down the tree so that he was lying with his back to Kisame. He faced the pups, seeing their open, black eyes looking at him. He reached out with his hand and touched Shinmaru on his wet nose, before closing his eyes.

* * * * *

It was quiet that night, with the full moon cast across the sky. Most everyone had settled in for the night, with only the new Hokage and the night guards still awake. At least, as far as anyone could tell, that was the case.

All along the Hyuga compound, there was peaceful silence. Along the districts belonging to the branch family members, very few still had lights on. In fact, there were probably more people awake in the main household than there was in the entire compound besides. Inside one of the rooms of the main household, Neji knelt on the ground across from the leader of the Hyuga; Hyuga Hiashi.

Neji patiently watched the familiar face of his uncle, silently despising how identical he was to his dead father. It almost felt like a mockery. He had the same long, brown hair of any Hyuga, and the pale eyes of the clan too. But the strong chin, thin lips and pronounced cheekbones were all familiar to him as his father's, Hyuga Hizashi. In fact, if there was any difference at all between the two, it would be that scowl that seemed permanently set on Hiashi's face. It was a look Neji had never once seen in his own father, and the one reminder that this person wasn't he.

"You hide your feelings well, Neji-san." Hiashi said, as he knelt down in front of Neji, "But you forget that I am much more experienced than you."

"I'm sure it is just the light, Hiashi-sama." Neji replied, bowing his head. Hiashi studied him for a moment, fully confident in his own perception.

"I see." he said, casting his eyes to the candles on the wall to his left, "And yet you so diligently showed otherwise against my daughter."

Neji looked Hiashi in the eye, feeling the great desire to smirk at this moment. But he restrained himself, a surprisingly easy feat when it was this man that was before him.

"I merely agreed with your views, Hiashi-sama." Neji replied, "Hinata-sama is ill-suited to be a Kunoichi, if I may be so bold."

"You may." Hiashi said, with a nod, "Her mother was much too soft on her, believing that our next would be a son and rightful heir."

"I'm sure if need be, Hanabi-sama would make a fine heir."

"Perhaps so. But I would say it's too early to tell for that." Hiashi agreed, "However, this is irrelevant to my reason for summoning you here."

"I see." Neji said, hiding his curiosity with his manners. He had been quite surprised to be summoned by Hiashi, without the faintest idea as to a purpose.

"There is a matter I wished to speak to you about." Hiashi said, reaching into his dark grey robes and pulling out from it a scroll, "It is regarding the situation of your father's death."

At this mention not even Neji could hold back a twitch of his brow. His eyes fell on the scroll that was laid between him and Hiashi. The elder Hyuga raised his eyes to him, and Neji begrudgingly did the same.

"Is there something I wasn't clear of?" Neji asked, his tone failing him slightly.

"Indeed." Hiashi replied, with a nod, "To be completely honest, this was not something I wished to ever have to discuss with you. It never seemed likely that you would believe me anyway. However, considering the current situation of the village, I feel it would be best if I wear to tell you this now. You see… these were your father's last wishes."

* * * * *

Neji slid the door to the Hiashi's room shut, turning out onto the wooden walkway next to the courtyard. The lights inside had dimmed and gone, and there was silence once more in the night. His face was blank, yet his eyes were distant. Quietly, he walked along the wooden platform, watching his feet with each step.

"Neji-niisan?" he heard a quiet voice. He raised his head with a look of slight surprise, but soon it disappeared behind his usual lack of expression.

"Hinata-sama." he said, bowing his head, "Hello again."

"Where you meeting with father?" Hinata asked, looking past him to the dark door, "Oh… he is sleeping?"

"I- yes." Neji replied, with a nod, "It seemed better that we both retire."

"Oh." Hinata sounded, with a dejected look. Neji spotted the steaming cup in her hands, it looked like she was bringing it to her father, "I see. Well, I'll give this to him anyway, father doesn't rest easily."

"Very well then." Neji replied, stepping aside, "Please go on ahead."

Hinata nodded, walking slowly past Neji as she tried not to spill the contents of her cup. Neji watched her as she passed, a calm look appearing on his face.

"Farewell, Hinata." he said, as he turned and walked away. Hinata whirled around in surprise, her cheeks reddening from being referred to so casually. Her surprise lasted only a moment though, as hot tea spilled over her fingers. She gasped in shock, almost dropping the cup onto the floor. When she looked up again, Neji was gone.

"Niisan?" she whispered, for the second time today. But there was no sign of him, it was almost like he had never been there in the first place. She looked over for just a second more, before turning around and continuing on her way. She had only spilt a little tea, there was still plenty to drink. She reached the door and carefully slid it open, poking her head inside, "Fath-"

She dropped the cup, barely noticing as it hit the floor and threw hot tea onto her feet. She cried out in shock as she looked at Hyuga Hiashi, writhing on the floor and clutching his eyes. Vomit poured from his lips as he choked on his own fluids, his very groans barely heard over them.

"Father!" Hinata cried, rushing to his side.