Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be getting a look at several factions again, including Naruto's group, as they all converge together after going after a single goal. So, without further ado.
Edit: So, someone pointed out that Kurama killed Zetsu, both halves already, something I completely forgot about while writing this chapter, as it's been a while since this story was worked on and some details could be forgotten. It's fixed now and sorry to everyone for the inconvenience, hopefully we won't see anymore mistakes like that.
I own nothing
"There have been reports that the Sanbi has finally reformed, you seven will go to the lake that it's been reported to now be taking residence in. You'll also bring a young boy, Yūkimaru, with you as well, who possesses a unique bond with the Sanbi and should help in capturing it." Orochimaru ordered while looking at Team Guren and Kabuto, who all knelt before the Snake Sannin.
Orochimaru was sending them to capture the Sanbi, due to how it may prove useful to his plans, and as a useful bargaining chip to either the Akatsuki or one of the Hidden Villages. While sending Guren as a means to give her a chance to prove herself again as a vessel for him to take, rather than Satsuki. While sending Kabuto as well, in order to kill Guren should she betray him. The Sannin fully knowing the connection between Guren and Yūkimaru, which is also why he chose her specifically to go.
"We won't fail, Orochimaru-sama." Said Guren, eager for the chance to prove herself and be chosen as her masters next vessel rather than the Uchiha.
Orochimaru nodded, before waving his hand and dismissing them, the team exiting the room, with Satsuki, Isaribi, and Illya stepping out of the shadows. The three having overheard their orders from Orochimaru and now wondered what reason he would want the Sanbi for. Given how it'd likely just put a giant target on his back, well bigger than the one he already has.
"Do you think they'll actually succeed?" Isaribi asked, having only heard about the Bijū and the power they possessed.
"Unlikely, given if Orochimaru knows the Sanbi has reformed, then others do as well. And with how the Hidden Villages consider the Bijū their "property", then Kiri will likely send a team to capture it as well. Resulting in them either failing with the Sanbi escaping in the confusion, or all of them being killed." Replied Satsuki, not to mention the chance of Naruto himself learning this as well, and going after the Sanbi.
"Should we try going?" Questioned Illya, given how she and Satsuki would be able to control the Sanbi with their Sharingan.
"No, it's not our business. And the last thing we need is to get caught up in a possible battle royal, between a Bijū and who knows how many different groups hunting for it." Satsuki said, making the clone and Kaima nod, before they went back to their training.
*Timeskip-Three Days*
*Lake*
Three days after leaving the base, Team Guren and Kabuto had arrived at the lake where the Sanbi was said to be residing, while taking some boats out to the middle of it.
"Alright, you know what to do Yūkimaru?" Said Kabuto as he handed the boy some of his pills to help him release his Chakra, with Yūkimaru nodding as he swallowed them.
"Yes, I know what to do." Yūkimaru replied before crying out as his Chakra flared around him, with waves starting to form in the water, making them all hold on to the edge of the boats, unless they be thrown overboard into the water.
Though they soon spotted a large shape rising up from the water, before a giant tail shot up from the water and slammed back down. The resulting splash forming a large tidal wave that swept away the boats and group, launching them back towards the mainland.
*Hokage's Office*
Meanwhile, within the Hokage's Office, Tsunade was meeting with Team Eight, Team Ten, and Yakumo Kurama, with the addition of an Anbu that Tsunade had assigned as their leader. With his name being Tenzō, though was currently going by the name Yamato.
"We've just gotten word on the location of one of Orochimaru's hideouts, and I'm sending you seven there to investigate it. Along with searching for any sign of Orochimaru or Sasuke. I'll be having backup on standby, should you all encounter more trouble than expected, and do not hesitate to call for it, rather than take any unnecessary risks." Said Tsunade, the group nodding in understanding.
"We'll set out at once Hokage-sama." Yamato replied before the team went to get ready, before heading out to begin their mission.
*Kirigakure*
While in Kirigakure, a similar meeting was being held in the Mizukage's Office. With the newly instated Godaime Mizukage, Mei Terumi, looking at a team she has just assembled together. Consisting of her personal guards, Ao and Chojuro, a squad of Anbu, along with Zabuza Momochi and his apprentice Haku Yuki. The latter two having since been pardoned and reinstated as a Kiri Ninja after officially rejoining the village.
"Three years have passed since Yagura's death, with the Sanbi having finally reformed. I'm sending you all to recover it as soon as possible, Zabuza, you'll be leading the mission. Do whatever it takes to retrieve the Sanbi." Mei ordered, knowing Kiri was still recovering from the civil war and needed as much strength as they could get.
And with Utakata still missing and Yagura now dead, they were without any Jinchūriki or Bijū, so they needed to move quickly to recover the Sanbi before another village tried capturing it.
"Hai Mizukage-sama." Said Zabuza nodding, before the team left to prepare and gather up all the supplies they'll need, knowing this won't be an easy mission.
With Zabuza's mind drifting back to how he and Haku were finally able to return to Kiri and help defeat Yagura and his followers. The Demon of the Mist having accepted a job from a corrupt businessman named Gatō to kill the bridge builder Tazuna. Who had been working on a bridge to help his homeland the Land of Waves be freed from Gatō's control over them. Even hiring a team of Ninja from Konoha as protection against Gatō, and anyone else he'd hire.
Unfortunately for them, they hadn't been difficult for Zabuza to cutdown before killing Tazuna as well, with him and Haku then going to retrieve the Demon Brothers before reporting the completed mission. With Gatō even going a step further and hung Tazuna's daughter and grandson from the incomplete bridge, to further send the message of what would happen to those that go against him.
But then midget tried double crossing Zabuza and his group, leading to them killing him and all of his other hired goons. With even Haku, who normally didn't like killing, having had enough and killed several of Gatō's men, before she then personally killed the fat midget. Due to her being unsettled with killing an innocent person, who only wanted to help his home, even more so when Gatō killed Tazuna's family. With Zabuza actually needing to stop her once they were all dead, seeing the normally peaceful girl still attacking them, even after they already died.
After that, they had taken Gatō's entire fortune before heading to the Land of Water and joining up with the Bloodline Rebels. With the added funds being able to give them the needed gains to push back Yagura and his followers, before finally killing the Mizukage and reclaiming Kiri. Something that made them all happy at finally reclaiming their home and working to make it better.
Now Zabuza was determined to make sure Kiri had the strength to stand again, like they used to, and they'll start by reclaiming the Sanbi.
*Timeskip-Two Days*
*With Naruto*
Naruto, Tayuya, Kin, and Katsumi sat in a clearing with the ravenette Uzumaki cleaning his blade, with the group having just gotten done dealing with a large group of bandits. With the three Ninja having spent the past couple of months since leaving Suna, working on getting back in shape from their isolation. Hunting down bandits, Missing-Nin, as well as anyone else that could help them shake off the rust they've gathered from isolating themselves, and gain the experience needed to properly use their abilities in battle.
Though Katsumi usually just stood off to the side, waiting for them to finish fighting, only getting involved if anyone was stupid enough to try attacking her, only to get incinerated.
With Kin having also practiced with her newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan, and the abilities that it granted her. Learning that her right eye gave her the ability to summon a shadow guardian, that would both protect her from attacks and be able to attack any enemies that she can sense, both independently and on her command. While her right eye allows her guardian to release a loud screech that places anyone who hears it, under a powerful Genjutsu. And together, both eyes allow her to use the Susanoo, though she's yet to be able to manifest it.
So far, she's only used it as a last resort, knowing that overusing her Mangekyō would result in her turning blind.
"Oi, Shithead, what the fuck are we even doing anymore?" Tayuya asked, making Naruto look at her with a raised brow.
"I believe we're getting ourselves to suitable levels." Stated Naruto, making the redhead give him an annoyed look.
"I think Tayuya meant was, what do we do now? We've started getting back up to our previous strength and have since surpassed that, nor do we need to search for Itachi anymore since we know where Satsuki is now, and none of us really care about getting caught up in the problems of the Hidden Villages. So, where exactly do we go from here?" Kin asked, all of them learning Satsuki's name after the memories started coming back to Naruto, once Katsumi finally came clean about her.
With Naruto frowning as he thought about it, and he actually didn't really know what they were supposed to do. Since at the moment, all he wanted to do was find Satsuki, but he didn't know what they would do after. As they couldn't just keep wondering the land collecting bounties or acting as mercenaries, especially given Konoha's proven they won't leave him alone, unless burned the village to the ground. Not to mention the Akatsuki and the other Hidden Villages as well.
But Naruto didn't know what they would do, as he's always just gone with the flow of things ever since leaving Konoha.
"Six." Katsumi said from her spot on the ground, making the three look at her.
"What?" Said Naruto, wondering why she'd say a random number all of a sudden.
"You need to collect Chakra from the other six of my dear siblings. You already have mine, Shukaku's, and Chomei's." Said Katsumi, reminding them of how they cashed in on that debt, Chomei and its Jinchūriki owed her when she had killed Kakuzu and Hidan.
It was a chance encounter, but Katsumi managed to save them when the Zombie Duo tried capturing Fū, while she was returning to Takigakure from taking the Chūnin Exams in Suna. With Katsumi having interrogated and made short work of the "Zombie Duo", before being thanked by Fū and learned that she wasn't that well treated in her village, just like how Naruto had been in Konoha. The Kyūbi had offered her the chance to join her, but she declined and chose to instead go off on her own. It was after they left Suna that they had encountered Fū, with Chomei giving Naruto some of her Chakra at Katsumi's request, similar to what Shukaku had done.
Something Naruto never really understood, what he was supposed to do with it or even why Katsumi had Chomei give him part of its Chakra, in the first place. Since at least with Shukaku, it was understandable. Given that he had helped save the Ichibi's life, as well as a means to be free again.
"What makes you think they'll give me their Chakra?" Questioned Naruto, doubting that the other Bijū wouldn't give him some of their Chakra, not to mention their Jinchuriki as well.
"They will, once they sense you still have some of mine, along with Chomei's and Shukaku's. And you'll know what to do once you have all nine, then an entire world of opportunities will open up for you." Katsumi replied, with the three looking at her.
"…When the fuck did you become mysterious and cryptic?" Said Tayuya, having been under the impression that the vixen was rather straightforward, and wasn't one for bullshit and mysteries.
"I'm a fox, we're supposed to be mysterious and cryptic." Stated Katsumi while smirking at them, before her head suddenly snapped off to the side with her eyes widening.
Before any of them could react, Katsumi shot up and took off through the forest, with the two Uzumaki and one Uchiha following after her, wondering why she suddenly ran off like that. Only for them to soon stop at seeing Katsumi standing on the edge of a lake, with an eager look on her face.
"Mind sharing why you just ran off, like that?" Kin asked as they looked out over the lake, seeing if there was anything that could have caused Katsumi's sudden behavior.
"I just sensed another of my siblings here, and given where we are, I know who it is. Isobu, come out now, or else I'll go in and drag you out!" Replied Katsumi before shouting out towards the lake, with the water soon starting to shake and churn.
With Naruto, Tayuya, and Kin stepping back slightly as soon from the depths of the lake, the gigantic form of the Sanbi no Kyodaigame emerged, looking down at them. With the Bijū looking surprised at seeing Katsumi, before moving up to the edge of the lake.
"Kurama? How are you free? I was under the impression you were still sealed away." Isobu said, the trio looking at Katsumi in confusion at the name, with the vixen smiling at the turtle.
"Well I'm free, for a few years now. It's good to see you back and reformed again. Are you alright?" Asked Katsumi, knowing that reforming was never easy for the Bijū, and could even be worse than death since they aren't even really dead, they simply exist in the remnants of their scattered Chakra until its drawn back together.
"I…I'm fine, it was just…so dark for so long, I couldn't control myself. All I remember is Yagura being confronted by a Masked Man claiming to be Madara, then all there was, was darkness. Then Yagura died and I was freed, but had to reform, I've been staying here, away from people, ever since I was restored." Isobu said, hating how it had been controlled and trapped inside its own body, then having to reform after Yagura was killed.
"Yeah, I know the feeling. But trust me, that will never happen again, I swear it." Replied Katsumi placing a hand on Isobu, knowing the turtle was one of the more timid and kind members of her siblings, despite its appearance and still possessing a temper.
Plus, it also didn't get on her nerves, like most of the others do, so Kurama wasn't going to let Isobu be captured, sealed, or controlled ever again. Not by Kiri, the Masked Uchiha, or anyone else.
"And here I thought only Shithead could make the vixen bitch act all soft. I guess you really are just a fluffy fox under all that stress and aggression." Tayuya taunted, making Katsumi's eyes widen at remembering they were still there, before she saw Kin and Tayuya looking at her with smirks on their faces.
"Sh-shut up! I-I am n-not soft!" Shouted Katsumi as she glared at them with an embarrassed blush on her face.
"It's alright, we won't tell. Besides, we can already attest to how soft you really are." Kin said while smiling wickedly, as the Kyūbi glared at them.
"I will shove my tails so far up both your asses, you'll be tasting fur!" Katsumi growled.
"Don't threaten us with a good time fox! We may just take you up on it!" Cackled Tayuya, with Katsumi growling and felt tempted to send them flying, like she did Shukaku, with Naruto stepping forward before a fight could break out.
"Alright, as fun as it is seeing Katsumi-chan's face match her hair. You mind telling us why the Sanbi is calling you Kurama?" Naruto asked, while looking at Katsumi.
"It's my real name, I simply told you it was Katsumi before, since I still didn't fully trust you or believed you deserved to know. I guess it's fine with you knowing now, given what we are now." Replied Kurama with a shrug, figuring since Naruto's now her mate he deserves to know her true name.
"Kurama…I like it." Naruto said smiling, since it seemed more fitting than Katsumi, before he looked up at Isobu, who'd remained silent while regarding the three warily.
Not trying to attack or escape, since the turtle can sense they don't have any nefarious intentions, along with the fact that Kurama was traveling with them was enough to show Isobu they weren't a threat.
"It's nice to meet you Isobu, I'm Naruto, Kurama's former host. These are my companions, Tayuya and Kin." Naruto introduced, with Isobu nodding slowly at their names.
"…Hello. I can still sense Kurama's Chakra within you, along with Shukaku's and Chomei's, why?" Isobu asked, wondering how Naruto still had Kurama's Chakra and two of their siblings as well.
"I gave him some, so he wouldn't die when I regained my freedom. While Shukaku and Chomei gave him part of theirs as well, after making sure the former was safe, while the latter repaid a debt to me. Also, could you take a less recognizable form, so we don't draw any attention." Said Kurama, with the turtle nodding before it began shrinking down and transforming.
Soon standing in front of the three, was a rather short teenage girl, with pale skin, yellow eyes with red sclera, and long, thick, wavy blue-grey hair with maroon streaks going through it, with bangs covering the right side of her face. Her attire consisted of a blue-grey cropped wide, broad tailed jacket with a maroon interior, collar, a single gold button and large maroon cuffs. She wears blue-grey pants with a dark belt that has a gray buckle and an additional narrow belt under it. Under her jacket is a maroon corset, curved in the middle and at the bottom, exposing her hips. She also wears a multitude of black beaded necklaces, which hung haphazardly around her neck. She was also wearing blue-grey and maroon spat styled under the knee boots, alongside blue-grey gloves. Along with a short skirt with designs resembling a turtle shell and one of her tails poking out from underneath.
"What do you think?" Isobu asked while doing a little twirl and a bow showing off her form, while the three humans were surprised at her appearance.
"You're a girl too?" Kin asked, not expecting Isobu to be a girl as well, but also part of her being excited at the idea of her becoming Naruto's mate as well.
"Technically, neither of us are girls nor do we actually have genders, since the Bijū are just masses of Chakra given life. We just have the option of taking whatever form we like." Said Kurama, with Isobu nodding in agreement.
"Some of us though just choose to remain in our regular forms and be referred to as a specific gender, given we're technically classified as "its"." Isobu added, making the three nod before shrugging it off, since that did make sense.
"Well, how would you like to travel with us, rather than staying in that lake." Naruto offered, wanting to give Isobu the chance to join them, with the turtle not looking eager at the idea, given her previous encounters with humans.
"I'm not sure, since I don't want to be hunted or captured again." Said Isobu, only to be surprised when Naruto nodded in understanding.
"That's fine, if you don't want to join us you don't have to. But the least we can do is take you somewhere safe, where no one will find you. I'll also give you a seal I made, to make it so the Bijū can't be sealed, controlled, bound, or in anyway suppressed. I've already given it to Kurama and Shukaku. Chomei, though, chose to stay with its Jinchuriki, but I still gave her one to use for herself." Naruto replied, not wanting any of the Bijū or Jinchuriki to be hunted or controlled anymore, while Isobu was surprised at hearing this, looking to her sister who nodded in agreement with her mate.
"You did that?" Isobu asked, not expecting a human to do such a thing for the Bijū, with how they only see them as weapons for them to use against their enemies.
"Yes, because none of you deserve to be treated as objects or things. You're live creatures that deserve freedom as much as anyone else does." Stated Naruto, with the Sanbi looking at him in amazement.
"You…sound just like the old man." Isobu said sadly while thinking about their creator, and seeing him in Naruto with the way he spoke.
But before she could give an answer, the groups attention turned to the sound of explosions nearby, with them tensing and looking, sensing several people fighting nearby.
"They're still here?!" Said Isobu upon sensing those humans that tried summoning her earlier, having thought they would have left after she unleashed that wave on them.
"Guessing there are dumbasses here for you?" Tayuya said rhetorically, with the turtle nodding in response.
"Yeah, one of them seemed to possess part of my Chakra and was able to summon me, but I hit them with a tidal wave, thinking that'd discourage them. But apparently not, and it seems more have shown up as well." Replied Isobu upon sensing more Ninja than the ones, who tried summoning her.
"Then we better get out of here, before we end up getting pulled into a fight." Naruto stated, with the girls nodding in agreement before they made their escape.
"We should just kill them now." Said Kurama not wanting to run, especially from humans trying to capture her sibling, refusing to let any of them be captured and turned into weapons, not if she could prevent it.
"There's a time and a place, right now the best thing to do is avoid being found as long as we can. Especially since Isobu is still at risk of being sealed away again, until we manage to put the seal on her." Naruto replied, with the vixen reluctantly nodding in agreement, as they left the area.
*Battlefield*
While the battle that they were trying to avoid was going on between Team Guren, Team Zabuza, and the Konoha Recon Squad. The latter of which now being aware of the Sanbi also being in the area, and knew they needed the backup Tsunade that had in the reserves for them.
Especially, given how strong the Oto Ninja are and the Kiri Ninja that were present. Leading to Hinata sending a message with one of her Snake Summons, having gotten the contract from Anko. All of them only being able to hope that the message gets to Tsunade in time, and she sends the backup as soon as possible.
*Hokage's Office*
Tsunade looked over newest report from the Recon Squad, which was accompanied by one of Shino's insects that was trapped inside of a pink crystal.
'I'd heard rumors of the Shōton, but never thought Orochimaru would have a user under his control.' Tsunade thought, having heard rumors of the Shōton Kekkei Genkai during the Ninja Wars, but never actually saw one in action, only knowing they were incredible dangerous.
The Hokage then looking to Team Gai, Anko, Yūgao, Ibiki and Shizune, the backup team she had assembled for the Recon Squad.
"This missions now jumped up straight to S-Rank, all of you are to join up with the Recon Squad and deal with the Oto Ninja, and the Kiri Ninja if it comes to that. And if possible, capture and seal away the Sanbi, if you encounter it as well." Tsunade ordered, the team nodding before they quickly left to meet up with the Recon Squad.
With the Senju sighing once they left and pinched the bridge of her nose, before looking at her former teacher.
"Do you think that's a smart move? Trying to capture and seal the Sanbi? Especially with the whole mess with Naruto, even more so if he gets involved in this?" Tsunade asked knowing they're already on thin ice with the raven haired Uzumaki, doubting he'd take kindly to them trying to make another Jinchuriki.
"Whether it was smart or not is inconsequential. Even if we don't like it, the Bijū and Jinchuriki are considered as weapons and tools of the Hidden Villages, and as well as deterrents to enemies trying to attack. We're lucky to keep it hidden that Konoha no longer has a Jinchuriki, otherwise our enemies would have tried something by now. If we want to keep it that way, then we'll need the Sanbi." Sarutobi said, making Tsunade look up at the ceiling and sigh, wishing things could be more simple.
"Do you want to…" Said Sarutobi, motioning to the scratchers and raffle tickets Tsunade kept, to test her luck and see how a mission will go.
"No, no, I really don't. Since I can just tell something will go wrong and don't want to find out, just how wrong. But if I were to bet, I just know Naruto's going to be involved somehow." Tsunade said as she held her arm over her face, preparing herself for whatever terrible news the team will bring back once they return.
*With Naruto*
Naruto muffled his sneeze, while annoyed and wondering who was talking about him. With him and his group doing their best to avoid the fighting, and to not be detected by any of the combatants. While also trying to see who it was exactly, that was fighting.
"While I'd prefer if we'd avoid getting caught up in a fight, I know it's likely inevitable we'll get drawn into it. So, it'd be best if we prepared." Said Naruto.
"Does that mean you're finally going to remove your Gravity Seals and weights?" Kurama asked dryly, given how none of them have ever once removed either of the things since they left Uzushio, with the trio freezing before facepalming.
"I can't believe we made such a stupid mistake." Muttered Naruto, having just gotten so used to wearing the Gravity Seals, that he had completely forgotten about them, before he shrugged it off, since now would be the best time to take them off and see the improvements.
"Kin, Tayuya, remove yours as well." Naruto said with the two girls nodding while mentally cursing themselves for forgetting about the seals, too.
"Isobu here." Said Kurama, giving the turtle a copy of her Anti-Submission Seal, that makes it so the Bijū aren't affected by seals, bindings, Dōjutsu's, Genjutsu, and even that damn Mokuton as well.
Taking the seal, Isobu placed it on her left hip, while smiling in relief, knowing she won't have to worry of being sealed or controlled anymore.
The group then moved as close as they could to the battlefield, but not close enough to be detected, to see who's fighting.
"Oh fucking perfect, more tree-huggers." Said Tayuya darkly, still pissed at what the pink bitch did to her.
"At least pinkie and the scarecrow aren't around." Kin said, also still angry, but glad that they didn't see Kakashi, none of them knowing what had happened to him.
"Kiri." Isobu growled lowly, recognizing the Kiri Ninja from her time sealed in Yagura, even when they were controlled by the Masked Uchiha, hating them for killing Yagura, who actually tried befriending her to use her power.
And then they all killed him, not even considering he was being controlled, just believing he was always a tyrant that needed to be stopped. And her as the monster to be sealed away and used as a weapon.
Naruto was also angry at the presence of the Kiri Ninja, remembering Kiri's part in destroy Uzushio and his clan.
Kin and Tayuya then sensed several familiar signatures from Oto, making them curse that Orochimaru's also getting involved as well.
"Great, bad enough we have those dumbasses here, but we have snake-face getting involved too." Tayuya said.
"Lovely, we just need the Akatsuki and we'll have the complete set." Naruto muttered sarcastically, only for Kurama to smack him.
"You just had to say it, didn't you?" Kurama said while glaring at him, knowing he just jinxed it.
*Unknown Location*
Several holographic cloaked figures then sneezed, before Pein called all of them to attention.
"One of our spies in Kirigakure has informed us, that the Sanbi has just re-emerged. As the newest members of our organization, Tobi, as well as Hiruko and his followers, will be sent to capture it." Pein announced.
"Great! Let's go guys, we got a turtle to capture!" Tobi said to Hiruko and his subordinates, all of them being sent to subdue and capture the Sanbi as a "test" to see if they had what it takes to join the Akatsuki.
*With Naruto*
"Yeah, I know, realized it the moment the words came out." Said Naruto as he dragged his hand down his face, knowing he should learn not to tempt fate.
Before he looked back at the fight, seeing how many Ninja from the three factions have shown up, knowing things weren't going to be easy.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Orochimaru, Kiri, Konoha, and Naruto all encountering each other, the former three when they discover the Sanbi and the latter group when they find Isobu who joins them with her own human form after seeing Kurama with them as well. Before they hear the ensuing battle, leading them to get ready for when they inevitably get pulled into it, with the Akatsuki soon making their way there as well. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out