The constant running wasn't a problem, not at all. The problem was that he couldn't find a single person worth carving up. This damn mist wasn't helping either.

"Faster Kenny! Faster!" Yachiru laughed constantly in his ear.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Kenpachi asked barging through the mist not knowing if anything was in front or around him. All he knew was there was nothing from behind from where he came.

"A' course it is! You just listen to me!" she waved her hands and feet from his shoulder.

"You haven't been here before, how do you even know?" his eye rolled up to her.

"I know better than you do Kenny. If you listened to me, we wouldn't be lost in this mist right now."

"But you're the one who told me to come in here!" he roared though she only laughed his anger away. She had told him they were hiding inside and he followed her word, but now she only told him to continue on once more. Grunting, and with no other choice he obeyed his lieutenant, and he would be glad he did.

He didn't know how long he had been running in the mist, and even though he only had one eye on the lookout he still thought he could see things. Ominous mountains in the distance only played tricks on him, but the closer he got the larger they appeared, and with smaller rounder ones were beneath them. If he squinted he, thought he could even see a small speck resembling a person flying through the air from above, ahead of him by a good measure and getting further away from him before it disappeared in a blur. His lieutenant was surprisingly quiet about all of it, that was until he ran right through a slab of rock.

Colliding through it without a scratch on him and erupting onto the other side, Yachiru could only laugh and gloat.

"You need to watch where your going Kenny!" Ignoring her, he looked around to see what was around him.

It was not rock he quickly found out. No, it was a wall, and he just burst through it to come out the other side. And being on the other side now he got to see what the wall was hiding.

He had found a city.

And Yachiru was the first to let him know it.

"See I told you Kenny! I told you! You should listen to me more often!" she cheered innocently. Kenpachi continued to look around, and Yachiru was cut off from her giggling as alarms began to ring out and the two of them were suddenly swarmed from all sides cornered by the hole he had just made. In anticipation Kenpachi reached for his sword, while Yachiru cheerfully waved to the new crowd. "Hi there!" she said happily though none of them returned her courtesy. She then turned to her Captain "Are they all here to fight you Kenny?" she asked him.

"Let's hope so" he grinned. This is what he came here for. What ever the old man or the soul king wanted could wait. He wanted a fight.
But none of these guys seemed the type to make a move. They might as well have been statues or rocks the way they stood there. They probably would rely on their numbers to take him out. That wasn't what he was hoping for, but it may have to do for now. "Alright" he reached for his sword "Who here's strong enough to challenge me!" he called out eagerly. But his enthusiasm began to fade when he received no response.

If he had known who had only just flown off shortly before he arrived perhaps he would know why they were so on edge.
His call went unanswered at first. But then the group began to shift and move, not towards him, but amongst themselves. Then from the back of the group they began to part; someone was making their way through. Making their way to him.

His smile grew a little wider at the renewed prospect of battle. Someone it seemed had the courage to face him. His eye widened as the crowd thinned out and he saw the gap in it coming closer to him. Finally the edge of the crowd parted and the opportunity finally presented itself... in a small little boy.

Now appearances don't mean anything about fighting potential, but if he had wanted this he'd have gone to Squad Ten. Needless to say this wasn't what he had in mind. His grin faded again, but he began to study this would be opponent. But that large bandaged plate sitting on his back had two hilts poking over his shoulder and that might be worth his while.

Readjusting the glasses on his face the boy looked up towards Kenpachi and it was certainly a terrifying sight.

He shook in his place as he glared him down with only one eye. And what was with that little girl?

"I-" the boy opened his mouth, but ended up mumbling the rest. His voice was whiney and uncertain. Kenpachi cocked his head in interest while Yachiru waved at him. They weren't the only ones giving him weird looks though as even those he had come here with seem unimpressed. He spoke up again "I-I am Chojuro. One of the Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Mist" the boy meekly proclaimed. Yachiru leaned up higher on Kenpachi's shoulder, putting a hand to her ear to help her hear him better but to no avail.

Kenpachi raised a brow "That supposed to mean something to me?" he said dryly. Coming from a military organization built on swordsmanship, the title he just regurgitated to him did little to impress.

"Ohhh you mean you never heard of me?" Chojiro shrunk in his place. "I mean -I'm the only member of the seven left. The most elite fighting force of the mist" he proclaimed timidly. But with that reveal Kenpachi's lone visible eye shot open.

Now that was an interesting development. His mouth grew back into a grin though this one was twisted.

"Well.. now you might be worth something" his voice rose, excitement evident in it. His hand had gripped his hilt this whole time did so tighter and he finally released it swinging it outward to reveal it's worn and chiseled blade. He held his sword upwards at first before lowering it out ahead of himself and pointing it towards Chojuro "You stand against Zaraki Kenpachi Captain of the Eleventh division! The Strongest of this Generation!" the words of that deafening roar made just as much sense to everyone as what Chojuro had told Kenpachi of himself. But the sound of it alone was something to cause concern "So. You wanna start this off or am I gonna have to do it?"

"YAY!" Yachiru cheered "Kenny you found one!" she said before she flung herself off Kenpachi's shoulder and down to the ground. She then skipped forward towards Chojuro and stopped before him "Hey Chewie!" she waved wildly to him, but he like everyone else looked on perplexed.

"C- chewie?" he repeated at the nickname she just made up for him.

"Your teeth must be good at eating Chewie" she pointed out innocently to him, observantly taking note of his teeth which despite being sharp and pointed where still not as ferocious against Kenpachi's grin. Yachiru then joined her finger with the other hand to point at him with both. She then turned both on herself and pushed her cheeks up to form an even wider smile. "I'm Yachiru Kusajishi of Squad 11. Kenny's lieutenant. Pleased to meet you"

"uh pl-pleased to meet you too" he repeated much less enthusiastically.

"Okay then!" Yachiru then threw her hands up in the air "You have fun with Kenny now, okay!" she said. She was the only one celebrating however, and once her little fanfare was done she leapt high into the air to land a nearby ledge. Making herself comfortable she sat on the edge he propped her head up in her hands and she starred gleefully downward at what was about to unfold. Her legs dandled off the edge and she kicked them.

By now the attention was off of her and back onto Kenpachi and Chojuro.

The larger group around them had backed away giving room to the two swordsmen. Kenpachi stood ready for a fight with his sword pointed towards his opponent. As for Chojuro, there was a delay in his response to Kenpachi's request. Reaching behind his back and gripping Hiramekarei Chojuro shook in the shadow of this giant, but gave him his answer.

"Fine" Kenpachi let out once he saw Chojuro, though he draw his sword yet there was hesitance to move "I'll start thi-" but right as he said the young swordsman charged him. "Hm" he let out as he rigidly stood his ground. He even casually rested his sword over his shoulder, practically inviting Chojuro to come at him.

Chojuro faltered for a moment realizing his opponent might now not be interested in a fight. But he had barged into the Hidden Mist and babbled about wanting nothing else. Fighting against that urge Chojuro continued his assault towards a duel.
When he was only a few paces before him, he swung his sword as hard as he could. Slicing across his chest, he left a scar that started to bleed over those white tattered robes.

Kenpachi just stood there the entire time unflinching. Chojuro stopped and didn't press an attack when he saw no movement or even a sign of acknowledgement from his opponent.

Stopping his attack, he backed away sliding on his feet across the ground and coming to an abrupt stop as he eyed Kenpachi cautiously. He had stood there motionless this entire time.

Then suddenly Kenpachi's eye rolled down to look at his chest. He raised his free hand to wipe it across the new battle scar. When he looked at it, he saw it stained red.

Turning it into a fist, he let out a demonic chuckle which soon turned into hysterical laughter. Chojuro cringed in place and all the others seemed visibly disturbed. Kenpachi then let out a demonic howl as droplets of blood oozed between his tightly clenched fingers.

"Well now, maybe you'll be some fun after all!" he cried. Then he slammed down his right arm and the sword it held right at Chojuro. He jumped back and away at the last second before the blade cracked the pavement beneath him.

Outrunning the shock wave Chojuro managed to stand his ground while many others shook from the impact and others ran from it.

Then right as he steadied himself Kenpachi was on the offensive and right on top of him. He swung his sword down, and Chojuro brought his up just in time to block. Even with only one arm the strength bearing down on him was incredible. His knees began to wobble and soon he dropped down to one knee. Then Kenpachi raised his blade before swinging down at him again. Chojuro dived to the right and out of the way going around Kenpachi and coming to his side as the sword hit the ground. Shaking it like before the sword cut through the ground and slicing the entire block. Many of the onlookers dived out for cover. So awe struck by such destructive prowess Chojuro didn't see him swing his sword right. His hilt hit him in the face and he tumbled back across the pavement.

Kenpachi rotated in place, but didn't move after that attack. Standing his ground Kenpachi just watched Chojuro roll, his head bounced up as the body did.
Groaning Chojuro held his head on the ground. He still held his sword in his grip and was prepared to keep fighting. Strangely he did not have to defend himself. Looking up he saw Kenpachi was standing where he had left him; a sadistic grin on his face.

"Is that all kid?" he said disappointed.

Gripping his sword even harder Chojuro pushed himself off the ground and was ready to face him. For the Mizukage, for the Village, for the Seven Swordsman. With a new look of determination, he stared down his opponent.

The Strongest of his generation was about to find out the strength of the last Seven swordsman.

Kenpachi's stance didn't change, but when Chojuro's sword started to glow blue he did take notice.

"What's that?" he asked looking it over "Shikai?" he asked, but received no answer. Chojuro just kept glaring at him. "What's with that look?" he paused taking note of this new ferocity "You look like you wanna kill me" he said. Chojuro said nothing. His look said everything and Kenpachi's grin returned "Good."

"This is Hiramekarei!" Chojuro said as he held up the flat bandaged blade by its two hilts "The Twinsword!"

"I don't care what it's called" Kenpachi said defiantly back, but Chojuro wasn't deterred "Just show me what it can do!" Chojuro would certainly oblige.

Chojuro then slashed his blade. The blue aura coming from it came right at Kenpachi closing the distance quickly and he felt something pierce his shoulder. Looking over he saw blood pouring out from a fresh wound. He turned back to Chojuro and the light emitting from his blade quickly making the connection of what just happened.

Gripping his sword there was nothing he had to say. Now he was ready for him. Now they were fighting for real!

Chojuro slashed his sword down cutting everything before Kenpachi, just as a swing from the Captain had done before. The Captain dodged the attack and sprinted towards the last of the seven swordsman. His stance was widened, and he held the sword out in his hand by his side as he raced towards him. Chojuro let out another attack. It hit Kenpachi, cutting across his chest and splattering his blood on the ground. But his advance didn't stop. He just kept stampeding towards him as his steps hit with a 'splat' as he ran over his own blood and left red footprints behind. Chojuro let out attack after attack never stopping as the unrelenting force rushed towards him quickly, closing the distance between them. Some of his attacks missed while others hit his target, but nothing stopped Kenpachi who came barreling towards him. In some strange way he seemed to be enjoying the pain. The closer he got the more times Chojuro hit him and the more blood ended up on the ground, but his laughter and intensity just kept growing with it.

Only a few paces away Chojuro raised his sword upward for another strike. He would have to be fast or else he'd be on the defensive again. Kenpachi was leering down and right before him. If he swung down now and hit him directly in his unprotected and wide open head this fight would be over. Just as he swung his sword down Kenpachi dived towards him and extending his sword out. His attack hit first and he ran his sword right through Chojuro's gut. Lifting his arm into the air, the sword impaled Chojuro as it burst out of his back. Kenpachi shot up to his full height and raised his arm even higher with Chojuro on his blade now held above him. Stuck by the blade he slid all the way down until his stomach touched the hilt. Kenpachi lowered his arm and the sword back down so that now, their faces were level with each other. Lying on top of his sword his eyes made contact with Kenpachi as blood trickled down onto his hand, hilt and the stone beneath them. Chojuro let out bloody gasp and coughs as he was face to face with Kenpachi who looked at him quizzically.

"That all ya got kid?" he asked glumly. He received no response, but more struggled breaths. Shame. He hadn't even gone all out yet "...I'm disappointed" he let out sadly. Then in an instant he swung his blade to the slide flicking Chojuro off who flew away and into a nearby wall, cracking it. After discarding him Kenpachi raised his blade into the air "Any one else have the guts to challenge me?!" Everything was deadly silent, no one even dared to breath. But some one did speak up.

"w-w-we're not-t done" a small voice squeaked. Turning his head Kenpachi saw Chojuro pick himself up, leaning against the wall only to fall back down again. A gaping red circle was formed in his stomach that was plastered onto the wall he leaned on and trickled down.

"Hm" Kenpachi let out "Stay down kid. I don't like killing beat dogs."

Chojuro steadied himself on his sword keeping him up "Then why do this...what are you here for?"

"Tsh. Wouldn't you like to know" he flicked the sword sprinkling blood elsewhere before he rested it on back his shoulder. Chojuro meanwhile was resolved to get up.

"I'm not beat." he spat out blood and held his wound shut with one hand as the other held onto Hiramekarei "not yet" he insisted.

Kenpachi looked him over. "You got spirits kid. I'll give ya that. More than anyone here" he congratulated him raising his arms before setting them back down "But you lost this fight. If you get up now, I'll put you down for good." he warned, but his words didn't seem to stop Chojuro from trying. If anything he seemed more determined than before. One thing was true, the fear that gripped him wasn't there anymore.

Keeping one hand on his wound and the other on the wall he picked himself up again. A hand on his shoulder suddenly made it less burdensome. He looked over to see Ao supporting him before slinging him over his shoulder. His one revealed eye glared over at Kenpachi who stared right back with his own.

"What? You gonna try something old man?" he shot at him, but received no response "You got less guts than the kid" he then turned his back on them.

"What have you done?" Ao said already angry at one disruptive trespasser this day. Yet this one had gotten inside the village "Another one" he concluded "Lady Mizukage was right." Ao said.

"Hm?" Kenpachi perked up "Another one? What's that?". Ao said nothing else, but steadied Chojuro on his arm. His comment however, did get him to thinking. Kenpachi had been sent here for the same reason as everyone else. And if there was some disturbance or discrepancy perhaps that's the reason why. And if he was strong, that meant he would have to be the one to find him. He grumbled when Ao would say no more to him.

"Yachiru!" he then called out to his lieutenant instead. And no sooner had he did the little girl jumped down from her perch to land on his shoulder.

"Kenny!" she let out grabbing ahold of him "Did ya have fun?!"

"Not really?" he said disappointed "This village is full of weaklings. Let's go find stronger foes to topple"

"Yeah! We're going on another adventure! You just listen to me, Kenny and we'll get there" she then pointed off once again in a random direction. "Go that way!" following her commands he ran off through the way they came in before disappearing into the mist, leaving it's hidden village behind him.

Iwagakure

The Third Tsuchikage sat in his office diligently working on some paperwork. There was a great alliance now, and he was apart of it, but that only meant even more work for him as of now. He let out annoyed grunts as he hurried through it all in a fuss. He was at least glad to have the sun shining down on him. That was until it was blocked out briefly. 'Just a cloud going by' he thought once it had cleared. When it happened again only faster, he still paid it no mind. But the more and more it happened the more and more he became annoyed by it. And when it started to giggle, he decided he could ignore it no longer. He slammed his hands on his desk as he sat up.

"What on earth is going on?! Huh?!" he let out as he looked up over his desk and saw the shadow of two boys cast over his shoulder and plastered onto his floor. He snapped his head around to the window to two young boys floating in the air right outside of it. "What the? What are you two doing out there?!" he let out shocked, and concerned nearly falling from his seat.

The two boys only now seemed to notice him. They both looked to him with a shared static expression.

"Hi there" the pink haired one waved as the black haired one picked his nose.

Onoki swerved in his seat and raced over to his window practically tripping over himself as he did. "What are you doing?!" he screamed at them with wide eyes after opening his window.

"Flying" "Searching" they both responded calmly as they floated before his office.

"Searching for what?" he asked slamming his hands on his windowsill and poking his head out of it.

"My dad for starters" the pink haired one said annoyed as the other boy did flips in the air.

"Well come boy" Onoki motioned to them to come inside his voice distressed, but reassuring "we can help you find your father, but you must get down from there it's dangerous!" Onoki waved frantically again.

"Don't worry about us old man." the boy waved him off "We can handle this just fine."

"Old man?" he questioned and then smirked "I'll show ya old!" he proclaimed rising not only to the challenge, but up to the windowsill by his stubby little legs. Once he stood on the edge of it he then followed up by leaping out right of the window and into the air.

"No! Stop! Don't!" the boys yelled together as they expected him to fall, but much to their amazement he floated in the air just as easily as they did. The two now stood silently as Onoki fluttered before them.

"There, you see" Onoki said grinning with confidence with his hands on his admittedly fragile hips "Not so old now am I?" he said smugly as he proved them wrong.

"Wow you can fly like us!" the black haired boy said amazed.

"Of course I can" he said sticking his bulbous nose up in the air "I'm the third Tsuchikage after all." After his smug declaration there was only silence in its wake. He thought because they were still in awe of his capabilities. But he was about to be proven wrong.

"Third?" "Tsuchikage?" they both let out confused, glancing to each other for answers.

"Of course, one of the great ninja leaders of the great ninja nations" he brought his head back down to look at them.

A light breeze passed over them as they floated in the air. It seems that further explanation had changed nothing.

"What?" the pink haired boy asked dumbfounded.

Onoki grumbled and lashed out again "What do you mean 'what'?! You boys live here don't you know?!"

"No we don't" the black haired boy said simple.

"What?!" Onoki said in disbelief.

"Trunks" he said turning to the other boy and whispering "I think this old man is crazy."

"Probably Goten" the other agreed "I've never heard of a tsuchi-whatever before."

Onoki hearing every word they said starred on in disbelief. "Wait! How is this possible?! If you two aren't from here then how did you get here?!"

"We made a wish from the dragon" Trunks said.

"And then flew across the world!" Goten exclaimed.

"Hmph. Impossible" Onoki protested as he crossed his arms, though looking at them now their attire did not seem native to here at least. Now the two boys demeanors had changed. Going from guileless to standoffish at the same time.

"Oh yeah" Trunks said as he tensed up alongside Goten.

"We'll show you how fast we are" Goten said as they both reared back. Onoki just smirked. The two boys took off together flying over the tower and across the city to prove just how fast they were. Dashing through the sky, they flew all the way out to the edge of the city.

Suddenly Onoki appeared before them in the sky and the two screeched to a halt and stopped before him.

"Leaving so soon?" he asked with a grin. Scowling the two boys took off on both of his sides and looped back to the city. They regrouped as they continued to fly and were going to go to the other side of the city. But just as they reached the center of the city Onoki appeared in front of them again, halting their progress.

"Going somewhere?" he asked. The two of them were even more disgruntled and took off again, but no matter how fast they flew or where they went he would always catch up to them, cutting them off in the air. He chased them all around the skies of the city until they arrived back to where this all started, hovering outside of the Tsuchikage's tower.

The two boys were bent over panting before the old leader as they all floated in the sky.

"Are you boys done?" he asked confidently with a smirk and raised brow.

"Don't make fun of us!" Goten pouted.

"Stupid old man!" Trunked grumbled.

"This old man just outclassed you boy" Onoki pointed out followed by a small chuckle. The two boys were angry before him. Onoki, however changed his tone. His voice was always irritable, but it was softer and more accommodating now. It was time to get back to the matter at hand "Now where is your father, you said you were looking for him? Where could he possibly b-"

"Is this what's become of you?" a woman's voice let out. Onoki's demeanor changed back to being the grumbly old man as Goten and Trunks looked on curiously. They looked past Onoki who turned back over his shoulder. Together they all looked to see a young woman leap from the window and start to float with them. "Picking on little kids are we?" she grinned at Onoki as she came to a stop beside him "That's just low even for your height."

"Kurotsuchi" he grumbled. She however was looking over to Goten and Trunks.

"Well, at least they're your size" she joked as she smacked him on the back causing him a great deal of pain that he tried to hide, but couldn't help from doubling over.

"Hey, you can fly too?!" Goten let out pointing to her "Cool!"

"Of course I can" she chuckled now looking fully to them and not the writhing bent over figure beside her "So what brings you kids here? I can actually tell you're not from around here, unlike some people." she said looking down at Onoki.

"We're here trying to find our dads" Trunks told "but then this old man came and started meddling in things" he said looking to Onoki annoyed.

"Old man?!" Onoki then lashed out "Perhaps you forget that this old man just outdid both of you with his speed!"

Before Trunks could retort Goten spoke up "Trunks!" his friend turned to him "Let's do that thing!" Trunks nodded to him. The two of them then flew up to the roof of the tower and were not pursued this time as Onoki was too worried about his hips. Kuotsuchi did follow them with her head as Onoki's eyes rolled over. Goten and Trunks landed on top of it and stood side by side but were separated by a few paces between them.

"Huh? Where do you think your goin-" Onoki was cut off as Kurotsuchi put her hand on his head stopping him.

"It's alright boys, come back. Don't worry about his temper too much." she called up to them as she waved her hand. By this point Goten and Trunks both moved towards each other sideways, while swinging their hands over their heads.

Hearing no answer they both flew up to follow Goten and Trunks. When they arrived at the top, they saw the two of them touch fingers and a bright light shined out in all directions and the two of them disappeared within it. When it cleared they looked upon not the two boys from before, but a completely new one, with pink and black hair and a vest on.

"What was that?" Kurotsuchi asked alarmed "Where did they go?"

"Here I am" the boy grinned as he spoke with two distinct voices "Gotenks!"

"Gotenks?" she repeated

"They became one being." Onoki concluded "A strange justsu indeed"

Gotenks crouched down and looked at them "Now watch this" he grinned "Try to keep up" Then with a new burst of speed Gotenks took off into the air off the tower into the sky and out of the village within a matter of seconds.
Onoki and Kurotsuchi looked on in awe at the impressive feat of speed.

"Well, that's certainly interesting" Onoki said with a grin "One on one is more fair after all. Let's see how they fare this time" he said as he prepared to take off after them.

"Lord Tsuchikage!" a voice called out stopping him abruptly as he was about to take off after the two- now one whippersnapper. Onoki and Kurotsuchi turned around to see Akatsuchi waving to them from the window.

"Bah! What is it?" Onoki called down to him. He was just about to catch them too. "Can't you see I'm busy!"

"An urgent message from the hidden mists Mizukage" he called back "A warning sent to all the other ninja nations"

"Warning? From what?" Onoki asked as he levitated back down to linger before his office window just as Goten and Trunks had done to him before. He snatched the message in his hand and read it. He was expecting something about the movement of the Akatsuki, but the longer he read the more realize what it was. His hands began to ball up crumbling the paper in his hands.

"Uh? Sir?" Akatsuchi asked concerned leaning over and out of the window.

"Old man?" Kurotsuchi leaned over his shoulder to read his face as he read on. It like the paper was scrunched up in anger. He had expected some ill news and he certainly got it though it wasn't what he expected. His answer was instead of flying foreigners whose current allegiance is unknown. And the more he read it the more he came to realized the third Tsuchikage just let two of them flay around his village and leave as abruptly as they entered. Wide eyed and in disbelief, his subordinates snickered at him and joked about his age only before he let out a vengeful, blood curling scream. His voice rang out and traveled faster than even his speed could match.

He would have to track those two down.

Leaf Village inside of the Hokage's office

Tsunade was sitting at her desk as Shizune stood dutifully over her and Tonton oinked from beneath them. It was only them now since Naruto had been relinquished to Kakashi's care and Sakura had gone with him. The elders slunk off to discuss more of this war amongst each other. Shikaku went to decipher more of the intel they had regarding the Akatsuki and oncoming conflict. As for the newfound one told by Naruto, Tsunade thought it taken care of and her thoughts were elsewhere.

"And when will Naruto be taken to the island to train with Killer Bee?" Shizune asked Tsunade

"Soon, hopefully before the Akatsuki make any moves." Tsunade responded.

"But..." Shizune began, but paused her voice becoming more worrying than usual "what about the prophecy?"

"Huh?" Tsunade glanced at her.

"The one the Great Toad Sage made, about Naruto fighting a powerful opponent?" she asked more specifically. It seemed she didn't think the matter resolved just yet, just because Naruto was out of her sight.

"I don't have time to worry about that" Tsunade waved her hand, thinking she had done enough already.

"Then you don't really believe it?"

"I'm worrying about the impending war. Hopefully, this prophecy will have no effect on it" she said bringing her hand down "For now let's keep that boy out of trouble. With Kakashi looking after him that shouldn't be too difficult for him"

"But it seems like-" shizune began but stopped short as a sudden sound got her attention. A tapping sound was heard beating against the window. They both looked over to the window where a bird was tapping on the window.

"A messenger bird. Bring it in." Tsunade ordered.

"Yes ma'am" Shizune obliged her request as she let the bird in, took its message and gave it to Tsunade who thanked her. She opened it and continued on as she would normally, but once she read it her face was overcome with shock and she started to sweat. "What? What does it say?" She asked curiously.

"It's from the Mizukage" Tsunade read "to all the great nations especially, the Leaf and Lightening. Its says" Tsunade gulped "It's says a stranger appeared at the gates of the city earlier today. His affiliation is unknown but he was-" she stopped to wipe some sweat from her forehead "he was looking for the jinchuriki and a swordsman. He was only looking for one, but now is content with hunting both. He fled before we could question him further, but he may be making his way towards one of your villages. He says that there are others with him, and they are likely on the way. One of them was a swordsman who arrived shortly after he had departed and mercilessly defeated Chojuro of the Seven Swordsman. He, like the one before probably do not know the land so I hope this message finds you before they do. They will be easy to notice since they wear different clothes than those found here, have no village insignia and travel by flying. I would encourage any help and for all villages to raise their security for the time being" Tsunade finished reading and handed the letter off to Shizune "So I guess we have to worry about the prophecy now" she stated, her voice tired and defeated.

"P.S." Shizune read the last part aloud "If you capture him keep him alive. I think he's single too" Shaking her head tiredly she then looked to Tsunade with a worried look "What should we do about this?"

Tsunade sat there with her hands together contemplating their next move. "Inform Kakashi about this. He will know what to do from there. Inform our scouts and lookouts and have them report anything suspicious, Akatsuki or these new strangers. Keep security on the village tight."

"I'll see it done" Shizune nodded. Just as she said that another arrived. This one from the Stone village.

Off in the training grounds, where everything had began for Team 7, Kakashi lazily leaned against a tree while Naruto stood with Sakura.

"So who else could we get as a part of this special group?" Naruto pondered aloud.

"There's plenty of options" Sakura answered optimistically "There's Shikamaru, Lee, Kiba," she counted on her fingers "Maybe Neji since he's a Jonin level. That makes him qualified. Maybe Sai and Yamato since we seem to work so well together."

"That's be great!" Naruto answered ecstatic "But wait-" he stopped short "I thought Bushy Brows was away on a mission." The two contemplated some more, and continued on making a list of names of suitable candidates.

Kakashi meanwhile continued to lean against the tree in the shade as the two continued to talk. His eyes on them, but that doesn't mean he was attentive of everything else.

"Kakashi" a voice let out. He turned to see hiding the shadow of the tree with him an ANBU member.

"What is it?" he asked calmly.

"A message from the Hokage." she said. Her face was hidden, but he could tell she was female. Kakashi remained as he was so as not to tip off Naruto or Sakura to anything else going on. So he listened in as he was told the details of the Mizukage's letter, the heightened security and that he should take whatever action he deemed necessary. It seems everything Naruto was foretold was coming true already.

"I understand." Kakashi said.

"Is there anything I can do?" the ANBU member asked.

Kakashi thought hard for a moment "Yes, yes there is Yugao" he said addressing her by her name "Bring me Yamato" nodded before disappearing from sight.

Kakashi then turned his head back to watching his two students banter back and forth; blissfully unaware of the danger they were in.

Next time: A showdown among the leaves; I'm seeing green.