IMPORTANT A.N by FANREADER26 (me): ok everyone this is the last of the original chapters done by Fen. now since he has given me complete control over his story I offer you two choices. I can continue the story from this point. this will cause issues since the difference in style and methods will be abundant and uploads would be slow since we have different styles. if you read MY stories you could probably tell how it would be different. the second option is that I revamp the whole thing into a NEW story. it would just be the same story retold in my own manner. this also means that this fic here given to me by Fen will remain for those who love it and for newcomers to read the revamp and still have this one. now whichever the readers want, it will be A WHILE until I do whichever since I have an abundance of stories in my library already. (and life tends to get in the way)

Normal text – "Naruto"

Thought text – 'Ino'

Jutsu/Bloodline – Rasengan

The Hero and The Florist

Chapter 7

[Normal PoV]

Naruto and Ino leave Tsunade's tent leaving everyone there in a daze briefly before working quickly to gather all info on Sasuke and the Akatsuki, what Naruto and Ino didn't know was that Sai had been following Naruto since Danzo fled the Leaf. He was doing so since he was conflicted with what he should do, should he betray his new friends or should he follow Danzo again and likely face the emotional repression training again now that he was starting to regain the ability to feel emotions again.

Whichever choice he made, he knew that there would be consequences and as long as he had Danzo's Curse Mark on his tongue like the other root agents, he wouldn't be able to help Naruto and the Leaf in their pursuit of his Master.

It wasn't until Naruto and Ino stopped and Naruto spoke up, "You can come out now Sai… I'm actually surprised you're still here…"

"I shouldn't be surprised you sensed me following you…" the pale Root Agent sighed as he stepped out of the shadows.

"What do you want Sai? Are you under orders from Danzo to watch me… cause if you are still following his orders, it won't end well for you." The Blonde Jinchuriki said getting into a protective and guarded position between him and Ino in case a fight broke out.

Sai seeing this, and knowing he shouldn't take Naruto in a fight he tried to ease the tension. "I am not here to fight… nor am I currently under orders… I am trying to decide what it is I should be doing."

Naruto didn't lower his guard, instead was even more cautious. "Then why follow us? Shouldn't you be talking to Granny? Or off somewhere thinking?"

"Naruto! At least give him a chance. He was still part of your team and still might be if he stuck around." Ino tried to defuse the tension, even though she, herself didn't fully trust the pale shinobi, not she knew him well to begin with.

"Fine, but we're going back to Granny so she can decide what to do with you." The male blonde said knowing that his new girlfriend was right.

Sai and Ino both nodded, the former knowing there wasn't anything he could do, and that if he resisted, he'd likely be killed. So, they made their way back into Tsunade's tent, only to see the Cloud ninja walking out to find a place to rest while they waited for the Intel on Sasuke and the Akatsuki.

"Sorry to intrude Granny, but we found Sai following us." Naruto said as he led Sai in with Ino standing next to her boyfriend.

"Is that so. Well then Sai. I trust you'll co-operate with us." The fifth Hokage said in a stern voice with Shizune standing at her side.

"I'm afraid I cannot be of much help." Sai replied, catching the four shinobi glaring at him. "It is because of this" as he opened his mouth and showed the Curse Mark on his tongue making the others in the room to look startled, Naruto glaring at it with hatred.

"You see, I am unable to talk about Lord Danzo or do anything that would anything that would discredit him, if I do, this mark will leave me paralyzed until he himself removes the paralysis." The Root agent finished.

"I see… then I have no choice, you will have to be taken into custody for being part of Root. Shizune, take him to whatever prisons we have in place at this time. Afterward, gather whatever info you can salvage about the Akatsuki and Sasuke." Tsunade ordered.

"At once My Lady." Shizune said grabbing hold of Sai's arm and lead him of the tent.

At this point, both Tsunade and Naruto sighed "And just when I thought we might have a lead or someone to lead us to that old War Hawk… Thank you for bringing him to me you two. Now, go relax you two, knowing Shizune, she'll spend the rest of the day collecting the info, and don't do anything too strenuous." She says with a grin, seeing both Naruto and Ino blushing up a storm, knowing what she meant.

[Time Skip Next Day]

After a day of cuddling and having one last meal together before Naruto was to head out, Ino is at the front gate ready to see him off, and wish him good luck. Naruto is standing with Cloud Ninja, Tsunade, and Kakashi. As Tsunade predicted, Shizune had gathered all they were able to recover in the past week, which wasn't much but would have to do. They didn't have the time to search for more. Regardless the Cloud were thankful for the physical info and knew that the people accompanying them had more info that would be shared.

"You better be careful Naruto! I don't want to hear that you got yourself hurt or killed by Sasuke, alright?" Ino said trying to sound firm but the concern was very clear in her voice.

Said knucklehead smiled. "I can't promise not to get hurt, but I won't let him kill me. I promised I'd come back, and I always keep my word" he finished and pulled her into a farewell kiss which she gladly returned, moaning a bit into it.

She was going to miss him but she knew he had to do this. Sasuke was unredeemable now and as much she wanted him to return for Sakura's sake, the young florist knew that the last Uchiha was likely coming back in a body bag, if at all if the Cloud had anything to say about it.

Sakura blushed seeing Naruto and Ino kiss again, hearing her best friend moan because it made her jealous and sad at the same time. The past two days she's been mulling over what Naruto told her and what has happened between over the years. He sacrificed so much for her and always did what he could to cheer her up when she was down only to turn him down when he asked for a simple date. She knew he wouldn't be bugging her anymore now that he had Ino and knew that she missed out. But she had to try and get him back. She wouldn't lose to Ino when it came to romance, however, she knew she had to bid her time to confront Naruto when Ino wasn't around.

'I'll follow after him and confess my love for him… maybe then not only will he not kill Sasuke but leave Ino… I'll need help from a few of my friends to make it seem like a mission to assist Naruto but that shouldn't be a problem, I'm sure I can get Kiba, Hinata and maybe Lee to come along' She schemed.

"Alright Lovebirds, break it up. You'll have plenty of time to make out when he comes back." Tsunade said in an official but teasing tone.

Said lovebirds reluctantly broke from their kiss, knowing it would be quite a while before they saw each other again, Ino left in a daze, and Naruto smirking slightly before turning to his travel companions. "Alright. Let's go." saying while adjusting his pack. The Cloud Ninja just sighed and shook their heads all thinking 'What kind of idiot openly shows that kind of affection in front of outsiders... that is a major advantage for his enemies.'

Samui however decides not openly comment on it but talk about the mission. "Alright, as agreed, we'll meet with the Raikage and request approval for Naruto to accompany us to find Lord Killer Bee before the enemy can extract his tailed beast, as well begin our search for the rouge Uchiha."

All ninja nod and head out, while Karui glared at Naruto, knowing the blonde knows a lot about their quarry, however she doesn't say anything knowing she's already been close to starting trouble. However, Naruto was already getting annoyed with the blatant glaring. "If you have something to say without attacking me, then say it... you glaring at the back of my head the whole way is going to be annoying. If it's about what I know about Sasuke and the Akatsuki then drop it. I don't feel like repeating myself. I'll share all I know at the Summit."

Samui decides to speak up seeing the open invitation for some insight. "Why are you willing to go out of your way to help us? You said you were a Jinchuriki, shouldn't that mean you should stay within your village it's surely safer?"

The Blonde male of the group growls. "If you haven't noticed, most of our forces are focused on border patrol or rebuilding our village. We don't have to spare to 'defend' me. Besides, not to sound arrogant but that this point the only people capable of doing so are right here, with maybe two exceptions, The Hokage and Kakashi Hatake. You were told yesterday that I was able to defeat the strongest of the Akatsuki. I am able to defend myself." He says trying to stay calm. "As for why I'm willing to help you, my sensei died fighting them, and one of my best friends was a Jinchuriki and is only alive due to a brave sacrifice from one very kind old lady... So, if there is a chance I can help someone save their sensei from the Akatsuki, then I'll do all I can to do so."

This causes all accompanying ninja to look sullen and the Cloud Ninja gain some small amount of respect for the young Hero of the Leaf.

'I should have known that was the reason he requested to come along. However, he's selling himself short... I doubt I can be much help once you enter Sage Mode, especially with that Rasen Shuriken of yours.' Kakashi thought but said nothing.

[Time Skip Half a day later]

The traveling Ninja were about to cross the border to the Land of Iron when Tsunade decided to call for them to stop. "Alright, before we go any farther, I want to make it perfectly clear that we need to be on our best behavior and have the utmost respect for the Samurai, offending them could lead to beheading." She says looking directly at Naruto. Kakashi also looks at Naruto.

"Hey! I can be respectful!" Naruto protested early chuckles from everyone that knew him. The Cloud Ninja were curious about what was going on.

"To be fair, He has been very respectful since we've met him. Angry, yes, but respectful." Samui defended the male blonde.

"That maybe be, however, he's made quite a name for himself for being disrespectful. He called his sensei, Jiraiya, Pervy Sage. He called me Granny, and while I know it's out of affection, such nicknames towards the wrong person will get him imprisoned at best, beheaded at worst" The older blonde female retorted.

"Alright! Alright! I get it! I'll be respectful to the Kages and the Samurai during the Summit granny..." Naruto pouted, only proving Tsunade's point to the Cloud Ninja.

"My Lady, we should get a move on. We don't want to keep the other Kage waiting." Kakashi said, deciding to come to his student's aid.

Deciding that the blonde knucklehead had enough, "Yes you're right. The more time we waste here the less chance we have to save their sensei."

Everyone nods and starts running again, only to almost run into the Raikage, literally, on the way.

"Lord Raikage!" The Cloud Ninja cried out before bowing.

"Team Samui, why are you traveling with the Leaf Ninja?" Ay said out of curiosity in his deep voice. Ay was a big man. Tall dark-skinned, with massive muscle with weight bracelets on both arms with white slicked back hair with matching goatee, wearing his Kage cloak open showing his broad chest, grey shinobi pants with Cloud sandals, and a Boar emblem belt.

"Pardon me Lord Raikage, we are traveling together so that my blonde companion here may make a request of you as well have some information in regards to your brother and the Akatsuki, as well Sasuke Uchiha." Tsunade decided to step forward. "It's a pleasure to see you again Ay, been quite some time... since my apprentice saved your subornation's life if I'm not mistaken."

"That it has... I hear you have gotten over your disability." the Raikage sneered "what is this information and this request?"

Naruto now stepping forward. "My Lord, my name is Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze. I have come as a guard for Lady Tsunade for the summit as well as to request that I accompany your shinobi to find the Akatsuki and rescue your brother." says with as much respect as he can muster, adding a bow for effect.

"Namikaze?!" Ay and the Cloud Ninja were shocked, but now getting a good look at the blonde before him, he could see his old adversary in the boy. Tsunade and Kakashi were shocked that he'd reveal his heritage in front of the Leader of a foreign land.

'what is that idiot thinking revealing his heritage like this!? Not even our village knows!' Tsunade thought while Kakashi figured out his plan. 'very clever Naruto, knowing your father is famous and likely fought against the Raikage in the past, it's a high-risk, high reward gamble.'

"So, the Yellow Flash had a kid... He was the only one who could match my speed and one of few who have earned my respect. What is this about rescuing my brother?" The Cloud Leader asked calmly.

"I have it in good authority that Akatsuki need time to extract the tailed beast within... How much time I do not know. As for how I know, I figured it out on my own, the Akatsuki only target Jinchuriki, or at least that's the only reason they'd sent Sasuke Uchiha. I wish to help locate and rescue your brother and saving him from death."

This was good news for the Raikage but wondered how he knew about this supposed time required. "And how is it that you came across this information boy?"

Naruto glanced at Tsunade who shrugged and nodded. "Because I am the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox, and a few months ago, myself, Kakashi, and the rest of my team went on a mission to assist in the rescue of the Kazekage from the very same threat. However, we arrived too late and he had his tailed beast extracted and was killed from the process. Lord Kazekage is only alive due to a sacrifice of a kind old lady, who exchanged her life for his own. The method how she did it is not for me to divulge."

Ay had known that the Kazekage was a Jinchuriki due to his spies but to hear Gaara had died and come back was news. "I see... and what information do you have on Sasuke Uchiha?"

Tsunade decided to step in now "I'm afraid that we will have to save that for Summit Lord Raikage. If we do not hurry, we will be late for the Summit you called for."

"Hmm very well, as for the boys' request to accompany my shinobi to find my brother, that unfortunately will have wait... as he is your guard, and all Kage are required to have two guards in case of an unlikely attack." Ay said, even though everyone could tell he wanted nothing more to send them off right away. "Samui, you and your team may come along however, you will have to remain outside of the Summit area. Only the Kage and their guards are allowed within."

"Of course, Lord Raikage." The Cloud Ninja said in unison. With that, all Shinobi moved towards the meeting place at top speed.

Along the way, Kakashi pulled beside Naruto with Tsunade doing the same. "That was a very risky gamble you pulled back there... you're lucky it paid off, or we'd be in even deeper hot water than we already are with Sasuke being from our village." Kakashi said in a hushed tone.

"He's right, if that went badly then this Summit could have been over before it started, with a bad result... which more than likely would in the worst-case scenario: be War." Tsunade chided Naruto in an equally hushed tone.

"Yes, I know, but it was the best chance we had to get him to listen to us that I could think of. However, it's unfortunate we can't go track down the Akatsuki right now... I am however your guard currently. I can only hope we aren't too late or THAT could lead to that worst-case scenario." Naruto replied knowing full well it was risky.

"You're right. However, we don't even know where to start. They could have their hideout anywhere. All we can just do is hope. Come on we're falling behind." Tsunade said as she picked up speed as did Naruto and Kakashi.

End of chapter

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