Disclaimer: I do not own any wrights to Naruto or Shadow Skill. I merely use their characters and themes for entertainment purposes.

The meeting was called with the senior Jounins when the team that went to Canyon Country arrived. They were there to listen to the report about what the Anbu found and to listen to the orders the Fifth Hokage was to give them. When the last Jounin arrived, Kakashi, Tsunade spoke, "Now that everyone is here you may begin your report Daisuke."

"Thank you Hokage-sama," Daisuke said stepping forward, "When we arrived in Canyon Country our Hunter-nin's companion dog smelled traces very strong chakra signatures. When we followed the traces we came upon a battle scene." He pause for a moment then continued, "Battle scene may not look be the most appropriate word, more like a disaster scene. Those of you that were witness to the destruction that Tsunade-sama and Jiriaya-sama were able to inflict during the war came picture the level of destruction we saw. The damage to the area stretched for nearly a kilometer in several directions."

"Excuse me," a Jounin in the back said. "But why are you telling us this?"

"To give you an idea the kind of threat we could face in the near future," Daisuke answered. "And not just from the Tailed Beasts but from Akatsuki. According to the Hunter-nin at least four separate chakra signatures, human signatures were detected with the Four Tailed Wolf. That means that these people are exceptionally strong, it has been recorded that each one can fight on a near Sannin level. And it took at least four of them to capture a Tailed Beast of close to middle strength among others of its kind." There was dead silence after Daisuke's statement as everyone took in what was said. He then continued, "At the sight of the battle we also found the body of one Sound ninja."

"Does that mean Sound is working for Akatsuki?" Genma asked.

"Not likely," Jiraiya answered, "They Akatsuki does not work with any shinobi village."

"Thank you Daisuke," Tsunade said. "Now next we have information of the whereabouts of four of the other Tailed Beasts."

With this Jiraiya stepped forward, "According to my contacts there are Tailed Beasts in Stone, Water, and Mountain Country. And from the reports that accompanied the Third to Suna there is one there as well. We have already made plans in contacting the Shinobi villages in those regions..."

Jiraiya was interrupted by Hayate, "Why…is…that?" he coughed through.

"Because this threat is a threat to everyone not just us," the Third said. "Many villages tried to make the Tailed Beasts their weapons in the past and it ended in disaster every time. Most have been imprisoned in either seals or vessels. And even then the results were somewhat less than stable than our experience with the Kyuubi." Several people glanced at Naruto, even though everyone in the room had been informed that the fox was no longer a part of Naruto. It was still a subconscious reflex from many to look in his direction when Kyuubi was involved.

Jiraiya continued after the Third, "As I was saying we have made plans already and will inform those involved after the meeting."

"What about the one in Suna?" a Jounin asked.

"Suna was informed of the situation when I was there," the Third said.

"That is all for now," Tsunade commanded. "Asuma, Naruto, Daisuke and Gai remain." The Jounins exited the room when it was cleared she addressed them, "Daisuke I am sending you and our best shinobi at stealth to Mountain Country, the scroll will explain everything." She handed the Anbu Captain the mission scroll. "Asuma, you have the coolest head so I'm sending you and a team of Anbu to Stone. We have already sent word by messenger bird to the village. They will meet you at the boarder get in, give the scroll to them, and get out. Don't risk any lives of the team, if you sense any hostility leave." Asuma nodded and took the scroll. "Gai, you've had a recent mission to Water Country and according to the report you had a relatively friendly meeting with some Mist-nins. They have been informed of your arrival and will be your contact, but like with Asuma don't take any chances."

"I WILL ACCOMPLISH MY MISSION!" Gai said overly enthusiastically.

"Um that's good," Tsunade said. "You three are dismissed." The three bowed and left for their mission. "Naruto I had you stay behind because outside the three of us you have the most experience with a Tailed Beast, probably more. That is why we are giving you the assignment of following up on any battles reported involving a Tailed Beast and you along with a team you have selected for this mission will be sent out. You will be responsible for engaging the Akatsuki members or securing the Tailed Beasts"

"Are you sure you want me?" Naruto asked. This was possibly one of the most difficult assignments a person could be given; combating S-class Missing-nins and/or Tailed Beasts, picking an entire team to lead for the mission, securing objects or people that carried the Beasts and other unknown events.

"We're sure," Tsunade affirmed. "You'll need to pick your team wisely, so you'll be given a few days off to make your decision." Naruto could only nod as he exited the office.

The day after the meeting Hinata and Sakura returned from their B-rank mission. To say the least Naruto was glad to have his wife back. He had been a nervous wreck from the time after the meeting and Hinata's attendance always relaxed him so he could think about what he needed. When Naruto told Hinata the assignment she was shocked and rather scared at the same time. After all it is only natural to worry about the one a person cares for most when knowing they are going into a dangerous situation. After the shock and fear faded a little the mind of the shinobi took over and she started to ask questions, "What will the mission include?" Hinata asked.

"It will involved fighting with S-Class Missing-nins that's a definite," Naruto answered.

"So you will need not only people experienced with fighting Missing-nins you will also need people that are rather powerful as well," Hinata said. "What else will be involved?"

"Some of the Tailed Beasts will be in prisons that will involve rather complex seals," Naruto said. "Definitely need a person familiar with them."

"What else?" Hinata asked.

"Injury is evident," Naruto said. "So that means at least one medic. Also I will need to secure some of the prisons and vessels as well, meaning people good at infiltration. Also someone to coordinate all this, so a strategist would be of some help." He then turned to Hinata and smiled, "Thanks Hinata-chan, I really appreciate your help, you've given me some ideas on who to select."

"You're welcome Naruto-kun," Hinata said. "Do you know who you will choose?"

"Not exactly," Naruto admitted. "But like I said I have some ideas. I still need to think about that. Any way enough about me how was your mission?"

"It was a B-Rank Mission only because the route would take us through an area that was suspected to have a few Missing-nins though there was no direct threat. It was rather simple but interesting mission actually," Hinata said. "Sakura and I escorted an old friend of yours to an island called Panson."

"Oh?" Naruto questioned, "Who was that?"

"The bridge builder Tanzuna," Hinata smiled at Naruto's surprised face, "He was overjoyed to hear that you were alive. Apparently he always felt guilty about lying about the mission level that you disappeared on. He also said to you that Inari and Tsunami are doing well and so in Wave Country."

"I'm glad their doing well," Naruto said. "I just wished I could have seen him."

"You'll get your chance," Hinata said. "Sakura told him about our ceremony and he said that he and his family would sure to be there." Naruto smiled at the news and they continued to talk about Hinata's mission well into the night.

Two days later Naruto finally finished deciding whom he would chose for his team. He had thought carefully about each person's strengths and weaknesses. Now all he had to do was give tell the Hokage and then she would summon them and they could get started.

"Now Naruto," Tsunade said, "Whom have you chosen?"

"I've chosen the people I think are best for the job," Naruto said. "If you disagree I'll listen but first let me tell you the names and the reasons for my choices." Receiving a nod from the Tsunade Naruto began, "The first thing I am going to need is expert trackers, that's why I selected Kiba and Kakashi. Both are among the best tracker in the village. Next we will need people that are good with research…"

"Research?" Tsuande asked. She had honestly not thought about that.

"Yes," Naruto answered, "We may need someone that can translate some of the ancient runes from before the Shinobi Countries were formed and people good at research will be key in this. Also because I know my family is can read some of the runes I am requesting they be included."

"I understand," Tsunade said, "Whom do you have in mind for the research?"

"I met a couple of people in the archives and the decoding sections in the administration building," Naruto answered, "Aki and Sho are their names, they'll will mostly remain here in the village." He took a breath then continued, "Next it is oblivious we will have to secure some of the prisons, that mean infiltration I plan to use Neji and Ino for this. Ino's better than her father when it comes to possessing someone and it is nearly impossible to sneak up on Neji. I'll also need someone to handle the coordination so I'm also requesting Shikamaru. Finally I'll need at least one combat medic so I'm requesting Shizune and Hinata, both are the best medics next to you and have been involved in direct fighting."

"What about combating Akatsuki?" Tsunade asked. So far she had been pleased with Naruto's decisions and could not argue with them.

"I'm getting to that," Naruto answered, "But first I also need someone familiar with complex seals so that means Ero-Sannin. And as for fighting Akatsuki directly, every person that is going into the field are all, powerful shinobi. But I need a few others."

"And they are?" Tsunade asked.

"Hiashi, Kurenai, Sakura, Gai, Lee and Sasuke," Naruto said.

"Those combined with the others are some pretty have hitters," Tsunade said. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes I choose the last four because not only bring strength but also versatility," Naruto answered.

"But are you sure about Sasuke?" Tsunade asked, "His personal feeling for his brother could put the team at risk."

"Yes," Naruto answered, "He has a new level of Sharingan and is the best person to combat Itachi. Fight fire with fire and all. Same with the others we know only a few members of Akatsuki and their strengths. Hiashi with the Kaiten would be good against that woman that uses explosives, and Gai and Lee are experts at close range fighting perfect to go against a swordsman. And Kurenai and Sakura balances the others out with their Genjutsu, Kurenia's ability to use them and Sakura's ability to detect them."

"Sixteen people, more if we include you and the members of your family you want to use," Tsunade said, "That's a lot and may take them from normal duties for some time. Not to mention that many of those are among our best shinobi."

"I know," Naruto said, "But we need our best to fight the Akatsuki or the Tailed Beasts."

"Alright brat I'll summon the others and we'll have them assigned to your team," Tsunade said. "Though I would recommend we tell Jiriaya first, he'll won't like but he will do it." She then turned her attention to the door, "Genma!" she shouted, the door opened and the Jounin with the ever-present senbon needle in his mouth entered. "Find Jiriaya and have him come here immediately."

"Yes Hokage-sama," Genma said.

About a half an hour latter Jiraiya entered with an annoyed face, "What do you want Tsunade? I was in the middle of my research." He received two hits from Tsunade and Naruto for that statement.

After he recovered Tsunade explained, "You're being put on Naruto's team to fight Akatsuki."

"What?" Jiraiya began to object, "There is no way I'm going to be on that team."

"You have to be," Tsunade said evenly.

"And why is that?" Jiraiya asked.

"Because Ero-Sannin," Naruto answered, "You are the best with complex seals and the only one that can fight on S-Level besides the Third, Tsunade and me."

Jiraiya was silent after that. Naruto had a point it was not like either Hokage could go on field assignments that were required for this mission. In all honesty he was expecting to be placed on the ream in some way it was just the idea of taking orders from a teenager that he objected to, "Alright, but I don't like someone of my stature taking orders from a kid."

"First you will be taking orders from me," Tsunade said. "Second, because of your contacts and knowledge of the Tailed Beasts will be equal to Naruto in command on this."

"You were going to put Ero-Sannin on this to begin with weren't you?" Naruto asked.

"Yes Naruto," Tsunade answered, "If you had not picked him I would have put him on the team. He has the experience and strength for this. You and he will be in charge because neither of you can be in two places at once and will most likely go out on multiple occasions."

"I understand," Naruto said.

"Well then let me hear about the team you choose," Jiraiya said. "But I reserve the right to add anyone I deem necessary."

"I don't think there will be a problem," Tsunade said, "He actually added a couple for reasons we did not consider."

After they told him Jiraiya admitted he did not think about the research people either, "Good work, when everyone gets back from their missions we'll assemble the team."

In the Akatsuki headquarters another sphere of stone stood next to the previous one. There were four members of Akatsuki around it, "This one was easy to get," said Zetsu. "The Three Tail was not even guarded all that well."

"Grass-nins were not known for their planning when it comes to guarding something," Sasori said. "They relay too much on their traps, and anyone who can recognize them can disable them immediately."

"Which was why you and Isamu was sent," came the deep voice from a mountain of a man. "You were from Grass and Isamu could detect what the traps that you could not see."

"Still it would have been fun if there were more," came the voice of the bat-like man. "I was not even challenged."

"Enough," the leader called entering the chamber, "The others have reported that they have near the Six-Tails. They have also reported that Konoha has alliterated Stone of our actions."

"Stone will not believe them," the giant man said, "Especially after the war."

"Still Konoha is becoming rather bothersome," Zetsu said, "We should deal with them."

"They are not enough of a threat to warrant direct action," the leader said, "But if any of you become involved with a Konoha shinobi then deal with them at your own discretion."

"What is our next target?" Sasori asks.

"The next will be the One Tail," the leader says. "Events have quieted down enough for us to acquire him. Sasori you and Jubei will go and retrieve it."

Sasori turns to the giant of a man saying, "Let's go we I want to get this over with as soon as possible."

"You are an impatient man," Jubei said, "It will take at least four days to reach Suna, we have plenty of time."

"Just don't keep me waiting," Sasori said before walking off.

In Orochimaru's stronghold Kabuto makes his way to the Snake-Sannin. He has news that will please his master. As he approaches the Sannin calls out to him, "What is it Kabuto?"

"I have news from Konoha," Kabuto said.

"And what news is that?" the Sannin asks as he turns away from his latest experiment victim. He got a new idea for a Kinjutsu just a couple of days ago and wanted to test to see if it was possible.

"It appears Sasuke-kun is part of a group whose sole purpose is to investigate Akatsuki," Kabuto answers with a smile.

Orochimaru's smile mimics Kabuto's, "This fits perfectly with my plans. There will be even less propting to get him out of the village. What do our spies report on Akatsuki's whereabouts?"

"They have just completed capturing the Tailed Beast in Grass Country and are currently retrieving the one from Stone," Kabuto said.

"And was Itachi part of either group?" Orochimaru inquired

"No Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto answers. "Our spies do not know his location at this time. But they have all been informed to keep a look out for him."

"And what about the Sound Four?" Orochimaru asks. "How are they adapting to the Curse Seals?"

"They are doing quite well," Kabuto said, "In fact they may be more powerful than the previous Sound Four. They just need a few more days to get used to their new forms and then they will be ready."

"Good because I will need them when I go after my new body. Even if the Uchiha brothers weaken each other others may try to interfere." Orochimaru then returns to his sickening experiment as the pour soul moans in pain.