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Key "words" talking Italics thoughts or simply italics (words) authors notes/my thoughts look at the bottom

January 1. Konohagakure 1:17. Reign of the 3rd Hokage (2nd term)

"You're hurting my hand." Hinata whispered harshly.

Naruto blinked obliviously. "Oh. Sorry…" he answered in a low tone, obviously wanting to discuss no more.

Hinata sighed. "What are you so worried about?" she said soothingly. "Look around you. Is anything not right here?"

He didn't turn.

"Is there?" she pressed. Grudgingly, Naruto scanned his surroundings. He saw nothing unusual. Pedestrians freely roamed in and out of shops in no specific direction or rhythm. Other than for a spoiled child throwing a tantrum, everything was peaceful.

"Well, this feeling I have is m-"

"Is there anything wrong?!" Hinata grew annoyed. Naruto could sense the female forcefulness growing within her.

He moaned despondently. "No… No there isn't"

There was the diminutive sound of the tinkling of The Hearts Game that seemingly washed away the tension. "I'm sorry Hinata. I'll try to ignore it."

Yinagi the Swift didn't earn her name without reason. Some called it years and years of practice. Others called it dumb-luck and still few called it witchcraft. How it came around, it did not matter. All that did matter was the fact that nobody could trace her blades' movement. They were everywhere at once.

A score of bored sea-going Ashigaru sat staring in dumb-founded surprise at the speed at which the woman spun her weapons.

"Wow. I'd hate to be a ninja in her way."

"Same here."

Shintaro cracked a grin as he visualized the slaughter getting closer and closer with every billow of wind and crest of wave. He pictured Yinagi tearing through the Konoha ranks like a heated knife through butter; and more importantly, overthrowing the Ninja's Leader all by himself.

Shintaro proceeded downstairs to the main cabin that the Shogun had inhabited for the day. The large wooden door had "Knock" etched into its center.

Making sure to tap softly, Shintaro knocked on the Shogun's door. From outside in the corridor, the warrior could hear a bustling inside at his announcement. He respectfully waited for a reply. It took a minute before anything happened.

"Yes?" The Shogun asked.

"It is I Shintaro. I must discuss a matter with you."

"Ah yes. Come in."

Shintaro did as he was bid and entered. The room was modified from its original version. Pillows were stacked helter-skelter on an open futon. Candles on the walls threw their light about the confined room giving it an eerie sense of wisdom.

The Shogun looked up from his documents. "Yes Shintaro?"

"I came to discuss the battle coming up. We know that there will be resistance. The shinobi will not simply give up their land and superiority." Shintaro bowed.

"A blind man could see that. No true leader will ever relinquish his land and power to a threat. Resistance is imminent. Then why do you come to me?"

"I…" He hesitated. "I have…" another pause. "I have my doubts, sire."

The warlord laughed. "That's it? Doubts? Trust me my dear Yojimbo, you are gravely mistaken. You could single-handedly destroy at least half of that force. You are a powerful warrior. I can feel it. We shall win."

"But sir. Our Ashigaru are simply peasants with yaris and pikes. I have heard how ninja fight. Our forces will stand little chance." Shintaro avoided his superiors' eyes. "I wish for you to revise over our advantages. As a friend I ask you this."

He sighed. "I shall look over your concern my warrior, but do not linger your thoughts on worry. Think of the power I shall bestow upon you when we rule then entire land! Now that my friend… that is something to think about."

"Hokage-sama is pretty freaked about this isn't here?" he asked his masked friend.

"Seriously." Shoji looked around. "You know that there hasn't been this many ANBU on active duty since the day that Uchiha kid went and slaughtered his folks. Jeez, that was god damn blood bath! All those broken bones."

"Don't forget about those cuts."

"Cuts? More like fucking gashes in their god damn lungs! That is one sadistic boy." Goosebumps slowly formed on his skin, sending a shiver up his spine. He couldn't visualize that scene anymore. "I can't believe that little bastard is coming back."

"Are you one-hundred percent sure?" the ANBU asked as his squad partner lit up a cigarette.

"Look, all I heard was 'Itachi is back' Shoji shivered in the wind. "I mean why the hell would he come back to us? What we ever do to him?"

"What if it was simply a hoax? You know, a little prank?" the shinobi fought of the fear dwelling of Itachi really arriving with a laugh.

Shoji took a long drag of his cigarette. "I don't think that Kakashi Of the Sharingan plays pranks…"

In the end, Naruto's paranoia didn't show up for nothing. However, it was the wrong kind of closure that he received. As he rounded a corner with Hinata to his left, a broad, rough skinned man bumped into him. Due to the shear size of the man, Naruto was knocked flat. The wind was knocked out of him.

"Oh I'm sorry sir…" the man said.

Stars hovered in Naruto's vision for a second. Then he saw the figure. "Jiraiya!"