I do not own Naruto Shippuden or any of the characters.

Intervention

Ryuu smiled as he watched Naruto teasing Utakata about having finally accepted being called Master. Ryuu glanced at Hotaru and she smiled.

"Thank you for everything," Hotaru smiled.

"Just remember what I said," Ryuu grinned. "Keep trying and eventually he'll smarten up."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Utakata asked.

Ryuu chuckled. "Good luck, Utakata. Signal when you need me and I'll be there as fast as I can."

Utakata nodded. "I will. Thanks."

Ryuu nodded and he and the others turned, walking away from the village that had finally accepted Hotaru, though she was leaving it with Utakata anyway. As Ryuu walked down the road, Fu wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder, Ryuu smiling and resting his head against hers, one arm snaking around her waist.

"I can't wait to get back home and be able to do nothing," Fu smiled.

"And tons of it," Ryuu agreed, smiling and kissing the top of her head.

They both glanced toward Naruto and Hinata, who were chatting pleasantly as they walked. Sai was walking off to the side, absorbed in his own thoughts, eyes on the sky. It was a beautiful day. Ryuu glanced down at Fu as her arms tightened around him almost imperceptibly, her eyebrows twitching. He smiled. She'd done well keeping herself under control. He'd have to reward her when they got back.

"Hey Ryuu, what do you have in the backpack?" Sai asked. "You usually don't carry one."

"Hm?" Ryuu asked, glancing back at his pack, then smiling as he remembered finding its contents earlier that morning. "It's a surprise for Fu, Tayuya, and Yugao."

"Wait, what?" Fu asked. "You got me a present?"

"Sure did," Ryuu smiled, then turned and gently slapped her hand as she reached for the pack. "No peeking. You'll find out when we get home."

Just then, Hinata squealed.

"Hush Hinata," Ryuu smiled. "No spoiling it."

"Where did you find them?" Hinata asked.

"They were outside the village this morning," Ryuu said.

Fu narrowed her eyes before turning to Hinata, who grinned knowingly and shook her head.

"Calm down Fu," Ryuu chuckled. "I'll show you at camp tonight. But only if you beh-"

He sensed Utakata activate his seal and slipped his arms out of the pack, dropping it. The moment he released it, he vanished, blurring through the trees toward Utakata. He arrived at a collapsed cliff, Utakata lying partially buried in the rubble and an Akatsuki member with spiky orange hair and piercings through his entire body staring down at Utakata with his Rinnegan. Ryuu swore, ending his Body Flicker Technique just long enough to grab Utakata, then activated again, vanishing before Pain would react. He shot through the sky with his wings this time, landing in front of Hotaru for the briefest of moments to grab her around the waist before once again activating it, returning to the others in time to catch his pack halfway to the ground, the others just starting to react to him moving as he slipped into the pack and knelt, beginning to heal Utakata.

"Fu, help me!" Ryuu said urgently, Fu gasping and dropping on Utakata's other side, the two quickly working to heal Utakata.

"Master Utakata!" Hotaru gasped, tears falling down her cheeks.

"He's going to be alright," Ryuu said. "He's weak but he'll live."

Hotaru nodded, not moving from beside Utakata until Ryuu finally sighed, he and Fu having finished healing him, and sat back, pulling a scroll out of his ninja tool pouch, unrolling it. The pre-staged summoning circle inside of it instantly released a cloud of smoke, Ryuu's giant crow summon appearing over it.

"It's been a long time," the crow said. "What do you require?"

"We need to get back to the Hidden Leaf Village fast," Ryuu said, laying Utakata on his back, Fu and Hotaru both climbing on as well, Hotaru to be with Utakata and Fu to hold them both on. "I need you to fly these three."

"Understood," the crow said, spreading its wings. "Hold on you two."

Then, it flapped its wings, taking off in a black streak. Ryuu spread his own wings as Sai formed himself, Naruto, and Hinata each an ink bird, but Ryuu glanced back, sensing something streaking toward them, flying but low.

"Go, now!" Ryuu shouted, the other three's birds taking off instantly, Ryuu following rapidly.

He passed his pack to Hinata, then rolled over, flying backward and looking behind them, seeing a massive green-feathered bird with a gigantic, jagged, drill-like beak, three legs, a pair of massive, black spikes through its back, and a pair of Rinnegan on its head, which seemed to be sideways on its neck. Ryuu narrowed his eyes, activating his Sharingan before forming hand seals rapidly.

"Fire Style, Searing Migraine!" he exhaled a massive sea of flames at the bird, but after a moment, it shot around the flames, continuing directly toward him.

He flipped, slamming his hardened, Repulsion Seal enhanced, right fist into the underside of its jaw and its head shot away from his fist, the bird crying out as it began to fall. Ryuu flipped, streaking past Sai to his crow summon just as Fu took Utakata and Hotaru under her arms and took off with her wings. Ryuu flipped, landing on the crow and it instantly swung around, flapping its wings and sending a barrage of feathers at the bird, only for it to avoid them, the feathers exploding in the forest below them. The bird shot up at the crow and it flapped its wings, avoiding them, before flipping and streaking after it. Ryuu formed several hand seals and inhaled. The giant bird suddenly flapped its wings forward, halting instantly. The crow shot under it and Ryuu spun to fire his jutsu back at the bird, only to realize they were suddenly in the middle of a cloud ofoff-white eggs with brown spots here and there, all of them about two feet bigger across than Ryuu was tall and all of them round. Then, all of them shone suddenly and Ryuu swore, forming hand seals rapidly. Then, the entire cloud of eggs erupted into a massive explosion.

After a moment, Ryuu and the crow shot upward out of the smoke, a sphere of Wind Chakra raging around them in a spherical barrier before fading.

"Let's try this again!" Ryuu growled. "Fire Style, Majestic Destroyer Flame!"

He exhaled a massive flood of flames that expanded from pencil-thick to a half-mile across just past the crow. The bird chasing them shrieked in fear just before the flames swallowed it, then continued to the ground before exploding, levelling a half mile in the blast. Ryuu sighed as his crow turned, streaking away after the others. Within a few minutes, it caught up to them and Ryuu lifted off of it using his own wings as Fu landed on its back with Utakata and Hotaru.

"Did you kill it?" Fu asked.

"I doubt it," Ryuu said. "It had Rinnegan. I didn't even know that was possible." he snorted. "Never thought I'd meet a bird I didn't like."

Fu nodded. "What do we do?"

Ryuu shook his head. "For now we head back to the village. However, with Utakata with us, that means that we have all of the Jinchuriki in Konoha. The Akatsuki will attack in force."

Fu nodded. "We'll have to work hard to get ready for that."

Ryuu groaned. "I just wanted to have a few days off!"

The others laughed, including Utakata, who had finally stirred.

"Thank you for rescuing me," Utakata said.

"Don't mention it," Ryuu said. "It's why I gave you the seal to begin with."

Utakata nodded and sat up, using chakra to hold himself on the crow's back as he wrapped his arms around Hotaru. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Hotaru said. "Are you okay?"

"I'm alright," Utakata smiled. "Thanks to Ryuu. Without him..."

Hotaru squeezed him a little tighter. "Don't say it. I couldn't bear it."

Utakata smiled, nodding. "It doesn't matter anymore. But, who were they?"

"They?" Ryuu asked, brow furrowing. "How many?"

"Six," Utakata said. "And they all had those same eyes."

Ryuu's eyes widened. "Utakata."

He looked over at Ryuu and Ryuu instantly used his Sharingan to see Utakata's memories. Ryuu swore loudly.

"That changes everything," Ryuu said. "I don't know if..."

"Hey," Fu said, flying over and wrapping her arms around him now that Utakata could keep Hotaru on the crow. "We'll be okay. We can handle it if we all fight together."

Ryuu hesitated before nodding. "Everyone but you."

Fu hesitated this time before sighing and nodding. "Agreed. But you have to promise our child won't grow up without a father."

"I swear to you, I'm going nowhere," Ryuu said. "And no matter who the Akatsuki send, no one is going to reach you."

Fu smiled and nodded, kissing him. "So, what's in the pack?"

Ryuu smiled, kissing her again. "When we get back."

Fu pouted. Ryuu chuckled, capturing her lips and Fu sighed, smiling into the kiss and making no move to pull away as they continued to fly, Fu allowing her wings to fade and letting Ryuu carry her, the two only separating to breathe until Utakata finally snapped at them about ten minutes later. They both laughed and Fu rested her head against Ryuu's shoulder, settling in for the rest of the flight.

Ryuu waited in silence while Tsunade digested the information from his report. Beside him, Utakata and Hotaru remained silent as well.

"I understand," Tsunade nodded, finally. "I've decided to call a Five Kage Summit. Hopefully we can convene before the Akatsuki arrives. Utakata Hotaru, the two of you are more than welcome to stay in this village. However, for your protection, Utakata, I'd like to assign you a bodyguard."

"As you wish, Lady Tsunade," Utakata bowed, Ryuu having warned him to be on his best behavior, so as to avoid feeling her wrath.

"Very well," Tsunade said. "Please wait outside. I need to speak with Ryuu and Fu privately."

Utakata and Hotaru bowed, then left the room, Ryuu placing a Silencing Seal on it instantly.

"What was it you needed to tell me about the Akatsuki member you fought?" Tsunade asked. "If something came up, it's either a new member, or new information came to light?"

"The second on," Ryuu nodded. "But before that, I have a favor to ask. I know it's not as important, but..."

"Can you give me a quick check up?" Fu asked.

"Are you sick?" Tsunade asked.

"I've been throwing up every morning, and feeling drained," Fu said. "My body aches and I get tired easily."

Tsunade's eyes widened. "That sounds like..."

Fu and Ryuu both nodded.

"We want to be sure," Fu smiled.

Tsunade nodded and backed Fu forward. Fu walked over to stand in front of Tsunade, who extended her hand, green chakra surrounding it as she rested it on Fu's abdomen. After a few moments, the chakra faded and she smiled.

"It seems congratulations are, indeed, in order," Tsunade smiled. "You're pregnant."

Fu smiled widely, looking to Ryuu, whose smile matched her own. She stepped forward, hugging him and he smiled, tucking his face into her shoulder for a moment before raising it, wiping his eyes.

"Alright," Ryuu smiled. "Back to the important problem."

Fu grew serious as well, stepping around beside him, though lacing their fingers together.

"Utakata was attacked by Pein himself," Ryuu said, Tsunade's eyes widening. "He's on the move. And he's close. But there's more. There weren't one of him. There were six, and all of them, along with a giant bird that I believe was a summoning animal, had Rinnegan."

Tsunade swallowed hard, then pulled a bottle of sake out of her desk only for a cloud of smoke to appear on it, an elderly toad with green skin, a tuft of white hair on top of his head, huge, bushy white eyebrows that wrapped back around his head, and a pointed, white beard to appear on it, a tiny grey cloak wrapped around him.

"Lady Tsunade!" the toad said. "I bring urgent news!"

"Lord Fukasaku?" Tsunade blinked. "What's going on?"

"Jiraiya Boy...he was killed by Pein!" Fukasaku said.

Tsunade stared at him, eyes slowly widening, the sake bottle slipping out of her hand and shattering on the floor. "He..." She sat down hard.

"Lord Fukasaku," Ryuu said, the toad turning to him. "My name is Ryuu Uchiha. Would you allow me to use my Sharingan to see your memories of the fight?"

"Yes," Lord Fukasaku nodded. "Do it."

Ryuu nodded and activated them, the memories playing through his mind the moment his eyes met Fukasaku's. He felt his body slowly going cold as he watched. Then, finally, the memories ended.

"Fu, go and get Naruto," Ryuu said. "Bring him here."

Fu nodded and left.

"What happened?" Tsunade finally asked, shaken but forcing herself to stay strong.

"I only arrived partway through the battle," Fukasaku said. "By that time, Gamaken had already taken quite a beating, and Jiraiya Boy was running low on chakra too. Jiraiya Boy had us help him enter Sage Mode to try and fight Pein, but suddenly there were three of them. Each used a different ability. One absorbed Ninjutsu, one of them was able to summon powerful creatures which all also possessed Rinnegan, and one of them didn't showcase his power, so I'm not sure what he was able to do. Ma and I managed to catch the three in a Genjutsu and Jiraiya Boy finished them off, but then a few minutes later, the three of them were alive again, and suddenly there were three more!"

Tsunade's eyes flicked to Ryuu, who looked troubled, replaying the fight over and over in his head.

"We tried to fight them, but they were too strong," Fukasaku said. "Jiraiya Boy lost an arm right out of the gate. One of the Peins was able to fire explosives, metal ones propelled by flames, out of his arm. Powerful explosives too. We managed to trap one of the Peins, the one who summoned creatures, alone in a barrier, and Jiraiya Boy killed it again. But then Jiraiya Boy said that it was a ninja he knew a long time ago with green hair who was from the Fuma Clan. When we fought him, he had orange hair, piercings and Rinnegan."

Ryuu frowned. That hadn't been a part of the memories he'd seen. Why would Pein add piercings when making another Pein? And how would someone from the Fuma clan become a Pein? Or gain Rinnegan?

"Jiraiya Boy went back out to fight the rest, and we sent Ma home with the body," Fukasaku said. "But Jiraiya Boy, even though he said he had figured out Pein's secret, he couldn't tell me. His throat was crushed. But he didn't give up. He carved a coded message into my back."

Fukasaku shed his cloak, showing Tsunade the message, being a bunch of numbers.

"Understood," Tsunade said. "Please bring the body here so we can have it examined immediately."

Fukasaku nodded and formed several hand seals before slamming his hand down. "Summoning Jutsu!"

Three toads appeared off to Ryuu's left, and a massive cloud of smoke outside left Gamakichi sitting on his father, Gamabunta's head.

"Why so many?" Ryuu asked.

"Bunta Boy and Kichi Boy wanted to be here for Naruto, and Gerotora is needed as a part of Jiraiya Boy's final wish," Fukasaku said. "The other two are here with me."

Ryuu nodded.

"Ryuu, what do you think about Pein, after having seen Lord Fukasaku's memories?" Tsunade asked.

"I think we're not ready for him, let alone the entirety of the Akatsuki," Ryuu said.

Tsunade nodded.

"Jiraiya Boy had a plan for that," Fukasaku said. "He wants Naruto Boy to go to Mount Myoboku with me to learn Sage Jutsu. He believes that Naruto Boy can master it beyond even what Jiraiya Boy was able to, because he believes Naruto Boy is the Child of Prophecy who will bring peace to the world."

"I see," Tsunade said.

Just then, Ryuu sensed Fu and Naruto reach the door and deactivated his Silencing Seal, allowing them in, along with Sasuke, Sakura, Sai, and Kakashi.

"So this is Jiraiya Boy's student, is it?" Fukasaku asked, hopping over to one of the other three toads' backs, landing in a seat strapped tot he toad.

"Yes," Tsunade nodded. "This is Naruto Uzumaki, the Child of Prophecy you spoke of."

"What's with the old geezer frog?" Naruto asked. "Who's he?"

Ryuu slammed a punch into the top of Naruto's head.

"Watch your mouth, Naruto!" Tsunade snapped. "He is one of the Two Great Sages of Mount Myoboku, Lord Fukasaku! He travelled all the way here just so he could speak with you!"

"He trained Master Jiraiya," Ryuu added.

Naruto stared at him, then at Fukasaku.

"Well to be accurate, I'm a Great Sage Toad," Fukasaku said. "But nevermind that, it doesn't matter. Answer me this, are you really Jiraiya Boy's student or aren't you?"

"Jiraiya Boy?" Naruto asked, indignation blossoming in his eyes. "A boy!?" He pointed at Fukasaku. "Don't treat the Pervy Sage like he's a kid! Even if you were his master!"

Fukasaku laughed. "So you call him the Pervy Sage? I've never heard a more fitting name for Jiraiya Boy."

"What does this geezer sage want?" Naruto asked. "What'd he come so far to talk to me about?"

Fukasaku's face fell, the Great Toad Sage lowering his head. "I'm not exactly sure where to begin this, but let me see. I suppose the most important thing is...I'm afraid Jiraiya Boy has died in battle."

Ryuu sighed, staring down into his backpack. Naruto hadn't taken the news well. As expected. He had lashed out at Tsunade, blaming her for letting Jiraiya go after Pein alone in the Hidden Rain, where Pein had been hiding. Then he had left. Tsunade had dismissed everyone else.

"Are you okay?" Fu asked, watching him from the doorway.

"Yeah," Ryuu said, standing with the backpack. "Are they home?"

"Yeah," Fu nodded.

Ryuu nodded, closing the backpack and walking down stairs with her. He walked into the kitchen and sett he pack on the table. Tayuya and Yugao both raised an eyebrow and Ryuu smiled before opening it. Instantly, several animals rushed out. A golden retriever puppy barked happily as it rushed out of the pack, Ryuu helping it off the table, and it rushed over to Tayuya, yipping excitedly as it bounced around her, a husky puppy scurried to the edge of the table and flung itself at Yugao, who caught it out of instinct, and a kitten rushed over to Fu, mewing affectionately as it pawed at her. All three girls squealed and began to shower their new pets in affection, Ryuu laughing. The cat was light grey with black stripes, and the husky was a solid grey with one black eye and one sky blue one.

"They're adorable!" Tayuya smiled. "Do we get to name them?"

"No, they're going to stay nameless their whole lives," Ryuu said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Tayuya rolled her eyes as well. "Alright. I'm going to call mine...Biscuit."

Ryuu snorted. "Original."

"You got something to say?" Tayuya growled.

"Nope," Ryuu smirked.

"I'll name mine Sora," Yugao smiled.

"And you can be Fluffy!" Fu smiled.

"Fu," Ryuu said, giving her a knowing look.

"I wanna name her Fluffy!" Fu pouted.

Ryuu laughed. It wasn't often Fu acted like her old self.

"Fine," Ryuu sighed. "Fluffy it is."

"Yay!" Fu smiled, kissing him. "I promise it's the only bad name I'll give."

"We're going to be choosing the next name together, so yes, it will," Ryuu smiled.

Fu laughed just as Yugao gasped harshly.

"That ring!" Yugao said. "Is that..."

"We were going to tell you guys at dinner, but yeah," Ryuu smiled. "We're engaged."

Tayuya and Yugao shrieked excitedly, hugging Fu and beginning to congratulate her and admire the ring. Ryuu rolled his eyes. Seriously, what was it with girls?

Within minutes, it had been decided that they were going out to dinner to celebrate, so Ryuu laughed, heading upstairs to change into something that wasn't still dirty from travel and fighting Pein's bird summon.

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