Naruto vs Sasuke: The Aftermath

by Kingkakashi

At the Valley of the End, Sasuke nearly kills Naruto and it affects everyone in many ways. See a vastly different direction after this battle to the Naruto story, than what the Canon did. There will be action, surprises, & romance NarxHin KakxKur JirxTsu & many more. Warning be prepared for the most Evil Sadistic Sasuke ever, and Sakura takes a beating in the early chapters. Enjoy!

49. The Battle of Konoha: Aftermath

Chapter 49 Summary: The siege of Konoha by Orochimaru has failed and the Snake Sannin along with his injured protégé's has retreated back to Otogakure. Now all that remains is the aftermath of the Battle of Konoha and the lives of the people who have been forever changed because of it.

Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath

Chapter 49: "The Battle of Konoha: Aftermath"

A few weeks later after having stayed to help make repairs to the village or more specifically the Cornucopia aqueduct that had been damaged during the flood. The trio of Leaf shinobi were once again bidding farewell to the village leader Akira who said with sincerity.

"I'm truly saddened that you and your sons have to leave us Sarutobi. You've all been a Godsend to our village in so many ways over the past two months. I don't have the words to properly thank all of you for what you have done for us. All I can say is peace be with you and if any of you ever need it, you will always have a home here within our village."

"Thank you Akira that is most kind of you to say. You and your village have treated us like a part of your family and we will always remember our time here. However, we must be moving on in our journey, but thank you for all kindness and hospitality you have shown us."

"Hai Akira-san, thank you" Both Kakashi and Naruto said in unison while bowing respectfully.

"Thank you young Obito and Iruka." Akira replied while returning his own bow of respect to them before asking.

"If I may inquire Sarutobi, do you happen to know which direction you will be heading after you leave here?"

"I think we will travel a bit more to the west. We've never been this far west before from where we come from and I wish to see more of it before we return home."

"Whew, that's good to hear Sarutobi; I bid you and your sons a safe and prosperous journey."

"Thank you Akira, but you seemed relieved to hear that we are heading west, why is that?"

"I am Sarutobi, for you see I've received word yesterday that war has broken out in the Elemental nations to the far, far east of us. So I did want you and your family to be caught up in the conflict."

"War, what war do you speak of Akira? Please tell us everything you know!" Jiraiya asked with noticeable concern.

"I don't have much information about the conflict Sarutobi. All I know is that a week ago, the Rice Country or more specifically its village Otogakure has invaded the Fire Country and attacked their village Konohagakure. The only other thing I know is that the attack was led by someone called Orochimaru of the Sannin and his young protégé Sasuke Uchiha."

Akira noticed the pale almost deathlike appearances that fell upon all three faces of the Hanzo family after hearing what he had said. When suddenly a panicked visage emerged on the youngest members face and he uttered one name in a terror-stricken voice before racing off towards the eastern horizon.

"Hinata!"

---

Naruto had sprinted about a mile from the Cornucopia village before he was tackled from behind, as two arms encircled his chest tightly and pulled him back.

"Let me go Kakashi-Sensei! Hinata is in the village, I've got to help! Please let me go, I want to see her!" Naruto cried out in a panic, as he attempted to break free of the forceful embrace around him.

Meanwhile, red chakra was starting to seep out of the seal of the terror-stricken blonde Genin.

"I'm sorry Naruto, I won't let you go! Please calm down and listen, you can't help Hinata right now!" Kakashi earnestly pleaded, while gripping Naruto tighter, as he could feel the heat of the red chakra rising, but would not let go of his student.

"Kakashi's right Naruto, It would take us weeks to get back to the village!" Jiraiya stated as he arrived at the scene of Kakashi struggling to keep Naruto at bay.

"I don't care pervy-sage; I want to see Hinata and make sure she's alright! You two might not have anyone you love back in the village, but I do!"

Naruto suddenly felt a resounding slap delivered across his cheek, before Jiraiya then grabbed a handful of Naruto's jumpsuit and pulled him forward out of Kakashi's grasp, as he shouted in the face of the young man with unbridled fury.

"You selfish, self-absorbed little brat, do you think you're the only one who has someone they love back in the Leaf village!"

Naruto stopped struggling and looked into Jiraiya's eyes and knew that he was speaking with sincerity and truth. It was then Naruto dropped his head down and as the red chakra began to recede he sheepishly said.

"I'm, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that to come out the way it did. I'm just worried about my Hinata-hime."

Jiraiya exhaled a deep breath to calm himself, before saying.

"I know you are, but running back to the village in a hysterical panic isn't going to help her or anyone. Besides, didn't you listen to Akira, the attack on Konoha happened over a week ago. I'm sure by now the battle is long since over. The only thing we don't know is the outcome."

"Then that's all the more reason we need to hurry up and get back to the village pervy-sage, to find out what happened and help!" Naruto fervently exclaimed.

"There's another way we can find out what happened." Jiraiya stoically replied before flashing through a series of hand signs and biting his thumb to draw out a little blood. He then slammed his palm to the ground and shouted.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" (Summoning Technique)

A flash of smoke and light appears on the ground where Jiraiya had struck. After a moment the smoke begins to dissipate to show a small orange toad, which looks up and jumps onto Naruto's shoulder before saying.

"Hey guy's, what's up?"

"Gamakichi, I need you to deliver a couple of messages to Tsunade-hime as soon as possible."

"What do I look like a mailman? I'm the son of the great Gamabunta-sama, the King of the Toad Summons, not a delivery service. Go get a lesser toad to do your grunt work." Gamakichi spat with indignation at Jiraiya.

"Please Gamakichi; you're the only one we can count on to do this. Konoha was attacked and we need to know what happened? I'm worried about Hinata-hime and the rest of my friends and need to know if they're alright?" Naruto pleaded in earnest.

"The pretty lady! Why didn't you say so in the first place? I like the pretty lady. I'll deliver your messages for you, don't you worry."

Several minutes later, Gamakichi with messages in hand disappeared in another flash of light and smoke, but not before promising to return as soon as he could. After the little toad left, the mood of the three shinobi settled down a bit and all of them made their way under the shade of a tree and waited for Gamakichi's return. Naruto was unusually quiet, as he sat leaning against the trunk with his eyes closed, which prompted the Toad Sage to remark with confidence in an attempt to assuage his grandson's fears.

"Don't worry Naruto, I'm sure Hinata and all of your friends are fine. Have a little faith in their strength and in the will of fire of the Leaf village. It's not considered one of the strongest shinobi villages for nothing. I'm sure they sent our former teammates slithering back to Otogakure with their tails between their legs."

"I hope you're right pervy-sage. Because I told baa-chan I didn't think that the three of us leaving would lessen the chances of the teme and that snake bastard attacking the village. I told her if anything; it would increase the chances because three of her strongest shinobi were no longer there to help protect the village. And do you know what she said to me."

Both Jiraiya and Kakashi remained silent, wary of what Tsunade might have said, as they listened intently to their student.

"She said, Naruto, leave the strategic thinking to the adults!" Naruto spat with an angry and bitter tone of voice.

"Naruto, Lady Tsunade didn't sign off on the plan for us to leave for your training all by herself. It was also discussed with Master Jiraiya, Shikaku Nara, and me. We all agreed it was the best course of action and honestly felt it was the right thing to do for you and for the safety of the village." Kakashi offered with sincerity.

"Well if that's the case then you're all to blame because you adults were wrong. So if anything happened to Hinata-hime and my friends because I wasn't there to protect them, I won't forgive any of you!" Naruto calmly stated, but with an ominous undertone to his words.

Both Jiraiya and Kakashi shot one another pensive glances, as both men realized this was a circumstance where the child had indeed shown more wisdom than the elders.

---

Konoha had been very lucky in terms of their victory during the invasion. Shikaku Nara's defensive strategies and the will and bravery of the Leaf village shinobi had been outstanding. Orochimaru had set off from Otogakure with over 3000 shinobi to conquer the Leaf village. However, before he and his forces had even arrived, the talents of three elite shinobi and once again Shikaku's brilliant mind had already killed or wounded over 15% of that sizable army on the Oshina plateau. Konoha had also been lucky that the former Sannin had blundered in not attacking with the full complement of 2,500 men he still had at his disposal instead of holding 1,000 of them back in reserve. For had he done so, the over six to one ratio he held probably would have overwhelmed the Leaf village forces and garnered the Leaf village traitor the victory he so desperately wanted. Instead the slightly fewer than four to one ratio he had launched his initial attack with was a manageable level for Konoha's shinobi to overcome thanks to their superior strength, skill, and determination.

So when the Snake Sannin ordered a retreat upon Sunagakure's intervention is when Konoha went on the offensive and their resolve was absolute in taking revenge upon the Oto forces now racing back to their homeland. No one epitomized this strength of purpose more than Shikamaru Nara during the final battle. Seeing his best friend Chouji Akimichi murdered so callously by the Leaf village traitor Sasuke Uchiha had forever changed the young man. Chouji's death had ignited a fearsome rage and bloodlust within the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans. Thus when Konoha and Suna's forces linked up and paused to regroup and organize their respective armies. Shikamaru personally led a 40 man contingent of warriors, 13 members from each clan and this makeshift platoon set off to use hit and run tactics to delay the retreating Oto shinobi from reaching the safety of the Rice country.

Shikaku had asked his son to make sure he marked the trail and direction the retreating forces were taking so that the main joint forces of the Leaf and Sand can soon follow after coordinating for the final assault. Shikamaru coldly assured his father that they would have no trouble following the path they would leave. The Nara heir kept his word, as the trail of over 300 broken, bloody, and mutilated corpses of Oto shinobi stretched for over 50 miles and would go down in the annuals of Otogakure history as the Trail of Blood. Shikamaru himself would gain infamous fame within the Rice country for being the leader of this trail and would forever be referred to as Nara the Merciless. Because by the time the joint Konoha and Suna forces had reached the remnants of the Orochimaru's forces that had been used to cover the retreat of his main army. What started out as over 600 men protecting the Oto retreat had now been viciously and brutally reduced in halve by Shikamaru's vengeful platoon.

The final battle was nothing short of a pure slaughter. The remaining Otogakure forces had succeeded in allowing the Snake Sannin and what was left of his main army to retreat across the border back into the Rice country, but they had paid a heavy price in doing so. The invasion itself and the subsequent task of protecting the retreat had left the remaining 300 men exhausted. Not only were they physically tired, but the psychological toll Shikamaru's platoon had levied upon them the last 24 hours had also broken their spirit. So when the joint forces of Leaf and Suna over 600 shinobi strong descended upon them, they stood no chance of winning. In the end, only 19 men of the 600 plus protecting Orochimaru's retreat would live to see Otogakure once again.

---

Tsunade winced in pain, as she rubbed her shoulder where Orochimaru's Kusanagi blade had struck. Fortunately, the solution she and Shizune had been synthesizing to combat demonic poisoning for the past several months had provided an antidote to that blades poison. However, the blonde Hokage didn't know which was worse, the pain of her wound or the pain now in her head, as she heaved a weary sigh and gazed upon the towering stacks of paperwork sitting on her desk. It had been only a week since the Leaf village had survived Otogakure's invasion attempt and most of the village was still trying to recover from the ordeal.

However, Konoha's stunning victory over the Snake Sannin's considerable forces had lifted the village's status and reputation within all the elemental nations to even greater heights than before. Mission requests were pouring in from everywhere and the Fire Daimyo was practically salivating at the thought of increasing his monetary coffers even further. So the vain and arrogant man was putting pressure on the buxom blonde Hokage to accept as many of the missions as she could immediately. It took Tsunade demanding that the Daimyo at least let the village bury their honored dead and allow a brief mourning period before they start sending shinobi out again to risk their lives.

'The honored dead.' Tsunade solemnly thought to herself.

The Leaf village may have garnered a glorious victory and casualties were indeed few in comparison to what Orochimaru had lost. But that's not to say that Konoha still didn't pay a heavy cost in terms of some of the people they did lose. The blonde Hokage reflected upon Mimura Hamaki the highly decorated Jounin shinobi who had served with distinction during the Third Great Shinobi war with the Rock country. Hamaki had been retired, but he still answered the call and fought admirably as one of the elite 12 protecting Tsunade during her fight with Orochimaru. The veteran warrior took out many of the Snake Sannin's supposed elite guard before their numbers finally overwhelmed him.

Likewise was the fate of Tsunade's old Jounin comrade Mokume Kunugi, which tugged at the blonde Hokage's heart. He had been a close friend to both her and Dan during the Second Great Shinobi war. He too had long since been retired and was even older than Hamaki, yet he also without hesitation stepped up to protect her as she battled her former Sannin teammate. And like Hamaki even in advanced age he proved to be still a most formidable shinobi against the Oto men protecting Orochimaru.

Tsunade could only chuckle, as Kunugi had requested right before his passing a few days ago that he and Tsunade share one last drink of sake together and reminisce about the good old days, as he liked to call them. At the end, Kunugi promised he would say hello to Dan and Nawaki for her on the other side. This brought a smile to Tsunade's face before the wizened old veteran then smacked the back of her head and told the buxom blonde Hokage to quit living in the past and enjoy the remaining years of her life, as well as telling her to give the old pervert a chance to make her happy. Before he did that, Tsunade had almost forgotten how close Kunugi and Jiraiya had been in their younger days.

Tsunade swiveled in her chair and looked out the balcony to gaze upon the stone-faced monument of her Sensei and Sandaime HokageSarutobi Hiruzen, while her thoughts turned towards his eldest son Asuma. Though she and Asuma had had some troubled times the past year, there was no denying that he had saved her life and redeemed himself both as a loyal Leaf shinobi and as a man before his passing. It gave the buxom blonde Hokage some comfort that the young man did not pass on alone. Might Gai had made it a point upon reaching the field where he had last seen him to seek out Asuma and was there to comfort the dying warrior during his final breaths of life.

(Flashback one week)

"Asuma, I'm very pleased that your flames of youth still burn within you. Hold on my comrade and I will get you to medical aid at once!" Gai stated as he cradled the bearded Jounin's head in his hand.

"(Cough) do-don't bother Gai, let the medics work on those who can be saved." Asuma replied in a coughing and scraggily tone of voice.

"Surely you're not giving up."

"Believe me I don't want to (cough, cough), but I know a fatal wound when I see one or in this case feel one (cough, cough)." Gai's breath hitched in his throat when Asuma coughed up some blood, which spilled over his face

"Is there anything I can do?"

"There is (cough); at my home on my desk are a number of letters. If you would be so kind to honor my request (cough, cough), I need you to deliver those letters to the people they are addressed to. Will you do that for me (cough, cough)?"

"Hai, by the flames of my youth, I shall."

"Th-thank you, I just have one more request. Please take my trench knives and give them to Shikamaru (cough, cough). He, he deserves them and I know he will put them to good use."

Gai merely nodded his head in affirmation before Asuma gave a small sad smile and closed his eyes before saying with his last breath.

"Thanks Gai for being a friend to me….at the end."

The green-clad Jounin then laid Asuma's head to the ground and kneeled before the man, as he said a quiet prayer. It was at that moment that a contingent of 12 Oto shinobi happened upon the scene. Gai looked up to see the enemy taking up attack positions around him and scowled ferociously before disappearing in a blur of green.

(End of Flashback)

Tsunade actually trembled a bit when she had read the report of the injuries those Oto ninja that had been unlucky enough to stumble onto Gai had suffered by his hands. The physical beating they all took and the agonizing pain they must have suffered before they died the blonde Sannin wouldn't wish upon her worst enemy. Gai kept his promise to Asuma and gave Shikamaru his former sensei's trench knives and the bearded Jounin was right. The Nara heir had put them to good use, as the Trail of Blood would be a testament to that.

There were other brave Leaf shinobi who had laid down their lives in defense of the village. However, one warrior's death seemed to galvanize the entire village both with civilians and shinobi alike…. Chouji Akimichi's.

Over 5,000 people attended Chouji's funeral, as he was well liked both by the civilian villagers and the Leaf shinobi. Tsunade herself provided a heartfelt eulogy pointing out Chouji's valiant deeds during the invasion should be an inspiration to everyone. From his heroic defense of the main gate, to courageously risking his life to help save hers, then fearlessly leading the initial Leaf assault and breaking through Otogakure's defenses upon their retreat. Chouji epitomized the will of fire that burns within the Leaf village and the heart of a true hero. To honor the young man Tsunade declared that Chouji Akimichi would be promoted posthumously to the rank of Jounin and that his name would forever be remembered as one of the Village Hidden in the Leaves greatest shinobi.

Chouji's death had resonated throughout the village and affected many people, but none more so than his closest friends. Ino was so distraught over it that she had locked herself away in her room since it happened eating and sleeping very little as she mourned for the boy she had loved. Both Inoichi and Keko were growing concerned that Ino may never recover from witnessing Chouji's death before her very eyes. It saddened Tsunade greatly that the girl who for so long had kept her feelings of love for Chouji repressed only for them to be released when he kissed her would never get to experience what her life could have been like with him.

After Chouji's death, Shikamaru had quickly taken Ino off the battlefield and did his best to console his friend, as he held onto her while she wept in anguish onto his chest. However, once Inoichi and Shikaku arrived on the scene followed by a large contingent of clan members from the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans and they all learned what had happened. The Nara heir promptly turned his attention to forming his battle platoon, as some Yamanaka clan members ushered Ino away. Perhaps no one was affected or had changed more on that dreadful day than one Shikamaru Nara.

The death of his best friend by Sasuke's hand had awoken something dark within Shikamaru's soul. At that moment all he wanted was blood and revenge…..and he would get it. No one save those in the platoon truly knew the murderous rage Shikamaru had felt after Chouji's death. However, it became apparent to all a few days later when the young man approached his friend's coffin lying in the ground and instead of throwing a flower onto the casket as most people had. Instead, Shikamaru turned a bag over and more than 100 Otogakure hitai-ate fell onto the coffin, the clinking sound of the metal bouncing onto the casket echoed through the air of the memorial service. When the sound died off and the last hitai-ate had fallen the Nara heir shot both his father and the Hokage a harsh glare before turning on his heels and brusquely walking away. Both adults understood the reasoning behind Shikamaru's accusatory and angry look leveled onto them.

(Flashback Five Days)

"Damn it Shikaku, I'm not going to accept your resignation as Strategic Commander of Konoha's shinobi forces or as a Jounin shinobi no matter how much you beg!" An exasperated Tsunade yelled at the veteran shinobi and Nara clan leader sitting across from her.

"Most troublesome, won't you please reconsider Lady Tsunade; I'll buy you a six month supply of sake if you do."

"Anko offered me a year's worth awhile back to grant her request and I still said no you cheapskate!"

"So if I offer more than a year's worth you'll let me retire?"

"No, I won't, this is not up for debate! We may have garnered an impressive victory, but we still were weakened by the attack. I can't afford to have the man whose brilliant strategies helped us to achieve that victory walk away with the village in its current state."

"Brilliant strategies…..yeah, so brilliant they got my best friend's son killed." Shikaku scoffed with self-admonishment.

"Is that what this is about…guilt?"

"Yes….no…..I don't know? All I do know is that I'm tired Lady Tsunade, so very tired."

"I know you are Shikaku and so am I, but you shouldn't feel guilty about Chouji or any of the Leaf shinobi who died. Because I can assure you there would have been significantly more deaths if it wasn't for you and the decisions you made during this invasion."

"It's troublesome and maybe I shouldn't feel guilty, but I do"

"Tell me, does Chouza or anyone from the Akimichi clan blame you for Chouji's death?"

"No, he doesn't and they don't, I almost wish they did. They're all saddened by Chouji's passing, but they're also very proud that he died a warrior's death on the battlefield."

"The Akimichi clan do pride themselves of their nindo of honor, loyalty, and bravery."

"They do, but that still doesn't change how I feel."

"Well if you want to blame yourself, then move over and let me sit down in that boat with you, because I'm every bit to blame as you are Shikaku."

"It's most troublesome Lady Tsunade."

"Hai, I can't disagree with you there. By the way, where did you get this fine sake we've been drinking?"

"Yamato-san got me a case of it, something about losing a wager he had made with my son."

"Speaking of Shikamaru, how is he holding up?"

"I wish I knew, he hasn't returned to the clan compound or spoken to me since he returned from the Fire Country border with the Rice Country. I understand he was very upset when the order came down not to pursue the enemy into the Rice Country."

"Believe me that's an order I didn't want to issue, but our esteemed Fire Daimyo cut a financial deal with the Rice Daimyo and filled his coffers with plenty of ryo's in doing so." Tsunade spat with frustration and derision.

"It's most troublesome that the Fire Daimyo's greed outweighed his honor to his shinobi by cutting such a deal. I was told that Shikamaru was so furious over it he had to be held back from going to the capital and voicing his….. displeasure with our illustrious leader. I do hope that my son has calmed down some since then. The assassination of a Daimyo could prove to be quite troublesome for my clan and the village should it occur."

Well, you'll see him soon enough, I've sent some ANBU out to locate and bring him here. I've got well-deserved promotion to give to that boy for his decisions and actions during the invasion."

As if on cue, two ANBU operatives appeared in the office each one holding Shikamaru upright under his arms, as they addressed Tsunade.

"We've brought Shikamaru Nara per your orders Hokage-sama."

"Get off me you assholes; I can stand on my own!" Shikamaru verbally lashed out in spite, ripping his arms away from the two shinobi.

Both Shikaku and Tsunade were taken aback at Shikamaru's demeanor before Tsunade signaled the ANBU to depart before turning her attention to the Nara heir swaying on shaky legs in front of her desk and asked.

"Have you been drinking Mr. Nara?"

"Not nearly enough Tssssunade." The young Chunin slurred sarcastically.

"Show the Hokage some respect!" Shikaku angrily demanded only to receive a cold glare from his son who then brought his hand up to rub his bloodshot eyes and griped.

"What a drag, what do you two want? This was supposed to be my day off after getting back from the frontline."

"So you thought you would spend the day getting drunk, not a very productive way to spend your life for your shinobi career."

"It doesn't seem to be hurting you or my father's career Hokage-sama." Shikamaru spat derisively, as he eyed the sake they were drinking.

Tsunade resisted the urge to smack Shikamaru for his flippant attitude before realizing that the young man was probably acting this way because he was still suffering over the death of his best friend. Exhaling a heavy sigh, the blonde Hokage cleared her throat and said.

"Ahem, be that as it may, you should always strive to act better than your elders do. However, that aside, the reason I summoned you here is I wanted to personally commend you for your actions during the invasion. Due to your courage, skills, and intelligence you displayed, you helped to defend this village in a most commendable fashion. Shikamaru Nara for your meritorious service in protecting the Leaf village and in leading the vanguard assault platoon against Oto's retreating forces, you are hereby to be promoted from Chunin grade level five to Chunin grade level one, congratulations."

"Keep it."

"Wh-what was that?"

"I said keep your promotion."

"I, I don't understand?" Tsunade commented in surprise.

"I didn't lead that squad for any valor, glory, or possible promotions. I led those clansmen for the one simple goal we all shared….REVENGE!"

Shikamaru balled his hands up into fists and slammed them down on the Hokage's desk before declaring with spite.

"So keep your damn promotion, I don't want it!"

Shikamaru then turned to leave the room when Tsunade visibly angered yelled at him.

"Well then what do you want?"

Shikamaru then whipped around his face bearing a visage of unbridled rage and stalked forward, while shouting with fury.

"What do I want, what do I want! I want my best friend back, that's what I want. I want to be able to eat barbeque with him again or lie back and watch the clouds like we use to. I want to see him and my other friend Ino begin to build a life together. You want to give away promotions Hokage-sama, why don't you give one to him! He deserves it more than I do for what I did. Hell, he helped save your life during the invasion if I'm not mistaken. So come on Slug Queen, pull another medical miracle out of your bag like you did for Lee. Reattach Chouji's head and breathe life back into to him, that's what I want. You do that and I will gratefully accept your promotion, if not then take that promotion and shove it, because you're as much to blame as anyone for his death!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH SON!"

Upon hearing Shikaku, Shikamaru suddenly found he couldn't move anymore, as his father had captured him in their clan's most famous jutsu the Kage Mane no Jutsu.

"I know you're upset about Chouji's death, but you will not disrespect the Hokage in such a manner. His death was a tragic loss for all of us and the Leaf village, but Lady Tsunade is not to be blamed for it, she bears no fault in his passing. If you want to blame someone for his death then blame me!"

Shikaku's breath hitched in his throat when Shikamaru turned his head towards his father shocking the Nara patriarch, as his son should be frozen in place by the Kage Mane no Jutsu. A moment later, Shikamaru sent a chakra surge through his body effectively breaking out of the jutsu before glaring at his father with hate and coldly stating.

"What makes you think I don't?"

'He, he broke through my Kage Mane jutsu! Just how strong have you gotten son?'

"My apologies Hokage-sama, father, but if there's nothing else, I'm out of here" Shikamaru snidely commented with sarcasm before turning once again and heading towards the door. Just as he swung the door open the Nara heir paused and looked back at the two visibly stunned elders in the room and stated with contempt for them and self-loathing for himself.

"You want to know something funny. I remember Naruto asking me right before he left if the idea of he, Kakashi, and Master Jiraiya leaving would lessen the chances of Orochimaru and Sasuke attacking the village. He thought if anything, it would increase the chances because three of the Leaf village's strongest shinobi would no longer be here to help protect the village. So he thought he should stay in case something like that happened to help protect all of his precious people and the Leaf village.

Shikamaru heaved a mournful sigh, as he continued on.

Naruto also told me when he brought that point up with you Tsunade you told him to leave the strategic thinking to the adults.I told Naruto to trust what you and my father and all the others who had discussed and approved the plan for him to leave and that it was the right thing to do, but that's not what's funny, this is. The supposed dead-last of the academy was the only one to see the possibility that them leaving might not be such a good plan, but everyone dismissed him including myself and because of that, look at the price we paid!"

Shikamaru then stumbled out of the room slamming the door behind him in his wake. As the sound of the door being smashed shut faded away in the room, both Shikaku and Tsunade sat silently in deep contemplation. It was finally Shikaku who broke the muted pall and said.

"I apologize for my son's behavior Lady Tsunade. He and Chouji were like brothers and he's taking his death a lot harder than I anticipated he would."

"There's no need to apologize, I truly understand how he feels. I remember after I lost Nawaki I was an absolute terror to everyone around me afterwards for the longest time."

"I remember, you were downright scary to the younger generation of shinobi, but still Shikamaru had no right to place blame onto you for Chouji's death. Like I said to him, if he wants to blame someone then he should blame me."

"Stop it Shikaku, I think there's plenty of blame to go around. Shikamaru was right about one thing…Naruto. I did smugly dismiss the gaki's argument of not leaving the village to train, oh so sure that I was right. Now, all I can do is pray to Kami that he'll still forgive me once he learns my conceited arrogance has cost him the life of one of his closest friends."

"You shouldn't feel that way, the plan was sound and even after everything that has happened, I still maintain it was the correct course of action. The only mistake we made was in believing that Orochimaru's main desire or focus was to capture Naruto instead of realizing the Snake Sannin had never wavered from his true ambition…conquering or destroying the Leaf village itself."

"I suppose, but I will say this after our encounter with your son just now. I don't just feel tired anymore like we discussed earlier. Now, I also feel old." Tsunade somberly declared.

"It's most troublesome, but so do I Lady Tsunade, so do I."

(End of Flashback)

---

Tsunade rose from her chair and looked out over the village from her balcony to view the reconstruction efforts to repair the damage the invasion had produced. The repairs were being quickly and efficiently done, a credit to Shikaku Nara who was overseeing the restoration. At the thought of the Nara patriarch, Tsunade shook her head sadly, as she had heard that Shikamaru's relationship with his father had become cold and distant since their confrontation in her office. However, as one relationship had been damaged because of the invasion, another relationship had been restored because of it, as Tsunade's thoughts turned towards the renewed friendship of Kurenai and Anko.

(Flashback Four Days)

Kurenai's eyes fluttered open as the morning sunlight cascaded through her hospital room window and illuminated the room brightly. A nurse noticed Kurenai stirring and immediately rushed out of the room to inform Tsunade. A couple of minutes later the blonde Hokage entered the room and sat down in a chair by Kurenai's bed and warmly greeted the ruby-eyed woman.

"Good morning sleeping beauty, it's about time you woke up, how are you feeling?"

"Go-good morning Hokage-sama, I'm feeling alright I guess." Kurenai groggily replied, as she shook her head to wake up fully.

"Oh please Kurenai, stop with the formal Hokage-sama crap, I've told you before it makes me feel like an old bureaucrat."

Kurenai merely nodded her head in acceptance before her hands moved to her stomach and she looked to Tsunade in a panic who quickly answered the unsaid question.

"Your baby is doing fine and he's currently in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and is growing healthier and stronger with each passing hour."

"A, a son, I have son!"

"You sure do and I have to say he's already a spitting image of his silver-haired one-eyed perverted daddy."

Kurenai blushed furiously at the Hokage's last sentence causing the buxom blonde to laugh out loud and say.

"I have to say that was quite the shocker, you cost me money in the pool."

"There, there was a pool about who is the father of my child!" Kurenai stammering exclaimed with righteous indignation.

"Well yeah, a pretty big one too, I mean the mystery of who thawed out the Ice Queen has been the gossip of the entire Leaf shinobi ranks for months."

"Unbelievable, as if people have nothing better to do than speculate about my sex life."

"Ehhh, what can I say, shinobi get bored real easy."

"So who did you place your money on Lady Tsunade?"

"I went with the odds on favorite Iruka Umino."

"Iruka, why on earth would people think he was the one and what does that say about me! He's a married man for Kami's sake!"

"Yeah well, he and Anko did keep their marriage a secret for the first few months. And the prevailing rumor was that he had knocked both you and Anko up at the same time in a three-way, but chose to marry Anko and not you, which then caused the bad blood between you and Anko to arise. I have to say Iruka's reputation and admiration with the men of the village has monumentally grown at the prospect that he was able to nail both you and Anko. However, now that you've given birth he'll have to vacate that lofty perch since it's obvious who the father is now. Oh well, he's still respected very highly for managing to tame Anko."

"Respected…cursed would be a more accurate description." Kurenai commented sarcastically.

"You shouldn't speak ill of your roommate Kurenai."

It was then the crimson-eyed kunoichi looked over and saw Anko lying in a bed next to hers and Kurenai asked with confusion.

"Wh-why is she here?"

"She's here because I thought you might want to spend some time with the person who saved your life nearly at the cost of her own."

"What are talking about Lady Tsunade?"

"Tell me, what's the last thing you remember before waking up here?"

"I, I remember seeing Sasuke Uchiha grab Hinata in the hospital courtyard and…oh Kami Hinata!" Kurenai exclaimed with fright.

"Calm yourself Kurenai, Hinata is fine. She suffered a few injuries, but nothing life threatening. I'll have her come visit you shortly and you two can catch up. Now, what else do you remember?"

"Well, like I said I remember seeing Sasuke Uchiha grab Hinata and the look of fear upon her face. I wanted to help her, so I was going to throw a metal floor lamp through the window breaking it and hope it would cause enough of a diversion to distract Sasuke and allow Hinata to break free from his grasp and escape. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to throw the lamp because I suddenly was hit with I can only guess was labor pains. I must have passed out from the intense pain because I don't remember anything else until I saw you Lady Tsunade."

"Well, let me fill you in on what happened. You're correct; you did go into premature labor brought on no doubt by the stress of seeing Hinata in such dire peril. Eventually, you were discovered in her room unconscious and in the throes of a breach birth labor. Shizune performed an emergency caesarean section and successfully delivered your baby."

"Ok, I understand that and will have to thank Shizune, but that still doesn't explain why…..she is in here?"

"I'm getting to that now be quiet and let me finish." Tsunade groused with irritation.

"Now, where was I? Oh yes, Shizune had successfully delivered your baby, but then she had to leave to go save my sorry butt from poisoning by that snake-asshole ex-teammate of mine Orochimaru. Anyway, complications arose during the closing of your caesarean section with the remaining medic nins and you began bleeding internally…badly I was told. Unfortunately, they had just about run out of your blood-type and it was looking grim that you would be able to survive the surgery to stop the bleeding and this is where Anko comes in."

Kurenai's brow furled intently at the mention of Anko's name, but remained silent as Tsunade continued on.

"To make a long story short, Anko had been brought into the hospital earlier due to some injuries she had suffered on the battlefield and learned of the dire situation you were in. She then hijacked the surgical room and held the doctor and medical staff in there hostage with a snake summons ordering them to take as much blood as they needed from her to save your life."

"What, why, why would should do that?" Kurenai exclaimed in utter bewilderment.

"That's a pretty stupid question Kurenai; she did it because she cares about you and wanted to save your life."

"I, I don't understand? Why would she be worried about my life now, when she didn't give a damn about it two years ago?"

"That's it; I've had enough of this. I want to know what happened that caused you and Anko's friendship to end so horribly and I want to know right now!" Tsunade angrily demanded with authority.

"It's, it's rather personal Lady Tsunade."

"I don't care, you two were the best of friends for the longest time and I want to know what happened that made that friendship end. If I have to I'll order you as Hokage to tell me."

"Very well, I'll tell you. It happened almost two years ago, a few months after you had returned and become Hokage. I was in a….relationship with Asuma Sarutobi and had been for nearly six months."

"I don't remember you and Asuma being in a relationship."

"We wanted…I wanted to keep our relationship private. As you know Lady Tsunade, the Yuuhi clan has always been guarded with regards to our personal relationships of that nature."

"That's true, well never-mind about that, go on."

Kurenai closed her eyes as she spoke and Tsunade could tell the Genjutsu mistress was reliving a very painful memory.

"As I was saying we had been together for almost six months and I had finally decided that Asuma was the …..one."

"The one, what do you mean?"

"I mean the one Lady Tsunade. The one, the man I was going to pledge my heart, my soul, and my body to for the rest of my life."

"I see, what happened after you made this decision."

"I went over to his home to let him know that he was the one and show him how much I loved him or at least thought I loved him at that time. It was late, but I didn't think he would mind since he had been pressuring me to make this decision. I let myself in and was about to call out his name when I heard some strange noises coming from his bedroom. As I got closer to the bedroom the sounds became more distinct and identifiable…..he was with another woman. Upon realizing this I was hurt, but more than that I grew angry. I, I threw open the door ready to end things with the two-timing bastard and kick his ass. However, I wasn't prepared for who it was that he was with in that bedroom."

"It was Anko wasn't it?" Tsunade softly remarked.

A silent nod of Kurenai's head with a tear rolling down her cheek answered the blonde Hokage's question before Kurenai commented painfully.

"Can you imagine the pain I felt at seeing my best friend writhing around in pleasure under the man I loved. The man I had decided to spend the rest of my life with. The man I was going to give a woman's most sacred gift to that very night. All of that destroyed in an instant by the both of them. And as much as my love turned to anger and hate for Asuma that night, it was worse for Anko because I felt like such a fool."

"Why did you feel like a fool? What happened wasn't your fault; you aren't the first woman to be cheated on and won't be the last."

"I felt like a fool because all these years ever since we were young girls, I defended Anko against other people who chastised me for being her friend. Telling me she was not to be trusted and would turn on me one day and betray me just as her Sensei did to the Third Hokage. All those years arguing on her behalf and trying to convince people that Anko wouldn't do that. She was good person and loyal to the friendship we shared and would never hurt me. At that moment Lady Tsunade when I saw them together, it's was like all of those voices came rushing back into my head laughing at me for being so naïve and trusting."

Tsunade now understood the reason for the hurt, anger, and resentment Kurenai held for her former best friend, but something in the back of her mind kept repeating that it didn't add up. Anko had her faults everyone did, but Tsunade could not believe that she would knowingly do this Kurenai and hurt her friend in such a way. It was then something clicked in buxom blonde Hokage's brain and she remembered.

"Kurenai, you say you were with Asuma before I returned to the village and for a few months after."

"Hai"

"Well if I recall correctly, one of the first acts I did as Hokage was to send out a small ANBU reconnaissance team to the Rice Country to try and gather Intel about Otogakure in the wake of their failed invasion during the Chunin exams. I placed Anko on that team because of her knowledge of the types of traps and defenses Orochimaru would employ to help the team avoid those obstacles. They were gone for over three months before they finally returned to the village. You also said that you kept your relationship with Asuma a secret."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well let ask you this in the first few months of your relationship with Asuma did you tell Anko about it?"

"No, I told you I kept it private. I was going to tell her about it, but then she left on a missi…."

"She left on a mission, probably the one I mentioned. Tell me, when you caught Anko with Asuma was that the first time you had seen her in awhile?"

"Oh Kami, yes it was!" Kurenai exclaimed with shock and regret ringing in her voice.

"Well then if I had to guess Kurenai, I'd say she probably didn't even know that you and Asuma were together. Because I'll admit Anko is no saint, but I don't believe she would knowingly or intentionally hurt the best friend she's ever had."

"Oh Kami, what have I done." Kurenai softly and remorsefully commented, as tears began to stream down her face before looking up and asking in a choked voice.

"Lady Tsunade you said Anko saved my life and by doing that she's now in the condition in. What happened to her, I mean what's wrong with her?"

"Anko donated almost four pints of her blood to save you. For your education, the average human being has approximately 10 pints of blood. She's lucky to be alive donating that much, but that much blood transfused has put Anko into a coma."

"Oh sweet Kami no…!"

"Well there's nothing you can do about that Kurenai, so just lean back and rest and I'll bring your son to you in a little bit."

As Kurenai watched Tsunade close the door and leave, she began to reflect upon everything she had learned since the Hokage had stopped by. After a few minutes, the elation of knowing she was a mother and had fulfilled her father's last wish had Kurenai smiling from ear to ear, but then she turned her head to look at Anko and a new wave of tears threatened to spill out, as guilt now ravaged her mind. Swinging her legs over the bed and leaning onto a chair for support. The Genjutsu mistress slowly made her way to Anko's bedside before sitting down and taking her friends hand into her own to offer a sign of comfort.

Kurenai gazed forlornly at the face of the woman who had been her best friend since they were thirteen. The Genjutsu mistress hated herself beyond words at the way she had treated Anko these last two years. In believing that Anko had purposely betrayed her, Kurenai had allowed her anger and rage to cloud her judgment and because of it had treated Anko like trash. Kurenai shivered at the memories of the way she had acted; treating Anko the same way the villagers had treated her and Naruto. Kurenai couldn't believe that she had allowed herself to turn into that kind of hateful person, but she had and wiping away some tears from her eyes she began speaking in a remorseful and penitent tone of voice.

"Anko I'm so sorry for how I've treated you. I've said so many horrible things to you and about you since that awful night. I never gave you a chance to explain. I was just so angry and hurt that you could betray me like that, but that's just an excuse. I should have at least listened to you before I passed judgment. I let my pain take control me and I hate myself for it."

Kurenai wiped some tears out of her eyes and brushed a loose strand of hair off of Anko's face before continuing on.

"I can't believe after everything that has happened between us that you would still consider me a precious friend worth saving. All those idiots who always told me you weren't worthy of my friendship got it all wrong. It's me who is not worthy of your friendship. If I could trade places with you right now I would do it in an instant. I wish I had the power to make that happen but I don't. All I can do is pray to Kami for you to wake up and then I will do whatever I can to show you how truly sorry I am. I'm very thankful that I have a true friend like you in my life, even if I don't deserve it."

Kurenai then laid her head down on her arms and quietly wept for her friend until a voice called out and commented.

"I thought you had grown out of your crybaby phase a long time ago. If you want to make it up to me, instead of crying why don't you see if you can scrounge me up some sticks of dango, I'm starving."

Kurenai looked up wide-eyed and in shock before stammering.

"An-Anko, you're awake!"

"Yeah and I'm hungry."

Instantly, Kurenai threw her arms around Anko and hugged her fiercely, while crying tears of joy and saying over and over again.

"Oh Thank Kami you're alright! Please forgive Anko; I'm so sorry for what I've done. Please forgive me, please, please forgive me."

"Shhhh, there's nothing to forgive, I'm the one who should be asking for forgiveness not you. I swear to Kami I didn't know about you and Asuma. I'm so sorry about that, you've no idea how much I've hated myself for hurting you like that." Anko tearfully replied and she embraced Kurenai even tighter.

After a few minutes of more tearful apologies, self-recriminations and forgiveness from both kunoichi's they finally released their embrace of one another and wiped the tears out of their eyes. It was then Kurenai suddenly realized and commented.

"We have to let Lady Tsunade know that you've woken up and check and see if you're going to be alright."

"Don't bother; she knows already, I woke up yesterday. The old hag was a bit surprised, but then chalked it up to me being too stubborn to die like that. She says I'm going to fine after a couple more days of rest."

"That wily devious old blonde, I've got a few choice words for her the next time she comes around. Are you really going to be alright Anko?" Kurenai asked, as she lifted up her hand to cup her best friend's cheek.

Anko merely smiled and nodded her head, which caused Kurenai to smile in return before it quickly turned into a scowl and the Genjutsu mistress hand shot from Anko's cheek to her ear grabbing it and twisting the anatomical organ painfully while shouting.

"Just what the hell did you think you were doing risking your life to save mine?"

"Owww, are you crazy? I was trying to save my best friend's life and not leave her newborn son an orphan before the little gaki was even an hour old!" Anko shot back, while grabbing onto one of Kurenai's ears and twisting it.

"Owww, you idiot! You yourself just became a mother to twin daughters! How stupid is that line of thinking that you're willing to risk them growing up without a mother just to save my life!" Kurenai fired back, while twisting Anko's ear even harder.

"Owww, owww, I don't know, about as stupid a line of thinking as you being pissed off about your life being saved!" Anko shouted and twisted Kurenai's ear even further.

"Owww, owww, idiot, I'm not pissed off about my life being saved! I'm pissed off because you can't selfishly risk your life like that anymore Anko! It isn't the old days anymore when the only responsibilities you have was for yourself. You're a wife and a mother now and have a family that depends on you. You need to think about them before you go off and do one of your crazy stunts that could get you killed!"

"Crazy stunts! Oh I'm sorry if me saving your life was a crazy stunt!"

"It is if it almost kills you!"

"OWWWW!" Both kunoichi's cried out at the same, as the two of them were putting maximum effort into their ear twisting. Finally, Kurenai held her other hand up and said.

"Ok, on the count of three we both let go, agreed?"

"Yeah I agree."

"One…two…three." Both women counted off in unison. When neither woman had released their hold they glared at one another and screamed simultaneously.

"LIAR!"

At this point both kunoichi's fell off the bed and began wrestling with one another on the floor. In the peak of their health, it would take a stadium to contain the fighting abilities both these women possessed. However, in their weakened state due to their injuries this battle was little more than a cat-fight of grappling, tearing at clothes, and hair pulling, while shouting insults at one another.

"Stupid selfish baka! How Iruka can put up with you I'll never know!"

"He's got no complaints, but I'm sure Kakashi will have plenty when he gets back and has to deal with Ms. Prim and Proper!"

"I can only hope your daughters inherited Iruka's brain because you don't have any to spare!"

"Well I hope your son inherited some of Kakashi's perverted nature because Konoha doesn't need an Ice Prince roaming around the streets!"

"Why you!"

"Oh my Kami!" A third voice rang out.

Upon hearing this shout, both kunoichi's stopped their battle and looked up to see Kiba unconscious on the floor in front of the open doorway with blood gushing from his nose. A bandaged Hinata with her hands covering her face and blushing. Shino was also there, but his head seemed to have receded further into his coat. Tsunade stood behind them cradling a baby in one arm, while pinching the bridge of her nose with the other. And finally Iruka was cradling two babies in his arms, as a rivulet of blood leaked from his nose at the sight before him.

Both Anko and Kurenai gazed at the people in bewilderment and couldn't understand the befuddled looks on their faces. That was until they looked down and saw their hospital gowns askew and torn to shreds. This fact along with their equally naked bodies pressed up against one another and their limbs entangled around each other explained everything. Kurenai immediately shrieked and disengaged from Anko, while desperately trying to cover herself with the remnants of her hospital gown. Finally giving up the futile attempt to cover up Kurenai leapt up and made a mad dash to her bed diving under the sheets and pulling them up tightly to her throat, as she blushed furiously. Anko merely snorted and rose from the floor not caring who saw her in an au naturel state of being and returned to her own bed.

"I had hoped you two would have worked things out by the time I returned. However, I didn't expect to find the two of you rolling around naked and giving us a sight most of the men in this village would pay a king's ransom to see."

"We could do it again Lady Tsunade if it would pay our medical bills?" Anko unashamedly proclaimed.

"ANKO!" Kurenai cried out in embarrassment.

"Hmmm, I'll give it some thought."

"LADY TSUNADE!"

"Take it easy Kurenai, I'm just kidding. Although judging by the responses of the three males here, we could make a fortune. Wipe your nose Iruka."

Hearing Tsunade speak his name brought Iruka out of his stupor and he hastily wiped the blood leaking from his nose and flashed Anko a nervous smile who could only giggle at her husband's reaction. Shino knelt down to revive and help Kiba back onto his feet. Who once upright had a glazed look in his eyes and his face was plastered with a perverted grin, while wavering unsteadily on his feet. Hinata had finally uncovered her eyes, but was still blushing and nervously poking her two index fingers together. The young Hyuga girl didn't stop until Kurenai joyously called out her name and held out her arms.

"Hinata!"

Instantly both women were wrapped up in a tearful loving hug with one another and remained this way for about a minute before Kurenai finally released her student and surrogate little sister and said.

"Thank Kami you're alright Hinata, I got so scared when I saw Sasuke grab you from behind."

"You should have a little more faith Kurenai, I've read the reports and little Hinata here gave that Uchiha asshole all he could handle during their fight." Tsunade openly commented.

"Yeah, we heard Hinata kicked his ass, but then the bastard had to go all cursed-seal on her to save his miserable hide." Kiba stated with angry bitterness.

"It's true; Hinata put forth a most commendable effort against the Uchiha traitor. You should feel very proud of her Sensei."

"I am Shino; in fact I'm proud of all of you."

All three members of Team #8 smiled and beamed with pride at hearing their Sensei's words of admiration. It was then that Tsunade spoke up and said, as she walked over to Kurenai's bedside.

"I have someone here who would like to meet you Kurenai."

Tsunade then placed the baby she had been cradling into Kurenai's arms who began to weep with joy as she pulled the flap of the blanket the child was wrapped in and gazed lovingly at his face. The infant slowly opened his eyes and smiled, as he looked up with his own crimson colored eyes into the eyes of his mother that bore the same color. Kurenai attempted to pat down the shock of silver hair that adorned the top of her son's head, but to no avail as Tsunade commented with humor.

"Ha, ha, ha, don't even bother, we've tried everything to get that gravity defying hair of his to stay down and nothing works. At least with that hair it leaves no doubt about whom his father is that's for sure."

"I can't believe it Kurenai-Sensei, you and Kakashi-Sensei I never would have guessed that. I had my money on Iruka-Sensei in the pool." Kiba declared in amazement.

Kurenai shot her Inuzuka student a brief glare before her son sneezed and her attention quickly returned back to him, as she cooed and rubbed her cheek up against his own and said.

"Kami bless you."

Both Iruka and Anko smiled, as they watched Kurenai interact with her son, while they themselves held their own infant daughters in their arms.

"By the way, who won the pool Hokage-sama?"

"Ahhh yes Kiba, I'm glad you reminded me. There were two winners of the pool who get to divvy up the money. They were your very own teammates Hinata and Shino."

"You two knew! Why didn't you tell me?" Kiba exclaimed in disbelief.

"I did not know for sure Kiba; I merely made an educated guess off of the information I had available to me." Shino retorted in defense.

"What information?"

"As you know Kiba, I have a Kikai insect assigned to my teammates and those people who are important to me such as Sensei. For several weeks prior to Naruto and Kakashi-Sensei's departure, my insect assigned to Sensei would periodically report that she was in distress. However, whenever I saw Sensei I noted she appeared not to have endured any physical suffering. So I surmised that it must be some emotional turmoil she was experiencing. I then correlated the times the insect reported these disturbances and found she had been in the presence of Kakashi-Sensei 81.7% of the time. Also the term of Sensei's pregnancy parallels the amount of time he has been gone with Naruto. Based upon this information I hypothesized that the odds of Kakashi-Sensei being the father were substantially greater than that of anyone else and made my wager accordingly in the pool.

"Too many big words, I still don't understand? What about you Hinata?"

"Ummm, I, I sort of knew Kiba-kun."

"And neither one of you could hook your own teammate up with the info. I can't believe my very own teammates would do that to me, that's cold."

"I'm, I'm sorry Kiba-kun, but it wasn't my place to share that information with anyone."

"I agree with Hinata and besides you could have asked me who I thought it was, but you never did." Shino calmly replied in agreement with his kunoichi teammate.

"I was just so sure that it was Iruka-Sensei." Kiba bemoaned out loud.

"You weren't the only one kid, but you should have realized that I'm more than enough woman for my Iruka-kun here." Anko boasted before placing a kiss on Iruka's cheek.

"Yes Iruka, I'm afraid your reign as the King-Stud of Konoha is at an end now that people will know you didn't bed down the both of them." Tsunade declared with mirth.

"Ahh well, I knew this day was coming, but it was good while it lasted."

"Iruka!" Kurenai snapped with indignation.

"Sorry Kurenai, I never confirmed or denied the rumor the people came up with, but kept my mouth shut. But I have to admit it didn't hurt my reputation with the men in this village and it wasn't my fault that they erroneously believed I had nailed both you and Anko-chan here."

"And you were fine with this Anko?" Kurenai asked in astonishment.

"Why not, I felt a sense of pride in being married to the King-Stud who had shagged two of the most beautiful kunoichi's in the village even if I knew it wasn't true."

"Unbelievable, you two are just unbelievable." Kurenai exclaimed in utter resignation before she cooed to her son.

"I may have to rethink making your Auntie Anko and Uncle Iruka as your Godparents. They may be a bad influence on you."

"KURENAI!" Both Anko and Iruka shouted in unison.

"Ha, ha, ha, I'll let you three work that out later. However, before you go picking godparents for your son Kurenai, you still need a name for him, have you got one yet?" Tsunade laughingly asked.

"Hai, I do. I would proudly like to introduce to all of you my son Minato Yuuhi Hatake."

(End of Flashback)

---

Tsunade smiled broadly at that memory and knew how much Kakashi revered Minato. The blonde Hokage was quite certain that he would have no problem with that name upon his return. The only thing that saddened Tsunade was in not knowing when Kakashi, Naruto, and especially Jiraiya would be returning to the village. Tsunade had broached the subject that if she was contacted by them did Kurenai want to inform Kakashi about his son. After much debate, Kurenai decided against it knowing how important this mission to train Naruto was for Kakashi and what it meant to him. Her decision not to tell Kakashi would mean a bit of hardship for the Genjutsu mistress in having to raise the boy without his father around, but she had Hinata to help and knew that Kakashi wouldn't be gone forever.

The buxom blonde Hokage turned away from the balcony and made her way back to her chair to sit down. Looking at the paperwork piled like mountains atop her desk and decided she might as well attempt to get some of it done. Calling out to Shizune, Tsunade wanted to know what paperwork needed to be done first. Just as the first apprentice of Tsunade entered the office a small orange toad appeared in a puff of smoke onto the desk knocking over the mounds of paperwork, as the amphibian announced itself.

"Greeting Slug Queen, it is I Gamakichi son of the great Gamabunta-sama, the King of the Toad Summons at your service. I bring urgent word from the Toad Sage of Mt. Myouboku and his young protégé."

Gamakichi then unfurled his long tongue and dropped a scroll into Tsunade's lap who quickly opened the parchment and began reading.

"What does it say Lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked with curiosity.

"It's a message from Jiraiya-kun. It says they've just learned of Orochimaru's attack of the village and want to know if they need to return. They also want to know the outcome, who has been hurt, what happened, etc, etc."

"The young tadpole was especially concerned with well being of the pretty lady." Gamakichi croaked out.

"The pretty lady?"

"Yes, the pretty lady with lavender eyes and indigo hair, who also has the softest hands in the world." Gamakchi answered dreamily, while reliving the memory of Hinata petting him when he first met her.

"Ahh Hinata Hyuga."

"She's the one! Gamakichi exclaimed before adding.

"I have to say it's nice that the kid has a girl who loves him waiting back here."

'She's not the only one little toad.' Tsunade silently mused, as a recent memory emerged.

(Flashback Three Days)

Tsunade sighed wearily, as she trudged through the silent hallways of the hospital. It was late and the blonde Hokage had just finished making her final medical rounds of the more critical patients for the day. Patients such as Rock Lee who had nearly killed himself in his fight to defeat Sasuke., but thankfully he would survive although it would take upwards of a year for the boy to fully recover. Now all the Slug Sannin wanted to do was curl up with a bottle of sake and one of her favorite books written by her erstwhile teammate and the man she loved Jiraiya. It was a closely guarded secret that Tsunade had shared with no one not even Shizune that buxom Hokage was actually a secret fan of his Icha-Icha series.

However, before Tsunade could muse any further about her plans for the evening, a faint sound down one of the hallways caught her attention. Peering around a corner, she was surprised to see Hinata hobbling down the dimly lit corridor, but her surprise quickly turned to concern when she saw the young Hyuga girl stop and enter Sakura's hospital room. Fearing the worse, Tsunade shunshin'd down the hallway and caught the door before it closed and listened, as the two young kunocihi's and former classmates spoke to one another.

"Is someone there?" Sakura called out into the dark of her room with a little trepidation.

The young girl had been half asleep, but could have sworn she heard the creak of her hospital room door opening. Reaching over Sakura flicked on a lamp sitting on a table by the bed, which illuminated the room under a soft glow of light, before she squeaked in surprise. For there sitting in a chair a few feet away from her was none other than Hinata. The stern look the Hyuga girl bore upon her face, as she stared intently at Sakura made the pink-haired girl a little nervous, remembering their encounter in the Hokage's office last year. Finally, Hinata broke the foreboding silence with a question she didn't want to ask, but needed to know the answer Sakura would give.

"Do you love him?"

"Wh-what?"

"I asked, do you love him?"

"Who, who do you mean Hinata?"

"Who do you think Sakura, I'm talking about Naruto. Are you in love with Naruto-kun?"

Sakura's head dropped down and she stared at her lap and wondered how or even if she should answer Hinata's question. After a few moments the young kunoichi decided she was through lying to herself and others about her feelings for Naruto. Taking a deep breath to muster up her courage, Sakura looked up and softly answered before closing her eyes and waiting for the beating she was sure to come at the hands of Hinata.

"Hai Hinata I do, I am in love with Naruto."

A few seconds passed before Sakura tentatively opened her eyes when she hadn't felt any Juuken strikes hitting her body or any sound or movement from the Hyuga girl sitting near her. Hinata merely remained seated and unmoving with her own eyes closed as if in deep contemplation. Cautiously, Sakura spoke up once again and asked her own stammering question.

"Hinata, you're, you're not mad at me or hate me for being in love with Naruto?"

After a few moments, Hinata's eyes snapped open and gazed at Sakura closely before replying in a calm voice.

"No Sakura, I'm not mad that you're in love with Naruto-kun. To be honest, I don't understand how any girl cannot fall in love with him. Don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly thrilled to hear you say you love him, but I understand why you do, so I can't very well hate you for it."

"Th-thank you."

"It still doesn't explain why you turned down Sasuke's offer."

"Wh-what do you mean?"

"The offer Sasuke made to you during your fight, to let him take me away Otogakure leaving only you behind when Naruto returns. He was right you know, with me gone you could have used it to your advantage and gotten together with Naruto-kun. I passed out again before I could hear your answer, so I still don't understand why you didn't take Sasuke up on his offer to walk away."

"I wouldn't do that to you, we're friends."

"Stop lying Sakura, we were never friends, we barely knew one another back in the academy. I remember I did try to be your friend after you ended your friendship with Ino because of Sasuke. I saw you sitting alone during lunch daydreaming about him no doubt and tried to talk to you. That wasn't an easy thing for me do considering how shy I was back at the academy. Do you remember what your response was to me that day?"

Sakura racked her brain trying to recover that memory, but to no avail and sadly shook her head.

"You shouted at me and accused me of trying to get close to you, so I could steal your Sasuke-kun away. You told me to stay away from you and especially from Sasuke and if I didn't you would make me pay."

Instantly, the memory of that encounter flashed through Sakura's mind confirming everything Hinata had just said and it brought a tear to her eye. Looking down with shame and in a voice full of remorse young pink-haired kunoichi quietly said.

"You're right Hinata, we weren't friends and for what it's worth I'm sorry how I treated you that day. I never realized how many people I've hurt in my life because of my stupid obsession over Sasuke."

"You still haven't answered my question, why did you turn Sasuke down? With me out of the picture your chances of getting Naruto would have considerable since you were the first girl he loved."

"Perhaps they would and had I been the same selfish, self-absorbed bitch I was back at the academy, I might have taken Sasuke up on his offer, but I'm not that same person anymore. Even if we aren't friends Hinata, I couldn't allow Sasuke to do to you what he did to me. As much as I might wish for it and would give almost anything to have a life with Naruto, I would not sell my soul to achieve it. Which is exactly what I would be doing if I gained Naruto because I let Sasuke take you away. Had I accepted Sasuke's offer I would be just as much a monster as Sasuke is and Naruto deserves better than a monster to be with, he deserves you Hinata."

An eerie pall of silence enveloped the room like a shroud and the only sound that was heard was of Sakura softly weeping.

"Thank you for that Sakura and thank you for saving me." Hinata stated in gratitude and sincerity before rising from her chair and walking towards the door before stopping and turning back to Sakura said.

"I can appreciate that you do love Naruto-kun, but I won't lose him to you when he returns. If I have to, I will fight you with every ounce of strength I possess to keep him. I love him too much to do otherwise; I hope you understand my position."

"I understand Hinata, but I'm no threat to you. I've had my chances, plenty of them to be with Naruto, but I foolishly threw them all away and I've no one to blame for that but myself. I know I have no chance to be with Naruto like that now because his heart belongs to another, it belongs to you Hinata. Before he left Naruto told me he loves you with all his heart and soul. He also said that while a small part of him will always love and care about me, which is more than I deserve, but that it was nothing compared to the love he feels for you. You needn't worry about me or anyone else for that matter Hinata, you and you alone hold Naruto's heart."

"And he holds mine." Hinata softly declared, as a tear rolled down her cheek before adding.

"Thank you for sharing that with me Sakura."

As Hinata turned back around towards the door, Sakura called out from behind.

"Hinata wait, I know I probably don't deserve it and you have every right to say no, but if you're willing, I honestly would like the opportunity to become your friend."

Hinata paused a moment and looked back to see Sakura's face etched with hope and replied.

"I don't know, I still remember how badly you've hurt Naruto-kun and I still get a little angry about that. However, I can sense that you are a different person than what you were in the past. We'll just have to see where time takes us in the future. Perhaps we can become friends in the future; I know Naruto-kun would appreciate that. I don't know, but at the very least, I don't think we need to be enemies anymore."

"Thank you Hinata."

As Hinata hobbled away back to her own hospital room she never noticed Tsunade release her henge that had camouflaged the blonde Hokage concealing her into the hospital wall outside of Sakura's room. Shaking her head in amazement at the conversation she had just heard Tsunade could only think with admiration.

'You're an amazing grandson Naruto, to have two girls who both love you so much that they're willing to make an effort to try and become friends just for your sake is truly a testament of how special you really are.'

(End of Flashback)

"Lady Tsunade….LADY TSUNADE!"

The blonde Hokage was roused out of her musing by the Shizune shouting her name. Once again her attention returned to reality and she asked.

"I'm sorry Shizune, what were you saying?"

"I said Gamakichi would like to visit with Hinata, shall I take him to her?"

'I can't let Gamakichi see Hinata in her present condition and report it back to Naruto.' Tsunade thought in a panic to herself.

"Ummm no, Hinata is currently unavailable at the moment, but she's doing very well little one. Besides which, you need to get back to Jiraiya-sama and let him and Naruto know that all of his friends are alright."

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune exclaimed in disbelief before a harsh glare from her master told the young woman she had better shut up.

After a few minutes of writing on a scroll, Tsunade rolled it up and sealed it before handing it back to Gamakichi and said.

"Now take this back to the Toad-Sage as quickly as you can. Here's a piece of candy for your troubles and thank you for doing this Gamakichi."

"I like candy!" The small orange toad excitedly proclaimed, before popping the sweet-treat into his mouth and swallowing. After he was finished, he rose up and declared.

"I'll get this to the Toad-Sage right away Slug Queen! I just wish I could have seen the pretty lady before I left. I've got a message from the kid for her and he wanted me to make sure that she was ok."

"She's fine Gamakichi, I promise I'll deliver Naruto's message to her personally. You just tell Naruto that Hinata loves and misses him very much and hopes he will be able to return soon."

"I'll deliver that message for the pretty lady!"

The diminutive amphibian then coughed up another scroll onto Tsunade's desk and with a final wave of his webbed-hand the son of Gamabunta disappeared in a puff of smoke. Tsunade reached over and poured herself another shot of sake and quickly downed it before taking the scroll and putting into her jacket pocket. As she began to pour herself another shot is when the blonde Hokage noticed Shizune still in the room glaring daggers at her. Annoyed at getting the evil eye from her first apprentice, Tsunade asked in an irritated tone of voice.

"Something you want to say Shizune?"

"How could you lie to Naruto and say that all of his friends especially Hinata were alright!"

"Because in this instance, a lie serves us better than the truth does."

"I don't understand Lady Tsunade?"

"What do you think would happen if I let Naruto, Jiraiya, and Kakashi know the truth about what happened during the invasion?"

"I suppose they would want to return to the Leaf village."

"Exactly, making the entire mission to train Naruto to the maximum of his abilities and learn to subjugate and control the Kyuubi no Youko's power a complete failure."

"Perhaps they could come back for a short time."

"It wouldn't work, once Naruto got a look at his friends and especially Hinata and learned that it was Sasuke who did the damage, it might trigger another Kyuubi event like we had last year. At the very least once Naruto saw all of their injuries, we couldn't pry him out of the village with a crowbar. I know the little gaki, he would want to stay and protect all of his precious people."

"Is that such a bad idea? We definitely could have used the strength and skills that Master Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Naruto possess during the battle."

I know we could have Shizune, but trust me Naruto staying in the village would be a bad idea because it wouldn't be safe for him. For one thing until I can figure out a way to wrest control of the Council from Hiashi, they will do nothing but try and hinder Naruto's training if not halt it altogether. Also there's the fact that if the Akatsuki, Orochimaru, and Sasuke knew that Naruto is back in the village. Then they can plan and attack again anytime they want because they know he's back. So not only does Naruto staying here threaten his own life, but also the lives of everyone here in the Leaf village. However, if Naruto is constantly on the move traveling with Jiraiya and Kakashi to train and protect him, then our enemies can't prepare an attack on him because they won't know where he is. There was at least one positive from Orochimaru's attack, it confirmed to the entire world that Naruto is no longer in the Leaf village."

It took Shizune a few minutes to process and debate everything Tsunade had just said to her before the first protégé of the Slug Sannin finally commented with resignation.

"I suppose it's for the best, but still it just doesn't feel right to lie. What did you say and how much did you reveal about what happened in that scroll you sent back?"

"To carry on with their mission and I just gave them the basic facts about what happened. I didn't go in to any great details about anything or anyone." Tsunade replied with added emphasis on the final word answering Shizune's unasked question.

"A lie of omission is still a lie Lady Tsunade."

"I'm not proud of it, but I honestly believe it's for the best."

"You know Chouji was one of Naruto's closest friends, he may never forgive you for not telling him about his death when he learns of it upon his return."

"Not informing Naruto about Chouji's death barely cracks the top five of things I hope the little gaki will forgive me for upon his return Shizune."

Tsunade watched her assistant nod her head in affirmation before exiting the office. The buxom blonde Hokage could only sigh in acceptance and pray to Kami that she had done the right thing. Slamming down another shot of sake, Tsunade spat out-loud with anger and frustration.

"I hope that slithering bastard of Sannin is having as bad a week as I've had."

---

Kami must have been listening to the Slug Sannin's plea for indeed Orochimaru had been having a very bad week. The failure to conquer his former homeland for a second time had left the Snake Sannin seething with rage. For not only had he failed to capture or destroy the Leaf village, but nearly two-thirds of his army had been wounded or killed by the joint forces of the Leaf and Sand. In fact the only reason he wasn't dead or rotting away in an ANBU jail cell back in Konoha by now was due to cutting a deal with the Fire and Wind Daimyo's to call off their respective armies from invading the Rice country and attacking Otogakure.

It infuriated the Snake Sannin that he was forced to pay $250,000,000 ryo to the Land of Fire and $100,000,000 to the Land of Wind to halt their armies. It would appear to the rest of the world that it was the Rice Daimyo who was paying these war reparations, but only Orochimaru knew the truth. The truth being that the Rice Daimyo was merely a puppet figure head of his own choosing and the true power and leadership of the Rice country was firmly in Orochimaru's iron grip. So it actuality, it was his money he was being forced to pay and the Snake Sannin vowed that he would raid every merchant caravan from the lands of the Wind and Fire he could over the coming years until he had recouped what he had lost.

As Orochimaru stalked down the corridor towards the medical wing of his base his thoughts now turned towards one person,…..Sasuke Uchiha. Kabuto had been healing the Uchiha's injuries and running tests to see how much damage young man had done to his body by his overuse of the cursed-seal powers during the invasion. To say the Snake Sannin was displeased with the young Uchiha would be an understatement. For if Sasuke had permanently damaged his body then it would be totally useless to Orochimaru when he looked to take it over in a few years. If that were the case, Sasuke's usefulness to the Snake Sannin would be meaningless. And though Sasuke did provide some enjoyment and had a proficiency in the bedroom, Orochimaru knew he could always find another sex-toy to play with, as he entered a room and called out.

"Kabuto-kun, what is the health status of dear Sssssssasuke-kun here?"

"Lo-Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto answered in a garbled voice, before his hand reached up to his throat to rub the horizontal scar marring it signifying Kakashi's Chidori strike that had forever destroyed his once melodic voice.

Orochimaru's gaze fell upon Sasuke who was sitting upright on a bed with his typical brooding visage adorning his face. The young man appeared to be fit and healthy, but the Snake Sannin needed to know for sure and asked again.

"Report Kabuto-kun, what is the health status of Sssssssasuke-kun?"

"Lord Orochimaru, I've been able to heal all of the minor injuries Sasuke sustained during the invasion and he should be able to resume his duties in a couple of days."

"So there were no permanent injuries to young Sssssssasuke-kun due to his overuse of his cursed-seal gift I bestowed to him?"

"Hn." Sasuke scoffed.

"No my lord, nothing permanent, but Sasuke did severely damage his chakra coils by calling upon the cursed-seal powers so much during his battles."

"But they will heal?"

"Yes my lord, however for them to properly heal and make a full recovery. Sasuke will not be able to learn or utilize any jutsu's for a year."

"A year, I'm not going to stop training or learning new jutsu's for a year! I don't care what this marbled-mouth four-eyed hack has to say!" Sasuke snidely commented.

Suddenly, the Uchiha youth found himself lifted out of the bed and being held aloft in the air with Orochimaru's right hand wrapped tightly around his throat. As Sasuke struggled for breath, he heard the Snake Sannin hiss angrily and with authority at him.

"You will do as you are told Sssssssasuke! Never forget who the master is around here. I will not have you further damaging your body because of your arrogance. Do you understand me?"

Sasuke felt Orochimaru's hand tighten even more around his throat, as the Snake Sannin asked his question. Knowing he was powerless to stop Orochimaru from choking the life out of him if he so choose. Sasuke swallowed his pride and nodded his head furiously before he was unceremoniously dumped back onto the bed. Gasping and choking for air, the Uchiha rubbed his throat as he heard Orochimaru say to him.

"Kabuto-kun did not say you would have to stop training only to stop learning or using any jutsu's until you chakra coils have healed sufficiently. So for the next year you will hone your body physically until it is at the peak of strength, agility, and definition. And after a years time when you can resume learning and using jutsu's again, you will be then be the perfect warrior both physically and skillfully in the shinobi arts."

Sasuke only nodded his head in agreement with the Snake Sannin, but privately he seethed at the thought of not being able to learn or use any jutsu's for a whole year. An entire year in which his revenge against his brother would have to further be put on hold. As Orochimaru and Kabuto discussed Sasuke's condition with one another, all Sasuke could do is fume with rage as he thought to himself.

'I swear to Kami I'm going to make them all pay! Chouji was just the start, by the time you return Naruto, I want to see you weeping over 10 graves before I kill you!'

---

Author Notes: So ends the Aftermath chapter of the Invasion Arc of the story. I have to admit I had some serious difficulty at times in writing this chapter. Not so much from a content or idea standpoint, but from a layout standpoint of how to convey all the information I wanted to without this turning into a 30,000-word chapter. I finally struck upon just having a single focal point for the chapter, that being Tsunade in her office with lots of narrative and a series of flashbacks throughout the week after the invasion to try and explain everything. A bit of a departure from how I normally layout the chapters, but hopefully most of you were able to follow the storyline without any confusion.

This officially brings an end to the Invasion Arc of my story. As you can see I finished off a few of the side storylines as well as created some new ones. Overall I'm generally pleased with the results and I hope all of you were as well. So, I'm very curious to see what the responses to this chapter will be from everyone. For those readers who have been clamoring for Naruto to return your wish is granted, as for the spectacular 50th chapter Naruto returns! Well he doesn't return to the village, but he Kakashi and Jiraiya return with an all-new original adventure chapter devoted solely to them with a time-skip as well.

Now I wish to thank everyone both old and new readers who took the time to review my last chapter. For those of you who did review, you all had a lot to say about the last chapter and I'm pleased that this story has such a strong fan base with readers who actually write out well thought-out reviews. The reviews that actually force an author to think about something are the ones that are most helpful to us. Because of that, I enjoy reading many of your reviews, so please leave lots of them, as they do help a writer get an idea of the thoughts and opinions of the fans of a story. They also can help lift the spirits of an author as well. Also, to any readers who are staff members to any C2 communities, please feel free to add my story to your community if you feel it is worthy of it. I won't mind, I swear. I'll even pinkie swear if I need to?

Oh yeah, in case you're wondering how I came up with a figure of 5,000 people attending Chouji's funeral. I figured if William and Kate can have that many guest at their wedding, then by God Chouji should have at least that many for his memorial service. Also the first scene of this chapter was the last scene of chapter 41, which should have clued everyone in that Naruto, Jiraiya, and Kakashi would not be arriving to save the day during the invasion.

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News, Shout-outs, and Explanations

News:

If you didn't already know, I've been writing a revised version of a Naruto/Bleach crossover story I was co-writing with my fellow author NeonZangetsu. The new revised story is called "Do I Have A Purpose Anymore?" If you're both a Naruto and a Bleach fan I think you will really enjoy this story. So far I've posted four chapters of the revised story, so catching up if you wish to read it will not be time consuming for you to do. And now that I've posted this update, you should see more chapters to that story being posted very soon. Also look for a new chapter to post for the story "Supreme Genetics – Creation of a Bloodline" I co-write with Hefster within the next couple of weeks. If you're a fan of the angst, drama, suspense, surprises, and romance I've done with "Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath" then you should enjoy reading this tale as well. So if you could be so kind, please checkout both stories when you have a chance.

Shout-outs:

First I wish to thank Kyuubi123 for his assistance in helping me with the Kurenai apology to Anko scene. Being such a talented author, his ideas provided me some insight that helped me to write that scene with proper angst, drama, and emotions. However, do not blame him for the scene that follows the apology, that ones totally on me. As I'm sure some people are going to enjoy it and others, mmmm…..not so much. What can I say; it was just a bit of perverted humor that popped into my head somehow?

Second, I wish to congratulate the author Hektols and his amazing story "New Chance" upon reaching the notable milestone of over 4,000 reviews. An impressive feat and one I can only hope I will be able to reach some day. So congratulations Hektols for attaining this milestone, you and your remarkable story deserve it.

Finally, I'd like to thank my reader Dudesgotagun for helping me reach a mini-milestone of achieving 100 reviews for a single chapter that being chapter 40. Granted it took nine+ months after I had posted that chapter of getting to that mark, but I appreciate him and all the others who left reviews for that chapter and wish to say thanks to all of you for that.

Explanations of Chapter 48:

There were three issues that were brought up by several reviewers that I will now explain my thought processes on as to why I wrote them the way I did.

Choui's death at the hands of Sasuke seemed pointless.

This seems to be a recurring theme with several of the reviews I've gotten. Not that Chouji's death disappoints or angers people, but the way he died does. Let me explain my thoughts on the subject as to why I did it that way.

It's easy to write a death of someone valiantly fighting against overwhelming odds before they heroically fall. It's a great visual and any warrior would want to go out like that, but it's also more Hollywood than it is reality. And you really can't have any fallout about his death other than what I did because you are in the middle of a battle.

I'm going to quote one reviewer Monte-chan who truly understood what I was trying to convey and he wrote this.

"I see that life itself, not even including war, often brings death for NO REASON AT ALL. And like Choji, people in war don't always die in the coolest scenes-they die in undignified flashes.

Some of the people who fought at the Battle at Normandy didn't get to take down a few guys as they were riddled with bullets, or sacrificed themselves in a grenade explosion to save a comrade.

They died right as they stepped off the boats.

So while this could be seen as a big failing to some, at the same time, it's a big dose of reality in a dramatic and fantastic universe."

Another reviewer really slammed me for Chouji's death seeming to be pointless and wasn't dramatic enough for them. And a few others wanted the "Chouji going down swinging" scenario, which as I've said is a great visual, but in reality very few soldiers get to go down like that. A lot of them die not even knowing what killed them it happened so fast. However, just because they died like that doesn't make them any less of a hero.

Why wasn't Sasuke punished more?

As for Sasuke, you've got to trust me. Yes, he didn't get severely punished for everything he went through...yet. Did you miss the line when Orochimaru said to Sasuke,

"Revert back to your human form and that will lessen the pain you are feeling. However, when we return to Otogakure we will have to see what damage has been done by your overuse of the cursed-seal."

As much as I would like to include stuff like that, there's only so much I can put into a single chapter. I have to carry stuff over like the consequences Sasuke is going to suffer. If I didn't I'd be writing 30,000-word long chapters. This is why you learned of the consequences in this chapter.

How does Sasuke have the strength to be able to shushin over and kill Chouji from behind?

The shushin or Body Flicker technique is only a D ranked jutsu. And since I had Naruto using it as far back as chapter 22 it stands to reason that Sasuke would also be at the level to use it. And like Shikamaru said in the chapter, Sasuke's overusage of the cursed-seal had shutdown him being able to access his Demonic Chakra.

However, when he reverted back to his human form he could still access his regular chakra. Yes Sasuke is exhausted and he's depleted a lot of that normal chakra from his fights as well. But because the shushin is such a low ranking jutsu, it probably doesn't use a lot of chakra to activate. So I could easily see Sasuke borrowing Orochimaru's blade and sneaking in from behind to kill Chouji and that's key. Because if he tried to take Chouji on face to face he would get his ass handed to him by Chouji because of all the previous fights the teme has already gone through.

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Hottest Anime Girls Poll:

I've reached my goal of having over 1000 individual voters on the poll and will be closing the voting on it. In fact over 1,100 people have cast their votes for the Top 10 Hottest Anime Girls and listed below along with the number of votes they received is your official Top 10. As you can see the lavender-eyed Hyuga princess finished #1 overall by a large margin. If you would like to see the totals for every girl and where they placed just go to my profile page.

Hinata Hyuga (Naruto) 558

Anko Mitarashi (Naruto) 475

Yoruichi Shihoin (Bleach) 426

Kurenai Yuuhi (Naruto) 411

Orohime Inoue (Bleach) 300

Rangiku Matsumoto (Bleach) 267

Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy VII) 236

Temari Sabaku (Naruto) 229

Moka Akashiya (Rosario+Vampire) 209

Nico Robin (One Piece) 204

Overall I think the poll was a huge success and I'm pleased that four of the girls I personally voted for finished in the top six. And nine of the ten girls I chose finished in the top 30. My worst finishing girl was Misato Katsuragi from Neon Genesis Evangelion fame. I guess I'm showing my age a bit because she should have finished much higher in my opinion. Misato Katsuragi is the template from which we got the characters of Faye Valentine, Anko Mitarashi, Yoruichi Shihoin and many other female characters that have been created in anime over the last 15 years. However, the voters have spoken and I'll just have to live with it. Thank you to everyone who participated in the poll.

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Now, onto everyone's favorite section Kingkakashi's rants on the manga yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Once again I have very few positive things to say about the last few issues of the Naruto manga!

*Warning I do give away some spoilers in my rants, so read at your own risk.

#533 – This chapter was a continuation of the Ino-Shika-Cho fight against Asuma. Chouji's still acting like a punk and refusing to fight his dead Sensei until Asuma calls him a worthless fat-ass. Initially this inspired Chouji to fight but then he punked out again. It then got to the point where Asuma was about to hurt or kill Chouji, but Ino switched bodies with him and fought Asuma using Chouji's body, while lecturing her former teammate about what a dumbass he's being. Now we get to a cool part where Kishi actually does a credible job in giving us some insight into the history of the Akimichi clan and their nindo. Chouji finally mans up and we see he is able to go into full power mode without having to ingest the Akimichi Food pills. That and the insight into the Akimichi clan made this a decent chapter to read in my opinion.

#534 – This was an ok chapter, as the new Ino-Shika-Cho trio finally took down Asuma once and for all. Chouji goes giganto mode and is declaring that he will end this battle now. So of course I'm fired up to see what is about to happen. Then Kishimoto reminds us once again of what a dick he can be and we switchover to Naruto and Killer-Bee still training. Naruto is still confused about sensing the Nine-Tails chakra outside of the Temple and attempts to leave to go check it out. He finally realizes that something is up? (Like a war maybe!) Naruto is confronted by Shibi Aburame and several guards to prevent him leaving. Naruto wants an explanation then Iruka arrives ending the chapter. This chapter could have been awesome if Kishi hadn't cheated us on what Chouji was going to do. Instead by doing that, he made this a boring chapter.

#535 – This chapter starts off with Iruka lying to Naruto and trying to keep him from leaving the island. Naruto doesn't buy it and busts through the Temple's dome of chakra and is now able to sense all the various battles going on in the war. Iruka then tells Naruto the truth about Madara and the war. The two of them have a verbal feel-good moment with each other and then the Alliance guards throw up a chakra barrier to prevent Naruto from leaving the Temple and going off to fight. Another feel-good moment between Naruto and Iruka and the chapter ends. This wasn't a bad chapter per-say, just kind of boring to me.

#536 – A continuation of Naruto attempting to escape the island, it starts off with Iruka meeting Killer Bee and asking that he protect Naruto. KB agrees and let's Iruka know how important he is to Naruto's life, as everything Iruka has taught him Naruto has taken to heart. KB then sets off to join Naruto and escape the island. We then cut to a scene of Zetsu attacking the Daimyo safe house, but is stopped by the hot Godaime Mizukage and several Alliance ninja. Tsunade and Ei the Yondaime Raikage order the Alliance barrier team to throw up a super-badass barrier and keep Naruto from escaping. It works until KB shows up and they breakthrough the barrier together. Zetsu senses Naruto and KB out in the world and informs Madara about Naruto and KB being out in the open. On a side-note, it would be nice if Kishimoto could be bothered to tell us what some of Zetsu's powers are? If for no other reason, than to explain how he can single-handedly fight a Mizukage and several of what I can only assume to be Jounin class ninja. Madara then joins the battlefield where General Dariu and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio have been fighting and unleashes the 500ft tall Bijuu statue that is used to seal away a Jinchuuriki's power. Overall, this is a solid chapter, as it's primarily a set-up chapter for the upcoming ones.

#537 – This chapter starts off really well of Chouji and Chouza Akimichi in giant form taking on the Bijuu statue Madara calls Gedo Mazo. Meanwhile, Naruto and KB are making their way to the battlefield, while Tsunade and Ei are informed at HQ of Madara and the statue joining in the battle. They also are alerted of Naruto and KB's escape and are pissed. So the two of them leave HQ to try and confront them. Not the most strategically advantageous move they could have done, but oh well. At least they left Shikaku Nara in charge of HQ while they take their joyride. The Gedo Mazo statue is tearing apart the Alliance forces. Wow, imagine that, Kishimoto over-powering one of the bad guys, hard to believe isn't it. I mean we haven't seen that happen in what five or six chapters, so I guess it was overdue on his part.

Anyway, Madara then makes a play to steal the Amber Pot that was used to seal away the Kin-Gin brothers. He needs their Nine-Tailed chakra for something, but Kishimoto didn't really elaborate on what. Shikamaru was about to reveal it, which had Madara complimenting his genius. But then the Gedo Mazo interrupts what Shikamaru was about to say and we learn nothing, thanks Kishi! In the end we did learn that the war has so far been a stalemate with the Shinobi Alliance losing 40,000 in casualties out of 80,000 and Madara losing 50,000 out of 100,000. The end of the chapter is the stereotypical scene of the villain Madara declaring he will soon be victorious etc, etc.

#538 – This chapter starts off interesting enough with Kyuubi trying to have an intelligent conversation with Naruto in his mindscape. We also get a flashback memory of Naruto, Sasuke and the others and little kids at the academy. Of course Kishimoto's love of Sasuke is so strong that it's a memory of Sasuke beating Naruto in a spar and the rest of the class jeering at Naruto. That aside all I can say is I agree with everything Kyuubi said to Naruto 100%!

#539 – A small continuation the Naruto/Kyuubi conversation and yes Naruto is still acting like an idiot. We then cut back to the war with Neji collapsing seemingly from overuse of his Byakugan and he gets sent back behind the lines for medical aid. We then get a brief scene of Itachi and Pein walking together and debating about their roles in the war. I hope Kishimoto doesn't waste these characters talents and has them team-up against Madara. Neji gets to the medics and Sakura heals him, but then Jounin medics start getting murdered and Sakura somehow deduces with no evidence to support her theory whatsoever, that there must be a spy in the camp and he is being controlled by Madara. I'm sorry, but couldn't it have been just a regular spy or Alliance traitor who is doing it for money or some other reason or reward then to come up with that initial hypothesis.

Anyway, Neji vows to ferret out the spy with his Byakugan and there is a suspicious character in the background roaming around where Sakura is. The suspicious dude turns out to be a Sakura fan-boy wanting to give her a love letter, while the actual spy turns out to be….Neji, as he kills two more medics. This actually pisses me off because I like Neji as a character. Also, it's a cheap way to support Sakura's instant theory that the murdering spy is somehow being controlled by Madara or one of his minions. I really can't say that this chapter was good or bad, as it came across really jumpy to me. All I can honestly say about this chapter is that the ending really hacked me off.

#540 – Ok, I don't do it often, but I will give Kishimoto props for this chapter. I absolutely loved that the Sakura fan-boy commented that whoever Sakura loves must be a great person and then we get to see who it is Sakura is talking and thinking about…..SASUKE! It only strengthens my theory that Kishimoto who is on record as loving Sasuke and always writes him doing these kick-ass things did the same thing for Sakura in this, acting in a kick-ass way same as Sasuke. She discovers the murdering spy is actually a White Zetsu posing as Neji and we also learn a little bit about Zetsu's powers, which was a previous gripe of mine. So just going off of how he had her act in this chapter it leads me to believe as I've said before Kishimoto will pair the #1 fan-girl Sakura with a repentant Sasuke his #1 favorite character before the story ends.

We do get a nice moment in this chapter (FINALLY) with Hinata vowing to protect Naruto. There is also an interesting scene where we learn that Kabuto is holding back Pein and Itachi maybe as a trump card to use against Madara later on. Shikaku learns of the White Zetsu infiltration and is trying to figure out a way to stop them. And then we get the final scene of Ei and Tsunade intercepting Naruto and Killer Bee. This was all the good stuff of the chapter, now to the one part that pisses me off. It's another freaking power-up advantage Kishimoto has given the bad-guys. White Zetsu's that can imitate the Alliance shinobi right down to their chakra signatures to kill and wreak havoc inside the Alliance lines. I've said this before, in my opinion, Kishimoto has done so much to make Madara, Sasuke, Kabuto, and all the rest of the baddies so powerful that victory by the good guy's against such overwhelming forces will just seem utterly ridiculous to me when it happens.

Yes, I'm still thoroughly disgusted that Kishimoto hasn't done anything yet with Hinata's confession to Naruto now reaching 103 freaking issues!

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Now I'd like to give a shout out to three stories of quality work that I recommend. Now, I know I recommended these stories last chapter, but the search engines were down back then and it was impossible to look up any of these stories or after several weeks it appears that finally corrected the search engine problem, so I urge all of you once again to checkout these fine works when you have the time.

Recommendations:

"Apprentice of The Sage" by Zentary: A brand new story from an author who always produces quality tales. He's only two chapters in so better to recommend the story in its early stages to allow people to get quickly caught up. Since as I said this author doesn't write bad stories and he promises that this new tale will not detract from him updating in a timely fashion the other fine stories he currently has in production. I'm holding you to your word on that Zentary.

"Legends Never Die" by Kyuubi123: Another quality author on this site. This story is the follow up companion piece to his smash-hit story "Naruto's True Nindo" that I've recommended in the past on more than one occasion. If you haven't read that story, I urge you to read it first before moving onto this tale. As this story is essentially a continuation or sequel of that fine tale.

"The Way It Should Have Been"by Tyr'amun: A really creative and original story I recently discovered that quite frankly deserves way more reviews then it has gotten so far. The author has done such a fantastic job of writing and developing a tale that is so different, yet he also blends the elements of the original within it so well that I don't want to spoil it for you by describing the story. I will say that the pairing is NarutoxHinata but it's developed in an entertaining way that I've never seen before. So if you're in the mood for something unique then this is definitely a story you should checkout and review.

Now please be kind and leave precious valuable reviews on these stories.

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As always, if anyone wants to discuss my story in greater detail, just shoot me a PM. I enjoy talking about the story with any readers who really have an interest in it. I'll try to respond back to you as quickly as I can.

Take it easy and be good!

Kingkakashi

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School Time:

Au Naturel

Definition: In the natural state; Nude, naked.

Etymology: French 1817

Part of Speech: Adjective