Chapter 17 - Battle in the Snow

Midoshi stood before the ninja leaders of Oto no Kuni (Land of Sound). She had the attention of the ninja when she mentioned the future. One man looked at Midoshi with disdain.

"Our future? Ha, who are you trying to fool! Are you Orochimaru's assassin?! What type of trap is this?!" he shouted.

"Ah, the fearless leader of the Fuma clan. Hanzaki, was it?" Midoshi asked with amusement, angering the man. "However, if I wanted any of you dead, we would have done it already. No, I'm serious about the future of Oto no Kuni."

"What exactly do you mean by those words?" asked a woman with six arms.

"You are the only clan leaders who decided not to join Orochimaru. You saw that you would get nowhere under his direction. The only reason that your clans are so small was either due to many of your members being lured by his power so that they can revive your clans. And yet, they recently gained a black eye due to the failed invasion and I have a feeling that you all know what Orochimaru is really doing." Midoshi said. That created some whispers among the leaders. They all knew just who Orochimaru was as a person.

"So what are you proposing?" asked another leader.

"You can't be seriously listening to her?!" Hanzaki shouted.

"Just shut up Hanzaki! Your voice is wearing on my nerves! If you don't want to listen to her, then you're free to leave!" another leader shouted at him. Hanzaki glared at the man and reached for his weapon. He suddenly froze when he felt Midoshi's nails on his throat.

"Now Hanzaki, I invited you and your fellow leaders to participate in the future of Oto no Kuni. If you don't wish to listen, then you're free to leave like Shiin said. Now, either sit down or leave," she said with a tone and some chakra. Hanzaki was shivering at that but he relaxed. Glaring at her, Hanzaki took his leave with his clan members. Midoshi turned her attention back to the other leaders.

"Now, shall we continue with our discussion?" Midoshi asked with a smile.

X-X-X

Naruto sighed, blowing out a breath of cold air. This had to be the worst mission he was doing. This was just advanced babysitting and his team agreed with him. However, it was for a good cause. When they were called in by the Hokage, the elders were there. She explained that she was considering breaking up team Kakashi but needed cause. They were tasked with help with the mission but also to report should the team be disbanded. They accepted the mission and promised to be serious and objective in their mission.

The mission was pretty good at first due to the fact that they would be meeting the famous actress, Yukie Fujikaze. He loved her movies, especially her character, Princess Gale. However, her attitude was less than pleasing. He especially didn't enjoy how she just dissed a bunch of kids. It really put a damper on how he felt about her.

Now, he was watching over team Kakashi as they protected Yukie. He couldn't believe how weak this team was. Sakura just stood outside the bar while Sasuke just disappeared. Sai was the only one who did his job seriously as he was in a Henge (Transformation) and in the bar. He sighed again and blew out a breath of cold air. That's when he caught sight of someone also watching the bar. He kept watching as he also did a Henge and walked right past Sakura, into the bar. With a groan, Naruto touched his ear piece.

"Sai, did you see the guy enter the bar?" Naruto asked.

"Affirmative." Sai said.

"Stay close to Yukie. I'm calling Kakashi." Naruto said. The blond changed the frequency to Kakashi. "Sensei, we might have a situation.

X-X-X

Kakashi, Sai and team Anko were in the cabin as the ship began to depart. They all watched the sleeping Yukie. The team of chunin and their sensei was looking at Kakashi who was holding a necklace.

"You're shitting us right now." Jakken said.

"I wish I was. I never expected to be reunited with Lady Kazahana." Kakashi said.

"So, you're telling us that Yukie Fujikaze is actually Koyuki Kazehana? The daughter of the former daimyo, Sosetsu Kazahana?" Yakumo asked.

"And to further continue this, her uncle, Doto Kazahana, wants to kill her just like he killed his brother?" Naruto added. "Man, you had the worst missions as an ANBU." This made Kakashi chuckle a bit.

"I saved her and brought her to Lord Sosetsu's retainers, which we now know that Sandayu is one of them." Kakashi explained.

"How did you get that information?" Jakken asked. Kakashi pointed at Anko and he just nodded.

"So what's the plan?" Anko asked. Kakashi thought before looking at Naruto.

"The man your clone followed, are you sure about his features?" Kakashi asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Long purple hair held in a ponytail, teal, pupil less eyes, small diagonal purple marks below his eyes. You know the guy?" Naruto asked.

"Nadare Roga, a very skilled shinobi, someone that I had to flee from when I took Koyuki. So they know that we are coming. We just have to be prepared for a battle. My guess is they will hit us at the earliest chance they get." Kakashi said.

"So why aren't you telling every member of the team?" Anko asked, amused.

"Because I don't trust Sakura to keep quiet and I don't trust Sasuke to do his duty. Sai has proven himself." Kakashi said to Sai who just smiled at them. "Either way, be on your guard." The four nodded and they left to prepare.

X-X-X

Midoshi was doing some type of movement. The snakes and her team were watching as she did some sort of kata. As she moved, everyone noticed chakra gathering. Midoshi took a strong step before throwing her hands forward. A ball of chakra appeared in a drill-like pattern. The jutsu tore into the wall, sending debris everywhere. When she ended her jutsu, Midoshi looked at the damage with some appreciation.

"An impressive jutsu, shame that it is based on the jutsu that hurt you so badly!" Madara spoke to Midoshi.

"Well, it isn't exactly like his jutsu. Still, I will enjoy refining it a bit more." Midoshi said.

"Or it will fail against your 'crush'. His jutsu is superior afterall." Mamushi mocked. Midoshi gave her glare that only amused the serpent. Manda just sighed and slithered away to avoid any type of violence. Midoshi ignored Mamushi and looked at the damage. She was pleased with how far she came with this jutsu. Now, it just needed a name. She will come up with one when it comes to her. That's when she caught someone out of the corner of her eye. She gave Mamushi a look, which she understood.

Guren tried to stay hidden as she watched over Midoshi and her team. It was a mission that she was given by Orochimaru after he learned about her meeting. Guren was also curious about this meeting and wanted to know what Midoshi was up to. That's when she felt something behind her. She quickly formed a crystal blade and lashed out only to hit air. That's when she was wrapped up by Mamushi.

"You know that you are trespassing. You may have been given a pass that one time but it was only for that time. I think it is time you meet my father." Mamushi said with a hiss.

"Now, now, Mamushi, let's not be hasty. Surely she can explain herself." Midoshi said. Guren frowned at the fact that she was just caught but she could only blame herself. She forgot where she was. They were suddenly joined by Kotohime and Kagero. She was now surrounded and with nowhere to go. She sighed and looked at Midoshi.

"You didn't really think that Orochimaru would have allowed your meeting without knowing why. I was sent to spy on you but only to know what you are doing." Guren answered.

"Well, you answered that without any type of torture. I'm kind of disappointed." Midoshi said.

"Whatever. Now, call off your 'sister'. I'm going to report back to Orochimaru now." Guren said. Mamushi squeezed her a bit for that comment. Midoshi just looked at her before looking at Mamushi.

"Let her go 'sis'." Midoshi said with a smirk.

"Call me that again and I will eat you." Mamushi hissed dangerously before releasing Guren. The woman looked at the group in front of her before vanishing.

"Do you think that was wise?" Kotohime asked.

"She doesn't know anything and I will not reveal anything until it is too late. Let her keep spying for Orochimaru. She won't stop me." Midoshi said. The group returned to her training.

X-X-X

Team Kakashi and Team Anko were watching out for an attack while protecting the crew on a large iceberg. Yukie was acting with the other actors and was pretty good. They were getting to a very good scene until Kakashi threw a kunai at the top of the iceberg. A figure dodged it but got his cloak cut. The figure threw it away and revealed himself to be Nadare Roga. The ninja grined before bowing.

"Welcome back to Yuki no Kuni (Land of Snow), Lady Kazahana. Lord Doto has missed you so." Nadare said with confidence. Yukie looked at the man with complete fear. He then turned to Kakashi. "It's been a while Kakashi Hatake."

"Not long enough Nadare." Kakashi said seriously. That's when two other figures appeared, each of them wearing the same clothing as Nadare. It was clothing that Naruto found very familiar.

"Oh shit. Guys, be on your guard! These guys are wearing chakra armor!" He shouted.

"Oh, the blond knows what this is." said the female.

"Not that it will make a difference." said the large man.

"Mizore, Fubuki, let us releave these shinobi of our lady!" Nadare shouted. Fubuki took off into the air while Mizore hopped onto a snowboard and traveled toward his target, Koyuki.

"Sakura, Sasuke, get Koyuki and the crew to the ship!" Kakashi shouted.

"I don't think so!" Mizore shouted and fired a grappling hand at Koyuki. Naruto moved quickly and kicked the projectile away while tossing a few shuriken.

"Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! (Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu)" Naruto shouted and his shuriken multiplied into a thousand. Mizore was caught off guard and crossed his arms. He took the full brunt of the attack. The chakra armor protected him some but the volume cut into the fabric of his armor. When the attack ended, he received a kick to his face from Jakken. Mizore cried out as he hit the ground. Jakken was about to end his life but had to be saved by Naruto as Fubuki threw several kunai with blue orbs. They hit the ground and exploded into ice spikes.

The two were able to escape when someone rushed past them. It was Sasuke and he attacked Fubuki with a katon (fire release). The two were not happy and turned to see that Koyuki and the crew were not on the ship yet.

"That stupid, come on." Jakken said and the two rushed to help the crew. Anko saw this and looked toward Yakumo.

"Join them and get them on the ship! Take that useless kunoichi with you and set sail!" Anko shouted. She rushed over toward Mizore and readied her sword to finish him off.

"Oh no, you don't!" Fubuki shouted and tried to stop Anko, easily dodging Sasuke's attack. Too bad she was stopped by Sai who was flying on an ink bird. Nadare did some hand seals and called out his jutsu.

"Hyōton: Haryū Mōko! (Ice Release: Tearing Dragon, Fierce Tiger)" he shouted. He formed from the glacier a large tiger that charged at Anko. Sasuke did hand seals of his own.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)" He shouted. His fireball flew toward the tiger but the tiger burst through the fireball with ease. Sasuke was stunned and would have been hit if Anko didn't save him. Anko cursed and rushed over to the ship that was starting to sail away. Nadare saw this and did hand seals.

"Hyōton: Ikkaku Hakugei! (Ice Release: One Horned White Whale)" He shouted and a huge one horned whale shot out of the water.

"Hyōton: Ikkaku Hakugei!" Kakashi shouted. Another huge whale came out of the water and crashed into Nadare's. The two attacks crashed into the glacier, causing Nadare to dodge it. He landed on the glacier and caught his footing. He turned to watch as the ship sailed away. He was joined by Fubuki and Mizore. They just stood there as the ship sailed away.

X-X-X-X-X

Authors' Notes: New chapter, everybody! Sorry for the wait.