"WHAT?!" Naruto slammed his fists down onto Tsunade's desk, shaking the entire thing, rattling her glass and scattering the papers that Shizune had just stacked there all around the room. "What do you mean he's gone?!" he asked hunkering down over the desk to her as she remained stone faced, save for a few drops of tea that flew onto her face as Shizune frantically took to picking each one of the papers up off the floor. Sakura tried to hold him back from any more outbursts because Tsunade certainly wouldn't like it any more than that first one.
Instead of lashing out instead she wiped a few stray drops of tea that had landed off her face. "It's like I just said" she gritted her teeth trying to keep her cool. Shizune kneeling down on the floor was picking up papers beneath them "Yamato returned, but said that Kakashi left shortly after he did" she placed the cup back down to her desk.
"Why? Where to?" Naruto slammed his fists down again and the cup bounced off the desk and onto Shizune's head.
"He didn't say." Tsunade said with crossed arms and serious reservations. She closed her eyes and thought back to what she had seen and been told in the hospital.
Yamato had been brought to the hospital where she checked on him personally. When she asked him what happened she was told of some the task he was assigned by Kakashi and the great battle he had afterword's. When she pressed him, Yamato hadn't mentioned what had happened to Kakashi because he truly did not seem to know; only that he had brought him to the hospital.
'So it meant he was victorious?' She had asked, and he seemed to think as much. From there Yamato relayed a cryptic message that meant just about as much as the Toad Sage's prophecy to her. She recalled the words specifically as it was told to her from the hospital even as Naruto bore down on her now.
"I don't know what's going on for sure" Yamato said to her, repeating Kakashi's words to him "But I may know someone who does.. and I think together we can figure this out." Yamato went deadly silent afterword's, as if he died there in the hospital bed reflecting on what it could mean as Tsunade did herself.
"Is that all?" she asked.
He looked back to her "Yes" Yamato nodded "he left soon after." he paused "But he assured me not to worry about him." he said though he didn't sound as assured himself.
"Do you think he's alright?" she asked.
"It's Kakashi after all"
"Hm" Tsunade pondered aloud "This someone he's talking about? Who is it?"
He seemed startled by the question and that he didn't have a proper answer to it "He didn't say" Yamato said easing back into his bed.
She pondered silently some more "And this Namekian? Piccolo. What happened to him?" For that Yamato had no answer. He didn't see him since his lose to him. He saw Kakashi had brought him back to the Leaf Villlage, but there was no sign of the Namekian warrior. He repeated what Kakashi told him and after that would say nothing else. But it was hard to deny those bright lights and explosions they all could see even as far away as they were.
She grumbled now thinking of it just like she did then. Opening her eyes she saw Sakura tugging on Naruto to get him off of her desk. She let out a stressful sigh at the sight. This is certainly not how she expected this to start. Kakashi's rational or rather lack of for leaving seemed suspicious as well, though he didn't let on much. Only that he had a contact who may be of help.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?!" Naruto yelled. Tsunade was snapped out of her thinking to look back up at Naruto.
"Naruto." Sakura snapped pulling him back.
Tsuande let out a sigh "I'll send out a squad to look for him. It'll be small, but-"
"Send me!" Naruto volunteered not realizing his raised voice was likely still not helping.
Tsunade looked him over with a scowl "That's certainly not happening" she dropped her eyes and began cleaning up her desk "Between the upcoming war and whatever else is coming I can hardly spare any one to go looking for Kakashi, let alone you."
"But-"
"We understand Lady Tsunade" Sakura interjected putting herself in between the two. "Right Naruto?" she gritted looking back to him.
"No wa-" Sakura elbowed him in the gut before he could finish and firmly escorted him out
"Thank you for your time." she said politely before leaving, closing the door behind them.
Tsunade let out a long defeated sigh as she leaned back into her chair. It wasn't always easy being Hokage. What did she deserve to be so unlucky? What she needed was a drink, but it was only a little after noon so tea would have to do. She reached her hand to grab her cup, only to be reminded that it had dropped onto Shizune and was now empty. She let out another defeated sigh.
"I could use another drink" she said putting her hands on her desk, pushing herself up, getting up and excusing herself for the day. It wasn't tea she had in mind however.
"L-lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked from the floor as Tsunade walked out "Wait for me!" she yelled after her, scooping up Tonton in her arms and running off through the door.
Outside of the Hokage's building, nestled against the side of it and away from any onlookers Naruto was getting a strong reminder of who exactly he was dealing with.
"OW!" Naruto let out as Sakura pinned him against the wall and slugged him "What was that for?" he held the prominent bump growing off his head to ease the writhing pain to go along with it.
"Idiot!" she chided "Where do you get off talking to Lady Tsundae like that? It's not like she told Kakashi Sensei to go out there!" She had a point, but it didn't seem that way to Naruto.
"But I can't just leave him out there! Not when it's my fault!" he picked himself up. Sakura faltered for a moment.
"It's not your fault." she said with a reassuring voice.
"Of course it is?!" Naruto raised his voice again. Sakura words seemed to have no effect on him "It's me they're here for, who ever they are. Granny put Kakashi in charge of me and now he's gone" he lowered his head in sorrow "All because of me." Self loathing, anger and pity all mixed into his voice.
"It's not like that" she reaffirmed, her voice even softer now " And besides, it's Kakashi- Sensei. How many times has he come through for us?"
Naruto's head shot back up "But even Yamato Sensei wasn't so sure of what happened. This is bad! This is worse!" he insisted, his voice rising again.
"And what could we do to help him, if it really is this bad?"
"Then help me" he pounded his fists together "Let's get that team together and go out and rescue Kakashi Sensei!". He was more than determined, but naturally she was hesitant. This entire series of events was certainly unexpected. What's worse was they didn't know what was out there or what happened to him or how to properly plan against it. But she remembered a cold distant memory. All the way back when Sasuke left the village and how she wasn't able to help then. She wasn't going to let that happen again. She repeated her earlier words to him.
"Do I have a choice?" she asked with a reassuring smile.
As it turns out, if they wanted to find something out of place they wouldn't have to go far.
Sitting in a nice little restaurant down the road were two visitors. They sat together on opposite sides of the table. One was doing all the inspecting, though it wasn't of the area, but the menu. The other wished he could have been anywhere else. Though given their ranks you wouldn't expect the superior officer to get dragged away by his underling.
Toshiro sat strumming his fingers rather drastically along the table.
What the hell were they doing here?
When Rangiku said they should check out what appeared to be a new town rising up from the ground he didn't have any disagreements; after all it seemed like a good place to at least start their investigation in this world and whatever oddities it had. But he should have been more wary of her intentions as now he found them sitting at a restaurant doing the exact opposite of what she suggested; in his eyes at least, she likely thought this essential. Yet here they were with her ogling the meu on one side and him cooped up on the other. For all her talk about 'loose lips in public places' it seems they weren't here for information.
"Look, Captain!" his lieutenant chirped. He rolled his eyes over to see what she had shoved into his face, which for once wasn't her chest. "See!" she pointed onto the menu folded open for him "They have a kids meal too!" His hands now balled into fists in annoyance "And they have your favorite!" she sang as she danced the menu before him. He clenched his jaw. He saw in bright red lettering 'Watermelon'. "There's even some for me too" she added and he saw that this restaurant had gone even further, perverting his favorite food into an alcoholic beverage. "Whadda thi-"
Reaching up and over the table he grabbed the menu slamming it onto the table, startling his lieutenant on the other side of him. Startling her she jumped back in her seat; her breasts jiggled so much they almost popped out.
She didn't say a word and only starred at him cluelessly as he glared icily back at her. If it wasn't for a few blinks he would've assumed she was frozen in place.
"Do you want me to order for you?" she eventually asked in a tone to match her face. Her captain did not even both to answer.
"We're leaving." he said sternly before picking himself up and walking off.
"What?" Rangiku let out as she watched him leave rounding the table "But what about-Captain hold up-wait for me!" she called to him as he continued on without her storming towards the exit. "We haven't even ordered yet! But what about the drinks?" she waved from her seat, but he seemed to ignore her protests and just kept heading for the door.
But instead of finding the door he found himself faced with something all too familiar to him; a woman's large chest.
"Hey!" a woman's voice called above him though his senses were a bit muffled at the moment as he was lodged between her breasts "You need to watch where your going runt." the woman spat down to him. Shaking his head loose Toshiro looked up to see who just bumped into him before being shoved down onto the floor.
"Lady Tsunade!" another woman whined to her from behind. Was she holding onto a pig?
Shaking himself Toshiro propped himself up with his arms and glared upwards "You wanna watch who your stepping on." he grunted from the floor up at her.
The blonde woman's face twisted as she looked down at him over her chest "Or you'll what?" the woman called Tsunade said looking down at him. "Runt" she added that little bit at the end. And she smirked when it got just the reaction she wanted from him.
"Don't call me runt." he said finally getting up to face off against her, but she still looked down with a half amused, half contemptuous little smile at him.
"Hey!" Toshiro heard Rangiku yell from behind. If there was anyone to come to his defense he supposed it was her. However, she came a little to quickly if you asked him, since she stopped abruptly behind him, knocking into him from behind and sending him forward right into Tsunade's chest once again. He was quicker to dig himself out of it this time, and Tsuande was more than willing to help. Grabbing his shoulder she pushed him back across the floor which he skidded across.
Luckily Rangiku was there to catch her Captain and his head once again landed softly as her arms hooked under his to hold him up. Looking up over her cleavage he saw his lieutenant glaring across at the other woman.
"Who are you to pick on my Captain like that?!" she snapped once again, propping him up, but glaring at Tsunade.
"Captain?" Tsunade said confused "All I see is a little kid playing dress up." she waved her hand dismissively.
"You take that back!" Rangiku commanded storming off to face her only to let Toshiro drop onto the hard wooden floor "I'll make you eat those words." she pointed in her face. From the floor Toshiro looked up to see the two women in a stand off glaring at each other and neither one looked like they would back down. The woman behind Tsunade looked on just as worried as Toshiro was.
'This was supposed to be a covert mission' Toshiro suddenly remembered. Picking himself up once again he ran up and put himself between them.
"Rangiku" he faced her "Stand dow-" she cut him off as Rangiku pushed forward, his head once again between her breasts.
"You apologize right now!" she demanded with a step forward towards Tsunade oblivious of who stood between the two. Toshiro pulled his head out only to be knocked back into the abyss by Tsunade from behind.
"Make me!" she advanced on her own. Unknown to them Toshiro struggled beneath them.
"I bet I could!" Rangiku stepped forward again. Toshiro was now completely stuck.
"What's your wager?!" Tsunade stepped up on her own. That put a nervous glance on the other woman's face. But no one seemed to notice that, especially not Toshiro who was not pinned between the two of them.
"If I win! You apologize to my captain!" she declared.
"And if I win!?" Tsaunde's face curled into a sneer.
Rangiku seemed lost for something to give up "I'll tell you what we're doing here!" Muffled protests and shriek's from Toshiro went unheard.
"DEAL!" the both shouted at each other in unison.
"What's your poison?" Tsuande asked.
Rangiku quickly grabbed a pitcher of sake from a waiter nearby. "First one down loses!" Tsuande mimicked her grabbing a pitcher of her own.
"You're on!"
Then before any one could talk them out of it they began chugging them down. Toshiro still stuck between them and Shizune failing to try and stop it.
West City
Much to Gohan's surprise and relief this swordsman wasn't nearly as bad as the last one, though he could tell he was just as strong, if not stronger. He seemed intent on avoiding a fight as much as possible. And with all the people in danger below, it was easy for them to come to the same conclusion. He got rid of the falling crane, which he was still holding up during their entire initial interaction. Gohan didn't have his helmet, so he was in a hurry to get out of sight as soon as possible.
But not before he got a chance had his picture taken with the Great Saiyaman, strategically standing back to back with him with Gohan's face away from the camera so his identity would not leak to the public. It was going to be in the paper everywhere tomorrow morning, but would likely make the evening news. What seemed to surprise this newcomer more than anything seemed to be that everyone else could see him.
"Well, it's not that weird" Gohan said reassuringly as they flew away while he pondered how he could be seen "Every one could see my dad when he came back for just a day." he explained. But that didn't seem to help him anymore, though he didn't seem to know how long he'd be staying. Maybe they should just take it from the top. Once they got away from the crowds, they managed to from a hill overlooking the city.
"I'm Gohan" he held out his hand with a smile.
"Ichigo Kurosaki" he said and they shook each others hands. From there it seemed like both of them had a lot of explaining to do, but as it turns out they weren't that different. In fact Ichigo was still in school himself. They pledged to help tutor each other in the subject they needed help in, once they were all done that is.
"So these things really grant wishes huh?" Ichigo asked holding the little ball to the sky amused by the idea Gohan told him about.
Gohan nodded "Yep. Though they should be stone now since were saving a wish." he pondered aloud himself "It's definitely not normal."
"Nothing about this is normal." Ichigo retorted, being more out of his element than anyone else. He brought his arm and the ball back down to his side.
Gohan nodded before continuing "You see we were going to use it to bring my dad back from the other world-" that strangely perked Ichigo's interest.
"Hm? Other world? He's dead again?" he asked.
"No not at all" Gohan shook his head "He just left earlier today. Something about finding Tailed Beasts. I guess if he waited here, the swordsman would have come to him" he joked, but Ichigo didn't seem to find it funny. He seemed more introspective. "Or Soul Reapers technically huh?" Gohan concluded after Ichigo told him what he knew, but he didn't seem to answer him now "Is something wrong?" Gohan asked.
"No at all" Ichigo quoted Gohan "In fact I think I can spare you four months." he said confidently looking to him.
Now Gohan was the one who was confused "Wha-how's that?"
"Well, it's just a guess I have." he began introspectively "I mean if I'm wrong I could just bring you back here, but if I'm not, then it all works out."
"What do you mean?" Gohan asked, not catching what he was saying since he hadn't gotten to his point yet.
"I'm thinking" Ichigo said as he began to toss the Dragon Ball up and down in his hand coolly " I could take you to your dad and your friends right now if you'd like."
"Would you?!" Gohan exclaimed into Ichigo's ear and he cowered beside him "That'd be great! I'd save a lot of time that way! Can we go right now?!"
"Yeah, sure" Ichigo grumbled rubbing his ears "We just need to find someone who could take us there."
"What you mean you can't?" A disgruntled Ichigo subdued the rational part of him who wanted to argue with the half Saiyan, but instead just turned around and said "follow me."
He was sure Renji or Rukia wouldn't mind.
He was wrong.
"Idiot!" Renji smacked him across the head.
"Ow jeez what was that for?" Ichigo asked rubbing it.
"We're not a taxi service" he shouted at him "We can't just take people around like this!"
"Well forgive me for wanting to help someone out!" Ichigo protested "What else would we do anyway!"
"Don't bring the first Don Kanonji guy you see to us!" Renji pushed him
"His name is Gohan and he's the Great Saiyaman!" Ichigo pushed him back. The two of them continued to battle it out verbally, though it was likely to turn physical very soon.
That left Gohan and Rukia to watch on uncomfortably.
"So is it always like this?" he asked looking down at Rukia. For him it was strange to see Ichigo like this. He seemed so nice when he was talking Gohan out of a fight, but he certainly didn't mind smacking Renji around.
"You have no idea" she crossed her arms and admitted disappointed, even if she was expecting it. Gohan turned his attention back to Ichigo and Renji.
"Well to be honest, I'm actually quite used to this" Gohan admitted happily as he watched the two babble back and forth, only when he looked now he imagined Ichigo as his father and Renji as Vegeta. "It's actually kind of refreshing" Rukia looked at the half Saiyan with an estranged glance. "Hey guys!" he called out, and the two of them turned their blood lusted eyes over to him "You think you could do this later? I'm kind of in a rush." he called politely.
"Rush for what?" Renji asked taking his fist out of Ichigo's cheek to look straight to Gohan "You don't even know if it'll work."
"That's what he wants to see" Ichigo gargled at him. Renji then put his fist back into his face.
Needless to say it seemed progress was going to be slow on that end, so Gohan turned to a more approachable option.
"Could you do it?" he suddenly asked looking to Rukia again. Looking up she saw he was closer than before, starring down with wide hopeful eyes
"Me?" her face reddened a little at the suddenness of the question "Well.. I guess I could give it a shot." she muttered before clearing her throat "I mean I've done it before, it's not that hard. I am a lieutenant after all." she boasted speaking with much more confidence.
"Great!" he let out with a surge of energy that took Rukia by surprise. She stepped away to open the gate, but Gohan just moved closer following her, intent on getting a front row seat as Ichigo and Renji slugged it out behind them.
"Uh.." she let out uncomfortably "you mind backing up?" she asked.
"Oh, sure" Gohan laughed "Sorry" he apologized before stepping away. "How's this?" he asked. Rukia only grumbled and Gohan took a few more cautious steps away from her as Ichigo and Renji continued arguing with the other over their shoulders. Gohan was now far enough away for her liking Rukia then went about the request. She unsheathed her sword thrust it forward into the open air and turned it like a key. Gohan starred on, his head rested on his chin waiting for something to happen. But nothing did.
Aware of his critical gaze Rukia turned over to him "It takes a second." she admitted selfconsciously. And right as she said that a beam of light appeared and took the form of a door which opened before them. It was plastered before them and looked very much out of place as there were no walls to hold it up, yet it appeared all the same and astonished Gohan.
"Wow that was amazing!" Gohan let out "I don't think I've never seen anything like that!" a hand was then placed on his shoulder. He looked over to see Ichigo who at the sight of the light had given up on his petty quarrel with Renji to rejoin him.
"You ready to hit the road?" he grinned.
"You know it." Gohan gave him a thumbs up. Ichigo then walked forward towards the open door before them and Gohan went with him.
"The Captains and lieutenants of Squad 10 and 11 are in this world." Rukia told them as they walked "If you run into trouble. Just find them, though I doubt they'll like that you abandoned us." she added at the end.
"I don't think Byakuya will either." Ichigo replied.
Both of them nodded to her before turning to each other.
"I guess you should lead the way since I don't know where were going." Gohan said cheerfully.
"Well, I have no idea either." Ichigo shrugged. It was a new world after all. That didn't seem to deter either of them unsurprisingly.
"Who knows what we'll find on the other side?" Gohan asked aloud.
"Your father." Ichigo said reassuringly. Then with equal determination the two of them jumped through and disappeared leaving the two lieutenants behind. The door Rukia brought out closed behind them.
"That guy." Renji said with crossed arms and smiled in the aftermath "One of these days he's going to get himself into something he can't get himself out of." Rukia sighed and nodded in agreement.
"And why would that be?" a deep tranquil voice asked from behind. Startled and nearly jumping out of their skins. They both turned to see Byakuya standing behind them. His passive look seemingly masking any concern or disappointment they were expecting.
"Captain!-" "-Brother!"
His eyes looked above them to where closed gateway once was "What was the meaning of opening a gateway?"
The two lieutenants eased back up calmly.
"It was Ichigo." Renji told, giving him up at the first chance he got "He asked us to."
"I thought as much." Byakuya concluded almost instantly "But that does not answer why you did it." Renji now seemed to be having trouble giving his captain an answer. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
"It was to transfer someone to the other world." Rukia spoke up and Byakuya looked down to her. "He said his father had gone there. Ichigo seemed to think it was where Captain Hitsugaya and Zaraki are. He didn't seem to have an idea if he was wrong or not, but wanted to help anyway." She had finished telling him everything, but Byakuya made no recognition of it. So when he eventually spoke, they were surprised with what he said.
"Go with him." he commanded his voice calm, but his meaning urgent.
"What?" they both asked shocked by his sudden approval and order.
"Go after him." he repeated diligently "If they have gone in search of others, perhaps they are the reason for the imbalance that we have been called to investigate both worlds." he told "If he wishes to find them, this may a lead to do so."
"Brother are you sure- he didn't seem that bad." Rukia asked unconvinced.
"I am certain of it. We can ascertain their true motives once we find them all" Byakuya reaffirmed calmly. His rational did make some sense, but they were still wary of how easy he was to part with them.
"Captain" Renji stepped forward "Are you sure?"
"Yes" Byakuya nodded, his voice peacefully even if he was still rigid "They will have to pass through the Senkaimon regardless." he stated aloud.
"But what about you?" Rukia voiced her concern and Renji nodded with her.
"I will remain here..." his voice slowed and paused "and take care of it myself." his voice darker and more grave. As if some great weight was put upon him and him alone.
Rukia and Renji exchanged confused glances before turning back to Byakuya.
"What do you mean Captain?" Renji asked.
"Take care of what?" Rukia asked stepping forward with more concern. If he thought Gohan and his family was the source of the problems in the other world, what could possibly want to make him stay here?
Byakuya said nothing. Instead, he reached into his coat, his hand disappearing into his black robes looking as if it was cut off at the wrist. It reached around inside and grabbed ahold of something. He then retracted his hand and pulled something out for them to see within it.
Placed neatly into the center of his hand wrapped under his fingers was a small orange ball, in fact it seemed identical to the one Ichigo had only this one had six stars on it, not just one. Renji and Rukia eyed it curiously, but that curiosity was not shared by Byakuya.
"I'm going to find the rest of these" he paused as he rolled it in his hands, his blank face reflecting in it "... and destroy them"
Next Time: His Fate reveled! Kakashi returns!
The Great Team is Formed! Naruto's Bodyguards come together!
And a hero's re-emergence! The Strongest of them all?!