The trip back to Otogakure was uneventful, and passed by almost twice as fast as the trip to the Land of Silence. When they arrived at Otogakure, they were welcomed by the same old concrete walls.
Orochimaru played the role of a welcoming leader, saying how glad he was that they were back. Inari couldn't tell if he was ever serious, Sai had always said he was.
After getting to their temporary residence and unloading, they each went their separate ways, Sai to Orochimaru for fuinjutsu lessons and Inari to Kimimaro. Each for training they both needed.
After knocking on the door and being given permission to walk in, Sai was standing in front of Orochimaru. Currently, the leader of the Land of Sound was reading a science book most likely.
"Hello Sai-kun, how can I help you?"
"Orochimaru-sama, I request additional training in fuinjutsu, for the purpose of making myself more useful to Danzō-sama."
Hmmm, something fun must have happened on the mission.
"Well I suppose I might have a bit of free time later," putting down his book and rummaging around his desk, he continued.
"But first, read this. Then, we can talk fuinjutsu."
Catching a book that was tossed at him, Sai saw it read 'Advanced Fuinjutsu Theory'.
"Yes Orochimaru-sama, I will finish as soon as possible."
"Good, now please come back later. I have important business right now."
Oh Danzō, you senile old man. You shouldn't leave such corruptible pawns with me.
The moment Inari had found Kimimaro, he was with Kabuto being given more treatments for his illness. When he set foot into the room, Kabuto turned to him and pushed his glasses up.
"Ah Inari-kun, when did you get back? Actually nevermind that, please come here for a moment."
Not seeing any reason no to, he complied, and stood beside the spectacled medic. A sharp pain in his left arm surprised him, and Kabuto had to move his head to avoid being skewered by Inari's reflex of making a spike.
"Well someone seems to have gotten a little used to their bloodline. I apologize for the lack of warning on my part, but we're on the edge of a breakthrough with Kimimaro-kun here."
Walking away with a syringe of his blood Kabuto didn't say a word, only a look of focus and determination.
"Oh, I'm sorry to tell you but Kimimaro-kun won't be able to train you today, so you'll have to work on your own. He is rather sick still, it was a miracle he lasted while you were away."
"Understood, when he wakes please inform him that I wish to train again," with that he took off.
Sai was studying his book given to him by Orochimaru when Inari opened the door, he seemed to be looking for a training partner.
"Do you need to finish that book or can you spar?"
Got it in one guess.
"I will be furthering my fuinjutsu with Orochimaru-sama and he told me to finish this first. He said he will not train me until then."
Being a part of Root was what gave Sai the power to know that was not what Inari wanted to hear. Sai almost pitied whoever he sparred with in the meantime, as Inari had left with nothing more to talk about between them.
Who could I spar with instead? Oh what about the rest of the sound five?
The first place Inari had checked was the common training grounds. After all, everyone had to train, right? It seemed this hunch turned out to have some merit as Tayuya was there.
Being the jinchuriki that he was, the flute that Tayuya played reached his ears and he was surprised at the softness of the notes hitting his ears. He had heard others play a flute before but most came out rather harsh and irritating to the ears.
Of course the calming serenade came to a halt when the musician spoke up.
"What the fuck do you want, can't you see I'm playing here, dumbass?" Ah she did curse a lot still.
"Do you want to spar?"
Tayuya is a part of Orochimaru-sama's elite guard so she should have some skill.
"Oh fuck off, I'd hate to explain to Orochimaru-sama why you got hurt so bad. Come back in a couple of years shit-head."
Ah some people don't wanna fight?
"Alright well do you mind if I train while you play your flute? The sound is nice."
Honestly that was the most ass-backwards half compliment Tayuya ever got. Still, a compliment is a compliment, right? Thinking this she kept playing watching him just sit there and make spears, and more spears...wait a minute.
"Do you only know how to make fucking spears? There's more you can do with that bullshit ability of yours, just look at Kimimaro and how he restrained us during our first dinner."
Ah yes, the extra arms that had launched out from himself and essentially choke slammed everyone.
Well if he could make that, then what else could he make? What about a long pole, with a blade at the end but not a spear.
With a look of determination on his face, he attempted to make the weapon he thought of. A few moments later and the basic shape was coming along with a few imperfections here and there curtosy of the first time making this weapon.
When all was said and done there was a long shaft, with a pointy blade at the end.
Inari's eyes had a gleam of what looked to be pride in them, not that most would notice.
Tayuya just looked like someone told a terrible joke.
"That's a fuckin spear dumbass, you can make more than pointy things you know right?"
"This is not a spear, it is a naginata."
The look he received after saying that would have left most people offended or upset, Inari just took it because he had no idea what her face scrunching up like that meant.
"It's a stick with a pointy end on it, to most people it's a spear you Shit-head."
"Not it is not," upon saying that, the 'naginata' was dissolved and Inari didn't defend his point anymore.
"You must have the imagination of a fucking brick, try making simpler things like a fucking hammer. Better yet, make something other than a weapon. I know that Kimimaro sometimes makes armor under his skin."
"Like what? I only need to know things for combat, as my purpose for Root is to beco-,"
"Ya ya ya fuckin perfect weapon for your master blah blah. Hey I got a question, are all you bone bastards made to serve or do you just do it to make you feel good inside?"
This seemed to hit a cord within the jinchuriki, Tayuya knew she had skill at upsetting people; it seemed even those trained against such things were amongst them as well.
"I will have you know, if it were not for Danzō-sama's intervention, I would have most likely ended up dying somewhere alone in Kirigakure with the rest of my clan. With Danzō-sama, my life has a purpose and that is to follow his will, any other reasoning has no purpose in the face of Danzō-samas will."
The redhead only leaned back wide eyed at this, clearly not expecting this outburst from the normally calm Root shinobi.
"Woah woah calm down shit-head, I was just making a joke y'know, just fuckin pulling your leg."
Jumping back he looked around confusedly, then looked her dead in the eye.
"When did you pull my leg?"
The silence that followed was almost deafening to the red head, was he- was he serious?
"...It's-it's a figure of speech like uh, go break a leg?"
Honestly this was confusing, who goes telling someone to break a leg. Unless it was someone else's…yes that's what they must mean.
"Whose leg do you want me to break?"
"No, it's a fucking saying. Like-like uhh….you know what Shit-head, nevermind. Go break a leg."
"I will do that in the future, right now I must train."
"You better train if you wanna be able to even fucking touch me Shit-head."
With that statement, the red head walked away, playing her flute.
Fuinjutsu is something that everyone uses, it all depends…
Danzō-sama already had me read this book.
Going back to Orochimaru's office, he knocked on the large wooden doors, waiting for permission to be let back inside.
"You may enter."
Pushing open the right door, he looked towards Orochimaru-sama doing paperwork.
"You haven't finished that book yet, have you? It's only been an hour, that should take you at least four."
"Danzō-sama had me read this book before, would you like me to read a different book?"
Well, Orochimaru hasn't thought of that possibility. Might as well proceed with his plans.
"No, no that's fine, I'll teach you hands on. Until you leave that is."
Nodding, Sai proceeded and sat down in front of the desk where Orochimaru was seated. The moment he sat down, the Sannin had gotten a chalkboard from somewhere.
"As you know as an experienced fuinjutsu user, seals are like math in some aspects and like art in others. Almost all of the time, seals only hold things, such as formulas for paralytic seals or explosive seals. The truth is that there is much you can do with this even if they only hold or seal things away."
"Yes, most competent users of fuinjutsu know this."
"I've had the thought for a while of 'what is the limit of fuinjutsu'. I've seen seals used to retain memories or even body parts, almost immortality if you will. The downside being that another person must be the one to activate the seals as well or you'd be dead."
"This idea, it sounds very useful. The ability to keep coming back because of fuinjutsu?"
"When activated, the seal would return you to what they were set to hold, be it memory or flesh. The drawbacks of such an idea being that this only returns you to when the seals were set, and if the seals are removed you won't come back."
"Orochimaru-sama have you….tested this out?"
"Tsk-tsk Sai-kun, I may be the leader of a ninja village but I'm a scientist first. Danzō and I tested it in the field together with one of his pawns, of course there were a few hiccups."
"I-i had never heard of such tests being done."
"You think that's the only thing he hasn't told you?"
"I would like to know everything about Danzō-sama, so I may serve him better."
'Knowing more about Danzō-sama should be for the better.'
Honestly it was easier to lure in someone like a Root agent than Orochimaru thought, too bad it was so easy.
"I can do that, but first, I need you and Inari-kun to do a little job for me. Danzō did say I could use you two."
Looking at his temporary master, Sai waited for him to list the details.
"I have a wonderful scientist working for me named Amachi. Now while he is amazing with his projects, he does tend to get himself into trouble. This time he has gotten himself into big trouble, the Land of The Sea has caught Amachi and currently has him prisoner. I would like you to free him and return him to me."
"Order it and it shall be done!"
"Great, I knew I could rely on you Sai. You may take anyone you think you may need "
Sorry Danzō, our little partnership has lost its value to me.
"You called for me Hokage-sama?"
"Yes I did Kakashi."
Well, Kakashi knew what he was here for then. In Anbu, your real name doesn't get spoken unless your identity has been revealed, or you're being removed from Anbu.
"I've let you stay in Anbu for a very long time, I understood the pain you were going through so I gave you something to devote yourself to instead. You have done very well in your position but, we are in peaceful times, for now."
"I understand Hokage-sama, but what would I do instead?"
Instead of a response, he got a stare from Minato, until he realized where he slipped up. It wasn't an angry stare, it was more of a 'don't call me that' type of a look.
"Sensei, what should I do instead?"
"First thing you should do is give me that mask, it's been a while since I've seen your face."
Taking off the mask for more than a basic necessity was the first hurdle of non Anbu life. It was weird to be without the mask, after so long wearing the thing, it became like a second face to him.
"That wasn't so bad, was it? Now I want you to come over for dinner tonight, Kushina has been bugging me to make you come for dinner."
Now he could rest easy tonight after telling his wife. Kushina had been hinting that she missed the little gray haired Jonin.
"Sensei. I've been in Anbu for so long, what should I do now? All the people I considered friends are either dead or still in Anbu."
"Kakashi, Kakashi you can do whatever you want. You could meet a cute girl or you could pick up a hobby, but you have to remember you always have friends. If it's not me, it's someone else, you'll see."
"If you say so, Sensei, and don't worry, I'll be there tonight for dinner. In the meantime, I have to catch up with some people I used to know."
Waving back at Kakashi as he left, Minato felt better about today, paperwork was done and he had no meetings. An early trip home seemed to be in order then.
Best let Shikaku know first.
Despite her rough early life being a bit rough, Kushina never complained. She had gotten everything she had wanted out of life, a loving husband, a home and her own children.
While she had lost out on being Hokage like she dreamed as a child, she got the next best thing by being married to one, if you asked her though. And while she did have two children she very much loved, she was missing one and had been since his birth.
This had obviously hurt Kushina in a way no one wanted to be hurt. Kushina was strong emotionally and physically so instead of crying forever about it she started taking missions again, hoping - no, praying she might come across those shinobi uniforms again so she could pull the information out of them.
Of course everything had changed when she got pregnant, again. But oh no, neither Kushina or Minato took any chances with this one, they called in Jiraiya (to watch outside) and Mikoto Uchiha, Kushina's best friend, to watch over this birthing. With an additional platoon of Anbu to watch over them.
And as if the gods had heard her prayers, it was a safe delivery with no interruptions of any sort. All there was, was a child named Yashima, bawling after being born.
The next years of her life were some of the best ones she'll ever remember, watching her child grow from an infant to a toddler. And watching as one child grew to two children, the next thing she knew Yashima was asking when she would 'go to ninja school'.
So it was usually Kushina and the kids at home while Minato did his Hokage duties. Although today, it seemed Minato would be getting home early, not that Kushina would know.
"Moooom What's for dinner?"
Yes, Kushina loved her family.
"Food, would you like to see?"
Yashima only put up a pouty face at that answer, clearly not what she wanted to hear.
"What kind of foo-,"
A sound of someone arriving by teleportation notified everyone nearby that Minato was home, before dinner was even ready.
Minato, ever the happy husband, hugged his wife from behind and pecked her on the cheek. Yashima made gagging noises in the background the entire time. Of course, this made Minato turn to his daughter next.
Swooping his six year old daughter up in his arms, he hugged her close as well.
"I'm home early!"
All he got was a playful eye roll from his wife and a cry of 'we know!' from his daughter. Leaving the husband with only one question.
"I can't help but notice the cheering is one person short. Is Menma sleeping?"
"Yes, he's just taking a quick nap. I was about to wake him up anyways."
Walking to Menma's room, Minato disable the locking seal, and knocked on the door. Waiting and knocking again gave the same result as the first knock did, nothing.
Opening the door, he saw his youngest child sprawled out on his bed happily sleeping. Nudging the sleeping child awake, he waited for Menma to open his eyes.
Slowly a pair of blue eyes opened and looked at the source of the disruption of his sleep, seeing that it was his dad, he wasn't alarmed.
Until he realized that it was his dad! He was home early, usually mom woke him up.
"Papa!"
"Yes, I'm here sooner than you're used to. I wanted to wake you up, but you were expecting your mom, weren't you?"
A nod was all he got as Menma was still sleepy, but waking up slowly.
"Well, you should hurry up. We have a guest today for dinner."
A grunt of 'Kay' was heard and that's all he needed, so he left Menma's room.
Minato was happy, well he usually was but especially today. Kakashi was joining them for dinner and not just a quick visit to see the newborns but to actually sit down and eat.
"You're home early, daddy!"
Now came the second most dangerous redhead in the household, more energy than either parent and just as stubborn as Kushina.
Playing along, he puffed out his chest in playfulness, looked to the sky and pointed towards himself.
"Yes I, the legendary Yellow Flash of Konoha, finished my duties in a flash! For I am the fastest man alive!"
A small giggle was all he got for his showmanship, Jiraiya was always better at it.
The laugh from his wife was surprising though, quickly dropping the ridiculous stance he had taken. Embarrassed, he scratched the back of his head.
"Yashima-chan and I were just playing a game… ahah."
A smirk was the answer he got back, and he knew that Kushina could embarrass him with that for days to come now.
"Well, when you two are done playing, dinner is ready and we won't be eating if the table isn't set, young lady."
There was a cry of 'not the food!' and the little red ball of energy sprinted away to go set the table.
They both watched from the hallway smiling and were about to talk to each other when Menma opened his door, waved and left for the dining room.
Looking at each other, the married couple smiled, until Kushina frowned and put her hands on her hips.
"What did I tell you about using Hiraishin in the house?" By this point, her index finger was pressing his chest with every point she made.
"What if I thought you were an intruder again, I could have hurt you with my chakra chains? You're lucky I know what you flashing here sounds like."
Hands up in mock surrender, he did the only thing he thought would work in this situation, hugging his wife again.
"But there was no work so I wanted to come home early and see my family again."
"W-well don't think that just cause you hugged me I'll let you get away with it, just flash to the front door next time and knock or I'll know some sense into ya."
A small 'Yes dear' and they were both on their way to the dinner table.
Once they were all seated, Minato piped up
"I have great news, Kakashi will be joining us for dinner today!"
A pair of yays and a 'I missed that little grey squirt' was what he received, followed by a doorbell ringing.
"Well, isn't that a coincidence. Dear could you serve everyone while I go drag the squirt in?"
"Of course, now who wants curry?"
Walking to the door, she could see the silhouette of a tall man with some hair pointing up. Opening the door, she was greeted by the sight of Kakashi Hatake in casual wear, no Anbu mask and no Jonin vest.
"Hello Uzumaki-sam-Ow"
"The name Kushina to you, y'know, now come here and give me a hug. It's been a while."
"Ah I'm sorry it's been a while Kushina-san, hasn't It?"
Giving his sensei's wife and one of his parental figures a hug, he relaxed a bit.
"You were always welcome back here, y'know? Next time I'll drag you here if you only visit for a short time."
Releasing the hug on each other she showed him the way to the dinner table, everyone already started on their own meals and two empty plates waiting to be filled.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Gai wanted to race when I said hi to him."
Surprisingly it was Yashima who spoke up.
"Mom always says never to be sorry for being with your friends!"
"That's right you tell him Yashi-chan, it's not like we wouldn't let you eat if you were late."
"Well I'd hate to miss your cooking anymore than i have so might as well dig in."
Field rations always tasted the same. In Root, the only good food came from the chef, a tough man who would wallop you if you pissed him off.
Inari and Sai knew that ration bars only tasted bland as it was food that had the most nutritional value for their size, no room for anything extra. Cost effective and filling, for a shinobi that's all they should need for food.
Sai had to put up with Inari's eating patterns as being a jinchuriki came with many ups and downs. One of the downs was that your body burned through calories as fast as kunai on sale. Like a steam engine, it needs fuel to keep going.
This was all common knowledge in Root though, so when Sai had told Inari that they had a mission and they were taking someone, he just stood up and started packing rations.
When Sai explained they could take another member with them, Inari declined, saying that Root should be able to do this.
While he was hesitant to agree, Sai recalled how Akiko, the samurai had overheard them talking about Root, and had to be put down.
Since they were both in agreement and had no other reason to hold back the mission, they both left, with Orochimaru waving outside the exit like a doting parent. Not that either of them knew what that was like.
This was a mission they could do hand signs only, no one was there that couldn't understand. And so they started weaving signs.
'Mission parameters?'
'Two; one, no killing. We can't leave a wake of bodies like last time. Two, target Amachi must be extracted alive.'
'Understood. Now lead the way.'
With that, the two kids set off to Umi no Kuni (Land of Sea).
Both hoping this mission goes off without a hitch, unlike last time.
Jiraiya was panicking, he had received some rather shocking news. Panicking led to hasty decisions.
First trying the Hokage tower only to discover that Minato wasn't there he thought to check with Kushina.
He barged into the Uzumaki and lone Namikaze residence but what he didn't know was that they were in the middle of an early dinner, something that they were all enjoying.
"Sensei?"
A bit of a sweat-drop was present as it looked like he interrupted a nice meal, by coming in from the rear door. What greeted him was the Hokage, his family and Kakashi, no mask, just eating dinner like a normal person.
"Minato...and Kakashi? What are you two doing here?"
"I had nothing left to do so I came home, and Kakashi is here because he had nothing to do either and I told him to."
"Okay, what was I gonna say? Oh right! Can you step outside for a second Minato? I have something important to tell you."
"You two better not take too long or your dinner will get cold Minato!"
Her answer was footsteps leaving the dining room.
"I'm not joking Minato. The Land of Silence was not just attacked but they also killed their Daimyo. Granted the man took that position by force from the old one, but still."
"This is troubling, I thought everyone was in a bout of peace for now. With revolutions like this popping up, it might cause some action."
A look of deep thinking crossed the Hokage's face, he had hoped everyone would realize that this peace was better.
"It wasn't a revolution or anything like that. If it was, we'd know what happened already. My inside man told me that their leader 'Gengo' was missing and that no one took the glory for blowing up the mansion."
"As you know, most revolutions show off their victories." As Jiraiya explained, Minato wondered more and more, who would gain from this.
"Thanks Sensei, for coming to me right away. I have to go talk to Shikaku about this one. Could you please explain to Kushina why I'm taking off? Thanks, bye."
No time to retort as his star student had already teleported.
"Damn blondes."
The only question left now would be how to tell Kushina that Minato left?
A low profile, that's what they needed to keep for the extraction mission. In and out, unlike last time.
So they started with some light reconnaissance, after all there were no borders in the Land of Sea, it being mostly a trading port with a small ninja population.
That being said, the small population kept the trade safe and flowing. The shinobi are always keeping an eye out for thieves and gangsters, not for two young children at a ramen stand thinking about the layout of the village slash trade dock.
"Holy shit, kid. You can eat a lot of ramen! Where's it all go?"
Looking over, they both saw that Inari had gathered quite a few bowls, numbering somewhere in the twenties. This might attract some attention.
"I ate all of that?"
It was so good and Inari thought that he had asked for only a few extras.
"You sure did. Say kid, are you gonna be able to pay for all that? I'd hate to put you to work to pay off the bill but if I have to..."
Sai chose this moment to step in and save the day, not that they were in any danger.
"That will not be necessary, I have the required funds for payment."
"Well well, kids got some allowance eh? That ramen isn't the cheapest thing I make y'know."
Honestly the stand owner would be a rather likeable guy if he didn't seem to be trying to con two kids out of an extra ryo.
A loud thud and the ryo was on the table, how much was needed, neither one of them knew. The owner did though, but he wanted to see how much more he could get.
"Wow color me impressed, you twos the sons of some merchant? Ah never mind I just need half of that and your bills covered."
Business all settled they moved, Inari usually attracts attention either through people he briefly interacts with or by appearance. White hair does stand out a little.
The plan they had laid out while eating would be a quick and efficient one, in and out and no bodies.
The plan was a simple but efficient one they would infiltrate at dawn, night watch would be leaving and the morning crew would likely be drowsy from waking up.
Sai thought he had the crew's schedules figured out.
Inari assured him he would keep his eyes peeled while Sai grabbed the prisoner, reasoning the more people they had going in, the higher chance of getting caught.
Besides they had a boat ready for the three of them hidden under some brush by the river.
All in all should be a quiet plan.
Alive and well.