Over the next three hours no one spoke a single word as the group headed for the border, seeing as everyone had their guards raised, and they were right to do so when twenty minutes later, low class rogues hired by someone trying to prevent them from reaching the summit meeting surrounded them.
Minato sighed softly "Naruto, shadow clones, Sasuke assist, Sakura stay with Itachi-san, your our medic heal if you can otherwise just protect Itachi, Kakashi guard her back, Genma, Raido, Iwashi lets go, deal with them quickly" Minato ordered.
Disappointed in whoever had done this before he leapt into the fray right as over fifty Naruto clones appeared in a plume of smoke, the main one preparing his genjutsu as Sasuke assisted him in whatever capacity he required.
Some rogues still got through however and that's where Sakura came in as she slammed her fist into one and sent him flying towards Genma who snagged the back of his shirt and quickly dispatched him so that was one less rogue running about.
In the end it didn't even take them more than fifteen minutes to deal with the low class rogues "I have a feeling though that the next ones sent will be much harder to take care of" Kakashi grimaced, wiping his hand clean of blood.
There was no need to show up to the summit meeting covered in the red liquid after all "Unfortunately I have to agree, is my life really that worth it Hokage-sama that you'd endanger these three when you could simply have me executed" Itachi chimed.
Sasuke threw a glare at his brother, Minato inhaled sharply probably about to say something when Sakura spoke up "Trying to take the easy way out huh Itachi-san, so your guilty, but your being given a chance to redeem yourself, to prove that your more than just a criminal" Sakura spat.
Genma's lips quirked upwards in amusement "Sakura's right Itachi, prove your worthy of forgiveness by fighting and not giving up when something is beyond your control" Sasuke said, glaring at the ground as he spoke.
Itachi opened his mouth to argue but only got cut off "Knew if we came this way we'd run into you lot, might as well walk the rest of the way to Iron together right Hokage" Rasa called out to them as he came into view from the tree line.
The blonde nodded his agreement as the much larger group resumed walking "You know I understand your sensei going along but why are you three going as well" Temari asked, eyeing the younger members of Team Seven.
"Cause Da….Hokage-sama assigned us to protect Itachi, nothing more, nothing less" Naruto explained calmly earning a chuckle from Minato who was glad the boy was behaving and actually calling him by his proper title.
Rasa didn't comment and kept quiet for the time being "Still you surprised me by being able to pull of a genjutsu such as the Black Dream Illusion that's some pretty hardcore stuff Kid" Genma stated ruffling the blondes hair.
Naruto beamed in response letting himself be distracted for no longer than that before watching their surroundings again "Well I'm sure we know who to blame for that isn't that right Kakashi" Raido snorted.
Eyeing the Copy Ninja who was stood on the other side of Sakura, Kakashi smirked, but didn't brag because now really wasn't the time or place for it "No nonsense like usual then" Kankuro rolled his eyes.
"Perhaps, that's just how these three have always been though, and I'm pretty sure that's not all Kakashi's fault" Iwashi chimed in, glad for the conversation he'd been about to go insane from the earlier silence so this was nice.
Gaara had to nod as well "True enough" Gaara rumbled in his familiar gravely tone of voice, still feeling that malevolent presence within Sakura, it didn't bother him as much as it use to however which was strange, he doubted he'd get an answer if he asked though.
With that the conversation ended to Iwashi's chagrin and he was glad when they stopped two hours later to have a quick lunch, Sakura was unanimously voted to be the cook so she sent clones out to hunt for something.
And they brought back a large boar that everyone would be able to eat their fill of once it was prepared properly anyway as Sakura sliced strips off, slathered the strips with herbs she had on hand and speared them to cook before the fire.
Until there was at least four or five sticks to a person and the rest was sealed away, half an hour later the lot of them were done eating so camp was packed up and they continued making their way to the border.
Four hours later Minato stopped, peered over his shoulder, locked eyes with Rasa who nodded then dropped his pack "Make camp, we'll cross into Iron tomorrow, Sakura with me to draw perimeters and a barrier seal all around us to ensure our protection" Minato ordered.
Really hating to be so demanding of one of his own children but that was the shinobi way of life "Understood, I'll take care of the perimeter seals" Sakura informed acknowledging his order without a single ounce of hesitation or frustration.
Then she pulled out her chakra ink and brush, found a good spot to start and got to drawing seals on the ground that circled their entire camp, Minato on the other hand drew a double barrier seal that protected the perimeter seals and added traps to be extra cautious.
"Is it just me or did Sakura get better at fuinjutsu" Temari whispered to Sasuke who was always carefully watching the pinkette, though he did watch Naruto some to, proving to be equally as protective over both his teammates.
He wasn't sure how he'd handle the two year separation that was coming up "Lets just say she's been getting in a lot of practice lately" Sasuke shrugged, gaze flickering briefly onto her before looking back to Sakura.
Sharingan activated as he copied the seals she was using with his dojutsu in order to recreate them for himself should the need to ever arise "Sheesh just how many missions has she been on" Kankuro grimaced.
"A lot, at least three in the last week alone, we went with her of course but since becoming Chunin probably sixteen, over half of them have been C ranked, the rest B ranked" Naruto admitted with a slight wince.
Wondering if he should even be telling them that "Hokage what did you rank this mission as for them to be protecting Uchiha-san, surely you didn't assign Chunin to an A rank" Rasa frowned at Minato who gave him a flat smile.
"Well it wouldn't be their first A rank, Kazekage-sama and they undertook the first one as genin, it was entirely accidental of course but we still completed it" Kakashi chimed in with a little shrug before smiling down at Sakura.
Who finished with her task and plopped down at his side to prepare dinner "Still I would like to know how you accidentally go on an A ranked mission as genin, we all heard of course but I'm confused since we weren't given an answer" Iwashi questioned.
Sasuke curled his lip "Tazuna, our client, lied and only paid for a C rank mission, luckily for him we weren't naive thanks to Kakashi" the Uchiha explained grudgingly, that particular mission was still a sore point obviously.
Not just for him but for Sakura and Naruto to "Speaking of, how exactly did you manage to get him to be your sensei, the way I heard it Kakashi you had never intended on taking on students of your own and failed every other team assigned to you" Raido questioned.
Prompting a chuckle from Kakashi "I had intended on failing them, they surprised me however and worked together in spite of their feelings, and I knew I couldn't let their talents waste away by sending them back to the academy" Kakashi said.
Minato lifted a pale brow on his former student "You didn't, you gave them the bell test" the blonde grinned, amused when Kakashi nodded, while the kids huffed and rolled their eyes as they remembered that test.
"Almost had those stupid bells to if he'd just stayed in the genjutsu a moment longer that is and what else did he do he tried to trick us into not eating" Sasuke grumbled, remembering that he hadn't eaten until Sakura had forced him to practically.
Naruto sniggered under his breath "Yep Kakashi-sensei's exact words were….oh and don't eat or you'll puke, thank J…kami for Sakura-chan who really freaked me out the morning of when I found her padding about in my apartment kitchen" Naruto quipped.
"Honestly all I did was pick your lock Naruto it wasn't that big of a deal, plus you had a hearty breakfast thanks to me so are you really complaining" Sakura rolled her eyes in mock exasperation and Naruto shook his head.
It was Itachi who asked "Picked his apartment lock, why one earth would you need to do something like that" Itachi frowned, not sure what he should think of the conversation at hand and still trying to come to terms with his freedom from Akatsuki.
Sakura smiled widely "Believe me Itachi-san that skill has come in handy a couple of times" the pinkette admitted, thinking back to the time at Gato's hideout when they'd collected some of the money for themselves.
In which they still had plenty leftover "Intriguing, pray tell what would you have need of that skill for, unless you plan on quitting being a ninja and becoming a thief" Gaara rumbled in his most curious tone yet.
And she shook her head gently "No Gaara, when I lived in the apartment I often forgot my key a lot, so I learned so I wouldn't have to wait around for the complex owner" Sakura explained kindly, because Gaara had, had it rough so far.
"On that note we should probably get some shut eye before we start walking through the blistering cold tomorrow" Genma reminded, so soon after everyone laid down in their bedrolls, quickly drifting off with little fuss.
Breakfast the following morning was a quiet affair before the lot of them crossed the border into the Land of Iron, just as more hired rogues showed up, these ones were a might bit stronger than the last bunch like Kakashi suspected.
Especially when Sakura put a little more chakra behind her punches if one of them got to close to her position next to Itachi "Looks like someone took a lesson from Lady Tsunade" Kakashi sweat dropped, slightly horrified at how strong his kunoichi was getting to be.
"I'm actually surprised your not using your scythe, given that you managed to knock Kisame-san flat on his back with it" Itachi commented, finding it hard to not crack a smile upon remembering or that Kisame had gotten the hell shocked out of him from her little seal.
Sakura giggled unsympathetically as the last of the rogues were beaten "In order to use my scythe I'd have to be moving around a lot more than this with a wide area to use it in" Sakura declared, that didn't mean however that she didn't have her favorite weapon on her though.
As she pat her pouch to assure herself the scroll was still there "True" Sasuke nodded as she caught him doing the same thing, considering he had a scythe of his own now that had a sword stored in it where the retractable cable was meant to go.
Genma smirked catching on and couldn't stop the chuckle from escaping his mouth "You kids are something else" the tokujo shook his head, amused more than anything else really as they continued their trek.
Which meant the conversation was over, all of them unaware that something was about to happen until Jashin decided to intervene 'Child, Hidan's partner Kakuzu is on route to your location, he's been hired by the Tsuchikage to kill Itachi and all of you' Jashin warned.
Causing her to instantly grow rigid, having seen this happen before Rasa immediately stopped gold dust coming out of the gourd on his back, Minato frowned then eyed his daughter who was the most tense he'd ever seen her.
Blue and green orbs clashed "Kakashi, Sakura, stop whatever is about to happen and come back to us no matter the cost understood" Minato relented seeing Sakura's fear and worry for their safety, this was something she had to deal with as a Jashinist probably.
They both nodded then Sakura dashed off in the opposite direction Kakashi on her heels while the rest of them hurried on "Who is it that Jashin said was coming Sakura" Kakashi asked when he caught up with her.
"Kakuzu, Hidan's Akatsuki partner, according to Hidan this guy has five hearts of all the natural elements, he's obsessed with money so I doubt we can negotiate with him if the Tsuchikage is offering him a lot for this job" Sakura informed.
And her sensei choked "Five hearts that's just…..well I suppose after seeing you die and come back to life there is nothing that can really surprise me anymore in this world" Kakashi sighed after a moment.
Realizing this was going to be one hell of a fight "Rumors are going to start after this about what I am, there's no way I'll get him five times and I refuse to let you get hurt Kakashi-sensei" Sakura said after a few minutes.
En route to intercept Kakuzu "We'll try negotiating first before we have to resort to you using your immortality as a weapon, I really don't want to see you die in front of me again even if I know you'll come back" Kakashi suggested.
Thankfully Sakura agreed with him and twenty minutes later they shot down before Kakuzu "Heh felt me coming did you, to bad I was ordered to kill the whole lot of you" Kakuzu laughed, already settling into a fighting stance.
"Hold on there, how much is the Tsuchikage offering you for this job" the Copy Ninja interrupted as he sensed that Kakuzu was about ready to attack them and rifling through his pouch for nearly all that remained of what he'd taken from Gato's stash.
Glad he'd thought to bring it, Kakuzu paused "5,000 ryo, a paltry amount that I won't get until I complete my task but money is money and I can add it to Akatsuki's funds" Kakuzu announced to their relief.
And his surprise when he was offered fifteen thousand ryo "You leave us alone and all this money is yours" Kakashi waved the paper bills at the S class rogue, hoping he would accept the negotiation.
Kakuzu glared at him with pale green eyes then straightened from his crouch "Very well…a pleasure doing business with you" Kakuzu relented, accepting the money and disappearing in the opposite direction away from their group.
Sakura held her chest as her heart pounded "Thank Jashin for that, I really thought he was going to refuse and I'd been about ready to offer all I had up to just in case" Sakura sighed in relief as they turned back and started running.
In order to meet up with the others again, who were practically at the doors of Samurai HQ "What happened you don't seem injured this time" Temari pounced on Sakura when the girl showed up after being gone for the last half hour.
"Fortunately we didn't have to fight" Sakura smiled up at her friend, relaxing her guard a little when they finally reached their destination, upon entering the building the group of Shinobi from Iwagakure looked over at them.
The Tsuchikage's expression said it all that he'd been counting on Akatsuki to make it so they couldn't reach Samurai HQ as he sneered at them, Minato met that sneer with a smile, one so creepy that it even freaked Sakura out a little bit.
As she edged away from the blonde who radiated killing intent so thick one could cut it with a knife, the Tsuchikage must have been affected some himself as the short elderly man began sweating visibly.
Until they were interrupted by the Head Samurai himself "If you please there are rooms that you may rest in here upstairs, seeing as there are a couple of you missing and I'm sure those of you here wish to rest until the others arrive" Mifune announced.
Minato reigned in his KI before turning and disappearing up the steps they were gestured to "Yikes he was mad" Naruto shivered, he didn't blame his dad any though because sending someone to kill them that would make even Sakura panic was completely rude.
Rasa narrowed his eyes on the Tsuchikage then stepped protectively in front of the remaining Leaf Shinobi, silently warning the elder Kage that if he tried anything on them he would also be fighting to keep them safe from harm.
Adhering to the treaty then hurried after the Hokage once he was sure the Tsuchikage got his warning loud and clear "What the heck did you do Gramps to have both the Hokage and Kazekage glare at you with that kind of expression" one of the escorts from Iwa huffed.
Just a little worried that her leader was causing trouble where it was unwarranted Ohnoki said nothing however and kept his silence on the matter "Anyway we really should be finding a room" Sasuke cleared his throat.
Itachi was shuffled ahead of them while Kakashi brought up the rear, not to sure if they could let their guards down even inside the building with the repeated attempts on their lives so far from the Tsuchikage.
Which meant that one of them was stuck rooming with the Uchiha heir for however long the summit meeting would last, Kakashi decided to be the one who roomed with Itachi, leaving Naruto and Sasuke to share and Sakura with a room to herself.
That was right across the hall from Kakashi and Itachi's shared room so she could reach him quickly in case of an emergency "Psst Sakura, want to head to the cafeteria with me" Temari whispered through the door two hours later.
When she was snuggling down beneath the blanket and her stomach growled reminding her she hadn't eaten dinner yet "Yeah come on in I have to change out of my pajamas first Temari" Sakura responded.
Flipping the covers from her body and standing to put her day to day clothes back on "Nice trench coat, did that Anko woman give that to you" Temari whistled softly feeling no need to be overly loud especially at the time of day it was currently.
She shook her head "Found it in one of my favorite shops, awesome isn't it" Sakura grinned widely, showing off the dark red, long sleeved, ankle length trench coat she'd bought a week ago with her latest mission money.
Temari smirked "Bet your having to beat boys off with a stick aren't you or maybe that killer punch you have" Temari laughed as the two of them headed down to the cafeteria to eat an extremely late dinner.
The Head Samurai was surprised to see them together actually when they entered the mess hall just chatting away to one another without a care in the world "Actually most guys are to afraid of me nowadays because of that so they don't try anything" the pinkette giggled.
Responding to whatever the blonde had said before they entered the cafeteria "Why are guys to afraid of you" one of the escorts that had come from Iwagakure inquired, he seemed to be the lone adult of the group besides the Tsuchikage.
"I can utilize chakra enhanced strength like Lady Tsunade, in fact once we get back from this meeting, she's taking me out of the village as her apprentice to train me for two years" Sakura announced and she hadn't even had to ask.
Kitsuchi choked, practically hacking up a lung as his food went down his windpipe, Sakura watched worriedly for a moment until he was able to breathe properly on his own without her having to help.
Because she didn't want to get in trouble nor was she very happy with the Tsuchikage at the moment "Tsunade, the Slug Sannin is going to train you" Mifune turned interjecting himself into the conversation.
"Yes that's right Mifune-dono and I'm incredibly honored" the girl bowed her head at him, respectful and polite which surprised him even more because he thought there was no one among the shinobi who could treat them properly.
But here was a little girl no more than thirteen if he had to guess bowing her head to him a samurai "Really sucks though that I'll have to go two years without seeing you and what about Naruto and Sasuke I thought you were velcroed to their sides" Temari sulked.
Wondering how the two boys of Team Seven was handling the news "Naruto was taken on as Jiraiya-sama's apprentice and will also be leaving for two years, and Anko offered to teach Sasuke while we're gone" Sakura explained.
"Uchiha's got it rough then and what the hell are you wearing Sakura" Kankuro commented, only to gape in horror at Sakura's clothes, a sleeveless crop top that showed off her slightly toned stomach, shorts that went to mid-thigh and a skirt that was the same length all in off white.
It was the same reaction nearly everyone had whenever she wore slightly revealing clothing "Clothes Kankuro what else am I meant to wear, my birthday suit" Sakura rolled her eyes with a snort not letting his gaping bother her to much.
Kankuro scowled "Now I understand why Uchiha has such a conniption every time, seeing as we're friends now and all" Kankuro grumbled, horrified that Sakura didn't even care that she was showing off her stomach.
Prompting her to scoff at his muttering before stuffing a piece of fried chicken into his mouth to shut him up, Temari shook her head in amusement "Leave you alone for one minute and we find you flirting with someone" Sasuke snorted.
Having seen the prior moment, Sakura swiveled "Excuse me Sasuke I was not flirting I was shutting him up in a more polite way than simply telling him to shut up" Sakura scowled before deflating a little in exhaustion.
Sasuke was in the same boat as was Naruto as they slumped onto the bench with trays in their hands so they didn't go to bed hungry "Man this endless stream of missions is really getting to me" Naruto mumbled, practically falling asleep in his ramen that he'd found somewhere.
To wake him up a little Sasuke pinched his side and he shot upright "Interesting children you are, from two entirely different villages yet all of you are friends I take it" Kitsuchi asked once again, he'd been watching the past few minutes.
"Quite, we all had a rough beginning put our friendship is really starting to shape up nicely now" Sakura bobbed her head, linking arms with Temari as she did so, eventually though the five of them finished eating and scurried back to their separate or shared rooms.
Morning dawned quickly "Did you Kids sleep alright, I know it's not your house but still you need to keep your energy up for the next week or so probably, depending on how long it takes to sort this issue out" Genma asked.
Once the lot of them were sat in the cafeteria for breakfast "Slept just fine Genma-sensei" Sakura assured, meeting Kakashi's subtle glances who nodded, indicating there had been no attempt on Itachi's life last night to her relief.
Halfway down the table were the three Kage and Mifune "Hokage-san you have quite the shinobi on your hands don't you….I'm speaking of Sakura-san, she mentioned that Tsunade has taken her on as her apprentice and is going to take her out of the village to train" Mifune commented.
Watching the Hokage closely who lowered his glass "Ah my daughter, she's always been eccentric I believe, with an IQ that could match a Nara, but you heard correct, Tsunade expressed interest in having her as an apprentice" Minato chuckled.
Confirming the truth for Mifune and the others who had leaned forward to better hear what he was going to say "Pardon, she's your daughter, that girl" Ohnoki spluttered in outrage pointing right at Sakura who briefly glanced at him.
Minato nodded, then resumed eating his breakfast until a samurai jogged up to Mifune "We have a situation Mifune-sama, one of the patrols was attacked last night and are severely injured, they won't last for more than two hours if they are not helped" the samurai informed.
Sakura pursed her lips and Minato wasn't surprised in the least when she stood and walked over to them "If you'll let me, I can heal them" Sakura offered bravely, hands glowing with bright green medical chakra.
The Head Samurai shot a look to the Hokage who acquiesced fairly quickly and Sakura was led away to heal the injured party of samurai under his command "Still ever the compassionate one" Rasa noted out loud.
Down the table Raido snorted "To compassionate sometimes, you have to agree with me, that side of hers will get her in serious trouble one of these days, in fact it could even kill her" Raido grimaced thinking Sakura was as naive as most young shinobi were.
And not knowing how wrong he was "Perhaps, just one thing Raido, Sakura-chan is also a very shrewd person and if she thinks your undeserving will not offer her help in any capacity" Kakashi admitted.
Because he knew how his kunoichi thought from how long they'd been together at this point "Yeah agreed, that brat really is one of the shrewdest people I know, no offense Hokage-sama" Iwashi said.
Not that Minato was upset by it or anything, he seemed amused actually "I once saw Sakura punch Sasuke and break his nose when they were eight…..I'm still not sure how you two even became friends actually regardless of being on the same team with one another" Itachi commented.
Sasuke winced "Well you have to admit I did deserve it back then Itachi and you can thank Sakura that I pulled my head out of my a…rear end, she was wholly terrifying the day after we were assigned teams and things spiraled after that" Sasuke explained.
Remembering how close Sakura had come to nearly decking him again when he refused to eat the tomatoes "Basically what Sasuke means is she threatened him if he didn't get his act together she was going to pummel him probably" Naruto summed up for everyone who didn't understand.
Three hours later Sakura rejoined them after having spent the entire morning healing five injured samurai "I see you improved on your medical ninjutsu lately" Gaara said, having been silent thus far considering the disgusted looks he'd been getting.
"Mhm, I help out at the hospital twenty hours a week so I've been getting in lots of practice on that to" Sakura hummed, nearly drained of chakra which meant the secondary chakra was more noticeable.
Funny how Shukaku as he'd been told that was the voice he heard in his head never said anything anymore about her "And those under my command will they survive" Mifune inquired, seeing her sitting there at the table.
Eating quite a lot for a girl "Indeed they will Mifune-dono, they'll be sore of course from the broken bones I had to reset and heal but all of them are tenacious with a huge will to continue living on" Sakura declared.
Amusing him yet again "Try not to pass out this time" Rasa frowned, worried that she might be on the verge of fainting like last time when she'd healed Minato in his villages hospital, Sakura let out a weary sounding sigh in response.
Before nodding silently, she hated passing out more than anyone really since it had been a constant upon becoming a shinobi, hours later past dinner time Ay with his two escorts stormed into Samurai HQ to escape the blizzard going on outside.
The others had already gone to bed so know one but the Samurai knew of his arrival until the following morning "Kids" Darui waved upon seeing them sitting at the table in the cafeteria prompting them, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura to perk up.
"I didn't think we'd be seeing you here, then again you three are quite the Chunin" Cee said, smirking afterwards because he understood why the Hokage would bring them along, they achieved outstanding feats on missions.
Sakura smiled sweetly at him, relaxing a little as more people she trusted showed up "Unruly Ay huh, perhaps you'll help me stop Yellow Flash from revoking that Akatsuki bastard's criminal status" Ohnoki sneered at Itachi.
Ay glanced in the young man's direction and spotted one of the brats he was familiar with right next to Itachi "Barking up the wrong tree Tsuchikage, I already gave my approval after the brat there gave me a good enough reason for Hokage to do so" Ay shrugged.
Seeing the glares the Tsuchikage was getting from said brat, though subtle, he could see them and the suspicion that lay plainly within her eerie green eyes, indicating Ohnoki had already tried something and she was on to the elder Kage.
Ohnoki growled until he was cut off by Minato "So Itachi's beyond forgiveness, hmm what about you Ohnoki, using the Akatsuki to attempt an assassination on a reigning Kage from another village" Minato commented smoothly, not about to let the man insult his children or his village.
Instantly the Tsuchikage quieted, realizing that the Hokage already knew what he'd done "Now it makes sense, the brats glaring" Ay mused, unsympathetic of the Tsuchikage who deserved all that and more really.
"By the way what kind of speech did she give you when asking for your approval" Rasa cast his gaze over to the Raikage, wondering how the man knew Sakura well enough that he'd speak somewhat fondly of her.
The Raikage smirked "Something along the lines of how Namikaze wanted to give Uchiha a chance to make amends but needed my approval to make it happen, she was pretty passionate about it so I agreed considering I already owed Leaf a favor" Ay informed.
"Quite, you know I half expect her to become the Hokage at some point later on in her life" Rasa commented only to have Minato shake his head, obviously doubting his suspicion and he quirked a brow wanting to hear what the blonde had to say on the matter.
"Because it's Naruto's dream to become the Hokage, Sakura wouldn't take that away from him" Minato explained, pretty much ignoring the Tsuchikage at this point who was in a more surly mood than usual.
As they all finished eating before splitting up to do their own thing until the following day which signaled the arrival of the Mizukage, it also meant it was time to get the Five Kage Summit Meeting underway.