Wolvmbm: I don't wanna answer too many Hinata questions, because I really want a lot of her character development to really be a surprise. Shizune and Tonton will not be showing up in the Uzushiogakure arc. They will be in the war arc however. And Hiruzen's wayward son shall be interesting.

MGStarFire: Why would a Genin be in any way capable of reading through Danzo's lies? That doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

Guest: Naruto will learn Sage Jutsu, it just won't be Toad Sage Mode. The Hell Verse is Naruto's version of Sage Mode. And thank you for the compliment with Sasuke. He's a bit of a struggle to write, because I just really enjoy writing a demented, insane, murderous Sasuke.

Reality of War

Naruto frowned as he struggled to keep up with the blonde woman while simultaneously trying to create the Rasengan (Spiralling Sphere). The boy groaned, frowning before he gave up, breathing heavily. Tsunade glanced back at Naruto, a smirk on her face. "I already told you to stop trying. You're just going to fail. A little Genin like you could never use a jutsu like the Rasengan (Spiralling Sphere)."

Naruto glared at the woman, ignoring the searing chakra burns on his hand as he forcefully closed it. "Shut up," he growled out, stomping after the woman. He quickly formed two clones, nodding at each of them. The duo rushed into the forest to practice creating the Rasengan (Spiralling Sphere) in peace, without the nagging voice of a rude blonde in his ears all the time. Tsunade, barely paying attention to Naruto's actions, almost smirked at the action.

'Well at least he's not stupid. That's actually pretty intelligent. His brain won't overload with information due to the Kyuubi so using them to make some progress is actually rather ingenious.'

Tsunade smirked, looking at the trees. They were still far from the ocean, to far for them to be moving at the rate they were, especially with a war on the horizon. She turned to look at Naruto. "Keep up, I'm kicking up the pace. Less breaks, and you won't have time to practice that jutsu of yours."

Naruto growled at her. "You're trying to make this difficult for me huh?"

Tsunade smiled. "Maybe a little," the lone female Sannin said before she shot into the trees, moving at breakneck speeds. Naruto quickly shot after her, however his eyes widened as he could barely keep up with her. 'She's so fast! I thought I was, but she's still outspeeding me!'

Tsunade laughed at the kid. "What's wrong? I heard you were fast! Keep up brat!"

Tsunade then increased her speed, causing Naruto to growl once more. "I am not a brat," he roared before he sped up, surging through the trees at full speed.

XxX

Sakura and Sasuke looked at Kakashi, a frown on their face.

"You're saying Naruto got a mission and won't be training with us for right now," Sakura asked, annoyance in her voice. She clearly wanted to have one more team training session before the impending war. They likely wouldn't be able to do so when the war started due to them likely being placed on different teams and going on tours at different times if some of them went to help the Daimyo and his army. Sakura sighed. She was worried that might be the last time they saw each other.

Sasuke saw the worried look on Sakura's face, placing a hand on her shoulder. Her green eyes shot upwards, meeting Sasuke's.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. The dobe is strong, almost as strong as me. He can handle it." Kakashi nodded at the demonstration of trust between teammates. "Exactly. Don't worry about Naruto. He's a strong kid. You should be focusing on the jutsu I'm about to teach you," Kakashi stated, looking at Sakura with a smile on his face, although she couldn't see it.

Sakura nodded, her eyes hard. Kakashi formed a shadow clone, a smirk on his face. "Now, Sakura for you I have a genjutsu that you might want to learn, and for you Sasuke...well yours is much more complicated due to the fact that I'm only going off what I saw. I can't actually perform the technique without someone already doing it with my Sharingan active. Luckily when we were fighting I managed to garner some of the style down."

Sasuke blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Kakashi smiled. "I'm going to teach you something that Zabuza could use. I'm going to teach the art of Silent Killing."

XxX

Stijin lightly knocked on the door of the Hokage office, hearing a muffled, "Enter." He opened the door, smiling to the Hokage. "Jiraiya, it's nice to see you again."

"Stijin," Jiraiya said, nodding. "Likewise. How have you been?" Stijin smiled. "Oh you know, okay." Jiraiya nodded, before he looked at Stijin seriously, pleasantries having been exchanged. The man was not one to simply waste time visiting the Hokage. He had a business to run and a daughter to train. "Why are you here Stijin?"

The man smiled. "I have a request of you Hokage-sama."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what would it be?"

Stijin smiled. "I request that you allow myself and my daughter, Tenten Higarashi, to go on tour with the Daimyo and his Twelve Guardian Shinobi." Jiraiya's eyes widened. "Excuse me, but you want me to what?" Stijin smiled, although he realized the dangerous territory he was treading on. "I want you to give me permission to take my daughter out on tours with me so that I can train her. I have always gone on tours with the Daimyo before, he will likely be expecting me. And my daughter needs training, and as her father I am the best person to give it to her."

Jiraiya frowned. "You want me to bring a Genin into possibly the most dangerous area of the war?"

"You would have brought in Naruto, why not Tenten?"

"Naruto's case is different and you know it."

"Naruto is a Jinchuriki. His job is to massacre anything on the chess board that the enemy brings towards the Hidden Leaf. However, he can't do it all. He isn't strong enough yet and he definitely doesn't have enough control over the Kyuubi yet. So, allow me and my daughter to be the bolster for the Daimyo and his forces, at least until Naruto is strong enough to help." Jiraiya frowned, clearly against the decision. If it was just Stijin requesting to do this he may have been of a different mind, but Tenten was not ready to face such serious adversity as the dangerous shinobi on the tours. If she couldn't handle it she would die, and it would be on his hands. However, they did need a bolster on that side of the war considering that Naruto and Tsunade were both currently on a mission. Jiraiya sighed.

"Fine, I will allow this, but you watch her closely you understand?" Stijin nodded. Jiraiya sighed. "You leave in two days, I will send a messenger to the Daimyo." Stijin bowed in thanks, walking towards the door, however Jiraiya's voice brought him back to attention.

"I don't know what your agenda here is Stijin but be careful. You shouldn't play with anyone's lives, especially your daughters. Pride isn't worth as much as she is."

"This isn't about pride," Stijin said. "I'm proud of her already. This is about her." Stijin walked out the room, closing the door politely. Jiraiya sighed, glancing at one of the many Anbu stationed in his room. Jiraiya sighed. He had just begun his tenure as Hokage and yet he was already faced with a multitude of tough decisions. "Gather the remaining members of the Ten Shadows of the Leaf. I have a request for them." The Anbu nodded, disappearing in a burst of speed. Jiraiya then turned to the absolutely massive stack of paperwork that lay on his desk.

"Sensei...you're a sadistic bastard you know that?"

XxX

Danzo frowned, clicking his tongue as he heard about his operatives failure. "I see. So they were all killed...that is a shame," he muttered, clearly annoyed. "We'll have to do another recruitment, this time without the ex-master spy of Konoha on our tails. We'll have to be even better than we were beforehand." Danzo shook his head. "It would have been preferable had Tsunade become Hokage, then Jiraiya would have still remained primarily outside of these walls." Danzo waved his hand, sending his operative out of his room with a quick bow. Danzo looked at the massive shogi board in front of him, swiping up three white pieces. He then analyzed the entire board, looking at the three sides of the board. One was white, his own, and they had relatively few pieces, about three hundred. There was a slightly larger green set that held about five hundred pieces and then a black set, the largest, with over a thousand pieces on it. Danzo frowned, picking up three of his own pieces and slamming them forwards.

"Let's see how Jiraiya handles this," he muttered.

XxX

Orochimaru snarled in the depths of his laboratory, furious at his failure to destroy Konoha. "It's all Sunagakure's fault," he hissed, rage building in his voice. The man's hands worked as furiously as his mouth, concocting some chemical. Orochimaru snarled, rage budding in his eyes. "They dared to abandon the invasion in front of me! I'll make them regret that decision!"

Orochimaru snarl worsened, erupting in a series of mad laughter that echoed throughout the entire complex, giving all residents the chills. Orochimaru smiled, "For Sunagakure," Orochimaru muttered, swishing around some liquid with a cap on it. Orochimaru smiled before he turned, looking at the cages in the laboratory. As he walked over he heard snarling, and a particularly gruesome roar erupt from the cage, a bloodied hand flying to cling to it. Orochimaru laughed, ignoring the maddening screech as a monster rushed to him, however the second it hit the bars it was blown backwards. Orochimaru smiled.

"Yes...I'll need that primal rage of yours my pets. Konohagakure shall know destruction." Orochimaru laughed, clearly amused with his creations. Orochimaru smiled as he looked at the monstrosities that lurked behind the cages, eyeing their skin with glee. "Yes...yes I think you all will do fine."

The seals that swirled around the monstrosities slowly faded into the skin. Orochimaru laughed. To truly become a great scientist you had to experiment, yet when one was as obsessed with immortality as he was it was quite the challenging thing to do. Luckily he knew how to make clones, and they were quite the sadistic clones indeed.

XxX

Anko sat in silence in the pitch black room, her eyes closed as she merely felt her chakra, specifically, the taint on her chakra. Once more her chakra surged towards the mark Orochimaru had placed upon her, his own personal test that she had failed to pass. Anko snarled, her chakra flaring violently as it failed to destroy the mark once more. It wasn't possible simply by attacking it with her own chakra, a solution that easy wouldn't have been missed by Jiraiya. In fact she was likely just making it stronger, but at the moment she didn't care. She was just so angry.

Orochimaru had the nerve to walk into her village, her village, and attack it. He had the nerve to try and kill the Hokage, and he expected to just walk away from that! Anko snarled, snakes whipping out from her sleeves, the white snakes hissing dangerously. Anko felt the mark on her neck pulse violently however she fought through the pain and looked at her pain. Anko tightened her hands, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. The snakes hissed worse, wrapping themselves around her as they grew in size and viciousness. Slowly a snake opened its mouth, sinking its fangs onto the curse mark. Anko winced at the pain, yet maintained her composure as the snake yanked its head back, tearing the skin that the curse mark was visible on. Anko smiled, before she felt the vile presence continue to pulse throughout her body, his presence till leaving it's dark imprint on her soul. Anko snarled, almost opening her eyes to see the mark becoming visible on her bloodied neck. Fury shot through her body like a bolt of lightning, electrifying her as she stood, a red haze covering her eyes due to lack of sleep.

If Orochimaru was so confident that that mark controlled her he would be sorely mistaken.

XxX

Margaret frowned as she through back on her conflict. 'Genruko,' she thought. She could only think back to that mission, the last joint mission Konohagakure and Sunagakure had ever done...to much acrimony had been birthed due to that mission, a series of political events that nearly sparked a war. Margaret frowned, thinking back to the events, the single blotch on her tenure as a shinobi that she wasn't proud of.

(-Flashback-)

Margaret smiled as she landed, waving to the two other Chunin on the mission. "Hello, I'm Margaret Holloway, nice to meet you!" The two Sunagakure Chunin before her looked at her with a cool clarity. They were about the same age as her, looking about seventeen in age. The woman smiled back at her, happiness on her face.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Kurumi! I'm looking forward to this mission." The man simply talked, "Genruko." Margaret frowned but nodded nonetheless. "So...did you all make contact with the contractor? Or are we heading there already?" Kurumi shook her head. "Nope. We were headed there now actually. I'm a little surprised through, for a Daimyo to be requesting Sunagakure and Konohagakure to protect him for this meeting." Margaret shrugged. "It makes sense. The Kazekage and Hokage cannot afford to have a political falling out with the war going on. The Daimyo or his contractor could be killed, and both sides would blame each other."

Kurumi smiled. "I suppose you have a point." Genruko glared at Margaret. "What would Konoha have to lose from going to war with Sunagakure? It's not like they're losing in the war with any village currently." Margaret frowned at Genruko's hostile comment. "It would cause unnecessary loss on both sides."

"Don't hide your real feelings. You would slaughter Sunagakure shinobi wouldn't you?" Margaret was silent, not wanting to fall into Genruko's trap. Kurumi glared at Genruko. "Genruko stop attacking her. Whether or not she attacked Sunagakure shinobi you can't blame her. She's a loyal shinobi." Margaret was lucky that neither of them noticed her flinch when she said that, the duo to engrossed in one another.

"Let's just get going," Genruko stated, anger surging through his veins. The man took off into the trees, moving fast. Kurumi bowed to Margaret. "My apologies. His parents were killed by Konoha shinobi during a misunderstanding. He still harbors a strong resentment towards them." Margaret waved her off. "It's fine...that must be awful." Kurumi nodded. "Worse than you could imagine."

With that the two women of the group shot after Genruko.

XxX

The group landed in front of the capital city of the Land of Fire, walking in slowly. They duo nodded to the guards, Kurumi showing the documents for their mission. The guards nodded, sending a messenger to the palace. The trio killed time until they were greeted by a men with a sword, sitting on top of horse. He waved them forwards, directing them towards the palace. As they arrived he got off of his horse, walking towards two magnificent double doors. He knocked slowly, announcing himself. A faint, "Enter." was heard from inside. The man opened the door, waving the three in in. The trio walked forwards before they knelt to the Daimyo.

"Daimyo-sama," Margaret began. "We are the coalition sent by Konohagakure and Sunagakure to protect you and your client during this mission." The Daimyo smiled, waving at them although he didn't pay attention to them, his eyes to focused on the small ball of fur in his hands. Genruko frowned at the Daimyo's nonchalant attitude but Margaret took that as a signal to keep talking. "We will watch you and protect you sir. We shall keep watch over the palace until the dealings are over." The Daimyo barely nodded in a timely manner, clearly unconcerned with the trio in front of him. Margaret rose, Genruko and Kurumi following soon afterwards before she led the three of them out of the hall.

"That is really your Daimyo?"

Margaret frowned at Genruko's question.

"Yes what of it? I assure you he is more than capable of handling himself. He was just concerned with that animal on his lap." Genruko snorted. "Sure he is. About as good as he is in paying attention to those who are here to protect him." Margaret frowned, her voice raising on octave. "If you wish to leave you can go ahead. I assure you I alone am enough to protect the Daimyo. Please go...I encourage it."

Genruko snorted. "You'd like that wouldn't you Konoha scum. You'd like to tell your Hokage that so he could spring a trap on us and have us killed wouldn't you!" Margaret whirled on Genruko, ready to go to blows, however Kurumi came between both of them.

"Enough of this both of you! We have to work together for this mission! Our arguing isn't going to keep the Daimyo and his client alive! We can put this petty disagreement behind us, at least for this one week. Then you two can go on hating each other as much as you want."

Margaret snarled but nodded. Genruko however simply disappeared. Margaret looked furious, but Kurumi waved a hand. "How about you go find our living quarters? I'll talk to him. I have a way with him." Margaret nodded, stomping off. Kurumi sighed, looking at Genruko.

"Genruko...I know your jutsu. You become visible right now." Genruko suddenly shimmered into existence, a kunai in his hands. Kurumi stuck out her hand, Genruko placing the kunai in her hand. Kurumi sighed as she pocketed the weapon. "Reign yourself in. No matter how much you hate Konoha you have to put it aside for this mission at least. Besides, Margaret has not caused you grief besides the one you have started. She is not responsible for your parents." Genruko snarled, angry in his face. "Not responsible? I've told you my story! All of Konoha is responsible for my parents death!"

Kurumi sighed. "Genruko control yourself. The shinobi that killed your parents are responsible. Be made at the entire Uchiha Clan if you want, I don't really care, but don't involve someone who is innocent. Don't cause a political disaster that would lead to war with Konoha. There is a reason why the Kazekage sent you on this mission. He wants you to move passed your anger Genruko."

Genruko snarled, his chakra surging. Luckily Kurumi placed a hand on his chest before his chakra could truly be noticed. The Twelve Guardian Ninja were still around beyond the three of them, and they would undoubtedly be watching Genruko more closely because of his little stunt if they noticed it.

"Calm yourself Genruko. Go practice somewhere alright? Remember I'm on your side here." Kurumi kissed Genruko gently before she shoved him lightly. Genruko frowned but disappeared nonetheless, this time not refracting light off of water molecules but instead going outside the city to train.

XxX

The Daimyo sat down in front of the guest, Margaret and her group sitting in the room, smiling at the man. Margaret frowned at the man in front of her lord. He looked devious, as if he was plotting something constantly. Then again, when a missing-nin was involved you always had to be wary of a knife slipping into your back, so the Daimyo was likely prepared for whatever plot the man came up with. However, he wasn't the one the Daimyo was actually conversing with, no he was just the man that drew her attention, mainly because of Genruko's and Kurumi's actions. She hadn't had the chance to ask them but she presumed that he had wronged them or was perhaps a Suna missing-nin. Either way, he was just a bodyguard for the man before them. He was apparently a Suna businessman who was coming to Konoha for a lucrative business deal between himself and the Konoha Daimyo. Why he hadn't gone to the Suna Daimyo and hired out Sunagakure shinobi Margaret didn't really know.

Kurumi simply touched Genruko's arm as the man looked absolutely furious, yet Margaret paid him no mind. If he tried anything the man was a shinobi, although it may inevitably spark a series of political events that would be good for neither Sunagakure or Konohagakure. All of this was born out of one businessman's idiocy.

XxX

Rage, that was all Margaret could feel as she saw Genruko holding a man's dead body. It was the business man.

"What the hell have you done," she hissed, rage in her voice. Genruko glared right back at her. "It wasn't me! It was that missing-nin! I simply found him." Margaret was about to argue that the man's body looked pierced in the same way that a Suna ninja that was proficient in wind jutsu would pierce someone for a cleaner kill, yet she was forced to believe Genruko when he saved her life. A kunai lashed at her neck, yet he managed to deflect the blade. Margaret's eyes widened before she reacted, jumping over Genruko, kunai in hand as she slipped it into her assailant's neck. Genruko glared at her.

"Believe me now?"

Margaret frowned. "So what do we do?" Genruko frowned. Kurumi went to go talk to that missing-nin she's in danger. Come with me." Margaret frowned. "But there were three guards for that business man. The Daimyo is likely going to be attacked. I have to defend him." Genruko snarled. "Why? The Daimyo has ten Konoha shinobi guarding him. Help me!"

Margaret shook her head. "I like Kurumi, but I have to remain loyal to my Daimyo." Genruko snarled. "Typical of Konoha shinobi." He then rushed out towards the last area he had seen Kurumi. Margaret frowned but rushed towards the palace. That was the worst decision she had made. There was no shinobi attacking the Daimyo and Kurumi had died. Genruko had always blamed her for her decision. He had been incapable of fending off two shinobi and they had killed Kurumi before making an escape, a horde of money with them.

(-Flashback-)

Margaret sighed. She could only live with her mistakes and simply move forwards as she always did.

XxX

Tenten frowned as she grabbed her weapons, quickly sealing them into several scrolls that she sealed into a much larger one on her back. Her father leaned against her door frame, watching her with intense eyes. "I'm sorry to tear you away from your team with not much of a warning Tenten...but I promise you you will close this gap that you wanted." Tenten shook her head at her father's apology. "It's fine. I agreed to this. I just wasn't expecting it to be so fast. But I'll manage. The next time I set foot in Konoha I'll be an entirely new person!"

Stijin looked at her, a somber smile on his face as she continued to get ready. He turned on his heel, the small scroll he had on his body carrying everything he would need as he leaned one hand on the sheathed blade attached to his hip. "Different you may end up being," he muttered as he walked away. "Although they might not be for the best reasons that they can be."

Stijin sighed as he sat down, looking at the picture on the frame. Three people were in that picture, himself, Tenten, when she was much, much younger, and a woman who looked absolutely gorgeous and confident despite her circumstances. Stijin sighed. Meiko was truly a wonderful woman, and he was lucky to have married her. Tenten had inherited her looks from her mother that much was sure. "She's so like you," he muttered, smiling. He remembered the woman, who grew up as a prostitute, before an eventful night with him had changed both of their lives. "She brought us together, she was what created this family," he muttered. He smiled forlornly. "I promise you Meiko...I won't let her die. I took up this line of work to protect you but I failed. Even I can't stop disease. But I can stop our daughter from being killed on the field. I will now take up my blade again to protect her."

Stijin remained silent, grabbing the picture and sealing it quickly. He rose as he heard footsteps, smiling at Tenten who was coming downstairs, a large scroll wrapped around her. "First lesson," Stijin began, laughing at her awkward appearance. She was struggling to get down the steps due to the narrow space and the massive scroll. "Seal things into smaller scrolls," he laughed.

XxX

Kakashi frowned at what his Anbu had told him, nodding. "I understand. I'll be sure to report in immediately after training." The Anbu member nodded, disappearing. Sakura and Sasuke glanced at their sensei confused. "What's wrong sensei? Did anything happen?" Kakashi smiled, despite his students incapability to see it. "Oh it's nothing, just something the Hokage needs me for. Luckily enough I can do it later which means..." he let his sentence drag on, causing his already bruised and bloody students groan. "More training," the muttered together. Kakashi's smile deepened at their lackluster response. He had thoroughly broken his team if those voices were to be any indication. It was officially time to build them back up to possibly be a member of that elite group. Sasuke he had no doubt would get into it, but Sakura...she was a different matter. One without a true goal was incapable of achieving their full potential after all.

Kakashi shrugged, cracking his shoulders as he dropped into a fighting stance. His students did likewise. Sasuke then weaved through handseals, a light mist settling over the area. Sakura smirked, using the mist to cloak her hands as she drew a kunai, tapping her foot three times on the ground. Kakashi smiled as he instantly dispelled the genjutsu before it could truly take place, his body becoming weightless in the mist as he prepared to move.

"Nice try Sakura. Now let's see how you two handle a true spar."

XxX

Gaara frowned as he tried to use his faux arm. Ever since Naruto told him about making friends he had thrown himself into his training, in an attempt to make it up to Temari and Kankuro by protecting them. He flexed the arm, frowning as he tried to control it. It was a difficult process. He was manipulating an arm entirely made of sand, and he wasn't very good at it. It's movements were clunky and slow, which he was not used to. Then again, he was also helped in his control of sand by Shukaku, who had stopped talking to him recently. It was actually quite relaxing. He had even managed to get in a couple hours of sleep, which he craved again as the experiences was amazing. However, he doubted Shukaku was still in a weak enough state where he wouldn't try and take over.

Gaara swung his arm outwards, the arm extending before it slammed into a nearby sand dune. Quickly becoming one with the dune he was slowly pulled towards it however, he frowned as a blast of wind threatened to carve him into pieces. Quickly he formed a wall of sand in front of him, relinquishing his sand arm for the moment. He couldn't manipulate both of them at once, at least not without Shukaku's aid. The wind dispersed as it hit the sand yet his assailant kept moving. Gaara frowned, trailing his assailant.

"Temari?" he asked, confused. His sister smirked, releasing another powerful gust of wind at him that he easily stopped. "What are you doing?" Gaara asked. Temari smirked. "You've been going around training by yourself," she called, standing still for the time being. "It was annoying," she stated. "You keep saying that you want to be closer to me and Kankuro, yet you keep avoiding us. You live inside the village now, which is progress, but I mean come on! Can't we at least join your training sessions?"

Gaara frowned. "But...I could wind up killing you." Temari frowned, the words sounding so familiar and yet so foreign at the same time. "If you were the same Gaara you were beforehand you would already have killed me. But you haven't. I have faith in your Gaara. Have some faith in yourself."

Gaara tried to argue, yet he stopped, a tapping on his shoulder distracting him. Confused he turned to see Kankuro glaring at him. "You dumbass! Temari's right. Show a little faith. You've got this handled." Frowning, Gaara nodded nonetheless. "So what were you working on?" Gaara slowly explained the situation with his arm, forming it once more. Kankuro smirked. "Wow you seriously didn't come to me with this? This seems exactly like puppetry. I can help you with this no problem! It's all about chakra control!"

Gaara's eyes widened as Kankuro began to delve into a complex explanation on how puppetry worked. Gaara listened intently, eager to learn. Gaara didn't know it at the time, but he had already begun to form a bond with his siblings, a bond that would be the only reason he was alive at the end of the coming war.

XxX

Hoheto Fubuki stretched, his back popping as he thought on the issue he had at hand. The Twelve Guardian Shinobi. The previous group had been...eventful to say the least, and he had almost lost his right to them due to the Hokage's reasonable refusal to have another insurrection like the one beforehand, however with war coming he needed to have his guard. Undoubtedly shinobi would be sent to his court to go on tour, but they would not be his own personal commanders and guardians. Currently he had only three guardians, although they were all formidable in their own right.

Sorano Fubuzuki, Jonin and expert in iyrojutsu and poisons. The man was short, with sandy-brown hair and dark eyes. The man was, physically, fairly average, with poor eyesight that led to him wearing glasses and a below average build. Nonetheless his skill with medicine and poisons, along with his skill in genjutsu had led him to becoming the Daimyo's guard. Hoheto had to admit the man was as useful as he was bright, which was to say very. It was actually quite impressive. However, he wasn't much of a front lines battler. If he could set up a trap he could be devastating, however with the type of combat that he was sure to face Hoheto wasn't sure how adequate he would be. He was not known for his taijutsu, although he was working on it with another member.

Gaku Inuzuka, Jonin and Inuzuka Clan member he was a master of taijutsu and ninjutsu, and was simultaneously good at tracking. He was the Daimyo's favorite probably, due to the fact that he possessed the most balls. He would gleefully talk back to him, and because of this Hoheto trusted his advice more than any other guardian, despite the fact that he wasn't truly a strategist. He was much more impulsive, and prone to fall into Hoheto's traps when they played a game of shogi, however his impulsiveness also made him extremely hard to predict and devastating in close combat. He was the ideal member of his guardians to be sent out to the front lines. He would drill holes through enemy forces surely.

Last was Hayama Shirakumo, the strategist of the group. An expert kenjutsu user and proficient, for Jonin standards, in taijutsu the man was undoubtedly intelligent, a master strategist even if one did not compare him to the likes of a Nara. The man was truly Hoheto's military adviser, although Hoheto didn't listen to him much. Despite his skill the man was also quite the serious pragmatist and thus was not above sacrificing the few for the many. If Hoheto had followed his plans like he almost had so many times he had no doubt that his army of samurai would be greatly weaker than it currently was. However despite that the man was also a huge boon, training every samurai to a competent level and even offering advice on how to change the training for how samurai joined the army. The many was an expert at kenjutsu for a reason. He was likely as skilled as some of the weaker members of the Seven Swordsman. However, his sword, other than being capable of conducting chakra, was fairly plain.

Hoheto sighed as he thought over his three guards. It was unavoidable, he would need more for this upcoming war. As he looked over his list of recommendations he frowned at them. Konoha was running low on extremely powerful shinobi, and he couldn't very well ask for the likes of Might Gai or Kakashi Hatake as they would be needed in more covert or direct shinobi-only assaults. Therefore he had to settle for second best, and he could only hope that it would be enough. He scanned over hist list, checking them all one more time. He nodded to himself before one more name came to him. He smiled, enjoying the idea even though the person was not a true Jonin., However with who was likely to cause disruption on the field of combat she could prove invaluable.

Hoheto smiled as he neatly tied the note together before slipping it onto a pouch that he handed to a messenger hawk. The hawk cawed before it flew off, towards Konohagakure. Hoheto smiled.

Yes, Anko Mitarashi would prove a good addition to his forces indeed.

XxX

Naruto blinked as he looked out over the sea, wearily glancing at Tsunade. The woman had forced him to keep pace with her as she sped through the trees in an attempt to reach the port city of Kyoto. It had been such an exhausting process that he had to dispel the clones he left back in the Land of Fire in order to maintain the chakra necessary to keep up with her, and the worst part of it was the fact that the clones hadn't even made progress on the technique. Naruto glared daggers at her but she just glanced at him, an eyebrow raised in amusement.

"What? You don't considering speeding halfway through the Land of Fire to the Land of Water fun?" Steam nearly rose from Naruto's nose causing the lone female Sannin to laugh. "Calm down blonde. You did well. Take a break. That isn't an easy exercise, even for someone with as much stamina and chakra as you. I'll go find us a boat."

Naruto blinked, startled at being complimented by the woman who he thought would never compliment him until he shoved a Rasengan (Spiralling Sphere) down her throat. Tsunade turned on her heel as he was still frozen by shock, an amused look on her face. 'That kid has a lot of grit. He probably has the most stamina out of the entirety of the Konoha Genin and even Chunin. Then again that likely has to do with him being a Jinchuriki. When he's fully matured he'll be a monster, no doubt about it. I think I'll let him rest for a while then. He's earned it.'

Tsunade quickly found a sailor who would take them near the island, although he refused to go within a mile of it due to the multitude of whirlpools surrounding the island. It was called the Land of Whirlpools for a reason. The whirlpools that could happen spontaneously could sometimes be multiple miles long. It was perhaps the most treacherous land in all of the shinobi world, and to think that she and some kid were descendants of a clan that tamed those whirlpools. It was truly awe inspiring. She had always been proud of her Senju heritage, however it was at moments like these where she realized how great the Uzumaki were.

Her mind leaving the topic of the Uzumaki Clan she focused on more serious matters, like meeting up with her contact before the mission left. More specifically, Jiraiya's contact that he had thrust upon her because of the mission parameters. She idly glanced around, walking around naturally before she subtly slipped into a fish restaurant. Sitting down at a table next to the wall she stretched. She waited a while, smiling at the waitress who came and served her water before rushing off to help another table. Tsunade chuckled with amusement, noticing the store being understaffed. The woman seemed stressed. However, as she looked over the area she frowned, a dark form covering her vision.

"You're late."

"It takes a while to get away from my partner."

"I was told he was your ally."

"A potential one."

Tsunade glanced upwards, locking eyes with her contact. "So, have you learned much?" The man before her slid a a piece of paper that she quickly picked up before she felt it, her eyes widening at the code.

"Please tell me you're kidding."

"I wish I was. The situation is much more dire than we previously assumed."

Tsunade sighed, a long pause in their conversation born before she decided to break it. "Are you sure we can't kill your partner? He's going to be quite the problem. There aren't many stronger than he is. They're are plenty of strong shinobi but he is a monster that supersedes monsters."

"No. He is a necessity. Killing him would be to suspicious. I have to be stealthy for now. Oh, and I thought you might want to know that Kirigakure shinobi have managed to breach the Land of Water."

Tsunade blinked. "Already? I thought they were still in a state of Civil War." The man shook his head causing Tsunade to sigh. "Then I don't want you there." The emotionless man nearly broke his guise but he merely nodded. "Why?"

"To much to handle. This mission will likely spark bad blood between Kiri and Konoha anyways, and I don't need you all getting intertwined in this, especially without the benefit of killing your partner." The man blinked. "Are you capable of killing my partner without my help? They will notice if I assist."

Tsunade frowned, honestly thinking about the question. It was important, and it wasn't a simple answer. That man was strong, freakishly so. She would have to be capable of killing him and then convincingly sending the man before her away before she could allow herself to fall. Not only that but Kiri shinobi would likely get in the way and she would be abandoning Naruto to facing them by himself. But the potential benefit was massive, but was it a situation that she would be force to pass up?

Tsunade groaned. She hadn't wanted to be making village-crucial decisions so soon in her return to Konoha, but it seemed life didn't work out the way that she wanted. She sighed before she looked up at the man before her, opening her mouth.

XxX

Orochimaru cracked his neck, staring at the ring before his eyes. Akatsuki. They were a fearsome organization, that much was sure. When he had left they had only been filled with monsters, monsters that he would have loved to dissect. Yet even he couldn't get away with that, not with a man as powerful as that on his tail. Even with the new power he would have achieved it wouldn't have been worth it because he would have died immediately upon gaining it. He would have been powerful, but not invincible.

Yet let it be known that Orochimaru did not give up on his goals. He had implanted a tracking mechanism on every member that had been there while he was there, and he was proud of the fact that no one seemed to have noticed it, even the man that dared label himself as a god when Orochimaru still existed. The snake-like man hissed, looking over the group before him. "Kimimaro," he stated looking at the white haired man. "Are you and Aiko prepared?" The duo nodded, causing the snake to smile. He glanced over his shoulder at Guren. "Manage the battlefield while I'm gone. I shouldn't be too long."

Guren nodded, kneeling to Orochimaru. The snake then walked over the water ocean, sprinting towards the nearest boat just over the horizon, his two bodyguards coming with him. Guren could only watch them disappear over the horizon, a frown on her face.

'I don't want him to get better...but if it will help Orochimaru-sama than I am willing to allow it. In the meantime, I will make both Sunagakure and Konohagakure quake with fear.'

The snake that slithered in the grass was preparing to bite, and it would be lethal.

XxX

Crimson armor reflected the sunlight harshly as a man watched a ship sail off into the distance, slowly walking after the ship despite the distance he would have to cross. The man frowned as he watched the two blondes on the ship.

"Tsunade of the Sannin. She will be troublesome, but I'll manage." The man cracked his neck, before he dashed forwards, keeping the ship just barely in sight as to not get caught by Tsunade. He couldn't afford to underestimate the Sannin despite her being arguable the weakest due to her chosen specialty. The man shuddered, pleasure rocking through his body as he realized how close he was to his goals after so long. He had been waiting for this moment for so long, and it was so close. He could barely contain himself so he didn't attack to early.

"Minato Namikaze's stain on the world will soon be snuffed out. Only then can Konohagakure grow."

XxX

Kakashi stood before Jiraiya, glancing to his sides as he noticed those with him. The remaining members of Ten Shadows of the Leaf were gathered as a group before the Hokage, likely to talk about the Ten Deserts attacking them in the last invasion. Kakashi frowned as he thought back on the invasion. That wasn't true. Sunagakure had not brought their entire force down on them. They had only brought three of the Ten Desert Shinobi, when they easily could have brought all ten and ended up causing massive damage Konoha. There had to be a reason for that, Suna, despite their position as the weakest of the Hidden Villages due to their location still were not one to hold back on anything that they did. They, besides possibly Iwa when it involved Konoha, were the most savage in their attempts at accomplishing a task. They hadn't even sent the other members after possible future members of the Shadows. Something was not adding up.

Jiraiya's words broke Kakashi's train of thoughts. "Gai, Asuma, Kakashi, I'd like to thank each of you for coming here today. I have importance business to discuss with you." Asuma frowned, letting out a puff of smoke. "I'm assuming it has to do with the Ten Shadows of the Leaf considering all three of us are here." Jiraiya nodded. "Indeed. Actually it has to do with an attempt to rebuild them."

Gai's eyes widened. "Rebuilding the Ten Shadows?" Jiraiya nodded before he waved to Kakashi to explain. The two other members glanced at Kakashi who sighed. "Gai as I'm sure you remember Margaret and I were targeted by three of the members of the Ten Desert Shinobi. In the battle I had with Genraika he revealed that they had come specifically to scout out any possible members of the Ten Shadows in the future generations."

Asuma frowned. "The Chunin Exams was the perfect guise to do that, and they technically wouldn't be breaking any treaties." Kakashi nodded. "Exactly. So far they've pegged Shikamaru, Hinata, Neji, Naruto, and Sasuke all as targets as they believe that they'll eventually be inducted and trained by each of us." Asuma frowned. "So I'm assuming we're not allowed to induct them into the group then?" Jiraiya shook his head. "Quite the contrary. We should do it. They're already being targeted, whether or not we induct them into the group will not change anything. All of them have a large target on their back either due to their clans or due to their status. So we train them to be able to fight off any possible threats."

Gai frowned. "I do not know if all of them would be eligible to join the group, despite their youthfulness." Kakashi nodded. "I agree." Jiraiya smiled. "That's why I called you three in. I wanted to know who you all wanted to induct. We need to rebuild. Personally I would prefer more adults than children. We'll need more actual members than apprentices."

Kakashi frowned. "If I may, I would like to induct Sasuke and Naruto into the group. With their potential it would be foolhardy not to." Jiraiya nodded. "Noted, anyone else?"

"Shikamaru," Asuma stated. "It'd be a good position to hold while his father is still your military adviser." Jiraiya nodded before he turned to Gai. "Neji isn't ready yet," Gai muttered. "Maybe in the future, but he isn't ready to be an apprentice while he still holds such hatred in his heart. I think Kiba however would make a suitable Shadow in due time."

Jiraiya nodded. "That means you have four apprentices. However, I need actual members now." Kakashi nodded. "Anko and Margaret." Asuma frowned. "Kurenai."

Gai frowned at both of his teammates recommendations, finding them rather young and inexperienced for his tastes but he held his tongue. "Shikaku Nara, Aoba Yamashiro, and Genma."

Jiraiya frowned. "One more recommendation."

Asuma frowned before a name quickly appeared in his mind. "Well he deserves a promotion. What about Kosuke Maruboshi?"

Jiraiya smiled. "I'm listening."

XxX

It had been two days since Kakashi had finished training Sasuke and Sakura, leaving the two of them to their own devices before they were sent out to whatever positions Jiraiya had placed them for the upcoming war. It was only now, when he learned of the first direct assault on a Sunagakure fort that he heard from the lone male student he had that was still in Konoha.

"So you're going on the first assault into Sunagakure huh," Kakashi muttered, looking down at Sasuke. Sasuke nodded, frowning as he glanced at the many shinobi gathered at the gate. He didn't know any of them. They were all higher ranking shinobi than him. He was likely only included in this force due to the fact that he showed Chunin-level fighting capability and Konoha was short on manpower.

"Be careful," Kakashi stated. "Follow the orders of your commander alright?" Sasuke nodded, still to stunned to even fully recognize what was going on. Sakura held Sasuke's hand, looking at him worriedly. "Be careful alright. Don't go rushing headlong into battles that you can't win. You aren't invincible." Sasuke nodded once again, his voice unable to leave his throat.

"Sasuke," Kakashi muttered, his voice deep and emotional despite his attempts to control it. "No matter what happens out there...you are my student alright. I care for you. Protect your allies, don't get involved in the main assault, and finally, whatever you do, do not fight a member of the Ten Deserts understood?"

"Understood sensei," Sasuke muttered. Sasuke glanced back into the group of shinobi, a choked noise escaping from his throat as they began to march off, a shinobi waving for him to get into formation. Sasuke turned, slowly walking towards the assembly. "If I don't come back," Sasuke muttered, catching Sakura's and Kakashi's attention. "If I don't come back tell Naruto that despite the fact that he's an annoying nitwit...he was my best friend."

Sakura and Kakashi tried to respond, yet Sasuke had already been swallowed up by the force of Konoha forces.

"You'll come back..." Sakura muttered, fear in her voice as if she herself didn't believe her words. Kakashi frowned. Sakura slowly turned, walking towards the hospital where she had started working in an attempt to broaden her skillset. Kakashi could only watch Sasuke's marching unit, afraid that he would never see his student once again.

Afraid that he had failed his own best friend.

If this chapter is bad I'm not surprised. It wasn't supposed to end where it did. It was actually supposed to end when Naruto and Tsunade reached Uzushiogakure and had their first run in with Kirigakure shinobi, but when you're typing that last scene and you're simultaneously listening to Apologize by One Republic you END THE GODDAMN CHAPTER.

Onto more importance news, Trump is fucking winning somehow and Aiko Yakimura was created by Blonde Neko-Chan. Two other stories will be updated soon (Pokemon and Bleach).