Baki and the Sand Siblings made their way toward the Hokage Tower. While the three younger ninja were not accustomed to war preparation they all found it odd how relaxed the Konoha ninja seemed, as if they hadn't a care in the world. Once they arrived in the tower the squad was granted immediate access to the Hokage. The man's visage was vastly different from that of his ninja, he seemed deeply concerned about something. They all gave a respectful bow to the Hokage and he nodded in return.

"I thank you for being here, I have much to discuss and not all of it will be easy." Hiruzen started. "Three days ago the leader of the Akatsuki attacked two of my shinobi, Orochimaru of the Sannin and Uzumaki Naruto. I was warned beforehand of the attack by the leader's second in command. She planned to betray the leader for her own reasons and wished to form a nonaggression treaty with Konoha. The double-crossed work, for all intents and purposes the Akatsuki is no more and our invasion is no longer necessary.

The new leader of Ame informed me that the former head, one called Pein, sent two of the remaining Akatsuki members on a mission and did not give her any details. Just last yesterday I received information on what that secret mission was. There is no correct way to say this but those two Akatsuki, Hidan and Kakuzu were sent to Suna and killed the Kazekage. I am sorry for your loss."

None of the ninja present had an outward reaction, which didn't surprise Hiruzen. They were well trained and in front of a foreign leader, they wouldn't show any signs of weakness in front of him. After a moment to gather his thoughts, Baki spoke.

"Did they know in which direction they were headed, Hokage-sama?"

"Yes, toward the Land of Rivers but they weren't tracked beyond your borders." Baki nodded.

"I'll inform the forces here and they'll head back immediately. May I make a request?"

"If it is within my power, Baki-san."

"I would request a team to back us up. One of Rasa-sama's mistakes was not doggedly pursuing Sasori when he was suspected of killing the Sandaime. I won't repeat that mistake, his murders will be brought to justice."

"Are you thinking a tracker squad?"

"Yes, possibly one familiar with our targets and containing a heavy hitter to match our own." Hiruzen nodded and flared his chakra, an ANBU in a boar masked appeared.

"Summon Team Kurenai for me."

"I need you three to step out," Baki said to his students and they complied. Now alone, he had some information he needed to share with the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, there is something you need to know concerning one of your shinobi, one Uzumaki Naruto."

"And what would that be, Baki-san?"

"Rasa-sama knew of his parents' identities and planned to use that in the renegotiation of our alliance. If something were to happen to him, he arranged for the information to be sent to Kumo, Kiri, and Iwa. I knew only of his general plans but not where he stored the information nor who he would use to deliver it."

'That fool.' Hiruzen thought, filled with the desire to kill the Kazekage. It would be difficult to plan for their reactions. Onoki and Ay could simply not care or use it as a pretext to act against Konoha. The Sand Siblings reentered with Team Kurenai and Hiruzen informed them of the mission. It was dangerous but he believed them capable of it, having been so thoroughly prepared to fight the Akatsuki. They left and Hiruzen once again summoned an ANBU agent.

"Hare, retrieve the Elder Council."

"Actually, Hokage-sama, they are awaiting your arrival in the large conference room along with the Clan heads and the Sannin."

Hiruzen dismissed the agent and made his way to the room wondering what this meeting could be about. Upon entrance, Hiruzen saw a collection of hard looks aimed at him, though Homura and Koharu simply looked sad. He simply couldn't deduce what this could be about.

"Thank you for joining us, Hokage-sama," Hiashi spoke as the Sandaime took his seat. "I requested this meeting today to discuss what I believe to be an alarming trend, namely your treatment of the Uzumaki Clan. Throughout your reign, several of your decisions have cost the Uzumaki greatly. The refusal to render aid promptly when they had been a long time ally of the Senju and Konoha being the clearest example. Then there was the decision to wear their crest but to not teach about the Uzumaki in our Academy, simply allowing subsequent generations to believe it is a Konoha symbol of pride instead of the mark of dishonor it was meant to be.

Finally, we have Uzumaki Naruto. Not only did you ignore the law passed down by previous Daimyo, you embezzled funds from a clan account he denied the sole heir access to, instead of requiring he live on public assistance. You denied him his heritage. You denied him a fair path to promotions and success. You allowed your friend to also steal and reveal Naruto-san's identity as a jinchuuriki. Finally, you intended to have a Konoha kunoichi seduce Naruto-san and potentially become the matriarch of the Uzumaki Clan, one that was indebted to you.

These violations against the Uzumaki, against the notions of clan autonomy and against the Daimyo have led me to one conclusion; I, Hyuuga Hiashi, as clan head of the Hyuuga clan have lost faith and confidence in your leadership of the village and request you stand down immediately. I understand this declaration has no legal authority and is purely symbolic but I press on knowingly."

Hiruzen felt like he'd been slapped in the face. He could see Orochimaru smirking at the corner of his eye and realized this was retaliation for the Akatsuki assault. He thought about to his sensei's words, how her past and future sins didn't resolve him of his. He couldn't be absolved by condemning her. Hiruzen couldn't deny the wisdom but couldn't accept it entirely, either. Tobirama-sensei didn't know her, how black her soul truly was. No compassion, no empathy and a willingness to do anything to achieve her goals. He felt if he were the only sane man on an island with lunatics.

"Do the rest of you feel this way?" The clan leaders nodded. They looked disappointed but somehow sorry to be doing this. Hiruzen knew what he had to do, no attempts to justify his actions would change what those actions were; nor the reality that he'd played into her hands once again. Trying to focus on everything meant some things had to slip, he couldn't discover her plans while still being the village leader. He had to accept the momentary defeat.

"Then, as my final act as Hokage, I name Senju Tsunade my successor and the Godaime Hokage. I will not deny the actions listed by Hiashi but it was never motivated by a bias toward the Uzumaki, especially not Naruto. However, intention doesn't always matter and I have wronged that young man time and time again. It has been my sincerest honor to serve as your Hokage. I tender my resignation, effective immediately."

Hiruzen vacated the room, two of his students and the Elder Council following close behind. The clan leaders also departed, leaving only Hiashi and Orochimaru left.

"This makes us even," Hiashi stated, disgusted with having drug the Sandaime through the mud.

"Kukuku, fix your face, Hiashi-kun. Nothing you claimed was a lie. So, you added an alternative interpretation; isn't that a small price to pay for your nephew's career? "

Hiashi didn't respond, choosing to walk away. There was no pride in what he'd done but it was the least painful way to get out of debt with the Snake Sannin. It was safer for his clan to be free of her. It offered him little comfort, no matter how many times he repeated the justification.

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen sat at his desk for the last time. He didn't have time to muse on the bittersweet experience or get lost in a fog of memories. Tsunade needed to know exactly what she was inheriting so she could be prepared and lead her people.

"Tsunade, there has been a development, one I had planned on telling you before that farce took place. The Kazekage had information ready to send to Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa should he die unexpectedly. It contains Naruto's heritage and who knows what else. His former second, Baki, informed me before he left with Team Kurenai."

As three of those in attendance were focused on Hiruzen, and Hiruzen on Tsunade none saw Jiraiya tense for the briefest of moments. He had not known the Kazekage was dead, his sensei leaving him out of that little reveal.

"Who killed Rasa, Sensei?" Jiraiya asked.

"Kakuzu and Hidan. It was Nagato's final act."

"We need to start preparing." Homura cautioned.

"Preparing how and for what? We can't possibly believe Iwa will mobilize because Minato has a living son." Koharu observed.

"We have to assume both, if for nothing else than a pretense, especially Kumo. They were the most reluctant to demobilize and in all likelihood they haven't." Hiruzen said.

"Then why haven't they attacked?" Tsunade questioned. After the Kyuubi attack, it would have been ideal.

"I may be old but I still have enough kick to put Ay in his place should the need arise," Hiruzen answered.

"It's fortunate we've been training for an invasion. We'll just have to keep our ninja working hard." Tsunade observed.

"Harder, especially any young high-value targets. Gai's, Asuma's, Kakashi's teams will attract special attention. And of course, Team Kurenai" stated Koharu.

"How long do we have to prepare?" Tsunade asked.

"Can't know. We should consider ourselves in a Cold War with Kumo and Iwa. It would be wise to warn our forces of increased skirmishes. Ay will want time to truly ramp up but a single incident can spark open hostilities. Oonoki might be moved to initiate an all-out war but it'd still take time unless the hatred for Minato simply overwhelms his shinobi." Hiruzen answered.

"I'm still taking the kid on a training trip. Kumo won't want to waste the amount of ninja they'd need to send to kill us both and I'll stay far away from Land of Earth."

"Then you're going to need to be serious, Jiraiya." Jiraiya bristled at the jab.

"We've been over this, Sensei. You led me to believe I shouldn't train him harder during the Chunin Exams, you sent me out in the field as we were preparing for Ame and you gave him to Orochimaru as a student. I'll make sure he can face whatever anyone can throw at him and I would have if I'd been allowed to carry out my responsibilities."

"This isn't the time-"

"This is the perfect time. Why were Orochimaru and Naruto facing Nagato alone? It doesn't take a genius to figure it out, you were hoping she'd be killed and banking on them needing Naruto alive. But he could have been maimed or injured in some other way that ended his career. Or, Nagato could have killed him. All because of your obsession and look what it got you. How did Hiashi even know about a mission you never officially assigned?"

"Jiraiya, you aren't wrong but this isn't the time. We have an advantage, Ay is predictable and we won't be taken by surprise. Your issues with Hiruzen must wait." stated Koharu. Jiraiya simply huffed in response.

"Speaking of Orochimaru, we need a Danzo," Tsunade observed.

"You want to give her leeway to perform off the book operations?"

"We already have Oto, Sensei. Seems like a good use and given they hadn't caught your attention until Orochi wanted them to, I think they are up for this. Besides, I wasn't asking permission and while I agree with Koharu, we'll also be having words about that stunt you pulled."


The smoke from the Summoning Jutsu cleared to show a full grown panther in its wake. She looked on guard, ready to strike should the situation call for it. Quickly surveying the area she sees there is no immediate danger as her summoner appears relaxed.

"Naruto." She greeted.

"Okoye-chan." He greeted back.

"I assume you didn't summon me for a social visit so what can I do for you today?"

"Do you remember that information I gave to you and the others, about the Akatsuki?" The panther nodded, "Well, two of them killed the Kazekage, Kakuzu and Hidan. They were last seen headed to the Land of Rivers."

"Then you need a hunting party?"

"Yes, but only to find them, do not engage." The panther didn't seem enthused about that.

"Naruto, surely you don't think two shinobi would be too powerful for the elite of our kind."

"No, I do not this isn't my mission, my team is aiding Suna."

That placated the warrior summons as her scowl melted away. "I will have the entire Dora Milaje search for them and report back but you better have some proper work for us soon, Naruto. The girls are getting bored. Oh, and I'm bringing Mageela. Before Naruto could offer a word of protest Okoye was gone.

"I see you run a tight ship with your summons," Temari said sarcastically.

"More importantly, at least we have trackers in the field. We should head toward the Land of Rivers anyway, they may still be there," spoke Baki. He'd sent the rest of the Suna shinobi back home, many crestfallen that another of their Kage had been killed. Not many liked Rasa but he was their leader. They were confident he'd be avenged as Gaara was considered the most powerful ninja they had, excluding Rasa, and Baki was a very elite shinobi as well.

Both teams departed soon after that, only stopping now to exchange information and begin forming a strategy. Baki was impressed with how much information Team Kurenai had on the two missing ninja and some of the preliminary strategies the Nara had produced taking into account all of their skills, having just learned about Baki's in the information exchange. The Suna Jounin felt confident they could succeed in their plans but he wouldn't get cocky. He wouldn't consider it successful unless all of his students were able to return home.


It was hard not to feel smug as she darted through the forest of death, confident she was the most lethal being in the infamous training ground. The Snake Sannin, after having Hiruzen shamed and humiliated, was on to her next target. There was no guarantee that things would go as she desired but she had little to lose in the attempt. Up ahead she heard sounds of swift movement and kunai penetrating trees. Orochimaru shunshin'd the rest of the distance and stood atop a nearby tree.

Anko was instantly alerted to the arrival of a new presence, one she'd been seeing more and more of after the removal of her cursed seal. Anko didn't know what to make of Orochimaru's behavior. The woman had been supplying her with new jutsu, even allowing greater access to the snake summoning clan. All of this was made the more confusing by Anko's own emotions stemming from her returned memories. She didn't viscerally hate her sensei like she once did, though some hate was still there, it'd settled into a reluctant ambivalence. Anko simply looked at Orochimaru, knowing the woman would explain herself without prompting.

"I want you to finish your training under me," Orochimaru stated, flatly.

"Wow, no foreplay, just shove it right in." Anko retorted, mostly to hide her shock.

"And here I was led to believe you like it rough."

"You might want new sources or assign the ones you have better targets. I can't imagine my sex life holds much interest to you."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Anko-chan. You know my curiosity is boundless, very little falls out of its scope."

"Yea… sure. What are you playing at?"

"I think you can be better than what you are and part of the reason you haven't reached your full potential is due to me. I want to rectify that."

"And what do you believe my upper limits are?" Anko couldn't deny the offer was enticing. She'd improved since her sensei left her but it'd been more incremental than the leaps she'd experienced when being trained by the Sannin. Being able to grow even more wasn't an offer she could simply ignore, not in her line of work.

"It's hard to project, Anko-chan but I believe you can become an S-rank ninja by the time we're finished." Any ninja would be enticed by the chance to become S-rank but Anko wasn't sure that was true if Orochimaru would be training multiple students.

"What about your current student?"

"His apprenticeship has all but ended, Jiraiya will be taking over his training."

"What makes this brat so special two of the Sannin want to train him?"

"You're a ninja, figure it out. Or be more concerned with yourself. Are you in, Anko-chan?"

"Yea, fine. But no experiments!"

"Kukuku, we'll see."


The rhythmic thuds of a striking post being hitting it was welcomed Hiashi to his destination. He felt unclean and unsettled with what he did to the Sandaime but his actions could not be taken back. Now, he was onto a new but adjacent bit of business and he was not looking forward to the outcome. He convinced himself this was for the clan and her protection but he doubted Hinata would see it that way. He stopped a few dozen feet from her, watching her train.

Smooth and powerful strikes landing with precision, her utilizing a skill many didn't believe she had. It was hard not to get lost in the arguments of old, accusations about her perverting tradition due to a lack of talent. She'd been called shameful and a disgrace because no one could see her and her general aloof manner didn't improve her standing; that she didn't care only hurt her more.

"Father." She said evenly but never taking her eyes off the training post. There was a time he would have bristled at the greeting, lacking both warmth and the respect of ceremony. It wasn't informal, it wasn't formal, just an acknowledgment he existed in her proximity.

"Daughter, we need to speak." His declaration resulted in Hinata turning toward him and closing the distance, in no great rush to do so. Once she was closer Hiashi began, "I will be brief, you are to no longer associate with the Uzumaki." Hinata looked at him for several seconds before turning around and heading back to the training post. "Hinata, I am serious," Hiashi said, sternly. His daughter didn't even turn around.

"I do not doubt you are, I simply do not care."

"Hinata, I have tolerated your ways-" that did make her turn around.

"You have tolerated? Tolerated? And what great deeds have I done to be bestowed your most divine tolerance, Honorable Hyuuga Hiashi-sama? How have I pleased the Gods to be shown this most humbling favor?"

"This is no time for petulance." Hiashi bit back, hating her backtalk.

"You've seemingly made time for some. Really, father, ordering me away from three whole people like they'll bind my soul. Are the Hyuuga really scared of three teenagers?"

"I fear their connections, each of them tied to Orochimaru. That is cause for concern and I do not want you mixed up with it or with them."

"You mean the woman you placed the entirety of the Hyuuga in debt with to save Neji's shinobi career? Maybe my feminine brain simply can't process the distinction or the logic therein."

"That was necessary and beneficial to the clan."

"Yes, empowering the boy that wants both your daughters dead is truly a great benefit to the clan. If only I were born with the penis needed to lead and the bravery to never question tradition."

Hiashi had to immediate counter to that. He knew of Neji's hatred for the main branch, of his genius being limited or under-rewarded. He also remembered how Hinata's interests and skill set were written off as the fancy of a girl, just something whimsical a princess would indulge in. He rarely defended her, his own frustration being voiced by others. It was shameful and cowardly; it'd also broken something between them. That she was normally compared, negatively, to Neji only cemented in her mind this wasn't entirely about her abilities but the reality that for the first time a kunoichi would be the head of the Hyuuga and many didn't like that.

"I have made mistakes but what I seek to do, I do for the clan." Hiashi felt a wave of killing intent wash over him. It wasn't anything he couldn't shake off but it was enough to be noticed. He saw Hinata, shaking with her Byakugan activated.

"Clan, I hate that word. Always for the clan. Exist for the clan, kill for the clan, change for the clan, train for the clan. Be a slave for the clan. Show no emotion for the clan. I detest that word. You speak of the clan but have no idea know what you mean by it.

You ask all to sacrifice for the clan but are they not the clan? Those you made servants, were they, not the clan? But maybe you are right to lose sight of the people. I haven't and most of them disgust me. So arrogant, so proud yet have accomplished nothing. They live off the glory of others and feel entitled to do so because they are part of the clan. It offends me, you all do; more than you'll ever know." Hinata stopped her rant, feeling herself slip. It wouldn't benefit herself to lose control. As fast as the mask of indifference slipped, it was back on and her scowl gone.

"Who I associate with is not your concern, Father." Was all she said before performing a shunshin. Hinata stopped just shy of her destination and ran the rest of the way. She doubted her goal had much chance to succeed but she had to try. She knocked on the door, not at all surprised when the Snake Sannin answered it herself. Orochimaru took a look at the young Hyuuga and could tell something was not right and while she knew Hinata would never come to her for comfort that was no reason to turn her away. She ushered the girl into her home, having her take a seat in the living room.

"What can I do for you, Hinata-chan?"

"I want to alter our deal," Hinata spoke.

"Oh, and what change would you like to make?"

"I want you to let him go."

"Him?" Orochimaru asked but knew who the girl was referencing.

"Naruto-kun. I want you to let him go."

"No. I told you that silly little crush of yours would never go anywhere, could never go anywhere. Why do you think that's changed? Because you want it to?"

"I don't want you to do it for me. But for him. He deserves something honest, something real. Not more lies and manipulation."

"I haven't lied to him."

"But you are manipulating him. He doesn't know you've had him watched by multiple people for years. He doesn't know that his so-called family is more loyal to you than they'll ever be to him. He doesn't know you'd never give him a choice, he has to be with you."

"He's smarter than you think. He knows I've tracked his progress and knows I've had agents within the village. He doesn't know about you specifically but you can tell him if you wish. As far as Tayuya and Karin, they may be more loyal to me but in the future, that won't really be an issue. Our interests will be one and the same. As far as having no choice, do you believe I've had one of my snakes mesmerize him? Did I give him an enchanted apple? Kukuku."

Hinata frowned. She certainly hadn't come here to be entertainment. But she should have realized this was futile. Maybe she did know and that's why she was here. To remind herself of what she'd agreed to, what she'd done.

"However, you do have a point. I am not allowing him a choice. If my softer, more subtle methods don't work I have other ways. Nothing he'd dislike, mind you but I fail to see why this matters to you."

"He's good. He could be hateful and lash out at people. He could refuse to help others as so few helped him but he's not like that. He's open and warm, willing to make a friend of anyone that puts forth the smallest effort. He's my friend and he deserves something good in his life. Something real."

"And that isn't me?" Hinata only looked at Orochimaru, refusing to answer. "It is only because you meant well that I won't take offense to this. But this is not your concern and there is no sense in fighting the inevitable. You, however, will still get what I promised you."

"On what condition?"

"I would think it quite obvious, Hinata-chan. Don't cross me and don't get in my way." Having said her peace and seeing it come to the result she expected Hinata saw herself out. It wasn't five minutes later that another knock on the door was heard. Orochimaru once again answered it, not surprised but also not happy to see it was Jiraiya looking deeply concerned.


"Are you ok?" Shikamaru asked. The picturesque night's sky was alight with stars. If not for what the next day promised, he'd love nothing more than to gaze upon them. But that wasn't to be and there was something more important to attend to now.

"I don't know how to answer that. We're going to attack to S-rank, allegedly unkillable shinobi tomorrow in revenge for a man that treated his children like tools. Well, the lucky ones. Gaara, he just emotionally tortured until he snapped. Yet, we still march off to face his killers. Am I supposed to be ok with that?"

"Fair point." He said as he took a seat beside Temari.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to unload on you. This is just a lot and I'm not sure my father is worth putting my brothers at risk." Shikamaru said nothing, he truly didn't know how to respond. He might find them troublesome but he's always had the support of his parents. He wasn't naive and knew awful things went on but simply couldn't connect to the experience in any real way. Instead of words, he simply reached for her hand, never taking his eyes off the sky.

"I can't honestly say I relate," Shikamaru started after a period of silence, "and I don't want to spout cliches, it'd be too troublesome. I'm an only child and very few of my clansmen are around my age. So, really, I just had my best friend Chouji when I was growing up until I got my genin teammates."

"You three seem close."

"We weren't always. Shino can be a little stiff, some say I'm lazy-"

"You are-"

"I prefer to call it dedicated efficiency. And Naruto… he was in twelve kinds of pain and didn't know where to put it all. It took us a couple of months to gel, for Shino to believe we wouldn't shun him and for Naruto to get a handle on his survivor's guilt and open up."

"What about you?"

"I was to engage as well. Once we got on the same wavelength we were a really good team. I even started to not mind the effort, willingly doing things I used to work very hard to get out of. You likely won't resolve how you feel about your father tonight but if you need a reason to go through with this, to give it your all then do it for your brothers and leave the rest for later."

"Hm, and here I thought you were the dumb one," Temari said with a laugh.

"That'd hurt if you didn't have to live with the knowledge the only time you've beaten me is because I let you win." Her laughter stopped and a scowl found its way to her face. Temari left back to her tent muttering about rematches and revenge against lazyasses. Shikamaru could only think about how troublesome it'd all be and also, paradoxically, how little he'd mind it.

The next day the two teams watched their targets as they traversed a wooded area. A clearing approached and Baki gave the signal this would be where they attacked. Shikamaru tossed a kunai with an explosive tag toward the former Akatsuki, the explosion separating them but both were unscathed.

"I'd wondered when you were going to attack, you've been trailing us for two days," observed Kakuzu.

"What, they've been following us for that long and you didn't say anything? What the fuck? It doesn't matter, I'm going to sacrifice them to Jashin-sama."

"Hidan, shut up. Besides, two of them are jinchuuriki and we can't be killed."

"Then I get the rest of them!"

"No, the tall Suna ninja has a bounty. Isn't that right, Baki?" The elite Jounin said nothing in response.

"This is bullshit!"

"Just take the Konoha ninja and remember they are the ones that killed Sasori and Deidara so try not die a stupid death."

"Fuck you, blasphemer," Hidan yelled as he recklessly charged toward the Konoha team, the squad deciding to take off into the trees. It was an obvious tactic to separate the two ninja, Hidan simply didn't care when he had a trio of new sacrifices and a jinchuuriki to torture.

Kakuzu didn't care he was alone, not fearing the ninja that stood before him. He decided it would be best to neutralize the most dangerous opponent first before picking off the other three. In a burst of speed, too fast for Temari and Kankuro to track, and apparently too fast for Baki to react to Kakuzu was in front of Gaara. He aimed a punch directly toward the sand user's heart, hitting him squarely, his speed allowing him to bypass Gaara's automatic defense. Kakuzu was surprised when the jinchuuriki dissolved, and even more so when he had a seal on his body. The other Suna ninja had created a lot of space, that and the faint glow of the seal was his warning of what was to come.

A high powered explosion went off, creating a dust cloud around the missing ninja. None were content with assuming the blast had been enough. Now dropping the False Surrounding Jutsu on Gaara and himself Naruto blurred through hand signs while Temari completely opened her fan, giving it a powerful swing.

Wind Style: Great Sickle Weasel Jutsu met Fire Style: Sea of Flames creating a fantastic firestorm, setting much of the targeted area on fire. Kakuzu appeared atop an undamaged tree. He wouldn't announce it but that trick took out two of his hearts, as they hadn't managed to get out of his body. The combination jutsu hadn't done any damage as he got his Earth Style Armor up before it hit. He was left with doton, katon and raiton. If need be he knew he could simply take the hearts of the fools challenging him now.

The squad of Suna ninja and Naruto spotted Kakuzu's location and braced themselves. They understood that while the trick may have done some damage, the real fight was about to begin. Without a moment's hesitation, Kakuzu charged and Baki opted to meet the unspoken challenge.

Hidan's frustrating level was increasing at an exponential rate. Despite being faster, stronger, better than the non-believing filth he was chasing he couldn't close the distance and couldn't land a strike. His aim was always just a little off. If not that, he had to get out of a trap or power through an explosion. It was infuriating. He just wanted to kill them a little, why did they make it so hard? He'd make it extra painful for the aggravation they'd caused him.

The Jashinist touched the ground for the briefest of moments and felt unable to move. Then he saw two flashes. He screamed bloody murder when he realized his torso had been severed at the waist and his head had been as well. The woman and the red-haired one he wasn't supposed to kill stood over him, ignoring his curses and promises of infinite pain. The red-haired one picked his head up, a placed it on a scroll. Hidan's last words were cut off as his head was sealed in a storage scroll. Naruto sealed the rest of the body in different scrolls, planning to keep the head long enough to cash in the bounty and then disposing of it, or giving it to Orochimaru-shishou.

Kurenai wiped away a bit of sweat from her forehead. Using such subtle genjutsu on the move was tricky and the concentration required caused some strain. But, it ultimately worked out and now Team Kurenai headed back toward Team Baki, ready to wrap this mission up. Naruto's report that his clone had been dispelled made them move all the faster.

Kakuzu's current emotional state mimicked that of his partner's. Things had been going well. He got the better of the midair exchange with Baki, even maneuvering the Suna ninja into a piledriver. It should have been lethal but it only knocked Baki out as the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki somehow soften the blow with some bouncy water jutsu but Kakuzu didn't have much time to contemplate it as he had to dodge the onslaught of sand aimed at him. It wasn't a problem, the attacks were much too slow but the fan user and the puppeteer were being annoying. He detached two of his remaining hearts, allowing them to act independently.

The fire nature mask and the lightning nature mask targeted Temari, causing Gaara to erect a defensive barrier. It held but not without a good deal of effort as the lightning chakra nearly pierced it. Kakuzu dashed toward Kankuro, bypassing Ant and Crow and pummeling the boy. Kakuzu disengaged to avoid a sword swipe but the blade was infused with wind nature chakra and still severed a hand. Kakuzu jumped over a wind blade and began to fight once more.

Gaara had since managed gone on the attack but the two masked creatures were proving nimble enough to avoid his assaults, even his sand spears. Temari was able to negate the lightning attacks but it was taking a toll on her chakra reserves. They were losing the battle of attrition and there was no guarantee when Team Kurenai would return.

"Argh!" Baki cried out as he was pierced in his extremities by Kakuzu's threads. The missing ninja was about to take his heart but Naruto cut Baki free moving at his maximum, non-Kyuubi chakra enabled, speed. He then shunshin'd away. Kakuzu called his masks back, planning to wrap this up. The fire mask was diverted by Naruto's Water Style: Water Lance right into Gaara's Sand Coffin, finishing it off with a Sand Funeral.

The lightning mask made it back to Kakuzu just as he sent his remaining attached hand underground. It came up behind Temari, grabbing her by the ankle and breaking it, causing her to let out a scream. He thought he'd fended off Naruto's approach but the Uzumaki's utilization of his supersonic chakra imbued sword made quick work of it allowing him to reach and stab Kakuzu in the back. Naruto placed a hand on Kakuzu's back as he attempted to pull the blade out but the, now angered immortal retrieved the jinchuuriki with his threads and stabbed Naruto in a nonvital area, causing him to disperse.

This only increased Kakuzu's anger as he'd wasted time holding back against a clone. He was ready to beat the remaining jinchuuriki into submission but he suddenly felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. The gravity seal the shadow clone placed on Kakuzu had finished calibrating and activated, immobilizing the former Taki ninja. He was nearing collapse due to the great weight but couldn't pay much attention to that as the layers of sand surrounding him were of greater concern. To make matters worse, every ounce of his chakra was being used to buttress his muscles so he wouldn't be crushed and he couldn't mold it externally.

He couldn't believe his end was going to come at the hands of children. He, a ninja that had dueled Hashirama Senju and survived. He didn't have long to contemplate the injustice of it all as Gaara performed his Sand Waterfall Funeral crushing the remaining hearts of Kakuzu, ending the life of the longtime ninja. Team Kurenai arrived shortly after and helped patch up Team Baki. None were trained medics but knew enough first aid to hold them over until they got to a friendly medic, though Baki and Temari had to be carried. Fortunately, two of Naruto's larger summons were willing to aid in that task and the teams traveled to an outpost on the Land of Fire border where they could receive real medical attention.

The two teams stayed there for only a few days, just until Baki was well enough to travel as Temari's ankle would take a little longer to heal. Each team said their goodbyes, though Shino and Naruto noticed Shikamaru paid a little more attention to Temari. Neither was shy in pointing it out, much to the annoyance of the Nara heir. It took them two days to arrive back to Konoha, none knowing the challenges that lie in the near future.