Zetsu awaited for his potential new tool. If it were hot or cold the being couldn't tell, didn't care. He was the divine will of Kaguya, her true child, and his only goal was to facilitate her return. He thought turning the two sons of Hagoromo against each other would be something she'd approve of. He thought tempting Indra to give into his darkness would be how the boy developed his own Rinnegan. He'd been wrong. And in his error, in his shortsightedness, he delayed the return of his mother. Madara showed him, the Rinnegan needed both halves of the Sage's lineage and likely the strongest or purest expressions available.
The Senju were all but dead, same for the Uchiha. Nagato was a powerful Uzumaki, the only reason he managed to wield those eyes, but said eyes were sealed away. Zetsu was in real danger of failing his mother. He suspected he needed not only Sasuke but the container of the Kyuubi and someone with the medical knowledge to transplant the DNA of the one into the other. He'd ordered Shinno to kill the two boys never expecting the man to succeed. His hope had been to weaken them so he could abduct them but Shinno had proven wholly useless.
So, now he planned to tempt one more frail being to do his bidding. It was so easy. These humans could play at being high minded but in the end, it was their desires that ruled them. If he knew what they wanted getting them to act as he wished was child's play. An entire culture built on deception and cunning and yet they could be swayed by such meager ends.
Zetsu didn't react when he heard the grass rustle, he'd sensed the approaching shinobi. The moonlight formed a glint on his eyeglasses as he removed the hood from his cloak. "Zetsu, I presume," the smug boy asked.
"Kabuto Yakushi," Zetsu acknowledged. Kaguya's Will and Orochimaru's former top spy stared at each other for several moments, neither wanting to cede the smallest advantage to the other. Kabuto was the one to break the silence.
"You were very discrete in your request I meet you but I fail to see why you'd bother. I was ordered to do one thing and your head gets me back to where I want to be."
"Does it?" Zetsu asked. "Even if you and your group could defeat me, I think you'd find some surprising changes once you returned to Konoha. And as long as Uzumaki Naruto exists you'll never have your Orochimaru back; she'll always be his." Zetsu felt the anger well up in the boy, being reminded of the person he surely hated most in the world.
"And what could you possibly do about that? Or should I be asking what I'd need to do to receive your aid?"
"What I want is very simple. I need a living tissue sample from Uzumaki Naruto implanted into Uchiha Sasuke and time to oversee the effects of said procedure. To accomplish that and remove the Uzumaki permanently, I would give you the means. The boy may be powerful for his age, for this age but he is nothing compared to the legends of the past. Do you know the Edo Tensei, Kabuto?"
"Yes. Orochimaru allowed me to learn a version of it." Kabuto did not take comfort in Zetsu's smile as the man formed the ram sign and tree roots emerged from the ground, carrying with them a casket. Zetsu calmly walked over to the casket and opened it. Kabuto looked unimpressed at the fossil. "And who might this be?"
"The real Uchiha Madara," Zetsu informed the spy. Kabuto looked at Zetsu in disbelief.
"But it is," Zetsu reassured the medic. "Agree to work with me and I will give you Madara himself and with him, under your control, you will not fail to kill the Uzumaki. What do you say?" Zetsu asked but assumed the answer was obvious.
"All this for me just so you can get Uchiha Sasuke-kun? Seems pretty suspicious, Zetsu-san. There's also the problem of my not having a reason to return to Konoha nor having any information on Sasuke's mission assignments."
"I'm sorry, Kabuto, I assumed you were clever. If entering into your own village and abducting one Jounin is too difficult for you then I've come to the wrong person," Zetsu responded, adding some menace to his voice.
"Now, now, threats are unneeded. I'd be happy to help and rid myself of that red-haired blight," Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses. Zetsu looked upon the boy smugly as he'd never get to enjoy whatever small victory he claimed over the Uzumaki. As soon as the procedure was complete, he'd eliminate Kabuto.
"Good. Since your squad is so diligently tracking me, I will lead you back to Konoha. I expect you to take care of the rest." Zetsu and Madara's corpse sank into the ground without further word. Kabuto wasn't surprised the former Akatsuki didn't hand over Madara just yet. The medic didn't mind, he was patient. He'd get his hands on the legendary Uchiha and then use the man to remove Zetsu and Naruto. He knew Orochimaru would be furious, at first, but he'd make her see reason; make her see how far she'd strayed from her true self and then things would return to normal. It was just a matter of time.
"Understand," Ay stated, "I don't want to send you. I don't trust you, not really. Konoha has my brother because of you but Onoki can sense no dissension within our ranks and with Dodai gone, you are all I have."
"I understand," Darui replied, posture rigid and eyes focused. Any allowance of informality was gone, on the strictest of etiquette was permitted. It was early yet, not even errant rays of sunlight could be seen. Darui was alert and more importantly, he welcomed the opportunity to leave. Shi and he had explained themselves as well as they could. Ay's ambush failed and they needed to fallback. Even with Kirabi and Yugito there, those two couldn't be expected to fight two-thirds of the Sannin, Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto and, potentially, Gaara of the desert in the desert. Darui even made the point that if Kirabi thought the A-B tandem could have won he wouldn't have sacrificed himself.
Ay would hear nothing of it. The Raikage swore Kirabi was just attempting to avoid a fight, as was his way. That while formidable, the Konoha contingent would not have been enough nor would the boy Kage that ruled over Suna. He swelled with pride and reeked of liquor when he stated that whatever advantage they had, none could overcome his lightning armor. Darui remarked that Ei-sama never believed that lone technique made him invincible. Ay lost it and punched through a wall, narrowly missing Darui's head.
The two Kumo elites looked at each other, Ay in rage and Darui nearing anger himself. He was loyal but he was no coward and would not accept any and all treatment from Ay. He lived for Kumo, he'd die for Kumo but before anything, he was a man. Not some boy, not a sycophant, but man and he wouldn't carry it any other way. Mabui intervened before the situation could become unsalvageable and Darui hadn't spoken to the Raikage again until this briefing.
"You are expected to arrive within five days and are to stay for no longer than a week. I expect you to be able to tell whether Onoki is serious or not. Promise him nothing and report everything to me upon your return. Do not fail me. Dismissed," Ay bellowed. Darui departed silently.
Clanging and furious movement could be heard as a trio of blurs engaged in a violent exchange of weapons. After the last attack, two broke away from one looking on at their mutual opponent. Shikamaru held his tanto in a reverse grip, knees slightly bent prepared to move at the smallest provocation. Shino, dual sais at the ready was a mere foot apart primed for the same.
Naruto looked at his two teammates with a smile as he spun his pair of metal nunchaku. They were starting to breathe a little heavy but it'd been a good showing and he wouldn't let up. He appeared in front of Shino with an impressive display of pure speed and began attacking.
Clang, clang, swoosh clang. The sounds went as the Aburame heir blocked, deflected and dodged. Shikamaru came into Naruto's blindside, ruthlessly slashing at his neck but his progress was ended by Naruto's well-timed back kick. Planting the kicking foot, Naruto rotated as to avoid Shino's dual thrust and retaliated with more swings, none hitting the mark. Having both assailants in his view, Naruto brought an end of each nunchaku together and with a concentration of his chakra transformed them into a short spear.
"Shino?" Shikamaru spoke.
"Yes, Shikamaru?"
"Does it offend you any that we're being pushed this hard by a shadow clone and Naruto is just using said clone to get some training with his koton?"
"Yes, yes does. Why? Because the shadow clone, by its very nature, is a fraction of its creator's overall ability and power."
"Also, why should he get to spend our team training time with his girlfriend-"
"Fiancee-"
"While we're over here with this troublesome clone?"
"Long-distance getting to you, Shikamaru?" Shino asked and Shikamaru could hear the teasing in his voice even if it didn't change in the slightest.
"Cold showers are a drag," Shikamaru responded as he hadn't seen Temari in weeks.
"I wouldn't know," Shino bragged.
"I hate you both."
"Oi, less talking more fighting," the real Naruto said as he sat under a shady tree, Orochimaru between his legs as she attempted to pop the water balloon. Shika and Shino both responded with a single finger hand gesture and Naruto delighted in his clone continuing his assault. He returned his attention to his betrothed as she focused intensely on the water balloon in her right hand.
"Orochi-chan, I'm getting concerned you've slipped past concentration and ran straight into existential contemplation on the nature of that water balloon," he said in jest. She released a small laugh in return.
"Maybe so… this jutsu is vexing. It should be simple and for some reason even knowing what I should do it just isn't coming to me."
"You're likely outsmarting yourself," Naruto suggested as he thought back to her progress or lack thereof. "Since you have some notion of what should be done you're trying to do it all at once. Basically, your genius brain is making this harder for you. Be more like Jiraiya," Naruto observed and then advised.
"Oh my, Naruto-kun, right in front of your teammates? Kinky boy," she purred and felt something move against her back.,
"T-that is not what I meant, 'ttebayo," Naruto defended. He briefly looked back to his friends and clone, seeing his bunshin had gone from the short spear to a kusarigama as it fought only Shino, Shika having tapped out.
"Isn't it?" she asked. "Is my wearing this ring not enough? Must you claim me in front of an audience you brute!" She said as she gently grinded against him.
"I give, you win," Naruto conceded, not wanting her to escalate things.
"Kukuku, of course I do," the future Uzumaki said as she watched the exchange between Team Kurenai, It made her curious. "When did you learn those weapon forms, Naruto-kun? Jiraiya is serviceable with them but that's about it."
"The scroll Hashirama-sama left me had a lot of forms and styles for various weapons. Once I learned the steel release Jiraiya and I agreed it made sense to increase my proficiency in more than just sword types." The two continued to chat away until Tayuya approached them at a clipped pace, gaining the notice of Shika and Shino as well.
"Orochimaru-sama, you're needed at the Hokage Tower," Tayuya announced but said no more. Orochimaru kissed Naruto's cheek and departed, Tayuya close behind. When the pair were far enough away Orochimaru questioned her subordinate.
"What else did you have to tell me, Tayuya-chan?"
"Kimimaro and company have returned, all but Kabuto are at your manor. Kabuto was taken to the Hokage by a squad of ANBU," the Uzumaki genjutsu mistress relayed.
"You join the boys, I'll go have a word with Kabuto-kun," Orochi said, voice monotone.
"Hai," Tayuya obeyed and shunshin'd to her destination. Neither she nor Orochi noticed the single kikaichu depart from Tayuya's hair. Shino's trusted ally soon returned to his host's body, causing Shino to call a stop to the spar.
Normally the return of an ally would be welcomed but offer little in the way of intelligence. But Team Kurenai didn't deal in normal. Maybe may have thought Kurenai was a poor match for her students but they'd be completely wrong. Outside of each boy learning to be adept trackers, intelligence gathers and some of the best genjutsu users in the village, they all took to learning pure Yin Release and infusing it into their arsenal. For Shikamaru, it made his shadow based jutsu stronger than any of his clan save, possibly, his father and he'd soon surpass the Jounin commander. He also had more variations than anyone, his shadows seemingly coming to life to haunt his enemies.
Naruto, already having overachieved at being able to wield genjutsu, wanted to manage to infuse it into his elemental ninjutsu. He'd succeeded at creating a few techniques that could attack while also ensnaring the enemy. He also uses it to mask his summoning jutsu, his enemies never truly knowing how many panthers he calls forth at any one time.
Like the rest of his team, Shino trained and excelled in genjutsu. Like Shikamaru, he managed to infuse the Yin Release into his family's signature abilities but not to attack but as a method of intelligence gathering. Limited in what they could "record" he had a section of specialized kikaichu that could replay overheard conversations. His facility with them only grew during his time as a Hunter Nin, missing ninja failing to ambush or evade the Aburame heir. And now one of those special, little bugs was revealing something of great importance.
Naruto had grown and matured during his time away. He'd really taken much of Jiraiya's philosophies to heart, even if he didn't wholly agree. He believed in peace but a peace that protected the weak from the strong. He believed that revenge was an oft futile act that didn't balance the scales nor sated the emotional needs of the person seeking it. He was not as angry, not as quick to violence now as he was then; partially because his level of skill and power demanded control and discernment.
"Kabuto is back," Shino informed Shika and Naruto. With all his growth, he was not a pacifist nor a saint. Anyone that proved to be a threat could be removed and Kabuto had tried to kill him and his team. By itself, that earned Kabuto a slot on Naruto's kill list. But now that he knows Orochi is pregnant, the medic became a problem in need of a solution.
"He dies today," Naruto said.
"He's in the Hokage's custody," Shino pointed out.
"Today," Naruto reiterated. He saw the looks his friends shot him. Looks that begged for an explanation. Naruto sighed before answering, "Orochi's pregnant," he said. He smirked a little as both concealed their surprise well, likely focusing on the issue at hand. Naruto ran his fingers through his hair. "Chakra is a funny thing. Your initial capacities are like any other genetic predisposition, given to you by your parents. But chakra can change, expand, strengthen overtime so in that way he can act as something akin to an environmental factor. Your chakra can affect how your genes express themselves, it is an epigenetic factor," Naruto explained and saw that each was still with him. He'd honestly hadn't known this until Tsunade started training him on medical ninjutsu as she refused to do things halfway.
"My child will be the child of a Sannin and a lifelong Jinchuuriki Uzumaki who has spent a solid decade increasing the potency and amount of his chakra."
"Massive reserves," Shikamaru said.
"Yes, Kyuubi says I'm nearing tailed best level reserves on my own now that I no longer have to hold his chakra back. Well, when baby forms it takes more than just nutrients from mom."
"Even as a Sannin, it is likely Orochimaru's own chakra system will be strained and impacted by the unique circumstances of his or her conception," Shino concluded.
"Troublesome. At some point, she's going to be weakened. Chakra control shot, maybe not consistently but that almost makes it worse. Reserves also diminished to go the most troublesome fetus in history. Kabuto would probably make another attempt on your life first but if he believes he can't get to you he'll target the baby." Shikamaru concluded.
"Kabuto dies today," Naruto reiterated.
"Agreed/Affirmative," his teammates said without hesitation. Shikamaru then added, "snatching him from the Hokage and therefore ANBU won't be easy. We have to at least try to get away with it."
"We'd also have to talk to Kurenai-Sensei, why? Even if purely ceremonial, she is still our squad leader and deserves to know, be allowed to weigh in."
"I agree, besides I may have a plan but I'd need Kurenai-Sensei's help."
"What plan?" Shikamaru asked.
"Singing in the rain," Naruto said.
"Ambitious," was the Nara's reply.
"Village-wide?" Shino asked. And followed up, "Can you handle that?"
"For my future wife and child? Yes. Besides, you two would have the hard part."
"We'd only have one go at this and if we fail we are so screwed," Shikamaru expressed.
"Guys, if this is too much I will sincerely understand. Just tell me now and I'll handle it. Honest."
"No, we will undertake this as a team but we should be aware of the consequences, some will be present even should we succeeded," Shino explained.
"We'll need two messenger summons. I have everything else on me," said Shikamaru.
"Same," Shino added. Naruto nodded and then summoned two panther cubs. His teammates informed the little ones of their tasks and they took off. The three members of Team Kurenai then made their way to Kurenai's.
Kabuto sat in the armless chair, Hokage in front of him, Toad Sage behind and a team of hidden ANBU ready to strike at a moment's notice. Objectively, his situation was precarious but as a former spy, he'd gotten used to it, learned to manage the anxiety before it became full-blown panic. They had yet to ask him a question, which meant they were awaiting the arrival of someone else. When the door opened behind him, before he even heard her trademark laugh, he just knew who it was.
"Kukuku, I certainly was not expecting to see you today, Kabuto-kun," she said as she walked passed her former second-in-command. Kabuto surveyed her in but a glimpse. It was short but he'd seen all he needed to. The ostentatious ring glinting in the light; minor, yet significant, body changes that could only mean one thing. She was engaged, possibly married, and pregnant for that lowly, childish Uzumaki. He fought to remain still, forced his body not to adjust his glasses in a show of his seething rage.
She was capable of so much, meant for more and she settled for that… worm? A lower lifeform, a hammer only capable of bludgeoning things. His mistress found that Uzumaki, back always straight, an arrogant smile that suggested he was in on some secret shared by the universe. A boy. A boy. She changed for a boy like some fangirl. Most powerful and feared woman in the shinobi nations and she'd rather play house with a boy.
It was almost too much, discipline and fear of death be damned. She needed to see, needed to be called into account for how far she'd fallen. What was it about the Uzumaki that made him so impressive to her? While he may have had some talent, he was just as babied and protected as every other Leaf brat blessed to walk in the light. Because he was a good fighter? So were a lot of people. That he had some jutsu? So what? How many jutsu from the same elemental do you need?
What did Naruto Uzumaki have that he, Kabuto, did not? What was so special about this boy, A BOY, that it made the person he respected most in the world forget herself and forget him? What?
"Kabuto," Tsunade spoke, getting the medic's attention.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama?" he replied, trying to calm himself as he felt that old blood stirring. He needed to get out of here and complete his deal with Zetsu.
"Why are you here? Is Zetsu dead?"
"No," he said.
"Kukuku, and yet, you dare return? How brave of you," Orochi quipped.
"Zetsu had proven most elusive, this is true but the reason I returned is he made me an offer. He wants me to abduct Uchiha Sasuke. In return, he offered to kill Naruto, believing that is something I want," Kabuto said, knowing he had to give most of the truth for any of this to work.
"If Zetsu were capable of killing Naruto, why wouldn't he abduct Sasuke by himself?" Tsunade asked and Kabuto cursed her internally. Dealing with lesser minds had hampered his game.
"I don't know, Hokage-sama. He wasn't long on details, he seemed ready to attack me should I have given him reason to doubt me." Tsunade turned her chair to stare out the window. Like her two teammates, she was digesting what Kabuto had reported. She mulled the swift change in weather as storm clouds appear to gather in the once cloudless sky. The Fifth Hokage suspected Kabuto was holding something back, something important. The question was could they use him, uncover his plot and neutralize him before he had a chance to strike or go to ground? Should she just execute him now? One swift punch would do it.
As the raindrops started to fall and the sounds and smells of the storm filled her office, Tsunade cursed Hiruzen for leaving her with this mess. He should have killed the boy and been done with it. Instead, he all but pardoned the traitor and used him as a pawn and since that was one of his last official acts, Tsunade couldn't legally kill him for something her predecessor had adjudicated. Just another corner of Sensei's cluster of pronounced fuckery left on her desk like an errant shit she was expected to clean up. The Godaime closed her eyes, the steady pattern of the rain helping her think. She wanted to get rid of the last of the Akatsuki, even Obito saying Zetsu was a danger with his intelligence-gathering abilities.
The Uchiha had given as much information as he could on the… thing as it was not a living person. When Obito said it was Madara's will manifested, Naruto immediately called bullshit. Tsunade smiled as she recalled her surrogate nephew going into lecture mode about yin tethers and how if Zetsu were Madara's will Madara would have to be alive or Zetsu would have ceased to exist. Obito reassured them Madara was definitely dead so that meant Zetsu had been convincing and conniving enough to even trick that man.
Sneaking up on him was almost impossible, Kabuto confirmed what Obito reported about the plant thing's sensory abilities. Obito didn't know much about his combat prowess but suspected he could hold his own against most ninja. Zetsu presented the worst kind of threat, a known unknown. It made plotting and planning to remove the thing mind-numbingly difficult. This meant Kabuto's triple agent routine might be their best bet. She'd have to get Sasuke in on the plan, maybe have Naruto give him a Hiraishin kunai so the two boys could just kill or seal the thing.
Tsunade turned around, decision having been made. She then proceeded to drill down a plan to trap the last Akatsuki member. Again and again, and again. The details never changed but no one in the room seemed to notice; except Jiraiya. The Toad Sage had been having this inkling, this instinct that something wasn't right. Or better stated, off-balance. He couldn't put his finger on it so he walked to and sat in the window. For some reason, the storm reverberated with him but he felt equally pulled to and away from it, feeling the need to go over Tsunade's plan again.
Forcing himself to focus on the rainfall he finally pinpointed the abnormality, the rain was brimming with Senjutsu chakra, which meant it wasn't natural. Jiraiya hastily threw up a barrier meant to shield all senses within it.
"Kai!" Jiraiya called out as he disrupted his chakra and immediately noticed Tsunade and Orochimaru were looking at and interacting with an empty chair, Kabuto was gone. He broke each one out of the genjutsu and her ANBU guard.
"What the hell, Jiraiya!" Tsunade yelled. She was the world's best medic, as in touch with her chakra flow as anyone so putting her under a genjutsu was no small feat.
"Kabuto is gone, don't know for how long and the only thing preventing us from falling into the same genjutsu is this barrier," Jiraiya explained.
"The storm?" Orochi concluded, briefly recalling it starting but paying it no more attention, however now, thanks to the barrier, she couldn't sense any part of it.
"Yes. Did Naruto know Kabuto was back? This is his technique," he said.
"I didn't tell him but that is clearly irrelevant and we're wasting time. He didn't take Kabuto to give him a lecture," Orochi responded.
"I need to go," Jiraiya said as he performed the summoning jutsu, the results surprising his teammates. "Ma, Pa, I'm sorry to be short but I need to enter Sage Mode and stop Naruto."
Both toads hop on his shoulders but it didn't stop Shima from asking, "What is Naruto-chan going to do, Jiraiya boy?"
"Remove a threat to his family. Unfortunately, that threat is a village asset."
Pa nodded sagely, "Naruto-chan prefers decisive action. He's like Minato-chan in that way."
"Yea, yea, he's a chip off the old block which is why we can't delay." The two sages focused and balanced the natural energy for Jiraiya. Now looking very toad-like, he turned to Tsunade and said, "I can control this barrier remotely, so when it drops send every ANBU you can." Jiraiya hopped out the window, his heightened senses alerting him to two Narutos, one cloaked under a genjutsu by Kurenai and the other with his teammates on the Nara lands. He'd go there and draw the real one, who he assumed to be with Kurenai, to him. As he dashed toward his destination he ignored that he hadn't sensed Kabuto.
Earlier before Jiraiya was making a mad dash toward the members of Team Kurenai, the young men were in their sensei's house, Shino holding Mirai and Shikamaru smirking as Naruto got several bonks on the head. After three, Kurenai hugged her problem child. Why the reaction? Like Shino and Shikamaru, Naruto informed Kurenai Orchi and he were engaged but didn't mention she was pregnant. That, however, was not the cause of her violent reaction but his reasoning of withholding the news to not overshadow Mirai's arrival. Kurenai thought it was stupid as they could all use more joy.
Though she did instill a new team rule of no children until they were S class ninja or twenty years old. When Naruto suggested he could get them to S class in six months of dedicated training, both intended victims were vehement in their refusal. Seeing Naruto look so smug, she bonked him again and said that was for putting a shadow on her. She'd long suspected it, but only recently had she caught Mageela. The unofficial fifth member of the team reassured Kurenai she was there to observe but not report. Kurenai then took the time to introduce the much larger panther to her daughter.
Now, the team was outback as they'd explained the dilemma and plan to Kurenai. She wasn't enthusiastic but agreed to aid them. She watched Naruto create a shadow clone and then sit down with his legs crossed. She cloaked the entire team, hiding their presence just before Naruto became engulfed in golden bijuu chakra. A tail went to Kurenai, Shino, and Shikamaru giving them the version one bijuu cloak. It was the only way to shield them from his jutsu while they were on the move. With the aid of Kurama, Naruto was already pulling in and balancing the natural energy with his chakra, soon the horizontal bar pupil overlayed the vertical slits.
"Ok, walk us through this jutsu one more time, Naruto," Kurenai requested.
"It starts with the Typhoon Release, with sage-infused bijuu chakra I can generate a village-wide storm. Nagato had something similar in Ame going constantly and used it as a sensory jutsu. The genjutsu I'll overlay happens in conjunction, meaning it is laced in the very clouds and permeates every sensation the storm produces; sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste."
"Pure hypnosis," Kurenai said, sincerely impressed.
"Yes, but the downsides are several. Even for me, this is chakra intensive, I can't move while using it and it generates a good deal of mental strain because of the number of people I'm affecting. It also takes over one hundred hand signs," Naruto explained.
"It's good you know its limitations."
"Once the rain really starts coming down you two get a move one. Kyuubi's chakra protects you but you'll still be coated in rain, meaning anyone who hadn't been affected will be should they see you." Seeing his teammates nod, Naruto closes his eyes to focus. He began the long chain of hand signs, performing each one with the skill befitting a ninjutsu specialist. The Uzumaki increased his speed as he went through, hands moving faster near the end compared to the beginning.
The effects could be seen instantaneously, as the clouds started to form before he was even half done. Three quarters finished and the first drops started to fall, the amount and rate of rainfall increasing as Naruto neared completion. On the last sign, Naruto thought, 'Sage Art: Kyoka Suigetsu' and Konoha was blanketed in a sudden storm but almost none sensed anything was askew.
Shino and Shika shunshin'd away, arriving just a short distance from the Hokage tower. The Nara could tell no one saw them. It was impressive but he had no time to marvel. Running to the tower, they post outside the window and overhear the conversation. Patiently, they waited and when they heard the loop restart, the heirs slipped into the office and grabbed Kabuto, Shino knocking him unconscious. It was surreal to see the three Sannin continue to speak to someone that wasn't conscious nor would be there soon. Draped over his shoulder, Shino and Shikamaru made their way to the Nara forests, where Naruto's shadow clone was awaiting them.
Once they made it to the final destination, Naruto erected a sensory barrier and then restrained Kabuto with steel chains. Once set, he broke Kabuto free of the illusion and the other two lost their bijuu cloak. The medic blinked, clearly confused as to where he was and how he got there but once he laid eyes on Naruto he tried to break free, desire to kill him overriding any other concern. A startingly strong punch to the jaw settled Kabuto down, nearly concussing him.
"We don't have a lot of time so this isn't going to be a whole thing. You're about to die, make whatever peace you can. Or don't, I don't care. Shika, you're up," Naruto said. Shikamaru approached the medic with some powder in a vial. He poured into his hands. Once Shikamaru was right in front of the bound Kabuto, he blew the substance in Kabuto's face, forcing the spy of Oto to ingest it.
At first, Kabuto felt nothing but soon he noticed an elevated heart rate and the sensation that time had slowed considerably. He watched the Aburame approach him and it felt like it took hours when logically he knew that to be impossible. Said shinobi placed one finger near Kabuto's hairline. Kabuto couldn't see but felt an insect climb onto him. Then he felt pain.
"That type of beetle burrows. Right now, it's doing that to your skull and will continue until it eats through your brain."
The torture he was experiencing made writhe against he bindings but he could only haplessly flail. It was as if he was feeling each bite in its greatest detail, over and over again. So blinded by pain, Kabuto didn't realize Naruto had returned until the Uzumaki yanked him up by the hair so they were eye to eye. He watched Naruto go through a chain of hand signs before he, Kabuto, was slapped with an open palm in his chest. The newest sensation felt like a small tug, something pulling him to the ground.
"The jutsu I just performed, it's a Jiton technique I haven't named yet but you're going to be pulled toward the core of the planet. Now luckily for you, you merge with the earth so it isn't that different from doton techniques that allow underground movement. The difference, however, is that you have no control over how far and how fast you sink. There is also the reality the jutsu will run out of chakra eventually and then you will be crushed instantly.
As Kabuto was forcibly lowered into his final resting place he could barely form a coherent thought. Knowing he was going to die but experiencing it so slowly was peeling away the layers of his sanity. He tried to scream but felt a strong hand grip his jaw, painfully.
"I've taken your life, Kabuto, do not give me your dignity as well," the Uzumaki advised. Even as slowly as the words came out, Kabuto could still see the value of them. No, he would not give this boy his dignity. While fast for them, for Kabuto finally being subterranean took a lifetime. He did not know how far he sank, could not tell how deeply the insect had burrowed into his skull but when the jutsu finally ended he welcomed death, the pressure of the interior levels of the planet crushing him instantly.
Sometime after their successful assassination, the real Naruto arrived having ended his jutsu and dispelling the clone. "Jiraiya is on his way," he explained. He was out of Kurama and Sage Mode, both having done much to alleviate his headache but the mental strain was still there, just lightened. Jiraiya landed hard, Ma and Pa on his shoulders. Naruto rolled his eyes, his godfather was being extra.
"Where his Kabuto?" Jiraiya asked but there was a clear demand in his tone.
"Who's that?" Shika asked.
"That medic that wished he was Orochi-chan's cuckold," Naruto explained before remembering his manners, "Hi Granny and Grandpa Sage," he called out as he waved.
"Hi, Naruto-chan," Shima responded while also waving.
"He sounds like a bitchboy. We don't associate with them," Shino explained, getting back to the topic at hand. "Why? Well, that should be self-evident."
"Are you three having fun? Because pretty soon there's going to be several squads of ANBU here to take you into custody and they won't be nice about it."
"I'd imagine they'd be a little mannerable as I can get rude, too."
"Really, Naruto? How's the headache? You probably couldn't fight a wet paper bag," Jiraiya challenged.
"Pfft, don't start talking slick because you're in Sage Mode, Shitty Pervert," Naruto warned.
"Naruto-chan, language! You are a proud Toad Summoner and will comport yourself thusly," Shima lambasted.
"That'd carry more weight if the boy wasn't right about Jiraiya's perversions," Fukasaku observed.
"He's a lost cause but Naruto-chan can still be set straight. Minato-chan never used bad language."
As the two toads bickered, much to Jiraiya's embarrassment, Shino leaned over to Naruto and said, "She is aware your father was the greatest mass murderer the shinobi villages have ever produced, yes?"
"I'm sure she's heard, Shino," Naruto said, dryly.
"Then why-"
"It's not even worth trying to explain. I've just learned to accept it."
As the most relaxed standoff in history continued the surrounded forests were filled with a series of swooshes and gently ruffled trees. The ANBU had arrived and hurridly surrounded Team Kurenai, weapons drawn.
Naruto, looking down and holding his head asked Shika, "How many you count?"
"At least two dozen, wouldn't be surprised if it were double that."
"Man, we should kick their asses just because," Naruto said casually, as if the presence of the village's elite forces were of no great concern.
"Do not, I repeat, do not choose right now to show how gallingly troublesome you can be, Naruto."
"What crawled up your butt, Shika? I didn't say I was going to fight them. I just said we should."
"He's been taking a lot of cold showers, he finds them to be a drag," Shino explained. Naruto laughed in return.
"Oh… I wouldn't know,"
"I hate both you bastards," Shika said, getting even Shino to chuckle. The scene confused the ANBU, none of them used to being treated like non-factors, especially in this large a group. The boys made a show of surrendering, especially the son of the Yondaime, as if he were doing them the favor. The boys continued to converse as they traveled in a leisurely pace under a, once again, cloudless sky.
Darui had been in Iwa for several days. He'd made no progress, the Tsuchikage wanting to speak about everything but the reason for the Kumo Nin's visit. Now, he was headed to a rock garden, hopefully, to start their talks in earnest. He moved silently across the gravelly walkways, it not even requiring effort. As he trudged along he eventually spotted Onoki sitting by a cliff. Darui joined him, making sure to make his presence known.
"Darui-san, thank you for joining me," Onoki greeted.
"Thank you for having me, Onoki-sama," Darui responded.
"Despite what your time here may indicate, I do tend to prefer getting to the point of things. I won't apologize for giving you the runaround as I needed to know what kind of man you are. You see, after his abrupt exit from Suna, no sitting Kage will ally with Ay. Sure, none of us sincerely believed he fled in fear, but that is the perception and it is one that benefits us all."
"Forgive my bluntness, Onoki-sama, but if the answer was going to be no then why the games?"
"Because Ay would have lost his temper, blustered and threatened. Even with an inferior hand, he projects strength as if the world will cower as a result. You remained patient and focused. That's good to know for the time ahead."
"Times ahead?" Darui questioned.
"Ay has made war an inevitability. If for no other reason than to reclaim your jinchuuriki and Kumo's loss of reputation. Add to that, Tsunade is not Hiruzen and won't extend herself as far for the sake of peace. No, war is coming and I am confident Kumo cannot win though I doubt that's news to you. Even if your goal is to kill much of the new generation, how many will you sacrifice to do so? How many of your future will you jeopardize just to hobble Konoha's own?"
Darui remained silent. He didn't disagree with the protector of Iwa and felt no need to mount a hollow defense.
"So, Ay's war is inevitable. Unless it isn't. You have one chance to avoid this, Darui-san but I do not know if you have it in you to do so."
"And what is this path that is clear to only you, Onoki-sama?"
"Iwa will not ally with Raikage Ay, that is the way it must be. But I would enter a partnership with Raikage Darui," Onoki explained. He saw the Kumo Jounin have no outward reaction but that didn't surprise him. He'd taken the man's measure and did not find him wanting. Onoki turned to leave him saying, " I'll leave you here to think about that," as he departed. Darui would stay there for several hours before returning to his room.
