Next chapter of Blood is Thicker than Bone. With the aftermath of the mission. Naruto finds himself staring ahead at a new road and finding unexpected new allies as well.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Naruto stretched his shoulders as he stood outside the door getting ready to enter. He pinched the bridge of his nose slightly in annoyance over this but knew that he had no choice but to be hear.
His thoughts drifted to all that had happened as it had been nearly a week since his encounter with Sasuke at The Valley of the End. The hated encounter he had with him, calling him out on everything he had done, how he had hurt people with his selfish actions. Naruto had turned and walked away not bothering once to even look back at his former teammate who had given in to the darkness and corruption.
Naruto made his way to find his friends and family and had been surprised to see that even more help had arrived. Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari of Sunagakure had arrived and helped them, Gaara helping Kimimaro with his fight against Raiga and to the shock of many was now The Kazekage having been selected to take the position by his people. Naruto looked and saw that something had changed Gaara, as if the darkness inside of him had been lifted. It was still there but no longer seeked to overwhelm him as it did before.
Naruto made his way back and saw Neji and Chouji in critical condition and feared the worse. They were still in intensive care but they should make a recovery as they had taken injuries in their battles and some at first feared they were going to die. Naruto had stood vigilant over their rooms watching them that night. They did not deserve to die cause of what happened.
He remembered meeting with Kakashi and Sakura and he had told them as well about what happened. He first expected Sakura to cry but she did not, only nod her head as if she understood why he did it.
But he was given a message that Tsunade and others had wanted to see him and be given full details about the mission He was to meet with them. To explain what had happened in the mission and just why it was Sasuke was no longer in Konoha. Naruto let out a sigh knowing this could bite him in the ass recalling the last time he had met them which didn't go so well. He doubted they had forgotten his remarks to him. "So what's it gonna be I wonder? Banishment or put my Head on a Pike?" He mumbled to himself as he got ready to go in. Letting out a deep sigh he stepped inside the room.
Naruto stood there as he saw many familiar faces from the last time he was here in the room. "Naruto Uzumaki," Tsunade who was seated at the front of the room called out to him. "You were sent five days ago on a Mission to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha who had left Konoha." She said to him. "Tell us everything that happened on the mission and the outcome of it." She ordered him.
Naruto inhaled and began to tell them everything that had happened. How Sasuke was discovered having left Konoha as he had laid out Sakura and disappeared. Naruto told them of the team that had been sent to go after and retrieve him. He went into detail how he caught up with them and how they were struck by continuous ambush after ambush by The Sound Ninjas who were trying to stop them from getting to Sasuke. Fighting against dozens of them at one time and then fighting Orochimaru's top men The Sound Four. He said to them about how Chouji, Neji, Kiba, and Shikamaru had sacrificed themselves one by one to give the others opportunity to go after him. Praising their abilities and tactics they had used during the mission which allowed smiles to form on their families faces. He talked about how Rock Lee, Anko, Tayuya, and his cousin had showed up in the nick of time to aid them, going into detail about how he had briefly fought against Raiga Kurosuki before Kimimaro had shown up and engaged him.
He then finally told them of how he made it to The Valley of the End and confronted Sasuke who had removed his hitai-ate fully abandoning Konoha. He told them everything that had happened there, the speech he gave Sasuke, calling him out on everything he had done and the problems he had caused Konoha and had endangered lives that day with his actions. In the end, he told them how he walked away turning his back to him as he headed back to Konoha not watching him leave.
"And that is all that happened." Naruto said to the seated clan heads and other members who had listened to his twenty minute speech.
The room was quiet for several long moments as some in the room murmured and talked to themselves and others about what had happened and what he had told him.
"Is that everything Naruto?" Tsunade asked to make sure that he hadn't left anything out and Naruto nodded his head.
"It was said that you met Sasuke, encountering him at The Valley of the End but you did nothing at all. Why did you not at least attempt to immobilize him?" Hiashi Hyuga asked.
"Yes, tell us why you did not even attempt to fight him." Tsume Inuzuka said to him
"What'd you expect me to do? Orochimaru was there close by as I sensed his presence and how many of you can defeat him?" He asked. "Go ahead raise you hands, don't be shy, how many of you could defeat Sarutobi's former student The Snake Sannin one of the most feared and powerful ninja in the world?" He asked them and he hid his smirk when he saw that zero hands were raised up in response to his question. "If the lot of you, heads of powerful families and some of the best ninja Konoha has produced couldn't defeat Orochimaru, what chance did I have? Last time I fought him he broke my wrist and nearly killed me." He told them recalling what happened before when he last fought him. "Trying to do so would've been suicide. Quite frankly if you want my opinion, so was The entire Mission, Four Genins and a Freshly made Chunin venturing into enemy territory where an S Class Threat dwells?" He said to them skeptically. "It'd take a team of Elite Jonins to actually have a chance at competing it and to last against Orochimaru I know that and you all know that." He said to them all. "Plus there's other factors that you're overlooking, factors that I think benefit The Leaf and outweigh The Uchiha leaving."
He was meet with an outcry of scoffs and incredulous looks by them all directed at the blonde. Some muttering under their breaths that he was dumber than they had imagined. Tsunade held her hand up for silence so Naruto could speak.
"Naruto, please explain these factors to us if you will." She said to him.
Naruto smirked and gave his answer. "One: Orochimaru's top lieutenants and strongest soldiers were killed in the mission. Two: He lost many of his forces as well as they were beaten by us. Three: Raiga Kurosuki, who's been a threat to towns and villages for years since he defected from Mist is dead and we've obtained The Kiba Blades that he had with him. Someone like Sensei or TenTen could use them as they are a powerful weapon if wielded correctly and in the right hands. And Four: Orochimaru has lost and abandoned his main base of power in The Elemental Nations as well. That's a good trade we've obtained in my eyes." He said in full confidence to the group.
Silence reigned as the group exchanged silent looks between them all. Danzo had been quiet all throughout the meeting.
"Very well," He said speaking up as he next to Tsunade had the largest voice there and was surprising many he would side with Naruto. "It is a regrettable incident that The Uchiha has given into and has been corrupted, but the boy does and has brought up numerous points as The Snake lost much and he'll not attempt anything against Konoha for quite some time. As well as obtaining a revered weapon for Konoha which one of our own can use as well. I believe that we are done here, as there is little to discuss now. Other than Sasuke is now a Missing Nin and wanted for treason." He said to the group. "But Naruto, be warned this may halt your advancement in your career as a Ninja since you willingly abandoned the mission." He told him with just a hint of a threat in his voice.
Naruto snorted in response at him. If he was trying to intimidate him he'd have to do a lot better than that.
"So be it," Tsunade said as she stood up her presence filling the room "This meeting is over with. It is regrettably what happened but Sasuke made his choice, not anyone else on what he did. From this day forth we have no choice but to state that he is a Missing Nin of Konoha and wanted for his actions." She told the group in attendance as it was made official his defection. "Naruto you are excused. Get some rest kid." She told him and he bowed his head to her in response and turned and walked out of the room.
Danzo looking him allowed a smile to form as an idea was brewing in his mind.
"How'd it go?" Kakashi asked as he was standing there with Sakura, Anko, Tayuya, and Kimimaro as Naruto made his way back and saw them. Jiraiya he saw was in the back of the room as well.
"Fine if a bit dull. I won't have to worry about any punishments for not dragging his carcass back." Naruto told them. "So looks like I'm still your student Sensei. I'm not being sent back to The Academy it looks like."
"How unfortunate for you." Anko teased Kakashi who let out a dry laugh. "So now what do we do?" She asked.
"Wait," Jiraiya said and they turned to look at him. "That's the only thing we can do, wait and ponder our options. I think this is the last we'll hear of Orochimaru for some time. Odds are he's long gone and out of here. He's not even in The Elemental Nations anymore I'd wager."
"Good riddance to that bastard." Tayuya muttered and Anko nodded her head. Kimimaro was silent as he thought of someone who Orochimaru had still in his possession.
"Naruto," Sakura said and he looked at his remaining teammate. "Are you sure there was nothing you could've done?" She asked him.
Naruto looked at her and slowly shook his head. "No, Sakura, I'm afraid there wasn't. Sasuke was too far gone and there was nothing I could do whatsoever back there. I couldn't drag him back without being gang rushed and Orochimaru would've attacked me if I tried to do anything as I could feel his presence and chakra as he wasn't hiding the fact he was nearby. It wasn't until I started to leave that his presence was masked. I'm sorry but Sasuke is our enemy now, if he gets the opportunity, he'll try to kill us if or whenever we see him again. We'll have to do the same as well."
"I understand." Sakura replied to him. "It was a fools' hope what I said to him before he left, I know now what he's done." She said and Naruto nodded as she had grown up as well.
"Take it from me, Find a guy who'll actually treat you nice pinky, instead of some brooding jackass who'll ditch you after he has sex with you" Anko said as Sakura blushed and the purple haired Kunoichi patted her hard on the back. "There's plenty of fish in the sea out there who deserve your attention."
"Also," Naruto said and he pulled out a hitai-ate, not just any though Kakashi noted, the one Sasuke had and had removed. "I think this deserves a proper wearer." He said and walked over to Tayuya.
"Huh?" She said in confusion.
"Wear this, I know Kimimaro doesn't like wearing them so I think you should wear it now. Wear it as a sign of you now being a Leaf Nin." Naruto said as he held it out.
"Geez, you really are stupid dumbass, I didn't wear one with Sound on it and I sure as hell ain't-HMMPHH?!" Tayuya was cut off and her eyes widened in shock as Naruto wrapped it around her mouth covering it and tied the knot behind her head as she couldn't talk or curse now. "ARGHHH!" She shouted yelling muffled curses at him.
"A perfect fit," Naruto said with a grin to her.
"Yeah, she's much better if she wears it like that." Anko said in approval and the group in the room laughed at her display. Even Kimimaro seemed amused and trying not to smile.
Naruto looked on as she yanked it down and glared at him a smile on his face as he was with his friends and looked over at his cousin.
After the mission, things relatively returned to normal in Konoha as they now had an agreement and alliance with The Land of Wind and Sunagakure, although some at first were skeptical due to their role in Sarutobi's death in the attack, it appeared that a bond of friendship had been made between the villages as Gaara was proving to be a superior leader than his Father as something had changed in him since his fight with Kimimaro and Naruto. As his eyes no longer had the lonely sadness in them that they had before. Hope was in them…
Naruto resumed his training, knowing that one day he'd fight Sasuke again, and as well as the potential threat of Akatsuki that he still remembered was out there. Sakura as well had gone to Tsunade and asked to become her full apprentice wanting to learn under The Legendary Slug Sannin and master the medical arts as well.
Despite Orochimaru's disappearance, Konoha knew that he was still out there biding his time and that the threats were always in their mind.
However, there was a potential threat on the horizon to nearby villages and towns in The Land of Fire that needed to be stopped before it could grow.
"Our enemies are the remnants of the Kurosuki Family and The Sound ninjas from Otogakure." Asuma said to the group as they were a few weeks later in The Land Of Sound. "They have no notable ninja with them aside from some Fuma clan members, but they do have numbers and they are fighting with vigor and tenacity. We might wanna use caution during this fight, they aren't acting like a random group of marauders' who's only purpose is to pillage."
"Hmm, I wonder what they are fighting for? Orochimaru abandoned them when he fled Sound and their leader's dead as well. Have they just resorted to being bandits?" Kakashi asked his arms folded across his chest, curious as to why they were now resorting to such methods
Ever since Orochimaru had abandoned Sound and with the death of Raiga Kurosuki, the remaining members of the Kurosuki Family and several Shinobi from Sound had joined up together. So far, the country had become a lawless hell. Stealing food and robbing caravans. Before the New Daimyo of Rice Country took his position they were deemed a possible risk. Their methods and reasons for doing so were unknown, but they had become a potentially dangerous force for the villages and towns of the Elemental nations. Calling out for aid from the Leaf Village the Hokage Tsunade had sent a group of Jonins to deal with it, among them was Asuma Sarutobi, Anko Mitarashi, Hatake Kakashi, and Kurenai Yuuhi. Also with them was Kimimaro Kaguya and Naruto Uzumaki the two having been sent as well as Tayuya.
"This is were they have setup a base of operations, getting what we could from spies, every four hours they change shifts and are about ready to do so, that is the perfect time to make our move due to them being disorganized." Kakashi said as they looked on at the layout on the map.
"Kimimaro, Tayuya, this is your opportunity to repay us for helping to save you. Do this and your debt to Konoha shall be fulfilled." Asuma said to them. "You, Tayuya, and Naruto will head on this path and deal with any you see. We'll head on this path and meet up with you here, catching them in a pincer." He said pointing at a map and giving them all details on what to do.
"You can count on us!" Naruto said with a grin standing beside his cousin and the redhead.
"It is best we deal with them quick, rumor has it that they are planning to assault the new appointed Rice Daimyo." Kurenai said to them all.
"Pretty bold if you ask me." Anko said crossing her arms as they got ready to begin.
Kimimaro walked away from the group to go to the area where he and Naruto would make their move. His cousin ran after them.
"Are you okay?" Naruto asked him.
"I am fine Naruto, the disease no longer plagues me." He said to him. "Now we must focus on the task on hand." Kimimaro said to him as he stood straight up and healthy with no sign of fatigue or sickness anymore in his body.
"Don't you feel any, I don't know…Hesitation over fighting your former comrades?" Naruto asked Tayuya who was off to the side who wore the Hitai-ate across her arm.
"…No, not really. None of the assholes in Sound where what I'd call my friends. I doubt there's any here I feel any remorse for knocking them out." She responded as she never bothered herself with friends.
The two heard a loud explosion and looked and saw a cloud of smoke in the distance.
"That must be the signal, let's go!" Naruto shouted and the three ran.
As they ran a group of enemies appeared in front of them and charged.
"Intruders! Get'em!" One shouted as the combined group charged them.
"Kage Bushin No Jutsu!" Naruto shouted and created dozens of clones and swarmed them as they engaged in battle.
Kimimaro dodged their attacks and jutsus effortlessly, at full strength and unhindered any more the last of the Kaguya clan movement's were flawless and Naruto had to stop himself as he watched his cousin. At full health he was practically invincible as not one attack landed on him as he used Taijutsu, not yet resorting to his Kekkai Genkai.
"Wow, he might be stronger than Kakashi." Naruto said to himself but his features tightened and threw himself back into the fray. He couldn't let himself be out performed here!
While Naruto and the others dealt with that group Kakashi and the others dealt with those on the path they had taken. Kurenai activated an Genjutsu to disguise themselves allowing them to infiltrate a camp easily enough and attacked them.
"Bastards!" One a female, Kotohime said and played on her instrument sending waves of chakra energy at them. She played her instrument trying to cut them down. Anko performed hand symbols and summoned a snake which dove underground and the woman panicked as she looked for where it was at when the ground beneath her rumbled and she leapt out of the way in the nick of time.
Asuma avoided being sucked into an Earth Jutsu by Kagero as he knew she was more dangerous than she appeared. He put on his trench knives and leapt and slashed at her and she backed away from it. Asuma smiled as he took out his cigarette in his mouth and tossed it surprising her. The sparks from the cigarette suddenly grew larger becoming fireballs shocking her as they came at her and she panicked and moved out of the way.
Only to be hit by Kurenai who nodded at Asuma as that was a tactic they used, casting a Genjutsu on his cigarette to make them think it was sending out fireballs so she could deliver a quick attack.
As the fight waged on, up above on a cliff a group of four shinobi watched on. Looking on at the fight as Sound was putting up a resistance but would likely be defeated before the day was done.
"So why are we here again?" The first asked looking out over the horizon. "Seems suicidal to fight that many guys. Let the Leaf handle it." He said as the Sound Shinobi and Kurosuki family numbered in the hundreds
"If we play a part in defeating them Zaku, we'll earn a reward and perhaps be granted protection in the Leaf, even be made Leaf Ninja." The feminine appearing boy replied. The group had heard about the attack and saw an opportunity to redeem themselves for their past actions. They knew that their months of being on the run could only last so long, it was time to find a new home.
"Haku's right, though it looks like we'll have to face many of our former comrades." The female of the group said as they watched on.
"Remember they tried to kill us back in Konoha." The bandaged ninja said to them. "I wouldn't hold my punches if I were any of you."
Haku smiled and looked at the Sound Trio, their hitai-ate's having been replaced with bandanas. "This is our opportunity, let us make the best of it!" He said and leapt down. Dosu, Zaku, and Kin leapt down as well and landed beside him in the thicket of the fight.
Naruto heard a noise and he turned was surprised to see Haku who he hadn't seen since the before the attack fighting with three other ninjas against the Sound Nins. "Need a hand?" He asked Naruto as he froze the feet of a group with his Ice.
"If you're offering." Naruto said to him as they weren't with The Sound.
Haku smiled and disappeared replaced with mist dodging one who attacked him and threw senbon into his neck knocking him out. He appeared beside Kin and she nodded as they went back to back and the two spun and unleashed a volley of senbon hitting targets from all sides.
The battle continued to go on as The Sound Ninjas those who hadn't been knocked out or slain retreated, heading back to their main base camp and unleashed traps of their own which they had setup which the group dodged and avoided and they sealed the door shut cutting off the only way in.
"Looks like they ain't wanting any visitors." Naruto said as he looked on at them as they had regrouped with the others. He had told the others about Haku and them and Kakashi had welcomed them surprising them that they accepted them without any questions.
"What do you propose? We smoke them out with a fire attack?" Asuma suggested.
"Nah, too easily detected." Kakashi muttered shooting it down.
"Leave that to me." Tayuya said with a smirk.
The forces inside the constructed base looked on but didn't see any of them there. They watched on trying to find out where they was and what they was planning on doing.
"Sheesh, what a bunch of wussies." A voice said as Tayuya was heard and they saw her in the distance. "I could beat them all in my sleep." She said degrading them. Many inside heard it and gritted their teeth in fury. "Seriously, these guys are no freakin' threat at all. I know babies that put up more of a fight than them!"
Many were furious over her remarks as the leaders tried to keep them under control and not give into her taunting.
"I guess if you give a person kunai, eventually they realize how much they suck and slit their throats with it." She called out.
Furious at how she insulted them the force reopened the doors ignoring protests and orders and charged out intent on gutting her.
"Surprise!" Kakashi, Asuma, Anko, and Kurenari shouted as one as they appeared out of the ground grabbing legs and pulled a group under trapping them underground except for their heads.
Tayuya summoned her Doki as they charged her and sent them to attack as the battle was back on.
The Sound Forces were again beat back as despite their numbers and determination to fight, they were poorly trained and lacked proper equipment and abilities.
Tayuya defeated Kotohime again while Haku trapped Kagero inside a dome of Ice. The girl let out a sigh and sat down giving up and Asuma put chakra cuffs on her hands while Zaku blasted Karashi away into a tree defeating him as well.
But there was still some who refused to back down without a fight.
Kimimaro inside the base had defeated a stubborn group who seemed intent to go down fighting when he heard a voice.
"Kimimaro!" The familiar voice said and he turned and saw a figure wearing a bison mask.
"Toshihiro." Kimimaro said as he looked on at the figure who brought his weapon forward. "Put down your weapon." He told the scarred figure as he did not want to fight him again. "We don't have to do this. Orochimaru is no longer mine or your master anymore."
Toshihiro looked on at him and spun his Double Voulge. "Fight!" He said to him. Kimimaro nodded at him as he wanted to test him, to see if this was the path he had taken and what the outcome would be for everyone involved. Kimimaro pulled out bone swords and rushed at Toshihiro locking up with him the two battling.
Kakashi entered and looked on silently watching the fight between the two of them.
Toshihiro spun his weapon and slashed at him and Kimimaro blocked it. Toshihiro spun his body aiming for his chest with the other bladed end and Kimimaro avoided it and fired bone bullets at him which he skillfully deflected by spinning his weapon.
They exchanged attacks and blows against one another each blocking the other's move. Kimimaro dodged his swings and performed hand symbols and performed one of his dances and began to attack at a fast rate attacking repeatedly and at different angles at him. Toshihiro did not have the eye coordination to follow up with his assault and cuts and scraps appeared on him from his attacks.
He went low and spun looking to attack his midsection and Kimimaro narrowly avoided it, if not for his hardened body, that would've sliced him open and spill out his innards. Toshihiro continued his attack and Kimimaro continued to dodge and block them. Naruto saw what was happening and went to help him but Kakashi put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head as this was his fight.
The two continued and bones sprouted out of Kimimaro's chest and upper body and he spun at Toshihiro becoming a buzz saw. Toshihiro narrowly avoided it but one hit his side causing him to clutch at it and Kimimaro performed hand symbols "Bone Style: Drilling Lance!" He shouted and bringing his hands together shot out a long bone the shape of a drill which began to spin as he attacked.
The Double Voulge went flying out of Toshihiro's hands from the force of the attack and the barbaric ninja landed on the ground on his back as his weapon landed right beside him.
Kimimaro put the bone weapon back in place having defeated him.
"Impressive, as skilled as the fabled warriors of old." Kakashi said having watched it.
A Sound Nin and Kurosuki member who appeared to be the leaders of the group looked on in dismay seeing him defeated but grew in determination upon seeing Kakashi.
"He's the leader! Get him!"
The group charged at Kakashi weapons raised and drawn prepared to cut him down.
"Look out!" In a flash Naruto appeared and sprouted a large bone sword and swatted at them and knocked them away. "Kakashi-sensei you shouldn't endanger yourself like this."
Kakashi let out a laugh. "I think with you and Kimimaro around, I don't have to worry about harm befalling me, you two probably could've won this by yourself." He noted looking on at him as they had won.
"Sensei, please." Naruto said to him. The battle was largely over as none of the enemies seemed capable of fighting back. Anko and the others regrouped near them as well. Naruto saw Haku and the Sound Team and he nodded his thanks at him who smiled back.
Haku and them walked over to Kakashi. "We wish to join The Leaf." He said to The masked Jonin who looked on at him. "We are ninjas without a home now, we would wish to join Konohagakure so our days of wandering will be over. We have no ties or any past loyalties to our former masters as they have passed away or have betrayed us." He said to him and Kakashi looked on at him faintly recalling him in Wave being Zabuza Momochi's follower. His Kekkai Genkai would be a useful ability for Konoha and the three with him were good as well.
"Very well, we'll be glad to have you join The Leaf." He told the group who smiled at him. "From this day forth you are Leaf Shinobi under Konoha." Kakashi said and turned his head to look on at the defeated force.
The Copy Nin looked on at the struggling remnants that still tried to stand on their feet. Refusing to give up despite the loss of their strength still determined to fight.
"Why is it that you fight?" Kakashi asked them. "For Orochimaru? To avenge the death of your fallen leader? To kill the Daimyo?"
"We-We're here because we want to stay alive!" A Sound ninja shouted at him.
"We can't live in a land ravaged by War!" A Kurosuki member exclaimed. "You don't know what it's like to have nothing and be lied too!"
"How could? How could any of you possibly understand us or what we're going through?!" The Fuma Clan member shouted at them.
"This is the only path we can take!" Karashi yelled at them as well.
"Stop!" A voice shouted and Naruto and the others turned their heads and saw him being picked up from behind by his shirt and held in the air. Despite his struggles Karashi couldn't get free of Toshihiro's grip.
"I know…you're hurting inside." Toshihiro said gently no fierceness in his voice to him and the others. "But if you steal…from others…then they'll only be hurt as well."
"You, You're right…" Naruto said realizing what he meant as he looked on and saw how desolate they were. Eyes full of fear and uncertainly that they would not live to see tomorrow. Having been betrayed and discarded by the person they had called Master who had manipulated and abused them.
Kakashi held back his head and laughed. "The answer was simple all along," He said smiling under his mask. There was no malice or dark intentions here, they had just wanted to improve their lives, poor souls desperate at any chance to improve the lousy hand of cards they had been dealt. They weren't evil, just misunderstood and willing to do whatever it took, even align with someone such as Orochimaru, to actually have a hope at saving themselves.
"These conflicts happen and are caused, by the fact that the right people aren't in the right place." He said to them. "All of you, you must put aside your differences and lingering loyalties to your past masters and come with me!" He said to the remnants. He then turned and left heading back to Konoha.
"I will give you all that you desire…" He said and slowly he was being followed by them.
Future generations would claim that this was when the Land Of Rice later known as Sound went from a weak country, to an ally of Konoha and Ninja Village in its own right.
Like The Hero of Chaos Cao Cao had done long ago with an enemy force after he had defeated them. Kakashi welcomed the remnants of the Kurosuki Family and the Sound Shinobi and also The Fuma Clan who had surrendered as well as Haku and The Sound Trio to Konoha. What was it these men desired? Kakashi quickly understood the source and set to earn their loyalty. Due to Orochimaru's tyranny the land around Rice had been left barren and lifeless due to neglect, with Tsunade and the Council's permission they were given the lands of Otogakure to tend to and field as their own as long as they swore allegiance to the Leaf and vowed to never revolt or associate themselves with Orochimaru ever again.
Kakashi also saw to it that they would also have an academy built in the Sound Village for them to train. To turn the downtrodden country around and restore it. Now there would be no threats or problems coming from Oto as peace was finally at hand in the country at long last.
However…
Danzo, the one time rival of Sarutobi and Leader of ROOT who had desired the position of Hokage and seeing an opportunity he could not pass on to further that of his own dreams and ambitions, was able to use his influence in the Council and gaining an audience with the new Daimyo of The Land of Sound, was appointed to become the Second Otokage shortly afterwards. The one eyed Hawk would rule and govern it, and answer to Konoha and The Hokage. None knew why Danzo would chose to give up his seat and position of power, but The elderly man was setting in motion a plan of his.
"I don't get it sensei," Naruto said as he sat with Kakashi sometime later on the roof of a building in Konoha. "After all you did, you should've been picked to lead." He said to Kakashi.
"I still have quite a bit left to teach and to makeup for," Kakashi told him as he flipped the page of his novel. "Plus being a ruler is hard work, sounds too tiring for me with the way Tsunade howled after she got all the paperwork regarding it." He said sounding as if he was part Nara. "I've done enough with the carrot and stick ploy to keep them in line, its up to them to forge a new life for themselves." He said to the blonde. "A Ruler or a Kage's duty is not to hold the hand of everyone all their lives, but to guide them and give them the nudge so they can make their own decisions and choices."
Naruto looked on at him. He looked and saw Haku wearing a Leaf Hitai-ate officially a Leaf Genin. He thought of all that had happened the past month and what could happen in the Future. Orochimaru and Sasuke was out there, and so was the threat of Akatsuki as well. The day may come sooner than he thought when he'd have to face them and knew he had to be ready.
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In The Hidden Sound Village, Kimimaro looked on at the empty cell in the abandoned building that had housed many of Orochimaru's experiments, he knew the person who would usually be in it and had hoped to find him here but it was empty. Having been confined to the cell for years as he was imprisoned there. He looked on at it and could detect that there had been a struggle and that the person in it had fought them off but was eventually overwhelmed and beaten and dragged out of the cell against his will having been taken when Orochimaru had abandoned the place apparently deeming him valuable to his work. He touched the bars of the cell knowing he had been there for so long as he was the only one who came to see him. The occupant hoping for one day to be cured of his madness that plagued him.
"Juugo," Kimimaro said silently. "I will find you one day." He promised vowing to find and free him.
A/N: That's it for this chapter. Review please.