Underneath the Underneath

By: FlameXFullmetal

Disclaimer: If I have to keep telling people I do not own Naruto I will lose my voice.

A/N: Hi there! I swear I haven't abandoned the fic under the guise of editing! As promised I have edited the last few chapters to fix many problems and have returned. This is my second time writing this chapter because my computer crashed in the middle of writing it the first time and didn't make a temporary save so I had to start over again. Among the many things that I have fixed are grammar, spelling, removed repetitive explanations to the same people, clarified statements, fixed the perception on Naruto's skill level and repaired the many errors in the Uzu chapters. Hopefully that has not only fixed some of the plot holes but also cleared up any confusion that was caused as a result. Anyway on to the story!

"hello" people (bijuu in human form) speaking

'hello' people (bijuu in human form) thinking/coded hand signals

"HELLO" bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity yelling

"hello" bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity talking

'hello' bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity thinking

hello jutsu

*******The Calm Before the Storm********

"Tonight Kakashi, we will be checking the borders as we have explained and you will accompany the group going east. Keep your senses sharp that particular area is somewhat of a crossroads. However, the only clan we have had issues with is the snake clan. I believe that their summoner is at fault for belief that they are the superior summons." The elder explained as night fell in the lands. Nodding Kakashi took a deep breath to steady himself.

"The snake clan. Orochimaru's summons." He muttered to himself catching the attention of the canines.

"Do you know this Orochimaru?" A dark blue wolf asked.

"Not really. I know of him and his crimes against the village but not him as a person. Then again with all he has done I think it safe to just remove the title of human from him all together. All he is now is a monster." Kakashi admitted making the summons nod. It wasn't much longer that the large group dispersed and Kakashi found himself among a very quiet group of wolves. Somehow he felt comfortable with them. Clearing his mind to focus on the task at hand he turned his attention forward once more.

After what felt like several hours Kakashi felt some of the tension leave him as the most that they had found was a few rabbits hopping around. Despite it being termed a 'hunt' there wasn't much hunting. However, in Kakashi's mind that was a good thing. 'Or bad if you consider what lives near here.' Kakashi realized. The wolves with him turned as he came to a stop and sniffed the air carefully. At first he almost missed it but it was there.

"Is something the matter pup?" The eldest of the group asked him.

"It's there just barely but it is. One of the snakes used as a scout is nearby. I nearly missed it. The rabbits we saw earlier must have fled when their den was taken over by one of the smaller snakes. They normally sleep at this time of night." The wolves eyes widened as they to came to the same conclusion.

"You know the scent of snake well."

"I have been on some missions to track Orochimaru before. Unfortunately, we never caught up to him but his summons have a unique scent. This one seems well trained in infiltration. Instead of killing the rabbits and leaving a scent of death, it merely chased them from their den and then took it over as a way to hide it's scent. Masking it with the smell of rabbit to make everyone over look it."

"Let's find this scout quickly and pray that there are no more."

"Agreed." It didn't take long to back track and find the rabbit's den based on the direction it had been fleeing in. After locating it Kakashi silently made the seals for a weak earth jutsu and after receiving a nod from the wolf forced the den open startling the snake hiding inside. Hissing in anger it lunged at the nearest wolf only for them to jump out of the way. Managing to avoid another incoming wolf it lashed out and struck the one that had attacked first only for it to explode into smoke and for it's fangs to be stuck in a log. Unfortunately, it didn't have time to panic as the eldest bit down and ended it's life.

"Nice reflexes." The wolf that almost got bit remarked. Kakashi merely eye smiled and glanced at the small snake.

"I was right one of the infiltrators. I can't help but wonder if the snakes are doing this on their own or if Orochimaru didn't order them to try and weaken the other clans to lessen the opposition against him. Most shinobi won't even try to fight a summons let alone one of the "legendary summons"."

"Legendary?"

"Before he went rogue Orochimaru was one of three shinobi that had gained the title of the Densetsu no Sannin. At one time he was a role model to younger shinobi. The sannin became legends in their own right and the summons that they each had received the same recognition as a result. Jiraiya's toad contract, Tsunade's slug contract and Orochimaru's snake contract became well known and recognized. As a result many shinobi won't fight any of those summons if they don't have to." Kakashi explained. The wolves stared at the Hatake in shock.

"Interesting. It seems to me that the snake's sudden inflated egos were not just a random occurrence. They let the fame go to their heads. This explains everything. Let's finish this area and head back keep an eye out for anymore peculiarities. I don't want to miss another one." The wolves all nodded in agreement and they headed out.

It didn't take long to scour the remaining area more carefully than they had been before and before long they were headed back. Uneventful yet at the same time Kakashi couldn't help but feel that something had been accomplished. Upon arriving he did a quick once over on all of the wolves out of habit to ensure they were all right making the elder's nod to one another when he wasn't looking.

"Anything?"

"A few jackals thought that they were being smart by trying to claim the entire lake to the north as theirs. We sorted it out thought."

"An uneventful hunt again this year. Admittedly while I enjoy the peace it can get boring."

"Ditto."

"We found one of the snake clan's infiltrators hiding in a rabbit den." The silence that took over made Kakashi feel a little awkward.

"Well that is certainly a new tactic."

"Indeed. We almost missed it as the rabbit scent was masking it. I suppose it is lucky that Hatake-san joined us this year. Apparently he has been snake hunting before and it seems that the summons have a very unique scent to them that I think we need to memorize." The leader of the pack that he had gone with added while placing the dead snake before the group.

"I see...That we never noticed that there scent was different is a little disconcerting."

"It's not much of a difference between them and a normal snake but it is there. I think it is the result of being around Orochimaru and his experiments for so long. If they were summoned recently they will have the linger scent of death on them." Kakashi replied as Pakkun and the others walked over to him. Kneeling and petting their heads to ensure them that he was okay he watched the wolves closely.

"Kindness. Immense tracking skill. An impressive ability to detect even subtle differences in scent. Concern for others even though you just met. I see now why Pakkun insisted that you might as well be a canine yourself. Very good. We will accept you as our summoning. However, there is still work we need to do to maximize your nose. Also, to prevent you from becoming to focused on the mission. It seems you may tend to get to focused on the task and ignore subtle signs without realizing it." Kakashi nodded in agreement and gave another eye smile.

"We will also need to work on the combinations and cooperation between us and the dogs. An agreed upon communication method. Finally," the elder turned to Kakashi seriously, "you will need a fang. No wolf is complete without one."

"A fang, huh?" Kakashi muttered to himself. After a few seconds he nodded having come to a decision. "I have one that my father left to me but it was broken over a decade ago. I never got it repaired though. I guess it's time that the White Fang sees combat again, ne Pakkun?" Pakkun stared at Kakashi in wonder and then laughed smiling in happiness.

"Those kids are doing wonders for you Kakashi." Pakkun said quietly. Nodding he turned to the wolves once more who also wore the same looks.

Some time later...

Several poofs and clouds of smoke appeared once more on Uzu as the team eleven returned to the human realm. Glancing at his students Kakashi laughed. They looked like they had seen hell and had the last laugh at the same time.

"Training?" He guessed. Hinata smiled and laughed. She had admittedly had fun. The tigers were quick to find the problems in her forms and even assisted in her chakra training. She felt as if she had made more progress in the juken in the last two or so weeks then she had her whole life.

"Dragons...are sadists." Naruto muttered shuddering. Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the blonde's statement. He had no idea that the dragons were real. He had heard of shinobi in the past earning the moniker of "dragon tamer" but usually for their mastery over the various elemental dragons and homemade techniques mimicked after the mythical creatures but never expected this.

"Dragons? I thought the Uzumaki never let anyone know what the contract was?" Kakashi mused out loud.

"Normally they don't but they decided that the time of secrecy was over and that the world should know that they exist. They feel that if they had done this sooner than maybe Uzu wouldn't have fallen because the clan wouldn't have been so hesitant to summon them and act against their wishes. Plus, I have to hatch and raise my partner from an egg. I can't do that if no one knows about them." Naruto said shrugging. Then he looked at Kimiko who looked like she had gone through the combined jutsu of all the shinobi in elemental nations and survived.

"What happened to you?"

"Training. I had to get my powers under some semblance of control and I felt it best to do so with the kitsunes. They would be able to handle any loss of control accidents or my demonic chakra. It was harder than I thought to adjust all of my techniques for a human body. They are all weaker than they normally would be but the trade off is much better control. So I guess it's fine. I also requested permission for my personal contract with you to be moved to the main contract and the kitsunes that never got a chance to be allowed into the clan." Kimiko said taking a seat and sipping on some water.

"They agreed and said that if the tiger's agree you may also sign the kitsune contract as well. Granted it won't be with the whole clan but the yokai part of the clan. It's still a good deal in my opinion. Now then is that the White Fang I spy Kakashi?" The genin turned to look at Kakashi who did indeed have a tanto on his back.

"Yup! I had my father's tanto fixed and trust me the wolves were impressed by it. When they did the repairs they made it more durable as well. So hopefully, I won't break it this time." Kimiko smiled and nodded at him. Then laughed.

"So how do you intend to explain the fixed blade to the Sandaime when we get back?"

"Hmm...It just was." The whole team laughed in amusement as they relaxed and adjusted to not being sneak attacked every other second. After packing everything on the island of value and sealing it away they said one final goodbye to the island and headed down to the docks ignoring the swarm of clones behind them as they buried the dead following the instructions the dragons had given him. As they crossed the water once more Naruto smiled at the captain. He knew that Uzu was going to be fine for now and he was pleased that no one would be able to salvage anything from his family.

The walk back to Konoha was filled with the team laughing as they discussed the various hijinks they had gotten into in the summoning realm. Naruto was about to tell the team one more when they ran into team ten who was walking just ahead of them.

"Yo! Asuma, just getting back from Nami?" Kakashi called getting the bearded man's attention. Turning Asuma almost did a double take at the team before them. It had only been two weeks and yet they seemed different. Hinata walked with an air of confidence that wasn't there and it was almost like she was gliding instead of walking. Kimiko now walked with an aura that screamed danger despite her smile and aura being calm. Naruto and Kakashi seemed to be walking almost as if they expected an attack from nowhere. Naruto seemed to be carrying a backpack that was heavier than when he left while Kakashi reminded him of a predator stalking his prey. The biggest difference was the iconic tanto on Kakashi's back.

"Kakashi? Just returning yourself? I would've thought that it wouldn't have taken that long to check out Uzu. The place is in ruins. Besides that didn't your father's blade break during the war?"

"Yup. Did some training while we were there between all of the exploring. Salvaged what was left. Find a few jutsu scrolls and the Uzumaki clan's summoning contract. You know the usual. As for my tanto...it was fixed." Kakashi replied as vaguely as possible. Asuma blinked at the answer and sighed.

"You never give a straight answer do you Kakashi?"

"Sure I do. If the question asked requires one. So the bridge take that long to complete?"

"Sort of. The country celebrated Gato's defeat for three days and work didn't start again until the morning of the fifth day when everyone had recovered from their hangovers." Asuma muttered.

"Ah. That makes sense. So get any training in with your cute little genin?" Asuma sighed.

"A little." He replied as they walked into the village gates and signed in. After making a motion to follow them the jonin led the genin to the Hokage's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in." Opening the door the genin were met with the sight of the Sandaime furiously writing away and making little headway on the mounds of paperwork he had in front of him.

"Sandaime-sama, teams ten and eleven reporting back from their missions." Hiruzen looked up at the assembled group blinking in confusion almost as if trying to remember something.

"I see. Report." A tedious and drawn out report of the mission with Nami, the fight with Zabuza and his apprentice and the assassination of Gato later the Sandaime was gaping at the three genin of team eleven. 'Well more like two genin and one bijuu.' He thought to himself.

"I must say that I am surprised. Pulling off a theoretical combination jutsu you had never tried before in the midst of battle and succeeding is something that many jonin couldn't do. However, that was also very risky. On the other hand managing to overwhelm the defensive capabilities of the Makyō Hyōshō is commendable. What of your mission to Nami?"

"For the most part everything that we have heard about Uzu was true. The village was in ruins and there was little to nothing left. What was left amounted to some clan census records, salvageable weapons, a few jutsu scrolls that either the enemy was carrying or that survived the library's destruction and the Uzumaki clan summoning contract." Kakashi reported. The Sandaime sat back and stared at the team in contemplation.

"I see. So the village was a total loss like we feared."

"Yes sir. Granted the clan's summons managed to tell Naruto how to bury the deceased Uzumaki according to clan traditions so we left a few hundred clones behind so that he could do that. Otherwise, there is nothing left of the village or the clan that lived there."

"Very well. Now Kakashi, I know for a fact that the White Fang was still broken when you left and that you didn't have it on you. So how is it repaired?"

"...Magic..." Everyone in the room fell over and sweat dropped simultaneously. Somehow the answer was something that Kakashi would have said and yet no one expected it.

"Kakashi..." The Sandaime warned in irritation.

"I am not at liberty to say how it was repaired as I promised the blacksmith I wouldn't. As for how it got from here to me in Uzu, I had Pakkun retrieve it from my house why?"

"Ugh..You are impossible sometimes. Very well. Both teams may leave and you have three days off as is policy for C-rank or higher missions." Hiruzen sighed. He didn't have the patience for this kind of thing so early in the morning. As the teams left Hiruzen registered the massive pile of paperwork on his desk and shed a few tears.

"Kakashi-sensei, so um now what? We never really have off." Naruto asked as soon as they were out of the village.

"Meet tomorrow as usual. Just because we have off from missions doesn't mean that we can take it easy." As the team saluted him and ran off Asuma shook his head.

"Don't you think you are pushing them to hard?"

"If I didn't train with them tomorrow they would have just trained with each other and it seems that I can't trust them not to do something reckless if left alone. It's safer this way. Besides we can work on perfecting the combination that they used and make it battle ready." He said shrugging as he walked away.

"Asuma-sensei?"

"Take tomorrow off of training and we'll pick up again the day after."

"Hai!" Walking off Asuma wondered if team six was still training.

The next day...

"I must say that all three of you have impressed me on the last few missions so it is only fair that I inform you that we will be increasing our training from here on out. Specifically I want to move the team training to the Uzumaki estate for privacy as we have new companions to work with and we need to make sure that everyone is comfortable working with the team's summons."

"Fine by me Kakashi. Although I was wondering why you didn't inform the Sandaime of yours and Hinata's contracts."

"He didn't need to know. Besides if I said that there were multiple contracts then he would demand more information than I was comfortable giving. I'm sure Minato-sensei and Kushina understand."

"They do. Moving the training is perfect because I wanted to try something that may or may not work and I don't want anyone in the village to know. They aren't ready yet."

"I see. Well then shall we?" Quickly moving to the Uzumaki compound the team waited to see what Naruto had in mind.

"Kimiko did you know what he is trying to do?"

"Nope. He must have managed to block me from hearing those thoughts either that or he came up with it in the summoning realm. I was cut off from him briefly during his trial. If that is the case then not even Minato and Kushina know what he is about to do." Kakashi forced the uneasy sensation away and watched as Naruto began weaving some hand seals in an unfamiliar pattern.

"Tamashi Kage Bunshin no justu." Naruto called out two different clouds of smoke appearing next to him. As the smoke cleared Kakashi couldn't help but break into a grin. Right in front of him was Minato and Kushina.

"It worked!" Naruto yelled excitedly. The two nins blinked in confusion before looking around and then staring at Naruto in shock.

"How?" Minato managed to get out.

"Instead of making a shadow clone of myself I instead used just enough of my chakra to form the body and focused on placing the two of you in them instead!" Naruto said happily.

"That is so...genius!" Kushina yelled wrapping Naruto in a massive hug and spinning him in circles.

"Good work Naruto. However, what was the main purpose for the technique?" Kakashi asked. Whenever the genin had asked about making new jutsu he had always replied the same way.

"The purpose behind this was two fold Kakashi-sensei. As you always tell me that a jutsu should never be created for selfish reasons. The first was so that they could get used to the changes around Konoha before they are revived so they don't get lost and the second was training."

"Training?" Kakashi, Minato and Kushina echoed.

"Yes. While you are a good sensei Kakashi, you were never really at the level of Orochimaru while they both were. Out of all the people that I agreed to kill for the death god Orochimaru is the weakest meaning that I need to get stronger. I need experience fighting people on that level. Plus, if I have to go after them it is highly likely that the team will get drawn into it as well. Meaning we all need to be ready. Also, I thought of something while I was training with the dragons."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Orochimaru is a nuke nin because he was experimenting on not just people but Konoha citizens. He was experimenting so that he could fins immortality. He wants immortality so that he can learn all of the jutsu in the world. The fastest way to do that outside of kekkai genkai is with the sharingan. The chunin exams opens Konoha to all of the countries. Meaning that Orochimaru could probably just walk into the village and because the security is stretched so thin no one would notice and the only one with the sharingan that would interest him is Sasuke." Naruto explained making everyone stare in shock that such a thing was overlooked in the preparations.

"He's right sensei." Kakashi finally replied. "Orochimaru would be able to get into the exams and potentially take the place of a legit genin in order to test Sasuke. Or even kidnap him."

"True. You'll need to be prepared for this. How much longer til the exams start Kakashi?" Minato asked quickly trying to formulate a plan.

"About four months give or take. I believe that they are set to begin in July."

"Not much time but we will have to work with it. The training will not be easy and to be honest we won't be able to hold back much." Kushina said seriously.

"It's okay mom. I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't ready and I think that Hinata and Kakashi-sensei agree with that. We aren't ready for Orochimaru." Naruto replied with Hinata, Kakashi and Kimiko nodding in agreement.

"Alright then. Fair warning you will have at least an expert level with your chains when we are done Naruto." Kushina threatened.

"I can't even make them manifest for more than three seconds!" Naruto yelled eyes nearly coming out of his head.

"True but we were doing things the easy, safe way. Now we are using the trial by fire method. You will manage to manifest and use them properly or you die." Kushina bit back making Naruto gulp and nod.

"Also, Naruto hasn't informed anyone of this on my request," Minato stated getting everyone's attention, "but he has manifested a new dojutsu. What it does and how it works is unknown to us. It was active briefly when the seal came off but we haven't been able to get it to activate again. We will need your help with this Hinata."

"I'll try." Nodding Minato smiled and then rolled his shoulders.

"So who wants to play Hiraishin tag?" He asked innocently. Kakashi felt his eyes nearly come out of his head and he spun quickly looking at his students.

"RUN!"

**********T.B.C*********

A/N: It feels really good to be back after all this time of editing. Hopefully this chapter won't have as many errors and I can focus on the new chapters instead of fixing the old chapters. Anyway, let me know what you think and as always if you see an error feel free to tell me so that I can edit it. I intend to do so when it is pointed out to me this time. I also hope that the revisions and this chapter clear up any problems and confusion about Naruto's bloodlines and why he hasn't used them yet. Ja ne!