Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto the anime or manga. This story is based off the world of Naruto. All rights go to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 5 - Rest in Peace

Land of Stone

In the deep underground caverns found in the Land of Stone, filled with glowing stones and freshwater lakes. Kotaro was stealthy moving towards the remaining Iwa ninja that fell to the cavern as well. Kotaro was pissed off, he knew this mission smelt bad from the start, but he didn't want to disappoint the Hokage.

All Kotaro wanted now was to go home and sleep in his wonderful bed. There was only one thing stopping him, these annoying yet resourceful Iwa ninja were truly making his life hell.

Kotaro ventured deeper into the caverns. He noticed on the walls some ancient obscure markings. He just ignored them for now, he had an important objective to accomplish, not become an archaeologist!

Kotaro was now a hundred metres away from the group of Iwa nin. He saw the eight were close to each other, the whole room was covered in darkness, Kotaro only knew where he was going because of the locations of the chakra and moving slowly to them, feeling out his way.

Kotaro wanted to be efficient, he only had one chance at this. He made seven shadow clones. The seven shadow clones already knew the plan since they were just duplicates of the original. They started to climb the wall and ceiling of the cavern, until they were directly above their targets. The original Kotaro crouched and moved silently towards the group, suppressing his chakra.

Virtually becoming invisible. As he was only twenty metres away, he could hear chattering from the Iwa group. They were debating if they should continue the mission or abandon it. Kotaro heard mutterings from the subordinates and the veterans saying that they would continue.

Kotaro focused his gaze on the group. 'This is the cue!' he thought as he put his right arm up and then gave a thumbs up at the group.

The shadow clones who were focusing on the original saw the signal, and jumped down. It was too late for the Iwa nin as the shadow clones grappled onto them and stabbed them in various places such as the back of the heart, liver, head and the general torso region with their hidden blades.

Kitsuchi was the only one left untouched as he saw his squad killed in front of his eyes. The seven shadow clones jumped of their target's backs and bodies and ran at Kitsuchi. Kitsuchi was spooked and had a hard time dealing with seven opponents.

Suddenly, they all puffed out of existence. Kitsuchi naively thought he did something to kill them and breathed a sigh of relief, glad that he didn't have to fight in near complete darkness anymore.

However, this didn't last a second as the original Kotaro came in and arm barred Kitsuchi's right arm, hanging off the floor on the larger man. Using some of his chakra enhanced strength, he broke Kitsuchi's arm and proceeded to smack his large nose with a right kick to the face, breaking it soundly. A large cracking noise of the nasal bone breaking apart was heard.

Kitsuchi screamed and then groaned in pain, two quick hard attacks in two different places was not a nice experience.

Kotaro didn't let up, no way he was going to let the huge man have any advantage over him. Kotaro flashed in front of Kitsuchi and gave a spinning kick at Kitsuchi's left wrist, breaking it. He finished the job by elbowing the man in the gut. Kitsuchi flew into the wall and slid down, coughing up blood.

Kotaro dusted himself off and walked over to the large man. He then knelt about five metres away, to make sure he can react to any tricks Kitsuchi might do in his broken state. The man was a strong ninja for Iwagakure, there was no way in hell that Kotaro was going to give the veteran any chance to kill him.

Kitsuchi could see a small outline of Kotaro, he was confused on why he wasn't dead yet. "Why haven't you killed me?" he asked.

Kotaro stayed silent, thinking of a suitable answer. "I don't want to start a war. You're the Tsuchikage's son. I wouldn't be surprised if Ōnoki declared war on Konoha because I killed you. I didn't like killing your squad members, but they were sent on a presumed S-rank mission to kill me. Some deaths are expected. But if you died, more politics would be in play and in our fucked-up world, war could come. That is one thing I don't want to see. My father died protecting myself and my mother during the third great Shinobi war. I don't want more death between our nations because I killed you," Kotaro said solemnly.

Kitsuchi breathed heavily, the intense pain coursing all through his body. He coughed another small bit of blood, it dripped down his lip. "You took out my whole squad! And you're leaving me alive because I'm related to the leader of my village. All because you want to avoid war?" He hoarsely said

"Yes. Twenty-nine of your squad have died already. Let's not make it thirty. Your legs still work, but you need medical care for both your arms. If war came between our nations and villages, a lot more would die, even the young children, academy students and the normal villagers would be in danger. Hm, the exit is close, I feel the air currents coming from that large hole there," Kotaro said with a neutral tone and a point of the finger.

Kotaro stood up and unsealed some supplies. He took a small flashlight and threw it near Kitsuchi. "This will help you leave. Tell your father, the Tsuchikage that if he ever sends another assassination squad after me or disrupts my life in a bad way again, I'll make Iwagakure's life hell!" Kotaro declared with power and authority in his voice. "Now go home. Or I'll kill you now!" Kotaro hissed out.

Kotaro then left Kitsuchi to his own musing as he delved deeper into the caverns. Kitsuchi got up and tried grabbing the flashlight with his left hand, struggling in sheer pain with the broken wrist. Luckily as he grabbed it, he turned it on and he quickly put it in his mouth. There the hulking figure lead himself out the caverns and went on his way home, to inform his father on what transpired there.

Konoha

The day was cloudy and dull in Konoha, for the first time in weeks, there was heavy rain. The children of the academy were under the shelters in the courtyard, sitting on the benches and tables. A small blond boy had his head resting between his arms on the table as he was sitting on the bench.

"Naruto, stop being so sad, you don't know if he's dead," Shikamaru said, trying to cheer up his friend. He heard the report from his father and was shocked to hear that Kotaro had to face thirty Jōnin.

Chōji was sitting beside Shikamaru, keeping quiet. He has been silent since he heard from Naruto his older brother's predicament. Not knowing what to say, he left the cheering up to Shikamaru.

"Hm, I don't know if he's coming back or his dead body is all alone?" Naruto said sadly, not moving his head from his arms. Secretly trying not to tear up again.

Iruka couldn't help but hear his little blond student as he passed by. When he looked at Naruto, he became very worried. "Naruto, what's wrong?" he asked sincerely, sitting beside the little knucklehead.

Naruto just mumbled out, no words that came out of his mouth made sense to anyone's ears. Iruka grew even more concerned and then looked at Chōji and Shikamaru, they also wore sad expressions on their faces. "Naruto, please talk to me. I'm here for you!" Iruka comforted Naruto.

Naruto brought his head up and looked at Iruka with slightly puffed out eyes. "Nii-chan could be dead!" Naruto quietly said so only Iruka could hear.

"Nii-chan?" Iruka asked quietly, never hearing Naruto mention anything about an older brother. He read in Naruto's profile that he was a single orphan.

"Kotaro-nii! He was sent on a mission and he was ambushed by a group of thirty Jōnin and Chūnin. The leader of the group was like the son of the Tsuchikage. He fought them all alone and he could be dead! Hokage-Jiji even came to my house last night to tell me!" Naruto whispered out but Iruka could hear all the words.

Iruka was shocked for two reasons. Hearing that Kotaro fought thirty Jōnin, and he was the older brother to Naruto. He heard his mission successes from the other Chūnin and sometimes saw a redhead going through the village in the last six months. Iruka didn't know what to say, thirty against one were terrible odds, even for someone like one of the Sannin. Iruka started to rub Naruto's back as Naruto went back into the fold of his arms. He knew there were no words to comfort him right now. Eventually the bell ringed and the students went back inside. Naruto wiped his wet eyes and went back in with Iruka and his two friends.

'Nii-chan, please come back!' Naruto thought.

Mysterious caverns

"Woah look at this!" Kotaro excitedly said as he flashed his own flashlight at some engravings on the cave walls. "Oh yeah, it's just me," Kotaro said disappointedly.

Kotaro had a fresh note book and his pen, sketching some of the things he encountered when he observed the walls and stones. There were many random letters, if he had to assume, on them.

'Must be an ancient or different language, I don't recognise any of the text!' he thought. He wrote down all the "letters" he could find. He was getting more and more interested into this, 'I can't wait to do a bit of research on this!' he internally squealed like a schoolgirl.

As he was getting deeper and deeper into the cavern, until the tunnel now become a corridor. Kotaro was on high ground so he jumped down, landing on a smooth stone floor. It had intricate patterns that looked aesthetically pretty. The beige cream stone floor with the dark forest green patterns was very appealing to the Uzumaki. Kotaro looked at the walls and saw the same style text that he was writing in his note book.

"Must be some sort of alphabet, but what does it mean?" he asked himself. The walls were a deep navy black and the engravings had some white paint coloured inside, the contrast made it easy to read it. He took down the supposed 'sentences' into his notebook. Kotaro was constantly comparing it to Kanji but there were no similarities at all. He spent around an hour taking down four whole blocks of black stone that were in the walls that had the strange text. He sighed as he felt his right wrist cramping up.

He sat down on a nearby rock and unsealed some meal provisions. "Hm, sushi isn't really mission food, but I had a shit day, so I can treat myself!" Kotaro said happily, eating sushi instead of the usual meal rations kit. He chewed on the last piece of the tray and took out a bottle of water and gulped it down. "So refreshing!" he said, contemplating if he himself was going crazy. He sealed the rubbish back and put the storage scroll away in his pouch.

Kotaro got to his feet and walked down to this large opening that was at the end of the corridor.

He looked through it and saw a descending set of stairs, going down far as he could only see darkness beyond a few metres. He saw on both sides of the staircase that there was a channel and water was flowing down them at a quick pace. "This place had a water system deep underground. Who built this place and who were these people? Jeez so many questions and nobody to tell me the answers!" Kotaro complained, moving his fingers through his red hair.

He sighed deeply and began to go down. As he was descending, he noticed with his flash light of large pictures engraved into the walls, some were covered in webs and dust but there were so many. It seemed that they depicted battles and stages through history. The most significant pictures were of men fighting large scaled beasts.

It was one of the coolest things Kotaro saw in his entire life. He made it to the bottom of what he could only call the "staircase of epic art" and another view blew his mind. He entered this huge open space, light was illuminating all around him by large glowing stones, the size of small buildings, they were in the walls and ceiling of the space.

Water was spewing out of the side walls and flowed down to the ground like waterfalls. Kotaro was wondering how this space wasn't brimmed with water, but he saw two large mouths letting the water flow out slowly from both ends of the room.

Kotaro was currently standing on a bridge that resided in the middle of the room. He knew he had to use a chakra enhanced jump to get to either of the side walls. This room, no not room, a grand hall of stone and water, was one of the most beautiful sights he has ever seen. He looked at the ceiling and saw strange mosses and plants he has never seen before.

"I wonder if they have any medicinal purposes?" Kotaro wondered out loud. He walked across the long stone bridge, it was about twenty metres from the bottom surface of the hall and the ceiling was another ten metres above. He was walking for a while and was thinking if he accidently tripped a genjutsu trap. He sensed his chakra system and felt nothing wrong. He shrugged and continued his walk, he was going to check his chakra system again until something caught his eye. There was a stone staircase at the end of the bridge. His built up anxiousness disappeared.

Kotaro was excited and walked ahead, feeling he made some progress. Kotaro made it to the start of the staircase, he climbed up and up, getting a bit of a sweat from all this step-climbing, it didn't help this ancient structure had no ventilation apart from a few holes. The walls were similar as there were many pieces of art depicting on the history of this ancient place and its people.

When Kotaro was near the end of the stairs, he noticed the walls showing the figures of men spewing fire and what seemed like wind blasts. "Must be showing me elemental jutsu. There hasn't been any mention of chakra before this though. Hm, how old were these people?" Kotaro questioned.

He whipped out his notebook and sketched the picture and the writing beside it. Making a note on the strange techniques. He saw more of these scaled creatures around the walls. "Are they snakes? No, snakes don't have horns or claws. There hasn't been any mention of animals with these features I believe. Maybe it's a summon… But there hasn't been a drake contract in history supposedly! Hm, maybe these were ancient creatures gone extinct or the famous sage Snake summons… I need to find the answers. This is too interesting!" Kotaro said, trying to solve the puzzle of whatever this was with incomplete answers.

Kotaro sighed and climbed the rest of the stairs. He reached the top and walked into a corridor that was like the first corridor he entered. Instead of the stones with the strange text on it being black with white writing, this was the opposite.

"Is this marble?" Kotaro then rubbed his hand across the rough surface.

"No, it isn't, but it isn't limestone or any other white rock I have seen or felt before. Its emitting some strange aura. And the writing is black this time. Hm, better write all this down, this could be important," Kotaro said as he proceeded to write down all the text on the white stone blocks that resided in the walls.

It took an hour like last time, Kotaro wiped a bead of sweat that was trickling down the side of his forehead. He then went to the end of the corridor to find another staircase. "What the hell is this place, it's like a labyrinth," Kotaro complained.

Kotaro began to climb again, but he only had to climb a short bit. He entered a large room that was circular in shape, moss and vines covering the walls and ceiling. He saw in front of his eyes was alter. It had a large stone backdrop with three large scaled reptile's heads with horns going behind it's ears. The heads were all merged together, six arms were shown and they were in pairs. Kotaro had the sense of déjà vu, but he knew he hasn't seen anything like this before. Regardless, all all the stonework created a scary image.

Under the head, was similar text to what he found all throughout the ruins and cavern. What really took his eye was a scaled necklace, blue in colour and light reflecting brightly off it despite its age. Kotaro inspected it with great interest and then tied it around his neck

"Nice necklace and all, but I expected something grander. I don't know like a treasure chest briimed with gold and jewels. This thing must be worth a lot if it's the only thing here. At least it looks and feels amazing," Kotaro said. "Ancient power? I can feel something from it. It feels like home for some reason."

Kotaro dusted himself off after he oogled his new necklace. He looked around and saw there was nothing left to investagate.

"Let's see, I left Konoha around five days ago. My team will be back in around two or three days. I should follow suit and get to Konoha. Jiji will send an ANBU search team for me or my body, depending if the old coot thinks I'm dead. This is it for this ruin. I doubt there is anything else of value here. I should just get the hell out of here!" Kotaro said with a huff.

Kotaro just sighed deeply and ran out, hoping to get home as soon as possible.

Konoha

The east end of the academy grounds laid the training dummies and targets for shurikenjutsu. The clouds were darkening as evening rolled in. The grounds were empty apart from one small child exerting his frustrations and worry over a figurine of wood and straw. Light rain dripped from the darkish blueish clouds.

Naruto was punching and kicking the dummy with tight clenched fists, his eyes were sealed shut. He has been pummelling the dummy for twenty minutes. Nobody was around to watch him. They all went home since the academy classes were over and the weather was becoming dreadful.

Naruto stopped and gasped for air. He bent forward slightly and put his hands on his knees. Only then he opened his eyes to see the damage he has caused to his own body. Naruto saw cuts and bruises all over his hands and arms. Looking down at his shins, he saw that he had cut some of his ninja trousers with the dummy. His vision was blurred because he had watery eyes. However, Naruto's eyes were not like this because of the rain.

No, his eyes were watery because of the immense worry that flowed through his body. Naruto never had to worry for anyone before, but now the most important person in his life now could be dead and he would never know.

Just thinking about it made him angry. Naruto punched the dummy hard with a right punch and then quickly did a high left kick aimed at the dummy's head to finish his one-two combo. Naruto scrunched his face as he felt the pain on his ankle, fist and right wrist. He dropped to his rear and started to breathe raggedly. This was his only true break from his barrage of melee attacks on the worn-down dummy.

Naruto looked to his right and saw bits of wood and cloth that were like the ones on the dummy. He then looked up the dummy he was using and saw that he broke off the top with his kick.

The dummy's structure already being weakened by his strikes and kicks. His training has paid off as the dummies were designed to withstand Genin attacks, so academy students could go as powerful as they want and not break them. The top part breaking showed that Naruto was physically stronger than all his classmates, however he wasn't happily thinking about. His mind was blank from the constant worry he has put himself through in the last few hours.

"At least I'm getting stronger… Nobody else could do that," Naruto commented. He then ran his hand and fingers through his soaked hair and flicked off the water.

Naruto sighed as he went to wrap himself in his arms. More bruises were forming on his arms and legs. "My form must have been off…" he said glumly.

He stayed there for another ten minutes before standing up and dusting himself off. Naruto cursed under his breath, he now knew that the bottom of his legs and his rear were wet. Naruto just bit his lower lip and went towards his house. Digging his hands deep into his pockets, he brooded as he walked. Naruto turned left once he left the academy grounds.

"Where do you think you're going mister?" a familiar voice said from behind Naruto's ears.

Naruto was about to turn around to see who was calling him but didn't have the chance. "Owowowowowowow!" he cried out as he felt his ear being pulled hard. Naruto was being dragged away against his own will. He could only hear a womanly snicker, but he couldn't get a good look on his attacker.

Hokage Tower

"Why haven't you send a search team or aid Tou-san?" Asuma asked the Hokage with an angry but controlled voice.

"Because I have faith that Kotaro will come back to us," Hiruzen replied, trying to believe his own words.

"But Hokage-sama, a group comprised of thirty Jōnin and Chūnin and one of them being the Tsuchikage's son are horrible odds. I doubt either Asuma or I could beat them all and come home without some sort of injury," Kakashi said from the wall he was leaning on.

Hiruzen massaged his temples, for the last fifteen minutes, both his son and Kakashi have been berating him to look for Konoha's favourite redhead. It's been nine days since the mission and there has been no sight of the redhead. Naruto has been depressed since he received the news that Kotaro could have died and he has lost all focus on the academy and his own work according to Iruka. The Naras and the Akimichis also have requested to look for him.

Only now has Hiruzen realized how important Kotaro was to Konoha.

Hiruzen stood from his seat and looked out to the village. Dark clouds have been covering the village since Kotaro's team returned from their mission. "If he doesn't come back tonight. I'll send a team to look for him," he said to his two Jōnin.

Asuma and Kakashi both relaxed slightly hearing something was going to be done. They both looked at each other and nodded. "Hokage-sama, one of us would like to lead the mission, if not both," Kakashi stated.

Hiruzen thought about it. "I'll have Kakashi on the mission because his summons can track him down. If he comes up with nothing, I'll let another search party go and Asuma will lead it," he declared.

Both Jōnin smiled slightly at this and bowed respectfully to their leader. They both left after and went down to the bar, across from the Hokage tower. They both ordered sake and brought it over to a booth where both sat. They poured themselves some of the alcohol into the saucers and began to drink it, stressed over their missing friend.

"Do you think Kotaro is still alive?" Kakashi asked, looking glum as he dipped his pinkie into his sake saucer.

Asuma didn't say anything, he took his saucer and had his shot of sake quick. It slid down his throat. "I want him to. I love the guy. It'll be shit around here without him," Asuma replied glumly.

Kakashi closed his lone eye and sighed sadly, "I don't want to lose another friend," He said.

"It's not like Obito or Rin, Kakashi. These are different times. And don't blame yourself for any of this!" Asuma said sternly, knowing of Kakashi's many visits to his past friend's graves and the memorial stone.

"It was though, if I did a better job on our last mission. He wouldn't be targeted right now," Kakashi whispered out, only loud enough for Asuma to hear.

Asuma got a bit mad at Kakashi's tenderness that he's displaying. "Kotaro wouldn't want you like this. He only wanted us to be happy!" Asuma said as nicely as he could, trying to reassure the copy-nin.

"Oi, Asuma and Kakashi. Do you know why Nee-chan is so gloomy? She won't even talk to me. And why do you guys look so dead?" Anko asked as she brought over a bottle of sake and a plate of dango, she then sat beside Asuma.

Asuma and Kakashi gave her strange looks for a second before remembering Kurenai was on Kotaro's team. Asuma spoke up, "Kurenai was on a mission and it didn't go well."

Anko was a little confused and annoyed by the vagueness by Asuma's answer. "Care to elaborate Asuma!" she said in an overly sweet voice.

Kakashi decided to butt in, "On their way back from the Land of Stone, Kurenai's team were ambushed by thirty Iwa Jōnin. They only wanted the leader's head, which was Kotaro," he said with some depression in his voice.

Anko was shocked when she heard this. "Thirty Jōnin? What the hell happened?" she asked loudly.

"Kotaro ordered the team to return home while he stays back and saves them time. He didn't want them to die for him," Asuma said in a solemn voice.

Anko was speechless at this. "Is he crazy! There's no way he could beat thirty Jōnin by himself. Is he trying to go for the glory?" Anko asked, then realizing what she just said was probably one of the stupidest things she has ever done in her life.

Asuma and Kakashi immediately glared at her, staring daggers at her from the jab she put on their most likely dead friend.

"What the hell is your problem!? He sacrificed himself so Kurenai and the others can come home safe and you have the audacity to insult him. He knew they could all die, so he gave his team a chance. Anko just go, you're really pissing me off now!" Asuma blurted out, pouring another saucer. Kakashi would have said something similar but he would just be adding to the fire.

Anko received the message loud and clear and completely understood she crossed the line. She left with her things and left the two men to wallow.

Asuma sighed and rubbed his face, "Did I go too far?" he asked his silver haired friend.

Kakashi shook his head. "I was going to say something similar. I don't think she meant to say that though. She doesn't know Kotaro and how close we are to him. But it doesn't help she's like that with most things," Kakashi said as he put his head down.

Asuma took out a cigarette and lit it with his silver lighter, "I'm not going to apologize to her though. She had it coming. Just hoping now that she won't push us away," Asuma reflected.

"If Kotaro could remove that seal, I'd say we'd have a much nicer Anko," Kakashi said to Asuma.

Asuma and Kakashi stayed at the bar until the end of the day, drinking and eventually getting food. Their faces and bodies sagging and getting heavier as their sadness and worry grew.

The Nara Compound

"Naruto-kun, don't be so sad, Kotaro-kun could be coming home at this very moment," Nara Yoshino said as she pulled out of her hug to the depressed Naruto.

Naruto was dragged back to the Nara compound by Shikamaru's mother after she heard from her son how the blond Uzumaki has been acting since he heard the news of his older brother. Naruto was going to go home and brood after his 'taijutsu training' but was dragged by the ear to her house.

"Hm, but Yoshino-kaasan, it was a group of thirty Jōnin and Chūnin, I'd say Hokage-Jiji would struggle with that!" Naruto replied glumly. His hair covering his eyes as he put his head down.

Shikamaru didn't know what to say as he sat across from his friend and mother. Anything that would come out of his mouth would most likely make Naruto more depressed. He decided to stay silent and leave it up to his troublesome mother.

Yoshino internally squealed when she was referred to the blonde's mother. However, this is not the moment to squeeze Naruto to death. "Maybe Kotaro-kun can handle it. Nobody knows how strong he is, not even you or the Hokage!" She said reassuringly to Naruto.

Naruto just rested his head on Yoshino's chest, and closed his eyes tightly, trying not to cry again. He then mumbled something under his breath. Yoshino didn't hear what he said exactly but she had an idea of what it was about. Yoshino then hugged Naruto in a motherly fashion and kissed his head.

Shikamaru felt awkward, but then suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. He gasped quietly and looked behind him, his neck spinning so fast it could have broken itself. There he saw the scarred face of his father.

Shikaku tugged on his shoulder lightly and went out of the room, motioning his son to follow suit. Shikamaru sighed in relief and followed his father, making sure he was as quiet as possible, not to disturb his mother and his best friend's sensitive embrace.

Shikaku lead his son to the room where they play shogi. He sat at one end and pointed at the other side. Shikamaru obliged and sat down hastily, a total contradiction to his usual actions. The board was already set.

Shikamaru knew this wasn't going to be a serious game, it will be one to put his mind off his friend's despair.

Shikaku got the ball rolling, "How long has Naruto been like that?" he asked his son.

Shikamaru moved his piece and then looked at his father, "Ever since he heard the news from the Hokage. When he came in yesterday to the academy, he was like a completely different person. He barely talked and when he did he was so quiet," he said grimly.

Shikaku just nodded slightly, "I don't blame him. Kotaro was the first real family he has ever met. He also changed Naruto's life in the village and believed in him. Naruto probably thought his older brother was invincible," Shikaku stated in his usual gruff voice.

"Chōji really liked him, they would always debate on different foods and stuff. And I liked him because he wasn't an idiot. He was cool and treated us as equals and he told us all the stories of his missions. It was really exciting to hear about what crazy thing happened next," Shikamaru said in a small smile, reminiscing about the redheaded Jōnin.

Shikaku also smiled, "He made a big impact on you boys in such a short time. He has been so good for the village in the last few months. I'd say if he was older and lived in the village for longer, he would have been a Hokage candidate already," Shikaku deduced.

"Hm, too bad the position of Hokage doesn't interest Kotaro in the slightest. He wants Naruto to be it," Shikamaru truthfully said.

The two Naras played for a while, "Let's hope he comes back to us then. Checkmate!" Shikaku said as he got up and left the room. Shikamaru didn't care that he lost this time, he himself got up and went back to the main room.

Shikamaru saw Naruto sleeping with a soft face in his mother's grip. She was slightly rocking them, keeping him embraced in motherly love. Shikamaru felt saddened by the view, 'Yeah me too Oyaji!' he thought.

Iwagakure

It was a bleak day in the Land of Earth, the hidden village of the Rock had some light rain and dull clouds. Inside the Tsuchikage mansion, at the centre of the village, the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of the twin scales was taking a break from paperwork in his office. He had a slight frown on his face as his wrist had a cramp. 'Damn paperwork!' he thought with a hint of anger. There was a knock on his door just then. "Come in," he said hastily as he sat back down on his chair.

Ōnoki saw his son come in with some assistance, Kitsuchi had a large cast all over his right arm and a large cast going from his left hand to his elbow. Kitsuchi's large nose had a pad coving it and some bandages. Ōnoki was shocked to see his son in such a sorry state. "Kitsuchi!? What the hell happened to you?" he nearly screamed out.

Kitsuchi looked at his father with a frown of his own. "That last mission!" he yelled out.

"That last mission? You mean the assassination on the Uzumaki?" Ōnoki asked with a loud voice.

"Yeah. We ambushed him, but he played us like a fiddle. He killed all my men but left me aside because he didn't want to start a war. But he sure isn't stupid, he broke my arms, wrist and nose. He also said if something like this happens again, he'll make our lives hell!" Kitsuchi said in his short report.

Ōnoki could only growl and grind his teeth at this. "As much as I hate to say this. We did try to kill the bastard with thirty good men and women. It's not like he wanted to kill our people. But… Shit! God, why couldn't he have just been killed. Now the Daimyō is going to cut our funding. It's no good going for him now. We need to perform better for the next few months and years to get more funding and missions. And we'll need to look at the budget again," he siad, laying out his plan.

"Good Idea Tou-san. Anything else before I go home and rest. I want to see Kurotsuchi before I go to sleep," Kitsuchi said tiredly, his body was strained heavily with the broken arms and the journey back home.

Ōnoki took a moment to think before opening his mouth and eyes. "I'll be declaring that Uzumaki an S-rank threat. From your story, it sounded like he wasn't out of breath, yet he took out twenty-nine of our Jōnin. He's a serious threat. If he can, he needs to be eliminated!" he said to his son.

"S-rank! Don't you think that's a bit much!" Kitsuchi said with shock in his voice.

"If I don't do this now, then when? He's probably on one of the Sannin's levels or the traitorous Uchiha or close to it. He could become a threat like that wretched Namikaze. He certainly will get stronger, he's still young. And we don't need any more trouble to do with him!" Ōnoki declared.

Kitsuchi couldn't find any fault in the logic, and it was his twenty-nine squad members that have been killed. Still the last S-rank nin to come from Iwa was a ninja named Deidara. He only got the rank because of the use of his destructive bloodline limit to destroy and kill some of the village's buildings and villagers, escaping on a large clay bird screaming "ART IS A BANG!"

"I don't know Tou-san. But I'm sure you know what's best. Now if you excuse me, I'll be taking my leave," Kitsuchi said with a short bow and left his father to muse by himself.

Ōnoki was annoyed beyond relief. 'Damn Uzumaki! Always causing us trouble. Uzumaki Kotaro, be prepared to be a S-rank threat to the land of Earth,' the Tsuchikage internally thought as he started writing a letter to get the update done for the next bingo book. "Don't worry, Child of Storm, I will have your head."

Konoha

On tenth day since Kotaro's mission, Kakashi was preparing his search team with his ninken (ninja dogs) outside the village gates. He went through the signs and summoned a small pug with the Konoha forehead protector on his head and a blue sleeveless jacket with the symbol of a scarecrow on the back.

"Yo! Kakashi what do you need?" the small pug asked with a bored expression.

"Pakkun, we're searching for our friend, Kotaro. He was ambushed by Iwa ninja in the Land of Stone and we don't know if he survived. Tell the others to prepare when I call you," Kakashi ordered.

"Kotaro!? Fine Kakashi I'll tell them straight away," Pakkun replied and was about to disappear.

"That won't be necessary Pakkun. You would only be wasting your time," A familiar voice said.

Kakashi and Pakkun were spooked by the familiar voice. Then on the path they were on, a tall man with blood red hair, two swords and wearing a black and grey Jōnin flak jacket flashed in front of them.

Pakkun was the first to speak up, "Kotaro? *sniff-sniff* That's really you! Kakashi said you were ambushed," The small dog said.

Kotaro looked at them both with a sour face. "I think it's best if I said this in front the Hokage first. He's worried sick for me I bet!" Kotaro said while tapping his finger on his crossed arms.

Kakashi had a dumbfounded look on his face. 'He's actually here,' he thought. "Yeah… that would be for the best. Pakkun, looks like you aren't needed for today, thank you anyway," Kakashi said with his trademark eye-smile.

"Cool. See ya Kotaro, Kakashi," Pakkun said as he departed in a puff of smoke.

Kakashi had his lone popping out at Kotaro. "Kakashi, something wrong? Your eye will dry out if you keep that up," Kotaro said rather cheerfully.

"How did you escape?" Kakashi asked the redhead, still not believing he was seeing what was in front of his eyes.

Kotaro cocked his head to the side, he put his hands on his hips, sighed and walked to the Hokage's tower. "I'll tell the story when we get to the Hokage. I don't want to repeat myself more than I have to!" Kotaro said with a hint of irritation.

Kakashi just followed the redhead and kept silent. They were walking through the streets then jumped to the roof tops and flew to the Hokage tower. It took a minute or so until they reached the front door. They entered the ever-busy lobby, did the routine wave to the receptionist and climbed the stairs. Kotaro and Kakashi climbed till they reached the top floor, both walked to the Hokage's office and Kakashi knocked on the door. "Enter," the word said in a neutral tone was heard from the two Jōnin.

Kakashi entered first, "Hokage-sama," he said with a quick bow.

The Hokage was confused, he sent Kakashi to go look for Kotaro only twenty minutes ago. "Kakashi, why are you here, did you find Kotaro already?" he asked in a non-believing voice.

Kotaro walked in with his hands behind his head wearing a shit-eating grin. "Actually, I found him!" he said, his grin turning into a soft smile.

The Hokage's face softened and he quickly walked over and gave Kotaro a grandfatherly pat on the shoulder, "I'm so glad you're safe. We were worried sick. We thought you might of..."

"What? Died? Please Jiji it'll take more than them to kill me. Like I said to Kurenai, I have too much to live for to die!" Kotaro said with a cheeky grin.

"Hm, that's true. Asuma, your team, the Naras, Akimichis and especially Naruto will be happy to hear that you're back home!" the old man said with a smile as he was walking back to his desk.

Kotaro took a seat by the desk, Kakashi leaned on the wall near the two. "I'm sure they would be, I'm quite the guy to be around!" he said happily with his eyes closed.

"Now, tell us how you escaped Kotaro, I've been waiting since we've met at the gates," Kakashi injected as his patience was wearing thin.

Kotaro's face turned serious, he bent forward, he rested his chin on his knuckles which his arms were resting on his knees. "I didn't escape," he just stated, not even looking at the copy-nin.

"You mean you battled all of them!?" Kakashi gasped out as he stood away from the wall. The Hokage was also shocked by the statement, he interlaced his fingers and was then waiting for the conversation to continue.

"Yeah I did. It was a hard fight," Kotaro replied while stretching his back and arms. "At times, I didn't think I would make it home," he admitted truthfully.

"What happened? Tell us the full story Kotaro," The Hokage asked.

Kotaro received the message beneath the words. "Well, we were coming home from the Land of Stone and we were having a great time! But then, those sons of bitches of Iwa had to ruin our party and try to kill me. I declared Kurenai as team leader and ordered them home while I stay back and fight," he told the two in front of him. It was the start of the long story.

Hiruzen nodded, "We already know that. Kurenai as written it in her report. Now tell us what happened after!" he demanded softly.

Kotaro just sighed and then proceeded to tell the Hokage and Kakashi how the battle went, killing the Iwa nin one by one, using his swords, hidden blade and jutsu. He also told them about the ground collapsing and all of them falling in. He also told them about the cavern, how he killed the Iwa nin in one full sweep and his little chat with Kitsuchi. He decided to leave out his ruin expedition for the time being.

Hiruzen and Kakashi were stunned. 'What skill!' they both thought. "Wow, I'm impressed Kotaro, we thought by any chance you came home you would have used a distraction and legged it!" Kakashi said a little excitedly, the story was full of action and got his blood pumping.

Hiruzen had to refill his pipe during the story because he was enjoying the action so much he was puffing like chimney. "I'm glad you didn't kill the Tsuchikage's son. Like you said, war could've broken out," he said as he leaned back on his chair.

Kotaro nodded in agreement, "I know. A part of me thought he would have tried to kill me even with those injuries but thankfully he followed my reasoning. That scroll helped me out Jiji! Ninjutsu was his main forte so with the loss of his arms, he would have very little chance to defeat me!" Kotaro said chirpily.

"I think anyone who lost the use of their arms would have little chance in any fight, apart from Gai," Kakashi added.

"Oh yeah, you said he only focuses on taijutsu. I wouldn't like to meet him in a fight," Kotaro said as he inspected his fingernails, picking out some of the dirt.

Hiruzen just stared at the redhead, "You're full of surprises, aren't you Kotaro!" he happily said.

"I'm like a box of chocolates, you don't know what're going to get until you open the box. HAHAHA… Now! If you don't mind, I want to go home and have a shower. I only have an hour before I pick up Naruto from the academy," Kotaro beamed out loudly as he stood up and left the room hastily.

Both the Hokage and Kakashi were a bit wide-eyed from the dramatic exit. "He's unique like the rest of you Jōnin. Alright Kakashi, I'm not counting that as a mission success since you only left for a few minutes. Now get out of my office!" the Hokage ordered.

Kakashi sadly bowed and left the room, thinking how he should have received lots of money for such an easy mission. 'But I did complete it!' he thought with his head hanging down.

Konoha Academy

The hand of the clock was about to go to three o'clock. The academy students in the classroom were waiting patiently for the slow clock to move.

"And that's how chakra changes shape when we do hand seals…" Iruka lectured to the class.

DING! DONG!

"We'll continue our lesson tomorrow! Go home after a good day's work!" Iruka said happily. The school day was pleasant today.

Shikamaru and Chōji stood up from their seats and pulled Naruto out of his. Naruto has been sluggish, and it's been annoying his two best friends. They dragged the blonde Uzumaki through the academy. Because of Naruto's lack of effort, they were the last ones to leave. The trio were walking slowly through the academy grounds.

"What the hell is wrong with you three?" a voice came from behind them. The three spun around to the familiar voice and couldn't believe their eyes. There Kotaro was standing in his usual attire without the flak jacket or his swords. He had a confused look on his face. "Did something happen in the academy today that made you brain-dead or something?" he asked with a raised eye-brow.

Naruto broke out of his daze and started to tear-up, "Nii-chan?" he asked himself rather than state it out.

Kotaro's face softened. "The one and only! Now come here, I haven't seen you in ages!" Kotaro beamed out, he knelt to Naruto's level and opened his arms. Not even a second later he was tackled by his blonde brother and felt his sleeveless jacket get wet. Kotaro strongly wrapped his arms around Naruto. The brothers stayed like that for a while.

"You thought I died huh?" Kotaro asked Naruto. Naruto just nodded his head into Kotaro's chest. Kotaro 's forehead showed a bulging vein. Forcing himself out of the hug, Kotaro then flicked his finger at Naruto's forehead with some chakra enhanced strength making Naruto fly away and tumble into the ground.

"IDIOT! You should have more faith in your Nii-chan. If you going to end up like that every time, you won't have time to be a ninja," Kotaro lectured to Naruto.

"But Nii-chan, it was a group of thirty Jōnin Chūnin, Hokage-Jiji said that the Nidiame died by similar numbers ttebayo. I just thought of the worst!" Naruto shouted out, not liking how the comforting hug turned to a small bruise on his face.

"Ah, it doesn't matter. Now I have to thank you two for taking care for Naruto while I was gone," Kotaro said. He gave a happy smile to Shikamaru and Chōji.

"It's no problem, he's our friend after all," Chōji said.

Shikamaru took his hands out of his shorts. "Yeah, Kaa-san made him stay at our house and made him dinner and forced him to sleep with me in my room," Shikamaru said with a bored expression.

Kotaro just sighed at this. "Now I have to get Yoshino something better than flowers. Troublesome. Alright you boys, how about I treat to ramen or something," Kotaro said out loud as he clapped his hands.

All three boys had a wave of energy wash over their faces. Excitement was oozing out of Naruto, Shikamaru's eyes widened slightly and Chōji leaked some saliva.

'That's disgusting Chōji!' Kotaro thought when he saw the young Akimichi.

"YES! let's go!" Naruto cried out as he grabbed his older brother's hand and dragged him to the ramen stand.

~ 0 ~