Chapter 88 – An Envoy to Amegakure

"Talk"

'Think'

A/N: thank you Albertasteinthe21st Genius, Eltherealest, ReggiePastel and TsukiHotone for your supports.

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei.

Hokage Tower

Shisui was admiring the view of his predecessors at the top of Hokage Tower when Nara Shikaku appeared-

"You called, Hokage-sama?" asked Shikaku.

Shisui turned and spoke "Yes. Care to explain why you suggested we send an envoy to Ame instead of sending teams to hunt Akatsuki?"

"Hait" said Shikaku as he looked into Shisui's eyes "the documents that were retrieved by Jiraiya-sama indicated that large amount of money was channeled into Amegakure. I have researched all reports regarding Akatsuki and one of the earliest note I found said that the Akatsuki planned to kill Hanzō, meaning they could be near or in Amegakure. However, information regarding Ame has been very scarce recently, and what I found more intriguing is that whatever intels we have on Ame tells us one thing, that they are embroiled in civil's war"

"You think the intel is fake?" asked Shisui.

Shikaku stroked his chin for a while before saying "A Hidden Village embroiled in civil war is like a beacon calling for other Hidden Villages to attack, yet none of it ever happened. There are two possibilities; firstly, they are indeed embroiled in civil war. Secondly, one side had won but remained unknown. Personally, I think it's the latter since it fits with Akatsuki's persona"

"If you think Akatsuki is in Amegakure, why do you propose to send envoy there?" asked Shisui.

"For confirmation. I suggested Jiraiya-sama as envoy since he has history with both Hanzō and leaders of Akatsuki" explained Shikaku "If Hanzō remained the Village Head, we can establish relationship with Amegakure. If Akatsuki has taken over Amegakure, we'll receive confirmation thus there will be no need to go hunting for Akatsuki"

…

…

…

"That's a sound reasoning" said a voice. Shikaku and Shisui turned and saw Jiraiya walking towards them "What do you think, Hokage?"

Shisui was quiet for a moment before nodded his head slowly and said "It's very risky. You cannot go alone"

"All missions are risky, Hokage-sama" Jiraiya said seriously "I'll pass Naruto's training to Pa and Ma. They can teach him Senjutsu"

"Senjutsu?" asked Naruto and Noriko simultaneously over dinner "What's that Shisui-ojisan?"

"It's a training how to utilize the energy from the nature around us" answered Shisui.

"Huh?"

"Well, you know that chakra is a combination of physical and spiritual energy, which is the essence to execute any jutsu. Learning senjutsu will allow you to add the third's element, the natural energy into you chakra system, thus giving a boost to your attacks" explained Shisui.

"Like having Kyūbi-san's chakra?" asked Noriko.

"Something like that"

"Why do I need to learn that? Is Noriko joining?" asked Naruto.

Shisui shooked his head "No. You will be taught by Fukasaku-sama, who is Jiraiya's teacher as well as a toad elder"

"So…only a toad summoner can learn senjutsu? That's too bad Noriko" said Naruto.

"It's okay Naruto" said Noriko reassuringly "I'll train my hardest too as I know you will"

"You bet!"

"Something is off" warned Jiraiya as they saw that the gate to Amegakure was closed and appeared deserted.

Jiraiya's warning alerted the Goei Shōtai. Genma scanned his eyes and saw what Jiraiya meant; there should be at least one guard in front of the closed gate to ward off unwanted guests

"So what now, Jiraiya-sama?" asked Iwashi

"We'll walk around-" Jiraiya stopped and looked up, causing the others to look up too. They saw an orange-haired shinobi with purple rippled eyes, wearing black robe with red cloud pattern standing above them.

"Yahiko…" muttered Jiraiya "So Hanzō's dead, huh"

The Goei Shōtai took out their kunais and prepared for an attack when they heard "Shinra Tensei!"

Genma's eyes widened when he felt being pushed backwards suddenly. "S***!" he cursed as he realized that he has lost control of his footing while rolling backwards. Trying to gain some control, he looked back and saw a shinobi with long, orange-haired that was tied in a long ponytail, a pair of purple rippled ayes, a scar on his forehead and wearing the similar black robe waiting for him.

Quickly, Genma turned his body so that his feet landed onto his opponent's torso and kicked him. As he landed, Genma scanned his surrounding and saw that they were surrounded. He located Jiraiya and shunshin to him-

Only to be kicked away by a stocky shinobi who also spotted purple rippled eyes and wearing black robes with red cloud patterns.

Genma fell hard on the ground and felt intense pain on his chest.

'Great, just what I need. A broken rib' thought Genma sarcastically. Then he felt that he was hoisted, he turned and saw Jiraiya who also carried Iwashi and Raidō.

"Listen" said Jiraiya tersely "Tell Hokage that Hanzō is dead and Akatsuki has taken over Amegakure"

"But-"

"No but!" cut in Jiraiya "Our mission is to verify critical information and we've gotten it. Leave now!" before he disappeared and left smoke in his place.

"Kage bunshin" said Raidō quietly.

"The real Jiraiya-sama is fighting that Yahiko person" said Iwashi who looked very-very pale.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" was heard and they saw a large summoning dog and rhinoceros heading their way.

They looked at each other and nodded solemnly; there is no other way but to return to Hokage using Hiraijin.

'Stay alive, Jiraiya-sama'

End Chapter 88

Amegakure no Sato – Hidden Village of Rain

Goei Shōtai – Hokage Guard Platoon

Hiraijin no Jutsu - Flying Thunder Formation Technique

Kage Bunshin no Jutsu – Shadow Clone

Kuchiyose no Jutsu – Summoning Jutsu

Senjutsu – Sage Techniques

Shunshin no Jutsu – Teleportation Jutsu