Tip Of The Spear
Chapter23
Tayuya Uzumaki was not in a good mood at the moment as she returned to her chamber in Orochimaru's current lair. The Snake Sanin seemed to live up to his name as he rarely lived above ground preferring to live underground like his summons. The meeting was not good news and it made her normally stormy disposition worse. The last base had been attacked by an unknown force that worked and fought silently. The lone survivor had said they could use jutsu's without calling the names and a few actually dispensed with hand signs. The worst news was the fact that aside frown one sentry that had managed to survive and make an escape the rest of the complex personnel had perished in the assault. Everyone dead, including her sister Karin.
Orochimaru had carefully schooled his face as he felt a smile stir as he gave her the news. It made his day brighter if he could crush another's spirits at some point in time. True, the girl he'd lost had been a promising subject what with her longevity and ability to produce chakra chains but the look on her older sister's face was almost worth the loss.
He'll have to leak that bit of information to Konoha and it's child Hokage that his clan had lost a member to an unknown group, but that's why he and his confederate had spies and agents in the village to this day, to not only to know what was going on but to pass information to cloud the waters as it were. This would be a good gem to pass on to his spies and loyalists in Konoha. Before dismissing her he gave one last bit of news, she was to head to the southern base at first light giving her no time to grieve for her lost sister.
Meanwhile in the bowels of the mother ship Karin was waking from a medically induced coma. The damage done to her leg as well as her ribs was greater than originally thought. Hinata ordered the ships doctor to prepare the OR for surgery as soon as the raiders returned. Karin was then given a more complete examination and Hinata was shocked at what she found.
In addition to the injuries the Uzumaki girl sustained in combat there were signs of concussion, someone had used her as a speed bag, as well as trauma to her lady bits. Hinata remembered what Karin had said in passing, it looked like whoever had done this had not been gentle. Infection to her reproductive organs had already set in and it would take some of the more powerful drugs to stop it's spread. To insure the drug's effectiveness they were delivered via IV. Karin was also covered for some reason in scars looking too much like bite marks. Hinata vowed to find out why, whoever was playing vampire would pay hell once he was named, she would see to it.
Her combat injuries were the easiest to treat ironically enough. The reason was partly because of they being fresh, expected and not hidden. The other damage was older and had time to heal to the point that nothing on the outside was amiss. Thankfully for the girl her cousin's wife as well as grandmother made sure that everyone brought in for treatment, no matter if it's a clinic, private practice, field aid station or hospital. If they came in and didn't have a medical file they underwent a very detailed exam.
As Karin stirred a person next to her sat up in his chair. Sai had offered to watch over Naruto's kin, his given reason was that she could be interviewed at once but Sasuke and Hinata suspected that the young intelligence officer had taken a fancy to the young lady. Sai had just sat up in his chair and hit the call button to summon a medic when the girl in the bed shot up and gasped a name.
"Tayuya! Oh shit I forgot, I forgot, shit she's going to kill me...eeeek! Who the hell are you?"
I'm Sai, I work for Lord Namekazi and Lord Uzumaki, are you in pain? Is there anything you need?"
"Uhhh, no, just...where are we? It feels like we're on water."
"That would because we are, welcome to the KNS Revenge, I'm Crow, the leader of this operation and I see you've met Sai, he's...very unique. Once you feel stronger I like you to have a talk with him about what you know of the two traitors that rule this land."
"Pleased to meet you," Karin answered Sasuke, "I'm curious, why the code name? From your chakra signature and looks it seems that you're an Uchiha even though you hide your eyes behind dark glass."
"A security precaution, there's not too many of us left and we've information that Orochimaru is a little too interested in my clan. Now, before we leave and let our team medic look you over I'd like to know who this Tayuya that you called out to is, if you don't mind."
Frowning Karin thought about it for a minute before answering, "Tayuya is my sister, she's one of the Snake's bodyguards but not by choice. He told her that she had a choice, serve him or he kills me. She chose my life and threw hers away. To control the Sound Five, his guards, the bastard placed some kind of seal on them. It's very strong only one in ten survive the placement of it."
"Okay, but what does that have to do with your sister?" Sai asked, his smile on he face. While he's gotten better there still was no warmth behind it.
"I can talk to her through the seal," Karin answered, "One night I took a look at it and for some reason instantly understood it's basic workings..."
"You're an Uzumaki, they were the top of all seal smiths and masters of the art. It's practically a bloodline limit, somehow that ability that you have is ingrained into all Uzumaki," Sasuke explained, "Your cousin Naruto learned all aspects in less than two years after he returned from his exile. Now, I'd like to know how this seal is connected to you and your sister."
"Well, that explains my understanding of seals, anyways, I was able to add a communications matrix into it and had her place a matrix on me, just under the hairline on the back of my neck. We can talk to each other using that, I was mad because I forgot to tell her that I was safe. How long was I out for?"
"Three days," Sai answered as he wrote down what she had said, "Tell us, how do you know what an Uchiha's chakra signature feels like?"
"Well, I'm a natural sensor and there was an Uchiha that was around a few times when we were taken in. I heard that there was a fight or something between him and Orochimaru. One of my sister's fellow guards, Kidomaru, said that they were arguing about someone named Sasuke," at this the young Uchiha stiffened slightly, "The Uchiha managed to injure that snake bastard before he got away."
At that point Sai looked to the mission leader. Sasuke was trying his hardest to control his emotions as he returned the look before speaking, "This Uchiha, did anyone mention a name?"
"No, but he always seemed sad for some reason. I remember that he was polite but kept to himself, like I said, he seemed so sad. After that fight he never came back."
"Th...thank you Uzumaki-san, Hinata will be in shortly to check on your injuries. Sai will be your contact since the rest of us have missions to plan and execute. Should you need anything just ask him. As I understand it you wish to inform your sister that you're alive and well?" at this Sasuke paused as Karin nodded, "Very well, inform Sai as to how this seal works and we'll work something out. For now though, good day."
"Thank you Crow, and a good day to you as well Sai," Karin replied as the two genin stood to leave. They nodded to Hinata as she and one of the ship's corpsmen entered the space.
Turning to his partner Sasuke began to speak, "Well? What do you think?"
"She's most likely telling the truth, I could not find any deception. I did however detect lots of worry when we talked about her sister. This may work out for us however."
"What to you mean?"
"Her sister is a guard to the snake, if she's as unhappy as Karin says she is then we may be able to gain more insight to what the traitors are planning."
"Let's talk to Naruto about this, if you think we can gain anything on that bastard then a rescue attempt would be worth it."
"Fine, I'll write up the report, you send it okay?"
"Yeah, use all we have and what we can get from Karin and plan for our last raid on this mission. After this one it's going to be too hot to operate for a while and I want to see how Ami is doing."
Two weeks later saw Naruto talking to his office manager/assistant about their upcoming trip to Suna, "Okay, we have everything ready? Umeko? We do have someone to mind the office correct?" asked the young Hokage.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei is sending a couple of the genin cadets that worked here before I was hired. All appointments for you and Sakura-san have been competed and you're both free of any obligations. I'll meet you and the family at the west gate when it's time to leave," came the reply from his office manager.
One thing nobody ever called Umeko twice was 'secretary'. She was more than that and ran the office with an iron hand. Naruto and Sakura were happy to have her working for them. Umeko had taken the job out of necessity, early into her fourth year in the academy she realized that the shinobi life wasn't for her. She had a younger brother to look after since they had lost their parents to bandits a few years prior.
Iruka had assigned her to work in the Uzumaki's office in the hope that she'd find her place since she was one of the smartest of his female students. He also knew that that was all she was and smart would get you only so far. By placing her into Naruto's employ he hoped that she'd come into her own. She had, and due to Naruto's insistence that she train with him and his wife her physical abilities had increased. Iruka and Naruto thought it was because now there wasn't the pressure on her that she had in school, whatever it was Umeko had blossomed into a very capable kunoichi.
Naruto smiled at her as he asked the last question for the time being, "How's your brother? Excited to be going outside the village?"
"Yeah that and more, I think he's more excited about getting those uniforms. What were you thinking? We can't afford to repay you for those..."
"Umeko," Naruto interrupted, "the uniforms are drawn from the shinobi stores issue, same as yours. He's being taken on an A-5 ranked mission as a member of my children's cell. As such he's to wear the uniform of the day, if he can't afford it out of his pocket then it's to be issued to him from the one responsible for him. Like it or not, you two are still wards of my office, or rather my grandmother's office. As orphans you both are entitled to certain things, a stipend for expenses, subsidies for your housing and food. Clothing is also one of those things, at least mission clothing is, so, you don't have to worry about things like this."
"I know, but my parents always said that they never liked to owe people things, it's the way we were raised."
"I know, we both know how you feel, but this, this isn't charity. What you're given is what you're due as citizens of my, our, village. It's your right to be able to live to a comfortable degree and this office provides for that, no more, no less. Now, let's close up shop and get out of here. Remember, meet at the gate in the morning, uniform of the day."
At that point one of the ANBU on messenger duty appeared, "Naruto-sama, Lady Senju requires you in her office at once."
"Thank you Lynx, I'm on my way. See you later Umeko," with that Naruto turned and began climbing the stairs to the next floor.
Walking into the Hokage office Naruto noted that his grandparents were waiting for him along with Nara Shikaku and his son Shikamaru. Next to them stood the second apprentice to Jiraiya in the spy game Aburame Shino.
His sharp eyes caught sight of the map table covered in photos and a map showing a sector of the ocean to the east of the Land Of Waves with an island in the center. Looking closer he noted the name Isle of The Krait with a second identifier, 'Southern Hideout'.
"What's this?" he asked pointing to the map and photos glancing through the latter.
"The location of your other cousin, Karin's sister. She made contact with Tayuya the other day shortly after coming out of her coma," Tsunade answered.
"Why was I not told? I believe I left orders to do so."
You did but, you're not the leader of the village, not yet. I didn't want you distracted from your mission preparations. You've delayed the Suna trip twice and Rasa is getting more than slightly annoyed."
"Fine, but if you're going to keep me in the dark why tell me now?"
At this Jiraiya smirked, "Because now we need your input. This is the operation brief, Sasuke sent it for you to look at, he and the rest, including the shinobi detachment, refuse to act unless they have you're okay. They said it was because the Revenge would have to leave it's area of operations before you ask."
"Neji's team is where?"
"Here, on standby at Wave's port. Sasuke contacted him and they worked out the plan and sent it here. I know you want to be there since this is what you trained for but your duties to the village lay elsewhere. That said, we need you to look over the plans and brief and see if anything was missed."
Naruto sighed, nodded his head and sat down. For the next two hours he read every word and looked at every picture and map. Neji's team had gone to the island several times to take a look around and find the best places to land a raiding force. The plan was for a squad of shinobi to make a landing at the front of the complex as a diversion and make as much noise and havoc as possible. The main force would land on the leeward side of the island and push into the complex from the rear.
According to the Hyuuga, the island was six hours from Wave using the turbines, by sail it would take nearly 18 to get reinforcements and a messenger hawk would take at least two and a half days to fly to Sound with the news of an attack. The raid would have two DRACO squads and close to ten shinobi units for support including the mortar section. That was one of the things that Neji took into consideration and had that squad's leader accompany him on one of the recon missions.
Naruto smiled, strong points, guard posts and choke points had been preregistered for fire missions, the locations of every access point noted and Tayuya had been kept up to date by her sister. The promise of getting her curse mark removed was all the motivation she needed to prepare. She was the only member of the Sound Five there and according to what Karin told Sai, she'd do all she could to aid her rescuers with her techniques. Sai also mentioned that both girls had either sworn fealty to Konohagakure and Naruto or were willing to once the raid was over.
Looking up from the map desk his trademark grin split his face, "Looks good, tell the operational commanders that they have my blessing. Pass on that I look forward to meeting my cousins. Grandmother, remember my instructions, they're to be taken to T&I upon arrival for debrief and vetting. They are to presumed hostile until proven otherwise but make them comfortable. They turn out to be still working for the Snake or Mummy kill them without thought. Now, if there's nothing else Sakura is waiting for me at the market place," with that Naruto stood and left the tower smiling at the thought of lunch with his wife.
Temari of the Sand sat in front of her dressing table and stared into the mirror and sighed. In a few days she was to see the Uzumaki couple once more, the first time since their initial meeting in Konoha when she was sent as a sacrifice, a hostage to marry into one of the Leaf's clans to serve as a guarantee for peace between the two villages. That...didn't happen to her however, Lady Chiyo, Granny Chiyo to the Kazekage's children, had reunited with her first love and had become the second wife of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
She smiled at that now but at first it was confusing and a little disturbing to see two people in their sixties act like teens in love. After a long talk with the older woman Temari began to understand that love doesn't have to be confined to a specific village. Love, she found out, can be found anywhere. And that's what's been on her mind, after one meeting with Naruto Uzumaki she felt a strong pull towards him. The fact that he's already married and has a wife with her own fearsome temper never entered her thoughts. If anything Sakura-san would be a good mentor on how to please the Uzumaki clan leader.
As she continued to think her thoughts were broken by her younger brother, the middle child, Kankuro, "Ya know, you've changed ever since that trip to see the tree huggers. You never worried about your looks before, so what's up sis?"
"Naruto is going to be here in a few days, I'm afraid that he'll find me unattractive," she answered back as she continued to stare at the mirror.
"Hmmph, I doubt that. How many guys turn their heads when you walk by in the market place huh? Plenty and that's after you've been training and your makeup has been sweated off. No matter what you do sis, this Naruto will be all yours," Kankuro told his sister to bolster her confidence.
Kankuro wasn't lying, she knew that she was a very attractive young woman and had no problem finding dates for important events and had had more than a few suitors from highly placed clans and families. No, that wasn't what was worrying her, what was worrying her was how Sakura-san was going to react when she asked for some alone time with the young Uzumaki. The political marriage between her and one of the clans in Konohagakure was still on the table so she made a decision out of the two heirs she met that day Naruto intrigued her. The Nara heir seemed just as lazy as she'd heard about so unless she was to somehow spend large amounts of time with him Shikamaru wasn't her choice.
"Kankuro, am I too bossy? I mean do I act like a spoiled princess all the time? Naruto seems to have little tolerance for girls that behave that way and I've heard people talk that way about me in the market so I really wan..."
"No, you're not a spoiled princess," Kankuro said as he hugged his sister, "You're the Kazekage's daughter and at times have to act that role. You're not bossy, you're confident and pretty and if anything you know how to act as a future head of state. Face it, since you were eight you've had to play the role of the village's first lady, something our mother had done before she passed. You've done as good a job as her from what I've heard. Father has a difficult role to play but you have to be the 'Gentle Mistress', our kind face to father's iron image.
Temari, you're also very patient and gentle, I couldn't act the way you do with Gaara but you show our little brother the love that others refuse. Our little brother scares the hell out of me but you're able to show him enough love that he's calm around you. Under that tough girl persona is a kind and loving young lady. If the Uzumaki doesn't see that then he doesn't need you."
"It's not Naruto I'm worried about, it's his wife," Temari told her brother who in turn raised an eyebrow, "See, according to both Konoha and Uzu laws, should a person already be married and request to be placed into the Clan Restoration Program or Act, depending on what your values are, the first wife must agree and approve of any possible future wives. The program is strictly voluntary according to what Sakura-san told me. No one, not the Hokage, Fire Lord or council, can order a citizen into the program. Sure, their old council did all they could to intimidate outstanding ninja into it but in doing so they broke several laws that when all was revealed led to their downfall.
Kankuro, although I like to think that Sakura and I are or could be good friends, I'm afraid. It's not just Naruto and Sakura, they adopted three orphans last year and while those kids are in the academy according to them those three are very much their own. Not only that, Sakura and Naruto are very close, very much in love and she's very protective of him, suppose that she rejects me as a possible second wife?"
"Then you find someone that does accept and loves you. Don't forget, you're Temari, the Flower of the Desert. Besides, if you two are exchanging letters then someone is giving the okay, now come, dinners waiting."
As Temari made her way to dinner with her brother Sakura sat in front of her vanity and stared. She was still short, that she knew would never change but her face was still round with baby fat. While she was fit there were places on her body that would continue to have some extra weight until she hit her last growth spurt in another year or so. Knowing that didn't make her feel any better, her face was still round not 'elfin' shaped that had made her both 'unique and exotic' as her fellow Squadron members, would say.
By the time she hit her late teens Sakura's face had taken it's final form, the roundness was gone as her baby fat melted away. Her face was slightly angular with a small, Naruto would call it pert, petite nose with almond shaped emerald green eyes. She had filled out nicely with the rest of her body by then as well but now she was in her fifteen year old version of herself and felt like she was back at square one. Of course Naruto thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world but he was an idiot when it came to her.
Speaking of which the young lady's husband chose that time to walk into their room, "What ya doing Sakura-chan? You've been staring at that mirror for the last half hour."
"Thinking, Naruto, I want you to be honest with me, am I still pretty to you?"
"No, prettier and you get prettier everyday, why? Is everything okay? I mean is everything okay with us?" he asked beginning to panic. If he lost Sakura-chan he may as well lay down and die she was that important to him.
"Everything is fine silly," she replied as she placed a kiss on his forehead, "I'm just worried that Temari is going to out shine me is all."
"Don't be, you're your own star and your light has kept me from darkness ever since we met. Look, I admit that I'm attracted to Temari but until she becomes a friend to you..."
"Oh no you don't Namekazi," Sakura began, "I'm not going to be 'bait' for you and keep the desert princess happy until you've decided that we've bonded. You are going to take her to dinner, NO RAMEN, and treat her like you treat me. Outside of the Kinzoku girls, Ino or Umeko there's really no girl in the village that's good enough for you so that leaves Temari. Now, hurry up and undress me we may get lucky this time around."
Grinning his foxy grin Naruto began to disrobe his wife like a child unwrapping a gift. That's to say Sakura's clothes were in tatters and in a pile when he was done. After that the young couple spent the rest of the day and into the night making love. It was an opportunity that was best to take advantage of especially if Sakura's calculations and chakra scan were on the money.
The next morning found the Uzumaki family, yes the kids too, Hiruzen and Chiyo, Jiraiya along with Shikamaru, Ino and Choji with Hanabi, Umeko and her brother rounding out the group. Naruto insisted on traveling in uniform and was looking everyone over. Sakura and Moegi were going through everyone's packup and comparing them to the list of equipment that was mandatory to bring. Of course Ino was arguing over every item that was not on the list claiming the extra clothing were essential. Sakura just chucked two thirds of Ino's 'essential' items to one side where a smiling Inoichi was placing them into a storage scroll to take home.
Satisfied that there was now room in Ino's pack Sakura had Moegi and Hanibi escort the Yamanaka diva to the market place and ensure Ino buy herself enough food, water and ninja equipment to last the six weeks allotted for the mission. Ino had no choice but do as Sakura asked because she knew that Moegi was just like her adopted mother, stubborn and focused on the mission. Hanabi would just as soon gentle fist Ino as to look at her since the older heiress chose this day to start acting like a princess again.
An hour later a sulking Ino rejoined the group with a pair of younger girls grinning like satisfied cats. Looking at his girlfriend Shikamaru just muttered "Troublesome," before the party filtered out of the village and into the surrounding woods.
Stopping just before sundown in a clearing Naruto ordered camp be set up as he made a few clones to supervise the genin and academy students in setting up traps and warning lines. This deep in Hi No Kuni was reasonably safe from missing or rouge ninja or bandits but there was no reason to not get in the habit of planning for the worst. As far as Naruto and Sakura were concerned the trip to and from Suna was a good reason for training in field craft and patrolling. As it stood Naruto had set a watch schedule for sentries and paired the genin up with one of the academy students. It would give the older ninjas a chance to teach a student and the kids would get a taste of how boring actual missions really are.
Shikamaru was to everyone's surprise wide awake during his watch and had actually shown Udon how to move in the forest without making noise. As they were standing the last watch Udon was shown the proper way of waking Ino while Udon demonstrated how to wake his parents up without getting yourself killed. Both Uzumakis slept with their pistols close at hand and to wake them one had to grab the feet of the sleeping nins. Udon used a long stick and poked Naruto's foot with it while tossing a pebble at Sakura's exposed right leg. As the two now awake ninjas began to get ready for the day the boy walked off with a self satisfied smile on his face, this day was starting off very well he thought, it wasn't often that someone could get the drop on his folks.
Another day of traveling through the tree tops and the group found themselves at Tanzuka Town. They way it was told to Naruto and Sakura, Tanzuka Town was a combination of Las Vegas, the Amsterdam Red Light District and Disneyland all rolled into one place. Why Disneyland? Because Naruto said it was because the place had a castle. It took forty-five minutes to get him out of the wall for that one, it also cost Sakura 5000 ryu for a D rank mission for the academy students to repair the damage. Sakura and Tsunade it seemed were the biggest employers of D ranks next to Tora the Cat's owners since Hiruzen had put his foot down after Jiraiya had been sent into the wall of his favorite restaurant while on a date with Lady Chiyo.
As the group walked down the main street Naruto kept a tight hold on his wife as Sakura was getting more pissed off by the minute by Jiraiya's whining of how unfair he was being treated. The reason was that he was forbidden by Tsunade and Sakura from entering any bar and cathouse the man passed. He wasn't on a trip to monitor his 'trade routes' as his spy network was called so there was no need to go into those places. Tsunade understood that her husband owned over half of properties of an adult nature and had several mistresses overseeing them. He was allowed to have them as it was mission essential and he loved only Tsunade, but since he wasn't there this time to act as spymaster he didn't need to enter any of them.
The group traveled the main road for another five minutes before Jiraiya stopped in front of one of the many bars in the town, "Look, I know that Tsunade forbade me from these places but I'll need to check in this place later on tonight."
"Why? Obasama was very clear about your activities and restrictions, so what's so important about this place?" Sakura asked.
Before he could answer Naruto spoke up, "A toad statue with a red belly, it's a signal that you're needed to collect something, am I right Ero-jijii?"
"You could at least address me by grandfather once in a while but yeah, you're right. The manager needs to speak to me, don't ask me how my contacts know when I'm passing by. Once I set the network up it took on a life of it's own, for all I know one of the cells set up another in the village itself and let the others know of my coming and goings. Let's get checked in and then Naruto, Moegi and Udon will come with me, makes it seem that I'm out with my family or something like that."
"Naruto is fine but why do you have to involve the kids?" Sakura asked in a concerned voice another mother would know.
"Because, they're officer cadets in our forces, this is something that they'll have to learn at some point. Like it or not Sakura, unlike you and my grandson the kids that enter the academy stopped being children the day they started. It's just how this world works, I've read some of the history books you two have provided me, it was only in the last two hundred years that where you lived let children be kids until they were 17 or 18 years old. That's a luxury no village can afford, at 12 for shinobi and 16 for civilians you're considered an adult."
"But that's the point," Sakura argued, "They're only ten and still in the academy. I just wanted to keep them innocent a little longer."
"Sakura, this is the life we chose, if you felt that strongly we could have had Kurama transfer us permanently to where we were," Naruto told his wife in a near whisper.
Hearing that made Sakura place her hand on his cheek, "And take away your dreams? Baka, I'm your wife, what makes you happy makes me happy. Just as you try to protect my smile I try to protect your dreams. No, staying there was never an option for us, this land and Konoha is where our fortunes lay, nowhere else. I just wish the children could stay children a little longer is all, just a little longer."
"I know, look, I'll talk this over with the old per...grandfather about not taking the kids after we check in. That's the best I can promise right now," turning to his grandfather Naruto began speaking to him, "Okay grandfather, how much further is this place we're staying at. I'm sure everyone's as tired and hungry as I am."
"Not too far, in fact it's riiiiight...here!" the man replied pointing to a nondescript walkway leading into a shaded path.
Another few minutes and the group was standing in the lobby of a very luxurious resort inn complete with hot spring fed baths and a spa for the girls. Ino was nearly drooling at the time she was going to have the next day as Sakura rolled her eyes at her friends actions. Looking over to the others she saw a worried look on Umeko's face and excitement etched on Moegi and Hanabi's.
Approaching her aid Sakura called out to her, "Umeko? Are you alright? You look...I don't know, worried?"
It's fine Sakura-san, it's just that this is so expensive and I'm not sure if we can affo..."
"Stop right there, we told you that all the expenses are taken care of, including the spa. Relax, think of this as a working vacation and if anyone deserves one it's you. Just stick with me and don't worry about the Pig over there, she's that lazy Nara's problem now," Sakura told her with a hint of mischief in her eyes.
As this was going on a tall man with sandy blond hair and blueish grey eyes stepped out of an office and made his way to Jiraiya and Naruto, "Is this him?" came the taciturn query.
"It is," Jiraiya replied as the man continued to look Naruto over one last time.
"He looks just like my nephew with a bit of that short tempered Uzumaki girl the boy took up with," the man said as Naruto frowned at what was said about his mother, "I see he has some of her temper as well. Don't give me that look boy, Kushina was an honored member of our clan although it was never officially mentioned. She learned our ways very quickly and gained our trust and acceptance, the question is can you do the same?"
Although Naruto was only five foot six at the time he still managed to stand taller and looked his presumed uncle in the eye, "You may be my elder and from what I gather uncle of a sort but that gives you no right to talk down to me like you have. Any other man would have been introduce to my fists and the ground by now. Consider yourself lucky that you and I are family."
At that the man threw his head back and bellowed a great laugh, "He's Kushina-chan's son alright! So, young Naruto, I'm sure you and your friends are wondering who I am, yeah? I'm Namikaze Mako, your great uncle, I'm also this pervert's favorite younger brother."
"You're my only brother Mako and I'm not a pervert, I'm a super pervert! Now, allow me to introduce the others, you know Hiruzen-sensie of course, this is his new wife Chiyo of Suna. The girl with the pink hair is your niece Sakura, Naruto's wife, these three," at that Jiraiya had moved to the younger kids, placing his hands on the boys shoulders with Moegi in the middle as always, "are Naruto and Sakura's children."
"Children?" Mako asked shocked that a couple so young wou ld take on a responsibility for one let alone three orphans.
"Yes, it seems that they were a package deal. All three lost their parents in service to the village. Anyway, this is Sarutobi-Uzumaki Konohamaru, Uzumaki Udon and Uzumaki Moegi. Uhh, Udon and Moegi have a rather special relationship, they're under a marriage contract meant to bring their families closer but they're sadly the last of their lines. Having said that these two will marry once their primary training concludes. The same with Konohamaru and this young lady, Hyuga Hanabi, youngest daughter of the clan leader. Another contract to mend fences between the Hyuga and Sarutobi clans but now ours as we and the Uzumaki are involved. Naruto has a vision to unite the clans in the village as well as Konoha and Suna through family ties."
"That's an eye opener and an inspired vision, but, even in our clan marriage is not even considered until the age of sixteen. Is the village's population still hurting from the foxes rampage? We had heard that there were no elite genin passed in the last two years and the absence of them in the field seems to confirm it."
"No, in fact the academy has been revamped and all in Naruto's class and 98% of the following class all passed their exit exam. Naruto will tell you more as it was his and Sakura's program. Anyway, over there are Yamanaka Ino the heiress to her clan and Nara Shikamaru son of the Nara leader. Next to them is Akimichi Choji another clan heir as well."
"Now, this young lady is a very special person and one I and Tsunade see as a second grandchild," at that Umeko blushed, she knew that the Regent and her husband cared for her but not to the extent that Jiraiya was indicating, "This is Naruto and Sakura-chan's assistant Umeko and her brother Eiji. Without Umeko it's doubtful that anything would get done in that office except for som..." Jiraiya's words died off as he caught the look Sakura sent him, no doubt reminding him that a world of pain awaited if he said a word about what she and Naruto were up to on that particular day.
"Well, anyway Umeko is very important to the family as well as the village."
"I see, then welcome everyone let me show you to your rooms. So one for each couple then?"
Sakura shook her head, "No, one for me and Naruto, one for Ino and Shika, the same for Hiruzen and Lady Chiyo as well as Umeko and Eiji. Hanabi and Moegi will share a room as well as Kono and Udon," at that Moegi whispered into her mother's ear with a little red coloring her cheeks, "Can you make those adjoining rooms? Our three have gone through a lot and tend to stay as close as possible, it's no trouble at home but in a place like this Moegi has no way to get to the boys quickly."
"Of course, as a matter of fact, the top floor is all yours. Wait, before you protest it's permanently reserved for family and clan members. I just ask that you stay as close as you can to each other. The caravan that's to take you to Suna will be here in the morning and those of us that still ply the trade routes are...shall we say a little more serious than they should be when they're around new people," Mako explained.
"Sure, that's not a problem, we'll take the rooms over looking the hot sprin...ackkk!" Jiraiya began before he was cut off by his granddaughter grabbing his throat.
"Uncle Mako, ignore the perv, we'll take the rooms overlooking the gardens. What time is the evening meal? We've not eaten since this morning and the kids," GROWLLL! "and Naruto seem to be a little hungry."
Mako was still laughing at how his big brother was being choked out by such a small girl, even the other girls that were younger than her had at least an inch on her in terms of height but this young lady seemed to fill the room with her presence, "Dinner is in a couple of hours, it's traditional fare and based on what the cook felt like making this evening. Do you mind telling me how you can control him so easily? Mother could never keep him under control and you do it like it was second nature."
"Simple, for all the abuse I and Tsunade heap on him we make sure that he knows our love outweighs the negative feelings he can bring out in a person, isn't that right Pervy-grandpa?
"Sakura, for as much as you say you love me I still end up getting bruised and abused. Just once would it be too hard to give me the respect my position in the village and family entitles me to?"
"I...I suppose that we could give you a little more respect but you tend to forget that while grandmother was against it we were more than happy that you wanted to use us in your last book. If I recall it's your highest regarded seller so I figure that we're allowed a little informality, unless you don't want to do a sequel," the girl purred into her grandfather's ear.
Seeing the look on his brothers face made Mako laugh one more time before calling for some of the staff to show everyone to their rooms and help them get settled. As they began to relax and change out of their travel clothing Naruto held his wife tightly as they stood on their balcony overlooking the inn's garden. Unlike many that followed the principles of Zen this was more like the ones they grew up seeing in Southern California as well as other places in the world.
Quite simply put it was like a green wonderland and Naruto couldn't wait to explore it but for now it would have to wait. Duty, in the form of meeting Jiraiya's contact, was calling and he pulled in his wife for one last deep kiss. As they broke apart he softly spoke to her, "I've made a decision that the old perv isn't going to like."
"Oh? And what's that?"
"The kids are staying here, no need for them to grow up too fast. Hell, they're already doing that, just when did Moegi start getting boobs anyway? I don't recall saying it was okay for her to have them."
Sakura giggled at Naruto's remark before she added fuel for the fire, "A few months ago but I never did tell you what aunt Ren told me did I?" seeing Naruto shake his head 'no' she continued, "Well, a couple of weeks ago she walked into Kono's room to check if he and the others had picked up their rooms and the study thinking that the kids were in the dojo practicing. Well, she opened his door and saw him and Hanabi in a very heavy make out session, if I recall she said that the girl's skirt was up and her panties were down. They were so into each other that they never noticed her enter or leave."
"Hanabi? But she's so quiet and polite. Are you sure that Kono didn't force himself on her?" Naruto asked in a serious tone.
"No, aunt Ren said it was very mutual, the girl was giving as good as she got. And must I remind you about quiet and polite girls? Look what happened with Maria in our old home. I seem to remember her being very polite and quiet in the common areas of the house but how many times did I have to remind you to use a silencing jutsu when you two were alone?"
At the mention of Naruto's second love a faraway look crossed his eyes, "How could I forget? Say, tell me, did you and her ever...you know. I mean she made it no secret that she was just as hot for you as she was for me. Too bad we couldn't have taken her with us. It would've made this whole CRA situation easier to deal with."
Sakura smiled as her eyes had a glint that Naruto rarely saw as she answered his questions, "Well, first off, I'm not going to tell you. Aside from that threesome we all had that one time, that's a secret between me and her. Second, she made her feelings known to me, had I not gone into the Navy I think something serious would have happened between us. And last, I agree, it would've been nice to have her with us but she would've arrived as an adult and to see us as we really were would've freaked her out."
Sakura leaned in for a kiss only to sigh as a knocking came from their door, "Your grandfather is here it seems, better take care of this spy business and get back to me fast, my motor is running."
"I will, enjoy the spa and hot spring, I don't know how long this is going to take. I love you," Naruto told her as he snatched one last kiss before patting her tight and shapely butt on the way out.
Ten minutes later Naruto and a not so happy Jiraiya arrived at the Velvet Lady, a 'gentleman's club' of dubious reputation. To Naruto it was, for lack of a better word, a dive with scantily clad young women serving drinks and performing 'table dances' for individual men, though how they were able to see a dance under their tables was confusing. Judging by the smiles however the girls were doing an excellent job.
As the entered they were met by a woman that was anywhere between 22 and 60, she was one of those that hid their age well and looked far younger than she actually was. Naruto had seen ladies like that while in the Navy. His fellow Sailors had a name for women like this, Dragon Ladies. Naruto had met a few but this one had them all beat, he could feel the high chakra level in her as well as see the way she carried herself. There was no mistake, this Dragon had been or still was a high level kunoichi and therefore very dangerous.
"Ahh, Ama-chan! Long time no see, did you miss me?" Jiraiya asked the woman whose face seemed to light up at his words.
"Always my love, why shouldn't a wife miss her husband?" the woman now known as Ama replied as she took the old perv into a tight hug.
What the woman had said about missing her husband would've shocked an average man, fortunately Naruto was far from average. He knew of his grandfather's other 'wives' and mistresses but he never heard their names mentioned let alone think he'd be meeting one this early in his life. As he watched Ama turned her eyes on him,
"Who's the brat?" she asked trying to get a rise out of the teen.
"Not here, inside the office," came the reply before Jiraiya shouted out, "Kari-chan! A bottle of our best sake and four cups please. After it's delivered see that we're not disturbed."
"Hai Jijii-san, give me a minute," the girl Naruto pegged as a couple years older than him replied. At her answer to Jiraiya Naruto was now officially confused. This Kari it seemed was his cousin in some way, well, he'll find out soon enough.
Once the trio were safe in a secure room deep in the back of the club and the sake was delivered Jiraiya relaxed a bit. Smiling at Naruto he began to explain things, "Well, I'm not going to keep you in the dark, Naruto, this is your, I guess step-grandmother Ama. Ama and I have been married for over thirty years. I needed a cover when I started the network and she was a very loyal kunoichi of the leaf, still is. She's also the only one your grandmother has met and approves of."
At that Ama snorted, "Don't listen to him, Tsunade and I grew up together and she's one of my best friends. I still can't believe that she finally let him marry her. Even I could see that he was still in love with her even after we tied the knot," the woman told Naruto with a voice loaded with happiness before slapping Jiraiya on the arm, "And you, the father and grandfather of two Hokages and married to the Hokage Regent, that's a feat right there considering that you never wanted the job."
Naruto looked up at that, "What do you mean he never wanted the job? I heard that he was on the short list for Hokage had I not returned."
Ama began to lightly laugh, somehow that laugh put the teen at ease. It was to Naruto a laugh that belonged to a girl Moegi's age, not someone that was old enough to, actually was to some degree, his grandmother, and while girlish it wasn't forced or false like so many he had heard in the village by the daughters of those that wanted to marry into his clan for the wrong reasons,
"Well, what can I say about the old perv," Ama began, "for one thing Jiraiya is a free spirit and only his love for you and Tsunade caused him to finally settle down but...he's not cut out for leading a village. Running missions, the network, assuming field command? He's your man, but sit at a desk? Especially in the spring and summer when the hot springs are full of women of all types, no, his mind and heart wouldn't be in it."
Pausing, Ama looked right into Naruto's eyes, to him it felt as if she were peering into his heart, "Now you, not only do you have traits of both your father and mother but you've been raised and trained to lead and command. Oh yes, I know of the Fox's actions and I commend him for doing what he did. I never once believed that he would willingly attack and destroy the village, that's not who he is."
At that Naruto looked into returned Ama's stare, "And how would you know who he is? Why would you think it wasn't his fault for attacking the village after escaping Kushina's body?"
"Because I know, he gave his word to my clan when he returned a lost and scared little girl. He vowed to protect us and any village we joined. Uchiha Madara, when he joined with Senju Harishima wasn't happy tha this clan threw their support to his friend so he began to plot. In the end he was the downfall of our village's protector and the reason of the foxes imprisonment. Now we know that he's gone but there's others out there that want to see the village burn and your head on a pike. Danzo and Orochimaru are planning something, that much we're sure of but what it is has been clouded. Now, however we have some kind of lead."
Naruto was shocked, sure he'd heard about this lots of times from his grandparents and Hiruzen but to hear it from a stranger made the threat of Danzo even more real, "How...how do you know all of this? How do you know of the Fox's pledge and his betrayal? How do you know about what the traitors are planning?"
"Boy, I've been in the spy game before I even left the village. I was one of Konoha's top Black Widows and I know things about the old leadership and village as a whole that would curl your toes," she said with another laugh. Her use of the old term for a Kunoichi that specialized in seducing her marks before killing them brought a realization to the teen, his step-grandmother was more than just a madam in a brothel.
"So it seems", Naruto replied with a neutral face, he'd let out more than he liked about himself, "So Ama-baa-chan, what's the important news you have for us?"
"Well, Kari had an interesting and very talkative client the other night, it's better for her to tell you, Kari-chan?"
"Hai Oba-san, well cousin, what do you know about the recent raids on bases and outposts that belong to Sound?"
Looking towards his grandfather he saw the old man nod his head, "The raids were ordered by my office as the Daimeyo of Wave in retaliation for actions against an ally of my country. Teams are sent out to look for their bases or outposts and then a raid is planned and executed. Once complete the site is combed for anything of intelligence value and any prisoners are taken to a safe location for interrogation,why?"
"Because on one of their raids they missed one, my client. He was returning from a nearby village just as the raid on his base was finishing up. Tell me, do your men wear anything to associate them with Konoha?"
"No, it's known that Sound takes in missing and displaced ninja so we have some teams wear headbands from Iwa, Kumo and to a lesser degree Mizu for the most part. The rest that are acting as guides and cheap muscle wear head bands with a pirate motif, a skull and crossbones wearing a straw hat."
Jiraiya looked at his grandson before palming his face, "Does she know or did you just go behind her back on that one?"
"Oh, Sakura knows, she hates the design but understands the need to use misdirection and misinformation. Since there's no pirate or bandit group that use that symbol in this world it's safe to assume that there's no one that would ask embarrassing questions."
Turning his eyes back to Kari, "Back to your client, you say he fled before he was noticed? Who did he talk to? Where did he go after he got away?"
"He told me he came straight to this town, he's afraid, very afraid. He fled Iwa after he was passed over for promotion to jonin by a jealous superior. Sound, he said, gave him that ranking but he was always looking over his shoulder. When he saw the Iwa headbands he thought that they were coming for him. He's said enough to warrant a visit and interview with Ibiki-san but he's fearful of what Konoha would do to him since until now he was a Sound ninja."
"Hmmm, all we've caught are genin and low level chunin so far and the force has been pulled out for another mission. You say he seems to have info we could use?"
"Yes, I also believe that he'll talk if he were to be properly induced to do so. Look, the guy isn't as bad as most of the ones Sound takes in, he's, believe it or not, polite and very gentle not only with me but the other girls as well. We all like him, he's actually protected us from time to time. One night one of the girls began to yell for help because her customer began to get really rough, why do guys think that just because they can pay a girl to sleep with them they can act out their stupid rape fantasy with out telling or asking us if we're cool with it?
"Anyway, my client kicked the door in and took care of the problem. He's a victim of his circumstances, so, can either of you do something nice for him?"
"Do something...nice, for a jonin in Oto's forces that actually defected from Iwa because he was passed over for promotion. That's all you're asking us to do?" Naruto asked not believing what he's hearing.
"Kari-chan," Jiraiya began in a worried tone, "we can't just give him amnesty to get him to spill all he knows. The shinobi council would shit kittens if they found out and knowing them they would. The best we can do is have a team pick him up, escort him to Konoha and talk to Ibiki and one of the Yamanakas. Only then would he be given a new start and an option to join our forces but he'd be watched and on probation for at least a year."
"How about I give you this bit of information he told me? What do you know about the Village Hidden in the Sky?" the girl asked.
"Sora? What about it? It's an old legend, a fairy tale. You expect us to believe that they had the ability to fly..." Jiraiya's eyes went wide as his voice trailed off. The implications of what the ruins of that village held to get Orochimaru and Danzo's notice was too dangerous and disturbing.
Naruto looked at his family members, "What about Sora? What's this about them having the capability of flight?"
"Sora is said to have created machines that were capable of powered flight but that was before the warring states era a couple hundred years ago. It's a fairy tale that has no merit but something must have happened to attract my old teammate's attention."
"So jijii you interested now?" Kari said with a smile.
"Fine, but not right now. We need to get back to the inn, it;s almost dinner and Mako will not hold it for me or Naruto. We'll be here another day or two so we'll talk then. I'll have Sakura and the kids tag along so they can meet this side of the family. Kari-chan? Keep your friend happy and comfortable, you can tell him that the village will consider giving him sanctuary as long as he's not wanted for crimes against civilians and not listed above B rank in the bingo books. His defection from Iwa won't count against him okay?"
"Hai grandfather, he's at the east safe house, the Tiger clan is caring for him, the girl he saved was the niece of their Oyabun. She's paying off her gambling debts, I swear she has worse luck than Tsunade-oba-chan," at hearing the name for his grandmother Naruto grinned, "The only reason she just doesn't pay it off with her clan's funds is that she likes the sex more than the card and dice tables."
"I see, in the morning then, say around eleven. Oh, Ama-chan, there will be a team from Konoha dispatched to install some new equipment and a specialist or two to train you and Kari on how to use it. It'll make it easier to send messages back and forth and it's completely secure and faster than using a toad. In fact the toads like it because their messengers aren't being worked to death during a crisis. In fact their more like our back up plan now so expect a visit in a week or two. I'll be back tonight so don't plan on working late," the old Sage said to his second, or was it first?, wife kissing her before he left with Naruto in tow.
On the way back Naruto spoke up, "What's so scary about this Sora village if it's been dead for so long anyway?"
"How's the recovery effort going in the ruins of Uzu? Your clansmen find anything of interest yet?" Jiraiya answered as if he was changing the subject. Knowing that he won't answer his question until his own was dealt with Naruto sighed in resignation before something clicked,
"As a matter of fact the jutsu library was found intact. It surprised us that the village wasn't as damaged or ruined as everyone thought, why ask?"
"Think about it brat, a research and reclamation team is sent to a ruined and devastated village finds their library of powerful techniques, research papers of others that were in development as well as history. Granted it's their people's by right but Uzu was all but wiped out almost forty years ago. Now, Sora was defeated almost two hundred and her people scattered and dispersed in a wider area but what if a group of their descendants gathered together and decided to see if there's anything of theirs left in their old home."
"They'd use what they were told as bedtime stories by their elders that did that as a way of preserving their heritage. If they were to return they'd know almost exactly where to look for anything of use and if any of that technology is still salvageable then it could cause a lot of problems for the rest of the continent," Naruto answered.
"Exactly, and Sora was said to have discovered powered flight and had huge machines that were essentially flying cities. If Danzo or Orochimaru ever got their hands on anything of value in those ruins Konoha would be in trouble. So much that I would be begging you to bring more items from your old world to counter them, including your flying machines. I'm sure that at least Sakura would be happy to fly again though," Jiraiya finished with a smile. By then they had arrived at the inn and sat down with the group as dinner began being served.
"So, you learn anything good or was it just a ploy for Jiraiya-sama to get some of his research done?" Ino asked in a joking tone.
Naruto's however was devoid of mirth, "That's not something to be discussed here. Everyone genin and above will meet in my room after dinner. There are some things that have to be discussed," looking at the Akimichi heir he continued, "Choji, I need you to set up the radio and the hand generator. Udon, Konohamaru you two help him, find a spot to mount the aux antennae. Get to it after dinner we need to get in touch with home plate as soon as we can."
"Right, ahh, who's going to be on the hand crank?" Choji asked as all eyes turned towards a very lazy and half asleep Nara, "Good choice boss, come on guys, eat up and let's get this done."
All Shikamaru could do in retaliation was glare at his leader as the others smiled at his discomfort. He wouldn't be the only one on the hand powered generator but he would be the first. The 'prick' in question was the PRC-119, a backpack radio that Naruto had used in the other world. It was slightly heavy due to the batteries required to power the system hence the other component, a hand cranked generator. Naruto had decided long ago that the generator was a necessary item to preserve the unit's power supply.
Shikamaru's glares at his boss were well founded, as part of his punishment he was always the first on the hand generator. The three boys, Udon, Konohamaru and Eiji however all liked the job, for a cadet on a mission there's not much to do other than learn so anytime they can do something that broke that routine was welcome. In fact they took to heart what Naruto had said about their job turning the cranks was mission essential. Right now however they were scrambling over the roof of the inn like monkeys routing cables and setting up an antennae nearly seven meters tall. Depending on weather conditions and propagation of terrain they could reach the revolutionary headquarters in Mist should the need come up. Little did they know but the need to reach the ships Avenger and Revenge was looming on the horizon.
So, once the radio was set up everyone met in Naruto and Sakura's room. Naruto and Jiraiya still wore the same troubled looks they had on their return. Looking at the gathered ninja in the room Naruto began without his usual preamble remarks,
"We, well, Sasuke's group fucked up. As they were conducting a raid on an outpost they neglected to set up a picket, needless to say they were spotted and the jonin that saw then got away."
A chorus of gasps were heard as Naruto paused to take a drink of water. Wetting his dry mouth he continued, "Normally that would be a bad thing but our forces have been operating under false flags, clothing and headbands from other, less...hospitable and forgiving villages like Iwa and Kumo. The jonin in question is a deserter from Iwa so he fled as far as he could, his feet bringing him to this town."
Jiraiya took up the brief at this point, "According to our contact he's a bit talkative when he's relaxed and feeling safe. So far he's given away very little but what he has said raises questions. At the moment he's under the protection of one of the local yakuza clans but we do need to talk to him as soon as we can."
"Now the reason for all this commotion is that this target was supposed to be transferred to the island Sasuke and Neji's forces are to assault. Look we're in a hard place right now, we can't put off the trip to Suna any longer, the Kazekage has threatened to call off the talks is we continue to drag our feet," at that he shot a glare at his grandson. Naruto had delayed time and again the trip and it was making Konohagakure look weak and having second thoughts. "We also can't delay the ongoing mission as it's to retrieve a target of high intelligence value."
"That said we now have a clue as to why the traitors placed a base that far out to sea. How many of you have heard of Sora, the Village Hidden in The Sky?" Jiraiya frowned at the lack of knowledge as did Naruto considering his own children had held their hands down.
"Well, to make things short Sora was very technologically advanced. Not as much as where Naruto and Sakura trained but they had s serious edge in their time. It was said that they could field devices that flew in the air, at one time most of us in this room would scoff. That was until Naruto returned and I saw what they had used in their daily duties, now I'm not so sure. What I am sure of is this, something on that island has the attention of the traitors and that makes me nervous, Naruto?"
"In the morning Jiraiya-sama, Sakura-chan, the kids and I will be meeting Namikaze Ama at the Velvet Lady. She's one of Jiraiya-sama's many wives, as you know he has a few as cover for the network. Well, Ama-san is one of the few that Tsunade approves of and is friends with. Don't let her looks and occupation fool you, she's one of Konoha's premier Black Widows, probably the reason the old perv behaves himself in this town," Naruto said as he sprang his verbal trap on his grandfather.
The others sat in shocked silence at the reveal of a second wife but Sakura was the first to recover and twisted her head around to face him like a pink feathered owl, "Second wife? You know, that's suspiciously similar to your situation isn't it? Are you sure that polygamy in your family is more than to restore your clans? Maybe,hmmmmm, I don't know...maybe it's a family tradition?"
As the panic struck look on Naruto's face deepened Sakura began to laugh and kissed his cheek, "Don't worry, I won't leave you as long as you remember which wife has stood at your side the longest."
At those words Naruto allowed himself to relax, "Deal, now, everyone out. I have a message to get out and we have things to do once we're all up, so see all of you in the morning."
A/N;
First off let me say that I'm sorry that this posted almost a month late. Real life had to be dealt with and that delayed and sucked the motivation out of this chapter. My wife was rushed to the ER in the middle of August and it seems that she suffered a very minor stroke. At the same time I've been running my mother around town getting things in a row for her surgery that is going on as I write this AN.
So, due to all that is going on I was not able to focus as I would have liked and while I believe that this is the weakest chapter so far I hope that it's still readable and enjoyed. I know I added a lot of new OCs but for the most part they're just in this arc or will be used occasionally. That mean's Eiji, Mako, Ama and Kari will most likely not be seen after this mission plays out but they'll be waiting in the wings for another chance. Building a world is not easy and with a new town comes new people, Ama and Mako are good examples.
As seen, Mako is Jiraiya's younger brother that operate an inn in Tanzuka town. He and Jiraiya are close but seldom get to visit since his missions connected to the spy network are few and far between. He also has his brother's outgoing personality and is a relatively cheerful person. His in is he base of operations for his clan's caravans and as stated maintains the top floor for his clansmen only. There are other Namikaze in the inn but they tend to keep to themselves so there won't be much interaction with them if at all.
Ama and Kari are members of Naruto's family on Jiraiya's side and a bit of a surprise. It should come as no surprise that Jiraiya has a wife outside the village as it's been hinted at in this and several other fics over the years. Ama my have a larger role other than as an intelligence cell leader in deep cover. All we know at this time is that she an Jiraiya are married and have been for a long time, she's one of Tsunade's best friends and approves of her. Kari is a cousin to Naruto and one of the old pervert's agents and that's about all I can say right now.
Now, as for Naruto's reaction to Moegi...well, developing into a young lady too early, that's based on my reaction to my daughter and oldest granddaughter growing up. When a girl reaches a certain point in her life it's usually a shock to her father that she's beginning to 'fill out' in the chest area. I found this out when my daughter 'fell out' of her hospital gown when being transferred from a gurney to a CT machine. My first reaction was that I never gave her permission to have those things, the second was to plan on intimidating any male that expressed interest in her from that point on. This hit me harder as I was a single father for the longest time with her and in my eyes she's still a baby. Naruto is going to be experiencing life as a father of a teen age girl from this point on. At least she is already betrothed to Udon.
Now Kono and Hanabi, just like her sister it's the quiet ones that will shock you. At least they're not as daring as Sakura and Naruto but still, they've already been caught in the act at least once. Naruto is going to have to give both boys 'the talk' and it needs to be done like last week. Sakura has already went over things with Moegi but it's the boys that are in need of some guidance, especially Konohamaru. All kidding aside, these kids are just waiting for their time to shine comes along.
Last things, the interludes with Temari and Kankuro as well as Naruto and Sakura really don't need comments from me, both girls are just coping with typical fears of growing up while being in positions of power. Same as with Karin's talk with Sai and Sasuke as well as the plans for Tayuya's rescue. Next update will have more than a little action as well as Naruto's proper introduction to his father's clan. Desert training will also start which will be a huge culture shock to a certain blond princess.
One final mention, looking over the traffic graph for this story I was surprised at how many views this story has been getting over the last month on a daily basis. For the most part daily visits have been between 50-100+. I'm grateful for all the attention that has been given to Tip Of The Spear, thank you very much. Until the next update, take care of yourselves and enjoy the chapter.