Tip Of The Spear
Chapter 27
In the hidden village of Konohagakure was a large white building that one really didn't like to find themselves in. For it was the main hospital of the village, the one and only Konoha Medical Center, or KMC for short. It's purpose was to admit and treat only the most serious of cases as well as serve as the village's maternity and children's hospitals.
Right now it was serving in it's main function as Tsunade was going over the test results and imagery of Sakura's father. It was an easy fix in the long run but for the short term surgery was needed to repair a small hole in the man's heart. As a clan head and businessman since the age of seventeen Kizashi was no stranger to stress. That stress however had added up up over the years and then doubled during his arrest, trial, expulsion and restart of his life in another town. Now he was flat on his back in a village that had banished he and his wife listening to his prognosis from the Hokage Regent Tsunade Senju-Namekazi,
"Well, from the looks of things you got lucky, real lucky. See here?" she asked as she pointed to an image, "You've got a small tear around this heart valve. Now normally I would've told you to go home and make the most of your time. These days thanks to your daughter's knowledge and training we can fix this injury as well as treat your high blood pressure. We'll do the operation in the morning and you'll be going home in a couple of days. Any questions?"
"Home? That means we can return to Tanzuka Town and reopen the store in just a few days? That's great news La..."
"No, you'll be staying in the Haruno Matriarchs townhouse. You'll be too weak for a few months to travel. Just take it easy when you get released, any other questions?"
"How long am I going to be out of action? I can't afford to stay closed for too long."
"I'd say two to three months," Tsunade replied and then frowned at the sight of the man's dark expression, "Before you worry the Haruno clan has sent a team to your store and reopened it under your name. Your wife has the details but the store is under the clan's protection. That being said it is considered a private holding not connected to the clan...that is unless you wish to be reintegrated into the clan. Sakura and Naruto both have signed the petitions of pardon and as Regent I've been granted permission from the Fire Lord himself to clear your names,
"Your daughter and son in law want to have no bad blood in the family and the others share their feelings. Naruto has only one personal goal in his family life and that is to see Sakura happy. That boy does all he can to protect her smile so if forgiving you and allowing you back into her life makes her smile than that's what he'll do."
Kizashi sat in silence for a bit before speaking again, "About their family, I have a question. Several of the kids traveling with my daughter and Naruto called them 'mom and dad'. Just who are they?"
"Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon Uzumaki, well the last two at least. Konohamaru is still a Sarutobi but the three are a package deal. You see, they're orphans of those that had died in the service of the village. Due to their ages they were hard to place into a family since no one wanted to raise a kid that was already old enough to attend the academy. Only two people in the village understood their situation so they stepped up and opened their home and hearts to those three," Tsunade explained softly as her patient grasped the meaning of her words.
"They adopted, Naruto and Sakura adopted them didn't they? To keep them from the pain they felt when they were small, I see. We really were wrong about him, weren't we? The council and the village in general, the harm we did to such a kind and loving boy."
"Kizashi, aside from Konohamaru the other kids were from families that hated him and plotted ways to make Naruto suffer. We were afraid at first that he would take his revenge on Moegi and Udon but he's been a great father to the three of them since the day he met them. The question is this, can you and Mebuki accept them as your grandchildren just as Naruto and Sakura accept them as their own children?"
"Of course we can, look, Tsunade-san, I made a mistake, a big one. My wife and I missed out on lots of memories concerning those two, I won't allow it to happen with my grandchildren."
Tsunade gave the man a soft smile, "That's good to know, now, rest up. You've a long day in the morning."
Ren sat at the kitchen table opposite her sister in law Mebuki. While she was not happy the woman was in this house she had her orders from Sakura and Naruto to make her, Kizashi and Sakurai feel at home. Sakurai wasn't a problem since she was too young to know all the her parents had done in the past to her sister and brother in law but the adults were another matter. Mebuki had all but ordered the mistreatment of Naruto and later Sakura because of her hatred of the fox and therefore the boy who held it at bay.
She then threw her own flesh and blood into the streets because Sakura had refused to stop being friends with the boy. Her reason was sound, at least in the young girls' mind, Naruto was always saving her from bullies almost daily. Mebuki didn't see it that way though, she always twisted the events as Naruto going out of control and attacking 'poor innocent children' without reason. She also conveniently ignored the fact that her daughter was always either mentally or physically traumatized by those same innocent children in the first place and Naruto was only defending Sakura and trying to keep her safe.
Ren, as one of Naruto's ANBU detail knew the truth of course and would try to tell Mebuki that her daughter was in danger, not from Naruto but from the other kids. Mebuki just put the bullying down as Sakura being friends with the outcast. Her hatred had blinded her to the fact that she was Naruto's godmother and had promised Kushina that she would raise the boy should anything happen to the redhead. As she was sitting and glaring at Mebuki said woman was shifting uncomfortably in her seat.
Mebuki knew after a few years of being run out of Konoha that she'd been wrong. It was stupid of her to doubt Minato's abilities in sealing as well as Kushina's talent. At first she was planning to take the boy in and then she was overhearing councilman Danzo telling someone else that Naruto had been found dead and the Fox had taken the boy's form in order to survive and grow stronger. For some reason she began to believe what was said and had begun to hate the boy.
When she was called to the Hokage's office to discuss Kushina's last wishes concerning her son Mebuki blew up at the man, "He can rot in hell for all I care. I refuse to take that beast into my house and I will ensure the council bars his adoption by any and all that want to take him in."
Remembering that Mebuki sighed. Years later it had been revealed that Danzo was a traitor and somehow manipulated everyone concerned to deny Naruto any and every chance at happiness. Now she was sitting across from one of the most dangerous women she knew, not only that Ren had been one of Naruto's and later, Sakura's, protectors. The looks of disgust Ren was sending her way was telling and she knew she and Kizashi were more than deserving of them. Sighing she decided to break the icy silence in the room,
"So, Ren, you look well. I understand you quit ANBU shortly after...ummm. Look, I'm sorry for everything and I regret all that I did in the past. Please, I really was going to take the boy in but then I had overheard councilman Danzo..."
"He's not a councilman, he's a traitor to the village and the Hokage," hissed Ren as the air in the room grew even colder than what it had been, "We found out that he stole almost all of the sharingan from the Uchiha that Itachi slew. It's not much of a stretch to imagine that he had one implanted in himself years earlier. After all, there were more than a few Uchiha that went missing or were killed and some of the bodies never recovered. You were most likely under the influence of the man from the start. That does not however excuse your treatment of your daughter."
"No, it doesn't. Back then all I wanted was to take everything that made him happy and ruin it. When I saw that it was Sakura that made him smile I decided that I would destroy her as well. I let my hate get the best of me and it wasn't until my path crossed Itachi Uchiha that I realized what I had done."
At hearing this Ren's eyes widened in surprise, "What do you mean you crossed paths with the Uchiha? He's a wanted missing nin, it's your duty to as a citizen of Fire country to turn him in, why would you let him go?"
"First off, I did turn him in, the chunin I reported him to just made a remark about not believing convicted felons and left. Whether he passed that info on or not I've no idea. Now, as to how we met, a few years after we settled in Tanzuka town a man came into our store looking for supplies. He noticed that I was not a very happy person and began to talk to me and Kizashi."
"What did he say?"
"Well he said that he knew how we felt being outcasts and all, then he said he could see in our eyes that something was wrong. Kizashi asked what it was and how he knew. What he said shocked us, he told us his name, Uchiha Itachi, and that he was a wanted man but no one was bothering to look for him. It seemed to him that as far as the village was concerned he wasn't worth their time and that his crimes were a waste of his time testing his power since no one was taking him seriously,
Then he said that he didn't blame the village for ignoring him seeing as there wasn't anyone as strong as him left anymore. It was a bit of a shock when he said those things but what he said next was disturbing."
"What was that?" asked Ren whose animosity was waning. If what Mebuki said was true then Danzo had done far more damage to Konoha than was thought.
"He looked at the two of us in the eyes very closely and then laughed. He said that our eyes explained everything and when I asked him what he asked me how felt about Naruto. Hearing his name I saw red and could feel the hatred for the boy sear my veins. Itachi laughed again and said that I and my husband were under the effects of a very sinister sharingan created genjutsu."
"Genjutsu? As in the kind the Uchiha are famous for, that kind of genjutsu?"
"Yes, someone had turned me against my best friend's son and from what you said and what I remember I'm sure that it had to be Danzo. Anyway, Itachi looked us in the eyes and made his spin as if they were boring into our souls. It only took seconds but it felt like hours as the feelings of hate drained away leaving us feeling as if we should have been executed for our crimes against Naruto and Sakura. The last thing I remember that he did was to tell us that while we no longer have the hatred towards Naruto and Sakura we needed to continue to act that way."
"Why? Why would he tell you that?"
"Simple, he told us that as soon as the kids came back from where ever they had gone their lives would be in danger. We were to act as if we were still estranged from them so if anyone was to ask we could honestly say we didn't know where they were. He stayed with us for a few months to see if anyone came by looking for information. When no one showed he left us without a word."
Ren sat at the table for a moment in thought, if what was said was true then her sister in law was just a pawn in a traitor's game. Sighing Ren just shook her head, "Mebuki, look, I'm sorry for how I've been acting to you these past few days. Naruto has already forgiven all those that hurt him and I should follow his example, so..."
"No, I'm the one that's sorry for all that happened. Had Danzo not done what he had done we wouldn't even be having this talk. You've done nothing wrong, I wish I could say the same. I'm surprised that those two forgave us so easily, they could've let Kizashi die in the store and leave me to what ever my fate was to be."
"That's because of how wonderful that boy is, he has a huge heart with love for all of his, as he says, precious people. Oh, speaking of which, you remember asking about the other bedrooms that I said were already claimed?" hearing that Mebuki just nodded, "Well, a little over a year ago Naruto and Sakura took in three orphans."
"Took in three...orphans? Where are they? I didn't hear any babies or small kids crying when we got her."
"No, you didn't. That's because the kids are on the road with them. I'm sure you must of met them, two boys and a girl, all of them wearing a clan patch like this," at that Ren pointed at the one on her sleeve.
"Well now that you mentioned it I did see a few kids with them, a Hyuga, three boys and a girl with her hair in pigtails. She and another boy with glasses looked to be a couple as well as the Hyuga and the scruffy brown haired boy."
Ren giggled a bit, "Yeah, that would be Udon and Moegi and Konohamaru and Hanabi. Moegi, Udon and Konohamaru are the ones that were adopted. Naruto couldn't bear to see Moegi and Udon wasting away in the same orphanage that threw him in the street when he turned five. He met those two through Kono-kun, Kono is the Thirds grandson. Anyway he and Sakura took those three in because it broke his heart when he was told that no one wanted them because they were 'too old'."
Mebuki looked down at the mention of Naruto being kicked out of the orphanage as it was her and the council's brilliant idea to do that to the boy. Had she not fell under Danzo's spell that would've never happened to the boy. Looking at Ren she apologized once more.
Ren waved it off, "It's in the past, forget about it. Now, any questions about your grandchildren?"
"Yes, they and the Hyuga girl, Hanabi was it? They seem to be very close. Sakura and Naruto aren't really encouraging them to act that way are they?"
"Well, Hanabi and Kono are betrothed to bring their clans closer to each other and Moegi and Udon's parents were close friends and bound their kids to each other as well. Naruto and Sakura both encourage the kids to make their bonds even stronger,
As for how the three view Naruto and Sakura, well, Kono views Naruto and Sakura as elder siblings. Moegi and Udon see them as mother and father and call them that. It's cute to see the looks of those not in the know react when Moegi calls Naruto daddy and turns the puppy eyes on him. I swear she has him more whipped than Sakura does. So, any questions?"
"No, it's just so amazing that those two have grown so much after all that was done to them. I would've thought that Naruto especially would have been seething with hatred for me and Kizashi. But no, when my husband collapsed he was doing everything he could to ensure that Kizashi stay alive."
"That's how Naruto-kun is," Ren said in a soft voice, "He has a strong sense of duty, not just to the village but his family as well. Look, he knew where you and Kizashi had relocated but Sakura didn't. He knew that just as he's had closure with a lot of bad things Sakura needed to have her closure too, for better or worse. You see, to Naruto there's one thing in this world thats very important to him and thats Sakura's smile. Lately she's not been smiling as she should so Naruto decided that she needed to at least let her see you two at least one time to set things straight. As it happened things worked out for the best."
"Yes, it did work out didn't it?" Mebuki said smiling, "Ren, I just hope that she still feels the same way when her father gets better, I hurt those kids badly and I'm afraid of what happens when all is said and done."
Ren just smiled and thought to herself about the long road her sister in law was going to travel before she realized that Sakura had forgiven her mother long ago. Gathering the dishes from the table Ren began her daily household duties as Mebuki sat lost in thought.
It had been a week and a half from when Naruto and company left Tanzuka Town for the desert. In that time they had learned several things. One, Kanta or Sunabozu as he was called and Kosuna knew a lot of E rank survival jutsu. Most of these jutsus were pulling water from the surrounding air to fill canteens, a frost jutsu for chilling those canteens and a small, smokeless fire jutsu to heat up food and water.
The second thing the group learned was that all of the genin and academy students were able to pick up these techniques very quickly. All but Naruto, his massive chakra reserves completely blew out any jutsu that needed just a small amount to chakra and control. A good example of that was the first time he tried to fill his canteen, the deluge that followed forced the group to relocate their camp to a drier area. The only good thing was that everyone had water for days as they filled not only their canteens but their empty water bottles they had purchased before leaving.
The third thing learned was that while Naruto sucked at E rank techniques he knew other ways to survive and get water from the sand and air. As such the training became a joint effort, their guides passing on their jutsus and knowledge and Naruto and Sakura teaching non-chakra depleting methods. At first Naruto was afraid that the Namikaze instructors would refuse to learn but it was Kanta that told him that one must always have a trump card and if he could learn and teach things that saved on chakra then he was all for it.
So it was here that Naruto and the other boys were stalking a breed of deer that migrated from one water hole to the next looking for food as well as drink. At the moment they were all in their desert uniform and each carrying a bow with a quiver of arrows. Several small desert foxes were out in front casting for a scent trail and then leading the hunting party to they prey. All this time Shikamaru's complaining could be heard,
"Be a shinobi they said, it'll be fun they said. Bullshit, instead of learning to be a planner and strategist I'm running around the desert following a yellow haired idiot that can't cast an E rank to save his life."
At that said idiot looked over his shoulder and replied, "I may be an idiot but at least I know how to live out here. Now shut up and stay sharp, I'm smelling water up ahead."
With that the group slowed their pace as to not scare off any game that was in front of themselves. One of the foxes returned to Naruto and yipped at one of the summoned foxes the boy had called up. Naruto called a halt and waited for the foxes to finish their chat. Looking at the summon Naruto squatted down to the animal's level,
"He find anything?"
The fox made a hesitant nod before speaking, "Yeah, but it's better if he showed you. Make a clone and transform it into a fox and have it follow us."
Naruto did as he was asked and gathered his team around him. Telling them to take a break the boys all pulled out water bottles and began to rehydrate. As Shikamaru pulled out a pack of smokes Naruto grabbed his wrist, "No smoking right now, the smell will give us and our position away."
"What's the harm?" the Nara asked, "It's not as if the animals will connect the smell with humans."
"It's not the animals I'm worried about. Somethings got the foxes spooked and we need to know why." Just then the clones memories hit Naruto and his eyes widened a bit. Looking at the others he stood up and began running back to camp.
On their return Naruto began speaking in English to his entire team, "Gear up then meet me by the fire pit."
Sakura looked at her husband with concern, "Koi? What's going on?"
"I'll tell you in a bit just gear up for an assault okay?"
Without another word Sakura rushed to their shared tent and began gathering her equipment as Naruto did the same. Naruto then walked over to the fire pit and began making a sand table model of the oasis that his clone had seen.
Just then Jiraiya walked over calling his grandson's name, "Naruto! What's going on? You guys didn't find another rabbit did you?"
"No, worse, get Taiko and Kanta for me. I need to ask them some things. Trust me grandfather, as soon as you get them to me I'll explain everything."
Jiraiya did as he was asked and soon everyone was gathered near Naruto. At the teen's feet was a rough model of the oasis about 10 kilometers from their location complete with several round structures. Looking at Kanta Naruto spoke,
"There's a village about ten klicks from here, know anything about it?"
"Yeah, it's our next stop, we usually pick up water and dried food from there as well as do a little trading, why?"
"Because we followed some game to that place and when I sent a clone into that place all it found was lots of blood trails and dead people and animals. It's been raided and the bastards are still there that's why."
"Shit, that's bad, that place is neutral ground with a good sized Suna ninja presence. If that place was raided then we don't stand a chance."
Hearing that Naruto looked at the man, "You and the caravan may not, but my team does. Ero-jijii, I need you, Jijii and Lady Chiyo to stay here and guard the others. That goes for you and your brother as well Umeko."
All three nodded as Naruto made a familiar sign creating four clones. Turning to them he gave his orders, "Take standard ninja tools as well as the bows and arrows. Find vantage points and observe, all of you have enough chakra to make a relay clone so if you see something happening you do that, now go."
As Naruto was doing that Sakura was summoning her cats in two groups, the first was six large desert wild cats. These were wearing some form of saddle bags that had some sort of seal on the belly strap. The other cats were twelve jet black house cats the size of seven month old kittens. Those that knew these critters gave them a wide berth and healthy respect as they knew how to use their fangs and claws to grate advantage. All eighteen felines were standing at attention as Sakura gave them their orders,
"Okay, you six will take the Brood to the edge of the oasis. Drop them off, dispel the saddles and then patrol and scout the surrounding area out to one thousand meters. The Brood will infiltrate the hamlet and gather all the intel you can. As with Naruto's clones if you find something find me and let me know the latest, understand?"
At that the tails of all the cats raised their tails straight up, bent them at the halfway point to the left and swept them forward as if making a salute. Afterwards the leader of the Brood meowed an order and she and her team jumped into the saddle bags on the bigger cats. As one the six desert cats leaped into the sands and vanished.
As soon as the scouting parties had left Naruto was refining the sand table. Rather than waste time with the briefing without proper information Naruto went about seeing to the outfitting of the strike team. While it was true that the oasis in question was deep in Suna's border something like this situation allowed allied village's ninjas to act unilaterally. Since there were too many unknowns for this action Naruto was debating breaking out the 'special' weapons. Just as he was about to get the opinion of his two grandfathers a clone sent it's memories. The brood had found two dozen Sound ninjas in hiding.
With that intelligence Naruto made his mind up, they were going in with firearms. Gathering the Leaf mission together Naruto handed out his assignments, "Umeko, you and your brother will remain here with Kanta and Kosuna, you'll use your MP5SD's and pistols. Ero-jijii, grandfather, you two and Lady Chiyo will protect the caravan. I'm trusting you three to let the elders know what's happening. Any questions?"
"Are you sure you want to use those guns in this situation? I mean there's a chance to let one of those Sound bastards slip out of the net," Jiraiya remarked.
"No, the net will be tighter before we go in. Makoto is already calling for the local canines and vulpine's to surround the target area. Sakura's panthers are also on scene. Those Sound bastards will leave in either a body bag of someone's belly. As for the firearms, we need the advantage they provide. Sasuke reported that some of the Sound's chunin and jonin have transplanted sharingan as well as curse marks."
"Okay, but can you take at least on or two prisoners? I'd like to get some fresh dope on Sound and the traitors. One more thing, use suppressors, too much noise will attract too much attention and questions."
"Will do Ero-jijii, look, I know that you don't like these but I also know that you and grandfather know how to use them effectively. Please take these and use them if any of those fuckers attack the caravan. From what Sasuke and Neji reported if any of those marked by the Snake show up hollow point lead is the only thing to stop them," Naruto told Jiraiya before handing over a pair of fifty cal Desert Eagles.
Normally pistols of that caliber would be left at home but Naruto packed those with his grandfathers in mind. Each magazine was filled with hollow point rounds with something extra. The cavity was filled with mercury and sealed with lead solder. This would make the bullet explode on impact and if the target survived they would still succumb to the poison effects the mercury provided. It would take time but it was a painful and nasty way to die. The beauty of it was the liquid metal was too heavy to be removed with chakra, Sakura had experimented with it's removal from animals that had been shot with Naruto's 'special' ammunition, you needed high levels of chakra and lots of control, the problem was that the amount of chakra needed would kill that patient as the healer's chakra would become as toxic as the poison the healer was trying to remove. Normal non-chakra treatments would fail as well, the heavy metal would stay in the targets body and shut it down in days.
With that Naruto rounded up the strike team and set off to the oasis. If they timed it right they would arrive at sunset and they would set up a sniping position as the remaining five would infiltrate the hamlet and then go hunting. At the sniping post Sakura was setting up her M14 with Moegi and Udon acting as spotters and guards. The infiltration team was Naruto, Konohamaru, and Choji, Ino, Shikamaru. Since Naruto had lost his trust in Shikamaru the Nara was paired off with him and Konohamaru. Ino and Choji were the second element that was to enter the hamlet at the edge of the water.
Sakura was sniper for two reasons, the first was she was a damn good and proven shot. The second was that she was the team medic with Moegi her assistant.
The medics were the most valuable members of any mission so they had to be protected and kept safe. They had found a large clump of vegetation covering the dunes on the west side of the oasis so that not only the plants and weeds would hide them the setting sun's glare would blind any observers as well as light up the target area for at least the next hour or so. Although Moegi was also a medic she was more valuable using her clan jutsus and it was necessary that her medical training was better suited with the assault team.
Kanta had wanted to go along but was talked out of it when he was told that he would be in the way. Jiraiya had told him that once the fighting began Naruto and the others would have a hard time keeping their eyes on him and his chances of getting killed was very high. It was even higher since he had never trained with the team in combat operations. So it was that the famed 'Desert Punk' was going to miss out on a very important skirmish in the Shadow War with Sound.
Sakura looked over the small trading hamlet one hundred meters out and twenty meters below her through her night scope. As she scanned the area she noted some movement in the shadows, her cats were ghosting from shack to shack spraying their special urine as if marking their territory. While it was normal waste from the felines what made it special was that because of their being summoned creatures they could alter the chemical makeup of said liquid. In this case it cast a glow that was picked up by the teams night vision goggles. The cats were very precise in their marking as they would spray a series of dots that indicated the number of targets in each building.
Not only that, their claws were augmented with a poison that coated the very tips. A slash from one of the cats would deliver enough poison to severely inhibit a person's moves. Not enough to kill but enough to give the humans they worked with an edge. As the cats worked Sakura settled her sights on the largest building, the trading post. It wasn't large as buildings go, about the size of a convenience store, but it was where the oasis dwellers held their wealth.
Moegi and Udon sat near their adopted mother and did double duty as spotters and security. Udon sat a few meters away and above and was watching a 180 degree arc facing their rear. Moegi did the same but she was facing forward, between them and the traps they had set the chance of anyone sneaking up was minimal. At the moment Moegi was taking distance measurements with a laser sight and passing that information to Sakura as she computed the wind and temperature so she could 'dope' her scope. That is, cross-checking her tables so she would be able to hit her targets no matter the distances.
Making he last adjustments she smiled as she saw Naruto lead his team to the trading post. As she was sitting she was able to look straight down the dirt path that passed as the main street. This view allowed her to cover one of Naruto's blind spots as he and his team prepared to breach. As she watched and waited her breath caught as she spotted one of the Sound ninjas walk into view. With out a word Sakura pulled the trigger sending the 7.62mm round down the barrel and into the man's skull. The only clue that she had pulled the trigger was a sharp crack as the bullet broke the sound barrier.
At the door Naruto's head jerked up as he and the others heard the round being sent. Looking at the Nara and Konohamaru he tried the door and found it unlocked. Slapping a premade seal on it he locked the door and keyed it to his chakra signature. With that he and his team slipped into the hut next door. At the same time Ino and Choji were exiting the hut they had been in. They had followed two of the cats and as they waited in the shadows let the little beasts do their work. After a five minute wait the green ninja fought back the nausea as they slit the throats of the men they found inside. Trying to ignore the blood they followed the members of Sakura's Brood and repeated their actions.
Naruto was doing the same, the only difference was that he'd killed this way many times before and wasn't bothered. It was Shikamaru that concerned him, the Nara wasn't looking so good as he watched Naruto and Konohamaru casually opened their targets jugulars. He knew that he was expected to kill and this was his turn and time to do the deed. What shocked him wasn't the look Naruto sported but the cold eyes of Konohamaru. They seemed to be sizing him up and once again finding him lacking. Sighing he pulled out a kunai and placed his hand over the Sound nin's mouth as he drew the blade deeply across the man's throat.
Shikamaru sprang back as the warm spray of blood jetted onto his chest. He fought back the rising bile and almost jumped out of his skin when he felt a hand on his shoulder, "Keep it together, this is our job. Puke later if you have to now let's go."
With that they were out of the dark room and following a cat to the next hut. Before they entered Naruto turned to Shikamaru, "You first, make sure you kill all of them. No survivors. Shika, you're still on probation and I'll be damned if you think that you're the only one that gets to keep his hands clean. Kono, step in if you have to but only if you have to. Just watch his back for now, I'll be in that place over there."
Without hearing his son's answer Naruto entered the next hovel, the NVGs allowing him to see clearly. Looking around he saw a large man sleeping in one of the beds wearing the Sound village's headband. Walking towards the man his breath caught, facing him was one of his tormentors from his past. A Konoha jonin that was repeatedly punished for injuring him and Sakura-chan, now the man was blissfully asleep, unaware of the threat looming above him. While he wanted to kill the man in his sleep Naruto had a better idea. He and the village needed fresh intelligence and a jonin would be a good source so he reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a note book containing seals. Pulling one out he placed it on the man's head and activated it.
The man woke with a start and found that not only could he not move but he was unable to talk, "Save your strength and chakra, you have a prisoner restraint seal applied to you, not one of the ones Konoha uses but the original from Uzu. You also have been poisoned with a neuro-muscular toxin that will shut down your brain, heart and lungs if you try to use chakra, it's a real painful way to go. By the way, I recognize you from my youth when you would lead the fox hunt and I was the fox."
At that the man's eyes widened in recognition. Naruto saw it too, "I see, you remember. That's good, I'm not going to kill you, not yet anyway because you have value. I want whats inside your head so I'm staying my blade, however," at that Naruto pulled out a small tube and smeared the contents onto the claws of the cat on the man's chest, "Kyon-kun here will open your throat and let the poison on his claws do it's work should you try to escape or alert your friends. I'm sure I can find another, more docile prisoner should that happen."
With that the man's eyes tracked Naruto as he killed the two other Sound nin that were sharing the shack. Afterwards Naruto met with his team with Konohamaru filling him in, "It's done boss, the Nara did his duty without flinching."
"Good, Shika, you can hate me all you want but I'll do what I have to to ensure the Leaf lives on."
Shikamaru's voice shook as he replied to his leader, "Those were...they were just kids Naruto, kids, just like us. How could you order their deaths so casually? I don't understand how you could be that cold and detached. Why did you make me do that to them?"
"Grow up, this isn't a game, it's not a ticket to be punched on the road of life. This is the real thing Shika, hate me if you want but those that wear that head band are enemies of the Leaf and are to killed on sight. They follow two of our most vile traitors and would kill on a whim. Look around you, the people here did nothing to them but they were killed anyway. That's what they would do to our home, so that's why I'll kill them here, to keep them out of our home."
As he finished another crack split the air, "Boss, we need to finish this up, we've been in this place too long. They might have patrols out or were expecting more of their friends to show up," Konohamaru whispered as he began to move towards the trading post.
"Kono's right, we need to get moving, let's go," Naruto said to the Nara and he to began to walk away.
Shikamaru just sighed and followed along behind his friends. Naruto was right of course but it was still a shock at the true face of how ninja do business. Flashy jutsus and taijutsu fights were out, they make too much noise and waste chakra as well as negate any element of surprise the second the first jutsu or blow is cast. No, that was not the way to win, Naruto's way was how ninja should be, quiet, cold and deadly. Well, if his friend could do that then he could as well and his shadow bind library lends itself well to this environment.
Ino and Choji had killed all the ninja they had found. While they also had cut the throats of their foes Ino drove poisoned senbon into their hearts, stopping the organs from functioning from that point on. Nonetheless it had taken an emotional toll on the pair. Shikamaru noticed that his girlfriend was almost in tears but it was his best friend's state that upset him. Choji was a kind and gentle soul, all he wanted to do was eat and watch clouds with Shikamaru. Now however he had a look in his eye that could only be called distant.
Killing was not something that Choji found easy but after the SERE exercise and Shikamaru's hearing the boy had had some long talks with his father about the act. While he was always optimistic and cheerful what he had learned over his time with the Uzumakis was that they had a hardness about them that showed in how they conducted themselves when training the others. Naruto and Sakura had drilled it into everyone's heads that this was not a game but real life and in this job killing an enemy was part and parcel to the occupation. Choji knew that he wished for a peaceful life but unless the threats to his village, family, friends and happiness were taken care of the life he wished for was never happening. So without a word he placed himself at the front of the breaching stack.
Ino was the last to enter last as she was the team medic for the breachers. It was job to watch the rear as the five man stack entered the building. She wasn't that worried as Sakura and the others were in over watch and would keep unexpected company at bay. Glancing over to her boyfriend she noticed that Shikamaru was a little pale from having to clear the huts assigned to him and Naruto. She knew that he still had a hard time to understand the grim realities of this life. In the academy it was all a game, the only real inkling of the dangers of shinobi life was when Sasuke's brother tried to slaughter his entire family.
Like Choji she had had a long talk with her father after the SERE training. Her experience at the hands of T&I's section 2 was eye opening. Even before that her talks with Sakura had forced her to 'grow up' and take her training seriously. Shikamaru's problem was that as a Nara he and the males in his family and clan are inherently lazy. Shikamaru did bother to talk to his father because it was too troublesome and Shikaku never felt the need to have a serious talk to his son. And that has left the teen where he is today. It would be Ino and maybe Choji that would have to talk to the guy and help ease the pain of these kills. The execution of the Konoha traitors that had plotted numerous times to kill Naruto didn't count. Everyone knew why they were killing those people and it was sanctioned by not only the Regent but Naruto and Sakura themselves.
This time however it was different, they had happened on this situation by chance. Naruto had originally planned to send a message to Suna about the raiders but once that Sound headband was seen everything changed. It was well known that Naruto had a burning hatred for the Sound village as the two that ran it had done all they could to destroy Naruto's life. First Orochimaru robbed him of his parents and then his childhood. Lastly Danzo had cheated him from his grandparents. As far as Naruto was concerned the village hidden in the Sound was a nest of vipers and missing nin. It was also his enemy and while Naruto was known to seek peace he was single minded in his pursuit of Sound's destruction.
So here Ino found herself, the tail end of a five man stack that's going to charge into a darkened building and kill everyone that's not them. Wonderful, at least Sakura is watching over..."THWAK! Turning her head Ino saw the Sound nin slump to the ground, the top of his head missing and the sound of another round coming their way.
Turning to face the attack Ino fired a burst from her MP5SD taking the Sound ninja in the chest. She watched in fascination as three bloody flowers blossomed from his chest from her shots just as the man's forehead caved in from Sakura's attack. As she began to panic she felt a hand on her shoulder as Konohamaru made her aware that she was not alone and was in good hands. At the same time Naruto had finished placing the frame charge on the doorway, when triggered it would blow the door inwards and with any luck shock those inside into inaction for the time needed to storm inside.
Before anyone else could speak or act Naruto fire the charges. The door was not only removed from it's frame but segmented and splintered from the explosives, the blast forcing not only the debris but a pressure wave inside the closed off room. As a follow up Choji hurled a pair of M67 fragmentation grenades inside one of which air burst sending shards of metal in all directions. As the fragments were still rattling against the walls first Choji and then Shikamaru burst inside with the rest following.
As the stack entered they peeled off left and right hugging the walls and placing short bursts of 9mm into any Sound ninjas they encountered. Naruto had leapt to the ceiling and began assessing the situation. He was looking for something, rather some one. The jonin that was captured while a good source of intelligence wasn't the only one Naruto was looking for. What he was looking for was the jonin that was in charge, that was where he was going to get the answers. Naruto had noticed in the intel reports from Konoha's earlier raids that only jonin had not only Danzo's seal but Orochimaro's as well. That told Naruto that they knew more than they would normally be let in on. Those marked were usually the leaders of the force they were with, today Naruto would get more than he had hoped for intelligence wise.
As he strode further into the building he kept an eye on Shikamaru. The pineapple haired teen was mechanical in his moves but he was doing as trained. Shikamaru on his part was on automatic pilot, sweep the area in front of him, pick a target and fire. Sweep and fire, over and over. He stopped only when he heard and felt the sub machine gun's bolt locked open. He hit the release, dropped the empty magazine and inserted a fresh one. Naruto noticed the teen never took his eyes off his area of responsibility, if he listened closely he would have heard Shikamaru's whispered chant,
"Fast is slow, slow is fast, center the sight and pull the trigger. Move to the left and sweep to the right, move to the right and sweep to the left, do it all over again."
In the space of sixty seconds the main room was secured, it seemed like it had taken hours. Naruto dropped from the ceiling and surveyed the room the flashlight under his SMG playing on each of the downed enemy. As he did Shikamaru grimaced as he saw one of the dead, a girl close to his age, her eyes wide open in shock and surprise. His stomach flipped and he tasted bile. As said before, these were not his first kills but they were the first where his targets had done nothing to him, his family or friends to warrant her death. Has he began to lean forward he felt a hand on his shoulder, Naruto's voice was in his ear,
"Puke after we're done, yeah? There's still bad guys here and I want the leader alive. Put your gas mask on, we're going to hit the next room with tear gas and flash bangs. Get ready, we go in ninety seconds."
Shikamaru just nodded, Naruto hadn't even given him time to argue. Still in a daze he pulled on his mask and reset his NVG's on his forehead. As he walked to the next doorway he was nudged by Choji, "Hey, you're doing good. Look, I'm...I'm here for you if you wand to talk afterwards, Ino too. So..."
Sigh, "I'm fine, it's troublesome but I'm fine. I'll talk to you and Ino after this is over. Let's go, our fearless leader is getting antsy."
With that the stack reformed and this time the door was opened a crack. First Naruto signaled to everyone to switch their NVGs to 'thermal' so that they could 'see' through the smoke the gas grenades would produce. The second was to ease the door open and have Choji toss said grenades into the next room. Once they had landed and started hissing Shikamaru leaned around his friend and tossed first one and then the second flash bangs into the confined space. Hearing the reports on the distraction devices the stack burst into the room. It was Ino that used her families jutsu to take over the mind of one of the enemy. Quickly riffing through the girl's memories she found what they were looking for. Leaving her target's mind as fast as she had entered she informed Naruto who and where the leader was.
Naruto grinned and pulled out his TASER. Locking eyes on a Sound ninja that was slightly smaller than himself and as unassuming as a shoe salesman he took aim and fired. Just as with Gato and countless others the teen was hit with five thousand volts of electricity. Seeing Naruto's actions gave the signal to everyone else kill all in their view. Even Ino put a burst into the chest of the girl whose mind she had invaded. To the Yamanaka heiress this was just business, nothing more. These ninja were from Sound, their enemy and had killed allied shinobi and civilians, some of them her leader's kin.
As quick as it started the controlled chaos of the assault was over. Walking out with his prisoner Naruto nodded at Konohamaru who sent a green flare skywards. Just as it reached it's apogee they heard a noise behind them. Spinning around with weapons ready Naruto began yelling while slapping Kono's weapons muzzle down,
"Hold! Hold! Cease fire!" turning to the tan and grey shadows Naruto raised his unoccupied hand, "Friendlies, we're friendlies, from Konohagakure. Let me call the rest of my team in and we can explain everything."
"Explain what?" came the male voice as a figure wearing an adult onesie with cat ears came into view, "How all pf you turned one of our oasis' into a slaughterhouse?"
"Yeah, about that, my team and I came across this by accident and discovered the villagers dead and Sound ninja in control. I'm Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto, I'm the mission leader, this is Nara Shikamaru, the team leader. Over there are Yamanaka Ino, Akamichi Choji and my son Sarutobi Konohamaru. The rest will be here in a moment."
"Uzumaki, Uzumaki, we've been expecting you and your party. I'm Sabaku Kankuro, so, what the hell is going on?"
"No idea, give me a minute," at that Naruto stepped into what passed as a street and made a familiar hand sign. One hundred shadow clones popped into view and waited for orders, "Okay, one through twenty-five, seal the civilians into these morgue scrolls. The rest of you strip the enemy for anything of intelligence value or use then pile the bodies about a klick from the village and burn them. When you're done scatter the ashes, vermin like that don't deserve a resting place."
Kankuro and the others just watched and listened to the cold blooded order. Even their enemy dead was given a proper burial along with a small prayer to send their soul on it's way. What Naruto had done was deny the dead their way to the pure land. As he was trying to wrap his mind at what makes this guy tick he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"...o, Kankuro, you still with us? Good, we're going to find out why they attacked this place. First I've got to modify this seal."
Naruto then began the task of deactivating Danzo's seal and suppressing Orochimaru's curse seal. Looking closely at the jonin Naruto saw that he wore an eye patch. Pulling it up for a moment he grimaced and let it snap back into place. All of the Konoha nins knew what that reaction was. This man was one of Sound's sharingan bearers and a kill on sight order issued. Just as he was pulling out his combat knife he heard a shout,
"Naruto! What're you doing? You know surgery is my job."
The blond teen smiled at hearing that voice, "Sorry Sakura-chan, it's just that he's one of those guys that has a sharingan in his head."
"Well let me remove it before you kill the guy. We still need to question him."
"Sorry, oh! This is Sabaku Kankuro, he's leading these Suna nins. Kankuro-san, this is my wife, Haruno-Uzumaki Sakura."
"Nice to meet you, Sakura was it?" seeing her nod he continued, "My sister Temari mentioned you. She can't wait to see you again but for now we need to know why this trash is in our country."
Naruto nodded in agreement, "Well, that's what we intend to do, Ino? Do your thing."
Said girl nodded and went into a trance as Shikamaru caught her body before she fell to the ground. At once the jonin stiffened and began to speak in a halting and disconcerted voice, "I'm in, what are we looking for?"
"First off their orders, why attack this place?"
"Yes, well, oh I see. Danzo picked this place...to...cut trade routes. This is..a...hub and exchange point and it's a Namikaze enclave. Danzo suspects but isn't sure that Konoha is involved...in the ongoing...raids, but by attacking here he hurts you through your family connections."
"I see, thank you Ino, take all his memories and then you can return to your own body."
As Ino began to stir Sakura came over and handed her a chakra pill and then turned to the Sound jonin. Slapping his face a few time she smiled in his face, "Wake up, time to die."
With that she pulled a surgical instrument that looked like a sharpened spoon. She next pulled up the eye patch and plunged the 'spoon' into the man's skull. Ignoring the yells and cries of pain she rotated the 'spoon' around his eye socket several times very slowly making sure that every trace of Uchiha tissue was excised. Standing up she nodded to Hanabi.
While this was going on Ino was dictating what she had seen in the soon to be dead jonin's mind. She then turned to the chunin that they had taken prisoner first. She wasn't as neat as she was with the other guy and she ripped through the nin's mind like a grinder. Once done she again returned to her body and began telling Shikamaru what was in that man's mind.
All the while Hanabi had stepped up and stared at the man in front of her. Flaring her byakugan she glared at the guy as she assumed her families jutsu position, "You willingly received an eye from a sister clan. What you did is thievery and desecration of the fallen. You don't deserve an honorable death, you'll recive a death worthy of a thief such as yourself."
Before the man could process her words he felt several quick strikes. Two to the lungs, one to the liver and two to the kidneys. It would take time to die, either of suffocation or renal failure. It didn't matter as he had no say in the matter. He could feel the strain of trying to breathe and he felt himself getting light headed.
'So, it's suffocation then," he thought to himself. Before he could think more on the matter a sharp pain was felt in his arm. Numbness flowed along his blood flow as his heart began to slow to a stop. His last thought was of sorrow and regret for all his mistakes. The biggest was turning from Konoha and following Danzo. As that last thought passed everything faded into nothing.
Hanabi glared at Kankuro as she hissed at him, "How dare you, he was given the death he deserved. If he stole one of your bloodlines you'd do the sam..."
"Hanabi! Let it go, we're guests in this country and they stick to a different way of doing things. The man was dead anyway and while I agree he needed to suffer but that is not how Suna does things," Naruto said as he looked at Kankuro.
"Yes, that's correct, we don't allow prisoners to suffer like that. Now what are you really doing out here?"
"Kankuro, I believe that Naruto-kun has already told you, didn't you Naruto-kun?" came a voice that Naruto hadn't heard in months as Kankuro bit back a gasp.
Turning the teen looked into the teal eyes of the girl that had fascinated both he and Sakura, "Te...Temari, what brings you out here?"
"Oh, I heard a rumor that some Konoha ninjas were out this way and I was wondering if their leader was the one I met a few months ago. Hi Sakura!"
"Hi Temari, how're you doing?" the pink haired medic replied.
"Oh, I'm fine, just making sure my idiot brother doesn't do something he'll regret, you?"
"The same, my idiot husband can't be trusted most of the time. So, I think we're done here, lets all clear out and take this to our camp."
"Sure, Kankuro, sweep this place and set up sentries. Don't screw it up, our little brother is in a bad mood," at that Kankuro swallowed hard, "so, don't screw it up."
Naruto and Sakura both raised an eyebrow. They knew who she was talking about, it was one of the reasons that they made the trip. The kept their mouths shut and led the strike team and Temari to the camp.
Tenten, Lee and Neji along with Sai and Shino stood on the porch of the Uchiha clan head's house waiting for someone to answer their knock. All of them including Sai and Shino were trying not to laugh at the sounds inside the house. Knocking again they finally heard a reply,
"I'm coming, I'm coming, I heard you!"came Sasuke's cry as he opened the door, "Oh, it's you guys. Come in, come in."
"Pardon the intrusion," Tenten said as the group entered, eyeing the empty baby bottle and burp rag on his shoulder, "we finished our debriefings with lady Tsunade and decided to pay our respects to you and your new addition."
"Thank you for coming," Sasuke replied with a small smile. Ever since he'd begun dating Ami he was showing more emotions than anger or indifference, the change was small but noticeable, "excuse the mess but..."
"It's to be expected, why? Because adapting to a new baby is difficult at the least," interrupted Shino.
"Ah, yeah. Anyway please come in, Ami and I were in the family room with the baby. We just fed her as you arrived This way please."
As the group followed Sasuke deeper into the house. Being that it belonged to the clan head it was larger than necessary for the small family. Ami had moved in a few months into Sasuke's deployment when she started to show. Her father wasn't very happy at first but not for the obvious reasons, he was angry because Ami had been betrothed to another trading family and they had threatened to boycott his goods due to Ami breaking the contract. It was only after one of Sasuke's elder cousins had talked to Jiraiya and asked that his clan put pressure on the offended party did the matter die down.
After that Ami's father was more than happy to see his daughter be happy for once in her life. She had been a spoiled brat in her younger days. It had got to the point that she had lost what few friends she had after she decided to go after Sasuke. That changed when the boy had asked for treatment for his mental trauma and they had begun to first talk and then date. Being in a class and training with the future Hokage and his wife also helped as Sakura didn't put up with her crap and called her out on anything she did wrong. Now she was very happy with the boy she loved with a daughter that was adored by everyone that saw her.
Ami looked up from her seat as her friends entered the room, "Welcome to our home, Sasuke? Could you please bring some tea and refreshments for everyone?"
"Hnn, where is Mashio-chan? The brat was given her C rank to help out in the house."
"Mashio was given the day off today, by you, if I remember. Her father wished to discuss her future," seeing the blank look on Sasuke's face she decided to enlighten him, "It's another arranged date with a potential suitor. He seems to ignore the fact that she's got her eyes on Umeko's brother Eiji."
"Hnn, tch, fine. Excuse me for a moment, oh and Ami? We talk with Naruto when he returns about Mashio's father when he returns. She's made it clear that she's not interested in these 'dates'." With that he walked out of the room towards the kitchen.
"Sorry about that, he's grown fond of Mashio. She's not star struck as his old fan girls and has set him in his place more than once. Now, what brings you all here?"
"Well, as we told Sasuke-kun, we're done with the debriefings and decided to pay a visit," Tenten replied.
"Oh, I thought that you'd come by to see the baby."
"Yosh! That too, it's rare to see such a fine example of the results of the fires of youth...owww!"
"Lee? Tenten asked sweetly, "what have I said about yelling about the fires of youth and the results there of?"
"Not too, my sweet panda girl?"
"Exactly, now cool it!"
At seeing his teammates act up Neji sighed and looked at Sai and Shino, "Why has fate decided to give me teammates such as these?"
"Because you're an asshole bright eyes," Sai answered with his false smile glued on his face. Sai, being another orphan was not what you would call normal. While the other kids played together he spent his time with his brushes and drawing pad. The drawback was that he never learned how to properly interact with people leading to moments such as this.
As Tenten turned to scold Sai Shino slipped into the kitchen. Seeing Sasuke trying to prepare some snacks the teen offered his help. As they stood side by side in silence Shino spoke up,
"The Uzumaki girls have been cleared and are telling all they know about our enemy. It was a good decision to bring them to the village, we're now a good deal ahead of them."
"That's good, the dope will be happy, any news from him?"
"Yes, it seems that they ran into Sakura's parents while in Tanzuka town. It seems that they've got another daughter. But that's not the important news."
"Oh? And what would the be?"
"They're back in the village, seems her father had a heart attack and she and Naruto were the ones to treat him. The kids helped too, that's going to be a surprise to them when they find out that they have grandchildren as old as their second daughter."
"Hnnn, it would wouldn't it?" What I want to know is why they're back in the village, they made Naruto and Sakura's lives miserable before they left. Itachi told me about it before, well, you know."
"Yeah, well, it seems that Naruto arranged a full pardon and because of the old guy's health Sakura ordered him sent her. Lady Tsunade treated him so it seems that everything will work out."
"So, how's the Dogboy, sorry, Kiba?"
"He's recovering well, Hinata refuses to leave his side. Neji said that Hiashi is going crazy, Hanabi is out on that mission with Naruto and Hinata insists on sharing Kiba's bed. After Lord Third cleaned up the Hyuga's elder council the man's been able to show his true feelings towards his girls."
At that Sasuke smirked, "I know the feeling, it's only been a few days and I'm already dreading the day she discovers boys."
In the other room the rest of the visitors were ooing and awwing over the newest Uchiha. Tenten was holding her in the air as Lee blushed at the thought of he and Tenten making their own child. Tenten caught the look and blushed herself. While it was tempting the thought of how her parents would react made her shudder. Her adopted father was very over protective and it was only when he caught her sneaking out to be with Lee the tenth time did he surrender and allow the teen share his house and daughter's affections. If she were to get pregnant at her age he's kill Lee, get Tsunade of Sakura to bring him back and kill him again. No, it was better to wait.
As Tenten was in thought Sasuke and Shino entered with a tea set and a tray of snacks. Setting the tea down Sasuke took his daughter from team nine's female member. Ami joined his at his side he held his daughter for all to see,
"Everyone, may we introduce you to Uchiha Hatsuko. We will properly and formally introduce her to the village when the idiot"...SLAP!... "OWW! When Naruto and Sakura return," as he finished he glared at his fiancee.
"What? He's your best friend and the Hokage, have some respect," Ami scolded, "As Sasuke says, we'll introduce her to the village formally when Naruto and his mission returns. We plan to ask him and Sakura to be her godparents."
"Ummm, Naruto-kun?" asked Tenten, "Are you sure? He's loyal and kind but, aren't you afraid that he and Sakura would turn Hatsuko-chan into a rabid ramen freak?"
"No, they may have it for lunch almost daily but Sakura and her aunt makes sure that the family eats other food as well. Besides, his mother and father were mine and Itachi's godparents. It's only right that he's Hatsuko's godfather, I know that he'd do all he can to endure her safety."
"There's more isn't there isn't it?" asked Sai. He and Shino had been trained by Jiraiya in gathering information and reading a situation. Sasuke was acting more than an overprotective father today.
"Yes, Danzo and Orochimaru will no doubt find out about her soon. That means that they'll target her and Ami to get to me. Ami is a good ninja and can handle herself. Hatsuko is too vulnerable and will be until she's in the academy, I'm not taking chances, not with her or any of our children."
The visitors looked at each other and nodded. Neji then stepped forward and bent his knee, "Uchiha-sama, from this day forward we promise to take this mission as members of DRACO. We will include the others that are not here as well. Nothing will ever harm any children that belong to it's members with yours being the first one to look after."
Sasuke nodded his head at Neji's words as Shino stepped up and bowed, "I, Aburame Shino as well as Sai vow to protect Hatsuko-chan from the shadows. Allow me to give these kikaichu to her, they will keep watch over her at all times and will alert not only myself but my clan as well. They will not harm her and will dwell near her but not on or in her as in my clan,"
Thinking of something he turned back to Hatusko's parents, "There is a procedure that would allow a small hive to dwell in her should you wish. It would not be as obvious as in me and my family but it would allow a level of protection that is hidden. I will not push it but please consider the offer, it's not given lightly."
Sasuke and Ami nodded in thought, while such a thing would be revolting to a civilian family Sasuke knew that this was a very high honor that was being given to his daughter, "We will give it a great deal of thought Shino we know how much thought you and your family must of given to make this offer, Ami and I thank you."
As Shino nodded Sai spoke up, "Uchiha-san, I know that we have not been on close terms in the academy, however you have earned my respect. I wish to offer a portrait of your daughter to hang in her room. Unlike something you would get in a studio this will have several chakra animals that will come to life should she be attacked in her house. They will be keyed to her own chakra signature and as she gets older they will be hers to command."
"What do you mean keyed to her chakra?" asked Ami concern lacing her voice.
"Simple, I will add a few drops of her blood to my inks and the animals will be like silent guardians. They'll never sleep or need food or drink. I understand that what I'm asking is a lot but it is necessary for the jutsu to work."
"And how long would the jutsu last?"
"Dormant, a lifetime. Active? Most likely a week to ten days. As I was informed by Lord Third it's a bloodline jutsu that runs in my family. We were wanderers that had no attachment to a village. My folks stopped here with the intention of my mother giving birth to me before moving on. Shortly before we could leave Kurama-san attacked, I lost my folks and you all know the rest."
Hearing that made Ami and Tenten gasp before the new mother looked at everyone, "Sai, I want you and the others to promise me that you never tell Naruto-kun that story. The guilt he would feel would crush him, I think that Kurama-san would also display feelings as well. We all know the story of what happened but those two still...well you know."
At that the group nodded and agreed with Ami's words. Both Naruto and his guardian fox would feel guilty about taking the lives of a friend's parents. It took Iruka-sensei weeks to convince Naruto that he bore no grudge or ill will after the teen had found out about his teacher's family.
Afterwards Neji pledged the protection of the Hyuga clan and Tenten and Lee offered themselves as Hatsuko's body guards when she needed some. When done the room was filled with laughter and giggles from a baby while they all enjoyed the snacks Sasuke and Shino had prepared.
In a darkened lair Orochimaru grinned after reading a scroll he had just received. Turning to an aid he ordered that he bring his fellow traitor to him at once. After a short wait Orochimaru heard the sound of a cane hitting the stone floor,
"I was enjoying a restful meal Orochimaru, what demands my presence at this time of day?"
"We finally were able to get news from our former home. It seems that Kabuto-kun was able to access some medical information."
"Oh? And what would that be? The Senju princess drink herself to death? It's about time that slu...URK!"
The old man found himself slammed against a wall with a very large python around he neck as Orochimaru leveled Kusanagi at his chest, "I've told you before old man, you will not call Tsunade-hime vile names like that. While she and Jiraiya are now my enemies they're still my teammates and my family. Call her a slut or anything like that again and you'll die before you can cheat death with those eyes."
Danzo kept silent and still, he knew that he had crossed a line with the psychotic sanin and it was best that he allow the man to cool down. Staring at Orochimaru he waited until he withdrew and sheathed the poisoned sword into his throat. Finally the Snake sanin walked back to his chair and spoke,
"I do hope you've seen the error of your ways dear Danzo-sama, now, to answer your question. Last week our Uchiha clan head and his fiancée were presented with a healthy baby girl. Once she is old enough we will take her for our own. Imagine, the sharingan is closer to us than in the past. Even if her never awakes she'll be able to birth the first generation of Uchiha loyal to the Sound village."
"And what of the security around her? Sasuke as well as Minato's spawn are not stupid men. The Uchiha clan will take precautions and the Uzumaki no doubt will add to the village's security. Remember, your former teammate may be an idiotic pervert but he's a seal master and from what little we've gathered his grandson is ahead of him. Did you think of that?"
"A minor detail, when the war starts the chance will present itself."
"Fool! Have you forgotten that the raids over the last year have set us back by at least four years? Whoever those mercenary's were they destroyed nearly all of our forward bases not to mention that Konoha was allowed to help overthrow the last Mizukage. Mist is no longer ours to control."
"I didn't forget. I'm consolidating our forces and plan on sending a mission to the southern base."
"What for? It was wiped out and we lost not only Tayuya but Kimimaro as well. What could you possibly want in that place?"
Orochimaru looked into Danzo's eyes intently, "What indeed. Well Danzo my old friend, that's just the staging point. To the south is the last stronghold of Sky and in it all their knowledge. The only message I received from a genin team was the they had found the library," at that Danzo's pulse quickened, "not only that but several weapons shops and a shipyard were found to be in good enough condition for rebuilding. Once we can get a foothold we'll lay low restore our forces, train and arm ourselves with the fruits of our labors. In four years Konoha will be crushed under the weight of the Sound village."
"Four years huh? I just hope my old friend and former tea**mmates will still be alive to see their precious village die and the will of fire extinguished."
A/N:
Sorry for the long chapter but once I got started I found that it wasn't easy to stop. Aside from that I had lots of viewpoints to take care of, some of them such as Kizashi, having to deal with his health problems as well as understanding that his daughter and son in law were giving him a second chance in more than one thing. Mebuki and Ren needed to clear the air as well and as much as Ren would love to bash Mebuki's face into a wall she knew that that action was not going to help so, as you can see, she let Mebuki talk about why she did what she did.
On a personal note I've been watching a couple of Naruto movies to help understand what I can get away with introducing in this story. Let's just say that there other things in Snow besides trains and airships. I'm hoping that Net Flix or Hulu will add Road to Ninja sometime soon so I can see what I can do to the Rookie Nine in terms of personality. I plan on taking a couple of days off before I start the next chapter and I know that I've been taking too long to update. I've got my reasons but the main one is the setting this story is in. Following lock step with canon is an easy way to write a fan fiction. Change a line here and twist a character there and you have a "story". It's not original but technically it is a story. This story gets harder to write the further it gets from canon as the changes are so wide.
Second personal note, after reading some of the stories posted lately I'm ashamed to be an American. From what I've seen I've come to the conclusion that teachers don't teach anymore, especially English. The last story I read was so bad that I almost told the writer that she must be proud of her ignorance as she's displaying it so well. Look, I'm the first to admit that I'm not perfect and that I make mistakes in my writing but I do make the effort to catch all I can. What scares me is that this person and her peers are going to be in positions of power some day and how they compose their ideas in text is frightening. Can you imagine someone with poor language skills writing medical instructions for a person? By misspelling a word or dropping a word or two could have lethal consequences. Please take my advice and treat each chapter you write as if it was an essay test that your passing or failing grade depends on. Maybe if everyone did that we'd have a better quality of story on this sight.
Last things, I've been watching a few new, for me, anime shows on Hulu and Net Flix that I'm enjoying immensely. The first is 'Jormungand', it was a good wast of time and I can see crossover potential with Naruto or Full Metal Panic. Second is GATE, this is an anime that gives a look at how I want my battles in this story to be. Of the two I really recommend GATE, I won't go into much so as not to ruin it but basically a portal to another world opens up in present day Japan's Ginza district and an army from Warcraft attacks. Once it's put down the JSDF crosses over and establishes it's own base and settles in for the long haul. The animation is well done as are the character designs. It's also available in a dub version so you don't have to read so much. If ever there was an anime that yelled Warcraft vs Call of Duty/Medal Of Honor, it's this one. I myself see a crossover story there for Naruto. Maybe after I'm done with this one.
Thank you everyone for following or making this your favorite, over 300 in each box. If that wasn't enough, Tip Of The Spear has been placed in six communities. Thank you all for that honor as well.
Till next time, Ja ne!