Naruto's eyes flew open from dead sleep and narrowed in annoyance. He wiped his eyes as he sat up and ignored the two figures staring at him at the foot of his bed. He idly glanced at the clock on his bedside table and groaned.

"It's one in the morning! Kabuto, you couldn't do this earlier?" Kabuto bowed his head and took off his mask with an irritatingly smug smile on his face.

"Good morning, Konoha-sama."

"We don't need codenames right now, 'Agent Snake', it's fine the three of us are trustworthy-"

The third figure perked up behind his blank, featureless mask and took a tentative step forward, "We- we are, boss? Konoha-sama?"

Naruto felt guilt flood through him as he realized that Shisui still didn't know his actual name. Oh boy.

"Ah- I'm so sorry about that, Shisui-san. I, uhm… I meant to tell you earlier but then well I went to War in Kiri-"

"Without informing his second in command-"

"-You were out of contact, Kabuto, there was no way I could-"

"Sorry- excuse me! I don't mean to be rude, but…" Naruto didn't need his empathy to tell how anxious the Uchiha was to be let within his 'inner circle'.

"Excuse me. Uhm… My name is Naruto Uzumaki." He couldn't help but wince, preparing himself for the worst when out of nowhere-

"HAH! I knew it!" Shisui pumped his fists and punched Kabuto on the shoulder, "I totally was right! You tried so hard to make me second guess myself!"

"He wouldn't stop guessing the entire way here, Naruto-kun. He was…quite excited."

"I've thought about it for months! Months! I've had so many ideas- so many theories! I'm glad one of the more reasonable ones was the truth."

"Reasonable?" Kabuto smirked and fixed his glasses, "More like sane. He was half-convinced you were a living shadow clone of Itachi genjutsued into self-actualization."

"Wait a minute- what are you two doing here!?" Naruto cried in shock as he jolted up. Both of them were highly wanted in Konoha! Well- Kabuto was wanted, Shisui was thought dead, but if it was discovered he was alive!

"I'm here to give you your check up." Was Kabuto's nonchalant response as he stepped closer and started to do just that.

"I've had a check up!"

"By the mediocrity of the hospital doctors, yes. No one knows the ins and outs of your medical needs like I do."

"Creepy. A real creepy thing to say, Kabuto." Naruto giggled at the glare Kabuto threw Shisui's way as the Uchiha walked up to the other side of his hospital bed.

"You two really shouldn't be here."

"Tough shit, Naruto!" Shisui quipped as he plopped into a chair. The green glow of Kabuto's medical jutsu casting the room in a gentle light. The Uchiha took off the mask and held it in his hands, "Thanks for the gift, by the way. I love the mask. Is it unnerving?"

Naruto smiled as he looked at the blank mask, "Not to me. I just think it's really cool!"

"Hah! Same!"

"...Not to interrupt, Naruto-kun, but what happened? Your body is… well, in all honesty your body is a mess! I've never seen your body so torn apart before."

Naruto sighed, "Things… went downhill. Long story short, during my time in Kiri I may have… smuggled Yagura Karatachi out. He's the jinchuriki of the Sanbi- and well, we were tailed straight from the battle. We got ambushed by their hunter-nin and that's when Roshi showed up. They went off and when I was enroute home I was then ambushed, again, by the jinchuriki of the Nibi… Kakashi saved me with Anko and Kurenai. I… I over extended. I've learned my lesson- my lessons. I've heard it from Kurama, Kakashi, Anko, Kurenai, Asuma, Jiji, Roshi, Yagura… Please, Kabuto, I know I messed up and I'm sorry."

Naruto couldn't hold back the tear that dripped from his eye when Kabuto just rested a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him, "I'm just glad you kept your promise."

"I told you- I'd come back if you did. We promised."

"And you never break a promise."

"Uhm- Is that a rule?" Both blinked and looked over at Shisui who had tentatively raised a hand, "Like, of being a part of this group? We don't break promises?"

"Uhm- well, ah, yes, I guess it is." Naruto said and chuckled. He could pick up on Kabuto's embarrassment and continued on and changed the subject, "Ah, Kabuto, what's your diagnosis? Can I leave yet?"

"Unfortunately, no, Naruto. You'll have to stay for at least another week."

"A week!? I can't! I have to meet up with Roshi and Yagura! We set to rendezvous! It's really really really important!" He could sense a scathing remark forming from Kabuto's impatience about to leave his lips when Shisui interjected once again.

"Oh! I could go!"

They once again regarded him as he put on his blank mask and gave two thumbs up, "I could be your messenger! Your liaison to them as you recruit more jinchuriki! That's the goal, right?"

"Are you serious?" Kabuto asked and Naruto was worried when he didn't sense that Kabuto was opposed to it.

"Wait a minute- Shisui- Kabuto- I have to-"

"If you were to be Konoha-sama's link to the roaming jinchuriki, your safety could not be guaranteed at all. In fact, it's highly likely that you'll very soon be put under a high level of risk and danger from every faction and country."

"Exactly. I'd finally be able to do something! Haha, I'm tired of just being a 'good boy' and sitting on the sidelines! I want to help. I can't help out in the village- but, I can help outside of it!"

"Shisui- I can't ask you to do this. It's too much- you're not ready."

"I am. I am ready." Naruto found no words to respond as he could sense that the Uchiha… was actually prepared. He stretched his senses to find any wavering, any hesitation, any doubt the man had and…

He had none. In fact, he could sense how much Shisui truly wanted and needed this.

"You saved my life. It's time that I use it to make up for the life I lost."

"... Okay. I don't like it, but alright. You two win." Shisui gave a whoop and pumped a fist.

"Yes! Yes! Oop-" He froze as Naruto and Kabuto both shushed him, "...Right. Hiding in the hospital. Sorry about that."

"You should brief him, Naruto. Tell him your plan, your vision, the jinchuriki- you have about an hour while I work before I'll need to sedate you for when the Hokage visits you in the morning."

"Understood. Alright, Shisui, I gotta be quick… First of all we need to give you a cool nickname!"

"Ooooo! Love it! Any ideas!?"

Naruto smiled as Kabuto just grinned and worked on healing him. It'd been way too long since he'd really been home.

Kakashi ducked the punch thrown his way and retaliated with three swift strikes for his opponent's throat and kidneys. None made their mark and instead of backing up Kakashi fluidly switched styles and launched a series of kicks as he redirected his momentum to soften up the blow that glanced his ribs. From the impact he could tell it'd bruise quite heavily.

He pressed forward and sacrificed two hits he could have avoided to launch forward for a chop to his opponent's neck- only to feel a foot spear into his own at the same time.

"Ugh! Alright, draw eighty-seven for the day!" Gai decreed as he gently rubbed his neck.

"Two minute reset and then round eighty-eight?"

"I think it's time for our check in."

"We agreed that'd be after round one hundred." Kakashi said with a narrowed eye. He didn't like the look that was resting on Gai's face.

"You're taijutsu is increasing well, Kakashi, I'm more worried with the ruthlessness that you're starting to exhibit now. You're skilled enough to dodge a majority of the hits you've just taken. I don't like idea of how you imagine you'll need to fight out in the field. Who are you preparing to go up against? And why do you imagine you'll need to do it alone?"

"We agreed to do the check in later."

"It's happening now, my eternal rival." Gai calmly replied.

"It's nothing."

"You're bullshitting, my friend."

"I don't need this right now, Gai."

"Then prove it. Answer my questions, Kakashi." Kakashi stood up and turned to leave. His blood began to boil as he felt Gai's hand grip his shoulder in a hold that would be tricky to break.

"Gai-"

"Don't even start with me, Hatake. This is your wake up call that you're on the edge of traveling down a path you've sworn to avoid."

"You're being dramatic."

"Am I? Am I really?" Kakashi bit back the insult that almost left his lips. He stilled himself as he felt Gai's grip tighten.

"You don't need to worry, Gai. I'm not suicidal."

"I never said you were."

"No, but we know what you're implying. You're afraid I'm shutting everyone out."

"You're comfortable thinking of yourself as a lone wolf, Kakashi. I've worked very hard over the years to remind you that that isn't the case. You have allies- friends. You need to hear me now, and we need to complete your check in."

"...Fine." Gai let go and they both stood with their arms crossed apart from each other.

"Who are you preparing to fight?"

"Anyone who goes after Naruto."

"So, this too is about the Uzumaki? You saved him from both the jinchuriki and the assassins, Kakashi. You don't need to be training yourself as some sacrificial piece to fight any unknown threat that your darkest thoughts think up for you."

"I do. Whether I know of them or not, they are out there and I will be ready for them."

"The boy sees you as a role-model, Kakashi. With his ability, he will sense your choice and the reasoning that led you to it. What will his reaction be?"

Kakashi froze. He hadn't expected that from Gai. He hadn't thought about that. He remained silent as he recognized Gai's point but couldn't find the humility to answer it himself. Gai didn't wait for the silence to go on for long before he answered it himself.

"The boy would decide that he'd have to train himself the same way to the same extreme. You endanger not only yourself with this path, but also the very person who you strive to protect."

The wind blew the leaves around them as Kakashi struggled to find any way to deny Gai's statement. He- He couldn't actually be endangering Naruto by trying to protect him.

But, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that Naruto really would react like that. If he started seeing himself as expendable- the boy would hold himself to that same standard. Stubbornly.

"Shit."

"Indeed."

"Fuck."

"I imagine that's a hard pill to swallow."

Kakashi groaned and leaned against a tree trunk with his arms crossed, "Shit, Gai, damn."

"The boy looks up to you Kakashi. It was plain from the first day we travelled to Kiri."

"He almost died, Gai. Multiple times. He's pushing himself as hard as he can- too hard- and yet he's still in danger."

"From all sides, yes. We can only do our best. To guide the next generation and to protect them. But, we must stand with them for as long as we can. That's when we are at our strongest. As a family, as a team, and as a village."

"Nice pep-talk. You haven't had to give me one of those in quite a while."

"Since you lost that wager of who could drink more in a single night, I believe! Yosh, we were banned from nearly every bar in the village, hahaha!"

Kakashi smiled and nodded along, "Yeah… Say, want to pivot?"

"Hm? You have a new challenge in mind in place of training, my eternal rival?"

"First one to run twenty laps around the village picks where we get dinner?"

Before Gai could even respond he dashed out of the field and to the outskirts of the village walls. He heard Gai right behind him and felt the strain it took to not let himself be overtaken. A necessary distraction from the truth of Gai's check-in.

Someday, Naruto would have to protect himself. And Kakashi wouldn't be there for him- at all. He needed to pivot his training- he needed to be there as long as he possibly could.

For both of them.

Though Hinata's life had indeed changed dramatically since becoming friends with Sai going to school was still one of the most stressful and draining parts of her day. Being at home was worse. Though her training sessions with her father were becoming more… manageable. His use of the Cursed Seal was the main frustration of hers now. His strikes, while painful, didn't hurt as much anymore now that she had developed more of a pain tolerance. Sasuke wasn't a fan of pulling his punches. Neither was her father. Both were arrogant.

No, the most frustrating part of the academy now was that she had to keep her progress hidden. Losing fights she might have had a shot at winning. Scoring perfectly average in line with her past tests even when their lessons were on topics that Sai had relentlessly covered weeks before.

She was more anxious that she was gonna slip than anything else it didn't matter what was happening! Her anxiety followed her around everywhere she went and it didn't matter what they were doing- everything was an act!

She'd get teary eyed trying to find some way to answer Iruka-sensei's questions wrong in a way that wouldn't be completely unbelievable that she'd just freeze and her classmates would whisper and laugh!

Why couldn't she ever just feel normal in school! Even when she had grown! She had grown! She was becoming a true kunoichi and she was proud and still dealing with all her anxiety and it still seemed like she was a failure because now she couldn't pay enough attention to what was happening because she was so anxious all of the time and-

"-Hinata. Hinata Hyuga!" She gasped as she heard Iruka's shout and saw everyone looking at her once again! They were sitting on the bleachers during sparring examinations. It seemed she had missed being called on to spar.

"A-ah, y-yes! S-sorry.." She got up and walked down to her spot while strictly ignoring her classmates. Her anxiety swelled in her like the sea and now it was joined by a storm of shame and embarrassment- was she cursed? Could she never- not once- just feel normal?

"-Hinata! Are you ready?" She jerked as once again Iruka scolded her and the laughs weren't quiet anymore. She was surprised to see Sasuke standing across from her and he just looked so bored. He didn't even care that she was up against him- or that she was being laughed at. She had to hide her growth, but Sasuke, oh Sasuke, he was already the prodigy of the class! He didn't have to hold anything back. Not like she did. Sai had advised her to hold back in order to not have to answer any uncomfortable questions about who was training her. She hadn't wanted to let him down- but it was beginning to be so hard to constantly worry about hiding!

No, Sasuke would take this chance to humiliate her where she couldn't even fight back! He could just be so- mean!

"Begin!" He dashed forwards at her because of course he did- he was so unoriginal! He did the same thing every time! Every spar! It was like he was so impatient fighting her that he wanted to get it over with as fast as possible! Like it was a chore- sparring against her was just some kind of burden!

He swung with a right hook and she stepped back and redirected his second strike after his first feint of the fight. Oh, as strong as he was, he just loved sneaking in underhanded and poor sportsmanlike strikes. Shinobi were supposed to fight dirty but he just enjoyed it!

He started showboating with leaping kicks and she ducked and twisted underneath him and slapped his foot to send him sprawling forwards onto the ground. Honestly! He was taunting her using all the tricks she had learned from him in the first week of sparring against him!

He leapt back with a grunt and she could see it, his frustration with her! He would just get so mad at her whenever she'd countered or see through one of his tricks! Like him not being able to constantly get the better of her was some kind of insult!

He charged back at her with a yell and threw a quick series of haymakers that she was hard-pressed to counter or redirect so she had to quickly skip back to avoid them before she twirled and tripped him up as he passed her. She instinctually lashed out with a kick that caught him on the chin before she got back into her ready position.

He just got so angry! Any time they sparred! He was mean and he was arrogant and he was only ever satisfied when he beat her! Everything was a competition!

She felt sweat drip down her brow as the fight escalated into a nonstop dance of attacks where neither of them let the other pull away or regroup. This is around the time where Sai would call out to restart the spar, but Hinata wasn't going to wait for him this time! She was so stressed! So anxious! And now she was just feeling so mad! She couldn't calm down!

She always had to be good, to be perfect, be nice, be gentle, be careful! She never wanted to really hurt anyone- but Sasuke was so sure that she could never come close to beating him! So it was his own fault if she couldn't take her on going full on!

She let out her own battle cry and slid right up to him through a jab and kneed him in the groin! She twisted and tried to throw him over her shoulder but he latched on through the pain and dragged her down and attempted to pin her!

Hinata felt her anger and anxiety feed off of each other and slammed her head back into his nose as hard as she could! She pushed off the ground and got away from him with an exultant grin on her face- she might just win this one! He was bleeding heavily from his nose, battered almost as much as she was, and she was filled with so much adrenaline and excitement at the fact that she might just even win this spar- she might be close to beating Sasuke Uchiha!

She glanced over to Sai- and saw Iruka-sensei and her entire academy class staring at them-

At her.

In complete shock and silence.

Sai's head was in his palm.

Sasuke looked at her from down on the ground, blood flowing down his face- and smirked at her.

"A-a-ah… I-Iruka-sensei- I-I can…uhm…" She felt her face grow flush and the embarrassment and anxiety flooded back in. Just as she was going to win. Just as she was finally feeling proud! Happy! She felt the tears flood her eyes against her will- and she turned and ran!

'Sai's going to be so mad at me!'

Itachi sat down and idly waited for his tea to cool. Underneath the wide brim of his hat he was able to have his sharingan activated in order to glance around. Townsfolk didn't seem to bat an eye when travelers were sitting down to eat or drink. Acting like a traveler. Imagine that.

The bare minimum of 'blending in' allowed him to observe everyone within eye-sight and catch a glimpse of what they were talking about. Reading their lips perfectly.

Most of the 'chatter', as he once deemed it, was mundane. Trivial, nothing of note. Personal business. Tall tales. Complaints about the weather.

No, it was the rumors that he was interested in. This town wasn't on the main road of Iwa, but it was close by. The gossip he was looking for wouldn't take long to reach its people.

Officially, he was here to learn info about the jinchuriki of Iwa. Unofficially, he was trying to find out anything about the outside world that he may have missed off the grid. A lot could happen in the shinobi world in the span of a few months. It was always important to keep an ear to the ground. Or an eye on some gossiping lips.

His eye drifted over the busy street before settling on a pair of tax-collectors. They were sitting at a table enjoying some lunch, Itachi could only see one of them speaking, but what they seemed to be talking about was exactly what he'd be hoping to spy.

'No, see, it's because of what went down in Kiri- the Tsuchikage sent the Explosion Corp to aid the Mizukage, but somehow the rebels succeeded in their Konoha-backed-coup… Heh, yeah, fucking fools installed a puppet as the new 'Water Daimyo'... I'm telling you Enzo, the Daimyo is getting antsy- and I bet sure as shit that the Tsuchikage is fanning those flames. Konoha's making a lot of moves lately and the Daimyo's are really starting to take note… If things don't level out soon, heh, I'd hate to be a shinobi…Hahahahaha! Yeah, I'll drink to that! Murderous sons of bitches!' Itachi looked away from their boisterous, obnoxious, revelry and sipped his tea. The Rebellion had won- he didn't know if Naruto had survived or not, but…

In his heart, he knew he was alright. He knew it.

Now, he really did have some jinchuriki to track down…

The longer he was out searching on his own the longer it'd take before he was assigned another partner. After the last two, a part of him was indeed dreading the third.

Again. Hopefully. This time. They wouldn't be some. Bloodthirsty. Maniac.

He truly hoped they'd be a silent introvert.

As he walked down the street he idly cast a genjutsu causing the two tax collectors to collapse, frothing at the mouth. People screamed and swarmed the two.

They'd be alright. After a few weeks.

It was quite pitiful to be so disrespectful of those who put their lives on the line for peace. Maybe they'd wizen up and not be so vocal- he could think of a number of other shinobi who'd do far worse for much less.

One should honestly hold their cards close to their chests. It was just smarter.

Yagura sighed as the sun slowly began to set. Roshi grunted and took another bite of their dinner and glanced at him. The two had… found a measure of camaraderie in the past weeks. Comrades.

'It's weird feeling like I can… trust this deeply, Isobu.'

'I'm glad! Things are really turning around for us!'

'...Isobu, we're on the run, wanted on all sides.'

'And we're with Roshi and Son! And we have Naruto and Kurama! And no one telling us to fight or kill whenever they want!'

He smiled and nodded and looked towards the entrance of the old Uchiha base they were tucked away in. Roshi flicked some flecks of magma at the various candles they had set up and they ignited with a furious hiss.

"That is- just absolutely overkill."

"I don't want to get up just to sit down again."

"Lazy."

"Watch it, Yagura." Roshi said with a light smirk, "You get defensive when you're impatient."

"The day's almost done and he isn't here yet. We don't know if he ever made it back to his home."

"Kid has been through some tough shit. I have faith in him."

"You do- and that's the most surprising thing, Roshi." Yagura observed his compatriot as the man just chuckled. Roshi seemed to completely trust Naruto. That fact was what allowed Yagura's paranoia to settle down after a week or two. Waiting for squads of Konoha Kill-teams to ambush and execute him- claim Isobu for their own.

Here the two jinchuriki, defectors of their village, sat in the heart of the Land of Fire…

And they were safe.

It was a surreal situation.

"He may not be able to make it. Kid wasn't doing too hot when I stumbled upon you two." Yagura nodded along- that was true. He was young and had really pushed himself.

"Should we wait around? For how long if we do, a week? Two?"

"Hm. We really shouldn't stick around in any one spot for too long."

"Agreed. One week?"

"Sounds good to…me… Sense it?"

"Yup." Yagura was already following Roshi when he replied. A presence had appeared- and was waiting for them near the tree line.

As they stepped outside Yagura didn't know how to react. It wasn't Naruto. A figure sat down on a stump at the treeline. Waiting. For them.

'I don't like this, Isobu.'

'Neither does Son… I don't know, it doesn't seem threatening?'

"Who are you." Roshi called out. Yagura sighed as the figure stood up and started walking closer. Whoever they were, they were attempting to be as non-threatening as possible, but no one should know where they were. No one but Naruto.

'Did he really betray us?' Yagura didn't hear a response from Isobu, and that did not inspire great confidence.

The shinobi stopped fifty feet from them. He seemed to wear the Konohan uniform- underneath a gray cloak with a collar of fur- and wore a featureless blank mask. Was he blind? Maybe. He seemed to get around just fine regardless.

"Hey there! Konoha-sama sent me!" Roshi grunted in distrust and Yagura didn't blame him. Naruto had never discussed this.

"Who are you?"

"Ah- Konoha-sama has given me the codename 'Menma'!" The man took off his mask- yes, he was blind. His eyes were scarred and stayed closed, but the man was grinning widely, "He advised me to tell you my real name is Shisui Uchiha. He also told me that Kurama wished his hello be passed on to Isobu and Son Goku!"

Yagura felt Roshi relax and glanced at him. While using the bijuu's names as a code worked for now there would be a time where it could be used against them. Roshi relaxing as much as he had meant there was something more to this. Roshi knew him.

"I remember you. From the clearing. Konoha-san trusts you as his liaison?"

"Young Naruto has welcomed me into his inner-circle upon his return to the village. He expresses his regrets that he could not attend this meeting himself- he was too injured. Upon leaving you both he was ambushed by Yugito Nii, the jinchuriki of the Nibi."

Yagura was shocked. Naruto had not been in the best of shape when the three had gone their separate ways, "How did he escape?"

"He was rescued by Kakashi Hatake. Yugito Nii fled when her mission was compromised." Shisui put his mask back on and took a tentative step forward, "May I come inside? Naruto sent his correspondence with me and there is much to discuss if you are both willing to allow me to work with you."

'It's risky.'

'We have to choose. Do we trust him? Do we trust Naruto?'

Yagura didn't know so he looked to Roshi. He could see the unease in the Iwa shinobi's eyes. The tension in his arms. Yet, he gave a slow nod and then looked to Yagura. Roshi was taking the risk in trusting the boy.

'...I will do the same.'

He waved Shisui- Menma- towards them, "Come in. We just finished dinner but you can have some if you're hungry. We'll get settled in and talk… What would you prefer us to call you?"

"Menma may be best. All of Konoha believes me dead." The Uchiha quipped as he walked up to them, "Now, with you two, five people know I'm alive!"

Roshi laughed as he went inside and Yagura couldn't help but shake his head. Of course the Uchiha would be eccentric. It seemed all of their merryband would be at this point.

"Tell us about his fight with Yugito Nii… And what messages Naruto wanted sent our way."

Naruto was nothing but smiles as he felt the wind brush over him as Anko wheeled him out the hospital's doors! Kurenai called out behind them for both of them to slow down and take it easy but they were just too excited!

"Anko! You can't push the wheelchair that hard!"

"What are you talking about? Like he's gonna fall, he can stick to it with chakra!"

"He needs to take it easy!" Naruto just grinned at both of them as they bickered. Anko was just pushing Kurenai's buttons to get a rise out of her to get him to laugh. Kurenai was just worried the chair could break and his injuries could get stressed.

He was just happy to be going home.

"Alright, alright, 'Nai-chan, I'll slow it down!" The two women really seemed to have taken him under their wing. It really just made the day seem brighter. Anko pushed him down the street and he did his best to tune out his empathy as they went along. He didn't want anything to ruin his good mood!

They got to his apartment complex and he giggled as Anko picked the wheelchair up with him inside it to go up the stairs. Kurenai just sighed but had a soft smile on her face. They got to his door and he unlocked it quickly. He was home!

They walked in and he was surprised to see it spotless! Nothing out of place!

"Wow! Kakashi must have kept it tidy for me!" He then looked up at Anko and Kurenai with excitement almost bouncing out of his seat, "Since we don't have to clean- can we play some boardgames with dinner!"

"Oh absolutely, little guy!" He laughed as Anko gave him a noogie and started pulling games from his shelf. Kurenai walked into the kitchen and started getting dinner ready.

"What're we having, Kurenai!?" He shouted as if he didn't know. Sometimes, it was fun to pretend. That he was normal, like everyone else. Just- sometimes.

"Ramen!"

"YES!"

"BOO!" He froze and glared at Anko who smirked down at him.

"How dare you!" He wheeled himself towards her and she laughed and ran down his hall.

He was really happy to be home…

Later that night, after Anko and Kurenai had headed out after scheduling their next training session for later that week (Kabuto still had him on 'house arrest' for a few more days) he opened up his living room window. In a moment, Torune and Fuu kneeled before him.

"Konoha-sama. We have been unable to locate the rest of the discharged operatives- and Danzo is gone."

"Understood… Double our patrols inside the village. Hold back those who were on long-term assignments. They deserve a rest- and those who haven't been back since I assumed command needed to be vetted… The operatives I ordered to go searching for the rest of the jinchuriki are to be redeployed. They are to make no contact and report directly to you both."

"As you command." They left without another word. He felt his mood sour and all the fun he had had earlier couldn't fix it.

He'd been having such a good day… Sadly, it was time to get back to work.

'Jiraiya. I'm disappointed you have failed to respond to any of my correspondences over these last few years. Failed to respond to the issue of your godson. He knows, Jiraiya. He knows of you and who you are to him. He knows you know of him. He knows I have tried again and again to have you return to meet him and you have chosen not to. No, I haven't told him. It is impossible for me to hide it from him. He needs you- much as I imagine you would do better meeting him. Much better than you are now, running from this, answering everything in my letters except any word about the boy. His power is growing. I can foresee a day in the future, much sooner than any of us had wanted for him, where I will have nothing left to teach him. A day where you will pass the point where you have any meaningful influence over his life or upbringing. Come home, Jiraiya. You may not have been able to save your student. But, you can still be there for his son.'

Hiruzen slowly set down his pen with a heavy sigh. This would be the last letter he sent to his old student about his godson. It took him too long to move on from his own negative feelings about it before Naruto would sense them. It hurt him that everytime he tried to make things better with his old student it would leave another black mark on Naruto's perception of the man.

Hopefully, this time around, Jiraiya would heed his warnings and come home. Hopefully.

He seallessly summoned a small monkey and handed it the message, "Please, would you be so kind as to take this to Jiraiya? It is much appreciated."

He nodded his head in gratitude as the summon happily took the scroll and scampered off. He turned to look at the rest of the paperwork that littered his desk. It would be another long night.

Ah, well. Best start with the mail. He reached for the first letter and paused when he saw the seal of the Fire Daimyo.

'Hideyoshi? What would he want so soon after my last visit.'

He read through the missive and groaned. Excellent. A very long night indeed. He looked to the shadows and waved the Anbu agent over to his desk, "Can you please bring me Shikaku? It seems we'll be entertaining Hideyoshi-sama next month and we'll need to prepare the security detail."

"Yes, Hokage-sama. Anything else?"

"Yes- in the morning would you inform Naruto-kun that I need to speak with him? The Fire Daimyo has requested to meet with us both when he arrives."