Chapter 18
A/N: Hello everyone and a big thanks to everyone who faved, followed and reviewed! I hope you enjoy this latest chapter!
Infinite Katalyst: I love that you described Kiba as a hoot and a half!
SuomiTytt: I missed you so too! And I do believe chapters 20 or so will have some Toshiro for you :)
Stallion6: Whatever it is it will be chaotic for sure!
IMPORTANT: I have a poll up on my profile. Take a minute and vote, pretty please? ;)
Fujie pointed Naruto and Kakashi into the Councilroom of Ryugakure. Walking inside, they saw several important members of the village panicking as Nakina tried to keep order.
Before Naruto could observe more of the chaos, Nakina spotted the pair and approached. "Hatake-san, Uzumaki-san thank you for coming on short notice."
Naruto furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at all the people. "Why are there so many people here? The Council is small than this."
Nakina shook her head. "High ranking ninja and civilians in special cases are allowed to attend council meetings. They don't normally come unless something important has happened."
Kakashi, who had been standing behind Naruto, stepped forward. "Why are we here?"
"You're here to offer outside perspective on the matter at hand. Anyway, chairs have been set up for the extra people who've come, please take seats, I'm about to begin this meeting."
Nakina then sat down at the council table and signaled to begin the meeting. "Yesterday, I received an invitation to a summit of small village leaders. Earlier today, I received word that the Tsuchikage, Onoki, had been assassinated and that certain factions have pointed the blame at us here in Ryugakure or any refugees we may be shielding."
"Why would they blame Ryugakure?" the Head of the Takeshi clan, Eiji asked.
Nakina looked at Naruto and Kakashi. "Because we are close in proximity and have recently signed a treaty with Konoha, who historically was on bad terms with Iwa."
"That's bullshit," Naruto said, raising to his feet. "Any feuds between the 5 great villages was repaired during the 4th Great Ninja War, I saw for myself. The Kages worked together."
Toru Uzumi, the young ANBU head shook his head. "The smaller villages are in a bit of an uproar in the aftermath of the war. Apparently Katsutoshi, the leader of Tanigakure in the Land of Rivers and Shogo in our neighboring village of Ishigakure are growing increasingly mistrustful of the 5 Great Villages for not including them in the war despite the fact the war affected many small villages, such as the destruction of Shimogakure in the Land of Frost and loss of valuable shinobi in Amegakure and Takigakure."
Mitake Takeshi, the Head Medic frowned. "Why would they be concerned about not being involved? They didn't have any casualties in most cases."
"Katsutoshi preaches that the 5 Great Nations didn't trust smaller villages to help defend the world from Madara, Obito and the Juubi. Katsutoshi and Shogo have formed an alliance and are trying to get the smaller villages to join them for protection, as they claim the 5 Great Nations will conquer them an swallow up their villages. According to my intel, a delegation would have approached Ryugakure next had it not been for the alliance we signed with Konoha." Answered Toru.
"So they don't trust us anymore?" Masanori Mizushima, Head Jonin asked.
"They probably put the blame on us to distract the bigger villages from what they were doing." Nakina said, shaking her head.
"Did they assassinate Onoki-sama then?" asked Eiji.
Toru shrugged. "If they were behind it, surely they did it to throw the 5 Great Ninja Nations into chaos. If they garner enough support from smaller nations then maybe they'll start doing things to weaken the 5 Great Ninja Nations, the assassination of Onoki serving as an example. Iwa will likely go into civil war, Tani and Ishi could exploit this and take a side, crippling Iwa until its under control."
"I must go to this summit then, to try to convince the other villages not to join them." said Nakina, resignedly. "It's being held in Tanigakure."
Eiji stood. "What if this a trap to take you out and throw Ryu into chaos too? If Iwa and Ryu are both weakened, Ishi and Tani could come in with their allies and seize the entire lands in the name of Ishigakure!"
The masses in the room began to panic again.
"It's doubtful that's the case, at least for the moment. My reports indicate that Getsugakure, Hoshigakure, Amegakure, Takigakure, Kusagakure, Shimogakure, and whatever that village has become in the former Land of Snow have all been invited. In fact, there's rumors delegates from the Land of Waves may be there, as they're showing interest in creating a ninja village as well." Toru interjected.
"Kakashi and I could go with you as your guards, Nakina." Naruto offered. "I know people from Hoshi, Taki, the Land of Snow and the Land of Waves."
Masanori shook his head. "There's no way Katsutoshi would allow you and Hatake-san to enter their village. They'd think you were spies for Konoha, and you're too well known."
Nakina looked amongst the crowd. "Toru I will take you and Sae. I trust you two have worked together in ANBU before?"
Toru nodded as a brunette kunoichi stood and approached the table. Nakina stood a tied the belt on her dark blue trench coat and looked to Eiji. "Eiji, you'll be in charge." she said somewhat reluctantly. "Please take care of Tsubaki."
"Not a hair on your daughter's head will be damaged," the patriarch replied, as Nakina dismissed the meeting, presumably to pack and say goodbye to her daughter.
"I hope they aren't trying to start another war so soon after the last one," Naruto murmured to Kakashi as the left. "It'd be put down in an instant."
Tsunade sat in Konoha looking out the window wearily, watching the clouds go by. Shizune entered with a couple scrolls in hand, setting them on the desk.
"It's been quiet around here lately, huh Lady Tsunade?" Shizune said filing papers here and there, and sorting the papers on her desk. "Ever since Naruto and Kakashi and Sakura left."
Tsunade frowned. "It'd sure be more reassuring if they were here at home with all this Iwagakure drama."
They both sighed and before the talking resumed a mini-Katsuyu appeared on Tsunade's desk with a poof. "Tsunade-sama," said the slug.
"I bet Sakura sent you, huh Katsuyu?"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama, she wishes to inform you that Nakina-san of Ryugakure is en route to the small village summit being hosted by Tanigakure as we speak, and that while herself, Naruto-kun, Kakashi-san, Kiba-kun and Ino-chan are still there, Shikamaru-kun and Neji-kun are headed back to Konoha."
"Ryu surely isn't responsible for Onoki's assassination, right?" asked Shizune.
"No, Shizune-chan. Ryu suspects an alliance made by Ishigakure and Tanigakure for being responsible and have decided on no actions other than attending the small village summit and convincing the other small villages not to join with Tani and Ishi. However, Tani and Ishi is blaming Ryu and Konoha."
"Thank you, Katsuyu." Tsunade said, dismissing the slug. After it disappeared the Hokage turned to Shizune. "Please assemble the council," she said with a sigh.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama. Oh and I was going to tell you before Katsuyu appeared, Gaara will be here two days earlier than planned to discuss the situation."
"Very well. He can be apart of the discussions also. Although, he was originally coming to wedding plan with Hinata."
Shikamaru and Neji looked across the sand they were traveling on to see Sunagakure in the distance.
"We'll be there in about 10 minutes, we can stop there for a rest," Shikamaru said to his and Neji's traveling companion, an 18 year old medic nin from Ryu who was sent to learn in Konoha in an exchange program format.
"I've never been to Sunagakure," the girl, Aya Takemori said. Her cheeks were pink from the heat, and her thick, curly red-brown hair was becoming wet with sweat.
As they approached the gate, Shikamaru became excited to see Temari on duty. She smiled as she saw him approaching.
"Hi there, Shikamaru. Did Tsunade send you? We told her we'd be there earlier than planned."
Shikamaru frowned. "No, actually Neji and I are on our way back from Ryugakure and we stopped to rest since our companion here isn't taking to the heat so well."
Temari smirked and looked at Aya. "First time in the desert?"
Aya nodded. "The heat isn't so intense in Ryu, and it's only in the dry season."
"Well it becomes cold here at night, just a heads up." Temari said before turning back to Shikamaru and Neji.
"Do you have any idea what the current status is in Iwagakure?"
"No, what happened in Iwagakure?" Shikamaru asked, still frowning.
"Onoki was assassinated and the region has been plunged into chaos. Some small villages are blaming Konoha and that Ryu village."
Shikamaru nodded and held his chin in his hand. "We need to return to Konoha right away then, I'm sure Tsunade will want to take strategy."
"Well you're more than welcome to travel with Gaara, Kankuro and myself. We're about to leave for precisely the same reason."
"Wasn't this supposed to be a visit with Hinata?" asked Neji, raising an eyebrow.
Temari nodded. "It will be when Gaara isn't talking to Tsunade. Although, Gaara's thinking about pushing up the wedding due to the circumstances, despite the fact he sent her a wedding planner to work with last week. He doesn't want to wait too long and see it occur in a possible war time. Nothing good could come of that."
"I wonder how Hinata will take to that news?" Neji wondered with a frown.
"Hopefully she'd understand considering what happened, but it's normal to have reservations. Gaara's worried he won't have time for her on this visit." Temari said. "Although, enough of this talk, come into the village while Gaara finishes getting ready."
Not complaining in the least, the tired group complied and followed Temari to the Kazekage's mansion for a break.
A/N: Ok kiddies, that's that for today! Like I said please vote in the poll on my profile page, it's all about Ryu characters and you can choose up to 4!
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MyHikari