Chapter 7

Things had gotten strict lately. Apparently an S-rank criminal invading the village and attacking the Kyuubi vessel was a big deal now, Naruto had snorted at that thought. Thinking back to the past where the villagers would cheer if that had happened before the chunin exams. He had woken up to a protective Hinata hugging the crap out of him, his poor ribs were nearly broken before she finally let go with a blush. She informed him that Itachi had gotten away and that he would now be protected by Anbu while in the village.

Tsunade had finally cleared him for active duty but was reluctant to send him out of the village after receiving a report of Zetsu being spotted in the nearby forest. However Tsunade was much more curious of Naruto's transformation during his battle and decided to quest him about it.

"Oh that's the sage mode I learned on Myobokuzan, it allows me to utilize natural energy to use senjutsu (Sage Techniques)" Naruto explained. "I see Jiraiya informed of this training years ago but he said it was really dangerous" Tsunade said with concern. "Don't worry kaa-san, Fukasaku said I was a prodigy at it and surpassed pervy sage at using it" Naruto smiled. "So what abilities do you gain when using natural energy?" she asked, wanting more information.

"Well there's enhanced strength and speed. Perfect chakra control, higher self-awareness, ability to use sage techniques, enhanced summoning, sage versions of my normal techniques and I think that's it" Naruto explained.

(Yeah right, he's just giving the bullshit version. We all have read the manga and have seen when he can do with sage mode. When we saw that all Naruto fans screamed "YES FINALLY NARUTO LOOKS AWESOME!!" Sorry I just needed to voice that)

"Well just make sure you are careful, I don't want to have to forbid you from using it" she ordered. "Hai, I understand" Naruto grinned. "Oh and don't you ever engage Itachi again like that, you scared the living crap out of me and half the village!" she screamed, chucking a paper weight at him. Naruto ducked and high-tailed it out of there, laughing the entire way. "Damn gaki is gonna give me a heart attack some day" she sighed and went back to defeating the beyond kage level opponent known as paper work.

Naruto wandered through the village, various people coming up to ask if he was alright and if he recovered from his attack. He waved them off with a grin but inside he was rolling his eyes, back then they would have paid an arm and leg for the chance to beat him. Now that he had all this power and Jiraiya's teachings they treated him with respect. As he rounded a corner and dropped out of sight he suddenly felt a flash of pain in his head.

"You and I need to have a little chat"

"What do you want fox? I don't have time for you right now"

"You will listen and listen well brat; your sage form is quite powerful I will admit. Hell in a few years you might be strong enough to take me on at half strength but don't get cocky. Your over confidence is what got you caught off guard by the Uchiha and if he hadn't had been Jiraiya's spy you would have me been ripped out by now"

"Well sorry, I didn't expect him to use that move of all and make his eye sight even worse"

"If it hadn't had been for me your mind would have been shattered by his illusion. You need to make yourself stronger, a lot stronger and the only way to do that is to fight strong opponents"

"Like who?"

"That worthless jonin Kakashi for starters, then if you beat him I suggest you seek out my old friend"

"What old friend?"

"Nibi no Bakeneko" The fox grinned.

Somewhere in Lightning Country…

A young teenage girl by the name of Yugito Nii suddenly shivered catching her partner's attention. "What's wrong with you?" he asked. "I don't know, I just feel something is gonna happen soon" Yugito replied. "Whatever just make sure you finish your mission first" he ordered before jumping away.

She sighed before looking down at the folder in her hands.

Mission: Inquire information of the Kyuubi Jinchuriki in Konoha.

Target: Uzumaki Naruto

Mission Specs: Locate and engage target in battle to learn of his abilities. Capture if possible. If captured or killed the Raikage will not send aid nor with he state that he knew of your existence.

Mission Rank: S

Failure: Do not return to Kumo, you will be branded a rouge ninja of S rank and if found in Kumo's borders will be killed on sight.

She sighed, this mission just screamed suicide but she had no choice but to accept thanks to the damn seal around her neck. She had already sold her apartment and gathered what little belongs she had left as she expects she wouldn't be returning here. Two hours later she left the village and began heading to Konoha, not knowing that she had just missed being captured by two members of Akatsuki.

(Sorry for such a small update but I'm bust with my new job to write at the moment)