Dare to be naïve or how I learned to be a silent killer. Part 4.
The trek back to the hotel was hard, He hurt everywhere. Now that he had gotten his first taste of real combat at close quarters where he didn't pick the field, He knew tomorrow, a lot of meditation and reflection was in order. Itachi at least had warned him about his first kill. The subconscious response to having body parts and blood on you cannot be ignored. First he had to get back to the hotel unseen. He didn't feel safe, the feeling of still being in the battlefield wouldn't die down. As he made a semi-circle through Suna to shake anyone tracking him, Eyes Squinted, Hand ready to pinch and bleed to draw fresh weapons from his arm seals, he saw 2 men standing down the road. Quickly, he ducked into an alleyway, Wall walked to the roof, hopped a couple buildings while drawing his chakra down. Creeping to the building edge, He added a tiny amount of chakra to once again extend his hearing.
"Zabuzza-sensei, I have a room reserved" Calmly stated figure 1. He was a younger male, Mist ANBU garb and weaponry, about Naruto's age he decided.
"Good, tomorrow, we visit the Kazekage, Tsunade's orders are to capture Namikaze, no excuses."
"Rules of engagement determined in our orders, Sensei?"
"Any means necessary", they continued down the road where Naruto had been.
"Fuck me, More trouble, Zabuzza fucking Momichi, Contract killer. I have to get out of here. One of the few people who can fight in the mist and he's fucking here. Damn me to fucking hell, Suna must have sold me out.'
Quickly he made his way to the hotel, showered changed, made 1 shadow clone, Pulled out a brush and paper, and made a decision. Writing furiously, he sealed it, sent the clone up to the roof and off to its delivery. Naruto himself, immediately henged into a civilian he saw clothes shopping, Walking out the front door, he turned to the business district.
'Teach these fuckers to mess with me.'
10 minutes later reaching the edge of the district, He summoned 20 clones. Each henged into Suna ANBU, and scattered. Their mission, plant explosive seals, their targets, the busiest shops he saw with Temari. Their objective, Damage business at the prime of the business day, Restaurants, take out their ability to cook, Food shops, detonate and splatter goods on the crowd, Weapons shops, destroy merchandise. The Timer seals set for the morning rush, Self destruct seals, Seal number 15 of the 20 mandatory Uzamaki seals, double added to ensure security.
At the Sabaku residence, Temari was in her room when a knock was heard on her window, Being up 3 floors, she cautiously grabbed a Kunai and opened the window, There hanging on the wall was a clone of Naruto's. He handed her the scroll and dispelled. She thought, 'WTF' , closed the window and sat down.
Opening the scroll,
Mari,
I have to leave now, by the time you get this, I'll have left town. It's too dangerous for me to be here. I took a few minutes in the shower to process the kidnap, they had help, how or whom, I don't know. Yes. I know you guys came, Gaara's good, but moving sand is a dead giveaway. I don't have time to find out all the facts. Yet another team is in Suna, I spotted them on the way back to the Hotel, Contract killers, The Demon of the Mist and his apprentice. Wave backs them. 3 villages have made moves on me here. It's too much of a coincidence. I trust you and Gaara, no-one else in Suna. I'll write you when I can ensure no way to backtrack to me. I'll seal a Bunshin so at least we can talk and eventually when it dispels I'll get the information. Know I blame you for me liking you, Tell Gaara to eat and sleep better. Watch your back, since we're friends now, they'll be watching you.
Take Care till next time
Naruto
PS, the timer seal will self-destruct in 10 seconds.
Temari smiled, frowned and thought, 'Be careful out there, I'll buy Dinner next time.' Turning to the lamp, she waited till the last of the scroll was but dust, turned off the lamp and laid down, Unaware of the escape cover Naruto had planned.
Early the next morning, He ate at the shack like restaurant by the Gate furthest away from his current home, and coincidently the clan residential district. Shift change was in 15 minutes, he wanted to be at the gate in exactly 14 minutes. Easiest time to get through manned gates was when tired Shinobi coming off a night shift wanted to go eat and go to bed. Smiling and waving as he went through the gate, mumbling about lousy buyers and having to go babysit negotiations for excess stock liquidations.
He walked for 2 hours, spread his senses out, detecting no one near him for a good distance, he henged into a wandering bum. It was a good hour to the First tree lines. 2 days tree running to the mist border bypassing Wave, and at least 5 days sail down the coast past Suna's Eastern coast to the Southern Provinces, where at least had a job, secure place to sleep and train, and a place he felt safe.
Back in Suna, the chaos broke at 10 AM, crowds splattered with chunks of fruit, Raw meat in coolers lost their power, clothing dripping with black dye, restaurant's stove's sputtering with Gas lines being bent and pinched off. Weapons were falling off walls, dulling edges. Crowds ran in a panic, Suna ANBU covered on the scene, The explosions, sequential, led the ANBU to 2 clones henged into Zabuzza and The Unknown Mist nin holding a banner. The banner said."Never mess with the Maelstrom, Else the Maelstrom will mess with you." then the clones dispelled.
2 Hours later, the Kazekage sat in his office, pondering who was working against him for recruiting the boy. The damage was minor, but the message was received. Clearly the hottest prospect of his generation distrusted Suna, The Clones a clear message he knew Suna ha contacted Wave. He had thought the boy would be friendly to Wave, evidence though to the contrary. He knew a headache was coming. The council would be in an uproar, acquiring the services of the Namikaze heir was critical for future power, the war had left a gap in the ranks, 2 generations of the shinobi forces were gone, he needed to replenish strength. The only option left was to bluff through this generation and raise the next and supplement it.
Calling his secretary, He asked for the Clan head of the Sabaku clan, Kankarou. 15 minutes later, Kankarou entered his office, bowed and waited.
"Sit Kankarou, as the only clan left with fighting forces available, the future is in your hands. Your clan is ordered to the Wind colonies to supplement the colonial commander's forces. While there, Gaara and you are ordered to participate in Operation Suna Propagation. Temari when of age will participate as well when a Bloodline user of sufficient worth is determined. Failure to participate will be considered treason, this operation is critical to ensure the strength and expansion of future Suna forces to hold the colonies. "
He handed the orders scrolls to Kankarou, and watched perverse grin come onto Kankarou's Face. "Kazakage-sama, The Sabaku clan thanks you for the opportunity to serve Suna and ensure Suna's Future. We will do everything we can to make this operation a success."
Standing and Bowing, Kankarou left the office. The Kazekage sat there back turned to his desk, looking out over the now cleaned up Suna. Thinking to himself, "The next move is made, Surely Naruto will respond when the time is right to this. All we have to do is wait. Temari should thank me for making her the damsel in distress. I should send Kankarou my Icha-Icha subscription bill for getting him laid" Quietly chuckling at the thought of Kankarou and Gaara with former fire country residents about to be used to for the next generation, sandy vagina's indeed"
Location: Ame
Time: 2 weeks after Naruto's exit from Suna
Itachi had just finished his 2nd review of the films Zetsu and Sasori had gathered. He headed to a small meeting room where Madara and Pain were waiting for him.
Knocking in the door, He waited until invited.
"Madara-sensei, Leader-sama" bowing to the pair.
"Itachi, after your review what do you glean from the films?" asked Pain.
"Naruto was sloppy, expected without having a partner to press him, make him improvise quicker on the fly. He made all the right calls, but he should have been quicker, he had a tremendous skill and power advantage and didn't know it based on what I saw.
He has no sword; He must not have received Red Death's. Kushina-sensei must have left it with someone. Weapons were adequate, a sword of any type would have been better in the Mist. He has completely mastered the Rasengan, Lethal at close range. Kage Bunshin and possibly other clone jutsu's as well. Elemental control was excellent. Taijutsu looked far better than it did the last time I trained with him. Of course I could make it better. Not skilled at Genjutsu, he missed the cameras completely. Overall, without a single shinobi to train with, easily lower Jounin, with the potential to exceed anyone's most excessive expectations if his training stayed the same as when I had him.
Sasori sent a addendum to his report, the day after the house test, Several distractions were made in town to apparently cover his escape from Suna, This shows Excellent evasion and planning, whether or not he was in Suna when the incidents occurred is undetermined."
Pondering the critique, Madara spoke first, "No exposure of Kyuubi's presence or examination of the seal?"
"No, Madara-sensei"
Madara turned back to Pain, "Have you considered my new plan for Naruto?"
"Yes, it makes sense, based on the reports, Iwa is definitely out for Him, Konoha's part of Suna, He doesn't trust Suna based on his distractions to escape. Neither does he trust the paper tiger called Wave. This leaves Cloud and Mist. Cloud might be a potential spot for him to visit in the future, But I think the Mist is probably the best bet. Wave made a mistake, Sending Momichi, They should have sent a Sannin. I think the plan should proceed in Mist."
Madara nodded. Turning to Itachi, "Take Kisame to the mist, And the Whirlpool remnants, Find Red Death's sword. Once found, Wait for Naruto to appear, negotiate a viewing of the seal for training and the sword. I have a feeling Cloud will not welcome him either. Mist is still in a civil war and doesn't have the power to prevent the others from grabbing him there. Identify all forces in the Mist looking for Naruto. Use the ring to call and summon me. If the seal still exhibits the same markings, the deal is done, Kyuubi is gone for us. We may need to offer him a spot in Akatsuki."
Nodding at his orders, Itachi got up to leave, Madara called him back, "Itachi, train him well, since the weapon is useless now without the Kyuubi, we need the Hosts on our side."
"Yes, Madara-Sensei"
Scene: Konoha
Time: Naruto's meeting with the Kyuubi
Location: In the former tunnels of Root, Colonial Commander's office. The tunnels are now occupied with cells, medical facilities, and special chambers for Private training of captured Konoha women and girls of age.
The Commander was at his desk reading the weekly dispatch. Important messages to the colony were included in menial messages to hide them. Single messengers had been captured several times recently. One message raised an Eyebrow:
From the desk of the Kazekage:
Colonial Commander, you are ordered to begin the extermination of the last Hyuuga. Capture the unsealed main house females, Kill the rest. If possible, retrieve caged bird seal scrolls. If possible, keep 1 male alive for farming of samples. Remove caged bird seal from captured donor. Place main house females into rotation as soon as possible for immediate service to Suna, Utilize Clan Sabaku to expedite mission success.
Secondary Operation: Float Fake orders for Captured donor's first recipient to be Sabaku Temari. Make announcement after capture of Donor.
Tertiary Operation: Remove Eye of survivors for transplant to Suna Forces, Choose appropriate Jounin and transplant to them. (Must have Hyuuga scrolls to complete)
Location: Small Town approximately 2 days Ninja travel from the Orchards
Naruto Strolled into town lazily, covering 2 days travel in one day to be far away from that Kyuubi chakra burst, all he wanted to do is sleep. Checking into the local inn, he went to his room, showered, dressed in loose fitting pants, unsealed some fruit from the Orchards, and ate quietly, somewhat still wired from being overtired, He pulled out from the seals a brush, ink and paper. Jotting his weekly letter to Temari, He also made 2 bunshin, quickly sealed one in the message, and sent the other to find a civilian Post Building. Firing up a privacy and security seal, he quickly crashed. He had work to do seal wise tomorrow. The first of the modified barrier seals Kyuubi co-created with him would be applied tomorrow.
Authors Note:
AND Away we go: the stage is now set. No more skips, No more Filler to set the story line.