I'm real sorry for the delay. I was out of town for the week. Here's chapter nine :)
The leaf ninjas started their journey towards Konoha at dawn and finally reached their destination by noon. They were exhausted and hungry but they had no time to waste. At the gates Izumo and Kotetsu were surprised to see the two rogue nins with them, especially Sasuke. The team headed straight for the Hokage's tower. Kakashi knocked at the door and heard a 'come in' and entered.
"We've returned from the lightning country Hokage-sama and we've brought Sasuke and Sakura with us." Yamato said. Tsunade looked at the group and stared at Sasuke and Sakura for a while and let out a sigh.
"I'm glad you're all back safely. Now everyone except the two of you leave." Tsunade gestured towards Sasuke and Sakura and then looked at Kakashi.
"Kakashi I hope to see a report in a while."
"Yes Hokage-sama." He said and the four ninjas left the room. Outside, Kakashi excused himself and disappeared as he had to write a report.
Inside the Hokage's office the Hokage stood up and walked towards the two young shinobis. She pulled Sakura in an embrace. Both Sasuke and Sakura were surprised by her sudden action.
"I'm glad you're safe Sakura. I was very worried about you." She whispered and let her go. Sakura's eyes watered up hearing her master say those words.
"I'm so sorry for leaving like that Tsunade-shishou." She apologized. Tsunade sat back down on her chair and got serious.
"Now then, Kakashi sent me a report earlier explaining what happened in the lightning country. I'm glad you two co-operated with the Raikage and now I expect both of you to co-operate with me as well." The two shinobis nodded in response.
"Now I'd like you to tell me what Madara intends to do once he gets all the tailed beasts." She said and rested her chin on her hands.
"Madara never said what his plans were once he got the beasts. I guess he didn't completely trust me." Sasuke said. Sakura was about to speak when Shizune suddenly burst through the doors. She was panting and was surprised to see Sasuke and Sakura in the Hokage's office.
"Shizune! I was having an important discussion with them. Why di-" Tsunade started yelling at her assistant but she was cut off.
"I apologize Tsunade-sama but this is extremely important." Shizune walked over to Tsunade and handed her a scroll. Tsunade opened it and her eyes widened at the message.
"Those bastards…" She muttered.
"Shizune tell all the shinobis available to gather in front of the Hokage's building immediately." She ordered.
"Hai!" Shizune said and quickly left. Tsunade was walking out of the office when Sakura called out.
"What's the matter shishou?" She asked.
"The Akatsuki has captured the Hachibi." She spoke through gritted teeth and left, leaving a stunned Sasuke and Sakura behind.
"Damn it! This means Naruto's next." Sasuke spoke. Sakura squinted her eyes shut and they followed the Hokage out and they headed on top of the Hokage building. They saw that most of the shinobis available had gathered in front of the Hokage tower. A lot of the ninjas who didn't know Sasuke and Sakura had returned started whispering. Tsunade waited a few moments, waiting for everyone to come. Sakura noticed Naruto and Kakashi standing at the front of the crowd.
"Now listen up everyone. I've gathered you all here because Konoha is in grave danger." She paused and looked at the crowd of ninjas. They were all silent as they waited for her to continue.
"The Akatsuki have captured the eight tails. Shinobis from the lightning country are searching for them as we speak but so far they've only picked up dirt. Right now their next target is the nine tails." She stopped and looked at Naruto.
"So we need to protect Uzumaki Naruto at all costs." All eyes turned towards Naruto when she spoke.
"Well I say bring it- oooff..." Naruto spoke but Kakashi held is head and pushed him down.
"Pipe down Naruto." He whispered. The Hokage cleared her throat and all attention was back to her again. She signaled to Sasuke and Sakura to come forward and they did as they were told.
"As you can see, Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura have finally returned to the village and they will help us fight the Akatsuki. Right now we have very little time to prepare. We don't have time to decide what their punishment is going to be because truth be told, we need them. The Akatsuki could be heading this way as we speak. So here's the plan; we will gather at the clearing near the fire country border. I don't want to drag the fight into the village. It's the Genins job to make sure the citizens have evacuated safely just in case and a few Chunins are going to help them. Three Anbu teams will stay behind inn the village in case of emergency. Is that understood?" She asked and all that could be heard from the crowd was "Hai!"
"That's all for now. Further instructions will be given to your team soon. Be ready, this is the battle of a lifetime." She returned to her office where Kakashi, Naruto, Yamato and Shikamaru were waiting. Sasuke and Sakura followed behind her. She went inside and sat on her chair, thinking. After a moment of silence, she spoke.
"Naruto, you cannot participate in this battle at any cost." Naruto immediately protested at her words.
"What are you saying baa-chan? I can't just stand back and watch you guys fight! I've gotten stronge-"
"I cannot risk it Naruto! Now be quiet! This is for your own safety." The Hokage yelled at the blond.
"Hokage-sama, I'll have to admit that Naruto has really gotten much stronger. I believe he can protect himself. He's come through for us on a lot of occasions. I think he'll be fine." Kakashi spoke.
"Yeah, he's the one who saved us time and again when the village was in trouble." Shikamaru said.
"I can't believe you're agreeing with him Shikamaru." Tsunade muttered.
"Let Naruto come. Because even if you didn't, the dobe would find some way to enter the battlefield." Everyone was surprised to hear Sasuke protest.
"I've sensed Naruto's new powers and I think he'll be able to go head to head with Madara but I cannot promise you the results of the battle." Tsunade sighed.
"Fine, but Naruto must be around Kakashi and Yamato at all times. You'll be nearby the battlefield in hiding and will come out only if necessary. That's my condition." The Hokage stared at Naruto. But she knew he would never stay put in one place. He'll come out in the battlefield. He'll have to because they're going to need him now more than ever.
"Alright, sure thing baa-chan, its better then sitting on the sidelines and never getting to fight at all." He smiled and just then Shizune burst through the door.
"I'm sorry to bother you again Tsunade-sama but the council members wish to speak with you." She said. Sasuke fists clenched hearing the council's name and Sakura noticed that and gently brushed her hands against his as a sign of comfort.
"Those old bags…." Tsunade muttered and stood up.
"Shikamaru, talk to the Anbu's strategy team and think of the best course possible to take on the Akatsuki." She said and left with Shizune. Tsunade and Shizune made their way to the councilors' office. Tsunade entered and shut the door behind her. The two elder councilors stared at her, or more like glared at her.
"What is all this Tsunade? You are taking such rash decisions without even consulting us?" The old man spoke.
"We are very disappointed in you. As the Hokage it's your duty to hear out what the council members have to say. You want to head straight for war? It's absurd, it's suicidal." Tsunade just stayed quiet and listened to the old woman babble.
"Listen to me, the Jinchuuriki will not participate in the battle and you are to follow our battle plan is that understood?" The old man asked. Tsunade's patience finally snapped. She gritted her teeth and spoke.
"That Jinchuuriki has a name. It's Uzumaki Naruto, son of the fourth Hokage and like his father he will never back out from a battle this important. He knows very well that the Akatsuki are after him but that's not going to stop him from fighting. The fact that they're after him makes him want to kick their ass even more. I promise you he'll be safe. Because as the fifth Hokage of Konoha I will protect the village and Naruto." She spoke and looked up to see the councilors' dumbstruck expressions.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a village to protect." She said and left slamming the door shut behind her.
Meanwhile, at the Akatsuki hideout...
Killerbee's lifeless body lay on the ground as the three Akatsuki members stared down at him.
"Well well, eight bijuus extracted and just one more to go." Kisame smirked showing his shark like teeth.
Madara turned to Kabuto and Kabuto smirked realizing what he was about to say.
"Kabuto, it is time for your revival jutsu. The Akatsuki shall be reborn and we'll destroy Konoha and take the Kuyuubi for ourselves and then after that, the whole world!"
I'd like to thank misstressinwaiting, Bulla49, tearsofjoy159, Lady Rini, Crystaluvy, weird-is-me and XxCatalinaxX for your reviews on my previous chapter.
Next chapter: Akatsuki Raids!