This is my disclaimer. I do not own Naruto. Naruto is the property of Masashi Kishimoto.

Techniques are translated at the end of the chapter.

"We are only a few hours travel from the border. We are going to stop here and wait for the rest of our team to show up." The gathered ninja nodded at Jiraiya's declaration.

Deciding that this was as good a time as any to ask him Sakura turned to Naruto and spoke in a low voice, "Hey Naruto why were you avoiding everyone during our week off?"

"I wasn't avoiding you Sakura-chan."

"I know. You just avoided everyone except Lee and I."

"Ano... well that's because... I was busy training. Yeah that's it I was training."

"Yeah right Naruto. The only reason you saw me was because you needed someone to treat your injuries from training with Lee. You've been avoiding everyone and I want to know why."

"I just spent all my time training okay? You know how I can get when I'm trying to learn new jutsu."

"Yeah I guess..."

"Looks like the others are here. Lets see who it is."

"Ah-ha there you are Kakashi. Maito Gai and his youthful associates have arrived to aid you with your mission. So let us begin exercising our springtime of youth and find out who committed the most unyouthful deed of eliminating the border patrol team."

"Hmm... oh hello Gai. Did you say something?"

"Curse you and your hip attitude Kakashi." Lee then walked over to console his sensei.

"Oh Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"Gai..."

Throwing a kunai at the pair Jiraiya said, "Shut up we need to stay undetected and we aren't far from the border." Seeing the two bowing while muttering apologies Jiraiya went on to say, "Now that we are all here I'm going to split you up into groups and assign a task to each of you. I will lead one group, Kakashi another, and Gai will lead the third group. My group will consist of Uzumaki, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, and Hyuuga. Kakashi's team will be Haruno, Tenten, Akimichi, and Yamato. Gai's team will be Yuuhi, Lee, Uzuki, and Nara. Kakashi's team is to search for signs that Kusa is allied with Iwa, they will likely have to infiltrate Kusagakure itself to do this so be careful. Gai's team is to provide support for Kakashi's team incase they are discovered and need to fight their way out. My own team will be trying to follow the trail left by the enemy to see where they really came from, and if it is proven to be Iwa to look for signs that they will be going to war. Now we only have a limited time for this mission so we are going to be meeting up here in two months. If there are any changes in the mission plan I will notify you via summons. Any information of immediate importance to the mission is to be relayed to me through your own summons. Now lets go." With that the forest was empty was more and the only sign of anyone having been there was a rustling in the leaves.

Kakashi's team took off in a straight line for Kusagakure. "Alright on this mission we will have to sneak around without using genjutsu to hide our identities so first of all everyone is going to turn their forehead protectors over to me for safe keeping." Collecting the forehead protectors Kakashi replaced his own with some bandages to hide his eye. "Now Tenten and Yamato are the least likely to be recognized so they will be going around and asking people questions that might result in the answers we want. Sakura, Chouji, and I will be staying out of sight and trying to find any information by searching records and documentation. We should all avoid attracting attention to what we are looking for and the fact that we are foreign nin. We are going to split up before we reach our destination so we attract less attention, and so that if one group is found out the other might not be. Does anyone have any questions regarding the plan?

"Kakashi-sensei wouldn't it be more efficient to capture a high ranking kusa nin or some sort of official who would have such information and interrogate them for the information we are after?"

"No it wouldn't Sakura. If we were to capture and interrogate someone we first of all have little guarantee that the information we obtain is accurate since we have no torture and interrogation specialists on the team. While Yamato's ANBU experience as well as my own does qualify us to preform torture and interrogation when necessary, just as your own medical training does, information obtain via these means would need to be verified through other means before it could be acted upon. Besides that we don't know if Kusa is actually an enemy yet, and if they aren't such actions would be likely to push them into becoming our enemies. Now do you understand why we are going with this plan in our situation?"

"Yeah."

"Good now we'll split up for the duration of the mission unless circumstances force us to regroup."

Gai's team took off on a path that paralleled Kakashi's and maintained a sufficient distance to observe them and rush to their aid if necessary, but not so close that Kakashi's team or anyone observing them would notice. Gai's team also traveled under a genjutsu to further aid in preventing their detection. "Alright team it is not our duty to keep a watch over Kakashi's team itself, but to simply make sure that if they are discovered they have a way out. This will most likely lead to one of three situations if they are indeed detected. The best possibility in these circumstances is that they are already on their way out when detected. In this situation Kakashi's team will need us to buy time for them to lose any trackers Kusa will send after them. We would achieve this by engaging the pursuing Kusa nin in combat under conditions where we can retreat at any time without the Kusa nin following, but the Kusa nin cannot get away from us unless we let them. The worst possibility is that Kakashi's team is detected and neither Kakashi's team nor us manages to find this out in time to prevent Kakashi's team from being captured and taken away to be interrogated. In this scenario it will be our job to break Kakashi's team out before they can reveal anything, and escape in the aftermath. The last possibility is similar to the worst case scenario, but someone finds out before hand and Kakashi's team is able to escape the trap set for them. However even after escaping the trap my rival will still be surrounded by a village full of enemy ninja in this situation. Which means we will have to create a distraction that Kakashi can take advantage of to get out of Kusa. Since for all these situations will we need to be in top condition if we expect to succeed and get out alive ourselves I am having only one person watching Kusa and Kakashi's team at any time. This may change depending on our circumstances, but for now that will be our mission. I will have us on a rotating watch of the village and whenever possible Kakashi's team that lasts eight hours a person. Of those not on watch two are expected to be resting while the other two think up plans for how to carry out our mission if we are needed. Now does anyone question this most youthful plan?"

"It's troublesome... but I can't find anything wrong with it based on the information we have."

"If Shikamaru can't find fault with it then it is fine with me."

"I shall agree with Nara-san and Yuuhi-san for now."

"That is truly a most youthful plan Gai-sensei! It is an excellent example of your springtime of youth!"

"Of course it is. My fires of youth are undeniable! Now lets begin carrying it out and watch my hip rival until he and his team enter the village."

Jiraiya's team took a more northerly course that would get them across Kusa and into Earth Country as fast as possible. "Alright this path seems to be left by either very bad ninjas or ninjas that were not concerned about stealth. It seems to lead straight to Iwa, but we cannot be certain of that so make sure to be on the lookout for and diverging paths or signs that this is a false trail. If it leads into Earth Country without signs of being false or of diverting we will follow it until we are a day away from Iwagakure. We would then be responsible for scouting around Earth Country and looking for signs that they are going to war. If we are unable to find such signs we are to infiltrate Iwagakure and look for signs there. If we can't find the signs there... well I'm not sure what to do then I guess at that point it is make it up as we go time. Anyway if we do find out this is a false trail we are to split up. The splitting will be decided when and if it is necessary. One of the split groups will follow this trail in case it is not actually false, and the other will return to our starting point on this hunt to look for other less obvious routes the perpetrators may have taken. If the path diverges we will follow the divergence and see where it leads. If it leads to a dead end and was just meant to throw us off we will return to the original trail and follow that. If it leads somewhere we are to investigate wherever it has led us to while attracting as little attention as possible. That means we only engage in combat when absolutely necessary. I think that covers everything." Getting lost in thought for a moment Jiraiya trails off in his explanation. Being brought back to the present by Naruto's complaining about his explanation Jiraiya says, "Shut up already. Now I'm sure you are all wondering what we do if we actually find proof that Iwa is preparing for war with Konoha. Well that is an easy one, we run like hell back to the meeting point after sending a message to Tsunade via toad-summon. If Kakashi's team finds anything out to verify that it is true we will send another message to Tsunade before we head back to report it to her in person. Now if at any point anyone is captured by the enemy we are to rescue them as soon as possible and hope that their captors were unable to tell anyone that they encountered us. Since our group has so many people that can be recognized as from Konoha with just a slight glance we are to proceed with the utmost stealth at all times. That means no talking, training, or evening snoring for the duration of the mission. If we are successful Kusa and Iwa should have no idea that we were even here." At this point Jiraiya had his team pick up their pace while looking for any signs of deception.
"Well this sucks."

"Shut up gaki. Its your fault we're in this mess."

"We are in the middle of Iwagakure facing off against the Tsuchikage, two squads of Iwa ANBU, the last two loyal members of Kiri's famed Seven Swordsman, and the Mizukage. How is this my fault?"

"You sneezed while we were trying to listen in on the Mizukage's and the Tsuchikage's conversation."

"Fine whatever. Do you have any ideas on how to get out of this?"

"Well we could hope that the others are on their way to us in one big group even though they should be well on their way to Konoha by now."

"So we're screwed."

"Yeah that pretty much sums up our situation Gaki."

"Could you two please stop bickering and allow us to ask you a few questions before we kill you?"

"Sure. Why are you going to just kill us though? Wouldn't it be more productive to interrogate us?"

"Normally that would be the case Jiraiya-san, but here in Iwagakure there are orders for you to be executed on sight by any kage-level ninja that encounters you, or an equivalently strong group of ninja."

"Okay I suppose that explains me Tsuchikage-san, but what about him?"

"Well I know he is supposedly dead, but that man bears a striking resemblance to the Konoha no Kiiroi Senko. This leads me to conclude that Konoha faked their Fourth Hokage's death and that he is standing here before me. As you should well know Iwa has a standing order that all shinobi are to retreat at the appearance of the Kiiroi Senko, but I believe that with four kage level ninja present and two ANBU squads for support we can afford to engage him and rid ourselves of that threat to our forces."

"Hold on you intend to kill the gaki here because he looks like someone who has been dead for twenty-one years?"

"Yes. I simply cannot take the chance that he is not in fact the Kiiroi Senko. Besides the only way anyone could look that much like someone is if they were related. Which means even if he is not who we believe him to be he is still related to that man, and thus we will kill him."

"Well Naruto looks like we are going to have to take out four kage level ninja and two squads of ANBU. Are you ready for a little warm-up before training?"

"Sure. I call the kiri-nin."

"Fine I'll deal with the rockheaded fools."

"Tsuchikage-san they seem to believe they stand a chance. Maybe we should disabuse them of the notion?"

"Definitely. ANBU! Kill them."

"Mizukage-sama shall we assist the Iwa-ANBU?"

"Yes, and I'll join in the fight myself. Won't you Tsuchikage-san?"

"Of course. Why would I miss a chance to get rid of two of my most hated foes?"

Jiraiya rapidly went through handseals before slamming his hands down and calling out, "Doton : Yomi Numa!" This resulted in the ANBU sinking into a large swamp that form beneath their feet. 'That'll hold them for a little while. Now for the Tsuchikage.'

"Doton : Doryuu Taiga!" Was all the warning Jiraiya had before being swept away by a river of mud.

"Looks like its just the four of us. Well three on one seems a bit unfair to me so how about we even the odds? Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Forming a single seal Naruto creates a pair of clones.

Looking at the clones in disdain one of the swordsman preformed a jutsu and said, "Your clones are useless if they can't see their target. Kirigakure no Jutsu."

Naruto just drew his nodachi as the clouds of mist rolled in to hide his opponents from his sight. "You know it is rather difficult to have a kenjutsu duel when nobody can see the opponents. Of course this doesn't really apply to anyone here. After all you three are used to it, and I... well I don't need my eyes to fight." Naruto was silenced when a jian impaled him in the heart. "Ow that kinda hurts you know, but this will hurt more." Grinning maniacally and forming a seal the impaled Naruto called out, "Bunshin Bakuha." The blast sent the Kiri-swordsman flying back into the obscuring fog, but Naruto could tell that he had gotten off with only minor injuries. "Hm you know I think I will get rid of this mist after all. It is beginning to annoy me that I can't see you."

"Too bad for you blondie. Now let's see how you fair against my blade!" Appearing from the mist right in front of Naruto was the second swordsman. This one wielded a tanto in each hand. Before Naruto could attack him he split into five identical men. The five swordsman surrounded Naruto before jumping in the strike.

Not knowing which was real Naruto used Hari Jizou to block all of the blades. "It doesn't matter how many of you there are or even if I can't tell which is real. If you can't hit me your deceptions are useless in this fight. However I am impressed by the speed with which your blade created those clones. You must be quite skilled with it, but from what I've seen you aren't even as good as Zabuza was." When the clones jumped back Naruto released the jutsu and held his blade with one-hand while forming a Rasengan in the other. "Now if you don't have anything better just die." Charging at the swordsman in front of him Naruto decapitated one and hit the other in the chest with his Rasengan. Leaping forward to the edge of the mist cloud Naruto Rapidly preformed seals as the Swordsman and his clones charged. "Fuuton : Daitoppa!" The ensuing gust of wind blew away the mist and destroyed the remaining two clones while wounding the original.

"It would seem that you may indeed be the Kiiroi Senko. After all what other blonde haired and blue eyed shinobi of the leaf knows Rasengan?" Looking over the wounded swordsman the Mizukage said, "Get up. This time we will go at him together. Beware of any kunai he throws. The Kiiroi Senko always threw some strange kunai at his foes before he used Hiraishin no Jutsu." Forming some seals the Mizukage called out, "Suiton : Baku Suishouha!" This was followed by a massive amount of water being expelled from the Mizukage's mouth.

Forming a string of handseals before the Mizukage had even started on his the jian wielding swordsman finished just after his kage and called out, "Suiton : Suiryuudan no Jutsu!" This caused a portion of the newly formed water to rise up into a dragon shape and launch itself at Naruto.

Naruto deftly dodged to the side of the dragon and stabbed it as it passed. However before the dragon could continue on Naruto Swung his sword around, with the dragon somehow still attached, and reoriented the dragon at the Kiri-nin. As Naruto removed his blade from the dragon it turned into ice. "Your water techniques will be insufficient to defeat me at this point."

"Well sending them back at us won't work either!" Finishing his own handseals and redrawing his tanto the second swordsman called out, "Daibakufu no Jutsu!" The resulting blast of water shattered the frozen water dragon and continued on to slam into Naruto. The current of the water was so fierce that it dragged him along out of sight from the kiri-nins.

Climbing out of the mud river using his chakra Jiraiya complains, "Mud. A whole river of mud. Damn Iwa nin and their doton jutsu. It will take forever to wash all this mud off. No woman would be with a muddy guy. My peeping jutsu don't work if I'm all muddy either. Damn this means I'm actually going to need to go to a bathhouse for a reason other than research."

"Doton : Doryuudan!"

"Wha?" Getting hit by several rocks Jiraiya is knocked back into the mud. "Dammit! Why the hell do you have such an obsession with mud?!" Climbing out once more Jiraiya finds himself surrounded by the Iwa-ANBU and the Tsuchikage. "Well this is convenient for me." Forming handseals Jiraiya cast the genjutsu Kokuangyou no Jutsu. He took advantage of the ensuing blindness of his foes to get out of their encirclement, and leaped atop a nearby building. From there he threw several shuriken at the ANBU and kage below. Before they could reach his target he used the Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu to increase the number of thrown shuriken drastically. Some of the ANBU and the Tsuchikage managed to break free from the genjutsu in time to dodge the shuriken, but the rest were not so lucky and fell to the barrage. Unfortunately several of the ANBU who survived the shuriken were pulled into the ground and killed by clones of Jiraiya using Doton : Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu. "Well that makes things a bit more even between us."

Looking at the three living ANBU the Tsuchikage said, "Leave us. Go make sure the kiri-nins take out the Kiiroi Senko. I will deal with the gama-sennin on my own." As the ANBU left to carry out his orders the Tsuchikage began to preform a long string of handseals. "This jutsu will be the end of you Jiraiya! It is the ultimate doton jutsu!"

Before the Tsuchikage could complete his handseals a Jiraiya used Shunshin no Jutsu to appear behind him as all the others burst into smoke. "It is a pity that you will not live long enough to use that jutsu. Rasengan!" Hitting the Tsuchikage with the ball of chakra Jiraiya killed Iwa's leader. 'I expected a bit more from the Tsuchikage. Guess all his skills deteriorated with age and not just his physical abilities. Oh well, time to see if Naruto has gotten himself killed yet.' "Gah! Ow-wow-wow. Okay maybe I just rest here for a minute, that Doryuudan did more than I thought."

'Well I needed a bath anyway. Okay maybe this is a bad time for being funny.' Looking around at the six pissed off nin in varying states of injury that surround him on the rooftop. 'Yep definitely not the time for jokes. Maybe some advice? Hey Kyuubi! You awake back there?'

'Yes and I am disappointed that all your enemies still live.'

'Got any advice on how to rectify that situation?'

'Nobody you give a damn about is in range, just use my mark.'

'I was afraid that was my best option.' "Oh well playtime is over now you all die."

"Are you really that arrogant, or have you just gone insane. We have you outnumbered, surrounded, you are disarmed, and you must be running low on chakra by now."

"Sorry, but I don't have to explain myself to the dead." The fox tattoo glowed blood red once more. "This is a gift from that which it cost the Yondaime Hokage his life to defeat. Feel this power and know that your time has come humans!" Six tendrils of chakra shot out from Naruto's arm and pierced each of the ninja surrounding him through the heart. This time the tendrils of chakra did not retract until all that was left of their victims was dust. Naruto's body glowed with the blood red energy of Kyuubi's Mark and there was a burst of light before he collapsed on the ground unconscious.

Doton : Yomi Numa - Earth Element : Swamp of the Underworld

Doton : Doryuu Taiga - Earth Element : Earth River Flow

Kage Bunshin no Jutsu - Shadow Clone Technique

Kirigakure no Jutsu - Hidden Mist Technique

Bunshin Bakuha - Shadow Clone Explosion

Hari Jizou - Underworld Guardian Spines

Rasengan - Spiral Sphere

Fuuton : Daitoppa - Wind Element : Great Breakthrough

Hiraishin no Jutsu - Flying Thunder God Technique

Suiton : Baku Suishouha - Water Element : Bursting Water Collision Waves

Suiton : Suiryuudan no Jutsu - Water Element : Water Dragon Projectile Technique

Suiton : Daibakufu no Jutsu - Water Element : Grand Waterfall Technique

Doton : Doryuudan - Earth Element : Earth Dragon Projectile

Kokunangyou no Jutsu - Journey into Black Darkness Technique

Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu - Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique

Doton : Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu - Earth Element : Double Suicide Decapitation Technique

Shunshin no Jutsu - Body Flicker Technique