An: I would like to thank all the people who take the time to review. They really brighten my day and make writing the story at my current pace easier. Thank You. Your humble author S. o. t. A.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.
Chapter 22: Guts
Tsunade was tired; she and the others had been up all night running the numbers checking for something that the local doctors may have missed. But, the doctors here appeared to be quite good at what they did so there hadn't been any glaring mistakes that would have led to a cure for the disease. She was about to head to the cot that had been provide for her and grab a couple hours of shut-eye. But first, she wanted to check in on Naruto. Although, she had been surprised that Naruto had successfully completed the second stage of the Rasengan training she was still plenty sure she would win the bet seeing as the third stage was by far the most complex.
Looking into the hospital room they had left him in the night before she was greeted by nothing but an empty bed. Feeling a mild surge of panic she looked outside the window of the room and saw Naruto in the courtyard holding a balloon. Shaking her head she thought, "Doesn't that fool know when to quit." Leaving him alone, she headed to the small room filled with cots for doctors on call.
'POP'
"Crap," Naruto thought as he failed to maintain the jutsu again. "Damn it, maintaining this jutsu is ten times harder than the other two steps."
Taking a breather he sat back while thinking about all the turns his life had taken recently. Finally his mind turned to the latest development in his life he had a clan. But thought dejectedly, "Big deal, I'm a clan of one." He thought about asking the Hokage about it but what was he going to say, 'Congratulations you are a clan of one with no money, land, or members.' In the end it didn't matter to him he supposed he had lived this long without that particular piece of knowledge knowing now really didn't make much of a difference.
Holding the balloon in front of him again he began channeling chakra. He felt it spinning and the power growing but it felt good stable. "Almost," he thought confident he was getting it till he heard, "You shinobi are all the same."
Losing his concentration the balloon popped again, looking to the source of the voice he snapped, "Thanks…thanks a whole lot for distracting me."
Amaru looked at him crossing her arms in front of her saying, "Like you're accomplishing anything useful sitting out here playing with a balloon."
"It's called training," he said angrily after blowing up another balloon.
"People are dying from a horrible disease and you're out here training in ways to kill more," Amaru said just as hotly.
"I'm not a medic or a doctor," Naruto shot back, "I'd just be in the way in there. Besides while this jutsu maybe powerful it's used to protect people."
"By killing others," Amaru said while reaching into her pouch pulling out the scalpel that Shinno had given her. Holding it up she said, "See this? This is used to save lives."
Naruto quickly snatched it from her and then as she grabbed for it he bent her arm behind her back and pointing the blade to her eye said, "And just like that it could be used to kill. It isn't the tools you use but the way you use them that matters. You're right more than likely once I master this jutsu I'll end up using it to take a life. However, I would only do so to protect people. That is what being a shinobi means to me." Having said his fill he let her go, and he allowed her to take her scalpel back.
"Humph," she said blushing slightly at being man-handled, "You talk big."
"Sometimes," he said while smirking beneath his wraps, "but I always back it up with action."
"Amaru," Shinno called out from a window, "Break time's over."
"Coming," she called back sending one last look Naruto's way, who had gone back to concentrating on his balloon.
Sakura watched as Kiba and Sasuke sparred with a small smile on her face as she thought about how far she had come lately. Today she had actually managed to force Kiba out of the training circle Kakashi had drawn in the ground for today's exercises claiming it helped develop awareness of one's surroundings. She was still no match in a straight up fight but it was progress. Not to mention in a few months she would be going to the Konoha medic program due to Kakashi having loved the idea.
Watching Sasuke, she noticed that he seemed a little standoffish today with Kakashi. She wondered why but knew nothing would really come out of asking him about it, so she put it out of her mind. After several more minutes Sasuke knocked Kiba out of the ring. Looking up from his book Kakashi said, "Alright, guys that's enough."
Kiba was helped up by Sasuke who then looking at Kakashi said, "When are we going to stop wasting time and start learning real jutsu."
Sighing Kakashi replied, "Not this again Sasuke."
"Why not," Sasuke said crossly, "I'm tired of these worthless spars and low ranked jutsu. How am I supposed to fulfill my ambition if you will not teach me what I need to know?"
"I'm not trying to train you into an avenger Sasuke," Kakashi said, "I'm trying to make you into a functioning Leaf shinobi. Should you meet up with the man you want to kill you'll be glad to have teammates at your back."
"You mean like you wished you had when he put you in that coma sensei?" he said a cross between angry and proud that an Uchiha had proven stronger then Kakashi.
However Sakura and Kiba appeared shocked as the pink-haired girl asked, "Is that true Kakashi?"
Not really paying attention to his other students his focus solely on Sasuke, he asked concerned, "How did you hear that?"
"That doesn't matter," Sasuke said pointing at Kakashi, "You lied to me."
"You're right I did," Kakashi admitted, "I was afraid if you knew Itachi was nearby, you'd begin regressing to your loner ways. It would seem I was right too by the way."
His jaw clenched he said, "You don't understand I have to avenge my clan."
"No Sasuke, it's you who doesn't understand," Kakashi said calmly trying to reason with him, "What will you do once you achieve your revenge?"
"I'll restore my clan then," Sasuke said confidently.
"No you won't. Instead you'll look for someone else to hate and then someone else," Kakashi warned, "Living for hate and revenge is unfulfilling needing more and more to sate it, before too long you'll be no better than Itachi."
Narrowing his eyes Sasuke growled out, "I'll never become like him," before storming away.
"Kakashi-sensei what just happened?" Sakura asked confused by the exchange.
Sighing once again Kakashi went into what details he could about Itachi showing up and the reason for Sasuke's hatred of him. As he finished he said addressing both his students, "That's why I need your help; otherwise we may lose a teammate to his own darkness. Try to be there for him to show him the benefits of teamwork and friendship." After both his students agreed, he dismissed them for the day and then stood in front of the Memorial stone as he prayed it would be enough.
"Damn that Amaru," Naruto thought as he walked into the hospital after creating several Shadow Clones to work on the last stage of the Rasengan and telling them to head out side of town so they wouldn't be disturbed. However he did decide that maybe Amaru was right and he could lend a hand so he went in search of Tsunade to see if she had anything for him to do. Heading to an observation room he watched through the glass as Tsunade, Shizune, and Shinno were checking over a patient in the final throes of the disease. Dressed in containment suits they tried to hold the young man down as he began to convulse only for him to actually manage to throw Shizune off him and then leaning towards Tsunade cough up blood onto her suit. Panicking Tsunade flung herself back knocking over a table filled with equipment. Shizune and Shinno eventually managed to subdue the young man enough to sedate him.
Sitting on the floor and having broken out in a cold sweat Tsunade was petrified as she simply stared at the red substance. Tsunade pulled herself together enough to quickly scramble out of the room and then out of the suit before taking off.
As she ran past Naruto he said worried, "Granny Tsunade…" But she gave no sign that she heard him as she quickly passed him with Tonton following at her heels.
Seconds later Shizune came out of the room calling, "Lady Tsunade where are you going?" However Tsunade didn't reply causing Shizune to weakly say, "Lady Tsunade…" with shoulders slumped.
"What was that all about Shizune?" Naruto asked.
Looking at the Blonde boy, Shizune decided to tell him everything from Tsunade's painful past. As she finished, "…that's why the necklace is only safe around Lady Tsunade."
Undeterred Naruto said, "Well I'm going to win our bet and take that necklace to show Granny that she doesn't have carry that burden anymore."
Smiling kindly at the young boy Shizune asked, "Can you go watch over her for me, while I run some tests on the samples we took?"
"Tests what kind of tests?" Naruto asked.
"Lady Tsunade doesn't think this is a disease but a poison," Shizune said.
"You mean someone did this on purpose?" Naruto asked getting angry.
"We don't know. It could be any number of things like something contaminated the water supply or any number of factors we don't know about yet. However we can't rule out that someone may have done this deliberately," Shizune explained.
"Alright Shizune I'll go look for her and keep her safe," Naruto said running to find Tsunade.
Shizune smiled as Naruto took off after her master. The truth was she was rather thankful the Blonde was with them having never seen Tsunade as alive as she was around him. Thinking of the journey to Crescent Cliffs there had been times when Tsunade would actually chase after the Blonde and while she appeared angry Shizune had seen the small smile that would appear on her face as she did so.
"Should we get started on those tests, Shizune?" Shinno asked as he joined her in the hallway.
"Yes," she said following behind the older man. They stopped when Amaru came up to ask, "What should I do master?"
"Get some rest Amaru," he said smiling at his apprentice, "we'll let you know what to do after we run these latest tests."
An hour later Shizune was still bent over a microscope as she viewed the results of their tests and felt a small smile appear on her face. Tsunade was right, it was a poison; however whoever created was amazingly skilled to have given it so many appearances of a disease. Without looking up she said excitedly, "I've isolated it. It's definitely a poison."
"Very good," Shinno said excitedly.
Focusing the microscope she said, "Once I can get a large enough sample we can begin working on an an…" However she was rendered unconscious by a sudden chop to her neck.
Holding the unconscious Shizune, Shinno looked up to see that a nurse was just entering the room seeing the young woman's current state the nurse asked, "Is she alright do you ne…" she stopped upon feeling a sudden pain in her back. Looking down she saw a red stain spreading over the chest of her uniform before falling over dead.
Standing there was Hibiki holding the kunai with which he stabbed the nurse. Walking past the Sound Chunin was Kabuto who said, "Well done Shinno, we'll take it from here."
Handing the woman over Shinno said, "I think you're forgetting something."
"Ah yes of course," Kabuto said tossing a vial to Shinno, "the antidote as promised. Congratulations you're a hero now.'
Sending an evil grin towards them while still sounding like the kind doctor he portrayed he said, "I don't do it for the accolades." Tucking the vial in his pouch he nodded saying, "I'm ready."
Stepping forward, Takeo said in his mechanical voice, "Relax you'll only feel a momentary moment of discomfort," before raising his hands and blasting Shinno and a good portion of the room.
Amaru in the hospital break room awoke upon hearing the explosion. Running to where see last saw Shinno she saw that the room was trashed. Gazing down at her master's bloody form she cried out, "Master," before cradling his head in her lap.
Weakly looking up at her he said, "Amaru… they… took her."
"Who master," she asked confused.
"tell…Tsunade…they took…Shiz…" he tried to say before passing out."
"Master…Master…" Amaru cried while holding the man who had saved her life's head.
A short time later some doctors arrived and said he should be okay. After checking him over herself to be sure she went to complete the task that he had given her.
Tenten was nervous she had managed to convince Neji to meet her after he trained with his fellow Branch house members that morning. She was going to lay it all on the line and tell Neji how she felt today. She was wearing a pink sundress and to be honest felt uncomfortable in the unusual, for her at least, choice in clothes. She hoped that maybe if he saw here while dressed outside of her normal attire it might help him to recognize her as a woman.
Seeing Neji approaching she took a few calming breaths as he finally stepped up to her and he asked, "You wished to see me?"
"I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of us," Tenten said nervously.
"Are you joking?" Neji asked without any humor.
"No Neji, I've had feeling for you since the academy," she said sincerely taking a step closer.
"I see," Neji said, "however I feel nothing for you other than as a teammate. I must say though that I'm slightly disappointed in you however."
Eyes opening wide she asked hurt, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, pursuing such endeavors as trying to start a relationship with me instead focusing on your training, especially after your embarrassing defeat in the Chunin Exams."
"I was going to train harder, but you asked me to help you," Tenten said defending her actions.
"Yes I'm aware of that, which sort of proves my point," Neji stated coldly, "that you allowed your own training to slide in the hopes of starting a relationship with me. I remember back in the academy you used to mock girls who acted like that."
Unable to look at Neji in his unemotional eyes, she said feeling tears at the corner of her own, "I was just hoping to get to know you better."
"If you had learned anything from our time training together, you would have known we were never fated to be," he said before walking away.
Tenten watched him go letting her tears fall before running away. Looking for some place she felt comfortable at to let her heartbreak out she ended up near the training grounds where Team Gai normally trained. Sitting against a tree near a stream that ran through it she cried as she thought, "How stupid could I be. Like Neji would be interested in me after that pathetic display I put on during the Chunin Exams."
"Tenten"
Surprised as her other teammate called her she quickly rubbed her eyes trying to collect her emotions before saying, "Lee, what are you doing here?"
"I was training when I heard you crying," he said worriedly. Causing Tenten to cuss to herself that she couldn't claim it was some misunderstanding since it was apparent he had probably watched her for some time before making his presence known.
"It's nothing Lee, please just leave me alone," Tenten said hoping her often enthusiastic teammate would take the hint.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that Tenten. It would be most unyouthful to leave you in distress like this," Lee replied, "However you should not despair. I am sure that one day Neji will alight his Fires of Youth and recognize how lucky he is to have you interested in him."
Smiling despite herself at her teammate's exuberance she said, "Thanks Lee. But how did you know I was crying over Neji."
"It is quite apparent that you are smitten with him and I just figured your choice in clothes was somehow related to him."
Obviously shocked by Lee's observation she said, "Wow I'm impressed Lee. Actually, I asked him if there was a chance we could be together only to be shot down." Lee nodding his head sat down next to her and they watched the stream for awhile before she got up the nerve to ask him, "Lee, how did you get over Sakura's rejection?"
Thinking a moment Lee finally said, "Well I realized I was a bit hasty in my proclamation of love for her. I realized besides her looks I did not really know anything about her. So how could I expect to build a meaningful and lasting relationship with her?"
Staring at Lee in a new light Tenten was struck speechless by this side of her teammate. He then added, "Also, while we were in the Forest of Death I made a self imposed rule that if I could not catch twenty falling leaves before they reached the ground that my love for her would never be returned. It is unfortunate, but one of the leaves did indeed make it to the ground."
Tenten just stared at him for a moment before she began to giggle that soon turned into full blown laughter. Lee watched her not sure why she found his way of dealing with rejection so funny, but glad that she was laughing again. Standing he said, "I am glad to see you recapturing your youthfulness Tenten. Now let us fan it into a blazing inferno of youth through vigorous training."
Trying to pull Tenten up who said, "Lee I can't, I'm not dressed for training."
Stopping for a moment to take a look at her, he said, "Yes, I believe you are correct however," he then reached into his pouch and pulled out a green jumpsuit, "you may wear this."
Standing she took it from him cautiously. She wanted to refuse but seeing the earnest look in his eyes she thought, "What the hell? Why not? Neji did say he was disappointed in my lack of training maybe working with Lee will help me overcome my reliance on throwing weapons. That way the next time I run into that fan wielding bitch she'll be in for a surprise." Coming to a decision she said, "Okay Lee but don't peek."
"Of course not Tenten," he said turning around while walking up to the field where the training posts that he punched were. "I will wait for you up there."
Smiling and silently thanking him she reached for the hem of her dress before pulling it over her head. Slipping into the jumpsuit she had to admit she liked how it felt against her skin. Walking away from the stream she joined Lee on the training field who while waiting for her had begun punching one of the posts. When he heard her coming he stopped and his jaw dropped a little which made Tenten feel a little self-conscious but in a good way.
He stared at her for a minute without saying anything so finally she said while waving a hand in front of his face, "Lee."
"Yes, sorry let us begin," Lee said assuming his fighting stance with a mild blush.
"Yes lets," Tenten said assuming one of her own with a slight smile.
Naruto found Tsunade on her second bottle of sake about an hour after she had ran from the hospital. Walking up to her table he noted that Tonton was eating from a plate that was sitting on the table with Tsunade petting her with one hand while swirling her glass absentmindedly with the other. Standing at her table for several minutes without her noticing he finally said, "Man Granny, you're pathetic if I had been an enemy you'd be dead."
"Get lost brat. I'm not in the mood," Tsunade said dismissively.
"Tough, get in the mood," Naruto snapped, "While you're sitting here feeling sorry for yourself, people that need your help are dying."
"Leave me alone you don't understand anything," Tsunade said turning away from the Blonde.
"I understand that if your, Brother or Boyfriend could see you now they'd be disappointed in you," Naruto said harshly.
In a deathly silent whisper she said, "What did you just say?"
"Shizune told me about what happened to your loved ones, however that doesn't give you the right to sit around here feeling sorry for yourself. They wouldn't want that," Naruto said. "They'd want you to face your pain and get on with your life."
"Don't say another word," Tsunade said deadly serious, "What have you ever lost? Maybe after you watched a few love ones die I'll sit here and listen to your opinion on the matter."
"You're right I suppose," Naruto conceded, "But I don't need to have suffered the same as you to see you're nothing but a cowar…"
Tsunade smashed the table she was sitting at to splitters sending Tonton up into the air. Luckily for Tonton she landed on Tsunade's shoulder as she stood up facing Naruto. "I dare you to say that again," Tsunade challenged.
However Amaru much to the bars managers delight had heard the ruckus and came in yelling, "Lady Tsunade…Shizune has been taken by some people who attacked the hospital."
Tsunade's eyes widen in shock and fear as she took off for the hospital with Naruto and Amaru following behind her. When Tsunade arrived she ran up to the floor that Shizune had been conducting the tests on. Looking over the destroyed room Tsunade began to panic. Turning to one of the local magistrates investigating what happened she asked, "Where's Shinno?"
"He was attacked as well and is resting in a room down the hall," the magistrate said.
Tsunade walked towards the room and despite the doctors who were attending to him grabbed him by the shirt and said her voice tinged with fury, "Who did this? Why did they take her?"
Amaru knocked her hand off of him saying, "Let him go. Can't you see he's injured?"
"It's alright Amaru," Shinno said mollifying his apprentice. "If you had been you who had been abducted, I'd be in a similar state." Turning to Tsunade he said, "I'm afraid I don't know what they hoped to achieve by taking her, but they wore headbands with a musical note on them. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with what village they hailed from."
Tsunade's hand tightened into a fist as she said, "Orochimaru…"
"What would that bastard want with Shizune?" Naruto asked.
Before Tsunade could even begin to come up with a guess Tonton ran into the room oinking. Turning to the pig she said, "Lead the way Tonton." Tsunade and Naruto followed Tonton out of the hospital with Amaru staying near her master's side.
As they ran Naruto asked, "Where are we going?"
"Tonton has Shizune's scent," Tsunade informed the Blonde. They ran until they reached the Cliffs. Stopping at the edge of the cliffs Tsunade asked, "Well Tonton?"
"Oink," the pig said shaking its head indicating that it lost the trail.
"Dammit," Tsunade said fear gripping her heart.
"We'll find her Granny," Naruto said trying to comfort the older woman.
Tsunade nodded her head saying, "We'll split up to search," and then proceeded to take off to search a nearby grove of trees
Making a cross hand sign, Naruto said, "Shadow Clone Jutsu." The clones then spread out searching down in the cliffs. After several minutes, one of the clones near the river that ran through the canyon found tracks as well as a boat. It also spotted a groove in the ground that suggested a second boat may have rested there as well. The clone dispersed informing Naruto who then created a new clone to send towards the boat preparing for a worst case scenario in which the people who owned it were involved and them getting away. Coming to the decision to tell Tsunade what he found he took off for the grove of trees.
Tsunade after entering the grove had found herself surrounded by Kabuto and his chunin back-up. Before Tsunade could attack them though, Kabuto said, "Amazing, tell me, how did you find us so soon? We didn't even have time to send someone to inform you of our demands."
"Where is she?" Tsunade asked frantic.
"Agree to come with us to heal one of Lord Orochimaru's servants and we'll take you to her," Kabuto said smirking.
"Why don't I just force you to tell me?" Tsunade said taking a step towards the Sound-nin.
The Chunin took a step back but Kabuto held his ground not intimidated in the least and coolly said, "Well you could try that I suppose. However I left orders that should we not arrive by a certain time with you, to simply kill her. So I suppose that if you wish to outlive dear sweet Shizune, you may proceed with that course of action."
Stopping short Tsunade said defeated, "No…I'll come peacefully."
"Excellent," a smirking Kabuto said pushing his glasses up his nose.
Hibiki clearly unimpressed said, "So this is the Legendary Tsunade huh?" He then spit at the woman's feet as he said, "Pathetic!"
Kabuto said calmly, "Now, now, I told you if everything went according to plan we wouldn't even need to lift a finger. Let's go."
Walking away Tsunade followed with her head down and shoulders slumped. The Sound Chunin took up positions on the sides and behind her in case she had second thoughts. As they exited the grove they came across Naruto who surprised said, "Granny Tsunade."
"Ah if it isn't Naruto Uzumaki," Kabuto said almost as if they were old friends.
"You're that guy from the chunin exams, the one who helped Sakura's team to pass the second round," Naruto said confused till he saw the headband Kabuto was wearing. Angrily he said, "So you're a spy working for Orochimaru is that it." Looking at Tsunade, who couldn't meet his eyes, he said, "Come on Granny, we'll kick these guys' asses and make them tell us where they stashed Shizune."
"I'm afraid that Tsunade and I have come to an arrangement," Kabuto said, "So how about you step to the side so we can avoid any unnecessary bloodshed."
Pulling his ninjato Naruto said, "I'm afraid I can't do that. I gave the Old Man my word I'd watch out for Granny Tsunade. So hand her over and give us Shizune or else I'll make you."
Shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head disappointedly Kabuto said, "And here I was hoping we wouldn't have to fight." Turning to Takeo he said, "You know what to do."
The Sound Chunin stepped forward but Tsunade said, "Naruto don't do this, you'll be killed."
"Future Hokages don't let little things like that stop them from doing what needs to be done," Naruto said gritting his teeth knowing he was facing long odds.
Hibiki and Mi who had stepped up to face Naruto with Takeo spread out until they were on the sides of the Blonde. Hibiki grinning manically said, "You got guts kid, but you are outclassed and outnumbered."
Upon hearing Hibiki's taunt Tsunade's looked up in pain remembering what Jiraiya said about Naruto. Hearing her teammate's voice as it said, "He's a little rough around the edges but he has the most important quality a ninja needs to be a success. The guts to persevere no matter the challenge." Unfortunately Jiraiya had also been right about her. She didn't have that anymore only knowing how to fall to pieces.
Unaware of Tsunade's torment Naruto smirked at the Sound Chunin's taunt saying, "You may think you have me outclassed and hell you might even be right. But I'm never outnumbered. Shadow Clone Jutsu."
When the smoke cleared hundreds of clones had joined Naruto causing the Sound Chunin to stare in amazement. However they quickly recovered. Hibiki looking at the Naruto he assumed was the real one said, "Big deal. Kill the real one and the rest just disappear." Pulling his eyepatch off Hibiki revealed the eye that Orochimaru gave him. The eye was all black accept for a single red tomoe in the center and due to the experiments Orochimaru had conducted to bastardize the Sharingan he called it the Bastard eye. Focusing on the Naruto he was talking to, he activated the eye and suddenly that Naruto burst into fire before dispelling. Sweeping his eye over many of the clones the flames began traveling over the path his eye took.
As Hibiki used his Bastard eye against the Blonde, Kabuto thought, "It may not be the black flames that Orochimaru says a fully developed Sharingan is capable of, but it can still be an impressive sight."
After a good portion of the clones were destroyed Hibiki stopped the flames as his eye began to ache. Rubbing it he said, "Who's up next."
"I am," he heard as he felt a slight rumbling behind him as Naruto appeared from the ground slashing upward with his blade. Hibiki managed to avoid it although he was surprised as a cut appeared on his chest regardless. His Bastard eye able to perceive chakra shouted to his companions, "Watch it, the punk can channel Wind Chakra into his blade to extend his reach."
Naruto pressed his advantage catching Hibiki in the gut with a kick. But, before Naruto could capitalize and finish him, strings wrapped around his blade as Mi arrived to back-up Hibiki while Takeo took on the remaining clones. Naruto tried to pull his sword free of the strings only to find they wouldn't cut and then was promptly electrocuted as she channeled electricity from the strings and into his blade. However she received a surprise as well when instead of screaming in pain the clone dispelled. She didn't have time to react with surprise as she felt a kick to the back of her head. Rolling along the ground she eventually came to a rest and turning to Naruto she said, "How could you? I'm a woman."
"Really!?" Naruto said clearly surprised by that revelation causing Mi's eyes to turn white in her anger. Turning she extended her hands towards Naruto as several strings extended from the sleeves of her battle dress wrapping around him. Once more charging the strings with chakra she watched as that clone disappeared as well.
Naruto cussed among his clone pack as the second clone was dispelled. He had been hoping to get the chunin to chase after the clone and its back-up that he had sent after the bastard with the eye so he could clear a path to Tsunade. However the guy with the collar and Kabuto had stayed near her. What was worse though was that the clones hadn't even lasted long enough to get the other two to give chase. Not to mention the clones he had sent at the one named Takeo had been blasted away by some sort of sound attack. Sending several more he watched as Takeo raised his hands and said, "DISAPPEAR," in his mechanical voice and the clones exploded.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter Jutsu"
Takeo's eyes widened in surprise as the jutsu approached him, but he defended himself by raising his hands in front of him and saying, "SHEILD." A barrier of sound appeared in front of him emitted from the pads on his hands which the jutsu dispersed against harmlessly.
"This is getting tiresome," Takeo said aiming at the clones, "BLAST."
The area the clones had been standing in suddenly erupted in an explosion as the sound wave hit them. But, before he could even bask in his apparent victory Naruto appeared from the smoke running right at him. Before Naruto could reach him though, strings wrapped around his neck, arms, and legs. As the electric current reached him he began spasming revealing that he was in fact the real Naruto.
Tsunade grabbing onto Kabuto's arm said, "Please that's enough let him go."
"Very well," Kabuto said giving Mi the sign to quit. Hibiki not really having had his fill picked him up with one hand around his throat and proceeded to viscously beat him. Kabuto said sternly, "Hibiki that's enough or would you like to see me angry." Before throwing him to the side near the edge of the cliff he got in one last punch to Naruto's gut.
"Let's get going," Kabuto said with the others following in his wake but stopped as it became apparent that Naruto was trying to get to his feet. Turning to the boy Kabuto said, "If you persist, I'm afraid we'll have to kill you."
"Naruto that's enough stop please," Tsunade begged.
"I never quite and I never go back on my word," Naruto said standing. "I'll keep coming after you until I'm dead."
"Very well then have it your way," Kabuto said nodding towards Takeo.
Raising his hands Takeo said, "EXPLOSION." Which, made the area Naruto was standing on, go off like an exploding tag. When the smoke cleared it revealed that Naruto as well as a large section of the cliff he was standing on were gone. Running up to the edge Mi looked down but seeing no sign of Naruto said as she turned back to Takeo, "I think you over did it just a bit."
"He's gone isn't he?" Takeo said.
Tsunade didn't listen to the exchange as she felt dead and empty at the death of the brave boy. Tears clearly leaking from her eyes she turned to Kabuto intent on killing him but pulled up short as he said, "Let us not forget about Shizune shall we. Unless you want her to end up giving Naruto company in the next life, I suggest you calm down." Deflating like a balloon Tsunade just lowered her head and nodded as she began following them to the boat that would take her to their hideout. But not before turning towards the cliff one last time.
After several minutes Naruto flopped onto the top of the cliff drained. Glad that he had been able to create a rock clone to take the brunt of the blast, and then henge himself into the cliff face. Laying there on his back he looked up to the sky trying to come up with a plan of action while getting his second wind. He knew what was expected of him, due to his chunin rank, and that was to go back to Konoha for back-up, but he had other ideas.
Namely W.W.Z.D. or What would Zabuza do.
Imaging Chibi Zabuza, Naruto could see him going to Konoha and getting help. But before Chibi Zabuza could get in on the action and chop the Sound Chunin to pieces with his sword they were defeated by the probable jounin back-up he would receive. However, neither he nor Chibi Zabuza liked that idea so the new scenario his mind came up with had him following after the Sound-nin and then rescuing Shizune while taking on the Sound Chunin in the process. Chibi Zabuza would then after dismembering the bitch with the strings and the bastard with the eye proceed to give the chunin who had just blasted him a sound based enema using his own arms. Smiling he decided he much preferred that scenario. Getting up he called for Tonton who had hid herself during the fight, as the pig came towards him he created a clone saying, "Tonton I want you and this clone to head back to Konoha for help okay, I'll leave you a trail you and the back-up can use to follow me."
Watching the pig run off with his clone he smirked. He might not want the back-up but seeing as he was Naruto Uzumaki, chunin of Konoha, he figured that he should partly do what was expected of him. Besides, hopefully by the time the back-up arrived, he'd already have the situation well in hand. Heading down the cliff face he found that the boat his clone had found was gone. Smiling to himself he then looked at the two directions in which it could have traveled. Figuring that since upriver would take them deeper into the Land of Fire he opted to head downriver towards the Land of Tea. Meanwhile, outside of the Crescent Cliffs Village a clone held a balloon in his hand with a smile before dispelling.
Stepping out of the boat, after arriving at a base hidden in the cliff face, Tsunade demanded, "Now take me to see Shizune."
"After you heal Kimimaro," Kabuto said causing Tsunade to stop.
"No," Tsunade said, "Show me her as a gesture of good faith or I'll bring this entire base down around your heads."
Sighing Kabuto said, "I guess we don't have a choice. Follow me."
Doing as instructed they arrived in front of a door with several seals placed on it and guarded by two genin. Placing his hand in the center of the door he channeled his chakra causing the seals to deactivate and the door to open. Sitting on a cot Shizune perked up upon sealing Tsunade but just as quickly felt her hope vanish as she saw who she was with.
Noting that somebody wasn't with them she asked, "Where's Naruto?"
"That little punk is probably dead at the bottom of the Crescent cliff, bitch," Hibiki said smirking.
Despite having her chakra sealed Shizune was still fast enough that she managed to deck Hibiki sending him flying back into Takeo who caught him. Smirking Hibiki said, "I like them feisty like you." Before walking up and hitting her knocking her back onto the cot.
Smiling at the exchange Kabuto said, "As you can see she is alive and relatively unharmed. So let's go."
"One second," Tsunade said, while walking up to her apprentice with a hand raised, causing the Sound Chunin to tense. Running a quick scan over Shizune to make sure that she was as health inside as she appeared outside, Tsunade said, "Alright I'm satisfied let's just get this done."
Shizune said, "No Lady Tsunade you can't," as she tried to get up from the cot only to be sent back down by a backhand from Hibiki.
Tsunade looking at her apprentice said, "I have to Shizune. I'm…I'm sorry."
Following Kabuto out of the room Tsunade asked, "So what can you tell me about this person I'm to heal?"
"He is the last of the Kaguya," Kabuto said without turning back. "I believe his bloodline ability is somehow responsible for his current ailment. I'll give you my notes so you don't need to waste time going over anything I've already done."
Being led into a medical bay Tsunade saw that the room was filled with equipment to monitor a patient's vitals as well as various IV tubes, all of which were connected to a young man laying on a table, his eyes covered with a seal. Upon hearing the door open the young man said, "Is someone there?"
"It's me Kimimaro and I've brought the woman who is going to cure you so that you can fulfill your life's ambition," Kabuto said kindly in a way that Tsunade found false.
Weakly Kimimaro said," Tha…"
"Save it," Tsunade snapped, "Let's just get this business done."
Meanwhile, back at the dock on the boat that Tsunade and the others had arrived in a life jacket that is a standard part of all such craft, even if no one uses them, disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Naruto who had been making good time smiled upon realizing he was heading in the right direction.
As Tsunade looked over the files that Kabuto had given her, she could see that Kabuto believed this illness was some result of Kimimaro's Kekkei Genkai and had exclusively focused on that. However she didn't think so. Her theory was that it was rare disease found in the Islands near Sea Country. How or when he had been there to contract the disease she couldn't figure due to Kimimaro being unwilling to betray the information of whether or not Orochimaru had bases in any of the places she asked, even for the sake of his life.
As she looked the file over once more, she couldn't get the defiant look Naruto had before being hit by Takeo's jutsu out of her mind. Thinking of the Blonde brought tears to her eyes, but she couldn't allow herself to grieve as she had to concentrate, Shizune needed her now. Getting up to check over some of the Kaguya's vitals she asked the sick boy, "You know if you would just tell me if you've been to Sea Country, I would be that much closer to healing you."
"I will not betray Lord Orochimaru," Kimimaro said.
"Why, it's not as if he cares about you," Tsunade said unable to believe the loyalty her old teammate was able to instill into his lackeys.
"Yet here you are to cure me because of him," Kimimaro said calmly.
"Trust me; he's only doing it for his own reasons."
"Lord Orochimaru is doing it because I will be the vessel upon which he will implant his will," Kimimaro said.
"You do realize by allowing yourself to be used for that jutsu you'll die?" Tsunade asked shaking her head at the Sound fanatic.
"I will always be a part of Lord Orochimaru's ambition and will live on through him," Kimimaro replied devotedly.
"You're a fool," Tsunade snapped, "He only cares about your bloodline ability. If you didn't have that he would just sit back and watch you die while making you feel as if the world revolved around you. All the while taking a perverse pleasure at how much he has fooled you."
"Do not speak about Lord Orochimaru like that in my presence again cow or I will strike you down cure or no cure," Kimimaro said trying to get up but easily held down by Tsunade.
Trying to appease the boy she said, "Forgive me just relax."
Kimimaro did as she asked allowing her to push him back down against the bed. Walking back to her desk she idly wondered if Naruto had been the same way. She had heard about how until the Blonde had met Zabuza he had been all alone. Was that why he was so loyal to those who acknowledged him? If it had been Orochimaru who found him would it have been Naruto lying in that bed telling her that she had it all wrong about the Snake Sannin. Was she any different? After all here she was selling out her village and home rather than face the possibility that she would be alone again should they kill Shizune. What would Dan think? Nawaki? She already knew what Shizune thought, having seen the look of disappointment in her apprentice's eyes. Looking at the lengths she was going to avoid the pain of loss again she realized Naruto was right. She was a coward. Looking at the weak Kaguya she knew she could simply walk over to him and turn his head into a crater. Then fight and kill every Sound-nin here, of course she would probably die in the end as would Shizune which was why she turned away and went back to work. She just wasn't strong enough to face that pain again.
Arriving at just after midnight Naruto almost missed the water entrance to the base, but after arriving in an area that didn't seem familiar he found it as he backtracked to the last place he remembered from his clone's memories. He waited a few more hours and smiled as a fog began rolling in over the water with the approaching morning. Crawling along the water to stay in the fog Naruto approached the entrance of the base. As he neared the dock where the boats where kept he spotted two genin Sound-nin, one of which was enjoying a cigarette while the other seemed to be just watching the fog.
The one smoking said, "I don't get why you like watching the fog so much."
"It's cool watching it come in that's why. Why do you hate it so much?"
Taking a puff of his smoke the man said, "Because before I joined the Sound village, I was a student in the Kirigakure academy. But quit before graduating, no way was I going to chance ending up dead just to try and pass. Trust me nothing good ever comes from fog."
"Aw, you're just being foolish."
Not receiving a response the genin turned towards his partner only to find a sword sticking out of the smoking man's throat. Pulling his ninjato out Naruto said, "Should have listened to your pal," before giving the gaping Sound-genin the same treatment. Hiding the bodies Naruto made his way into the base via an air duct that he found. It never ceased to amaze him that despite such places being designed to prevent intruders from entering, primarily ninjas, they always made these big ducts giving such easy access. As he traveled through the duct he would peek through the vents he passed to get an idea of his surrounding and hoping to see some sign of either of the women he was looking for. He finally found one when he found a hallway, in which two genin were obviously standing guard over something or someone. Moving up to the next vent he carefully and quietly slipped out and then henged himself into a Sound Jounin, thankful that they all seemed to wear masks as part of their uniform, before returning to the previous hallway.
Walking up to the two genin like he owned the place he was stopped short when one of the genin asked, "What are you doing here sir? We were told all jounin had been pulled out of this base for the duration of this mission seeing as afterwards it is to be decommissioned." The idea that they would bring a Sannin here without any Jounin back-up surprised Naruto.
"Sir?"
Realizing he was just standing there and not really having an answer for the genin he decided to go with the direct route and smashed one of their heads into the wall rendering him unconscious before pulling his blade on the other one saying, "What's behind the door?"
"T-t-the a-a-apprentice of Tsunade," the genin squeaked out.
Eyeing the seals on the door Naruto said, "Open it."
"I-i-I don't know how?"
"Then I guess I don't have a need for you," Naruto said tensing to appear to stab him.
"Wait…I might have seen how to do it," the genin said realizing his bluff failed.
Grabbing him by the neck he pointed him at the door. The genin activated the seals and once the door was opened Naruto whacked him on the back of the head knocking him out. Shizune, who had been sleeping, looked up from her cot and seeing the masked Sound Jounin attempted to break out despite her chakra being sealed. Attempting a jumping kick from the cot she missed and was surprised as the jounin raised his hands saying, "Calm down Shizune it's me."
Dispelling the henge he was surprised when Shizune immediately gave him a hug saying, "You're alive. Tsunade said you were killed."
Stepping away from her he said, "You should know better than to trust an old woman whose eye sight is probably failing her."
Smiling despite the joke at her master's expense she said, "Come on, we have to go find Lady Tsunade. But first can you get this seal off of me?"
Holding up her arm Naruto could see that it was a basic chakra suppression seal with an add security feature that made it so that the only way it could be removed was when a chakra other than the person's it was suppressing was infused into it. Channeling his chakra into it he watched as the seal fell away from her arm before he asked, "Do you know where she is?"
"No," Shizune answered, "They brought her here so she could see I was unharmed before taking her away to heal one of Orochimaru's men."
"Alright, I guess we do this the hard way then," Naruto said. Turning away he dragged the two unconscious genin into the room before resealing it and beginning their search for Tsunade. As they searched the base the pair stumbled onto another sealed door. Easily bypassing it they looked inside in shock as they saw that the room was covered in paper bombs. "Guess that explains why they ordered all the jounin out of the base," Naruto said.
"What do you mean?" Shizune asked confused.
Explaining what the genin guarding her room had told him while he was henged he added, "It's pretty apparent that once Tsunade heals this Kimimaro they were going to lock her up using you to pacifier her and then blow up the base."
"But why staff it with genin," Shizune wondered aloud.
"Simple if you're going to sacrifice a bunch of your own shinobi you want them to be as low ranking as possible," Naruto said disgusted.
"Why even staff it at all then?" Shizune asked.
"To make Tsunade and you think you had time to plan an escape," a voice said behind them.
Spinning the pair saw Kabuto standing there smirking at them. Shaking his head he said, "Guess I'll just have to kill you a little sooner than planned. And you Naruto you manage to survive only to throw your life away for a woman who stood-by doing nothing during your last fight with us. Why?"
"I told you. I gave the Old Man my word that I'd look out for Granny Tsunade and the only way you'll stop me from doing that is to kill me."
Shrugging dismissively Kabuto said, "Have it your way?"
Shizune prepared to meet Kabuto head on, but Naruto created enough Shadow Clones to fill the room and then all at once they charged the Sound medic. As the clones forced Kabuto out of the room due to a lack of space in which to fight, Naruto grabbed Shizune's hand before leaving a paper bomb of his own behind in the room. As the blonde pulled her out of the room she asked disbelievingly, "Are you mad?"
"Relax Shizune," Naruto said as they ran, "A room of that size wouldn't be enough to bring this whole base down. There has to be dozens of them spread out among the base."
"But what if they are spaced so that setting off one will set off all the others?" Shizune asked.
"I didn't think of that," Naruto said.
'Boom' as the explosion went off causing the Leaf-nin to stumble, Shizune closed her eyes waiting for the next explosion signaling their deaths. But it never came so they began searching in earnest for the missing Tsunade.
Kabuto who had been caught near the explosion while fighting the clones extracted himself from the rubble he was under while healing the massive injuries he had suffered. A Sound Genin coming to investigate asked, "Sir what happened?
Lying Kabuto said, "We have a Leaf saboteur who rigged the base with explosives, I'm afraid. I managed to get the drop on him and the escaped prisoner, but they ran away during the explosion."
"Should I spread the word to evacuate?" the genin asked.
"No, we have to find them first. Lord Orochimaru's ambition is tied up in our stopping them from freeing Tsunade and destroying the base," Kabuto said. As the genin ran off to spread the word about the intruder Kabuto thought, "I'll have to hope Tsunade has cured Kimimaro or failing that at least diagnosed what is wrong with him." With that he began slowly making his way to the medical bay in which she was working while gathering up some help should she prove less than cooperative.
Naruto, figuring that there was no more need to be subtle, created enough clones to spread out and quickly search the base for Tsunade. It was shockingly easy to scout the base, despite the fact that Sound Genin were pouring out of their rooms to defend it. Apparently Orochimaru wasn't willing to sacrifice his top quality genin with this base so many fell quickly and without much of a struggle. Finally one of the clones after defeating the genin guarding the room she was in, spotted Tsunade in the medical bay working furiously and dispelled itself to alert Naruto.
Tsunade felt the explosion wondering what it meant, while hoping that it was Konoha coming to the rescue. However she had decided to save Kimimaro regardless. Somewhere along the line she felt that it would be best if she could save this mirror image of Naruto. To give him a chance to realize that the man he served so faithful was using him. Coming up with the cure for the disease had been easy. After she had finally figured out that it was the disease she had encountered in Sea Country during her travels she easily whipped up the cure. The reason she had been called in to cure this particular sickness when it had appeared in Sea Country had been to pay off a gambling debt. Also due to it being an isolated incident she wasn't surprised that Kabuto wouldn't have known about this particular disease's existence.
No the hard part was curing him in a way that Orochimaru wouldn't be able to use the boy as a vessel. She had just hit upon an idea when the explosion happened. Working quickly she began administrating the treatment when the door to the medical bay was kicked in. Turning she saw a familiar Blonde standing there with Shizune. Shocked she didn't know if what she saw was real until Naruto said, "Come on Granny Tsunade we don't have all day. In case you need it spelled out for you this is a rescue."
Turning back to Kimimaro, to continue his treatment, she said, "Give me a moment."
"Lady Tsunade, he's the enemy," Shizune said, "Why would you wish to help him?"
"I want to give him a chance to see what his master is truly like," Tsunade said, "I want him to find a reason to live for himself. I just need a minute."
Naruto and Shizune nodded before taking positions near the door to look for approaching Sound-nin. When Tsunade said, "Done," Naruto replied with, "Not a moment too soon," as the hall towards the medical bay filled with Sound-nin led by Kabuto and the Sound Chunin.
"I wish there was another door out of here," Naruto said after creating several clones to take up Shizune and his positions by the door which began firing Air Bullets down the hall delaying the Sound-nins' advance.
Smiling Tsunade said, "Leave that to me," and then walked up to a wall smashing a giant hole through it leaving Naruto gaping at her.
Tossing her hair behind her shoulder Tsunade said while smiling at Naruto "What you didn't think I was just another pretty face did you?"
"Well you didn't really give me a whole lot of reason to think otherwise," he said back lightly.
Despite his joking tone a pained look crossed her face as she tried to say, "Naruto I'm…"
"…in the way," Naruto finished for her, "Let's get the hell out of here."
Nodding her head she followed Naruto and Shizune through the new doorway, but not before sparing one last look at the boy whose life she had just saved while hoping she hadn't made a mistake in doing so.
Entering the medical bay after dealing with the clones that had been left behind Kabuto was surprised to see that Kimimaro was still among the living and as he completed his scan completely cured of his sickness. As Kabuto finished his scan Takeo asked, "Should we pursue?"
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru was quite specific about ending Tsunade's life once we were finished with her," Kabuto said.
Mi staring at the giant hole in the wall said, "Are you out of your mind? Take a look at that wall. No way do I want to tangle with the bitch that did that."
"Relax Mei," Kabuto said while pushing up his glasses, "Tsunade has more than just a fear of losing those close to her as a weakness. Furthermore, you, Hibiki, and Takeo will deal with the annoyances accompanying her while I'll deal with Tsunade." His words having seemingly calmed Mi down, he pointed to two genin saying, "You two load Kimimaro onto a boat and get him out of here." The two genin immediately set about their task so Kabuto said addressing the Sound Chunin, "Let's go, we have a legend to kill."