Naruto's POV

I landed on my feet and skidded back a few feet. There were cuts and bruises all over my body but I didn't bother to pay attention to those. All my focus centered on Kakashi. He too was in the same physical pain as me. Neither one of us had drawn out our most powerful jutsus.

Kakashi was only testing out my strength, seeing how far I would go to end this. Using rasengan would be suicidal in terms of him being able to deduce who I am under this mask. Going into Sage mode would be a dead giveaway too. Performing with the help of the kyuubi's chakra shouldn't even be an option right now. My jutsu list was getting smaller and smaller. Creating shadow clones... It could be possible if I come up with a lie that seems believable enough.

"Kagebunshin no jutsu!" There were two puffs of smoke as my clones, wearing identical masks to mine, appeared. "I am ending this Kakashi, we've gone too long. I have a village and people to protect." My clones and I went from all angles. Fists flew and with every blow Kakashi got from one direction, another clone was there to punch him back.

When the flurry was finished and silence was the only conscious company left between us, I looked out over the rest of the battlefield. Every person had stopped to watch stupefied at what they had witnessed. The great Copy Nin Kakashi Hatake had been taken down without even having a chance to retaliate. I smirked. Fear of things more powerful than you could do miracles.

"If you Konoha nins know what is good for you and don't want to end up in a much worse shape than this man," I pointed down at his body, "I suggest you board those ships and stay there nice and quiet." In a mad scramble they did as told. They knew that I would finish them in seconds if it only took a few minutes with Kakashi. "The rest of you, take care of the injured and report them to Fumio's men. And if you see anymore Leaf nin, take them back to their ships by any force so long as they are alive."

"Yes Uzukage-sama."

Turning to the direction of the village I bent my knees a bit before propelling myself forward through the trees. Breaking through the green I landed on top of the archway of the village entrance. Things were quiet no sign of enemy intrusion to be seen. Creepy. From all the action that I came from to return to this. Something wasn't right and it may seem cliché saying that but there is something I am missing. "Where are the guards?"

I heard an almost inaudible whisper; Jerking my head to the left I narrowed my eyes. "Show yourself." My voice was a hiss. When no one came out I jumped down right in front of the source of the noise. "Don't make me get you myself." My shadow fell over the bush, menacingly demanding.

A pair of hands coated in blue chakra struck out. With quick reflexes I jumped back and hopped a bit before stopping. Neji Hyuuga and Lee appeared in front of me. Neither had changed over the year. Neji was still the same with a wise air far older than himself. Lee kept the bowl cut hair and the same get up as his sensei. It amazed me how easily they stayed themselves after everything that had happened before my escape.

"Uzukage, we have been ordered for your capture. You have dealt crimes outside of these lands that must be paid for." Good old Neji, right to the point. "Come with us peacefully and things will not need to resort violently."

"And if I refuse?"

Lee took his stance. "Then we will be forced to take you back. The spirit of youth burns deeply in me, you will not be able to escape me." That reference to youth was really starting to annoy me. Why did he, out of all the senseis, choose Gai as his role model? "I shall beat you in the honor of all youth! Come my eternal rival, let us bring justice!"

I scoffed when he used the word justice. "Justice, what justice? Do you call attacking a village and attempting to take its citizens justice?"

"We have been informed by Homura-sama and Koharu-sama that Uzushiogakure has been planning the downfall of not only Konoha but of all the five elemental nations. It is our duty to stop all activities pertaining to such an act." It was Neji who told me all that I needed to know. Those old crones were going to get it.

"So destroying lives is how you will accomplish this task?" They nodded. My temper flared. "I won't let you do such a thing. I will kill you if you dare to lay one hand on any of my people." With that I flickered in between them catching them by surprise. I hit them both in the stomach with my fists coated in chakra, similar to Neji, and then bashed their heads together. I left their bodies on the ground, blood dripping from their mouths and noses. "Don't mess with me."

I made my rounds finding that most of the invading nins were taken care of swiftly. Neither side suffered any losses, just injuries. I ordered that the Leaf nins were to be put back onto their ships and personally escorted back to the Land of Fire. Hitoshi had objected to my order but I quickly made him see reason. By having being present at the village in front of everyone it put just a little more of a fear into their hearts of not messing with us again in the near or distant future. They needed to understand we mean business.

Of course I didn't leave without my two closest advisors and friends, Nobuo and Suzume. Fumio and Hitoshi were left in charge but I made sure that Makio was there to instill some discipline in the pair if things got too crazy. Laughing onto the ship we set sail for the main continent. It only took approximately three hours to arrive onto the port. I kept my fox mask and the others wore masks too, the original white ones we had traveled with not so long before.

"I'm going to need to seal them in the scrolls. Running with all their bodies would take hours on end." The other two nodded. "Stand back." I opened several scrolls, each a dark green with symbols strewn all over the inside. Biting my thumb blood trickled out. I slammed my hand down on each scroll and the bodies disappeared into their respective spaces. "Done."

"Are you sure we should even be doing something like this? It's just the three of us and despite how strong we are, we can't face a whole village."

I turned my head to Suzume while I rolled the scrolls and handed them to Nobuo. "Calm down Suzume. If they are so stupid to attack us then we'll just have to defend ourselves. We aren't going to back down if they challenge us." She said nothing. "Now let's go, we're losing daylight and I don't want to be traveling in the dark."

Konoha's streets began to grow emptier and emptier as the sun sank in the western horizon. Homura and Koharu were busy in the Hokage's office worrying about the outcome of the mission. It had been nearly ten hours since the boats had left port for the island. There was no progress report sent within the time span. Had they failed?

Meanwhile, Shizune and young Sakura were busy attending to Tsunade as she still lay in a comatose state. The doctors had not been able to find a cause for the sleep since there were no traces of any sleep inducing medicines or poisons anywhere in the kage's body. Shizune and Sakura had worked day and night since the incident trying to find some lead or clue as to the reason for their teacher's condition. Sadly there were no scrolls or highly experienced medical persons who could even categorize Tsunade.

Gently holding her left hand, Sakura put her forehead onto her teacher's pale hand. Thankfully the jutsu keeping Tsunade young was still active. "Please wake up, Tsunade-sama. The village is not the same without you. Homura-san and Koharu-san are becoming more and more difficult to handle." Tears pricked at her eyes. "Please, we need you."

Neither girls noticed it but a slight twitch of Tsunade's finger was the only indication of her having heard the desperate voice of Sakura. Deep down in her consciouness under the heavy feeling of needing more sleep, Tsunade screamed out but could only feel the deafening darkness surrounding her. "I have to wake up, Konoha needs me, Sakura and Shizune need me, Naruto needs me."

Gently coaxing her fellow disciple up out of the chair Shizune could only hold back the tears threatening to fall. Her teacher would not like knowing that she had cried. "Come on Sakura. We should get going. I'm sure Lady Tsunade will wake up soon. She isn't a Sannin for nothing." Sakura bobbed her head once, never taking her eyes off the sleeping figure. "Lady Tsunade would want us to rest and regain our strength for tomorrow. The others will be returning from their mission and we need to be ready for anything."

"I understand."

They stood outside the archway into the village. It was nearly dark with the moon out and the sun barely peeking over the land. There were a handful of people still walking the dirt streets but most were on their way home. Guards stood ready to confront the three strange masked ninjas.

"Stop. State your name and business." One of the men ordered. He was tall and wore the Konoha head protector. He wore the usual green vest with black shirt and pants. His eyes were the same as Hinata and Neji Hyuuga, a white with dark pupils.

Suzume was the one to speak out and answer. "We are here to deliver an important package to the subsitute Hokages of this village. We are members of the Land of Whirlpools."

The man gawked. "Tide ninjas?" His eyes narrowed. "We will deliver the package to Homura-sama and Koharu-sama. There is no need for you to enter this village."

She scowled under the mask. Nobuo stepped forward, menacing and ready to knock them out. "Move, we don't need you dogs to do what we came here to do. And unless you want me to hurt you, you'd better move aside. These packages are leaving our hands until we see your elders. Understand?"

"Let's just calm down everyone." Naruto tried to take control of the issue, raising both his hands up. 'We want to ensure the safety of these packages but also to have a conversation with your two elders. There's no catch. We are here on peaceful and friendly terms despite what happened earlier today." The Hyuuga tried to make a rebuttle but Naruto continued on. "Now if you'd kindly escort us to the elders we'd appreciate it very much... And you can take your Anbu friends hiding in the shadows along with us too, if that will make you feel safer in our presence."

"Fine, follow us, but don't stray out of our sight or else the Anbu are free to do what they wish to you three."

"Thank you." Naruto replied, ignoring the threat that came along with the open invite. They all walked down the main road, keeping to the center. He could feel the eyes of onlookers through the windows staring at him. Despite being masked and wearing a red cloak, Naruto still felt exposed. There was no nervousness in him but a sense of foreboding. This meeting may just prove to be something that will bring about some unlucky outcomes.

Nobuo leaned in to Naruto with eyes still trained forward and whispered, "Are you sure about doing this?" The blonde nodded. He sighed, "Alright. I'm trusting you on this but you should know, Suzume and I both think that just giving them the scrolls and getting out of here would be the easier choice."

Smirking, Naruto answered back, "But taking the easier way out is no fun you know."

"Pff, the mind of a former prankster never does like to back down from a challenge, does he?"

"Never in a million years. Now get ready because you're going to want to kill something once we get into that office up there." Naruto pointed upwards with his eyes, willing Nobuo and Suzume to look in the same direction. "Once you meet those two old dinosaurs, you're self-control is going to be tested to the limit."

The two groaned earning them some questioning glances which were brushed off. Things were going to get interesting and if the feeling of foreboding weren't getting any stronger with every step forward, Naruto would actually be finding himself enjoying the moment.

Koharu gaped at the sight of them. The three members of Uzushiogakure stood right in front of their eyes, arms crossed. It was Homura who spoke out and broke the silence. "To what pleasure do we owe this visit, Uzukage-sama?"

"Cut the crap, we're here to deliver some lost dogs to this village and to get some reasons for attacking my village." The fox masked boy slammed his hands down on the desk. "And you better make those reasons damn good if you know what's good for you." Venom dripped off every word he said and the two elders shivered slightly.

"Give us those scrolls first." Koharu finally found her voice. She held out her hand. "We want to see the contents of them."

Naruto laughed, throwing his head back a little. "Isn't it obvious what's inside these?" He waved the green scrolls just out of reach of Koharu's wrinkled hands. "Think," he tapped them against his temple next, "What could be so important that we'd personally come here to give these back? Something neither one of you would want to lose any time soon, especially not to people as 'weak' as us."

"Let them go." The old woman had finally gotten the hint. She finally understood what had happened to the shinobi forces that had been sent to the Land of Whirlpools earlier that day.

"No, I won't be giving them that easily you know. I want something out of this little chat of ours. Something similar to a... compromise."

"Name the price."

Naruto smiled. "The lives of your shinobi for an alliance between Konohagakure and Uzushiogakure. There won't be any more animosities between our two people. We protect and help you and you do the same in return for us."

Homura asked, "And if we do not comply with your wishes? What will you do then?"

"An excellent question actually but something I'm hoping won't have to happen." Holding the scrolls to Suzume, she took them and held them a ways out from her body. "If you do not agree with my demands then this will be the outcome of your fellow Konoha nin." With a quick series of hand signals, Naruto produced a flame in the palm of his hand, only a small one. Holding it down underneath the scrolls smoke started to form.

"Stop!" Koharu screamed jolting up as fast as her old bones could let her. "We will form an alliance with Uzushiogakure, now release our men from your jutsu!"

"I am glad you see it our way, Koharu-san." Suzume with a slight nod from Naruto set the scrolls down on the desk top. His two companions flanked him on either side as Homura released everyone from within the green scrolls. Each body appeared in a puff of smoke, injured and groaning, but alive.

The Anbu carried each shinobi off to the hospital where Shizune, Sakura, and Ino along with the rest of the medical staff stood waiting. "Get each of them into a bed and room!"

"By the way, we may be able to help you with that sleeping Hokage of yours, as a part of our alliance of course."

Koharu sneered. "We don't need your help in waking our Hokage. Our medical specialist are practically finished creating a cure for her. Your assistance isn't necessary for us now, you'd only be wasting your time."

Nobuo snickered and earned himself a dirty look from the old bat. "Sorry but it's pretty obvious you guys aren't anywhere near discovering anything. We've been hearing what other people have been saying while on the way here. The Hokage is never going to wake up because no matter how hard all of you tried you just couldn't find anything."

"And you think you have the solution to our problem then?"

"Yeah, our village has some medicinal herbs that don't grow on this continent or any other unless in a remote region that most don't want to go through the problem of surviving."

Homura leaned into Koharu's ear, whispering things around the base of "accept" and "benefit". The old woman conceded under the logical reasoning of her team mate. Sighing, she begrudgingly took the offer with a bit of a frown on her face. "We will accept then since you seem to be so knowledgeable about what we are going through at the moment. The Anbu squad will escort you to the hospital and monitor you the whole time. Don't think of doing anything funny brat."

Crossing his heart and giving an innocent smile, Nobuo bowed sarcastically. "Oh thank you great elders." Naruto and Suzume couldn't help but think that the sneer on Koharu's face was going to stay permanent.

"I need you to grind up these flowers and herbs together, into fine powder. Got it?" Naruto stood back as he let Nobuo and Suzume take over the situation. The three had been taught the proper procedure by Fumio before they left the village. Apparently Fumio had gotten his hands on a couple of extremely rare scrolls with spots of blood dotting the pages which explains how he got them. One of the remedies included something explaining the symptoms of Tsunade. They didn't know if it would work but they thought it would be best to try it rather than not.

His blue eyes watched and took in all that was happening around him. Sakura was busy grinding the herbs together while Shizune made sure to prep the area. Neither one of them lost focus for even a second, working well together like water through a stream.

After an hour of utter chaos the medicine was given to Tsunade and within the next ten minutes, her eyes opened up for the first time in a year. There were sobs of joy erupting in the room that Naruto and the others felt a little awkward. When they tried to make their way out of the room and head home Sakura pulled them in for a group hug. The three foreign ninjas stiffened at the casual contact.

"You can let go of us now." Suzume gasped for air having ended up in the center of the huddle. She squirmed under the pressure. "I said you can let go of us now!"

The group hug ended after she yelled. "Sorry, it's just that, if you guys weren't here to give us the recipe and ingredients to wake up Lady Tsunade..." Sakura sniffled. "Just... thank you guys so much. We really appreciate what you've done for us."

"It's nothing; just don't have a group hug again as long as we're around."

Shizune laughed.

"No, seriously, I didn't enjoy it at all." Nobuo clamped his hand over Suzume's mouth before she could complain anymore. The girl could be so sweet and caring one second and mean the next. Dragging her back near the door the two struggled against each other, Suzume biting Nobuo's hand while he hissed threats into her ear and holding her down more.

"I apologize for their behavior. They don't go outside the village much." Naruto couldn't keep eye contact with his former team mate. It had been easier with Kakashi only because he was willing to kill his former student, whether he knew it was him or not. But with Sakura, Naruto didn't want to meet those green eyes. The girl had been his first love but that died out long ago when he realized it was futile. "We'll be taking our leave now. Tell your Hokage that we are happy for her return and that there will be some important information regarding our two villages waiting for her."

Then the most unexpected voice called out, "Wait!" Everyone turned to the source of the outburst with surprised eyes. Tsunade sat on her bed, healthy and glowing with power. "Who are you and what information are you referring to?" No one answered, only stared in amazement as if she had risen from the dead. "Answer me."

"Of course... Lady Tsunade." Naruto answered still shocked. "I will answer your questions to the best of my ability."

"Answer what I just asked then."

"I am the Uzukage of Uzushiogakure, guardian of the Land of Whirlpools. And the information I speak of is the alliance formed between our two villages. Homura-san and Koharu-san were kind enough to accept our offer."

Tsunade flared with anger. "How dare those two..." Taking in a deep calming breath she asked, "What is your name?"

Naruto froze for a bit before coolly answering, "I'm sorry but I cannot answer that question."

"To hell you can't, you will answer me or else this alliance of ours is terminated."

Nobuo's hand twitched to his kunai but Naruto held a hand up to stop him. "If my name is such an importance that you would be willing to throw away our agreement then so be it. I value my identity over this petty alliance any day." The two kages then went into a stare down as the air around them seemed to intensify with electricity.