I've been getting a lot of good responses for chapter one, I take it this is a Naruto you can like then? Heh, in case some of you didn't notice, Eko's speech is done in italics now. It was bothersome doing it without, since I couldn't have one on one conversations without having to say who was speaking each time. Anyways, here is the next one. A last minute change of plan and suddenly I know what to do for the next chapter or two.

Disclaimer: Damn, I'd been hoping that it would be Konan that would take out Utakata. She seriously didn't get enough attention, even seeing her in filler combat would have been something.


The gathered nineteen

"Hnn…" the Mizukage groaned, his brow creasing and his jaw clenching as he began to stir. Kisame raised his head, looking up from his seated position against the cave wall. He watched straight faced as the young man slowly woke up from his two day long nap, blinking blearily at the ceiling, "…What?"

"Long time no see, eh?" Kisame asked, his expression failing to match his light tone. The Mizukage turned his head, squinting at Kisame as his vision steadily returned. With some effort, he raised himself to a sitting position, the blanket that laid over him falling to his lap. He turned to get a better look at the swordsman, his orchid eyes showing uncertainty as his vision faded into focus.

"Hoshigake… Kisame-san?" he thought aloud, his brow creasing in confusion. He then glanced around him, as of trying to find something. But when he seemed to come up with no results, he looked back questioningly, "What's going on? Where's Azami-sensei and the others?"

Kisame cocked a brow at the boy, resting his arm on his leg as he leant forward. He was surprised by the fact that this person would bring up Chiriku Azami in such a way. After all, from what he knew that person had been dead for a while.

"Ah, I see." he muttered to himself, as a sly smile appeared on his face. Fortunately the boy didn't see it over the collar of his cloak, but he did hear the words.

"What?" he asked, frowning at Kisame. The large Shinobi got to his feet, ducking from the low ceiling of the small cave. He looked back at the boy, his bow head only allowing his eye to be seen.

"Get some rest, I'll explain when you're better recovered." he said, before leaving the cave. The boy followed him with his eyes until he disappeared from sight. Something didn't feel right, he had a sense of unease inside.

"Groooo-Oooh."

"Calm down Sanbi-san." the boy thought, pushing himself to his feet. With complete silence, he pressed his back to the cave wall, listening intently. Outside, Kisame was speaking in a hushed voice.

"Looks like Leader-sama was right." the swordsman spoke.

"Huh, Pein-san?" came another, much younger voice. Whoever that person was, he had spoken clearly enough to be heard without effort. For that, he was quickly shushed, "Uh, sorry."

"What shall we tell him?" came another voice that was almost missed. The boy tensed at this, his grip on the wall tightening while any signs of an expression slithered away. He waited in silence to hear the follow up, his eyes watching the outside world.

"He was put under a Genjutsu for years, it's hard to say what effect that would have had on him." Kisame replied.

"Genjutsu?" the boy thought, his brow furrowing again. Things were getting as complicated as they were confusing, what did they mean by Genjutsu? And years?

It was then that the boy realised it, to his great shock. He looked down at the ground and suddenly got a strange feeling of vertigo as he found out he was much higher than he should be. He crouched down to the cave floor, pressing his hand on the ground as he collected himself. Now that he considered it, he felt different, bigger. It was as if he had experienced an overnight growth spurt, he was what, a foot taller?

He grabbed his hair, holding it tight as he experienced a sudden migraine. This was wrong, he shouldn't be like this. His muscles were thicker, he could feel them tensing uncomfortably. The world felt like it had literally shrunk around him. It was nauseating, this sense of unease. He looked up and around the cave, was it getting smaller?

"I- gotta get out of here!" he thought, grabbing the cave wall again. He pulled himself back up and ran out of the cave. But his unfamiliar body was difficult to manoeuvre with, and he soon fell to the ground. He grunted in pain as he struck the dirt, eyes squinting shut. He grabbed his stomach, writhing in pain all of a sudden. The Sanbi was reacting violently to his own agitation, panicking and attempting to push its way out.

"Hey!" called the voice of the first unknown person. The boy winced as he looked over his shoulder, watching as a blond boy in a red haori ran towards him.

"Are you alright?" Naruto asked, crouching down beside the boy. He watched with a worried expression as the boy's single open eye widened, the sclera turning a violent shade of purple. Naruto tensed at the sight of this. Though it may not have been fortunate, he had seen Gaara change many times during the first few months of their training, he knew what was happening here.

"If you don't wanna make things easier for Kiri, I'd suggest knocking him out." Kisame said, watching with Gaara from afar. Naruto glanced over his shoulder, nodding before he placed his hand on the boy's head.

"Sorry about this." he said, as he channelled Futon chakra into his hand. The boy's eye flickered in and out of focus as the air became surprisingly thin. After a few short moments, his eye slid back to its normal colour before sliding shut again. When he was sure the boy was out, Naruto slid his arms beneath him and carried him back into the cave. He laid the boy back onto the floor, and placed the blanket over him. He still found it unbelievable that this guy was supposed to be a Kage.

He stepped back out of the cave, and with a flicker of annoyance he realised that Kisame and Gaara were continuing the conversation without him. He hastily rejoined them, looking to catch up on what he missed.

"It looks like he doesn't remember anything past his last mission." Kisame said, glancing over to the cave, "He's talking about dead people like they're still alive."

"Those effects could be temporary." Gaara replied, loosening his muffler slightly. The warm, clammy air was uncomfortable, especially for someone wearing such thick clothing, "We should keep an eye on him in case he remembers being the Mizukage."

"Wait a minute, so he doesn't remember anything?" Naruto asked, looking between his sensei and comrade in surprise. He didn't know too much about the Yondaime Mizukage, just that he had been a tyrannical ruler for over a-

Naruto suddenly came to a pause as he was hit with a realisation he should have had from the start. He whipped his head back towards the cave with an incredulous look, before returning his attention to Kisame, "Hang on a sec, didn't you say the Yondaime Mizukage was instated over ten years ago?!"

Gaara's brow creased as he suddenly understood what Naruto meant. Together, he and the blond looked at Kisame with confused expressions, while their sensei simply grinned.

"Heh heh, that's the mystery of the Yondaime Mizukage." he said, with a near giddy look. Naruto and Gaara's confusion only developed into a greater form, but this was now overtaken by curiosity too, "To be exact, he has been in office for around sixteen years."

The two teenagers stared in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on their sensei's. it was idiotic to think that that person had been Mizukage for that long, he would have had to be put in the position at the time of his birth. It wasn't even a joke, no humour could be derived from such a thing. And so that only left them with wonder of how such a thing could be possible.

"You say this is a mystery, but there must have been an investigation into this matter." Gaara replied, when he finally found sense, "He couldn't be immortal after all."

"Don't count out that possibility." Kisame grinned, with an inward chuckle. Both of his students were looking at him seriously, neither seeing things from his perspective, "We are Shinobi after all."

"Is it really ok to be talking like this?"

"Yeah, we should probably get moving." Kisame agreed, turning away, "Gaara, grab the Mizukage. Naruto, ready the diversions."

"Oh, uh, sure thing." Naruto replied, turning and heading off while Gaara walked to the cave. Both were still startled by the revelation that had been made, and neither would be able to get it off their minds for a while.

* * * * *

Through the damp surface of the dry land they stood, surrounding the dank, empty cave before them. Two squads of Kirigakure's ANBU black ops stood amongst the bodies of the first squad to arrive, four crushed and torn forms almost unrecognisable. It was clear that this had all been a trap, their targets hadn't been here after all.

One of the squad, a woman with a red petal design on her mask, crouched down by the nearest body. She pulled out from under the contorted corpse a small paper seal, raising it to the thin light for inspection, "The seal's untidy, either it was done in a hurry or we're dealing with someone who's got the hand writing of a five year old."

"They were pretty sharp with the kidnapping." a second ANBU replied, a man with a green X across his mask. He removed the mask of one of the dead, failing to react to the face wracked with pain, "I doubt they didn't consider escape into their plans."

"What is the purpose of the seal?" asked a third ANBU, one who's mask bore a blue swirl across the bottom. The woman straightened up, running her thumb across the ink.

"Judging from this, and the way the blood and leaves are scattered, this was a Futon style trap." she replied, discarding the seal disinterestedly. She looked back at the person who asked the question, "It's the same as was found in the mansion."

"There's no point staying here!" called the captain of the other squad, "Let's move on!"

"Affirmative!" called the captain of the present squad, the man with the X on his mask. He and the other two ran off to join the others, with only the last member of their squad remaining.

He stepped forward, past the bloody bodies towards the cave. The twin blue lines coming down from the eyes of his mask resembled tears, something no Shinobi should shed. He looked in the hollow rocks, his stance telling nothing, but his focus remaining there.

"Niisama… where are you?" he quietly asked.

* * * * *

Through the thick trees they ran, four dark red streaks darting across the mossy ground at top speed. Koyane, Daisuke, Shinmaru and Kunimei flew through the trees, each with a different person riding them. Naruto took point on Koyane as he always did, a fact that annoyed Kisame to no end. He rode on Shinmaru, who was lagging only slightly behind from the weight of the large man and his weapon. Gaara occupied Daisuke, while the Mizukage lay across Kunimei, the only one watchful enough to ensure the boy didn't fall off.

"Looks like they realise we're not there." Naruto said, looking back at Kisame. His sensei grinned as he imagined the scene back there, he really could be irresponsible at times, "Think we should set more traps?"

"More of the same would only waist time." Gaara replied, looking off to his right. He reached out with his hand and snapped his fingers, earning the attention of Kunimei. The dog moved closer to Gaara, who reached out and removed the Mizukage's cowl. He then turned in the other direction and tossed it to Naruto, "Divide that amongst your Kage Bunshin. Once they get past Akira and Hotei's distraction, this'll throw them off even more. Use that to find out how many there are."

"Ok, got it!" Naruto replied, placing the cowl between his thighs as he formed the cross hand sign, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

From his words came ten clones, all of whom were shirtless, existing where they hadn't before. All but one dropped onto the ground, the tenth waiting as Naruto passed him the cowl. Then he too dropped off, taking a kunai from his pouch. Kisame averted his gaze in disgust as the Kage Bunshin's bare chest flew by him, there was one thing that bugged him more than his current position.

"What will it take for you to keep your damn shirt on?!" he demanded. Naruto didn't seem to hear him however, apparently he was experiencing a momentary impairment of hearing. The water nin grumbled to himself, if this hadn't been a common situation he would probably have Samehada in his hands by now. But the little idiot hadn't learned the first time, and to be honest, he was starting to think Eko was egging him on for the sake of fighting Samehada.

"He's waking up." Gaara said, his eyes fixed on the Mizukage. Both Naruto and Kisame watched as once more the boy stirred, and then reacted strongly to his situation. He snapped up, but immediately threw himself back down again, gripping Kunimei's fur hard. The bug dog whined in discomfort, it seemed he didn't like being gripped that roughly. The boy slowly managed to raise himself to a sitting position, looking at the dogs in bewildered shock. He snapped his head up, locking eyes with Kisame as his brow creased.

"What the hell is going on?!" he demanded, glaring at the giant wilfully. But when he was met only with a grin, he tried to dismount the dog. To his shock however, his ankles were weighed down by what looked like mounds of sand.

"Don't bother." Gaara said, watching the Mizukage with narrow eyes. The boy ground his teeth in anger, raising his hands to a seal.

"HEY HEY HEY!" Naruto called, Koyane slowing down to run between the two boys. He grabbed the Mizukage's wrist and separated his arms, looking him in the eye, "It's alright, we're not enemies!"

"Then tell me what the hell's going on!" the boy demanded, pulling his hand back. Naruto looked over at Kisame, who let out a conceding sigh. The three boys turned their gazes to him, waiting for his words in silence.

"You've been under a Genjutsu for years now." Kisame explained, in a calm, but bored voice. The Mizukage's face twitched, but he kept a still expression and said nothing, "I'm not sure about the reason why, but it looked to me like Kiri was keeping you on a short leash."

Naruto understood all of this so far, it at least explained why someone like this person was Mizukage in the first place. In the end, all a Kage was good for was signing away the lives of others. Kisame had taught him that early on to their training. If there were people to take care of the affairs of the village, all their Kage needed was the ability to write his own name.

"And as you've probably realised, you know nothing of your actions during the time you were placed in the Genjutsu." Kisame continued, gazing off ahead as he continued his half hearted explanation, "The seal we used to eliminate the Genjutsu also took care of the effects; you should not remember anything of the Genjutsu."

The boy nodded, everything was making sense even if it was unbelievable. He persevered, trying not to let what was said distract him from any following words, "So what happened?"

"It's simple." Kisame replied, focus returning to his eyes and a grin appearing on his face, "We looked for you, found you, and kidnapped you."

Naruto looked at his sensei in shock, he really hadn't been expecting him to just come out and say that. How did he expect the Mizukage to cooperate now, what the hell was he thinking?!

"Kidnapped huh?" the Mizukage said, in a listless tone. Naruto turned to look at him, anxiety coming on quite strongly. The purple eyed boy looked out ahead, his expression showing nothing at all, "So what do you want?"

"I'll leave that to Naruto." Kisame replied, leaning back with a relaxed look, "This is where he comes in."

This being news to Naruto, he suddenly found himself nervous and uncertain as the Mizukage's eyes fell upon the person Kisame nodded to. Naruto chuckled nervously at the other boy, scratching his chin, before whipping his head to his sensei.

"What the hell am I supposed to tell him?!" he demanded. He wasn't sure who had decided that he was the mediator for the Jinchuriki, but whoever it was had failed to inform him. He was saved the bother of coming up with something though, when Gaara spoke.

"We know that you are the Jinchuriki for the Sanbi no Kyodaigame." he said, keeping his eyes firmly ahead as the Mizukage watched him. The Kiri nin's eyes widened in shock, his lips parting from surprise. But that soon faded, and he looked ahead once more.

"I see." he said, blankly, "So then it's him that you want."

"Don't get the wrong idea." Naruto said, as Koyane fell back further. The Mizukage looked at him over his shoulder, watching as Naruto raised his hand into a single seal. His gaze moved from the face of the blond boy to his stomach, when a black spiralling design with several scribbles coursing away from it appeared on his skin, like a tattoo that just hadn't been noticed because of the lighting, "I couldn't care less about the Sanbi."

"You…" the Mizukage breathed, his eyes rising to Naruto's, "You're another one?"

Naruto's grin broadened, and he laughed inwardly, "Yeah, so is Gaara over there."

The Mizukage turned his eyes to Gaara, who didn't respond at all. He then dropped his gaze, a look of deep thought etched on his smooth face. He took several moments in silence, before raising his head.

"I see." he said again, looking back at Naruto, "I guess that since I know your names, you can call me Yagura."

Naruto beamed at him, feeling confident that things were going well. He was the only one to react as such though, both Gaara and Eko were holding contemplative silences. Kisame, being Kisame, just watched Yagura with a grin. Yagura turned his eyes ahead again, but stopped as he realised Gaara was watching him.

"You sound like you have no concern of this situation." he said, in an almost accusing tone, "I would think you'd be at least a little concerned as to the reasons for what is happening now."

"Don't get me wrong, I don't trust a single one of you." Yagura replied, his stony expression matching Gaara's almost exactly, "But, since you got me out of that village, it looks like I'm indebted to you."

Naruto and Gaara watched Yagura with raised brows, while Kisame kept an open ear. None of them had any problem with what he had said, it was the better than what any of them had expected. But to that same end, they couldn't help be confused by it.

"I'll repay that debt," Yagura said, looking Naruto in the eye, "But first, I have to go back."

* * * * *

The Kiri ANBU dashed through the forest as fast as their feet would allow, silently flitting from tree to tree as they did everything in their ability to close the gap between themselves and the Mizukage. Four Shinobi and three Kunoichi followed the large tracks left in the soft earth. They had already confirmed the use of ninken, and that there were many of the dogs in use. They could also easily follow the trail, the scent of those dogs were very distinct.

"It's getting clo-" one of the Kunoichi began, before she and everyone else came to a sudden stop. They all grabbed their faces as they were suddenly hit with a nauseating stench, the likes they had never known. It reeked of urine, but it was so intense it almost seemed like they had been struck with some corrosive gas.

None of them wasted any time in separating, doing what they could to get away from that horrendous odour before it could really do some harm. They all climbed up to high branches, gagging and wheezing as they tried desperately to get some clean air.

"Those bastards." a male growled, holding his throat as if he was trying to block the tainted air from his lungs, "Are they messing with us?"

"No, it's not that." said a Kunoichi, between thick coughs. She reached out with her hand and pointed down at the ground, "Look over there."

Six pairs of eyes turned to the direction she was pointing, down at the road ahead. They all saw the tracks that they had been following split off into five different directions, each looking as old as the last. The two squads dropped down to ground level, meeting at the point the tracks split off.

"They're trying to slow us down." said a Kunoichi, showing remarkable skill at stating the obvious. The others were already splitting off, taking a few steps along each trail.

"I can smell them this way." said a Shinobi, looking over his shoulder.

"No good, it's coming from this direction too." said another.

"The scents go off in every direction." concluded the squad leader, "Then there's no choice. We'll travel in two-man cells, the captains will go alone. If you find the enemy, maintain a safe distance and follow them. Confirm they are the real enemy, and-"

He came to a sudden stop as he turned around. He looked amongst the gathered ANBU, scanning each one carefully. The other ninja looked amongst themselves, taking a moment to reach the same conclusion.

"Where is he?" the squad leader demanded.

* * * * *

"Go back?" Naruto repeated, with a confused look, "Go back for what?"

Yagura looked Naruto up and down, clearly thinking over whether or not he should say any more. Though it seemed he had little choice, and so he reluctantly continued.

"There's someone back in Kiri." he said, in a low voice, "Someone I can't leave behind."

Naruto watched Yagura with the look of someone who didn't understand. There was someone back there important to Yagura, important enough that he would be willing to return to Kiri just to get that person out too. He couldn't completely relate to that, but he had a slight idea. It was more of a surprise than anything though, maybe Naruto was more ignorant than he thought.

"We're not turning back just cos you left a buddy behind." Kisame said, his expression of dead straight seriousness. Yagura looked at him, and saw this with his own eyes. He held his gaze, refusing to back down.

"I won't leave him behind." he said, meeting Kisame's gaze with an equally stoic quality. But despite his resolve, Kisame wasn't about to falter either. The ex-Kiri-nin looked away, his expression stating that there was to be no argument. Yagura ground his teeth, looking like a cat cornered.

"If you won't allow it, then I'll have no choice but to resist." he said, before suddenly grabbing the staff from his back. He struck the ground hard with the smaller hook, and a sudden spring burst from the ground, striking Kunimei from below. The dog was thrown into the air, and the sand was dampened enough that Yagura managed to break free. He leapt high into the air, landing on the ground a distance away.

Immediately Naruto, Gaara and Kisame were off the dogs, who all fell back as they were trained to do in this situation. Kisame stepped slowly between his students, his eyes on their defiant captive at all times. Naruto saw the look in his sensei's eyes and with some regret, he reached up to grip the hilt of the Ekokaeten. He would rather things go smoothly, but it looked like there was no choice.

"Still, at least there's some good here." he thought, as he waited for Kisame's orders, "I get to fight someone at a Kage level!"

"Heh heh, I can't wait."

"Naruto, you take care of him." Kisame ordered, folding his arms, "Gaara, cover him."

"Got it." Naruto and Gaara simultaneously replied. Kisame then leapt back, seeking a good place to watch. As he did this, Naruto stepped forward, while Gaara stood a few metres behind him. The blond boy's hold on Eko's hilt tightened with anticipation, he still wasn't completely certain about this.

But then that smell hit the air. That odourless scent that filled your lungs with every breath, and made your heart beat faster. The sensation of killer intent being directed straight at him, it made him ecstatic. A slow grin spread across his lips as all doubt and worry left his mind. He lifted Eko from his back and with his other hand he removed his haori and tossed it aside. With several large and deep breaths, his muscular chest expanded and contracted. He flexed his left hand, his knuckles cracking as his fingers grabbed and clawed at the air by his side. Slowly, his eyes turned a deep and strong shade of red, his pupils stretching to slits. His canines sharpened to near razor points, and the markings on his cheeks grew wilder. The seal on his stomach became fully visible once more, and even the Ekokaeten seemed to shine with a red light.

Uzumaki Naruto, was ready for battle.