I'm back. No excuses, no promises, no more delays. Day 6 starts now. I will finish this chapter in one night and so help me this ark will be finished ASAP. For now, hang in there.

Uchiha Hideout (Morning)

Naruto awoke to a familiar smell. He rubbed his eyes and rolled out of bed. "Looks like Hinata Is making me breakfast again." He smiled when he mentioned her name. It was a troubling time for Naruto. His sensei had been taken from him and he was determined to get him back. He hadn't planned on his teammates joining him in this quest, but they had, and the three of them were most likely going to be banished in the end. It was worth it.

Naruto walked into the kitchen and hugged Hinata from behind. "Hey there." Hinata smiled as she held his arms. "Hi Naruto. Glad to see you finally woke up." Naruto raised his eyebrow. "Finally? It's six in the morning." She shrugged. "I've been here for about half an hour." Naruto looked surprised.

She finished making breakfast as Shino walked in. "Morning Shino." Naruto said as Shino sat down. "Good morning. What's the plan for today?" Naruto tilted his head both ways to pop his neck, a habit he picked up from Shino. "The note Itachi-sensei left for me says that I am supposed to come up with a new jutsu."

Shino thanked Hinata as she sat down and she asked, "What kind of jutsu?" Naruto stopped eating and read the note more carefully. "Well," he started, "I would guess that it would be a combination of what I have learned so far."

Hinata started to wonder. "What do you think you are supposed to combine?" Naruto thought for a minute. "Well, I'v learned to control my chakra better. I have learned about chakra natures; how to imbue my weapons in chakra, basic alchemy, and how to think outside of the box with my clones." Shino shook his head. "I doubt that alchemy can be part of the combination. It isn't normally a combat skill."

Naruto nodded in agreement. "Maybe it has to do with my clones and wind chakra." Hinata chimed in, "What about using your wind chakra with Shadow Shuriken Jutsu? You can already imbue your weapons with chakra, so dividing it into many shuriken should be just a little more difficult." Naruto smiled and nodded. "That's a good idea Hinata. We should all go to the training ground so we have a wider space to practice."

Both Shino and Hinata agreed and they got ready to leave the hideout. Shino stopped Naruto. "Naruto, about the schedule," Naruto turned to look at Shino and he looked worried. "You know that tomorrow you are supposed to learn to resist the sharingan?" Naruto frowned and nodded slowly. "I know."

Shino continued. "How do you plan on doing that? Itachi is locked up and you aren't exactly on the best terms with Sasuke." Naruto frowned. "I know, but I have to find a way. We will think of something." Shino smirked. "That's one thing I admire about you Naruto, your optimism." Naruto smiled and they headed out.

Hokage Mansion

There was a knock on the door to the Hokage's office. "Come in." Said the Third as he finished some paperwork. The door opened and a man walked in. He shut the door behind him. The Third glanced up and lifted his head. "Ah, Danzo. To what do I owe the pleasure?" The Hokage made it clear that he was not happy to see Danzo.

"Well Hiruzen, I have some things we need to discuss." Danzo took a seat in front of the Hokage's desk and gave a look that demanded attention. The Third sighed and looked up from his paper work. "I have a feeling that I know what this is about." He adjusted himself in his chair and took out a pipe.

"I would prefer it if you didn't smoke, Hiruzen." The Third stopped and slowly put the pipe away. "I'll come right out with it then. I want you to send a strike team after Naruto." The Hokage stared at Danzo unblinkingly. "Why should I worry about Naruto? He has not caused this village any harm."

Danzo remained cool and collected. "Hiruzen, you and I both know that Naruto's affiliation with Itachi Uchiha makes him a threat to the Hidden Leaf. He must be dealt with and treated as a Class-A threat." Hiruzen shook his head in disagreement. "I do not see Naruto as a threat, nor do I see Itachi as a threat. They are both respectful shinobi and should be treated with dignity."

Danzo grew angry and raised his voice. "Hiruzen don't be a fool! Anyone can see that preemptive measures must be taken to avoid a conflict with Naruto in the future." The Third raised his voice as well. "So you would have a conflict with him now a permanently turn him against his village!?"

"You do not see things as I see them!" Danzo said as he pounded his fist on the table. "That was always your problem Hiruzen. Instead of taking measures to protect your village, you wait until the damage is already done!" The Third jumped out of his chair and slammed his hands on the desk. "I have always done the most I can to protect this village!"

"Well it's not enough!" Danzo was out of his chair as well and they were staring eachother down across the table. The Third exhaled and took a moment to calm himself. "How will sending a strike team after Naruto protect the village?" Danzo slid his hands across the table violently. "Can you not see it?! Naruto is a threat!"

The Third replied quickly. "To who, Danzo! This village…or you?" Danzo shook with anger. The Third looked down on Danzo. "You made the wrong decision. You took Itachi Uchiha into custody after I pardoned him—"

"—You had no right to forgive him for what he did!" Danzo was furious and Hiruzen calmed down and stood up straight. "You made Naruto your enemy and severely pissed him off. As far as you are concerned, this conversation is over. Permission denied." Danzo stormed out of the romm and slammed the dorr so hard that it fell off of it's hinges. Within seconds, guards were there to secere the Third and repair the door.

Hiruzen sighed and looked out the window. *For your sake, Danzo, don't make the wrong move again.*

Training Ground 4 (midday)

Naruto and Shino were panting and had bruises all over them. They had been sparring for quite awhile now as Naruto tried to come up with a new jutsu. "You've almost got it Naruto!" Hinata said from the sidelines. She had her Byakugan activated so that she could see the chakra around Naruto's shuriken. "Your chakra is dying off as soon as it hits Shino's insects. You need to find a way to stabalize the flow around the shuriken so that it connects with it."

Naruto nodded and took out a few more shuriken. Ready for another round Shino?" Shino nodded as insects flew out of his jacket. Naruto let chakra flow into his hands and onto the shuriken. They were encased in a green aura and once Naruto thought they were fully developed, he threw them at Shino.

The shuriken flew fast and twirled as they carved through the air. "Hidden Jutsu: Insect cluster." A swarm flew in front of Shino and compressed into a floating wall. The shuriken flew at the wall and a few bounced off. A couple cut into the cluster and one even went straight threw and was headed for Shino. In a second, Hinata was in front of him. "Rotation!" Hinata spun swiftly as a blue sphere erupted around her.

The wind-infused shuriken didn't bounce off. Instead, it started to cut its way into the sphere! Hinata increased her speed and the shuriken lost its green aura. It was knocked away and left Hinata exhausted. "You did it Naruto." She said with a smile. "It almost got through." Naruto smiled and they all sat down to take a breather.

ANBU Headquarters (jail cell)

Itachi was sweating. He was barely able to recover enough chakra to keep his jutsu alive while the room sucked away. *I can only keep this up for another day. It's time.* Itachi quickly transferred his thoughts to his crow out in the village. It had taken precise timing, but he had managed to get it through before Danzo shut the door to his cell. *Hang in there Naruto. I will help you with your last step.*

ANBU Headquarters (throne room)

Danzo stormed in and sat in his throne. He beat his fingers repetetively on the chair. "If Hiruzen won't do anything, then I will have to take matters into my own hands, again." He summoned his personal bodyguards and they appeared instantly. In unison they said, "Yes, my lord?"

Danzo took a few breathes to collect himself. "The Hokage has refused to work with us to capture Naruto. Therefore, it is time to begin the overthrow." Danzo paused. "But first, we must capture Naruto, alive. I can no longer wait for him to show. The time for rebellion has come. Assemble the strike team." The two shinobi nodded and disappeared.

Danzo remained seated in his chair. "They will rain down upon him like molten fire. He will have no escape." He smirked as five shinobi appeared in front of them. One spoke, "My Lord, we leave on your command." Danzo nodded and the shinobi took off, their target: Naruto Uzumaki.

Somewhere near Tenchi Bridge

Sasuke stood under the waterfall. A shield of lightning was above his head and it sparked and cracked and the water bounced off of it. "You are doing well." A mysterious man said. "Your control of lightning is superior, but we have much more work to do before you can master it."

Sasuke listened and focused on the lightning barrier. It had helped him tremendously in the Chuunin exams, but it was not strong enough. Just then, a black crow landed on the water before the two ninja. The water became still around the crow and Sasuke's mentor turned to meet its eyes.

"You have the Uchiha eyes. What is your buisiness?" The crow started to grow and took on the form of Itachi. Sasuke's eyes immediately fixated on his older brother and the lightning barrier vanished. The water poured down onto Sasuke and he was drenched, but it didn't phase him.

"Itachi," Sasuke said slowly, "why have you come?" Itachi stood and glanced over at the older ninja. He was obviously a high ranked ninja and he had a headband that belonged to the Hidden Rain on his forehead. He turned to look at his younger brother. "Sasuke, I have come to ask for a favor."

Uchiha Hideout

The three chuunin finished supper and relaxed in their chairs. "Well, we didn't exactly accomplish what we set out to do, but we are close." Shino leaned back in his chair and waited for his teammate's responses. Naruto frowned. "It feels like I am so far behind schedule. I don't know if I will be ready by tomorrow."

Hinata frowned. "Don't worry Naruto. Shino and I are behind you every step of the way. We all have come far in the last few days." Shino nodded in agreement and a bug flew into the hideout. It was one of Shino's. "My parents are back early." Naruto and Hinata both looked surprised. "Already? I thought they were supposed to be in the Emerald Mountains?" Shino nodded. "They were, but apparently as soon as they arrived at the base of the mountains, there was a diplomatic dispute and they had to return."

Naruto looked confused but Shino shook his head. "I will go meet them to hear the full story. They always have good stories to tell after a mission." Shino got up to leave. "I will see you both tomorrow." He smiled at them and they smiled back as he left.

Naruto sighed again and looked at Hinata. "Hinata, be honest with me. Do you really think that we can pull this off?" Hinata was worried. She had never expected Naruto to doubt himself. "I…don't know. We have done everything we can." She tried to cheer up. "We are the most prepared that we can be, Naruto. Believe in yourself. You are stronger than the average ninja. If anyone can do this, you can."

Naruto smiled. "Thanks Hinata. I can always count on you to cheer me up." She smiled and they walked into Naruto's room. "I guess I should go now. Hinata said as she turned around to leave. "Wait." Naruto grabbed her gently and turned her around to meet his eyes. They kissed and the moment seemed to last forever.

They broke off as they heard a crashing sound. The two off them raced out to see what happened and were shocked at what they saw. Shino was lying on the ground and five shinobi were around him. Each of them war a different ceramic mask. "Black Ops members," Naruto growled as he took out a kunai. Hinata also readied her Byakugan and looked over at Shino. "Naruto, he is alright, but his chakra flow has stopped. I think they paralyzed him." Naruto was ready for a fight. This is what his training was for. The ultimate test before his real mission began. "Naruto, we are here to capture you."

xXxXxXxXxXx Awake by Skillet xXxXxXxXxXx

Naruto moved to run but was stopped by Hinata. "Wait Naruto. This will be much easier if we can get Shino to help. If you can get me to him, I can remove the paralysis." Naruto nodded and formed a handsign. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Numerous shadow clones appeared around the two of them and filled the hall. They all ran towards the ANBU members and started to attack. Two of the ANBU focused on cutting a path towards Naruto while the other three destroyed clones.

They were fast and efficient. Naruto's clones were dying by the dozen and time was running out. He quickly moved just in time to dodge a strike by one of the ANBU. The Black Ops member quickly jumped towards him but one of Naruto's clones jumped in the way and cut off his path. Naruto took this moment to summon his weapons. Claw and Serra were in his hands for mere seconds before they were smacked away by a second ninja. Naruto flipped backwards just in time to avoid a second hit. The two shinobi were faster than anyone he had ever encountered, save for Itachi.

A clone of Naruto surprised the three ANBU surrounding Shino with a spinning kick. They recovered in mid-air almost instantly and launched back at him. *Wrong move.* The clone thought as it swiftly dropped down into a Hyuuga stance. "Rotation!" A blue sphere erupted around him and the three ANBU flew right into it, bouncing off after being hit several times. When the sphere dissapated, Hinata was standing there and she turned around to look at Shino. She had only seconds to disable the poison, which was not nearly enough time to administer an antidote. She thought fast and imbued her palms with water.

"Water Style: Purifying Palm!" She struck fast and hard at Shino's chest then quickly rolled away. One Anbu launched himself at Shino but was caught in a swarm of insects. "Hidden Technique: Bite of One Hundred Swarmlings!" The Anbu yelled in pain as the insects quickly drained him of his chakra. He quickly recovered as his partner surrounded him in water.

"Wrong move again." Shino said. He smirked as his insects swam through the water and continued to eat away at the shinobi's chakra. The water was instantly swarming with electricity as the third ANBU touched it, killing all of the insects. Shino backed away and stood next to Hinata. "Any plans?" He asked as his insects swarmed him.

A huge gust of wind seemed to come from nowhere and all of them turned to look. Naruto was surrounded in wind chakra and it was all being poured into Serra. Both Hinata and Shino knew what was coming next. "Wind Style: Razor Bomb!" Naruto swung Serra horizantally and the wind quickly enveloped the whole room. Shino covered himself in insects and Hinata activated her Rotation to shield her from the blast. The wind cut threw the ANBU who were caught by surprise by this massive surge of chakra. They flew back and were stuck to the wall by the massive wind.

*Amazing,* Shino thought, *Instead of using it as on offensive attack that cuts through enemies, Naruto used the wind combined with the tight space to create a wind tunnel.* One of the ANBU struggled to stand up and was able to make a few handsigns. "Earth Style: Earth wall." The earth erupted beneath them and started to form a wall around the ANBU. Naruto thought fast and dropped Serra. He made a few handsigns. "Single Prong Seal: Reverse!" Not one, but three seals came off of Naruto. One on his chest and one on each hand.

He gathered his chakra and made shadow clones. He then took out several shuriken. He imbued them with wind and threw them, quickly throwing his hands together afterwards. "Secret Wind Style: Hailstorm!" The wind-imbued shuriken multiplied over and over until they hit the earth wall. Most of them punched right through to the otherside and screams of pain could be heard.

xXxXxXxXxXx End Song xXxXxXxXxXx

The wall of earth fell to the floor and four of the five shinobi were unmoving. Naruto panted and fell to the ground. He was drained of chakra. Even with the little bit that was cyphoned from the Ninetails, he was almost empty. Hinata and Shino quickly ran over to Naruto to make sure he was alright. Naruto looked up long enough to see the last ANBU member make a handsign. The five of them disappeared instantly and Naruto fainted.

Well, that's all for this chapter! Everything comes together in the next few chapters so stick around. Please review and favorite!