Message from the Author: I wanted to put out a quick celebratory message and say thank you. The last chapters release coupled with all of your continued support has brought me over 1,000 views. So please everyone, I'll keep up the good work only if you do too

"So, Nabitora, does this mean we failed the mission?"

"Well think of it like this: Did we accomplish the goal we were sent to do?"

"Huh?"

"No, Naruto, we didn't accomplish the objective which means we failed."

"Great now he looks pissed." Sakura rolled her eyes. She tried to adjust some of Nabitora's weight towards Naruto.

"Nabitora, why do you always have to over-do things? You're just as bad as Naruto!" Sakura watched as the two boys just grinned at each other. Naruto's hand came up ashe rubbed the back of his head in that all to familiar way. Nabitora just chuckled and was about to say something until a familiar voice caused him to stiffen up.

"What Sakura? Don't want to put in a little effort?" Sakura's eyes lit up at that.

"Why you no good son of a-" she was shocked to see Kakashi, Kiba, and several other ninja in front of her, "Kakashi-sensei, aren't you suppose to bed in the village? And Kiba, I would hit you if I knew your condition."

"Well in that case I'm not telling you-"

"He's fine. Fully recovered." Kakashi's one eye LOOKED like he was smiling as Sakura commenced bashing Kiba's face in. Akamaru, the traitor he is, helped Sakura by nibbling on Kiba's hand.

"Don't kill the poor kid. Its been how long since we last seen Kiba and you're already trying to put him back in the hospital?" Nabitora was concerned about Kiba's well-being but was glad to see Sakura back to her normal self. That is, until she turned her emerald daggers in his direction.

The Sage watched on at the mildly amussing scene in front of him: the pink-haired ninja was beating the owner of the ninja hound into a crater while the others watched.

"Ah the folly of youth." The Sage chuckled to himself. He tried to remember a time when he had comrades to laugh with, only to see a pair of all to familiar eyes staring at him.

"Those eyes...Those eyes, always mocking me. Always saying 'Look, I did what you could not'. Those eyes..." The Sage started to feel his rage building up again.

"Well I guess the Kyubi's Jinchuuriki is going to be tested sooner than expected." The Sage could feel the familiar twitch in his forehead

"Not yet" The Sage thought, "Not just yet."

Just then, the one-eyed ninja looked in his direction and started to warn the others.

"Well, it's time to begin." He cast his favorite genjutsu on the one-eyed ninja before he could finish warning them. The other six leaf ninja quickly tried to protect the kids.

"This is going to be fun!"

"Kakashi!" They could only watch him hit the ground. One minute he was trying to warn them and the next he was face-down on the ground, convulsing in sheer pain. Everyone watched in horror as the lead shinobi was jerked into the air by a sword made of, what looked like, chakra. The second and third ninja were quickly consumed by a black and green flame. The last three ninja were quickly dealt with, leaving Naruto, Sakura, Nabitora, and Kiba to watch their severed heads hit the ground.

"This is going to be fun!"

"Are you kidding?! This is absolutely terrifying!" Naruto was awed at the ruthless efficiency displayed by their enemy. All he could do was stare as the cloaked figure approached him. He wanted to do SOMETHING but fear paralyzed him and he could only wait to be... judged?

"Nevermind" the figure said, turning away, "Your still much too young to make this fun. You have 10 years, Naruto. I hope for your sake that your ready by then." With that the figure disappeared. The fear also left with him.

"Naruto! Naruto are you ok?" The emerald eyes staring at him were full of actual concern.

"Yeah Sakura...At least I THINK so." Naruto did a quick check of himself. "Yup no wounds." Thats more than he could say for the six mutilated corpses around him.

"I'll grab Kakashi...Lets just...Lets just hurry home." Kiba sounded worn and tired from the experience and honestly...He was absolutely terrfied at what might happen if the man came back.

"Yeah...Lets go home..."

The Third Hokage sat in a shocked silence as he looked at Asuma Sarutobi.

"Asuma...You must report to the hospital immediately. we can talk there."

"No...We need to talk now." ."Asuma felt the blood running from his mouth but kept talking: "They're dead...Lord Hokage...They're all dead."

"You're talking about Izuma, Kotetsu, and...and Kurenai right?" The Third felt he already knewthe answer. He was wrong.

"Not only them...The entire village...Was wiped out...By...By one man..." Asuma was out of energy. He passed out from pure exhaustion. He couldn't stop his mind from dreaming about Kurenai.

"Good night...my sweet Kurenai." The Third Hokage never noticed the tear fall from Asuma's eye.

AN: Yes it's another chapter of (Re)Setting the Stage. I uploaded this one because the idea was driving me nuts so it is slightly shorter than the others. Like always, please leave a review with any tips or suggestions. Also i have a request for everyone: Please send me a review or pm of your favorite pairings for this story and also tell me if Sasuke should stay in the village or not. Thank you all for your continued support.