An: Sorry for the long wait and as always I'd like to thank everyone that has reviewed they really make writing this story worthwhile. So thanks as always your humble author S. o. t. A.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.

Chapter 16: Entering Rain

Iruka wondered just how the mercenary planned to get them into Ame. The young man was staring at the village from across the great lake that surrounded it. He wasn't sure why but he had the feeling that something about the village was eating away at him. Looking at the three women also entering the village with them using whatever means Kyo had planned he found them strangely calm about the whole thing. While Iruka could understand Tayuya and Konan's serenity, since they had been with him for a while. The calm Hinata was displaying caught him by surprise as she was displaying a faith in the mercenary that was often only shown between old colleagues. Hoping he could display the same trust in the leader of the team as the rest he had kept his peace on the matter. But now staring at the towers from across the great lake he felt it was time the young man explain how he expected for them to get into the village undetected.

Before he could ask Kyo turned away from the lake and towards them to say, "Sorry for spacing out on you guys."

"It's okay," Iruka said, "But would you mind telling us how you plan to sneak us into the village."

Naruto smiled behind his mask before saying, "How about I show you. Summoning Jutsu." Slamming his hand onto the ground he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. When it cleared a small frog sat in front of the young man. Tayuya sniggered figuring he screwed up, however to Iruka seeing a summon so closely associated with Jiraya and Naruto was anything but funny.

Narrowing his eyes the chunin asked angrily, "How did you get your hands on that contract?"

Naruto winced having tried to surprise his former teacher. He said, "Sorry Iruka-sensei. Guess I was just going for a little shock value." Directing his attention towards the former Sound kunoichi he said, "I also wanted to let you in on my secret to Tayuya." Reaching for his mask he pulled it up and smiled as he said, "Hey."

"Naruto!" Iruka exclaimed as he quickly closed the distance between them. He wrapped the boy in a hug and just as Naruto was about to hug him back the chunin instructor suddenly pulled away to yell in the way he had used to in the academy, "Do you have any idea how much it hurt everyone to think that you had died?"

"Some," Naruto admitted thinking of Hinata, Sakura, and Tsunade, "But I had a reason for it. I know it may not exactly be a good one. But…"

As Naruto spoke he reached behind his head and rubbed it in the familiar way Iruka remembered he used to whenever Iruka would lecture him. The chunin figured he also knew the reason his student had allowed Konoha to believe him dead considering all he had been able to do in the past year. He was about to let Naruto know he understood when he noticed the boy staring at Tayuya. Directing his gaze towards the red-head, he could see tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"Are you alright Tayuya?" Naruto asked concerned.

Rubbing at them glad that he trusted her enough to let her in on his identity she said, "Y-yeah, some shit just blew into my eyes."

Iruka smiled having heard some rumors about the two. Thinking of another student he said, "Naruto, you should really tell Sakura."

"I already have," Naruto said, "In fact, we're together now."

"Oh," Iruka said happy for the blonde, but felt sorry for Hinata, having been aware of the young Hyuuga's crush. He sent a glance Hinata's way and it must have shown as the young woman giggled.

Responding to the arched eyebrow that he raised, Hinata said, "I'm dating him too."

Both eyes widened in surprise and he turned towards Naruto saying, "I suppose this is a result of your time with Lord Jiraiya?"

"Actually Sakura was sort of the one that invited Hinata into our relationship," Naruto said blushing and wishing they'd change the subject.

Iruka had more questions naturally, but much to Naruto's relief Tayuya, wanting to change the subject as well since she promised Sakura the announcement of her own bid to be with the jinchuriki would wait till after the current mission, asked, "How does the frog help us get into Ame?"

"I'm glad you asked," he quickly said meaning every word. "Put your hand by his mouth."

Tayuya knelt in front of the frog and hesitantly did so. It appeared to take a deep breath and sucked the young woman into its mouth distorting her as it did so like some space/time jutsu. Chuckling since she had let out a stream of curses as she was pulled in Naruto went next followed by the others. After the last member was pulled into the frog it hoped into the water.

Inside the frog's gullet Iruka smiled as Naruto tried to calm the irate young woman. Despite some of his concerns that he still felt about the mission, he had to admit that knowing Naruto was alive and well helped cause a great deal of them to melt away.

Darui was placed in charge of the team entering Ame from the main gate. He had needed to change a few of his features in order to match the man that his identification said he was. Darui was truly surprised by the mercenary that had provided the I.D, since if he didn't know better he would have thought there was a man that looked almost like him running around committing crimes. When Darui had questioned Kyo on how he had made such convincing documents the man had simply said, "I inherited a rather impressive spy organization. Any good spy knows a good cover story is key to infiltrating a target."

Darui spared a moment to look back at the rest of his team as the Ame shinobi ahead questioned a group of travelers in front of them. Omori was standing behind him and was playing the part of his younger brother. According to their back-story the two of them were a couple of rogue Kumogakure shinobi turned merchants that had defected from their village shortly before the war. Their reason for being in Ame was to off load the wagon full of weapons that they had supposedly stolen using their knowledge gained from their time in Kumo's supply and logistics division. Darui was forced to admit he was impressed as the story of two low level shinobi attempting to get rich in such a way happened far too often.

It was the weapons that they were using though which made this organization Kyo ran almost scary though, since the wagon had been filled with more than fake exploding tags. When Darui during the team's last meeting before leaving the Five Element Village had protested saying that selling a wagon full of weapons to the enemy was too steep a price to pay for entry into Rain, Kyo had agreed. Tossing one of the swords the wagon contained to the Kumo-nin. He had asked what he saw. Confused, Darui had inspected the weapon for some defect. Finding none, he had said as much tossing the blade back to the mercenary who had moved towards a training dummy and slicied through it. Tossing the blade back he asked him what he saw again. However, unlike before the blade's fine edge appeared dull and pitted. Before Darui could ask how Kyo explained that the metal was defective and that the blades would only last a single strike. He had also said that all the weapons the wagon contained had similar flaws in them. Darui was surprised at the resources Kyo seemed to have inherited since the weapons they sold would undoubtedly end up in enemy shinobi hands and would probably lead to their deaths as they failed in the field.

The line began moving forcing him to abandon his line of thought as they approached the Rain shinobi. Darui immediately noticed that unlike when Pain ran the village all the shinobi's headbands were unmarked. Instead they all fastened the metal plates to red cloth.

Pulling the wagon towards the gate he set the frontend down again and noticed that the guard's eyes immediately drifted past him as a whining voice asked, "Are we there yet?"

Directing his attention to Anko who was sitting up in the back of the wagon he had a hard time keeping his own focus on the mission. Anko had been forced to forgo her normal attire for a skin tight jumpsuit that covered her entire body except for her right leg and left arm. Anko slide over the side of the wagon in such a way that it raised more than a few pulses among the Rain-nin. Walking towards Darui she asked, "Well boss?"

Before he could answer another voice said, "Stop your complaining." Appearing from the wagon as well Kurotsuchi leapt down glaring at Anko wearing a similar jumpsuit except hers didn't cover her left leg and right arm.

Anko smiled at the Iwa kunoichi saying, "What's a matter sis. Still angry you don't fill out your clothes as well as me?"

"I could probably fill them out as well as you if I had some of the same elective surgery you had sis," Kurotsuchi replied to the barb.

Anko narrowed her eyes reaching for the pouch on her hip saying, "I'm going to fucking kill you bitch."

Mirroring her Leaf counterpart Kurotsuchi said, "Not even on your best day."

Trying to calm the two women down Darui said, "Ladies please…"

"Stay the fuck out of this," they both said rounding on him.

Darui stepped back despite himself. Just as he thought the two women, who had been at each other's throats since the start of the mission for some reason, but he suspected had to do with the young Chunin named Iruka, were going to finally kill each other Omori said more to himself than anyone present, "Hmm, while Akemi does possess the more feminine body. I believe Akeno may have the advantage."

Anko, who was Akemi, glared at the young man saying dangerously, since he was probably talking about how both of them were targeting Iruka, "Why's that?"

Assuming his thinking pose he said, "Well quite frankly that young man you two were after in the last village was rather intimidated by your boldness."

"Sluttiness," Kurotsuchi, who was Akeno, supplied helpfully.

Anko glared at Kurotsuchi who was smiling at her considering Omoi estimate of Anko's chances of landing Iruka. During the training they had engaged in. Kurotsuchi had been surprised to find the mild attraction she had felt for the man blossomed into something more. She supposed it had to do with the way he acted so friendly towards all the allied Shinobi. Although the alliance had been together for a year now there were still a lot of old hatreds floating around. Finding that unlike most Leaf and Sand shinobi, who treated her poorly due to her status as an Iwa kunoichi in part due to its defeat, he treated her with respects and as a result she admitted she wanted to get closer to him. However barring her way was Anko who seemed to have the same idea. Kurotsuchi good cheer faded though as Omoi finished his next sentence saying, "Although, considering how you used to dress he may not have recognized you as a woman."

Darui winced at the slap the younger man received from Kurotsuchi followed by Anko. Both women then settled into directing their piercing glares at him. The Ame shinobi chuckled at the display before the leader asked, "Who are you and what is your reason for wanting entry into the village?"

"My name's Jin," he said. Indicating Omoi he added, "This is my brother Mu." Moving his arm to the two ladies, "And these two are Akeno and Akemi Gorgon."

A man behind the leader whispered to one of his fellow shinobi, "The Gorgon sisters."

"Don't be stupid," the man whispered back harshly. "They say the Gorgon sisters were blonde." Another added, "Well I heard one was a red-head and stacked like…"

"Be silent," the lead guard said.

Darui was again forced to marvel at Kyo's organization since it appeared the fake identities that had been provided for the two Kunoichi had their own fantastical back-stories that lived on long after the original users of them. Naturally that was probably what made them so useful as he could see the lead guard seemed more inclined to believe they were who they said they were as a result.

"Now what is your purpose for entering Ame?"

"Me and my brother recently found ourselves in possession of some blades and other weapons from Kumo," Darui said. "For the right price Ame could find themselves as the new owners."

The guard swept his eyes over the wagon, which showed signs of a recent battle. Coming to the conclusion that he was dealing with thieves he said, "I trust Kumo put up a fight to hold onto them."

"Not much of one," Darui said giving a sinister smile.

Matching the smile the guard asked, "And what are these ladies purpose?"

"To make sure Kumo lost even more should they try to take the weapons back."

Moving towards the guard Anko said, "But now that we're here. We may be willing to work for you for the right price."

"In what fashion?"

"In whatever fashion you wish, for the right price" she said huskily after licking her lips.

"Whore," Kurotsuchi said crossing her arms.

"Don't be jealous sis. Since it's obvious that free would be too high a price for them to pay for a flat chested bitch such as yourself."

As the two women began trading barbs Darui said, "It's been a long trip as I'm sure you can imagine and if you aren't going to let us in, we'll see if Grass wants these weapons."

The lead guard nodded motioning for two of his men to search the wagon first while eyeing the two kunoichi no doubt entertaining ideas of finding out how much was the right price for what he had in mind. The men found nothing amiss and so the team was permitted entry into the village and hoped the rest of the mission went as smoothly.

Temari ran down the hall towards the War Room. A chunin on duty tried to stop her but she pushed past him barging into the room shouting, "Shikamaru…" As all the gathered Kages looked at her the young woman flushed a little in embarrassment.

It was compounded by the Raikage saying, "Miss Temari, while I'm sure whatever Shikamaru has done to warrant such passion on your part is justified. I'm sure it can wait until this meeting is over."

"I'm sorry sir but it can't," Temari said briskly.

Standing Shikamaru pulled her to the side asking, "What's the matter Temari?"

"Apparently Kyo has some intelligence network of his own in place," the Sand kunoichi said quietly.

"Not surprising considering who we think he is," Shikamaru said with a shrug.

"True, but he apparently has given word that anything of importance that is learned while he's out of communication should be passed to you. I found this slipped under the door to our quarters."

Shikamaru took the envelope from Temari. Opening it, his eyes went wide as it was a picture of Yugito Nii as she stood next to Lo Pan on what appeared to be a parade float. His face must have also shown his surprise as Kakashi asked, "Is something the matter?"

Composing himself as best he could Shikamaru said, "Well the question of whether or not the jinchuriki are being revived seems to have been answered."

Mei Terumi, the Mizukage, asked, "Has Kyo already confirmed that?"

"It would appear so, but not in the way expected," Shikamaru said.

Before he could explain more Inoichi Yamanaka, the head of the Intelligence Division, burst in saying, "Sir, we've received some distressing news."

"What is it?" E said.

"Yugito Nii was reported spotted within Ame at a parade in Lo Pan's honor."

"What," the Raikage said standing. "Is that confirmed?"

Before Inoichi could answer, Shikamaru said, "It's confirmed," as he held up the picture.

E sat back down weakly. Rubbing what may have been tears from his eyes as he said, "What do our analysts think of this?"

"They believe it's a move to raise moral among the Akatsuki Alliance since the parade happens almost daily," Inoichi answered. "Coupled with the rumors that they've also revived Itachi Uchiha…"

Shikamaru frowned hearing that tuning out the rest of what Inoichi said. He noticed it was mirrored on Temari's face as well. She looked at him and as if reading his mind nodded her head. Raising his hand Shikamaru said, "I'd like to suggest another theory." E nodded his head to continue so Shikamaru said, "I think she is serving as bait in a trap."

E frowned asking, "What do you base that off of?"

"You for one," Shikamaru said. "As Supreme Commander you are the only one authorized to launch a mission to investigate."

"True, but a trap is meant to capture something specific," Kakashi said. "So the question is who do you suspect the trap is meant to catch?"

"Kyo," Shikamaru supplied quickly. Explaining his reasoning he said, "Up till now Kyo has proven to be the most adapt at moving undetected in Akatsuki territory. By showing off Yugito in such a public venue it all but guaranteed that we would learn of it and would most likely provoke a response from the Raikage."

Mei picked up on what Shikamaru was getting at saying, "Who would no doubt send Kyo to investigate?"

"Which we already did," the Raikage said, "If the timetable he supplied us with is right. He'll probably already be in the village."

"Actually that maybe to our benefit," Shikamaru said surprising the Kage.

"How so?" Gaara asked.

Temari picked up for Shikamaru saying, "Well a trap like this requires timing and preparation. They are obviously in the preparation phase of it. Since our team may already be inside the village they may pick up on that due to the bad timing on their part.

"Still, since it was meant to catch Kyo knowing about it may not allow them to escape it," the Raikage said.

Gaara and Kakashi chuckled causing the others to look at them in wonder. Explaining what he found amusing Gaara said, "If I know Kyo escaping the trap isn't what he is planning at all."

"Regardless," Shikamaru said directing everyone's attention towards him, "What I find troubling is what purpose does the rumor of Itachi's revival play?"

Konan wore her hair down and had removed her facial piercing as well as the flower that usually adorned her hair due to her disguise as an Ame shinobi which the rest of the team that had infiltrated with Naruto was disguised as. Minus her cloak and as a result of the revealing clothes she had worn beneath them the few people who bothered to give her a second look never connected her to 'God's Angel.' As she walked the streets of the village along with the rest of the team she infiltrated Ame with she couldn't help but feel bitter towards the people that called the village home. Despite only a year passing since Nagato's death the people of the village not only seemed to have moved on but to have completely forgotten about him. What was worse was that they seemed to have so completely embraced Lo Pan the man that had deposed her.

Naruto seemed to pick up on it regardless of her trying to keep the anger from her face. Dropping back to walk with her, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Konan said, "Concentrate on the mission."

"I am," Naruto said having removed his mask in favor of hiding his markings by wearing a rebreather helmet that some Ame shinobi favored. "You are the one letting your mind wander, so out with it."

Konan sighed before saying, "They've completely moved on and forgotten about Nagato."

Naruto nodded having guessed at what was eating away at the woman. "It appears that way," he said after a moment, "but are you really surprised."

She glared at him saying, "Of course I am. We sacrificed so much for them and…"

"They have no idea about any of it. Can you really blame them," Naruto said cutting her off.

Konan's glare hardened and some of the anger she felt towards the major shinobi villages bled into her voice as she said, "Would you be saying that if Konoha forgot about its past leaders?"

"But its how those past Hokage's lived and died that make the people remember them so fondly."

"What do you mean?"

"In the end the Hokage were seen as people. Extraordinary people perhaps, but people none the same. Therefore, the villagers and shinobi of Konoha felt a connection to them as they knew the next Hokage was located among them. " Naruto looked over the various people and shinobi they passed many of them wearing red sashes or head-bands that seemed to mark them as followers or supporters of Lo Pan. Continuing he said, "Nagato instead insisted people see him as a god. Gods are many things, powerful, supreme, and infallible. But people just can't feel the same connection to them as they can to people and when gods falter and fall. People will turn to the next being they feel is superior to them in order to feel secure again. When Nagato died, the villagers who put their faith in him believing him to be unstoppable needed someone else to put that faith into and sadly Lo Pan was that person."

Konan nodded sadly before changing the subject by asking, "How are you doing?"

Naruto frowned knowing she was referring to this being the place that ultimately claimed Jiraiya's life but pushing past the unease said, "I can't say I'm thrilled to be here. But Nagato and Jiraiya both placed their faith in me so I'll simply have to carry on." Focusing on the mission he asked, "Any ideas where a lab dedicated to reviving the Jinchuriki would be located besides the tower."

"I'm positive that the tower is the only place for them to conduct such experiments," Konan answered, "However the lower levels may have some sights worth checking into."

"Okay, we'll…" Naruto began to say, but his attention was pulled from the blue-haired woman by the sound of ceremonial music playing and coming closer. The people on the street began moving to the sides of it as the music approached. Joining the people of the village, Naruto's team stopped as well taking up positions along the street as a procession approached.

At the head of the parade were ornately armored men wearing demon masks and holding swords in front of them as they marched. Behind them came the men playing instruments followed by members of the Lords of Death a subsect of the Wing Kong who were Shinobi that were completely loyal to Lo Pan and lived in the tower. They were identified by the demon skull insignia on the flak jackets they wore. The men carried themselves proudly and with an air of competence that worried Naruto. Behind them was a float that was gliding over the street. Standing at the front of it were the Three Storms dressed in their battle gear which consisted of large straw hats that covered their faces and capes that hung from their shoulders. Standing in the middle of the float was Lo Pan dressed ornately in a green robe. His face was painted white giving him almost an other worldly look. He waved to the crowd as the float passed enjoying the reverence that the people showed him. Standing behind and to the side of him was a blonde woman that Naruto recognized from her file as the Jinchuriki of the Two-tailed Cat.

The float passed and Naruto noted that Yugito's face appeared blank looking almost like a doll's. Wondering if that meant she was under some sort of mind control he began forming plans on how best to save and extract the woman from Ame. As the rank and file members of the Wing Kong passed, easily identified as such by the red turbans they wore which obscured their faces, Naruto began heading in the opposite direction of the float his team following in his wake.

"Naruto…" Hinata whispered her eyes hidden by a black visor that went along with the rebreather helmet she wore.

"I know," Naruto said, "But we still have to link up with Darui and the others. Not to mention we have to make sure that wherever these resurrections are taking place isn't outside the tower."

"And if the tower is where they are taking place?" Iruka asked.

"Then we'll burn it down and trample the ashes," Naruto replied.

The Parade pulled into the Central Tower from where both Pain and Hanzo had once led the village. Stepping down from the float Lo Pan ordered, "Thunder, take our Jinchuriki to her room."

"Yes master," the man said bowing.

Directing his gaze to his other two Storms he said, "You two go make sure that our shipment of weapons is on its way to Taki." The men bowed to follow his commands leaving Lo Pan to his own devices as he made his way to the top of the tower to his throne room. Entering he frowned seeing a man sitting in his thrown so said, "What are you doing here?"

"Now is that any way to speak to an ally?" Madara said standing from the throne.

"Perhaps, considering what happened to your last ally," Lo Pan said speaking of Admiral Yato.

"What happened to Yato was unfortunate," Madara replied.

"Unfortunate," Lo Pan said skeptical of Madara's sincerity, "Is that what you will say of me should this scheme of yours blow up in my face?"

"If you meet the same end," Madara replied nonchalantly. "Now what has you sniveling like some beaten dog?"

Lo Pan bristled at the comment but said, "My fear of becoming one perhaps. You've painted a rather large target on my back with this plan of yours. What guarantee do you have the Raikage won't simply unleash the Eight-Tails to wipe this village from the face of the earth?"

"There are no guarantees Lo Pan," Madara said. "But I'm as positive as humanly possible that the Raikage will keep Killer Bee hidden. Namely because the last time he sent one of his Jinchuriki to settle matters against Akatsuki he lost her."

"Who you are conveniently dangling in front of him," Lo Pan said angrily.

"Of course," Madara said remaining calm in the face of his ally's anger, "How else can I be sure he'll send his best to investigate."

"Which is what worries me, as Kyo being sent may almost be worse than Killer Bee."

"Relax, as I said I simply wish to make him an offer for his services," Madara said noting that Lo Pan did seem to calm, probably from his belief that everyone had a price.

"Still what if he refuses," Lo Pan said.

"Then this tower will become his grave marker, besides Konan is the true prize don't forget I need her alive."

"Are you sure she'll even come with him? She doesn't often join him in battle."

Madara smiled beneath his mask as he said, "That's what the man chained in your basement is for. Once word of his revival reaches her ears she'll come. But if it helps ease your mind I'll send you another jinchuriki to deal with your guests."

Lo Pan inclined his head saying, "I would appreciate it." Looking up he smiled now that Madara was no longer in the room. Gaining another Jinchuriki was worth acting like a scared lackey as once he learned how Madara controlled them the man would most likely no longer need the ancient Uchiha.

It was raining which wasn't an unusual state of affairs for Ame. Konan had quickly calmed their fears that it was a detection jutsu in disguise as she was unable to sense any chakra in it. Still the reunited team decided to not take any chances and had retreated to a small tea house. Darui sat at a table with Omoi both men no doubt discussing the ramifications of learning that Yugito was alive and in the village. Omoi showing a hot-headiness that Naruto would have better associated with Karui threatened to storm off on his own to rescue her. Darui luckily acted as a calming influence on the young man reminding him the mission came first. Naruto could tell he had scored some major points with them when he had told them rescuing Yugito had definitely become part of the mission.

Anko and Kurotsuchi kept glaring at each other from across the table they had taken far away from the others since Naruto and his team were still dressed as Ame shinobi. Naruto smiled beneath his rebreather as the two women truly were acting like sisters the way they constantly bickered. From what he understood the alias of the Gorgon sisters was used by many of the female agents that had operated within Jiraiya's spy network. That was why there were so many tales and descriptions surrounding them.

The rest of his team was sitting at the same table as him since a group of Ame shinobi traveling together wouldn't garner many second looks. Another reason, besides the rain, for their entering the tea shop had to do with the person Hinata had noticed was following them. When the person who was wearing the heavy rain gear the civilians of Ame wore had followed them into the shop he could tell the rest of his team was worried. But since the person took an empty table in the corner of the room and made almost no other movements besides ordering a drink they began to relax somewhat. That lasted until the person got up and began approaching the table Naruto was sitting at.

"Can I help you?" Naruto asked.

"You look like a group of people wishing to hear a good story," the heavily cloaked person said the voice revealing her to be female.

Iruka began to say, "No thanks…"

But Naruto replied, recognizing one of the many code phrases that marked the woman as a member of Jiraiya's information network, "Isn't it for the audience to decide if a story is good or not."

The woman removed the wide brimmed hat and cloth that had hidden her face as she responded to the counter-sign. Revealing long orange hair the woman said, "You really should do something about those eyes of yours as they are almost as recognizable as a Hyuuga's."

Naturally everyone at the table was confused save Naruto who said, "Only to those who know me Sasame."

Sasame Fuuma inclined her head saying, "Are you here as a result of the picture I sent out?"

Naruto looked confused saying, "What picture?"

"The one of the two-tailed Jinchuriki," Sasame said.

"No, although we are here because of her. We arrived this morning," Naruto answered.

Tayuya tired of being in the dark asked, "What the fuck is going on and who the fuck is she?"

"Sorry," Naruto said to the group at his table, "This is Sasame Fuuma and she is a part of the organization my master started."

Sasame inclined her head but pressing on said, "You should leave."

"We can't," Naruto said, "We need to find out if the jinchuriki are being revived here."

"That's the thing," Sasame said in a hushed tone as the waitress walked by, "They aren't."

"How can you be sure?" Konan asked, "Have you been inside the tower?"

"No," Sasame answered before explaining, "But I was at the docks when she arrived here. Lo Pan came down to see her himself. He walked around her like he was inspecting merchandise."

"Regardless she may know where the operation is being done at," Naruto said. "Not to mention, I'm not willing to leave her behind only to have her beast extracted again when they no longer need her."

"I can understand that," Sasame countered, "But the fact that they aren't trying to hide her away, coupled with the other rumors I've heard lead me to believe this is a trap."

"I've figured as much," Naruto said. Surprising Iruka who had a hard time seeing his one time student seeing underneath the underneath continued adding, "But what are these other rumors?"

"They have to do with Itachi Uchiha," Sasame said. Due in part to all of the people at the table with Naruto directing their attention to Sasame and the people not at it trying to look anywhere but they all missed the way Konan stiffened at the name and how her eyes widened.

"What about him?" Naruto asked much to Konan's relief.

"That he's been revived along with the jinchuriki and is inside the tower," Sasame answered. Konan managed to keep her face stoic although she felt anything but, as many emotions began warring within her.

Naruto sat back in surprise saying more to himself than anyone present, "What does that add to anything? Unless they think news may reach Sasuke making him mad enough to wake up from his coma I can't really see the point."

"Perhaps the trap isn't meant for us but someone else," Tayuya supplied.

"Yeah, but who?" Naruto asked causing Tayuya to shrug her shoulders.

Konan knew who it was being set for and furthermore had a good idea as to why, but remained silent for fear that if Naruto knew he would cancel the mission. Speaking up she calmly said, "In any case, since we can be sure it is a trap and that we know about it. I believe the best course of action is to decide on how we go about turning it around on our enemies."

Naruto stared at her for several moments and she feared she had overplayed her hand but finally he nodded. Sasame said, "That's good and all but I think here isn't the best place for a planning session. Follow me; I'll take you to my base of operations."

Naruto caught the eye of the people at the other two tables and discreetly left the shop following behind Sasame as she led them down to the lower level of the village.

Iruka stood on the roof of Sasame's base. They had explained to the other members of the team that Sasame was part of the organization Kyo belonged too. Although they left out that the group was started by Jiraiya to protect Naruto's identity. From the roof Iruka could see the Central Tower that they would be infiltrating in the morning. He had escaped to it to get a little peace and quiet as Kurotsuchi and Anko's bickering was getting pretty loud. He just wished he understood what it was all about, since everything had been going fine till Anko got a little flirty with him. Iruka had just blown it off as Anko being Anko but Kurotsuchi had started insulting her and soon both women were at each other's throats again.

Sighing that he wished women came with a manual he noticed a presence behind him. With a light tone in his voice Iruka said, "Finished catching up with your friend."

"Yeah," Naruto said stepping beside him wearing his Kyo mask, "I had no idea Jiraiya folded the Fuuma into his organization. Sasame said her partner will be back tomorrow to show us a way into the tower."

"Can we trust this partner?"

"Absolutely," Naruto said, "It turns out it's another girl I know named Isaribi."

"Really, you seemed to have become quite popular with the ladies," Iruka said teasingly.

Naruto blushed saying, "Well I admit I am rather fortunate. Maybe Kami is making up for how crappy everything started out for me."

"I know how you feel about Sakura, but what about Hinata and Tayuya?"

Naruto tilted his head in confusion as he was prepared to answer the question about Hinata but said, "Tayuya, why do you include her?"

Iruka stared at his former student incredulously saying, "You can't honestly tell me that you haven't noticed how she has been acting around you. Take away the colorful language and she'd be just like Hinata the way she blushes around you."

"I guess you have a point," Naruto said. "But to answer your question I don't know to be honest. I'm growing closer to Hinata but well Sakura was the one that gave me permission to. I'm not sure how'd she handle knowing Tayuya was interested in me as well."

Iruka shook his head wistfully saying, "Perhaps it's a byproduct of being trained by Jiraiya."

Naruto chuckled before saying, "Actually I think it may be a result of your teachings."

"Me," Iruka said confused.

"Well yeah," Naruto said his smile growing bigger, "You probably had to pour the most effort into me to make me a half-way decent Shinobi and unlike Jiraiya you seem to have a few women interested in you."

Iruka laughed along, not getting what Naruto was saying. Therefore he asked, "Who are you talking about?"

"The two women you escaped to the roof from," Naruto said turning to reenter the building.

Iruka stopped laughing as he realized most of the fights between the two Kunoichi had started around him. Realizing Naruto was right he said, "Kami, I'm a dead man."

"Probably," Naruto joked sending a wave over his shoulder, "I'll try to speak as elegantly at your funeral as you did at mine."

Before Iruka could tell his student he didn't find the joke funny he paled as he heard Anko asking the blonde who was at the foot of the stairs to head down, "Hey merc you see Iruka around here?"

Naruto looked over his shoulder to see Iruka had shunshined away before saying, "Sorry, you just missed him."

As Anko took off grumbling about how he better not be with bitches from Iwa, Naruto chuckled before it settled in that once again it appeared his own love life was going to get more complicated.

Dr. No smiled at the readings on his instrument panel having finally found a way around the fourth tail conundrum as he called it. The answer had been so simple he had almost missed it. To solve his problem he simply began to drain away the Bijuu's chakra before a forth tail could form. Since one the Bijuu and the Host were recombined, so to speak, the restored jinchuriki would then begin to recoup chakra on their own with the hosts will once more preventing the chakra beast's from taking over.

They were testing the process on the Five-tails currently. One of his technicians said, "Sir, the Bijuu is almost completely drained from the statue and still no signs the Jinchuriki is suffering from the procedure."

Chuckling No said, "You almost sound like you doubted this would work."

"Sorry sir, I admit I was skeptical, after all how can the Jinchuriki be revived, if we never fully let the Bijuu take residence inside the host."

Admonishing the man he said, "That is due to the very nature of the beasts. You see the Bijuu is taking residence we just are preventing all of it from doing so at one time. Much like how we expect the nine-tails will eventually reform. The chakra we are draining away will eventually reform with the amount we leave behind. However by then the host will be resurrected and the seal will prevent the Bijuu from taking over." Turning away from the technician he continued, "Also with the procedure we'll be cutting down on the time necessary to recombine them giving Madara his commanders that much sooner to trample Konoha."

Doctor No frowned when his tech didn't respond, but instead sounded like he was gasping. He spun around when he heard a snapping sound and backed up in fright as the large nude jinchuriki was standing holding the no longer living tech. Han let go of the dead man and No could see that he had simply squeezed the man's neck until it broke. Han took a shaky step and No tried to run but the jinchuriki reached down picking the corpse up and threw it in front of him hard enough to destroy the machine. The Doctor took the hint stayed where he was. Han closed the distance between them standing over the petrified man. Leaning down Han said, "Where is Madara?"

"I…I don't know…he shows up whenever he wants, but…but I can contact him."

"Good…"

"May I ask why?"

A savage smile graced the revived jinchuriki's face before saying, "You may, but I think I'll wait till he gets here to answer. Now bring me some clothes."

No quickly composed himself before complying and wondering just what horrible creature he had brought back from the abyss.