Chapter 10: Cuckoo

The Cuckoo represents a New Destiny, and a New Fate.

"So not only is Tsukiyomi missing…but Naruto, as well?!" Tsunade growled. Her voice was restrained and her face was red with anger. "And you are positive you looked everywhere?"

Yamato slowly nodded. "Y-yes…we did." He straightened up and cleared his throat. "We tracked him all the way to a spot in the forest where he camped. According to Kiba and Akamaru, Naruto and Tsukiyomi stayed there for one night, then left. They said they picked up a third scent; unidentified to our dismay. They lead all the way to the Land of Wind. However, because we took so much time, it took four days to get there and we ended up arriving to a sand storm. We lost their trail from there."

Tsunade sucked in a deep breath, held it for a second and then released it. "Damn…"

Yamato sheepishly sighed. "But don't forget, we can always ask Gaara-sama to search for Naruto and Tsukiyomi in the Land of Wind."

The Godaime sighed again. "I know, Yamato. I want you, Kakashi and Tsume to go to Gaara; inform him."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama." And with that, Yamato left.

Naruto frowned. "…What…?"

Itachi sighed. "You heard me; wear a mask, moron."

"Why, though?!" Naruto whined. He pouted, crossing his arms. "I don't like masks."

"Tobi likes Tobi's mask!" Tobi exclaimed. "Tobi loves orange!" His mask was indeed orange; in a swirl that stopped at his right eye.

Naruto sighed, still pouting.

Tsukiyomi was wearing the Akatsuki cloak—as was Naruto and Tobi—along with Ban and Yoru.

Ban had a black cloth with red clouds around her neck; the kanji for her name on the flap that draped against her brown-splotched chest. Yoru's was the exact same, the only difference being the kanji and size of the cloth.

Tsukiyomi's mask was a kabuki mask. It had a thick black strap that wrapped firmly around his head with the nose-part slightly sticking out, resembling that of a wolf's snout. The nose, eye outliner and lips were black. The rest was white.

Itachi stuck a fox-like mask in Naruto's face. It was a half mask with slender holes for the eyes. The snout stuck out and slightly slanted down; the nose was black and the eye outliner was bright red, swirling out to the edge of the mask.

Naruto took it, still pouting. "Why do I have to wear a mask, though? You never answered that."

Itachi sighed again. "You guys are like the ANBU of Akatsuki—the stealth force; our information gatherers."

The blonde frowned in confusion.

"In other words, we're black ops," Tsukiyomi stated. "Right, Tobi?"

"Right!" Tobi chirped.

Itachi nodded his agreement. "So it's best if you three wear masks to hide your identity; add to the mystery."

Naruto sighed, shrugging. "Alright, alright…I'll wear the stupid thing." He yanked it from the Uchiha's hands, slipping it out. "So? How do I look?"

"You look like you with a mask," Tsukiyomi stated sarcastically.

Ban and Yoru barked their agreements.

"Tobi agrees with the doggy and puppy and Tsukiyomi!" Tobi exclaimed.

"Helpful," Naruto grumbled. "So, now that we're the black ops, are we just going to be called 'black ops' or something?"

Itachi rolled his eyes. "No. Why not name you guys Shinobi no Kami?"

"Tobi likes that name! Tobi agrees with Itachi!" Tobi chirped.

"Sounds kind of cool…I guess…" Tsukiyomi muttered. "What about you, Naruto?"

"I like it, too," the blonde piqued. He grinned. "Shinobi no Kami it is!"

Minato smiled. "Well this is nice."

Kurama snorted. "What's he gonna say when we run into the Konoha shinobi, anyway?"

"Good question…I guess we'll just leave it up to Naruto and the others," the Yondaime stated. "Besides, it's not like he did anything terrible."

"He destroyed his own home."

"That's true…"

Kurama rolled his eyes, yawning. "What's with you human's? You always wing things."

Minato only shrugged. "Who knows?"

Really short D: I know, I'm sorry...ish...

Regarding SHINOBI NO KAMI: SHINOBI can not ONLY mean NINJA, but also STEALTH, thus Shinobi no Kami meaning God of Stealth.

Regarding MINA-CHAN: I am officially making him a side character with brief appearances; and he will play a role later on by teaching Naruto a certain jutsu you can probably guess because it is SO obvious. He will eventually poof from Naruto's conscious. I don't know when, but he will.

Regarding TSUKIYOMI: He will gain a certain doujutsu later. coughHINTHINTcough

Peace! :3