Still don't own Naruto
Chapter 38: Preparations for Iwa
Naruto and Jiraiya returned to Konoha a few days after the capture pf Guren and Destruction of Orochimaru's hide out. They immediately took Guren to Anbu HQ to hand her over to the T and I department.
"Naruto you can head home I will give the report to Tsunade, besides you have to get ready for your training with Gai's team" Jiraiya said.
"Yeah the next month and a half are going to be almost as hard as training with the toads" Naruto complained thinking about Gai's training schedule.
"Oh its going to be far worse than that ever since he lost to you he has forced himself and his team to work twice as hard in order to... 'Match your flames of youth'" Jiraiya said the last part imitating Gai's voice.
"Man this is going to suck... well see ya sensei, say hi to Baa-chan for me" Naruto said as they split apart, Naruto heading home while Jiraiya went to see Tsunade.
(Hokage's Office)
Tsunade was sitting at her desk when Jiraiya came in through the window. "Jiraiya thank kami, this paperwork was driving me up the wall" Tsunade said when the old toad sage entered.
"Hey Hime, I have news" Jiraiya said seriously.
"You do what is it, if something happened to Naruto your a dead man" Tsunade threatened.
"No it had nothing to do with Naruto, it's Orochimaru when looking for my contact we found a well hidden cave. This cave was a hideout for Orochimaru, inside I found these" Jiraiya said throwing the scrolls onto the table.
"What are they" Tsunade asked picking up the first sealing scroll and unsealing several test tubes.
"There his experiments, from what I can see he is trying to find a way to combine all the sub elements, there were cells from a Shoton user who we had the great displeasure of meeting. As well as Hyoton, Futton, Jiton, and he even seems to be getting fresh Mokuton cells from somwhere" Jiraiya said.
"What how is that possible my grandfather's tomb has been completely sealed ever since sensei caught Orochimaru all those years ago" Tsunade said shaking with rage.
"I don't know, I think he is trying to combine them all into one person, and make that his body after sasuke" Jiraiya theorized.
"That means he would have to capture some rather high profile people, I know that A's first choice guard after Kirabi is the only Storm release user I know of, and there are very few who have Lava release, most of them are in Iwa" Tsunade said.
"Yes so it would not surprise me if he attempted to kidnap them you should send a message at least to A to tell him about this situation, he would not be pleased if we kept this to ourselves" Jiraiya concluded.
"You said you met the Shoton user, what happened did they escape" Tsunade asked.
"No we captured her, once Naruto showed her that her crystals were useless against senjutsu she kind of collapsed. After that she didn't put up much of a fight, and she is at Anbu head quarters now having a friendly chat with Ibiki and Anko" Jiraiya said.
"And what about your contact" she asked.
"He's dead, we had to kill him. But in truth he was already worse than dead, we just put him out of his misery" the white haired man said solemnly.
(The Next Day)
Naruto arrived at the training ground he was supposed to meet up with team Gai early, however it was not early enough, the moment he landed he saw that Lee and Tenten were already doing warm up's.
"Ah you are here my most youthful rival, Tsunade-sama informed me that you would be joining in our training from this most youthful day until the end of the exams" Gai said.
Naruto just stared blankly as Gai began to challenge him to several training challenges, like seeing who could run around the village faster, or who could hold the most weight out from there body, Naruto responded the only way he knew how. "Wha? You say something Gai".
Gai froze at that moment and fell over anime style. "Damn that Kakashi and his hip way's. But don't worry for I shall be teaching you now how to let your youthfullness out shine that hip attitude of yours my young student and rival" Gai said proudly after picking himself back up.
'What have I done' thought Naruto as he began team Gai's warm up from hell.
(2 weeks until the exams)
Naruto had been training with team Gai for close to five weeks now and Naruto had finally gotten used to the constant challenges to spar's from Lee and the pestering from Gai to compete in challenges often bordering on the insane. Naruto was therefore pleased when they were summoned to the Hokage's office to fill out there competition consent form's.
Jumping in through the window while team Gai decided upon the more traditional approach, in other words the door, Naruto arrived to see both Jiraiya and Kakashi were waiting for them.
"Jiraiya sensei, Kakashi sensei, what are you guys doing here?" Naruto asked.
It was Tsunade who answered for the duo. "Oonoki has given permission for you to be given extra escorts while in the land of earth. Jiraiya and Kakashi have volunteered and will accompany you with the rest of team Gai to Iwa" the Hokage said plainly.
"That's great but if Jiraiya sensei, Kakashi sensei and Gai sensei are all out of the village that is a significant loss of strength what if the Akatsuki act while we are gone to take Yugi-chan" Naruto said worried that with at least four of the villages top jonnin missing Yugito could become a easy target.
"Don't worry Naruto we thought of that, Yugito is going to act as sensei to a team of Kumo ninja who will arrive in two day's" Kakashi said.
When Gai and his team finally knocked on the door Tsunade had to go through the explanation of when the teams would be leaving and why they were traveling with a group from Kumo, with Gai's questionable sanity it had taken longer than they had hoped.
(Itachi and Kisame)
Kisame was standing over the unconscious body of Han while Itachi watched on from the sides. They stood in a large open clearing while the mountainous valleys that were a trade mark and natural defense of the land of earth were towering around them.
"Kami that was tougher than I thought, what kind of creature was that anyway" Kisame said contemplating whether or not to remove the jinchuuriki's legs so he could not run away if he woke up.
"I believe it was the five tailed dolphin horse" Itachi said expressionlessly.
"A what? How the fuck is that even possible, half dolphin half horse, that is one cross bread that should never be attempted" Kisame joked.
"Quite, now lets hurry up and get to a safe place to begin the sealing" Itachi said and began to walk off. Kisame following closely behind with Han on his shoulder.
(Orochimaru)
Orochimaru entered a small research office with a large glass container in it, there seemed to be a face in the water with no body and he looked sickened at the sight of the Hebi sannin.
"Kukuku don't worry Suigetsu-kun I'm not here to experiment on you today, I have a job for you and if you complete it I might even let you out on a more permanent basis" Orochimaru sneered knowing that Suigetsu would have to take the mission if he ever wanted to be free.
Orochimaru opened the tank and a teenager around sixteen came out. He was slightly shorter than Sasuke with white hair with a light blue tint and purple eyes, he wore a sleeveless purple top and gray pants, he also wore a belt with several water bottles attached.
"Fine, so whats the mission and who am I working with" Suigetsu said clearly unhappy to be working for Orochimaru.
"You are to enter the Jonnin Exams in Iwa and capture the Tsuchikage's Granddaughter Kurotsuchi. Your team will be Sasuke-kun and Karin" Orochimaru informed the water based ninja.
"Gah, Sasuke I can stand but does it have to be Karin I cant stand her" Suigetsu complained.
"Now now Suigetsu, Karin may not be the strongest but she will hep you find Kurotsuchi with that sensory ability of hers and her unique way of healing other people will keep you and Sasuke-kun safe" Orochimaru said.
"Fine lets just go and get this done, I cant stand that glass container any longer" Suigetsu said.
(Sealing Cave)
"Aw man I hate this, yeah" Deidara spoke as they began sealing the Gobi.
"It's not to bad Deidara Sempai, it gives us a chance to catch up with all of our friends, Tobi enjoys it" Tobi said in a childlike manner.
"Kami do you ever shut up, your worse that sasori was when we argued about art, yeah" Deidara replied.
"I hate to agree with the bomber on this but, the sealing is really taking far too long with everyone dead and us not having the Nibi" Kisame said.
"Well, the Nibi and Kyuubi jinchuuriki will be heading to Iwa for the Exams, Maybe we could ask for the Tsuchikage's help in capturing them" Zetsu said.
"It could work, but the only members of our group capable of getting there in time would be Itachi and Kisame, maybe on the way back Deidara and Tobi would make it there for a chance to capture them, who are there escorts?" Pein asked.
"Yes there is the problem I did not take into account. On the way there they will be escorted by Jiraiya of the sannin, Kakashi Hatake, and Miteo Gai, while on the way back assuming he makes the finals I would say that Tsunade Senju the Hokage herself will be with them among others" Zetsu admitted.
"Then attacking them would be pointless and accomplish nothing accept getting yourselves killed. We will continue on with our plan's to capture Rokubi next then Nanabi, after that we will make plans for Kyuubi, Nibi and Hachibi" Pein ordered.
There were murmured statements of acceptance around the cave, the only two exceptions were Tobi who gave an exasperated sigh of relief at not having to fight "all those strong Konoha ninja" and Itachi who seemed lost in his thought's.
(Two days later in Konoha)
Yugito, Naruto and Tsunade were currently at the main gate awaiting the arrival of the team from Kumo that she would be acting sensei for. Naruto was busy talking to Izumo and Kotetsu who were once again on gate duty.
"So still here guys" Naruto joked.
"Hey that's not funny man, at least its a good B rank mission pay each week" Kotetsu said defensively.
"Yeah that's true I guess, safer than some of the other jobs that get thrown around as well" Naruto replied.
"Yeah and we get to meet everyone who comes into the village, its how we met your little girlfriend over there. Nice entrance by the way, back when meeting a visiting Kage to arrive topless with an equally unclothed kunoichi" Izumo joked.
Naruto blushed bright red at this, it had happened only a few yards away and in full view of both Izumo and Kotesu. "That wasn't what it looked like" Naruto said defensively.
"Really because to me it looked like you were just about to get some when they reverse summoned you and Yugito into the middle of the road" Izumo said.
Naruto blushed heavier at this. "Fine it was exactly what it looked like" he admitted with a face palm.
The eternal gate guards grinned at this but before they could respond Naruto was called back by Tsunade.
"Naruto they are arriving, you were the one who wanted to come and meet them" the Hokage said and Naruto waved a friendly goodbye to the pair before heading back to greet the new arrivals.
Naruto recognized most of them immediately, it was team Samui the team trained by killer bee, but they had a new member that he had never seen before, Naruto assumed this was because Samui was already a jonnin.
"Samui-chan? They sent your team" Yugito asked when they arrived at the gate.
"We volunteered for it. Besides I wanted another chance to get to know Naruto-kun better" Samui teased but at the same time was weighing up whether she was serious or not. A thought shared by Karui.
Naruto just grinned and scratched the back of his head in traditional Naruto style. "Uh hi guys" Naruto said greeting the team from Kumo.
"Yo!" said Omoi
"Naruto-kun" chorused both Samui and Karui before rushing over to glomp said spiky haired blond, much to the ire of a certain Nibi jinchuuriki.
"A pleasure to meet you Namikaze-san my name is Shinoi" said a tall thin boy who looked like a pale version of Omoi without the sucker.
"Well would you look at that Bee even found a temporary member who's name rhymes" Naruto joked still struggling in vain to escape the clutches of the two Kumo Kunoichi.
"Will you two please get off my boyfriend" came the sickly sweet voice of Yugito who's anger was steadily rising despite the joy of seeing her friends again.
Sensing danger was near both girls released there hold on Naruto who took a few moments to right himself again.
Tsunade coughed to get the team from Kumo's attention. "Well it seems you know one of our more eccentric shinobi, but I would like to welcome you to Konoha it will only be a short stay as you will be leaving tomorrow morning but I do hope you enjoy your stay" she said. She was however slightly impressed at the way women seemed to throw themselves at Naruto and he would politely turn them down, not that she would ever admit that.
Team Samui looked embarrassed at this, well Samui and Karui did. Omoi and Shinoi looked embarrassed at the antics of there team members.
"S-sorry Hokage-sama we did not realize that you would come and greet us yourself" Samui said trying her best to find a way to excuse her actions.
"That is alright. Now Naruto I want you and Yugito to show the Kumo shinobi to there hotel they will be staying in tonight" Tsunade said.
"Sure thing Baa-chan" Naruto said calmly earning a small look of irritation from Tsunade.
"Just don't screw up ya damn brat" Tsunade replied.
"How could I screw this up, its easier than a D rank mission you old hag" Naruto replied.
"That means I should probably give it to someone else so you don't have a clone do it you little shit" Tsunade replied.
"Cram it you drunk" Naruto retorted.
"That's it!" Tsunade screamed before both broke out laughing and ended up in a hug.
"Uh Yugito-chan... Does that happen often" Karui asked pointing at the two blonds who had just finished throwing insults at one another.
"More often than not, it's there way of showing affection for each other. He calls her his Baa-chan and she calls him gaki or brat... People in Konoha are weird, just wait to you meet the team Naruto is in for the exam's the girl is normal enough but the sensei and his clone are way freaky" Yugito said.
Naruto and Tsunade pulled away from there hug and Naruto turned to the group from Kumo. "Well come on lets get you to the hotel" Naruto called and waved for the group to follow him which they happily did.
Heading through the streets hand in hand with Yugito the Kumo ninja saw the looks many of the women had directed at either Yugito or Naruto. "So I take it your not popular here either Yugito-chan" Karui teased.
"No I cant say that I am but, at least it's only by the women population, and even then I have made some good friends, I think it would have been easier if Naruto would get angry with them once in awhile though, hes to nice for his own good, damn lecherous fan girls" Yugito finished in a mumble so that only Naruto and team Samui could hear her.
"I cant do that, I still want the people of this town to respect me for me and not just because of who my father was, so I cant go around torturing every woman who chases me around even if I don't like it. And you don't exactly help much the way you taunt them in public, I don't mind that so much though" Naruto admitted and gave Yugito a quick kiss that she readily returned.
"Or maybe you should just share Yugito-chan, I'm sure they wouldn't mind you so much then" Samui teased.
Yugito let out an involuntary hiss at the thought of that. "No, I don't like sharing especially not something like Naru-kun he's mine and mine only" Yugito said.
"Yeah shes right I could never want anyone else anyway, Yugi-chan is perfect for me" Naruto said loud enough for the whole street to hear and loud grumbles erupted from groups of women about foreign sluts taking there best men.
The group arrived at the hotel shortly after that and parted ways saying that they would meet them in the morning at the front gate ready to head to Iwa.
(Orochimaru)
Karin was working on some of Orochimaru's experiments when the snake came in the room.
"It's good to see you are working so hard Karin" Orochimaru sneered.
"Orochimaru-sama I was not expecting you. I thought you were going to be in the land of tea for the next few months at least" Karin said slightly scared at the sudden appearance of her boss.
"No need to be shocked Karin, I simply came to collect you for a mission, you will be working with Sasuke-kun and Suigetsu to capture someone I desire" the hebi sanin said smoothly.
Karin thought about it, she really did want to see Sasuke again, and even putting up with Suigetsu was worth that.
"Fine, where are we going" Karin asked as she began to pack her things into a scroll.
"The land of earth you will be competing in the Jonnin Exams in Iwa" Orochimaru replied.
"Oh but is it wise to send Sasuke there I mean surely teams from Konoha will recognize him" Karin said.
"That is no problem during the Exams it is seen as a act of war against the host nation if a team from another village is attacked outside of the competition, Konoha wont risk a war with Iwa just for Sasuke-kun" Orochimaru said enjoying the thought of the looks on the Konoha teams faces when Sasuke shows up at the exams.
"Very well when will we leave" The red haired kunoichi asked.
"Immediately we need to set up for my research in the hide out in the land of Earth, I will give you one hour to complete your packing and meet us outside. Do not be late" Orochimaru said and he left the room while Karin began rushing around packing.
'Yes I get to spend some time with Sasuke-kun' thought Karin as she grabbed another change of clothes.
End Chapter!