A/N well here is the newest chapter i hope you all enjoy again, if you see any grammar errors feel free to let me know, and please tell me your opinions on how i'm doing thank you!
"Man I'm always the first one here! This blows." Naruto grumbled to himself, having arrived at the gate only a few minutes ago and sensed no one in the immediate area. He sighed heavily; he knew the reasons why he was always first. He didn't have anyone to say goodbye too. The only people that even remotely cared about him were going on this mission. He couldn't begrudge anyone for it; it was his problem, not theirs.
"Hmmm I don't know about that young man I've been here quite some time already. I actually saw you arrive." A strong male voice said directly behind him, causing Naruto to jump and scream like a girl, much to said man's pleasure obviously. "My name is Tenzo, no surname; it looks like I am to accompany you on this mission. Well met young friend." He introduced himself holding his hand out.
Naruto narrowed his eyes at the new comer. He still couldn't sense the guy in front of him. That pissed him off, after getting that hang of the sensing jutsu he'd found he could always sense just about everyone, this man being one of two people he couldn't sense. "Naruto Uzumaki, best remember that name two, because you're going to be taking orders from me soon enough. So mind telling me why the hell can't I sense you?" The blonde demanded taking the man's offered hand in a strong grip.
Tenzo chuckled, "Well you see, one thing you learn as an Anbu is how to mask your presence completely. We're not meant to be seen heard or even thought of. We're the underground force, we take on the missions others won't. Most of them require us to completely hide the fact that we're ninja, so we learn how to be 'invisible' by sensor types such as you." The grin on his face showed that he very much enjoyed the benefits his training gave him.
Naruto, learning the secret so to speak, resolved to find a way to be able to sense them. One of the things he was proud of was that ability and he'd be damned if he'd let a bunch of people bypass that. Still this man had knowledge he was keen on. Mustering his courage he humbled himself before the stronger Ninja. "Can you teach me how to do that?" Tenzo was shocked when Naruto got on his knees and pressed his forehead to the ground.
Tenzo, unused to dealing with situations like this, agreed rather quickly to get passed the currently embarrassing situation, "Of course I can its not really that hard. Really all it requires is to focus on restraining your chakra until you need it. All it requires is mental focus and will power. As you are right now the closest comparison I can think of is a running faucet, your chakra is literally expelling itself in the air around you. You must learn to keep it inside of you first, than learn to make it smaller and smaller until it becomes as nothing until you open the door and all of it comes rushing back out." He lectured and to emphasize his final part he released his chakra from his mental bindings and Naruto, having reached the point where he was always absentmindedly using the sensor jutsu, flinched at the sudden flare that came from the man before him. Tenzo was quick to rein his chakra back in, becoming invisible to Naruto's senses once more.
Naruto looked at the man in wonder, "Holy shit you have some powerful chakra." For the few moments Tenzo had allowed it freedom, the strength flowing through his energy had made Naruto take a few steps back. His chakra was on par with his Sensei's and he wouldn't say that lightly.
The older shinobi chuckled, "well thank you Naruto, but my chakra is nothing compared to yours. You have the most potent chakra of anyone currently residing within Konoha. This might be a problem when learning to constrain your chakra, but I know you can do it." He gave the teenage a final smile and thumbs up, doing a thorough job of making Naruto feel uncomfortable.
"Jeeze Tenzo, you are so awkward sometimes, unlike me, the great and powerful Anko!" Said woman announced exorbitantly, sitting leisurely atop the roof of the gate. How and when she got there neither of them knew. "So brat looks like we get to work together, and so soon after our last encounter." She cooed, giving the blonde a bloodthirsty look. Naruto shivered, that woman was more than a little disturbed. "You best hold your fucking weight on this mission, I aint in to babysitting." She jibed trying to get a rise out of him.
Just as the blonde was about to retaliate another voice cut him off. "Yeah that's because it's you who will need babysitting, I mean didn't we save your ass last time around?" That lazy, sarcastic voice could only belong to Shikamaru, and there he appeared; coming around the corner of the street up ahead. "What no witty comeback? That's what I thought." Shikamaru smugly continued having one upped Anko.
Anko narrowed her eyes at the Nara, she was about to send a scathing retort but yet again a rather nasty reply was cut off by a new arrival. "Oh for Kami's sake Shikamaru leave it to you to try and make enemies out of one of our teammates. Do I need to call your mom?" Tenten threatened as she arrived hopping down from the roof of a nearby home. Her statement caused all shinobi present to snigger at the Nara.
"All right that's enough out of all you. Are we shinobi or are we children?" That stern voice announced the arrival of Hiruzen Sarutobi, accompanied by Mei who had spent the last hour briefing the Hokage and just what they were getting into. Looking around at the assembled Ninja Hiruzen amended his statement "You know what don't answer that, what in Kami was I thinking teaming up the most childish shinobi I have on staff."
Naruto, by whatever possessed him, answered the Hokage's rhetorical question "Haha because it's more fun that way! Duh Ji-ji" the way the boy said it made it seem like it were the most Natural thing in the world. Placing his hands behind his head he beamed at the old but now younger man. "Come on lets go kick some ass and save a Nation! Fuck that's even better than saving a princess!" This caused all of them to start laughing. Maybe it was his way of trying to get a few jokes in while he could. He knew that all too soon jokes would be at an end and they would open the gates of hell. The team of six plus Mei embarked on their mission with smiles on their faces and confidence in their eyes. They would not fall.
~Meanwhile in Nami no Kuni~
Gato looked out at the city he had made his home, and he loved seeing the homeless begging for food, all the riches this town offered belonged to him. Everything belonged to him, he would have the world. Turning around he addressed his newly hired ninja's "I hope you four are up to the task" these Ninja's had come extremely high priced and Gato would ensure he got his money's worth from them before they departed.
"Hmm, our scouts did not come back; we will deal with the bridge builder and his guards ourselves." The leader explained he was a very tall man probably the largest man Gato had ever seen. He had armour very reminiscent of a samurai, covering his entire body, it was red plated and shingled with black mesh underneath additionally he wore a conical hat of what seemed to be the same red armour plating with a white cloth underneath that and a black cloth wearing a headband with the symbol for Iwagakure on it. What really offset the armor was the furnace that rested on the man's back. Han rather loathed humanity in general, but his village required him to take several missions a year or else they would kill him. He couldn't leave, so he had no choice in the matter.
This was one such mission they had shoved onto him because no one wanted to take it, thus it was shoved onto him. Of course he couldn't be trusted to leave the country alone either, so a guard had been enlisted. They were there more to watch for signs of betrayal than to fight the enemy. All of them hated the man before them and none of them would willingly help him. Such was the life of Jinchuuriki. It's not like he would need their help however, he loathed his job but he did it well.
"Good be sure that you do, now leave me. I tire of your presence." Gato had already resumed greedily looking down on the wasteland he had created. Han wanted nothing more than to drown the man in his searing steam. See how tough the comically short man really was.
He said nothing, merely turned and walked out, his teammates following glaring three separate holes into his back. He wished he could strike them down too. It would be only so easy. Unfortunately the Tsuchikage had given them seal tags that would completely shut off his power were he to get out of hand. Damn that old bastard, why did it seem he was cursed to a life of servitude by men who didn't even reach his knee? It seemed to be life's cruel joke for the burden he was born to carry.
~With Team Gai~
After dealing with those two Ninja the whole team was on high alert. Meanwhile Gai had sternly requested that the old drunk had better confess what they were really up against. Tazuna had meekly obliged. What was dangerous was that it was Iwa Ninja, long time hated rivals of Konoha. Their operations were equally powerful but like night and day where priorities lie. Konoha was a place for peace and teamwork, Iwa was a place of war and individual skill. While this was true, where there was one Iwa shinobi there were bound to be more.
Arriving at the shoreline where the boatman was supposed to be waiting produced another problem for the team. He hadn't shown. Whether it was nerves or because he was killed they did not know. "Oh looking for him?" A deep baritone voice queried to their left. All of them having turned gave them the sight of a man hung upside down in bindings. He didn't appear to be dead but he didn't seem responsive either. The boat was currently being hefted by a giant armored man's right hand, yup just one hand. "You can have this though." He told them in a very amicable voice. His actions were quite to the contrary however as he reared back and hurled the boat at them, the boat was easily sent sailing through the air at over a hundred miles per hour.
Gai leapt forward with a battle cry and spun around and unleashed a kick that shattered the incoming boat into a thousand pieces, only for Han to be right in his face, a fist covered in hot steam cocked back. With devastating force Han punched Gai in the jaw sending the green clad warrior flying backwards. However before Han could fallow up a giant fireball was hurtling toward him. Han shot his left hand out, a giant steam hand launching out grabbed a nearby tree and yanked himself out of the way of the fireball only for a mini version of the man he had just punched to come flying at him lashing out with a kick to the giants chest, the power in it jolting Han off course and on a one way ticket to the ground, Lee followed with a front flip and using his heel to drop kick the giant in the stomach. Cracking a few pieces the man's armor in the process, he wasn't quick enough to dodge retaliatory jab to his face, sending lee stumbling backwards with bloody and broken nose.
Rolling back to his feet, he found Gai was back up as well and in his face, the two traded a fierce series of blows, Gai got even with a punch to the man's jaw, but received a vicious blow to the stomach, Gai retaliated with a low kick that almost crumpled the gain shinobi, it had turned out he was just bending down for a head butt that sent Gai stumbling back a few paces before the Konoha ninja lashed out with a high kick that hit home square in Han's bent low forehead. The strength of the kick launched the very heavy and weighted warrior in the air where Gai followed up with a jumping uppercut that sent him higher in the air where Neji was already dropping down. "You are in range of my Hakke Rokujūyon Shō!" With a roar Neji descended raining blow after blow on the man's tenketsu points. To finish the combo Neji used a double palm strike with every ounce of power he could muster to the man's chest blowing a few chunks off his chest armor.
Han fell to the ground with a heavy thud, Neji landing next to Gai, "He is finished sensei, and no shinobi could stand after that assault." His words held the tone of finality, but Gai being a veteran of war knew better. He knew who their opponent was the moment he laid eyes on him.
"I would not be so sure, Neji-san…" Gai trailed off as the other members of the team cautiously made their way over. "This man is no normal Shinobi." As the statement left the jounin's lips; a deep, booming, laugh erupted from Han, causing all three of the junior shinobi to tense up in preparation for battle.
"That was some mighty good teamwork you displayed." The armored giant complimented as he stood, seeming to be perfectly fine after those attacks. "You will provide me a great challenge, when the time is right." He turned then leaving with one last statement. "Sadly you all will die than. So train hard, for if you don't you will die by my searing bite." He announced with what seemed like melancholy. In a display of defiance of Neji's brutal final assault, chakra burst from Han as he slowly transformed into a giant made of steam, it had the head of a dolphin with two pointed horns in the back and three slender horns in front of those, followed by the body of a horse and five tails swishing angrily behind it. "I am Han! Jinchuuriki of the five tailed Kokuō! This is what you face champions of Konoha! I hope you still have the guts to face me after I repair my damaged armor! It is then I shall come, and we shall do battle for real!" After his shouted announcement the creature galloped away and surged into the sea, diving far downwards at amazing speeds.
Han had no need of subterfuge or lying. He could be honest with the enemy about what he was doing for if they came at him it would only hasten their deaths. He was a walking juggernaut ready to grip the world by its throat and stare into its eyes shining with fear. It would take about a week to fix the damage they had done to it. He would eagerly wait the day he could once more meet those worthy foes in battle.
Gai sighed, releasing some anxiety he didn't know he had been holding on to. "Han was also an honorable man, despite the loathing that shines in his eye. Or so I've been told by those that had seen him fighting or have fought him and lived to tell the tale." He explained to his three students. Gai turned looking out towards the channel "We still need to cross to the other side. It looks like two of you will have to carry the men on their backs. It's the youthful thing to do after all, any volunteers?" He queried with his nice guy pose and thumbs up. Lee, always eager to please his father like Sensei, immediately volunteered the two sharing a sickening moment of embrace, the sun setting behind the two as the waves rolled up on the beaches. The other two boys looked like they were about to throw up.
"I say the newbie carries the Tazuna." Neji chimed in smugly, throwing Sasuke under the bus, obviously enjoying his way out of doing the labor. If Tenten had been there it would undoubtedly fall to him. Now that Sasuke was here he could ride the easy street.
"What a great suggestion Neji, very well Sasuke show us your springtime of youth and carry Tazuna for us. Lee go get that man down and carry him would you. Of course we can't leave you out either Neji, you need something to show off you're spring time of youth as well. Let's see now…" The jounin sensei said ponderously, tapping his finger on his chin as he tried to think of something.
Neji frantically shook his head waving his hands back and forth as well. "N-No no that's-"
It was too late however Gai had found the perfect thing judging by his expression. "Ah I know you can carry me! Yes a splendid idea! And it will be a race between the three of you! Whoever wins I will mentor one one with you on any skill or jutsu of your choice you wish to improve." The man literally patted himself on the back, congratulating himself on such a grand idea. With a grin he hopped on a very irritated Neji's back and the boy almost crumpled to the floor. Gai wore a ton of weights. The man Lee was carrying was probably the lightest of their carries, with Tazuna being heavier than him, and Gai topping the charts. Neji hated fate at that moment, for deciding to gift Gai with such a bull shit idea. "What are you waiting for? Run my youthful students!" Gai called exuberantly as the three ninja rushed forward, with only Lee smiling at the challenge. Sasuke was smirking because Neji was now stuck carrying someone as well. It was sweet revenge. This was going to be one hell of dash, it was about two miles to the shore on the opposite shore, hence the need for a bridge.
~With Team Sarutobi~
After hours of travel they had found a fairly well hidden spot, close to a river, and far off the main path. Not many could find their way there. They sat around the night fire eating a dinner that Tenten had cooked for them, it was rabbit soup and she had done a fine job of making it. They all complemented her and the girl blushed waving off them off. Naruto had caught the rabbit and Shikamaru had gathered the various greens and berries he had found that were edible, having knowledge of these things from his time tending deer with his father.
After the bellies were full and the light conversation passed Sarutobi thought it was time to get to the grit of their battle plan. "Alright here's how this is going to work, Mei along with the escorts we are too meet up with will be leaving us at a certain point and rush the enemy in a frontal assault drawing their attention. That leaves us as the hit squad; all of us are to stay close because we're going through a backdoor that was supposed to be used as an emergency exit for the Mizukage in times of trouble. If we meet resistance here it won't be low level chump, it'll be the highest caliber shinobi the Mizukage has. So watch yourselves. In the event that we come in entirely unnoticed Anko, Tenzo and I will handle the assassination while Naruto, Shikamaru, and Tenten will guard the back door making sure we have an exit." At this point he stopped and made eye contact with each shinobi, making sure they understood their roles. He then turned to the three Gennin, "This is the first time you'll be without back up of a senior shinobi, I'm giving you a lot of responsibility, I do this because I know you can. I believe you." He received sharp nods from all three. Determination a burning fire in their eyes, the Hokage knew they had the will of fire within them. He was not worried in the slightest.
Naruto only had one question, "So when are we going to meet up with Mei's escort?" As if to answer his question the sound of metal cutting the air became constant in their hearing until a large sword came spinning through air lodging itself two feet above Naruto's head in the tree he was leaning against.
"Right now, some one want to tell me why there are toddlers accompanying us on a mission to save a fucking country?" A man with spiky black hair, pale skin and a tall muscular frame rested atop of the overly large blade lodged in the tree, glaring at the three youngsters beneath him. Bandages wrapped around the lower half of his face and disappeared beneath the hidden mist headband that he wore sideways; they took note of the slash mark scored horizontally across the symbol adorned by all hidden mist Shinobi. The wraps went downward covering his neck and disappearing again beneath the black muscle shirt that he wore with matching black shinobi pants. Light blue arm and leg warmers finished the look.
In response a spear appeared at the man's throat while Naruto idle sharpened his claws returning the glare that the new arrival was sending his way. "I hate you already. By the way I wouldn't talk too much shit, Shikamaru kind of has a spear that makes him really blood thirsty and he would really love himself a kill right about now I think." None of the students would take being called weak. They worked their asses off to reach new heights and Sarutobi was making sure they got there.
"You know I normally don't agree with you Naruto but I'm inclined to now. Please say something stupid. Give me a reason to make me a missing nin-kebob." Shikamaru threatened, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. The shadow warrior had already connected the man's shadow, effectively making him a puppet.
"The name is Momochi Zabuza kid and you don't scare me." With ease Zabuza broke Shikamaru's hold over him and in one fluid motion, removed the sword with one hand and leapt beside Mei Terumi. Sheathing his giant sword and leaning up against the three. "I will admit you have some skill though. Hopefully the Hokage here will pick up your slack." He complemented back handedly. "I see you got yourself a makeover gramps. Well done, I know of plenty old bastards that wish they could do the same." It was obvious that while he had no restrain he did have respect for the leader of the strongest village in the elemental nations.
While the gennin sat back and glared at Zabuza, who did a great job of ignoring them all together, Hiruzen Sarutobi addressed the newcomer. "So this is where you went after your failed coup de grace Zabuza, the demon of the bloody mist. A wise move backing a woman as sharp as this, she will lead your nation to greatness." His words were honest and the man in wraps nodded his head agreeing with her.
"Zabuza really is useless on his own. I swear you're so bull headed and rash. Had you asked for my help we could have ended it together than, but noooooo, you had to be all impatient and shit. See where that led you? Now I rule your bitch ass and you best not forget that." Mei spoke up. Her fiery personality and humbling remarks putting smiles on all three gennin's faces. It was clear just who was bad ass around here. "Really you are all just so damn silly!" She huffed, annoyed at the childish antics of those around her. "You strut around here, peacocking like primitives trying to bully one another. You're on the same side, save your antics for the enemy." She finished matter-of-factly, leaving a thoroughly chastised Zabuza in its wake.
"Awww come on Terumi-san, we do it for fun. I bet you do it for fun too. You're a closet silly person, one of those I'm too cool types aren't you! We're ninja and we're proud of it. So we always try and one-up another. It's what we do" Mei looked at Naruto with an uncertain look. "I mean haven't you ever used your skills for your own personal entertainment? It's awesome!" the enthusiasm Naruto was exuding seemed to have an effect on just about everyone being heartened by his warm spirit.
"I suppose I have." Mei amended with a smirk. "And yes I do happen to be one of those cool collected types. So shove off brat." The sting of her words were lessened by the jovially expression in her eyes. Konoha shinobi were vastly different ethically than most of the world. It was certainly a refreshing change in her opinion. Naruto just smiled and nodded understanding her nature. That's what he did, whether he realized it or not he connected with just about every person he came across that would actually give him the time of day.
Zabuza was in slight awe, Mei was a very fiery woman, in fact she often told many a shinobi under her to shut up or die. This kid had made her admit to something, no one before him had achieved this. Maybe these kids did have something to him. His respect went up for the blonde kid a tiny bit. Not much, after all he probably had yet to kill a shinobi and you don't get much respect until your first kill.
Tenten yawned, getting several others to do the same. "Well I'm sleepy so I'm going to turn in for the night." She blinked away tears that had come forth cause by her yawn.
"Sounds like a great idea." Naruto agreed about to get up but a slender yet strong hand placed itself on his shoulder.
"Nuh uh, you've got night watch with me tonight shit break." Anko grinned viciously at him. Naruto groaned but let himself be led to the outer edges of camp to start the watch. Meanwhile the rest crew set up sleeping quarters and prepared to rest. They would reach the border tomorrow and then that night they would arrive at their destination.
Naruto followed Anko toward the outer range of the camp, far enough away to not be seen or heard but close enough to see the glow of the camp on the very fringe of their vision. "Well this is where we post up. Find a comfy spot because we're gonna be here awhile, and be sure to do that sensing thing you always do. That'll come in real handy if someone or something tries to sneak by us." Anko herself swiftly climbed a nearby tree and rested atop a limb much like a feline predator would. Only her back leaned against the trunk and legs hung down off either side of the limb. The blonde chose a tree not far away and perched himself atop limb at around the same height as hers. Standing and leaning himself against the trunk of the tree and submersing himself inside of his ever present black book.
"So why'd you do it?" Anko wondered aloud.
"Do what?" Naruto fired back.
"Don't play stupid shit break." She quipped giving him a stern look.
"Fine but stop calling me shit break!" Naruto demanded if he was to be open he wanted something in return.
"No"
"Why not?!"
"Because it annoys you now quit stalling and talk."
Naruto sighed it appeared he had no choice. He had one last option. "Alright, the reason is because a Ninja always has his secrets and I aint telling you shit." He stated with finality choosing to burry himself once more into his book.
Of course he could feel the glare she was currently giving him. "Shit break you better tell Anko what she wants to know or you're world is going to get far more unpleasant." The threat was not idle either, and Naruto knew it.
"I don't even get why it matters. I did because I was the only one that could do it. No one else has the chakra capacity to bend the laws of physics and I don't leave a comrade to die. It's just not my style. Given the information I have acquired by means I will not say I knew you had a rough past due to that mark. I was sharp enough to know who put it there and I could figure the rest of the puzzle from there." All he wanted was to save her life and maybe give her an edge against opponents in the future. He knew how beneficial being a jinchuuriki could be, it gave you great power. In the note his father had left him he had said that with great power comes great responsibility. He was inclined to agree with him. "I couldn't just leave you to die Anko-san, it wouldn't be right." He had nothing more to say that just about summed up the reasoning behind just why he went to such extremes to save her.
Anko knowing better than to say anything, just continued to stare at him for awhile, she could tell when a person was lying and when they were not. Naruto had always been truthful with her, something she respected. "You did good shit break." She announced suddenly while looking away pointedly. 'Hmph are you sure your not into the blonde? Sure seems like it to me.' The goddess voice chided in her mind. 'Shut it you' Anko replied receiving only silence as an answer.
Naruto smiled at her compliment and continued reading while the two of them settled in to a comfortable silence, they had a long night ahead of them.
~With Team Gai~
After an exhausting marathon run they had seen the boatman home safely and then Tazuna had directed them too his modest two story western style home. By the grace of Kami Terumi had announced dinner upon their arrival. Dinner was mostly a quiet affair while the exhausted teens ate and Tazuna explained the reason he had brought guests home. Having finished his explanation they had resumed eating and were nearing the end of their meal.
"This whole thing's stupid, you're all dead." Tazuna's nephew Inari claimed angrily.
"Inari!" Tsunami exclaimed shocked by the way her son was acting. Before she could say more the young boy continued his little rant.
"No mom! Gato's just going to kill them too! It's pointless to fight back!" The anger in his eyes and the annoyingly high pitch he was reaching was really starting to grate on Sasuke's nerves, well time to shut the brat.
"Hey kid." Sasuke cut in causing the young child to cast his angry glare the Uchiha's way. "Listen up because I'm only going to say this once, you sit there angry about what happened in the past. Oh yes I can see it in your eyes, I used to be angry like that once. You see my brother murdered my entire clan in a single night, to top it off he used a jutsu that showed me exactly how he did it too. I got to see it a thousand times before I was finally allowed the bliss of unconsciousness. You know what the difference between you and I is? I have the heart to grow stronger and rise above those who stand in my way. Whereas you sit there cowering in misery because you don't have the guts. Do yourself a favor and keep your cowardice to yourself, or muster your courage and do something about your situation instead of just crying about it like a baby." His words may have stung, but they shut the boy up and left him stunned, hell it left the room stunned. Yeah the Konoha shinobi had known that Itachi had killed the clan but he had also made Sasuke witness it a thousand times over? Itachi was one fucked up individual apparently.
The rest of the evening progressed even quieter than it had been previously with a much more somber air about. Sasuke shook his head 'Kami I actually wish Naruto were here, at least he wouldn't be all mopey'. While he was glad the brat had shut up he didn't like the somber quiet that had settled over the table either. Sasuke sighed, he had to fix this somehow. "Look act normal, you can't change the past, and I'm not wallowing in self pity either, so I definitely don't need any pity from any of you. Okay?" He stated with exasperation, and rolling his eyes to emphasize his current level of annoyance.
Gai had tears in his eyes. "My youthful student, telling us in your own way not to worry." He sniffled leaping forward and giving the boy a bone crushing hug. "I always knew you had a heart!"
"GAH! GAI SENSEI let go! I do not need your worry! I'm perfectly fine!" He growled trying to push away from the hug with no such luck. Gai was insanely strong. Everyone in the room smiled, even little Inari.
Lee tapped Neji's shoulder and when the teen leaned toward him he whispered, "Do my eyes deceive me or did Sasuke just do a good deed?" He queried indicating Inari.
Neji smiled, "Well Lee I believe you may be on to something. This should be sufficient enough for Naruto." They nodded to each other and looked proudly at their teammate. He was developing as a person as well as a ninja. This was good for him despite what the Uchiha may believe. They would always support their teammates no matter what, that was their nin-do.
~With Han and his team~
In the late evening Han continued to work on making new armor, with Gato's vast recourses scattered throughout the city of wave he easily found the necessary materials. His team watched him as he sat in front of a forge in one of the many warehouses Gato owned.
The team that accompanied Han had watched that fight, and the leader of them, a female with shoulder length brown done up in two ponytails that went down the back of her neck side by side, did not look too happy. "There was an Uchiha among that team. When the real fight starts he's mine understood?" the two males nodded silently. Knowing better than to answer out loud. Iris was as vicious as they came. If you said anything that bugged her in the slightest she would lash out physically and brutally. She was equally prideful too. It just so happened that in terms of skill she was considered one of the better up and coming shinobi with much potential.
Iris had a fierce drive to be the best and she was going to do anything she had to to get there. It's why she agreed to be part of the guard that went with Han, it got her in the good graces of those that could teach her something useful. The other two were spineless cowards that had to come because they had failed their last mission. She hadn't even bothered to remember their names. "Have fun with that one young cat, that eagle is stronger than he seems." Han replied giving the younger girl a calculating eye.
"He still can't best me in battle. He will die by my hands, besides we'll actually be helping you this time, you should be honored." She sneered, she had no love for the Jinchuuriki, sadly it was bred into her from an early age.
"Ha if it weren't for those seal tags you carry you wouldn't talk so big." Han replied going back to his work his mind on the battle ahead of him. His chakra blazed to life, hands of steam gathering various ores and placing them in the fiery inferno that was contained within the steel forge. 'I haven't been this excited in awhile. I cannot wait to face that green clad warrior again. He was skilled.'
~Elsewhere near the outskirts of Kirigakure~
"Master Orochimaru I have finished setting up camp, and am set to wait until it is time. Are you sure you can do this so soon after your revival master?" A young woman asked. She wore a green dress with a white flower adorning the bottom half and a fur collar, under that she wore a red one piece with black gloves and light brown knee high boots. Her light blue hair was done up in a spiky, fan like ponytail.
"Of course I am Guren, though it is sweet of you to worry about me so. Soon I will have myself more power than you can imagine." He looked on at Kirigakure where his prize lay. Orochimaru, in the weeks following his death had grown in knowledge and power while he had lain dormant as a shattered fragments. Now it was time to test his prowess once more and achieve a higher level of power. He would have the world on its knees, and destroy Konoha while he was at it. a sadistic smile grew on the snake sannin's pale face, it was now just a waiting game, and he was good at that.