Chapter 20

'Lot of snow,' Hare signaled.

'Stay frosty,' was Crow's reply.

The group of five continued their trek through the icy lands. At the forefront, walked Kakashi Hatake and Mako Kurama. At the rear, were Crow and Hare. Hiruzen Sarutobi walked in the center of the formation.

After some time of walking, the group stopped to rest. "It's going to be night soon," Kakashi commented, his eyes on his book.

"What are we doing for shelter, "Mako Kurama asked, with a slight shiver.

Instead of answering, the Hiruzen Sarutobi went through several hand seals, and dramatically slammed his hands to the ground, crying out, "Stone House Technique!" From the snow, a house made of snow came to be.

Crow then spoke, "You should have forgone the windows." Snow was blowing into the house. Hiruzen grumbled before repeating his previous actions, this time the house having no windows. The other house was left to sit.

The group entered the small building, and set down their equipment. Or in the Fire Shadows case, telling Crow where to put his own stuff. Hiruzen then took out a scroll from his robes, and released a rolled up rubber object, and then spoke, "Someone, fill this mattress up for me."

The group sweat dropped, before Hare volunteered. He went through several handseals, before muttering, "Wind Release, Great Breakthrough." The air mattress filled up in an instant.

Crow spoke up instantly, "What a productive way to use the techniques that we train for years to use."

Hare retorted, "It takes less time, and it just goes to show how good my control is."

A slight buzzing sound was heard, and Kakashi could be seen playing with lightning, making it form into various shapes. He then said, "Hare, you still need more control."

Mako then spit out some fire, and made it turn into several mini dragons, and had them float around. "As do you Kakashi."

Crow feeling left out then created something. Nobody could see it. Crow spoke with a sulky tone, "It's hard trying to impress others with cool tricks when you're a wind type."

Finally, Hiruzen included himself in the festivities. Out of earth, he created a fully functioning clock. "Much to learn, you still have."

The group was once again walking through the snow, not sinking into it the slightest. "It's good we came in the summer. Imagine if it had been winter, the snow storms would be terrible," Hiruzen commented.

The rest of the group remained silent. In the distance, an arching mountain with three branches could be seen. Crow then spoke to Hare, "Welcome to Iron."

The group finished their walking, passing several groups of Samurai. Before them, stood a small set of gates. Three men exited the gate, one in a purple kimono with bandages on his head. To his right, was a man with a cross shaped star that went past his right eyes, also in a purple kimono, and wore a red scarf that obscured his lower face. The final one also had a scar, albeit a much smaller one above his right eyebrow. He wore a grey kimono and a purple scarf concealing his lower face.

There are three very powerful people here. One is the Samurai General, and another is the Rock Shadow. I am not sure who the third would be.

The one in the middle spoke, with the slightest smile, "Welcome Fire Shadow Sarutobi, It is a pleasure to see you again. This is Okisuke," pointing to the one with a red scarf, "and this is Urakaku," to the one in the purple scarf.

Hiruzen gave a large smile in return, and asked, "The pleasure is all mine General Mifunfe, and please, it's Hiruzen."

The smile on General Mifune grew, before saying, "Then it is just Mifune. I am sure your journey has been long and cold. Come inside, we will have hot tea ready in a moment's notice."

Hiruzen then spoke, as the group started to walk into the building, "I hope it is the same tea as my last visit. It was most wonderful."

"Although it is not the same, I hope you will find this new blend to be even better." Stated happily, before continuing apologetically, "Also, I request that your ANBU remove their mask for their duration here. I hope you understand."

Hiruzen replied, "I am looking forward to the tea, and I completely understand, Crow, Hare, remove your masks, oh, and where are my manners. This is Kakashi Hatake," pointing to Kakashi, "and this is Mako Kurama." to Mako, who had had short dark brown hair. "The blond is Naruto Uzumaki, and the other ANBU is Kenshi Kagemori."

Mifune nodded, and the group entered the pyramidal like building. He then spoke, "The Rock Shadow has already arrived. Guards will remain in back stage area of the meeting room. I will request they stay there. I trust you well enough not to cause a situation, and Onoki should have enough self control. I of course will mediate the proceedings."

"I hope I haven't kept Onoki waiting too long," Hiruzen stated.

Mifune replied, "Not at all, you arrived only two hours after him. Would you like to begin mediations now, or on an hour."

"We can do them now, as long as I get to try that tea you talked of," Hiruzen replied.

Mifune nodded before ordering, "Urakaku, fetch the Rock Shadow, and make sure a set of tea is sent into the meeting room."

"Yes sir," Urakaku replied before leaving the group.

After a long while of walking up multiple sets of stairs, the group arrived at the top floor of the building, the meeting room. After some minutes, the Onoki and his entourage, as well as some tea arrived.

He is the other powerful presence. Ardio Kazudo.

Their most notable member is Arido Kazudo, who is next in line for Rock Shadow, being their villages so called jonin arbiter. Why does rock have to be the only village with a different ranking system.

The group went to take their places in the backdrop, with Arido taking his own cup of tea. Arido Kazudo was a tall and built man, with a full beard. He also had an almost lazy air about him. The meeting started soon after.

Mifune spoke first, "Welcome Fire Shadow, Rock Shadow, as you know, I am General Mifune. I will moderate this meeting. We are meeting to discuss Lightning and Clouds increased militarism. Who would like to start?"

Onoki spoke first, "I will ,and before we begin, if it is alright with the two of you, I would like one my ninjas, Arido Kazudo, to be here for the meeting to give input."

Hiruzen smirked and said, "Are you finally planning on retiring?" To which Onoki scoffed, "I wish I could do that now. But by all means, let him, as long as I am granted the same right." The trio agreed and then Hiruzen called out, "Naruto, get come down here."

Why is he choosing me?

Arido looked surprised at the mention of the name, and smiled as Naruto approached, "So the bastard did indeed give off a child. Not to mention he is a jinchuriki. So your father sealed the beast into you."

How did he know the fourth was my father? How did he know I am a jinchuriki?

"Kid, you could say I knew your father well. We were best enemies, the only two on either side that could beat the other. He at one point told me he had a son named Naruto."

The Third Fire Shadow then questioned suspiciously, his eyes narrowed, "How did you know he was a jinchuriki?"

"Meh," Arido said, "I am an awesome sensor. It wasn't that hard."

After several moments of tense silence, Mifune spoke up, "If we are done, we will start the meeting. Rock Shadow, was there anything else you wanted to say?"

"Indeed," the Rock Shadow affirmed, "I am aware of Lightning's expansion. They were already militarizing more than any of the other villages, and if they continue, my village will be forced to do the same. I don't want to live to see another war."

The Fire Shadow then spoke, "I also don't want to see that. However, no village alone can tell them to stop."

Arido Kazudo then spoke, "Rock village has been weakened ever since the third war, and your village has been weak as a result of the third war and the nine-tails rampage. With Cloud's arrogance in mind, it is possible not even the two of us together can stop them."

Onoki then spoke, "No one said we were on the same side yet." Arido simply shrugged. "Anyways, I have been talking to Bear, Mountain, and Fang. They have agreed to support us. Have you gotten anything done yet?"

The Fire Shadow spoke up, "We have the support of Grass and River. Rice country chose to be neutral, and Frost supports Cloud. All these together should put enough pressure on lightning."

Onoki replied, "I don't know. A is an extremely arrogant man. He may think he can pull off what we did in the Third War."

When they managed to hold off two hidden villages along with several smaller villages that were focusing on them, along with skirmishes from another hidden village, and still be winning. It was quite impressive, how they managed to do it.

Onoki continued, "Why isn't Sand on board for this?"

Sarutobi replied, "Despite us having a paper that says were allies, they are not happy with us right now. The Wind Daiymo has been giving us many of the missions that would have been Sand's."

"The fool, he is going to get himself assassinated if he keeps it up." Sarutobi simply nodded. Onoki then continued, "Anyways, does Rock have the Leaf's support on putting pressure on Lighting and Cloud?"

Hiruzen smirked, and then said, "No, I believe it was does the Leaf have Rock's support."

The two leaders stared each other down for a moment before both spoke in at the same time, "I'll see you at the front lines."

Onoki then spoke up, "Have you heard of the Akatsuki?"

Saurtobi replied, "Yes, what of them?"

Onoki's reply, "Watch out for them. They're not to be trusted."

I want to prove that I can be good.

I'm scared.

How can I prove to them I'm good.

Won't they still hate me?

I need to prove to them I am good.

They will still hate me.

I want to be gone.

I want to be safe.

I want to be hidden.