Chapter 28
Naruto and the others got onto another one of Naruto's summons and were soon on their way to the Fire Nation. Flying along they kept their eyes open alert for any attack. Miles of sand disappeared passed along bellow them. The Sand Village soon passed by, before vanishing along behind them in the distance as well.
"Where is Annabel anyway," Yugito asked.
"Not completely sure, she was headed towards the Leaf Village, based on a weird sense," Naruto said.
"We might want to hurry then, I doubt the Leaf Village will be to kind to her when they realize she is part of our group," Hinata said.
"I know," Naruto said, "but I did not have much of a choice as finding Gaara was kind of more important. Besides I don't think leaf Ninja will attack her just for finding out she is related to us, so she should be safe enough till we reach her," Naruto said, before almost whispering, "At least I hope so."
They continued flying as the Land of Fire came into view. Naruto at this point began keeping a closer look out any sign of his summon or Annabel. But as they got closer and closer to the Leaf Village Naruto and the others began to wonder just where Annabel had gone. Finally they were within easy site of the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Naruto, do you think we should land?" Yugito asked after a little while.
"Unfortunately I am still banished from the village, so landing would be a very bad idea," Naruto said.
"But we have to check the village for her," Yugito said.
"Yes I know, and the only one who can safely land and talk with the current Hokage," Naruto said after a few moments thought.
"Where should I land," Yugito said.
"At the Hokage's tower, and we will stay circling around the outer edge of the village. With any luck no one should attack you, if they do, then we retreat and come up with another plan," Naruto said.
"Okay, but I will get you if this turns out badly," Yugito said before direction her ride down towards the Hokage's Tower.
"Okay," Naruto said before directing his and Hinata's Pokémon away from the village.
Naruto could see there were already gained some attention just by being in the same Leaf Village airspace. Thankfully for them Yugito was able to land without much of a problem. Yugito did not dismiss her Pokémon and they went down into the Tower. And within moments she was standing before the Hokage.
"Well hello," Tsunade said, looking up as Yugito entered into the office.
"I am sorry for not checking in by the normal means, but my friends and myself are in a little bit of a hurry. My name is Yugito, and I work with Naruto," Yugito said.
"I see, that is interesting. So might I ask why you are here?" Tsunade said.
"I am checking to see if one of or friends, Annabel, has stopped by or has been taken prisoner on her as her line of travel was taking her towards the Leaf Village," Yugito said.
"I cannot say I have seen her, but…" Tsunade stopped as a few Chunin and Jonin entered into the room ready to attack Yugito.
"Well this might turn ugly, Hokage-sama if you would, could you call off your ninja before I show them just how an idea that would really be," Yugito said, looking about the ninja, not in the slightest bit worried in spite the showing of force around her.
"Hokage-sama what is this women doing here," one of the Jonin asked.
"Just is stopping by to talk, and there is no need for your help. Now please leave before she decides to trash you and my office," Tsunade said, in a rather bored tone.
"But Hokage-sama," One of the Jonin said confused.
"She is the container of the two tailed cat, a fight with her will only end in your death now leave," Tsunade said, glaring at the group present.
The Ninja hesitated for a few moments before finally leaving the room. Tsunade sighed happily at this, she knew the Ninja of this village meant well but sometimes they did not always think things through.
"Good, now as to my question, do you know anything about Annabel," Yugito asked again.
"While I have not heard anything about her personally. I do know a creature similar to the one you flew over the village an earlier today. After reaching the village it remained for a few moments before finally heading out towards the Valley of the End. I also know none of my ninja had any contact, that I know of, outside seeing it flying overhead," Tsunade said.
"I see, thank you for your help," Yugito said, before turning to leave.
"One moment, I answered one of your questions would you like to answer one of mine?" Tsunade said.
"What might that be," Yugito asked, turning back towards Tsunade.
"I know you're group is rather smart and you do what you can to avoid this country. So why are you back in the Land of Fire?" Tsunade asked.
"We were given a mission to remove a threat, known to you as the Akatsuki. We were looking for the holder of the One Tailed Beast, Gaara, who had been taken by the Akatsuki. But Annabel sense something off in the Land of Fire. After removing two of its members we came back to find Annabel, and that meant coming here," Yugito said.
"Remove two of its members?" Tsunade said in surprise.
"Yes, it was by luck more than anything," Yugito said after a few moments.
"I see, I shall let you be off then. I am sure more than a few people would like to grab Hinata if you're remained around much longer," Tsunade said.
"Of course," Yugito said heading back to the roof.
Yugito was soon back in the air on her Pokémon's back. Joining back up with Naruto and Hinata she directed them in the direction that Tsunade had told them. With them they took off towards the direction of the valley. As they drew closer to the valley they all began sensing something. It was a powerful force unlike any they had felt before.
But as they got close enough to see the Valley itself, they were able to spot Annabel standing at its edge. Landing quickly they ran over calling her name.
Annabel smiled seeing them, "Hi again. Did everything work out?"
"Yes it did, two people dead, only a few more to go," Naruto said.
"That is good," Annabel said turning back towards the valley.
"So this feeling of power is what you sense," Naruto said after a few minutes.
"Yes, it is massive," Annabel said.
"Do you have any clue as to its source," Naruto asked.
"I have narrowed the location to the beginning of the Valley were the two statues were built, but I don't really have the means to explore this place like I want to. So I kind of been waiting for you three to show up," Annabel said pointing.
Naruto looked and saw to massive statues built as the Valleys edge. One of Madara Uchiha, and the First Hokage the founders of the Hidden Leaf Village. Between them a massive water fall fell to the valleys floor where a lake had formed, before flowing out of the valley a few miles away.
"Well since we are here let's look then," Naruto said.
Annabel nodded but before they could move to explore the area around the waterfall. The Energy filling the place began to shift and move. The waterfall parted and soon it was revealed to be a giant cave, and out of it walked a creature that dwarfed any of the tailed beasts Naruto had seen, even the Ninetails sealed inside him was smaller than this creature.
It stood easily fifty or sixty feet higher than the tailed beast Naruto had fought a few years back, and stood only thirty or twenty feet about the Ninetails full height. Its main body was that of a normal fox's as were is hind legs, but its arms and paws looked to be that of a humans. Its head was that of normal fox with black markings around it, and behind it moved about nine massive tails, that seemed to outsize even their owner.
"That is the real Kyuubi," Naruto said in awe, and fear as the creature turned towards them. Naruto's only question now, just how was this meeting going to turn out.