Author's note – Kishimoto Masashi owns Naruto while Guyver is written by Yoshiki Takaya.
I make no claim to either, I am merely playing in their sandboxes.

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Chapter Forty-Seven

Honored Guests

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"Uzukage-sama." Naruto said with a slight bow even as he hovered a few feet from the edge of the cliff. "You asked for our aid, we are here."

Danzo took the opportunity to look at both Guyvers. Naruto, he had seen before and the armour was unchanged, but the second Guyver's armour was notably different, the most obvious physical difference (aside from the gender) being the lack of the raised collar that protected Naruto's neck.

"I am honoured to see you and your second fiancee, Yamanaka Ino." Danzo said in greeting, noting with satisfaction how both figures tensed at the demonstration of his knowledge. "May I present my bodyguard for the period of the finals, Suchīrukuran Taroku. His son is participating in the finals."

The tall man with the pale-blond hair bowed at the mention of his name, his hand resting just below the head of the weapon he carried.

Naruto stared at the weapon. The two-meter-tall polearm boasted a large axeblade on the leading edge, while three rows of spikes adorned the other side. At the top, a sharp point showed that it could be used to stab as well as slash.

"Taoku is currently carrying all of our luggage." Danzo added as Taroku pressed the leather bracer on his left arm against the polearm, causing the weapon to vanish in a puff of chakra-smoke. "Do you need any refreshment before we depart?"

"We're good." Ino stated. #Naruto, how do we do this? I've never carried an adult before!#

Naruto gave Ino a reassuring nod and emotion-pulse, then turned back to Danzo.

"Because of the distance we must travel, it would be easier for you to ride on our backs." Naruto said and Danzo nodded.

"I understand. I look forwards to seeing Konoha from the skies. I have occasionally wondered what the Hokage Monument looks like from above."

Naruto drifted forwards, stepping onto the cliff edge and Ino followed suit.

"So… how do we do this?" Danzo asked, showing some hesitation.

"Kakashi-senpai used to wrap his arms around my shoulders for take-off." Naruto said with a small shrug. "Once we were flying, he tended to read one of those books of his."

"Ah, Icha Icha." Danzo realized. "I personally do not see the the attraction of them."

"I have the full set." Taroku grinned, then he glanced at Danzo and promptly went silent.

"Jiraiya is at Konoha." Naruto said, watching Taroku's reaction. "I feel certain that he would sign your books if you asked."

Taroku promptly gave Danzo a pleading look and the older man sighed. "Fine, but only once we have met up with Honoka and Team Terai."

Taroku grinned hugely and Naruto half-turned to present his back to Danzo, crouching slightly. Danzo took his cue and wrapped his arms around Naruto's collar while Ino and Taroku took a similar pose. Leaning forwards, Naruto slowly rose into the air, ensuring that Danzo didn't slip off.

"Impressive." Danzo said with an approving nod. "I almost wish I could have seen the Tsuchikage's reaction when he learned that he is no longer the only ninja who can fly unaided."

Naruto smoothly accelerated, ensuring that he was as flat as possible in order to support his passenger and Ino fell into position behind and to one side of him.

"This is AWESOME!" Taroku shouted.

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Honoka adjusted the edge of her kimono again and Hiruzen gaze her a reassuring smile.

"You look lovely, Honoka-chan. You don't need to worry."

Honoka blushed and quickly turned to look over the railing and out across Konoha before her gaze rose once more to the skies.

"They should be entering view shortly." Hinata supplied from where she was waiting by the door leading down into the tower itself. "Ino reports that they can see the Monument."

"There!" Honoka exclaimed, pointing and Hiruzen followed her gaze.

"I see them." He agreed. "It will be… interesting to meet my old rival again. I wonder how the burdens of leadership have affected him…"

All three shinobi went silent, then Honoka blinked.

"What… the… hell?" She finally managed as the sound of laughter and cheering reached them.

"Whabuhuh?" Hiruzen stammered, then he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, re-centering himself as the two Guyver-users and their passengers swooped down, coming to a gentle halt in front of him.

"What a rush!" Danzo exulted as he stepped away from Naruto. "Hiruzen, you have to try that, it was amazing!"

Hiruzen stared blankly at Danzo, then turned to look at Naruto, who had shed his armour.

"Are you certain that this is Danzo?" He asked plaintively.

Danzo glared at the Hokage, but the twitching of his lips betrayed his attempt to look stern.

"I'm sure, Jiji." Naruto shrugged. "He just… really likes flying."

"Honoka!" Danzo called to the shocked ambassador. "After the finals are over, your next task is to create a flying machine!"

"errr… hai?"

"I haven't enjoyed myself like that since I was a genin." Danzo said with a smile on his face. "Hello, old friend."

"Danzo." Hiruzen said, still staring at the Uzukage in bemusement. "I can't remember the last time I saw you like this…"

"With both eyes?"

"…no, happy."

Danzo blinked several times as he processed what Hiruzen had said, then he nodded.

"True. My sense of duty has driven me for decades. Today has actually been the first day when I was in a situation where I couldn't actually do much other than watch what was happening." Danzo shrugged. "I may have… let it get to me a bit too much. On the other hand, I've never felt so… energised. I think I finally understand why my old sensei kept telling me not to be so serious. It is quite… invigorating."

"I have always found it to be so." Hiruzen agreed.

"You had an advantage." Danzo riposted. "You had the Monkeys to help you and their greatest warrior was the Kami of mischief. I had the Tapirs and they devour dreams and strong emotions… Where did Naruto and Ino go? And the Hyuuga who was here?"

"They departed while you were telling me to build a flying machine, Uzukage-sama." Honoka said with a bow and Danzo blinked.

"I must be getting old."

"You are old." Hiruzen smirked, then he sighed. "And so am I."

Both men went silent in mutual contemplation.

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"That was weird." Ino said as she, Hinata and Naruto headed back to their home. "I always heard that Danzo was always self-controlled and virtually emotionless… for him to react like that…"

"It's like he never flew before." Naruto joked and Ino slapped his arm.

"You moron." She laughed. "We're the first ones to truly fly."

"The Tsuchikage can apparently fly." Naruto pointed out, then he caught Hinata's pensive expression. "Hinata-chan…?"

"I remember reading that there was once a minor hidden village comprised of shinobi who could fly…" Hinata said slowly. "They participated in the Second Shinobi War, but I can't remember any details about them… they were from somewhere known as the Land of the Sky…"

"But they're gone, right?" Ino asked. "Then again, with us three and Fu to defend Konoha, it's not like they could be a threat to us… right?"

"Probably not." Naruto agreed. "As long as they don't have the same armour that we do."

Both Kunoichi exchanged glances, then Ino dope-slapped her fiancee.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Tempting fate!"

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"Konoha." Rasa stated as the gates loomed into view, the morning sun illuminating them.

"Yes, Kazekage-sama." Isago agreed from Rasa's left while on the Kazekage's right, Maki simply glanced at the older shinobi, then nervously adjusted the hitai-ate around her neck.

The trio marched up to the front gate and the Kazekage turned to face the two chunin in the watch-shed at the side of the road.

"We are expected."

"You are." A voice agreed and a masked Anbu with gravity-defying silver hair dropped out of nowhere to land in front of them. "The Hokage is expecting you. If you will follow me?"

Rasa nodded and stepped forwards, not sparing a single glance at his two escorts. The two chunin watched the group enter Konoha, then turned their attention back to the Shogi board below the counter.

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"Hiruzen." Rasa said with a slight nod to the old man behind the desk, then he glanced at the other person in the office.

"Rasa." Hiruzen replied with an identical nod. "Allow me to introduce you to our ally, the Shodai Uzukage, Shimura Danzo. Danzo-san, I am certain that you recognise the Yondaime Kazekage, Rasa."

"It is an honour to meet you." Danzo said with a nod only fractionally deeper than the ones that Hiruzen and Rasa had exchanged.

"So, the rumours of Uzushiogakure's resurrection are indeed true." Rasa said as he sat down without waiting for Hiruzen to offer him a seat. "But do you have the strength to remain intact? After all, Uzushiogakure has fallen once already."

Danzo scowled briefly at the reminder, then regained his composure even as Hiruzen smirked.

"That was before the Guyver."

"The what?" Rasa and Danzo chorused before glaring at each other.

"Naruto's armour!" Danzo realized and Hiruzen nodded.

"Indeed. We can have the first wave of reinforcements to Uzushiogakure within half a day of being notified." He stated. "And with the methods that Uzushiogakure are developing to aid in real-time communications, reinforcements will soon be able to be dispatched within moments of an enemy force being detected."

Rasa blinked. "I… see. I may have been too hasty in my judgement."

Both Hiruzen and Danzo were very careful to not smirk.

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"I wonder what they're talking about in there." Maki wondered, glancing at the door and Isago sighed.

"I know that you're new to your rank, but you should know by now, you don't try to find out anything that the Kazekage doesn't want you to know. If he wants us to know something, he'll tell us."

Maki slowly nodded, then jumped to attention as the door opened.

"Come." Rasa barked to the duo. "It is time for me to meet my son."

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"Konoha." Terumi Mei noted with a smirk. "At last."

"Yes, Mizukage-sama." Ao agreed, glancing ahead at the gates that were illuminated by the setting sun. "I still would have preferred to not be the only guard you have."

"Pish." Mei scoffed. "Zabu-kun's here, so he can help, as well as that fish-hatted genin of his. That's three, so there's no need to worry."

"Yes, Mizukage-sama." Ao sighed in defeat. "You know, I would have expected us to have been intercepted by someone by now."

"But Fu is here." A new voice said and both Kirigakure ninja leapt away from the new person, dropping into defensive stances. The green-haired kunoichi in the winged armour simply gave them a curious look.

"Fu saw you coming." She explained with a shrug. "Fu was doing patrol, so Fu came to see who you we-erk!"

The Jinchuuriki found herself caught up in a crushing hug, her face jammed into the bosom of the older woman.

"She's so cute!" Mei half-squealed. "I wonder if the old monkey will let me take her home with me!"

"I would prefer it if you didn't steal my shinobi." Hiruzen chuckled from behind them and Mei released Fu. As the younger girl collapsed to her knees gasping for air, Mei turned to smile at Hiruzen as if her previous actions hadn't happened.

"Good evening, Hokage-sama." She said with a gracious smile and slight bow. "I am honoured that you chose to come and escort me."

"It is an equal honour to have you here." Hiruzen replied courteously. "Perhaps you will do this old man a favour and let me treat you to a meal some time. It has been a long time since I have had a meal with such a beautiful lady."

Mei blushed slightly, then elbowed her companion.

"Pay attention." She hissed.

Ao gave her a disbelieving look.