A/N Yoho~

New chapter... BAM

Woo for the small bits of action :D

Anyway, please have fun reading.

~Chapter 5 - PHASE ONE: COMPLETE

"Gahk!" Hanzo didn't know where he had gone wrong. Everything had been planned out perfectly. He had a hostage and within moments he would've have been the sole ruler of Amegakure. If only that blonde wretch hadn't appeared, literally out of nowhere, with her bastard of a fox, and begun to ruin his perfect scheme. Instead he had watched as the monster destroyed his personal army, though half of the men were Danzo's Root which war hawk had happily lent. He shouldn't have gone down so easily, Hanzo reasoned with himself. If only he hadn't fallen for her taunting and collected himself enough to form a counterattack, even a retreat would have been better.

He was Hanzo of the Salamander, who had beaten the three legendary Sannin and had named them thus, how could he have fallen at the hands of this weak girl? Thin yet muscled arms, a flexible wrist and delicate fingers, all currently stabbed through his chest and most importantly, his heart.

"Raiton – Raikiri." Miyu whispered as the man slumped over. She withdrew her hand, not even blinking at the slick sounds and chunks of flesh that came with it, before letting him fall onto the floor. Looking carefully, a good half his body had already been burnt beyond recognition with little chance of ever being used again, and his mask had cracked in several places. She grabbed the chain beside her and pulled until the sickle end came into view, noting that the blade had also been poisoned.

Kit, I'm going to have to refill my energy reserves, She heard Kurama think somewhere in the distance, I'll be having lunch right now, if you don't mind. That's fine, she replied, but leave the ones that are still alive. She heard him give the mental equivalent of a nod before stalking off.

"Now, back to business." She held the blade to the dead man's throat before cutting cleanly through it, only struggling when she hit the spine. Preforming the necessary procedure she sealed Hanzo's head into a scroll, scavenging any remaining equipment with a wry smile, before leaving to find her next targets. She found all three by the bottom of the cliff, oblivious to the whole fight which had just ended. "Good evening." Miyu greeted, appearing next to them in a swirl of leaves. Instantly the two males were on red alert, Yahiko jumping up to defend, while Nagato protected the unconscious Konan.

"Who are you?" the de facto leader asked while holding up a kunai.

"Miyu." The blonde answered truthfully. If they ever did find her while she was in Konoha… well she would deal with it then, "But putting the questions aside for now, I think you would want your teammate awake." She clapped her hand twice and released a pulse of chakra, "Kai."

"Ngh?" Konan stirred before pushing herself up and blinking sleepily.

"Konan!" Her teammates exhaled in relief, happy she hadn't been harmed.

"Now all three of you are awake I'd personally like to congratulate you on your new leadership." She said with a small smile. It would help a lot if they weren't as hostile towards her since she didn't know if she could continue to battle. That being said she deactivated her eyes which had slowly but surely been draining away the lasts of her energy. "So Konan-san, I hope you're feeling ok."

"…Yes." The blue haired woman gave Miyu a curious glance, as wary as her teammates but grateful nonetheless, "…thank you very much for saving all of us."

"Do you know her?" Yahiko asked, surprised she was being so 'friendly'.

"No, this is also my first time meeting her." The woman replied monotonously. The group lapsed into a tense silence.

"Not that we are ungrateful," Yahiko worded his sentence carefully, to not offend the possible ally or enemy, "But, why did you…help us?"

"Theirs is something I wanted to discuss with Amegakure's leaders, but seeing as it was in the midst of a civil war I had the pleasure of choosing which side I would help. Whether you accept or not, I would rather you three in power than Hanzo either way." The blonde answered.

"Then what was it you wanted to discuss?" Nagato inquired. He felt unusually calmed, but rationalized against the feeling. He would remain on guard for as long as she had a chance of being a threat.

"The possible alliance between Ame and Konoha." Miyu answered bluntly.

"What! Are you out of your mind?" Yahiko exclaimed, "Didn't you see? Half of that army was from Konoha. Hell, the reason Ame is so bad off is because the previous war we had with Konohagakure!"

"Maa maa, let's calm down," She put her hands up in defence, "Putting the war aside, Konoha never sided with Hanzo. Shimura Danzo did. And I was here to fix that wasn't I?"

"So then you're a Konoha kunoichi." Konan deduced.

"I am," The absence of a hitai-ate made it hard for her to seem truthful.

"How do we know this isn't some ploy to get Ame under Konoha's control?" The red-haired male questioned doubtfully.

"If that was what I wanted I would have allowed Hanzo's victory." She answered, "After all, I'm sure that was what Danzo was planning."

"Then how would it be any different if we agree." Yahiko responded with distaste.

"Do you enjoy undervaluing yourself?" Miyu asked with a frown, "I find it hard that you think so little of your own skills that you'll fall under any influence. You even have the added warning. If you don't want to do something, then don't. You're not as easy to manipulate as Hanzo, believe in yourself a little."

"…" Yahiko stayed silent for lack of anything to say, "You…you really have some high opinions of us." He commented after a hesitation.

"Of course." Miyu stated.

"I don't think an alliance would be such a bad thing." Konan decided tentatively, trying to explain her reasoning to her shocked teammates, "Well, it's almost certain Konoha will agree, judging by her confidence, and if we're allies we will not have to face each other. I've heard enough rumours of Konoha's Yellow Flash and of some clans like the Hyuga and Uchiha to know we will not win another confrontation." She explained. Konan dutifully left out the three Sannin who ruled a large part of their minds regardless.

"How do you know Konoha will agree to this?" Yahiko asked, turning his attention back to the blonde, "From what I gather we're the ones who will be proposing this alliance. I assume the Hokage has no idea of it?" Miyu nodded.

"You're correct, but I can be certain because Konoha has nothing to lose here. You are aware of the Third Shinobi War between Konohagakure and Iwagakure, right? " She waited for their nods before continuing, "Well during this time of need Konoha will want all the allies it can get."

"Why would we be foolish enough to ally with them in a war?" Nagato questioned, "Ame doesn't have enough shinobi to spare against the likes of Suna and Iwa."

"You won't need to worry about that," She clarified, "I will provide them."

"How?" Yahiko wondered how this girl could easily get at least a hundred ninja ready in time.

"We have at least half an army of decent, already trained ninja, up on that cliff," The blonde shrugged as if it was no big deal, "I can fix their loyalties as well, which means you'll be able to keep some Root members and I assure you they are as strong as ordinary Anbu."

"How are you going to 'fix' their loyalties?" Nagato asked sceptically.

"I can put a seal on their bodies or hypnotize them with the Sharingan. Either way works."

"Then how do we know you haven't hypnotized Konan?" he challenged.

"You don't." She said seriously, "I didn't have to go through the trouble of saving her either, but I thought you'd appreciate it." It was the truth since she couldn't afford to expend any unnecessary energy.

"We do, so thank you for that." Yahiko spoke sincerely before grabbing his friend's attention, "And look Nagato, she doesn't look like she's under any influence." They both took a long while to stare at the rather stoic girl.

"I'm fine." The bluenette reassured.

Kit, I'm done. The demon stood atop the cliff, looking down at the four humans, what now? Come down here and I'll introduce you. He nodded and the fox nimble scaled the cliff edge, landing next to the group, his already red fur glistening with blood.

"Wha- A fox?!" Yahiko stepped away from the feral looking animal.

"This is my partner Kurama." Miyu introduced, "Don't worry, he would never attack a comrade." The three Ame shinobi heard the hidden warning in her words.

"This alliance," Yahiko began after an apprehensive silence, "Could we have time to think it over?"

"Three days," Miyu gave, "That's how long it will take to convert these ninja's and that is also roughly how long I'll be able to stay." He thought it over before nodding rather reluctantly.

Miyu whistled a cheery tune, lazily holding a crimson umbrella over her shoulder, while her free hand threw and caught a hefty bag of ryo, received from hunting down and turning in several small bounties in her free time. Beside her Nagato walked silently, with his own matching umbrella deflecting the light droplets of rain. Kurama was silent as he padded beside them in his shrunken form. The rain never proved a problem for the furred beast as his fur naturally remained warm and dry.

"…Do you mind if I ask you why you helped us?" The man finally asked, the question bothering him since her first appearance.

"What do you mean? Didn't I tell you guys before?" The blonde skipped on the spot, turning to face him in the middle of the desolate street. "I want an alliance with Ame for Konoha."

"I understand that," The redhead replied, "But why? We don't particularly have anything to offer. In fact you're the one providing the majority of the shinobi forces we will employ. What is your motive? Is there someone else you're working for?" He was troubled enough to show a deep frown which creased his otherwise young face.

"It's nothing as complex as that." Miyu waved off. She sent him a weary smile, and for the first time Nagato found something recognizable in her masked expression. "At one point it would have been my dream to unite the Elemental nations," She began wistfully, "No more wars, no massacres, genocides or manhunts."

"Then what changed?" He probed. It was a similar ideology the bound himself, Yahiko and Konan together.

"That was childish, don't you think? People are creatures of habit. We're greedy, prideful, all around sinful, and we're always getting into fights. We…can't help but hurt one another." Her companion nodded along thoughtfully, "I don't care, so much, for that anymore. Wars will continue to rage and good ninja will continue to die. As long as I can protect those precious to me I can be content. That is all I want."

"So?" His question remained unanswered.

"You may not believe it right now, but I count you three as one of my precious people," Miyu let out a smiled that lit up the dim surroundings.

"Why?" His brow lowered in concentration, "I don't believe any of us have ever met you before." He hadn't realised he had been watching her so intently until she twirled the umbrella in her hand, startling him with the spray of water. From there it was as if he had woken from a daze.

"Just a feeling then?" She answered vaguely, "Even though I said I'd be content with just being able to protect those dear to me, I do want to help others. Innocent lives shouldn't be lost, wars shouldn't even begin. I know with you three, that maybe a fourth war could be prevented." Nagato didn't comment on the fact that they were still in the midst of the Third Great Shinobi War. He let his mind linger on what had been said as they continued to walk back to the inn she currently stayed at.

"…You know," He began as his mind decided on an unrelated topic, "I've never heard of a blue-eyed Uchiha before…"

"So your answer?" Miyu asked, tilting her head to the side. These past few days they had been quite hospitable, providing adequate accommodation as well as a guide. Slowly but surely she had worked her way through Hanzo's leftover army, changing their allegiances to Ame's three new leaders. It wasn't that hard to convince them, after all with Hanzo dead what else could they do? The Root ninja's were a bit harder to work with. Their lack of emotions was hard for her to handle while manually taking off each of Danzo's seals took its toll. She was convinced they would follow Yahiko, Nagato and Konan simply because they didn't know how to do anything else.

"Here's a scroll with a request for an alliance," Yahiko tossed the document towards her which Kurama caught from his place on her shoulders. He was much less intimidating in his smaller form and apparently Konan was quite taken with him this way.

"Thanks, I promise you won't regret it." She nodded slightly in acknowledgement, "Konoha cherishes its allies, and if peace is what you're searching for, this is one step in the right direction."

"Yes, by helping in a war." He added rather sarcastically.

"It will end soon enough, probably within the next couple of months. You won't have to do much at all."

"I'll have to take your word for it." He eyed her sceptically but wouldn't argue. "Is it strange that sometimes I see you as an angel that fell from the sky to help us?" He chuckled faintly, "Though considering you destroyed an army and came along with a monster I should probably think of you as the angel of death." He shook his head to remove the ridiculous thought. "Nagato's a good judge of people, so if he believes you are somewhat trustworthy I'll have to as well. Konan doesn't seem to mind either, in fact she seems more at peace these days."

"I feel honoured." Miyu replied with a smile. It was nice to finally know what kind of guy Yahiko was and the same went for the two others who hadn't lost their friend. "If you ever come to Konoha I'll have to treat you to my famous stew, though you'll definitely be in store for a few surprises."

I'll enjoy hunting for you, Kurama purred drowsily. Miyu didn't blame him, knowing the reason for his tiredness, as she had him running all over Ame during their stay.

"Maybe I will, after I finish those." He pointed to the corner of the room where he had shoved stacks of growing papers. It looked like all leaders were doomed by the same curse.

"On a note of goodwill why don't I tell you a secret?" She leant in close to whisper into his ears. "Kagebushin."

Likewise when she met Sarutobi, disguised as an ambassador from Ame, she couldn't help but want to tell him the secret as well. And maybe she would… after he retired.

"So, Amegakure wishes for an alliance?" The Hokage asked, slightly astonished, as she handed him the scroll.

"Yes, we thought we could offer our help during the war. And better yet as comrades we would avoid conflict with each other." Miyu answered in the deep voice of a male.

"Hm." He read over it carefully, "I will think on it, but until then feel free to return to Ame. We will send our own envoy with the reply."

"Thank you." She bowed courteously before walking out the door. Now the next thing she would have to do is find her clone, which the fox should have tracked down by now.

Training ground 7 kit, he sent, right on time. Nodding to herself she meandered through the streets, slowly changing her disguise while in the crowd. First the headband became a similarly coloured bandana, then the flak jacket turned into a darker shaded vest, the pants were swapped for a coarser and cheaper pair and even her face changed to match her now civilian outlook. Stepping out she looked like an ordinary face you would never pay attention to. She dulled her presence and crept silently through the bushes near the appointed training ground. From her vantage point it looked like her clone was idly watching Minato train his students. Kurama was sitting beside her mindlessly scratching his ear with his hind leg. If only the other tailed beasts could see you now. She mocked, alerting him of her presence. He froze in response for a moment before giving a couple more satisfying scratches.

They would merely be jealous that I am, once again, free. He waited until Team Minato was sufficiently distracted before nosing her clone over to the bushes. A small poof of smoke and a couple of hand seals later she was back in her original form, filtering through her newly gained memories.

"Did you know that apparently training with Gai begins tomorrow? He seemed to have finished his laps already…" Her eyebrow quirked up in amusement, "While doing at least half of them on his hands..."

Your clone already told me. The academy will also be starting in a couple of days. Sarutobi has graciously placed you in the graduating class, most likely to see where your skill levels truly lie. While he spoke Miyu nodded along. His words corresponded with her apparent memories.

"I'm excited." She admitted with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Miyu!" Minato called, "What are you doing over in the bushes?"

"Nothing!" Miyu answered, skipping back to the group in time to see his rather harsh training. She slowed as she neared seeing the blonde jounin standing with one foot on each student's back as they did push-ups. It was quite comical too see him rise and sink as his students worked.

"Sensei… can we stop now?" Rin huffed falling behind. Kakashi seemed to rise a bit too fast for her which meant she ended up with the brunt of her teacher's weight.

"I was waiting for you to ask. You finished the required number a while back." Kakashi groaned at the revelation, while Minato smirked uncharacteristically.

I never knew the blonde idiot to be such a sadist. Kurama confessed with his partner nodding in agreement.

"I figured out a while back all senseis are somewhat strange." She muttered back.

"Would you like to join in?" The older jounin asked good-naturedly. Rin would have sent him an troubled look for suggesting such a thing, if only she weren't so tired.

"What should I do?" Miyu bounced on the balls of her feet, feeling strangely energized.

"Well, what can you do?" Minato cocked his head to the side in thought. "How about tree climbing?"

"I can do that." The younger girl answered confidently.

"Can you show us?" Kakashi pitched in, indicating to a moderately sized trunk. Miyu stared up and the tree, and began a slow run. She instantly felt something off when her left foot first touched the bark, letting out a soft sound she pressed onwards, and adjusted herself while she climbed. From where she sat on the branch and the team saw from the ground, her progress was obvious. This first footfall was too light, she seemed to have slipped, the second leaving a large dent in the broken bark, and then the rest slowly smoothing out as she regulated her chakra properly.

Horrendous, Kurama commented with a snort, your control's all over the place. Miyu ignored him and made the effort to walk down, this time the bark remained unmarred. To her audience it was obvious that she had regained the feel of her own body.

"…Good job." Minato praised, "I just hope that doesn't happen every time." He looked over at the deepest indentation which went through a good half of the tree.

"I should be alright from now." She replied, shaking out her legs, "My chakra just surprised me."

"How so?" Kakashi asked.

"The amount seemed a bit off." Miyu remained unease at her lowered capacity.

"I guess it can't be helped." Minato shrugged, "I was planning on doing some chakra training later on. You should join us, it will definitely help."

A/N Thanks for reading :D

To Ame and back! A brief trip in which important people were saved. You can bet the Ame trio will be coming into the story a lot later.

Forgot to put this in last time but, new Jutsu (Not really though...)

Name: Kagehenge (Shadow transformation)
Classification: Ninjutsu
Rank: C
Class: Supplementary
Range: -
Summary: A solid transformation which cannot be seen through. Naru created it by accident when using slightly different seals and too much chakra to perform a regular Henge. The newly transformed body reflects the old one, and once released there may be side effects, appearance wise.

(It's really just because I think Naru's Henge is more unique. You know, like being solid. So I made it into a whole new technique. It doesn't require that much charka but as of the moment she is the only one who can perform it since she's the only one who knows the hand seals and so on.)

Did I ever mention how much I love my reviewers? Almost as much as Ein from Cowboy Bebop (Best corgi ever!) As always I'll try to update quickly but rest assured, it should never take longer than a week :D