Itachi's Return
I was called to Minato's office and I was excited. I heard rumors that do to the lack of ninjas Minato is going to go ahead and promote those that have been chosen with the best results from the finals even after one round.
Also news been going around that apparently Orochimaru killed the real fourth Kazekage before the chuunin exams and cause of it a new treaty was written that will save the sand village from any problems, other than paying for their half of the damage.
I took my scooter strait to the office and came in to see Neji, Shino, Shikamaru, Gai, Kurenai, Kakashi, Asuma, Kushina, Jiraiya, Genma, Hayate, Anko, Ibiki, and other proctors from the exam.
"Since our ninja strength has been cut do to some losses, I talked to the proctors of the exam and the council members and decided who is best to be promoted not just from the exam but from witnesses during the attack," Minato said.
Everyone was quiet at the moment, although it was kind of obvious who was promoted there's only 4 of us from the leaf here.
"Shikamaru Nara, you showed strategic tatics during your match and when your team was being fallowed you stayed behind to be their decoy. Although you didn't beat the sound ninjas, your sensei told me you did capture them in your shadow possession Jutsu," Minato said, "In results we agreed to promote you to Chuunin."
Genma handed Shikamaru his vest. Shikamaru yawned in response as he took it.
"Shino Aburame, although you were no where in the battle you still showed skills and tactics beyond your rank," Minato said, "Thus you'll be promoted to Chuunin."
Shino accepted his vest without saying a word.
"Neji Hyuga, during the match you did take down your opponent, but what really got our attention is during the battle you didn't step into someone else's fight and showed self restraint, and when it was over made sure that your team leader knew. In the world of shinobies its important when to know to get involved in someone's fight, when to step back, and also to make sure everyone in their team knows when a mission is done or not," Minato said, "In results you're promoted to Chuunin."
Neji took his vest but didn't say anything.
I was left out of the four of us.
"Naruto Uzumaki, you showed restraint in your match by not killing Temari. You led a team in an A-rank mission with only one other person than yourself having experience in one. You made sure everyone was safe at the same time made sure the other two sand ninjas from interfering. You only been in this village for over 5 months and yet you showed loyalty to this village, to your teammates, and most importantly yourself. A ninja must be able to be loyal to his village, to everyone around him/her, and to their teammates, and themselves," Minato said, "In results you're promoted to Chuunin."
I accepted my vest with my fox like grin.
Kakashi smiled under his mask as even though he trained Sasuke to master the Chidori, he was happy that at least I was promoted.
Days later things settled down as I now worn my vest over my shirt. I kept some of my scrolls in the pockets.
Minato called Jiriaya to his office once more.
"I want you to go find Tsunade and ask her to come home," Minato said.
"It has to do with Orochimaru?" Jiriaya asked.
"Yeah, as you know his arms are useless right now, but if he get Tsunade to heal them, he'll most likely will try and attack again, and come after me, and after hearing about the revival jutsu, he'll probably use it to get to Tsunade through Dan and Nawaki," Minato said, "Even if she denies coming home, if we can talk some sense into her. Then maybe we can delay us some time to recover."
"Okay, but I want only the Nine-tail's son with me for this mission," Jiriaya said.
"That's okay, oh and give her this when you think you can," Minato said handing him an envelope, "It's plans on a medical training program for academy students and any Genins that would want to learn it."
"I get it, if she agrees to come home then it'll be a welcome home present but if she doesn't at least she'll get the satisfaction to know here her wish for having medical ninjas on the teams
Meanwhile a guy that look like an older version of Sasuke except his hair was flat and long, and a guy that look like half man half shark with a giant sword wrapped in bandages, both wearing black cloaks with red clouds and hats covering their headbands except for one of them was wearing a leaf head band while the other was wearing a mist head band but both has slashes down the center was having tea at a shop.
Kakashi was watching them with wander. Then he noticed Kurenai and Asuma heading his way.
"What are you doing here?" Asuma asked.
"I'm waiting for Sasuke, he's been in a little bad mood since Naruto was promoted and he wasn't," Kakashi said.
"I can't blame him, both were in the finals and showed great skills, but when it came to what happened during the attack, Naruto showed more promise than him," Kurenai said, "Shino been in a mood as well since he was the only one of the four to be promoted and couldn't do anything during the attack."
"I think that been going around," Asuma responded.
Kakashi agreed as he heard that Lee been working twice as hard to beat Neji since Shino was promoted after loosing to him.
"Kakashi-sensei you're actually here in time," Sasuke said as he arrived.
"I come on time occasionally," Kakashi responded.
They noticed that the two figures from before were gone.
Asuma and Kurenai left as well as Kakashi dealt with Sasuke.
Meanwhile I stopped by at Ichiraku after cleaning my scooter. Jiriaya found me there since it was standing outside.
"Purvey sage," I responded.
"Hey Naruto, I got some news, we have a mission together," Jiriaya said, "One where that famous sense of smell of yours is going to come in handy."
Near a river the two figures headed down and was stopped by Kurenai and Asuma.
"It been along time Asuma Kurenai," the one with the leaf headband said. He took off his hat up revealing his Sharingan eye.
"No doubt its you Itachi Uchiha," Asuma responded to him.
"Since you know Itachi I tell you my name," the other one said taking off his hat, "My name is Kisame Hoshigaki."
"Kisame Hoshigaki suspected murderer of the Feudal Lord," Kurenai said.
"You both have guts for coming to the leaf," Asuma said, "Especially you Itachi."
"Don't interfere, I don't want to kill you two," Itachi said.
"For someone who betrayed his comrades that's some talk," Asuma said.
"I'll kill that annoying guy then," Kisame said grabbing his sword.
He went to attack but Asuma blocked it with his chakra blades. Kurenai made handsigns and made it look like she disappeared through Genjutsu.
Kisame had his sword break through its wrappings revealing to be a sword made out of Shark scales that rip through Asuma's arm.
That when a tree bind around Itachi and Kurenai appeared as if part of the tree. However Itachi reversed it causing Kurenai to be entangled in her own Genjutsu.
Kurenai broke the Genjutsu and dodge Itachi's attacks.
Kisame went into the water and made some handsigns. "Water style: Shark missle jutsu!" Kisame shouted sending a blast of water in a form of a shark at them. Kakashi arrived and counter attack just in time with his Sharingan. Meanwhile a shadow clone has Itachi pinned.
Kakashi prepared for the worst as Itachi looked at him.
"Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki," Kakashi said.
"I'm honor that you know my name, I know about your little battle against Zabuza not once but twice, so I've been hopping to see you, copy ninja Kakashi Hatake," Kisame said.
"Kisame, no, it'll take to long if you fight him, and we'll loose our target," Itachi warned.
"You're looking for the Nine-tail's legacy aren't you?" Kakashi asked.
Itachi threw some shurikans but Kakashi performed a jutsu that cause the water to build up as a shield. Surprisingly Itachi preformed a shadow clone and stabbed Kakashi from behind. Kakashi turned into water revealing to be a water clone.
Kakashi pushed Kurenai out of the way as both were shadow clones.
"Becareful guys, he became Anbu captain at 13, and has a record," Kakashi said.
Itachi closed his eyes and was to open them revealing that his Sharingan was in a different Shape.
"Kurenai Asuma close your eyes," Kakashi ordered closing his normal eye. They did so not sure what will happened.
"I hate to tell you this Kakashi, that although your Sharingan protects you from a regular dojutsu, this one requires a Sharingan and blood," Itachi said.
Kakashi found himself in an illusion where Itachi started stabbing him for what felt like three days. But when it was over only a second passed and Kakashi collapsed.
Kakashi remember back when he first saw Jiriaya. He warned him that Naruto might be hunted as the new Nine-tail Fox, since his father was killed.
"You're after Naruto, because of his birthright," Kakashi said.
"Birthright?" Asuma responded.
"That's right, since the day his father died, Naruto became the new nine-tail fox," Itachi responded, "Kisame lets take Kakashi and destroy the other two."
Kisame went to attack Kurenai and Asuma but all of the sudden Gai jumped out of no where and kicked Kisame away.
"Good thing the fourth Hokage send me to watch on these two," Gai said.
Kakashi collapsed unconscious at that moment, glad to hear that Minato send them backup and Gai of all people who knows how to handle the Sharingan because of their ridiculous rivalry.
"Asuma Kurenai you can open your eyes but only look at his legs," Gai instructed, "Its tricky but if you do that you might be able to read his movements that way."
"Okay," they responded opening their eyes.
"Good now Kurenai take Kakashi to the medical center and make sure the fourth Hokage knows what happened," Gai explained handing Kakashi to her.
However Itachi and Kisame already left knowing it was pointless at the time.
Meanwhile I was packing up and getting my scooter ready. I don't know why but the purvey sage said I'm going to need my wheels. I wander if he even have his own set of wheels. I rode to the entrance where Jiriaya was waiting with his motorbike.
"Wait what?" I responded.
"You didn't think you were the only one with wheels did you?" Jiriaya asked.
"Naruto, sensei," Minato called as he and Kushina arrived.
"Lord Hokage," I responded.
"There's been a slight change of plans," Minato said, "Sensei I need to tell you something."
The two headed off to talk.
"I see, so we need to get Tsunade back immediately," Jiriaya said.
"That's right, but unless they come for him, don't tell Naruto about them," Minato said referring to Itachi and Kisame. Unfortunately he only knew about the two arrival and haven't been informed about Kakashi yet, but Minato didn't want to take it lightly.
"Don't worry we'll track her," Jiriaya said.
Jiriaya turned to me as I was waiting for him. "Come on Naruto we got a long trip ahead of us.
We drove off to the next town.
We stopped at a rest stop after a bit.
"So when does my sense of smell comes in?" I asked.
"When we get an idea where she might be at, then I'll give you something that use to belong to her and track her that way," Jiriaya explained, "But first we need to shake Itachi."
"Okay," I responded.
At the leaf Sakura was thinking of a way to thank me when I got back.
Meanwhile Minato got news and was in the medical room with Gai Kurenai and Asuma.
"I just send Jiriaya-sensei and Naruto to find Tsunade in hopes we can get to her before Orochimaru does," Minato explained, "But now that we know what we're up against, I'm worried about Naruto."
"Maybe we should send a backup team to go with them," Asuma said.
"They took their wheels with them didn't they?" Gai asked.
Minato nodded as he knew that was the problem. Suddenly Sasuke came in and everyone was silent until another ninja came in. "Hey is it true Itachi came back and is after Naruto?" He asked.
"Idiot," Gai responded.
Sasuke ran off at high speed to me.
"Gai go keep an eye on Sasuke, if he leaves the village assemble your team and go after him," Minato ordered, "That's your mission, and hope for the best."
"Right, on my way," Gai said leaving.
Sasuke found out that I was already gone with Jiriaya and he headed out.
Meanwhile Jiriaya and I parked our vehicles and stayed at a hotel. Jiriaya saw a woman walking by and decided to act.
"Naruto here's the key to the room, go there and practice controlling your chakra for now," Jiriaya said before leaving.
At the room I practice gathering chakra while hanging down from a overhead light by my tail.
Sasuke made it to the town we were in and started looking for my scooter.
There was a knock and I jump and landed on my feet. I walked to the door but stopped as I smell two unfamiliar scents.
I opened the door cautiously to see Itachi staring at me that I didn't recognize.
"Naruto Uzumaki I need you to come with me," he said.
I could sense trouble just by looking at his eyes.
I diverted from his eyes not wanting to keep eye contact.
"We should go ahead and cut off his legs so he won't run away," Kisame said grabbing his sword.
Just then I smell Sasuke scent.
"It been a long time Sasuke," Itachi said.
Sasuke was behind him ready to go.
"Itachi, I will kill you," Sasuke told Itachi as he formed the Chidori to attack. He ran strait at Itachi for a jab. Itachi grabbed Sasuke's hand stopping the attack and broke his arm.
I decided I needed to prepare. I took out my scroll bit down and made the hand sign. I transformed into my true form as Itachi and Kisame turned toward me as my tails slash around.
Kisame was about to attack me when a toad appeared and blocked it.
"You don't know me real well, I come to the women they don't come to me," Jiriaya said.
I started at him as I knew he fell for the trap in the beginning.
"You guys wanted to draw me away from Naruto for his heritage but you failed," Jiriaya said putting the girl he was carrying down.
"My heritage," I thought.
"You're after the power born in Naruto," Jiriaya finished.
"That's right, our orders were to abduct Naruto," Itachi said.
I was surprised but started growling at them.
The toad disappeared and I got ready to attack.
"You won't get Naruto, because you're going to die by our hands," Jiriaya said.
"Don't do it," Sasuke said.
I turned to my teammate who got up.
"This guy is mine," Sasuke said.
Itachi kicked Sasuke into the wall stopping him.
"You'll pay for that," I growled.
"Naruto I said stay out of it," Sasuke said.
He went to attack again but Itachi knock him out. Then Itachi did something that cause Sasuke to scream and pass out.
I started running at Itachi going to Sasuke's aid with Kisame hot on my trail.
Jiriaya made some hand signs and slam his hands on the ground. Just then the room turned into some kind of muscles around me.
Sasuke was pulled into the muscle.
"Ninja art: Mountain Toad Trap Jutsu!" Jiriaya said, "Naruto stay still if you don't want to be caught in the jutsu."
"Okay," I responded.
Itachi and Kisame started running away as we fallowed. There was an explosion and when we look there was a whole and black flames.
Jiriaya sealed the flames before letting Sasuke go.
I transform back to my human form since it was useless.
Just then Gai and Lee jumped in with a dynamic entry.
"Gai-sensei? Lee?" I asked.
"Was that necessary?" Tenten asked as she and Neji came in the other way.
"Neji Tenten," I responded.
"What are you guys doing here?" Jiriaya asked.
"Lord Hokage asked us to keep an eye on Sasuke after Itachi fought against Kakashi," Gai explained, "And by the looks of it Itachi did the same thing to Sasuke that he did to Kakashi."
I was shock to hear it as I look at Sasuke.
"Only one person has the medical skills to heal Kakashi and Sasuke mentally, and fortunate Minato was asked us to hunt her down before Orochimaru does before we found out about Itachi," Jiriaya said, "The legendary sucker herself, Tsunade"
Else where a lady that was suppose to be in her 50's and yet look younger than that was set to gamble as her assistant was shock to find out. Soon I will get to know her as Tsunade.
A/N: I didn't want to separate the appearance of Itachi and Kisame. I called it Itachi's Return since even though its his first appearance when it comes to the story line it is his return.
Next Time: Wait we're looking for Tsunade? Well if she can heal Sasuke and Kakashi then that's okay. I just hope she'll agree to come back. What get's me is we have to get to her before Orochimaru. If not, talk some sense into her. How will it turned out? Read To Find out...