A/N: Let's be honest; you're getting spoiled silly here. Another chapter this soon?! And what's that, we could have another by the end of the weekend? Retribution you rock! Yes, yes, I know. Please, hold the applause. Summer break rules, and since I've been chomping at the bit for this arc there's strong possibility the updates will fly at you. So hang on because I promise you, you're not prepared for what I have in store.

Chapter 50: Going for a Walk

"I think I have something," Shikamaru said.

Everyone in the Control Room stopped and looked up from what they were doing. They'd worked for five hours with stops only to use the bathroom or raided the database of every possible piece of information they thought could help. Currently the room resembled a paper factory.

"You have a plan," Naruto asked.

"Part of a plan."

"Part of a plan," Shino said.

"An idea of a plan."

"Now it's an idea," Sai said.

Shikamaru scowled. He knew they were doing it on purpose, more than likely because they were enjoying the momentary lapse from work. "Would you like to hear my plan or not?"

"Yes," Naruto said rubbing his eyes and sitting back in his chair. "We'd like to hear your idea of a plan of something you think you might have."

Giggles from Hinata and Karin filled the room along with a snort from Renge.

Shikamaru gave up, "Sai, are you registered in the Village records?"

"I'm in the family registry as an Uzumaki, but in the Ninja registry I'm either most likely not there or under my first name."

Shikamaru nodded, "That's going to be the most delicate part, but I think I can work around that. Do you still have the profiles on the Hyuuga rebels?"

Sai pressed a few seals on the table and hundreds of tiny pictures appeared like a brick wall, "Take your pick."

"Shino, of these rebels, who are the most steadfast supporters of the movement that wouldn't be deemed as completely radical?"

Shino was silent for a moment as his mind churned through hundreds of names and faces, histories and character profiles, until his fingers began moving. Within seconds he narrowed the list of names from 688 to twenty. "These men are the ones who believed what they were doing was justified though felt regret in having to do so."

Shikamaru turned to Hinata. "I need you to send a message to your father. Tell him I'd like for him to publicly disown them from the clan and have them dishonorably discharged from Konoha's services."

Hinata's eyes widened, "You want to disown them from my family?"

"If they're no longer ninja then they're just highly trained civilians who can go where ever they please," Shikamaru said. "The Raikage ordered a cease and desist on all ninja activity; he didn't say anything about civilians."

"But…they'd be separated from their families."

"I understand that, but they'd already be getting a second chance wouldn't they? Twenty men giving up their clan name for the sake of another's life—wouldn't that be fair?"

Hinata hesitated, but Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder. "Trust him, Hime. Trust him like I do."

Hinata's lips disappeared and her eyes began to water, but she nodded her head. "Very well, I will return to the compound and arrange for these men to be escorted here."

Everyone blinked and Shino was the first to recover. "Hinata, shouldn't you talk to your father first?"

"He already has ordered me to begin the process of taking over the clan." Hinata leveled a look at Shikamaru, "Do not make my first decision as the Hyuuga clan head a disaster."

Shikamaru swallowed and nodded.

"Then I shall take my leave," Hinata said nodding to the rest of them.

Shikamaru turned back to Sai, "When is the Cloud team moving out?"

"First thing in the morning. So most likely at 7:45 when the gates open."

Shikamaru glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's a little after midnight now, that gives you time to quickly pack your things and get some sleep." He then turned to Jihibiki. "This is a stretch, but do you happen to know a barrier seal that can cut off and purge all living life forms?"

"Yes," Jihibiki blinked. "Two separate seals come to mind."

"Can you combine them?"

"Of course."

"Can you do it before 7:45?"

Jihibiki's eyes shot wide, "Let's go Uzumakis, we've got a first floor to empty!"

Renge groaned and Karin cracked her knuckles with an excited grin. As they all began to exit Shikamaru motioned for the Night Angles to stay behind. Once alone he looked at them all, "We're in this together. This is my plan, Sai's life, Naruto's name, and Shino's leadership."

"My leadership…" Shino echoed.

Shikamaru nodded, "You'll be leading this operation."

"Why?"

"Because if my calculations are right, by the time this plan goes green Sasuke's trial will be starting." Shikamaru watched as the realization set in.

"Shit," Naruto blew out a breath. "I completely forgot about that."

"Since both you and Sai were essentially incapacitated at the end of the mission," Shino surmised, "it's correct to assume you two will be in charge of the two events?"

Shikamaru nodded, "I'll lead Sasuke's defense and Sai will lead the rescue operation because we aren't witnesses to what happened."

"Couldn't Jihibiki or Renge oversee the operation in Ame," Sai asked.

"They can—in fact I expect them to help." Shikamaru rubbed the back of his head and sighed giving them a weak smile, "But I'd feel a hell of a lot better if I had one of you in here as well."

Silence came between the four.

"Same."

"Likewise."

"Definitely."

Naruto popped his neck, right then left, and put a fist into his hand. "Right, let's get to work."

"I need to speak to Sai about one more thing," Shikamaru waved the others out of the room. Again, once they were alone he leveled Sai with a critical stare. "There's something I need you to do—off the books."

The light above the sink flickered with every flash of lightning, and flared back in the following thunder. The rain had eased though, not that he'd heard it for a long time. The pile of dishes he'd been working on for two hours was nearly complete, and a good thing too since the water was starting to feel cold.

The last dish had just been set in the pile to dry when Teuchi felt the presence appear at the back door. He stilled, subconsciously molding his chakra and bending his good leg in anticipation. Ayame was in her room, sleeping by now, but he'd no doubt she'd come running at any noise caused. He'd have to order her to go find help—maybe run to Naruto's.

But his planning was stopped when a soft yet very recognizable pattern of knocks sounded on the door. Teuchi nearly slipped in the water around the sink as he scrambled to open the door. Sai stood on the other side, a grim look set on his face.

"Atlas," he said ignoring the rain soaking him through. "I need a favor."

"Shikamaru," Temari's whisper cut through the darkness of his room the moment he stepped in. "You need to leave."

"I thought you wanted me to check in," Shikamaru grinned stuffing a few clothes from his dresser into a bag.

"That was before your father went a war path."

Shikamaru froze. His father was pissed? He swallowed involuntarily, hands shuddering at the thought. He'd seen his father angry only once in his life—and it was enough to make him reconsider everything he'd planned up to this point.

"When did he ask about me?"

"A little after you left," Temari moved from the shadows and embraced him. "I had no idea he could be so…so…"

"Haunting," Shikamaru murmured and Temari nodded into his chest.

"Are you leaving? Because I think you should."

"I'll be at Naruto's for the next few days. We have a lot going on." He pulled away far enough to catch her eyes despite the darkness. "You can sleep there too if you don't feel comfortable here. He has the space."

Temari was quiet for a moment before she squared her shoulders, "I'll stay. I think your mom would be lonely without someone to talk to her while your father is…agitated."

Shikamaru shook his head, "You're a braver person than I, Temari-chan."

"You should go," Temari said pushing him towards the door. "Before he realizes—"

Chakra flooded the house—dark, potent, and omniscient. It was brief, only the span of a second, but the message was clear. Shikaku wanted to talk.

Now.

The walk to his father's study felt like a walk to the gallows, made all the more uncomfortable when his mother met him in the hallway to give him a few encouraging words. His thoughts were out of control, none of the cogs catching no matter how fast they spun, and again the urge to light his pipe struck him.

Shikamaru didn't knock on the door—rather, he entered the study noiseless. The room was dark save for a single lamp on the corner of his father's desk, throwing enough light to cast shadows across it.

Perfect.

Shikaku sat behind his desk obscured from his chest up, but the distinct smell of opium hung in the air and Shikamaru could make out murky wisps curling around his father's head. Every few seconds the smoke would flare to life as he took a drag, revealing a calculating gaze that burned into Shikamaru. And not a trace of tobacco in the scent—another fantastic sign.

"You called," Shikamaru asked. His voice was even; features schooled, but inside his heart threatened to give out from exhaustion. In his opinion, he was about to play game of shogi with the Shinigami.

"You've been busy," Shikaku said. "I dare say it's the most work I've seen you do in a while."

Shikamaru shrugged, "Comes with the territory of being a Jonin."

"I suppose you're right," silence fell and Shikaku's face glowed. "Tell me, what are you planning to do in Ame?"

"Who says I'm planning anything?"

"Don't play games with me," Shikaku's chakra slipped out and the shadows of the room contorted briefly. "I've been doing this far longer than you have."

Shikamaru swallowed, but his eyes narrowed at the challenge. This was important, not just to Naruto but the village. He knew that, and he knew his father knew as well. He was testing him. So Shikamaru allowed his own chakra to slip out, ripping some of the shadows away from their natural course and cloaking himself as he took a seat across from his father.

"Do you really want to play this game," Shikaku asked.

Mind dual—that's what he meant. The long standing Nara tradition of holding an entire detailed conversation with the use of as little words as possible, forcing your opponent to fill in facts, theories, and ideas with the keywords spoken. Most within the clan could perform it with as little as four words per turn, and that was usually enough to make anyone's head spin.

His father was notorious using each turn with only a single word.

This time Shikamaru allowed his hands to find their way to the pocket of his bag that held his pipe. A small light flared in the room before it was extinguished and Shikamaru took a long drag allowing the opioid to calm his mind. His answer came in a steady cloud of smoke he blew his father's way.

"Very well," Shikaku said after a moment. "Let's begin.

"Success?"

"Primary objective, fifty-five percent," Shikamaru answered.

"Secondary?"

"Approximately fifteen percent."

"You realize you're off to an abysmal start."

"The game is still young."

"We'll see," Shikaku drawled.

"Breach?"

"Breach of orders?"

"Clean…technically" Shikamaru said and cursed inside, the last part slipped out.

"Techincally?"

"Technically."

"Redundancy," Shikaku said pointing out the foul of repeating a word for more than two consecutive turns.

"Default," Shikamaru fired back accusing his father of deliberately stalling the conversation.

There was a pause. A smolder of pipe ash. Then…

"Conceded," Shikaku said. "Raikage?"

"How will you keep this from the Raikage?" Shikamaru's lips thinned. No. Maybe? Or perhaps, "How will you trick the Raikage?"

"Uninvolved," Shikamaru answered.

"How?"

"Kusagakure."

"How?"

"Reduncancy."

"Context," Shikaku argued—rule stating that despite the same word being used for two consecutive turns the context was different. Then repeated, "How?"

"Embassy."

"Since when?"

Shikamaru's eyes widened and his heart slammed in his ears. When was the last time his father had slipped up like that? The irritation showed in Shikaku's eyes though when he took an extra long draw from his pipe.

Speaking of which, the mix in Shikamaru's own pipe was nearly gone. "Recent."

"Validation?"

"Confirmable."

Sweat was trickling down Shikamaru's face, and when took inhaled from his pipe the amount he received was woefully small. He was out.

"When," Shikaku asked.

Shikamaru's teeth dug into the wood of the pipe. "When was the embassy confirmed?" No. He'd already asked about it and Shikamaru had offered proof. "When will the mission start?" Most likely. Shit.

"0730."

Shikaku gagged on his pipe and thumped his chest. "You're insane!"

Adrenaline poured into Shikamaru's blood and he grinned, "Uzumakis."

His father cursed, using his turn and furthering the gap between the two.

"Oppose," Shikamaru asked.

"Do you oppose this?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because…"

"Because?"

Silence and stale smoke filled the space between them. Finally, after what felt like hours Shikaku let out a sigh. "Because everything is on the line."

Shikamaru fell back in his chair, a strange light headedness overcoming him. He'd done it. He'd actually submitted his dad in a Mind Dual.

"Meet me at Inoichi's office at 0600," Shikaku said after a moment. "If you can impress us, I won't stop you."

"Yes sir," Shikamaru stood and made for the door.

"One more thing," Shikamaru glanced over his shoulder to see his father smirking despite rubbing his head. "This doesn't leave the room."

Shikamaru smirked, "We'll see."

"What are you doing here," Menma snarled, and for the first time Kurama agreed with him.

Itachi stared at Menma for a moment before shifting his view over to Kurama, "I'm preventing you two from fighting. I thought that much was obvious?"

"Why," Kurama's claws dug into the soil and he lowered his body.

"Because there's something important going on at the moment and I need Naruto-kun's full focus. After that, you may fight to your hearts' content."

"What makes you think you can stop me," Menma asked.

"Would you like to find out," Itachi's onyx eyes twisted to crimson Mangekyos. "Believe me when I say it wouldn't be a problem."

Itachi's response seemed to cull Menma for the moment, so Kurama took the opportunity to ask the question both he and Naruto wanted an answer to. "How are you here?"

Itachi was silent for a moment, then his body blackened, morphed, and condensed until a crow took form. A crow with a Mangekyo Sharingan. The crow opened its beak, but Itachi's voice answered.

"When I met Naruto-kun outside the village and trapped him in Tsukuyomi, I told him I'd leave him with a bit of power. This is one of my summons—imbued with both mine and my cousin Shisui's chakra."

"Why?"

"I believed this the best course for bringing my wayward brother back to the village. Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan has the ability to plant commands into another's mind. I programmed it to activate at the sight of my Mangekyo, knowing Sasuke would integrate it into his body, and command him to help the village."

"Sneaky and underhanded. How very Uchiha of you."

"I understand you have resentment towards my clan," Itachi returned to his proper form. "And given what we're capable of I do not blame you. However, I've only ever held the best interests of my brother and by extension, Naruto, at heart."

"Yet you're perfectly fine with allowing Menma to try and take over," Kurama snorted. "You'll understand if I don't believe you."

"It's unavoidable, given the history between my people and you."

"So how long do I have to wait now," Menma growled.

"However long this situation at hand lasts," Itachi swept his eyes to him, "I'd say no more than five days."

"That's so fucking long!"

"Would you prefer I put you in a genjutsu to pass the time?" Menma hesitated, taking a step back frowning. When he said nothing Itachi turned back to Kurama, "I admit I'm a little perplexed though. During the festival Naruto witnessed Sasuke's new eyes, yet my jutsu did not activate."

"More than likely it was the mask," Kurama said. "The thing is riddled with hundreds of seals, many of which I'm sure protect against genjutsu. Odds are the mask acted as a filter of sorts."

"Even when he doesn't have it activated?"

"Probably. I'm not sure though."

"Interesting," Itachi's hand came to his chin before his eyes darted between the two. "Well if you two can behave, I'll take my leave. I do not exactly enjoy playing mother hen."

"Then maybe you should leave him in a genjutsu," Kurama offered but when he looked to Menma the other half was already gone.

"We'll be in touch," Itachi said bursting into a murder.

"Lovely…"

"Remind me why we need to run this by your dad," Naruto asked. He rubbed the bags under his eyes and sipped a steaming cup of bitter tea.

"He is the Jonin Commander and technically our superior," Shikamaru sighed not looking much better. They'd pulled an all-nighter, frantically pulling his plan together and doing their best to make it look half the mess it actually was, which he now held in his hands.

"I get that," Naruto said. "But Baa-chan already gave me the go ahead, so why do we need to get it okayed by him?"

"Technically she didn't okay the mission. She's more or less turning a blind eye as long as we follow the orders set by the Raikage. Which means anything we do is my dad's responsibility."

"So basically his ass is on the block."

"Pretty much."

Light began trickling over the horizon, evidence of the storm from the night before only present in the puddles scattered across the road and the red clouds in the distance. Travel would be much faster without the rain, which was good assuming they got the go ahead. If not…well, he had a plan for that as well. Not that he wanted to put it into motion though.

The two entered the I.D. and went straight to Inoichi's office, and upon walking found that Ibiki was with them as well.

"Good morning Ibiki," Naruto said with a nod. "How's the progress with the explosive tags coming?"

"Almost complete," Ibiki said. "We'll probably know within twenty-four hours."

"That's all well and good," Shikaku said motioning to the seats in the office. "But let's discuss the reason why we're all here at this godforsaken hour."

So the door was shut, seats were taken, and all eyes turned to Shikamaru, who handed out the mission briefings and began.

"Operation Fallen Angel will commence at 0730 hours October 4th. The mission will involve twenty-one individuals, all of which are not part of the Ninja Registry."

"Today?" Inoichi shared a look with Shikaku. "You want to run this mission in less than two hours?"

Naruto and Shikamaru both nodded.

"Explain these individuals."

"Twenty members of the Hyuuga clan rebellion will be stripped of clan title and dishonorably discharged from service," Shikamaru answered. "These individuals will act as the main force of the mission."

"Are they willingly volunteering," Shikaku asked.

"They will," Shikamaru answered. "This part of the plan hasn't been put into effect yet. We will of course do so if we receive the all clear."

"I'm surprised Hiashi is okay with this," Inoichi examined the details of this part of the mission.

"This is Hinata's call," Naruto answered. "She saw the benefits of releasing these men from Hyuuga custody."

"That's…surprising," Shikaku shared another look with Inoichi.

"How do we know we can trust these traitors," Ibiki asked. From the frown and folded arms Naruto guessed he didn't like the idea being presented.

Shikamaru took over again, "These men's psyches were evaluated and deemed the best qualified for the type of mission presented. While they did participate in the coup, various factors suggested they believed they were doing it for the greater good."

"Meaning they weren't being driven by more selfish reasons," Inoichi asked.

"Correct," Shikamaru nodded. "They'd vocally expressed regret in the actions they were going to partake in."

"And you think they'll agree to a suicide mission," Shikaku asked.

"It's better than execution or imprisonment for life," Naruto shrugged. "They have the opportunity to prove themselves. I've spoken to my grandfather, assuming they return successful we have plans for them."

"We as in the Uzumaki clan," Shikaku said narrowing his eyes.

"Irrelevant at the moment," Shikamaru said. "The plan is to have them enter Ame under the guise of Kusa shinobi, locate the target, and extract them under the pretense of Kusa's personal abandoning their embassy."

"And you have proof that such an embassy exists," Shikaku asked.

"When I spoke with Konan she told me she'd begin creating ties with other villages," Naruto said.

"And while she agreed to an alliance with Konoha," Shikamaru took over, "Ame not creating ties with any of the other larger nations was a safe assumption given their history. After some digging and a few questions to…outside resources we discovered Kusa had recently set up an embassy."

"I see…" Shikaku said scrutinizing the material proving what Shikamaru said was true. He was silent for a moment. "Tell the others who the target is."

Naruto and Shikamaru shared a look but neither spoke.

"If you can convince these two why the target needs our intervention I'll give you the green light."

"The target is Konan, leader of the Amegakure," Shikamaru said.

Inoichi blanched and Ibiki's mouth fell open.

"Why on earth would we risk our people for her life," Ibiki asked, the color of his face turning nearly purple.

"We are technically allies," Shikamaru said.

"Yes, technically." Inoichi shook his head, "An ally we only recently gained. One that helped destroy this entire village. Why should we go to her aid?"

"Because of Nagato's remains," Naruto said. "She refuses to destroy his body unless she receives help in escaping Ame."

"So a mission to destroy the body will suffice," Ibiki said as if the discussion were over. "There's no need to extract the woman."

"It's a bit more complicated than that," Shikamaru said looking at Naruto and the others shifted followed his gaze.

"Konan is pregnant," Naruto said folding his arms. "With Nagato's child."

"So," Ibiki asked.

"Allow me to rephrase," Naruto's eyes sharpened. "Konan is pregnant with Uzumaki Nagato's child."

The silence was made of three parts—Inoichi's disbelief, Ibiki's shock, and Shikaku's surprise. The silence did not last long though, as the quite shattered seconds later with a groan from Shikaku.

"You're sending someone to rescue her no matter what."

"Of course," Shikamaru said.

"What will you do if we don't clear this mission," Inoichi asked.

"Send a small army of 688 clanless Byakugan wielders led by two ancient seal masters to liberate Ame," Naruto said.

"You're insane!"

"Uzumaki," Naruto grinned.

Next to Inoichi, Shikaku shook rubbed his temple. A long pause followed before his eyes narrowed and his lips thinned, "That's twice in one day I've been beaten," he muttered. His eyes turned to his son, "This is on you," he shifted to Naruto, "and you. No fuck ups, understand? You're on your own. No reinforcements because there won't be any to send."

"Understood," Naruto and Shikamaru said.

"Then get out. You have a mission to begin."

Naruto placed his hand on Shikamaru's shoulder and the two disappeared.

He was growing tired of this place. How any sane person thought Ame a hospitable place to live escaped him. The air was always damp, the rain—endless, and a perpetual chill that sunk straight into the bone always existed. As his crimson eye peered out the window of the abandoned roadside inn, Madara decided after Konoha, Ame would be the next place he'd wipe off the map.

Zetsu appeared behind him, and when he turned to the creature it looked every bit of frustrated as he felt. "Still no sign of Nagato's body."

"She's obviously hidden it well," Madara's eye narrowed. "Have the clones turned anything up?"

"Nothing, as far as the city knows the only person with knowledge of Nagato is Konan. It doesn't help that the entire place is made of concrete and iron. Perhaps you should force it from her?"

"No, she's surrounded herself with a dozen capable shinobi. I'd be pressed to take her one on one, but with twelve extra blades it's likely nothing will come of it."

"Then perhaps it's time for a more violent approach."

Madara returned his eye to the window; in the distance Ame was only a hazy shadow. "I agree. Mobilize 3,000 clones. We'll attack the North side, and in the chaos I may be able to get to her."

"As you command," Zetsu said sinking into the ground.

Hinata glanced at the clock on the wall and then back to the twenty pairs of eyes watching her with varying forms of anxiety, apprehension, and confusion. Naruto and Shikamaru's meeting started twenty minutes ago—if things went smoothly then she should hear from Naruto soon. The guards around the prisoners shifted—muscles tense and strained, unwilling to lower their attention and have a repeat of what happened last time. She hoped they wouldn't have to wait much longer; the strain on everyone was becoming obvious.

Her prayers were answered when a short message from Naruto pulsed from her necklace. Bring them.

Hinata nodded to Ko, who in turn motioned for the guards to tighten their formation around the prisoners.

"We're going for a walk," Hinata told the men. "It's going to be a slow one, because this is the last time you'll this place."

"Might as well run and get this over with," one of the prisoners said. There was no malice in his words, only defeat and sadness.

Hinata nodded, "I know. And I apologize for not having the strength to do something sooner."

She left at that, leaving the building with the sound of fifty feet shuffling behind her. The air outside was chilled, but fresh and Hinata sent a silent prayer that it was a sign of clean beginnings.

As Hinata promised they walked at a sedated pace, and around them Branch members moving about performing their daily chores paused to watch the somber parade. Some openly wept, others nodded, but most watched with grim expressions. They believed the prisoners wouldn't be returning and in a sense they were right—just not for the reason they believed and that was enough comfort for her.

They exited the compound and Hinata broke into a brisk job. Behind her Ko's orders shouted "Double time!"

The reactions on the streets were the same, those few up and moving this early in the morning watched on with curiously mortified expressions. No doubt the rumors would be flying by lunch.

Naruto stood at the gate to the Uzumaki mansion, and after Hinata called them to a stop she turned to Ko, "Thank you for the escort. You and your men may leave now."

Ko shot only a single look to the prisoners before bowing, "My lady."

As the guards retreated the prisoners began to shift, their pale skin growing even more so at the realization they were in the clutches of the Uzumakis.

Naruto unlocked the gate and stepped aside gesturing to Hinata and the others. Hinata nodded, turned to the men and said, "If you value your lives you'll follow."

She heard Naruto suppress a snort, but ignored it flowing down the path. She didn't turn around but she could feel the hesitance in their hearts. They didn't move until she caught Naruto snap his fingers and say, "Today, gentlemen."

As directed, Hinata led the convoy to the steps of the mansion. When the prisoners were all formed in two lines of ten, she nodded to Naruto and they began to undo the sealed shackles placed on them. Mutterings and more apprehension followed, but she followed Naruto to the top of the steps and faced the men.

She took a breath and centered herself, this would hurt the most. Her voice was light as usual, but carried across the men with a decree she was sure her father would be proud of. "Gentlemen, for crimes committed against the Hyuuga Main Branch, and the village of Konoha, I, Hyuuga Hinata, first born of Hyuuga Hiashi, Heiress of the Hyuuga clan, hereby remove you from Konohagakure's shinobi forces for high treason."

Silence and stares.

"I also strip you of clan status and officially declare you disowned by the Hyuuga clan."

Lost. Tears. Isolation.

"Your belongings will be returned to you in the following days, and you may not enter the Hyuuga household without proper permission."

Realization. Death wasn't coming to them.

"That being said," Hinata said as her own voice wavered, "Please know that my door will always be open to you." She bowed and turned to Naruto, "I ask that you please listen to the words of your host."

Naruto stepped up, hands clutched behind his back and legs apart. His eyes carried over them before he smiled and held out his hands, "Gentlemen, welcome to freedom."

A few lips twitched and even a nervous chuckle broke the air, but they remained fixated on him.

"There's no easy way to say this so I'll be straight. I need your help," Naruto's eyes moved over the twenty pairs below. "You might not have heard, but the Uzumaki household recently gained clan status—regardless of our low numbers which can, in fact, be counted on one hand." His eyes cut to Hinata and he grinned, "For now."

She smiled despite her blush and Naruto continued, "Which is why I'm asking for your help. Over two hundred miles away, the legacy of one of my clansmen grows in a belly surrounded by danger. I'm desperate to save that child, and so I'm begging you to please lend me your skills. To us Uzumaki, life is precious. I'm willing to do anything, pay any price for your help. Will I have it?"

There was silence for a moment before a man from the back spoke. The very one Shikamaru and Sai both agreed would lead the lost men—Hyuuga Soji. "Give us freedom."

Naruto tilted his head, "You have freedom."

Soji grabbed his forehead wraps and tore them away revealing the Caged Bird seal, "Give us true freedom!"

Naruto smirked. "I promise," he said raising a slip of paper with a seal. "Give me your blades from this mission and I will give you true freedom."

Soji fell to one knee with a fist to the ground, and the others followed in a cascade. "You have our word!"

Naruto nodded and turned to the newest arrival eliciting gasps from Hinata and the others alike. "I leave them in your hands, Vengeance."

Vengeance stared at them wide eyes of twenty shocked men before he motioned with his hand, "Follow."

Without waiting he pivoted and walked under the veranda and around the side of the mansion. When nobody moved Naruto inclined his head after him saying, "Best do as your commander orders."

There was a flurry of motion and twenty men scurried up the steps and around the building. Nature resumed her business soon after, and Naruto took a deep breath before turning to Hinata.

"Care to stay for breakfast?"

Hinata shook her head, "I should return home. No doubt father will have questions."

Naruto's head bobbed in agreement, and he ducked in for a kiss. "I'll keep you updated, but if you have any questions come and ask."

"I will, Naruto-kun."

"You will be provided with the finest equipment not even available to the village," Sai said to the group. The stood in the backyard, a table with equipment laid out before them and a map on a stand on one side. "Each of you will be provided with one of these—a Windsinger or one of these—a Windlance," he said holding a weapon in each hand.

The Windlance was a variation Root had been working on alongside the Windsinger. The designs were nearly identical save for a longer barrel and a weak scope placed on top.

Sai set the Windlance down, "The Windsinger is simple, relatively light, and accurate for up to 300 yards. It has three settings: single fire, three senbon burst, or automatic."

He demonstrated how to load the weapon and turned to the dummy set up a hundred yards out. With three squeezes he placed two senbon in the area marked the heart and the last one through the eye. "Keep in mind that the faster the setting, the less accurate it becomes."

Sai set the Windsinger down and pick the Windlance back up. "Its cousin is accurate to within an eighth of an inch at twice the distance." He held the scope up to his eye and pointed at the small bump at the edge of the forest. "Byakugans on, gentlemen."

He fired once, and through the scope he watched as the senbon sunk into the chest of the dummy and an explosion of splinters shot out the other side. When he turned around he was met with shocked expressions as their Byakugans faded—save for one. Soji continued to glare at him with his blood limit blazing.

"Is there a problem," Sai asked setting the Windlance back on the table.

"Who are you," Soji asked.

"Classified."

"I don't like trusting a man whose face I don't even know."

"You don't have to like it," Sai said moving to the map. "You just have to do it."

Soji's face twitched but eventually his Byakugan faded, and Sai continued on with the briefing.

The morning light peaked over the horizon officially hailing in the new dawn along with the creak of the village gates. Samui massaged her shoulders and stretched her neck. Behind her Karui and Omoi gave their equipment one last check as the guards looked over their mission orders. They were to transport a scroll to the Foundry in the Land of Woods, then continue on to an outpost to link up with one of Kumo's platoons.

Samui rubbed her eyes and felt the burn of stale tears still stinging. She'd been up most of the night; Karui had thankfully locked the men in the other room giving them some semblance of privacy. She looked down the main road one last time and ignored the pain in her chest. This was for the best. She couldn't afford distractions—not now.

Yet despite her thoughts her emotions still roiled inside, and then swelled when her eyes formed an image of a man with white skin and black clothing in the growing light. Her eyes widened, the image refusing to fade, and panic bubbled up her chest as Sai moved past her without a glance or word and came to stop next to the guard.

"What are you doing here?!" Karui's screech nearly jumped Samui out of her skin.

"Escorting a high profile package across the country," Sai answered handing his papers over.

"But all missions have been ordered to stop by the Raikage," Omoi said.

"Correct." Sai said receiving his documents back. "However, do to the contents of the package the Uzumaki's have the right to provide a personal escort to see the contents remains safe."

Karui's face screwed, and the lollipop in Omoi's mouth lay in the dirt at his feet. Samui's voice was calm, but even she caught the waver in it towards the end. "Where's the package being delivered?"

"To the eastern border of the Land of Woods," Sai's vacant, lifeless eyes slid through her. "To the Foundry."

"The Kumo team has moved out," Soji said watching the gate with his Byakugan. They stood around the corner a block away. "Let's move out. Vengeance will rendezvous with us at the designation point."

They moved in a column at a jog, reaching the gate and pulling up short in less than a minute. The men standing watch visibly tensed and rightly so. Each man wore a flak jacket, holsters with scrolls, kunai, and shuriken, and look of determination that promised they wouldn't be stopped.

"Whatever orders you have are temporarily suspended," The guard said stepping between them and the gate. Three more guards appeared behind him and people along the road began to slow and move off to the sides.

"Shinobi-san, we're not on any orders," Soji explained holding out his hands.

"Bullshit," one of the guards spat. "You look like you're heading to war!"

The group of former Hyuuga looked at each other laughing, but Soji shrugged his shoulders. "We're not even ninja so how could we have orders?"

"Sir I recognize of few of them," another guards said pulling out a kunai. "I've been on a few missions with them before."

"Are you calling us liars," Soji asked and behind him the men began to bristle.

"Pretty much," the main guard said.

"Then allow me to clear this matter up," Shino said appearing out of nowhere and presenting a scroll to the guard. "A message from the Hokage. These are the names and pictures of those no longer in the services of Konoha."

He stepped back and nodded, more so at Soji than anyone else. "Have a nice day."

The guard stared at the scroll for a long moment, face growing tighter until his shoulders sagged and he stepped aside. "These men aren't ninja; let them pass."

"But sir—"

"Dammit, get out of the way," the guard snapped and instantly they moved. They silently obeyed, moving out of the way and forming a small tunnel. As Sojin and the others passed though, the guard looked at him in utter confusion. "Where the hell are you going?"

Sojin gave grin. "For a walk."