Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of the characters, beside the main OC. All credit for creating this amazing series goes to Mr. Kishimoto
Author's note: Thanks to everyone for reading! Answer to the reviews are at the bottom.
So I hit a minor writer's block and had some difficulties writing a couple of scenes. I had planned of making this chapter much longer, but I thought of posting this now to hopefully get some feedback. Actually, this is very similar to what happens in canon, but sets up for the changes that will happen then. I hope you enjoy!
INVASION? IT'S A FIGHT TO THE DEATH!
The single explosion was like a small rock causing an avalanche. In the woods outside Konoha, several platoons of Suna an Oto nins reacted to the sound, preparing for a full scale attack on Konoha's walls.
In the Great Arena, time froze for a split second. Then hell broke loose.
Kakashi and Gai looked in shock at the Kage booth.
"Hokage-sama!" shouted the taijutsu master in worry.
"Let us handle it." an ANBU commanded, as the three squads Kakashi had spotted before rushed towards the roof. He knew they were meant to be only two, but after receiving news of Gaara's true nature, the Hokage had employed one more. Kakashi would have preferred actually more security, but the war council had opted to send most of their forces around the village. Besides, the arena was packed with jōnin in any case, there to watch and judge the matches.
The special forces met on the roof below the Kage booth. The ANBU commander, who could be distinguished because of his white robes, was quick to asset the situation: "Second and third squad, with me. Sixth squad, protect the Daimyō and the other feudal lords!"
Four black robed shinobi nodded, before disappearing in a burst of speed.
The Commander turned towards the smoke and had no problems in seeing four shapes coming towards him. "Out of my way!" he shouted, dismissively, disposing of the four Sound nin with a simply sweep of his kunai. "Protect the Hokage!" he shouted to his men, running forward.
Sarutobi's eyes were wary and he seemed confused, as smoke engulfed and surrounded him. 'So it started.' He expected the Kazekage to attack him, after learning the truth about Gaara: it made sense and the main matches were the perfect excuse to get into the village. But it was more convenient to show surprise, as if he didn't suspect anything.
"Kazekage-dono..." he quietly asked. "What is the meaning of this?"
The other man smirked behind his veil and Sarutobi's tuned senses heard two hissing sounds. Kunai. He rushed on his feet, but was too late: Raidō, his bodyguard, was killed on the spot.
"Please escape, Hokage-sama!" the dying man pleaded.
Sarutobi sighed. It would have been so easy to listen to him... but he could not. Especially because he found himself entrapped into the Kazekage's iron grip within seconds, a kunai held to his throat. His foe leaped upwards, forcing him to follow.
The two men landed on the roof above the Kage booth and the Sandaime watched the two ANBU squads he dispatched to his protection as they made their way towards them. He was surprised when four foreign shinobi arrived first.
They were dressed in beige tunics, adorned with a yin-yang symbol missing the black. Their belts were purple and tied in a large knot behind their backs. 'Oto nin.' Sarutobi thought, more cautious than before. 'So I was right...'
"Do it!" the Kazekage softly commanded, just as the approaching ANBU squads was getting closer and closer.
The four Sound ninja clapped their hand in the Snake seal. "Ninpou: Shishienjin [Four Violet Flames Battle Encampment]!"
With a small shine, a purple barrier spread from them, surrounding the two Kage in a perfect, rectangular box. Sarutobi watched with horror as one of his ANBU collided with the barrier midair, bursting into flames. The other seven stopped dead on their tracks.
"I would tried to reason with you." Sarutobi slowly drawled. "But I know you stopped listening a long time ago, my student."
Kakashi sighed, watching the ANBU go. "We were expecting this, Gai." he quietly said. "Trust in Hokage-sama. He is the strongest ninja of Konoha. He can handle the Kazekage. Be alert."
As if to confirm the copy nin's words, several 'spectators' suddenly leaped into action: they actually were Oto nin camouflaged and their civilian clothes crumpled into the seats. Four of them, who looked like high ranked ones, flanked a masked ANBU.
All around, weapon clashing against each other could be heard. The battle had started.
Gai, who was about to yell at the ANBU for not rushing to the Hokage's aid, stopped. "An enemy masked as an ANBU... that's unexpected. He is the one who used the genjutsu, isn't he?"
"Hai." Kakashi seriously said. He looked towards the Kage booth. "We underestimated them. They were even able to outmanoeuvre ANBU."
Gai spared a glance in that direction too. "A barrier field technique. They are not normal ninja."
In that moment the Sound shinobi moved with sudden speed. Right towards four frozen rookie genins.
"Stop being ridiculous." Akimi sharply said. "We know you are awake."
On the ground Shikamaru, who had 'fallen' in the genjutsu groaned.
"So, if you want to know, Suna betrayed us. We are being invaded. Now you can either stay there and sleep or help us." the girl continued.
"What a drag." Shikamaru exclaimed, getting up. "You don't need to sound so accusing."
"I never had a doubt you would an... Stop them!" Akimi shouted then, ignoring him, as she watched Kankurō and Temari tense their muscles.
Shikamaru sent forwards his shadow, but missed them for a fraction of second. So did Shino's Kikaichū, before retreating back when they failed. Akimi, who had leaped towards them, didn't hesitate and jumped down in the arena after them. Shino and Shikamaru followed suit only few seconds later.
Kankurō and Temari had flanked a distressed looking Gaara.
Naruto had his eyes on Gaara and was still, as if waiting for his charge. He was conscious of the battle sounds all around him, but did let himself get distracted.
"I'm going to KILL you!" Gaara shouted in outrage once again.
"Stop, Gaara." Kankurō tried to mollify him. "There is no need for this anymore."
Temari nodded. "Don't forget about our mission."
"I'm curious about that." Naruto sarcastically said. "What mission are you talking about?"
"Probably something involving the utter destruction of Konoha..." Akimi appeared behind him on his right.
"And we can't stay idly by while this happens." Shino concluded, behind Naruto on his left side instead.
"Troublesome." Shikamaru completed the strange rhombus formation, standing behind him.
"All right, 'to-kun?"
The blonde nodded. "I've plenty of energy left." he said, smiling widely.
"Get out of my way!" Gaara growled, yanking Kankurō aside. "I'm going to kill you all...!"
"What the hell are you doing?" Baki, the Sand Sibling's sensei, joined the crowed arena. He glared at the genins formation in front of him. Naruto glared back harder, as if defying him. "The mission has started already."
Gaara moaned in pain, holding his head. He crashed on his knees. "No, no... mother!"
Akimi and Naruto frowned and exchange a baffled look: did Gaara just called 'mother' his own Tailed Beast? That was really disturbing.
"He is hurt!" Temari exclaimed, crouching near her younger brother. "And he used up most of his chakra."
"Then he can't do it." Kankurō said.
"No, notright now!" his sister replied, urgently.
"What a fool... He should have waited for the signal!" Baki shouted, irritated. "Gaara is our triumph's card. You need to get him out of here and treat his wounds. When he recovers, resume the mission!"
"Hai." Kankurō said.
Temari looked hesitant. "What about you, sensei?"
"I will stop these guys."
"Uh, that's bad." Akimi murmured, so that only her comrades could hear her. "The guy is powerful."
"We need to split up." Shikamaru said. "Although I doubt any of us is a real threat for a jōnin."
"He is going to underestimate us." Naruto said. "That can play in our favour."
"Not necessary." a quiet voice said, as Genma appeared in front of them. "I'll take care of him. You go after those three."
In fact, Temari and Kankurō, who was holding Gaara, leaped away, jumping above the high wall of the arena.
"Hai, sir!" Naruto shouted. "Just make sure to kick his ass, sir!"
Genma chuckled as the blonde leaped in action after the Suna siblings.
"You are not leaving!" Baki yelled, throwing two kunai towards them.
Genma promptly stopped the projectiles with two of his own. "Your fight is with me."
As the four genin crossed the wall, Akimi stilled suddenly, right on top of it. The others stopped as well, a little confused.
"'mi-chan, what the hell?" shouted Naruto.
"Orochimaru." she said. "He trapped Hokage-sama into a field barrier."
"I saw it. The old man can fend on his own! ANBU are going to..." he stopped. "They can't get past the bloody thing, can they?"
She shook her head.
Naruto nodded. "Go on then!"
"What?" Shikamaru asked, surprised.
Akimi seemed to have an internal battle. "Take Kaera with you. I'll catch up with you as soon as I take it down." and she leaped away.
"The hell, Naruto?" Shikamaru exclaimed. "We need all the help we can get against Gaara. What she can do that ANBU cannot?"
"She studied barriers with Ero-sennin for a month. Let her try. And there is three of us." the blonde replied. "Four with Kaera-chan. It'll be enough. Now let's not waste other time."
"Especially considering that we already lost terrain on them." Shino deadpanned.
Naruto looked around. "Damn them!" he growled. He saw Kaera ahead of them, in direction of the forest. "Let's go!"
The Kazekage looked startled for a second, then chuckled evilly. "So you knew, Sarutobi-sensei?" he snarled, literally tearing away his face. The features of the Kazekage shredded like a mask made of skin, revealing a pale face and two slit amber eyes.
"Your actions became predictable..." the Hokage closed his eyes. "...Orochimaru. So you cannot take my head so easily!"
"I told you before: you should have picked a Godaime sooner, Sandaime." Orochimaru said. "Because you are going to die here." and he licked the kunai with a unnaturally long tongue.
"Well then, what are you waiting for?" Sarutobi asked, taunting him. "Or you don't have the heart to kill your old teacher after all?"
"I do." Orochimaru replied, reading the kunai. Then, without any forewarning, he strongly stabbed it... into his hand.
The ANBU watching the scene gasped. That man was seriously crazy... pity he had the strength and brains to back it up.
"Oh, now I'm finally awake." the Sannin slowly released the Hokage and walked few steps away from him. "We can start now."
Sarutobi looked around. His ANBU were discussing what to do about the barrier right now.
"The field can be destroyed only from inside." the Commander said. "If Hokage-sama can kill one of those four we can help him."
In that precise moment the four sound nin focused and sure enough the barrier extended on the four corners to protect them.
Hiruzen snorted. "Looks like I can't leave very easily." he smirked. "Well then! Shall we start?"
Sakura recognised the man into the purple barrier with a startled gasp. Kiba groaned behind her. "Orochimaru?" she whispered. "Is he after Sasuke-kun again?"
"Watch out!" Kiba shouted, as two Oto nin jumped towards them. He drew a kunai, going on the defensive... but there was no need.
Kakashi easily cut down the two shinobi, holding a kunai in each hand. "You stay there, guys." he said, eye-smiling. "I'm going to cut off some enemies and I'll be right back."
The four genins looked around in amazement at the battle that was going on. The Konoha shinobi in the stadium were facing the Suna and Oto invaders. Clangs and yelps of pain could be heard from all directions.
Kakashi and Gai were two of the most deadly shinobi there. They disposed of a dozen of enemies each, before stopping back to back on the stairs.
"Damn, it's Orochimaru! I'm worried about Hokage-sama, but..."
"Let ANBU deal with it." Kakashi curtly said.
"But..."
"The Hokage won't lose that easily."
"Is that your student, rival?" Guy asked then. "She is making her way up there right now."
Kakashi immediately turned, seeing that his long time friend was right. 'Akimi, what the hell are you doing?' he sighed. "Mah, I suppose she knows a lot about barriers if what Jiraiya-sama said was correct. I'll trust her."
"Then I think we should not let our new friends waiting..." Gai smirked.
Kakashi nodded and the two jōnin leaped back into the fight.
Kaera ran forward, leaping to tree from tree. Naruto followed immediately before her, then came Shikamaru and Shino, on the rear.
"This is so troublesome." Shikamaru said. "If Gaara has really a demon inside of him, why don't they send higher level ninja to deal with him?"
"He is still only around genin level. Well, more like chūnin." Shino replied. "And they are defending the village right now. Besides..."
"They say: fight fire with fire." Naruto darkly stated. "And the stronger one will win. Don't worry, Shika, I'll take care of Gaara myself. You can resume your brain battle/flirting with Temari."
"Nani?" Shikamaru exclaimed. "I was not flirting."
"Whatever." Naruto quickly changed direction as Kaera jumped to the right. "There was a lot of tension during your match after all."
Shino chuckled.
"Naruto, you baka!" Shikamaru shouted, annoyed. "What did you mean with 'fight fire with fire', eh?"
"I'll explain once we have dealt with those three." Naruto curtly replied. "Or you can figure it our yourself, lazy genius."
"Troublesome..."
"Kaera, how long before we catch up with them?" Naruto asked to the small animal.
While Shino was usually the tracker of team, Kara was an extremely talented chakra sensor and Gaara was like a very shining beckon of light for her. They had silently agreed Shino would watch their back with his Kikaichū instead.
Shino raised an eyebrow. 'Why does he ask her? She can't answer!' he wondered
"I don't know, nii-chan." the tiger replied. Her voice was barely a scratchy whisper. "They are going pretty fast."
"Since when can you speak, Kaera?" asked Shino instead, confused.
"Oh, she learned during this month thanks to Akimi's other summons. But she hates doing it." Naruto explained. "Shika, can you move faster?"
In that moment, Shino frowned and few seconds later Kaera growled.
"We are being followed." the Aburame announced darkly.
"Geez, already?" Shikamaru cursed. "How many?"
"Three platoons." Shino said. "They haven't found our location yet."
"Stop. Get down." Naruto ordered. He turned, his hands in the bird sign. He blew in air and released a couple of gentle burst of wind. Their footprints were cancelled.
"Kage Bunshin no jutsu." he exclaimed, dropping into the road as well. Five clones appeared into existence. One transformed in a small tiger. "Led them astray, guys."
Shikamaru was impressed. "A decoy strategy. But will be enough?"
"My last clone will keep cancelling our trail, but let's move carefully for the few next minutes. Shika, can you or can you not move faster?"
"I can." the pineapple haired boy replied. "What a drag."
"Good." Naruto expression's was fierce. "Let's go!"
Akimi reached the roofs just as Orochimaru and Sarutobi seemed to get serious with each other. She had met a couple of Suna chūnin on her way, but had quickly disposed of them: it was easier that she expected, because they underestimate her. Hiruzen and Orochimaru were rushing to each other. The first to attack was the Sandaime – and once again the sheer speed of his handseals amazed her.
"Ninpou: Kawara Shuriken [Roof Tile Shuriken]!" the old man shouted, and tiles of the roof below him raised and flew hurling towards the Snake Sannin with a gashing sound.
Orochimaru chuckled and easily dodged them, jumping. "Sen'eijashu [Hidden Shadow Snake Hands]!" he exclaimed and a long snake shot out from his mouth, biting Sarutobi at the jugular. The Hokage tried to shake it off, to no avail.
'Disgusting!' thought Akimi.
"You really got old, sensei!" Orochimaru exclaimed. "I can't believe something like this is effecting you!"
But he couldn't even finish to word his mockery, that 'Sarutobi' suddenly melt into a puddle of mud.
'Wow! He must have created a Tsuchi Bunshin to substitute with. Without handseals! His chakra didn't even spike up.' Akimi realised. 'He really is worthy of his title!'
"Doton: Doryū Taiga no jutsu [Earth Release: Earth Flow River]!" the Hokage shouted from behind his foe, holding the tiger seal.
Orochimaru was swept off his feet by a floating river of mud, that threw him several meters away from Hiruzen. The Sannin was quick to regain his footing and started his own series of hand seals.
"I don't think so!" Sarutobi exclaimed, his hands flashing again and stopping to held the dragon seal. "Doton: Doryūdan [Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!]"
Akimi watched in awe as a dragon head formed from the river, opening to shoot several small bullets toward Orochimaru. 'He used those jutsu with so few seals! He is definitely a Doton master!' And apparently the Hokage wasn't even finished. She recognised the warm feeling his chakra took. 'Fire is next.'
"Katon: Karyūdan [Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet]!" And another dragon head, this time made of blazing fire, joined the first, breathing a huge burst of fire that ignited the earth bullets. The swirling mass of fire and mud left part of the roof destroyed, running over Orochimaru.
"Cut the act, Orochimaru." Sarutobi sternly said, just as Akimi landed with a final leap in front of the ANBU.
One of them turned towards her. "What are you doing here, genin?"
She tilted her head. "Why aren't you trying to break down the barrier?" she spat back with barely hidden contempt.
"How dare you, genin!" the same one replied.
"The barrier is impenetrable." the ANBU commander quietly said. "We cannot help but merely watch the events unfold, genin Katora."
With a start, the girl recognised him to be the same man who was with the Hokage when she reported info about Orochimaru in the tower of the Forest of Death.
"It completely burned down one of my men." he continued. "And they cannot be attacked from the inside."
Akimi bowed her head. "Forgive me, commander-sama." she said. "But the first thing Jiraiya-sensei taught me is that there is no such thing as a impenetrable barrier."
"I'm back!" Kakashi exclaimed, landing in front of the four rookies. "Missed me?"
They looked baffled at his antics.
"Should we join the fight, Kakashi-sensei?" Kiba asked the, eagerly.
"Mah." the jōnin sighed. "Don't engage in battle unless you need to defend yourself. Everything is under control."
"How can it be, sensei? This was so unexpected!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Not really, actually." Kakashi eye smiled. "Since what happened in the Forest, we have all been very alert. By the way, you and Kiba do not need to worry: Sasuke-san is safe."
The two genin nodded and the relief was clear on the pink haired girl.
"Kiba, does your dog know the scents of Neji and Tenten?"
Akamaru barked. "Of course he does. We were very close during the preliminaries."
"Good. They should be around the infirmary. I want you and Sakura to go look for them." Kakashi turned to the pink haired girl. "Akimi tells me you have studied and seems to be very good at first aid, is it true?"
Sakura blushed. "Well, I..."
"Yes, good. You regroup with Neji and Tenten. Neji is the more experienced out of you, so he will take command. You need to reach hospital, look for the commanding ANBU there, they may need help transferring their patients. Then, make way to the shelters. In any case, avoid any confrontation if possible. With Neji's Byakugan and your Inuzuka nose you should be fine. Go!"
Sakura seemed hesitant, but then look at Kiba and they both nodded, leaping away. Kakashi impaled an enemy ninja who was following them with a kunai.
"Chōji, Ino." he said, taking out another knife. He distractedly cut his thumb. "Go to the lower roofs and find a covered spot. There, wait for Akimi to regroup with her." He went through signs: Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey and Ram. He slammed his hand on the ground. "Kuchiyose no jutsu!"
With a puff of smoke a small bull dog appeared. He wore a blue vest and had a Konoha Hitai-ate on his head.
"Pakkun, accompany them to the lower roofs. Then please go collect Akimi-chan as soon as you see the purple barrier going down."
"Who is this?" Chōji asked.
"Oh, this is the fourth member of your squad, of course."
The two genin sweat dropped.
"He is a small doggy!" Ino protested.
"Ehi, don't call me that!" the animal barked, offended.
"He speaks!" Ino pointed at him, freaked out.
Pakkun snorted and licked his paw. "I'm a summon. Of course I speak."
"But what are our orders?" Chōji wondered.
Kakashi eye smiled. "Back Akimi up. She will explain." he said. "And be careful! This is war"
Naruto stopped on his tracks, letting out a small groan.
"What is it?" asked Shino.
"My clones' feedback." he replied, signalling to keep going. "They were discovered. They managed to take down one of those guys before being overwhelmed. I think they are all above chūnin level."
"From what my Kikaichū said, at least one of them is ought to be a jōnin as well." Shino said. "I think they catch up with us soon."
"It makes sense." Shikamaru replied. "They are probably expert trackers. They must have received specific training for this mission as well."
"So we should assume we also lose the advantage of knowing the territory." Naruto said. "Orochimaru was from Konoha."
"An ambush would be a very hazardous move. Especially considering their numbers." Shikamaru said, darkly. They stopped. "There is only one choice..."
"Delay them." Shino concluded.
"If one of us will stop, the other three will be able to get away. But the decoy will probably..." Shikamaru hesitated. "Die."
"I will stop." Shino said. "I'm the most suited for an ambush."
"No!" Shikamaru protested. "I can delay them better. This place is full of shadows. Shino, against Temari or Kankurō you'll have an edge. I bet you still have a couple of tricks on your sleeves. They know everything about my abilities, I've shown them in front of the whole stadium."
Shino was obviously going to argue, but Naruto stopped him raising his hand. There was no hint of his usual cheerful personality in his darkened eyes. "Shikamaru is right."
"But..."
"You are the best suited to fight Kankurō. I can keep Temari at bay for a while on my own." Four clones popped into existence and Naruto quickly put a pill in his mouth. "These should help, Shika. And remember: 'mi-chan is on her way."
The Nara nodded. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up, go!"
"Pay attention, there was actually thirteen of them." Shino evenly warned. "So now they should be twelve."
"And don't get killed. Nee-chan still has to beat you at shogi." Kaera said in that moment.
Shikamaru chuckled. "You got her sarcasm all right, kitten." and he turned his back to the other genins.
Naruto nodded at him. "We are counting on you, Shika!" he shouted, before leaving.
Within seconds Shikamaru remained alone, in the shadows of the high trees that surrounded Konoha. "Troublesome..." he muttered, but his eyes shined with determination.
JUTSU NOTES
Ninpou: Shishienjin [Four Violet Flames Battle Encampment]: B rank, supplementary, short range. This collaboration jutsu requires four people to be performed. The four ninja face one other in a square formation and create a purple barrier that lets nothing enter nor exit. Anything touching the field will be immediately engulfed in flames. There is no way to destroy the barrier from inside, because the users also create a barrier on the inside protecting them.
Ninpou: Kawara Shuriken [Roof Tile Shuriken], C rank, offensive, short to mid range. The user uses chakra to control tiles, reinforcing them, before hurling them at the opponent.
Doton: Doryū Taiga no jutsu [Earth Release: Earth Flow River] B rank, supplementary/offensive, short to mid range. The users transforms the ground under their opponent into a river of mud, throwing them off balance and sweeping them away.
Doton: Doryūdan [Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!] B rank, offensive, short to mid range. The techniques creates a dragon head that fires balls of mud at the opponent. It works best if there is already a medium to create the dragon, such as mud created by a previous technique.
Katon: Karyūdan [Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet], C/B rank, offensive, short to mid range. The techniques creates a breath of flames that shots forward towards the opponent. It can also be used in combination with Earth Techniques to ignite earth projectiles.
REVIEWS' ANSWERS
1) I am very glad you seemed to like the OOC Akimi and Shino at the start of the chapter. It was kind of an experiment and a way to break tension between fights. =)
2) I've got a lot of responses to the Toad Oil Clone, that makes me very happy, but to give credit where credit is due I'm going to thank NATSUxERZA 123456 again to giving me the idea! =)
azfaerydust: thank you very much for reviewing. I am glad you liked both the Toad Oil Clones and the fight scenes. =) So far, I am definitely covering the whole pre Shippūden canon. I've already got everything planned up until the Search of Tsunade Arc and a couple of ideas for the Sasuke Retrieval Act. It is my intention to write a sequel covering Shippūden as well, but I am going to wait until Kishi finishes the Fourth Shinobi War Arc to see where he is going, although I will probably only take minor inspirations from canon Shippūden. Let me know what you think about the chapter, I hope you liked it! =)
Skeleus: thank you a lot for reviewing. I am glad you enjoyed the OOC-ness at the start of the chapter and also the rest. Let me know what you think about this, I hope you enjoy it as well.
Robin42069: thank you for reading and reviewing. I am glad you liked the idea of the Oil Clone, about this let me know if you remember where exactly you saw that before. I hope you liked this chapter as well, let me know. =)
NATSUxERZA 123456: thank you very much for reviewing. I am surprised you thought I wasn't going to use your ideas cause they were very goods and I told you as much. I think I may also use another one in later chapters – but everything is still a little fuzzy so I can't say exactly when. I'm more inclined to make Naruto summon Bunta but we shall see, I still need to plan how the rest of the fight vs. Gaara plays. About the Search of Tsunade Arc, everything is already planned and I am not going to spoiler you, but I promise you that the issue about Naruto and Akimi needing to spend time apart will be covered amply in next chapters. (Not immediately, but it will)
maruaderlove: thank you a lot for reviewing. I am very glad you liked the chapter and the fight! OOC Shino and Akimi absolutely rule and to think that it was just an idea that come to me while I was writing! XD Let me know what you think about this chap =) I hope you liked it!
Unmei Ryu thank you very much for reviewing. You are absolutely right, the fight with Shino was necessary to show how unstable Sasuke is. I am glad you liked it BTW. I am extremely happy you were positively surprised by Akimi's sentence because that was exactly my aim! =) I hope you liked this chapter as well, let me know!
Pirate Queen ofthe 21st centry thank you so much for reviewing! I'm guessing you liked the chapter! Let me know about this one as well =)
vsncheze thank you a lot for reviewing. I am glad you enjoyed last chapter. No, the Oil in the clones is the same one Gamabunta and Jiraiya use to fuel fire jutsu (you know the one?), so as they can use it spitting it out from their mouth, I figured the oil could last enough time on the normal plane. Let me know about what you think of the start of the invasion (but the juicy stuff is yet to come, so...) =)
GiveMe20Dollars thank you a lot for reviewing. I am very glad you like my Shino this much. I must be honest, when I started writing the fic I couldn't figure out how to make Shino behave, but his personality kind of grew together with the fic itself, and know I just love him so much =) BTW, I am still smiling about you calling me patty-sempai! XD XD, that was a great boost for my writing abilities! =)
pedobear412 thank you a lot for reviewing. I am happy you liked both the chapter and the Naruto/Akimi moment =) Akimi's question just popped into my head as I was writing and I thought it was funny so I had to put in the chapter! About Sasuke, you are right of course, but I've already covered his fall to the dark side with a series of steps after the invasion. Besides, he is already almost over the edge, way worse than he was in canon (which is why he used the seal against Shino) Let me know what you think about this chap!
OnePieceFAN2012: thank you so much for reviewing. I am glad you liked the Akimi/Naruto moment! Here is the start of the invasion, let me know about what you think! =)
3ch0: thank you for reading and reviewing. I wasn't able to figure out if your first review was positive or negative, so please clarify that. Although, seeing your second comment, I am more inclined to think it was negative. In any case, it is not "a big deal" as you put it to be. It's a simple logical conclusion and I can't really see why it bothers you so much.
So, Naruto has had a lonely childhood, everyone ignored him and so on. We all know about that. The only people he could trust (I am speaking of canon here) were Teuchi and Ayame at the ramen stand, Iruka and the Sandaime. In this story, Naruto discovers that Sarutobi has kept two great secrets from him: the truth about his family and the seal. It seems only logical to me that this tampered and lessened the trust he had in the Sandaime. In fact, I've always thought that Naruto was too much trusting and forgiving in canon. He should have gone and give a piece of his mind to the Sandaime after Mizuki told him about the fox. As for the prank part, it is only a minor reason for keeping his knowledge hidden. The main reason, just so you know, was to see if the Sandaime would tell him or note: a test of sort for the man. I hope this is clear. In any case I would suggest you cool your language off. Thanks.
CHAPTER'S NOTES:
I am very unsure about this chapter. As I told you at the top, it's very similar to canon, but this is just to set up all the stuff than then will happen during the invasion. In fact there is only an extra ANBU squad than in canon and Sarutobi knowing about Orochimaru (writing mind games between him and Oro is so fun!)
Let me know what you think about Kakashi giving orders to the rookies. I swear I thought over that part for hours and yet the solution I came up with doesn't satisfy me. Do you think it's believable? And do you want me to expand Sakura's and Kiba's mission? (Cause I didn't really want to, since I want to focus on Team 7 during the invasion).
Also another great dilemma was who send with Akimi as reinforcement, but I chose Chōji and Ino to have a chance to write interaction between them and Team 7 and because they are Shika's teammates. Also, Kiba was the only one with recon abilities so that was a big factor too.
Changing topic, I'm going to issue a new poll on my profile about Akimi and Rasengan, if you want to vote go and see it.
Thank you for reading everyone, until next time!
Next time up: what can some lowly genin do?