Kaibunkage
Arc I
Chapter VI
"A place where one can start anew without the fear of being judged? Hmm… I like the sound of that. Plus, you're not bad looking, Uzumaki Naruto."
- Terumi Mei
In front of Naruto stood Sayuri, Ranmaru, Guren, Gozu and Sasame.
"The mission is simple," Naruto said. "Get inside the Kurama Compound without making a scene."
"And once there, what will we do?" asked Sasame.
Naruto revealed four tags with seals on them.
"When you have all of them in one general area, place these seals in the four cardinal directions and Ranmaru must be the one to use the Summoning Jutsu." Naruto explained. "Meanwhile, while you guys are doing that, I'll have a team ready the new Kurama Compound."
"Hai Naruto-sensei." Ranmaru said.
"Sasame-chan," Sasame eyed the Kaibunkage. "You're in charge on this mission. Remember, I don't want a lot of fatalities on either side. I want this done clean and smoothly. If you run into a problem that must be taken care of, then do it, but other than that, no killing."
"Sure." Sasame said. "Alright team, let's go."
The five left with a Smoke Shushin leaving the Kaibunkage.
Naruto sighed as he looked at the paperwork on his desk. It had been two days since he had last seen or heard from Sakura and his mind played out the several scenarios on how she and Sasuke's reunion would go.
Scenario one, was the most likely one. Sasuke would grow bored of her talk and Sakura would grow frustrated and a battle will ensue. Sasuke would probably be somewhat amazed at her summoning Ibuse, but he would probably kill her. Naruto may not be an expert on the Sharingan, but he knew about Amaterasu and that was enough to kill anyone.
Scenario two was that Sasuke took Sakura into Oto and they stayed there. This one would most likely fit the bill for the old Sakura. Naruto doubted that the older Sakura was still a fan girl and would allow-
"Lord Kaibunkage, we have a small problem." Jakken said coming into the room, breaking Naruto's thoughts.
Naruto frowned. "What is it?"
"While on his way here to check in on everything," Jakken began to explain. "Aku was attacked by Akatsuki! He's in the hospital as we speak!"
Naruto rose. "I'll check in on him. Make sure that Shiori is safe."
"Hai!" Jakken said before Naruto used his father's Hirashin to leave his office.
Team Hebi began walking out of the village before they were stopped by Kabuto.
"Where are you going Sasuke?" Kabuto asked.
"That's really none of your business." Sasuke replied in a monotone voice. "Get out of the way."
"Lord Orochimaru has instructed you to stay here while he meets up with the-"
"Orochimaru can't stop me from leaving when I want to. I didn't join the Hidden Sound to be an aligned shinobi, I came her solely to get stronger." Sasuke responded. "If Orochimaru is too busy to teach me something I don't already know, then I guess I'll have to go out and learn things on my own." Kabuto's eyes narrowed. "Now move out of my way."
"You'd live longer if you learned some respect." Kabuto said as he stepped aside.
"I'm not a boy anymore. So stop treating me like." replied the Uchiha before leading his team away.
Kabuto glared at the back of Sasuke. Whether or not he could kill Sasuke was a tricky question. There were certain variables that could fluctuate at any giving time of the day, thus changing the outcome of the match. But Kabuto did know how he could kill Sasuke.
And he would do it soon.
The village known as Yozora Town was farther inland than Kemurigakure no Sato and was situated on a large mountain. Here is where Sakura found a lot of plants needed for the standard herbal remedies, as well as some key ingredients for more advanced medication.
Currently, the pink-haired woman was in a small motel contemplating on what she should do.
"Naruto has a village and a daughter that needs him…" she muttered to herself. "And Sasuke has… Nothing. Nothing to gain and nothing to lose…" Sakura sighed. "What the hell is that other reason?"
Growling, Sakura hopped out of the bed and began pacing around.
"What could it have been?" Sakura said. "What could Danzo have done to make him leave? Was it something to do with that mission? Was it something about me or Sasuke?" Sakura sighed and put a hand through her hair, which had grown past her shoulder blades. "What could it have been?"
Sakura sat down on the bed slowly and thought heavily on the matter.
The night Naruto left, he was acting as strange as Sasuke was when he was leaving, though different. Sakura noticed that when the two went to lunch at Ichiraku's, Naruto did not eat anything. That was the first clue right there. Whatever it was had to be something heavy if Uzumaki Naruto did not touch his ramen. But… He could have skipped his favorite dish because Sakura's life was in jeopardy.
Sakura growled quietly as she remembered the day more. Kakashi and Asuma were filling in for Jiraiya, who had left to do some 'research'. There was nothing strange about this. The two continued to stay on the defense until Naruto had found a small opening and they were forced to take him more seriously. And like any ordinary day, Naruto was beaten by the combined efforts of two elite jonin, rested a while, and was ready for another round or two.
Sakura grunted and fast-forward to the part where Naruto left. It was almost the same way Sasuke had done it, with a different twist. Naruto had told Sakura that he had to leave while they were distracted, they being Danzo's Root members that were assigned to watch Naruto. Sakura pleaded and Naruto had told her that he was sorry before she was knocked out. Just like Sasuke had done.
"What could it be?" Sakura asked herself once more before lying back and staring at the ceiling. "Why do I even care so much?"
Sakura momentarily thought about her new question before closing her eyes. She knew when her mind needed a rest and now was the perfect time. Her plans would be on hiatus until she finally knew what made Naruto leave. If she could fix it, it might bring him back.
It just might.
Yukimaru grinned as the students played in the schoolyard. He had put a safe distance between himself and Shiori to avoid any problems between the young priestess and the Three-tailed Turtle. Naruto had told Yukimaru that Jakken would be standing close by, just in case something frightened the jubilant blonde and Yukimaru would be rendered useless if he got near her.
Of course, while she played with her friends and other students, she was not thinking about anything but playing… And winning. Yes, while Shiori loved to have fun, winning was an important thing to her at everything she did. She was Naruto's daughter after all.
"She looks to be alright." Yukimaru grinned at Aku and gave him a small bow. The man was known throughout Smoke as Shion's favored guardian and Yukimaru had respect for the man and his loyalties to Shion and Shiori. "I'm glad the event did not have lasting effects on her."
"It has." Yukimaru said, his smile dropping. "Guren-chan says that the Kaibunkage has a hard time getting her to sleep some nights. She has nightmares."
"Maybe a familiar face will help." Aku said making his way towards Shiori.
Yukimaru watched as the injured Aku walked towards Shiori. He knew that seeing an old friend would help the girl out. That is, until her eyes lit up instantly and a pink shield knocked Aku, as well as a couple of academy students, away from Shiori.
Yukimaru blinked once and then again. Aku, who had been around Shiori probably as much as Jakken has, was just pushed away from the girl subconsciously. Shiori's eyes returned to normal and she looked around confused. Obviously, she had no recollection on when she used her abilities, nor did she have control of it.
"Shiori-chan, it's me, Aku." Aku stated as he stood up.
"Aku…? Aku!" the girl said happily. She attempted to step towards him before her eyes lit again and she stopped. "STAY AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!"
"Wha…?" was all Yukimaru say before the bell around Shiori fired a pink laser towards Aku.
Aku dodged it and backtracked away from the seemingly possessed girl. Yukimaru took a step forward, only to feel the strain on the Sanbi. Fortunately, Naruto appeared and stood in front of Shiori, blocking her view of Aku.
"Shiori-chan," soothed the Kaibunkage. "Calm down. Everything is alright. I'm here."
Shiori's white eyes looked up at Naruto before her eyes dimmed down and reverted back to their normal purple selves.
"Daddy? What's going on?" Shiori asked confused.
Naruto lifted Shiori up and kissed her forehead.
"Nothing Shiori-chan." Naruto said.
Shiori smiled brightly at her father, no clue on the destruction behind the Kaibunkage.
"Whoa! The Kaibunkage!"
"How'd he do that?"
"That was awesome!"
Naruto looked at the other children around him and grinned sheepishly.
"Uh… Hi." Naruto said.
Yukimaru had yet to move from his spot. Shiori had stopped Aku from coming towards her. Shiori had attacked Aku. And most importantly, Shiori sounded oddly similar to Shion on that last statement.
Hearing the Kyodaigame giving a sigh of relief, Yukimaru made his way to father and daughter as the children were all amazed at how Naruto 'appeared from thin air'.
"Lord Kaibunkage," Yukimaru said. "I-"
"I don't know what's wrong." Aku said as he slowly made his way towards the duo. The look in Shiori's eyes reminded him of the final glare Shion had given him weeks ago. The one that was accompanied with a serious death threat. "She's never pushed me away before."
"Sorry Aku." Shiori said looking towards the ground.
Naruto gave his daughter a reassuring smile.
"You did nothing wrong Shiori-chan." Naruto said, his smile never dropping. He set his daughter on the ground. "Now, go run off with your friends. I have to get back to the office."
"Hai Daddy!" Shiori said saluting Naruto and running off, her three best friends tailing her.
"You're supposed to be in the hospital, Aku." Naruto said. "Return there and let our doctors have a good look in you."
"I am fine, Uzumaki-sama," responded the former guard. "I'm just worried about Lady Shiori."
Naruto gave a small frown. "Why do you and Jakken continue this 'Lady Shiori' business? She's not even five yet."
"It is how we refer to her and Lady Shion." Aku said.
"Speaking of Lady Shion…" Naruto looked at Yukimaru. "Something strange just happened Lord Kaibunkage."
"Huh? What happened?" Naruto asked.
"Yukimaru-sensei! You're it!" a little boy said before tagging Yukimaru and dashing off.
Naruto grinned. "It'll have to wait Yukimaru. Tell me when you're done being 'it'."
Yukimaru sighed. "Sure."
As Yukimaru went to entertain his temporary students, Aku narrowed his eyes at the younger jinchuriki that played with the children.
"Something wrong Aku?" questioned Naruto.
"No, Uzumaki-sama." Aku answered. "Nothing at all."
The five-man team Naruto had sent off to retrieve the Kurama Clan was now hidden carefully as their target looked around. Sasame sweat a bit. This was Hatake Kakashi, the famed Sharingan wielder that has copied over a thousand jutsu. There was just one thought that ran through the jonin's mind.
Why was he in the Land of Ash?
Kakashi looked around at the forest that surrounded the path. There were four of them, one which he could not locate.
"Alright, come on out. I know you're there." Kakashi said as he moved his hiate above his left eye, revealing his Sharingan. "I'm only here to speak to the Kaibunkage."
Sasame sighed. In the last few weeks, there had been more visitors in search for the Kaibunkage than anything else. It was starting to become truly annoying.
"He's in an important meeting right now. Turn around and leave." Sasame said.
"I just want to talk to him." Kakashi said. "Surely he can take time off to talk to me."
"Sasame-taichou, there are three other shinobi hidden there, there, and there." Ranmaru said quietly as he pointed to the locations. "Two females and one male. One of the females and the male are Hyuga."
"Right." Sasame replied. "Listen, Hatake-san, return to the Hidden Leaf Village and tell your Hokage that we don't want to talk. Not now at least."
"You drive a hard bargain, but I'm going to have to pass. I need to speak to the Kaibunkage." Kakashi said.
"For what reason?" Sasame asked.
"We have reason to believe that Haruno Sakura was here." Kakashi said. "While I don't question the integrity of your leader, Konoha has a large price on Sakura and will do anything to bring her and her teammates in."
Sasame grunted. She could not let Kakashi see Naruto, no matter what. That would make things even worse for, not only Naruto, but Kemuri as a whole.
"I'm sorry, but you're going to have to go." Sasame finally replied. "One way or another."
"Well, if that's the way you feel…" Kakashi said moving a hand for his pocket.
"Oh no you don't!" Sayuri shouted as she sprouted from the ground quickly, her dirks at the ready.
"Sayuri don't!" Sasame shouted.
Sayuri stopped, one of her dirks barely tapping Kakashi as the man revealed an orange book before splashing into a puddle of water.
"Water Clone?" Sayuri gasped.
"There goes our sneak attack…" murmured Ranmaru as he stared at his former teammate.
"Now I'm going to ask you politely," Kakashi said as he stood behind Sayuri. "Take me to see the Kaibunkage."
Sayuri grunted. "Why the hell should I?"
"Because I asked nicely and that would be rude." replied Kakashi.
Sayuri teetered a bit after the statement and almost face planted into the ground. She recovered and pointed at the Leaf Nin angrily.
"That's the dumbest excuse I've heard in my life!" the purple-haired kunoichi shouted. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Ranmaru landed in front of Sayuri.
"Watch my back. There are three more with him." Ranmaru said, his eyes giving off a small glow. "I can't defeat him, but I can surely keep my cool against him."
Sayuri grunted. "That's because you and sensei have this natural affinity of being annoying at the worst possible times."
"Let them go." Sayuri and Ranmaru heard Sasame say. "We're running late and there are more lives at stake. The Kaibunkage can surely handle these four."
"Since they know that you're there, there's no use in hiding. Team, reveal yourself." Kakashi said as Hyuga Neji, Hyuga Hinata, and Tenten landed on the ground behind Kakashi. "I take it that the five of you will leave this little argument out of the report, right? We don't want to start off on the wrong foot."
"I am sorry, Kakashi-san, but my Byakugan has picked up at least twelve of them." Neji said.
"Hai. Mine too." Hinata said.
"Ranmaru, Sayuri, let's go." Sasame ordered. Ranmaru used a Smoke Shushin while a giant black rose emerged from the ground and enclosed around Sayuri, bringing her underground (Mayfly Technique). "Hatake-san, the Kaibunkage will not be pleased seeing you since you are the former sensei of both Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura, two people who have attacked him on two separate occasions."
Kakashi gave a bow. "Forgive my students. All three of them lacked some social skills."
"All three?" replied Sasame.
"Yes. Haruno Sakura knew nothing about grieving, so she could never empathize with the others. Uchiha Sasuke witnessed his brother killing his clan, so he does not trust anyone to allow them to get near him. And Uzumaki Naruto… Well, no one took the time out of their life to give him the proper manners of life. Although…" Guren caught Ranmaru, who was now beside her, tense slightly at the man speaking about his sensei. "He probably understood the other two far greater than they did him."
"…" Sasame stood quietly only because it was true. The way Naruto had originally made Kakashi out to be was a man solely focused on one student, Sasuke, and only after the Uchiha left did he give Sakura and Naruto the time of day. However, hearing the silver-haired jonin say this made Sasame think otherwise. He noticed them all from the start. "Follow the path to the village. And if anyone asks, we never met."
Kakashi nodded before he sensed the other shinobi were gone.
"Well that was weird." Tenten said.
"We should continue on to the village." Kakashi said. "I have a bad feeling about this place."
Aku lied in the hospital bed, his golden eyes staring at the ceiling. He had to find a way to get rid of Yukimaru before the boy could tell what happened, however, that was harder said than done. Yukimaru was one of Kemuri's only two jinchuriki. If he simply died or disappeared, people would wonder.
A male nurse walked into the room before closing the door. Aku sat up.
"What is it?" Aku asked.
The 'nurse' transformed into a man of twenty-five years old. The man had chin length black hair that covered most of his face, however two small green orbs that were his eyes shone through the black curtain of hair. The man also wore a standard Akatsuki robe with black nail polish on his finger nails and a black broadsword on his back. Taking a hand, he moved his hair from his face, revealing his lips that appeared to be stitched on.
"It feels strange to be back here." the new man said. "Why haven't you grabbed Shiori yet?"
"There is something strange with the girl." Aku answered. "Shion possessed her and stopped me from getting within arm's length of her." The other man chuckled. "This isn't funny, Gyaku. Leader-sama wants the girl to make the sealing more efficient. Plus, it is rumored that she had the power to weaken the Jubi."
"If I had eyebrows, I'd be raising them in amusement." Hirameki Gyaku said. "Too bad my parents burnt them… Right before I killed them, no less."
Aku grimaced. He was not a combatant that did messy jobs, unlike his partner who loved to butcher his prey with his blade. However, Aku could not deny Gyaku's skills. He was the only Missing-nin from Kemuri after all and did train a while with the Kaibunkage himself. Gyaku's skills made up for his sickening lust for blood…
Sometimes.
"I will get her soon. Wait for me in Yozora Town. We will devise a plan there." Aku said.
"Sure." Gyaku said. "But before I go, I want to see how my clan is doing." Aku was going to object before Gyaku put a hand up. "I know, I know. I won't kill anyone. This time."
Gyaku's black hair fell over his face once more before he successfully transformed back into the male nurse he was previously masquerading about as, and left the room.
Aku lied on his back once more and closed his eyes. If Shion was going to possess Shiori, then he would become someone else as well.
Sakura looked around the gardens that housed the herbs she was currently looking for. She figured that work got her mind off of Naruto and Sasuke like it did when she was still in Konoha. Of course, like the past, it was hardly helping as the faceless mother of Shiori continued to cloud Sakura's head.
"Ma'am, you dropped this." Sakura turned around to see a small boy holding out a peach towards her.
She smiled. "Thanks." Sakura took the peach from the boy. "What's your name?"
"Haru." he answered.
"Well, thank you Haru." Sakura said before frowning. "Say, Haru-kun, do you know anything about Uzumaki Shiori?" The boy nodded. "Really? What?"
"Her dad lets her play in the gardens while he comes to visit the nice nurse at the hospital." Haru explained.
"Right. Have you ever seen her mother before?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah! She's real nice! Her name's-"
"Haru! What have I told you about running off?" an angered woman said.
"Sorry Mom!" the boy said running towards the woman. He waved at Sakura. "See ya later!"
"Yeah…" Sakura said with a small smile.
There was a nurse here in Yozora that Naruto was fond of that could possibly shed light on this mysterious mother issue. Now all that left was the other reason(s) he left and dragging him and Sasuke back to Konoha.
The two blades met with sparks flying off of them before the two opponents separated.
"Again," Suigetsu froze as the voice was behind him. "You fall for the simplest genjutsu."
Suigetsu grunted. "It's that damn Sharingan of yours!"
"Excuses, excuses. Why don't you admit that Sasuke-kun is just better than you, even in kenjutsu?" stated Karin.
"How about you go a round or two with me?" Suigetsu threatened.
"That's enough." Sasuke said. "We should continue moving."
"You never told us where we were going." Suigetsu said.
"You'll see when we get there." was the Uchiha's response as he began to walk away.
Jugo followed Sasuke, followed by Karin and eventually Suigetsu. Karin sped past Jugo to walk alongside Sasuke.
"So, Sasuke-kun," began the medic. "I hear that you can have almost an unlimited number of wives."
"Hn."
"Well… I was thinking-"
"No." interrupted the Uchiha.
"Why not?" Karin whined.
Sasuke stopped and glanced at Karin.
"You remind me of Sakura and I hate that about you." was all Sasuke said before walking off again. "Come on. I want to get back in time to hear about the invasion plans."
Jugo walked past Karin, not giving her a look at all, while Suigetsu walked by snickering. Karin just stood with a hurt and shocked face before trudging behind Suigetsu.
Sasuke eyed his team behind him before turning back in front of him. Sakura was last seen in Wave Country and she was his next target. Despite whatever she once was when they were genin, Sasuke has heard a lot about his former pink-haired teammate and needed her expertise for when he did kill Itachi and needed to transplant his brother's eyes into his. As Orochimaru had stated it, that was the ultimate power; the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. Sasuke would obtain the Mangekyo through killing Itachi and then Eternal after he took Itachi's eyes. And while Sasuke had faith in Karin's abilities, there was no denying that Sakura was beyond Karin in the medical field.
Sasuke turned towards the sky as he thought about his other former teammate. There was not much to say what Naruto had done after leaving Konoha mainly because there was not a lot of news about the blond. But Sasuke did not worry. Naruto was alive and he was probably either training or resting to train. That was the blond's style. He trained with the vigor of Rock Lee and grew in power exponentially. Sasuke grimaced at the thought that Naruto's Rasengan was stronger than his Chidori. However, it was true. Had Naruto actually struck Sasuke with the attack instead of scratching his forehead protector, who knows where Sasuke would be now?
"Hey Sasuke," Sasuke fought the urge to at least punch Suigetsu in the face for breaking his thoughts. But seeing as the other man would just turn into water and reform unharmed, Sasuke let it go. "If you don't want that new wife you got, can I have her?"
Sasuke sighed. Some times, and he did mean some times, he really missed his former team.
Sakura watched from a tree with a perfect view of the front door of the medical center in Yozora Town. A woman with long dark brown hair walked out of the building with a backpack over her shoulder. Sakura watched as the woman gave a kind farewell to whoever was at the front desk and walk down the dirt path away.
"I should stop by the market to pick up some eggs and milk." the woman said before a man, apparently a thief due to his ski-mask, jumped out in front of her.
"Hand over the money." he threatened.
Sakura had half the mind on going down there and beating the man before the woman gave a small giggle.
"You really don't want to do that." she said.
"Stop playing games and hand over the damn money!" the man ordered.
The woman sat her backpack down and stood calmly before motioning the man to come to her with her hand. The larger man ran towards the woman, whose hands were surrounded in green chakra. Sakura picked up on this instantly before the woman palmed the man's chest, sending him tumbling backwards.
Moving a few strands of hair from her face to reveal a purple square on her cheek, the woman smiled.
"I'm sorry about that, but you left me with no choice. Please reconsider the path you've taken." she said before looking in Sakura's direction. "You can come out now."
"So you're a Medic Nin and not just some nurse. I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Sakura said before leaping from her position and landing in front of the woman.
"Haruno Sakura… The student of Lady Tsunade herself…" stated the woman.
"I'm sorry. Should I know you?" Sakura asked.
The woman smiled. "No, no you shouldn't. What can I do for you?"
Brushing aside the question on how the woman knew that Sakura was in search for something, Sakura began her questions.
"I'm looking for a woman who knows the mother of Uzumaki Shiori." Sakura said. The light brown eyes of the woman saddened a bit. "Is it you?"
"What? No. I'm not Shiori-chan's mother, but I knew her. She was Shion from Demon Country." the woman said. "I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry. If you want more answers, ask Naruto-kun himself. He'll tell you."
With that the woman began walking away, stepping over the downed man as she did so.
"Wait a sec! Who are you?" Sakura called.
The woman paused in her step and smiled at the pinkette.
"My name's Rin." she said before going on about her business.
Sakura frowned. Rin… The name sounded familiar. Vaguely familiar, but she had heard it before. Naruto did not mention it… And Sasuke hardly mentioned anyone… Plus she was too old to be a friend of Ino's. Sakura's eyes widened.
"Kakashi…"
Father and daughter was both devouring bowl after bowl of their favorite ramen while the owner of the bar just smiled at the two frequent customers. After two more bowls for Shiori and four for Naruto, the two sat satisfied.
"Think Shiori-chan," Naruto said with a smile. "You've replenished your energy so now you can go play and train some more."
"Right Daddy!" the soon-to-be five-years-old girl said with a smile that rivaled her father's.
Naruto paid that man before leading his daughter out of the stand, Shiori riding atop of his shoulders. While she was smiling and giggling, Naruto was still pained to know that this would not last. She would eventually grow tired and she would eventually dream about her mother's death. While he knew sleep was essential for life, he tried to keep his daughter awake and happy for however long he possibly could. He hated to see her cry.
"Hey Daddy?" Shiori began.
"Hmm?" the Kaibunkage responded.
"Are you and Gaara friends?" Shiori asked.
"Yeah, we are." answered Naruto. "Why?"
"Well… He seems really weird. And sad." Shiori stated. Naruto only smiled at the statement. "Are you friends with the pink-haired lady?"
"…" Naruto thought about his response before answering. "We're not enemies."
"She was nice in my dream." replied the younger hyperactive blonde.
"Oh really? What did she do?" Naruto asked.
"Well…" Shiori said as she remembered her vision. "You were gone and Mei baa-chan told the pink-haired lady to watch me and she said that everything would be alright and rocked me to sleep while humming a song." Naruto frowned. Due to Naruto and Shion always protecting Shiori, the young girl never knew that these 'dreams' of hers were sometimes actually visions and thought that they were nothing worth remembering unless something great happened. Therefore, some visions that were important, such as this one, were only vaguely remembered by Shiori or completely ignored and forgottened. "Plus she smells nice. Like cherries."
Naruto laughed a bit. "Well, her name is Sakura."
"Oh… She's pretty." Shiori stated.
"Yeah. I guess she is." Naruto said before an owl-masked ANBU appeared in front of him. "This had better be good."
"Leaf Nin are in the village sir. Hyuga Neji, Hyuga Hinata, Tenten, and Hatake Kakashi."
Naruto sighed heavily. Somewhere down the line, this was Sasame's fault.
"Take them to my office. I'll be there shortly." Naruto said.
The ANBU disappeared in a puff of thick smoke.
"Aw man… We were going to play." Shiori whined.
"I know. I'm sorry Shiori, but this is important." Naruto replied.
"When I become Kaibunkage, I'm going to make a lunch break law. No one can do anything but eat lunch and play with their daughter!" proclaimed Shiori.
Naruto laughed. "I'll be waiting for that."
Kakashi looked around the office, taking in almost every feature he could see. The four ANBU escorts stood with two at the door behind the Leaf shinobi and one at each of the two windows in the office.
The door opened and three figures entered the office. Kakashi recognized the taller one in the middle was the Kaibunkage as he wore the grey robes and hat. On one side of the Kaibunkage stood the former Mist Nin, Terumi Mei, and on the other the former Mist Nin, Chojoru. Kakashi felt uneasy with having two strong opponents accompanying the Kaibunkage, but did not show it in hopes that the meeting will go smoothely.
Naruto sat at his desk with a heavy sigh before waving his ANBU away.
"Just get to the point. What are you doing here?" asked the annoyed Kaibunkage.
"We came here for two separate reasons." Kakashi answered. "Reason one, there was a rumor that Haruno Sakura was down here."
"You just missed her." Naruto said. "And the second reason?"
"Well the second reason was to meet you in person. Our Hokage has interest in your village, especially seeing that you have spoken with the Kazekage, most likely about Akatsuki." Kakashi said. "We were-"
"If you're looking for an alliance, then you're in the wrong place." Naruto interjected. "Kemuri and Konoha will keep a respectable distance from one another until you get a more trustworthy leader."
"Please, reconsider. Akatsuki will attack all villages with a jinchuriki and then some. We need everyone to join to protect villages with jinchuriki such as Suna and Taki." Kakashi stated.
Naruto laughed quietly. "The Kazekage and I have joined together to protect our combined three jinchuriki." Mei glanced at Naruto while Neji frowned at the statement. "The Ichibi is the Godaime Kazekage while I house the other two."
"And those two are?" Tenten asked.
"Tenten, you know it is forbidden to ask about another village's secrets." Neji reprimanded in a calm voice. "Please forgive her, Lord Kaibunkage."
"No-"
"Daddy!" Shiori called as she ran into the room, tears running down her face. "I had another nightmare!"
"Forgive me Lord Kaibunkage. I tried to do all that I can but-"
"Jakken, it's alright." Naruto said with his daughter now in his lap. "I have her now. You may take a break." Jakken nodded before leaving. Naruto then turned his attention to Shiori. "Shiori-chan, it's alright."
Kakashi said nothing as he watched the blonde girl snuggle into her father as much as humanly possible. His keen eye watched the interaction between father and daughter before narrowing slightly.
"Chojuro, take our guests to a motel. All of them but Hatake-san. I wish to speak to him on a private matter." stated Naruto.
Chojuro nodded. "Right away Lord Kaibunkage." Chojuro then looked at Hinata, Neji, and Tenten. "This way."
Chojuro left the room followed by the three Leaf shinobi.
"I always knew that you would surpass me one day." said Kakashi.
Naruto removed his hat and gave his former sensei a small grin.
"I could never sneak one pass you, Kakashi-sensei."
Ranmaru was now leaping from branch to branch as fast as he could, trying to keep up with the pink dragon above him. If he had not stopped to eat some curry a while back, he might have been exhausted by now. Thankfully, the dish had kept him energized as it did when he was first made a genin under one of the most hardworking people he has ever known; Uzumaki Naruto.
As he ran, he used his dojutsu to spot the chakra source of Gozu beneath him. The older man was moving swiftly through the ground using his Hidden Mole Jutsu. He knew that Sayuri was beneath him as well using her Mayfly Technique but it was very hard to keep track of her movements and look ahead at the same time. That technique was made to move without being spotted and it took all of Ranmaru's focus to find her. Sasame rode on the pink crystal dragon above him with Guren.
The plan was quite simple. Sayuri would be the first to arrive at the Kurama Compound and would scout the area. But because he knew his former teammate, Ranmaru knew she would engage in at least two fights with either a Konoha guard or a Kurama member. Next, Gozu will arrive to make sure that Sayuri was not being followed. Sasame, Guren, and Ranmaru would bring up the rear with Ranmaru clearing out any and all forces on the ground on his way. They were not expecting but four or five ANBU watching over the entire clan since it was rumored that Danzo was about to wipe them out, so whatever Ranmaru could not handle alone, Sasame and the others could give him a hand.
Ranmaru heard a whistle that made him stop and look above him. Guren's crystal dragon was circling above him. Using his dojutsu, he zeroed in on Guren and Sasame to read their lips. Unfortunately, he wasted his chakra as the dragon came towards the ground where Sasame hopped off onto a tree branch.
"We're changing the plan." Sasame told Ranmaru. "Guren is going to fly ahead and I'm going to stay next to you."
Ranmaru frowned. "Why the change in plans?"
"Danzo is a military man. He's probably waiting for something like this to happen and Naruto will have my head if anything should happen to you." said Sasame. "You are Shiori's future sensei, after all."
Ranmaru nodded at that. His sensei, Naruto, had entrusted him in teaching his daughter when she eventually became a genin.
"Guren, go on ahead. If you see anything suspicious, mark it with a crystal. We'll handle it." Sasame ordered.
"Hai." replied the former Oto shinobi before flying off on her dragon.
Sasame glanced at Ranmaru.
"Come on. We have to continue on." Sasame said.
"Hai." Ranmaru responded before following Sasame.
That night, Kakashi was called to the Kaibunkage Tower onto the rooftop. The chilling mountain wind caused Kakashi to wish that he was back in a warmer environment. Naruto stood with Shiori standing beside him, holding his hand tightly.
"The kage of your own village. I'm not really surprised, but I am proud." Kakashi said. "You've grown quite a bit."
"I want to know how you knew it was me." stated Naruto.
"A year or so back, I encountered a shinobi from Ishigakure," answered Kakashi. "He told me something about the history of Kemuri... When the fire of the burning leaves die out... All that is left is smoke and ashes..." Kakashi paused. "That, plus he said that the Kaibunkage was blond."
"I guess that answers that question. Sort of." Naruto said.
Kakashi gave a sigh. "And then there was the simple action I saw earlier. When you dropped everything you were doing to comfort your daughter. You are still put the lives of everyone over your own, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You probably spoil her."
Naruto chuckled. "I've been told that before." Shiori looked up at Kakashi before giving her father a questioning look. "This is my former sensei, Hatake Kakashi."
"What's wrong with his eye?" Shiori asked, using her free hand to cover an eye to imitate Kakashi's hiate.
"He has a special eye." Naruto attempted to explain. "A friend gave it to him."
"Ooohhhh…" Shiori said dropping her hand.
Kakashi grinned beneath his mask. "She's a lot like you."
"I doubt that." Naruto said. "Kakashi-sensei, what you told me earlier about how Danzo has changed Konoha… I want to tell you that I'm sorry that you guys have to put up with it. But there isn't anything I can do. I can't help you."
"You can't or you won't?" Kakashi asked.
"You know why I left, Kakashi-sensei." stated Naruto, growing angrier by the seconds. "The fact that Danzo would send his Root to help Sasuke escape… And then forced me not to say a word to Sakura…!" Naruto paused and took a breath. "I was banned from learning another jutsu above C-rank. I was prohibited from leaving the village with just you or Jiraiya as my jonin leader. ANBU followed me to the store, but did nothing to those people that still attacked me. Worst of all, the only possible way that I was going to make jonin is if I went into Root." Kakashi gave a small sigh. "No. I won't go back to that village. Not while he is in charge. I still don't know why he did it."
"I understand how angry you are with Danzo, but this is the life of a shinobi. We hold secrets to keep the civilians safe. We obey rules that contradict our own morals at times." Kakashi said. "If you did tell someone, that person would have been killed on the spot for learning an S-ranked secret. Whatever Danzo has planned for Sasuke will be revealed later. You shouldn't have focused on it so much."
Naruto smirked. "A truly professional explanation. But it's not good enough." Kakashi watched Naruto lift Shiori, who placed her head on his shoulder. "I know what it's like to be a part of and left out of an S-ranked secret. People throw rocks at you and call you names for something you can't understand."
"But if you refuse our alliance, then there is a high possibility that Konoha will soon turn its attentions to Kemuri and we would be put in battle." Kakashi said.
"And once that happens," Naruto replied. "I will finally get my shot at killing Danzo the right way."
The Kaibunkage vanished using the Hirashin leaving Kakashi wondering to himself. Had this been Naruto's big plan from the start? When Naruto had confronted Kakashi about Danzo's personal ANBU aiding Sasuke's escape, Kakashi was worried that his blond student might have done something foolish and attempted to attack the Hokage. But days before his departure, Naruto had told Kakashi that he was not going to attack the Hokage because it went against his code as a Leaf shinobi. But now everything was different. Naruto was no longer a shinobi of the Konoha. Naruto no longer had to obey the Hokage.
"I hope you know what you're doing." Kakashi muttered as he continued to stare at the village known as Kemurigakure no Sato.