Kaibunkage
Arc II
Chapter XIII
"Love is the catalyst that brings about self-sacrifice. And that births hatred. But I will break that cycle and bring peace… Because that is the will of God."
- Nagato
Two days later, Sakura had gotten quite used to a lot of new things. Meetings with the Kaibunkage, both with and without others, had become a constant thing. Sayuri's training regime had also become a new habit for Sakura, helping the girl grow a stronger defense against genjutsu as well as the basics for Medical Ninjutsu. Finally, the most important thing she was beginning to grow use to, or rather used to again, was Naruto's smile. As cheesy as it may sound, she missed it. The genuine smile, that is. She could do without the fake ones.
Currently, Sakura was rejuvenating from a recent spar with Mei at Naruto's favorite training ground. Kazudan, Sayuri, Chojuro, Sasame, Marashu, Naruto, Jakken, and Shiori present.
"If you fight Kageno again," Mei said to Sakura. "I would suggest you lead him away from water."
"Hai…" Sakura said, ashamed that she had been defeated. Then again, Mei was no slouch and Sakura was ordered not to use Ibuse. Plus Mei, much like Kageno, was a master of water and had an abundant source from the waterfall nearby. "Thank you, Mei-san."
"You were awesome Baa-chan!" Shiori cheered with a smile. "But you almost lost!"
"Shiori-chan, it's not about winning or losing," stated Mei. "It's about training Sakura so she can be strong enough to save you from anything."
"She put a better fight than I would." Sasame said, Marashu nodding in agreement.
Sayuri crossed her arms. "I say the Old Lady cheats. She only fights near water."
Naruto grinned nervously, a small trinkle of sweat appearing on his forehead and running down his face.
"Now, now Sayuri-chan, we wouldn't want to piss Mei-chan off, now would we? I can't have her killing my student." Naruto said before seeing a tick mark on Mei's forehead. "Um… How about we grab something to eat? On me."
Mei's eyes went from Sayuri and then at Naruto. She then smiled sweetly causing the Kaibunkage to sweat more, as well as Chojuro and Marashu.
"Naruto-kun, you can't protect her all the time." Mei said kindly. "I'll just beat you too."
Naruto nodded, happy that she had not promised to kill him.
"Baa-chan," Shiori said. "How do you do the Lava Release? Can I do it? How do I learn it?"
"It takes work Shiori-chan." Mei said.
As Mei went to explain to Shiori the months it took her to perfect it, Naruto made his way over to Sakura, watching his former teammate slowly heal her minor wounds with her remaining chakra.
"Don't overdo it, Sakura-chan. You'll only hurt yourself more." Sakura grinned at the irony of Naruto being the one to tell her that. "That was pretty impressive seeing that she basically out-speeds you until you used your seal. However, getting frustrated by mere words will cause you to lose every time."
"I know." was all the pink-haired woman could say.
Truthfully, Sakura did not know why Mei reminding her of how bad of a friend she was to Naruto angered her so much. Possibly because Naruto was there and said nothing to argue against it. But whatever it was, it was enough to throw her off her game and come charging right into a trap.
"Oi, Shishou," Sayuri called, coming towards Sakura. "That was pretty awesome that you battled the Old Hag on the water and lived to tell the tale. One time she almost slapped me in the face with a ball of acid!"
Naruto sighed. "Sayuri, I'm really going to have to seal your lips shut if you don't stop calling Mei-chan an 'old hag' while she's within hearing range."
"Sure Sensei, whatever," Sayuri said before smirking and turning to the others. "It's my turn to spar! So which one of you will go against Kemuri's Black Rose? Huh? Huh? Don't be afraid! I promise I won't kill any of you!"
A chuckle from the Kaibunkage caused Sayuri to turn around and face him.
"Chojuro sparred with Sasame. Marashu sparred with Kazudan. Jakken is only here to watch Shiori-chan." Sayuri's smile slowly fell from her face. "There's only one person left here, believe it."
Sayuri looked at the others before back at Naruto, who was helping Sakura to her feet. Sayuri then sighed before settling in a fighting stance, her daggers in her hands.
"Alright Naruto-sensei, it's time for the student to surpass the master." Sayuri said with confidence.
Naruto frowned. "Aren't you forgetting something?" Sayuri paused before snapping her fingers and moving towards Naruto. "Don't ever forget this Sayuri-chan. It's what separates you from your brother."
"Hai, hai." Sayuri said with a smile before extending her fist out towards Naruto. "Forgive me, Sensei."
Naruto smiled before bumping fists with his student. This was a sign of friendship within Kemuri taught to be done before every spar within the academy. Those who chose to ignore this ruling were put through a torturous lecture while in the academy and the only jonin to ever dismiss the act was Gyaku who found it stupid. But as Naruto looked at the younger sister of his recent double-crossing friend, he was beyond happy that she did it out of respect of her village and not because Naruto grilled her about it.
"You're forgiven Sayuri-chan." Naruto said. With Sakura out of the way, Naruto stepped away from Sayuri and stood patiently. "Are you ready?" Sayuri nodded, getting back into her stance with her daggers. "Then, let's begin."
"Hai!" Sayuri replied.
Fu looked around the room cautiously. She had little trust in her own village. How would she be able to trust another?
"You're safe." Kakashi told her. "We are currently waiting for word from the other villages to determine where the best place to situate you at."
Fu frowned. "I don't need to hide. I'm capable of fighting my own battles."
"Yes, I'm sure," Kakashi responded. "But there will be more of Akatsuki coming after you. If you can't defeat one, how will you manage two or three of them?" Fu glared at the man though she had no comeback. "We're only trying to help you, Fu-san."
The door opened to reveal Tsunade. Tsunade gave Kakashi a small notion with her head, Kakashih leaving the room at the silent command.
"We're moving you to a safe house soon." Tsunade said.
"I don't need to-"
"If you're captured," Tsunade interrupted the younger woman. "Akatsuki will use your biju to attack us. And you will die from the extraction alone. That's two things that can be prevented if you just come with me quietly."
"My death isn't that important." Fu grumbled.
"You're not the only jinchuriki I'm worried about." Fu's brows furrowed at Tsunade's statement. "There's a certain blond kage who I have had the pleasure of meeting. He is the jinchuriki of the Kyubi, Uzumaki Naruto, the Shodai Kaibunkage."
"I've heard of him." Fu said with a thoughtful expression. "Yeah… He's helped Shibuki once."
Tsunade nodded. "Him. I'm worried about him, a sage and a kage, not to mention a jinchuriki of the most powerful biju."
"If he's so strong, why worry?" Fu asked.
"Because he matters, just like you matter. He will make sure that you're in safe hands, my safe hands." Tsunade told Fu. "So, I'm going to need you to trust me. I will do everything to keep you safe."
Fu sat quietly. She had heard about both Naruto and Gaara only because they were kage in their respective village. They had more respect from their people than she could ever dream of. Sure, with Shibuki as the new leader of the Hidden Waterfall things were a little better. He paid more attention to her and did not necessarily fear or hate her. Still, one person could not right the wrong of millions. That was something Fu believed in till this date.
"We'll be moving you out tomorrow morning." Tsunade said. "That'll give you enough time to think about your importance in this war."
"You're just hiding me." Fu said.
"No… I received a message from the Raikage and the Kaibunkage." explained the Rokudaime Hokage. "The remaining jinchuriki will begin training to tame their respective biju." Fu's eyes widened. "Afterwards, we will see whether or not will you fight on the front lines."
Fu nodded before turning out the window to view the sky. Seeing the younger woman in deep thoughts, Tsunade chose that moment to leave the room. She hoped Naruto would be at the next meeting to discuss his plan. She really did not feel like going all the way to Kemuri and dragging him to Iron Country.
But she would if she had to.
Nii Yugito hated being treated differently due to her status as a jinchuriki, but not as much as she once did. There were moments when she just wanted to go all out, but the Raikage had ordered her not to. And then there were moments when she wanted to relax yet ordered to watch her fellow shinobi's backs even though they held a grudge against her.
"I'll be glad when this is over." the blonde said moving out of the waters. She maneuvered to her towel and wrapped it around her nude body securely.
"It really doesn't matter if you make yourself decent or not," Yugito froze at the familiar voice. "You're coming with us."
Yugito glared at her opponents. One, Hidan, was someone who she barely escaped from the first time. The other was former Kiri shinobi, Hoshigaki Kisame. From her memory, she knew of Hidan's abilities. But with Kisame here, this became a lot more difficult.
Kisame smirked. "Scream all you want. This won't take more than a second."
Yugito ground her teeth together. And to think this would happen after a wonderful bath…
Rain… That was befitting for his current position. He was infiltrating the Village Hidden in Rain. It was only suiting that it was raining.
"In here." Jiraiya said.
Ranmaru followed Jiraiya inside of a strange building. Pipes ran along the ceilings of the hallways and there were several of doors on both sides.
"Alright," stated the Toad Sage. "From here we'll have to be very careful. From what I've been told, this building is somehow a base of operations for Akatsuki." Ranmaru felt his heartbeat rise. "Hey, don't get soft on me now. I need you to help me get to the right room."
"How?" Ranmaru asked.
"Certainly Naruto has taught you how to sneak around. A kid wearing orange is lucky to survive in the shinobi world without having that ability." Ranmaru smirked a bit. Everyone seemed to make fun of his sensei's choice of color…
"I know a Transparency Technique, but it doesn't mask chakra very well. Will that do?" Jiraiya nodded. "Alright. I'll give it a try."
"Remember, I'll be right behind you." As Jiraiya said this, his body became darker and flat, becoming a shadow right in front of Ranmaru's eyes.
This must be the skills that only the Sannin possessed, Ranmaru thought as he held a hand seals. His body slowly became transparent before becoming invisible altogether. Lowering his chakra as much as he could with his dojutsu in play, Ranmaru began to navigate throughout the building.
"I hear Leader-sama is planning on leaving soon." Ranmaru paused in his step as a man wearing a face mask came out of a nearby room, nearly hitting the Smoke jonin in the face with the door, with a smaller woman. "He's going after that pseudo-kage, Uzumaki Naruto."
"I heard he has tamed his beast." the woman stated, Ranmaru following them quietly.
"Yeah, the demon has done well for himself. Too bad Danzo-sama and Lord Otokage will probably kill him. If Leader-sama doesn't, of course." Ranmaru stopped himself from gasping. "If that damn Sandaime Hokage had've been smarter, we could have turned him into the perfect weapon."
Ranmaru's eyes narrowed. Talking bad about his sensei, a man he looked up to in every way, was something that could make him angry instantly. But he had to keep his cool. Already he had learned that Danzo was alive and was in Otogakure. He really did not picture Orochimaru working with Danzo, especially since they had recently battled one another, so someone else had to be running the village now. Question was: Who?
"I have to find Konan-san for the message back to Oto. See you later." the woman said departing from the man.
Ranmaru followed the woman. This Konan handed out messages meaning she must have some contact with this mysterious Leader-sama. Though he was quite cautious about the entire ordeal, he followed the woman. They soon came to a large empty room, more of the pipes running along the towering walls heading for an opening at the top.
"Stop right there. "A voice said, stopping the woman in he tracks. "What are you doing here, outside?"
"L-Lady Konan… It's me-" Sheets of paper began to float in the air, signaling that Konan was about to attack. "Lady Konan!"
Seeing a javelin made of paper heading for him, Ranmaru quickly dodged out of the way, ending his jutsu.
"What?" the woman screeched.
Ranmaru glared at Konan watching wings of paper form behind her.
"You should've known better to come her, Smoke shinobi. You're nothing but a child." Konan said.
Ranmaru's eyes flared. "You're after my sensei and his daughter. And for that…" Ranmaru extended the blades from his gloves. "I'll make you pay for harming my family!"
Konan merely sent a barrage of paper strips towards Ranmaru. Ranmaru countered this with his Black Tornado Technique. Konan began to focus on Ranmaru more, attempting to slice him with her sheets of paper. She did not expect Jiraiya to appear, ready for an attack.
Exhaling a blast of fire (Fire Release: Flame Bullet) on Konan, Jiraiya narrowed his eyes in thought at the sight of his former student. If Konan was alive, were Yahiko and Nagato alive as well?
"Thanks." Ranmaru said as the woman messenger ran off. Ranmaru then turned towards Konan, who was rising into the air again.
"You shouldn't have come here… Jiraiya-sensei." Ranmaru's eyes widened slightly, though he did not take them off of his opponent.
"Heh… It's been a while Konan. You've grown in both skills and beauty." Jiraiya said with a grin. His grin slowly dropped. "But you've aligned yourself with Akatsuki. You've forgotten everything I've taught you!"
"Your words mean nothing to me now. I have obtained orders from our god to remove men like you from this world." Konan stated, her paper angelic wings forming once more.
Jiraiya chuckled. "So I guess that makes you an angel, eh Konan?"
"She was your student?" Ranmaru finally asked.
"A long time ago…" answered the Toad Sage. "But from what I've heard, she died along with her teammates." Konan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Tell me, Konan. Is Nagato or Yahiko this 'Leader-sama' that we've been hearing about?"
"Jiraiya-sensei, that is none of your business." Konan said rising higher into the air. Both Jiraiya and Ranmaru prepared for an attack. "You should've killed us like Orochimaru-san said."
"I'm not that kind of man." Jiraiya said before unleasing another Flame Bullet at Konan. The paper-user fired several of her Paper Shuriken at Jiraiya.
Seeing his chance, Ranmaru used his Lightning Release: White Tiger technique, sending the beast towards Konan. Konan was quick to dodge it in time, dodging Jiraiya's flames as well. Ranmaru took off, charging for Konan. He had theorized that he could out-speed her. When he saw Konan looking at him, he exhaled a plume of smoke to cover him and his opponent (Ninja Art: Smoke Hide Jutsu).
Konan looked around, unable to visibly see anything. However, she knew Ranmaru was coming for her. She could feel his chakra.
"My chance…" Ranmaru said before he felt another chakra to his left. "Crap…"
The sound of a blade being drawn caused Ranmaru to glance to his left, seconds before he heard something or someone being pushed into the pipes along the wall.
Silence followed that with the lifting of the smoke Ranmaru created. Ranmaru and Konan both saw an orange-haired man wrapped in Jiraiya's lengthened and thickened hair.
"What is that?" Ranmaru questioned as his eyes could see a strange flow of chakra inside of the man's body.
"Why are you here, Jiraiya-sensei?" the man asked.
Ranmaru could only look at Jiraiya.
"Nagato…" Jiraiya said. "So you're a part of Akatsuki as well."
"His chakra…" Ranmaru noted. "His life force… It's different."
"You can see that with your dojutsu?" the Animal Path of Pain stated. "Impressive… But your eyes are nothing compared to those of a god!"
Ranmaru was about to move for the strange man until he saw several explosive tags shooting for him.
"Get out of there kid!" Jiraiya called, using his Wild Lion's Mane Technique to push Ranmaru out of the way.
Ranmaru slid on his feet, his eyes catching something on the wall. With skill and precision, he quickly gathered a few kunai from his pouch and hurled them at the spot on the wall. Jiraiya frowned when Ranmaru's blades bounced off of the wall.
"Dammit…" the teen muttered.
"Pay attention boy!" Jiraiya called.
"That's a clone." Ranmaru stated, causing Konan's eyes to narrow slightly. "The real one is over there. He's summoned a chameleon."
"I see." Jiraiya said retracting his hair. "Do you think you can get him?"
Ranmaru retracted the blades in his gloves and revealed the Lightning Fangs.
"Hai." Ranmaru said before taking off for the invisible man at high speeds.
Konan moved to stop him, only for Jiraiya to take her down with a blast of oil (Toad Oil Bullet). Unable to use her paper, Konan was force to retreat up the wall on her own.
"Summoning Jutsu!" Ranmaru's eyes caught sight of a puff of smoke from his right that signaled a successful summoning.
"Shit!" Ranmaru cursed in time before being blasted by a powerful spray of foam.
"Ranmaru!" Jiraiya called as he jumped onto the wall to dodge the foam. He watched Konan submerger herself in the bubbles, cleaning herself of the oil. "Great… He did learn something from me after all…"
Jiraiya saw a large crustacean leap for the bubbles beneath as Konan shot out of it. Thinking Ranmaru was in trouble, Jiraiya was going to retrieve him until he saw a bright light coming from beneath the suds. Jiraiya frowned until he saw a large bolt of lightning shoot from beneath the foam, striking and dispelling the summoned crustacean.
"Konan, leave us." Animal Path said. With a nod, Konan flew up into the air and soon out of the opening at the top of the tower. "Summoning Jutsu!"
Ranmaru leapt from the foam, standing next to Jiraiya now.
"I know I've gotten older, but come on Nagato. I think I'm better than some summoning." Jiraiya said before biting his thumb and running through hand seals. "Summoning Jutsu!"
Ranmaru stared at the large dog creature growling at them before seeing the toad that Jiraiya summoned.
"I must warn you… I'm a bit clumsy." Gamaken stated.
"You're fine." Jiraiya said. "I'm going to enter Sage Mode. That means I have to keep my hands together. You and Ranmaru will have to watch my back, okay?"
"I got it Jiraiya-san." Ranmaru stated.
"Find Nagato and stop him from summoning more of these things." Jiraiya said. "Can you do that?"
Ranmaru's eyes blazed. "Watch me."
Sakura knocked on the slightly ajared door. After hearing a verbal permission to enter, Sakura walked inside of Naruto's office. The blond was currently staring at some scroll on his desk, a frown visible on his face.
"Is that the message from Hoshi?" Sakura guessed. Naruto nodded. "Is it serious?"
"Akatsuki gained the biju from Kiri. The Rokubi." Naruto responded. Sakura inhaled quietly. That was not a good sign. "Did you want something, Sakura?"
"Uh, no. Just had a break and I wanted to stop by." For the first time since she's entered the room, Naruto took his attention off of the scroll and looked at her. "Is something wrong, Lord Kaibunkage?"
Naruto's stare seemed to unnerve Sakura again. He then looked back at the message in his hands and pointed towards the door.
"Close the door. I don't want some genin walking by to hear this." Sakura did as she was told, stepping closer to his desk now. "Hinata might be in trouble."
"Akatsuki?" Sakura questioned. Naruto nodded. "Why would they want her?"
"Not her, Kuroma." Sakura nodded. That made more sense. "But, if what Itachi said is true, then they will possibly wait for Hinata to bear an heir with Kuroma. If they survive that long, that is."
Sakura hummed in thought. "Maybe we should do something."
Naruto raised a brow. "We? I'm sure Demon Country can protect the possible bearer of their new priestess."
"But this is Akatsuki. They've done it…" Naruto's frown told Sakura to stop right there. "I'm just worried about her, Lord Kaibunkage."
"I see." Naruto's words were quiet and his eyes moved back to the message for a brief moment. He then looked back at Sakura and continued with what he learned. "They are also going after the Reibi." Sakura frowned. "A man-made pseudo-biju. It was rumored to have died with the rest of Sky Country, but someway, somehow, it's still alive."
"What do we do?" Sakura asked.
"I'm thinking about it." stated the Kaibunkage. "A part of me wants to secure the real jinchuriki and keep them safe before going out there for the Reibi. Yet the other part of me wants to safe the jinchuriki of the Reibi whether or not it's a real biju or not."
Sakura's only response was a nod. She understood that sometimes Naruto's professional and personal lives clashed with one another every now and again. Professionally, his duty was to safe the jinchuriki and stop Akatsuki at all cost. Personally, he wanted to safe the world, good and bad alike. Then again, that was classic Naruto.
Rising from his seat, Naruto put his kage hat on his head and moved for the door.
"Come, Sakura." he said.
"Where are we going?" Sakura asked, though she was already moving behind him.
"No where important. Just a walk around the village." Naruto told her. "As the Kaibunkage, it's really not 'wise' for me to go out with a guard." Naruto then smiled. "And I could really use a familiar face."
"Hai, Lord Kaibunkage." Sakura said with a small bow.
Naruto shrugged. "Whatever Sakura-chan."
Following him out of the office, Sakura mometarily gave a thought about her past ideas. This moment right here was perfect to drug him and then drag him out of the village. There was practically nothing and no one that could stop her. Yet, for some reason, all she could do was laugh as such silly thoughts. Marashu and Sayuri would have tracked her down, and being on a country surrounded by water, Mei would defeat Sakura easily if Sakura attempted to escape. Then there was Chojuro, Guren, Gozu, and Kazudan who would be there instantly to make sure that Sakura was either mortally wounded or dead. And explaining her actions to Shiori… That seemed to be the toughest of them all.
Inhaling deeply, Sakura destroyed her former promise to herself and walked out of the office into the nice warm weather in Kemuri. She now walked beside Naruto instead of behind him, both of them taking their time to walk around the village.
It was the first time that Haruno Sakura was at peace with herself in a very long time.
Ranmaru rolled out of the way of one of the splitting canines that Pain had summoned. He realized that the more hacking and slashing he did, the more times the mutt split itself. And with Jiraiya and Gamaken separated from him, Ranmaru had to find a way to defeat the damn nuisance all on his own.
It was times like this that he wished he did possess the Demonic Lightning kekkei genkai.
"You can't outrun us." the Animal Path stated. "We're everywhere!"
A bird screeching caused Ranmaru to look up slightly.
"Give me a break." the teen said before running the opposite way.
The bird swooped overhead, dropping small eggs as it went by. Ranmaru only need a split second to realize that these were bombs and began dodging the explosions with skill. However, he lost track of the Animal Path again. Cursing his look, he ran down an alley on to find it a dead-end.
"I guess it can't be helped…" Ranmaru said biting his thumb. The violet-haired teen ran through hand seals before pressing both palms onto the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"
The large canine growled, seeing that it had its prey cornered. When the smoke cleared, however, Ranmaru stood in front of two toads of almost equal size.
"We've been summoned! This could be our moment!" Gamatatsu said. "Do we have time for a snack though?"
"Pops was right. Summoning you for battle is a pretty risky move. All you ever do is think of food!" Gamakichi retorted.
"As nice as this reunion is," Ranmaru stated. "We have bigger problems."
"Eh Ranmaru, how's it going?" Gamakichi said before spotting the beast in front of him. "That's your problem? I'm sure you could take that thing out in one strike."
"That's the problem. The more times I seem to beat this thing, the more times it multiplies." The statement caused the two toad brothers to gasp. "I need to find the one who summoned them and defeat him."
"Suicidal Toad Bomb?" Gamakichi suggested.
Ranmaru nodded. "Hai. But our target," Ranmaru pointed in the sky at the strange bird. "Is that thing."
The two toads nodded as Ranmaru created a Shadow Clone.
"My aim is not as good as Kichi's." Gamatatsu told Ranmaru.
"Then shoot me straight up. I'll know what to do from there." Ranmaru said.
Hidden from sight, the Animal Path watched as the two toads swallowed both Ranmaru and his clone. Curious, he gave the command for his dog to attack them. Unsurprisingly, the two toads jumped into the air. And once they were at the peak of their respective leaps, they both fired Ranmaru and his clone higher into the air.
"Interesting…" the man mumbled.
"Lightning Release," Ranmaru shouted as he bolted for the summoned bird, lightning seen around his body. "Suicidal Toad Bomb!"
Jiraiya paused in his running, looking up at the sky. He was also dodging the weird bird while running from the large multi-headed dog that Gamaken was currently dealing with. He then spotted a streak of lightning shoot straight through the bird, dispelling it immediately.
"Well I'll be." Jiraiya said with a smile. "The kid's creative, I'll give him that."
The Ranmaru that attacked the bird dispelled in a puff of smoke, leaving the real one slowly reaching the climax of his ascension. He was searching for his canine opponent at the time. Once he had a location, he dispelled his two comrades before diving for his opponent at high speeds.
"Summoning: Food Cart Destroyer!" Ranmaru called before summoning Gamakatsu right above the snapping dog.
The ground literally shook at the force of the large toad collapsing on the strange dog. Once the cloud of dust and debris cleared, Ranmaru looked down to see that the beast he wanted was lying motionless, though the one known as Nagato had taken off somewhere.
"Hey, why do you always summon me for the Food Cart Destroyer?" Gamakatsu questioned.
"Forgive me, Gamakatsu, but I have to keep moving." Ranmaru said. "I'll have snacks for you next time."
"Thanks Ranmaru! Boy, you're a lot nicer than Naruto!" Gamakatsu said before dispelling.
Ranmaru moved to the dog on the ground and held a one-handed hand seal with his left hand before touching the strange pole on the beast with his right. Instantly, Ranmaru felt a strange surge of chakra. His red eyes began to search for the source until he could feel something coming behind him.
Ranmaru quickly ducked underneath another demonic canine, this one with three heads.
"So these poles connect you all, huh?" Ranmaru said before the large beast came for him again. "No you don't. Rasengan!"
The summoned dog split in two, running around Ranmaru and his attack. Ranmaru then channeled chakra into his hand and chopped the pole off of the flattened dog's nose. Pocketing the piece of the chakra receiver he obtained from the dog and then watching it dispel, Ranmaru took off in the direction he last spotted Jiraiya in.
Hopefully with this new strange device in his grasp, they could leave with the information that they had instead of fighting more of these strange creatures. Or worse.
Yugito fell flat on her face in front of the two Akatsuki members, Kisame crossing his arms at her defeat.
"You could've done this yourself." Hidan, feeling a bit annoyed at Kisame's attitude, grew furious quickly.
"That's what I said before we left! Damn Kisame, ever since Itachi died you've been nothing more than a pain in the-" Hidan was cut off, literally, as Kisame sliced his head off with Samehada. "What the fuck was that about you bastard?"
"Quiet or I'll drain every ounce of chakra in your body." Kisame ordered.
Truthfully, he had been a bit off about Itachi's death. Itachi was not one to hide a lot of secrets. He was quite open to Kisame that he originally felt uneasy about returning to Konoha in search for the Nine-tails or how he had very little trust for the majority of Akatsuki, safe for Konan and Kisame. And in return, Kisame trusted Itachi most of the times. When it came to battle, he knew Itachi would have his back… Unlike his former "comrades". Itachi always told him if they were being sent on a suicidal mission or one too easy.
Kisame grunted. There was no need in getting soft for the sake of one fallen warrior. Itachi betrayed Akatsuki. Itachi had given the enemy a powerful weapon that Akatsuki exclusively owned. He had to die.
"Hey! Snap out of it you big idiot and help me put my damn head back on!" Hidan snapped.
"Kakuzu was right… You are annoying." Kisame said before registering a new chakra source in the area. "So, you've finally come huh? I was beginning to think we'd come all this way for such a weak and pitiful excuse for a jinchuriki."
Killer Bee looked at Yugito's nude unconscious form, Hidan's decapitated body, and finally at Kisame.
"Heh, I think you scared him Kisame." Hidan stated.
"So you're the shark of Akatsuki, eh?" Killer Bee finally said. "You traveled to find the best jinchuriki and you found him in me! Lord Jinchuriki, Killer Bee!"
As Killer Bee finished his "rap" he was instantly surrounded by red chakra that caused Kisame to smirk.
He now had something to take his frustrations out on.
Jiraiya ran down a wide sewer, Gamaken behind him protecting the man from the dog summons of Pain.
"Just a little bit more…" Jiraiya said before he heard rumbling coming from down the sewer. "Give me a break."
A large rhinoceros, also bearing the Rinnegan, came charging at the white-haired man. Fearing that he would have to either stop the rhinoceros or attempt to take a blow to enter Sage Mode, Jiraiya began to step backwards, buying as much time as possible.
"Stand back Jiraiya-san!" Ranmaru called. Jiraiya hardly spotted the violet-haired boy moving past him. He did hear the sound of screeching birds coming from Ranmaru though.
"Chidori?" Jiraiya questioned before seeing Ranmaru's palm. "But that's a…"
"Lightning Release," Ranmaru called holding a sphere of rotating purple lightning. "Rasendori!"
Jiraiya closed his eyes as a blinding light flashed once the soccerball-sized sphere met the horn of the rhinoceros's horn. As the bird-like screech died down, so did the light. Jiraiya turned to see Ranmaru's right arm extended in front of him, his left hand gripping his right arm at the wrist. He did not need to be in Sage Mode to know that Ranmaru was tired.
"Impressive." Jiraiya said. Ranmaru turned and nearly gasped at the sight in front of him now. "But it's time for you to see the powers of the gallant Jiraiya!"
"You show-off way too much, Jiraiya-boy." Pa said sitting on Jiraiya's shoulder.
Ranmaru only sighed heavily. Now with Jiraiya in Sage Mode, they could get out of Ame without that much of a hassle.
Or so he hopes…
Naruto stood atop of Kaibunkage Tower with Sakura at his side. The two overlooked the village while saying very little to one another. Though, it was a pleasurable silence.
"I figured that you would at least attempt to kidnap me once by now." Naruto said.
Sakura smirked. "I haven't found the right moment." Naruto grinned, picking up the hint that the statement was a joke. "Naruto, during this war, you might have to fight against Sasuke again. And this time, I don't think he will be willing to let you run off like you did in Konoha."
"I know." Naruto's voice was hardly heard by Sakura.
"Are you…?" her question stopped once he raised a hand towards her.
"I've been thinking about what I will say and do to Sasuke for a while now. But after my talk with Itachi, I've learned that not everyone can be changed with words." Sakura watched as Naruto lower his hand, his eyes gazing at his village. "As a friend, I can understand why Sasuke did what he did. But as a kage, I will have to stop him no matter what. The safety of my people depends on it."
"Right," Sakura said quietly. "And what of me?"
Naruto frowned. "What are you talking about?" Sakura stood quietly, glancing away from the Shodai Kaibunkage. "You are a part of my village, Sakura. A jonin and one of my top medics. Why would I get rid of you after the war?"
"But I-"
"All is forgiven, Sakura-chan." Naruto said before grinning. "Besides, we have a promise to keep, right? We'll take on Sasuke and his team together next time."
Sakura smiled. "Right."
The pleasing silence returned and the two stood grinning. Naruto then sighed and turned, ready to leave the calm and enjoyable spot.
"Since we're talking about your position in Kemuri as well as former promises," he spoke using his "kage" voice. "You have a mission later on, Haruno-san."
Sakura's eyes widened, wondering how he switched from informal to formal in no less than two minutes. It boggled her mind to no end.
"What is it, Lord Kaibunkage?" she asked, knowing that she, as a subordinate, had to do her mission no matter what. If they were speaking as friends then and only then would she have the option to refuse this mission.
"You owe me a date." Sakura's eyes widened more. Sure, she remembered her promise before he left the village, but he still spoke as if he was briefing her for some top-rank mission instead of asking her on a date. "Eight will do. Don't be late, Haruno-san."
Before Sakura could respond, the blond left via Hirashin. She stood on the roof with her mouth slightly open in shock before shaking her head. She had a date with the jinchuriki of the Nine-tailed Fox, a sage, and the Shodai Kaibunkage. She, one of the top kunoichi of her class, had a date with the most unpredictable knuckle-headed shinobi of all the lands. And as much as she wanted to do this date, it was not like she had much of a choice. It was her mission.
Smiling, Sakura turned to look back at the village beneath her. She wondered if she stood him up, would that count as "failing the mission".
Shizune sat on her bed in her temporary room. She was currently in Hoshigakure no Sato, helping their medical development as a representative for Konoha.
"It's been a while, Shizune." Shizune's eyes widened. She knew that voice!
"Rin!"
Rin smiled at Shizune's response. This just made her mission that much more complicated.