(And I'm here with a new chapter to set the stage for the incoming war. Hope you're all ready for the preparations for the final battle.)
At the administration building, Tsunade, Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Shizune, and the rest of the ninja teams were present in a larger room. Naruto and the rest of his squad had relayed the message to them about what they learned from Black Zetsu.
"He wasn't lying we can assure you." Naruto said.
"Oh, great," Shikamaru sighed, "Just when things couldn't get anymore troublesome."
"So Black Zetsu is an extension of Kaguya, while White Zetsu was once another person until he was changed into what he was?" Neji inquired.
"That's what the two sides told us." Sakura confirmed.
"And them working with Orochimaru makes things all the more difficult." Kakashi said.
"So we have no idea when and where they're going to strike?" Kiba asked.
"I'm afraid not." Sasuke answered with a sigh.
"But we can find out," Naruto replied, "I'll have all spirits in the land find any information they can on our enemies and report back to me. In the meantime, we should alert the other Kage of the situation."
Tsunade nodded in agreement, "Correct. Shizune, make sure a letter is sent to each of them."
"Yes, ma'am." she nodded.
"No need to send one to Gaara or even the Raikage," Naruto spoke, "I'll deliver the message personally to them myself."
"What for?" Ino asked.
"Because, we're going to get reinforcements of our own."
"Naruto, are you planning to..." Hinata trailed off.
Naruto nodded, "Yes. We're getting the Tailed Beasts back together," He summoned a shadow clone, "Naomi, will you and Spitfire take my clone to Kumo to talk to Bee and Yugito?"
"Of course we will." Naomi smiled.
Tsunade spoke up, "Everyone be on alert and await for further instructions. Until then, you're dismissed."
The teams left in worry over what was coming, but remembered they had to be vigilant. Naruto walked outside the building and turned to his team, "I'll be back asap. Until then, you guys keep me posted if anything updates."
"You can count on us." Sasuke confirmed.
"Have a safe trip, Naruto." Ming said.
"And be careful." Naomi added.
"Always." Naruto promised, as he headed off.
Later he was on Soreth's back, flying across the ninja land for Suna. Naruto was deep in thought over all that was going on, 'It's coming down to the inevitable battle that Avatar must truly face. All the other stuff we faced up until now were tough. But this will probably be the toughest yet. But at times like these I need to remain focused. For everyone's counting on me and each other.' He looked down seeing they were flying across the desert and up ahead was Suna itself.
After flying over the wall, Soreth hovered above the entire village. Naruto pointed him ahead to Suna's main building, in which he flew to. When Soreth got closer, Naruto noticed Gaara was already on the building's balcony. The dragon went down, and landed on the balcony. Naruto dismounted Soreth and spoke to his friend, "Hello, Gaara."
"Naruto, this is a surprise. What brings you here on such short notice?" the Kazekage inquired.
"Bad stuff, Gaara. Really bad stuff." he answered.
"Come inside and we'll talk." Gaara replied, as he showed Naruto in.
Soon, Naruto was seated with Gaara in his office along with Temari and Kankuro present. The Avatar boy had informed the siblings of everything. Kankuro spoke, "So it's come down to this point, huh?"
"That's right." Naruto confirmed.
Temari spoke, "Well, we all knew deep down this was coming."
"Yes, and now it's here." Gaara sighed.
"Which is why we need to strengthen our forces," Naruto said, "Which means we have to get our fellow Jinchuriki together."
"Since you came to me I assume we're going to communicate with them by meditating there?" Gaara inquired.
"Correct. Care to join me?"
Gaara smiled, "Like I'd say no?" he asked rhetorically.
Naruto nodded, as the two got in the center of the office in a meditating position while grasping hands. They closed their eyes and concentrated, as Naruto was able to bring both of them into the spirit world. They got up and looked around, before hearing a voice call out, "What up my Jinchuriki bros?!"
The two looked over and saw Killer Bee, Yugito, and Naruto's clone who meditated them both in like the real Naruto and Gaara, "Hey, guys. We made it." the clone said.
"Good thing ya did," Naruto answered, "Come on. Let's go."
The four went over a hill and saw Iroh's shop at the bottom, "Race ya!" Naruto called, as he and his clone jumped onto a big mushroom top and used it to slide down the hill.
"Head start, no fair!" Bee called, as he jumped onto a big mushroom top and slid after them. Gaara and Yugito watched, before shrugging and slid after them.
The group reached the bottom of the hill laughing at how fun it was, "I love this place." Naruto laughed.
"That was a good slide for me and my hide." Bee rapped.
"It was enjoyable," Gaara admitted, "But we should really do what we came here for."
Naruto nodded, as he and his clone led his two Jinchuriki brothers to the shop. Upon entering, they saw Iroh sitting down and enjoying tea, "Iroh." he greeted.
The old man turned to the boys, "Naruto, Gaara, Yugito, and Bee. How fortuitous. What brings you boys here?"
"Important business, Iroh." Gaara answered.
"The others in the back?" Yugito inquired.
"Of course."
So the old man led the group to the back of the shop, where the other Jinchuriki were kicking back, "Hey, guys!" Naruto called.
The group turned their attention to their fellow Jinchuriki, as Yagura spoke, "Naruto, Bee, Yugito, what brings you three here?"
"Afraid it's not a friendly visit, Yagura." Yugito answered, as the tailed beasts appeared in their small forms.
"Trouble is on the horizon, and you all must know the truth." Kurama began.
"We're all ears." Roushi answered.
So Naruto explained to everyone everything about Zetsu and the incoming war. Like everyone else, the Jinchuriki were shocked, "So they're finally ready to take the fight to you and the entire land?" Utakata asked.
"Precisely." Naruto confirmed.
"Well, we can win, right?" Fuu asked, "I mean Naruto and Sasuke have the Sage of Six Paths powers."
"Maybe so, but knowing Zetsu and Orochimaru, they will have a plan." Choumei answered.
"If we can find out what their plan of attack is, we can be prepared for it." Han noted.
"Yes, but to do that I'm going to need the rest of you to leave the Spirit World and rendezvous with us." Naruto explained.
"So we're finally coming out of hiding." Son Goku asked.
"It's the only way." Kurama answered.
"Where do you need us to go?" Yagura inquired.
"Go to the spirit portal that leads to Republic City, then get in contact with Asami Sato, she'll hook you up with a blimp to bring you back to Konoha, where we can discuss plans further and in person."
"Understood." Yagura nodded.
"Until then I need to get back to Konoha." Naruto said.
Iroh spoke, "Good luck to all of you." The Jinchuriki nodded, as Naruto, his clone, Bee, Gaara, and Yugito ended their meditating, and the other Jinchuriki left for the spirit portal.
And so Naruto and Soreth returned to Konoha along with Naomi and Spitfire to deliver Tsunade the news. The Hokage herself let them know that the other Kage would be coming by asap as well to discuss further plans.
That night at Orochimaru's hideout, the Sannin, Kabuto, and Zetsu were mapping out their plans, "So at this spot the White Zetsu army will move in." Kabuto pointed to a spot on the map.
Zetsu spoke, "And this spot is where your Snake army will be stationed. Will Manda be leading them?"
"I'm afraid not. Manda will more than likely turn on me."
"I see. Still with the amount of snakes at your disposal it shouldn't be a problem." Zetsu replied.
Orochimaru continued, "And here is where we will take Ozai and strike. We'll draw Naruto and Sasuke out."
"And with this much force, they will be tempted to bring the other Jinchuriki out." Zetsu added.
"And with Fire Lord Ozai's power plus the extra stamina and energy we've given him, we'll have him take them down so you can seal them away." Kabuto finished.
"It's perfect. We'll move out in two days." Orochimaru said.
"In two days it will be not only the end of the Avatar, but the entire ninja land." Zetu said, as the three villains snickered.
Unknown to them, they were being watched by Naruto's mole spirit friend Gochi. After hearing about their plan, he was frightened and worried, "Oh, no. They're gonna. I gotta!" he quickly burrowed into the ground and tunneled off for Konoha to inform his Avatar friend of what he just discovered.
(And there's the chapter. Short, but simple enough to help set the stage for the incoming war. Don't miss next time where our challengers take their positions.)