Know Pain

by MeepMeep7913

Pain had it all. Family, soldiers, criminals and assets. Now all that was left to do was to move the first pawn, and the game would begin. And create the peace he so desired - at the hands of a tailed beast weapon he didn't even have to control. His empire would rise, and show the world true peace. The world needed pain, after all...

11. Chapter 10 - Equipping for the mission

PAIN'S DREAM:

A boot stomped into the debris strewn ground, disturbing the ash and dust that had just started to settle as the figure didn't cease in it's movements; another foot thudding into the ground, this time landing on a wrecked wooden beam, snapping it under the force of the stomp. The black cloak fluttered, the red cloud at the bottom seemingly shimmering and wavering in the slipstream generated by the figure's movement as the dust was knocked aside by the waving cloak as the figure stomped across the ground.

The right foot eventually landed on a spike of rock that had survived the destruction, the figure then leaning on the right foot that come to rest upon the rock. The dust was finally settling, allowing a clearer view of the aftermath of the maelstrom of destruction.

The figure seemed to be deep in thought as it viewed what had happened before it, posture rigid in anticipation, expectation and yet consideration. The violent whirlwind of events that had happened in just the past hour alone would not give anyone sufficient time for comprehension, and yet; to the figure, it was the perfect time for analysation and reflection.

Two rinnegan eyes narrowed down onto the scene below, the image provided not exactly clear due to the debris and smoke clouds whipped up by the blast; yet the rinnegan helped provide visual acuity and the sensing of chakra pathways. Over a third of them hadn't made it.

The figure never stopped analysing the scene before it, nor its thought processes or consideration as its posture seemed to lose some of its rigidity. Satisfaction seemed to replace it, the darkness in their heart seeing the fruit of their labour.

The one thing that had not settled was the smoke. The concentric rings spun as the figure's eyes swept the numerous fires belching out copious amounts of savage and smothering, black smog screens of smoke. It seemed to symbolise the death that had just surrounded the area in just one fell swoop, literally one titanic blast that had shook and carved the ground; perhaps making nature itself fearful from the power in that one corpse. The ominous and pitch black screens that had been thrown up around the area certainly symbolised the darkness in the figure's heart, their heart having long ago closed and now only keeping certain things close - and keeping the rest only within reach of their weapon.

They called themselves the greatest. Projected their force throughout the world in their central perch, becoming arrogant and lording it over them all; never caring for those that they were even supposed to be close to, nor the people they exploited and ravaged to make themselves rich and arrogant. And yet, as he stood upon the chipped and ravaged head of the First Hokage, the dream that he had created now crushed beneath both the people's own arrogance and deviation, and his organisation's work.

The figure leaned over just a bit more on their right foot that rested on the chipped stone, cloak still flittering about in the still tumultuous winds that blew over the landscape, as the figure surveyed the crater. What had once been a bustling hive of activity, trade, joy, sadness, military, civilians, people was now flattened. Even the forest that had surrounded the outside of the once great stone walls had been blown back, the foremost layer splintered into matchsticks and crushed into he ground by the devastating impact that landed and crushed right into the ground everything in its area of effect; the stone walls now cracked, jagged, entire sections blown out as the forest outside of it had been bent completely back to now rest at right angles from the sheer atomic winds and force that had slammed into the landscape. And that had been just the landscape outside the city, which was now just a crater even below where the figure's boot now rested.

The two rinnegan eyes looked down below still, still narrowed, yet the figure's posture relaxed still further. It had chosen its path, and it made no regrets in its decision. Even in what most would consider an evil downfall of a great man.

The rinnegan flared in the two eyeholes of the deceased, metal-covered face of the Akatsuki figure, now seemingly satisfied in the figure's viewing of the events; satisfied in how the action had unfolded. The eyes continued spinning as the man gave the scene below a final, quick consideration, the destruction that had ravaged the previously bustling city having completely destroyed it. The rogue ninja's eyes quickly darted upwards towards the source of the pandemic of ravaging destruction that had swept the strongest of them all, the strongest of the six of them just suspended in the air right above the very epicentre of where the blast wave had struck; and the rogue ninja just knew the puppetmaster was viewing all before it in grim satisfaction. A vortex swirled into life behind the rogue ninja, stepping back into it and disappearing from the scene to conclude the events that had happened.

TWO YEARS LATER - PAIN'S TOWER, ELITE COMMANDERS OFFICE.

Sasori was now gone. He'd taught his impromptu student everything he needed to throughout the two years the Akatsuki had been on the down low, but now with only four years left before Pain wanted to start his plan; Sasori was needed elsewhere. For both raising money, and attending to his spy network to gather as much intelligence as possible. The man had been busy in Ame too, establishing links within the Land of Rain, but there could only be so long the man could stay in one place.

So it was now the job of the Elite Commander to evaluate Shino, as well as Gaara who was their student, with Pain deciding if Naruto went along with what the commander decided. Given how the commander had not failed Pain yet, and that Nagato was himself getting busier with the construction of the third army, it was likely to happen.

The commander threw down Naruto's file, only somewhat redacted for their clearance level, before looking at the trio before them. The three unrelated brothers looked back at the midnight mask, before the synthesised voice spoke out.

"You've learnt all the basics. But we don't have the time to teach you the specialist stuff 24/7, at least not to the level Lord Pain wants you." The commander commented as they drummed their fingers on the desk, before pointing at Naruto. "So you'll learn by yourselves. You are favoured by Lord Pain for a reason, so you will be the new team leader of the latest team of Spectres."

Naruto looked oddly to the military figure, but it was Gaara who spoke up - as usually agreed amongst them, as Gaara knew best how to tread around the commander's mannerisms. "Might I please ask you to elaborate on what you mean, commander?" Gaara questioned professionally.

The mask looked over to Gaara on the left, before tilting in an approving nod. "You may, Uzumaki." The smooth, synthesised voice answered. "I have decided that since we cannot just spare good soldiers for you to learn from constantly, yet Lord Pain wants you at this level in just four years, I will force you to learn. There is no greater teacher than experience after all, and sending you into the field will force you to adapt and improve. You should have the skills to improve and survive - if not, well then, it saves further resources down the line. Thus, I am inducing you three into the spectres." The commander finalised by bringing their two index fingers together and then spreading them out to cover the trio.

"That is an honour, commander." Gaara replied back. "Truly. But I was just wondering why into the spectres - when we were just initiates?"

The mask tilted slightly, as if debating on whether to lecture Gaara, before the commander shrugged, as it was a fair question, given how it was a breach in the protocol they loved to stick to. "A fair question, Uzumaki." The commander started. "And the answer is very simple. No matter what I say, Lord Pain has hefted a lot of investment and time into you three. He will want the three of you as strong as possible, and thus that potential should not be wasted. By joining the best, it will rather not be as you can learn from the best, and have the best equipment. It'll ensure you have the best chance of survival, but the trade-off is you get the worst missions."

The trio looked at one another, before Shino looked to the commander with a raised eyebrow. "Doesn't your department take normally S rank missions? Let alone the spectre section?"

The commander gave a small, humourless chuckle devoid of any emotion that only served to shake their shoulders once. "God, no. The three of you aren't ready for such things. No, you'll start with a B-rank mission."

"Not a C-rank?" Naruto interjected with curiosity.

The commander's mask tilted towards the red head, giving the jinchuuriki the idea that it was hiding a patronising expression. "You're chunin level, not genin. This isn't a major nation where they can afford to have their genin dip their toes in the water. No, your joining the elite division - prove yourselves by killing the A-rank criminal target in this folder."

A folder was slid along the desk, which Naruto in the middle stepped forth to pick up. Flipping it open, he saw that it contained the Bingo book entry of the A-rank criminal, as well as several other pages of information on the faction the criminal led and a map of the area.

"Raiga Kurosoki, currently known to be in a town in a western region of the Land of Fire." Naruto read out from the folder. "He leads a faction called the... Kurosoki family?"

The elite commander only nodded, before speaking. "Do be careful, they were a part of the Kiri seven swords group before defecting. But then again, you wouldn't be able to prove yourselves without a good challenge." The military figure still spoke in the neutral voice Gaara could now detect held traces of amusement. "You will be fine, you will work as a team of chunin ninja to take down the target. To top it all off, one of you is a jinchuuriki, the so-called 'equalisers' of the elemental nations."

Naruto looked to the elite commander with a questioning gaze. "What does that mean, commander?"

The commander gave another humourless chuckle. "It means I'm eager to see if you can perform to the estimated level of other jinchuuriki could at your age. You three know that Lord Pain has plans, and so soldiers like yourself will be instrumental in the fight to come."

"It's really coming, isn't it?" Gaara questioned softly.

The commander let the familiar habit of lecturing his student go for this instance. "Every soldier in Rain knows it, Uzumaki, there's no point hiding it." They intoned as they held up the crucial manual every soldier was given at graduation - entitled 'Ame's Ninja Revision Guide.' "Even the manual says it. Which reminds me..."

The commander paused as they reached down to a cardboard box at their feet and hauled it onto the desk, before pulling out three bundles. "You'll find that guide here, one each for the three of you. That, and a requisition order signed by me for Spectre department equipment. You'll find that we don't give headbands to elite units, it's rather engraved on the armour..." They trailed off, before then looking to the plastic-encased bundles he'd slid across the desk. "But Lord Pain told me to give you three each a black headband. To remind you that no matter your birth, you were raised here in Ame. Your actual home. Where you owe your loyalty."

No threat of punishment was made, for the elite commander was given free reign by Pain to do as they pleased for the most part - but threatening the actual VIP's he'd looked after was a step too far, even for someone of their status. The mere insinuation was enough.

"Thank you, commander." Naruto thanked as he picked up the bundle and tore it open, finding indeed a blue book slid into his hand, detailing all of the basics he'd come to learn. A headband slid in front of the book, a black cloth wrapping upon which a metal plate was attached, the four lines of the Land of Rain's insignia carved into it. All that was left within the bundle was a bunch of papers, with an emboldened messages imprinted onto firmer material, and a laminated card.

"Congratulations, those are your certificates for a fast-track promotion to chunin straight from initiate, as well a freedom of travel pass for each of you that acts as your ninja license." The commander drawled out as they noticed the gaze at which Naruto gave those two messages in particular. "I don't suppose I need to remind you of the amount of trust Lord Pain has placed upon the three of you by giving you such authentication, do I?"

A serious shake of the heads from the Uzumaki trio solidified their confirmation of how they understood what they had been given. After all, it wasn't every day you rose through two ranks in one go - and were given special permission passes to come and go through any Ame border post as they pleased.

"You'll notice the one little condition attached to your travel passes, though." The commander informed them with a noticeably cheery tone this time. "You can only pass through the border as you please so long as all three of you are present."

Shino looked over to Naruto as that was said, before looking back. It was obvious to him that this wasn't a guarantee that they were all present, but rather Nagato wanted to ensure he knew nobody wandered off by themselves. He trusted Naruto obviously, and thus ensured that their loyalty remained - if they remained loyal to Naruto. If that was the one thing Shino despised about Nagato, it was that he'd turned his brother into a compliant soldier.

"And finally, to go with your promotions, the usual flak jackets." The third highest figure in Ame spoke out then with an almost idle tone, as they threw three plastic-wrapped packages onto the desk. "You will very likely not ever wear them, because as you know, elite units get given armour; but you can always wear them from here to military headquarters to let your promotion sink in." The commander finished with a small shrug.

Picking up the packages and tearing off the plastic, the new chunin did exactly that as they put on the flak jackets over their clothing. The shade of the heavy jacket, which was interlaced with ballistic weaving to make it better resist jutsu and weapon impacts, was of the darker green which would denote those of chunin status in a platoon versus the khaki green of a jonin flak jacket. Securing it with the straps at the front, Naruto looked up as he saw the elite commander clap their hands together and wrap business up.

"Well, you've got all you need from me." The commander spoke with a solid tone. "Any questions?"

"Yes, commander, I do have a question." Gaara stated as he stepped forward, before a firm look came over his face. "Who are you really?"

The commander stopped rifling through a stack of paper on their desk, and tilted their head so that their masked visage stared fully at Gaara. "Do we need to go over military doctrine again, Uzumaki?" The commander stated out calmly after a moment.

"Not at all, commander." Gaara responded just as calmly, and unflinchingly. "I remember it perfectly. Section nine of the manual states very clearly that 'a soldier has the right to know of their commanding officer, of the person that they have to trust to order them into battle.' And as we have been assigned directly into the Spectre section of the elite division, of which there is only one commanding officer, then protocol dictates we can know of you, commander."

Silence reigned in the office for a moment, as Shino glanced to Gaara out the corner of his eyes and wandered if he had gone too far. But it was broken when the commander's mask titled further, and they then spoke. "I've taught you well, Uzumaki." Came a bland intonation from behind the mask, with a couple of seconds of further silence as they began rifling through the papers again before speaking again. "Call me Nara. Commander Shikodai Nara."

Gaara's eyes widened as he immediately joined the connection between the surname and one of the prestigious clans in the Hidden Leaf, but he didn't say anything. He knew better than to say anything, especially from the airs being put on by the hunched position from the elite commander. This was further reinforced when the masked Nara looked back up to the three of them.

"You two aren't the only ones to come from the Leaf. Though in my case, it'd be called 'faking my death'." The Nara stated in a cheery tone once more. "Say anything about my identity to anyone but those in the Spectre section and Lord Pain, and you'll see just where people disappear to when caught in my shadow." They then tapped their mask with a pen before pointing at Naruto. "Except my brother, Shikaku. Should you ever meet him, tell him I said hi before you kill him."

Gaara almost let out a small smile as he saw his commander display more emotion then than they'd done in two years, but Shino looked to be the one that wanted to wrap things up. "Will that be all, commander?"

The masked figure looked to the Aburame reject before nodding. "Yes, that will be all for you and Gaara. Go and collect your equipment from the quartermaster in the military headquarters next door, and then you have twenty-four hours to plan before I expect you to be on your way. you have thirty days, and we'll discuss further training when you get back from your mission." The commander explained, before looking to Naruto. "Lord Pain expects you in his office after you've visited the quartermaster."

Naruto gave a nod before the Elite Commander turned to the computer on their desk and began typing, issuing a final command without even looking to them. "You are dismissed for the month, Team Foxtrot. Do me proud, Gaara."

Gaara couldn't help the small smile that he did let out once he had stepped out of the door to the hallway outside, with Shino giving a nod to him as he stepped out too.

"That's the first time he's ever said that." Gaara stated, almost as if he couldn't believe it.

"Well, enjoy it." Shino responded as he folded his arms together, a purple insect skittering across his face as he remained unblinking. "Sasori never said such a word of praise to me, more admitted it wasn't a waste of time before fucking off out the door, never to be seen again."

"You've never been bothered for that sort of thing anyway, Shino." Naruto countered as he closed the door behind him, before looking over to the other two with amused, blue eyes.

Gaara folded his arms as he mimicked Shino, before nodding to what Naruto said. "Very true. in fact, when you think about it, he's never bothered by anything."

Shino was silent for a moment, before he turned around before they could see the small smile on his own face. "Let's just get to the quartermaster." He instructed in his normal voice.

AME MILITARY HEADQUARTERS, TEN MINUTES LATER.

"Licenses please." The guard within the booth at the exit to the tunnel stated, before looking away from their computer, and frowning at the three smaller ninjas wearing headbands before him. "Actually, genin aren't allowed within the military headquarters. In fact, I'm not sure how you got in here, but please wait here whilst I call for an escort to lead you off the premises-"

"Actually." Naruto interrupted, mimicking the guard somewhat who looked annoyed to him. "We are allowed in here - take a look."

Naruto deposited his license on the counter of the booth, making the guard look to the laminated plastic before looking back to the red head, before shrugging and picking up the card. The guard's face quickly adopted a deeper frown as they saw the authentication details on the card, shock overcoming them as they saw the access level of the pass - as well as the commander's signature upon it. A quick swipe through the computer quickly dispelled all disbelief, as it obviously returned a confirmatory response to the request of authentication in the system.

"Well." The guard, a chunin from the look of their flak jacket, started as they turned back to Naruto. "Forgive me, I've just never seen a genin with a travel pass before-"

"Chunin, actually." Shino stressed with a heavily sarcastic tone.

This caused the chunin to frown again as they looked back to the card, and saw Shino was right before speaking again. "Or any chunin, for that matter." They muttered loudly, before getting on with protocol as they opened up a program on the computer, and not questioning the differing details that opened upon it. "Your credentials have confirmed you all as Team Foxtrot. Please just state your purpose being here for the record."

Naruto spoke up. "We're here to see the quartermaster. We were just promoted."

The guard looked to them with a considering expression as they heard that before typing away. "Alright. You are merely reminded not to go anywhere you don't have permission for, and you'll find the quartermaster you want... is on the second floor." The chunin looked scrutinisingly at Naruto at the department written on the card, but they were in no position to question it given the computer's confirmation of it. "Just take the stairs directly at the next left in the main hallway, and then go directly ahead down the corridor to the end of it on the second level. You'll find a guard station manned by the elite department there, which is the one you want."

"Thank you." Naruto responded simply as he took back his license and then began onwards, the other two not far behind him.

The inside atmosphere of the military headquarters reminded the trio of the elite commander's office - not plain, but of a formal, quiet atmosphere that did not display how busy it actually was. Many people bustled through the corridors they could see which split off from the main hallway they were traversing from the entrance to the tunnel that connected the building to Pain's Tower - all of them ninja. Papers were often carried by those who walked faster than normal, but didn't show how urgent their business perhaps was - the discipline that was set into every Rain ninja showing how embedded it was in even how they moved.

Naruto could see from the signs posted about, as well as the nameplates designating the position of the more senior ninja, that a large majority of the ground floor they were on was dedicated to mission allocation. His perusing of the sights around was cut short as they reached the next left, with the stairs being completely visible as the doors to them were held open. It took only a minute to climb them at a regular pace.

Emerging onto an even busier corridor, Gaara made a comment. "This place sure has a lot of traffic."

Shino grunted. "It is the headquarters of all military operations for the Land of Rain."

Naruto just made a motioning gesture with his hand as he spotted a good break in the foot traffic before the three walked forward and flowed with the bustling, two-way system. Between the interconnecting tunnels of the military headquarters to buildings like Pain's Tower and busier rooms like the armouries allocated to the second floor, it showed in the throngs of ninja that were busy delivering messages or tending to tasks.

It was as if it was a sudden drop-off with the turn down a right branch in the corridor to follow the signs to the elite departmental sector, with not a single soul in sight down the short walk except the armoured figure sitting at the desk before the double steel doors. A woman wearing full-body, cyan tinted armour that formed a solid metal, flexible sheet of protection looked up to the three, and merely spoke up.

"Please state your business in the elite department." The guard ordered, in complete contrast to the chunin on guard two floors down.

Naruto explained their purpose from what the elite commander told them. "We're here to requisition equipment, as we've been transferred to the elite department."

The only sign of a personal opinion expressed by the guard this time was the raising of an eyebrow, before she held out a metal-plated hand. "I'll have to see proof of identity then, as well as the confirmation of your chakra signature."

Naruto obediently deposited his ninja license card into the waiting hand once more, before the woman gestured to a raised black, electronic board set into the desk with a large handprint embedded in it. "I assume you are the team leader. Please put your hand on the board and channel a small of chakra." The guard instructed as she swiped the card along a crevice of the computer.

Looking to Shino who gave a shrug, Naruto stepped forward and did just that - channelling the smallest amount of chakra he could so far manage, which was still enough that the machine spat out an audible beeping noise after just a second. This made the guard look to him oddly before she handed back his license. "Not so much in future, please." The guard stated, before making a dismissive gesture as she pointed to the double steel doors, which opened on their own accord. "All is in order. You may pass."

Gaara snickered as they walked through, making Naruto look annoyed to him. "I can't help that my chakra control is shit compared to yours!" He spoke with a semi-annoyed tone.

The sand user said nothing in response, only nodding to Naruto as they emerged into a receptionist area, complete with a small waiting area in the corner and a desk set against the wall in front of them, at which another cyan armoured figure was working.

"I didn't think an elite department would have a receptionist area." Naruto contemplated to Gaara, who shrugged at him - but it was the armoured figure who answered his query as the man looked up.

"This is the only administrative area given to the elite departments, seeing as how we are only made up of a few thousand compared to the hundreds of thousands the rest of this building and others have to be responsible for." The man explained as he looked to the three.

Shino looked questioningly back before speaking up. "Aren't you supposed to not such information to unproven strangers?"

To his surprise, the man just chuckled. "Everything in this country has protocol, guidelines and routine. If you managed to get through those doors, you already have permission to view more than basic army numbers." They answered, before putting on a more serious expression. "I assume you three are the latest spectre initiates?"

Naruto gave a nod. "How did you know, sir?"

The man returned an approving nod to the respect, the two bars of black on their armour signifying their full jonin status versus the fact that neither of the initiates had been given a coloured rank yet. "We were sent a missive detailing that were would three new additions to the spectre section of the department, and that you're here simply for the collection of equipment. The elite commander is dealing with your administration personally."

Tilting his head a bit as he thought it over, Naruto then moved on with the topics. "Where would we collect our equipment, then sir?"

Looking to a door on the left which filtered through to yet another corridor, the guard answered. "As you can imagine, unlike the normal forces which require a quartermaster for their larger numbers, the elite commander seems to forget that we here don't have one. We're too small for it to be worth having a quartermaster, at least here in the city when the vast majority is deployed outside of it."

Gaara frowned at that. "With all due respect, sir, the elite commander would not just 'forget' something like that."

Looking to the red head, the guard responded. "Perhaps you're right. But say what you want, kid, it doesn't change the fact that we don't have one. Everything here is requisitioned in advance - the basics are always stocked, and assets like armour have to requested in an equipment form. Fortunately for you, the commander didn't forget about that."

"What do we do then, sir?" Shino asked abruptly then, making Naruto look to him - his brother never had been one for a lot of formality. Seeking to end conversations he wasn't prepared to entertain was just his style.

The armoured figure seemed to notice it too, as they just looked to Shino and responded. "Very well. Take the left door over there and it's your first door on the right. That's the only other office for the Spectre section apart from the elite commander, and whoever is currently on duty will thus be the only one to have access to the Spectre storeroom."

"Thank you, sir." Gaara thanked, before the three turned and went through the door pointed out to them. As the fire door closed behind them, it was a simple matter of turning to their right and knocking on the wooden door.

It opened with an immediate flourish, as the black armoured figure within stepped out and closed the door, before looking down to the three chunin wearing flak jackets and forehead protectors. The helmeted visage of the Spectre agent differed from the commander, as the elite commander wore a reflective, black-tinted mask which hid their entire face - but the agent before them wore a completely metal helmet which covered the entire skull, with two crimson eye pieces set into it.

"I wasn't expecting anyone else today." The figure began, their voice altered to a deepened and completely neutral tone. "So you three are the newest initiates to Spectre. As the commander would've completed your initiation process with you already, we'll go straight to giving you your equipment."

The three chunin were used to the lack of greeting from their time in training, as Gaara had discipline forced upon him, Shino had dealt with a missing nin who believed in wasting no time - and Naruto had had his Uncle train him to the extreme. Thus, they followed the Spectre agent to only the next room over on the right, but this one was a lot more secure than the wooden door to the office before that. Inputting a code into a keypad, and then unlocking a heavy-duty padlock, the agent then hauled open the steel door set on solid metal hinges - before then having to unlock another caged door after that one. It was then a simple matter of striding into the Spectre storeroom, with three chunin filtering in after the agent.

It was a small room, with half of it being taken up by a caged section, with a third metal door that the agent had to unlock before stepping into it - and obviously following protocol as they locked it behind themselves. The equipment all lay on either shelves, storage chests at the agent's feet, or in the storage seals inscribed on the left wall of the cage. A small counter was the only access point between the two sections of the room, as the rest of the room looked remarkably bare apart from posters setting out basic protocol and the wooden features and decorations.

"OK, first things first." The agent stated as they pulled out a checklist on a clipboard. "Please answer the following questions - have you been declared medically fit at your last medical?"

Naruto looked to his brothers, then the man before answering. "We've never been to a medical check-up."

The agent lowered the clipboard to view him better, and the jinchuuriki got the distinct impression they were frowning. "Then how are you in the military, period?" They asked with an astounded tone to the synthetic altering of their voice.

Naruto just gave a small shrug. "We always took our medical concerns to Konan, whose a certified medic."

The agent stood up straighter at that name, having more access to context than most soldiers. "The Angel of Ame, head of the medical corps? That answers that question nicely." The agent spoke as they made a thick indent in the checklist. "Next. Are you sure you wish to proceed into the elite department? Once you have been issued your own armour, you may not leave until given permission by someone of at least dark blue authority."

Shino didn't hesitate as he answered for them all. "We're sure." He replied.

"Good." The agent spoke as they made another tick, then tapping the checklist and spending the next several minutes running through the protocol on the checklist. "OK. Final question. Do you accept that your equipment is your liability, and that free replacements will only be issued for accounts of enemy action or negligence of someone else's or nobody's behalf?"

"Yes." Naruto responded, getting the agent to put down the checklist on the counter to one side.

"Good." The armoured figure repeated. "Then let's begin." Turning around, the agent took a moment to peruse the shelves on the back wall before reaching to one in the middle upon which sat three identical packages. "These must be for you. We have equipment in standard sizes of course, but given your age, we had to scale them down a bit. Fortunately, as our comrade at the front desk stated, the elite commander ordered yours in advance. Of course, you'll have to order your own equipment in future."

Placing the three packages on the counter and tearing them open, the agent gave a nod as a range of clothing, metal and books were folded and placed onto the counter as the wrappings were binned. Firstly, sliding a manual and two scrolls to each of the three chunin, the Spectre agent spoke up. "These are the manuals which detail the specifications and instructions on how to correctly utilise your armour. Don't let them fall into enemy hands. And to slim down on how bulky your armour makes you, there's only two storage slots in your armour for your items - two circular cylinders set into the back of torso where the torso armour plates meet the leg armour plates. Perfectly matching the dimensions of the scrolls before you."

Taking out three of sets of clothing next, the agent pushed them forth and motioned to them. "These are your under-suits and combat boots, essential to making sure you remain medically stable within your armour. Inscribed into the material of these hybrid undersuits are a range of environmental seals, which will regulate factors such as your temperature so you remain stable in a suit of armour. Wearing these and a second layer of armour, you would be able to survive for a while in either the Lands of Wind or Frost. Please put these on now, as they are designed to help keep the armour in place. Seal away everything else into the storage scrolls."

Nothing more was said as the agent drew a curtain across the inner side of the counter, blocking them from view and allowing the three chunin to get changed into the undersuits and boots as they discarded their flak jackets. Navy blue in colour, they were just full-body suits made out of a rubber-like material, and secured by a zipper on the front. A simple knock on the counter had the curtain drawn back in a swift motion, as the agent spoke again. "Those undersuits are actually based on wetsuit designs, with a bit of change to make sure they can withstand more general applications. An interesting fact is that they are helped created by the blubber and material of the Nirveno seals which thrive in the wetlands to the south of the country." The agent spoke idly as they pushed forth more items.

"And these are what every initiate looks forward to. The armour." The armoured figure spoke jovially as three piles of metal and clothing were pushed to the opposite side of the counter. Seeing his own in the central pile, Naruto took a step forward and found that the metal armour was actually in separate blocks, with a sleeve of armour for each of the limbs and an almost vest-like construction which allowed the torso armour to be slide over the head. "Yes, the armour we have here in our section is based on a sliding system. It means that for every two plates of armour, one is designed to slide right over the over. It helps afford much more flexibility and speed than the designs in the regular elite department whom all wear solid metal suits. Unfortunately, it also means the armour here is more intricate, and thus expensive."

Picking up the torso armour he'd been issued, Gaara held it in his hands for a moment before looking back up the agent. "How come the armour is just so light? It looks like it's solid metal, but then it feels like I'm just holding a pile of books." Gaara asked, making the agent chuckle.

"How'd you think all these genin across the planet wield swords and heavy equipment all day without expending their chakra to augment their strength?" The agent asked back with amusement, before actually answering. "That'd be the weight seals inscribed on the armour to mess with its mass, making it lighter than it ought to be. And if I were you, I'd put the arm sections on first, they're always more difficult to put on if you're already wearing the torso section."

Naruto was looking at the right leg armour in his hand, letting it hang to the floor mid-air so he could get a proper look at it. Looking closely at it, the nine-tails jinchuuriki could indeed see it was made up of armoured plates - three sides of it to be exact, with four armoured plates on each side. The lower two plates of each side would accordingly envelope the shinbone and calf, with there being a front side and two sides to the back in a triangular formation which opened up at the back between the two back panels of armoured plates with a strong-looking zip. The section of armour ended in a solid plate at the base of it - that exactly fitted the structure of the sole of the combat boots he was wearing. The armour was designed to be slid right on over the body, and secured by a strong zip which was secured into place with a velcro strap.

The armour itself was made up of a black metallic sheen, to a tone that matched a pitch-black sky. The commander's previous comment was soon understood by the three chunin, as in four white lines carved into the very central plate on the front of the torso section lay the national symbol of Ame for each of them. The remaining armour was exactly the same over the remaining limbs, with the torso section being made up of a frontal and back panels of armour, which due to the sliding plates, could be moved flexibly. Strapped securely to the torso, the torso section would then connect to the four other sections of armour to lock them into place and cover up the gaps between the armour parts. The only parts of the body now really exposed were the joints in the limbs and the head itself - and in between the joints, the rubber suit on which the armour was attached to as a second layer over the undersuit could be seen; as the agent caught Shino paying particular attention to it as he flexed his arm.

"Don't worry about the flexibility of the armour, it's perfectly flexible. Between the plates being able to 'slide' so to speak, as well as the second layer being made up of rubber, ballistic nylon and a classified tensile material, it'll suit your every need." The agent explained, before pointing to the exposed joint area in their own armour. "What you need to mainly worry about is a kunai strike to here. The armour is brilliant and can stop a sword empowered by wind chakra, but that rubber, ballistic nylon and classified material combo crap can only withstand a few kunai strikes before it starts splitting apart."

Shino looked up, interested to the agent. "Classified material? What's it doing in there?"

The agent gave a shrug in response, before answering. "I couldn't tell you much, it's restricted to the higher ups and the scientists. What I do know is that it's what makes up the main difference between the regular elite units and Spectre. The regular elite units armour can only withstand five A-rank Justus before they become brittle, and split or shatter. This armour, with its sliding system, can withstand much more. The 'classified' material actually transfers the force or energy projected by any technique or weapon away from your limb and the rubber, and directly into the armoured plates if the undersuit layers were struck instead of the armour. Thus, saving you from being actually hit - regardless of where you've been struck. It'll still hurt like a bitch though, try not to get hit."

Naruto looked very impressed at the armour he wore as he gently gripped the sliding plate on the underarm of his left arm and moved it back-and-fro, but it was Shino who spotted the fault. "But that would mean that the armoured plates are withstanding all of the damage, and thus would be building up all of the damage to them."

The agent gave a nod as they rapped their knuckles against an armoured plate. "That is the problem to watch out for, indeed. I'll assure you now, your armour can withstand an A-rank jutsu and still come out looking whole and unbroken. It's what happens over time that counts. Should it take too many jutsu hits, or there's a sustained barrage of strikes against a panel of armour, it will finally give in - the rubber and nylon won't so long as they're not directly struck, as it transfers all that crap to the armour plates." The agent informed them, before looking to the armoured plate they'd struck. "But the armour plates can shatter, no matter how many seals cover them or the material they're made from. It'll take a while, but let's just say it's a very good idea to get your armour checked up on at least once every two months. Just bear that in mind before you decide to fight an S-rank, or something like that, eh? It'll last a while, but it can shatter."

Naruto just raised an eyebrow, and employed a bit of sarcasm. "So it's very durable?"

The agent looked to him, and just spoke with a serious tone to counter the sarcasm. "Seriously speaking, it's extremely durable. I don't see why it should ever shatter unless you don't keep it maintained or you fight an S-rank. That's why it's so expensive." The agent explained. "That'll be down to all of the seals on the armour, and its durable materials. Plus, the armour is much more silent than you think with the sliding plates not clanging against one another, and inscribed seals deadening the noise. The biggest noise threat you'd face is if you land too heavily against a surface without cushioning your fall with chakra, because there's no seals on the ground itself to silence you if you leap from a tree."

Shino gave a nod, before changing the subject. "I assume we get given helmets too?" He questioned, getting another nod in response.

The black armoured Spectre pulled down three helmets from a shelf above their head on the front wall and deposited them on the counter. "Consider yourselves lucky." The synthetically altered voice sounded out gruffly. "These helmets are incredibly expensive, more so than any other piece of the armour you've received. So expensive that not even the regular elite units get helmets, let alone the normal forces."

The helmets themselves looked like a mix between a metal shell that completely enclosed the skull, and the rebreathers that many ninja in the Land of Rain liked to employ to combat the wet conditions of the country. Painted a complete obsidian black to match the rest of the armour, the facial area of the helmet was comprised of two metal plates in which were embedded the eye lens. A darkened, crimson tint reflected off of the visibly thick eye pieces, with visible sections in the helmet for the mouth and ear positions. Tiny, dotted holes covered these positions in a uniformed pattern, allowing air and sound to be transferred through the helmet whilst sacrificing none of the protective qualities.

"Because regular helmets just aren't worth providing for today's warfare." Shino stated in thought, getting a nod from the Spectre agent. "What makes these ones so special then?"

The Spectre agent gave it a moment of thought before responding. "Well, first of all, you've each been given a suit of armour. If you didn't cover your head as well, it would become the area of weakness for enemies to exploit." The agent explained, before picking up the third helmet on the right. "Plus these helmets have electronics and seals in them. They're designed to assist the agent in their operations, unlike a regular helmet. They have six main functions - night vision capabilities, a rebreather, short-range radios; environmental protection as well as an option to allow more visibility and finally, durability."

Naruto was looking at the helmet with interest as Shino was frowning in thought, but it was Gaara who actually said something. "But how-"

"I will give a short explanation. In the Spectre section, you will not have your hand held, but nor do we want you dying in the field because you didn't know your equipment. Your manuals will have more information anyway." The agent interrupted, before then flipping over the helmet to expose the underside of it, and tapping a small button set into the bottom rim of it to show them it. "This is the button that will open the helmet to allow you to have more visibility. It will enable you to overcome the weakness of perhaps a limited field of view, at the expense of extra protection."

The agent pushed it down with their finger, getting the two frontal plates of the helmet to spring apart via mechanical hinges and a clang noise. Upon a person's head, it would completely expose the eyes, nose and mouth of the operator - and currently let the three look into the helmet. It was lined with white padding which contrasted the outer black, as well as at the top of the helmet lay an electrical CPU; with wires that then dug their way into the padding out of sight - all hidden by a transparent plastic screen which was obviously to stop any electrical faults running through the skull of the operator.

"I wouldn't recommend opening it a lot, it is designed to be comfortable and to aid you in combat situations." The agent spoke with an informative tone. "And obviously, the protection seals which filter and defend against elements like poison gas become completely useless with this open. But, they did recognise you'd need to uncover the mouth to use some justu, hence this."

Another push of the button closed the helmet and slid the two, red lens of the eye pieces back into position, as the agent then turned the helmet onto its right side - and retrieved a screwdriver. "When I say these helmets are expensive, I mean it." They spoke in idle chatter as they unscrewed a screw in a small panel just beneath the auditory piece which allowed the right ear to hear. "It took them years to design this, and the major problem I hear was slimming down the electronics enough to fit in the helmet without compromising the user or the integrity of the seals in it. Made it very expensive. A couple of scientists wanted to take it back to the drawing board, strip out a few features to make it less expensive - but Lord Pain ordered that it remain this way. Reserved it for the Spectres. Money isn't an issue when you're part of this department." They finished their story with a chuckle.

"Anyway." They changed back to the subject at hand as the very small panel opened up, revealing an electronic circuit board - with a sheet of plastic in the middle of it upon which a seal was transcribed. "This here is the chakra recognition seal. Who needs the small size out of the three of you?"

Gaara gave a nod as he spoke up. "Me."

The Spectre agent continued the explanation by holding out the helmet with the exposed panel to Gaara, and issuing an instruction. "The seal here is for a one-time use only. Mess this up, and it'll have to go back to the workshop to overhaul it's electronics." The agent explained jovially, before merely pointing to the seal. "Just pulse your chakra into the seal please, and it'll hardwire the system in it to only accept your chakra signature. Nobody else will be able to operate the functions of the helmet without your chakra."

Doing as he was told, Gaara put a finger onto the small bit of plastic - and releasing a short pulse of chakra into it. Nothing visibly happened, but the agent was obviously happy with it as they then screwed the panel back down and then motioned for Gaara to put the helmet on. "Congratulations, it's yours now. Put it on."

With a short glance to the other two, Gaara accepted the helmet held out to him, before sliding it over his head. As the dark crimson tinted lens slid into position exactly where his eyes had been, covering his skull in the obsidian-black metal, Naruto noticed it was perfect for the designed job. Slim, yet obviously very protective through the strong metal, it also didn't make a singular sound - neither as Gaara breathed, or as he twisted it about as the sand user viewed the storeroom through the perspective of the metal. The only sound it did in fact make, was the small click as the rim of the helmet was twisted to attach it to the armour, and lock it into place.

"The obvious downsides to the helmet include a more limited field of view, and a darkened tint to the world through the lens, but that's been fixed. You know how to open it up, and the darkened tint can be fixed using this groove here." The agent explained as they tapped the side of Gaara's helmet on the panel beneath the right ear-piece, making Gaara put his finger to the groove in the panel that had been pointed out. The groove was a rectangular indent in the panel, which ran vertically down from the top of the panel just beneath the right ear-piece to the bottom of the panel. "I can't do it now, but since it recognises your chakra, you will - just run your finger up and down it and tell me what you see."

Gaara began doing just that, pushing his finger along the indent from the bottom-up, and gave a gasp as he realised he did it too fast. He had to squint his eyes inside the helmet as the view given to him through the eye-pieces increased dramatically in brightness, giving the world a bright hue with a visible green tint. "It controls the brightness of it." Gaara stated as he hurriedly figured out the control of it by running his finger a bit more down along the indent.

"Almost." The agent let out as they finished unscrewing the panels on both of the remaining helmets, and looked back up at them. "It's the night vision control setting. It can't be switched off because of how thick the protective lenses are, but the control setting on it allows you to input how much you want to see."

A thought occurred to Gaara as he took the helmet off and held it up to eye level instead, viewing it. "It runs off of a battery, then. But how long does the battery last?"

"Forty hours." The agent informed them, before then tapping the exposed electronic circuit board of one of the helmets with the screwdriver - making sure none of their chakra touched it. "But that's what these panels are for. Merely channel a small amount of chakra into the plastic for sixty seconds, and the seal will channel that energy into the battery to completely recharge it within a minute." The agent then looked to Naruto as the screwdriver pointed to him. "You needn't worry with your chakra 'condition'. Your helmet has been modified - this one on the left here - just channel the lowest amount of chakra you can for about forty-five seconds, and you should get the same result."

"Thank you." Naruto thanked as he took the offered helmet and repeated what Gaara did, handing it back for the panel to be closed.

"And finally, the rest." The agent spoke as they handed the final helmet to Shino once the panel had been closed on that one, instead now gesturing to the right side of their own helmet. "The environmental protection, and durability seals are constantly active so long as the battery has charge , and the radios inbuilt into the helmets have been hardwired to the individual frequency your ninja team will be using. Merely talk, and you'll hear what each other has to say. If you want to contact home base, Ame, you should be within range of a suitable transmitter, and hold down this button here to talk to an operator in the radio room." The bottom button of the two buttons to the right of the indent on the panel was tapped, before the agent traced their finger to the top button. "And this one is the rebreather. A storage seal array in the helmet contains enough air for seventy-two seconds of breathing without using any exterior air, allowing for underwater travel. To replenish the air in the array, merely hold down the button for the next seventy-two seconds."

Naruto looked to the helmet in his hands, before looking back up to the agent. "...That is a lot." He spoke.

A low chuckle was what he got in response. "If I were you then, I'd read up on the manual. The final things I should tell you about the helmet is to not forget your voices are scrambled when wearing it, so Rain ninja will not be able to identify you should you try; and do not forget about the battery. The helmet is your best friend, but only so long as the seals are being kept charged by the battery." The agent then leant onto the counter with an elbow, as the other hand fished under it. "That concludes everything you need to know on your armour. Just remember, they'll last a while, get them maintained every two months, and it's primary usage is in either assault or stealth. Can't have both, or a mix. Any questions you might have, please refer to your manuals. I've said enough."

They said that, but then straight away paused before wagging their finger. "Actually, one more thing. All of this armour is still considered experimental, even though it's been proving it's worth to Spectre for over a year now. So, don't let the enemy get their hands on it. Since the armour can't be destroyed with an explosive note, just bury it in an unmarked location, and we'll try to retrieve it later should you ever have to do such a thing."

Looking to the three, the agent then took out three midnight-black, nylon packs with straps and a zip which were put down on the counter. Picking up the one in the middle, Naruto saw the agent nod as he then passed two to his brothers.

"All that's left is the basics, then." The agent spoke aloud with an obvious tone. "Nothing changes about the pack strapped to the legs, along with smoke bombs, explosives, wire and the rest. Just strap it to the side of the body with the dominant hand."

Gaara spotted something with a frown whilst reviewing his, as he looked back up to the agent. "You mentioned explosives, but there's no roll of explosive notes in here."

The red-headed sand user got the distinct impression that an eyebrow was raised from behind the helmeted visage of the Spectre agent in front of them. "You really didn't undertake any of the Spectre training, did you?" They questioned with an amused tone, before holding up a hand as Naruto opened his mouth. "I am not in anyway defying the wishes of our commander. Who they fast-track into the department is not my business. I'll explain it for you, if you would just take out the singular slip of paper inside there instead, with a large storage seal array on it."

All three chunin could easily recognise a storage array, especially Naruto who pulled his out first, and widened his eyes as he recognised many of the additional functions inscribed in the array on the slip of paper. "This isn't just a storage seal." He spoke his thoughts to the agent, who looked approvingly at Naruto. "This is designed to release one item at a time, with another burst of chakra each time as the item is released, like it's supposed to triggered as soon as it leaves the array." Naruto looked up to the Spectre agent as he arrived at the correct conclusion. "There's an actual explosive item in here that's lit upon release. There's no explosive notes here, they'd be too flimsy for such a release seal."

"Very good. I'm starting to understand why you were fast-tracked, if you're so proficient with seals at your age." The Spectre agent praised, before they reached to another shelf and put a kunai onto the counter before them. "I wonder if you know enough to tell me about the seals on this kunai, however."

At the expectant gaze of the agent, and his two brothers, Naruto picked up the normal-looking steel kunai from the counter and began examining it. Clutching it by the ring at the end, he flipped it over - and found the unusual discrepancy on the metal that differed the weapon from the rest of its kind. "There's actual seals carved into the metal here." The jinchuuriki announced.

"But of course." The agent stated as they folded their arms, the armoured metal grinding lightly together as the arms made contact. "Ink would just wash off metal."

Naruto gave a nod, as he flipped the kunai back over and looked at the other side, which also had more carved seals. "There's a lot of explosive kanji formations around it, but since it has less space on it, it's slightly less powerful than a normal explosive note. But given how the explosive formations don't make up the main array, but rather a directional seal does, it's part of it's design..." Naruto trailed off with a frown, before he saw just where the explosive force was directed through the 'directional' array as he looked to the agent with an impressed look. "The explosive force is directed into the actual integrity of the weapon before it is then released outwards. It's designed to be a shrapnel weapon."

"Very good. Exactly." The agent repeated, this time with an impressed tone audible through the synthetic seals. "The explosive is imbedded in the kunai, with the explosion occurring from the inside-out to force the kunai to disintegrate and add metal shrapnel to the explosion. Spectre get the best equipment, of course." The agent stated, as they then took back the kunai and waggled it with a warning tone. "There's fifty of these in each of those storage arrays, which are designed to be attached to a detachable panel in the wrist slots. Just be sure you want to fire these for real - as you can't handmake so many of these things, it's too big a job with how the seals have to carved. Thus it's done in a factory, which is delivered to you to then fling about $250 worth of explosive metal. Oh, and it's got a three second timer."

"Three seconds?" Gaara questioned with curiosity. "The average explosive note is six seconds."

The agent chuckled again. "And this is Spectre. If you can't get away from an explosive kunai in time, then you should not have been transferred here." They then tucked away the kunai and looked back to them. "But not to worry. Your armour will protect you from any shrapnel from the kunai."

It was a few moments before anything more was said as Naruto strapped his equipment pack to his right leg, and then slipping the explosive storage array into a slot in the wrist armour - Shino doing the same as the insect user questioned something. "I take it the rest of what we've got is standard, then." He questioned simply.

"Absolutely." The agent confirmed as they leaned further on the counter, pointing to the box contraption on the wall which had a sight and detachable magazine on it. "You've just been transferred, so you don't get the other fancy equipment the rest of us get access to. Armour is simple enough to get used to, but the rest of it? There'll be no kunai launchers for you three until you're trained on them, which requires the authorisation of the commander."

With that out the way, the Spectre agent waggled a final nylon pack in their hand. "Last piece of kit you're going to need is a first aid pack." They informed the chunin, before raking their eyes over the three of them. "I know the jinchuuriki can't be a medic, so which one of you two is the assigned medic?"

Gaara hurried in strapping down the equipment pack to his left leg before looking up. "Me."

"Good." The agent responded, before tossing it to him - who just caught it in time. "Strap that to your other leg. And then you three are finished here."

Naruto just gave a nod, before slipping on his helmet with a click and looking to the agent. "Thank you." Came out his voice in a deepened and more neutral tone from the scrambling seals built into it.

"No problem." The agent responded as they stood up, before thumping their left fist to their shoulder in the nation's salute. "Welcome to Spectre."

Three resounding sounds against metal was heard as the three chunin responded in kind.

PAIN'S TOWER, PAIN'S OFFICE.

The Deva Path could be found in one of its usual places, the corpse now standing idly at the window of their private office. Rinnegan eyes stared deep into the depths of the flailing storm of rain that lashed against the windows, an unnaturally driven phenomena that was powered by the Uzumaki chakra the Path could see in each raindrop if it focused hard enough.

"You wanted to see me?" Came a voice behind him, making Pain recognise the voice before the singular rinnegan eye looked behind him to confirm it anyway. Only two people got away with being so familiar with him.

"Yes, I did, Nephew." Deva spoke as he turned around completely to look at the jinchuuriki, and took a moment. It seemed Naruto was still admiring the black armour he was wearing, as he was fiddling with a strap on the underside of his arm, before then rolling the arm in its socket to see what difference it made - before looking to Pain. Pain looked back, and saw how his only actual blood relative was now gearing up for the fight ahead, decked out in a gleaning, midnight-black armour, the national symbol of Ame stencilled thickly in white characters on the frontal torso.

The helmet had been opened, allowing the hanging fringe of red hair to be seen over the curious look Naruto gave Pain with his blue eyes, before he then urged on the conversation. "What about, Uncle?"

The Deva Path gave a humourless chuckle as he sat down at the desk, and stared warmly at Naruto. "I wanted to see you one last time before you disappeared for a month, and to give you a few things. First of all, a piece of advice. Two years ago, I imbedded in you one of these."

A chakra rod slid out of the sleeve of the Akatsuki robe Pain was wearing, and put on the desk in front of them - making Naruto frown, as he looked to his body before looking back to the chakra rod. "You put a shard of metal in me?" He eventually asked, an immensely confused tone to accompany the frown. "Why would you put one of your controlling instruments in me? I'm not dead."

The Deva Path merely gave a chuckle, devoid of actual humour as he explained. "No. You are very much alive, but in this case, that makes it easier for my rinnegan." Deva spoke, before continuing as Naruto's confused expression didn't lessen. "I have to implant my Paths with at least a bundle of controlling chakra receptors to stimulate a long-inactive chakra system in a corpse. But, by implanting a singular receptor in your distributing core which is actively distributing chakra around your system, I have all I need."

Naruto's expression then lessened slightly, but the frown didn't disappear. "And what does it enable you to do then?"

"A singular purpose." Deva explained as they picked up the chakra rod and gestured to Naruto with it. "I have done the exact same thing with Konan. By introducing a chakra receptor to an active human's chakra system, I have the ability to summon them using the Animal Path. I'm sure you can tell why I did such a thing right after the incident two years ago."

The nine-tails jinchuuriki looked slightly shocked at the news, before a thought occurred to him. "Well, that will certainly be useful if we're ever in trouble." Naruto began, before looking seriously to the Deva Path. "But how on earth will it work if we're off outside Ame? Our first mission is in another country."

The corpse merely just gave another dead-sounding chuckle, before a hand under the desk retrieved something from within a drawer - before driving it into the wood, where the blade stuck. Naruto actually gasped at what he saw, recognising it immediately. "I see you can recognise this." Deva spoke as the rinnegan eyes flickered to the tri-pronged kunai he was gripping, which was splintering the wood of his desk. Naruto could see the slight anger in the purple eyes as they stared deeply at the weapon. "This is one of the teleportation kunai that Minato Namikaze employs for his technique. Despite his care to try and limit the spread of his kunai, we know for a fact that there is captured and deactivated instances of his weaponry across Iwa, Kumo and here in Rain from the previous war and after."

Looking to the weapon, Naruto then shook the Deva Path out of its ruminations as he spoke. "You managed to reverse-engineer something off of it, didn't you?"

The corpse merely gave a nod as they let go of the kunai, leaving it stuck in the desk. "Do not get me wrong, we can't reverse-engineer the Namikaze's teleportation technique for it, not at all. All this kunai acts as, is a beacon for locking onto with his technique, with two other functions in acting as a store of chakra which fills up as he teleports, and a complicated array which utilises space-time techniques." Deva explained. "Unfortunately, the space-time technique array which lets him teleport, and other such things like reconstructing his very being had to be disabled to stop him doing such a thing here. You wouldn't be able to decipher the technique anyway even if it was intact, it's just one part of the technique."

Naruto nodded, his own sealing knowledge allowing him to keep up. "You already have knowledge on chakra storage arrays, they're some of the most basic around. So... you reverse engineered the beacon array, didn't you?"

"Indeed. Well done." Deva praised. "I must admit, the Leaf are world-experts when it comes to sealing, especially with the remnants of the Uzumaki clan fleeing there to join Kushina Uzumaki following the destruction of Uzushiogakure in the world war. In fact, they're one of the few countries with advanced knowledge on space-time techniques at all." He spoke, before then giving a small smile. "We've managed to replicate their beacon array from this kunai, something only Kumo has done to our knowledge. Thus it enables chakra to be sent across long distances."

With folded arms, Naruto finished it by joining the dots. "So you attached the array to the chakra receptor." He stated, receiving a nod in return. "I just have a couple of questions then. How do I activate it, and how come the Fox doesn't know it? He has open access to my chakra network."

Deva merely tilted his head slightly. "He does know. He and I share conversation a few times without you present." He explained, not missing the frown that re-emerged before Naruto wiped his face clear. "And to activate the beacon array, merely pulse the chakra around your heart three times. I'll summon you five seconds after if I'm able. Just grab hold of your brothers within those five seconds to have them come with you."

After a second of thought, Naruto just nodded. "OK. Thank you, Uncle." He thanked.

"Good. I suppose you'll want to be going soon." Deva mused, before putting six items onto the desk next to the imbedded kunai from beneath the desk. "I'll give you these then."

Naruto stepped forward to survey what had just been put before him by the Deva Path, before looking to the corpse. "What is all this?" He asked.

Firstly pointing to three sets of coloured bars laid on the desk, Deva explained. "Those are your coloured rankings. You may be chunin, but as Spectre, you need to stand above the regular forces. Regardless of your respective skill and actual military ranks, I am giving Shino and Gaara full chunin permission status, and you full jonin permission." He spoke as he pointed to the two sets of double grey bars, then the singular set of double black bars, thoughtfully set against a thin white background to make it stand out on the black armour.

Picking up his own set of ranking bars, he tucked them away as he did with the other two, before picking up the two swords having been set on the desk. "These are for Shino, I take it." Naruto stated with confidence as he looked to the ruler of Ame.

Deva responded with a closed-eyed nod. "Just as your brother requested, they were fashioned out of the chakra rods so that they have the special chakra disrupting ability. Merely tell him he'll have to come up with a handle for each of them, and remind him they are not to fall into enemy hands." The Path paused, before also handing over the tri-pronged kunai to Naruto. "You're turning out to be rather good with seals, Naruto. I wonder what you'll get from this."

Gazing to the two swords in his hands, he saw that they were indeed made from the cylindrical weapons the rinnegan could construct, merely sharpened into two sharp blades with the bottom end left untouched. Tucking them all under his right arm, Naruto paused before the final item. He fiddled with another metal plate under his right arm for a moment, before looking seriously to the Deva Path. "Why did you really have me join Spectre?" He asked critically. "It wasn't the elite commander's decision, I know that much. They are far too protocol minded to consider having us just join an elite section without proof of our abilities in the field."

Deva looked to Naruto, before nodding in approval. "Well done on figuring that out." Deva praised, before explaining. "It would be because I do know of your abilities. And you have impressed me. You may not quite be Spectre material yet, but you most certainly will be better than that when you are done training. Think of it less as getting access to the top early-on, but more as getting used to your future potential."

Naruto accepted that explanation, before turning to the last item - and picked it up slowly.

"To remind you of your true family." Deva stated as he stood by Naruto's side, gazing at the picture with the chunin. "No matter who you encounter, whether it be the Namikazes in the Leaf or any other Uzumaki, you were brought here. Raised here. Fight for this family, Naruto." Deva finished by looking to Naruto with a solid gaze.

Naruto let the arm clutching the picture of him and his brothers, Nagato, Konan and the Fox fall to the side as he looked back equally serious. "You know I'd never do such a thing, Uncle." He replied simply, but it still got Deva to smile slightly.

"Good." The Deva Path responded, but it was the Fox who spoke up next.

"Good heavens, look at the time. I know this is a gripping moment, and I hate to disrupt it, but there's only ten minutes to go before the train leaves." The Fox stated as he stood up and stretched from his spot at lounging at the window, watching the rain fall, before trotting over to Naruto's side.

Deva's eyes flickered down to the nine tails, before nodding. "He's right." He spoke simply, before looking to Naruto. "Best of luck on your mission, Naruto."

"Thank you, Uncle." Naruto responded, before looking confused. "Though what's a train."

The corpse responded with a dismissive wave as it at back at the desk, however. "The Fox can show you, it's in the basement of the Tower and all military personnel ride free." Deva spoke as he turned to the computer. "Goodbye, Nephew."

The Fox motioned towards the door with his head as Naruto looked to him. "Come on."

ONE HOUR LATER.

"I'm still shocked at the speed of this thing." Gaara muttered as he looked out of the window, seeing the outside scenery hurtle past. Trees, vegetation and the occasional village appeared for only a second in the darkened, grey outdoors before the train would whisk it out of sight again. Rain was thus the only constant to the shifting scenery in the fast-moving vehicle, raindrops consistently splattering against the window and then themselves being whisked left by the buffeting air of the train.

"It's supposed to be one of the modern apexes that'll revolutionise transport, just beneath the importance of the computer. An actual moving contraption that can reach speeds faster than most jonin." Shino informed them as they sat in the train carriage, looking out the window at the sights they'd never seen before in their sheltered lives. "Rumour has it it's another stolen invention."

Naruto looked to Shino with interest. "From where?"

The insect user looked to Naruto, the red irises of the helmet he'd kept closed ever since he'd put it on, unlike Naruto and Gaara, looking solidly at him as he shrugged. "Nobody knows. It was just part of the rumour mill I heard from gossiping chunin."

Gaara gave a smirk as he heard that, having more experience with a ninja village than either Shino or Naruto - and knowing that chunin were the likeliest suspects to run their mouths off on anything, no matter the nation. "But every rumour is supposed to based on at least a hint of truth." The sand user interjected.

Shino looked to his brother, and the helmet titled in thought. "Indeed." Came the scrambled voice.

A call from the seats behind them made them pause their conversation, as the trio saw a couple of jonin stop before a group of four chunin in the next booth of seats to the left of them. The jonin with the singular bar of dark green on their shoulders was obviously in charge, as they raked their eyes over the chunin, Rain headband glinting in the suspended light of the carriage as they then posed a question. "Is your team headed to the border where this train's final destination lies, team leader?" The junior elite jonin asked of the only chunin wearing double greys bars, much like Gaara and Shino.

The chunin shook their heads. "No, sir." They answered.

"Good." They stated, before the elite jonin thrust out their hand. "Licenses and movement papers, please." They ordered abruptly.

The chunin hastened to comply from what the trio of Spectre agents saw, handing over their plastic laminated cards and transfer papers detailing their movements to the barracks in the western regions of the Land of Rain. It took a minute, before the second jonin looked to the elite jonin. "All is in order." They informed simply.

The elite jonin gave a nod, before handing back all the materials to the team of chunin. "Everything is in order." The jonin spoke. "Your cooperation is noted."

The two jonin moved onwards, and stopped before the smaller trio of black armoured figures, which spurred a slight widening in the eyes of the elite jonin. Rather than order for them to hand over their licenses as Naruto expected, the jonin just gave a nod. "Have a good journey, agents." The jonin spoke, before moving on further down the train.

Naruto looked slightly confused through the opened section of the helmet he wore, as Gaara and him continued watching the elite jonin order about the rest of the train's occupants - as Shino had something to say. "It would seem that there is a whole host of benefits to being part of the elite department." He stated simply, getting the two others to agree with him.

Ten more minutes passed by in silence, before Naruto leaned forward and gestured to Gaara. "Here, Gaara, give me one of those cylinders holding the storage scrolls. I think I've got an idea on how to help you with your sand."

AME BORDER OUTPOST.

"Elite units?" The guard at the desk of the border outpost let out as they saw the three Spectre agents. "We don't see too many of your department, you usually stay within the borders or sneak off. It's a surprise you came here. Well, if I could just have your-"

Naruto held up his armoured hand and stopped the jonin on duty from going on further. "Actually, we don't want our names recorded here. We're just here for the best spot to infiltrate the Land of Fire from."

Eyeing the agents for a moment, the jonin didn't say anything against it as they were sneaking out of the Land of Rain, not in. Standing up and pointing to a map pinned on the wall, they circled an area next to a river. "If any one of you three is proficient with seals, you can disable the detection seals they've undoubtedly got lain in the river here, and you can then sneak past without worrying about any patrols at all. Just mind that their border outpost is just a kilometre from the river, reinforcements will arrive there quickly if you do trip any detection seals."

Looking at the map, Naruto gave a nod as he worked it out in his mind. He definitely could do that. 'It'd be a good test of actually applying what I've taught you, Naruto...' Came a rumble from within his mind, but he didn't acknowledge it in the presence of others.

"Thank you, jonin." Naruto spoke, before turning around and marching out the door, followed by the two others.

TEN MINUTES LATER.

Three black armoured figures rose out of the water, water running off the metal and splashing back into the river as the surface suddenly seemed solid to the three ninja, standing on top of it with mere applications of chakra. Hisses of air came from all three helmets as the electronics within expelled out the tainted, carbon-dioxide filled air from the rebreather systems, before the trio began running along the surface of the water.

"We follow the river for a minute more." Naruto announced to them as they sprinted. "Then duck into the woods. Once we're far from the border, we can stop at a town for a bounty station to check for the latest news on Raiga."

No acknowledgement was made from the other two as they sprinted. At their current stamina levels, they could maintain a good sprint - but only if they saved their breaths where they could.

THAT EVENING.

The climate of the Land of Fire was just like what it was named for - it was mostly a warm nation. With summers reaching a peak of just over forty degrees Celsius and winters being temperately warm compared to other nations which received large amounts of snow, the Land of Fire could be a very hot nation at times. Fortunately for the trio, the seals on the undersuits of their armour kept them stable in the heat, which would've been roasting in all of the armour otherwise.

The town of Frodan was a small town of a few thousand inhabitants, and mostly made its business out of being a hub for travellers to stop off at, eat, sleep and shop in its good position in the middle of two major routes. The three chunin were currently utilising it for information, with Naruto having entered the local bounty station to find out the latest whereabouts on Raiga Kurosuki, Shino and Gaara standing outside.

Shino noticed how the patrolling Leaf teams were paying particular attention to them, with them undoubtedly sticking out in their armour with a foreign nation's symbol emblazoned on it; but there was little the Fire nation ninja could do until they did something suspicious. International law permitted them to travel within a nation that didn't embargo them, so long as they kept their weapons out of sight when not needed and not to harm any Fire nation citizen.

Any foreign ninja could take on any rogue ninja they liked, and since the Land of Rain didn't permit even their allies of the Sand to enter their borders, nobody took offence to them.

Naruto stepped back outside then, having bought the Land of Fire's edition of the Bingo Book and spoken to the person on duty, he held out the relevant page to the other two. "It seems Raiga is currently within the North-west regions of the Land of Fire. If we follow the northern route out of this town, we can be there in a day."

"Sounds good." Gaara responded, before posing a question. "Shall we eat here in the town and spend the night, or keep going whilst there's still night?"

With a shake of his head, Shino answered that one. "It'd be better to spend the night. Raiga is the head of a gang, he won't be going anywhere too soon, it'd be better to be better rested."

Gaara looked to Naruto then with a curious look. "What about you, Naruto? You're the team leader."

Naruto merely shrugged in response. "Shino's the smartest here. It's better to listen to him than me a lot of the time."

Shino made no comment as the trio walked into a restaurant, drawing stares for the foreign symbol and unusual armour, but they managed to secure a table just fine. As the food was arriving, Naruto joked to Shino as his jovial expression could be seen, unlike Shino's closed helmet. "Y'know Shino, you're gonna have to at least open up the helmet to eat."

It took a moment, but the helmet on Shino's head opened up to reveal dark blue eyes staring bored at Naruto. "Happy?" The insect user grunted, but all he got in return was a short laugh.

"Excuse me, my youthful friends!" Came a loud interruption to their proceedings, making Naruto look over with a frown - before his eyes hardened at the black-haired individual before them with a Leaf headband on. He was fine being in their country, on the basis that he interacted with them as little as possible. Thus, this was an unwelcome intrusion.

Shino grunted, he too finding this unwelcome - and having the courage to speak his mind. Or, more rather to Gaara's musing, the lack of caring for diplomacy or tact when dealing with a lot of situations.

"What is it you want, Leaf ninja?" Shino asked in an ambiguous tone, straight to the point. "I didn't expect you to approach us and call us 'friends'?"

The genin before them lost their wide grin, their comically large eyebrows being just as distasteful to the Ame insect ninja as the hideous green jumpsuit they wore. "What is wrong?" The genin asked, losing some of their previously boisterous tone. "All I wanted to do was ask you of your country, I have never seen any other foreign nation's genin before."

"Actually." Naruto stated in a neutral tone, looking solidly at the Leaf genin. "We're chunin."

"My apologies." The bushy-haired boy was frowning now. "But-"

Shino interrupted the boy with a laugh, but was silenced by a stare from Naruto. "Our apologies." Naruto sounded out, switching his gaze to the Leaf genin and speaking in a hardened tone that didn't convey his apologies at all. "I guess you have yet to learn that foreign ninja don't take well to one another." He switched his gaze back to Shino, and made sure he didn't state his thoughts, which were undoubtedly straightforward to what he thought. "Leave it, Shino. Leaf ninja aren't worth it."

"Is this what Rain ninja think of other nations?" Another voice came from the left of the Leaf genin, introducing another Leaf ninja into the mix - a completely white-eyed male joined his comrade, who also had black hair which reached to his shoulders and wore a strong-looking training jacket. "That they are superior, despite the fact that they are a minor nation?"

"No." Gaara stated then, in a calm manner. "It is just the fact that you were our enemies for the last two world wars, and is it not hypocritical for a Hyuuga of all people to talk of superiority?"

The Hyuuga genin gave an affronted look, before speaking again. "It is against-"

"Either state an actual purpose for bothering us, or begone, Leaf genin." Naruto interrupted him, looking him in the eyes. "I tire of this conversation. We have done nothing to you, so either state your issue or leave."

The Hyuuga looked back for a second more, before turning to their comrade. "Come, Lee, Guy was looking for you." Getting a positive response from the genin in the green jumpsuit, the two Leaf genin soon filtering out.

After they had left was when Shino commented. "I have re-evaluated." He spoke. "I say we get on the road tonight."

"What's the rush?" Gaara countered with a raised eyebrow, though he did have an idea. "We have been given a whole month."

Naruto shook his head as he began eating. "Shino's right. We've ben given a whole month not for the mission, it doesn't take thirty days to collect one bounty. No, we've been given freedom to train and move about." He explained.

A snort accompanied that from Shino. "And I will not put up with that for a month. Let's at least get off the major routes so we don't run into any more genin teams."

Gaara sent the insect user a weird look. "...But we're at the age where we should just be genin."