When Kioshi and Kakashi returned, it was as Kioshi expected. Both Naruto and Gaara were back in human form- no tailed beasts to be seen. Gaara was calm and had a contemplative look on his face, and Naruto was also content. The fight seemed to have gone as planned.
They all traveled back to Suna afterward.
The reception they got on arrival was both grateful and hostile. The village members were relieved the mission had been a success, but Garra had obviously not been forgiven for the devastation. Open fear of the Jinchuriki and his escorts was the only thing keeping the crowds from attacking.
Naruto suggested that Gaara come back to Konoha with them to live, empathizing with the hateful response. The Kazekage, however, refused. The boy's father instead agreed with the sand siblings', allowing Gaara to reside in one of the outline wind villages until things calmed down. There he was to reside peacefully to show proof of control before returning.
Kioshi personally agreed with Naruto. Gaara needed support, and the semi-banishment might be dangerous. Tobi was still out there, and being outside a country's military capital would make it easier for the Akatsuki to get to the Jinchuriki.
But the Kazekage couldn't be persuaded. Trust and pride were still an issue. The situation was something to be discussed with the Hokage anyhow. Kioshi and Kakashi didn't have the power to negotiate.
Kioshi warned the Kazekage, however, of the criminal S-rank organization before they left. The Akatsuki seemed to want to take the one-tails, so Suna should at least take some precautions. Hopefully, this would be enough.
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Once Kioshi and Team 7 were back in Konoha, Kioshi pulled Kakashi aside to talk with him privately. He told the Jonin, that with recent events, they should start training together. The man had almost died in their last mission, and they both needed to improve their skills.
Kakashi reluctantly agreed. He was one of the few who could challenge Kioshi, and he recognized that his skills had degraded, or at least stagnated through the years. The man spent too much time by the memorial stone and feared loss to the point of being dangerously distracted.
Every day after that Kakashi would meet with Kioshi and train. One thing that evolved due to this was the jonin's kenjutsu skills. Kakashi had already been very good at the art, but had replaced it mostly with ninjutsu once obtaining the Sharingan. Now a sword was carried on his back at all times. It was a skill they both had in common and could help each other improve upon.
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Two more years passed, and both Kakashi and Kioshi became very formidable. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura also increased in skill. Like in the original timeline, Jiraiya returned and took Naruto away to train once the purpose of the Akatsuki was officially discovered. In turn, Kakashi took Sasuke as his sole student, and Kioshi took Sakura.
The teachers and students were good matches. Jiraiya would be able to teach Naruto the Rasengan and how to be a Sage, Kakashi was teaching Sasuke more powerful ninjutsu and ways to use the Sharingan, and Sakura was a prodigy when it came to healing. She was excelling quickly with Kioshi's instruction.
Teaching the girl would soon create another S-Rank healer, which would be nice, and learning complex skills solely from scrolls was difficult and dangerous, so Kioshi had offered to help. The only reason Kioshi had done it alone in his own training was because there had been no other option. Tsunade was a stubborn woman. Even now, she refused to come back to the village.
Maybe the woman never would. Sasuke was already pushing Kakashi into the position of Hokage, so Konoha would likely not be desperate on that front for a while. The young Uchiha had eventually resorted to telling his sensei the real reason he hated the third, which finally got Kakashi to take the plea seriously. It was obvious that the boy would never feel truly happy or loyal until something was done.
Kakashi's inauguration was set in two weeks. Currently, he and Kioshi were on their last mission together before the ceremony would take place.
"I hate offices," the silver-haired jonin grumbled, as they stopped to examine some tracks. "Why was I the one unluckily enough to gain Sasuke's attention?"
"Well, you are his sensei," Kioshi smiled. "You've taught him a lot through the years."
"So have you." Kakashi shot back. "You should take the position."
Kioshi sighed. "You know I can't. I already told you what I want to focus on."
Kakashi grimaced. The Akatsuki. Kioshi wanted to take down the organization before the world, Naruto, or Itachi were destroyed.
Itachi… Kakashi used to be the Uchiha's Anbu captain. The betrayal had hit harder than he'd like to admit. It was just another one of his failures… something that should have been prevented… Now that the missing-nin was known to be an ally, however, a lot of hurt and guilt had been lifted. Hopefully, the S-Rank would come back to Konoha once his mission was complete. Sooner rather than later. Deep espionage was dangerous and damaging to the mind.
"These tracks are only two days old by my estimation," Kioshi replied, touching a clear indent. "I'm also beginning to pick up a faint chakra trail. We're getting close."
Kakashi nodded in agreement, getting back to the task at hand. Konoha had recently been informed that children and ninjas had been disappearing throughout villages of the land of fire. Once it had been confirmed that the people responsible wore Sound headbands, Kioshi and Kakashi were sent out. Anything regarding Orochimaru was considered S-rank in difficulty. The man was one of the Sannins, and was one of the biggest threats and disgraces to Konoha.
"My time as Hokage will be much easier if we can actually find the bastard this time," Kakashi said grimly.
"And kill him," Kioshi added. The snake was very good at hiding and getting away, but he also shouldn't be underestimated in a strait up battle. Even though they were strong, Orochimaru was a master of many techniques and could have improved as well through the years. The man hadn't been decently reported on in more than a decade. Who knew what he'd been up to?
At the very least, they would have to deal with some of the man's formidable subjects. Orochimaru was forming a new nation. Right now it was known as a simple gang network, but the threat was growing by the year.
Caution had to be taken. From various descriptions, the sound ninjas they were tracking didn't appear to be elite, but they were powerful enough to murder many members of the Genin Corps. With the right force and tactics, even the strongest of ninjas could be defeated by such entities.
When Kioshi and Kakashi reached the next few villages, the locations were desolated by the criminals. Kidnappings had escalated to full-blown destruction. Kioshi dropped piles of supplies out of his dimensional realm to help the surviving guards and civilians before continuing.
Sadly, that was all that could be done right now. Medical ninjutsu still took a lot of time to perform, and the villagers that had fatal injuries were already dead by this point. The perpetrators were becoming bolder by the day. They needed to be stopped as soon as possible.
"It's like they want to be noticed and followed," Kakashi commented.
Kioshi nodded. The tracks are not hidden well and countless witnesses had been left alive. "Perhaps Orochimaru thought a group of lesser strength would be sent and simply drawing in more unique experimental subjects?" A group of B-ranks or a few A-ranks could be useful to the man.
"That or the trap is specifically for us," Kakashi said. "We should be extra cautious moving forward."
Kioshi nodded. Kakashi held a Sharingan, and Kioshi's Dojutsu was also very valuable. Was this an attempt to get their eyes?
Or maybe this was just a distraction for the snake to prevent or get to something else. Such a thing had happened before with other enemies. But distracting them wouldn't be necessary unless that something was in Konoha… They hadn't been on a mission.
Fear and agitation rose at the thought. The Sharingan had been one of the Sannin's main goals in canon, more specifically a body that was born to handle such an organ. That had unlikely changed.
Sasuke!
No. He had to be overthinking things. How could the snake predict that Kakashi would leave the boy behind? Kakashi usually took his student on all his missions. It was a great teaching tool. Sasuke was now A-rank, so even this mission wouldn't have been denied.
The only reason the boy wasn't accompanying them now was because of the Anbu trials. It was something the Uchiha was participating in order to become one of Kakashi's guards when he became Hokage.
But that fact hadn't exactly been kept secret…. A spy could have caught wind.
"Kakashi, we need to find these people now!" Kioshi exclaimed, picking up speed, not liking the possibility. They couldn't abandon the mission simply on suspicion, not when other lives were at stake, but Hiruzen was currently the only S-rank in Konoha. This could be a kidnapping like in canon. Or worse a full-out invasion! Kumo might even be involved.
"Explain," Kakashi said once he caught up to him. The criminals were close enough to smell and detect through chakra, so the fast movement was expected, but panic was unwarranted. "Do you know something I don't?"
"I think Konoha might be the main target, Sasuke in particular," Kioshi replied, not slowing.
"Did one of your visions tell you this?" Kakashi asked, over the sound of rushing wind.
"Sort of," Kioshi said. "But it's only a possibility. I think Orochimaru wants the Sharingan for an experiment of his. With us out of the way, this might be his chance! This might also be an attack on the village itself."
They continued on in silence after this, putting full focus in traveling and tracking the sound ninjas. The criminals were putting great effort into hiding their actual movements now.
It was too late to hide though. The hunters following had speed and both scent and chakra-tracking abilities. When Kakashi and Kioshi reached them, they all looked shocked at being tracked down, but quickly turned arrogant. Apparently, not everyone studied the bingo books.
"Looks like some Konoha ninjas what to fight us. Hey boys?" One said.
The smug expression of the leader quickly turned fearful when his six subordinates were quickly slaughtered without mercy. Most simply didn't have the reaction speed to combat Kioshi's and Kakashi's speed. "Ah! W-Who are you?!" the man stammered when a knife was suddenly placed against his throat.
"Why did you attack Fire Nation villages?" Kakashi growled lowly in his ear, putting more pressure on the man's neck.
"I-I don't...I don't know what you're talking about!" The man stuttered in denial, apparently thinking this would save him.
Kioshi, however, read the man's mind with mental chakra. "Orochimaru instructed him to do so," he translated to Kakashi. "They weren't told why, but were instructed to make it noticeable and to leave witnesses."
Kakashi nodded. He'd been told of Kioshi's mental chakra abilities more than a year ago. It came in very useful at times like these. "Then it is as we feared. This was just a distraction."
The sound ninja's throat was then opened and a chidori was sent through his chest. There was no reason to keep the informant alive any longer. The man was a pawn and sacrifice to Orochimaru. All hideouts the person likely knew of would be low priority or abandoned.
Time couldn't be wasted. Kioshi and Kakashi headed back to Konoha at great speed.
When they arrived, their worries were confirmed. Debris dust clouds rose from many parts of the village. In their wake was destruction.
The chunin patrols at the gate frantically rushed up to meet when they slowed and came near. Kioshi and Kakashi figured they should get some information before continuing and didn't want to cause a greater panic by flashing through the gate unidentified.
"Ninja Hatake and Hirano! We have been attacked!" One guard exclaimed, stating the obvious.
"Are any perpetrators still inside," Kakashi asked. From the past tense phrasing and sensing a lack of battling chakra, it didn't appear so, but it was best to make sure.
"No, but the Hokage has been killed! It was Orochimaru! He was here!"
Kakashi nodded. The Hokage was getting old in years, so it wasn't a surprise that he could have been overpowered by his old student.
"Do you know where Sasuke Uchiha is?" Kioshi asked.
"I haven't seen him, sir " the guard replied. "Everything has been pretty crazy. We've just been instructed to keep watch and send a signal for any more threats".
"How many were involved in the attack?" Kakashi asked.
"Just Orochimaru I think," the guard said.
"Did he escape with any prisoners?" Kioshi asked.
"No one told us that he did."
Seeing that they could get no more information here, Kioshi and Kakashi continued forward. They soon saw Sakura, who was busy healing the wounded at a temporary medical station close to a point of destruction.
"Sakura, have you seen Sasuke?" Kioshi asked once they were close.
The pink-haired girl turned quickly at the voice. "Kioshi! Thank the gods you're back! There are so many injured! I need your help!"
"Have you SEEN Sasuke?" Kakashi repeated firmly, needing the answer.
"No, I haven't," Sakura exclaimed, confused at first at the urgency, then becoming worried at Kioshi's and Kakashi's grim glances at each other. "What?! Is he okay?!"
"How long was Orochimaru in the village?" Kioshi asked instead of answering. "Did a lot of people see him?"
"Yes. He attacked the Hokage in the center of the village while a large snake destroyed other areas. There was a large impenetrable barrier between us and the S-rank battle, but there were many who watched and tried to get through."
Kioshi nodded. It was similar to the invasion in the canon timeline, just with fewer enemies. Orochimaru must have figured out a way to make the barrier without the sound four or the aid of Suna.
"Kakashi, you go find out more information, I'm going to help tend to the wounded," Kioshi said, coming to a decision. While his worry for Sasuke was strong, he couldn't in good conscience continue the investigation with so many other lives at stake. They would need to split their efforts.
Kakashi nodded and flashed away.
Once the man was gone, Kioshi traveled toward every weak aura he could find, sometimes tearing apart debris to get to people. Damn Orochimaru! That man was heartless. Why set a summon on the village when no one could get to him anyway? The barrier would have been enough, right? Did the man just enjoy causing pain?
Thankfully, Kioshi was getting faster at medical ninjutsu and had a lot of chakra saved up. He went from person to person, healing and closing their wounds enough to save their lives before continuing.
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It was late evening when Konoha's medical staff finally got all the critically injured stabilized. The rest had passed away.
It was around this time that Kakashi found Kioshi. His fury was no less subtle towards the traitorous Sannin. "No one has seen Sasuke since the beginning of the attack," the jonin reported. "I resorted to tracking his scent from his house. It led to the Uchiha training grounds. There it seems Orochimaru attacked Sasuke with five other signatures. The struggle appears to have been quick. The five foreign entities then took Sasuke outside the wall while Orochimaru continued on to battle the Hokage."
Kioshi nodded. It made sense. It explained why no one saw the Sannin leave with the boy. It also explained how Sasuke could be captured without anyone noticing. The Uchiha training grounds were secluded, and six against one wasn't exactly fair, especially if Orochimaru caught Sasuke by surprise. The fight could have ended before it started.
"Are any of the council members aware of this?"
Kakashi shook his head. "They are scattered at the moment. Most are busy organizing and tending to their own clans."
"I don't think we have time to call a meeting," Kioshi said. "If my prediction is correct, then Sasuke won't have long until permanent damage is inflicted. We can't afford to lose the trail." If it got more than a day old, then the scent and chakra trail would be much harder to follow.
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Let's go then."
"No," Kioshi rebutted. "You need to stay here. Konoha is in a fragile state, and it needs an S-rank to protect it."
Kakashi started to protest, but Kioshi interrupted. "You're the Hokage. It's your job to get things in order."
"I'm not Hokage," Kakashi glared.
"Then who is?" Kioshi asked. "Hiruzen is dead. Your inauguration date has moved up."
"But you need me!" Kakashi argued desperately. "If they don't use chakra you could lose the trail. I am the only one who can track their scent and keep up with you!"
"True," Kioshi said. "But I think Konoha's security and stability is worth it. My old Inuzuka teammate, Emi, will likely be willing to come with me. She and her Ninken both excel in speed. Minimal time will be lost. We can't leave the village like this. Protection aside, the village elders are stubborn will only listen to someone of greater power. Are you really sure you want to leave things to them?"
Kakashi grimaced. No. Both the village elders were corrupt and usually caused more damage than good. The clan heads also liked to argue.
Still, Kioshi seemed to be missing something. "You can't defeat Orochimaru and his entire base on your own," Kakashi pointed out. "You realize this is probably another trap, right? The Sannin has come out of hiding for the first time in years. He likely predicts we will track him down, even with the distractions he's caused! Defeating you might be the second part of the plan, and you will be even more vulnerable without me to support you!"
"I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," Kioshi said. Kakashi still didn't know about his ability to store large amounts of chakra. If he did, he probably would be so worried. "I also don't need to defeat the snake to get Sasuke back. I just have to get passed him. I can do this. Trust me."
Kakashi sighed. "I hate it when you say that."
Kioshi smiled. "I know. But have I ever led you wrong? We are wasting time. Either come with me or not. You know my opinion."
Kakashi glared. "Fine! Get going! But I'm coming after you if you're not back within a week!"
Kioshi smiled grimly again, nodding determinately and then flash-stepping away.
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Kioshi found Emi quickly in the Inuzuka compound. She and Koru immediately agreed to the mission, and the three of them headed quickly out of the village, following the trail of the sound ninjas and Orochimaru. Both entities followed along the same path, one trail simply newer and stronger than the other.
The sound ninjas seemed to have gone ahead, while their leader stayed behind as a distraction and to get some revenge. It was a good strategy. The damage would delay and weaken any pursuit, and Orochimaru was likely faster than the others, so he would eventually catch up.
For the first part of the mission, Emi and Koru agreed to be placed in Kioshi's dimensional realm so he could travel at greater speed. Catching the group before they reached their destination was the goal, and the kidnappers had picked speed over stealth, so there was a clear chakra trail to follow.
It was only when it got dark, that Kioshi stopped and released his old genin teammates. Movement and tracks were still possible to follow without light, but Kioshi was extremely low on mental chakra. Ninjas could go only so long without sleep, and Kioshi and Kakashi had taken very few breaks during their last mission. With all the healing and running he'd done during this time, exhaustion came even faster.
"I need to rest," Kioshi said. "Do you need sleep as well?"
"Not as much as you," Emi said. "Koru and I will switch off on watch."
Kioshi nodded, grateful. This was one benefit of having Emi here over Kakashi. Kakashi would have been exhausted as well, and having someone able to stand guard allowed faster rejuvenation. Deeper sleep could take over.
When Kioshi woke, it was to bright sunlight. The chakra trail had faded greatly during the night, indicating Kioshi had lost a lot more time than he'd made up due to the break. But it couldn't be helped. Energy was needed for success.
Kioshi tracked the faint signatures alone again until they became dotted and random, then he let Emi and Koru back out of his dimensional realm.
"I don't know if I'll ever get used to you doing that," Emi exclaimed once she appeared once again out of the red energy. "Skipping suddenly through space and time throws my senses off."
"Sorry," Kioshi grimaced. He honestly felt a little guilty for using his teammates like tools, only pulling them out when needed. Koru especially didn't like the disorientation, sniffing and growling around at the new surroundings and different sun position.
"Don't worry about it," Emi dismissed. "I know it's best for the mission. Now, what do you need from us?"
"Orochimaru has caught up with his subordinates and Sasuke," Kioshi explained. "They have started to travel as civilians at different points, cutting off their chakra and becoming random in direction."
Emi nodded. "Okay, we'll take it from here."
They traveled at a slower speed for the next few hours, Emi and Koru taking the lead. Despite this, they gained some ground on their prey. They arrived at the borders of a village in The Land of Hot Water by late afternoon.
"Smells like two of them split off to get some supplies," Emi said.
Kioshi nodded. That made sense. The village was large enough to have a main street and marketplace, but not enough to have a lot of guards, so it was a perfect place for criminals to resupply. Hot water country was neutral towards many nations, neither hostile nor helpful. In small areas like this, even suspicious figures were left alone.
Kioshi was about to turn away from the village trail and stick to the group with Sasuke, when he suddenly paused. He sensed an aura that was both old and familiar.
His heartbeat quickened. It couldn't be...
"Kioshi, what's wrong?" Emi asked. Noticing that he ceased to follow and was looking down the ridge into the village intensity. His scan range hadn't been extended far in an effort to save energy, so the person was within sight range.
Kioshi nodded forward in answer. Two figures were coming out of the village. Both wore dark cloaks with red clouds. Their faces were hidden under high collars and large straw hats, but their identities were obvious.
One was Itachi. Kioshi would know his friend's signature anywhere. And from the large sword strapped across the other's back, that one had to be Kisame.
"Shit! Are those Akatsuki?" Emi asked, tensing up. Kioshi had told his teammate of the S-rank ninjas a while ago so she would know to retreat if she ever came across one.
Kioshi nodded.
"We should go before they see us," she said urgently. "We don't have the strength or time to fight them."
Kioshi knew she was right, but for some reason, he couldn't get himself to move. It brought both pain and joy to be so close to his childhood friend again. Itachi…He wanted nothing more than to rush up and hug him. But Kisame was there. He'd only make things more difficult by staying.
Crap. Too late to hide. Kisame paused, spotting them by the tree line. Kioshi knew Itachi had sensed him as well due to their aura clash.
"Kioshi, let's go!" Emi urged again.
Kioshi shook his head. "We can't. They have seen us. We can't afford to be tracked down and sandwiched between two powerful enemy forces." One of the Akatsuki's tasks was to earn money, and Kioshi had a large bounty on his head. Tobi or Pain also might have a personal kill order on him for the death of the immortals. The kills had been kept secret for the most part, but it wouldn't take much to put two and two together.
Kisame's reaction was obviously one of recognition. As the tall shark man flash stepped closer, sharp fish eyes gleamed in the shadow of the shark man's clothes "My! You're that S-Rank from Konoha aren't ye? What are ya doing out here?"
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Kioshi asked, feigning ignorance.
The man grinned again, pulling off his Japanese sombrero to reveal the rest of his blue shark-like features "Kisame Hoshigaki is the name. I am one of the traitorous seven swordsmen of Kiri!"
"Oh, well I'm Kioshi Hirano," Kioshi introduced back causally with a polite smile. "It's nice to meet you." Kisame wasn't officially listed as a personal enemy of their country, so being civil wasn't exactly a crime. And it would be nice if they could avoid battle. Sasuke might not have long.
By this time Itachi had come up behind his partner, having approached at a much slower pace.
Wind rustled through the Uchiha's cloak.
This caused Emi to suddenly gasp, apparently having caught the scent of the other Akatsuki member or finally noticing the luminous Sharingan eyes peering out from within the apparel. "K-Kioshi…" she whispered shakily, backing up slightly. Koru followed, also in recognition, ears laying flat and sending out a mixture between a growl and a whimper.
"I know…" Kioshi cast mentally to both the dog and the woman. "Just stay calm."
Emi swallowed, obeying but moving into a more defensive position.
"Look Itachi!" Kisame addressed cheerfully, ignoring the tension. "It's an elite from your village. We should fight him!"
Itachi didn't say anything, Sharingan eyes simply keeping their intense stare.
"We really don't have time," Kioshi said in answer to the shark man. "We are on an important mission."
"Ah, couldn't you just fight with us a little bit?" Kisame teased. "It's been a while since I've had some real action. Ya got a quite a good bounty on ya as well." Kisame turned to his red-eyed partner at the last comment for approval.
"No," Kioshi answered again for Uchiha. "As I said, our mission is important and we can't afford to delay. But if it's money and a fight you want, then you're welcome to join us."
"Uh?" Kisame asked, both confused and surprised at the invitation.
"Kioshi! What are you doing?!" Emi projected with genjutsu.
"Trust me. I have an idea." Kioshi sent back. It was actually quite brilliant. If it worked…
"Ya want two missing ninjas to join you on your mission?" Kisame reiterated just to make sure he'd heard correctly. "You do realize this is Itachi Uchiha, right? He is a traitor to your village."
"I don't care," Kioshi dismissed. "Our current mission is what we've been ordered to focus on. We are on the trail of Orochimaru. The snake has been difficult to find, but I can lead you to him. Why not work together? His bounty is large as well and we'll split the price. Then we can battle each other afterward. Two fights are better than one..."
Kisame smirked after thinking about the suggestion. "I like ya kid. I can't tell if you're serious or not, but the boss will be pleased if you ain't trickin us. The snake bastard is a enemy of us too. Been searching for him for some time. Itachi. How bout it?"
Itachi remained silent at the question.
"He has Sasuke," Kioshi projected to his friend privately, just in case the reluctant figure was thinking of an excuse to refuse.
With the way Itachi visibly stiffened at the genjutsu, the message was definitely received. Most would suspect Kioshi had projected something fierce or offensive, so to cover the Uchiah's slip, Kioshi put on a glare to match. "Too afraid to work along beside me again?"
It didn't take long to get a reply to the sneered challenge.
"We will join you," the Sharingan holder said.