Hello, again.

Sorry about the length, but my head's been in a bit of a mess lately. Been trying to clear that up. Anyways, this is just to help set up for the training month.

Perspective: n/a

Don't own MLP or Naruto, by the way.

Turtles and Slugs

"You're going to need Jiraiya to help with that, as well as your training. I may be your sensei, but honestly my style isn't suited for the both of you. He would be a better fit."

Those were the words that played through Sun and Sakura's minds as they made their way to one of the usual spots that Jiraiya could be found while he was in the village, which thankfully, he currently was.

Sakura in particularly was stressed. Ever since the Prelims, Blood Blossom has gotten pretty active, and it frankly terrified her. Sure, her other self hasn't done anything actual bad yet, but that was mainly because Sun and his brothers stopped her every time. What if they're not there the next time?

Next thing she knew, she was being place in Sun's arms by his chakra, and he was somewhat confused as well. "Sun, what're you doing?"

"It's not quite me, Sakura, but since it means I can carry my girlfriend, I'm not complaining." Sun said with a shrug. "Especially if it means she can calm down from her current stress."

Sakura blushed lightly in embarrassment as she snuggled into Sun's neck, causing the boy to laugh teasingly the rest of the way to the onsen. They heard a familiar giggling that got Sun to put Sakura back down and grin evilly. He snapped his fingers, and suddenly a giant hand made out of earth grabbed Jiraiya from underneath and tossed him to the women's side of the onsen, but not with sending an electric shock through the man's system making him unable to do anything to try and escape.

Sakura giggled as they heard the mixed cries of pain and anger coming from the other side of the wall as the earthen hand retracted into non-existence, only to stop when she heard "Serves the pervert right."

"Sun." was all she needed to get the boy to whip out his chakra and pull Jiraiya to them while calling out "Sorry, ladies, but we need him now."

A few minutes later, the three were outside of the Uzumaki house, with a serious and healed Jiraiya. "So you want to know if there is any possible way to stop Blood Blossom for good?"

The couple nodded, only to droop when Jiraiya shook his head. "Sorry, but I'm not the person you need to speak to."

They quickly perked back up when he added "The Kumo team are the ones you need. They can take you to their secret location for Bijuu Training. Turtle Island."

"Turtle Island?" Sakura asked.

Jiraiya nodded. "A remote island that all Kumo Jinchuriki have used to help learn control over their Biju. Even though she isn't a Biju, it's still pretty much the same concept. At least in theory."

"Well there is no harm in trying, now is there?" Pinkie asked, giving Jiraiya a quick jump-scare right before he growled out "Will you stop that?!"

Pinkie just giggled as Sun and Sakura shook their heads fondly at the boy. "By the way, the Kumo team is on their way here with Jack and Hinata, so you can ask them once they arrive. They bumped into each other while the two were out on a date, and one thing led to another..."

"We get it, Pinkie." Sun waved him off. "How long?"

"About ten minutes." Pinkie told them, then turned to Jiraiya. "Oh, and Ero-sennin, none of us are really suited towards any of the summoning contracts."

Jiraiya slumped some at that, though it was quickly replaced by a glint in his eyes when Sakura said "Doesn't mean we can't figure out other ways to communicate and provide reinforcements. Isn't the basis of the Hirashin space/time manipulation?"

Sun had a very similar glint. "Teleportation!"

The two males instantly went inside to discuss it, leaving Sakura and Pinkie to laugh at them.

Pinkie then hugged Sakura. "Now that's taken care of, I'm out."

At the exact time Pinkie said, Sakura saw Jack, Hinata, and Team Kumo walking up to the farm. "Hey, guys."

"Howdy, Sakura." Jack returned just as Sun and Jiraiya passed the window. "They talking seals in there?"

Sakura nodded. "Pinkie told Jiraiya that none of you were suited for summoning contracts, so they're working on one that focuses instead on transporting messages and, if possible, reinforcements."

"A lot of shinobi will like that." Hinata remarked with wide eyes, and she wasn't the only one.

Sakura nodded again before turning to Team Kumo. "On a different note, I do have need to talk to you guys. It's in regards to the little incident in the Prelims."

"You mean that Blood Blossom person inside you?" Karui asked, again getting a nod.

"Thankfully, she isn't actually evil or anything, but she's quite willing to kill someone in comparison to just turning them black and blue." Sakura explained. "When we asked Jiraiya, he said that Kumo's Turtle Island is the best place to deal with this for good."

Karui face-palmed in frustration. "Just how much does that guy know?!"

Her answer came in the form of a note flying into her face that read, 'He IS Konoha's Spymaster, remember?'

She growled at it as the Konoha citizens laughed. After they calmed down, another showed up for Jack. 'The Hokage wants to see you and Dash, Jack.'

Hinata whined a bit at that, though she quickly stopped after Jack kissed her and said, "Unless it's for eh mission, Ah'll be quick. Ah promise."

Jack went off with a blush and a trail of giggles when she told him "You better. I want my snuggles."

He could swear he heard Sakura remark "You're such a cuddlebug, Hinata." only to hear his girlfriend practically shout "And proud of it!"

When he arrived at the Hokage's Office, he found Dash waiting there already. "Yah called fer us?"

"Sorry, Jack, but yes." The Hokage started. "I know this would normally be done by shinobi, but I thought this one would be better off done by the two of you. I want you two to bring back Senju Tsunade and her student, Shizune."

"Your old hag of a former student that can still flick Ero-sennin halfway through a mountain?" Dash clarified, to Hiruzen's somewhat amused nod.

"Just don't say that to her face, particularly the 'old hag.'" he told the two. "Unfortunately, she is rather vain and short-tempered."

"And yah think the two of us have the best chance teh bring her back?" Jack asked, eyebrow raised.

"Pinkie confirmed my choices." was all he needed to say for the two boys to understand. Pinkie thought they were the best for it, and they just had to figure it out.

At least besides the obvious Jack having Mokuton and Dash having super speed.

"You can alert the others first before you head out with Big Mac." Hiruzen told them. "Might be able to placate them with the knowledge they could try and learn from Tsunade when you're back."

"Yeah, they would love that." Dash quipped, smirking at Jack. "Probably be able to help when they dish out those swimsuits I caught glances of with each of them."

Jack stiffened and turned full-body crimson at the idea of Hinata in a swimsuit, getting the others in the room to laugh good-naturedly. He was given an out when Hiruzen added "Too bad you can't say the same yet, Dash, unless a certain foreign red-head finally caught your eye."

"WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK THAT?!" Dash's reaction certainly calmed his blush down from his own laughter.

After being dismissed, Dash quickly went to let their brothers know while he went back to the farm and told them. He found Hinata and Sakura talking with Team Kumo while working on a few of the trees. "Howdy, ya'll."

Instantly, Hinata was hugging him close, only to have to hear from him, "Sorry, Hinata, but Dash and Ah actually have eh mission. The Hokage wants us teh bring back Tsunade."

Both girls squealed, quickly proving Dash right when they started talking about how to convince Tsunade to train them. At least until Karui reminded Sakura about Turtle Island.

"Blood Blossom?" Jack asked. At their nods, he said, "Just make sure Sun and the Hokage know before yeh head out. Cover yer bases n' all."

He then moved over to the stable where Big Mac was. "Either way, Ah'll be seeing y'all later."

A few minutes later found him leading Big Mac to the front gates where Dash was waiting. "Took ya long enough, Jack."

"Not everyone can move fast, Dash." Jack retorted playfully, having done this byplay before. "You got a location yet?"

"Jiraiya relayed through Gramps to keep an eye on Tanzaku Gai." Dash answered. "There should be a big gambling shindig going on there within the next week or so, so even if we arrive before her, we should be able to just wait until she shows up."

Jack nodded. "We can work out how teh convince her on the way. And if nothing works, then we can try and get her in ah bet that she can't get out of."

Jack got on Big Mac and urged him on, Dash keeping pace.

The perspective is as it is mainly because during the month, I'll be having both 'missions' going on at the same time. Sun and Sakura will be going to Turtle Island while Jack and Dash will be getting Tsunade and Shizune.

Until next time. Please let me know what you think.