Naruto arrived at the Hokage's office at six, sharp. This was something Jiraiya noticed. "Hello, Lord Jiraiya, I'm ready for the mission details." Naruto said in a professional tone.
"Okay, Gaki. What's going on? When the hell have you ever had such respect?" The sage asked.
"I have nothing to say, sir. I would just like to receive the details of the mission." Naruto said.
"Alright. The truth is, I don't want to keep playing Hokage. The reason I want you to get Tsunade isn't to heal Sasuke, but to take charge of the village. If I didn't use the Uchiha as bait, the council wouldn't have shut up about it. I want you and your team to bring her back, even if you must seal her in a scroll." Jiraiya said.
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya. It will be done." Naruto said as he accepted the scroll.
"Gaki, please be careful. I'm getting a bad feeling about this." The toad sage declared.
"Yes sir." Naruto said as he left the tower.
"Cat, please reveal yourself." Jiraiya said in a serious tone.
The Anbu with long purple hair revealed herself. "Yes, Lord Jiraiya?" The woman.
"You are to join Naruto and his team on finding Tsunade. I'm concerned about his mental health with the death of sensei. He's acting weird." Jiraiya said.
"What do you mean?" Cat asked.
"You'll understand. They are leaving in less than an hour." Jiraiya said and Cat vanished.
Naruto and Anko arrived at the front gate. While Anko knew about the change in her boyfriend's behavior, she understood. To lose someone close is never easy.
"What's the plan?" Anko asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Bring Tsunade back at all cost." Naruto said as he leaned against the gate with his eyes closed.
Shino, Hinata, and Yugao arrived at the gate. "Good morning, Naruto, Anko, how are you?" Hinata greeted.
"Hello, Hinata, Shino. Mom? What are you doing here?" Naruto asked.
"Lord Jiraiya is concerned about Tsunade. He wanted to make sure you didn't have problems." Yugao explained.
"I see. Okay, this is the objective. Tsunade is to be brought back to the village. It doesn't matter if we have to knock her out and seal her away.
She is known for moving town to town with her assistant Shizune. Tsunade is a horrible gambler and when she loses greatly, she skips town.
One last thing, she is known for changing her appearance by staying young. This is a photo of what she looks like. Now, let's go." Naruto said and the five of them started walking out of the village.
"Hey, Anko?" Yugao called out.
"What's up?" Anko asked.
"How long has Naruto been like this? He isn't his normal cheerful self." Yugao said.
Anko sighed. "I'm not sure before, but last night, he got up and sat in the window, watching the moon. He remained like that for hours, not moving a muscle.
At first I thought he was dreaming, but his eyes were opened wide. Not his Rinnegan, but his real eyes. I decided to check on him and when I did, it was like meeting a new Naruto.
We didn't say anything, but we knew what the other was thinking. After that, we had the time of our life." Anko said as she started blushing.
"You slept with my son?" Yugao asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Hell yeah, and he was incredible. But, that's besides the point. When we finished, he told me that he's done being the child that doesn't take life seriously. So, he's officially removed the mask, this is his true self." Anko said.
"I see. Should we be worried?" Yugao asked.
"No. You could say he's like an experienced shinobi who experienced war his entire life. To be honest, I find it hot." Anko said.
Yugao rolled her eyes. "Sounds like he's really hurt and this pain has changed him. Hopefully for the better." Yugao said.
"I think." Anko said.
"Hey, Shino?" Hinata called out.
"Yes, Hinata?" The big boy asked.
"Do you notice anything different about Naruto? It's like he's a completely different person. Kind of remains a me of my dad." Hinata said.
"Yes, Naruto has certainly changed. From what I deduced, he must have experienced some kind of emotion that changed his entire mind. However, my bugs don't seem to be afraid of him." Said Shino.
"Well, that's good. I'm glad he isn't abnormal, or more abnormal than usual." Hinata said.
While walking, Naruto mentally chuckled. "If only you guys knew. It isn't about pain, taking a mask off, or anything like that. I'm a shinobi and the reality of it is that I need to stop taking things so lightly. Had I not been such a full, the Hokage would still be here." Thought the blond.
Somewhere across the shinobi nations, Orochimaru was screaming in pain. "Curse you, Uzumaki!" Screamed the man.
"Lord Orochimaru is in absolute pain. We need to get him a new body." Said a red haired woman with glasses.
"Oh yeah? What do you propose we do? Offer ourselves up?" Asked a white haired.
"No, I think it's time we get Sasuke Uchiha. I know his chakra has been removed, but if we can apply that new curse mark, we can possibly reverse the effects." The woman said.
"I guess that could work. Hey, Jugo. Go tell Lord Orochimaru that Karin came up with a plan." The white haired man said.
"Suigetsu! I'm not ready. I need a new body for Lord Orochimaru in the mean time. Chances are, even with his chakra restored, Sasuke will need to train gravely!" Karin scolded.
"Excellent work, Karin. However, my sources have informed me that the village is retrieving Tsunade. If I'm able to get her to heal me, then I won't need a new body. Then, she'll most likely heal Sasuke, and bringing him in will be perfect. I'll train him for a few years and turn him into the ultimate weapon, then take his body." Orochimaru said.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru." Karin said.
"But, in the event that I am killed, it will be important that you revive me. Guren is hosting my core curse mark." The snake sannin said.
"Yes sir. When are you leaving?" Karin asked.
"Now, I will be having Guren join me." Orochimaru said as Karin left to fetch his escort.
"Uzumaki, you will regret the day you crossed me. You and the entire village will Parish." Orochimaru thought.
Team Naruto came to a small town. "Let's check the area and find any leads. We'll also rest here for the night. I'll bunk with Shino and Anko and Hinata can bunk with mom." Naruto said.
"Alright. This sounds good. I suggest we split up to cover more ground." Shino said.
"Good idea. I recommend we remove our headbands. Though Tsunade may recognize Anko and summon, she most likely won't recommend us if we don't reveal our shinobi identities." Naruto said.
The five split up into five different directions. Shino used his bugs to search, while Hinata used her Byakugan. Yugao decided to search for the highest chakra signature around, and Anko summoned her snakes. Naruto decided to use his shadow clones to help scout out the entire area.
As Hinata was checking around, she quickly found herself being knocked out from behind. "Do you think this will lead us to him?" Asked a man.
"Yes. It has been awhile, but I do know the Jinchuriki will stop at nothing to rescue his friends. However, I'd be careful. His updated flee on sight order is nothing to take likely." Said a younger man.
"You sound scared. Don't tell me Namikaze scares the clan killer, Itachi Uchiha." Said the man with a chuckle.
"Kisame, you talk to much. Let's go." Said the man identified as Itachi Uchiha.
"Fine." Said the man identified as Kisame.
Naruto was walking when he was approached by Shino. "What is it? Did you find any clues?" Naruto asked.
"No, just this." Shino said as he found a note.
"The white eye is in our grasp, don't tell the car or let the snake see. A bug will most likely fly to the Fox's den. The Fox's den is where the losers win and the winners lose"
Naruto read. "Is it Orochimaru?" Asked Shino hesitantly.
"No, it's my old friend. Whatever you do, don't let the others know. I'm going alone to rescue Hinata." Naruto said.
"I see. Okay, please be careful." Shino said as he proceeded to find the group while Naruto proceeded to meet with the author of the note.
Inside the village, Jiraiya was getting an eerie feeling. As he looked out the window at the Hokage monument, he began thinking about his God son. "Gaki, please be alright." Thought Jiraiya.