Naruto not having any clue where they were he wasn't sure if he could make it to another marker with someone. Not that he doubted his chakra but if he was gonna face Madara he figured it he best to save it.

"How far from land are we?" Naruto asked Bee

"No way to know. This entire island is a giant turtle and its course it set by my brother"

Naruto's jaw dropped at the casual tone only to snap his mouth closed to frown at Bee. At the edge of the island he looked into the water, hoping to see a fin or its head because this island was ginormous, no way there was an animal that big. So he took a seat on one of the strange spikes and began collecting some nature energy to go into sage mode.

Some felt closer than others and Gai had taken off right over the ocean. Thankfully in Kakashi's direction. Sage mode was amazing and it amplified his sensory so well, even helping him to pick up his loved ones from inside the chaos, some familar chakra's from Konoha, Suna and Kumo, he assumed the others were the Mist and Stone villages ninja with others who felt different... Sensing his people all accounted for was a relief in itself. After the week he has had he could not cope with feeling the void of them right now. Creating a clone to send it to the closest marker he could sense just to see how far it could go. Once it dissipated he grinned looking up to Bee. Land of Lightening and the troops and enemies seemed to be toward the coast and border of lands between Lightning and Rice. So they cleared out the area and likely would have cleared out Rice too.

"This could knock you sick, sorry guys" he said to Bee and Gyuki. He heard Yamato and Aoba yelling and vanished. Appearing at the small village he stayed at almost a year ago he was saddened to see it abandoned.

"Whoa" Bee groaned and Naruto offered him a apologetic smile. He sensed Shikaku and Tsunade closer to the Village Hidden in the cloud and frowned. Well, he must be doing the strategy.

"Sorry" he chuckled then froze... no way. Whipping his head to the direction of the all too familiar chakra. Then he realised... there was others... ones that just weren't possible. They were dead. The sun was low and no doubt it would be dark soon.

"What is it?" Bee asked

"Bastard" Naruto growled out as he realised. Goddamn Madara Uchiha. Raising the dead! Forcing them to fight this way. People would struggle, this was certain and nobody else should really take Him on. Sensing Itachi and Sasuke heading his way that's where Naruto was going. Activating KCM he made clones and set them off, there were large groups of people spread out and Naruto wanted to help each one.

"We gotta go. Madara is using the reanimation jutsu. And Sasuke and Itachi are heading for Pain"

Bee didn't argue he just followed as they ran. Hopefully the war would come to a still when the sun set. He wasn't sure they'd make it to them before then. It was silent for a while and Naruto didn't mind. If he was about to see Nagato he would have to tell him about Konan. Maybe he could answer the question about the red paper.

"Hey, Naruto?" Bee called his tone a little off. He looked over to Bee to show he was listening "not that it matters now, but, we have met before, right?" He asked calmly and Naruto felt like now was not the time to initiate his possible wrath. But he wasn't going to lie to him either

"Once" Naruto nodded and Bee pressed his mouth in a thin line. He wondered what had made him bring it up now.

"You're that kid, the traveler" he finally said and Naruto was honestly surprised he remembered, they had only talked for that short time it took Bee to get them to the village and the hotel.

"You were an exciting traveler. He was sheltered why wouldn't he remember?" Kurama rolled his eyes and Naruto smirked, okay that's a good point.

"Yeah" he answered then both

"Do I want to know why you were infiltrating my village?" He asked still calm, still relaxed but as Naruto knew, that meant nothing with Ninja as high calibre as Killer Bee.

"We were the last two Jinchurichi. Whatever was happening it was coming quick I didn't have time to go help everyone. I wanted to make sure your defenses were good enough" he shrugged "never thought it'd come to a bloody war though"

"That's all?"

"That was my goal, sure I found other stuff but I'm not bound to anyone to say anything about your Village" he shrugged Bee tensed looking at Naruto completely

"Like what?" He demanded

"Doesn't matter. It not my place to judge or intervene. It doesn't affect the people I care about, we have no issues"

He clearly didn't agree. Naruto smirked and shook his head. He liked Bee and he wanted nothing more than to hold onto the friendship they were making if Bee would get passed this

"So it wasn't a mission? From the Kazekage?"

Naruto expected the question and thankfully it helped him control his features. This was the only lie he would tell. So he frowned

"Why would you ask that?" He asked Bee bumped the side of his fist on his shoulder where his tattoo was

"Ah, right" he nodded rolling his shoulder as he remembered taking his shirt off through training. "No. Gaara didn't know, safe to say he was pretty pissed when he got a scroll from the Leaf saying they found me, who I was"

Bee didn't say anything only observed Naruto and wondered how well he could actually lie.

"You call the Kazekage by his name?"

"Yeah, we met because of our Bijuu, and he helped me hide sometimes" he explained and put his hand on his shoulder as a point

"I see. So after he lost his you took matters into your own hands"

"Well no... it wasn't until I heard about Yugito. But I didn't know where any of the others were" he shrugged "I hope you'll forgive me for the deception"

"Fool" Bee huffed "we're Brothers now, I got your back, Fool!" And Naruto couldn't help laughing at the familiar enthusiasm he had come to enjoy. And he didn't mind the familial camaraderie Bee was offering. He didn't hesitate as he had with Sasuke. But he supposed the situations were very different. Perhaps it was help of the Bijuu who considered the each other their siblings, even if Kurama denied it. The sun had set and Naruto and Bee slowed their speed. Nothing to be done now as he sensed the chakra of the Shinobi forces level out. But he did clamp his hand on Bee putting his finger to his mouth before stepping between two trees and enveloping the shadows over them. It was malicious and dark, Naruto was sure it was an enemy but when four completely white men with green hair came into sight he frowned. They were identical all of them, their white skin seemed like clothes so Naruto was a little confused. They didn't appear to be very strong however. They... felt like clones, he guessed.

"The next medic base is up ahead" one said "did you absorb the chakra?"

"Yes" Bee and Naruto watched as three of them turned into people! Naruto saw they were from different nations, but they all wore the same headband, in place of their nation had "shinobi" on it. We're they all wearing one? This was surprising he figured grudges would be held, the idea of wearing one symbol with people they hated was more to be asked than already was. Hell he loved Gaara and had never worn the Sand one unless a mission required it. Or if the Leaf were visiting. Though their standard ninja uniforms was helpful to figure out who was from where.

"They said a medic bay" Gyuki said "if they're going to infiltrate we should stop them here"

Naruto nodded as he stepped forwards to the closest... clone and pulled him into the shadows to snap his neck. While Bee jumped out blades ready taking the opportunity of the clones facing where their other had dissapeared. Dropping the shadows as the body hit the floor and... a tree grew from it the roots taking place and becoming one with the body. Naruto was so surprised by it he hadn't even realised Bee had killed the other three.

"They're not strong" Bee said sheathing two of his blades. His brow raised at he looked at the tree now next to Naruto.

"No. I imagine it's purpose is the numbers... and this cloning" he frowned suddenly feeling wary of the calmness of the night.

"Today was just the start. This. He's going to keep everyone on guard and up, tire them out"

Bee nodded in agreement Naruto groaned and scratched the back of his head. He wished he had a way to communicate with the others. They needed to know before people start panicking and attacking allies. They kept moving.

Two hours later Naruto slowed, Bee following. What is she doing here? He thought well he should have wondered why either of them were there but he didn't really have a tie to A. Bee must have sensed him too because he seemed to stand to attention. They met in the middle of a rocky terrain and Tsunade looked like she was proud. A, just looked pissed.

"Bee! Your orders were to stay in hiding!" He bellowed as he approached Tsunade on his heels then he glared at Naruto "as were yours"

"I don't have to follow anyone's orders. I am not a ninja" he quipped putting his hand on his hip "and I have every right to fight this guy"

Whether A was filled in or not didn't matter to Naruto. People died for him, so their cause was somehow now his. The leaf, Suna, this damn peace Jiyraiya and his students wished for. Call him selfish but he wanted a chance to protect his people, and those innocents who will learn from this, who will be better. At least, that was his hope. A looked to Tsunade clearly disapproving

"He isn't a Leaf Shinobi. Talk to Gaara" she shrugged smirking as she lifted her hands.

"I'm not a Sand Shinobi either" he drawled

"Brother, we need to fight too" Bee said stepping forward "the boy is the one who will save us. Don't tell me you don't see it" he said putting his hand on A's shoulder. Naruto looked to him eyebrows dissapearing behind his hair, well that was more than he bargained for. Naruto wasn't going to be a saviour by any means, he was just there to give Madara what was coming to him and hopefully help save the world, Help! A frowned at Naruto who was still glowing. Guess we will never be good for stealth Naruto thought absently and Kurama chuckled

"No. We are taking you back right now" A ordered

"Not me you're not" Naruto deadpanned and Tsunade put her fingers to her head

"I warned you, Raikage" she sighed stepping up to Naruto getting between them "and I believe he can do it. Jiyraiya believed in him, and from what I'm told, this is just the faith his parents had in him too"

Naruto smiled at her head and yet again felt more respect for this woman. Yeah, she was slowly becoming one of his people too he realised.

"He is not bound to any village, therefore I can't make him do anything. We should count ourselves blessed he wants to help at all. He has every right to watch the world burn"

Naruto frowned at that because he didn't believe that. His life has been hard, and unfair from the literal moment he was born but he had been lucky. People cared for him, even after all he had put them through. And others had worse than his life he was sure. Which is why Nagato's actions pissed him off, why Madara, whatever damned reason he had was infuriating.

"I'm staying with Naruto" Bee declared and the fury that contorted A's face sent a shiver down Naruto's spine. Because it wasn't from a bad place it was clear protectivenss. He snarled at Naruto trying to step to him only for Bee to lock his arm keeping the Raikage in his place.

"Brother" he said "don't make me fight you"

It was like someone had taken the air from the area, as A looked at his brother dumbfounded. Naruto imagined it was words he never thought he would here, he only watched as they stared each other down. Deciding to leave them to it he focused on Tsunade, as he became less tense sensing Gai and Kakashi closer together.

"Hey" Naruto whispered putting his hand on Tsunade's wrist. She turned her head to face him he wasn't going to question how they got ahead of him when he felt her behind him upon making to to land "who is giving orders if you two are here?"

"Shikaku has it handled, they're using Inoichi's ability to get word about. Other sensory ninja are scattered along the troops to connect with them"

"Just sensory?" He asked "do they have to have the similar jutsu to Inoichi?"

"No, though it is easier for him and Ino, why?"

"The white clones. They're copying the troops. We need to warn people"

She looked around at nothing in particular when the dull sound of fist hitting flesh came. Blinking and looking to see Bee standing there his face turned toward him and Tsunade. Naruto narrowed his eyes. This wasn't his fight, or his place to intervene but he wasn't pleased to see someone who claimed to want to protect Bee just punch him either. But Bee didn't so much as stumble from the impact, just turned to look back to his brother who clenched his jaw tight.

"You cannot be risked. Not just because you're my brother but because if you two are caught. It. Is. Over." He ground the words out through his teeth and Naruto sighed

"From what I have sensed today, the people he has reanimated... you need us. Darui is barely standing after today, Samui is gone, C is at his limit, thats just your people. The people I love are tired, they need to rest and will likely not be replenished completely before dawn. And if they die, while I do nothing? It's not Madara you're going to need to worry about" Naruto deadpanned

"And if they die anyway?" He asked Naruto winced and tried to ignore the sinking feeling his entire body made, similar to that feeling of your insides not catching up when you fall.

"That's why I'm here" he resolved even though he knew he was likely going to lose someone to this. Or someone he loved was going to lose someone which he wished he could prevent. "Surely you don't intend to sit back and let your people fight the whole time, do you?" Naruto challenged which had A curling his lip in an almost snarl

"Do not push me boy"

Naruto rolled his eyes and looked back to Tsunade

"Gai made it to Kakashi" Naruto told Tsunade "Gaara seems just fine, Itachi and Sasuke are heading to Pain. Shikamaru is with people I don't really know besides his team. He has good back up, right?" He asked and Tsunade smiled nodding

"Yes, he is the fourth devision proxy commander. He's been giving strategies with his father from the field, he is in goof hands"

"And that girl? Hinata?" He asked unable to ignore the concern he had for her, she was just a little too pure and he didn't like the idea of her in a war.

"Her team and cousin are with her. Neji will not allow anything to happen to her" she assured him. He recognised the name from Sakura, as she spoke about their friends. Seemed they all had their own group "Sakura isn't in the field, she's purely a medic for now" Tsunade added and Naruto nodded.

"I'm gonna head off Itachi and Sasuke. I need to talk to Pain but I have clones all over. Heading to each group and some" he told her

She nodded and he looked to Bee

"Ready to go?" He asked and the Raikage looked furious. Bee stepped back next to Naruto and nodded.

"Sorry Raikage. But I have his back, try not to worry too much" he smiled put pressure on Tsunade's wrist before letting go and jumping to another marker a good four miles from them. Bee took it better this time and they both sighed heavily

"Well, that could have gone better" Naruto huffed. Bee nodded as he leant against a tree. Naruto deactivated Kurama's mode and they rested. Nothing they could do now but get some rest. His shadows seeped from his pendant and he smiled at the familiar protectiveness of Shikamaru reaching out

"Let's get some sleep" He said and Bee nodded not that he had any intention of sleeping, he had clones to keep up.

"I'll keep them going" Kurama announced "You sleep. If you're force to fight Nagato tomorrow before Madara, you're going to need some rest"

Thanks, Kurama

"I'll take first watch" Bee said

"No need" Naruto smiled lifting his hand close to the pendant as a slice of the shadows wrapped round his little finger down his hand and around his wrist. It reminded him of how snakes think people are just trees "the shadows will shelter us" he whispered and then they shot out swallowing them in darkness. He could see Bee, who seemed tense and he supposed he couldn't blame him. To Bee it was like losing his sight whereas Naruto could see him just fine.

"You won't see asleep either" Naruto chuckled "don't worry, these shadows have kept me hidden on the road for years, not once was I discovered"

"When you were a boy" he assessed

"Yeah" he nodded "I probably would have died quickly without them" he admitted and that seemed to be all that Bee needed before he placed Samehada next to him and leant back against the tree. Naruto looked up to the broken sky and wished he could be where Shikamaru was. It made him nervous not being there. Out of all of them he had the least amount of stamina and Chakra reserves. He only hoped Shikamaru would summon him if he had to, or at the very least, use his chakra. Which itself would be a sign that he needed him. He truly did put a stupid amount of chakra into that tiny little stud. His finger came to his own stud gently twisting it around and he felt comfort in the chakra he felt inside it. Shikamaru spent so long putting chakra in little by little and he had managed to put a decent amount in. Naruto wondered why people didn't do this for themselves. Stock up a reserve in a bit of jewelery for those gritty fights. But he supposed it was an Uzumaki thing something they knew how to do, not anticipating for the genius that was Shikamaru to figure it out from simple books.

Naruto was tired, the physical stuff wasn't what exhausted him, but the emotions that have come from the last few months, especially last week. And the tremendous amount of fear, and hatred, pain that he felt stepping out of that waterfall. He knew the moment he wasn't focused on bigger things it would hit him. But he couldn't afford to yet. He couldn't afford to let it out because honestly, it was driving him forward, helping him hold onto why the people who sacrificed their lives for him, did what they did. Sure Jiyraiya died fighting, but he was fighting for him. Nagato and Konan, they trusted him, gave him their torch to do it better than they could and he still wasn't sure he could. But right now, he would damn well try. So instead of focusing on the emotions, his heartache and grief, he focused on the exhaustion, letting it make his body feel heavy, weigh down his eyes so he could just sleep. Hopefully... one without nightmares.

This was originally longer and better but my kid deleted it and I had to re-write it.

I have some ideas of what parts of the war I want to touch on and what not so hopefully it won't take too long to get the next one up. Fingers crossed