Chapter Two; Home? Amegakure
The group of mercenaries arrive back in the land of Rain, the former stomping ground of the Akatsuki and now the home of the Sunrise organization. It didn't take long for the group to scatter and filter out towards their homes and reuniting with their loved ones. Naruto led Kin and Ryuzetsu toward their penthouse in the city centre alongside Nagato, all four were talking causally and animatedly with smiles upon their faces.
"Your early… what happened to the vacation?" Konan, current leader of the hidden rain, was a bluenette with a very soft face and amber eyes, a paper flower in her hair "We were confronted with a group of shinobi from the hidden leaf." Nagato explained causing his childhood friend to frown "Do you think this was due to our operatives confronting Jiraiya-sensei?"
"Probably." Naruto offers as he passes the duo, heading back to his shared room "So… we'll send out feelers, see what they are doing?"
"Better safe than sorry." Nagato agrees with a nod "Perhaps we should issue out headbands?"
"No. Could cause more problems internationally. Let's talk to the daimyos. See if we could get a compromise ready." Konan thinking diplomatically to which Nagato nodded again "Wise course of action."
Kohnoha; Hokage Office
A month had passed since the retrieval team left before they returned with a mission failure to which did not go down well. "So, you found him…?" Tsunade asked to which they all looked at one another "We don't know. We went to the target area, found the tavern but then nothing." Kakashi reports which causes the kage to rub her temples but noticed Ino's hesitation and narrowed her eyes. The rest of the report went through with growing frustration of the last Senju.
Upon the group leaving the office Tsunade calls out to Ino "Stay behind Ino. I want a word." This caused a group wide snapping of vision to the platinum blonde, who nervously returns to her place "Yes Master Tsunade."
"You know something, right?" speaking bluntly Tsunade narrows her eyes at her and the mind walker sighs "I recall it all. They used a seal that makes things blurry, but I still remember it somewhat."
"…and?"
"We found him." Ino confirms causing the Hokage to smile brightly which only made the next sentence sting so much harder "…but he wants nothing to do with us."
"What?!" Tsunade jumps up "Why?!"
"We betrayed him." Ino says with another sigh "He's leader of the rising dawn from the sound of it."
"That organization of mercenaries?"
"The very same." Ino confirms "…or at least very high up." She corrects "We need to bring him home. War is on the horizon." Tsunade mumbles hands gripping the seat rests with furrowed brows before glancing up at the Yamanaka "Any Ideas?" the paler blonde shrugs "Beside trying to seduce him back though with that girl who was hanging off… what?" stopping herself upon the senju's curious stare "Seduce him back? Where did that come from?" a small, almost unnoticeable blush dusted her face "Well, umm… you see…"
"Spill it Ino." Tsunade orders and the girl lets out a sigh "He said I was a looker and smart too. To think I actually had a shot is a bit…"
"Oh?" the senju smirked with a teasing grin causing a small shudder up her third apprenctices spine "How does he look now?"
"He's a hunk, bad boy type with an ear pericing, eight pack and well-toned muscles. His whisker marks are still there but are faded and he has red strands in his hair. I didn't get a close up view but from what Hinata mumbled in her sleep…" the slight blush turned full on upon remembering the mutterings of the Hyuga heiress. A gentle smile forms upon the kages face "Seems he's grown up healthy and happy."
"He smokes and drinks a lot apparently." Ino comments off handedly "What?!" yells the last senju.
Amegakure
Naruto awakes to find Kin missing from the bed causing him to jerk up but his senses detect her presence in the kitchen and he calms his breathing. Getting up and going through his morning routine he steps into the kitchen and is greeted with a heart-warming smile "Morning…" cut short by her lips on his "Eww…" the voice of a five-year old Rellanhan, more commonly known as Rella, from the table to which her two siblings laugh at the sight of Mommy and Daddy kissing "Behave, you three." Naruto chuckles lightly still holding his wife to his chest, said kunochi resting against his chest happily "Take a seat and I'll get your food." She says reluctantly breaking away from his arms to which he simply heads to the table, ruffling the dark red hair of his eldest daughter Kushina as he sat beside her "How was your mission daddy?!" said five-year-old asks and he smiles at her "The bad men were caught and sent for a timeout." Naruto reports causing the girl to beam up at him "See! I told you that mom and daddy are the strongest!" she declares to her young two siblings who both poke their tongues back, causing the child to growl at them "Calm down, firecracker." Naruto running his fingers through her lush black hair with tinted red stripes that reminded him of both his mother and hers "As long as you believe in us, then that's all that matters." Speaking softly causing the young girl to blush at the praise and smile up at him "Thanks daddy." Naruto offers a brighter smile and nods as he turns to the plate just placed before him "Thank you for the food."
Naruto enters the executive office of Konan, finding the other captains already waiting for him "Your wife not joining us?" Nagato arching an eyebrow from his seat on the coach "Neither am I." Naruto offers back causing a chuckle to reverberate through the room "So, what's on the agender lady of Ame?" he continues as he takes his seat among the captains and Konan ruffles dutifully through her pile of files "Well, we have several requests, but I feel that this one is most urgent." Pulling out a somewhat thin file and hands it to Naruto who promptly reads it "Land of Iron, huh? If Mifune is getting involved, then…?"
"Wave is currently at threat of being occupied by Rock who are wary of what Mist would do should they proceed. There have been skirmishes already." Konan states as the six commanders ponder this information, all looking at their own packets "Do we go to wave or the conference?" Tayuya poses carefully, sitting back in her seat crossing her legs over one another "We have a deal with Wave; Assets there too." States Naruto who looks to Nagato who nods "Karin is still training their medical personnel."
"It's a vital trading hub for the southeastern region." adds Konan too leaning forward on her arms "We don't have the forces spare if we go to the summit." Naruto sighs "We are committed to attend. Mifune is one we cannot fail to meet with."
"That will leave any forces we send to Wave outnumbered by a very large margin." Larne states, as the pointed leader of the Ronin element of the group he was considered equal among the captains "They wouldn't have to hold out indefinitely just long enough for the meeting to be wrapped up, right?" Tayuya poses to which Konan nodded "However…" Naruto chimes in "…if the Stone know this, then this summit may be what they are waiting for and will drag their heels."
"I will lead a team." Nagato announces drawing the eyes to him "I will lead a team there and hold out until you arrive with our main forces." Looking to Naruto then Tayuya then Larne "I will place my fate in your hands this time."
"Risky but…" Naruto almost whispered "I'll send some shinobi along with them." Konan states pulling out a request form "I'll cover the costs this time then." Naruto adds to which the bluenette nods and smiles "Then, Ame shinobi and the fourth group will head to Wave whilst we take the First through Third to Iron and assist in security for the five kage summit." Naruto summaries and they all nod "Guess that's all we can do." He sighs "How long do we have?"
"It's in a month. It'll take us two weeks to get there." Larne states and Naruto nods along "We'll leave in a week then. Give our people some R and R at least." They all nod and both Tayuya and Naruto both puff away revealing them to be shadow clones.
Kohnoha; Hokage Office
"Come in." Tsunade beckons as her assistant brings in the rookie ten, plus former sensei's "Ah, good to see you all." As she gives Ino a look and said girl breaks rank and heads to the kages side, much to the confusion of the group. "After some investigations into your last mission, courtesy of Ino here, we have discovered what happened during the blank in your memories." The groups eyes widen slightly, and the attention was now completely focused "Some of you may not be aware of this but the Yamanaka clan's mental defences are significantly higher than that of regular shinobi. Their clan techniques only heighten that to the point where memory retrieval and alterations are muted against them." The hokage explains causing a few to nod, the others gawking at that information "Due to this, Ino here…" gesturing to said girl "…has confirmed that you did indeed locate and confront Naruto Uzumaki and his group of mercenaries." The group nods again as she continues to explain but was interrupted by Shikamaru "Wait, if that's the case…" eyes flickering to his best friend "…how come you don't remember the last time?"
"From what we can only guess and summarize, the sealing done last time was performed by Naruto himself, who seemed to be aware of my clans mental defences and compensated accordingly." Ino begins "The other theory is that whatever seal it was, was fundamentally different to the one used this time."
"As in…?" Kakashi questioned "As in…" she pauses trying to figure out how to explain it. A brief nod to herself she continued "…last time, I don't think it was us forgetting, so to speak. More like we don't remember."
"What's the difference?" Kiba argues "Everyone has short term and long-term memories." Ino explains hesitantly but upon seeing the nods and focus, presses on "Looking at the duration of our absence the first time round, I suspect that it wasn't us forgetting but rather a seal that prevented us from remembering. We may have been conscious and walking around with them, but the seal prevented us from storing our short term into the long term. With me so far?" they all nod "This time, however, not only did someone inexperienced with my clan perform the sealing but used a seal to make us forget allowing my mind to resist its effects so that I can recall, although blurred, the events that led to the mass amnesia."
"So, we got lucky?" Kiba questioned with a raised eyebrow to which the blonde nodded "Do we have any information on their next moves then?" Assuma asks with a raised eyebrow which caused both blonde kunoichi to frown "Unfortunately we aren't that lucky so no. They were careless with the sealing but not what they discussed. Just that they were heading home." Tsunade explains causing the room to fall silent, each pondering over the information presented.
The hokage coughed drawing the rooms attention to her "The five kage summit is coming up and as tensions are high, I will need a few escorts. I have decided to bring Kakashi, Guy, Kurunai and Ino."
"Ino? No offence but she isn't exactly a combat type." Shikamaru inquires with a raised eyebrow, his childhood friend frowning at his dismissal "True, however want a Yamanaka with me and as a trained med nin, the two of us should be able to support the three fighters far more effectively, not to mention that her sensory abilities will be useful." The kage explains leaving out the fact that she was the only one to recall what the White Dawn forces looked like, or the secondary mission she was assigned to "I see." Shikamaru responds as the kage turns to her sensei's son "Assuma, you, and Jairya will hold down the fort." She smiles "It'll be good to have a Saratobe back in the seat."
"With all due respect…" the smoking jonin begins to argue "Denied. I've made my choice." Tsunade cutting him off, his head dropping at that "Now. You have your orders. Dismissed."
Land of Iron; Three Wolves Mountain Fortress
"Greetings Commander Uzumaki." Mifune states at the gates of his fort, shaking the blond-haired former leaf shinobi's hand "Lord Mifune. It's honour to be welcomed back." Naruto responds as the two shook firmly "I trust that your journey was calm and well." The man leading him in, the three hundred White Dawn forces moving in behind, setting up in their preplanned positions "Yes." Naruto as he stands tall, his comrade noting his samurai like right pauldron armour down to his right hand in a calm blue "…and as promised, we will provide additional security in these troubled days." The head samurai nodded his approval "You have worked wonders in the neutral countries, keeping the peace and ensuring safe passage to many. I foresee this event going much the same way."
"One can only hope. War is but a breath away." Naruto sighs not wanting to admit that their hard work seemed to be going to waste "Do not fret. We are working toward a brighter tomorrow. You have given so much to that effect; I will not let you down this day." The samurai leader explains as Naruto pulls out a smoke, offering one to his companion who politely declines. After a long drag, reaching the second defensive line Naruto speaks up again "Tell me, Lord Mifune, do you think we can get the Rock to abandon their pursuit in Wave country? It is a peaceful trading station. It may have a bridge to fire nation but it holds no grudge against any beside maybe the leaf." The man nods at that "I assume you refer to the rumours of their forces amassing?" and on Naruto's slight nod he continued "I too wonder about that. Though, should they proceed, I will send my men to fight alongside yours to liberate them."
"No need." Naruto chiming up as they reach the main fort "I have the fourth regiment there. I hope, should the Rock use this meeting as an excuse, that they can hold until we can reinforce them."
"Expecting trouble, Commander?"
"Always." Naruto's almost immediate response as he releases smoke from his lungs "Besides, hope for the best, prepare for the worst. You drilled that into me all those years back." Mifune smirks at that "…and yet, here you stand tall, proud, but filled with honour."
"I may have adapted a lot of your teachings, but I am no samurai, Mifune-sensei."
"No you are not, you are an unpredictable shinobi-samurai. I taught you well."
A week later
The first delegation to arrive at the Five Kage summit were the delegation from the hidden mist, Mei Tarumi the fifth Mizukage with her bodyguards of three of the reformed seven swordsmen. Upon reaching the first checkpoint she was delighted to see the famous, at least in water country, White dawn shinobi and Samurai mingling among the standard Land of Iron Samurai. If any luck their commander was here too meaning she could shoot her shot, much to the dismay of her companions.
The second group to arrive was the Hidden Cloud, the fourth Raikage A and his four guards which one included his Brother B, considered the perfect jinchurki. Many of the Land of Iron samurai looked a little tense in the man's presence but they all noticed how at ease, what he considered, a terrorist group like the White Dawn members were taking it in their stride, uncaring that he had brought a tailed beast vessel along with him. He would find out later that there were a number of Uzumaki among the White Dawn which explained and caused a bit of hesitation on his part about bringing his brother along.
Third was the Hidden Leaf contingent. Leading them was the last Senju, Tsunade Senju with Might Guy, Sharingan Kakashi, Genjutsu Mistress Kurunai, and Flower Princess Ino. As they approached the gate the younger blonde pointed out several groups of White Dawn members who were now very wary of the young Yamanaka "They're pretty integrated into the samurai ranks." Kakashi noted as he watched the various shinobi all eyeing him carefully for any aggressive or subterfuge like actions "Indeed. Their numbers are also somewhat surprising too." Kurunai offering her two cents to the convocation "I wonder if he is here?" Tsunade thinking aloud as they are led into the fort "Perhaps." Kakashi offers naturally uncommittedly.
The Land of Winds, Hidden Sand followed close behind the Leaf group, no longer stanch allies but neutral toward them at best. Ever since they exiled the blond best friend of the Kazekage, things between the two turned frosty at best, antagonistic at worse. Only though the actions of Tsunade had things remained civil, though it was common knowledge that the Sand held no love for the leaf and the feeling was mutual. Upon seeing the familiar white cloud, Tamari couldn't help but smile "Seems security is well handled, Gaara." Said boy noticing them too smiled slightly and nods at the group who all smile and nod back "Indeed. We were right to travel light."
The last to arrive, as always, was the hidden stone with the fourth Tsuchikage Kamasari Kamizuru wearing the hat and his bodyguards which included the Third's granddaughter Kuotsuchi as his personal guard, Han was also present which again caused much uncertainty among the Land of Iron samurai but none from the terrorists White Dawn. Kamasari growled upon seeing that infernal cloud donning their armour plating and vowed to dispose of the group. Then he realised that his ploy has a greater chance of success, as judging by their numbers here meant that they more than likely have no spare forces to defend against his force's takeover of that trade town. He smirks viscously at his triumph which caused many narrowed eyes from the White Cloud forces.
Land of Iron; Three Wolves Mountain Fortress Meeting room
The five Kage sit around a large table, their nations flag at their backs with their Kage hats set before them, their guards in bleachers high above their respective charges. Mifune sat proudly at its head, secure in the knowledge that one of his best students was at his back should this meeting go badly. Clearing his throat Mifune opens the meeting "I, leader of this land of Iron, welcome to this Five Kage summit."
"You called us here, samurai!" Kamasari growls out with his fist smashed almost through the table "My question is why?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Mei retorts with a snort "You are actively trying to start a war with the neutral countries."
"I have no idea what you are talking of."
"Sure you don't Tsuchikage." Gaara commented with barely vailed rage "We have seen your movements, our allies are moving to intercept that force you seem to have forgotten about."
"Oh?" the grumpy man inquires "Surely you don't think any forces of mine are scared of your pitiful excuse for shinobi, young Kazekage?"
"Perhaps…" Gaara muses interlacing his fingers upon the table shielding his mouth from view "…we don't have the numbers to confront you head on…" a smirk plays upon his lips as he looks to the hidden Rock leader "…however, clearly we are not alone in this endeavour." His gaze looking to the Mizukage who nods back at him, her gaze then turning to Mifune "Woth your blessing, of course." The old samurai nods "I have asked for our own allies to respond to this threat also."
"Allies, Lord Mifune? I recall you remaining neutral to all. To whom do you refer to?" A questions with a raised eyebrow, a frown upon his face. This was met with a knowing half smirk from the aged warrior "Who else but White Dawn?"
"Those terrorists!" the bulk of a Raikage roared, leaping from his seat, "Terrorists? Why do you call them…?"
"I am well aware of your thoughts on them, Lord Raikage." Mifune mentions "…however, we are also aware of the false flag campaign you have against them." his cold eyes narrowing at him "THEY ARE TRAITORS AND BANDITS."
"Let us calm down." Tsunade suddenly speaking up trying to reign in the convocation "Shut it treehugger!" roared the Tsuchikage jumping up "YEAH! I BET YOU HARBOUR THOSE FOUL MISSING NIN JUST TO SPITE US!" Yelled the Raikage, sparks dancing across his massive frame. A massive tick mark appeared on the lady hokage's forehead "WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THEM TILL TWO MONTHS AGO!" she declared with a huff at the end causing the room to fall silent.
Two snorts fill the room, one from the leader of the Hidden Stone village and the other wasn't known but that soon drowned out by a massive bellowing laughter of the Raikage. His laughter continued for several minutes which the Tsuchikage even caught and the two continued to chuckle for minutes as Tsuande dropped back in her seat, a slight tint of embarrassment "Is that true?" asks Mei, the Mizukage, somewhat stunned while Gaara maintained a constant smirk as his leaf counterpart just sighed with a resigned nod "Seems the great leaf's all knowing might is not what it once seemed." Bellowed A, with a smug look upon his face with dagger glare at the busty blonde "Perhaps however Raikage…" Mifune, head samurai of the Land of Iron, speaks drawing the bulk of a man's attention "…may I also ask as to why your forces are amassing within the land of Frost?" this statement caused many eyes to widen, A to frown at his forces being so easily discovered but before ehe could respond Mifune turns to his side as a White Dawn samurai, his matt grey armour and mute white clothes showing his allegiance clearly, approaches and whispers into his ear. A nod from the old man before eyes turn to the Raikage on his immediate left then to the Tsuchikage on his direct right then the Hokage sitting opposite "May I ask as to why you, Raikage…" looking to the man "…Tsuchikage…" looking at said man before turning to the Hokage "…and you Hokage, have Bolt, Gem, and Anbu forces attempting to disrupt this discussion?" Eyes again widen at that "I don't…"
"Our security forces have them all subdued." Mifune cutting off the Raikage "Those are rogues." Kamasari explained candidly, clearly trying to bluff his way out "I never gave such orders." The Hokage states and yet another snort is heard from the bleachers above yet again no one pays it no mind for some reason "In that case, we shall have to get out answers from them directly." The aged leader remarks glancing to the samurai at his side and offering a small nod, the woman of the independent force bows her head before departing "You can't…"
"Can't what, Raikage?" demands Mifune "You denounced any participation thus they must be missing nin, no?" the Raikage bit his lip unaware of the telepathic conversation the Hokage was having with one of her escorts "Are you sure, Ino?" questioned Tsunade with her poker face on full, staring up at the bleacher behind Mifune discreetly "Positive. It was only for a brief moment, but that chakra signature is his. I'm sure." The Yamanaka responded as her narrowed gaze locked on the same place as her Hokage "Inform Kakashi and try and tail him. I'll see if we can't end this soon. We need to get back to the village." The connection dropped as the younger blonde turns to her Jonin leader "Kakashi-sensei, Lady Hokage has a task for us."
"Oh?" a raised eyebrow from the silver haired Jonin "He's here." She whispered and immediately his gaze hardened "You sure?" she nodded "It wasn't even for a second but there was a charka signature behind Lord Mifune. It was faint but I am positive it's his."
"Track, trace, and subdue?" he questioned, and she nodded "We have to be discreet though."
"Very well. Then, know this…" Mifune's commanding voice silenced the bickering leaders "Hidden Stone, you are threatening the neutral countries and are unwilling to back down. This cannot be condoned."
"Are you going to stop us if we do?"
"As the leader of the neutral countries we shall move according to our treaties." Mifune spoke resolutely with his gaze unflinching. Kamasari growls as he jumps to his feet "Is that a threat?"
"If you move on wave, we will stop you." Spoke Gaara calmly and as a matter of factly "We will not allow you to trample our trading allies." Mei states firmly causing the man to glare at the duo before promptly storming off as the Raikage was the next to leave, no words exchanged. The door shuts and the hidden Leaf, Hidden Sand, and Hidden Mist remain "May I ask a question?" Tsunade quires looking between those that remained with raised eyebrows and focused attention her answer "You may." Mifune responds calmly though he suspected he knew what it was "Can you…" she looks up at the bleachers behind the Samurai "…come down and talk to us about White Dawn?"
"You have some perceptive shinobi, Lady Hokage." A new voice steps out from behind Mifune, his tall six foot one, long blond hair in a ponytail shinobi with samurai armour on his right shoulder, down his one side and an impressive Katana strapped to his left hip and the handle of a short nadachi can be seen at the base of his back poking out to his right. With arms crossed and an impassive face, Naruto Uzumaki had appeared before the Hokage for the first time in a decade "I was curious as to why you had brought the Yamanaka in place of another combat oritanted shinobi but now I see." His eyes narrowed "Seems the second seal was incomplete."
"I could have handled this." Mifune mentions without turning round "Sorry sensei. They knew I was here when I heard that drivel they were spouting. My apologies."
"Very well." The old samurai sighs as the Hokage's mind had locked in on herself, the hidden leaf shinobi also stunned at the boy's appearance as said individual looked to the other two Kages with soft smiles for both "Mei, it's been too long."
"That it has, Naru-chi." The obern haired woman chuckles with a seductive wink "How's the husband and kids?"
"They are well, thank you." Mei responds again "Though, I am still upset that you turned me down."
"I prefer my freedom, thanks." Naruto chuckles as he looks to his brother in all but blood "How's the wife Gaara?"
"They are well, Naruto. You should come visit. I am sure your nephew would enjoy the company." The Kazekage mentioned causing a raised eyebrow as the blond leans against his masters large chair "Are you sure you aren't just trying to get me into the village for another lecture?" a small innocent smirk appeared on the stoic visage of Gaara "I have no idea to what you are referring too." The four all chuckle as the Hokage finally comes back to the room "Naruto…" she whispered drawing the rooms attention "Lady Hokage." With a nod Naruto responds causing more than a pang of guilt to rise within the lady's chest "You need to come back to…"
"I don't need to do anything." Naruto cutting her off with a raised hand "You have Kumo to worry about. As a favour, for old times sake, we shall take care of the Stone, so you can fight without having to worry about a second front."
"…but your banishment…!"
"Is none of my concern." Naruto's gaze and tone turned frosty "I have things to do and returning the hidden leaf is not one of them."
"…but it is your home!"
"Was my home. Hasn't been for a decade."
"…you… you can't be…"
"Lady Hokage." Mifune speaking up for his last apprentice "My student has helped many people, supported far more than any of us care to count. Should you force your wishes upon him, we shall not stay silent. This is our warning to you." Tsunade was stunned at that, never had she thought that getting her little Naruto back could cause two other hidden villages and the neutral counties to turn against the leaf "Well, in any case…" Naruto glancing down at Mifune "…turns out the Hidden Stone used this meeting to draw our attention and forces away from Wave and Rain. The black ops agents were meant to tie us down longer."
"Have they been dealt with?" asks Gaara to which Naruto nods "My men are already moblising. We shall bring the hammer down against the Anvil."
"Crush them from both sides? How wonderfully brutal of you." Mei chimes in and Naruto's grin was damn right feral "They wanted a war, we'll give them a massacre to dissuade them from trampling upon the innocent."
"I shall send part of my forces with yours." Mifune declared and Naruto nodded "Already taken care of. We depart before sunrise." Pushing off the tall chair as both Kazekage and Mizukage both lead the stand "We shall move toward Wave and box them in." Mei states with a nod to which Naruto responds in kind "Will see you there."
"Wait!" Hokage Senju calls out drawing their attention "Can we at least ask for aid?"
"Aid?" Naruto with a quirked eyebrow to which the twin tailed blonde nods "They have two jinchuriki against our none. If they deploy them…?"
"They won't." Naruto remarks calmly causing the woman to freeze up "…or more accurately, they can't. Neither Nibi nor Gayuki are in favour of the course of action, and neither are their containers. They won't fight, I assure you of that."
"…but…"
"But nothing, Lady hokage. If that'll be all, I must take my leave. I'll see you both later." Naruto looking to the other two kages who both nod as they too begin to leave as the blond turns to his master "I shall take my leave, master Mifune."
"Fight well, my student." And with that the blond Samurai trained shinobi left, two more White Dawn samurai appearing upon his flank with a pair of shinobi appearing behind them as he heads off into the dark corridor. Tsunade was broken, a feeling mirrored upon her face which caused a sad smile to appear on the old warriors normally stoic visage "You lost a gem in that one." Was his parting words as he too left.
Land of Iron; Three Wolves Mountain Fortress
Naruto walks through his men and woman who are chatting and cheering for their successful mission. The Samurai of Iron were mingling among them as if they were one and the same which momentarily brought a smile upon his face, many among those around offering salutes and he nods at them as he passes. Reaching the gate he stops beside one of his most trusted commanders "So, it's over then?"
"Yeah. Stone and Lightning are not backing down."
"Who are we going after then?"
"Stone. They are marching toward Wave, our ally. If lightning goes after the Leaf, we won't interfere."
a snort was the response "Listen shitstain, if you want to go help them, we can go…"
"Tayuya." Naruto turns on her, the tone in his voice killed the words in her thoat as the only man she respected enough to care about his intent glared at her "Remember the rules. Stay away from the Land of Fire and ultimately the Hidden leaf. We have more important things to worry about."
"What about the Sound? We still need to pay that barstard back for backing out the deal we had." The red head states as she fully turns to him, her folded arms upon her hips "He'll get wha'ts coming to him." Holding out his hand, she sighs while pulling out his smokes from her pocket "You'll get your pound of flesh." Which causes a truly sinister grin to form upon her lip "I sure hope so." As she takes the smoke, he just lit for herself. He simply lights another and the two just stare at the frozen tundra before them, enjoying the peace even though it was only for the moment "Are you going to deal with them now, or later?" she questioned as they continue looking forward "I was going to later, but seems you freaked them into action." Naruto growled as she chuckles "My bad." As two shinobi appear at their backs "What do you want, Miss Yamanaka, Mister Hatake?"
"Naruto. We need you back." Kakashi states simply "You already have my answer. So does your leader." The blond responds without turning back, He pauses from his smoke before looking to his red headed friend "Oh, you messed up on their seals."
"Impossible…!" Tayuaya snaps back but he points with his thumb "She's a Yamanka. You didn't use the right one on her. She's why I had to deal with this shit." Tayuya's mouth opens to retort but her mind froze, and it shut again causing a victorious smirk to appear on Naruto's face. "Please, Naruto-kun." Ino pleas causing two raised eyebrows that glance at one another than back at the two Leaf shinobi "Where the fuck did that come from?" Naruto questioned and Tayuya had to bite back her comment of him spending too much time with her "The leaf will fall without you." Kakashi illiterates which causes the duo to snort very loudly at that "Sure it will." Speaking in unison "Didn't stop them from kicking him out."
"Good thing they did though…" Naruto remarks at the redhead "…or you'll be a cripple at best, prisoner at worst." She punches him "Yeah yeah, whatever. Doesn't matter anymore." Tayuya snaps back but both snap to the silver haired jonin who took a step toward them "I have to take you back, Naruto…" suddenly he is knocked out by the blonde chunin at his side which confused the duo "Didn't actually think that would work." Ino says looking at her fellow shinobi out cold in the snowy ground "Why'd she just…?" Tayuaya questioned "Knock him out? No idea."
"I want to join you." Ino stated firmly, clearly, and much to the confusion of the two with genuine excitement "You what?"
"I want to join White Dawn! The more I hear of it, the more it seems like I should be here instead of…"
"You're an heiress of a major clan within the hidden leaf. It isn't that simple." Naruto comments taking out another two smokes "You'll be classed as a missing nin, unable to return." She scoffs "Oh please. I have no prospects back there. Sai was my last serious relation which was like five years ago. My dad wanted to marry me to a cousin that I can't stand, and I'm stuck at Chunin until the wars end. No thanks." The two white dawn members look to one another in silent confusion.
A/N:
Kinda in two minds about Ino joining Naruto's crew but decided it will be how I will allow flashbacks as she gets to know Naruto's finests members. Any back story already known will be either skipped or shortened (I.E. Nagato's, Konan.) and she will find out about Naruto's family last, the man himself ensuring that fact. Also, I am in two minds about what to do with the hidden sound. Who knows what I'll do though. :)
A/N N:
I know this is a really heavy chapter and I have written it out trice now and couldn't reduce it any further without it being disjointed. Hope you enjoyed.