Hello everyone I'm back once again to bring you another chapter of my story; if you are enjoying the story please keep on supporting me and my other stories. Now with nothing else to say let's begin.

Mist and Maelstroms: Chapter 23

With Yugito: In Kumo

Yugito Nii cloaked in her blue fire form was laying on the ground in agony as a bone sword was buried deep into her stomach; as the blood from her wound pooled around her and her cloak disappeared, she looked up at the 2 Akatsuki members who beat her.

Kimmimaru's and Jugo's curse marks receded as they look down at the wounded 2 tails container "it did not have to be this way" Kimmimaru said as Yugito glared up at him.

"Fuck... you" Yugito choked out; unseen by either Kimmimaru or Jugo, Yugito activated her beacon just as she lost conscious.

"She's out" Kimmimaru said "Jugo; would you kindly pick her up" he said.

"Of course," Jugo said picking up Yugito being careful not to move the sword to nor kill her; both began to walk away to their hide out in a neighboring country.

In Kumo at the same time

A the Raikage was sitting at his desk awaiting Yugito's return from her solo mission; as he was waiting a puff of smoke appeared in front of him and a cat summon appeared.

"Lord Raikage, it's a emergency" the cat said; A realizing it was one of the cats from Yugito's summoning contract stood up.

"What happened" A said looking at the small feline.

"Ms. Yugito has been taken; her beacon was activated" The cat said holding out a small flashing responder "she is being taken the Akatsuki we have been warned about and she's being taken south; we need to help her" the cat said.

"Fucking hell" A shouted as he picked up his desk and threw it out the window 'I can't send a recovery squad south; the land of frost won't allow us unless we give them a request and land of hot water won't care' he thought. A then realized that Yugito was friends with the Mizukage and the Mizukage was in a relationship with the 9 tails container who hailed from Konoha; 'I don't know if they can help but it's worth a shot' he thought as he got up and began to march to the door.

"Mabui find us our fastest messenger hawk and prepare a message to the Mizukage" A shouted as he walked out, he doors to his office "it's a emergency and we don't have time to lose; and get Darui in here" he shuted.

Kiri: A few hours later

Mei was back in Kiri as both her and Kisame her new body guard were in her office going over reports about missions that happened recently; as they were sitting going through papers a hawk landed on the window sill and began to peck it.

"Huh a messenger hawk" Mei said getting up and the bird turned around revealing the scroll and the seal "it's from Kumo" she said confused.

"And not just that but that messenger hawk has a gold seal which is used for emergencies only" Kisame said getting up; Mei got worried at hearing this and grabbed he scroll.

Mei quickly opened it and read the message; after reading it she paled and looked to Kisame "I need one of your sharks to take this to Naruto! Now!" she shouted and Kisame nodded as he bit his finger and went through hand signs.

With Naruto and Watasumi: In Konoha a few minutes later

Naruto was at the Hyuga compound sitting next to Hinata, Hanabi and Shino as they looked at Watasumi spar with Ranmaru. Ranmaru has grown up a little as he now was as tall as Naruto was when he left; his hair was still the same length but was slicked back as to not get into his face during a fight.

Ranmaru and Watasumi charged at each other and Ranmaru went on the offensive; Ranmaru brought down his practice sword down at Watasumi who brought up her kama's in a X formation in order to stop the sword. Watasumi pulled the sword down to the side and brought up her left leg to kick Ranmaru; Ranmaru brought up his right arm to block Watasumi's kick and took a step back to go on the defensive as Watasumi rushed at him.

"Wow Ranmaru has really improved" Naruto said looking to Hinata and Shino "and you helped tutor him" he said and Hinata shook her head.

"My father helped train Ranmaru in taijutsu and kenjutsu" Hinata said with a smile "my father has taken a liking to Ranmaru but not as much as Shino" she said looking to Shino as they held hands.

"Me and Lord Hiashi have a lot in common" Shino said "we both enjoy peace and quiet, talking about philosophy and about Hinata's improvements in her shinobi skills" Shino said. "At times I discussed his coldness towards Hinata and how it negatively affected her" Shino said "and since then he and Hinata have began repairing their relationship" he said.

"Well, I'm glad for the both of you" Naruto said "especially you Hinata; I'm glad you got over that previous guy you liked" Naruto said and Hinata went wide eyed. "I told Shino that he seemed like kind of a tool; but look at you now, a couple, life is strange" he said.

"Indeed, it is" Shino said and Hinata looked at the fight in smile.

'Even if I love another; you will always have a place in my heart Naruto' Hinata thought as she looked in between her former crush and her boyfriend 'you will always be my idol and my friend' she thought as she looked at the fight.

"Go Ranmaru; you can do it" Hanabi said and Ranmaru smiled at his girlfriend's support.

"Ok then" Ranmaru said as she rushed forward in a blur of speed "take this" Ranmaru said as he slashed at Watasumi who blocked with her Kamas; Ranmaru spun on his heel and slashed at Watasumi's ribs. The blow made contact and Watasumi coughed from the blow; suddenly Watasumi vanished in a puff of smoke and everyone looked on in confusion except for Ranmaru who was panicking.

"Agghhhh I killed her" Ranmaru shouted "I didn't mean to, it was just a light hit that would leave a bruise" he shouted.

"Ranmaru calm down" Naruto said getting up "she was just called back; her dad was probably just checking in" Naruto said ruffling his hair and Ranmaru let out a sigh.

"Oh, thank god" Ranmaru said "I was worried there for a second" he said; Hanabi ran up and hugged him.

"You're so silly sometimes" Hanabi said kissing his cheek and Ranmaru blushed.

"Hanabi" Ranmaru whined "not in front of my friends" Ranmaru said while the others chuckled.

A few minutes later Watasumi appeared again and ran over to Naruto "Naruto, Mei sent a message to you to give to the Hokage; something bad has happened" she said and Naruto took the scroll.

"Damn it; ok let's go" Naruto said and Watasumi nodded.

"I'll come to" Shino said standing up.

"As will I" Hinata said standing up as well; Naruto nodded.

"Let's go then" Naruto said as he grabbed his sword and ran off with his 3 comrades.

Hokage tower: a little while later

Tsunade finished reading the note from Mei and let out a breath 'so they are making their move now' Tsunade thought as she looked at everyone in front of her; Naruto, Kakashi, Hinata, Shino and Watasumi all stood in front of them.

"As you all just heard the Raikage has requested our help by relaying a message through Kiri" Tsunade said and they all nodded "Kakashi you will lead this squad to the land of Hot water; you have 2 objectives find and recover Yugito Nii and kill any Akatsuki present" she said and Kakashi nodded.

"Very well" Kakashi said and Tsunade nodded.

"Along with that I have ordered weasel and his squad to join you" Tsunade said "meet them at the front gate; there is no time to lose" Tsunade said and Kakashi nodded.

"Ok everyone; pack up your gear and let's go" Kakashi said and all 4 nodded.

'Sons of Bitches' Naruto thought balling up his fists 'I won't let you get away with this' Naruto thought in anger.

Konoha front gates

Kakashi, Naruto, Hinata, Watasumi and Shino all approached the gates to see 4 figures wearing anbu armor and animal masks; Naruto smiled on the inside as he saw Itachi and Karin.

"Yo guys what's up" Naruto said running up.

"Hey Naruto" Karin said giving him a hug "wow I haven't seen you in forever; sorry we just got back from a mission" she said and Naruto waved her off.

"No problem… 'Falcon' hehehe" Naruto said air quoting her name and giggling; Karin rolled her eyes at how childish Naruto was.

"You are still such a jackass" Karin said and Naruto stuck his tongue out.

"Hey… 'Weasel'" Naruto said looking at Itachi "how you been" Naruto asked and Itachi nodded.

"I haven't coughed up blood in 3 years; so everything is a lot better" Itachi said with a chuckle as he moved over to Tayuya who was wearing her boar mask "also me and 'Boar' here have been together for over a year now" he said and Tayuya nodded shocking Naruto.

"Yeah, me and this guy really hit it off" Tayuya said.

"Huh ain't you dating that green haired girl from Taki" Naruto said and Itachi chuckled.

"Yes, but due to my clans… rarity I have been put into the CRA" Itachi said "Fu is fine with it and so is Tayuya… although I need to find 2 more girls who would say yes" Itachi said and Naruto nodded.

"Don't know how you do it; I'm a 1-woman man" Naruto said

In multiple alternate universes

The Naruto's from the 'Loyalty and lies', 'Set in Stone', 'Ashigaru Kitsune' and 'Money and Malice' Universes all sneeze at the same time.

Back to the story

Naruto turned to Kurama who wore his fox mask "Fox" Naruto said coldly.

"Naruto" Kurama said.

"Is there a problem between them" Hinata asked Kakashi and Itachi who both chuckled.

"You can't even imagine" They both said.

"Boys please play nice" Karin said getting in between them.

"I hope you die slowly from an incurable disease" Kurama said smirk behind his mask.

"I hope you get sealed into a rock at the bottom of the ocean" Naruto said with a scowl on his face.

"Why do I even try" Karin said throwing her hands up in defeat.

"Ok enough of that lets get going" Kakashi said as the others nodded and the 2 squads ran out of the village gates to the land of hot water.

Land of Hot Water: The next day

Kimmimaru and Jugo carrying Yugito entered a cave and sealed the entrance with a boulder; as they walked through the cave the saw a Gedo statue with 2 hands sticking out of the ground.

"Jugo put her in the middle" Kimmimaru said and Jugo nodded; Jugo walked forward and put Yugito in the center of the room. After that Jugo and Kimmimaru jumped onto a finger and made a hand sign; after a few minutes several holographic figures appeared.

"You have completed the mission" Pein asked and Kimmimaru nodded.

"Yes Lord Pein" Kimmimaru said "are we ready to begin" he asked and Pein looked over to Sasuke.

"Are you and 'Tobi' ready" Pein asked and Sasuke nodded.

"Yes" Sasuke said his sharingan glowing from his hologram.

"Tobi is ready sir" Madara said using his 'Tobi' alias.

"Sasori; are you and Deidera ready" Pein asked and both Sasori and Deidera nodded "this will require 3 days; if there are pursuers then the traps will hold them off long enough for us to finish" he said as he and the others began to go through hand signs. Pein, Konan, Zetsu, Sasori, Deidera, Sasuke, 'Tobi', Kimmimaru and Jugo all finished on the final sign.

"Sealing Jutsu: 9 phantom dragons" Pein shouted as 9 chakra dragons appeared and hit Yugito; Yugito was now suspended in the air as her Biju chakra was being sucked out of her.

The next day with Naruto and his group

Naruto, Kakashi and the others all crossed over the land of hot water border as they rushed through the forests 'damn it; where is she' Naruto thought "Hey Kakashi sensei are we on the right track" Naruto asked and Kakashi nodded.

"From what this beacon finder that was in the scroll we are heading in the right direction" Kakashi said "Falcon, Hinata use your abilities to scout ahead" Kakashi said and both nodded.

'Byakugan' Hinata thought as she activated her doujutsu.

'Mind's eye of Kagura' Karin thought as she closed her eyes and focused her sensory abilities.

Both Hinata and Karin scouted ahead until Karin opened up her eyes and Hinata paled "stop" they both shouted and everyone stopped as they entered a clearing.

Naruto, Kakashi, Shino, and Itachi all looked on wide eyed at the sight while Tayuya shook with fear "oh fuck, seriously fuck me" Tayuya said.

Up ahead was over 500 of Orochimaru's test subject with their curse marks activated; all of them had helmets with seals carved into them.

"Boar who are these guys" Itachi asked and Tayuya grinned her teeth.

"These guys are Orochimaru's test subjects for the curse mark" Tayuya said shocking everyone "these are the one's who failed and went insane; Me and about 6 or so others were the only ones who survived without losing their shit" Tayuya said. "But what are those helmets" Tayuya asked.

"Probably are the work of Sasori" Itachi said speaking up "he always was an intelligent man; it wouldn't surprise me if he made those in order to control these poor souls" Itachi said.

Suddenly everyone heard laughter and saw it was coming from Kurama "so these guys are nothing more than mindless meat puppets" Kurama said as he took out his sword "fine with me; I'm itching for a fight" he said eager to begin the battle.

"Looks like we have no choice" Kakashi said bringing up his headband revealing his sharingan "Naruto, Hinata, Shino, Watasumi get ready" Kakashi said. Naruto gripped his sword, Hinata got into her gentle fist stance, Shino's insects appeared out of his sleeves and Watasumi gripped her kamas.

"Let's work as fast as possible if we wish to save Yugito" Itachi said taking out his ninjato "time is of the essence here" Itachi said; Tayuya took off a piece of her mask covering her mouth and took out her flute and Karin summoned some chakra chains.

Naruto took in a deep breath as his years of training was about to be put to the test "Watasumi on me" Naruto said and Watasumi nodded "lets waste these guys" Naruto said.

Ok another chapter done I hope you all enjoyed it; sorry if it kept bouncing all over the place, I needed to set up a way for the Raikage to relay a message and since Gaara isn't I the story I went with Yugito for the recovery mission. Ok then please like comment and share with your friends; and until next time bye.