Chapter Two; Dawn's Day Land of Water; Rebel Base

Naruto and his group arrive at the forward base of the rebel encampment, many of the shinobi there nodding in respect to his party with many smiling at the sight of another ninja swordsmen. The already high morel clearly climbing further, much to the hidden amusement of the tall swordsmen who noted just how everyone was giving his escort a good amount of respect which was very telling in his opinion. Reaching the command tent, the guards saluted the group before parting the curtain and in steps the party drawing the attention of the occupants "Ah, Captain Red. Good to see you made it…" the woman in front of the map table speaks with a growing smirk "…and yet again with a completed mission no less."
"We have retrieved your swordsmen, yes." Naruto responds stepping aside "Captain Momochi; surprised?" she asks as the man in question chuckles lowly "You could tell, Mei Terumi?"
"Well, I supposed; seeing as we've been friends for so long." This Mei Terumi had long redish orange hair down her back, piercing emerald eyes and a round face, a very attractive frame that would make many men drool at the sight but many more would speak of her very sharp attitude and destructive personality. "So…" the swordsmen glances around, noticing how his escorts had silently moved to the edges of the tent "…who else do you have?"
"Everyone except Riga and Jinin, the latter remaining loyal to the Mizukage."
"Huh, that slime ball eh? No surprise there."
"You were the missing piece." Mei then sighs with her hands finding her hips "As much as I would love to also bring Kisame back, having you two together would be more trouble than it's worth."
"You know where fin-face is?" Zabuza growls but Mei simply shook her head before looking toward Naruto on her right. The swordsmen follow her gaze and Naruto stepped forward "According to our own information network, he has joined forces with a group of S-rank criminals. That is all I'm authorised to disclose at this time." before stepping back but this only causes Momochi to cock his head to the side "Authorised…?" snapping back to his good friend "…aren't you the leader of the rebels?" she nods before realising that he didn't know about the chain of command "Oh, right… you don't know about…"
"That was purposeful, Terumi-sama." Honka speaking up from the woman's left, drawing the rooms attention "Right." Mei turning back to the swordsmen "Technically, they aren't my shinobi. We're paying for their services at a discounted rate, seeing as we are lending them our headbands." Zabuza looks between the masked four "Mercs? You sure you…" he was cut off by Mei "They have worked harder than most, their exploits and drive for our success are unquestioned. They are our crack unit, working with your comrades on over a dozen missions. I suggest you drop that line of thought." Zabuza growls with slamming his palms on the table "I've worked as a merc, I know what…"
"Lighten up there, bandages." an eerily familiar voice to the man from behind, causing him to freeze and growl deeply as he turned to the face of one Ameyuri Ringo, her ever present smirk on full blast "Ameyuri. Your still short…" she punches him in his arm "And your still lack eyebrows… now then…" she turns to the masked shinobi "I heard you were back and figured we could either spar or…" she licks her lip at Naruto who showed no indication he was even aware of her presence though the killing intent from the three others told her she had the right mask picked out. Mei sighed again as she folded her arms "Ameyuri; we need everyone to rest right now. You know the assault begins in three days. Could you not antagonise our allies?" the girl in question shrugs "What? He's the only one that I could actually spar against without accidentally killing him." She pauses for a moment before looking back from Naruto then Mei then to Momochi then growing a face splitting grin "Perhaps I could make sure you haven't lost your edge, huh Zabuza?" unbeknownst to the bickering duo, Naruto let out a sigh of relief no longer at the centre of Ameyuri's attention but it was short lived as the two swordsmen the woman turns back to Naruto, who had remained emotionless like a statue "…Oh, Red; We'll have that date later 'kay!" with a lecherous grin that sent a shudder down his spine, not that he showed it.

That night in a none descript tent among the group of tents the four Uzu shinobi set up their seals upon the cloth, locking it shut and protected from outside influences, allowing them to remove their masks and armours without their identities being leaked and three sets of red hair down with Naruto's messy pony tail that reached his shoulders, Karin's straight down halfway to her hips and Honoka's short but sleek barely reaching her neck "What a long day…" he sighs plumping down upon his futon "As you say." Sena responds causing a chuckle from the group "That reminds me." Naruto looking to the only non-blood-uzumaki there "That Haku; she's a lost clansmen of yours, right?" and Sena nods "She's my third cousin from what she told me, on her mother's side."
"Will she be staying here or…" he let the question hang a bit, but his ice-wielding friend just shrugged "I offered her a place within the clan but ultimately its her choice. I told her she had until our mission is complete to decide."
"You do remember the creed, right?" Karin narrowing her eyes at the Yuki clansmen who nods slowly with a heavy heart. "If you can't then we will." Naruto adds supporting his clansmen, that was sitting beside him, head resting on his shoulder "We are all Uzumaki here…" Honoka cutting in "…you don't have to do this alone." Sena manages a weak smile but a smile none the less."

During the three days of rest, the Uzumaki shinobi were scarce and very hard to notice around but they were very much present. Haku, who had only recently rediscovered her clansmen were still around, was one of the few who tried to pin them down in order to discuss her decision on whether or not to rejoin her clansmen or not but fell short in locating them. Zabuza and Ameyuri both wanted to spar with them with the former wanting to confirm what he had heard of them with the later, more interesting in having a meal with the only man in camp capable of pushing her back in a spar. Through all of this, only Mei Terumi and Aoi, her hunter-nin commander, could confirm that they were there but refused to reveal their location.

Land of Water; Village Hidden in the Mist

Stepping beside Mei who was overlooking the village in the near distance, the air was still, the fog was thick but flowing "To think, this day we will be free…"
"…freedom has a price." Naruto cuts in as they stare at the village in the distance "Be sure you are ready to pay it." His parting words, "What of about you and your people?" she asks causing him to pause mid stride "would you pay? To keep the freedoms, you hold so dear."
"We've paid that price once." He glances back at her "Only the dead can ask if it was worth it." Before setting off and leaving her to ponder.

Naruto reaches his squad leaning against a tree at the front of the treeline that was covered with rebel shinobi of the mist, all prepared and ready to go. The field of battle was set and the Mizukage's forces were still licking their wounds from numerous skirmishes up and down their territory, without rest but the plan has worked thus far leading many to be of high hopes, but the Uzu team seem to be the only ones on edge. "I don't like this." Honoka mumbles with her arms crossed while leaning sideways on "I agree with her." Sena adds "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Naruto nods with this before looking to Karin who shakes her head "Kagura's signature is blocking out the whole area. I could try and isolate it, but we don't have time for that."
"Have you all placed your markers?" Naruto asks in a whisper after he activates a privacy seal on his wrist. They mimicked his actions to isolate their voices from the outside world but nod along with his question "When the tables are turned against us, jump back here and we will re-evaluate our situation. Our primary objective is to rescue Isobu from his container, confirm his condition, then leave."
"…and our secondary objectives are to assist the rebels rebuild; contract time is thirteen-days." Honoka adds on "What if they asked for an extension to our term?" Sena asks looking to the squad captain who shakes his head "Our next assignment has already been selected. We are unavailable beyond our contracted time."
"Oh boy, where's our next assignment?" Karin growls gaining her promised ones attention again "Bodyguard duty for the priestess of Demon country. Apparently, they suspect trouble heading their way." Naruto confirms but that confuses Honoka "Wait, that isn't for a few months. I thought it was guard duty for that actress?" Naruto chuckles as he folds his arms with a slow shake "The elders fireballed it. Apparently, the client also contacted Konoha. Wanted us as reassurance. They denied the request."
"Why are all these requests from women?" Karin grumbles with a tone filled with both venom and loathing, arms crossed. Naruto could clearly hear the scowl in her voice and could easily picture her scowling face she was pulling. Without warning Naruto's communications seal lights up, signalling the other Uzu squad was nearby and calling out to him "Kazer? Why is your squad here? What happened to the meeting with the fire Daimyo?" talking into his right arm bracer, or at least that's what it looked like as no noise was being transmitted through the mask, but his squad all knew what that stance meant "Went smoothly. Too smoothly for my liking."
"Right, so are you to back us up?"
"Yeah. The old goats want us to make a big impression. Leave our mark."
"I see." Naruto glances around at his squad "Are you aware of the plan?"
"Smash through the walls, fight the jinchuriki, catch the beast, head home." Kazer chuckles and Naruto face palms "Even I'm not that wreakless. Though, with the extra numbers…" he chuckles and the hairs on Karins neck lift telling her that he was about to do something really stupid. She was about to move to slap him until she sensed the approach of another Uzu squad, Team Malestrom, which causes her to narrow her eyes at her man "How long till you're here?" Naruto asks "Your lady should be detecting us by now." The man responds causing Naruto to glance at Karin and despite the mask he could tell she wasn't too pleased right now "Yeah, she's releasing a fair amount of killing intent at me right now." A soft chuckle escapes his lips as he turns round "I'll inform the client of the change. See you when you get here." Lowering his hand, he returns to the front where Mei Tarumi was standing with four of the seven swordsmen.

"Tarumi-sama." Naruto calls approaching her group "Oh, Captain Red; why so formal?" she questioned but got no response as he simply looked at the other swordsmen beside her for a moment than back to her "I have a small request." He asks flatly "Request?" the confusion on her face was clear "I have received word that a second Uzu team has been directed our way from a previous assignment. My request is to allow them to join the formation."
"Another team? I thought…" but she stopped when he simply shakes his head. After a moment of thought she nods "Okay. What are they're capable of?"
"Unlike us, this new team is an area bombardment and denial team." Naruto states calmly which caused a short pause as they all tried to figure out what that meant exactly. It was Aio who summed it in a way all could understand "Ninjustsu specialists?" Naruto cocks his head to the side "Yes and no." not solving the confusion any further "Specialists no; Ninjustsu users yes. Just on a larger scale."
"How large exactly?" Mei was almost afraid to ask but got no answer as he simply looked at the town but that sent shivers down their spines. "How do they compare against you Red?" Ameyuri questions "My squad is a tactical level squad. They are a strategic level unit. Normally only hired by Daimyo's for large scale decimation of occupied landmasses. Supposedly." Naruto responds with a light chuckle as the four new Uzu-nin land at his back and immediately take a knee before him "Sir, we have arrived as ordered."
"Under this contract I am known as Captain Red. Prepare for orders." Naruto says before turning back to Mei "Allow us to open a path for the freedom you wish to acquire." All eyes look to the woman in the deep blue dress, a pale blue Jonin jacket atop it "What do you propose?" unbeknownst to the mist ninja, both Naruto and Kazer were grinning like madmen on a mission.

Land of Water; Hidden Mist Village

"Uzu-Style; Tsunami's wave."
"Uzu-style; Lightning roar!"
"Uzu-Style; Roaring Sky!" Naruto and Kazer state together and the four-way collaboration attack flattened half of the village, the bulk of the defenders were displaced and thrown about by the time the group technique died down. Naruto turned back to Mei who simply stares back and for a few moments "Ahem." Clearing his throat jolts her back to reality "Umm… Begin the assault!" the rebel shinobi charge through the rubble of the outer wall. The Uzu shinobi dispersed shadow clones around to slap restraints on the downed enemies to prevent them from striking from the rear or causing any problems. Many could clearly see the Uzu presence far and wide but when the Mizukage himself showed up things went from good to terrible. In his partially transformed state, Kagura tore through the village, friend and foe alike roaring menacingly as his ANBU guard struck from the sides, cutting off the called retreat. Mei took to the field, Aio taking on the rouge ANBU guard alongside his own, but just as she arrives a flare of demonic chakra draws the enraged demon container's attention like a beacon. He immediately rushes forth, charging through towards the destroyed parts of town and out toward the open areas on the village outskirts. Mei gives chase with the swordsmen all following after.

Yugaura arrives to find a single person, emitting the aura of his kin "So, you're responsible for this mess you sly fox?!"
"On the contrary. This is your own doing, turtle."
"Hahahaha, I don't see how? Those bloodline users are a threat to this world…"
"What's wrong with you? Did you forget his teachings…?" a long pause with Yugaura suddenly looking confused "…teach-ings…? Umm…? I don…t…"
"Who are you really?"
"I… I…" his confusion abruptly fades "TO HELL WITH YOU! YOU WHO STANDS AGAINST ME SHALL DIE!" but before he could move Golden chains erupt from the ground, and each cardinal direction and Yugaura briefly struggles before the demonic energy dissipates slowly then completely as they continue to constrict. A second figure drops beside the first masked one and begins to step forward toward the now kneeling Mizukage, stopping before him and kneeling down and staring into his eyes "Tsyukuyomi." was whispered and in moments the figure nods back at the first who steps forward "Wh… what was that…?" Yugaura huffs and puffs before the second figure taps his forehead "Kai!" and immediately a powerful surge of demonic chakra is pushed through the mans system and disrupts a powerful Genjutsu that was placed upon the man. After his fit of screams from the burns of this foeign energy passing through him, he slumps forward coughing and wheezing but immediately a crimson blade blocks the Kubikiribōchō, a massive shockwave of air from the clash was felt all around "Would you calm down, Zabuza?" Naruto asks before glancing up at the growling man "He slaughtered thousands! He must die…!" Honoka kicks him clear of a barrage of demon windmill shuriken, laced with fire chakra. "So, you've finally showed yourself… eh?" Naruto says as his team all turn to face the newest arrivals "Ho h oho, you knew?" an orange swirled masked man sitting on a nearby dead tree, legs casually dangling as if a child "You are the whole reason we are assisting the rebel faction, in the first place. After all, we had reason to believe this man was either psychotic or under some kind of external influence based off all reports." Naruto says stepping forward with his two teams moving to encircle the two men. This comes as a shock for the mist group who arrived shortly after Zabuza's attack "Ooo, aren't you all smart cookies!" his child like voice and clapping do not sway a single shinobi who stood against him with a clearly defined purpose. The situation continues to grow in tension as they Uzu teams all start going through hand signs in unison, over fifty in under thirty seconds and slam their hands down and the whole field is surrounded by a pink barrier which causes the orange masked man to notably stiffen "I see…" his voice deep, dark, and full of malice "You truly have come prepared."
"You die here today traitor!" a feminine voice calls out from the masked shinobi beside Naruto which promptly draws the man's attention "Traitor you say?" he chuckles "Ah, seems that even I fell for that ploy." Turning his gaze back to Naruto at his front "It seems you truly are hi…" black flames explode in his position but both he and his cohort disperse in moments "KILL THEM!" Naruto roars and his men vanish and engage the two men cell.

The battle for the hidden mist was rather anti-climactic as the rebels swiftly disable and overwhelm the loyalists without much bloodshed. Of course, there was much in the way of resistance in regard to the few hold outs, but they were promptly squashed by Aio and the trainee swordsmen Chijuro and Sugetsu. Though the village was being secured many saw the pink barrier go up and rushed to assist their leaders only to find a battle like none other, but it wasn't against the Mizukage who was chained up and secured with a pair of the ninja swordsmen guarding while the others and the Uzu teams engaging a masked man, wearing a black cloak with red clouds, but a second smashed down near the edge "…fuck! You've gotten better, kid." A blue man with fin like protrusions near his pale white eyes "You've gotten rusty, KISAME!" roared Momochi with a supersonic downward slash that was deflected by the shark skin blade of Samehada "Tsk." The bulky blue man lands on his feet smacking his former comrade away with a swing of his on sword. Glancing at the barrier he grins as he draws back the jiggered blade only for his bosses scream of pain to hit his ears, a quick look behind him showed a severed arm and the Uzu shinobi pushing their attack "Stop the shark!" a yell but was too late as Kisame struck the barrier but was repelled causing a brief bout of confusion before he struck and struck before it cracked then suddenly the masked man appears beside him and the two vanish in a time space vortex just before a blast of black flames exploded from where they were. "Damn." A voice as Naruto lands with another beside him "Who was that?" Ameyuri asked huffing from the high-speed combat "The bastard who's been acting within the shadows." Growled out the masked ninja beside the one preserved as Captain Red "Did you confirm it?" and they nodded "Full scan and there is no doubt."
"Now then…" as they all look to the still bound Mizukage "…what should we do with him?" Naruto asked, the groups converging "Originally, we were to cut him down but as we confirmed that he was under a unique genjustu that even influenced a Bijuu, a tailed beasts."
"…and no one noticed this?" Zabuza growls loudly while looking to the gathered ANBU from both sides "You lot are a disappointment." they all hang her heads in shame, Mei steps forward ahead of the whole group "ATTENTION!" Naruto roars and immediately every shinobi stands ramrod straight, facing their leader with Naruto promptly stepping back to be a half step behind her right side. "We have won the day, the battle is over, but we are not yet done. Let us move together, cease all hostilities, and rebuild a better tomorrow." She pauses a moment "We all have much work to do but for today, and only today, we shall party!" they all roar in approval.

After the night of celebrations, the reconstruction efforts began a new with a new fervour with the help of the solid clones of the Uzu team. Even without the threat of combat, the team maintained their professionalism with their cloaks and masks still affixed, preventing their identities from being known. Many of the mist shinobi were curious as to why they remained concealed, with more than one incident between the Uzu and Mist shinobi with the latter trying to remove their masks or cloaks. Mei issued a warning to her shinobi to not mess with them, and not one accident happened beyond that. The inauguration of Mei Tarumi, the Godaime Mizukage, ushered in a new age for the village hidden in the Mist. Her speech highlighted the efforts of both sides, not wanting to create a further rift within her forces, and thanked the reformed seven ninja swordsmen for their efforts both abroad and domestically, with a closing statement to the mercenary shinobi but pointed more directly towards the Uzu-team and even singled out Captain Red. The cheers were numerous, and the tasks ahead were laid out and the new age had begun.

Land of Water; Mizukage's office

"Are you sure you have to leave? We could really use your support moving forward." Mei asks Captain Red who stands before her, hands clasped behind him with his squads at his back "Our contract ended yesterday ma'am." A simple stoic response that caused a raised eyebrow in the mist swordsmen that were leaning on the walls at the back of the office "Can we not extend it? I can…" she stops when he shakes his head "I'm sorry ma'am. My squads services have been requested elsewhere. I can pass along a message to despatch another team, one perhaps more specialised to assist in rebuilding efforts in place of a combat or demolition unit." Naruto states causing the new kage to sigh "I would much prefer to keep you here, but I guess war is your business."
"As for the prisoner…"
"We can't just…"
"Yes, you can and will." Naruto speaking rather forcefully. This caused a few to clutch weapons yet none of the Uzu teams moved a muscle "Oh?" Mei raising a delicate eyebrow "…and do tell me why I should?"
"Simple. When we leave, our seals leave with us. The chains currently keeping him subdued…" he raises a hand and snaps "…will vanish."
"We can take him." Zabuza declares from behind, but Naruto didn't even acknowledge his words "This isn't a negotiation. We are taking him. Period."
"We need our tailed…"
"No. You don't. The use of human prisons is a disgrace on this page of human history. If you walk this path, you will make an enemy of us."
"Is that a threat?" Mei said coldly with a large amount of killing intent that made all her shinobi take a step or two back, yet the Uzu team didn't even flinch "No. A promise. We take him and you'll be free to summon us when needed. You keep him…" he leans forward "…and we will visit…" letting the threat hand in the air as it didn't need to be said. A long prominent silence hang in the air with the two staring into each other's eyes with glares, not that anyone could tell with Naruto's mask on "Very well." Mei concedes much to the shock and horror of the ninja swordsmen "You can't be serious Mei!" Zabuza roars "He's a fucking traitor! I want his head!" Ameyuri yells "He's killed…"
"ENOUGH!" Mei roars unleashing her killing intent upon them that caused them to freeze while Red sent a few hand signs to 'lock down the package, prepare to leave.' and the four specialists vanish without even a puff of smoke nor sound. "It's been a pleasure." Naruto states and Mei stands offering a hand to which he shook "Thank you for your assistance. We will call upon you should the need arise."

Land of Water; Hidden Mist Village Gates

Karin hands Naruto a specialised prisoner scrolls to which he attaches to the base of his back, followed a nod and the two turn back to the gate where Sena was talking to Haku, who has decided to rejoin her clansmen and is travelling with the Uzu group. Zabuza was glaring at who he thought was the leader, he was off by one as he was looking at Karin who was standing beside Naruto. Handing the hunter-nin mask back to her adoptive father, who took it softly and nodded at her "Good luck kid." He growls out, in order to hide the tremor in his voice "Thank you, Zabuza-sama." with a bow, that lingered a lot longer then normal, raising up with tears in her eyes. In her brief lack of protocol, she hugged him tightly and to her surprise he hugged her back tightly. "Goodbye!" Haku calls out with another bow before she runs and catches up to the group of Uzu members who unseal a new set of mask and robes. After a quick dressing she fades into the group and they all take off vanishing from view, much to the surprise of the gathered shinobi "Shesh, they can move." Ameyuri states "I wanted to spar but they're also hard to find."
"They better take good care of her, or I'll make them pay." Zabuza with a deep growl that sounded like a tiger protecting its litter.