-With Gai-

The taijutsu master was hunched over as he continued to catch his breath. The copy of himself that was created from the trap hidden within the barrier seal jutsu was receding into the ground and becoming rock once again. He reached up and pressed the button on the communicator.

"Neji, come in."

There was some static before the Hyūga jōnin's voice came over. "I'm here. I just defeated my copy."

"Same here." Lee chimed in as soon as Neji finished.

"I'm already making my way back to the cave." Tenten stated.

Gai took in a small sigh of relief. He was glad that his team had pulled through. "Kakashi?" There was no answer from the jōnin. "Kakashi, is everything alright? Kakashi?!" Something was not right. "Neji, use your Byakugan to see what's going on over there."

"I'm on it."

Neji focused chakra to his eyes and his vision expanded exponentially over the land, just like how it did when he searched for the tags to release the barrier seal. It did not take him long to find everyone. "Sakura and Chiyo have just left the cave. It seems they defeated one of the Akatsuki members. Kaito has the Kazekage and is headed straight for them."

"What about Kakashi sensei and Naruto?" Lee questioned.

Neji followed the direction Kaito came from in hopes of finding the two in question. "I found them." Neji spoke up. "They're going up against the other Akatsuki member. It looks like they're talking…wait, what's that?!"

"Neji, what do you see?!" Gai had already left his position and began his journey back to the cave.

"…A fourth person just appeared out of thin air. I've never seen anything like this. His face is hidden behind a mask, but I can't see his face. But…his chakra…it's so…"

"…Neji?"

"…This is really bad…we have to get to Naruto and Kakashi now!"

-With Sakura and Chiyo-

Sakura was practically carrying the elderly woman. Due to her old age, weakened immune system, and pure exhaustion from the fight, Sasori's poison was affecting Chiyo worse than it ever did with Sakura or Kankurō. She was sweating profusely and was struggling to function properly. Honestly, it was a miracle that Chiyo was still conscious after everything had happened.

"Lady Chiyo, if we leave now, we can make it back to Sunagakure by tomorrow and I can make another antidote." She was pleading for the woman to allow her to leave. "You don't have to suffer like this."

"…No!" Chiyo mustered up some strength and tried to walk alone, but instantly faltered. "Gah!" She was breathing heavily. "I must…finish this…!"

"Finish what? What's so important that you have to risk your life like this?!"

Just as Sakura finished yelling at the woman, Kaito landed directly in front of the two women. And in his arms was the body of the Fifth Kazekage. Kaito looked at Sakura, pleading to tell him that Gaara was not dead.

Sakura gasped. "…Oh no…"

Chiyo looked at the body of her Kazekage. This was what she had to do. Her duty to him will be finished. "Get me to softer ground…find a open field."

Sakura looked down at the woman. "Lady Chiyo…"

"What's the point?" Kaito snapped. "He's dead! We can't do anything for him!"

Kaito had a right to be angry. His friend was dead. But Chiyo was going to do something that would save Gaara and preserve the future of Sunagakure. "Just do it…Kaito."

Again, what was the point here? There was nothing to do. The Suna jōnin simply nodded and followed the two off the water surface.

-With Naruto and Kakashi-

"…Madara…"

"It's been a long time, Itachi. We haven't seen each other since the Uchiha incident? Six years, right?" The man in the orange mask with single eye hole sinisterly chuckled. "I apologize for my memory; time tends to blend together when you've lived for so long."

Both Naruto and Kakashi were in utter shock and disbelief. There was absolutely no way that this man before them was the all-powerful Madara Uchiha. Madara led the Uchiha clan during the final days of the Uchiha-Senju War and was a co-founder of Konoha with Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage. And their eventual battle was the stuff of legends. And it ended with Madara's death.

Or so the legend says. The person before them said otherwise.

"You're Madara Uchiha…?" Kakashi just was not willing to believe it.

"Hm?" The man in the mask stared at the silver haired jōnin. "What do you think?"

Frankly, Kakashi did not know what to think. This was the furthest possibility in his mind. If he had a million guess, there would be no way this would be one of them. "…The Ghost of the Uchiha…"

Madara chuckled. "Right…" He turned back to Itachi. "I thought we had a deal, Itachi. What you're doing now isn't apart of it."

"We did…then things changed." The Uchiha murderer looked at the two Konoha shinobi. "Leave now! Get out of here while you still can!"

Naruto looked on at the man. Nothing he was doing made any sense. This guy massacred the entire Uchiha clan in a single night, leaving only his little brother alive. He was a mad genius that calculated every single move he did. But this did not seem calculated. It seemed random, unorthodox even. It was like Itachi made this decision on a whim and rolled with it.

"But…Itachi…"

"Go now!" Itachi fixed his ANBU mask on his face as his Susanoo ignited around him. "Madara! This ends here!"

Naruto was pulled off the ledge by Kakashi. He landed on the water below and the two took off running back towards the Akatsuki lair. As he ran, Naruto glanced over his shoulder to watch Itachi face off against the myth of hell himself, Madara. But that is not what Naruto was thinking about.

'That mask…' The weasel mask. Naruto remembered it well. The man that wore that mask saved him from those other ANBU when he was younger. 'That was…Itachi?'

Itachi's Susanoo took its armored form that resembled a long-nosed tengu and it wore a set of magatama earrings. Appearing with his Susanoo were two of the most legendary weapons. The Totsuka Blade and the Yata Mirror.

Madara uncrossed his arms. "One touch from the Totsuka Blade and I'm sealed away. Any attack I throw at you will be blocked by the Yata Mirror. Put those two together and it makes your Susanoo invincible." The man chuckled again. "It seems your serious about this. You know, allowing the Kyūbi jinchūriki to escape is punishable by excommunication and execution. It also means our deal about Konoha is gone. You understand that, right?"

Itachi unbutton his Akatsuki robe and tossed at Madara's feet, followed by his Akatsuki ring. "I renounce my Akatsuki rank! You don't anything over me anymore! Konoha is and always will be my home!"

Madara took notice about Itachi's health. Normally, using his Mangekyō Sharingan in tandem with his Susanoo, Itachi's illness would flare up and put him in a near death state. He would be coughing up blood and practically be a walking corpse. But neither of those was the case now. He was healthy. And at full strength. Something certainly had changed.

'So, that's what you did in that village.' Madara had heard rumors about the disease curing leaves but never got around to confirming their existence. It seems they did exist and work. 'Well, this certainly complicates things.'

Madara reached down and grabbed the robe and ring. He pulled his hood back over his head. "Your betrayal is noted, Itachi. Konoha will fall for it and the Nine-Tails will be ours."

"Lay a hand of either of them and you'll regret it."

Without saying another word, Madara disappeared in dimensional swirl that originated from his eye. As silently as he arrived, he left just as quietly. There was no trace of the Ghost ever being there.

Itachi powered down his Susanoo and deactivated his Sharingan. He took in a deep, calming breath. There was no turning back. And he had no where to go.

-With Naruto and the others-

Once every single member of the Kazekage Retrieval Team had returned from their respective battles, Sakura began to do a medical examination of the Fifth Kazekage. She knew it was futile but did it anyway. He was gone.

Naruto stood over his teammate as she worked. He just could not look away. Something weird was happening in Naruto's mind that was screwing with him greatly. He knew it was Gaara on the ground but that's not who he was seeing. The person Sakura was trying to helplessly heal was not Gaara, but his deceased mother.

Naruto rubbed his eyes, nothing changed. He just could not unsee it. Kushina Uzumaki laid motionless in place of Gaara.

Neither of them had to die. It was the choice of others put them in harms. It was almost a guarantee that neither of them were asked or had their feelings considered. Gaara was chosen by his village to be the jinchūriki. Kushina was brought from far away to be the jinchūriki. Their situations were not all that different in Naruto's mind.

He just could not see a difference. In his mind, Kushina was in Gaara's place.

Maybe that was why he just had to save him. Maybe that was why he was willingly to go through anyone and everyone to save Gaara. He defied Tsunade's initial efforts and made it only him because he wanted to prove his strength to her. Yes, he wanted to prove himself but that was never it.

Subconsciously, it was never about Gaara but his own dead mother. And now, Naruto failed. Again.

"…Sakura…"

The female medical kunoichi stopped her treatment immediately. He knew and she knew too. Sakura shook her head sadly and stood up. She turned away so that no one would see her tears. Everyone there lowered their heads in sorrow and respect for the fallen Kage.

Kaito dropped to his knees and continuously hit the ground in anger, as if it would make him feel better. It did not.

"Kaito…there is no need to break your fist on the grass."

The jōnin eyes flared at the elderly woman. "Shut up! It was your grandson that did this! This all your fault, Chiyo!"

No one blamed Kaito for losing his temper. It was a sorrowful moment, and he was not sure how to feel. But taking out on her was a bit much.

Sakura turned back around with swollen eyes and red cheeks. "Kaito…it's okay to be sad but taking it out on-"

"Why do you care?! This isn't your leader!" Kaito had never lost a friend and it showed. "It's all her fault! She's the one who sealed that beast inside Gaara! If it wasn't for her then none of this would have happened to him!"

A revelation in itself that caused shocked throughout the group but that is not what sent chills down Kakashi's spine. He watched his male student carefully. He instantly went still. Deathly still.

The Kyūbi's words rang in Naruto's mind. "It was…you?!" Naruto snapped around at Chiyo. He was absolutely furious. "You put that monster inside Gaara?!"

"Naruto?!" Sakura yelped.

But it was not Chiyo in Naruto's eyes. The person he saw in his grasp was the Fourth Hokage, his own father. The reason he was targeted. The reason he was hated. The reason he was treated like a weapon and not a real person.

Minato Namikaze, the legendary Fourth Hokage, was the sole reason Naruto's life had turned out the way it did. If his own father had never sealed that damned beast inside of him at birth, then nothing would have ever happened to him. He would have a normal life, filled with love and happiness. Instead, he has been forced to live a life of pain and solitude. It was only recently that he had made a few friends and felt good about himself. But it did not change everything that Naruto went through because of his father.

It was his fault and Naruto was going to take it out on Chiyo.

"Just what am I to you?! A son or a vessel?! You did this!" Naruto maliciously marched his way over to Chiyo and towered before her. "You people arrogantly called us jinchūriki! You have no idea what it means to be one and you use us like we're nothing! A waste of time and a means to an end!"

"What's gotten into you, Naruto?!" Tenten shouted.

Naruto could care less about anyone of them in this moment. He had his opportunity, and he was going to take it. He pulled the legendary three-pronged kunai that was made famous by the man he was seeing.

It would be a poetic end.

Neji and Lee moved to intercept Naruto from doing any damage to the elder woman, but Kakashi stood before them.

"Kakashi, what gives?!" Neji shouted. "He's going to hurt her!"

"Naruto's blinded by his rage for what the Fourth did! He can't see the difference between him and Chiyo right now! We have to reason with him! It'll only make it worse if we try and physically stop him!"

Chiyo was too exhausted to try and get away, Sasori's poison was making it nearly impossible to move. She could only watch as Naruto, kunai in hand, came towards with the intent to end her life. For whatever the reason was, she simply closed her eyes and accepted her fate. It was poetic, in a way. She would be killed by a jinchūriki. A being that she created. There was some justice in that.

But the swift death never came. Chiyo opened her eyes to see why he had stopped. Wrapped around his midsection was the girl that had impressed her so much during their fight with her grandson. Sakura had jumped in and hugged Naruto from his backside, effectively stopping him.

"Please stop, Naruto! This isn't you!"

His rage subsided momentarily. For a spilt second, Naruto could see Chiyo instead of his own father. But the vision of the Fourth retuned as well as his anger.

"He…has to pay for what he did to me…!"

"Naruto!" Kakashi called out, jumping in. "That's not the Fourth! It's Chiyo!"

The vision faltered again. The mirage of the heroically fallen Hokage faded in and out as Naruto struggled with his urge.

End his life. Like he ended yours.

But his life was not over. It was never truly over. His life had only just begun, right?

You hate him. And he hated you. There's no other reason you'd be damned to live a life like this.

His life started out that way, but now things were different. He had people there for him. Even though there was only a few of them, that was enough. He trusted them. That was what his mother told him to do.

But do they trust you? That's the real question. That's what you've always wondered. You had to argue with the Hokage to even come here. Is that trust?

"Please, Naruto. I know it hurts. It's okay to be angry. But, please, don't hurt Lady Chiyo. She didn't do anything to you." Sakura pleaded with Naruto. "Don't take out your rage towards your father out on her, it's not right."

The vision finally faded away for good. Before Naruto was no longer his long-deceased father but the elderly woman that accompanied them on this rescue mission. She looked exhausted. His rage subsided as he looked at her and realized what he was close to doing. Guilt filled him. Chiyo was innocent.

He looked down at the kunai in his hand. The Fourth was not innocent. And he never would be.

Chiyo looked up at the blonde. "Why…why do you care so much? Gaara isn't even your village. You barely know him."

Sakura separated herself from Naruto. "I know him better than you ever could. I understand everything that he's gone through. That pain and loneliness…you would never know. Besides, there was more at stake than just saving Gaara."

Chiyo was completely amazed by this. In the generation she grew up in, it was unthinkable for something like this to happen. For another village, allies or not, to come to the rescue for their kidnapped Kage and show such emotion in his death was downright impossible. The world was definitely changing.

Chiyo moved past Naruto and knelt before Gaara's body, placing her hands on his chest. She took in a deep breath, gathering as much energy and chakra as she could. A bright, blue light emitted from her hands.

Sakura instantly realized what she was going to do. "Lady Chiyo?! That jutsu…you'll…!"

Neji focused his Byakugan. 'This isn't ordinary medical ninjutsu. Her chakra…'

Both Kakashi and Gai seemed to be able to piece together what was happening. "Kakashi…is she…?"

The jōnin nodded. "Yeah…certainly looks it like…"

Kaito looked on in confusion. "What the hell is she doing? She can't heal him! He's dead!"

Sakura looked at the Suna jōnin, sadness and determination filling her voice. "She's bringing Gaara back!"

All shinobi there were utterly shocked by Sakura's words. "Bringing him back to life?" Lee asked.

"How…how is that possible?" Tenten questioned.

"This jutsu can only be done by Lady Chiyo. She's the only one who knows it."

Neji continued to watch the jutsu carefully. 'Her chakra is flowing directly into the Kazekage. Such a convenient jutsu can't exist without anyone else knowing about it. There has to be a tradeoff…the only one I can see…a great risk…'

Kakashi lifted his headband to watch his Sharingan. 'With a jutsu like this, the risk is just as great as the reward. And her current chakra levels…she won't have enough to bring him back.'

The bright chakra around Chiyo's hands faded, it had become weaker. She strained to keep it going. "Damn…not enough chakra!"

The little hope that was given was quickly taken away. Now, there was truly nothing that could be done to save Gaara…that is until Naruto knelt across from Chiyo and held his hands out. The woman looked up and saw the expression on his face. She could tell he felt guilty about what he did. This was his way of apologizing.

"Take mine. Take as much as you need."

Such a simple thing to say for something so complex. Transferring life force to one being to another was not easy. Adding a third member to the technique was something Chiyo never considered. And the end result would probably be the same if a third were to join in.

"You know what will happen if you follow through with this."

"…Yeah, I know."

Chiyo was sad to hear that. He was too young to be doing something like this. But she could tell there was no changing his mind. "Place your hands on mind."

"Naruto, don't!"

Naruto looked up at the pinkette. "It's okay, Sakura. I got this. Everything's going to be alright."

He obeyed her words and the blue glow instantly burned brighter and stronger than ever before. Naruto's strong chakra surged through the technique and reignited the revival. Chiyo felt some relief from Naruto's chakra, but she was still straining to keep the technique active. There was no strain on Naruto's face, he was still and completely calm.

"What…is that?" Neji saw the change in Naruto. "What is he doing?"

Sakura turned back. "Neji, what do you see?"

"It's Naruto…there's an external chakra source entering his body unlike nothing I've ever seen. He's using that in place of his own chakra."

"He's using the Nine-Tails chakra?" Gai questioned.

"No." It was Kakashi who answered. "This is something else entirely. What Naruto is using now is natural energy. Or senjutsu chakra."

"Natural energy?" Lee gasped.

"What's senjutsu chakra?" Kaito was completely lost. He had never heard about this before.

"From what Master Jiraiya told me before they left for his training, it's a form of power that can only be used by harnessing natural energy inside his body. I'm not entirely sure of the process behind it but Master Jiraiya said it would be very difficult for him to control it, let alone master it. From my understanding, Naruto has to remain completely still."

As if as all were not already on Naruto, they were now. The others watched Naruto and Chiyo continuously funneled their chakra into Gaara's body.

"The current world you live in now has been made by so many foolish old relics like myself…for someone like you to have appeared from it and with everything you've risen above…it's refreshing to see."

Naruto kept his eyes closed, trying to keep his concentration so that he could keep the senjutsu chakra flowing into Gaara. He had heard Chiyo's words and were surprised by them, though he made no indication that he had. But Chiyo knew he was listening.

"My entire life has been nothing but mistakes that seem to always come back to haunt me. But this time…I'm able to set things right for a change. Suna and Konoha…allies in war…it never would seem possible in my days. The future will surely be different from when I was your age. Kakashi told me about a special gift you have…that'll change the world. You will become a shinobi like no other." The woman looked back over her shoulder at Sakura. "Sakura, next time, don't risk your life for an old woman with one foot in the grave. I want you to protect the most important person in your life. You are a lot like me. A woman with your spirit and talent is a rarity, I suppose. I'm sure you'll surpass your master one day, there is no doubt in my mind of that."

Chiyo turned back to Naruto. "I know you've been listening to this old woman ramble on in her final moments. There is only one thing I ask of you…help Gaara, please. You are the only one that understands his pain…and he understands yours. Please…be there for him…"

The light suddenly disappeared around their hands as both members fell back. Sakura moved to catch Chiyo before she hit the ground and Naruto was able to catch himself. He was breathing heavily as his senjutsu ran out. Sweat dripped from his brow as he watched the life fade from Chiyo's body and life begin to ignite in Gaara's.

Overcoming his exhaustion from maintaining Sage Mode and continuously funneling chakra into Chiyo's jutsu, Naruto crawled to Gaara and helped him sit up. The Kazekage was still barely moving, life was beginning to fill his body again.

"Gaara…"

There was his name again. That's who he was. The man slowly opened his eyes. The brightness of the setting sun burned. Gaara took a moment to register what was happening. He was in shock.

"Naruto…" He looked around with wide eyes filled with confusion. He laid his fresh eyes on the man holding him up. "Where…where am I?"

Naruto chuckled dryly. "That's a long story. But that can be later, you have visitors that want to see you."

"Visitors?" His peripheral vision returned, and he saw many of his shinobi surrounding him with hope in their eyes. Even his two siblings, Kankurō and Temari, were there. So many Suna shinobi just suddenly appeared around them. All for him.

"You gave us quite the scare, little brother." Kankurō knelt next to Naruto and Gaara. "Glad to see you're alright."

Temari was almost scared to touch Gaara, she thought he might break or something. "Gaara…how are you feeling?" Gaara tried to stand but struggled to even get off the ground. "Hey, don't push yourself. You're body isn't back to full health."

Kaito was in shock. His leader, his friend, was back. He simply could not contain his happiness. He had to wipe away the joyful tears. "I'm so relieved…"

Naruto noticed Gaara being able to hold himself up right by himself and decided to back off a bit. There were so many others here that needed to see that their leader was alive and well. He let out a deep, grateful sigh.

"Naruto…" Kankurō approached the blonde. Naruto turned at the call of his name. "Thank you for saving my brother. I wasn't aware you'd be on the rescue team. Last I heard, you were still training with Lord Jiraiya."

"I just returned a few days ago and came to help. And it's not me you should be thanking, Chiyo was the one saved him. She used that crazy jutsu…" Naruto looked over at Sakura, who was cradling Chiyo's body. "…but, I guess, that's not possible anymore."

"Life transfer…she's the only one that knew the technique. She once led the development team for that jutsu so that life could be breathed into a puppet. It was deemed to high of risk for experimentation and classed as a forbidden jutsu. All the notes and researched were sealed away and the team was disbanded."

Temari approached the two. "I can't believe Lady Chiyo did this. She always said she didn't care about the future. She was never the kind of person to do something like this, especially for Gaara."

"Maybe seeing her beloved grandson one more time changed her heart."

"No." Kakashi spoke up from behind them. "It was you, Naruto. Your words and actions spoke to Chiyo in ways no one else ever did. You even aided her with her jutsu to bring him back. She entrusted the future to you and Gaara. It was end befitting a shinobi."

Kankurō looked at Naruto in disbelief. "You helped Chiyo with her jutsu? I don't understand. How are you alive?"

"I used senjutsu chakra instead of my own. That's what I've been training on for last three years. Harnessing natural energy." Naruto explained.

"Natural energy?" Kankurō simply shook his head. "Well, whatever you did, it worked. Gaara's back. That's really all that matters now."

With his life and strength returning, Gaara was fully able to stand by himself. He approached Chiyo's body and placed a hand on her head.

"Everyone…pray for Lady Chiyo."

He closed his eyes and mouthed a silent prayer of thanks to her. All Suna and Konoha shinobi bowed their heads and closed their eyes. The world had lost a great soul. One like no other.

Chiyo, grand elder of Sunagakure, was dead.

-In Konoha, Hokage's Office-

The Fifth Hokage took a quick shot of sake as she viewed another mission report from one of the many ANBU teams in the field. Things were starting to pick up again, Iwa and Kumo were moving troops into positions for attacks on their F. . (Forward Operating Bases) It was about to be all hands-on deck.

She rolled the scroll back up and placed it in one of the numerous piles of paperwork she had. It was an absolute mess of papers, scrolls, and files, but Tsunade knew where everything was.

The female Sannin let out an exasperated sigh. There had been no update from Kakashi or Gai on the status of the Kazekage. The last report she received was the two teams had rendezvoused together and were making movement to the Akatsuki lair. That was a few days ago and that was cause for worry for the Hokage. It was pushing midnight so the chance of a report to in soon were slim to none.

"The Kazekage has been rescued."

The sudden, yet familiar voice came from behind her. Tsunade spin in her desk chair to see Jiraiya sitting on the open-window ledge.

"Will you ever use the damn door?"

"Nope."

Tsunade sighed again. "Typical." She muttered to herself. "Anyway, you say the Kazekage has been rescued?"

"I just received a report from Kakashi a few minutes ago. One of his ninja hounds tracked me down and gave me this." The Toad Sannin handed the scroll to her. "It sounds like it was a bit of a doozy."

"Any casualties?"

Jiraiya nodded, causing Tsunade's breath to hitch. "Just one. One of Suna's grand elders, Lady Chiyo. She died using a Life Transfer technique to revive the Kazekage."

The name was familiar to the Slug Sannin. "I remember her. She was a major threat to us during the past two Great Wars. And you said Life Transfer?"

"Supposedly, Chiyo and Naruto used the jutsu together to bring Gaara back. Chiyo died as a result. Naruto, on the other hand, used senjutsu instead of his own chakra so that he wouldn't."

Tsunade was astonished by this. "I see. Chiyo must have developed that jutsu herself. I've never heard anything about a Life Transfer technique. An unfortunate loss. I'll be sure to send my condolences to Suna. Anything else for mission?"

Jiraiya slightly shifted somewhat uncomfortably and Tsunade noticed. Something big happened. "We need absolute security with this, Tsunade. Order your secret ANBU guard to leave the area. No one can hear about this. No one."

Suspicion filled the Sannin but she trusted her teammate. With a simple move of her wrist, the ANBU guards disappeared from their hiding spots and moved out of ear shot. They were still close enough to react in case of an emergency. Jiraiya closed the window and locked the door. He approached the desk and towered over Tsunade.

This was serious.

"Itachi Uchiha defected from the Akatsuki."

That was not what Tsunade was expecting. "What?!"

"In Kakashi's report, he explains that Itachi was the one that captured the Kazekage and helped extract the Biju. Furthermore, Itachi defended them from an unknown enemy that claims to be Madara Uchiha."

A shocking revelation. "Madara Uchiha?! But my grandfather killed him decades ago!"

"I'm aware Tsunade, that's why we need absolute secrecy with this. I don't want this information getting out to the public. The very name 'Madara' strikes fear into entire nations. The First Hokage was the only one who could ever defeat him. We need to find out if this man is Madara or not. We can't take a chance. Especially with this inside mole still running around."

As if her stress and anxiety was not already sky high, hearing the name of the man that rivaled her grandfather, the First Hokage, sent Tsunade into overdrive. She quickly poured another shot and downed it in record time. "What's your plan?"

"I'll see what I can dig up from some old contacts. They might know something about this. But, realistically, there's one person I need to talk to."

"Who?"

"I need to find Itachi Uchiha."

Tsunade looked skeptical. "Are you serious? That's a long shot, Jiraiya. Even for you."

"Why do you say that? He's defected from the Akatsuki. He has no reason to hide their secrets anymore."

"Yes, but he's also a traitor of Konoha. Remember? He massacred the entire Uchiha clan in a single night and tried to kidnap Naruto a few years ago. I highly doubt he'll tell you anything. That man is a certified psychopath."

It was as if something clicked in Jiraiya's head. A sudden realization of the situation. Tsunade thought she got through to him with her logic. But instead, he leaned in close. Close enough that the Hokage could feel his breathing on her cheeks. It made her blush slightly, something that was not so easily done.

"What do you know about the Uchiha Massacre?" He whispered softly. She could barely hear him, even at such a close distance.

Tsunade mimicked his voice level. "What do you mean? What's there to know?"

"All I can say is that Itachi isn't as crazy as everyone believes. Method to the madness, Tsunade." Jiraiya backed away to a neutral proximity. He spoke at a normal tone. "You need to trust me on this, Tsunade. I know Itachi will give me the information I need. And then some."

Tsunade was completely lost and utterly confused by all this. Frankly, none of it made sense to her. But it seemed Jiraiya's had some kind of plan. She would trust him. Like she always had.

"Very well. Do what you need to. How long will you be gone?"

"Not sure. Could be a little while. I'll update you as I go."

Tsunade nodded in understanding. "What about Naruto? What should I tell him when he asks about you?"

Jiraiya chuckled. "Don't worry. He'll understand. Besides, I'm sure he'll be way too busy with that apprentice of yours."

Now Tsunade chuckled. "Yeah. You're probably right."

Jiraiya turned for the door. "I'll see you around, Tsunade."

"Don't die on me out there. You owe me, remember?"

Another chuckle, this one was more perverted. "Trust me. I repay that debt."

The door closed and Tsunade was left alone in her office with all her paperwork once more. With another move of her hand, the ANBU guards returned to their posts and continued their protection detail.

Scurrying out of a small hole in the Hokage's office was a tiny black and white mouse. The mouse ran down the hallway and squeezed through another small crack in the wall. The mouse scampered through the wall until it jumped out into the night air. The mouse ran a good distance away until it came to its master.

A teenager, roughly the same age as Naruto and Sakura, with pale skin and dark, black hair watched his creation run up to him and stop on the scroll that was laid out. It let out a small squeak before sinking onto the paper and transforming into a bunch of words. It was the conversation between Tsunade and Jiraiya. The mouse had been listening in the whole time.

The teenager rolled up the scroll and placed it on his person.

"Lord Danzō will want to hear this."

-Land of Waves-

The Angel of the Mist. Such an interesting nickname. Haku did not feel like she was doing anything special. She was just protecting the place her master was laid to rest. She was at his grave nearly every day. It was small memorial for Zabuza. A simple cross over where his body was buried. Haku thought it was a nice thing to do. But she knew her master would have never asked for a gravestone like it. She was thankful that the grave was left undisturbed when the Konoha shinobi arrived.

Over the recent months, there has been a constant rotation of Konoha shinobi in the Land of Waves. At first, Haku was concerned about them being here. She thought they would bring the war to them and the villagers would suffer. But to her relief, there had been no threat. Even the local bandits and thieves had all but stopped with their crimes. It was peaceful.

Again, Haku found herself before her master's grave. The breeze from the water was always refreshing when she prayed there. And the view over the water was stunning. She would never tire of it.

Haku finished her prayer and looked out over the water, taking in the beautiful sight once more. Nothing but wonder. Then multiple boats slowly crept over the horizon and into view.

Haku examined them for a moment. She brushed them off, believing them to be another rotation of Konoha shinobi to replace the current ones. She turned to leave.

'Wait…Konoha never comes by boat. They always use the bridge.'

She turned back around. She did not have to see the headbands to know who they were.

Enemies.

They were being invaded.

-With Inari-

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Inari was satisfied with his work. After almost two years of working, their house was finally rebuilt to its former glory. After the death of his grandfather, Tazuna, Inari dedicated himself to rebuilding his home for him and his mother. There were many mistakes and learning moments throughout the process. He was only twelve years old and considered an apprentice carpenter. He still had a long way to surpass his grandfather in the craft.

"Inari! Lunch!" Tsunami called out.

"Okay mom!"

Inari dropped his tools and ran around the house to eat his well-deserved break. Without looking where he was going, Inari bumped into something and fell back. He instantly realized that it was a person and not anything else.

"Hey! Who are you and what-"

The boy stopped when he saw the person. Kurotsuchi smirked at the fallen boy.

"We're hungry too!"