-AN-

Small note, I love that my spellcheck keeps trying to change Kurotsuchi's name to grouchiness. Always get a giggle out of me.

So many threads to come together, plans and plots and traps have been set. What's the Uzumaki way of dealing with traps? Blow them up of course!

-Story Start-

Curiosity peaked and mind clear, Naruto was walking down one of the main streets of a city branch arm towards where he could feel Kurotsuchi's chakra. From the direction he had a feeling that she might be around the foodie district, which suited him alright. He was pretty hungry. Even still, his concern wasn't so much how she had gotten here, but why she was here. Did she come to start some trouble? Come to apologize? Or maybe something else.

Kurama grumbled and started to doze back off, 'This is boring. If there isn't some screaming or blood I'm going back to sleep.' With the brat's luck she probably wanted to jump his bones.

Naruto nodded as he weaved through the crowd, 'You do that big buddy, I'll let you know if there's anything interesting going on.'

'See that you do.'

Walking along and enjoying the warm sun and peaceful atmosphere as he was, he almost missed it when he gained a pair of followers who melted out of the crowd and joined him. Looking back, Naruto gave Neji and En disgruntled looks, "Should I even ask why you're both here already?" They were getting faster.

En was grinning as his dark square glasses glinted in the sun, "Lady Tayuya keyed us on the radio. Her orders were, and quote, 'Don't let him go overboard' end quote." En was always happy to keep the Uzumaki women happy. It was an easy ticket to making sure he got fun missions later.

Neji nodded along, "She mentioned something about some woman from Stone?"

Naruto sighs but nods, "Yeah. Kurotsuchi, grand daughter of Onoki. Currently the Tsuchikage and one crotchety bastard." Naruto let things fall into silence for a few moments as the group made their way and the citizens parted around them with some happy greetings back and forth. If Naruto was out with guard, most assumed he must be on official business and made a point not to hinder him.

Neji shrugged and folded his arms into his tunic's sleeves, "Should we be on alert for anything?"

Shaking his head, Naruto didn't consider Kurotsuchi a threat at all, "Nah. This is nothing, just wanna make sure she's not here to cause trouble." Naruto turned a bright eye towards the other teen, "Say, I've been meaning to ask, what's with you and that subordinate of yours. Kana right? Finally getting around to appreciating the female half of society? Or are ya holding out for your former teammate? What was her name again?" Naruto hadn't paid as much attention to the rest of the Konoha rookies as he probably should have since he left. He'd have to fix that. Maybe have a get together to celebrate once he handled business. Oh, maybe make Fuu's wish come true and have a get together with all of the Jinchuriki that he could find. Gaara would have fun with that.

Neji was already letting his shoulders slump, "Do you mean TenTen? No, she had more interest in Lee anyway. She was a good friend, nothing more." Here he paused as he considered the more outgoing and usually upbeat Hotaru clan member on his team. She certainly did have her good points. Faults as well. So many faults. "Kana is a good person and means well. I'm not really sure if she's really interested in me or if it's just her teasing me."

En ribbed the younger man with a grin, "That wasn't a denial of your own feelings though. C'mon tell us, you got the hots for her or not?"

"She is my clan mate and a valued member of my team. Right now my focus is on my clan and Uzushio. I have a duty to uphold."

Naruto rolled his eyes, "That's probably the closest we're going to get to Neji admitting he has feelings for someone." Here he lazily waved a hand over his shoulder, "Just remember Neji, a man's duty is to build a legacy. That includes something to leave behind." Ah, they were close. Was she at Ayame's? That sure seemed to be the case as they continued down the sidewalk past other wide windowed restaurants. The smells around them certainly had his stomach rumbling now.

"I will, consider that." Neji quietly decided that he would as well since the advice was coming from Naruto. He wouldn't be making any decisions anytime soon, what with tensions with the other villages so high at the moment. But it was good to consider the future.

En was stretching his arms out over his head, before finally calming down and rotating his shoulder, "Just make sure to take it easy while you can and don't end up with a wife like mine. She'll run you ragged every chance she gets." Granted he really couldn't complain, Chino deserved some younger siblings and apparently he had put in some good enough work. Heh. Keiko had been on cloud nine ever since the doctor had given them the good news.

Naruto seconded that thought, "You said it En. I'd kill for some real sleep sometimes. These women will be the death of me one day."

En sighed, "I both envy you, and really really don't."

"Story of my life."

Pausing as the chakra signature is close in front of them, Naruto sighs as he stares up into the bright red and white sign above them. Just his luck.

Ichiraku Ramen - Ayame's Cute Spot!

Shaking his head, Naruto opened the glass front door and grinned wide, "Yo Ayame! Hope you're all stocked up cause I'm super hungry!"

Smiling just as wide as other patrons cheered for their leader, Ayame was already waving a ladle towards him, "I'm always prepared for you Naruto! Have a seat, you want the special?"

"You know it!" Naruto quickly took in the space, finding Yugito at the bar was a nice surprise, but his target was the one he was interested in at the moment. Sliding between a few tables, Naruto and his shadows settle in at a table next to Kurotsuchi and a man he didn't recognize. Had an interesting blue mask though. "Man, I was ignoring it but now that I'm here I really am pretty hungry."

Neji nods, dropping into a seat across from Naruto while En comes to sit next to him, leaving the seat next to Naruto empty, "When is the last time you ate Lord Naruto?"

"Um…" Naruto had to think about that. He skipped breakfast, Lunch was interrupted thanks to Itachi…Did he have dinner last night? No no, he decided he wanted to have bath activities instead. "Um…"

Shaking his head and sighing, Neji sure hoped Naruto learned to take better care of himself one day, "Maybe this is the best course of action for the afternoon then. You need to eat."

"Yeah yeah, what are you, my babysitter?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

"Do so at your own peril." Naruto's eye's glinted with obvious mirth, at least until a very feminine hand trailed along his shoulders and a shiver crawled up his spine. "I didn't do it."

'I'm awake!'

'Down boy!'

Yugito was all grins as she settled into the seat next to Naruto, her cup of tea the only addition she placed down in her new place, "You most certainly did my Lord." Yugito leaned forward, one elbow on the table and a cheek resting in the supported hand. Still all smiles, "I have a favor to ask, if you don't mind."

Naruto flatly ignored the grin En was shooting his way and the more disapproving look Neji had on his face. They had no clue, none at all. "Sure thing Yugito, what do ya need?" He had promised to make sure she was settling into the city as well as she could. Best to give his best efforts towards that.

"Well, Ino, Tayuya and everyone else have been trying to help me find my own way, and I thought finally that I had something I wanted to do. So." Here she again trailed a finger down from his shoulder to his hand, "Think you could get me a job?"

Blinking as that was not the direction he thought this conversation was going to go, Naruto nodded easily, "Sure sure. What are you looking to do?"

"I want to be your secretary."

"My, huh?"

"Secretary, yes." Yugito held his gaze firmly. Ayame was right, this was fun.

"I'm sure I can work something out." Naruto mentally sighed. He was placing this as Ino's fault. "Yeah, I can make something happen."

"Wonderful." Leaning back and finishing her tea, Yugito stood to leave. "I'll be waiting for the good news then." Waving goodbye to Ayame who was focused on a growing pile of bowls, Yugito then leaned down into Naruto's ear as she passed him to give one last whisper. "And please, Lord Uzumaki, come visit me again. My kitty certainly won't mind another showing from you." Feeling the man freeze in place, she giggled as she stood straight and left the eatery, hips swinging for the fun of it. Taking a deep breath and smiling up into the sun, she decided today was most certainly a beach day. Maybe she'd stop and pick up a book from home first, or maybe some art supplies.

Sighing and dropping down to the table, Naruto grunts as En begins to laugh long and loud, "You just can't help yourself, can you Uzumaki-sama?"

"It's not my fault."

"You're the Uzukage, it's all your fault." Neji's deadpan response cut right into Naruto's heart. He didn't mean for any of this to happen! Honest!

En leaned back as Ayame floated their way, placing down bowls in front of them all with a bright smile and a wave of thanks. The ramen certainly looked extra good today. Snapping his chopsticks he gave his thanks and began to dig in. Ayame herself tapped the young leader on the forehead, "The Uzumaki clan is bound to grow pretty quick at this rate huh?"

"C'mon big sis! No teasing! I have so little of my sanity left." Of course, Naruto wouldn't argue that it was a hell of a lot of fun. Nor would he trade it away for anything in the world. Well, maybe some sleep. Shaking himself and grabbing his own eating utensils, he turns his head to see Kurotsuchi doing her best to edge away from him and prepare to sneak out. "So, Kurotsuchi." Seeing the woman flinch and keeping a smile on his face, he continued on as she turned back towards him with a weak smile of her own, "What brings you to Uzushio? Nothing crazy I hope." He'd be pleasant so long as she could be. Ayame's was sacred ground after all and no one disrespected the ramen. Not in his presence.

"Oh uh. You know, just sightseeing. Nothing serious or anything." Laughing and trying her best to appear non-threatening, she cursed her luck. Here was her target! The Maelstrom himself, the Uzukage! What a fake! But he was also surrounded by enough ninja that even she would have some trouble. No, she had to get him alone. "I could use a tour guide, think you'd mind showing me around?"

Grunting and eyes hardening a tad, Naruto shook his head, "Sightseeing huh? Well the tower's entrance level has tour guides and information I'm sure you'd love to dive into. If that's your thing." Naruto took a slurp of hot noodles, savoring the complex mix of flavors and spices before swallowing and pointing his chopsticks at her. "But, need I remind you what happened in Hot Water? You try anything here and that will seem like a morning breeze compared to what I'll do to you here, got it?" Hmm, Ayame really was going all out on this special ramen. Was that tuna? What was that spice she added in? It was divine.

Sighing and deciding to step in as Kurotsuchi began to sweat, Obito shook his hands in a placating manner, "Tobi thinks Kuro isn't a bad girl. She'll behave Tobi thinks. Tobi has been trying to fix her attitude but you know how it is. Takes time." Be the dufus, inconsequential, a non-threat. That was the best move for now.

Naruto was all smiles again, nodding sagely, "Yeah I can agree with that. Changing someone as hardheaded as Kurotsuchi must be a full time job. You have my condolences."

"Thank you, I need it."

Kurotsuchi was flushed as she nearly vibrated in place while unable to speak up to defend herself fully. "I'm not that bad." She'd make sure to give Naruto a earth spike enema when they fought.

Shrugging and decided to write them off as no big deal, Naruto begins to dig into his meal, "No sweat in the end. I don't hold grudges against those who recognize they did wrong and are working to change themselves. So here, I can give you a chance." Naruto held a hand out towards her, one that she tentatively took and shook carefully. "See, no harm no foul." He wouldn't mention the subtle Hiraishin tag he just placed on her. Better safe than sorry.

"Yeah, I appreciate it." Kurotsuchi felt like she had to literally force the words out of her mouth, but if it prevented a fight from breaking out, she'd take the offer for peace.

Ayame was already swinging back, taking Naruto's suddenly empty bowl and replacing it with a new one. Still she felt like teasing material was right in front of her and couldn't help herself, "You seem awfully familiar with this one Naru-kun. Another girlfriend of yours? She doesn't look like your normal type." Girl was a little of the small side, but hey maybe Naruto's interests were changing.

Shaking his head quickly, Naruto held up his arms in a X formation, "Nope! All wrong. Just someone I ran into during one of my missions." He'd have to tell Ayame the full story later to clear up the confusion. Him and Kurotsuchi? Nearly made him hurl.

Kurotsuchi nodded, "There's no way I'd be interested in this guy. I need someone much more manly."

Naruto raised an eyebrow at that, "Me? Not manly?" Somewhere in the city he got the distinct feeling several women all sneezed at once. Mentally however he can feel Kurama beginning to get nervous about something, 'Hey partner, sense something?'

'So…can I get you to promise not to get upset?'

Naruto nodded almost instantly, beginning to attack his newest bowl while En and Neji watched on with something akin to disgust and horror. 'Sure buddy, what's up?' Idly he noted that Kurotsuchi and this Tobi character relaxed once they knew he wasn't going to start a fight. Good omen that.

'I feel a familiar chakra signature.'

Mentally shrugging again, Naruto didn't see the worry there. 'And? How old are you again? I'm sure you've run into countless chakra signatures by now and they've got to start feeling similar from time to time. Maybe it's Kurotsuchi, you remember I fought her right?' He wouldn't put it past Kurama to forget fighting the Iwa princess. She really wasn't that memorable. Both in fighting ability or looks as far as he was concerned.

Kurama shook his head, 'No. Not this one. This one is seared into my brain pretty deep.'

Naruto paused at that as Ayame was working on teasing Neji while En egged the young man on as well. 'Okay, now I'm nervous. Who is it?' Mentally he chuckled as Ayame needled the other teen about his not quite girlfriend. Was Neji blushing?

'Okay, so again, don't get upset.'

'You're really starting to worry me buddy.'

Sighing and decided to get on with it, Kurama steels himself. 'This is a chakra I haven't felt in sixteen years Naruto.'

'Oh, so someone you and my mom fought then?' Wait, hold on. Sixteen years ago? His mom would have been pregnant with him by then. Very pregnant.

'Not so much fought…as-' Kurama didn't get to finish as Naruto's eyes tracked to Tobi, senses latching onto the older man as if to dissect him from every possible angle.

'Who is he?'

'See, this is why I tried to get you to promise not to get upset. I-'

'Kurama. Who is this Tobi guy?' Naruto's focus was now solely on Tobi, food forgotten.

Sighing and praying that this didn't go south right away, Kurama nodded his head. 'Meet Obito Uchiha. The man that ripped me from your mother as she was giving birth to you, and then threatened to kill you as you were only a few minute old babe.'

Freezing fully in place, eyes cold and latched onto Tobi, Naruto gained the curiosity of Neji and En, both of which were turning to look at the curious Tobi as well. Naruto's chakra was deceptively still, mind whirling in an attempt to focus on one emotion. He was failing, but he was working through them steadily enough. Rage? Check. Curiosity? Dwindling. Rage? Double check.

Neji leans forward to try and snap Naruto out of it, "Lord Naruto, is something wrong?" Maybe this pair was a danger after all. He subtly had his hidden hand on his radio, ready to give an alarm signal to the ninja office at a moments notice.

Obito catches on that Naruto is watching him, the look in the teenager's eyes was one he didn't like, at all. "I think it'd be best if Tobi and Kuro got to moving. We have a lot of places to see, people to visit. That sort of thing."

Kurotsuchi shrugs, "What's the rush, things are good, we're good. Why leave?" Oblivious to it, she turns to check out Naruto and the sudden silence that seemed to be falling on the restaurant. Oh, those eyes of his were like ice. What did Tobi do to this guy?

Thanking Kurama mentally, Naruto leans forward just a tad, "Say, what did you say your name was again?" His eyes stayed locked onto Tobi, there was no question about who he was addressing here.

"Tobi is Tobi. Just a drifter, no one important."

"Just a drifter huh?" Naruto takes a breath, counts to ten, and releases it. It doesn't help. His blood is still on fire. "Odd choice for the killer of my parents. Must be nice." That admission silenced the rest of the conversations in the room, all eyes turning towards their direction.

Carefully, slowly, Obito raises his hands in a warding motion, "I think you have the wrong person friend. Truly, we are not here for a fight."

"Oh I understand, I understand wholeheartedly. I certainly wouldn't want to fight me either these days. But you know how it goes. Some things just can't be forgiven." Standing slowly, Naruto looms over the pair as Kurotsuchi looks from him to Obito and back in confusion. How had things changed so quickly? Naruto had only a slight frown on his face, but his eyes. They promised death, "Pretty hard to fool an ancient Biju when it comes to chakra. And yours is oh so familiar."

Looking around and seeing that the room was now completely focused on them, Obito sighs and realizes that one way or another, Naruto had figured out who he really was. Shame. "I don't think this is a fight you want, boy."

Faster than thought, Naruto has a fistful of Obito's tunic, "You know. I just don't think you have a choice in the matter."

Chuckling and shifting his eye into the Sharingan and then the Mangekyo, he felt himself begin to phase out of sync with this dimension. "You'll find I have plenty of choice you little-" Just as suddenly as he started to slip away, Naruto's hand began to glow a yellow color and latched onto him more firmly, "What?"

Naruto has a mad grin as he hoists Obito to his feet, "Oh you have no IDEA how long I've been waiting for someone like you to show up. Time for you and me to party!" And then they were gone, a flash the last thing denoting their presence. Idly all of the ninja present could hear the radio's chime in their ears. An alert had been issued.

Seeing all eyes turn to her, Kurotsuchi held up her hands quickly. She knew better now, "I surrender!"

Neji was frowning as he stood, lamenting his noodles that would be left and wasted, "Probably the smartest choice you could make."

Ayame is already walking over, transferring Neji and En's food into to-go containers, "Will Naruto be alright?" Idly she noted several of the ninja patrons finishing their meals and leaving quickly. Must be an emergency then.

Neji nodded as En slapped a suppression seal on Kurotsuchi and threw her limp body over his shoulder, "This is Lord Naruto, if anyone will be okay, it is him." He better be at least. Neji was not dealing with Lady Tayuya's anger alone. Not again.

-b-

From the forests of the Land of Fire to the great plains of Grass country, Hinata, Ino and Honoka easily made their way into the border town affectionately called Last Stop. Nestled at the junction of the borders between Grass, Waterfall and Iwa, it was a good place to rest, stop and resupply before entering the more rocky terrain of Iwa.

All three young women were feeling a different sort of way as Hinata led them on and Ino took in the people around them. It wasn't a feeling of fear or unease that had her somewhat jumpy, but all the same there was an energy in the air. Something she didn't like, not one bit. Thinking on it she considered that she had felt this way ever since they had crossed over into Grass. Maybe they were being watched?

"We should make this quick. I feel like I'm being watched." Ino's voice was quiet as they walked along the sparsely populated road, Honoka bringing up the rear while Hinata led them closer and closer to the town center.

Honoka hums and scans the crowd, "I don't see anything out of the ordinary, the people seem happy enough as well."

Hinata sighs, "It's mostly civilians here. The largest chakra signature here is our mark." Here she sighs and releases her Byakugan. He wouldn't be moving anytime soon by the looks of it. "Man matches our target's description is just ahead in a restaurant, place is pretty empty."

Ino sighed, "Well that's not suspicious at all."

Honoka leaned forward to tap her on the shoulder, "Remember when I said this was reckless?"

"Yup, and I remember when you agreed to push ahead as well."

"Can't let you two have all the fun now can I?" Ino and Honoka share a laugh as they continue on, the dusty road and gloomy overcast sky adding to the general mood of the place.

Hinata shrugged, "We aren't being followed, if that's your worry." She had made sure to keep an eye on the surrounding area often.

Ino pulled alongside Hinata and nudged her in the side, "How's your seal?"

Hinata shrugged, "Same as yours. Naruto only made sure to check and triple check them before we left." He had been insistent that they all learn the Hiraishin before they could leave and learn they did. Now each of them capable of it in an emergency. "This far from home it'll probably suck us dry to get back all at once, but if anything looks sketchy it's the better option."

Ino agrees, "We aren't that hot head. We bail if it looks like it'll be a bigger fight than we planned." Ino shook herself as Hinata led them around a corner to an emptier street and internally sighed at how quiet this place was. "Let's put him down quick and get out of here. I wanna get as far away from Iwa as we can." Naruto's worry and concern was beginning to bleed over into her.

Honoka was already circulating chakra within her, chains at the ready inside her, "I can have him wrapped up and subdued in seconds." Thrilling as this was, no point in needlessly bringing on more risk than they already had.

Within a minute Hinata leads them to an out of the way restaurant that none of them can read the name of, the sign next to the door rather worn and having seen better days. Ino led the way, squinting in the dim interior and walking past the surprised and sleepy waitress. Honoka easily paid her a few ryo to keep her quiet before catching up to the others, where Hinata was pointing to a lone man in the middle of the seating area, most of the tables empty even though it was near lunch. Their target was of slight build, black hair and dark clothing that would normally make him easy to lose in a crowd if not for the band of armor around his middle and the slashed out headband on his upper left arm. Daisuke of Kumo, just who they were looking for.

Walking confidently and calmly up to the man, Ino was all grins as Hinata flanked him on one side and Honoka came around to his opposite, "You were rather easy to track down Daisuke. You that confident no one was going to come after you?" Sliding into the chair opposite to him, she wasn't worried that he didn't even flinch and continued with his meal.

Looking at the blonde in the black skirt and tank top sporting orange leg and arm warmers, Daisuke scoffed and finished off his soup. "Must be a cold day in hell, they're sending kids to track bounties down now." Placing his bowl down and lazily leaning back, ignoring the Hyuuga and the redhead on either side of him, he kept his eyes on Ino, "To what do I owe the honor of three young Uzushio ladies bothering me today?"

Smiling and pointing a deceptively delicate finger at his chest, Ino was still feeling confident, "You made quiet a mess back home. We're just here to take you in and make sure you pay up. One way or another."

Humming and nodding as if understanding a great problem at long last, Daisuke leaned forward to smirk at Ino, "I think, it might be a real bad idea for you to be here. See. Maybe you should run along, before something bad happens to you."

Ino snaps her fingers, Honoka's chains appearing from her hands and winding around Daisuke's body quickly and efficiently. "Yeah, we're not to worried about anything bad happening to us. You should worry about yourself." Daisuke began to chuckle, prompting a raised eyebrow out of Ino, "You're certainly unbothered by all this. Wanna clue a girl in on the joke?" Ino did her best to ignore the goosebumps rising all along her skin.

Unable to move or mold chakra by this point, Daisuke flicked his head towards the door, "You'd be better off running home and sending back that super strong husband of yours. Might save you in the long run." Seeing some surprise enter the younger girl's face, Daisuke couldn't help but chuckle some more, "You might be able to get away if you leave me, but you certainly won't be making it out of the area alive so long as you have me."

"What have you done?" Hinata had a chakra laden finger pointed at his temple, Byakugan activated and scanning the area.

"Little ol' me? Oh nothing nothing. I was just told to wait here and enjoy a happy little lunch." Daisuke's smirk grew even more as Ino turned to look at a worried looking Hinata.

"Put him down." Ino barely finished her sentence before Hinata knocked Daisuke out, Honoka easily lifting him up and sealing him away in one of Naruto's special transporting scrolls. "What's the damage Hinata?"

"Ninja, a lot of ninja. Town's surrounded."

Ino nodded and stood, "Then we need to go. Now."

"That would be a bad idea." A gravely voice answered them, prompting all three women to turn towards the door. Onoki was walking his way towards them, alone but with a cat caught the canary grin on his face. "I wanted the brat but got some bait instead. It'll have to do."

Ino and Honoka closed ranks with Hinata, the smaller pale eyed girl still scanning the surroundings, "I…I can't see him."

"Oh girl, I've been fighting Konoha for a long, long time. You Hyuuga are an easy group to trick once you start thinking about it." Opening his jacket a bit he showed off several seals lining his clothes. "But enough about that, just come with me quietly you hear? I want your man, not you."

Ino put on a grin, fingers twitching and wondering if they could all Hiraishin fast enough, "You'll have to get in line, we all have dates with him first."

"Ooooh feisty, I'd expect as much." Onoki stopped half a dozen paces from them, hopping up and sitting on one of the empty tables. "Also, he won't be flashing in here and saving the day anytime soon. I made sure to have a barrier put up to prevent such. Pesky thing really and pretty chakra intensive, but worth the effort." Onoki was going to continue but a large man ducked his way into the restaurant. Decked in heavy samurai inspired armor in red and brown, a wide brim red hat on his head, Onoki was all smiles as Han joined him at his side. "Ah Han, sorry but your opponent isn't here."

The steam user shrugged, adjusting the portable furnace on his back with a sigh, "No matter. I've waited this long, I can wait a bit more."

As the two men talked to each other, Ino edged a bit to look at Hinata, "Have you tried to jump?"

Hinata nodded as she connected subtle chakra strings to Honoka and Ino, "He wasn't lying, that barrier is up and doing it's job. We'll have to run." Unless the idea forming in her mind could work out. Coming forward just behind Ino, she coated a finger in chakra and began to draw on the other girl's back. "Stall for a bit. I have an idea."

Onoki turned back to face them, "Look, girls, don't make this harder than it needs to be. Sit, relax, we'll send a messenger and clear all this up quickly. You don't have to die." Onoki's eyes trailed to the taller redhead, "You though, sorry, but we'll be taking you into custody. Uzumaki blood is so valuable."

Honoka sighed, stepping forward primly, "Why do this? Didn't you all agree to a tentative peace at the Kage's summit? Why break that so quickly?" She wanted to keep his attention on her, not sure what Hinata was up to but hopeful it was a plan out of here.

"Because that boy is upsetting the balance of things. Order must be maintained." Onoki sniffed and raised a hand to pat it against Han's side, "The Jinchuriki are tools to help maintain that order. That the Yellow Flash's brat thinks he is above such a duty is his own fault. Such a hellspawn that I can't wait to see snuffed out."

Ino's body was tense but she did her best not to make any sudden movements, "So you're going to start a war over your feelings about him? Now? Do you really think it'll end well once Naruto's finds out about this?"

"Oh don't you worry, we have something special in mind for him. Seems to have worked on you easily enough." Onoki's plan had been simple enough. Lure the Uzukage or someone close to him far away from Uzu, trap them in a wide area barrier and sic the Gobi on him. Simple and effective. If he had to commit hundreds of ninja to the plan? Well so be it.

Hinata finally finished, leaning around and giving Onoki the finger, "Well, this has been entertaining, but we should be leaving now." Chakra added to the seal on Ino's back, Han makes to jump towards them, a super heated kunai already leaving his hand before the world around them warps and shifts. With a heavy pull that was not normal for the Hiraishin, all three women were gone, an irregular bubble of space carved out of the floor and ceiling where they used to be.

Han sighed, coming to a stop and turning back to his Kage, "What now my Lord?"

Onoki sighed but shrugged, taking the setback for what it was, "We have the contingency in place, so your job is the same, make for the next point with the barrier team and do not stop for anything."

Han bowed deeply to Onoki, "Yes Lord Tsuchikage." And then he was gone, dust kicked up from his high speed shunshin.

Left behind, Onoki frowned and stared down into the empty space where the girls used to be, "If nothing else, I've confirmed it works. That's enough for me." Standing and groaning at the stiffness in his back, he chuckled as he walked back outside. "All this excitement, I almost feel young again."

Far away back in Uzushio, Hinata, Ino, and Honoka were unceremoniously dropped in the ninja reception office. Around them there was organized chaos, a hurried energy that Ino picked up on immediately as she picked herself up off of the floor and waved off a passing ninja who tried to help her up. "What's going on? What'd we miss?"

At the desk and issuing minor orders, it's the green haired Kiyone who leans forward to answer her, "Lord Uzumaki issued an alert. No danger as of yet but all of the Uzu ninja forces are at stage three readiness at the moment." Here she paused and took in the three women, "Are you okay Lady Uzumaki?"

"Just fiine, it was just a long jump from Grass." Rubbing her sore backside and considering her low chakra, Ino turned and helped Honoka to her feet, "But we caught our bounty. Happen to know where Naruto is? We have some news for him." She wasn't ready to hear the litany of 'I told you so' from him, but better that than being stuck captured by Iwa.

Kiyone shook her head, "No my Lady, no one can find him at the moment."

Ino nodded as she and Honoka turned back to the struggling Hinata, "Hey sis, you okay there? Burn through too much chakra?"

"Sorry, breaking through that time/space barrier was a bit of a hack-job, so my chakra isn't the best right now…" Standing and holding a hand to her midsection, Hinata stands enough for the others to see the blood pooling in her hand and down her front, "Looks like, that Iwa Jinchuriki got a lucky hit in." Try as she might she couldn't focus enough to heal herself, something was going haywire with her chakra right now. That barrier breaker hadn't been the most stable work she had ever done. "Sorry." And then she was down, the pain overwhelming her.

Ino was at her side in an instant, "Hinata!" Two hands pressed down on the wound, careful not to rip the kunai free for fear of increasing the bleeding. There was already so much blood.

Honoka was already turning back to the reception crew, "Get me Karin on the radio now! We need to get to the medical level!" Chain's out, she was already gathering up Hinata and making for the bank of elevator doors. Just their luck, chaos and problems and no Naruto around. What else could go wrong?

The blonde haired Mihoshi called out to them as Ino trailed after Honoka and Hinata, "Lady Ino! I received word that a hostile ninja is being brought in that was captured just before Lord Naruto left. What should I have done with them?"

Mind frazzled but knowing she couldn't do anything to help Hinata right now, she tapped Honoka on the shoulder once, "Take care of her, kay?"

"Got it, take charge here." And then she was gone with Hinata, elevator door closing behind them.

Ino nods once before turning back, focusing on what was in front of her for now, "Who is it?"

"Kurotsuchi from Iwa, apparently she was here with a man calling himself Tobi. She surrendered peacefully."

Ino's grin is feral as she nods and walks forward, "Send her straight here, I'll be having some words with the woman myself." This was just perfect. "Anything else?"

Mihoshi nodded, "Now that the alert has been issued, we've spotted a large chakra source heading our way from the Land of Fire. Not close enough yet to confirm who or what it is, but the size suggests someone of at least Major Kage levels."

Ino is frowning as she strides forward, doing her best to ignore Hinata's blood on her hands, "Or a Jinchuriki maybe?"

"It's possible Lady Ino, you'd have to get down to the barrier team to confirm for sure."

Ino nods, "Then that's where I'll be, I'll reset my radio and you can reach me on it from here on." When it rained it poured huh? It couldn't be the Iwa Jinchuriki, he was much to far away to have made it this far already. Huh, Kumo then? Or someone else? Naruto better hurry it up and get back, they had an emergency on their hands. Switching her radio back onto home channels, she keyed in, "This is Flower Garden to Silken Fist, can you meet me in the barrier room? Gentle Death is injured and we have a guest to entertain." Ino waited for a few breaths as the chaos unfolded around her, ninja coming and going from the balcony to continue rapid patrols while keeping the general populace out of the loop.

Tayuya's voice was firm when she finally replied, "I'll be there. What's Gentle's condition?"

"Unknown."

There was more silence before Ino heard a tired sigh, "I'll meet you in the basement and fill you in."

"Roger that, I'll bring our friend." Ino turned as there was commotion at the balcony entrance. En and Neji were there, carrying a bound and knocked out Kurotsuchi. Her day just got really busy. Again she keyed her radio, "Flower Garden to Barrier Maid, you up to date yet?"

Karin's voice answered her near instantly, "I'm already on my way to medical, I'll have her secure and stabilized, don't you worry."

"I'm not worried, she's too stubborn to die from something like that." Ino released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Hearing Karin was already on her way helped ease her nerves as En and Neji walked up to her. "Let's go, I have some words for her."

-b-

Naruko quietly watched the farmland float by as they continued their journey in their carriage. Nestled safely on their comfortable seat, she didn't mind Fuu relaxed into her side while she chatted away with Koyuki and Shion. Even with the peaceful atmosphere and not a single bandit in sight, Naruko couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Something from Naruto was bugging her. She could tell he was, angry. More enraged than he had ever been in his life. Why?

Koyuki could tell that the resident blonde ninja was bothered by something and tried to gain her attention, "Naruko? You seem, off. Is everything alright?"

"No." Naruko's quick and terse answer silenced everyone, and she sighed and shook her head. "Not something here. It's Naruto. Something's wrong and he's very very pissed off."

Shion raised an eyebrow at that information, "How can you tell? We're so far away, you're not getting updates from your radio's are you?"

Shrugging, Naruko turned to face them all, "No no, just a feeling I have. Something in my chest."

Fuu nudges her with a comforting smile on her face, "Maybe it's one of those twin links? You know, one twin stubs their toe and the other one feels it from across the house?"

Thinking it over and considering her more than extraordinary origins, Naruko shrugs, "Anything is possible I guess." If what she was feeling was from Naruto, she didn't want to even consider what could be going on back home to have him this angry. Best to focus on the here and now. "More importantly to us right now, that shifty guy I'm keeping a watch on isn't far from us. Their caravan is a few minutes behind us."

Koyuki feels a seed of nervousness grow in her chest, "Are we being followed?"

Naruko shakes her head, "No, they're not following us. Just happen to be going in the same direction. My clone is feeding me information about them." Naruko turns lazy eyes to Shion, "You're from around here. Know anyone by the name Kikunojo? Or Yurinojo? There are two guys with the caravan with those names that're following this Shun dude."

Humming and looking up as she thinks about it, Shion snaps her fingers abruptly, "If they're who I think they are, they're the former bodyguards of the Vegetable Daimyo. But to be among commoners this far from the capital? Maybe they're on the run?"

Koyuki is already nodding her head along with the idea, "Wouldn't be to much of a shock if they were on the run. Daimyo killed while under their watch, they've most likely been shamed and cast out. Or maybe…" Koyuki turned to Shion, "What're the odds they're protecting someone else?"

"Pretty high. Kikunojo especially was the type not to give up on his mandate. His loyalty was to the Daimyo to a fault. For him to be out here, it has to be for a reason. He's the type that would have rather died than live on after the Daimyo fell." Shion turns to Naruko, "Can you instruct your clone to gather any more information on who they are with? Perhaps it is someone close to the Daimyo. Someone we can meet with." That was why there were here, to build ties and relations with the rest of the smaller nations around the Land of Demons.

Fuu sits up straight as Naruko does the same, "Maybe we'll get lucky and they know where the Daimyo's daughter has run off too." Fuu wanted to have the best outlook possible for this trip.

Koyuki frowns at the thought, "That would be dangerous. It'd mean she'd have been exposed all this time and in danger. We'd need to make contact with her, quickly."

Naruko sighs and motions out the window, "I can make another clone, send it back to ask some questions."

"Well, it wouldn't hurt." Koyuki watches as Naruko nods and does as she said, making a clone that saluted them and ran off back the way they came. Could they get lucky this time?

Behind the coach carrying Koyuki and the others, Haruna disguised as Shun sat huddled among the cart and their wares while Yurinojo drove the horse pulling them and Kikunojo walked alongside them calmly. "Do you think our message has reached Konoha yet? It's been so long and we've gotten nothing back yet."

Kikunojo patted the side of the cart with an understanding look, "My Lady, I'm sure they've received it by now and have a team on the way. We'll just have to make do with what they send us. With our lack of funds, they might not have seen us as a priority."

Haruna sighed, "Ninja, nothing but trouble." Her mind still focused on the Janin that had been pursuing her all this time. The three brothers continuing to edge ever closer to finding her. "We have to do something. Perhaps we can plead our case to someone else? Maybe even Uzushio? I hear they take missions like ours."

Kikunojo hummed and thought that over. Uzushio was a newer nation but had plenty of political power behind it. The Daimyo of Spring apparently running things for them along with a few other high profile names. "But with what little funds we have, how could we even get a mission to them?"

Haruna leaned back and looked up into the cloud filled sky, "It's all beginning to feel hopeless. Like we have no options left." She looked down to the cheap clothes and useless trinkets around her, "Maybe this paupers life is what I'm meant for."

Yurinojo looked back to his Lady and shook his head, "Nonsense! You'll see. The team from Konoha will show up, and we'll carry out our plan for dealing with the Janin and their followers. You'll regain control and we can save our country."

Kikunojo chuckled, "You're in high spirits today Yuri."

"Ah well, those women from earlier have me inspired! So beautiful, and the tall one, she was a dead ringer for Yukie Fujikaze."

Haruna giggled, "As if that famous actress would be all the way out here." Smiling and turning her gaze to the countryside around them, Haruna's good mood dims. "I don't want to meet my end so soon."

Yurinojo thumps a fist against his chest, "Don't you worry my Lady, our duty is to protect you, with our very lives if necessary. You shall make it through this."

"I'd rather it not come to that. You both deserve to make it through this with me for all your hard work and dedication." Haruna turned her eyes to the road, missing the happy blush on Yurinojo's face as he too turned back to watch the path. Ahead of them she spotted a shorter blonde woman, dressed in black shorts and an orange tank top with a short black jacket over such. It was one of the women from the town. Hmm, was she not part of the other group then?

Letting the cart pass her, the Naruko clone easily stood and paced along beside them with a carefree grin on her face. "Wonderful weather out today isn't it?"

Slightly on edge, Kikunojo makes sure he is between this woman and Haruna, "It is a pleasant day out today isn't it?" Seeing the girl nod and continue to smile, Kikunojo held out a hand towards the cart, "Was there something in our stock that caught your attention? It's odd to see someone wait like this for us." Was she a scout working for the Janin? Had they been spotted finally?

Keeping her hands in sight and lacing them behind her head as she walked, the clone kept her smile firmly in place, "No no. I was just asked to deliver a message, nothing to crazy." Seeing all three flinch, the clone mentally made a note of it. "On behalf of the Spring Daimyo, Koyuki Uzumaki, and the Land of Demons Priestess Shion, and further as a representative of Uzushio, I'm wondering if you know the whereabouts of the Daimyo's daughter, Haru-" A finger was held out in front of her, silencing her as Kikunojo's face darkened as his eyes darted up and down the road.

"Please, do not say her name aloud." While this was fortuitous, they were still on the run and needed to be careful. "You say you're from Uzushio? The spring Daimyo is with you?" Watching the girl nod easily, Kikunojo could feel a bit of hope enter his chest. "Thank the thousand. Are you out here because Konoha's passed the mission along to you instead?" Maybe that was why a Konoha team hadn't made it to them yet.

The clone shakes its head, "No. It's actually Shion who thought she recognized you and she wanted to be sure." The clone looks up and down the road and takes in their threadbare appearance, "Do you require assistance?"

Sighing heavily as that should be obvious, Haruna sits up and eyes the violet eyed girl, "Is that not obvious?"

Yurinojo sighs and holds up his hand to display a zero sign, "We're sorry, but we don't have much money right now after the coup. We can pay you back after we regain control and-"

The Naruko clone held up and hand while shaking her head, "Don't worry about the money. It was Koyuki's plan for this trip to meet with the Daimyo and hash out potential trade and alliances. So helping you will help us in the long run." The clone pointed a finger further ahead, over a hill that they were beginning to climb, "I'll let the others know and stop the coach we're in. We can link up and negotiate things properly. That alright?"

Kikunojo nodded and bowed his head, "That is more than alright. We shall meet up with you momentarily." Kikunojo's eyebrows raise nearly into his hairline as the girl salutes him before poofing away in a cloud of smoke. A shadow clone? It was so well made that he hadn't even noticed. Intriguing.

Yurinojo looks back towards him, "Think it might be a trap?"

"If it is it's a poorly thought out one. To name drop Koyuki and Shion in the same sentence? Wouldn't make sense." Kikunojo sighs and looks to Haruna with a small smile, "It is in the end your decision my Lady. We can turn around and head back the way we came. Make a run for it."

Shaking her head, Haruna was done running at this point. "Either she was telling the truth, or we speed things along. I want to save my people. Now." Haruna did wonder about why the Spring Daimyo would be all the way out here to begin with. What could Vegetable have that Spring couldn't produce itself? Why involve Demon country? So many questions. "At the least, I'm sure we can find a way to use this."

Kikunojo nodded and motioned for Yurinojo to continue, "As you say, my Lady." It was a waiting game now, but that small part of him still had hope. Things were on the upswing finally.

-b-

Dumped harshly on the ground and rolling to his feet, Obito rips his mask away as he faces Naruto. He quickly takes in the cavernous space, the single skylight high above them, and the rows upon rows of seals that were lighting up on the walls. Before he had a chance to phase out and leave, the entire space was bathed in that same eery yellowish light that Naruto had exuded earlier. Of course, Uzumaki shenanigans. "Your mother would be proud of you, if she had lived." What sort of cave was this? The ground was jagged and yet, brittle. Was this cooled lava?

Naruto grunted, cracking his knuckles and leveling a glare at the older man, "You're just digging yourself a deeper hole, you know that right?"

Rolling his eyes, Obito takes a deep breath to steady himself. He could still salvage this. It didn't have to end in a fight. He could make the boy see reason. "None of this is necessary. I want what you want after all. A world at peace. Real peace." Obito pointed at the black clad Naruto with a smirk, "Besides, fighting me is just going to exhaust yourself. When you do, I'm just going to walk out of here."

Naruto shrugs, eyes never leaving the one eyed man, "You say that, but I bet that dimensional phasing trick of yours isn't working to well is it?" Naruto began to pace to the right, Obito doing the same to keep distance from the teen, "I'm going to be upfront about this. This isn't going to be quick. Nor painless. You are directly responsible for taking away my parents. For how shitty my own life had ended up. So I'm going to turn you inside out. Possibly literally."

Chuckling and producing a kunai, Obito shook his head, "I've been around a long time boy. Seen things, done things you couldn't even hope to imagine. I was your father's student. A true master of the Sharingan. I've been pulling strings and urging the world along a path that I saw fit. You think you can stop me? Armies can't even touch me boy!" Obito spit on the ground at Naruto's feet, "You certainly are your father's son at the least. That same confidence that borders on arrogance, especially to think you can take me on alone."

Stopping in his tracks, Naruto turned Rinnegan eyes towards Obito and savoring the surprise in the older man's eyes. "You just keep on talking." His body burst into golden light, chakra coating his form easily, "Usually this would be the part where I would try to talk you down. That I'd give a damn as to why you've done all of this. But today? Right now?" Five clones burst into existence around him. "Like I said, I'm going to turn you inside out. And you should know. I'm never alone."

'Kurama?'

'Yeah Naruto.'

'Let's rip him apart.'

'Finally!'

-AN-

You know. As a character I think Obito had a chance to truly be something really special. I remember watching Shippuden and the hype behind all of the buildup surrounding Akatsuki. This cloaked figure who was apparently powerful enough to take down a biju all by himself. Tobi, then Obito. The great mastermind. Uh huh. We saw how he went in the end, Madara taking center stage which was very justified.

So we have Ino and the others returned and someone injured. Naruko and the others working on saving a Daimyo, and Iwa making a move, potentially early? Someone's headed to Uzushio? There's a lot happening all at once, but we're foot on the gas today. So onward we go.