-AN-

This one was a little harder to write, before I decided to just go with my idea and damn what may happen. Naruto has passed on other ways to use explosions. I won't hint more than that.

-Story Start-

Evening had descended upon Uzushio, finding Naruto in a bit of a pleasant back and forth with Mei after she and her group had explored the city for the afternoon. Behind him stands En and Jugo in the corners of the wide meeting room they had decided to use instead of his office. It still offered a wonderful view of the city, the orange and slowly turning purple light from the setting sun spilling in. Chojuro and Ao guard the other end of the sparsely decorated room behind Mei, faces carefully neutral. Hinata and Ino sit on either side of Naruto at the meeting table, Ino listening on carefully while Hinata takes notes and has unsealed a few folders worth of notes and resource paperwork.

Naruto grins a bit as he relaxes back for a moment, "I hope you've enjoyed your first day here in Uzushiogakure. It's great to have you here." He wouldn't admit that it took some effort to keep his eyes on her face, lovely as it was. The auburn haired woman was an absolute bombshell, not that he would admit that out loud. Jiraiya would absolutely lose his mind around her.

Mei nods with a smile, "Your city is breathtaking really. The people are so driven and focused and your advancements extend not just to ninja but to your civilians as well. We have been enjoying ourselves immensely. Your leadership is regarded with high esteem as well we've learned." She had heard nothing but praises about the Uzumaki head along with the rest of the clan. She had taken Kotohime's advice and paid homage to the Uzumaki memorial as well, which had seemed to help ease or resolve some of the people's misgivings about them.

Nodding along Naruto felt a bit of pride well up in his chest, "We have all worked hard to make it this far. I couldn't be happier about our reconstruction so far." It is here that Naruto leans forward a bit as he focuses, "But, you're here on business. So." His eyes tense up a bit. "About your conduct when you arrived. It's really not a good look for a visiting dignitary to bypass a security checkpoint, civilian or otherwise." Honestly he wasn't all that worried about it, but this was about negotiations, which meant he couldn't let it slide without some notice.

"Yes. About that. I can do nothing except apologize profusely. More than just an oversight, we had made the incorrect assumption that there was a larger separation between the civilian and military functions within your country." Probing a bit for information while sincerely apologizing, Mei did hope he was not one to hold grudges.

Naruto waves it away eventually, "I guess I can overlook it for now, we do have systems in place to keep track of ninja within our borders after all."

Deciding to give some of her own information away in hopes that he might do the same, Mei motions to Ao, "Is that so? My subordinate had been scanning with his byakugan and didn't see anything out of the ordinary." Hopefully the young Hyuuga next to him didn't take offense to having their vaulted eye stolen, but it was most likely well before her time.

Grinning and glad for the confirmation that their seals were in fact working as intended, Naruto's face relaxes out of his frown, "Concealing Uzumaki seals is easy enough for us by now." Leaning over, Hinata quietly hands him a folder that he opens and begins turning pages of paper within. "Let's see now. We first detected you coming from the East by boat just outside of Uzushio territorial waters. Hmm, 0700 you detour around our main island and away from the whirlpools. You dock at Wave by 0800, slip away from your escort by 0810, and eventually wander through the city for about 30 minutes. Hmm, Chojuro picks his nose approximately 5 times during your exploration, Ao casually spits into the street 3 times, and you admire yourself in a window 12 times." Naruto levels a smug grin at the group, "Should I continue?"

Mei blushes a bit as she chuckles, "No no, I think we get the message. Uzushio is very thorough I see."

"I always make sure to take care of everything until the end." He misses the light blushes from Hinata and Ino. "But I want to make it clear from the get go. We knew you had entered our country well before you were within any type of striking range. Uzu will not fall again. Certainly not from a combined assault from the major villages like last time."

"We would never dream of doing such again." Mei shakes her head while tapping a finger on the long granite desk, "The Kiri of today is very different from the Kiri of old. We are looking to make amends and show everyone that we are a changed people." Which was the truth. Mei did not want Kiri to continue to be known as the bloody mists after all. Hopefully her sincerity could reach the young leader.

Naruto opens his mouth to say something but Ino leans over to whisper in his ear. "She is being sincere, of that I'm sure. Maybe cut the cutie some slack? Wouldn't she just be divine to have laid out on our bed? You know, to apologize for her misstep earlier?" Naruto had to of course keep his face neutral as he nodded and leaned away from the calm Ino. Brat, now his head was full of dirty thoughts. "We are island nations. So it would probably be best for us to get along. I'd hate to have bad relations with our neighbors."

"I had much of the same belief." Mei mentally sighed with some relief, happy that they had at least some hope of negotiating properly.

Naruto leans his elbows on the table while tenting his hands together, "So how are things in Kirigakure right now? You've been in isolation for years now."

Sighing heavily Mei relaxes back in her own chair, "Things have been, rough, to say the least. Reconstruction is slow going and the civilians are wary about trusting my administration. Never mind some of our ninja clans who had previously been prosecuted during the bloodline purges. Having to win their trust is going to be the hardest barrier I believe." More like impossible. Mei had rallied many of those behind her on the belief that they would change things for the better. However it wasn't like they could kill everyone who had supported the old system. It was a headache and a half to keep things going and it gave her less and less time everyday for her own life. Truly being a Kage was a lonely existence.

See her pause, Naruto nods along, "Uzushio can help with reconstruction efforts, though I'm sure you understand compensation will be expected later. Manpower isn't something we are short on." It might spread him a bit thin, but if it secured a new ally, he'd happily go and get some work done. Plus he could see a new country, maybe come up with new ideas and the like.

Thinking about the proposal, Mei instead worries about some of the ninja clans under her control. Not all of them were willing to trust her or Kiri as a whole. Minds did not change overnight. Reconstruction was slow yes, but it would happen. "Instead of reconstruction assistance, how about instead you assist us with immigration." Seeing she has his attention, she continues with her pitch. "There are a few clans under our banner that are still, jumpy. They've considered leaving Kiri altogether, though many of their techniques and lively hoods rely on being near or on the ocean. So they stay more out of necessity than loyalty. If I was to be able to give them options to move however…" Mei trailed off as Naruto's eyes widened at the thought.

"You would part with ninja clans from your ranks? That's a major surprise. That's the same as giving up some of your power isn't it?"

"Yes. Though, like yourself, I too would love for a world where people can learn to get along and have peace. Kiri has only recently finished fighting and killing each other. Tensions are still high and we don't want to start that again if we can help it. Anything to bring down the chance for hostilities will be appreciated. In the long run, it'll be more peaceful to allow for the two clans I have in mind to resettle in a new ally's borders rather than our own. Plus, you can call it a major apology for the way we entered your country, and for some of our sins from the past." While it wasn't her that had ordered the destruction of the previous Uzushio, that didn't mean anything to civilians for sure. Bad blood could and usually did run deep.

Naruto nods, thinking it over, while Hinata leans into his ear now to whisper to him, "It would be a good idea, extra ninja clans will only increase our power after all." A sly grin works its way onto her face as of course she can't let Ino get ahead of her, "Plus just think, if we do this she might consider this as you doing her a favor. Wonder what she would be willing to do in order to repay that?" Naruto leans away with a grin while more thoughts swirl in his head but he keeps on track.

"What clans would you be thinking about sending our way?"

Mei snaps a finger and Chojuro comes forward to unseal a blue folder and hands it to her. Smiling and thanking him, making him blush, the older woman opens it and pulls free two pages that she turns and slides Naruto's way. "Two clans specifically, both rather, less well known. One was nearly wiped out, the Yuki clan. While the other has been a long standing clan that did not produce ninja. The Zosensho clan. Very literal, a clan of shipbuilders. They've become very isolationist since the bloodline purges and hardly ever respond to our summons." Watching Naruto take up the papers that summarized both what the clans were, their approximate numbers, and their requirements, she smiled as Naruto's face lit up without him noticing.

"I've met a member of the Yuki clan before. Though, he was sure he was the last of his clan. It's sad to learn that he had family that could have loved him." Naruto remembered Haku and his pain. This would have been a great village for Haku and Zabuza if they had survived. "And a clan of shipbuilders huh? That could be interesting." He would have to meet with them first of course, but ultimately he didn't have an issue with clans resettling in Uzushio. They would go through the standard probation like everyone else. "In the end my goal is to build a world that has the ability to become peaceful. Where conflicts can be resolved without massive bloodshed."

Mei smiles and points a well manicured finger towards him, "I wish for such a world as well."

Naruto slides the papers towards Hinata for filing, "If such a concession is going to be made on Kirikagure's part, then Uzushiokagure wouldn't mind eventually becoming full allies with you."

"Opening our borders to Uzushio for trade and commerce would be a good start." Showing her relaxed nature she grins at him, "By the way. I've been hearing much about the Uzumaki tradition of bathing skinship. I would be interested in learning more about it. Since you're doing me such a large favor."

Chuckling and shaking his head while ignoring the glares from Ao and Chojuro, Naruto waves a hand to ward them off, "The Uzumaki like to talk and settle family disputes and make plans in the bath. We consider it a space that lays bare not just our bodies but our feelings and emotions."

Giving him a sultry smirk, Mei can't help but tuck a strand of hair behind one ear and preen a bit, "I would like to join in on one of these sessions. Tonight perhaps?"

Naruto's laugh is a bit more strained, and it's Hinata and Ino who save him. Ino winking at the older Kage, "I'm sure it will be a wonderful time." The young woman looks up to her guards, "Your guards are welcome to attend of course, though be warned, us Uzumaki girls can get, violent."

Mei shakes her head ready to wave them both off before thinking about it. Ao was instantly out, the stick in the mud, but Chojuro might be some fun. "Chojuro may come, but Ao likes to bath alone. So he will most likely stay behind." Having the younger boy with them might help with his confidence a bit as well. Or at least might shock the shyness out of him.

Ao takes a half step forward with his hand outstretched, "Mizukage-sama, surely I can-"

Mei turns a baleful eye towards him, "Are you going to argue?" Tone sweet, everyone can detect the danger there.

Mouth snapping shut, Ao shakes his head quickly. Why did his Kage have to be so reckless? And why did he keep somehow pissing her off?

The rest of the meeting would proceed with a bit more routine. Trade ideas, cultural exchanges, nothing was off the table at the moment. Kiri wanted to show itself as a new and revitalized village on the world stage, while Uzu was rebuilding itself and re-branding as a force to be wary of. It would not be all roses right from the beginning, both leaders knew that. But here in this office both could see that the other only had the best interests of their people at heart. That was a wonderful place to start they decided.

-b-

Along the wooded area of Wave at the western edge of the island stood the team of Neji, Kana, and Gin. Night had fallen, but they had been instructed that the border seals had picked up a team attempting to be sneaky. Kana and Gin were standing together while keeping an eye on the surrounding area, while Neji stood before a pale brown elk golem with large antlers. It would have passed as a real one from a distance if not for the rocky skin and glowing blue eyes. Its mouth was open, and Karin's voice issued out from it.

"We've been watching them since they left the main road and attempted to avoid the bridge. It's the Sound Four and they are attempting to enter Wave by crossing the straight." It had been a long time since Karin had seen the group, but she could never forget them. Ever. "No other patrols have made contact yet, and yours is the closest. Should I direct backup your way?"

"No. We can handle this. Our weapons need a proper field test after all. Any special orders concerning the group?" Neji would take any advice he could get from the Uzumaki woman. She knew more than him about their targets after all.

"The one with two markings on his forehead and pale skin and pale hair? That's Kimimaro. A bone bloodline limit makes him extremely dangerous at close range. At the least you must kill him first. He's fanatical and will not surrender or bargain. The other to worry about the most is Sakon. Well it's Sakon and Ukon. They both have blueish hair and pale complexions. Though they have a habit of covering one eye and wearing lipstick. They're brothers that inhabit the same body. Ukon can inhabit your body and kill you from the inside out. Again, kill quickly and without fail. The other two, Kidomaru and Jirobu, the one with six arms and the one with the mohawk respectively, aren't as skilled as the others. Kill if you must, but capturing them would be a nice little bonus for Naruto I think. I'm sure he would like some words with them."

Neji nods, "Understood. We'll get it done."

The elk bows lightly, "We'll keep an eye on things on our end, if things go south we'll dispatch two teams to your location asap. And absolutely worst case we'll activate the swarm."

"Understood, we're heading out." Neji nods to the others and they take to the trees, heading for a cliff that overlooked the nearest beach that was closest to the border with the Land of Fire. Kana and himself activated their byakugan as they ran. "Failure is not an option."

Kana smirked, "Aw, do you wanna make sure you bring a big fat present back for Uzumaki-sama. Think he'll praise you for being such a good boy?"

Gin chuckled, "He's gonna jyuken you into next week again." That had been a fun spare when they had first teamed up. His arms still ached in phantom twinges.

Neji shakes his head, "I'm merely doing my duty as ordered." That he did want to go above and beyond to put on a good showing for his new clan meant nothing. He was just trying to help put their best foot forward.

"I mean, if he wants to poke at me a bit I'm not going to complain." Kana smirked as their team leader stumbled a bit. Scoring herself a mental point, she added it to her list of 'help her distant cousin loosen up' scorecard. Lady Hinata had been very firm about helping Neji. Plus, he was very handsome, that helped.

Neji shook his head as they reached the cliff and he spotted figures running out along the water. "Found them, looks like a few minutes out before they reach the beach." He was already un-slinging his bundle from his back.

Kana was soon next to him, doing the same, "Should we kill them before they make the beach?"

Neji shook his head, "Sharks'll eat their bodies before we can recover them. That's a long run. They'll most likely rest on the beach to recover their chakra before continuing on. See that rocky overhang to the north?"

Kana nodded, eyes tracking a bit to her right, "Yeah."

"That'd be the safest place for them to stop. It'd give them cover from any potential roving patrols."

"But not us. It's a straight shot."

Gin however relaxed back, hands linked behind his head, "That's like, a mile or two away. Think you can make that shot?"

Neji only smiled, "Not a problem." Unwrapping his bundle, it was a long wood and metal construction. The metal tube was roughly a meter long and had two sections which could be split open near the base, which he did in order to load two things inside of it. First, a specially made senbon about as thick as a finger into the longer section, and next was a tightly packed explosive note into the shorter breach. Folding the weapon back together, he flicked forward two legs towards the end away from him and set up on the ground. The Spring engineers were calling it a chakra rifle, because it used their chakra in order to ignite the seals and launch the senbon. And apparently the inside of the barrel was etched in a process called rifling in order to give the senbon a spin to help with stability. And god was it effective. "With a little practice I've had no problems hitting targets as far as 3 miles, though those were stationary. Even a mile is pushing it for moving targets." If this worked, he was absolutely making sure every member of the ninja members of the Hotaru clan received training with these weapons.

Kana set up next to him, folding her own weapon together and keeping her eyes active, "Which means if they don't stop best we can do is aim to wound them and close in for close combat."

"But if they do stop…" Neji's grin only became more sinister. "It they don't stop we'll take the shot as they approach the hill leaving the beach. But if they do stop, I'll take Kimimaro, you take Sakon."

"Roger that."

They both watched as the Sound Four continued their run, cresting and jumping over the waves as they got closer and closer to the beach. It was with a satisfied smile that Neji was proven correct as the enemy team made landfall and immediately dove under the outcropping of rock to rest and gather themselves. Neji brought the wooden stock of the rifle to his shoulder, "On my count. 3. 2. 1. Fire." Applying chakra to the top of the tube at a specified point, there was a sound like thunder, and both he and Kana watched as their senbon were sent faster than they could follow down range towards their enemy. They had a moment to appreciate that all of the sound ninja turned at the massive sound that cut through the night. Then they set about reloading.

Kidomaru was just looking around at what sounded like echoing thunder. There wasn't a cloud in the sky however, so what the hell was tha-

His thoughts were interrupted as Kimimaro's head was severed from his body, neck vanishing with a whistle and an explosion of gore and blood. In the same breath, the top of Sakon's head simply ceased to exist. His body took some of the momentum and was launched away from them a bit before landing to pulse and twitch among the rocks, blood pumping from a body that didn't know it was dying. Kimimaro's corpse did much the same, his eyes wide and mouth moving as he hadn't quite caught up with what had happened.

Kidomaru was looking around frantically while Jirobu was already in the process of building an Earth dome around them. "What the fuck was that?!"

Jirobu shook his head, "I don't know! But something is making it hard for me to manipulate the earth here. Building a dome is gonna take a minute."

"Hurry the fuck up fatass. We need to figure this out." Kidomaru was already activating his curse seal and pushing up his headband to expose his third eye, "Ukon, you dead too?"

Ukon had already taken control, enraged and seal activating, "Who ever did this will pay! My brother…he….he…..goddammit!" He couldn't think about it. If he did, if he acknowledged it now he wouldn't be of any use. No. He'd take it out and who ever attacked them.

Far away and reloading their next shot, Neji was already sighting on Kidomaru, "They're putting up a barrier, better hurry."

Kana frowned, "God I need to practice more." She was half a second behind Neji in reloading and sighting their targets again. "I'll finish off Ukon." She notices the transformation taking over Kidomaru and the bow and arrow he was making with his, spit? "Well isn't that cute."

Neji nodded, "We've only got one more shot at this. 3. 2. 1. Fire." Another pulse of chakra, more thunder, and twin streaks of silver flew away.

Kidomaru had been looking this time, bow and arrow made of his webs at the ready to retaliate. Jirobu's barrier was almost complete as well, but it wouldn't be enough. Seeing flashes of light from explosions, Kidomaru turned in order to see what had attacked them. He couldn't make sense of it however. It was to far away. Who could possibly attack them from so far? Having moved a tad however, his life was spared. His upper right arm was not. A good portion of his shoulder being ripped away from his body, he was dumped onto his back while his arm was sent flying into the sand. Screaming in pain and rage, he missed the other projectile slamming into the enraged Ukon's heart, obliterating his chest and blowing bits of his spine out of his back. Jirobu finally had the barrier tall enough to protect them from further attack, not that it would do them any good. Jirobu himself was panting from the effort. How had things gone so wrong so quickly?

Neji stands, folding his rifle in two and wrapping it again so they could move quickly. "We're going to have to get close for the last one."

Kana followed his lead and looked to Gin, "Looks like you're up blood boy."

Gin shook his head as the team set off, both of the Hotaru with their rifles slung on their backs. "Blood boy?"

Kana nodded as she smirked at him from over her shoulder, "You control people by their blood, so, blood boy."

Gin could only sigh and nod, "I guess that makes sense. What do we call you then, shooty zap fingers?"

Kana laughed while Neji shook his head, "You might want to go back to the drawing board with that one."

"Either way, those rifles make you seriously dangerous at range. Why bother with anything else?"

Neji waves a hand around them, "Only good in certain conditions first. And second, while we're building them into our new fighting style, there will always be a need for close range fighting. Uzumaki-sama could have flashed away and caught us within moments. And a more experience ninja might have performed a shunshin in order to reposition so they could find us as well." Neji turned to look at Gin, "Long range is good, but remember we're still deadly up close. We do appreciate you as a backup."

Gin grins while flexing his fingers, as the came with sight of the rock dome around the Sound team. "I'm so ready to capture these assholes and head home. I miss a warm bed and good food." Idly he activated his dojutsu.

Kana teases him because of his enthusiasm. "You must really love me to be willing to fight for me so earnestly."

Gin decides to tease back, "I'm actually fighting for Neji, not you."

"Oh just admit you love me."

"Like a bad rash."

"No that was just that civilian floozy you found the other day."

"Natsumi was a nice girl, don't put that evil on her just cause you can't get a date."

"I'm saving myself for Neji-sama. As a good wife should."

"I'll pray for our team leader's health."

"Prick."

"Stuck up cu-"

Neji sighed, "Shut it, both of you. We have work to do." Happy that for once both of them quieted down, they came upon the beach and the rock dome. Byakugan active, Neji had no worries and walked right up to it, eyeing it over for flaws. "Gin, when the wall drops, capture him."

"No worries there leader." Gin held up both hands and waited. He could faintly feel another body beyond all that rock, but there was too much in the way. Shame.

Neji wells up chakra in his hands, before furiously smacking several points along the wall facing them. Jumping away as the wall crumbled and Jirobu leapt forward in an attempt to catch him, Neji grinned as instead Gin caught the bigger teen in his hold. "Perfect."

Gin nods as Jirobu grunts and attempts to move, "How are you…doing this?"

Gin shrugged though sweat was beginning to appear on his forehead, "Did you know the human body, blood specifically, has a lot of iron in it?"

Neji unseals a suppression seal and slaps it on the other teen's forehead, "Uzumaki-sama is going to have questions for you." Watching the bigger guy drop like a stone, Neji finally relaxed and released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

Kana set about unsealing storage scrolls and sealing away the bodies. Kidomaru and Jirobu took special seals that could transport the living within a specialized stasis seal. Something Naruto and Karin had spent some time putting together. "Welp, that's that, we all done here?"

Neji nods, accepting the scrolls from Kana and sealing them all away into a larger storage seal that he tied to the small of his back, "All done. Time to return to Uzu and make our report."

Gin nodded, "And then bed for a few days. I'm so glad we have mandatory time off." Maybe he could hit up Natsumi, see if she was still interested.

Kana nodded, "You said it. Say Neji, wanna bunk together tonight? I know that apartment of yours has to get lonely."

Sighing and refusing to answer, Neji jumped away, Gin and Kana on his heels. Gin turned to the girl, "He didn't say no this time."

"See, I'm making progress."

"Unless he's planning to beat the shit out of you again."

"Mmmmm, sounds kinda fun. Think I can get rope involved?"

"You're so broken."

"Guilty~" It was going to be a long trip home.

-b-

Naruto sighs as he relaxes into his family bath as today had been stressful and busy. But here with Hinata and Kotohime at his sides, he had peace. Or at least, he should. Across from him is a serene Mei while a blushing Chojuro floats next to a tired looking Jugo, both with towels over their eyes. The rest of the girls minus Karin and Honoka are relaxing about while Naruto and Mei chat back and forth.

"I haven't had the chance to ask." Mei's voice was like silk as she enjoyed the warm waters they all were currently sharing. "Have you garnered relations with any other nations?"

Keeping his eyes firmly on her face, Naruto nodded and relaxed back a bit, "We've actually pulled the Land of Hot Water, Frost and Rice together under our banner. Wave and Spring are officially just parts of Uzushio." He waved a hand as he thought about about his next plan, "I actually have a bit of an in with Suna, so they'll be the first major village to ally with us, officially that is." Honestly Naruto had never had a doubt that Suna would ally with them. Never mind Gaara and he talking more often. Temari alone would make it happen.

Mei smirks and trails a hand through the water, "Oooh, and what would it take so that Kiri could be, included, with those allies?" Leaning back just a tad and watching her cleavage rise, she was only slightly irked the young man was being such a gentleman. "I can be very, persuasive." One of the girls, Tayuya she believed, snorted loudly.

Naruto chuckles and shakes his head, "Well, I won't lie. You are indeed a very beautiful woman Terumi-chan. But I'd like to think our future alliance should be based on something a bit more concrete yeah? And benefits our citizens more."

Mei nods in approval, "I can see the benefits. Why, political marriages are very common still and it would secure a more lasting peace between our nations. I wouldn't dream of taking up more of your time than needed and I especially wouldn't look to replace your current wives. No no. Just a bit of, fun, from time to time yes?" Lips curling as she adjusts herself and gets a little more comfortable.

Ino and some of the other girls begin to giggle while Naruto flushes at the bold Mizukage. "It sounds like fun to me." Ino never minced words anymore, always ready to speak her mind.

"Yet another bombshell surrounding Naruto, should we start a ranking?" Tayuya was for once relaxed and resting against her friend. No wrestling tonight. That was for later.

Finally rolling his eyes and figuring the Mizukage is teasing him, Naruto waves it all away, "I'm sure we can set some time aside and negotiate about it later."

"That is what I'm trying to do now Uzumaki-sama." Mei shrugs and watches as his eyes finally dip a bit. Score. "I hope it's working. If not…" She raised herself up a bit, "I can try harder." She had spent months hearing about the rouge that was the Maelstrom. Blowing apart a Biju, taking down bandits, saving princesses. Finally having him here, now and in person? And he was intelligent and powerful? The little girl in her heart had nothing but stars in her eyes.

Kotohime grins from his side and nods for him, "Oh don't worry. You're having an affect on him." The girls set about giggling some more while Naruto slaps her hands away.

Further away and doing their best to drift into their own world, Chojuro chats with Jugo. "How do you deal with it?"

Jugo can do nothing but shrug, "You get used to it eventually." He's almost immediately set upon by Kin and Sasame.

Kin is grinning as she pulls the taller boy into her bosom, "Once you get over your nervousness it's pretty easy."

Sasame pulls both of them away for a bit, "We like to think of it as exposure therapy." Sasame mock whispered to the blushing boy. "You could wander around Uzu for a bit. Because of all of the wars and conflicts, men are kinda in short supply. Plus you're cute, I'm sure there are more than a few girls who would love to take a bath or two with ya." Giggling, she wanders off with Jugo and Kin, leaving the frazzled boy alone.

Towards the doorway from the changing rooms, naked feet slap against the tiles as Karin and Honoka finally make their way inside. Having spent most of the day in the basement and only coming up after receiving a report from Neji's team, both were rather tired and ready to relax, eat, and go to bed. Looking to finish up their duties, they both kneel at each of Naruto's shoulders, Karin leaning down to whisper into his ear.

"Neji and his team dispatched the Sound Four. Capturing two of them alive though one is critically injured and won't make it another hour after being removed from the stasis seal. They're all in the containment sector when you're ready."

Naruto nods, "Thanks, that's some of the best news we've gotten today." He personally had wanted to reduce all of them to sludge, but dragging information out of them was a good idea. Plus, this was their reminder to go hunt down Orochimaru again. Old snake's days were numbered.

Seeing how tired their friends look, Hinata and Kotohime both kiss Naruto on his cheeks and float away, giving Karin and Honoka room. Naruto gets the message and a glint enters his eyes, "You know, you're still in trouble for spending all day in the basement, like I told you not to." Quick as lightning his hands snaked up to grab both girls and drag them into the water with a splash. Resurfacing with sputters and coughing, they both blush as Naruto wraps possessive arms around their waists and pulls them into him. "We'll be having a talk about it later."

Karin is blushing heavily, "Of course, Naruto-sama."

Honoka nods and tries to hide her own blush, "Yes, Naruto-sama."

Mei can't help but smile at the blatant show of affection. "Such a strong presence."

Naruto decides if she's going to keep teasing him he might as well do so in return and shoots her a grin, "Just wait, you haven't seen all of my presence just yet." Relaxing for a moment and missing her own blush, he decides someone else needs a reminder of just who and what he is. Raising his left arm he channels some chakra through it and 7 seals grow to life on his inner forearm. "Honoka dear, could you poke one of those?"

Honoka nods, reaching up and choosing the one directly in the middle. It flashed blue once before going dark. "Was that all Naruto-sama?"

Naruto nodded, "Prefect Honoka." Completely perfect. Everyone was looking to him for an explanation while he relaxed back and returned his arm to around Honoka's waist. Idly rubbing a hand along her side and tummy, "Just saying hello to an old man is all."

Hinata nods and leans into Kotohime, "Must be Jiraiya-sama."

Ino giggles, "That old perv? I can only imagine what they pass back and forth with seals."

Tayuya looked Naruto's way, cracking her knuckles, "Better not be anything about us."

Naruto shakes his head, "I'd never share you. No no, just a hello, nothing more."

-b-

Far away in the Land of Fire while sitting in his office, a smug Danzo works through paperwork while in a good mood. He considers that by now Sai must be close to delivering his payload for the Uzumaki brat. He hoped the boy liked his present. Mentally doing a victory lap, his attention is drawn away from his work. Something, was it squeaking? No, a scratching sound? He had never had mice in his home before. Konoha was full of cats and they did a wonderful job of keeping the mice and rat populations down. Standing and looking for the noise as it was a bit louder, Danzo couldn't help but allow some irritation to work onto his face. No one was here to bluff or order around, so he felt safe letting some emotion show. Walking around his desk in his study, the sound was coming from one of his plants in the middle of the room. Coming up to it and running a hand through its thick leaves, Danzo pauses as he tried to rationalize what he is seeing.

At the base of the plant and hiding among the leaves was a Naruto. Only about 3 inches in height and dressed in his old orange jumpsuit, the boy was giving him the finger, "Suck my miniaturized cock you miserable bastard!" Even his voice was squeaking and cute.

What wasn't cute was the bubble that suddenly surrounded Danzo, taking on a deep yellow tinge as his plant began to glow brightly. Welling up his chakra and unbinding his right arm, he only just makes it as the explosions begin.

Late at night though it is, Danzo's home is lit up briefly, the explosions real time lasting no more than a few seconds, while Danzo himself endured 3 minutes of constant assault within the barrier. Three minutes of fire, light and heat that ripped him apart and reduced him ashes.

When the smoke cleared Danzo stepped out of the crater in his floor, everything that had been caught in the barrier reduced to ash and charcoal, while he himself was unscathed. Frowning at the two Uchiha eyes that were now closed on his arm, he set about rebinding them while he considered what he was going to do. The boy had forced him to use Izanagi. That was, more than a little concerning. And apparently the boy was still alive. Wonderful. What else could go wrong.

-AN-

Some of you guessed that the Hotaru were going to get to play with new Uzushio swords, while some had it half right that I might be building towards cannons. Heh, and here we are Neji with a sniper rifle. A Byakugan carrying clan that all are going to learn how to shoot. I'm gonna cry it's so fun. I'll note, we aren't going to have machine guns or the like. I thought of it more like, Snow already had and used kunai launchers. So the logic was, the Spring engineers would get inspired by Naruto wanting to launch things by blowing them up, and one smartass suggests packing the back of a kunai launcher with explosives. Once that worked, well, things get out of hand. I'm going to develop ninja tools and jutsu together as we go. I want to keep it fun where the Uzushio group doesn't steam roll everyone they come across, so we'll have limits to some things. Plus, the sound four lost to a bunch of barely chunin anyway in the show, they were barely above fodder.

What am I going to do with Mei? Or Temari? Who knows just yet. They're smitten, to say the least. Though Mei offers up some incentives in the form of clans. Politics are a bitch aren't they? And I've seen more than a few comments about Shion as well, and I'll admit, she's like, my near favorite after Ino and Tayuya. So uh. Just wait.

Next chapter will see some time with Kumo, Iwa, and the Konoha group. So stay tuned. Till next time ya'll.