-AN-

Ever get so focused on one thing you kinda just, forget about everything else? Yeah, I slowed down with this chapter and I couldn't really figure out why. Still haven't really. But we're here.

-Story Start-

Deep below the Uzumaki tower were several basement levels not available to either civilians or the fledgling normal ninja forces. Sectioned off for those of jonin rank or for specialized circumstances like those of the border seal monitors, these levels housed several of Uzushio's black ops projects. From the level dedicated to Karin's golem projects and her medical experiments, to the level dedicated to the border monitoring seals and staff, to further down the prison cells which currently only had one inhabitant.

Naruto walked along with Karin at his side, a frown on his face as he considered how to handle things. Kotohime and Tayuya were taking the Kiri group on a tour of the city before they leave to return to their own island. They had decided to formally sign a tentative alliance treaty this morning, and Mei was going to spread the news of their alliance among her people along with the news that Mei would be sponsoring Naruto and Uzushio as a full ninja village. For now Naruto and Karin are making their way down to the prison area.

Karin walks along just in front of Naruto, clipboard in hand and making notes as she explains what has happened with the captured Sound ninja so far. "Kimimaro is a goner one way or another. Even with my best healing and the medical tubes, reattaching his head just isn't possible. Buuut with his body as intact as it was, there's a chance we could revive his clan. Surely we could have more than enough volunteers for such a project." Even she knew the male to female ratio in their country was a little off. Wars did crater the amount of men left after all, and most of their people had come from either war torn nations or prisoners of Orochimaru.

Naruto shrugs and isn't to happy about the idea. "It seems both disgusting and wrong. I don't like the idea of doing the same type of experiments that Orochimaru or even Danzo would get up to."

Karin nods, "I figured you would say as much. But, his body does have abilities that could help medical advancements for others. And like I said, I would want to use volunteers for this. We wouldn't force anyone into anything. Think about it, I'm sure there are more than a few women out there who would love to band together to start a ninja clan. Or even current ninja who wouldn't mind adding the Kaguya blood-limit to their own." Karin would ultimately forget the entire idea if Naruto said no, but she would at least push as much as she could. She truly did only have the best interests of Uzushio at heart.

Seeing where she was coming from Naruto concedes that point, "We should keep his body under stasis for study for now. I'll think about possibly reviving his clan in the future. But if you can help people medically in the mean time, I'm okay with you working on that."

Making a note and breathing a small sigh of relief Karin continues with her update, "Sakon's and Ukon's unique ability is simply to dangerous to do anything safe with it. The ability to merge with another living being and even torture or kill them is just. It's way past inhumane as far as I'm concerned."

"I'll trust your judgement on that. Unless they have a bounty on them, go ahead and burn their corpse." Naruto wasn't about to spread that ability around if he could help it. The thought of someone being able to take over his body just gave him the creeps.

'I'd more than likely just burn them out with my chakra if they tried that on you.'

'Oh, yeah, that's a good point huh?'

'And you're a Kage now. Maybe give the chair to the bookworm, she's the real brains here.'

'Everyone else is smart, I just blow things up.'

'You don't say.'

Karin flags that in her notes, "I'll get to that in a bit then." From here they come to a clean room with medical equipment on one side and a medical bed on the other. Waving a hand to the shackles and restraining bands on the bed, Karin turns back to Naruto, "We can remove Kidomaru from stasis and question him quickly, though he likely won't survive. He had lost a lot of blood before he was sealed, and most likely he'll still be able to use his curse seal. But this would be the most appropriate place to do it."

Naruto ponders that for a moment before coming up short on their count, "What about the last member of the sound four?"

Checking her notes for a moment, Karin points back towards the door, "We have Jirobu in a cell, since he wasn't injured and had been bound with ninja wire and chakra suppressors. He's been pretty tight lipped about things so far."

"I want to talk to him first. See what he has to say." Naruto watches as Karin nods and they leave to find the cell block. As they walk, Karin adjusts her glasses and looks over her shoulder.

"Have you slowed down at all with your training?"

Naruto nods slowly, "Just a bit, keeping up with our workload has been an adjustment. What about you? Still working exclusively with your seals and chains?"

"For the most part. I want to reach the level that our ancestors apparently had. To be able to restrain a biju completely on my own. Honoka is much the same now that she has a home and more free time. She's been training much like myself."

"Make sure not to burn yourself out okay? We still have a long way to go."

Karin grins, locking eyes with him as they turn a corner, "Don't worry, I won't be training or work any more than you do." That she was smirking had Naruto shaking his head as they came upon the prison cells. Rows upon rows of them, but only one was occupied. They meet Jirobu, clothes still filthy and splattered with blood from their disastrous beach entry.

Naruto walks up to the bars covered in seals, giving the bare room a once over. There was a slab of rock that served as a bed and a toilet in the corner, nothing else. "So, you're one of Orochi-teme's men. Wanna be a good boy and tell me what you're doing here?"

Jirobu had been stewing here on his own since his capture. He knew the others were dead, Kidomaru's injury wouldn't have been survivable even with his cursed seal. That meant he was alone here. Looking up, Jirobu takes in the blonde with mismatched blue and purple eyes and the traitor Karin standing slightly behind him. Baring his teeth, he focuses on her, "You bitch. You had one job and you couldn't even handle that. When Lord Orochimaru hears about this he'll burn this village to the ground. Just you wait."

Shaking his head, Naruto squats down to look Jirobu in the eye, "Orochi-teme and I have some unfinished business. But I'd prefer if you answer my questions, before I start getting stabby."

Jirobu scoffed, "I'll never talk. Lord Orochimaru's will is absolute. He'll destroy everything you love right in front of your eyes."

Rolling his eyes and rooting around in a pocket for a moment, he eventually comes up with a light green scroll. Unrolling it and tearing free a foot long section, he places the premade seal across the bars, Naruto nods as the cell itself glows the same light green. "Okay, let's try that again. Why are you here?"

"We were ordered to find you and kill you." Jirobu's eyes widened. Why did he just answer him so easily? Why couldn't he say anything on his own now? Grunting and straining, he locked suddenly fearful eyes on the grinning blonde.

"Yeah, you never had a chance there. So. Where is Orochimaru?"

"To the West in the Land of Rivers. There's a base there near one of the border bridges."

Naruto looked back to see Karin taking notes and he nodded and continued, "How many sound bases remain? And what are they for?"

"Three that I know of. The one I mentioned, one near the Land of Lightning and one in the Land of Wind. Both of the others hold prisoners and experiments."

"If I let you go. Would you return to Orochimaru?"

"I've spoken of too much. I would bite off my own tongue."

Naruto hummed at that and thought it over. Eventually he thought about Ino and snapped his fingers, "If your squad had been wiped out at the border, would you have returned?"

"Yes."

Naruto goes back to grinning, taking out a full suppression seal and tossing it onto Jirobu's forehead. Within a breath the large teen was slumped forward on his knees and Naruto was standing to remove his truth seal. Karin was still writing notes though she watched as Naruto opened the cell and removed sealing ink and a brush. That was a curious move. "What are you going to do?"

"Just provide a little present for Orochimaru, can ya go get Ino. I need some memories wiped out." Oh yes, Naruto decided. Just like Danzo, Orochimaru was going to get a little get well soon gift from him. You don't mess with an Uzumaki.

-b-

Far away in Kumogakure, B is standing before his Kage in his office. Alone. The rest of the group had been sent to the hall and it was now only the older A and the biju container facing off. The atmosphere is oppressive as neither one truly knew what to say to the other without things turning instantly into a shouting match, until with a sigh B shrugs.

"There really wasn't anything for it. I told you violence or seduction weren't going to work. Especially being in the Land of Hot Waters. Conflict there is a one way trip to a small war."

A scowls, "You could have dragged him back here like you were told. Surely some barely trained brat wouldn't have put up that much of a fight against you."

B shakes his head, "That would have leveled a good portion of the Land of Hot Waters. The kid is strong and talented, he took on the Tsuchikage's daughter alone and unprepared along with her backup. Sure I might have been able to beat him in a fight, but there was no guarantee." The older jinchuriki knew he could have beaten the Kyuubi container in the end, but he was being honest about the level of destruction needed to do so. And if one of this wives had gotten hurt? B shuddered at what might have been.

A scoffs, "Does anyone here care about what happens to a buffer nation like that? I think you're both overestimating the boy and making excuses for just enjoying time outside of the country. He was untrained, there should be no issue overpowering him quickly." Which until A saw the boy for himself, he would be hard pressed to believe that some barely 15 year old kid could do that much damage. Bingo book entry or not.

B is still shaking his head, one hand coming up to scratch his head, "Mr. Nine's seals are nothing to sneeze at, never mind some of the techniques I had a chance to see. No. Me and Gyuki are strong, but tanking a blast that could create a mile wide crater did not sound like fun."

Stewing in frustration, A finally sits back "Go. I'll deal with you more later. But find Yugito and send her to me."

B nods and leaves, long strides carrying him to the doorway with a rare scowl on his own face. He just knew A wouldn't be letting this go, even if he probably should. Outside and sunglass covered eyes landing on the younger blonde, he hooks a thumb over his shoulder, "Bro wants a word." Seeing the woman nod he tosses his hands into his pockets and trudges off. His entire demeanor screamed leave him alone, and everyone within the building was more than happy to do so.

Behind him Yugito gives everyone left a confused look before heading inside to stand at attention before her Kage's desk. A looks up and watches her for a quiet minute not saying anything. Sniffing, he lays his hands on his desk, "I am a little disappointed but I realize that it was my brother, not you, who drove this mission to failure. So instead I'm going to give you a mission all your own." Seeing the woman stand a little straighter but not respond, A internally grinned. "There have been more whispers that perhaps the Maelstrom is in the Land of Wave. And that there might be a new village building up. Go, ask around, find him, and complete the mission. Bring him back."

Yugito nods, "Am I to complete this solo or with a team?"

A waves a hand in the air, "Alone, only return if there is a major complication." His eyes harden a bit, "And it better be a major complication. Do not return otherwise until your mission is complete."

Yugito bows, "What about the others?"

A waves them all off, "The rest are dismissed but they need to submit formal reports. I want to see everyone's different opinions on just what went wrong."

Yugito bows again and leaves, silent steps taking her back to the reception room where the rest of Samui's team and Samui herself were waiting. "I'm being sent out, everyone is is to remain here though you need to submit reports about this debacle."

Samui is curious but realizes it's going to be a shit show. "You've got your work cut out for you." Guess the vacation was over for now.

Yugito just shrugs, "I have my orders, as do you. I have to see them through." Whether she liked them or not.

-b-

In the island nation of Wave the sun is bright and large fluffy clouds floated by overhead. It was a good omen as far as the combined group of Konoha escorts and the Suna group were concerned. Crossing over the Great Naruto Bridge, the combined group enter the Land of Wave. Those that haven't seen the bridge are impressed and express their feelings as such. It was a marvel of engineering and the monument to their own Team Seven sent a few teasing remarks towards Sakura and Sasuke.

Sakura can't help but grumble, "Naruto's ego can't possibly get any bigger. You'd think that he'd consider changing the name or something."

Next to her Sasuke nudges her. Though she was mumbling, he knew what she was saying, "Better remember to play nice."

"I will." Sighing and heavily shrugging her shoulders, she leans into him for some support, "Think everything will turn out alright?"

Sasuke didn't really have an answer for her, "Hopefully. With everyone here, hopefully we can ditch Sai."

"We can hope."

Ahead of them a smiling Tsunami was waiting with several aids, Temari was waving to the woman with a wide smile. "Good morning Tsunami!"

"Good morning Temari. We welcome you and your group to Wave. If you would all easily give your id numbers and names so that we can register you for the duration of your stay, that would be wonderful." All of her aids begin to spread out to the other teams, while she personally and quickly registers the Suna group.

Kiba grumbles a bit about the process, "What do we need to register for? Not like there's a ninja village here to worry about."

Kakashi turned a focused eye back on the genin, "You might not be aware, but normal nations fall prey to ninja all the time. Taking precautions is a smart thing to do among normal civilians."

Asume shrugged after he gave his own information to a pretty brunette with jade eyes, "Even with this. Ninja could, you know, lie."

Tsunami is walking towards Team Seven, a smile still on her face, "It's just a part of our new policy is all. Please don't worry, you're information will be destroyed upon you leaving the country." She comes to stand before Sai personally, eyes lingering on him the longest before her smile brightens just a tad, "Name and ID?" Taking down his information as he gave it, she soon floated away to walk besides Temari, "Will you need anything for your visit?".

Temari shakes her head, "We should be good. We secured a room at the Evergreen hotel. But I'll make sure to stop by sometime during our stay."

With a bow Tsunami and her aids form up away from the group, "Thank you for your time everyone. I do hope you enjoy your stay in Wave." They soon melt back into the crowd. Soon lost and out of sight, it unnerves the group just a bit.

Shino raises an eyebrow that goes unseen, "Are we sure they aren't ninja?"

Kakashi shakes his head, "Last I checked no. And we had a mission here pretty recently."

Sakura shakes her head, "Wasn't it like, a year ago now?"

Sasuke thinks on that one, hand playing with the end of his new chokuto, "Has it been that long already?" Time sure did fly when your friend was running all over the nations.

Kankuro turns back towards the Leaf ninja as Temari begins leading their brother down busy roads, "C'mon! We've got rooms for you all as well." Making their way through the market, the various teams all take in the city around them.

As they wander by a weapons shop, Tenten nearly plasters herself against the window, "Look at that! They have tridents and spears and fish hooks…it all looks really well made too."

"It would make sense, they did start out as a fishing town." Asuma looked around at the more big city feel and mentally made the switch that this wasn't a small town anymore. "More of a shipping hub these days."

Sakura nods, "And to think, if Gato never tried to squeeze them for all they were worth, it might never have happened."

Kakashi chuckled, "Think Wave should build him an alter in his afterlife?"

"Fat chance of that." Sakura shook her head as the street widened and they watched as trolley cars rolled by slowly with supplies from the docks.

Gai noticed it and put a hand to his chin, "Hmmm, heavy transports by rail. Smart for such a civilian heavy country."

Kankuro called back again, "Keep up would ya? You can sight see all you want later!"

Temari looks back as the Leaf group is amazed at the progress of Wave, taking in the sights and sounds. "You all have rooms within the Evergreen on our dime, but from here on you'll are on your own. In three days time we'll meet back up in order to return to Konoha and then the Land of Wind." The squad leaders all nod and they all decide to check into their rooms first upon reaching the hotel.

The entrance hall for the tall and gleaming hotel is a grand affair, lots of granite flooring and tall glass windows gilded in silver. Temari was quick to get their group checked in with the receptionist before tossing room keys to the separate jonin. From there and a few rides up quiet elevators, the various Leaf jonin find their rooms and begin issuing instructions to their teams.

Gai has led his team into a large room that offers two bedrooms and a main sitting area. Though for now he stands before the couch while his genin all sit before him. "While we are here we can't train, but you should endeavor to be on your best behavior and explore to your heart's content. Enjoy your youth and kindle your passionate fires."

Kiba knew what sort of fires he wanted to kindle, "Wonder if there's a beach nearby."

Shino sighs at the usual nonsense from his teammate and friend, "Your labido will get you in trouble one day."

Lee thrusts a fist in the air while taking Gai's words to heart, "We should explore the docks, never know what we'll find."

Kiba shrugged, "Not a bad idea." There might be a boardwalk of some type. Bet there would be plenty of cute girls there.

One room over Asuma is giving the same type of speech to his own team, "I shouldn't have to worry about you three correct?"

Choji already has a bag of chips in his hands, "I wonder what kind of food a seaside port city could have." Surely they had to cater to a wide range of tastes here. Wonder what type of cuisine they had to offer.

Tenten is actually curious about that as well, "Well I do want to check out the various weapons shops around here, but we could go on a foodie tour at the same time."

Shikamaru can't believe his luck as it seems like the day might be rather chill, "I'm down for whatever. So long as we take it easy." Team building would be good for them in the end.

Another room over and Kakashi has given his team the same speech, though within a breath of finishing there's a knock on their door. Sasuke opens it and Kankuro comes in.

"Yo, you actually don't have time to relax. Temari wants your team with us. So let's get moving."

Kakashi is surprised to say the least but nods, "Guess that's that team, forget the time off and head out." Team Seven heads out of their room and meets back up with the Suna group in the hallway. With a nod from Gaara they head back down the elevators and leave the hotel, treading through the city.

Temari turns and walks backwards to talk with the squad, "I'm sure you'll be surprised but this isn't all there is to Wave, there's actually a real and separate capitol city. Though we'll have to travel by train to get to the island that it's on." Idly she watches Sai's face, and notes that he doesn't even twitch in surprise, though the other two at least try to pretend.

Sai speaks up for once with his mind fully on his mission from Danzo now, "That's an ingenious way to hide a city. Must have taken a lot of time to build."

Temari nods as she turns and comes back to Gaara's side, "It surprised me as well when I met the leader before on my last trip. But he was looking for allies and Suna could use those right now."

Thoughtful and considering how to get this information back to Danzo Sai only nods and falls back into his normally quiet facade.

Sakura and Sasuke share a look but say nothing as the group continues on up the main road towards a tall and gleaming concrete and glass construction that was even now looked be be still receiving work and a paint job. It was truly impressive, especially with the amount of people they could see going in and out. Even Kakashi gives a low whistle as they finally reach the train station. Gaara is the first to raise his eyebrows and speak up, "I can see why they wanted so much glass making sand and marble stone shipments from Suna."

Ahead of them they see a pair of familiar faces, Hinata and Ino stand before a single car train trimmed in reds and golds while waving to the group. Temari is the first to walk up to the pair, "Of course they send you two. Or what, did he finally get bored of ya and wanted to make sure I got here safely?"

Ino rolls her eyes and hugs her friend, "Oh stuff it fangirl, we volunteered to come and get ya." Weaving around the other blond to spy her pink haired friend, Ino ignored the commentary between Temari and Hinata to sidle up to Sakura and wrap her longest friend in a firm hug. "Hey there billboard brow. Missed ya."

Smacking her friend in the shoulder as they pulled apart, Sakura was smiling all the same, "You better watch it. I've been training with Tsunade and I'm getting pretty strong these days. I think I could take you this time."

"We can spar later and find out."

Hinata however is clapping her hands together to gain everyone's attention. "We do have a schedule, so if everyone could board so we can set out." Face open and sincere, the group does as she asks and boards the train quickly. Following inside behind everyone else, Hinata floats to the front of the car while Ino makes sure everyone finds a seat.

"You know, if you're here, then that means he's here yeah?" Sakura was doing her best to play along as Ino sat across the aisle from her team. They were trying to keep Sai in the dark for as long as possible, though Team Seven team wasn't sure why the Uzumaki decided to let him come along. They knew he was a plant. And they knew Danzo was up to some dirty shit. Oh well, it wasn't up to Sakura to figure it out.

Ino nods, "Yeah, Naruto's back in Uzu, hard at work as always. You'll see him probably." Smirking and laying it on kinda thick, she wondered if Naruto was right. If Sai would make his move soon or not. She personally hoped he didn't do anything at all. So many things could go wrong.

"Aw how is the little brat? He finally starting to grow a little bit or what?" Kankuro is leaning out from his own seat while Hinata is walking back towards them and the train jolts a bit and starts to make it's way down the tracks.

Hinata herself can only smile and gentle push a finger into his forehead to move him out of the way, "Please remember that little brat nearly killed you."

"Eh, well you know. If it was a proper one on one it'd be different."

Temari rolled her eyes and pointed a finger at her brother, "You do remember what he did to a transformed Gaara right? You really wanna take that on one on one?" Temari shook her head, "Be my guest. I'll be there to console him when you die."

"Don't you mean Gaara? To console Gaara?"

"Oh of course. That's who I meant." The twinkle in her eyes told Kankuro a different story and he laid out on the table.

"Gaara Temari is getting that look again. Make her stop." Kankuro wasn't whining. No. Men didn't do that.

Gaara just leveled a bored look towards his big sister, "Do you have to tease him?"

"It's my job, still wish he'd stay out of my makeup though."

"It's warpaint!"

Through it all Kakashi watches the quiet and very introspective Sai. Unintentionally just like the others he really hopes the boy won't try anything. Never mind the ramifications for what that would mean for relations between Konoha and Uzushio. He was worried about what it would do for relations between Team Seven and Naruto himself. Sure the boy would know they didn't want him here, but if something happened…emotions got the best of them all.

The train rattles along and they make the trip easily enough, coming out the other end and stopping among a just as grand and busy train station. Following Hinata and Ino out through the crowds and brightly skylight lit walkways, they come out to see a fresh and green countryside with a growing city not that far in the distance. Buildings stretching into the sky though many still have scaffolding around them, the group could still acknowledge that the progress here has been immense. Ino directs them to a trolley which they board and begin to make their way towards the city center.

Hinata clears her throat to gain everyone's attention, "The Uzumaki tower is getting some retrofits at the moment for an airship demonstration, so there might be some construction going on when we arrive. I hope you understand."

Gaara sits with his arms crossed but quietly watches the scenery float by, "Suna is very interested in that technology as well. Tunneling to the Land of Wind is a decent idea. But airships capable of shipping and transport would be easier to use right away."

Temari nods, "Plus it would be a lot less resource intensive on our end, though we won't see as much traffic."

Hinata smiles and nods, "We will notify you when the first demonstration is set to occur. So you can see the proceedings for yourselves."

Sai speaks up again, curious about what he heard, "You said it was the Uzumaki tower correct? Why name it after your clan?"

Flicking her hair over her shoulder, Ino jabs a thumb into her chest, "Cause we live there. The Uzumaki mansion is housed on the upper floors."

Sai nods as the group continues on their journey. Sakura eyes the boy but raises a hand much to curious smiles from everyone else, "What point is there to airships if you can easily use trains?"

Looking at each other for a moment, Ino eventually points to Hinata who sighs and answers, "Trains can only run along their rails to locations that we've built. Airships can go anywhere and land even in areas that don't have the specialized landing pads so long as there is a large enough clear space. So exploration, travel to rocky or mountainous areas or long distances over the ocean would be available to airships but not trains."

Satisfied with the answer and curiosity sated, Sakura nods and sits back, "I wonder if we'll find other ways to fly in the future."

"I'm sure we will. The Spring engineers are hard at work all the time now coming up with new and interesting inventions." Hinata had no problem praising the men and women of the engineering corps. They did amazing work.

Coming to the city center, Ino leads the way off of the trolley as everyone follows along behind her. She leads them to the Uzumaki Memorial where the Leaf and Suna ninja read it over, smiling while offering prayers.

'Laid to rest are the bones of the betrayed, but their dreams of peace live on. We are a people of resilience, of strength, of love. For the peaceful future we all wish for, never forget the fallen.'

Sai however, seeing everyone distracted, slips away into the crowd and enters the Uzumaki tower. Free to think, he wonders if this'll be good enough for Lord Danzo. He did want him to target the Uzumaki, though with his stolen bomb this would surely do more damage than just destroy the tower. Oh well, it wasn't for him to think about, he was just a sacrifice for Lord Danzo's will. Pausing as he reaches the central pillar containing the elevators to the upper floors, Sai consults the ceiling to consider if this is as close to the center of the floorspace as he was going to get. Someone steps forward to question him but Sai ignores them.

"Sir, are you okay? Do you need assistance?" The nameless functionary was not new to his job, having been at this for months now helping people navigate their way around the tower and to their destinations within the city itself. This odd and very pale teenager wasn't all that strange in the long run. Except that he refused to answer him. "Young man? Hello? You're blocking one of the elevators. Do you need something here?"

Looking at the man for a moment, coming up that this was a civilian and not a ninja, Sai augments himself with chakra for a brief moment and backhands the assistant away. Gasps and worried voices rise over the din of the usual human noise, but Sai isn't focused on that now. Unsealing the scroll he had received from Danzo before further unsealing the scroll stolen from Naruto himself. Jumping and landing on the ceiling, sticking himself there with chakra, he notices for a moment that as people are rushing out of the building quickly, Team Seven and the Suna group are trying to rush towards him. It would be unfortunate that the Kazekage would die this time, but surely it would be to the Leaf's benefit. Eyes finding his temporary teammates who in their own way had tried to help him warm up a bit, Sai offers them an actual genuine smile, chakra beginning to pump into the scroll.

Sakura however is frowning, twin kunai appearing in hand as she's already winding up to throw them at the boy, "SAI! What are you doing!" Her scream is tinged with rage. Why had Naruto been okay with him coming? It made no sense! And now he was going to use one of Naruto's crazy bombs!

Sai just shakes his head, several Uzu ninja jumping towards him, "FOR DANZO-SAMA'S WILL!" Scroll beginning to pulse and glow orange, Sai releases his chakra from his feet and begins to fall. He was going to die, one way or another. But that was okay. His ordeal was finally over.

Pulsing picking up pace as everyone watches on, Sai is startled as several ninja dog pile him and drop him to the ground, sealing his chakra with a seal tag while binding his hands and feet together with ninja wire. Next to them the scroll was visibly vibrating and still glowing brightly, while Team Seven looked on in horror. "What the-" Kakashi was a second away from attempting a raikiri on it just to see if it would work to disable the bomb.

With a pop, the scroll sizzled and stopped illuminating the room around itself. Returning back to its normal form first before a small Naruto poofs into existence on top of it, mooning Sai and giving him the finger. "Oh you thought huh? But it was me! Naruto! Muahahaha! Better luck next time!" With another poof, Naruto was gone.

With a ding, one of the elevators opens and the real Naruto himself steps out, flanked by Karin and Tayuya the teen Kage was all grins as he walks up to the restrained Sai. Naruto knows he won't get anything out of him right now, being one of Danzo's root ninja after all. But they also knew how to free him, if he wanted to be freed. So instead his eyes trail towards the members of the Chinoike that had been on duty today, "Take him to a cell. I'll deal with him later."

"Yes sir!" Saluting to Naruto, they pick up the boy and take him away to the elevators to make the trip down below the tower.

Naruto takes another few steps forward in order to pick up the stolen scroll, "Took the old bastard long enough to find one of them." Applying chakra to it while the others rushed to come towards him, they all were treated to the sight of the seal scroll crumbling away into dust. A new more genuine smile on his face, Naruto gives a lazy salute to Gaara, "Yo. Welcome to Uzushio. Where we specialize in taking down crazy ninja and making things go boom."

Shaking his head and walking forward, Gaara holds out a hand which Naruto takes and shakes happily, "Temari said you can never stay out of trouble. I'm almost worried what an alliance between our nations will be like."

"Ah it'll be fine. Mostly, probably." Turning and finally seeing everyone else, Naruto waves to them, "So you finally get to see my new home."

Sakura is the first to leap forward to hug him tightly, "You ass. You could have warned us that you had something planned for Sai."

Sasuke was nodding along with a eye smiling Kakashi, "She's right you know. We were trying to figure out how we could ditch him at some point."

Gaara shrugs, "I think it was a good show, really drives home that Uzushio can defend itself."

Naruto nods as Sakura steps away as Karin and Tayuya sidle up next to him and give their greetings. "Don't worry ya'll, I'll explain everything later once we get upstairs. Buuut, as an apology, how about something special." Holding up his left arm, Naruto channels chakra and reveals the row of seals there, though one is dark. "Here ya go Sakura, pick one. Call it a gift for not visiting enough."

"A gift huh?" Eyes wide and knowing better than to question him before she did as he asked, she chose the one on the far right, closest to his wrist and watched as it went dark. Nothing happened, but Naruto released his chakra and allowed his sleeve to fall back into place.

"Now, let's get upstairs and get this meeting started. And afterwards I'll make sure Team Seven can come and go however they please to Uzushio from now on." Laughing and turning back towards the wall of elevators, Sakura only watches as everyone starts to follow along behind him.

Hinata nudges her to get moving, "Don't worry about it. He'll explain it eventually."

Sakura can only sigh, "Why do I get the feeling I've just become an accessory to something horrible?" Turning to look at the shorter girl, her worries only increase as Hinata just walked besides her smiling. "What do those do?"

"Oh nothing to be worried about."

"I am so worried. I am all of the worry right now." Hinata however just pulls away to join the Suna siblings, leaving Team Seven with Ino and Tayuya, "Naruto made me blow something up didn't he?"

Far away within Konoha, Danzo is walking away from the Hokage tower after a minor council meeting. Having no real concerns for the rest of the day, he decides that maybe a check in with his root would be a good idea. That decision made, he's forced to pause as a cracking noise reaches his ears and he loses balance. His cane decided now would be a good time to break, splitting down the center. Concerned at the bad omen, he eventually comes to the conclusion that being superstitious over it wouldn't do him any good. He had this particular cane for a long while, things break over time. He continues on his way, making sure his limp is much more noticeable since he didn't really need the walking aide in the first place. He hopes that Sai has reached the Uzumaki by now, and idly thinks about what he'll do if the boy does end up dead. Certainly Konoha will need to secure what's left of him and his clan, for protection of course. Never mind the funds that are sure to be recovered. Dropping into an alley and running chakra along a wall, a secret entrance into the root tunnels is revealed. Making sure as usual that no one is nearby, he steps in and starts to make his way much more naturally. He doesn't flinch as the wall behind him closes back up, nor as torches light themselves to show him the way. The hallway he found himself in was a long affair, one way in and out for a few hundred meters, but he preferred it this way. Made it impossible for someone to sneak up on him or lay a trap. At least, that was the goal of it. Because at the moment he can hear footsteps beyond his own.

Someone was following him.

That should be impossible. No one else was in the alleyway when he checked, and he couldn't feel any other chakra signatures near him. Still, he pauses to look behind him, seeing no one there in the long hallway. Maybe he was finally getting to be a little too paranoid. Turning back, he sighs as he sees yet another small Naruto there. This one however came up to his knee and was very much a girl, dressed in a bikini of orange and black. Danzo sighs, just knowing this wouldn't end well and running wasn't an option.

"Are you here to waste more of my time boy?"

Flipping her ponytails over her shoulders, the girl Naruto idly cleaned under her nails with a kunai, "Depends, you gonna keep trying to kill the original?"

Danzo shakes his head, "You have no proof of anything involving me. So be careful with your actions boy."

The chibi clone takes a long look down at itself before cocking a hip one way and then the other, "First, I'm a girl. I know you're old and your eyesight's probably real bad. But these tits are too rockin' to be a boy. And second, you could at least be better at lying. Old codgers like you should be good at it."

"I'm not in the habit of lying anymore. I'm to old for it."

The clone shrugs and winks at him, "Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Ja ne!" The explosion was sudden and intense, and as Danzo was suddenly covered in liquid fire that adhered to him like jelly, prompting scream of agony from his throat, the older ninja lamented the other problem with a long featureless hallway. There was nothing to substitute with.

Within another breath Danzo is stepping back into reality, looking back at the fire covered hallway and the small crater where the clone used to be. Another eye sacrificed, and that began to prompt some real worry in him. Because this meant either Naruto knew he couldn't die, or the truth, that he had a set number of resurrections. Both situations worried him immensely, but there was no going back now. Both men were set on killing the other. And as Danzo turned to continue on his way, now much more alert, he was determined to see the boy die, just like his clan had.

-AN-

It was, hard, to write this chapter and honestly couldn't really say why. I might accelerate things a little bit, work towards a small timeskip. Which also means, now that all of the relevant kage have now met Naruto, Uzushio gets to take a more up front approach to everything. This includes something that's needed to happen for a long while.

Akatsuki gets to move.