Uchiha Heiress Remix Chapter 58, a naruto fanfic

Chapter 58: Moving Forward and Onward! Investigation to the Land of Rice Fields!

Four days had passed since the Failed Retrieval Mission, however everything, most part, had returned to normal, or at least normal for Konoha. Most of the Retrieval Squad members were still in the hospital for their injuries. Though the ones that were in critical condition had all stabilized and no longer at risk of death, the female Hokage still wanting all of them in the hospital to make sure they make a full recovery.

Though for some of the patients. . .they were more than antsy to get out of the hospital then others. . .for various reasons. . .

At the commercial part of the village. . .

Multiple people rapidly ran all over the area in a hasty manner, they all searching for their intended target that had manage to escape from their security. Meanwhile at a very familiar food stand, a hooded figure was waiting for its meal, it didn't took long before the chef finally brought his meal as the hooded figure smirked and then. . .

SLURP! SLURP! SLURP! SLURP!

The the hooded figure began devouring his bowl like a person who hadn't eaten in years. . .but as he did, the hood suddenly fell to reveal it was none other than the future Hokage and hero to be, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, who still had many bandages all over his face and his both arms.

However unlike before, where they were heavily bandaged, this time the blond's arms were only wrapped one or two times, making easier to both move and eat his fill of his favorite food. Even when he had injuries, he unholy craving to devour his favorite ramen never weaken in the slightest.

After finishing his first plate, Naruto let out an over exaggerated sigh of happiness. "Ahhh, nothing like Ichiraku Ramen to re-energize me!" He declared in a satisfied manner while putting his now empty bowl in front of him to make more room. "One more please!" He then excitedly requested.

"Coming up!" The chef replied as he and his daughter had an usual happy smile.

"?" Naruto said nothing as he raised an eyebrow at that, but then his felt a tingle of terror when he heard a cough right behind him.

The moment the blond turn hoping to kami it wasn't who he thought it was, however it was as he feared, it was none other than in incredibly irritated Shizune and many pissed off medical shinobis.

"One more, you say, eh?" Shizune questioned with a very annoyed tone. "Just when I thought you'd snuck out of your room and were doing some training. . ." She then added with an even more terrifying tone.

The blond could only stared while giving a teffiring smiled at the older kunoichi. "Uh. . .I got hungry on the way to training?" Naruto awkwardly replied as he grinded with a terrified manner. "You guys want some too?" He then awkwardly offered to the soon to be reason for his doom.

The instant response however was the young Chunin immediately being tied up with at least over thirty layers of of rope, while he effortlessly trying to wiggle himself free, only to fail and was then being dragged out of the ramen stand.

The Hokage's assistant then looked at the ramen chef. "Here's the tab." Shizune replied to the chef as she paid for the blond's meal.

"Thanks for your business!" The chef merely replied as wasn't even phase by this, being a chef in a shinobi village for so long, it would make him be use to this crazy situations.

The blond however continued struggling as he looked at the medics. "Oh come on! I'm fine dattebayo!" Naruto shouted with annoyance.

"All of the bones in your limbs were shattered, even if you can move now, that doesn't mean their fully healed." Shizune however retorted without ever looking at the blond and continued walking.

The blond meanwhile struggled to break free. "I'm sick of being cooped up in the bed all day! And need to do some training!" Naruto shouted with great annoyance while continued his pointless struggle. "Man! If Kurama could help me out I'd healed the next day I got back!" He then mentally roared but not that anyone would care if they had heard it anyways.

Meanwhile on the rooftops. . .

Another hooded figure looked on as the blond being taken back to the hospital, which made them smiled in amusement. Then with one swift motion they sat on the corner of the roof, a slightly bandage arm got out of their coat and took off their hood, revealing to be none other than Satsuki Uchiha.

"Hehe, Naru-kun got caught." Satsuki giggled out while eating a stick of dangos and then gulping it down. "You should've known that this would be the second place they'd look for you." She mentally told her fiancée.

If the ravenette was expecting an answer, she got one in the form of mental shouting from the very annoyed blond. Then when she saw that the medics were out of sight, she then looked at the ramen stand and smiled as she jumped down to the ground.

"I better place an order to be delivered to the hospital. Me and Nata-chan would want one too after being cooped up." Satsuki then decided as she walked towards the food stand. "Don't know why you didn't do that instead of coming here to find you." She added.

And once again the girl's only response was more mental screaming, causing the Uchiha to giggle with a smile on her face as she walked into the ramen stand. "Hey Teuchi-jiji!" Satsuki happily greeted while sitting down. "I'm gonna need to order some take out ramen if that's alright." She soon requested.

The ramen shop owner and his daughter merely smiled and nodded to that request. "Coming right up Satsuki-chan!" Teuchi replied as he started cooking.

Back at the hospital. . .

The blonde heiress of the Yamanaka was sitting on her bed in her new room with a hollow expression, it had been a exactly four days since she had awaken from her assault from her once friend/love rival now turned traitor. And although she had stayed in this room for medical reasons, she knew it there was more than just that alone.

Ino then turned her head to look at the open window as it looked and felt as though it was going to be a nice day, however she didn't felt the warmth or the feeling associated with it as she look on with the same hollow eyes that matched her face.

"LET ME GO!" The shouting of a very familiar over enthusiastic preeteen echoed throughout the hospital.

The shouting caught the platinum blond's attention, she blinked one time as she then slightly turned her head towards the source. And sure enough the one shouting was the hyperactive blond being dragged into the hospital by multiple medical shinobi, lead by a still very annoyed Shizune.

"I NEED TO TRAIN DATTEBAYO!" Naruto soon declared as he continued struggling from his binds, making him looked like a worm.

However the blond's shouting fell on deafs ear as the medical team simply ignored him. All the while all of them were secretly thinking of sowing his mouth shut. If not for the fact that the teen was the Hokage's godson, they would muster the courage to at least try, even if they knew they would most like fail, all in hopes just to enjoy the nice quiet day.

Though Ino's expression remain the same, a small smile began to form on the girl's lips as she saw this amusing display, which cause a small giggle to escape her lips. The girl had to hand it to her fellow blond, he could always find a way to bring a smile on peoples face, even if it was just for a moment. ". . .Hinata-chan and Satsuki-chan are lucky to have someone Naruto. . ." She muttered out with a voice devoid of emotion.

Then the injured kunoichi's mind began to recall the time when she had woken up.

Flashback no Jutsu!

The nurse was still in her momentary shock state as she saw half open and dulled eyes from the platinum blonde. She quickly got over it as she calmly, yet quickly went to her bed.

"Miss, can you hear me?" The nurse calmly asked, trying to find out the girl's state of mind.

Ino at first took her time to process the question before she gave a slow nod of confirmation.

The nurse let out a sigh of relief at this. "Thank Kami, it appears that she didn't receive any cerebral damage from the bloodlost." She thought to herself, while the Hokage had diagnosed this, she was still fearful for the worst possible outcome.

The platinum blonde then struggled to move, but then winced in pain. ". . .What. . .happened?" Ino quietly got out.

This cause the older woman to flinched slightly at the question and was unable to make a reply, something that even the weaken kunoichi managed to catch.

The Yamanaka then felt something was wrong, more specifically, from her right side of her body as it felt. . .off balance. Then when she turn to looked at it, her eyes slightly widened as she saw the stub of where her arm used to be. "O-Oh kami. . ." Ino got out with pure shock and horror.

At that moment, the door open as to the platinum blonde, she recognized them immediately.

The woman had light brown eyes without pupils and brown hair which is tied into a bun with a red ribbon in it. Strands frame both sides of her face, hanging over her ears from behind them. She is fair skinned, and slight wrinkles are visible near her mouth. Her attire consists of a dark teal elegant dress, which sports an aquamarine colored gem below the collar.

The man meanwhile had long ash blond hair reaching into his lower back, which he wore spiky on top and ending in a long ponytail, blue-green eyes and strong facial features, which included a well defined jaw line as he was wearing the standard flak jacket over a black outfit, complete with hand-guards, forehead protector and a sleeveless red haori.

The girl's lips began to quiver, her eyes began dilating and what remained of her arm began to tremble. "Mom. . .Dad. . ." Ino weakly got out, while large tears began to fall from her eyes.

"M-MY BABY GIRL!" Ino's mother wailed out in sorrow to the sight of her daughter's condition.

"Himeko. . ." Inoichi got out in a serious tone while placing an arm on his wife's shoulder.

The older woman in reaction to the action from husband stopped before she could even attempt to approached her daughter. She turned towards him and gave a look of protest, but quickly stopped when she saw the seriousness of his face.

It was then that Himeko Yamanaka knew that she had to let her husband be the first to talk to their daughter. So with great begrudgement being displayed on her face, she let out a sigh and made no attempt to move.

Inoichi gave a small grateful yet sad smile as his wife knew what he wanted to do. He removed his arm from her shoulder and moved towards her daughter. When he did he kneeled beside her and began to analyze her stance as well as her behavior.

The Yamanaka Heiress made no further attempts of talking to her father as she simply looked on with an expression of complete hollowed eyes that also had a whirlpool of emotions.

The head of the Yamanaka clan instantly saw all of the signs and concluded his fears, his daughter remembered what had happened that day. . .

"Ino. . ." Inoichi solemnly responded while placing a hand on her shoulder of what remain of her arm. "What happened to you did happen. . ." He softly declared with as much control as humanly possible. "Sakura Haruno. . .took your arm, she. . .ripping it off. . ." He revealed with a voice that desperately trying conceal his anger and sadness.

Ino's hollowed eyes remained the same for a few moments as the words of her father words slowly began to sink in her. Then as she slowly began to do so, her eyes began to regain some light, though filled with nothing but sadness and fear, they still regain a hint of their former light as more tears started to fall.

The mother of the girl could only looked away as she desperately tried not to cry, not to hug her daughter, not until it was time.

While it also hurt the father just as much, he couldn't afford to collapse, not now at least. ". . .You did your best to try and stop her. . .but no one expected her to do what she did to you. . ." Inoichi soon stated. "Even if it was hurtful, agonising and the feeling of being betrayed by someone you knew since childhood, we and your friends are so proud that you tried to do the right thing. . ." He soon declared.

To hearing that, even more tears started to fall from the young Yamanaka's eyes as she started sniffling.

"And know that. . .you will have us and your friends to help you. . ." Inoichi started as he gave off a sad smile to his daughter. "You will never be alone. . ." He then reassured.

Ino's tears meanwhile kept running as her mother then rushed over and hugged her daughter, embracing her while her father kept the sad smile on his face, soon causing the young Yamanaka to openly cry. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" She wailed out, letting out all of her emotions to everything that had happened to her.

While the pain as well as the lost of a part of herself was still there and won't would probably never truly leave, the wounded girl knew that at the very least that her family would still be there for her.

KAI!

Those brief moments, from the words her parents told her and then hugging her had completely shattered the girl as any thoughts of denial were remove before they could fully take hold of her mind. While she loved her father, it was times like these that she hated having a father with a first degree of mental analysis and control, all thanks to their clan's teachings of the works of the human mind.

"I. . ." Ino soon mumbled out as she looked at where her arm was as it was bandaged. "Really did lose my arm. . ." She continued as her body soon began shivering.

Everything that the girl had thought as she grew up in her home, everything that was taught to her by both her father and sensei's alike, everything she believed in were gone. . .stolen from her along with her arm.

Then the image of what used to be her formal friend appeared on her mind, which morph into the monstrosity that she was now. "Why. . .why would you. . .do this?" Ino soon slowly asked herself as the stub of where her arm was began shivering.

The Yamanaka heiress knew that her once friend was long gone, she still couldn't understand the reason she would do this to her. While she knew it was useless to try think such thoughts, she just wanted to find a reason for all of this, just for the sake of finding some measure of peace of mind, even if it was horrible or a selfish one.

"JUST LET ME TRAIN DATTEBAYO!" Naruto once more yelled out from down the hallway.

"NARUTO-KUN! Be quiet or you'll disturb the other patients!" Shizune loudly reply as she had enough of the constant screaming from the teen.

Ino was soon snapped out of her thoughts at this as another small giggle escaped her lips. However the platinum blonde then started to think back to when she had her friends visit her the other day, causing her to drop her head in a depressed manner.

Flashback no Jutsu!

It has been three days since the injured Yamanaka heiress had woken up, even when she was fully regain consciousness, both Tsunade and the rest of the medical staff didn't allow the girl to leaving her sterile room. Mostly because her arms haven't fully healed and didn't want to risked any type of infection that she may got if exposed to the air outside.

However that was for medical reasons, Tsunade also knew that the girl would want to be alone for a few days due to the traumatic event the young girl had gone through. So she only allowed her parents to visit her for those few days.

But on the third day, however. . .

"Ino-chan. . .?" A familiar female voice got out.

The girl in question was slightly startled at that and when she turned towards the door it was the Uchiha Heiress.

The platinum blonde in turn blinked to this. ". . .Satsuki-chan. . ." Ino responded in a neutral tone.

Then with a small smile, the ravennette moved and suddenly most of the rookies of her generation and even the newer members of their age group began to walk into the room as well as one of her teammates. Most of them were still bandaged and some were using a crouch just to be able to stand.

The Nara heir meanwhile stepped forward as he rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry if Chōji didn't came, his still in the ICU alongside with Neji and they'll still be for a few more days. " Shikamaru soon explained in a serious tone before smiling in a soft manner. "Though. . .It's good to see you." He then admitted with a kind tone.

Whether it was the face of seeing all of her friends or just her teammate, the injured Yamanaka's expression slightly soften, glad to see and to know that they were both alright. ". . .Guys. . ." Ino mumbled out with more emotion than before.

The rest of the day, the rookies began to tell what had happen after after the traitor's departure. While just mentioning for former friend nearly gave the girl a heart attack, but she managed to kept it well hidden.

However as she began to listen to their near death close encountered with all of the monsters they fought, Ino slowly began to forget about it as she couldn't help but felt a bit inspired by how her friends faced such challenges and dilemmas for her sake. While the girl knew that she wouldn't had been any great help to her friends, even if she wasn't injured, she wished that she could had done something to had help them.

By the very end of the story, Ino's eyes slowly began to widen as she having tall tells of slowly hyperventing. The girl's terror resurface when she had heard that the traitor managed to escaped.

Whether it was an instincts or simply having enough of the silence, the blond shinobi, began to trembled. The boy's fiancés looked on with concern as they were worried that their favorite blond was being more affected by the traitor's action than they thought. But before they could even called out to him. . .

Naruto's head suddenly jerked upwards as his face turn into his annoyed/determine expression. "But we aren't finished yet!" He loudly declared with his normal irritated tone.

"!?" Everyone was taken aback by the sudden loud declaration from the equally loud knuckleheaded shinobi.

Then the blond's expression turn into a more serious one as she looked at each one of his friends and ending with the injured Yamanaka as eh raised and tighten his fist. "Yeah we failed to capture her this time, but that doesn't mean we won't get her next time dattebayo!" He declared with passion and conviction.

The was a long moment of pause in the room, then as these words slowly sank in their minds they all began to relax. Then it was their turn to gain the same determine filled expression the blond had as they all felt the same way and wanted another chance.

Suddenly the heavy atmosphere in the room seem to lessen a great deal and everyone began to relax and smiled or grin at the blond. However more so the ravenette as a small tear began to feel from her eye.

"That wasn't just for Ino-chan or everyone that was in the Retrieval team. . .that was for my sake too. . ." Satsuki thought to herself with a delighted tone as she knew that his words carry more weight than most thought possible.

The Yamanaka heiress eyes also began to watered a bit as she smiled happily at that. "Thank you. . ." Ino got out in a grateful tone . "I think that. . .if anyone has a chance. . .it would be this guys. . ." She said as she looked the smiling and grinning faces of Team Seven.

"Oi! What are we chop liver!?" Kiba however remarked in annoyance while he pointed at his partner and the new Team Eight. "I say our team would be the first to bring her back!" He boldly declared while giving a large fang filled grin.

Once again this made Ino to gain another small smile at how all of her friends would go so far for her. "Thanks Kiba. . ." She replied with a thankful tone before a small mischievous gleam appear in her eyes. "But I'm just surprised you of all people actually manage to live through your fight. . ." She added with a small amused tone in her voice.

The Inuzuka however groaned in annoyance to that. "OH COME ON! Ten minutes after we get in the room and already with the dissing!?" Kiba exclaimed with an irritated manner.

Meanwhile his partner just let out a sad whine which made the boy be taken aback in shock.

"What do you mean, she's got a point!?" Kiba shouted with annoyance at his partners words. "Just because we almost did died at the end doesn't mean she's right!" He then reminded.

". . ." Akamaru simply looked at his partner with a deadpan expression as he waited for his partner to realized what he just said.

And then. . .

"Oh. . .shit. . ." Kiba soon got out.

Suddenly the entire room exploded into a roaring laughter, as the Inuzuka was growling with both anger and embarrassment. However hidden from everyone's view, the feral boy hid a small smile as on the inside, he was glad that at the very least he made his friend smiled, even at his ever diminishing pride, he was glad that it was him that made this happen.

However for the platinum blonde, all Ino could do was giggle at the teasing towards the boy. As the pain would still be inside, she was at the very least glad that she would always had precious friends by her side.

Kai!

While her friends visiting did indeed wonders for holding the girl's depression back, that didn't meant she was completely cured of it. No, Ino knew that she was simply holding it at bay and she could easily fall into its abyss with just one wrong move.

The platinum blonde then started to think about that dreadful moment that had scar her physically and psychologically. She couldn't help but let out an emotionless laugh at how it started with just a casual walk at night wanting to take some alone time after her defeat in her fashion battle with her fellow blond. But she would had never had imagen and from who, no. . .what had caused it all. . .

Ino could still picture her once friend/rival turned traitor standing right infront of her, having that monstrous gaze that was devoid of any kindness or empathy along with her yellow-green glowing eyes. Suddenly, she winced as she began to feel agonizing the phantom pains were her arms used to be, while she knew that it was just in her mind, she could still vividly feel it as it was just yesterday.

Ino's eyes then fallen in a depressed state once again as they became hollow and lifeless once more. "What. . .What do I. . .do now. . .?" She soon asked herself in a hesitant manner, now know longer knowing what she wanted to do with how she currently was.

Within another room. . .

The Hinata was sitting on the nearest window of her rooms, she was gazing at nothing specifically, but was more so simply looking at the village with a contemplating expression on her face.

After two days the bluenette was finally able to move her body normally again, though it still took a bit of time for her chakra exhaustion and pathways to fully recover from its extreme overuse. While she could had find a way to enjoy her time like her more spirited teammates, she just couldn't relax as the memories of what had almost happened to her cousin still haunt her dreams.

Suddenly images of an inhuman abomination that was once her opponent, memories of her precious family member nearly dying in her arms and how an uncontrollable cold rage took hold of her very being filled her with nothing but concern, doubt and worry.

". . ." Hinata couldn't say anything as she closed her eyes and desperately trying to suppress those thoughts, but they simply refused to vanish.

Even after being out of danger, the younger Hyuga haven't visited her older cousin in the past four days, not simply because of her temporarily paralyzed body, but out of shame and self loathing of her inability to help her cousin when his life was in danger after taking two life threatening blows.

However Hinata slightly winced in pain as she grabbed her head, as the after effects of her temporary power up still show up every so often. It simply reminded her how great the Bijū's chakra truly is and just how dangerous it is, not just to their target of its fangs but for the user as well. Even though the Bijūs she knew were more than just how any textbooks, they still were indeed correct about being a force of nature.

The bluenette quickly shook her head as she didn't want to even remotely think that it was in anyway his fault in any way. "Kurama's now resting with Anko-sensei. . ." Hinata then thought as she looked out the window.

Then an image of a distorted and more twisted form of the Kyūbi appeared on the girl's mind. It was then that she could still picture it's distorted and demented voice. Even though she knew that this Dark Kurama wasn't a threat for the time being, it was still there. . .waiting for another chance to come out once more. . .

This brief but dark thoughts ended as the bluenette's mind once again returned towards her cousin, which made her frown sadly once again. She still felt great guilt and shame by it but she tighten her hands. ". . .I. . .I need to get stronger. . .to protect those I love most. . ." She mumbled out to herself as she gain a new found resolve.

While the bluenette didn't know how she would do this, she knew that she would find a way. After all if Naruto could find the determination to keep trying, she would too if she never give up in finding an answer.

Within one of the rooms. . .

The soft groans of a young kunoichi could be heard, said girl was none other than Tenten as a nurse was rubbing her injured limbs. Since she had the less critical injuries from the enemy she fought, she had been given permission to leave the hospital, but she was still assign to have a nurse check her to see how she's recuperating.

Once finished, the nurse let go of the kunoichi's limbs and began writing down on her chart. "They're all healing nicely, but they have not fully recovered yet. You'll still need more time to heal, so take it easy." She soon informed.

". . ." Tenten simply nodded and accepted that as she knew it was true. If she could still feel pain from just being rubbed, then she was still in no shape for missions yet.

The nurse in turn briefly looked at the girl before nodding to her. "Ok, that should be all, I'll see you tomorrow." She replied with a professional manner.

With that, Tenten grabbed her crutch and exited the room all the while never saying anything.

Once the young kunoichi had left, the nurse let out an exhausted sigh. "Jeez. . .I'm only specialized in bodily injuries, I'm not qualify to help shinobi's mental injuries. . ." She then muttered.

As the young weapons mistress kept walking, soon enough she reached the exit of the hospital but stop for a moment to ponder on what to do next. She could just head back home and help out her dad with his work, though none stressful or forceful ones, just preparing herself for next time whole improving her next pieces of work. Though she could also just visit her friends that were still on the hospital.

In the end Tenten decided to just head back home for the time being as she didn't want to face her injured friends/comrades, not yet at least. Then while she had cross the hospital exit, her mind continued to find something to keep her occupied.

At that moment, like all of the other members of the Retrieval Squad, Tenten also began to recall once again about her encountered with the mutated and near invincible shinobi, causing her to tighten her grip on one of her crutches. That fight just made her realized once again just how inadequate her skills were and how little she contributed, if at all, during the whole confrontation, it was those thoughts that still affected her.

However she took a deep breath to calmed down as she also began to recall what the Suna Shinobi had told her before he left with his siblings. That it was thanks to her final, and for her at the time futile, attempt to end the creature that both Chōji and Kankurō were able to figure out the creature's weakness.

While that had indeed cheer her up a bit, knowing that she had done something right. It still didn't changed the fact that her weapons she had created and by extension herself, were completely and utterly useless against such powerful abomination. This also made her realize that they didn't work on such a powerful enemy, they wouldn't work for higher tier shinobi's either.

Taking in another deep breath, the kunoichi looked forward in a determined manner. ". . .Next time, I'll make sure my weapons are even better than before that even monsters like that will be the useless. . ." Tenten thought, looking at her arm where one of her weapons used to be. "First thing to do, improve the Hidden Blade and Phantom Blade." She then added as a smirk graced her face with renewed determination.

Within another room in the hospital. . .

The nurse was making some final checks on the young Inuzuka's body for the condition of his injuries and nodded with content. "Well Inuzuka-san, it looks like all you injuries had fully healed, you're good to return to shinobi duty." The nurse informed as she started petting the white dog.

Said Inuzuka sighed in relief as he got out the hospital bed and stretched his legs as the nurse then left. "Finally, we can go on missions again. . ." Kiba got out with immense relief.

"Arf!" Akamaru barked out in agreement while panting a little.

Kiba then did a few more stretches as his partner then jumped onto his head. "Well, better get going." He then decided as he walked through the hospital halls.

However as he did so the puppy tilted his head as they passed a particular room. "Arf?" Akamaru barked out in a confused manner. "And what about the girl?" Was what he asked as he pointed his paw to the room.

To that, Kiba winced a bit and froze up as he already knew who his partner was talking about. "Ugh. . .you had to bring Tayuya up. . ." He muttered out.

"Arf Arf Arf. . ." Akamaru barked out with a slow tone. "You're the one that was going on checking if she's alright, but then intentionally ignoring her room buddy. . ." Was what he said with a clear sarcastic one.

This made his partner let out a sigh. "You know how she is with me though." Kiba then grumbled out.

"Arf?" Akamaru barked out while tilting his head in a cute manner. "Cold feet?" Was what he asked.

The Inuzuka gave a deadpan expression to that. "She is anything but cold." Kiba reminded with a deadpan tone.

This made the small puppy then slam his head with his little paw at that and let out a sad whine. "Arf. . .? Arf arf." Akamaru barked out some more. "Dude. . .seriously? I meant you." Was what he had declared.

To the declaration, Kiba soon stopped in his tracks and jerk his head to that. "Why the hell would I get cold feet!?" He asked in a annoyed manner though there was a clear hint of embarrassment in his tone. "I'll show you who has cold feet!" He then declared in a confident manner with a smirk on his face as he started walking towards the room.

Akamaru however smirked back to that as he let out a raspy chuckle. "I knew he really wanted to see her." He thought to himself with an amused tone as he partner went to the door.

Within said room. . .

The dark pink haired kunoichi groaned as she laid in bed while looking at the ceiling. "Fuckin' bored. . ." Tayuya got out in a deadpan tone as she snapped her fingers.

Snap! Fwoosh!

To that action, Tayuya's fingers created a single flame as if she was lighting a lighter. This was a trick she figured out how to do after spending many hours simply laying in the bed.

While the kunoichi may had been a unique patient that need to be both checked on as well as studied, in case another self-destruct incident occurred, after all the room that she was staying in was special room, as in the walls, rooms and even the bed were fireproof. She was still an enemy shinobi, so every single area around her room had at least one Anbu, ready to either take her down, restrain her if she loses control of herself or simply if she tried to escape. Not that she had any plans on getting back to the Snake Sannin.

And suffice to say, that did little to help to calm Tayuya's nerves or her boredom. "Dammit, of all the things to fuckin' happen." She then remarked, waving her hand and causing the flame to vanish in a instant as she sat up and looked down at herself. "I survived, became a fuckin' kid again, and now I have fuckin' combustion fuel for blood. . ." She then grumbled out with great annoyance. "How can this be any worse for me?" She soon thought.

At that moment, the door opened, as to the girl, mentally groaned at who it was.

"Yo." Kiba bluntly and casually greeted with a small wave while his partner was walking in a calm manner.

The dark pink haired girl merely groaned to that while putting both arms on her face and gently pulling her skin downwards. "Oh. . .I just had to ask didn't. . .fuckin' great. . ." Tayuya thought, not noticing her left eye shining blue for a moment.

The boy soon closed the door behind him as he entered the room. ". . .It looks like your doing well." Kiba then got out while looking at the bedridden girl.

Unconsciously, Tayuya gained a small smile on her face. "Oh come on~ You're happy that he always visits you~" She unintentionally thought in a seductive manner before the dark pink haired girl blushed as her eye twitched at realizing what she just thought. "SHUT THE HELL UP!" She vocally demanded.

To that, the young Inuzuka jumped back to that in shock. "Whoa! Aw come on! I just said your doing well! What's wrong with ya!?" Kiba retorted in annoyed manner while the puppy looked on in confusion.

This immediately caused the dark pink haired teen to realize what she said and let out a long groan of pure irritation. This had been a running thing as the kunoichi would sometimes hear an irritated voice that eerily sound like hers inside of her mind.

"I hope I'm not losing my mind. . ." Tayuya thought to herself as she wondered it was another side effect of the mutation. "Its nothing. . .I'm just still stressed about all of this shit. . ." She confessed with half lying and half telling the truth.

Thankfully, this calmed Kiba as he could understood after what the girl had been through. "Oh. . .well I would go insane too if I had to stay in a place for days on end." He awkwardly replied while rubbing the back of his head.

At that moment, Tayuya noticed the boy's appearance, causing her to raise an eyebrow. "What? They're finally letting your ass out?" She asked in a confused manner, though on the inside she was also jealous that he could get out of here.

Kiba however didn't catch the jealous part of that and merely nodded to that. "Yup, finally can go on missions again. Just wanted to see how you were doing and all." He casually explained as he took a nearby chair and sat down near the girl.

"Hmm. . ." Tayuya hummed out, unaware that her right eye started to shimmer red. "FUCKIN' DAMMIT! WHY THE HELL DO I HAVE TO BE STUCK HERE WHEN DUMBASS HERE CAN LEAVE!?" She however thought in a pissed off time before her eye return to normal.

Kiba meanwhile tilted his head as he noticed something. "Did her eye just. . .nah, I must be seeing things." He thought as he wasn't sure if what he saw did happen. "So. . .how are you feeling with, you know. . .everything that happened?" He soon asked in a curious manner.

"Arf. . ." Akamaru barked out in a blunt manner. "There as thing called tact man. . .ever heard of it?" Was what he said.

Kiba however groaned to that. "Oh shut up. . ." He mumbled out to his partner as he secretly wanted to kick himself.

Let it be known that even Kiba himself knew that he does knows that subtlety isn't his forte, he just didn't want to admit it.

However, Tayuya on the other hand didn't show if the question affected her or not, simply sighing in a calm manner. "That's. . .honestly hard to say. . ." She admitted as she looked at the boy. "I mean. . .look at me, I was turned back into a fuckin' twelve year old. . ." She reminded with a clear annoyed and depressed tone.

Kiba meanwhile rubbed the back of his neck to that. "Well it's not all that bad, at least your still human." He replied as he didn't see anything wrong with that.

This in turn made the former Oto kunoichi gain a deadpan expression. "Well, that clearly shows that this idiot doesn't know jack shit about girls. . ." Tayuya thought in a deadpan and annoyed tone as it was clear that the boy didn't know about puberty for girls. "Anyways. . ." She soon started as she brought her fingers up before. . .

Snap! Fwoosh!

Tayuya snapped her fingers and lit her finger like a lighter as a flame formed. "Aside from being a freakin' human lighter, I don't think having fuckin' flammable blood would consider me being a human Kiba." She then remarked as she then flicked her wrist to make the flame vanish.

The Inuzuka then narrowed his eyes to that. "Well better then turning into a mindless monster and then melting into goo after being defeated." Kiba countered while crossing his arms as if challenging the girl to say otherwise.

". . ." Tayuya remained silent for a moment as she honestly wasn't sure if that was true or not, but she decided for the most case that was true. ". . .Ok, you got me there." She admitted in begrudging agreement.

Kiba in turn smirked triumphantly at that. "Huh, agreeing with me for once, that's a first." He remarked in a amused chuckle, but then frown as concern took whole again. "So, what. . .what do you plan to do now? Now that your better, for the most part I mean." He soon asked in a more serious yet with clear worrisome tone.

However Tayuya easily saw what the boy was actually was asking as she looked out the window. "Calm down kid, got no interest going back to that pedo." She remarked with a distant tone as she then rubbed he area where her mark was. ". . .Especially with that damn Curse Mark gone now, I'm finally fuckin' free from him. . ." She stated with relief clear in her tone. "At least that was the only good thing that came out of this shit. . ." She then muttered to herself with a surprisingly happier tone.

While it was true that the former Oto kunoichi had no intention of returning to the former Snake Sannin, especially after both failing her mission and surviving her transformation. After all, she wouldn't be a slave to the demented man anymore, she would be nothing but a lab rat for his twist experiments. But that also didn't leave that many options for her if she wanted to have a free life.

"So. . ." Kiba soon started in a awkward manner as he swung his arms back and forth. "Flammable blood and cool fire tricks bloodline, that's. . .cool I guess." He then added in the same awkward tone to try and change the subject.

"Arf. . ." Akamaru bluntly barked with narrow eyes. "Tact. . ." Was what he said.

Kiba groaned in embarrassment at that. "I just don't know what else to talk about! Get off my back!" He muttered out towards his partner.

Tayuya however just sighed to that. "Yes. . .flammable blood and cool fire tricks." She repeated in a exasperated tone as she crossed her arms. "Listen I got to go, I have another check up soon." She then added with a strain tone.

This caused Kiba slightly winces at that as he knew that she had enough of him for the moment. "Oh. . .alright." He awkwardly replied.

While what the former Oto kunoichi said was true, she neglected to say that her appointment was in an hour. But she simply didn't want to talk about anything related or came from the former Snake Sannin.

Kiba however sighed to that as he was able to take a hint. "Well. . .Talk later?" He then offered with a slight hopeful tone.

This only made Tayuya let out a low irritated sigh. "He just doesn't know when to take a hint. . ." She thought to herself with her patience at its limit. "If I'm not constantly being checked. . .maybe." She then offered,but in reality she was just saying that to be left alone.

The Inuzuka gain a small happy smile at hearing that. "Cool, well see ya soon then." Kiba solemnly replied as he gave a small wave and left the room.

The small puppy simply let out a sigh as he knew that his partner was aware that the girl didn't meant it the way of wanting to spend more time with him. But his partner was simply happy to spend more time with her, so he decided not to say anything to crush his hopes and simply followed him.

Once the boy had left the room, the dark pink haired girl let out a long groan. "He's really doesn't know when to call it quits. . ." Tayuya grumbled out as she laid her head back against the pillow to rest, but the moment she did her left eye shimmered blue.

"But that's the cute side of him~ He does in a way care about me~" Tayuya suddenly heard in her mind as a small smirk appeared on her face.

To that sudden statement, Tayuya's eyes widened as a dark red blush came across her face. "THE HELL!?" She roared with pure anger, confusion and embarrassment.

The dark pink haired girls desperately looked for the source of that as she refused to believe it was her saying such things as the blue in her eye slowly faded away. But only to find nothing in the room, which only infuriated her even more as she could swear she heard an amused and seductive giggling.

Unaware of this occurring while outside the room, Kiba let out a sigh as he half narrowed his eyes as he looked ahead. "Well. . .that suck. . ." He thought to himself with a sad tone. "But. . .at least I can still try. . ." He then added in his head.

"Arf!" Akamaru barked with a sombered expression on his face. "Well. . .it's not like you don't have a chance, but it won't be easy." Was what he said.

"It's not like that. . ." Kiba grumbled out as he placed his hands in his pockets.

Akamaru simply let out an amused whine at that as he laid on his partner's head. "Whatever you say." Was what he remarked.

Meanwhile the fifth Hokage came from the other side of the wing and watched as the Inuzuka left the former Oto kunoichi's room. As she saw the boy finally leaving the area, a small yet amused smirk appeared on her face.

Back within the hospital room of Team Seven. . .

The blond chunin was finally brought back into their team's room, though he was literally tied up this time to near extreme measures to prevent him from escaping, much to his immense annoyance if his growlings were any indication.

However Hinata could only giggle in amusement as she look at the annoyed state of her fiancée. "Naruto-kun, you should had to have known they would find you at Ichiraku." She mentally got out in a amused tone.

Naruto then let out another groan, but this time of reluctance as he knew she was right. "They could've at least let me finish my meal dattebayo. . ." He whined in a frustrated manner while all but admitted his mistake.

This in turn made Hinata giggle some more as she looked at the blond. "Don't worry Naruto-kun, Satsuki-chan will be back any minute with some ramen." She reassured in a calm tone.

Soon enough Naruto's frustration was replaced by excitement. "Really!? Nice! You two are the best dattebayo!" He declared in a happy tone while jumping in his place, which made him look like a worm wiggling.

And then at that exact moment. . .

"YAHOO! Naru-kun~! Nata-chan~!" A familiar playful voice greeted from inside the duo's minds.

Hinata couldn't help but giggle once more at this. "And here she is now." She declared as she turned to looked at the room's window.

Then the window open as the raven haired teen came inside with a containers in each hands. "Bet your still hungry Naru-kun." Satsuki soon guessed as she then noticed the blond's current predicament and slightly smirked playfully. "Wow, they went all out this time, huh?" She stated more than asked with a teasing tone.

This caused Hinata to giggle silently. "Yes, they did." She replied in agreement and amusement.

Naruto in turn could only pouted to that and wiggled to show his discontent. "Don't remind me." He got out in slight annoyance.

The Hyuga and Uchiha in response to that meanwhile began to openly giggling in amusement and the blond's misfortune.

Satsuki then went and placed the containers on a nearby table. "Need any help Naru-kun?" She soon offered.

Naruto however quickly got over his annoyance and merely shook his head to that. "Nah! Give me a minute, I'll get out on my own." He replied as he went back to struggling.

The two girls then burst out in another giggling fit as they could imagine the doctors and Shizune having a fit if they heard that.

Snap!

Naruto soon smirked at what he heard. "Yes!" He shouted in joy as he felt the ropes rapidly began to loosen and then he felt his arms being free again. "Try harder next time Shizune-neechan!" He declared with a clear victorious tone.

Both girls didn't found this to be surprising in the slightest as their favorite blond always pulled stunts like this on a regular basis, but it was still amusing to see all the same.

Suddenly an idea pop inside the female Uchiha, making her smiled in a vixen like manner. "So, can we at least feed you?" Satsuki soon offered in a cutesy manner with an equally cute tilt of her head, while secretly winking at her female partner.

As if having a wordless conversation, the female Hyuga giggled and nodded in agreement. "If that's alright with you." Hinata then added to the offer in her own cutesy tone, perfectly mimicking the Uchiha.

"Pweeeeeease~?" The Hyuga and Uchiha soon asked in perfect cutesy unison as the looked at the blond with needy expressions on their faces.

Naruto was left speechless with his mouth wide open as he couldn't handle the cuteness overload from his fiancé's and tried to say, more like babbling incoherently, to find an answer to this double attack.

To that speechless reaction, both girls giggled in amusement as they ended their adorable act. "Sorry about that Naruto-kun." Hinata apologized in a adorable manner.

When he heard that, the amused giggling that blond's brain finally rebooted and knew that he was prank, but he took it with good humor as he chuckle at this. "Oh I am so getting back at you two. . ." Naruto then declared with a smirk on his face.

Satsuki however winked at the blond and gave a playful smirk of her own. "We like to see you try Naru-kun~" She challenged with anticipation before taking out the ramen from their containers. "But for now, we should eat up." She then suggested as she gave each of her beloved people their lunch.

The others couldn't help but smiled contentedly while they nodded in complete agreement as they took their bowls of ramen. "Thanks Satsuki-chan! You and Hinata-chan are the best!" Naruto happily replied while getting ready to devour his food from the gods.

Which in turn made the two girls blush to the praise towards them as they also began to eat their ramen, the Uchiha sitting down as well against her bedside. Then the trio ate their ramen, though each at their own phase and style, they still did so with the same level of gusto. However as they did so, they heard two nurse talking outside of the room, one of them being the same nurse that had checked the injured Yamanaka.

"Its that bad, huh?" The first nurse began in concern.

The second nurse, who was the platinum blonde's nurse nodded. "Yes. . .I don't think that Yamanaka-san will be able to continue a profession as a kunoichi." She replied in a saddened tone.

"!?" The trio's eyes widen at hearing that as their appetite vanished in an instant.

This was the one thing that all of the girl's friends had thought in the back of their minds, but they would all simply faint ignorant and not think about it, so actually hearing it from someone else was saying it was like being slap into reality.

"Oh dear. . .I think it's really a shame, if she was anything like her father, she would had been taken his place as the head of Konoha's Barrier Team." The first nurse then got out in a sadden tone of her own.

"Yes. . .but in the end, it will still be up to her if she wishes to continue being a shinobi." The second nurse then stated but then frowned sadly. "But with just one arm. . .I don't think she can. . ." She then admitted.

"And to think what happened to her was due to her former friend. . ." The first nurse then reminded as the two left the area.

It was at that last statement that the nurses had been completely passed the trio's room and couldn't be heard anymore. However the trio didn't even bother to continue eating at hearing them.

The trio all had a different expressions, the blond had an expression devoid of an emotions as he looked as his ramen, the ravenette had narrowed her eyes as anger was in them while she tighten her grip on her chopsticks and the bluenette lowered her bowl while she had a sadden expression.

Then the ravenette broke her chopsticks and threw them to the wall. ". . .Dammit. . ." Satsuki mumbled out in anger before chugging down the rest of her ramen in one go and then placed her bowl aside.

"Ino-chan. . ." Hinata got out in concern as she slowly continued eating her food.

However Naruto, which would surprise anyone knowing his addiction to it, didn't continue eating his as he then turned his head as he looked out the window. "I think. . .I always knew that Ino wouldn't be able to continue being a kunoichi. . ." He admitted with a calm yet distant tone. "I just didn't want to admit it to myself, I tried to convince myself that she could. . .somehow." He continued with an even more distant tone.

Shocking the girls to hearing that, but then slightly closed their eyes as they also felt the same way, so they couldn't deny it.

Then Naruto returned his gaze back at them and smiled sadly. "But. . ." He tired to say but trailed off at the end.

The girls in turn reluctantly nodded in agreement to that as they knew what the blond meant. "We just tried to deny the possibility that she couldn't. . ." Hinata soon ended the blond's sentence with a saddened tone.

Meanwhile, Satsuki's hands continued to tighten even more that she would had start bleeding, but it was thanks to the female Hyuga's touching her hands that made her stop before it could happen. The ravenette looked at her and seeing her sad smile, instantly calmed her down.

Then Hinata smiled a bit brighter as a thought came to her mind. "Say, Naruto-kun, Satsuki-chan, I think I want to go to the roof for some fresh air, want to come?" She suggested in hopes of trying to get them in a better mood.

". . ." The Uchiha at first didn't replied but then merely nodded to the offer. "Sure. . ." Satsuki replied with a low tone that was desperately trying to hold back her inner rage.

The blond however shook his head to that. "Nah, I'm good, I think I just want to rest here for a bit, thanks for the offer though." Naruto responded as he put his hands behind his head and lay on his bed.

To that, Hinata nodded in a understanding manner as she and the Uchiha got up, then they put away their empty bowls away. Then after making sure everything was in order, the two girls headed for the door. "Then we'll be back in a bit." She replied as the two exited the room.

Once gone, the blond frowned as he looked at the ceiling with a contemplaning expression on his face. "Dammit. . .this suck dattebayo. . ." Naruto muttered out as he looked at the ceiling, not focusing on his food.

"But even if I lay here dying, I'm still glad that I had met you." Kimimaro soon got out as his face returned to his human appearance. "For only you had acknowledged my existence and gave my worthless life meaning." He concluded as the shine in his eyes left.

"!" This sudden memory caused Naruto to flinch and than slightly grind his teeth in frustration.

The words from the fallen Oto Shinobi still affected the blond deeply since he knew that, even for a moment, he had gone down the wrong path. And just like the confrontation with his fellow jinchūriki, that he also could have ended up like the fallen shinobi if their roles were reversed.

This in turn then caused his expression to become more depressed the more he thought about it. "Damn it. . ." Naruto cursed in his mind as he just couldn't stop feeling this way.

"Well kid, smooth move on rejecting a girl's offer." A older male voice remarked which soon followed by the sound of a large slurp sound.

"!?" This got Naruto to snap out of his thoughts as he turn to his right and saw it was none other then the Toad Sage. "Ero-sennin?" He got out in confusion, before his eyes widen when he saw the man eating his ramen. "OI! THAT'S MY RAMEN!" He declared in a angered manner.

The white haired man merely finished up the rest of the ramen as he placed it a side. "So I hear that you snuck out again?" Jiraiya simply asked while ignoring the blond's declaration and putting down the empty bowl. "That desperate to train?" He rhetorically asked already knowing the answer.

The young blond's expression soon calmed down to that. "We all are actually." Naruto revealed in a deadpan tone as he referred all the members of Team Seven.

Jiraiya simply smirked as he sat down on a nearby chair. "Don't you worry. I'll train you hard right away." He replied in a carefree yet reassuring tone.

This would had normally made the blond ecstatic at being train for real so he could get even stronger then before, to get closer to his dream.

"For only you had acknowledged my existence and gave my worthless life meaning."

However the blond's expression of excitement completely turn into a sour with hints of self loathing at recalling the fallen shinobi once more. It made him grip his hands tighter, not enough to cause harm, but more so out of trying to hide his hidden frustration.

At that moment, the blond then saw the memory of the girls own frustrated and depressed expression before they decided to go get some air.

The moment that image appeared, the blond stopped tightening his hands as his eyes widen in shock. "Hinata-chan. . .Satsuki-chan. . ." Naruto soon thought in concern before slightly narrowing his eyes. "Oh well. . .about the training. . ." He began to say in a uneasy tone as he looked towards the exit of his room. "I was wondering if you could wait a little while longer." He soon requested with clear hesitation in his voice.

"Hmm?" The Toad Sannin hummed out in curious manner as he never heard the blond sound so unsure.

"I'm not saying I don't want you to train me." Naruto quickly clarified but his eyes never left the door. "But I have some things I need to take care of first." He then revealed.

The toad sage lazyly looked at the exit as he instantly realized why his godson was acting so out of character. "Ah? You along with the girls?" Jiraiya stated more than asked.

The blond in turn nodded to that. "Yeah. . .so if that's alright?" Naruto soon got out.

". . ." Jiraiya merely look at both the blond and the open door way, he only need to put a bit of thought to it and realized why the near training addict of a godson would hesitate. "That fight messed him up worst that I thought, but he's trying to hide his pain for the girls sake. . ." He thought to himself while trying not show any hints of his thoughts to the blond. "While noble in a way. . .that's going to end up blowing up in the future. . ." He then added.

". . ." Naruto meanwhile was still gazing at the doorway waiting eerily and patiently for the Toad Sage's response.

Then after a while Jiraiya merely nodded to that. "Well, for now, we're not going anywhere anyways." He stated as he stood up. "But I'll give you my decision later, right now I need to meet up with Tsunade-hime." He then added as he began walking through the window.

It was finally at this that the blond turn his gaze and turned to see his godfather walking. "Sure. Later." Naruto replied with a distant tone in his voice.

With that the Toad Sage simply jumped out the window, leaving the blond to continued pondering in his mind. However unknown to the teen, the older man smirk as he shushined away.

On the roof of the hospital. . .

As the two female members of Team Seven were taking their break, the sun was slowly starting to pass above them. Thanks to their high vantage point, they could watch the citizens of Konoha, civilian or shinobi alike were enjoying their day, completely unaware of what had occurred during the last few days.

Both Hyuga and Uchiha soon enough sighed in near perfect unison as they seperated from the roof's edge. Then the two sat down on a bench and turned their heads up to look at the open sky while having a deep pensive expressions.

After a few moments, the bluenette then slightly glanced to her friend. "So much has happened. . ." Hinata got out in a meeky manner.

Though not turning away from the sky, Satsuki simply nodded in agreement to that. "Yeah. . ." She replied in a solemn manner while leaning back slightly.

What else was there to say? The two knew exactly how bad their mission went and just how much they would had lost. So all they could do now was to contemplate everything in somber silence in an attempts to both learn from such an experience and move on as well. Though it was easier said than done.

the two kunoichi's were so in deep thought that they were completely unaware that a familiar white haired older man was hiding behind the roof's entrance. The toad sage had arrived a few minutes ago as he wanted to talk to them, but when he heard the two kunoichi's conversation he decided to remain hidden as he watch on with a serious expression on his face.

After a long pause of doing nothing but stare at either the sky or the village in absolute silence, the female Hyuga soon took in a deep breath as she then looked at the sky. "Say, Satsuki-chan. . ." Hinata started with a somber voice.

This in turn got the Uchiha attention as she glanced at her friend. "Hm?" Satsuki hummed out.

Hinata then closed her eyes as she took another few moments to try and collect her thoughts. "When we finally be able to check out, what should we plan to do from that point onwards?" She soon asked.

To that, the Uchiha blinked a couple of times to the sudden question. "What do you mean? Shouldn't we go back on taking missions like always?" Satsuki in turn asked in confusion.

The Hyuga then finally open her eyes and turned towards her best friend with a serious yet somber expression. "Yes. . .we should still do missions like we can normally do, but I'm not really sure what to do when we're not on one." Hinata stated the reason for her question.

"Hmm. . ." Satsuki hummed out as she started contemplating on what to do. "Train. . .?" She then suggested in a uneasy tone.

". . ." Hinata said nothing at first to the suggestion as she turn her gaze back towards the sky. "However. . .would that really be enough though?" She soon asked more so to herself than the Uchiha.

The ravenette was taken aback by that. "Eh?" Was all Satsuki got out to the new question as she was unable to understand the meaning behind it.

The Hyuga then smiled sadly as she once more gained a depressed expression on her face. "It's just. . .after the last mission and thinking it over for these past few days. I been thinking that just training the same way we have done isn't enough anymore. . ." Hinata then revealed in a sadden tone.

It was then that Satsuki could somewhat see where the bluenette was referring to and she didn't liked it. "Meaning?" She asked in a serious tone.

The Hyuga soon lowered her head so that her bangs could hide her eyes. "While we did survive our last mission, it was very apparent that it was purely out of luck rather than skill or ability." Hinata soon declared without an ounce of exaggeration in her tone. "My skills weren't enough to beat my opponent without the need to rely on Kurama's power. . .and even with it, I. . .wasn't able to help Neji-niisan when he needed me the most." She then added in a more ashamed tone.

The Uchiha then turn to look at the sky as her mind wandered back to her fight with the traitor before she then recalled just how even they started the fight, however how quickly that changed and she was forced to also relied on their Bijū friend's chakra to even fight back.

Soon the ravenette lowered her head and nodded in agreement to what her friend had stated. "I. . .I agree. . ." Satsuki replied in a hesitant yet depressed manner. "I let my anger toward her get to me after what she did to Ino-chan. . .and simply let it controlled me" She soon admitted with a shameful tone.

Then the bluenette smiled sadly at that. "So that's why I said that I just don't think training the same way is enough anymore. . .and if we face something like them again. . ." Hinata hesitantly declared. "I just don't want to feel this helpless again. . ." She soon enough stated in a ashamed manner.

It was at that point that the Uchiha remained quiet as she lean on the roof's edge, then after a few moments she let out a tired sigh. ". . .So. . .any ideas on how to change our training for the future?" Satsuki then asked with a hopeful yet sprinkle filled desperation in her voice.

While it was true that the Hyuga would normally be the brains of the team and would always have great ideas and strategies, she could only smiled sadly as she shook her head to that. "I'm afraid not. . ." Hinata replied with a sad tone.

The Uchiha merely nodded to that as both girls soon sighed in a depressed and slightly frustrated manner manner.

At this point the Toad Sage let out a sigh as he pretty much figured out everything he need to hear. "These gaki's have finally reached their true first wall." Jiraiya thought to himself as he pushed himself off the wall and entered the roof.

At the sound of the familiar clanking footsteps, the two kunoichi turned around and it was as they had guess who it was. "Ero-Sennin. . ." The two got out with a slightly tired tone.

Jiraiya in turn groaned in annoyance to that. "Ugh, even the Hyuga now. . ." He got out more to himself before he turned back to his annoying self. "So, was checking my gaki of a godson when I was wondering where you two were." He soon started a casual conversation.

This in turn caused the two girls to blink in confusion. "You were looking for us?" The Hyuga and Uchiha soon asked in unison.

The white haired man merely shrugged his shoulders to that. "Hmm. . .not really." Jiraiya casually replied.

The Uchiha then narrowed her eyes in annoyance to that. "Then leave us alone will ya. . .we're not in the mood dattebakon. . ." Satsuki requested in a deadpan tone.

The Toad Sage however let out a small chuckle amused at that. "Yup, Kushina reincarnated." He thought to himself in amusement. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding." He jokingly said as he then looked at the two. "I actually overheard you two talking." He soon revealed in a more serious tone.

"!?" Both kunoichi's eyes widen at hearing that, but the Uchiha then narrowed her eyes in annoyance.

Jiraiya then crossed his arms and gave a deadpan expression. "Kind of hard not to listen when you were so immersed in your talk that you didn't notice that I was right by the door." He quickly said as he interrupted the ravenette before she could rant. "That looks pretty bad for a kunoichi to do by the way." He then added with a hint of disappointed in his tone.

The Uchiha in turn had the decency to blush and not say anything as that was very clumsy for a kunoichi to do. But that didn't change the fact that she was still annoyed as her expression completely stated that.

Jiraiya then uncrossed his arms and placed his hands on his sides. "So you want to change up the training you two have been doing right?" He then stated in the same serious tone.

Hinata meanwhile frown sadly. "Hai. . ." She replied as she nodded in confirmation. "But we aren't exactly sure how. . ." She then added.

Finally giving up on her annoyance, the ravenette let out a sigh as she decided to followed the bluenette choice and give the Toad Sage their thoughts on the subject. "I mean, sure we have our own taijutsu and in my case, Kenjutsu, to work on, but we still feel that it's not enough." Satsuki soon admitted.

The white haired man merely rubbed his chin to that in a pondering manner. "Hmm. . .So you want more options to use, not just get better in your normal styles, is that right?" Jiraiya soon guessed what the two girls were conflicted of what they want to train in.

The two kunoichi in turn looked at each other and had a small unspoken conversation before turning back to the older man and nodded as that was exactly what wanted to figured out.

Jiraiya once again began to think as he then scratch the back of his head. "Well. . .I can't give you a honest answer or suggestions if I don't know what exactly you two want to learn or get better at." He soon revealed.

This in turn caused both girls to drop their head in depressed manner. That was truly the million yen question, what do they want to train? After all simply having the desire to get stronger is the first part, but knowing what to learn or practice is the step that escapes them.

Jiraiya however sighed to this action. "Listen you two, it doesn't have to be something too detailed, simply having something now is enough to get a start. We can work on the details later." He stated before he put a finger on his head. "Now, at least I want you to answer this question for yourselves: What could had help me in the last fight?" He then asked the two girls in a serious tone.

Then the two kunoichi's took a long pause to try to think of what they would had helped them during those life threatening battles. There were many things that they could've done now that they know from first hand experience, but it was still hard for them to think of anything too specific on the spot.

"Well. . ." Satsuki soon started, getting everyone's attention. "I would have liked to used genjutsu during the fight, I was so caught on the fight that I didn't even consider using it." She stated with a hint of shame for not thinking of using her Sharingan's second function due to her blind rage. "If I could've use it like that one nii-san gave us, it would had helped me a lot." She commented before recalling an important aspect. "Well not the like the Tsukuyomi at the moment, don't want to go blind any time soon." She concluded.

Jiraiya in response couldn't help but smirked at that insight. "Good, she's starting to use her experiences to improve herself." He thought to himself as he simply nodded to that. "True, you are an Uchiha, so Genjutsu is a must for you to use. And while is simple, it's a good start, but is there anything else you think would help?" He then questioned.

Satsuki then took in a deep breath to that. "I. . ." She began as she place her left hand above her hip and tightened her hand as if she was holding her sword. "I wanna get better at kenjutsu. . ." She soon declared.

The toad sage raised an eyebrow at hearing that. "Oh yeah. . ." Jiraiya got out as he recalled something. "Kakashi did told me that you wanted to create a new Kenjutsu style, huh?" He then stated.

This caused the ravenette to slightly blush to that. "Oh. . .Y-Yeah. . ." Satsuki got out with slight embarrassed tone. "I mean it was something I am seriously thinking about, though Kakashi-sensei said that it's not impossible, but it's just really hard to do and that I would need a pro's assistance to do it." She stated while leading a sigh of frustration. "But I just don't know any good kenjutsu users here in Konoha. . ." She then admitted.

Jiraiya merely nodded to that. "Hmm. . ." He hummed out.

". . .Do you know any Ero-sennin?" Satsuki soon asked in a curious manner and an innocent tilt of her head.

The white haired man soon began rubbing his chin once more. "Well, for genjutsu I'd say you know someone who can introduce you." Jiraiya stated as he turn to look at the bluenette and smirk. "And as for someone to help you with kenjutsu. . ." He then started as he looked at the young ravennette. "I think your big sis should know someone." He vaguely concluded.

The Uchiha merely blinked to that before giving a deadpan expression. "Ok, if you meant Kurenai-sensei, yes I get that. But if your trying to sound all mysterious and cool by not saying the person's name. . .its not working, at all. In fact, you sound like a little kid trying to be cool." Satsuki declared with a deadpan tone.

Jiraiya couldn't help but face fault at that before he cough in his fist. "A-Anyways. . .What about you Hinata?" He then asked the female Hyuga.

Taking a deep breath to that, Hinata soon looked at the two as she gain a serious expression. "Well. . .aside from betting better with my personal skills. I want to be able to support everyone on both the frontlines and in the back. . ." She confessed as she then recalled something else. ". . .And I want to keep discovering new ways to use my Byakugan." She then revealed.

After the Hyuga had discovered that her Byakugan could now see emotions, she wondered what else she could use it for. It was something she had never thought before, after all she had been always taught to use her bloodline for combat, so this new possibility had opened her curiosity for new uses she could do with it.

To that, Jiraiya gained a curious expression to the girl's words. "Well. . .I got nothing for your eyes part, but. . ." He started as he honestly didn't have any way to help improve a bloodline. "For learning support though. . ." He then began to say as he then eyed the Hokage tower as a smirk appeared on his face.

"Hmm?" Hinata hummed out in innocent confusion and curiosity.

The Toad Sage pretended to gain a pensive expression as he put on a hand on his chin as if to think. However on the inside he was smirking as a genius idea came to mind as he could already see a possible bright future ahead for the bluenette if he what he thinks she could be heading.

This caused Hinata to slightly tilt her head as she waited for the older man's response. "Ero-sennin?" She innocently called out.

Then the Toad Sannin lowered his hand and looked uninterested. "Well, not sure about getting stronger as your fighting style is primarily Juken, only another more skillful Hyuga can help you there." Jiraiya then lazyly suggested

"Oh. . ." Hinata replied in a slightly depressed tone.

Well the young kunoichi did figured as much, but still hearing that even the Toad Sage couldn't provide any help to her dilemma did felt depressing and hopeless.

"But. . ." Jiraiya soon continued with a slightly indifferent expression as this got the Hyuga's attention. "Wouldn't it make sense if you try learning Medical Jutsu if you want to be a better support?" He then suggested as he was mentally smirking at his performance and a certain blonde haired woman appeared in his mind.

Hinata's eyes widen in shock at hearing that, how did she not think of that? She already knew that Medical Jutsu requires an extreme levels of chakra control and she was one of the best control of her age group save for a traitor. And if she could learn medical jutsu, she could always be ready to help those precious to her.

It took all of white haired man's acting skills to hide the shit eating smirk that wanted to desperately wanted to come out for the fact that he succeed on placing the seeds of possibility on the girl's mind.

Satsuki however looked at her friend with a excited grin on her face. "Yeah! That would be awesome! I can image you being awesome at it Nata-chan!" She encouraged.

"Really?" Hinata once more asked in a curious manner.

"Hell yeah! I meant your entire persona is a caring person that helps others, so medical jutsu is like the icing in the cake!" Satsuki declared with glee as she placed a hand on the other girl's shoulder, making her companion smile happily.

Inwardly smirking to the brightened expressions, Jiraiya soon turned away from the girls. "Well that's all I can really suggest, it's up to you now." He then reminded as he started walking away.

Watching as he was leaving, the Uchiha then stood up. "Where are you going?" Satsuki asked in confusion.

The white haired man merely glanced at the two for a moment. "I got some business to take care off." Jiraiya informed in a causal manner. "Do give my suggestions some though, alright?" He added with small smile on his face.

With that, the two girls of Team Seven, they knew they had a lot of work to do if they wanted to get stronger due to the Toan Sannin's words. . .

Meanwhile, as said Sage was walking way, he closed his eyes and began to image his former teammates in their glory days. Then each of them were replaced by the Team Seven trio, making him smiled proudly. "Maybe someday. . ." Jiraiya soon muttered to himself as he reopen his eyes and started heading for the Hokage's office.

Within the Hokage's Office. . .

The blonde Hokage was going through paperwork due to the result of the mission, even though it had ended in failure, the reports given were something that would needed for the survival in the future. However sudden, she sighed in annoyance. "Come in!" Tsunade suddenly called out with a slight annoyed tone.

As if summoned the Toad Sage was upside down while he poke his head from the nearby window. "Oh, I've been spotted, huh?" Jiraiya joked with his usual carefree tone as he did a somersault and enter the room.

Tsunade just let out an another annoyed sigh at his former teammate's usual antics. "If your here to waste my time with your perverted nonsense I'll be sending you flying." She stated.

The white haired man in turn rolled his eyes to that. "L-Like I'd waste my time peeping at an old lady!" Jiraiya however remarked in annoyance as well.

In an instant the female Hokage's expression turn into a literal representation of female fury as she was getting ready to beat the living daylights of the pervert.

Seeing he had said to much, Jiraiya quickly put his hands in front of him and wave them in protective manner. "W-Wait! Wait! I take that back!" He quickly stated as he did not want to relieve the first time he nearly died at the hands of the blonde Sannin. ". . .What happened due to Kabuto's drug never occurred. . ." He then reminded as a faint blush appeared on his face.

This in turn also caused the Hokage to blush as she then coughed into her fist. "S-So, what do you want? Aside from wasting my time." Tsunade soon asked.

Then the jubinaly expression on the Toad Sage's face was gone and replaced by a serious one. "Actually, I've came to talk about what Shikaku's kid mentioned. . ."

Tsunade in turn narrowed her eyes to that as any and all nonsense disappeared in an instant. "The force creation of new bloodlines. . ." She stated in a serious tone.

Jiraiya soon nodded to that. "Got to say though, that kid has a good future is he was able to figure out this much on his own." He admitted in a impressed tone. "He's definitely going to surpass Shikaku in a decade or so." He then added.

The female Hokage also nodded in agreement with that, but then took out the files of everything they had gathered about the failed Retrieval Mission. "I still can't believe that he's reached this kind of experiments. . ." Tsunade then admitted with a sense of dread in her tone.

Jiraiya in turn rubbed his head to that in a frustrated manner. "Yeah. . .while I thought he was insane trying to find immortality, but this?" He then started before sighing. "This is is just another level of insanity. . .and worst yet, he's getting results." He then added with the same sense of dread, then a thought came to mind. "How is the girl by the way?" He soon asked in a curious yet serious manner.

Tsunade then went and took out a folder to reveal the dark pink haired girl's medical report. "Well, aside from being the sole survivor of her group, it seems to her mutation have stabilized well and won't have the risk of her exploding at the moment." She informed.

Jiraiya however scratched his chin to that. "Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing." He admitted in a awkward manner, which he received an annoyed glare from the blonde Hokage. "Well, it's good for her so that she won't die in a fiery explosion, but bad for us, because it only means that Orochimaru could make more shinobis like her." He then added.

Tsunade then narrowed her eyes once more, but only this time in agreement to the Toad Sage's words. "Anyways. . ." She got out as she looked at the records once more. "It's been rather difficult to gain any other data. Any attempt on getting a blood sample from her resulted in it combustibles in flames." She then revealed in a dead serious tone.

Jiraiya merely sighed to that. "Flammable blood. . .still trying to wrap my head around that one." He admitted as the concept was still foreign to him. "And you say that her control over her own flames is on par with an elemental bloodline user?" He then asked.

"That's what Shikamaru and Temari reported with their experiences in their team's battle." Tsunade answered and slightly narrowed her eyes as she looked at the files. "And frankly, I'm willing to believe them." She then admitted.

"You mean that along with what the girl told you the other day?" Jiraiya then reminded.

Tsunade in response nodded to that as she thought back to the second day after the failed Sakura Capture mission.

Flashback no jutsu!

It had been two days since that fateful day as things had calmed down to an extent with all the of the squad now stabilized and resting. Even the single prisoner had been calm despite her situation.

However what the female prisoner wasn't expecting was that the Hokage herself wanted to talk to her of all people, especially when she was part of the squad that took one of their own kunoichi, turn traitor or not.

Tayuya thought that she was either going to torture for any information may had towards the Snake Sannin, which wouldn't be much, after all the man only truly trusted his right hand man and another certain psychotic individual with any important information.

So the dark pink haired was wondering if she would survive for the next morning. However when she entered a room, it wasn't a torture room as she had thought, but instead it was the Hokage's office itself.

The dark pink haired girl soon looked at the blonde leader with a raised eyebrow. "Damn, and here I thought they were exaggerating when they said the Hokage this time was stacked." Tayuya nonchalantly remarked.

Tsunade however just groaned to that remark in annoyance. "You and everyone else brat." She remarked in a deadpan tone.

Well the teenager's expectations weren't going as she thought they would and they were completely through out the window at the first thing the older woman told her, which sufficient to say was definitely not what she was expecting. . .

Tayuya was in a state of completely bafflement as she looked at the female Hokage. ". . .Are you fuckin' serious?" Tayuya started in a distrustful manner and narrow eyes.

Tsunade merely look on while her arms were crossed. "You heard me." She simply stated with a voice of pure indifference. "I am offering you sanctuary here in Konoha." She repeated with her tone unchanged, though there were small hints of displeasure in it.

". . ." Tayuya however did not trust this offer as she narrowed her eyes.

It was then that the female Holake uncrossed her arms and lean on her desk. "Of course there are conditions before you giving this offer." Tsunade soon started.

"And there's the catch. . ." Tayuya sighed out.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes and had clear irritated expression. "Did you actually thought there wouldn't be?" She questioned with sarcasm before controlling herself and return to her professional tone. "Anyways. . .I'm going to tell you the conditions and you can decide whether or not accept them. No skin off my nose, I can just sent you to prison." She soon stated.

The dark pink haired girl narrowed her eyes to that in defiant annoyance. "Wow. . .your giving so many fuckin' options. . ." Tayuya grumbled out.

Suddenly the room was envaled an a powerful killing intent that left Tayuya's entire completely paralyzed with fear by simply being this close to the Hokage. "!?" She couldn't say anything as she felt the intense intent being unleashed.

However the female Hokage was simply simply leaning on her hand while having a calm yet angered expression. "Watch it with the language young lady. . ." Tsunade warned with a low and very intimidating tone. "I may be offering you Sanctuary, but not because I care for your life in the slightest, it's only because we need as much information we can get. But if you think you can say anything you want at me. . ." She began in a serious tone.

DOOOOM!

Then even a more powerful killing intent destroyed the first wave, however this one would completely kill the lesser man. Even the hidden Anbu in the room were also affected, though thanks to their training they didn't show it, but that didn't meant that they didn't wished they weren't there at the moment.

Then the female Hokage's expression darken even further as her expression was of that promise pain the likes no human would wish towards their worst enemy, then she slowly stood up and walked towards the petrified teen.

Tsunade the looked down at the girl with clear content in her glare. "Then I will personally fulfill that deathwish you had wanted. . .but it won't be a quick nor painless one. . ." She soon concluded a threatening manner as she placed a hand of the shivering girl's shoulder. "Do I make myself clear?" She then asked.

The dark pink haired girl began shivering as she felt to her knees and was barely able to looked at the blonde leader. It was then that she truly realized that while this woman may not be twisted as her fellow Sannin, but she was someone that would cause her excruciating pain of the same level the former Snake Sannin would do to others.

"Y-Yes ma'am. . ." Tayuya stuttered out in a instinctive manner while passively lowering her head.

While the normally aggressive and cursing teenager would simply flip the woman the finger to anyone who would want to boss her, even with her new powers she knew that the Hokage would desimade her with no effort. So all she could do was swallow her pride for the sake of survival, which was ironic given her suicidal attempt a few days ago.

The blonde Hokage soon enough nodded to that as the killing intent vanish and the teenager could move again. "Good." Tsunade started as she walked back to her desk.

Once the Hokage was back at her desk, the dark pink haired girl could finally get back to her feet and was standing slightly straighter than before.

"Now then, my conditions are simple." Tsunade soon began with a more casual tone. "First, you will tell me everything you know about Orochimaru, from his hideouts to anything that he has done with Danzō if the two are working together." She revealed before she dangerously narrowed her eyes. "But most importantly, you will tell me everything about those pills you and your former team had taken save for the bone user." She then concluded with a no nonsense voice.

The dark pink haired girl merely nodded to that. "A-Alright. . ." Tayuya stuttered out, still feeling fear running through her veins. "Fuck me. . .she is that fucker's teammate. . ." She thought in a panic as she steadied herself to calm down. "Well, for Orochimaru, I'm pretty sure you know him just about as me." She started.

". . ." Tsunade narrowed her eyes at that as she wasn't about to deal with any sarcastic statements.

Feeling her life in danger, the dark pink haired girl quickly continued. "And no, I'm not being sarcastic." Tayuya soon declared in a serious tone. "Because unless he wants to order us something or put us into one of his twisted experiments, we never see him much. So can't say much about him." She then elaborated with a forceful trustful tone.

Sensing that there were not lies in the teenager, Tsunade calmed down and merely nodded to that. "That's. . .pretty understandable knowing him. . ." She admitted in a slightly annoyed tone.

"As for his hideouts, he has pretty much hundreds all over the world, which he changes daily from one place to another at random places and times. So you'll have a better chance finding a pin in a straw pile then him in a one of them." Tayuya soon revealed.

The blonde Hokage in turn narrowed her eyes to hearing that. "Damn, it's just as Jiraiya stated in his reports, he has influence all over the world in some way. . .that'll make things more difficult than we thought. . ." Tsunade thought to herself as her former teammate had told her this multiple times. "And the pills?" She soon questioned as this was more important information that need to be learn at the moment.

Tayuya in response took a deep breath and just shrugged to that. "There's not much I can say about them either. . ." She began in a laid back tone as she looked out the window. "That fucktard Orochimaru kept that and any information about them close to himself. So unless you want a vivid description of what I seen during his tests, then can't say much." She soon revealed.

The female Hokage let out an annoyed tisk at that. "Should've known. . .he wouldn't trust anyone but that punk Kabuto about something as groundbreaking as creating bloodlines to his lackies. . ." Tsunade thought to herself with seething anger.

While the descriptions of what the kunoichi saw during her former teammate's experiments could be of some help, it really didn't tell the Sannin how to stop any creation if any of her shinobi should be unfortunate enough to face.

And Tsunade didn't even want to think of her godson fighting a whole squad of them alone, as strong as he was growing, this was something outside anyone has ever faced before.

Tayuya at that point then narrowed her eyes. "But I can tell you who created them." She soon started in a serious tone.

This however caught the blonde Hokage's attention. "What?" Tsunade began as she looked at the girl. "Are you saying that Orochimaru wasn't the creator of the pills?" She soon questioned.

The dark pink haired girl merely shook her head to that. "I would more say he was a co-creator than the sole creator." Tayuya clarified her earlier statement. "But can't say much about her either." She then revealed.

"So its a woman?" Tsunade responded to this information.

Tayuya simply nodded as her body unintentionally shivered at remembering said woman. That demented and twisted cheshire smile, her soulless eyes that were filled with nothing but malice and how she actually relishes everything she does to her precious test subjects. . .it really makes her think if she is even human at all. . .

"I never found out her name, Orochimaru simply called her sensei. And I only met her once. . .and frankly, I hope to never see her again. . ." Tayuya admitted as she began shivering again.

The way the teenager shivered made the older woman concern to know just who this woman was, regardless she need to know. "And why is that?" Tsunade then asked as she narrowed her eyes.

"While Orochimaru is twisted and scares the living shit out of anyone. . .She. . .isn't dangerous like him. . .not in the physical sense, she's weak I mean extremely weak." "It's more her entire personality and mentality, she's twisted on a whole other level. . .even worse than that fucker. . .if that's even possible." Tayuya soon revealed in the same dead serious tone.

"What can you tell me about the one time you saw her." Tsunade soon asked.

"That things she had in her. . .research room. . .it was the same things you guys probably saw when my asshole of a team took the pills. . .or worst. . ." Tayuya soon revealed in a dead serious tone.

"Meaning?" Tsunade simply questioned in a serious yet curious manner.

Tayuya soon lowered her head as she gained a hollow expression on her face. "Things that comes from the worst nightmares. . ." She began in a no nonsense tone. "Things that would make you wish you were dead in the ground instead of the suffering she would put you through. . ." She soon revealed with a terrified expression on her face.

The blonde Hokage meanwhile noticed the fearful expression on the dark pink haired girl for merely describing the woman she was talking about. "By the way you say it. . .I'm inclined to believe that she as dangerous as Orochimaru himself." Tsunade soon deducted.

Tayuya however scoffed at that and shook her head. "No way." She soon said with complete annoyance. "She isn't any close as powerful as that fucker Orochimaru, heck even a simply fuckin' genin would be able to kill her easily." She soon admitted.

Tsunade placed a hand hand on her chin as she took a thinking pose. "I see, so this sensei is more of creating this abominations than having any real combat skills." She soon deducted.

"Not just that though. . ." Tayuya once more began, getting the Hokage's attention. "She just sick in the head, plain and simple. Everything she does is twisted and takes delight at anything she does, even if their possibility that she could be killed in the most painful manner, she would probably enjoy it too. . ." She added with clear disgust in her voice.

This didn't left a good picture on the female Hokage's mind as she frown with equal disgust. ". . .I see, a twisted sadist. . ." Tsunade soon deducted in a dead serious tone. "Leave it to Orochimaru to find people like him under his serves. . ." She then added in annoyance.

Tayuya in turn nodded to that. "That's putting it fuckin' lightly, but yeah." She admitted in reluctant agreement. "It makes me seriously question who would make the less agonizing deaths. . .him or her. . ." She finally concluded.

The blonde Hokage soon nodded to that. "Very well. . ." Tsunade replied. "I'll take everything you told me into consideration and I'll have my decision in a few days. However you'll still be staying at the hospital." She then informed.

"No shit. . ." Tayuya remarked in her mind as she rolled her eyes in annoyance, but wasn't about to say it out loud. "Fine. . .I'll wait here then. . ." She replied with a sigh. "So it's alright I got sanctuary here?" She then asked.

The blonde Hokage simply nodded to that. "For the information you have given, you indeed have." She replied. "However. . ." She then started.

Tayuya just raised an eyebrow to that in confusion.

Soon a dark aura formed around the Hokage. "You try anything to harm this village or anyone in it. . ." Tsunade began as she glared at the dark pink haired girl that promise pain unimaginable. "A quick death it's the only thing I won't give you." She soon declared.

Sufficient to say, the woman has gotten one of the top spots on the Do not pissed off list. "A-And if someone else start something?" Tayuya then asked in a nervous tone.

This honest question quickly calmed down the older woman. "You won't have to worry about that." Tsunade then stated. "For one, aside from the retrieval team and a select few jonin, no one in this village know your relation with Orochimaru, so they won't have any reason to target you." She soon explained.

Then Tayuya then looked at the Hokage with half open eyes. "I meant more like perverts that try and grab my ass or grope me." She then corrected.

This however caused the blonde Hokage to raise an eyebrow to that. ". . .Did you forget how old you are at the moment?" Tsunade questioned in a deadpan tone as she looked at the girl.

The dark pink haired girl responded with her own deadpan expression. "Wouldn't stop people before. . ." Tayuya countered.

To that counter, Tsunade's eye twitched as she pinched the bridge of her nose in a frustrated manner. "And two. . ." She soon continued where she was interrupted. "Even if I do give you sanctuary, you will still be in probation until we can completely trust you, so you will have someone watch over you twenty four seven to evaluate your loyalty." She soon informed.

The dark pink haired girl raised an eyebrow to that. "And who would that be?" Tayuya then asked.

The Hokage took a thinking pose once more as she thought of that. "That will be decided in a later date." Tsunade answered with a professional tone.

Tayuya soon sighed once more as she looked at the Hokage. "Alright, I won't try anything. . .just remember what I said before, it has happened to me before." She then added.

Tsunade merely sighed to that, but she honestly . "If it does happen, you are allowed to defend yourself, but in a non-lethal manner, you will not be held responsible for the other's actions." She soon informed.

This caused the teenager to roll her eyes at hearing this. "In other words, no burning or lighting people on fire right?" Tayuya state more than asked.

"You're learning, good girl." Tsunade remarked in a joking manner with a smirk on her face.

And with that, the now on porral kunoichi left the office and returned to her room at the high security wing of the hospital with the ANBU watching over her.

Soon Tsunade sighed to calm herself as she looked at her paperwork. "Now then. . .I still need someone to keep an eye out on her." "But can't have an Anbu twenty four seven on her. . ." She soon thought to herself.

Kai!

The Toad Sage could only let out an irritated sigh to what the dark pink haired girl had mentioned. "Great. . .another one that's just as twisted and demented as Orochimaru-teme. . ." Jiraiya got out with great annoyance while rubbing the back of his neck..

The blonde Hokage merely nodded to that. "So I don't need to remind you to look for this co-creator of Orochimaru's now whenever you go out." Tsunade reminded in a serious tone.

Jiraiya in turn just shrugged his shoulder as shock his head. "I'll be sure to keep an eye and ear for this sensei, but I don't think I'll be able to find her. After all if Orochimaru is trying to create something as insane as bloodlines now, I doubt he would make it easy to find her." He then admitted.

The blonde however narrowed her eyes to that. "Still, do your best in trying to find any clues about her." Tsunade soon ordered in the same serious tone. "So don't slack of as much as you usually do." She then added.

Jiraiya meanwhile nodded with a serious expression. "Got it" He replied with and equally serious tone.

While the Toad Sage would normally would had say something idiotic to lighten the mood, even he knew that finding even something about this co-creator would mean life or death for his village.

Then after a few moments of silence the female hokage finally relaxed. "Well if that all, you can go." Tsunade simply stated as continued to write the earlier files she was working on.

The white haired man however narrowed his eyes as he remembered another issue. "Actually. . ." Jiraiya started, getting the Hokage's attention. "I want to make an earnest request to you as the Hokage." He soon stated with a completely serious tone.

This in turn caused Tsunade to raise an eyebrow to this as she knew that this was serious if even her usual goofball of a teammate was acting serious. "Alright. . .talk." She responded.

Later that night in the hospital. . .

Our favorite trio were on the roof of the hospital, although there was still lights on the roof, they still manage to see the stars in the sky. There was a silence shared between them, though it was mix with many emotions, both negative and positive as they continued looking up.

While the girls were feeling a bit better, thanks to the suggestions of the Toad Sage. They still wanted to be alone for a bit longer and decided to watch the night sky. So the blond eventually came outside as well to join the two heiresses, he knew that they weren't ready to go back to their usual routine, so like he told his godfather he would also pospone his normal training to be with the girls.

The blond soon took in a deep breath as he relaxed himself. "So. . ." Naruto started as he looked at the two girls. "You girls have any plans?" He then.

The Uchiha in response to that smiled softly. "Is this for a date?" Satsuki however asked.

Naruto in turn couldn't help but chuckle to that. "While that would be great and would totally love to. . ." He admitted before gaining a neutral expression. "But I meant real plans." He added with a very serious tone.

". . ." To that question, the two girls remained silent as they both knew what the real questions was. . .

What do they want to do?

The two girls turn towards each other and frown sadly as they were unable to answer.

That was the very same question that only just recently plague their thoughts, how can they able move one pass this situation they were stuck at. . .While the Toad Sage's advice did help, how they still felt was still fresh in both their minds and spirits.

Clomp! Clomp!

However suddenly, the sound of clomping sandals came to the trio's ears.

"Well, it seems as though you three are in a pickle." An all too familiar voice remarked.

The trio however sighed to this. "Ero-sennin." They got out in perfect unison, .

Said white haired man groaned in annoyance to the trio's nickname, but he knew that they said it out of habit than their normal annoying energy. "Good to see you three are up again." Jiraiya replied in a casual tone before he turn slightly more serious. "Guess you three are still thinking about a lot of things huh?" He then asked.

The trio in response to they look at different directions but they still nodded in frustrated manners.

Satsuki then groaned in annoyance. "It's annoying not knowing what you want to do next dattebakon. . ." She admitted with a pout.

Hinata nodded in agreement to what the Uchiha had admitted. "Indeed. . ." She replied.

Jiraiya merely sighed to that. "It's called reaching a wall." He soon began. "Whenever a shinobi reaches the very limits of their current level and faces an obstacle that was beyond you, its when you finally realized just how much your level just isn't enough anymore." He soon explained.

Naruto however groaned to that. "It suck is what it is dattebayo." He stated in a deadpan tone.

Of all the things that the trio would had expected the perverted sage to do or say, nodding in agreement wasn't one of them.

Jiraiya then nodded to his godson's statement. "I completely agree geki." He replied in agreement. "I mean did you think that I reach this level of awesomeness without ever reaching multiple walls?" He soon asked.

The trio in turn were left stunned as they honestly didn't know how to respond to that. After all they knew that the perverted sage was strong, their ass still hurt when he fought them seriously that one time. But then they realized that it must had been true, after all you don't get be one of the most powerful shinobi in their generation simply by just being talented or skillful.

"And that's why. . ." Jiraiya started before gaining a serious expression. "Tsunade has given me a mission!" He soon revealed.

This in turn got the trio's attention. "A mission?" Hinata soon asked in a curious tone, voicing all of Team Seven's thoughts.

Jiraiya in turn nodded to that. "That's right! But not just any mission. Its an S rank mission, that will be the Land of Rice Fields where the possible Village Hidden in the Sound is located." He revealed. "In order to investigate and report any findings on the rogue traitor Sakura Haruno." He then declared.

To hearing that, the trio's eyes widened in shock. ". . .The Sound Village?" Satsuki soon asked in disbelief as only one person came to mind at hearing that.

Naruto's jaw however was almost dropping to that reveal. "You're gonna be going there Ero-sennin!?" He exclaimed.

However the bluenette gain a worrisome expression to this ."All by yourself?" Hinata soon asked with concern for the older man's safety.

Jiraiya in response wagged his finger in a playful manner. "Oh no, no, no. . ." He stated with a carefree tone. "This mission is set to be carried in the usual four man squad." He clarified while raising four fingers and then pointing at the trio with both index fingers. "And as of right now, you three will work under me. Got a problem with that!?" He soon questioned with a shit eating grin.

Instantly any and all doubts and confusion shattered at hearing that as their minds slowly began to realize what this mission truly meant. . .another chance at capturing the traitor.

This realization made the trio to gain either a grin or a smile at this, which soon made the Toad Sage to join in with a grin of his own.

"We're in!" The trio declared in unison at the chance of capturing the traitor.

Jiraiya in response nodded to that. "Then you three go and get ready." He then advised. "Cause we're leaving tonight." He soon informed.

The trio nodded in unison as they quickly dashed towards their home, each were so excited that, at least for the moment, forgot about the last mission so that they could focus on the current one.

It only took a few moments for the trio to reached their house as they entered their property.

"Better not to interrupt Anko-neechan and Kurama." Satsuki pointed out as she noticed the light candle light from her room. "As well as Yami-chan, Nina-chan and her friends." She then added.

Hinata nodded in agreement. "Yes, though we should let Kurama know we are going on a mission." She then suggested.

Nodding to that, the blond closed his eyes and concentrated. "Hey Kurama." Naruto mentally called out as the girls also heard him. "Know we said we leave you alone for a while, but need to tell you that we're leaving for a mission tonight." He soon infomed.

A moment a silence passed before a deep groan was heard. "Sure, I don't care." Kurama replied in a exhausted tone. "But you three should just remember what I had told you." He then reminded in a serious tone.

It was just that single sentence that the trio's excitement halted and gain a serious yet concern expression as they indeed recall what the Bijū had told them.

Flashback no Jutsu!

It was on the second day after the events of the failed retrieval mission that the trio, who were still resting on their beds, as well as the exhausted human form of the Kurama were having a private meeting at the request of said Bijū. While the trio were curious as to why he would want to talk about, they were very surprised to say the least.

"Wait. . .what do you mean you won't be able to give us your chakra for a while?" Satsuki asked in concerned confusion. "I mean I know you're exhausted and all, but are you serious? It's that bad?" She then added.

The exhausted Bijū however sighed to that. "It's not that I can't, it's just that my mind and my chakra are completely out of synch after regain control. . ." Kurama revealed.

The Uchiha and Uzumaki however blinked in confusion to hearing this. "Eh?" Naruto and Satsuki got out.

"What exactly do you mean Kurama?" Hinata soon asked in concern.

The Bijū in turn rolled his eyes to that. "Use your heads, it you couldn't handle my chakra after a certain level. How could you possibly handle it in an unstable state?" Kurama started with a very serious tone.

"!?" It was at the moment that the trio finally understood what the BIju was talking about. If using just one tail form could cause discomfort and two tails causes a large amount of pain, they did not want to even imagine how painful in its current state.

"Plain and simply, it could cause even more damage to your bodies after use, that's if nothing happen during use." Kurama soon revealed in a serious tone. "Which is why I need to restore my control over my own chakra, which could takes days if not weeks to do so, was that plain and simple for you idiots." He then stated with his tone never changing.

This in turn caused the trio to nod in a understanding manner, especially with seeing that the Bijū indeed needed to rest for his exhausted appearance, already knowing that it wasn't fake.

"Ok, but just wanted to ask. . .if by chance, and not saying we want it to happen, but what if need to use it incase well. . we face something like what Nata-chan fought?" Satsuki soon asked.

Kurama however just sighed to that. "If that were to happen, I don't think you three would survive with your current level." He stated without any malice, just honest brutality.

This in turn caused a shiver to go down the trio's spines to this reveal.

"So if that were to happen, then you would have to use my chakra, even with the possible consequences." Kurama soon stated. "However, only the kit should use it." He then informed.

Eh?" Hinata got out.

"Why?" Satsuki soon asked.

". . ." However it was Naruto the remained calmed as if he somehow knew what the Bijū meant by this.

Kurama in turn let out a sigh as he was expected that reaction from the girls. "Because, even if you two are now able to use my chakra too, that doesn't mean you will ever be able to use at the same level as the kit." He then informed.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Satsuki soon asked in a offended tone with a puffed up cheek.

Kurama however rolled his eyes to the offended expression of the female Uchiha. "Don't get me wrong. You can gain a decent level of control with enough training. Though at least 80% at the best, which would surpass anyone who had tried to control my power before." He soon informed.

This in turn, not only manage to calmed down the annoyed Uchiha, but also got the attention of both girls and their curiosity as well.

"But that doesn't mean your bodies would be able to handle using that much power the same way the kit could when he finally able to have access to most of my chakra. Though unless you find a way to have your bodies able to handle it, I wouldn't hold my breath on it." Kurama then stated in a dead serious tone.

After finally fully understanding the reason why the Bijū had said that they couldn't be on the same level as the blond in regard of his chakra. While they were honestly disappointed by this fact, they also somehow had the feeling that this would be the case. However this also just caused both girls to want to strive to try and break those limits.

Taking in another deep breath, the Bijū looked at the trio. "Anyways back to topic, because the kit's my host almost all his life would make his body would be able to handle the repercussions much better for using my chakra in its current state. But even then it should be a last resort when your lives are on the line." Kurama soon advised before slumping slightly. "Ugh. . .I really feel like shit. . .I'm heading back to the house. . .just don't forget what I said." He grumbled out his advice as he staggered out of the room.

The trio in turn frowned to this as they rested their heads against their pillows as they took their time to properly process the Bijū's words.

Kai!

Naruto then took in a deep breath and then exhaled it as that memory was still fresh on his mind. "I won't Kurama." He replied in a serious tone.

The ravenette then narrowed her eyes and gained a fierce expression. "Yeah, I don't want Naru-kun to have to suffer for us." Satsuki replied.

Hinata nodded in complete agreement on this statement. "Yes, we will find a way without having to use it unless is the very last option." She then concluded with a nod.

An amused chuckle could be heard through the link. "Alright kits, if you do have to use it, I made sure to leave our link open like always." Kurama responded. "But close it for the girls, just in case they want to be even more stupid than you." He then remarked.

A tick mark then appeared on both the Uchiha's and the blond's forehead to hearing that.

"Oi! What the hell dattebakon!" Satsuki remarked in a offended manner.

"What you mean by stupid like me!?" Naruto then got out with an irritated tone.

However the bluenette gain a bashful expression. "I. . .can't really deny that claim though. . ." Hinata muttered to herself with an embarrassed tone.

Their only response was another amused chuckle before the Bijū ended the link, much the two hotheaded chunins annoyance.

Hinata meanwhile sighed as she looked at her teammates. "Naruto-kun, Satsuki-chan, we still have to prepare." She soon reminded.

The blond soon nodded to that after calming down. "Yeah. . ." Naruto begrudgingly got out.

The Uchiha meanwhile pouted in annoyance. "Fine. . ." Satsuki grumbled out in annoyance.

And with that, the trio quickly raced through their belongings and grabbed both their equipment and essentials as stealthily as possible. Then after getting everything, the trio of Team Seven, they were ready for the next mission. . .

Within Kurama and Anko's room. . .

The room was dimly lit as the human disguised Bijū looked at the ceiling as he sighed in a exhausted manner. He had just told the special jonin what the trio had told him about their mission. But it was very apparent that she was very concern for the younger shinobi's.

"So, you think the three will be alright Kyū-chan?" Anko softly asked. "I mean this is that asshole Orochimaru. . ." She then reminded while cuddling up to his naked chest.

The disguised Bijū merely nodded to that. "Yeah, those three idiots will be fine." Kurama replied while letting out an amused chuckle. "They have this annoying habit of getting into the worst of trouble, but at the same time, they have the habit of finding a way out ot it." He then stated with a joking tone.

Anko in turn nodded to that as she snuggled deeper into her man's chest. Even if it sounded like he was making fun of the three, she knew that the Bijū actually had faith in them. "Yeah. . .they can handle it, as long as they're together." She replied in a soft tone. "For now, let's continue sleeping." She soon suggested.

The Bijū in response nodded in agreement to that as his eyes slightly began closing. "Yeah. . .I could use some more shut eye. . ." Kurama admitted as he took hold of the purple haired woman, pressing her breasts into his chest. "Good night. . .my love. . .my mate. . ." He mumbled out.

Anko in turn nodded to that as she then kissed his cheek. "You too, my sexy fox." She muttered in a seductive manner, tightening her hold on her man.

With that, both lover went into a deep sleep, all the while simply enjoying each other's warmth.

Back in the Hokage's Tower. . .

Tsunade was standing at her window while looking at the village with an expression of concern on her face. The older woman couldn't stop thinking about the request that her former teammate had made and what could happen as a result.

Flashback no jutsu!

The white haired man crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at the blonde. "It looks like those three have finally reached their true limits of their current level." Jiraiya revealed in a serious tone. "And had resulted in them being a huge slump, unable to know where they should head next." He then added.

Tsunade in turn to hearing that narrowed her eyes in a concerned manner. "That is a troublesome situation to say the least." She admitted.

Taking a deep breath Jiraiya shock his head. "Not going to lie, they could easily lose themselves in this state if their left alone to wallow in their slump." He continued with a concern expression which soon turn into a more comedic one. "And worst yet! We could end up losing important lackies!" He then over dramatically declared.

". . ." Tsunade however didn't so much as reply to that as she wasn't in the mood to entertain the pervs annoying boastings.

"Anyways!" Jiraiya got out as he knew that his joke didn't worked. "You have to recognize it as a special mission with the goal of investigating the Village hidden in the Sound." He then stated, but only this time he said it more seriously. "This will be a good start in ending their slump and finally be able to move on, right?" He stated more than ask with a serious tone.

The blonde Hokage sighed to this but this time not out of annoyance but compelled to agree. "I guess I have no choice, huh. . .?" Tsunade soon stated more than asked as she knew the trio did need something to help them out of their slump.

"Not if you want to deal with three preteen acting depressed." Jiraiya bluntly stated with a deadpan tone.

Groaning to that, Tsunade then looked at her former teammate. "But I have a condition." She then stated with a no nonsense manner. "Swear that you'll bring all three of them alive and in one piece. Understood?" She soon ordered with a tone filled with both authority and concern.

The Toad Sage merely smirked with his usual irritated manner at that. "That goes without saying, but I'll definitely bring them back, even if it cost my life." Jiraiya soon concluded in a determined manner.

Kai!

Even now, the female Hokage was very worried about approving the perverted Sage request. While she knew that what the pervert had said was true, that didn't meant she had to like it or still have doubts, especially after their life or death experience they just came out off.

"Even if Jiraiya can handle pretty much anything thrown at him, this mission is still dangerous if Orochimaru is involved. . ." Tsunade thought in a concerned manner.

The female Hokage couldn't help but thought back to how depressed the trio of Team Seven were. While they were physically getting better, they could only act as if they were better, but everyone could tell that the mental wounds were still freshly open.

"And with the current state of those three, who knows what will happen with this mission." Tsunade thought within her head before she then narrowed her eyes while looking out the window. "But he's right, those three need something to reignite their spirits or risk staying like this. . ." She then added in her mind in a serious tone. "I just hope to Kami that it won't end like last time. . ." She then added in a muttered as she went back to her desk.

Within the forest of the Land Of Fire. . .

It was already past dawn as the small glimpses of light could be seen in the distance, showing that morning was about a few moments away. The sounds of tree branches being step was heard as four blurs quickly passed by.

The trio of Team Seven and Jiraiya were dashing through the trees at speeds only shinobi's would be able to catch. Each of the trio had a serious and determined expressions, each wanting that this mission could be the chance to located the traitor.

The moment that the group managed to exit the forest and landed on top of a leafless tree, only then did they saw the sun finally rising out in the distance.

"Well, we're making good time dattebakon." Satsuki admitted as she sighed in relief.

"That's the Land of Rice, where the Village Hidden in the Sound is." Jiraiya meanwhile informed in a calm tone.

The trio in turn narrowed their eyes at that as they were getting mentally ready for whatever may came, be it shinobi or the same type of mutations they had fought before.

Jiraiya then looked at the trio in a dead serious manner. "Its where Orochimaru's headquarters should be." He soon stated. "Take sufficient caution and proceed." He then advised.

With those words the trio were now walking through a dirt route as they were walking at leisure pace. They could all see the fields at the sides of the route, but other than that, it was a calm and peaceful scene.

"This is kinda anticlimactic. . ." Satsuki then pointed out. While she did find the walk was a nice and pleasant, it wasn't what she was expecting.

The blond had his hands behind his head while having a bored expression. "Here I thought a bunch of Orochimaru's shinobis would greet us." Naruto remarked in a disappointed manner.

"It does make you wonder if this is the Hidden Sound Village." Hinata wondered while taking in the scenery. "It's. . .surprisingly a nice looking place." She soon admitted.

The white haired man continued to walk while merely shook his head to this. "No, we still haven't entered the Sound Village." Jiraiya stated as he stopped and turn towards the trio. "This is the Land of Rice." He then clarified.

This caused Naruto to gain a confused expression. "You said that before, but where is this place anyways? I never heard of it." He got out while wondering what was this place.

"It's a small land that's has nothing special." Jiraiya then started with a near dismissing tone. "The feudal lord was a foolish lord who hungered for powerful military strength in order to make the land disproportionately larger." He then revealed in a disappointed tone. "And then Orochimaru probably won favor with some fast talking. . ." He soon declared.

"So the feudal lord was suckered into trusting that snake pedo. . ." Satsuki got out in a disgusted tone.

Hinata meanwhile gained a disappointed expression on her face to that. "That's. . .honestly just too sad. . ." She admitted.

The Toad Sage let out a sight as he completely agree with the two. "Of course, Orochimaru himself wasn't thinking about making the land stronger." Jiraiya then stated, getting the trio's attention. "He just had an ambition to make himself stronger and to carry out revenge. . ." He soon revealed. "That's why there's nothing in this area that points to his presence." He concluded.

At this point the blond was losing interest about talking about the Sannin and wanted to continued his earlier question. "So, where's the Sound Village?" Naruto soon asked.

"Beats me. . .I don't know. . ." Jiraiya casually revealed while shrugging his shoulders.

To that, the trio of Team Seven face faulted immediately to that casual answer. "WHAT!?" The trio exclaimed in unison and clear irritation.

However instead of encouraging the trio's antics, Jiraiya gave them a deadpan expression. "We don't know where it is, so we're going to investigate, remember?" He then reminded as if he was talking to little kids.

It was then that the trio calmed down and had the decency to blush in embarrassment as they forgot that little detail.

The blond rubbed the back of his head and looked away. "Then. . .where do you think we should start?" Naruto then asked with a slight embarrassed tone.

Satsuki quickly agree while trying to hide her own embarrassment as well. "Y-Yeah, you must have a clue if we're here." She soon pointed out.

"H-Hmm. . ." Hinata hummed out in an embarrassed manner. "I-I guess. . .we have to gather information?" She soon suggested trying to diffuse the awkward atmosphere.

Jiraiya placed a hand on his chin and took a thinking pose. "There can't be a place where people are without food and ladies." He soon started as a small smile began to spread on his face.

However the trio's embarrassment ended as they began to frown as they began to image what was coming next.

"People gather where there's food and girls!" Jiraiya then declared as his smile turn into a full blown perverted smirk came across his face.

Instantly the trio completely lost any and all embarrassment as a small tick mark began to appeared on their forehead.

"First off, finding a traveler's town with lots of hot ladies is the top priority!" Jiraiya passionately declared with perverted delight. "Every land should have a traveler's town." He then added while chuckling perversely as his nostrils began to erupt hot steam.

And with that, the two more vocal members of the trio erupted with indignation and anger with the perverted sage's personality once again taking control. "Ero-sennin!" Naruto and Satsuki growled out in unison.

The Hyuga meanwhile sighed to this. "This is going to be a long mission. . ." Hinata mumbled out a exhausted tone.

Sufficient to say, the trio were now having second thoughts on this mission and were thinking that this could be nothing but a big waste of time.

It wasn't but a few minutes since that the Toad Sage had left the trio to entered the Traveler's Town, while the trio of Team Seven followed his order to wait just a few miles outside the town, however while doing so they were slowly starting to get irritated from not doing anything.

"Mooooh! Ero-sennin left to go and goof off!" Satsuki whined in a childish manner as she sat on a log.

The blond teen on the other hand placed his face onto his fist while having a very bored expression. "I rather have my teeth pulled out than just sit here and do nothing dattebayo!" Naruto ranted in agreement as he sat on the same log.

The Hyuga meanwhile sighed to that as she was also slightly annoyed like her loved ones, she she still shook her head in a negative manner. "I don't believe that Jiraiya-san wouldn't lose track of time with his. . .tendencies." Hinata soon started. "I also don't believe that his decision of leaving us here was simply for the sake of getting us out of his way." She then revealed.

This in turn got the attention of both the Uchiha and Uzumaki. "Eh?" Satsuki got out in confusion.

"What you mean Hinata-chan?" Naruto then asked with a raised eyebrow.

Taking a deep a breath, the Hyuga then looked at her loved ones with a confident yet concern in her eyes. "It's because of the potential that Orochimaru could have spies lurking in this town that we could be ambushed and even if its low, there's also possible that they could have those. . .pills." Hinata started explaining.

This in turn caused the two to wince at remembering about both the bluenette's and their friends telling them about experiences with those pill that mutated their enemies.

"I believe that even if there is one in the tavern, Jiraiya-san is able to handle it himself and that's why he doesn't want us to clash into another. . .opponent so soon." Hinata finally concluded with a slight concern tone.

There was a long pause of silence between the trio, each having very concern expressions, then small nervous sweat drops began falling from their faces. It was then that they were now fully realized that this mission was label S rank for a reason for the potential danger that they could face.

"He could've just said so instead of acting like a perv. . ." Naruto and Satsuki mentally retorted in unison, but it was very clear that at the very least now they were more willing to wait.

Hinata let out an amused giggle and nodded in agreement to that. "I do have to agree with you on that however." She soon admitted with an amused tone.

To that, the trio continued to wait for the Toad Sage to get back, however. . .

"AAAAAAAH!" a loud and terrified scream could be heard from the tavern town.

"Eh?" The members of Team Seven got out in confused unison.

Then when the trio turn to look at the source of the scream their brains actually had to stop to process what they were seeing. Just outside of the travellers town they saw a very terrified Toad Sage running for dear life as many thug looking men running after him with all sort of sharp weapons.

After blinking a few times trying to make sure they were seeing what they were looking at, their eyes widen in statement, which soon turned to great irritation. "It's one thing or another with you Ero-sennin!" Naruto and Satsuki loudly declared in annoyance.

The Hyuga meanwhile sighed in annoyance to this occurrence. "Moh! Is this going to happen every time dattebahi!?" Hinata meanwhile asked as she now felt annoyed for defending the older shinobi.

Then in unison, they each were either about to make hand seals or getting out their weapons to fight the oncoming mob.

"Ah! Stop!" Jiraiya frantically ordered when he saw that as he passed run passed them and turn towards to look at them while running in place. "This is a undercover mission! No jutsus or weapons that will tell everyone where you came from!" He then informed with a panic tone.

"WHAT!?" The trio shouted in pure shocked as they face turn to fright as they heard the men fast approaching.

"Then what do we do!?" Naruto then asked with a full panic tone as the girls were no better too.

"What else. . .?" Jiraiya started with a dead serious manner before turning around and made a mad dash. "RUN AWAY!" He shouted as he ran like his butt was on fire.

The younger shinobi nearly fell on their face when they heard that. "THAT'S YOUR PLAN!?" The trio shouted as they quickly pick up their stuff and ran after the running Sannin.

"KICK HIS ASS! KILL HIM! GET HIS MONEY!" The mob shouted while wanting the blood of the perverted sage.

Suffice to say. . .this start for their fist S Rank Mission wasn't the best way to begin for the trio. . .

Back within Konoha, more specifically one of the hospital rooms. . .

Outside the room, all was quiet, too quiet. . .

"WHAT!?" A young and furious female voice screamed from within the room.

From within of the room, there were Tsunade herself, both Kiba with Akamaru, the leader of the Inuzuka clan and mother of said teen, Tsume with her partner Kuromaru and as well as the fiery angered Tayuya as she was wearing a simple white t-shirt, pants and sandals.

"I'M GONNA BE FUCKIN' WHAT NOW!?" Tayuya roared in anger, her hair literally flaring slightly to what she heard.

". . .Wait really?" Kiba got out, not completely sure if he heard what the Hokage said was right.

The Hokage then looked at the girl with an expression of complete authority as she crossed her arms over her chest. "You heard me Gaki, you will be on your probationary period with the Inuzuka clan watching over you and more specifically, Kiba Inuzuka will give daily reports to me." She declared with narrow eyes.

Meanwhile the clan head let out a sigh and had a very annoyed expression at hearing that. But she did nothing to refute that. She had been informed a few hours beforehand about the Hokage's decision and while she wasn't very happy about the fact that her clan would be watching someone that used to work for the Snake Sannin. However after explain her reasons and her being a loyal shinobi towards the Hokage, with a slight hint of fear added into the mix, so she reluctantly accepted the decision.

"But. . .why him!?" Tayuya then asked as she pointed to the only human male in the room with a red face "Why does Kiba have to be my watcher!? She soon added.

DOOOOM!

It was at this point that the older woman realized a powerful killing intent to show that she wasn't going to tolerate any back talk.

"Truth be told, I would much rather you be watch twenty four seven by and elite ANBU that can take you out if you ever cross us." Tsunade replied trying to sound as a joke, however the way she looked and said it didn't have even a hint that she was.

"!" That moment Tayuya heard that she instantly calmed down and shut up as she once again reminded that the Hokage didn't care or would give her a painless death if she didn't behave in her presence.

Once seeing that the threat was received, the blond Hokage decided to continue as she crossed her hands on her hips. "However, I need all able ANBU in case I need them if another. . .unique threat appears." Tsunade then continued as everyone present knew what she meant by that.

"Ok. . .But I don't see why it has to be him. . ." Tayuya then stated with a more respectful tone, not wanting to set the Hokage off again.

"Well you can considered it his punishment." Tsunade soon revealed.

This however got the young Inuzuka's attention. "Wait. . .WHAT!?" Kiba exclaimed in confusion while his partner raised an eyebrow to this sudden reveal.

Then both older women gave a glare that promise agonising pain if he didn't shut up, which naturally the younger teen did.

The Hokage then calmed down and looked at the boy straight in the eye. "I hope you aren't forgetting the fact that it was you who put your teammates and allies in danger when you tried stop her suicide attempt." Tsunade reminded with a very disapproving and infuriated tone.

Instantly the younger Inuzuka cringed as recalling that, he honestly didn't thought that he would be punish for that, he simply thought that after her mother gave him the beating of a lifetime when she found out, he was done with it. However the teen didn't realize that being punished by his mother for doing something stupid was one thing, being punished by his leader for doing something that was reckless and dangerous to both him and others was another.

"G-Got it. . ." Kiba soon replied. "So. . .I just gotta watch Tayuya and make sure she doesn't do anything?" He then asked.

"That's right and to report anything and everything she does." Tsunade then instructed before narrowing her eyes and having a dangerous aura in them. "And do be sure not to let any I forgot to mention this happen. . .Understood?" She stated more then asked with a dead serious tone.

"S-Sure thing. . ." Kiba replied in a nervous manner. "Why does it always feel like the universe is out to get me?" He couldn't help but think while crying tears of sadness.

The female Hokage merely nodded to that."Now then, Tsume, I'll leave our. . .newest resident in your capable hands." Tsunade simply stated with a professional tone.

"Of course Hokage-sama, you can count on us." Tsume replied with a nod while giving a semi bow to show respect.

And with that, the female Hokage left the room with a satisfied smile on her face, glad that at least one of her problems was resolved and could now focus on more pressing matters.

Soon enough after the Hokage had left, the Clan Head of the Inuzuka stood straight as she then looked at the dark pink haired girl. "Just so you know. . ." Tsume then started while glaring at the girl.

Suddenly a shivered of terror when down Tayuya's spine as she quickly turn to look at clan head looking straight at her.

Tsume then began leaking some killing intent to that remark. "You try anything dumb or talk shit to me. . ." She soon began while his partner began to growl menacingly. "I have full authorization by Hokage-sama to beat you to an inch of your life." She then revealed as a wild and sage grin form on her face. "And believe me. . .I will enjoy every second of it. . ." The Clan Head concluded in a dead serious tone while her partner growled at the dark pink haired girl.

The dark pink haired kunoichi could do nothing but cringe in slight fear at that, while she knew she was powerful with her new abilities, she also knew that this elite kunoichi would easily beat her even if she went all out.

To that expression of fear, the Clan Head took hold of the girl's head. "Now then. . ." Tsume started as smirk came across her face. "Welcome to the Inuzuka clan. . ." She welcomed with a not so sincere tone.

Tayuya could do only smiled awkwardly at that while gulping in a nervous manner. "Yeah. . .thanks alot. . ." She replied with a strain tone. "Great. . .another bitch I have to deal with. . .and literal one too. . ." She thought to herself as she was already hating the older woman, unaware of her left eye glowing blue.

"Mmm~ This'll be a very fun experience~" The seductive voice within the dark pink haired girl's head however remarked with a purr.

Tayuya's eyes meanwhile twitched to hearing that as a blush came across her face. "WHO THE HELL KEEPS SAYING THAT BULLSHIT WITH MY VOICE!?" She thought in even more confusion.

Meanwhile the young Inuzuka look one with an expressionless face. "I just know that the next few days are so going to be fun. . ." Kiba sarcastically remarked. ". . .and awkward as hell. . ." He then added in his head.

Suffice to say. . .both teenager were not looking forward to this in the slightest.

At the Hokage Tower. . .

The female Hokage was walking through the hall of the tower, while she may had looked calm and compose, on the inside she was very concern. Things haven't been very simple ever since she became Hokage and recent events have made her worries to grow.

"Hokage-sama." A young and slightly lazy male voice called out.

The sudden call made Tsunade stop and turn towards the one that called her, then she was that it was the young Nara walking towards her.

"Good day." Shikamaru then politely greeted the female Hokage.

"Oh, Shikamaru. Here for your next mission?" Tsunade asked in a curious manner as she welcomed the small distraction from her earlier thoughts.

"Yeah, that's right." Shikamaru casually replied as he stopped next the his leader. "Though I'm hoping that there isn't any available. . ." He added in his mind with his normal lazy tone.

"Alright." Tsunade replied as she nodded in understanding and then turn around to continued heading back to her office.

"Ah! By the way ma'am." Shikamaru called again. "There's something I'd like to talk to you about." He then started with a sligh serious tone.

Once again, Tsunade stopped and turned around, but gain a concern expression "" She asked with a very serious tone, not looking forwards if it's another thing related to the failed retrieval mission

Shikamaru instantly realized what the Hokage was thinking and began waving his hand in a dismissal manner. "It's nothing important perse, more of a concern than anything else." He soon revealed with a more calmer tone.

This in turn made the Hokage to relax as she then looked at the younger shinobi with curious expression. "Oh, very well, we can talk as I head to my office." Tsunade then offered as they both began walking down the hall. "So what's this concern about?" She soon asked.

"It's just I was thinking. . ." Shikamaru started as he thought back to all of his injured teammates. "There are many variable such as mission level or squad's member structure. . ." He soon stated.

". . ." Tsunade didn't say anything as she began to gain a small incling to what the Nara was about to walk about.

"But no matter how small a squad might be, I think it's important to assign one Medical shinobi in it. . ."

This cause the the Hokage to let out a tired exhale as her thoughts were confirmed by that statement. "I know that already. . ." Tsunade admitted with a tired and with a hint of anger in it. "I wrote exactly the same thing in a report long ago regarding the survival rate and mission achievement rate of small squads." She then revealed.

"Really? I didn't know that." Shikamaru replied in a laid back tone,

Though the Nara was being he normal lazy self, he was honestly surprised that if someone as an expert in the medical arts would suggest this in the past, he was wondering why there wasn't more medical shinobi's in each squad by now.

"Yes, but it's not that easy to nurture and train Medical shinobi." Tsunade then admitted. "They require a different set of skills than that of fighting types shinobi. . ." She then informed. "The minute perfection of chakra control, the ability to assimilate a huge volume of specialized knowledge, the brains to apply that in a broad way. . .patience. . ." She soon listed off.

". . ." Shikamaru continued to listen on the the Hokage, but couldn't help but wonder that, while it was true for any person having enough time to gain specific skill to have in any profession, he still couldn't see why there weren't more medical shinobi's by now.

"And there is the most important thing for shinobi who are to develop into a Medical shinobi must possess above all else. . ." "Well, I'm busy right now, so. . ."

"The most important thing. . .huh?" Shikamaru repeated as he processes those words, but wouldn't know the true meaning of those words as a medical shinobi would know. "Well for everything else. . .I guess the first step for this would be creating the Medical Shinobi course at the Academy." He soon thought to himself,

However the Nara knew that it was just his brain thinking of possible solutions, but he also knew that the Hokage had thought of them herself.

Meanwhile from inside of the Hokage office, Tsunade let out a sigh as she sat down on her desk. Then just as she was about to continue her work, the conversation from the Nara came to mind.

"Though with the Elders gone, I might have more a chance now to be able to create a Medical Shinobi Course at the Academy since those two and Danzō were the ones who were mainly against it at the time." Tsunade soon thought to herself as she was giving those old ideas she had during the war to more serious thought.

All in all, things were going to be change from that moment on. . .

JG (JGResidentEvil)'s A/N: What's everyone! JGResidentEvil here with my partner Fight2Protect with the newest chapter of Uchiha Heiress Remix!

F2P (fight2protect)'s A/N: Yo! We're back! And no, it's not an April's Fool joke neither! XD

JG: Hell no it ain't! XD

F2P: But seriously, sorry for the long wait, real life once again getting in the way, which meant having little time to write. . .

JG: Ain't that the truth, let's just say a lot has happened to me as of late, too much to even count and we already know that it ain't an excuse.

F2P: And we KNOW its no excuse, but we were also a bit on the backburner because we needed to really kin in the little details for the next arcs. Trust us it was very important details! WE SWEAR! XD

JG: Basically, to start with for this chapter, more of the aftermath over what had happened and leading in the next arc of the story and even though it was a filler arc in the anime, all of the arcs are gonna have a significance to the story for ever character's growth and development as well as leading to surprises that no one would expect. :)

F2P: Yeah it was mainly about really showing the after effects of the last arc on all those in the members of the retrieval squad. And once again, its to make those filler arcs ACTUALLY relevant and not just waiting for the next true arc chapters. XD

JG: Oh yeah! So to start with, let's begin with the review response, here's mine from Leaf Ranger:

So...quite an aftermath. But I take issue with Kurama making it seem like it was the trio's fault for what happened with Kurama's other half. they didn't even know it existed, so how could they know NOT to do what they did? Kurama should have not made it seem like it was their fault that happened, not when he didn't even both to tell them at all about the potential danger or threat! He should have told them as soon as he bothered to care about them.

I really hope Ino can somehow recover. Guess we'll see.

And Tayuya is younger now? Wow. Did not expect that. But it works great for Kiba romancing her, so that's good.

Otherwise, just way too much to honestly review about. That's the problem with longer chapters, I can't really keep track of everything I want to comment about. Sorry. Plus, not really a chapter I had a lot of things to review about positively. Mostly because I hated Sakura getting away and the bit with ino's arm pissed me off more.

Well to start with, none of the Team Seven Trio was able to expect the Evil/Dark Kurama from going wild. Yes, Naruto, Hinata and Satsuki were in the right to be pissed over what happened to Ino, but they did unintentionally let their emotions get the better of them and as such, this will greatly help them mature as people.

F2P: Yeah, Kurama was more so telling it was their emotions that took control of them that were at fault. Yeah it was completely reasonable why they felt that, but intentional or not, they still "help" awaken Kurama's other side.

JG: For the situation with Ino, don't worry, we got it all planned out with her for her future thanks to the oncoming arcs.

F2P: Thought it will a slow burn towards her side of the story to be honest. But trust us, the result will be SO worth it! :D

JG: Last for Tayuya and Kiba, well as said in the last part of the chapter, those two are going to be seeing a lot of each other from now on, though now Tayuya now has her own little quirk to deal with. Here's two hints to what it was based off of. Momo and Ura. Have fun guessing the meaning behind the terms. XD

F2P: Thought the romance part. . .well lets just way it won't be the typical normal one, let's end it on that. XD

Anyway, here is the review I chose to respond to from SonicBlast4444:

Annihilating Crash. Whoops. My bad. Still. Badass. Also velvet and satsuki are very similar. Well...if we use sasuke as an example to compare velvet to. Elder brother kills their family. They go down a dark path to get revenge. Both are focused on revenge. Both find out the truth in the worst way possible. And then there's satsuki. Her appearance and combat style are similar to velvet plus those things about sasuke to an extent. Satsuki is basically a mini velvet and i love it. This chapter was great btw. Wasn't expecting kurama's other half to be the cause of their...darker forms i suppose would accurate. Threw me for a loop but damn does it make sense. Poor kiba. Can't catch a break and it seems tayuya gained either a split personality along with her new age and abilities or she is hosting a second mind similar to rick riordins kane chronicles series where the host the egyptian gods in and hear them in their heads. Well done with this chapter. Im looking forward to the next chapter immensely. Also, happy new year as when im posting this review it is january 1st at 23:08.

F2P: Yeah, it was JG's suggestion to have Velvet to be part of Satsuki's Corrupted Form, because your right on every single aspect of the similarities the two share. Which just made Satsuki look F'ING BADASS! XD

JG: Well when I kept thinking of the chakra claw, I kept thinking of Velvet Crowe's own claw and it just clicked! I mean she is a badass even when in her corrupted state! XD

F2P: But yeah, we actually plan this Kurama having an evil half before reaching the Retrieval Arc, because it was to fix what we really didn't like something in the canon, which will remain a secret for now. :D But anyways this was also to show that with the presence of an Evil Kurama and if the trio aren't careful they could easily go the wrong path, like they did on the last arc.

JG: That and we wanted to remind everyone that even though this story's Team Seven is badass, they are still human.

F2P: Yup! Also Kiba will NEVER have a break! But that's why it's so fun about him. XD But don't think we're doing it just to bash him, because when push comes to shove, he WILL show that his just as much as a hero as the trio, make no mistake about that. :D And as for Tayuya, well. . .where's the fun of just explaining it! Enjoy solving this little mystery! XD

JG: Ain't that the truth! You'll just have to wait and read! :D Now then onto the discussion for the poll. . .well, it seems like most people want each arc to take a long while with each arc being about 10 chapters each with the second option of 3 chapters being in second place. ^^"

F2P: We got to be honest here. . .We really don't think we can do either/or of this numbers, frankly we can realistically can't do 10 chapters worth of content per arc, however we can do at the max 5 chapters for each arc. But don't get us wrong either, if we can do it in just 3, we will.

JG: In turn, we hope you can all understand, because like everyone else, we are only human and we also have our limits. We also don't want to unintentionally draw out an arc because we make it too long.

F2P: So please believe in us that we won't try to make it boringly long and anything we DO put in is for the long run of the story.

JG: Well, I think we've discussed enough for now, I thank you all for the wait for this chapter. This was great writing. :)

F2P: Hope you enjoy it, we know its not the best, but we're really happy and appreciate that you still enjoy reading this shit that comes from our heads. XD

JG: Well, until next time! :D

F2P: Peace out!