-AN-

Happy new year everyone! I'm still here, hand is all cleared up and I got the green light to get back up to my normal antics. Kinda got scolded by my doctor for trying to get back to work right away and might have screwed up my hand more thoroughly.

So I took some time off, had fun with my kid and started working through my Steam library. Finally started Elden Ring and just about finished the Cyberpunk 2077 dlc. Downtime was good for me I think.

But I'm all better now, in one piece and ready to put my weird ideas to paper again. Or digitize them anyway. Thanks for sticking around and enjoying the fun, here's to a new year and endless possibilities!

-Story Start-

Evening had descended and with it time to finally call it a day and return home. Heaving a deep and blissful sigh, Naruto lowered himself fully into the warm waters of his family baths as he gazed up into the star filled sky. Saying it had been a busy few days was putting it lightly, the stress of which had built up in ways he hadn't even noticed. Here and now he was happy to let that stress melt away as he smiled and enjoyed time with his loved ones. Tayuya, Kotohime and Karin seemed to share the same thoughts, Karin taking one side of him while Kotohime smiled blissfully on his other. Tayuya was in front of them, waist deep in the water while reading Hinata and the others the riot act. Off in a corner on the bath Jugo, Sasame, and Kin all relaxed together quietly and watched on.

"Of all the brain dead things you lot could have done. Jumping head first into a trap laid by Iwa of all places?" Tayuya seemed to be the most incensed over the situation. Mostly because she still couldn't get the image of a half dead Hinata floating in a tube out of her mind. They had nearly lost one of their own. One of her sisters! All from an easily avoidable mistake. "By the thousand if I could I'd beat some real sense into you." She wouldn't of course, but the thought was there.

Ino sighed and nodded along, resigned to her fate with the others, "Look I'm not going to make excuses here, we fucked up. Bad. It's not something we're looking to repeat, right?" She turned to Hinata and Honoka, who both nodded quickly. "Besides, with relations between us, Iwa, and Kumo right now, no one is leaving Uzushio without good reason anyway. Least of all us."

Grunting but nodding along, Tayuya relaxed back a bit, "You're damned right you aren't. I still say you should be on house arrest, for a week at least."

Rolling his eyes, Naruto finally reached up to poke Tayuya and caused her to stumble in the warm waters, "Alright, you've had your chance to rant, let's cool it a bit." Ignoring her grumbling as she turned around and settled herself on the other side of Karin, he turned cool eyes to three of the women who he loved deeply but was currently upset with. "As for you, there should be something done about this."

Hinata nodded her head slowly as she acknowledged that this was much like what they had done to him after the Orochimaru incident. They couldn't balk at the consequences now. "Of course Darling. We will abide by your will." This was the first time in a long time should could remember Naruto actually being upset with them. It was not a good feeling.

Sky blue eyes floating over all three of them, Naruto kept a cool gaze finally on Hinata herself, "It isn't just that you three know better. You took a risk that wasn't necessary." Seeing Ino wanted to argue, he held up a hand to silence her for the moment and continued on. "Life is nothing without risk, I get that, but stupid risks are different. Especially jumping face first into an obvious trap. So. One week, no missions. You're stuck either at home or the tower. No discussion on that."

Sighing and lowering into the water a bit, Honoka nodded along with his words. "A week to rest doesn't sound so bad." She could catch up on her book series finally. Maybe check in with the border crew and see what they've gotten up to while she was away.

Ino was much of the same thoughts, figuring that she could rest up and get pampered by her love while she found stuff around the city to keep her busy. All in all, not such a bad way to spend a week.

Hinata was waiting for the other shoe to drop as she saw the look in Naruto's eyes for what it was. Mischief.

"And no nookie." Ah, there were the indignant looks he fully expected.

"Hey!"

"That's torture!"

"Cruel! Inhumane!"

Throwing his head back and laughing while Kotohime and Karin giggle at his sides, Naruto shakes his head, "Uh huh, that's why it's a punishment. Maybe next time you'll consider your actions and decide if it's worth it in the future."

Ino turned watery eyes towards him, going on the offensive and pressing her bust against a surprised Hinata, "But whiskers! How can you give us up for a week? Don't you love us anymore?" Full on puppy eyes now, she even tried to work in some fake tears.

Naruto wasn't having it however, "I really would prefer my wives to remain alive and healthy. And if I have to do this to make sure they get the message then so be it. Besides, that's not the real punishment yet." Pausing for dramatic affect, Naruto pointed a lazy finger at each of them, "The academy has asked if members of the Uzumaki clan would provide some lectures from time to time. Guess who volunteered?"

Ino, Hinata and Honoka all exchanged looks before turning back to Naruto and pointing at themselves, Hinata taking the lead, "I suppose that would be us beloved?"

"Got it in one Hinata."

Honoka shook her head and released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. "Honestly after everything, it's an acceptable punishment."

Ino turned to her quickly, "Oh com'on Honoka, don't be a push over. We gotta at least fight back and get our nookie time." A week without pampering!? No, absolutely not! She'd die!

Hinata pulled away from the excitable blond with a smile and poked her in the ribs, "Considering we could have died and never had our Naruto-kun ever again, I think this is fair Ino." Idly she rubbed her belly under the murky waters. She had news of her own to share if she could find the right moment.

Ino looked between the relieved looking Honoka and the tired looking Hinata and gave it up. They really were lucky to even be alive and if she was honest with herself Naruto was being rather lenient with them. With a huff she dropped back down into the waters, relaxing into Hinata's side, "This week is gonna suck."

Tayuya rolled her eyes and floated over to her friend, slinging an arm over Ino's shoulders. "Oh give it up, the week will be over before you know it and you can go back to being the regular nuisance you love to be."

Relaxing in the redhead's embrace and accepting her love for what it was, Ino smiled softly, "Sorry we worried you."

"You better be." Part of Tayuya could finally relax completely, here and having one of her best friends in her arms safe and sound.

Naruto couldn't help but agree, "I am just happy that you're all home and alive. Don't scare us like that again okay?"

"Maybe they need a real punishment, I've still got my green goo to dish out." Karin's smirk sent a shiver up Hinata's spine, which intensified when she saw Naruto give a nod of approval. Guess she was on a strict diet for a while as well. She did almost die.

A thought coming to her, Ino poked Tayuya in the ribs to get her to release her. "I should pick up a few things to do around the city. Sooner or later I'm going to want to join the club with Tayuya and the others, but I know I'm not going to want to sit around doing nothing." Maybe tool around with the city patrol? Ninja reception could always use a hand as well now that she thought about it.

Hinata joined that thought, really starting to think about it, "I've been enjoying the work the clans have been giving me. Keeping up relations between all of our various clans is fulfilling work." Receiving a poke from Honoka, Hinata turns and allows the older woman to re-braid her hair.

Ino points at the dark haired woman, "You gonna let the Hotaru make you their clan head eventually? They really are adamant about making you their rep."

Hinata waves a hand to ward off the thought, "I can't. I'm an Uzumaki woman and I'm happy to keep it that way. Besides, Neji would make a better clan head than me."

Leaning back with an arm around the content Karin while the other cradled the dozing Kotohime, Naruto is relaxed as he watches his girls chat and banter back and forth. This was why he fought so hard. To keep this precious family of his together and whole. To give the whole world the chance to have moments just like this. Peace was worth the headaches and the occasional spilled blood.

Honoka was focused on Hinata's hair, weaving it into a tight but intricate braid that would eventually fall to her mid back. Her thoughts however turned to the present, "What became of that Kumo team that was captured?"

Seeing Naruto was starting to doze, Karin took up the question herself. "I questioned that guy, Omoi, but there wasn't anything interesting there. Just like Karui he had nothing but contempt for us and wanted to return to Kumo. He was here for a mission, nothing more. The third member though, Samui was it? She had been telling the truth." She was now under Yugito's care with some extra surveillance, just in case.

Snorting and coming out of his doze, Naruto took over, "Yeah funny that. She apparently only took the mission to infiltrate us because she thought I had killed Yugito. Seeing her friend alive and well had changed her mind." Naruto shrugged and put the thought of Kumo blonds out of his mind, "Whatever her reason, Yugito asked me to come and check on her tomorrow. So I'll ask why she stayed then I guess." Hearing all of the women around him collectively groan, Naruto eyed them all, "What'd I miss?"

Tayuya shook her head and turned to Ino, "Me and you will go and check out this Samui woman, yeah?" Seeing Ino nod, Tayuya pointed a finger at her love, "You keep your butt planted in that chair tomorrow, got it? No running off."

Shrugging and deciding he probably didn't want to know, Naruto nodded along, "Sure thing. I'll stay put." Returning to his light doze with Karin in his side while the rest of the girls returned to their chatter, Naruto decided that life was once again, good. Reality could bother him in the morning.

Hinata seemed to have other ideas as the doors opened and Kikyo led several of the Uzumaki women along to join them in the bath. "Oh, Darling, I have a bit of a update."

"Hmm, yeah Hinata?" Naruto didn't realize how tired he was, but a nap sounded great right about now.

"Soo, a small oops, but it seems we weren't as careful as we thought." Hinata's voice pierced right through the tired haze of Naruto's mind. He was wide awake in an instant.

"What? What happened? Who else got hurt? Was it something permanent?" Eyes locking onto the suddenly bashful woman, Naruto was only slightly clued in as Honoka and Karin started to giggle. "I'm missing something aren't I?"

"I meant you and I darling." Seeing his continued confusion on his face, Hinata took pity on him, "During our...love making."

The dots started to line up, "Wait…no…no way." His senses had been tingling lately, but he hadn't had a moments rest to check. A blink, a thought, and yup. There it was, a small spark of life, nope, two there. "Oh boy." Going limp against the rocks as a suddenly awake Kotohime abandoned him to gush over the shorter woman, Naruto cursed his luck.

Ino gave a triumphant shout and thrust a fist in the air, "HA! I was right! Pay up suckas!"

Tayuya shook her head as Hinata was soon surrounded by the rest of the family offering her congratulations, "Should've known."

Kotohime nodded along, "I had no doubts at all." Hinata was more of a lover than a fighter. If anyone was going to join the baby ranks next, it was going to be her. "Of course, you'll probably be staying here on the island with me more from now on."

Hinata sighed but took in the happy but focused look from Naruto and nodded along in the end, "At least until these conflicts are over. I can't stay cooped up forever."

Shaking his head in the negative, Naruto thumped his chest once, "Don't worry, my rule still applies. Here, the mansion, or the academy. No where else." He'd couldn't turn into a super controlling mess now. That was a one way ticket to the dog house.

Karin was soon up and adjusting her glasses, "Com'on! This deserves a party! Let's celebrate another Uzumaki on the way!"

"YEAH!" The cheers that answered her set the rest of the nights mood well enough. The Uzumaki would share the news in the morning, but for now this was just for them.

-b-

It had been a long night, A decided. Having not just one but two of his ninja dumped on top of his desk by a smiling whiskered blond had already put him in a horrible mood. But now as they stood before his desk after giving their own reports on the situation in Uzu, his mood if anything was downright horrible. Not that he could show it.

"So to sum it up, Bee stayed behind to fight Jiraiya of the Sannin, your team never met up with our scouts and tried to press on, and now possibly after getting captured, Samui has either defected or more likely, has been captured for more questioning." Firm eyes took in the two remaining members of Team Samui. He had no doubts about Omoi's loyalty nor his decision making. No, his concern lay with the Uzumaki blood. Karui had never given him concern for her loyalty in the past and her annual reviews had never shown concern neither. But a team leader left behind and a woman of Uzumaki blood returned from their very clan home? From a man known to be fanatical for saving Uzumaki? A was beginning to have questions.

Not for now though, there were more important actions to take and the kids were starting to sweat. "You're dismissed for now. Report to medical for inspections and debriefing. We'll be returning to Uzu once B returns." Having listened to their reports, A had taken note of the ease with which Uzushio had handled their infiltration and extraction. Most likely his scouts, much like Samui's team, hadn't even made it to Wave. It was time to see the situation for himself.

Omoi stood a bit straighter, saluting his Kage with some relief in his heart. "Sir, does that mean we are fully at war with Uzushio then?"

Sighing and wishing for once the kid wasn't so sharp, A finally nodded his head. "Iwa's Jinchuriki should be on Uzushio's doorstep soon. The prudent thing to do would be to introduce our own forces at the same time or close to it. There's more, but it's not for you to worry about for now. Attend to your duties."

Karui and Omoi both saluted smartly, "Yes sir!" Turning away, Omoi led the way to the office door where the smartly dressed Mabui stood waiting.

Behind them, A cleared his throat once, "Karui." Seeing said girl turn back with a questioning look, A considered what he wanted to say before deciding it didn't matter. "You're a good Kumo ninja. It's good to see you returned home." Best to give her the benefit of the doubt for now.

Gratitude in her heart, Karui turned fully back to her Kage and bowed deeply at the waist, "Thank you sir." Rising to her full height again with a smile on her face, Karui turned to continue out into the hallway with Omoi. She'd show them. Kumo was her home, and no upstart Uzumaki clan head would touch it.

Behind them and mind already forgetting about their failure of a mission, A leaned back in his chair as Mabui came towards him to address him with most likely more problems. Problems he didn't want to hear at the moment. "I'm going. B and I will bloody the kid's nose a bit, take our property back, and then return." Iwa could continue with whatever they desired on their own.

Mabui knew to be careful with what she wanted to say, but with war on the horizon, caution was not on her mind much. "Is that wise sir? Uzushio handled our scouts with little difficulty as far as we can gather. Sending another wave of forces-" Her Kage slammed a hand down on his desk, silencing her as he turned a frustrated face towards her.

"The difference here will be that myself and B will be together. Not even that brat Minato would have fared well against us. His own brat? No chance." Ever the optimist, A was set in his mind that taking down the Uzumaki brat was going to happen at his hands. Take one of his best squad leaders would he? A had something special planned for him.

Mabui wanted to remind her Kage that not only had said Uzumaki brat literally waltz into this very office and done as he pleased, but had also stolen away every member of the Uzumaki breeding program short of Karui. The words never left her mouth this time. A was set and no words, not even hers, would be stopping him. "As you wish Lord Raikage." Instead she placed a folder on his desk and took three respectful steps backwards to maintain distance. "A report from the science division. They've confirmed that Karui is viable."

Humming and thumbing through the report lightly, A at least had some good news just in case they could not retrieve any of their other property, "Good. Make sure she's put on standbye for now. She won't be returning to Uzushio." Always have something in holding for the future. He may not like the Uzumaki brat, but his blood held so many benefits.

Mabui bowed and took the dismissal for what it was, "As you wish, Lord Raikage." And then she was gone, turning and strutting away to her duties. The first of which was assigning a watcher to Karui and Omoi.

-b-

The next morning in Uzushio's main city did in fact find Naruto facing reality in a way he wasn't entirely upset about, but surely wasn't as fun as cuddling in bed with all of his wives after a well and truly deserved party.

Across from him Jiraiya grumbled with his arms crossed over his broad chest, "Stop thinking about scantily clad fillies and focus brat."

"You're projecting old man, that's your brain not mine." Shit, could Jiraiya read fellow pervert's minds now? No. He couldn't. No way.

Gaara sighed and turned back to Naruto after having noted Sasuke and Sakura off to the side while two Naruto clones filled out reports and signed acquisition forms. "To finish off our little report. Killer B turned tail and fled after I joined the battle but I wouldn't be surprised if he returns with more numbers."

Naruto ultimately agrees with Gaara, knowing that the other Jinchuriki would have to answer to A, who would be quick to send him back on his quest to teach Uzu a lesson. "Sucks, but guess we'll need to prepare for him then. Hopefully A doesn't decide he needs to make an appearance himself." Fighting one or the other wouldn't be so bad. Fighting both together would take a little bit of work if he didn't just vaporize the landscape right away.

Jiraiya shivered at the dark chuckle that left the energetic blond's throat, "That's unnatural coming from you." He had to roll his eyes at the finger he received from the Kage, "Love you too brat."

"I could stay, offer my assistance and support when the time comes." Gaara was still getting used to having a full time ally like this. It was nice, knowing that when someone said they would help you and your people, they would actually hold true to that. This was what friendship was.

Naruto almost waved him off right away, "Don't you have a village to worry about yourself?"

"I'm sure they won't mind my time away when they hear the why."

Seeing the truth of that, Naruto leaned back in his seat and decided to update the two on what had happened while he was away. "I had to put the fear of god into Iwa. Which ultimately meant I had to kill Onoki and make Iwa a vassal state to us. Kurotsuchi is the new Tsuchikage, not that she wanted it. She hates my guts, but Iwa's no longer a threat. For now at least." One crisis averted for now. He'd have to remember to return there and strike out a real deal between them. Maybe a path towards their independence one day? Eh, maybe in a hundred years. Two-hundred if he was feeling vindictive.

Jiraiya whistled low and grinned, proud of the kid for doing something not even the most ballsy of the Kage would have considered. "That takes some serious guts kid." Better yet that Iwa wasn't a smoking crater. Naruto hadn't gone off the deep end yet, which gave the old Sage hope.

"You don't know the half of it Pervy Sage."

Gaara felt something relax inside of him as well. One less thing to worry about. "Maybe this means Suna can worry less about border skirmishes with Iwa and more about modernizing our home. Underground rail and more airship stations would be welcomed." His council had fallen in love with air travel on sight and had been pestering him nonstop to make sure Suna had continued access to the airships. So quickly they forget how much they used to fear him.

"Uzu is here to help you however we can Gaara, don't forget that."

"You wouldn't let me if I tried."

Seeing the two Kage gearing up to take things a more official route, Jiraiya stood and stretched, his day no where close to done. "Well, with that I should get up and get a move on. With the Kumo Jinchuriki sent packing for now I'm headed East."

That sent Naruto for a loop. Jiraiya of all people wasn't going to hang around and perv on women? In a city that was full of them? No way. "What's out East?"

Jiraiya offered Naruto a grin, "Just some rumors involving Akatsuki. Nothing much."

"Hmm." Naruto focuses on the older sage for a moment before shrugging and waving the older man off. "You take it easy then. But you better not do anything rash. Tsunade will kill you if you do something stupid and get hurt, and I'll be there to hold you down. Got it?"

"Yeah yeah brat, I hear ya." Jiraiya was already turning away and heading for the door, "We have a roadtrip to plan soon as well, don't you forget it. I can't kick the bucket till then."

Naruto grins and nods as Jiraiya opens the door to leave, "Better believe it old man, it'll be a trip to remember." Waving as the elder left, Naruto couldn't help but feel odd about the other man leaving. Huh. Guess he had forgiven the Sage after all.

There was silence for a few moments short of the light din of activity that reached them from the street below. Until Gaara cleared his throat and regained Naruto's attention, "Have you heard from my siblings yet?"

Shaking his head, Naruto felt the hairs on the back of his neck tingle, "No can't say that I have. Why? Temari say something about me?"

The Kazekage had to fight not to roll his eyes, "When doesn't she say something about-" Gaara was cut off as the very air around them seemed to vibrate. He wasn't much surprised as Naruto was on his feet in a blink. "Something to be worried over?"

Naruto's senses were going haywire, before focusing on a fairly familiar chakra signature. One that had been on Hinata not even a few days before. "Oh yeah. Someone I owe a very personal beating. Wanna come watch?" Seeing Gaara already coming to stand, Naruto didn't even have to look as Sasuke and Sakura formed up at his shoulders. Keying his radio, Naruto's voice held firm, "Mr. 9 to control. Someone special is at our door, I'm going to answer it." Best to keep the normal forces away from this. Fights between Biju did tend to reshape the landscape after all, and Naruto was not planning on being nice for this. Han nearly killed a woman he loved and unknown to him at the time two of his unborn children. Naruto was going to teach him what an error that was.

-b-

Han knew that it would have been a miracle for his group to make it all the way to Uzu without tripping a patrol. But to be caught even before he made it to Wave and their bridge? That was a bit of a sore spot, but it would have to do. This should be close enough to get that Uzumaki brat's attention. Though their numbers had dwindled after running into an advance group from Suna, there should still be enough of his barrier team to complete the plan. Worse case, Han would be going all out today to make sure the Kyuubi fell.

Dropping the bound and gagged bundle in his hands to the dirt, Han crossed massive arms over his chest as he and two dozen of his troops stared down two Uzushio patrols. They were an odd bunch, several wielding heavy looking rifles of a design he had never seen before. But those eyes told him enough. Uzu hated them, a feeling he returned with equal passion. "Out of my way small fry. I want your leader. I'll boil you alive if you think to step in my way."

"You won't set one foot on Uzushio soil Iwa scum!" One of the patrol leaders called out, taking a cautious step forward though sweat built on his brow. Though he was worried about the Suna woman at the Iwa ninja's feet, he had a duty to his home. If he could help their allies somehow he would, but he sure didn't see a way.

Laughing and motioning for his group to fan out, Han turned his full attention to the six people before him. "I'm going to enjoy liquefying your corpses!"

"Yeah let's not." Calm and collected, Naruto's voice called out as he stepped from behind his people. Flanked by Sakura and Sasuke who was pulling his bandages away from his eyes, Naruto stood tall before Han while Gaara came up quietly next to him. Both young men were still about a head shorter than the older man, but neither felt any fear of him. "Someone ate their veggies."

Chuckling darkly and nudging the bundle at his feet, Han held off on moving just for now, "The vaulted Uzumaki finally shows himself, I thought you a coward after you sent your women the last time."

"Yeah, probably shouldn't bring that up. I'm still thinking about ripping your spine out of your throat." Naruto cracked his knuckles as a grin began to build on his face, "I promise, this'll hurt."

With a thought, Han kicked the bound and gagged woman up and caught her by the neck, "Ah ah, not so fast boy. Unless you want something to happen to this little desert flower." Face now in full view, Naruto and Gaara were met with Temari's gagged and bleeding face. Half of her pontytails had come loose, and she surely looked like she had gone a few rounds with the bruiser. "Do what I say, and maybe I'll let this one go."

Rearing back and smashing her heel into Han's shin, Temari shook her head until the gag came loose, "Kill this sonuvabitch Naruto! Don't let him-" A fist drove its way into her midsection, eliciting a coughing fit that silenced her.

"Gah, little bitch. Are all Suna women like this? How do you put up with it?" Han grunted and turned his attention back to the group in front of him. "Women should know their place. Less they end up steamed alive like the rest."

With a twitch, Temari was in Naruto's arms, an emergency placed Hiraishin seal doing its job and saving her from further mistreatment. "Yeah, we don't raise cowards here. Real men love a woman with some fire." Gently setting her down on her feet and handing her over to Gaara, Naruto focused fully on the threat ahead of him. "Like I said, this is going to hurt. I promise."

"Oh I've been looking forward to this fight little boy!"

As the two began to leak chakra and face off, Temari began to shake in Gaara's arms, "Gaara, he. Kankuro and the others…they…they're…"

Without looking over his shoulder, Naruto hooked a thumb into the woods around them, "Gaara, take my patrol teams and head north. Feels like your people are that way."

Gaara twitched but stared at Naruto's back all the same, "And leave you? No." He would not leave his fellow Kage and friend to fight an experienced Jinchuriki all alone.

Naruto nodded, "Yes. Go take care of your people." Naruto turned back and gave Gaara a grin that would have mirrored one of his own so many years ago, "Me and Sasuke are more than enough for this asshole."

Rotating an arm and walking forward, Sasuke sighed and stretched a bit, "Guess I get to play around too this time?"

"Gonna complain?"

"Nope, just making sure."

Gaara took in the sure way in which Naruto held himself, before sighing and nodding. "As you wish." He turned to one of the teams and pointed to them, "Take my sister to Uzushio, make sure she reaches the hospital."

Naruto ignored everything else going on behind them as he and Sasuke closed within two meters of Han who hadn't moved from his spot. And while murder was on his mind he was reminded that he needed to play it smart.

'Yes, because offing him and releasing the Gobi would be a very bad idea.'

'Aw big buddy, don't wanna fight a biju head on?'

'This close to Wave?'

'Ah, point.' Naruto shook himself as golden light sprung from his body. Next to him he could feel Sasuke's own purplish chakra rising as well, "You ready for this?"

"Always brother."

Sakura shook her head and pulled her gloves on tightly, "Oh yes, just leave the cannon fodder to me! No big deal! Let the hack magical ninja have all the fun!" Sakura rolled her eyes and turned to where she could feel the rest of the Iwa ninja spreading out in an attempt to build a barrier, "This'll be quick." She made note of Gaara and the others leaving, what looked like a tired and passed out Temari over the shoulders of one of the teams.

Han couldn't wait anymore, racing forward with steam boiling out from his outstretched fist, "You're taking this to lightly! I'm a fully realized Jinchuriki you brat! You're no match for me!" His fist came crashing down, only to be stopped by a palm that lightly struggled against his strength. "What?"

Naruto held him back, a bloodthirsty smirk on his face, "Oh, would you look at that?" Naruto pushed Han back before jumping away from a wave of super heated steam. "Everyone is so hung up on the fully realized Jinchuriki thing. Like I didn't learn a few tricks of my own!" Steam gave way to white fire from Sasuke, and Naruto eyed up the nearly vibrating Han. "By the way, Kurotsuchi knows I'm going to kill you, so you might as well forget ever seeing your village again."

Diving under a grand fireball, Han thrust a fist into the ground. Around him a wall of heated steam and water erupted, giving him some breathing room. "What do I care about that welp? Honored Granddaughter has her own duties. I answer to Lord Tsuchikage's will."

Naruto chuckled, bursting through the wall of water with ease while Sasuke circled around, "Oh, didn't I mention?" Kubikiribocho made its appearance, singing for blood, and who was Naruto to deny it?

"Onoki is dead. And you're going to join him."

-b-

Kisame had to admit to at least one guilty pleasure of his, one that didn't involve violence and death or women. Something he didn't have much time for these days, especially during his time with Akatsuki.

The sea.

His physical features weren't just for show. He and the rest of his kin felt much more at home within the sea and its water's than up on land. And here now in the waters surrounding Uzushio where life was burgeoning all around him? It was almost freeing. Sword in hand, there was nothing but him, his trusted weapon, and sea life. Sure even the sharks gave him a wide birth, predators recognizing a true apex monster among them. Even so it was a view he didn't have to share with anyone else. Something only someone like him could experience.

Well, at least that used to be the case.

Because some welp of a woman in a blue swimsuit was pacing him through the waters. Were those scales? Her hands and feet were webbed too? And what was that behind her in the darkness of the deeper waters? A grin began to stretch across his face as his danger sense started to tingle. All signs pointed to a fight, and a good one at that.

Deciding she must be some type of scout, Kisame rocketed up and out of the water, the spray the accompanied him was still falling all around him as he and his pursuer landed on the water's surface and stuck there with chakra. Samehada on his shoulder, Kisame leveled a grin towards her. "So so, guess Uzu knows I'm coming then?"

Across from him Isaribi frowned and keyed her mic, "Attention all units. Queen Undertow is engaging Akatsuki member Hoshigaki Kisame. Advise to stay away."

Grin widening and becoming more bloodthirsty, Kisame lowered himself a bit and readied for a charge, "Oh? Guess you wanna try me all on your own? Think you got the skills for that?"

Fear gripped her for a moment. Isaribi had never met Kisame before but she had read the reports and had learned more than enough. Facing off against the man labeled a human Biju was not high on her list of things to do in her life. Nor was it something she would have chosen to do normally. But this close to Uzushio, the main island well within view, she had no choice. It was time to pay back her dues. "Oh I think I've got something for you big guy."

Chuckling, Kisame had a feeling this slip of a girl was terrified of him, oh well. If she wanted to get in his way, so be it. "Fine then, show me what you've got little lady!"

Behind her the three headed Dragon golem built and perfected by Lady Karin and Lady Honoka breached the water's surface to stare down at the shark featured man. "Meet my Fuwafuwa! And know you shall not pass here!" Isaribi would not let him get by her. Not so long as she breathed.

Kisame's eyes went wide as a monster from myth stared down at him while chakra built up in its throat. Huh. Maybe this would be a good warm up before he made it to the Uzumaki brat after all. Good.

-AN-

It's a new year and we're back in action! Han has arrived! Kisame has arrived! At this point who else is going to make an appearance? Threats on all sides but Uzu is holding its own for now,

-OMAKE-

Guren had thought that she had gotten used to life in Uzushio readily enough, but today was testing her a bit. She was not the type to be used to such a peaceful atmosphere and yet, everyday was a reminder that this land was not one that forced its people to be ready for battle at a moments notice. This was a land allowed civilians to live and work peacefully, for ninja to have frequent time off and relaxed lifestyles. There was no backstabbing in the dark to a better position, no worries about having her throat slit in the middle of the night or worse.

That said, she had to admit that it was good to see Yukimaru having such a relaxed and normal lifestyle now. Though, the antics he was getting up to were concerning. He was supposed to be attending a normal school now, and she was arriving at the yard to retrieve him at the end of his day.

Well that was initially her plan as she showed up to Yukimaru's school to pick him up along with the rest of the class's parents. However, they were all treated to the sight of the children having some type of competition, where Yukimaru was facing off against a pink haired girl in the front yard. Had something happened? Was Yukimaru finally coming to blows with some bully or another? Much to Guren's confusion it couldn't be that simple. On one side, the pink haired girl commanded a giant crab to attack, while Yukimaru used his own giant turtle to defend itself and then return the attack.

"Just what in the world?" Guren had no clue if this was normal for schools now. She certainly didn't get up to anything like this. Was this an Uzushio thing? It had to be. This wasn't normal. Couldn't be.

Next to her one of the parents, a healthy looking young woman, sighed and checked her watch, "Guess it'll be a while, should we come back in 15 minutes?"

Guren assumed it was her husband that nodded his head, "Might as well, once the kids get going there's no stopping them."

Guren turned to them both, she needed answers. "This is, is this normal?"

Both parents took in her appearance and blinked quietly before the wife nodded her head resolutely. "Ah, you're the new boy's mother yes? Sorry, you must have missed the orientation. The golems are part of the school's security, but the kids figured out how to make them follow their commands. It's all completely safe and it gives them an outlet for some of their energy and let's them practice tactics."

The husband seemed a bit surly as he was already turning away, "At least that's what the teachers say. I still think they just can't figure out how the kids keep doing it."

Turning away from the parents as they started to walk away and bicker, Guren took in the children cheering their friends on while the other parents watched on like this was a normal occurrence. Guren didn't really know how to feel about this, but seeing how happy Yukimaru was as his turtle flipped the enemy crab onto its back, she decided this was fine. Just another note in Uzushio's weirdness.

Yukimaru was quickly hoisted in the air on some of his classmates shoulders, face wide in a smile, "Yeah! Take that! Mr. Turtle rules!"