KG: Hey people I'm still not gone, but I won't hold my breath just yet. I've got nothing more to sat than that. Enjoy I guess.
Kushina woke up and rubbed her head. Everyone had stayed out late since Jiraiya 'treated' them all to ramen which in the end left him with barely any money at all. When Kushina had learned from Naruto how much money Jiraiya had hoarded off her son she made it her personal mission to have Jiraiya pay back that amount to Naruto. It amazed the woman that even when he treated them he still wasn't close to finishing his debt.
The Uzumaki woman soon turned her head to see that Naruto wasn't on his side of the bed and she frowned. It wasn't like him to get up before her, but she chalked that up to just wanting to see the sun rise in the morning. Kushina gave a slow yawn and leaned up from the bed.
"I wonder where Naru-kun is," she said and before long she got her answer when she saw the door open. The sight she saw made the woman blush as she saw Naruto come into the room shirtless while he wore a towel over his head. He was wearing some boxer shorts so it was mostly fine, but not for Kushina. The woman wanted to avert her eyes from the completely fit body that her son had. She felt herself entranced by his form as she looked at his arm muscles as well as his chest with his body being so much more developed. Kushina had never seen her son in such detail since he always had some form of clothing on when they slept, but Kushina wasn't thinking about that at the moment. She figured he had just come from the shower as the water dripping down his body was something to go by. It was probably the first time she had seen her son as more than a son at that moment. She saw a handsome man that she was sharing a bed with apparently.
"I've never noticed it before, but Naru-kun is so-," Kushina caught herself and widened her eyes. Immediately she averted her gaze out of embarrassment and slight shame. She was his mother. This was so wrong. There was no way she could think something like this.
Naruto watched his mother out of confusion for a few minutes before he walked up to her. Her sudden behavior worried him slightly and the blonde wondered if she was alright. He might have been confused about his slightly growing affection for his mother, but he was still her son and he figured he could still worry about her.
"Kaa-san are you okay? You're face is red," Naruto said suddenly invading her space and placing his hand on her forehead giving Kushina a frontal view of her son. The redhead mentally gulped and quickly stood to her feet surprising Naruto slightly.
"I-I'm fine Naru-kun. I'll go make breakfast now," Kushina said as she immediately grabbed her robe and wrapped it around her waist. Having done the action, she left the room as Naruto heard the rapid steps downstairs making the blonde more confused.
"What's wrong with her?" Naruto wondered, but he didn't dwell on it long as he sat on the bed, but the whole thing went unnoticed by Kyuubi who was grinning like mad.
"I knew I was right. Oh this is gonna be so interesting. I hope the brat is prepared for this," Kyuubi thought before staying silent. Naruto sighed as he put on his black shirt and black pants. He opened his closet and took out his black shoes. He also covered the seal on his right arm with his wrist guards and strapped his sword to his back as he walked down the stairs.
Naruto saw his mother cooking in an apron and the blonde gulped. He heard her humming a soft tune as she set the table. He smelled the breakfast she made and sat down though as soon as he did his mother went silent making the blonde nervous.
"Kaa-san is something bothering you?" Naruto asked and Kushina sighed. She tried to forget the imagine in her head a few minutes ago, but it was very hard. She hadn't been with anyone for two years and she wondered about that. Not to mention she also felt that she was betraying Minato by having these feelings. She had to admit that for being half his age, Naruto was a lot more fit than Minato. Plus the whisker marks made him more cute.
"I'm fine Naru-kun. Here eat your breakfast," Kushina said as she avoided looking directly at Naruto's face. She couldn't bare the thought of seeing her son's piercing gaze on her which Naruto was doing. He seemed genuinely concerned, but he decided to stop and eat his breakfast which was rather more tense than pleasant. Neither Naruto nor Kushina could talk about anything that seemed of interest. Naruto because he was concerned about his mother and wanted to know what was wrong and Kushina for the less than motherly feelings she was starting to have for her son.
After the intense breakfast, Kushina went upstairs to get dressed while Naruto sat on the couch. He thought about his mother and why she was acting like she was, but he didn't get the chance to do that long as the door bell rang distracting Naruto from his thoughts. The blonde got up from the couch and opened the door. He saw Jiraiya standing there and wondered why he was here.
"Ero-sennin? What's up?" Naruto asked while Jiraiya sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
"Well Tsunade wants to see you and Kushina right now. She sounded pretty serious so I think you'd better go," Jiraiya said in a serious tone and Naruto nodded. At that time Kushina came down the stairs in some blue jeans and red sleeveless shirt.
"Well then what are we waiting for?" She asked as they closed the door and walked towards the Hokage mansion. Jiraiya an Kushina weren't sure what this was about, but Naruto rubbed the seal on his hand as he had an idea of what the Slug Princess wanted to talk about.
Hokage Mansion
Naruto, Kushina and Jiraiya came into the room to see Kakashi, Sakura, and Shizune also. Kakashi was leaning up against the wall while Sakura and Shizune were beside Tsunade.
"Alright Hime I brought them. Now can you tell us why you're so serious," Jiraiya said and Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"Don't be so simple Jiraiya. You know your as curious as I am. I want to know how Kushina's alive. Not that I'm not happy to see her, but it's still an issue," Tsunade said making Naruto mentally gulp that she confirmed his theory. Kushina seemed to understand Naruto's problem. She still remembered Naruto's talk with her about how she was alive and while she couldn't believe it she knew he was right. She had seen the frustration in his eyes and racked her brain with something to say. Besides, no one would believe Naruto and not many people would want to see the Shinigami anyway.
"Well Hime I'll admit I'm curious, but sometimes it's best not to ask questions and just accept things," Jiraiya said to her. Normally he would've been on Naruto and Kushina about it since for two years they never explained anything, but to him that was their business and they would tell him if they wanted.
"I understand that Jiraiya, but I still must know. So what do the both of you know?" Tsunade asked while Kakashi and Sakura showed concern that Naruto might be in trouble. Naruto was in a wreck. His contract was a lot more frustrating to have.
"Well Baa-chan the thing is that-,"
"I had left Konoha," Kushina said interrupting Naruto. Jiraiya, Tsunade and the others turned to her and the redhead sighed. She looked at the ground and feigned some depression, but to everyone it was believable. Naruto figured his mother could be an actor maybe.
"I was told that Naruto didn't survive the extraction and I was already sad that Minato didn't make it so I left. I just found Naruto-kun two years ago in the plains of a town. I had was so happy to see him and I came back to get some answers," She said to everyone while she turned to Kakashi who raised an eyebrow while she advanced on him.
"And while we're on the subject Kakashi, please tell me what you've been teaching my son as a shinobi?" Kushina asked and Kakashi gulped. Sakura snickered and chuckled at her sensei. He really hadn't taught them much that she knew of. Teamwork and chakra control were it which was quite good, but it was also a failure since Sasuke had left.
"Umm I did like Minato-sensei did. He emphasized teamwork over anything and I was teaching that to Naruto and Sakura," Kakashi said while Kushina giggled. It was more strained than anything else as she grabbed Kakashi's collar.
"Kakashi, my son's taijutsu was atrocious when I taught him. He had virtually no ninjutsu techniques and his chakra control, while quite good, could've been better. It's nice that you focused on teamwork, but no individual has skills then teamwork is dead," Kushina said as she bonked Kakashi on the head. The jonin winced at the pain and rubbed his head while Kushina managed to take his orange book.
"And I told you to stop reading this stuff. You were too young to be reading it anyway!" Kushina said and Kakashi held his head down before a cough from Tsunade brought the woman back.
"Who told you that the extraction was a failure?" Tsunade asked and Kushina thought it over for a second.
"I don't remember. It was some doctor, but I don't remember the face anymore. It hardly matters to me anyway. I'm just happy to see my son," Kushina said with a bright smile across her face while Naruto nodded in agreement with her. They really didn't like to lie, but the situation sort of called for it and Naruto wasn't ready to reveal his contract just yet to everyone.
Tsunade and everyone else thought over her answer and they all seemed to be okay with it so Tsunade dropped it...for now. It was then that a chunin bursted through the door and bowed before Tsunade interrupting everyone.
"Hokage-sama urgent news from Suna!" The chunin said and Tsunade stood to her feet while everyone else widened their eyes.
"What is it?" she asked readily and the chunin gave her a scroll. Tsunade grabbed it into her hands and unfurled it. She read it and narrowed her eyes while she gritted her teeth.
"Baa-chan what's the problem?" Naruto asked and Tsunade glared at everyone in the room.
"It says that the Kazekage was kidnapped by Akatsuki," Tsunade said making Naruto gasp and so did everyone else.
"Gaara," The blonde thought and gritted his teeth while everyone was still in shock over the news.
"It seems that Akatsuki is on the move. It also shows how strong they are if they can take the Kazekage," Jiraiya said making Tsunade nod in agreement with him.
"Alright then Team seven this will be your first mission. I want you to go to Suna and find out all the details then find a way to get Gaara back. Also you must get there within three days since it says that Kankuro has been poisoned by one of the members. Sakura this will require you indefinitely," Tsunade said and Sakura nodded. Kushina came up and grinned.
"I think I should go to," she said and Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"I can't do that Kushina. You're not a shinobi of my village so it's not wise to do so," Tsunade said while Kushina rolled her eyes.
"Are you kidding dattebane! Jiraiya told me about Akatsuki. Don't underestimate my skills Tsunade. You of all people know how strong I am. If nothing else then I'm insurance for Naruto-kun's team. Besides it was my understanding that a team was comprised of four people not three," Kushina said and Tsunade mentally cursed that she was right. She wanted to refute that, but without Sasuke then the team was incomplete even if Sakura and Naruto showed good teamwork.
"Come on Hime, I agree with Kushina. You could make her the replacement for Team seven. Her skills are too much of a waste to let her not do this. Besides besides Kakashi, she's the only one who can fight S-rank shinobi on your team. Naruto can hold them off, but he needs experience for that. Just let her go Hime," Jiraiya said and Tsunade growled. This was so much easier when stuff like this wasn't happening.
"Alright fine. I'll grant Kushina permission. We'll go into some detail when you come back. Now get going!" Tsunade said and everyone nodded. They quickly left the room while Tsunade massaged her temples.
With Team Seven
Kushina had run back to the house to change her clothes while the others were heading for the gates. They had everything they needed now they were waiting for Kushina to arrive.
"I can't believe they managed to take Gaara. We've got to hurry," Naruto said growling while Sakura tried to calm him down, but she knew it was right. Kakashi sighed with a nod and before long Kushina came back. She was wearing some blue shorts and shin guard shoes while she wore a black shirt with mesh armor underneath it. She was carrying a sword on her back and ran past them.
"Come on let's go. No time to lose dattebane," she said and headed into the trees. Naruto quickly followed her and so did Kakashi and Sakura. The four quickly rushed through the trees, but they watched as Naruto quickly passed Kushina and started to dash off in the direction of Suna. Kakashi would've told Naruto to slow down and stay with them, but Kushina was right on his tail and he always knew about the Uzumaki woman's talent for sensory so they were fine.
"Sochi slow down. We won't get there in a day even with your speed and my speed. Besides you have to remember that Kakashi and Sakura aren't as fast as us," Kushina said and Naruto gritted his teeth. He sighed and let up on his speed enough for Kakashi and Sakura to catch up to him.
"Naruto calm down. We'll save Gaara," Sakura said and Naruto narrowed his eyes as they all rushed through the trees.
"I know, but I just hate them. Akatsuki thinking they can just do that. I hate it," Naruto said his eyes turning red. Kushina lowered her eyes when she saw that her son might have lost a good friend. Sakura and Kakashi frowned when they saw him in distress, but they all continued to run for Sunagakure.
It had been over half an hour since they started running before Sakura looked at the ground.
"Hey guys wait a minute. There's Temari-san," Sakura said and everyone shot towards the ground. Temari turned around to see the four coming up to her and waved as they got closer to her.
"Hey guys, what are you doing all the way out here?" she asked smiling at them, but everyone was too serious and she noticed that.
"We're on our way to Suna Temari-san. Gaara's been kidnapped," Sakura said and Temari widened her eyes. The silence reigned in the forest as she tried to understand Sakura's words.
"He's been kidnapped?" Temari asked and Sakura nodded.
"Also Kankuro-san's been poisoned. We're going to Suna right now," Sakura said and Temari nodded with them.
"Then what are we waiting for?" She asked as she rushed off with Team seven following her. Everyone rushed towards Suna and wasted no time in trying to get there either.
Somewhere in the middle of nowhere
Deidara and Sasori came into a secret cavern and dropped Gaara on the ground. He was passed out from the fight he had with Deidara while the two Akatsuki members sat down in front of the astral projections of the other members.
"Jinchuuriki take down hmm. He was kind of a pain," Deidara said while Sasori sighed.
"You didn't have to bring attention to us though. That stupid explosion nearly had ever Suna nin on us. You should be lucky that we got away," Sasori said and Deidara waved him off.
"Please art is an explosion Sasori my man. It's an instant affect of beauty," Deidara said and Sasori rolled his eyes at his partner.
"Wrong Deidara. Art is to be preserved for all to enjoy," Sasori said and most of Akatsuki watched them bicker before their leader had enough.
"Sasori, Deidara that's enough! We will begin the extraction of the Ichibi jinchuuriki. It will take three days to do so rest up and then we will start immediately," he said making Deidara and Sasori nod in agreement with him. The two rested in the cave so they could replenish their chakra for the extraction process.
Two Days Later
Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, Kushina and Temari all arrived in Suna and were immediately briefed by Baki about the events. He told them how Gaara fought hard and even managed to protect the village from destruction by the Akatsuki. He also said how Kankuro followed them, but fell ill to a deadly poison that would end his life if Sakura didn't hurry. On that note, Sakura quickly assembled the medical staff of Suna and started to work on Kankuro while she had managed to get an antidote for the poison form Suna's greenhouse.
Meanwhile Naruto, Kakashi, and Kushina were sitting in the lobby of the room waiting for Sakura's verdict. Naruto tapped his foot impatiently and the only reason that he wasn't ranting his head off was because his mother kept calming him down enough to prevent him from doing so.
"To think that Kankuro went down is quite a shock. Not to mention that he didn't even prove to be a challenge to them. It shows how terrifying Akatsuki is," Kakashi said making Naruto and Kushina nod with him. It was then that they turned to see a white haired woman next walking up to them while she squinted her eyes at him.
"That's him. The White Fang of Konoha," she said as she charged the jonin. Kakashi widened his eyes, but Naruto intercepted the woman and matched her blow for blow that she would've tried to deal to Kakashi.
"Hey why are you you targeting Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked while the woman narrowed her eyes.
"Kakashi? He's not the White Fang of Konoha?" the woman asked and Naruto shook his head while Kakashi chuckled and rubbed the back of his head.
"Umm that was my father. I'm sorry if I confused you," Kakashi said while the woman's brother came up behind her.
"Nee-chan you're mistaken. You should apologize to them," the old man said while the woman chuckled with a hoarse laugh.
"Sorry about that I was playing dumb hehe," She said making Naruto, Kakashi, and Kushina look at her weirdly before the Uzumaki gasped and stood to her feet.
"You're Chiyo. I remember you from one of my missions to Suna. You were the only woman who actually scolded me for something," Kushina said as Chiyo turned to her. She looked at the red hair and slim figure and also widened her eyes.
"Is that the same brat I've seen? Kushina you're still as young as ever. How have you been?" Chiyo said as she and Kushina shook hands.
"I've been...great. Completely revived," Kushina said with a smile and Chiyo nodded leaving Naruto and Kakashi in the dark about how Kushina knew the woman.
"Oh Naruto-kun this is Chiyo. One of Suna's greatest puppet wielders during her time and she might still be. I had a mission to do with my squad and I encountered her. I tell you she was no joke dattebane," Kushina said and Chiyo chuckled.
"You still say that when you're excited huh?" Chiyo asked and Kushina blushed with a small smile.
"So I here that you are after my foolish grandson. I hate to think he did this. He really has no respect for this village. I introduced him to puppetry to help him with his parents being alone. How is Kankuro doing?" Chiyo asked and Kakashi shrugged his shoulders.
"We don't know Sakura is in there now. We might know soon," Kakashi said and Chiyo sighed.
"Well if Tsunade's not doing then she has her apprentice doing it then. I still think you shouldn't be interfering in Suna business Kushi-brat," Chiyo said and Kushina rolled her eyes.
"Whatever Baa-chan. Just accept our help and we'll get your Kazekage back," Kushina said and Chiyo simply sighed with a nod.
It was a few more hours, but Sakura came out with sweat dripping from her forehead.
"Sigh, well I managed to get rid of all the poison and Kankuro is resting at the moment. I gave him the cure and made three vials just in case. If we want to catch up to Gaara-san I think we should do it now," Sakura said making everyone nod.
"And I'm coming with you people. I can handle myself and I'll deal with Sasori. He's become too much of a problem and I need to correct him now," Chiyo said and while everyone else wanted to retort her she left them no room for argument.
"Alright the sun is still high in the sky so we should get going right now," Kushina said and everyone nodded in agreement with her.
Back In Konoha, With Tsunade
"I'm sending you four as backup to Team seven. They probably don't need it, but with Akatsuki you can't be too careful so I want you to back them up when you meet up with them," Tsunade said to all the members of Team Gai. The jonin leader nodded and held a thumbs up.
"Alright you guys we need to make it there now. A day ago Kakashi sent us a messenger bird telling us where to meet up. We will head there now. With any luck we'll get there in a day," Gai said before Lee interrupted.
"No sensei we can get there in half a day if we push ourselves," Lee said and Tenten sighed while rubbing the back of her head.
"Come on you two. It takes at least two days to get there. I'm surprised that Kakashi and his group made it to Suna in two days. They must've really been in a hurry," Tenten said while Neji nodded.
"Look the longer we talk the better the enemy's chances are. Let's go," Neji said and everyone nodded. They quickly left the village with Gai leading the three towards the possible place where Akatsuki was due to intel received to them.
With Team seven
Everyone was currently packing up their stuff. They were all heading for the desert as Naruto looked up at the sky.
"Gaara, I'll save you. I swear it!" Naruto said and immediately Kakashi stood in front of everyone and rubbed his head.
"Our allies' Kazekage has been taken. Well will get him back now," Kakashi said and everyone nodded. They ran off towards the place where some Suna shinobi had pinpointed a spot where they saw the two Akatsuki members go.
"Alright then, let's go now. I don't want to let them go," Naruto said glaring coldly as everyone ran a little faster. Chiyo and Sakura looked at Naruto in confusion. They both didn't know why the blonde could care so much about someone else or even how he could go so fast. Kushina quickly kept up with Naruto as they ran through the desert and a good pace for everyone and continued to run.
In The Cave
The Akatsuki were currently taking the chakra of the Ichibi from Gaara's body and it was all being consumed into the statue behind them. They had been doing this for a long time, but no one was exhausted just yet.
"How long have we been at this?" Deidara asked while Sasori sighed at him.
"We're almost done. Stop complaining. Those shinobi who followed us are sure to alert their allies. We'll be in for a fight if we don't finish," Sasori said while the leader turned to two of the members, one with red eyes and the other with shark skin.
"Itachi, Kisame if anyone tries to come here then stop them," he said and they both nodded.
"This is starting to get good. Right Itachi-san?" Kisame said as they disappeared from view leaving the rest to everyone else.
"Well on the off chance that they do meet us we'll just have to show them what we've got right Sasori my man?" Deidara asked and Sasori just as easily nodded.
"Don't underestimate them. It will soon be time to collect the other jinchuuriki as well," the leader said and everyone nodded in agreement with him as they continued to take the bijuu from Gaara and with it his life.
With Team seven
If anyone could say anything about Naruto then they could at least say that he was crazy fast now. He was quite far ahead of everyone except Kushina who was the only one who could stay with her son. Chiyo, Sakura and Kakashi stayed at a slower pace. They had been running without a break for about four hours and they had just exited the desert and into the trees of a small valley.
"Naruto-kun slow down," Kushina said trying to clam her son, but the blonde got his hotheadedness from his mother and she knew that.
"We have to get to Gaara Kaa-san, I know what I can do to help him, but I'd rather he not die at all. Gaara's been alone Kaa-san. A lot longer than me. He had no one and his village hated him. He's finally the Kazekage and these bastards want to take him because of the problem inside him," Naruto said, but unknown to him the three behind the mother and son were listening also.
"Tell me boy. Why do you care so much about Gaara? He's not even from your village," Chiyo said and Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"It doesn't matter. He's the same as me. Tell me, when you people put Shukaku inside him did you ever think about how he felt? How Gaara would be affected by it? You only saw a chance to contain a monster and turn Gaara into a sacrifice. I don't like it. Not at all," Naruto said and Chiyo held her head down. Sakura was about to scold Naruto for that, but Kakashi stopped her.
"Naruto's right. Something like this shouldn't have been done, but it was," Kakashi said and Sakura turned to him.
"Kakashi-sensei, what did Naruto mean by saying that Gaara was the same as him?" Sakura asked and Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
"A Jinchuuriki. It means a living sacrifice. Naruto knows Gaara's pain because he's also a jinchuuriki," Kakashi said making Sakura and Chiyo widen their eyes. They both looked at Naruto in awe and shock before Sakura turned back to her sensei.
"So...which one does he have?" Sakura asked though if she remembered her history which she was known for back in the academy then she would've guessed.
"The Kyuubi no Yoko. The one that attacked Konoha 16 years ago," Kakashi said and Sakura stared at Naruto. She just felt ashamed of the way she acted back in her youth.
"He's been that way all his life and he has the time to care for someone else. I can't believe it," Sakura thought while Chiyo was thinking over some things that concerned her as she looked at Naruto.
It took a little longer, but they managed to make it to the plains of a grassy field and the sight they saw shocked him. Naruto narrowed his eyes while Kakashi stood forward.
"Itachi Uchiha," Kakashi said while Itachi looked at the ground and felt like he just received a blast from the past when he saw Kushina. He raised and eyebrow while Kushina tried to keep her emotions under control. She remembered Itachi, but she would never imagine that this would happen. Itachi was an S-rank criminal.
"Well Naruto-kun you've grown and you brought an unexpected guest. How are you Kushina-san?" Itachi asked while Kushina narrowed her eyes even more.
"I'm fine Itachi, but not the same I could say for you. Mikoto must be crushed to know your doing this," Kushina said while Itachi brushed a hand through his hair and closed his eyes.
"It hardly matters anymore. In case you didn't know it, the Uchiha clan is gone," Itachi said and Kushina widened her eyes. She never heard that from anyone. Though she did wonder why it was so vacant when she passed by it with Naruto that one time. She never imagined that Mikoto and the entire clan was gone.
"Their gone? Who killed them?" Kushina asked and Itachi sighed. He really didn't want to talk about his past at the moment, but this seemed to be a special occasion.
"Shouldn't it be obvious? Since besides my little brother that I'm the only Uchiha alive. The rumors also say that only an Uchiha can defeat an Uchiha so what do you think Kushina-san?" Itachi asked and Kushina narrowed her eyes even more. Her chakra flared while Naruto's did also. Kakashi narrowed his eye at the Uchiha and sighed. He was about to fight, but Kushina held up her hand.
"Kakashi save your chakra. I've fought plenty of Uchiha before," Kushina said and Naruto turned to her.
"Not without me Kaa-san. Two Uzumaki are better than one Uchiha if you know what I mean," Naruto said and Kushina smiled. So on that note Kakashi, Sakura and Chiyo decided to stay back and while they wanted to pass Itachi they were reluctant to leave Naruto and Kushina alone since if Naruto was anything like his mother then this would need looking after.
"So I get two Uzumaki for the price of one. Alright then show me how much you've improved Naruto-kun,"Itachi said to him. Naruto's eyes shadowed his eyes and the blonde almost reached for his sword, but stopped. He didn't want to completely rely on his kenjutsu. The blonde turned to his mother and she nodded with him. They both turned back to Itachi and immediately took their taijutsu stance. Itachi raised an eyebrow.
Naruto closed his eyes and channeled chakra to his feet. The blonde dashed for Itachi in an instant making the Uchiha slightly surprised as he blocked a punch from the blind.
"Well you got faster," Itachi said and Naruto smiled.
"That's not the only thing I've learned," Naruto said before Itachi dodged out of sheer luck a kick that was sent to his side. He saw a clone beside the blonde and raised an eyebrow.
"When did he make a clone?" Itachi wondered, but he heard a distant spiraling as he looked up into the air to see Naruto and another clone making the rasengan. The blonde grinned as he slammed the rasengan into Itachi's body, but widened his eyes when he saw it move as he slammed it into the ground making a large explosion.
"You've really grown Naruto-kun," Itachi said and Naruto eyes glowed red. The blonde turned to Itachi and smiled.
"Well I at least avoided that genjutsu you tried on me. Thank goodness Kaa-san drilled into me things like that," Naruto said while Itachi went through his handsigns.
"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu," Itachi yelled sending a giant fireball at Naruto. Kakashi and Sakura expected Naruto to use his sword and that weird technique he did the last time, but the blonde didn't draw his sword. In fact, Naruto went through his own handsigns and yelled out in turn.
"Katon: Kōgi no Arashi( Fire Release: Firestorm)," Naruto yelled and the two fires collided making a massive fire over the trees while Itachi narrowed his eyes.
"He's not the same as before," Itachi said, but he looked inside the flames and saw Kushina running for him. Her sword took the fire with her as she dashed out. Itachi took out a kunai to quickly intercept the Uzumaki woman, but Kushina did a handsign and immediately Itachi found himself dodging chakra chains left and right. Kushina used her speed to appear behind Itachi, but the Uchiha saw it coming and blocked Kushina's sword with his kunai however he didn't see the smile on her face as Naruto came out of the fire and grabbed Itachi. The Uchiha widened his eyes for a split second before he turned back to Kushina.
"You're good, but I will show you that you can't beat me," Itachi said and immediately he dissipated into a crow substitution while Naruto and Kushina backed away from him. Kakashi, Sakura, and Chiyo watched the two fight and marveled at them. Naruto was only a recently promoted chunin and yet he fought Itachi like any other person. It was all thanks to his mother's training. Naruto could definitely say that much. He could only imagine if he was wasting chakra by getting hit by Itachi's genjutsu and succumbing to whatever attack he would use against the blonde.
"Naruto-kun are you tired?" Kushina asked while Naruto scoffed.
"Come on Kaa-san I should be asking you that dattebayo," Naruto told her and Kushina giggled. Itachi's sharingan flared before Kushina sheathed her sword. She closed her eyes for a few seconds of focus and nodded.
"Go sochi," Kushina said as she launched chakra chains at Itachi. Naruto grinned and jumped on top of one and then the other. He quickly made a kage bunshin and with a twist of her chain, Kushina sent Naruto high into the sky making Itachi's eyes slightly wince as the blonde was covered by the sun.
"Well you do live up to your reputation of being the Red Death," Itachi said and Kushina smiled.
"Well I'm happy you remember my title," Kushina said and ran at Itachi. The two engaged in a quick taijutsu fight with Kushina giving more hits and Itachi to block them. It was then that Kushina managed to grab Itachi with one of her chains and smiled.
"Go on sochi. Show your new rasengan," Kushina yelled and Itachi looked up to see a blazing fireball in Naruto's hands as the blonde yelled.
"Oodama Goen Rasengan( Giant Flame Rasengan)," Naruto yelled as he slammed the ball into Itachi while Kushina substituted with a log as Itachi seemingly took the blunt of the explosion. The dust and dirt picked up around the area while Kakashi, Sakura, and Chiyo covered their eyes.
"What power!" Sakura said while Kakashi opened his eye.
"That rasengan. It's Jiraiya-sama's technique, but Naruto made it his own by expanding the ball making it more powerful. He's amazing," Kakashi said as everyone came from hiding while Naruto stood over Itachi, but the blonde wasn't happy. He looked downright pissed off if nothing else.
"Naruto what's wrong?" Sakura asked and Naruto gritted his teeth.
"It's not Itachi," Naruto said and Chiyo narrowed her eyes.
"We were played. This is a type of summoning. Using a soul to replace someone else's. We were stalled. We must be close so let's go. I still can't believe that one of our councilmen was the sacrifice," Chiyo said and Naruto narrowed his eyes. He and the others quickly ran off.
With Team Gai
Everyone huffed as they leaned over the destroyed body of Kisame. They had been running for the location at an intense speed and had been running for at least a day and a half. They had left Konoha while Kakashi and his team were still in Suna and quickly made it to the point, but they had been using solider pills to push themselves. They were only to provide backup, but due to Tsunade's late actions in signing a team they had to hurry to close the time gap.
"This man he looks like-," Tenten started, but Neji stopped her.
"We can continue that later. We need to meet up with everyone else," Neji said and Tenten nodded. Gai and Lee nodded also. They all sighed and rested for a bit to catch their breath.
"Gai-sensei what was that technique you used?" Lee asked while Neji clarified.
"Asa Kujaku( Morning Peacock). I saw Gai-sensei use it only once for training. It's a never strong taijutsu move," Neji said and Gai nodded.
"Which is why I can't use it too often. Now then let's get going," Gai said and the four quickly dashed off for the meet up point.
Inside the Cave
Itachi and Kisame came back and both weren't happy in the least.
"Itachi, Kisame we're done here. Have you found anything?" Sasori asked and Itachi nodded.
"Konoha is coming and approaching fast. They will be here in about 8 minutes so I suggest you two get ready or take the Ichibi jinchuuriki's body somewhere else. Their bringing the Kyuubi jinchuuriki with them," Itachi said while the other members narrowed their eyes They couldn't handle another jinchuuriki for the moment, but it was too good an opportunity to pass up.
"Itachi, tell Deidara and Sasori about the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki," their leader said and Itachi turned to Deidara and Sasori. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and thought over his words. He thought back to his past experience with Naruto and gave them the type of person Itachi thought he was.
"He's the one who's arrogant. He's also the one to speak the loudest and quick to anger," Itachi said while Deidara sweatdropped.
"Is that all? Not very specific is it hmm," Deidara said and Itachi kept his cold glare.
"It matters not. You will know him when you see him," Itachi said and on that note everyone vanished from view leaving Deidara and Sasori with a dead Gaara on the ground.
Back with Team seven
Naruto and the others came towards a small ravine with a red tower over a large boulder. They looked at it for a bit and narrowed their eyes.
"So Gaara is behind that wall huh?" Naruto said and Kakashi nodded. Sakura tightened her gloves and was about to strike the boulder, but Kushina stopped her.
"Why'd you stop me?" Sakura asked and Kushina pointed to the seal on the rock. Sakura stared at it for a few minutes while Kushina explained.
"That seal is special. It will prevent even you with Tsunade' strength from breaking that boulder, but that seal is complex. It will keep you from destroying that boulder. Minato was the best of us, but I was a fuinjutsu expert also. If I'm not mistaken then the there should be four other seals in contrary to this one, but it seems that there's a fail safe in them," Kushina said and soon everyone saw two people jump down.
"We ran all the way over here and we still got here before you guys. Man you're all slow," Tenten said while Lee came up to Naruto.
"Naruto-san you've really grown. How are you my youthful friend?" Lee asked and Naruto grinned.
"Hey Bushy Brows, I'm good. You, Neji and Tenten have been grown also," Naruto said, but it was then that he noticed Tenten eyeing him up and down.
"Nice outfit Naruto. Your attire really has changed a lot since we last saw you," Tenten said wondering if Naruto was up for grabs. Naruto chuckled then turned to Neji. The two shared a friendly greeting while Gai looked at Kushina.
"I-Is it really- you can't possibly be-," He stuttered, but Kushina smiled.
"Can we save the greetings for later. We have a Kazekage to save," Kushina said to them and everyone nodded.
"We came to the same conclusion about the seals as you, but we didn't know of any fail safe. What fail safe could it have?" Gai asked and Kushina narrowed her eyes. She looked at the seal intently and grinned.
"Whoever did this has an adequate knowledge of fuinjutsu. It was designed, when all of these were ripped at the same time, to create a sort of clone that would be an exact replica of yourself. The only reason I know that is because of the way the seal is placed. You can see that it was meant to be another distraction, but it will be fine. If I make four clones then they can take the seals off then disperse leaving the fail safe as a shattered trap," Kushina said, but Gai shook his head.
"No Kushina-san. My team is meant for back up. We'll head for the locations. We've were able to rest while you guys tried to get here. We'll be fine if we be careful," Gai told them. Kushina narrowed her eyes and was about to retort, but Naruto stopped her and the Uzumaki woman relented with a simple nod.
"Alright then let's go," Gai said as immediately the four of them ran off towards their destinations. Neji had been able to pinpoint them with his byakugan and knowing the fail safe trap they were all going to take their necessary precautions while Team seven and Chiyo waited for them to signal that they were ready.
It took about five to six minutes, but all of team Gai found their appropriate seals. They all grabbed an edge of the seals and got ready.
"Is everyone ready?" Gai said though his hid mic and everyone nodded. Tenten pulled her seal off along with Lee, Neji, Gai and Kakashi at the exact same time.
"Go Sakura," Kakashi said and jumped away. Sakura grinned and channeled her chakra to her fist. She charged the boulder and slammed it open revealing the Akatsuki inside. The five charged in to see Deidara and Sasori next to Gaara's body and both Akatsuki members grinned.
"Well well it seems that we have a little party going on right Sasori my man?" Deidara asked and Sasori nodded. He then saw Chiyo looking at him and narrowed his eyes.
"Well I didn't expect you to come here Baa-chan," Sasori said and Chiyo narrowed her eyes at him also.
"So many years since I've seen you. Still working with puppets huh?" Chiyo asked and Sasori nodded.
"Well of course. After all, you are the one who taught me all that I know," Sasori said as Deidara slapped Gaara's cold cheek.
"It seems that you might be a little too late. We had our fun with him now then I'll be taking him with me. Let's see if the Kyuubi jinchuuriki will react to this," Deidara said with the last part being his thoughts. Sasori watched for any of the obvious signs also that Itachi mentioned.
Naruto gritted his teeth and balled his fist. His eyes were red with anger. He saw Gaara's motionless body on the ground and tried to keep his anger under control. He would've yelled, but a worry sign from Kushina told him not to and the blonde resisted with all his might to simply wait it out.
"Well anyway I'm gonna take him now," Deidara said as he made a clay bird that snatched Gaara into its mouth and ran off from the cave leaving Sasori alone.
"Take care of them Sasori hmm," Deidara said and got away or at least he wanted to before Naruto ran off after him. He wasn't about to let Gaara get away from him and Kushina told Kakashi to go after him just in the case of a mother worrying for her son to which Kakashi readily agreed and ran away after Naruto leaving the three women alone with Sasori.
"So I get the women. How boring," Sasori said while Kushina stepped forward.
"Oh don't worry. We'll be more than enough for you," Kushina said making Sakura and Chiyo nod in agreement with the Uzumaki woman.
"Kushina, Sakura be careful. All his weapons have been coated in poison that can numb your body in minutes and without proper treatment it can kill you in three days," Chiyo said making Sakura a little tense while Kushina didn't seem to mind at all.
"So we just don't have to get hit then," Kushina said and Chiyo nodded.
"Don't think it will be that easy," Sasori said as he threw his tail back. He launched it at Kushina and the redhead easily dodged it while wasting no effort at all. Chiyo grinned and looked at her grandson.
"You better go all out Sasori or Kushina will kill you," the elderly woman said and Sasori narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tell me what to do. Deidara and I have somewhere to be and I don't like waiting to do something. Now then I might turn you three into puppets yourselves," Sasori said and Kushina grinned while Sakura stood beside her.
"Let's see you try it," Kushina said and both charged at the puppet master. Sasori swiped his tail at Kushina, but the Uzumaki woman jumped over it effortlessly. She had been dodging faster attacks all her life so this was almost nothing new, but she knew that this was just getting started. Sakura jumped in the air and tried to hit the puppet, but Sasori quickly moved out of the way which surprised Sakura since the puppet's body seemed sluggish at best.
"It's not that easy," Sasori told them in his gruff voice, but he didn't looked behind him as Kushina slashed at his puppet with her sword making it break in pieces. Sasori managed to react in time as he jumped out of his creation.
"So finally showing us the real you huh Sasori?" Chiyo asked and Sasori chuckled. He was a young man with red hair and semi-small build.
"Well it might be interesting after all. I never thought that Hiruko would be gone so easily. It was a great puppet, but slow. Oh well I guess I'll give you three a show. Try not to die since no one has lived long enough for me to have fun with this one," Sasori said as he pulled out a scroll. Instantly there was a puff while Chiyo widened her eyes. Kushina seemed genuinely surprised, but the only one who didn't see anything out of the ordinary was Sakura, but that was to be expected.
"Sasori, what have you done!" Chiyo yelled as Sasori maneuvered the puppet behind him.
"Use every available resource right Chiyo-baachan. I hope you'll treat the Kazekage with respect," Sasori said and blackish sand oozed out of the puppets mouth.
"The Sandaime Kazekage. Known for his Iron Sand. All the elemental nations heard about his disappearance. So it was it was you huh?" Kushina asked and Sasori nodded.
"He makes a better puppet that a living soul doesn't he?" Sasori asked while Chiyo took out a scroll. It instantly poofed also and out came two puppets that made Sasori narrow his eyes.
"So you did bring those things," Sasori said and Chiyo nodded.
"You should know. They were the first puppets you made. The Mother puppet and the Father puppet," Chiyo said to him.
"Those things are an eyesore," Sasori said while Kushina and Sakura stepped forward.
"Well eyesore or not we're taking you down and we'll save Gaara-san," Sakura said while Sasori chuckled like he just heard something ridiculous.
"Well it's good that you want to think that, but I have things to do. So on that note, let's get started with the show," Sasori said putting his puppet in attack mode.
"Let's see an S-rank criminal with a Kazekage for a puppet against a medic with insane strength, a old puppet master woman, and a kenjutsu woman. Not bad dattebane," Kushina said as the battle between them and Sasori began to start.