Nel here, I know I took a bit of a hiatus, but I am ready to get started again, I am hoping I will be able to dedicate some time out of my week regularly to work on this story, here is a small chapter to get it rolling again! ENJOY! :] Comments welcome!

xxx

Kakashi leaned silently against the wall beside the entrance to the special room where Naruto and Killer B were training. Despite the fact that the room sealed completely from the inside, to the point that the entrance wasn't even visible from the outside, Kakashi would stand there from the moment Naruto went in, to the moment he came out. If anyone asked he was "guarding" the room, but Yamato and Guy both knew that he was worried about Naruto. The training he was enduring was extremely dangerous, and Naruto was going through it at an accelerated pace, increasing the chances of something going wrong. Kakashi had always been his teacher, always been there if something went wrong, but this time, he couldn't be. All he could do was stand outside and wait. Kakashi turned his head to look at Yamato who had just rounded the corner. He was carrying a scroll.

"What's that?" Yamato extended the scroll to Kakashi.

"It's a message from Sai. Something you will be very interested to read." Kakashi raised his eyebrow and took the scroll.

By the time you receive this we will likely have been on the road for a few days. Much has happened since you have left the village. Madara appeared and killed Koharu and Homura, declaring war on the entire shinobi world. He has Sasuke and is making him lead him to your location. I was able to get a few messenger birds to Sasuke during the chaos and he reported that he is going to buy us as much time as possible. A Five Kage Summit was held and they have come to the agreement to band together along with the Land of Iron to take down Madara. We are en route to your position as we speak. The plan is to lay a trap. Tsunade gave specific instructions that Naruto is not to be informed. We will do that when we arrive as well as fill you in on the details.

See you soon.

- Sai

"Interesting...Naruto is not going to be happy when he finds out Madara has Sasuke..." Kakashi looked over to Yamato who was nodding in agreement.

"You've got that right. We need to start making what preparations we can, but discretely. There is a chance Madara will get here first."

"The letter said that Sasuke was going to try and buy as much time as possible. I guess not disclosing all of the details about Naruto's whereabouts ended up being more helpful than we initially thought. That fact that Sasuke really doesn't know may end up saving us, and him." Yamato again nodded in agreement.

"I am pretty sure that 98% of the population doesn't even know this place exists, nevertheless that this secret training ground is on it, and even less likely than that, that we are on it." Kakashi chuckled slightly.

"That's true, there are a lot of perks to having a giant turtle with an island on its back, we should get one." Yamato smirked.

"Let's go tell Guy."

xxx

"Are you sure you know where you're going?"

Talk about deja vu, this guy was worse than a toddler. Sasuke was certain that this journey would be the death of him.

"For the hundredth time, yes. I specifically remember Tsunade saying that the only way to get to where Naruto and the eight tails are training is by boat."

"This is taking too long."

"Did you think they were going to make it easy?!" Sasuke was on the verge of completely losing it. He wondered if this is what Naruto felt like when the nine tails started to take over. He scowled. "They sent Naruto to the last place you would expect him to be, and then put him in the hardest place to find. If you didn't need me to find it you would be there already, so would you please STOP asking me that!" Sasuke couldn't see Madara's face under his mask but he was positive Madara was smirking right now. "I thought you sent that weird plant companion of yours to gather intel, I don't hear you complaining about how long he is taking." Madara crossed his arms and got in the boat. That's right, you sit down. Sasuke thought to himself. He couldn't help thinking about how surprised Madara was going to be when they finally got there. If everything went right when they arrived he would be facing the wrath of the Kage of the five hidden villages united, two tailed beasts, and a Uchiha. Not even Madara would be able to stand against that. He sighed inwardly. Ultimately, that wouldn't be the thing that defeated Madara, it would be speed, and superior skill, coupled with massive strength. That's why it had to be him and Naruto facing him together. Despite the massive strength and skill of the Kage they didn't have the eyes. It would take a Uchiha, and an Uzumaki. Together, they were an unstoppable force. He chuckled at the thought.

"What are you laughing at?" Sasuke inwardly scolded himself for chuckling out loud.

"Just that fact that with all your power you still need help."

Madara scoffed. "I don't need help."

Of course you don't. Sasuke thought. If only he knew.

xxx

Sai had been ferociously sending messengers of all shapes and sizes for Lady Tsunade, to all the Hidden Villages, the Land of Iron, and their troops back home. At this rate he was going to need to get more ink at the first town they reached. They had been traveling for three days and were just getting to the edge of the Land of Iron.

"Hallelujah! Finally, out of that freezing hell hole!" Tsunaded ran and flopped on a patch of grass. Sia smiled.

"Isn't that a bit of a contradiction my Lady?" Sia asked.

"What?"

"Frozen hell hole. I was under the impression that Hell was hot." Tsunade scowled.

"Well it froze over." Shizune covered her mouth to try and hide her chuckle.

"It'll be about another day's journey until we reach the first town, we will need to stock up on supplies, it'll take about a week from there to reach Naruto's location. As long as they don't run into any issues the others should be following a similar time table." Sai's signature smile never left his face.

Tsunade got up off the ground. She put one hand on her hip and the other on her chin. "Hm, is there any way we can speed that up?"

"Doubtful, as Suigetsu in one of our traveling companions."

"Hey!" Suigetsu came trudging out of the woods. "I heard that!"

"Why did you even bring him Sai?" Tsunade asked.

"He is surprisingly useful and effective in battle."

"I'm right here you know!" Suigetsu yelled. "When we get to water travel you are going be glad I'm here!"

"I'm sure we will!" Shizune chimed in trying to soothe the situation.

"Stop being so nice Shizune!" Tsunade yelled. "Let's get moving."

Suigetsu groaned. "Saaaaiiiiiii."

"I'm not carrying you."

"You guys do know I'm part shark, right?...guys!" Suigetsu's pleas fell on deaf ears as everyone began walking again. He swore under his breath. If he made it out of this alive he was never going to travel by land again. If they wanted him to come along they could bring a pool.