Returning of the Whirling Tides

by Havoc-Teir

A clan long thought extinct has finally found its heir, rescued by his thought deceased mother whom returned to their ancestral home to assume their duties. Moving in the shadows, under masks of light, the shinobi of Uzushigakure move to combat a the threat their greatest ancestor sealed away, maybe taking several pounds of flesh along the way. NaruxKarinxHakuxKoyukixShion

12. Chapter 12 - Negotiations of Maelstrom

Chapter Twelve; Negotiations of Whirling Tides

Land of Eddies; Front Gate

Naruto was first to arrive in his base mission gear, mask on his equipment belt on his hip beneath the black cloak. Rereading the mission scrolls he frowns upon reading 'Important: Red is not to used in this mission.' Stowing it back into his pouch, Naruto seals up his gear in a scroll just in case it's needed later. He was still uncomfortable with operating in the open, then again, grandfather must have a plan in place, and I have to trust that his orders are correct.

Letting out a defeated sigh as he was now in his standard Uzushasho Jonin uniform, black undershirt swirls on the upper arms, brown leather armour beneath his faded red Jonin flak jacket, similar to the hidden leafs, spiral on the back and all.

Tayuya was second to arrive at the gate, her chunin vest reduced further as a crop top with her headband plate sowed in on her left chest, black undershirt covering her mid rift, and tanto over her right shoulder. Flute strapped to her lower back, kunai on her tight covered right leg and shuriken pouch on her left leg with black boots finishing off the ensemble.

Last to arrive seconds after Tayuya was naturally Nina, in a very dark red, almost black, battle kimono with her sabres sealed away somewhere, a black obi securing it with black heeled combat boots. Her long hair tied up in buns, the excess tucked and secured beneath her clothing "Got everything?" Naruto looking back in them both.

"What about the Yuki clan?" Nina questioned but he waved her off "Shadow clone handled it." He stiffened "Okay we have a baring. She's in the Land of Fire. Squad R22, move out!" and the three vanish from the gate.

Land of Eddies; Uzumaki District

Sometimes later…

One of Naruto's shadow clones had just finished asking his resting men if any wanted to assist the Yuki as guards. Unfortunately, his original thought of them needing time off proved true as most were fatigued, going from mission to mission with minimal breaks in between. Even Kazer turned him down. Bet and all.

Sighing he turns to head back to the Yuki clan Matriarch only to run into Karin "Naru-koi? Why are you…?" she narrows her eyes "Ah, shadow clone."
"Have I ever told you how sexy you are when you answer your own questions." The clone states with wriggling eyebrows. Karin stares blankly before nodding "Yep. No more clone play." She strolls off as if said clone wasn't even there, whilst said clone gawked at that "Wait! Lady Karin! Let's talk about this rationally."

Elsewhere in the district, another clone was with the clan Matriarch who was actively tracking Tsuande's chakra. It was simple feat for Serena as she had met the young girl before, this knowing what it looks like. Though it seems time has tainted it with guilt, sorrow, and self-loathing. The lady sighs "What happened to you Tsunade-chan?"

"Is something wrong, Lady Serena?" the clone asks puzzled, tilting his head to the left with arms crossing its chest. She shakes her head "No, not at all. Just it seems she has plenty of guilt, sorrow, and self-loathing with a tinge of anger. Be careful when approaching her."
"Right." The clone reports before making a basic shadow clone and dispelling it, sending updated information to the original.

Land of Fire; Forests Shinobi Highway

Several hours later…

Naruto and his team have made great progress towards the last Senju's signature. Tayuya was being carried by clone, having ran out steam after passing Wave Country. Upping her stamina training when they get back Naruto mentally noted. Reaching a town, they stop and Naruto uses his own sensory ability to scan it quickly, but finds no luck however he does discover his back up at the towns Hotsprings.

Sighing hard he looks to his team, Tayuya looks recovered enough but still clings to the clone. It's faster this way as she couldn't match her team's speed. Naruto is an elite Jonin, and surprisingly enough Nina can keep Jonin speed with seemingly minimal effort. Sure, he has to slow but not by much. Fuck it "You, guys. There's a hot spring in this town." This causes both to visibly perk up, but he lets s wary sigh "However, currently there is a massive pervert here too." and on cue, two growls of feminine fury "So, we can choose to rest for an hour or two or go round and ignore our supposed 'back-up' for this mission. You choose."

Both seem to mull over it for a bit whilst Naruto continues to monitor the toad sage. His sensory perception abilities are rather meagre compared to Karin or Lady Serena's seeing as she sensing this entire situation from back home but it works well enough for a front liner such as himself. His passive range is only about a hundred metres, active range boarders two kilometres and lights up every chakra signature larger than a toddler.

Thinking about it now idly, Karin's passive is about ten times that and her active, last he checked, was clear over fifty kilometres and nothing can hide from her. Not even something as small a ladybird. He dared not think of Lady Serena's but that goes with comprehensive training from before the fall, and nearly seven decades of experience.

"Let's go catch us a fucking dirty pervert." Tayuya growled smacking her fist into her open plam. "Despite her father unladylike vocabulary, I agree with the Chunin." Nina adds earning a glare from her fellow red head. Naruto nods without turning back, his clone dispelling forcing Tayuya to not cause a scene as to catch herself on the branch he was holding onto. "Why the fuck…?"
"To tell Lady Serena to take a break." Naruto responds before leaping down "Common, let's go." They follow him into town.

Land of Eddies; Uzumaki District

The clone with Karin pauses his tirade on clone sexual rights as she cooks dinner, drawing the woman's attention "What is it?"
"Seems the boss is stopping at a hotspring town." The clone replies confused with a tilt of his head. This fully enraptured the side lined kunoichi "Explain?" knowing Nina is with him. She better not try anything or she'll pumble her when she gets back.

"Well, the boss sensed the Toad Sage's signature at the Hotspring, probably peeking, and offered the two ladies the option to bypass the town, not collecting the backup, or stop and rest up for an hour or two." The clone explains "…and they chose to stay, knowing theirs a pervert there?" Karin with a raised eyebrow.

The clone nodded "Seems so. They apparently plan on beating his ass."
"Tell them to give an extra kick in the nuts from me!" Karin with eyes burning up with feminine fury, making the clone nervous too. A second clone popped up and dispelled immediately.

The clone with Serena involuntary shuddered from the memories from its fellow clone brethren "Are you alright dear?" asked Serena from the kitchen "Yeah just fine, grandma." He says aloud 'Note to self. Never peek on hotsprings.'

Land of Fire; Atifuku Gai

Real Naruto shudders then smirks, gaining both of his teammate's attention "Karin says give him an extra kick in the nuts from her." Causing both to grin damn right viciously, "Now we're fucking talking!"
"It seems Karin and I can agree on something after all." Nina comments calmly.

Naruto's sensory perception goes haywire for a moment, two Kage level chakra just appeared on the edge of town. His eyes narrowed briefly before he swaps with a shadow clone and suppresses his own chakra levels. Moving through the shadows, he pops another clone to update his audience and ensure the clone watching over the girls keeps moving.

With Karin…

The clones eyes widen in horror "Boss just picked up two Kage level chakras on the edge of town." Karin freezes "Please tell me he isn't doing what I think he's…" but the clone looks away causing her to growl "When he gets back here I swear I…"

With Serena…

"We have to dispatch reinforcements!" she bellows returning to her seat, re-engaging her sensing and locking on Naruto's signature. True enough, two Kage level shinobi were near the town but they weren't looking for specifically. "They'll never make it in time." The clone replies "Wait! Tell him to retreat. Do not engage!" she yells, and he immediately pops another clone.

His signature stops, before pulling back away from them and she sighs "Thank the heavens." But it doesn't last as the two signatures show signs of heading to the town on their own accord. Judging by their emotions, they hadn't spotted Naruto but rather just wondering the same way "Tell him to leave the area immediately! Evacuate!" she orders and another pop later and his speed increases. The clone with the girls too, grabs them and makes a hasty retreat.

By some miracle, the Toad sage too moves clear in pursuit of the clone allowing the old ladies heart to finally relax.

With Karin…

The clone reports everything to her and she panicked briefly before sighing in relief upon hearing Serenai's monitoring the situation too.

Land of Fire; Atifuku Gai Outskirts

A kunai pins a note pad to a distant tree before erupting in flames, that evaporate to ash. The Toad Sanin looked stunned as Naruto finally arrived at the clearing his two colleagues clearly annoyed at the situation "Oi shit head! What the…?"
"We need to move! Now!" his hardened gaze killed any argument as even the toad sage seemed overly serious now, his super pervert persona selves for the moment "What's the situation?"

"Two Kage level signatures were moving in that town." Naruto informed, causing the two ladies to pale "If we had a full team of veterans, we could engage but you two are still green." Looking at his two charges "I might be able to hold off one but no way I can handle both not kill either. So again, we need to move! Now!" before leaping up into the trees. The three following behind swiftly.

Some time and distance later…

Naruto stops on a branch, glancing back as his team comes to a rest with Tayuya clearly struggling whilst Nina was panting from the exertion. Jayria was fine but still looked to him "They aren't pursuing. We're clear."
"How can you be so sure?" the toad summoner asks but Naruto pays him no mind. "Grandma says we got to head due west to target." They two nod and he forms another clone which promptly picks up the exhausted Tayuya, the second grabs Nina both in piggyback and jump off. Jayria was confused but followed after them, catching up with little trouble.

"Are you going to tell me what that was all about back there?" Jairya asks "Nope." Naruto's swift response "Just know, we're heading directly for the Senju." Leaving the bewildered Toad sage confused further "How can you be so sure?" Naruto daines him a glance "Spies aren't the only way to find people you know?"
"I know that but…" he sighs "…can we at least talk? I wanna know my…"
"We have no relation, Toad sage. We are way passed that." Naruto responds coldly not even looking at the man. The self-proclaimed hermit just sighs, and silence falls again.

That night was peaceful, but Naruto was dead on his feet, so the girls set up the tents, made the campfire, and cooked the food. Jairya watched in fascination as his estranged godson was waited on, hand and foot all night. However, a sense of foreboding came over him every time he tried to reach for his backup notepads.

It annoyed him to no end as this girl before him was an absolute knockout and had to sit with his back to her or he'd die of dehydration as he couldn't stop drooling over her. Whenever he separated from the group, to try and scribble something down, foxes seemed to watch him from the shadows. Their beady. Eyes peering into his very soul. So he would return with an itchy hand.

The following days flew by, and surely enough, Naruto detected a Senju signature upon the road ahead and grinned "Target located." He sent a mental command to dispel all but one of his clones. Now traveling at high Chunin speeds, parallel to the road, they soon overtook the signature and dropped down before the Slug sannin and her apprentice.

The apprentice immediately took a defensive stance in front of her master, but the Uzu team cared not for this. Naruto pulled out the mission scroll "Lady Tsunade Senju, a message from your teacher Hiruzen Saratobe. For your eyes only." A tense silence developed as the two ladies looked over the newcomers.

It was obvious that the shinobi standing before them were not from the leaf, their uniforms were a dead giveaway. Then they spotted their plates, a spiral? Eyes widened "Those headbands. Your hair." Naruto nodded "Yes ma'am. We are from Uzushasho. I am Elite Jonin 1st class Naruto Uzumaki…" eyes widen even further at his declaration "…these are my teammates, Elite Chunin Nina Uzumaki…" gesturing to his left at the kimono wearing teen who bows slightly "…and this is Chunin 2nd class Tayuya Uzumaki. We were dispatched to deliver this to you."

"Naruto… as in son of…"
"No ma'am. Namikaze-sama is not my mother…" his voice drops below a whisper for the next part "…not anymore at least." But she still caught it. Deciding not to pry any further, she took the scroll and growled "My answer is no."
"Not my problem. We are to escort you back. Willing or kicking and screaming." Naruto explained. Tsunade offered a riy chuckle "Think you can take me, kid?"
"Wouldn't be here if that wasn't the case ma'am." Naruto responds calmly and so casually as if discussing the surprisingly positive weather. It actually raised concerns within the blonde. Then again, she is a freaking Sannin.

Without warning her apprentice fires a barrage of senbons that are suddenly sliced to ribbons which was apparently the start signal. As Naruto darted right for the blonde, at full elite Jonin speed, only for the black-haired woman to attempt to intercept but found herself blocked by the Chunin Tayuya, bring her tanto down, forcing a leap back.

Naruto Vs Tsunade

Tsunade went for a solid cross, ducked beneath by the Jonin who counters with a solid, chakra enhanced jab to her gut. Forcing the wind from her system. A chop down was her response by he swirls around and lands a back heal strike, also chakra enhanced sending her skidding to be side of the road. "Not bad." Tsunade declared whilst stretching out her neck muscles, cracking her knuckles. In the trees behind her, Jaryia flinches each time she does.

"No more playing around." She roars, charging like a bull at Naruto who remains stationary. A wide but fast haymaker was blocked at the elbow by an arm that flowed into knee strike to her chin. Or it was supposed to but was blocked by her other hand. An elbow drop to her head was his response, staggering her for a moment before he smashed her face into the dirt, placing a seal upon her tanned skin without her knowledge. She strikes the ground with her fist, forcing everyone nearby off balance with his grip loosening enough for her to break free and headbutt him.

Naruto staggers back as she leaps to her feet before punching out, only for her fist to be caught, much to her surprise. Naruto smirks "Did you forget the number one rule when fighting an Uzumaki?" he punches her in the face, and she staggers back "Never let them touch you." He strikes her left shoulder, then right thigh, then ending with a jab to the stomach again with her coughing hard from lack of oxygen. Falling to her knees she looks up at his blank face as he holds a ram hand sign "Be glad I was told to bring you alive. Kai." She blacked out.

A few minutes earlier… (Shizune Vs Tayuya and Nina)

Shizune lands back on her feet, launcher aimed at the Chunin before her "Don't move. These are poison tipped!" she declared only for Tayuya to snort "So?" before dashing forward, sword out at her side. Not seeing any other option, Shizune fires only for again her senbons to be torn asunder forcing her to leap back, going through hand signs "Ninja art; poison fog!" bellowing out a huge cloud of thick poison mist which engulfed a grinning Tayuya.

Moments later the fog was blasted away and an unharmed, but more importantly, an un-poisoned Tayuya grinning wildly at her "How?"
"I'm an Uzumaki. Also, a former subordinate of Orochimaru. Pair that together, and I'm basically your worst opponent." Charging forward again, Jonin level speed on display. Switching tactics, Shizune activates her chakra scalpels and charges in too. Her own speed matching her opponents.

Tayuya swipes, Shizune ducks before slashing back, a slice on the medic nins thigh opens up. This shocks the leaf Jonin but proceeds to duck another jab from the tanto only for her shoulder to slice clean open, confusing the medic as she had sworn, she dodged that strike. A low sweep from the redhead, and Shizune back flips clear. Her calf is still cut open, narrowly missing the vital tendons.

Shizune stares at the injuries, all very clearly cut and almost all in vital areas, yet she has been dodging all the chunins strikes. Then it hit her, there were three, but before she could think on it further, the earth shakes, and she loses her footing thanks to the injuries. Glancing over at her mentor, she witnesses her being man handled by the Uzumaki before going down. Before she could react a voice from behind makes itself known "Never take your eyes off the enemy, Lady Medic." Before blackness engulfing her vision.

Present

Jayria drops down "Well damn gaki… didn't think you'd managed it."
"If she was in her prime, and not so rusty, I doubt I would be breathing right now." Naruto states looking at the unconscious woman at his feet, "Plus with our disappearance, many forgot how dangerous our more skilled members can be in the Whirling Fist that utilises both Ti and Fuinjutsu in equal measure. Jayria nods along to that all, it was true; any average Jonin from any village would lose to a proficient user of the Whirling Fist to the point where even the Hyūga dare not get within range.

"Now what?" Asked an approaching Nina who drops Shizune beside her master "Tag 'em and bag 'em." Naruto states causally "Our job is to deliver them to the village. Everything after that is none of our concern. Besides, we got other missions lined up after this." Gaining nods from his team whilst the toad sage raised an eyebrow "Oh? Is that right? I thought…'
"Wrong again. Save it for someone who actually cares." Naruto waving him dismissively "That's it." roared Jayria who grabs Naruto's arm only to be hit with a much stronger chakra enhanced fist, sending him crashing through a few dozen trees "Don't touch me, toad." He snarled out.

That little lower display certainly caused a reaction from both girls, with Nina growing rather aroused at the fierceness and steadfastness of Naruto's resolve. Tayuya would never admit to anyone, not even herself, at how turned on she was watching Naruto pelt the pervert through the fucking forest. A whole fucking forest with one punch and that snarl was damn right badass. She would be having hot, hot passionate dreams for a while. Again, she would never admit it though.

After sealing up the two medics in specialist stasis sealing scrolls, the trio took off, leaving a dazed Jaryia behind. On the third day travelling back, the hermit finally caught up and was about to yell when Naruto's eyes narrowed and for some reason, the toad summoner found it hard to talk.

Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf Village

"Man, if I never see this place again, it'll be too soon." Naruto grumbled as they approached the gate "Shouldn't have taken the mission then." Jaryia shot back, "Couldn't. This is an S-rank mission assigned to us. Besides it coincided with two other missions, One A rank and one B. Better get the full set at once." Naruto states, not wanting to reveal their current lack of manpower and the chronic overwork they've been doing in the last few months.

After displaying the mission scrolls, stamped and signed by the Hokage himself, the three were let in without worry. This however was just the start of Naruto's issues. He knew full well how attractive Nina was, she has basically claimed him for herself and thrown everything she could gracefully get away with at him. One of motivation for mastering her Sabres was to one day best him in a challenge for his hand in marriage. He was sure it was meant to be the other way around.

Secondly, the bulk of his appearance had changed, sure, but some of the villagers may recognise him as the kid they had scorned and was concerned that some might try take action. Knowing Nina, she will be quite content in cutting down anyone trying to stain his honour. Knowing Tayuya too, she wouldn't be above casting a massive genjutsu around the village and begin cutting heads off for messing with the clan, she has become so passionate, almost zealous, about defending. No doubt finding herself right at home that must have been her biggest dream come true.

Then again, maybe he was imagining it as the Toad sage led the way and based off his uniform, it was clear that he was a Jonin from a foreign village. A foreign Jonin, with two Chunin, though you couldn't tell with Nina's decision to forgo the vest as 'It clashed with her kimonos.' her words exactly.

Mentally shrugging, they were about halfway when a bunch of the Genin spotted the strangers and glared upon noticing the Whirlpool headbands. It was then Naruto noticed the leaf insignia had changed to that if an exotic leaf, no swirl in sight 'Ah right. We took that back…' glancing around he noticed some Jonin in what appeared to be a dango shop, their jackets too lacked the Uzu-swirl 'Nice…, super-secret secondary objectives met. Maybe he'll overlook the whole, unharmed part of the mission. What's a few bruises anyway? Be them internal or external.'

"Here we are. Hokage tower." Jaryia bellowed but his charges simply continued on, not wanting to be caught up in his theatrics. He huffs "No fun at all." Smirking he leaps up towards the window "Yo, sensei!" climbing in through the window. "Ah Jayria-Kun. I suppose the joint mission went as planned?" Saratobe placing down the paperwork and reaching for his pipe "Not… exactly…" the sage spoke carefully causing the kage to raise a curious eyebrow at that before a knock on the door, his secretary poking her head in "Lord Hokage, a team from Whirlpool is here with a mission scroll."
"Yes, I've been expecting them. Please show them in." She bows and opens the door fully allowing the Uzushasho team in. Naruto smiles at the secretary coolly "Thank you, mi'lady." His soft tone paired with those beautiful gems he calls eyes, and that smile caused the young lady to blush rather profusely before making a hasty retreat.

"Do you have to do that every time we meet a working lady?" Tayuya snickered to which Naruto speaks completely unashamed "Yes. Yes, I do." Nina sighs but offers a small smile "That's my Onii-sama, for you." Before they all turn to the stunned master student duo and all amusement and playfulness dissipated rapidly, in its place were three shinobi of Uzushasho no Sato with their leader stepping forward "Elite Jonin 1st class Naruto Uzumaki of Squad 22 reporting mission accomplished, Lord Hokage." Presenting four scrolls.

The confused leader nodded dumbly and took the scrolls, two were the mission scrolls for the capture then escort back to the Leaf but the other two "What are…?"
"Those are our specialist stasis sealing scrolls, Lord Hokage. Within them you will find Lady Tsunade Senju and her apprentice…"
"Can you please unseal them? Please." The Hokage spoke softly, and the man nodded before, two pops and put came two dozing ladies as one clearly Tsunade, her apprentice too.

A hand sign later and the seals upon the last Senju dispelled, and she bolted up into a defensive stance in a moment, a clear show of her vast combat prowess. Before long she relaxed upon recognised the location, she found herself in, and growled frustratingly "Damn him…" turning around to find said Uzushasho shinobi team smiling back at her, Naruto with his arms folded, glancing over his shoulder at her, Tayuya hands behind her head with a cheeky grin, whilst Nina did not even glance back clearly uninterested in the situation.

"With this…" Naruto states looking back to old man, "…your S-rank mission is complete."
"Indeed." The old kage smiled, handing over a payment scroll which was promptly stored away. "Then, we should be making our leave. The Hyūga clan has offered a diner for us during our stay." this naturally raised eyebrows, but none dared voice their concern aloud, "Very well. Your dismissed." The Kage ordered and they promptly left via the door.

With the non-leaf shinobi gone, Tsunade finishing tending to her apprentice who promptly awoke to join the conversation. "So, the hell are you doing sending shinobi after me? Better yet! Since when did Uzushasho return and why had no one told me?" she all but roared at her sensei but was silenced with a burst of his intent, eyes hard as his adamantine staff "I may have allowed you free reign beyond the village walls but do not forget I am still the Hokage and you should remember that." eyes narrowing sharply "Am I understood?"

Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Hyūga Compound

Naruto's team strode toward the Hyūga clan compound leisurely, the male Uzumaki noticed again that the villagers throw lecherous stares at Nina, glares at Tayuya and himself but with professional ease without so much as a twitch of displeasure was displayed.

Arriving at the front gate, they were greeted by the clan head who promptly bowed, and they returned it "Thank you for coming, Uzumaki-san. I am Haishi Hyūga, clan head of the main branch of the Hyūga."
"We are the envoy sent to handle your request. I am the Elite Jonin Naruto Uzumaki…" noticing the stiffening of the clan head, stifling his smirk, he continued gesturing to his sides "…this is Elite Chunin Nina Uzumaki…" said teen curtsies "Pleasure."
"…and Chunin Tayuya Uzumaki." Naruto finishes and she offered a two-finger salute, smirking all the while. Haishi nods on greeting "Please…" gesturing to the branch member at his side "…follow my clansmen here. They will lead you through to the reception. I do implore you all to remain there and do not wonder off alone, without proper escort." before moving off.

Sometime later…

The grand hall of the Hyūga clan head sat at the table, his wife on his right, their youngest, a son, beside her and their daughters opposite. Naruto led the bow "Lord and Lady Hyūga. We are honoured to be here."
"Please, Uzumaki-san, take a seat." Haishi gesturing to the three empty spots. Naruto sat directly opposite the clan head, Nina on his right, Tayuya on his left with the latter being unusually quiet, not that the Hyūga knew that. "My I introduced my wife Hitomi…" said woman bowing, "…my two daughters, Hinata and Hanabi…" both bowing primly "…and finally my son, Hisashi."

"Well met." Naruto speaking so formally, so fluently that Tayuya failed to fully internalise the flinch. "We are the team sent from Uzushasho in response to your request." Gesturing to his left "Chunin Tayuya Uzumaki." stiffly Tayuya bowed, her unease written in her eyes much to Nina's hidden amusement. "…Elite Chunin Nina Uzumaki…" the woman, easily matching if not surpassing the elegance and grace of the clan Matriarch which naturally caught their attention "…and I am Elite Jonin 1st Class Naruto Uzumaki." Bowing with elegance befitting that of a clan head.

As Haishi suspected, his eldest daughter perked up when Naruto mentioned his name before she glanced at him before looking to their guests. He idly wondered if the former blond turned redhead, much like his clansmen, remembered his interaction with his daughter when they were kids. Ah. There it is.

Hinata's eyes widen upon finally recognising the man sitting at the table and bolted up with hands slamming on the table "Ah! Naruto-kun! Is that really you?!" silence for a solid moment before Hinata, dressed in a formal white kepow dress with a floral pattern, blush running up her neck and reaching her hairline as the silence drags on. "It is good to see you again, Lady Hinata." Naruto with a soft smile, causing the girl's blush to darken as she sat down, and she began poking her fingers together.

Nina remained stoic but mentally raised eyebrow at the interaction but did not react to it outwardly. A deep growling alerted Naruto to her current trail of thought and decided to move things along "So…" coughing lightly "…do you wish to get to business or…?"
"Ah yes." Hiashi regaining the room of the table as a slight flaring of his chakra to signal the servants who promptly entered.

The dinner went well, plenty of small talk with neither side giving off any information of value. Once the dinner was dealt with, desserts presented and consumed Hiashi coughs lightly gaining the gatherings attention "Now then… the reason we called you here…" but he paused upon Naruto's raised hand. A quick glance at Nina, who nods, he goes through hand signs then taps a finger on the floor beside him. Everyone felt the two chakra pulses, the first destroyed any listening seals, and the second sealed the room from external observations.

Nina follows suit, but not even moving from her ceaser position, though the floor and follows around after her commanders adding a very specific barrier, to counter the Hyūga bykugan. "Please continue." Naruto, with his happy self-vanishing and replaced with the cold hard stare of a shinobi and with a clear sight of his objective. A nod, Hiashi continued "I wish to commission the Uzumaki for a new seal to protect our bloodline, and the removal of our Kage bird seal."

The young ones all gasped, their father was clearly going against the clan elders with that statement, but the Uzumaki clan contingent nodded at that "It is within our capabilities." Nina comments while sipping her tea "…but what can you tell us on the subject of our payment?" Naruto questioned, not breaking eye contact with the clan head with a hardened gaze.

Hiashi pulls out a scroll, handing it to his stunned daughter who promptly stands and moves to present it to the visiting group. Nina takes it from the young woman, "Thank you." The young heiress bowing before returning to her seat. Nina reads it thoroughly, not skipping an ink stroke, and put together to understand the matter at hand.

A few minutes of pure silence, while the lady of the Uzumaki clan read on. Finally, she looked up at spoke in the old tongue of the Uzumaki "My dear, they wish for our help regarding what the spoke of without question." Naruto nods and she continues, though both Tayuya and the others were confused not understanding her "The rewards monetary reward is sufficient, somewhat generous, however there is a clan alliance within, both his daughters are on the table for a marriage contract. Only to ensure an alliance however so we must regard the council for a confirmation of this."
"No doubt. The paperwork is going to be hard on my ass. 'sigh' this sounds like a tie down and perhaps a bridge for the Leaf to get to us." Naruto responded in kind, rubbing his eyes sighing hard again "This all but confirms the lack of intent from the Hokage." Nina put forward.

Naruto nods at her, mulling over it "Who could we put forward for the role of lamb for the marriage contract?" Nina thinks for a brief moment, "Kartel is a prime candidate, no?"
"He is." Naruto confirms but his eyes narrow "Though, why is he your first thought? I hope you are not relying on your personal feelings." She quickly shakes her negatively, "I would not dare sully my name with such a vile act." Covering herself but Naruto saw right through it "Regardless, we have to present the council with this current address…" jabbing the scroll repeatedly, her manicured finger on full display "…and we should be able to get this with minimal effort as the reward is well within acceptable amounts."

"Very well…" Naruto speaks gaining the rooms attention again, "…this is well within consideration range, however anything above our mission mandate requires the authority of the council." Hiashi nodded at that "I may be the primary apprentice and right hand of the clan head, thus my presence here, however marriages and alliances must pass through those chambers." Naruto states earning a blink from the man of the house "So, you can already remove the cage bird seal?"

Tayuya snorts, earning a disapproved stare from Nina, "I have only just returned home, sir, but even I can tell how… basic that stuff is." barely holding her natural disposition of a sailor mouth. "Is that so…" Hiashi questioned, though Nina and Naruto noticed his suppressed stun eyes "You better believe it. So simple in fact, that even kids…" Nina coughs daintily but Tayuya did not hear and continued "…have been allowed to play with it."

The Hyūga present, the younger ones at least, gawked at that whilst Hitomi covered her mouth with her open palm. Hiashi himself raised an eyebrow, but dared not allows his relief to show upon his stoic visage, his Hyūga pride did not allow for it. Naruto's glare finally managed to silence the talkative kunoichi, "As stated before… we accepted a mission to attend and deal with the Caged bird seal. Present a replacement for your consideration, then perhaps answer any questions you may have and do a preliminary examination of the job as a whole to give a more accurate estimation."

"That being said, we have what we need and originally planned on dealing with it now, however it would seem a full squad is needed for this task. So, despite our dispatch here this day, I will have to present this situation to our council for their approval to proceed." Naruto explained still unflinchingly staring into the pale lavender eyes of the clan head, who nods in understanding.

"Is there anything we can do to earn further favour with your council?" this was spoken by Hitomi, earning the Uzumaki's attention while her children fully gaped at that, unsure of what she was suggesting "This is an agreement between Clan Uzumaki and Clan Hyūga, yes?" asked Nina, to which earned to nods "Then, by all means, do keep it that way as we have no desire to deal directly, nor indirectly, with the Hidden Leaf in any capacity." Nina explains.

"Would it best to relocate then?" came from Hiashi, all Hyūga heads snapped to him at speeds that couldn't be healthy at that statement. He was inwardly displeased that he still couldn't read two of the three Uzumaki before him, that not one twitch or gleam in their eye allowed him to read them even with what he had dared broach. "Should you wish to relate your family…"
"The clan as a whole is dying in its stagnancy within this village…" Hiashi continued without so much as a flinch to discuss such a proposal out loud.

Tayuya swore there was a Yuki nearby as the temperature in the room plummeted, drastically, as the two leaders continued to stare "…and I fear the current arrogance of both houses is reaching boiling point. I wish not to see a second massacre on the scale of the Uchiha, thus I am considering all possible avenues forward." Hiashi states, not so much as sparing his family a glance "Such a move will be considered treasonous, Hyūga." Naruto spoke gravelly "You tread on unsecured ground."

"Of that I do not doubt." Hiashi responds cooley, "Though I'd be remise to not consider all my options. I am a leader, true, but I am also a father. I must look after my own too." a long silence, the two maintained eye contact in an equally.

"Noted." Naruto raised from his seat, his two companions joining with Nina sealing away the presented documents, "If that's all, we shall be on our way."
"Very well." the Hyūga bowed, "Well wishes."

Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf

The Uzumaki trio were heading towards the gate, talking about getting food when all three frozen as if a pause button had hit them. Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. All three jerk to the side, walking towards the lone stall and before anyone knew it, the three were sitting in a small ramen bar. "Welcome to Ichiraku Ramen, what can we…" the old man paused seeing three redheads. He narrowed his eyes, that particular shade of red and paired with those violet eyes "Uzumaki-san."

Naruto narrows his eyes, a hungry glint in his eyes "I see… you are truly a masterful chief…" a proud, greedy gleam in the man's eyes "…Miso, extra beef." raising his three fingers "Three bowls. Each."

The sun drops down, beneath the distant mountains, the trio leave the stand of the food of the gods, a massive stack of papers of ryo "Yeah, we gotta steal…*ahem*…acquire them for Uzu." Naruto states with a soft cough. "Most definitely." Nina adds only for Tayuya burping loudly, "So, are we still leaving today? Surely, we can stay a…" trailing off, when Naruto growled lowly at "I don't want to stay here any longer than we have to." He paused before glancing up and finding the two squads of Anbu staring at them. His attention than falls to the unusually dark alleyway on his right, idly noticing how Nina and Tayuya have subtly moved into a defensive position in his blind spots.

"What do you want Toad Sage?" Naruto asks dully, "…and what brings the slung Sannin into this part of town?"
"You're good gaki." both loyal sannin appearing from the darkness "I'm an Elite Jonin." Naruto shrugs, a soft chuckle from Nina but was silenced from a glance from Naruto "What do you want?"
"Easy Gaki." Jaryia approaching with feigned casualness, which fooled none, but Tsunade kept her distance, "What do you want?" Naruto questioned with the medic nin noticing the slight shifting if his posture, put her on edge, as it was clear he was ready to strike at a moment's notice.

The friendly attitude was gone, and the seriousness did not waver "We need to talk."
"No we don't." Tayuya snorted, "Seems like you need something from us." spoke Nina casually with a cold hard voice, discreetly glancing around and keeping track at the growing number of Leaf nin Teams in the general area. Tayuya chuckles thickly, pulling out several undescribed paper tags "Are we going with…?"
"If they don't answer me, follow protocol, R-21." Naruto reports casually, but then the Leaf Forces notice that they all held three paper tags with two yellow, and one red tag out in left off hand. Violet eyes scanned the two Sanin, his right hand was not so subtly near his sword handle.

"We just need you to come with us, no one needs to be harmed." Jayria explained "What do you want?" Naruto repeated with not so friendly tone of voice, his eyes a cold void as he maintained eye contact with the toad sage but wasn't blind to the Slug Princess signing up to another hidden contact. "We want you to come with us for questioning."
"For what purpose?" Naruto asks swiftly, Jaryia frowning as it was clear that despite being outnumbered, and surrounded, the Uzushasho team held their ground fearlessly "Information."

Naruto glances around one more time, admittedly he could escape by himself but if he did, no doubt they would lock down the other two and claim they never had either. He couldn't leave his subordinates, much less his surrogate little sisters, no doubt that they'd try and use them as breeding stock. The thought caused his heart to clench. At best they'd be held prisoners, and try and bleed them dry of information but…

A sigh…

"Gamma-Zero-Three." Naruto reports, chakra pulsing particularly, causing the other two to glance at him for a moment, releasing the sigh they both raised their hands, and immediately all three tackled and chakra suppression seals upon their wrists. "That went better than I thought it would." Jaryia mentions to which Tsunade silently nods, watching the Uzushasho team being led away by the Anbu "Yeah, though I suspect it was out of worry for the two girls."
"Perhaps."
"He's a Jonin. If we have him, then the two Chunin aren't really required to be interrogated." Tsunade sighed, hopefully things don't come to bite us in the ass. Unbeknownst to the last Senju, two separate parties watched on from with the Hyūga side branch being one, the other being another Uzumaki Shinobi, who was supposed to send to hand over another mission scroll.

"To think, they would so openly act against us." The gold masked shinobi from atop a tree within sight of the bound trio. The teen behind the mask narrowed his eyes, spotting the subtle hand gestures and immediately activated his long-ranged communication "This is Blink; I need to report a situation."
"Go ahead."
"It seems that Squad 22R have been ambushed and forcibly detained by the Hidden Leaf teams. Unable to rendezvous. Orders?" the man glances down to see his two escorts, members of Badger company that was filled with former Root shinobi that were freed from their binds, now serving Uzushasho out of their free will.

"Blink; This is Amber…" Blinks eyes widen, not expecting this to travel so high up, "…Ka-chan? Why are…"
"Squad 22R is both VIP and HVT. We need to know what happened exactly. Currently, we don't have the manpower for a rescue team…"
"Then, we should leave them…"
"…we can't. 22R is required for the Iwagakure negotiations. Can you get in and recover them or not?" Blink tuts upon hearing his commanders blatant biased favouritism, but he was formulating a plan whilst letting his displeasure known "We don't need 22R. I can handle…"
"…Menma." the amount of disapproval laced in that response caused him to tense "Can you recover them or not?"
"I can."
"Then do so. I expect you to remain as part of his squad as per instructions. Then, when you return…" the silence dragged on as he signalled his two escorts, who nodded in response "It'll be done, Amber. Blink; Out." the three shinobi vanish with the wind.

Naruto found himself held in a container, body completely secured as a man with blond hair steps in, his long ponytail swaying as he passes behind the locked in red head "Inoichi. Good your here."
"Jayria-sama. Is this…?"
"Yeah. He's the Jonin of the trio. We need the security hand signs for their equipment." In the silence that followed, Naruto assumed there was a raised eyebrow. It felt like a raised eyebrow moment. "Hand signs?"
"Yeah." A heavy sigh, "When we escorted them in, he released a chakra pulse. Locked down their sealed all their equipment up tight." A few under breath curses that Naruto couldn't make out "The Anbu quarter master is rather eager to get his hands on their swords especially." Naruto used every ounce of his willpower not to react, his sword was precious to him. Although yes, it was very similar to the other standard issue katana's given out to all Uzushasho shinobi, the seals adorning his are unique and the last thing given to him by…

"Alright. What about the other two?" Inoichi asks as he stopped towards the bound Jonin. It was silent for a long while. A hand atop his head and the sinking feeling typically found in his stomach now filled his head. A slight tingle down his neck. Before the hand was jerked clear "Damn it! F…" plenty of curses before a body hit the floor "Medic!" Jaryia calls out and for room to fill. Naruto smirking, internally though, continued to feign sleeping.

Nina was sitting in a cell, deep beneath the Anbu HQ, seemingly completely uninterested and unaffected by the circumstances. Though she noticed the leering guard, despite the mask it was obvious for Nina who had been dealing with this for years now. She sighs as her violet eyes open, meeting the darker counterparts of Tayuya who was sitting opposite her. She was continuously smirking. Their hands were still bound, chakra sealed, yet neither clearly showed any apprehension about their current situation.

Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Hokage Office

Tsunade sighed leaning back in her chair as she pondered the situation, they were now in. After being sworn in two days ago, she was surprised about the lack of funding the Leaf had. It was then she understood the councils current standing regarding Uzushasho, and why they are attempting catch their shinobi or any all information about the rebuilt former ally.

She never thought that a simple mission request would net them a Jonin level shinobi. An Elite Jonin too. It seemed that Uzushasho held no suspicion towards them, which was good as they wouldn't suspect that they held their shinobi, and two kunoichi. Sure, they had helped save them, but the Leaf needs to show that is still strong. It needs a barrier system, it's seals need to be the bests, and its shinobi unparalleled.

Yet something was weighing on her, it started when Naruto was pulled from his third interrogation session, battered and bruised yet still tight lipped. His equipment remained untouchable, seals untappable, yet he was dropped before the Fifth Hokage, on his knees, looking up with his busted lip, bruised cheek bones. "Naruto; if you just tell us…"
"Blood traitor." Naruto responded in the old Uzumaki dialect, spitting at her feet, but the Anbu guards punched him in his stomach. They took him away and he hadn't said a word since.

She hadn't heard the language in so long it took her a long time to piece together what he had said, and it tore her heart apart. She never really bothered to learn it, she was Senju not Uzumaki and her grandmother stopped trying after a while. Sighing hard, Tsunade looks out the window on the wall behind her as her eyes shimmer in the low sunset "Am… I traitor…?" unaware that Uzushasho was already aware and mobilising their response.

In the Anbu prison, Nina was meditating whilst Tayuya was sleeping, or at least was. A single eye opened, both ladies sharing a look and then a nod. A few moments later a yellow masked shinobi appeared with a ring of keys "Lady Nina, Miss Tayuya. We are here to pick you up."
"…Blink; if I recall." Nina spoke slowly, calmly, until the man nodded "Family first, family always." Blink responded and both girls' smirk, and get up, and just as they clear the cell door they were confronted by the Badger and the beaten Naruto who glared at the mask.

"So, they sent you, huh Blink?" the tone was flat, oozing disapproving energy, that immediately caught up by Nina but not the others "Yes, sir." was Blink's flat and even more stiff response, the tension between the two was thick, heavy, and dark all over but with her throat clearing managed to bring the two Jonin back on to the task at hand "We only have six minutes spare."
"Our equipment?" Naruto questioned, "Still locked down in the Anbu quarter masters." Blink reported as Possum handed the Elite Jonin a tanto. "I'll lead, bring up the rear, stop at nothing. Safety of the clan is primary concern." Naruto states and they all nod, now the team was replaced with the hardened shinobi that happened to know exactly where to hit the Hidden Leaf to make them 'Bleed out' long enough for them to escape.

The feral, often dubbed the Uzumaki grin planted on everyone's face despite the masks it was clear they all matched.

Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf

Naruto and Blink moved forward in the shadows of the night, the Anbu none the wiser of the passing duo, slipping into their warehousing facilities.

Elsewhere, Tayuya and Possum rushed through the forest, explosive notes in hand but she was somewhat disappointed as these were the not the infamous KarNu brand. Another glance at the tags confirm that these were the fifth-place brand TeMensT, though she wasn't sure of the makers, one thing she was avid follower of the explosive note rankings. Naruto's and Kazer's joint venture into the art of explosive notes was said to match that of the legendary Mito Uzumaki, known within the clan as the Note Master of a Thousand Explosions.

Naruto's hand released from the man's mouth, his lifeless eyes staring back owlishly as he stands back up, he flicks off the blood from the elongated kunai. Blink moved passed him silently, "You use them well for an Uzumaki." said Uzumaki glared back, his response equally derisive "Thank you, Namikaze." still palming the two longer than normal tri-pronged kunai standing from the crouch after letting down the body of the Anbu, his companion matching set of weapons were dripping blood down as he walks.

Blink, his mask covered with blood splatter "The seal here will be a little tougher."
"We only have a minute." Naruto reports, stepping over bodies of the two Anbu squads as they move towards the quarter master "Don't you have faith in our clansmen?" Blink all but hissed out "I have the utmost professional respect and expectations for my comrades. I do, however, expect that…" before he finished the explosion set off, presumably from Tayuya.

Nina and Raccoon finished laying her last explosive notes on the Chunin lounge roof. The duo has already tagged six popular Chunin bars and one dango shop. They had split up, to set up explosive tags, and only just regrouped, "All set?" was questioned only for the woman to glare "…Araa, Araa… are you questioning my abilities, Raccoon-chan?" it was unnerving for the former Root operative, this level of threat was outside of his training and something on the instinctual level told him to answer "No, ma'am."

Ding. Ting. Naruto slides beneath a water whip, his long dagger slicing through the Anbu armour plate, and knocking off the shinobi their feet. A thud and a pool of blood, Blink roundhouse kicked the Quartermaster through the wall directly into Naruto's fist, pushed down into ground. Before the masked inventory man could react, a very familiar kunai appeared in his vision despite being held by a red head with a blank face "Where is our gear?"

Smoke bellowed high from the village reservoir, ninja aplenty rushing over the rooftop, until secondary explosions light up electrical relays in the north end of the village. A tertiary explosion knocked out the western sector, and people swore they heard 'Art is an Explosion!' in the wind. Boom. The shinobi was left scrambling each way and any way, yet for some reason the higher ups had yet to give orders.

Poof. "They didn't have our blades here." Naruto growls, having sealed all Uzushasho labelled gear which was a surprisingly good amount. As they checked the racks, they found six additional katanas, three packs of kunai, and a long sword, all with Uzushasho metal and insignia hidden upon them. Grabbing them all and sealing them up, Naruto picks up one of their tags and just stared at it with growing distasteful. Blink approached and took a look down upon the same tag and involuntary scoffed then snickered "No wonder they were after our gear."

Tayuya lands in the shadow of the Hokage tower, Nina emerging from the shadow, "You got excited right?"
"They may have irritated me somewhat." Nina states, barely withholding her graceful demeanor, distracting the other three with a hollow giggle with her hand over her mouth. It didn't alert anyone but nonetheless "Keep it quiet." Naruto spoke in a whisper as he and Blink appeared through the shadows, handing back the relative equipment to their owners.

"Are we all good to go?"
"Yeah. Go on ahead, Blink. Take 'em out to…"
"You aren't my boss." Blink growled "She's…" Naruto pointing to Nina "…is a VIP. Her survival is…" before he could finish the two women and Blink had vanished in a flash. Seconds later Blink reappeared and grabbed his own two and vanished again. Naruto looked up at the bright red tower, his sensory skills told him they were waiting for him. A grin split his face, as he leaps into fourth floor ledge, slipping in undiscovered as he was also tracking additional signatures closing in at high speed.

Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Hokage Office

The dark office was filled partly with smoke, the flames from the village below the illumination offered within. The four occupants, Tsunade Senju, leaning against the Hokage's desk, arms crossed beneath her bust while several swords sat behind her. Toad sage Jaryia, hidden beneath a jutsu in the corner by the door, unaware his position had been exposed. Third, was Hiruzen Saratobe, sitting on the sofa puffing his smoke quietly though he was still in his battle armour of his active years. The last was Himura, awaiting patiently by the window watching as the shinobi rush about attempting to put out the flames.

These people were all startled when a voice was heard from the middle of the room "So, Blood traitor. You side with them?" tensing of muscles, Tsunade's eyes harden "I am no traitor. I am…" she is cut off by a hollow chuckle, so hollow and deprived of emotions that goose bumps ran up and down everyone's spines "Right. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
"Why don't you come out and face me directly? Have a civilised discussion?" Tsunade asks observing the dark room for any sign of movement, any sign of chakra usage that suggested genjutsu "Civilised discussion huh? Cute." The dry response still caused her hair on the back of her neck to rise "You have all your big guns here to protect your prize. Monkey, Toad, Slug, and Hawk. Some talk that'll be."

They all tense fully now, knowing they had all been made, with Jaryia dropping his transparency technique "I admit you are really good gaki."
"Just come out and…" Tsunade stops upon feeling a soft breeze ruffles her pigtails, "Be quiet, blood traitor." A whisper in the Senju's ear, breath tickling her neck, her battle instinct forcing her to jump clear, and landing in the middle of the room.

Before anyone knew what was happening, a blade was at the blonde's neck with a body pressing against her back "Tut, tut, tut." a familiar voice caught them all off guard as a light flared from outside briefly a new arrival "To think, the report was true. You actually sided with these traitors. I had to see it for myself." Tsunade breath hitched, body stilled "Kush… Kushina…?"
"The one and only…" said woman chirps from behind her though the sword remained at her throat, and just as Jairya tried to slip into her blind spot, the hum of two long tri-pronged kunai coated in wind chakra drew the Sages attention to another Yellow masked Anbu.

Saratobe did not move noticing Naruto was abruptly sitting on the sofa arm, his unsheathed sword resting across his legs, eyes staring at the toad sage but only a fool wouldn't suspect that it was a façade. The threat was very clearly present.

Another explosion rocks the area, but none moved a breath, as the flames died down with the glow briefly illuminating the faces of the hardened Uzushasho shinobi "…did you really think we wouldn't react to the capture of our shinobi?" Kushina questioned, head tilting aside "How? They never…?"
"Doesn't matter how, does it now?" Naruto states with a glance at Toad Sage, then the Hawk summoner "Surely we can come to a compromise?" Hamura pushing up his glasses upon face "We are not here for a compromise. We are here for what is ours. Nothing more." Naruto informs with a glance to the Monkey at his side, his hostile glint lost to no one "This is it." Kushina chirps again "From this point on, our teams will deem the Hidden Leaf countparts as hostile, and will engage with prejudice if threatened." her violet eyes narrowed, glowing menacingly alongside Naruto's.

Many think it's a dojutsu but it is just a unique reaction within the Uzumaki eyes and their chakra, it was considered an E-Rank genjutsu within the clan itself, though it worked exceedingly well in certain situations like this confrontation within low light areas "Are we clear, Traitor?" The last word was hissed with so much venom, the other Leaf Shinobi flinched internally. Tsunade was the worst affected by this, her grandmother's clan considers her a traitor to them and half the reason why she was brought in as the Godime Hokage in an attempt to bring Uzushasho back to the table. They gambled and she lost. Big.

"Crystal." she eventually spoke breathing slowly out as she could very well feel the smile upon the woman's face, "Good. In that case…" a slight flash of a chakra flare. Boom. The explosion shocked the room, suitably distracting the room, and when they got their feet back under them they noticed the lack of Uzushasho shinobi immediately "That was unfortunate." Hamura sighs, scratching his beard.

Land of Fire; Forest; Rundavou Point Helix

Naruto, Blink, and Amber, land within the clearing they used previously with gusto. The others previously had arrived as ordered and upon seeing the rescue team and Naruto land "Oni-sami!" Nina called out rushing him and hugging her dearest.

Whilst the two embraced, he looked to Blink then Kushina, "Thank you for the rescue. I couldn't get out with my two imoto's without risking their lives." Naruto smiles softly whilst running his hands through her long silky-smooth hair absentmindedly. "Family above all." Kushina smiles wildly but as she went to grab his shoulder, to show her affection, he jerked clear and Blink grabbed her arm.

A tense silence developed but broken a moment later when Naruto tries to pry Nina off him. After a silent battle, Nina was eventually separated and the group began to move back into professional mode, "Let's get moving." ordered Naruto and the group vanished, no trace of their passing left behind.

Moments later a group of Jonin land and observe the area, a quick glance "Nothing here. Move on to the next sector."

Land of Wave; Mayor's House

Naruto was led into the mayors off and came face to face with Luna Yuki, sitting opposite the familiar old man "Tazuna-san, right?"
"Ah, yes! Please to meet you…?"
"Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto playing along with the usual façade to proper distinguish the mask and the face. "He's the heir of the clan, and apprentice to the clan head." Luna proudly proclaims from her seat, legs crossed with a regal posture on full blast.

This caused Tazuna to freeze up, breath hitched upon that fact sunk in surprisingly fast, before promptly bowing profusely "It is an honour to meet you, Naruto-sama!"
"None of that." Naruto was swift in his dissuasion of the notion of such respect, hand waving lazily, "I am only a bodyguard for Lady Yuki here. So please, don't worry about me, and finish your business."
"I… I… I… see…" Tazuna mutters before he clearing his throat, and returning to his seat "Very well. The prisoners we have are ready for transport. Just let us know when."

"That is acceptable." Luna standing from her seat, "With my escorts here I shall take my leave. I will send my people immediately and set up the details upon completion." The old bridge builder nods as they leave.

Land of Waves; Towns

As Luna strode through the town, at pace "…mi'lord Naruto…" gaining said man's attention "…when I had heard of your detainment, I was most…" she paused, falling silent as they reached the docks, turning back to face him "…I was most displeased." he offered a soft smile "You honour me greatly." she was about to hug him, but was promptly cowed when Nina, Tayuya, Blink, and a surprising additional Sasuke Uzumaki "Yo shit head!"
"Onii-sama!" Nina bowing before him again he waved off the honorifics before looking at the newest addition to his current team, "Sasuke-san, how are you doing? This is first mission beyond the whirlpools, no?" the boy nodded "Yeah, though I have done a few C-ranks with the Leaf."
"I am aware of that, however you have under gone a great deal of training, no?" Naruto questioned with a nod from the teen who smirked, a very Uchiha smirk, "I have. I am much stronger than…"
"Irrelevant, Genin 1st class." Naruto waving off the very prevalent Uchiha pride.

The group sighed, the Uzumaki team was aware that the newest addition to the Uchiha branch still had a stick still rammed up his ass. Sasuke growled lowly but all chose to ignore him and moved on towards the awaiting ship "Let's move out." walking ahead, Luna following after and Nina in his shadow. A long hard sigh from Tayuya as she strolled past the newbie "Come on duckbutt, keepy uppy!" Sasuke growled "I'm a…" but froze upon the frigid cold glare from Naruto "Genin. Get your duckbutt ass on this boat before I make you swim to Sea Country." flushed face Sasuke rushed over, mumbling to himself, before reaching the gangplank.

Sea Country; Aboard Rustler Stride

Naruto was looking across the water, his eyes distant gaze blank face as he stared at the horizon. So deep in his thoughts of the three days spent in the hands of the Leaf recalled bad memories of the leaf before his rescue. He finally closes his eyes, trying to suppress the boiling rage again and replace it with the love and duty to his clan and banish the darkness behind that mask. Yet…

"Stay away from that thing."

"Hey! The fox demon! Kill it!"

"Time to do the youndame justice!"

"Quick! Burn it with fire!"

"Don't let it escape! Smoke it out!"

"Onii-sama!" Nina's voice broke him from his dark spiral this time, his eyes snapping open looking to her, unaware of the shortened breath he held, not the sweat sheen adorning his brow "Umm… did you say something?" a harmless question, his hope to divert his darkening mental state.

Nina did not know much of her dearest past but knew it held great pain if what she was seeing within his eyes were anything to go by. Her heart pained at that masked smile he gave her; it was never comforting whenever she saw it. Whilst growing up and training under him she had spotted it, the darkness locked deep within his heart under strict lock and key but sometimes simmering beneath the surface. Only now that she was older, wiser and more insightful could she identify the pain he holds.

Without prompting she pulled him into a tight yet tender hug, trying to convey all the love and warmth to quell the unforgiving, all-consuming darkness dwelling within his amethyst depths.

If only just a little.

Whispering him so softly, as if the following words could soften even their impact on his psyche "I am with you. Now, and forever. No matter if the whole world turns against you, Onii-sama. I will always be at your side."

Bewildered only for the briefest of moments, Naruto returned the embrace and matches her tone "Sorry for worrying you, Nina-chan."

Tayuya leaning against the wall just inside the lower deck had sensed the darkness and now truly knew that she wasn't the only one. That dark aura he had was far more potent than her own which offered her a sense of comfort but, even worse still, pained her greatly in equal measure.

Blink, who remained masked as a member of Amber company, knew bits and pieces of his colleagues past and will openly accept that Red had a terrible past. Leeway with his parents' attention though only goes so far however. He promptly fades back into the darkness of the ship's lower decks.

Land of Hotspring; Nedarg

The day after the Rescue of Squad 22

Minato steps into a civilian hotel, his team Amber at his back, having heard of the recent events of his former villages actions has him on edge, a well concealed rage beneath his gentle visage. Arriving at the Inn's dining hall turned conference hall, the doors were parted by the inn keeper and for the first time, Whirlpool and Kumogakure delegations came face to face.

On the Kumo side sat A, Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure and second fastest shinobi behind the Kurosenko formerly of Leaf turned Eddies. At his back stood Killer Bee, healed up from his scuffle with the Whirlpool forces though his former team are still in lock up within the small island nation. Due to this, his normally aloofness was absent and his serious visage gave an almost domineering presence.

Cee was also present as Darui is also among the POWs, not that they knew that, but it was lost on no one what was going through his mind as the Whirlpool diplomatic team sat opposite in the large hall. As mediators for this meeting was Waterfall Leader Shibuki, "Now, I am Shibuki of the Waterfall. Mediators for these peace talks. Shall we begin?"

Then Raikage damn right growled before Minato showed his speed was unparalleled by speaking first "Let's not beat around the bush, huh, A?" A grunts, "Indeed." cracking his knuckles whilst growling "I want my people back!"
"That is why we are here." Spoke Minato calmly, softly but no one missed the underlying anger nor the steel reinforcing his words "Though, I must ask…" leaning forward eyes harder than diamond, "…why did you attack us so openly? We didn't offer you any…"

"Uzushasho is a threat to Kumo!" A roared, leaping up from his seat with his fists smashing down into the table, "With your forces away, it was a prime time to control you and finally put you down…"
"I see. In that case…" Minato moves to stand "…we'll hold on to our POWs. Perhaps we could…"
"What?!" roared A again, Bee visibly stiffened, "We came here for peace, and peace alone." Blue eyes narrowing, "Trying to agitate us is doing neither side any good."

Sea Country; Aboard Rustler Stride

Naruto emerged from below deck to witness a memorable sunrise, as if dawning a new beginning, not that the Jonin would care too much about as he leaned on the edge. Several minutes later came a surprise visit from Sasuke "Can I help you boy?" Naruto's curt opening, that caused the heckles of the former Leaf Genin to raise. "My mother asked me to give you this." handing over a scroll to his new Jonin leader.

Naruto took the scroll and glanced around before looking at it intensely. A brief chakra pulse confirmed the former Uchiha Matriarch chakra signature, and so he goes to pocket it but "Aren't you going to read it?"
"Why should I?" Naruto questioned without turning back to his latest student "She told me to ensure that you that you read it as 'He can be stubborn if not given proper motivation.' End quote." Sasuke reports unaware of Naruto's twitching eyebrow 'God, she's stepping beyond her lane.' sighing hard.

Pulling out the scroll again, Naruto quickly scanned over the writing with his eye twitching, it read.

Naruto-kun,

I know I have no right to ask this of you, but please take my sochi as your apprentice. I know I owe you greatly already for rescuing him, and I swear I'll pay your back in anyway I can upon your return.

I know this is an unreasonable request, I understand, but as a favour to me. Please as I am unable to do so whilst caring for the clan in Itachi's stead.

Yours sincerely,

Miko

Another sigh as he rolls up the scroll, "Do you know what is on this scroll contains?" Naruto spoke staring at the scroll, still leaning on the railing "No. She made me promise." Sasuke half pout, blush lightly dusting his cheeks as he looks aside. "Uh huh." Naruto spoke monotone "Well…" he breathes out and finally turning back to his friend's son, now leaning backwards "…your mother has requested another favour from me, again…" the last bit was spoken to the side, a clear sign to Sasuke that his mother was very much in this guy's debt, "…as such, seeing as she's good for it, normally, I will train you. Though…" his head tilted left "…I'm not really sure which way to train you for."

"What do you mean?" Sasuke questioned with a raised eyebrow; confusion filled his face. Naruto stared at him like he was stupid, the young shinobi felt stupid, and again, the company commander felt a sigh slip through his lips. He's been doing that a lot in recent times, he idly mused "As a member of the Uchiha branch, and son of my friend, I can only assume you will either take after her or not."

"…or not? You know my mother's skill set?" Sasuke questioned with a raised eyebrow only for two snorts to be the response. Jerking back around, the lone Uchiha found the Yuki clan Matriarch stepping past them "Do you remember the mission in Fang Country?"
"How could I forget?" Naruto chuckled lowly, seemingly lost in memory as Luna leaned against the wooden rails "It was the first appearance of, what did they call us?"
"Tri-way-devastation." Naruto laughed causing Sasuke eyes widen "Tri-way-devastation? As in the three elemental Oni!" shouted Sasuke wide-eyed drawing both their attention.

Luna giggled at his exclamation, an overwhelming sense of nostalgia clearly dancing across her features "Ah that was the other name, wasn't it?" Naruto nodded "It was. Only took us those three missions in Vegetable Country, and those three in Demon country."

"Our last mission is still recorded as the shortest in history." Luna continued with a long exhale "We arrived, they saw us, and surrendered." Naruto then looked to Sasuke "Our team was a ninjutsu fire team; overwhelming elemental attacks." He explained and Luna nodded "Then, we have the specialist teams within the Companies. My own team has a mixed load out, a front liner; me. A ninjutsu specialist, genjutsu specialist, and a medic/sensory support. An all-rounder teams." Both eye this Uchiha to gauge his reactions, it wasn't looking good, in their opinion he was left lacking.

"So, what are you aiming for?" Naruto question's arms folded, staring level with the Genin 1st class before he and his fellow "I want to be strong, like my brother and, if my mother's stories are true, you." Luna and Naruto shared a look upon Sauske's declaration, and the silence drew on for far too long for the young Uchiha "Sasuke. You are aware neither I, nor your brother gained our strength alone, right? What are you planning to do?" Naruto questioned clearly in sync with his fellow 1st class Jonin comrade who spoke up "Have you gathered a squad? Have you even left the Uchiha district? Travelled the village?" Luna's eyes narrow at the averted eyes of the youngest shinobi among her escort.

"I will train you…" Naruto began, the boy perked up, "…however, only after you find a squad, siblings-in-arms, and submit a squad formation request to my department." the boy scowled something fierce but before he could react Naruto raised his hand to stop him "Non-negotiable. Teamwork is within the life force of the clan; our effectiveness is response to this and the reason why your former village focused so much on that factor."

Land of Sea; Port Tenko

Luna steps off the transport ship, tailed by her escort as they head to the meeting spot. Dressed in her most regal crystal blue kimono, that twinkled as of made of glass with snowflakes decorating the lower edges and the Yuki-Uzumaki crest on her back. Naruto, Tayuya, and Sasuke were in their stand issue uniforms for their respective ranks though Tayuya had already modified hers and Sasuke still had a high collar shirt beneath his leather armour, updated Uchiha crest upon his back.

Blink remained in the shadows as the group moved, his own attire standard issue within Amber Company. As a member of the esteemed Namikaze family, he was not looking forward to confronting the Stone shinobi so was making himself scarce but within range to lend a hand should the need arise. As duty demanded of at least.

Upon arriving at the town hall, the Uzushasho team are met by a Land of Sea samurai captain who bows "Our apologies but we have received word that the Hidden Stone had been delayed a day. Bad weather delayed their departure."

"I see." Luna comments extending her fanning flan, fanning herself to up the regal factor by at least three times. This caused the Samurai, even the captain, to stand taller with stiffened back almost saluting on reflex "Very well. Then, I seek shelter for the night, I presume you can lead us to lodging, yes?"

"Yes, mi'lady." The captain responded "This way…"

Next afternoon Naruto stepped down from the stairs into the inns dining hall, finding his team there, and Sasuke was staring at Blink, eating through his mask somehow. Joining them, Naruto sits beside Luna who handed him a bowl of rice and fresh fish "Thanks."

"We have been informed of the arrival of the Stone envoy. They should've been directed to the conference hall by now." Luna stated as she slipped on her tea, Naruto piling through the food with little restraint yet perfectly elegantly as to not spill anything. "Which reminds me." looking to Nina "You still have the scroll, right?"

"Yes, Onii-sama." Nina lifting up her right arm, showing the seal upon her wrist "Good." throwing her a second scroll which she caught effortlessly, "Hold on to that. I finished the report last night. Hand it in when we get back."

"As you wish, mi'lord." Nina states.

Sasuke enters his room finding the yellow masked shinobi awaiting him "Blink… was it?" gaining a nod "Why are you here?"

"That depends on your answer." This earns a raised eyebrow, as the boy reaches his bag and pulled out a scroll with his gear "I heard about your training with the captain…" Sasuke froze before turning back with a glare "…or at least, your attempt to get some."

"As a Uchiha, he should be glad to…" he was interrupted by Blink holding up a necklace, a scarlet swirl with a kenji for zero dead centre "Take this."

"What is…?"

"That is something that you didn't get from me. If the captain ever denies you again, all you have to do is say 'For the clan…' whilst channelling chakra. It will…" he paused as Sasuke slowly put said item on "…persuade him otherwise."

Land of Sea; Tenko Town Hall

The Uzushasho team arrived in the office, the Iwoa team was already there and much to their surprise it was Tsuchikage himself was here. The tiny man sat with elbow on table, sour face in hand clearly not pleased with the outcome of the situation. He played his hand and got caught with in the cookie jar and now his people had been held against him. Even his granddaughter is in captivity, Han too. Embarrassing.

Luna takes her seat, opposing the leader of Stone, prim and proper with Naruto standing to her right at attention. Opposite him however was Roshi, the four tails Jinchurki, who looked as unbothered as ever. Naruto wasn't sure if it was genuine or arrogance, but it gave him a bad feeling in his gut. Something wasn't right. Couldn't put his finger on it but he took soloist in the fact that grandma should bebtuned in on them. Help was an hour away. He could handle that especially with Blink in reserve and Luna herself was a skilled kunoichi, easily high A-Rank, low S-rank.

Sasuke surprisingly felt honoured being chosen to stand on the left, he had thought that Blink, or perhaps Nina would take this spot but he, a Uchiha, was chosen. Being here meant that he was now representing his clan in an international setting. He would smirk but it was clear as day that this wasn't the time. He must show how strong the Uchiha still are and that a mere Kage posed no worry for them.

With all present, Jerita, the Daimyo' of the land of Sea, cleared his throat "Now that everyone is present, allow me to start this meeting…" but before he could finish, Onoki slammed his fist down "How dare you insult me with this…?" only to be cut off "Please Lord Tsuchikage…" spoke Luna with her delicate, velvety voice smothering his gravely one "…show your majesty by allowing the preceding's to continue smoothly." Silence.

Absolutely silence. Onoki was both enraged and prideful at that statement so was deeply confused with how to respond. Naruto was blank faced but internally was bellowing in laughter. Han was too, seeing his leader so befuddled was highly amusing, his biju was now paying attention too.

The confusion was slow to wear off but when it did, the Tsuchikage of both scales growled deeply "May I ask why your leader is not present here before me? Sending a delegation? I'm offended. I came all this way to meet the man who bested me, yet…" hand gesturing to Luna who took the insult seemingly in stride however Naruto could tell by the drop in temperature in their immediate surroundings that she was anything but pleased.

"…you present a clear honey pot, trying to lower our…"

"Lord Tsuchikage…" a firmer, colder tone came from Luna this time gaining the rooms attention and halting the man of short stature's on-going tirade "…as I am no doubt you are aware, Whirlpool is still in its infancy and undergoing construction for the most part." Gaining a hesitant nod, she continued "As such, our leadership is still in flux…" this was a lie but they're ninja. Deception is as common as breathing, "…as such, I requested this opportunity personally as you are a man of action. Unlike the Raikage, who would probably throw a tantrum and leer at me, you are talking to me directly. Insulting, sure, but at least directly at me. A man worthy of praise." Closing her fan shut with a sudden click, her eyes narrowed on the small man "I sure hope you do not disappoint."

Again, the Tsuchikage was left in an awkward position of not knowing how to respond. As a man, sure she would probably be considered attractive he supposed but far too young. As a leader, being told he was better than his rival in Kumogakure swelled his pride. Being told she requested the chance to speak with him, again another boost to his pride.

Naruto could practically see the man's ego balloon beyond even Lord Kuruma's, having dealt with the beast in his younger years had given him insight into the megalomaniac thought processes. He was sure Onoki had no idea he was playing into the hands of Luna, who was a true master of the seduction arts. He was once her student after all. He blinked. Once then twice. Oh. Now he knows why Miko asked him to train her son. Made sense now.

Shaking his head, Onoki stood up on his seat and glared at his opponent "That's not the point here! You have my people!"

"…and you attacked our home without even being polite enough to send us a notice of intent. How ungentlemanly of you." Luna's voice was professionally soft, elegantly seductive "How can we resolve this peacefully?" Jerita asks calmly though the shinobi present could smell the fear in his voice "That is why we are here, my dear Lord Jerita." Replied Luna with an absolutely stunning smile that could capture the heart of mermaids and angels alike "Give them back! Then we won't destroy you!" Onoki roared in rage, heaving and panting "If that's all, then sure…" Luna shrugged causing her chest to wobble, every man's eyes followed it briefly, some more discreet than others Naruto noted as he was unaffected by the expert move on Luna's part.

Onoki's eyes snapped back to her face incredulously, "Seriously?"

"Well yes, my dear Tsuchikage, why else would we be here?" Luna questioned as her hand fan was suddenly replaced with a scroll that she handed to Sasuke, remembering proper protocol, moved and handed it to his Stone counterpart halfway across the room who retrieved, checked then handed it to his leader. Onoki promptly read through the parchment, a list of named POWs, and upon reaching the bottom his rage boiled over once more "YOU WANT HOW MUCH?!"

Luna shrugged again, her assets working their magic upon the room, "I believe we are being more than fair. Prisoners are brought back based on their rank and sometimes lineages, after they've been squeezed of all information, no?" Everyone beside the Uzushasho group, and Onoki, nodded to that as it was common practice within peace times. Curious about the amount Roshi glanced over the list too, his brother was on it along with his beasts and his cost hadn't been inflated as it was actually a little lower than a standard jonin amount. It was unusual. Surely the Uzumaki could easily just remove the five tails and keep it yet, here they were, offering it back with seemingly no interest in holding on to it. His eyes narrowed, what are they up to.

"You also have our guarantee that they are being well treated, not being interrogated nor harmed in anyway." Luna spoke softly, but much to her surprise Onoki was grinning "In that case…" moments before he could finish, Naruto picked up a lot of signatures, a lot of signatures. Eyes widening briefly before action took place, "…I'll take you…" Lava flew across the room that instant, chains appeared and blocked it.

The next moment a wall of ice erupted, Roshi's lava coasted fist exploded through it only to be caught by chains. Sasuke was pulled back, a kunai appearing in his previous position, thrown into the arms of Luna who promptly erupted through the wall.

Sasuke found himself rolling back to his feet, sliding in behind Luna who had blocked another attack, a barrage rock darts, "Fall back to point beta." Luna ordered just as another explosion echoed through the ground, drawing eyes up to the falling duo. Naruto blocked another lava blast, with a water-wind blast, before landing atop the ice wall. "Point Beta is comprised. Head to delta and sent out the signal."

"I can fight!" Sasuke declared preparing to go for hand signs but was stopped by Luna who grabbed his hands, shakes her head "We need you to get there. Save your chakra for then."

"…but… but…"

"Sasuke." Naruto landed before him, avoiding an earth spike as if clairvoyant "Please remember my promise to your mother. I will protect and train you, my student." A soft smile "I need you to…"

"Naruto!"

Boom.

Sasuke shook off the cobwebs, glancing around he saw that he had been protected by Luna, who was in turn protected by Naruto with his body. "Naru…"

"Go!" Naruto ordered before turning back to the fight, six Jonin land around them and before Sasuke didn't even see his new sensei move before his sword was already embedded into an enemy, a second already with a throat cut and a third frozen solid. "Move!" Naruto roared deflecting a rock sword before an elbow stuck a throat. Slicing down.

Sasuke gritted his teeth but decided to follow his orders and dashed off, but a quick glanced over his shoulder he witnessed something that actually left him speechless. Chains coated in viscose life liquid; five bodies impelled on them as sword was cutting through another rock dragon. Ice crashed down impelled upon a squad four, as a black frost dragon roaring shortly after with a water dragon leading it into another group.

Land of Sea; Point Delta

Arriving at point delta, Sasuke glanced around, and pulled out the seal required to signal the reinforcements. Finding the right seal, he lifts it between his hands yet as he began to go through hand signs but the seal suddenly engulfed in flames. Snapping back, he came to face to face with Roshi, blank faced with a stern look at the young one "I can't let you do that, unfortunately."

Leaping back, Sasuke started going through hand signs "Oh…? A fire ball, huh?" the veteran shinobi comments, raised eyebrow and all "You are aware that I am a Lava master, right?" Sasuke recalled that now and found himself swallowing hard, "Now then, little genin, you will stand down and come with me. Struggle and you die."

"Umm…" Sasuke stepped back slightly; his eyes widen with his mind running through every single possible conceivable option but nothing. Wait; his eyes narrowed and a smirk, a Uchiha smirk "I'm not done yet." This actually caused Roshi to raise both eyebrows, "Oh?"

In the distance, a ship began to sink, "…wrong." Boom.

Naruto landed between the two parties, flash of gold and Blink appeared "Now, go… and…" but was cut off "For the clan; protect me from him!" Sasuke ordered whilst channelling chakra into the neckless, unknowingly breaking several taboos within the clan. Naruto had snapped to the young man when he spoke, a look of betrayal marred his face before it went blank. The purple eyes went dull, and half lit "For the clan." was his response was flat before he turned to Roshi, figure shimmering before suddenly appearing with his fist into the Stone Jonin's stomach for the briefest of moments. The next moment he stood alone; the enemy thrown into the distance.

Vanishing again, Naruto pursuit was instant and almost robotically with ruthless efficiency. "What have you done?!" yelled Luna at the Uchiha, grabbing him by his shoulder "I… I…" a boom rocked the island, in the distance a big feral roared. "…we have to leave, now!" Blink declared, somewhat panicky "I know, but…" Luna turning back to the direction Naruto disappeared too, "…I… I…"

"…snap out of it!" Blink slapping Luna out of her worry, yet before the figure of the four tails erupted from the treeline roaring up to the sky. A figure could be seen high above the monkey king, it's chakra exploding outward and chains burst forth with ruthless efficiency. Cracking as the biju bomb that was forming.

"This fight isn't tenable. We're leaving…" Blink ordered but was interrupted by Luna "I'll stay and get Naruto out…" but she fell limply into the arms of Blink who had knocked her out "Let's go." grabbing the boy and both vanished in a flash of yellow.

This would be the last time any would know of the infamous Captain Red, a new legend born from the titanic battle that sunk an island and shook the foundation of the hidden villages and black market. The Land of Sea would struggle to recover, never really recovering, with the loss of the island that was destroyed in the titanic battle.

Two weeks later

Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf Kage office

"Is this confirmed?" asked the blonde kage, Tsunade Senju, to her former teammate and spymaster Jairya the toad sage. He wore a grim face, a tight frown marring his features "Yeah. The Akatsuki have gone underground. No trace of their activities."

"Why? It doesn't make sense to just up and…"

"I think it has to do with what happened in Sea Country." The white haired man stated, the woman frowned upon recalling that report "Any information about it that I don't already have?"

"Just that the four tails Jinchurki died there, along with it's host." The man explained pensively, absent mindedly stroking his chin "From what we know, it was supposed to be the location of the peace talks between Whirlpool and the Stone." He continued to which she nodded at "Hopefully they two gave each other a bloody nose. Makes our position a bit more tenable." Tsunade states leaning forward on her elbows "Anything else?"

"Yes, in fact." Jayria sighs hard rubbing his forehead "The treaty between the Whirlpool and Kumogakure was ratified with a marriage. Both parties are willing and able. The prisoner swap is planned soon." now that put a damper on things.

The last Senju pursed her lips, their enemies are starting to unite and their own ally, Suna, wasn't as accommodating as before. Perhaps it had something to do with their seizure of their tailed beast, but it was a war they started "The council won't like this."

"It gets worse, I'm afraid." The man spoke and the woman deflated upon hearing that "I'm almost afraid to ask…" she paused a moment before sighing and gesturing him to continue, unwilling to voice that request "Whirlpool has the three-tails as well as the Nine as we suspected. Kumo confirmed it."

"This really isn't good." The last Senju quipped, sighing deeply "Shizune!"

End of Part one.

A/N; Surprise! This chapter is two and half times the size of any other in this series. A sorry for its absence. My bad but RL is a b**ch right now. Shippuuden era coming up next. Didn't think this'll have a time skip huh?