Hello all Storm here with the second chapter of the double update! And here we'll be going to the survivors to see how they're holding up after everything, while also making their own plans for their next moves. Also this takes place two days after the previous chapter, so a total of four days since the Konoha Crush. So, without further ado.

I own nothing

"Thanks Pakkun, hopefully we'll be able to get there in time before she leaves." Kakashi said, looking at his summons.

"Glad I could help, Kakashi. Hopefully, you'll get to Tanzaku in time without any trouble." Said Pakkun, having gotten a basic summary of everything that's happened in the past few days.

"Yeah, hopefully. But I'm learning hope isn't enough." Said Kakashi before dismissing the Ninken as he returned to the cave.

With them having done their best to hide the entrance with Kurenai, Yūgao, Tenzō, Raven, Magik, Kin, Tayuya and himself covering it with a Genjutsu Barrier. With Kakashi, the Anbu and Tayuya having knowledge of Kekkai Ninjutsu with Raven and Illyana adding to it with their magic. While Kurenai, Tayuya and Kin used their knowledge of Genjutsu to further strengthen the barrier.

In addition to that Hinata, Neji and Hanabi were rotating on using their Byakugan to keep a lookout, with them needing to share the duties since one of them couldn't continuously keep watch. Especially with Hanabi still being young and not having the same amount of Chakra as her sister and cousin. They also had Akamaru helping by sniffing for any intruders.

Though it wasn't perfect, it was enough to keep them hidden and aware in the event anyone finds them until they can find a more permanent hiding spot.

Finding everyone still inside, with Raven and Magik staying close to Naruto, who still remained unconscious, having been spending the last four days trying to heal him. Though only succeeding in at least stabilizing him, much to their frustration. But now they could at least move him without worry of making his injuries worse.

The magic-users having also helped to heal Hinata as well, something she was very grateful for after she was able to save her sister from Kumo Ninja.

Temari, Kankuro, Tayuya and Kin were also still present, the latter two still had some of them on edge given their affiliation with Orochimaru. The only thing keeping them from doing anything was the fact that so far neither of the Oto Kunoichi have done anything. And the fact they were all currently short on allies, they'd rather not antagonize the few they have.

"Did you learn anything, Kakashi?" Kurenai asked when she saw him, getting everyone's attention as they turned to the Copy Ninja.

"I did, Pakkun was able to locate Tsunade." Replied Kakashi, making Raven and Illyana quickly stand up.

"Where?!" Illyana demanded, wanting to know where the Senju was so they can get Naruto healed and awake.

"She's currently in Tanzaku-gai, it attracts plenty of people due to the gambling opportunities, which makes it an ideal spot for Tsunade. But for how long she'll stay there, I don't know, so it's best if we get moving as soon as possible before she leaves." Kakashi said before looking at the rather large group with a frown.

"There's something else, isn't there senpai." Stated Tenzō upon seeing the look on his face, one that he and Yūgao recognized from back when they were on the same Anbu Team.

"Yeah, there is. What're the chances Jiraiya is dead?" Questioned Kakashi, turning to the magic-users, with a rock suddenly exploding when Raven's anger spiked at the mention of the Toad Sage before quickly calming down.

"If he didn't get medical attention then he most likely bled out. We weren't aiming to kill him, quickly." Raven said without remorse, having not regretted wanting to make him suffer for what he did, a sentiment Illyana shared.

"So there's a chance then he's still alive. Then I believe the best course of action is for us to split up." Kakashi stated, surprising some of them at the suggestion.

"Split up?! Isn't that the last thing we should be doing?!" Tenten said, still trying to wrap her head around the fact they had abandoned their village after being attacked by their own comrades, then almost killed by a Sannin, one that was supposed to be on their side.

"Oh yeah, let's all stick together like one giant fucking target. How about we all dress up in bright neon colored clothes and hold up sign saying, "Come fucking kill us!" That's a great plan!" Tayuya said sarcastically, getting a glare from the weapon-user.

"Why are you two even still here?! Why don't you run back to your master!" Retorted Tenten, not liking having Orochimaru's followers sticking around.

"Orochimaru's dead." Kin stated, getting shocked looks from some of the others.

"What do you mean? How could you know that?" Yūgao asked, wondering how they could know Orochimaru's dead.

"Because of these." Tayuya said, pulling her shirt down, showing her Curse Seal on the back of her neck while Kin lifted her shirt to show her own on the left side of her abdomen, the sight making Sasuke instinctively grab his own.

"Our Curse Seals connect us to Orochimaru, in the event he somehow died and needed a way to revive himself, by placing part of his consciousness in Curse Seals. Which he gives to his most powerful followers or those he wants to take as host bodies. But during the fight it felt different, like the connection to Orochimaru was just…gone." Kin explained, Tayuya grunted in annoyance and nodded.

"Probably that old mummy fucker, Danzō. Orochimaru-sama said he was a bigger snake than he ever was. He probably did something to make sure Orochimaru-sama died and couldn't come back, while making sure the Curse Seals weren't completely neutralized." Said Tayuya, having heard enough about Danzō to know that he likely would have a plan to take out the Snake Sannin.

"They're telling the truth." Sasuke said, getting everyone's attention as he showed his own Curse Seal.

"Sasuke?" Said Ino looking at it in worry that Orochimaru marked him too.

"I didn't notice it during the fight, with…everything going on. But after escaping, I noticed how I didn't feel…as strong of an urge to use it. If Orochimaru did put part of himself in these and he's now permanently dead, then they're telling the truth." Said Sasuke, though it did nothing to relieve the Ninja that Orochimaru was dead.

"Well that's…somewhat good news." Kankuro stated, but with everything that's happened, even if Orochimaru was still alive he'd be the least of their worries.

"Yeah. But back to the main point, we need to split up. Right now, there are too many of us to travel in one group." Said Kakashi, getting back on topic.

"He's right. Even if we were to disguise ourselves, it would still draw attention as to why a large group is traveling through the Land of Fire. Word would surely get back to Konoha, and if Jiraiya is still alive after his most unyouthful actions…then it's likely all of us are now viewed as traitors." Gai said, not doubting that Jiraiya would have spun things to paint them all as traitors.

"He would, even more likely he'd pin all the blame on Naruto, wanting him dead more than any of us." Illyana said scowling, wishing she'd just taken the toads head off rather than torture him.

"…Why? Why would he do all that?" Hanabi asked quietly while huddled next to her sister, still confused as to why the Toad Sage would want to kill them or try killing Naruto specifically.

"Another time, right now we need to focus. We can't all travel to Tanzaku-gai, so we'll need to split up into smaller groups. I'll be going with Illyana and Raven to bring Naruto to Tsunade. Sasuke?" Kakashi asked, turning to his student

"Yes, I'm going." Sasuke said, not about to let his remaining teammate be killed.

"I-I'll go too." Said Ino, offering to go along with them.

"Are you sure, Ino?" Kurenai said, looking at the Yamanaka in worry, not wanting anything to happen to Asuma's last remaining student.

"Yes, I…I want to help and…meet Tsunade-sama to get stronger." Ino said, having felt a growing sense of uselessness since the battle.

She hardly did anything and when she tried helping stop Gaara, she ended up being more of a liability and it ended up getting her friends and teammates killed. Then watching Sakura die, then Asuma, it made Ino so angry at herself, but also feel how useless she is.

And the Yamanaka Heiress didn't want to feel like that again or sit and watch people she cared about be killed protecting her. So she hoped that Tsunade would be able to help her, teach her Medical Ninjutsu, to know how to make poisons and how to cure them, to be strong like her. Ino wanted to prove to herself and to others that she wouldn't be a burden again.

"We'll go too." Kin said for herself and Tayuya, since they still had their objective to complete.

"Why?" Raven asked while looking at them, feeling their emotions and knew they didn't have any ill-intentions towards Naruto, but was still suspicious of what their motives were.

"Why are you two even still here? You helped us before against the ROOT Anbu because they were Orochimaru's enemies too. But now he's dead and neither of you have any obligation or reason to stay. Unless there's something you haven't told us." Said Kurenai, narrowing her eyes slightly.

This made the Oto Kunoichi glance at each other, wondering if they should just reveal the reason they helped in the first place. Since with Orochimaru dead, they really had nowhere else to go. Given Oto would've devolved into chaos and infighting once word got back of the Snake Sannin's death. But they'd also rather not be viewed more suspiciously than they already were.

"…Okay, full transparency, Orochimaru tasked us with getting close with him, making sure Danzō didn't get his hands on him." Kin revealed, pointing at Naruto, tensing when Illyana summoned her sword and aimed it at them.

"Choose your next words very, very carefully." Warned Illyana, fully intending to kill them if they were a threat to the whiskered blonde, with Raven's hands being covered in dark magic ready to blast them if that's the case.

"Keep your spandexes on, we aren't going to hurt your boytoy. Orochimaru-sama's dead, so we don't exactly have anywhere else to go, Oto and the Land of Sound are probably tearing itself apart once they find out Orochimaru-sama's dead, and we don't feel like getting dragged into it. Leaving us not a lot of options on where to go without worry of being killed, captured and tortured or turned into fucktoys to make new tools by villages that get off on that shit." Tayuya said, knowing their connection to Orochimaru would already put targets on their backs, more so with Kin having the Sharingan.

"So, we're willing to stay and help make sure nothing happens to him. And with someone like Jiraiya wanting him dead, likely the rest of Konoha too and who knows who else, he's going to need all the help he can get." Added Kin, making several of them frown but couldn't deny that they were right in how they'll need all the help they can get.

"…They're not wrong and they're not lying, either." Raven stated, sensing they were telling the truth, and they weren't wrong that Naruto now had a very large target on his back.

"Okay…then you both can stay and join us when we go look for Tsunade. That should be the entire group, too many more and we risk drawing attention." Kakashi said, knowing it'll already be a big group with seven going, so they couldn't risk any more joining them.

"We need to return to Konoha." Said Yūgao as she and Kurenai stepped forward, much to their shock.

"As do I." Gai said, joining them, shocking the rest of the group further.

"What?! Are you crazy, Gai-sensei?! Why would you-" Tenten said, wondering why he'd want to risk returning to Konoha, only for Neji to put a hand on her shoulder.

"He needs to get Lee out of there, Tenten." Said Neji, causing the weapon-users eyes to widen as she remembered that Lee hadn't been part of the fight due to his injuries, meaning he's now alone and defenseless in Konoha.

"Yes, I do. I cannot bear to leave one of my students behind, let alone risk the chance of his Flames of Youth being extinguished or corrupted by Jiraiya." Gai said since with what happened, he wouldn't put it past Jiraiya to try and use Lee as a hostage or turn him against them, just the idea of Lee being gaslit into hating them was enough to shatter Gai's heart, if not simply kill Lee out of spite.

"We also need to get Anko out of the village. She already wasn't liked much because of her connection to Orochimaru. On top of everything else, it's not safe for her to be there." Added Kurenai, not wanting to leave their friend stuck in Konoha alone.

The Genjutsu Mistress also had another reason she needed to return, as there's one other person she needed to get out of Konoha before something happened to them.

"Then we can go-" Hinata said, wanting go with Kurenai to help her.

"Absolutely not!" Kurenai immediately replied, not even willing to consider the idea of bringing Hinata back to Konoha.

"Kurenai's right. Even for us, going back its dangerous. But it's a risk we're willing to take." Yūgao said, since with the invasion and their "betrayal", the villages is likely going to be on high alert for intruders.

"Indeed. Which makes it important that it's only us three going, it will at least lower the risk of detection. The rest of you must remain, but have no fear because we will be back." Said Gai to his students with a good guy pose, wanting to assure them they'll return with those they're going back for.

"They're right. It's best if only a small team goes to Konoha, otherwise it'll end in all of you being captured and I'd rather not know what Jiraiya would have planned for anyone he gets his hands on." Said Kakashi, with Kurenai, Yūgao and Gai nodding in agreement, knowing the risks if they're found and captured.

"And the rest of you? What about you two?" Kakashi asked, looking at the remaining members before turning to Temari and Kankuro, wondering what they planned on the doing.

With the siblings looking at each other as Temari held the scroll containing Gaara's body, tightly. The scroll being a special one that Yūgao and Tenzō gave them. With it being meant to preserve the bodies of fallen comrades, ensuring they wouldn't rot and decay before being laid to rest. Much to their gratitude that they'd get the chance to bury their brother as he was, rather than a rotting corpse.

"We aren't planning to return to Suna. Our entire family is dead and it's unlikely it'd even be safe to go back there with how we helped you guys." Kankuro said, with Temari nodding in agreement.

"So we'll help where we can, even trying to find a way out of the Land of Fire, which honestly seems like the best thing to do." Said Temari, the Jōnin and Anbu nodded in agreement.

"Agreed. The rest of us could work on finding transportation out of the Land of Fire, possibly out of the Elemental Nations as a whole." Tenzō said since if they were listed as traitors in Konoha, then they'll likely be places in the Bingo Book.

And with many of them having Kekkei Genkai or reputations as powerful Ninja, they'll be targeted by many people for any number of reasons. Whether to collect their bounties, interrogate them for information or used as breeding factories to have children that'll inherit their Kekkei Genkai. Making it so getting out of the Elemental Nations entirely is a priority.

"Good idea, the sooner we're out of the Land of Fire the better." Kakashi said, nodding in agreement with the plan.

"Alright, so while we go look for Tsunade, you three will return to Konoha to find those you want to get out of there. The rest of you work on finding us a means to get out of the Land of Fire, possibly out of the Elemental Nations entirely." Said Kakashi, seeing everyone nod in agreement with the plan.

"And to make sure we can meet up again, once we're done with our tasks. Summoning Jutsu!" Kakashi said, cutting his palm before going through handsigns, slamming his hand on the ground summoning three of his Ninken.

"Each of us will have one of my Ninken, they'll have our scents that way we'll be able to meet up later." Said Kakashi as two of them went over to Yūgao and Tenzō while the third remained with the Copy Ninja.

"We know our missions, now let's get them done and hope all of us meet back up." Kakashi, with everyone nodding in agreement.

With the plan made, everyone got ready to head out, the Jōnin and Anbu putting hooded cloaks on to hide their uniforms and faces along with having to get rid of their headbands and masks. Or simply taking off the metal plate in Kakashi's case, so he can keep his Sharingan covered. The Genin did the same, knowing they couldn't have anything connecting them to their home villages. While Hinata, Neji and Hanabi also had to cover their Byakugan, with how distinct it was.

Once they were ready, the three groups split up. Heading in different directions, ready for anything that they might encounter.

*Later*

*With Kurenai, Yūgao and Gai*

It didn't take long for the Jōnin and Anbu to arrive outside of Konoha, looking at their former home with sorrow and resignation.

"It no longer looks or feels the same." Gai stated, no longer feeling the sense of peace and comradery Konoha is known for, now it felt like they were walking into enemy territory.

"No…it doesn't." Said Kurenai, no longer able to even think of the good memories she had in the village.

Now the only thing she could think about was how they were attacked by their own comrades, comrades that killed two of her students and her boyfriend. Where a Sannin planned on killing them for seeing what a monster he truly was. The Genjutsu Mistress honestly couldn't even stand the sight of Konoha, anymore.

"Then let's hurry up and get this done. Gai, is Lee still in the hospital?" Yūgao asked looking at the Green Beast.

"He should be, he was still recovering but wished to see the finals. I made sure he was taken to safety before going to assist everyone against the traitors. It'd be best if I go alone, reaching the hospital is already risky enough as it is." Gai said, with the purplette and ravenette nodding in agreement.

"Agreed. Anko is likely in the Forest of Death. If things turned out the way we think they did, then it's likely she's in there to get away from everyone. Yūgao, would you be able to handle finding her alone?" Kurenai asked since she still had someone else she needed to get as soon as possible.

"I should be able to handle it. But what about you?" Questioned Yūgao, only to see where Kurenai was looking.

"There's someone else I need to save…and apologize to." Kurenai said, the swordswoman nodded in understanding.

"Yakumo." Yūgao stated, aware of her friend's first student and what happened to her.

"Yeah…I already failed her once, now I failed Shino and Kiba as well. I…I can't let anything happen to her again." Said Kurenai, needing to get Yakumo out of here and tell her the truth.

Even if the Kurama Heiress hates her and wants nothing to do with her, Kurenai will gladly accept it and will take Yakumo anywhere she wants to go, as long as it meant she was safe.

"Go get her, then. I'll let Anko know you needed to take care of something important." Said Yūgao, much to Kurenai's gratitude before she took off towards Yakumo's home.

"Good luck Gai, I hope you're able to get Lee out of here." Yūgao said, nodding to Gai which he returned.

"So do I. And I hope you find Anko, safe and unharmed." Replied Gai before they took off as well in different directions.

Making her way to the Forest of Death, Yūgao made sure to stick to the shadows and enter through far from the normal entrance. Not wanting to take the chance that there are Ninja watching the entrance. Since if Anko is under suspicion for being Orochimaru's student, along with her connection to her and Kurenai then she wouldn't put it past those in charge to be spying on her.

'Now let's just hope she is here…there!' Yūgao thought, spreading out her senses before picking up on Anko's Chakra Signature, having been around the Snake Mistress long enough to recognize it.

Rushing through the forest towards it, the Anbu quickly crouched down on a branch while hiding in the leaves and suppressing her Chakra. Seeing the Tokubetsu Jōnin leaning against a tree eating dango with an annoyed look on her face, luckily she was alone and Yūgao didn't sense anyone close by.

'Good, it'll make this easier.' Thought Yūgao, pulling out a kunai and held it up in the light, since even if she's alone it still wouldn't be smart to just reveal herself.

Reflecting the light off the blade, Yūgao aimed it carefully towards Anko until she caught a glimpse of it, seeing the other purplette didn't visibly react to the sight before she suddenly Shunshined away.

"Yūgao! What're you doing here?"! Anko demanded quietly while reappearing behind the Anbu.

"To get you! Why else would I come back!" Whispered Yūgao, noticing how the Snake Mistress visibly relaxed.

"So…you and the others aren't traitors." Stated Anko, having had her doubts when Jiraiya and the Elders announced it, but was relieved to know they were lying.

"No, we aren't. Whatever Jiraiya and Danzō have said-" Yūgao said, only for Anko to cut her off.

"Danzō's dead. They're saying he died helping the Sandaime kill Orochimaru, but that's probably more shit they're making it up to cover their asses." Anko revealed, surprising Yūgao to learn Danzō's also dead, but also relieved it's one less problem.

The Tokubetsu Jōnin also touched her Curse Seal at the mention of Orochimaru, having noticed how it no longer hurt or tempted her to use its power like before. Only able to theorize that whatever happened, the Snake Sannin was now gone for good. Something she couldn't even take joy in with everything else going on.

"Oh, good, that's good. And by "they", I'm guessing you mean Jiraiya and the Elders?" Yūgao rhetorically asked, guessing Jiraiya likely painted things to make them out to be the bad guys.

"Yeah. I don't know what really happened, but they've got the Nara Clan and Akimichi Clan on a warpath, saying all kinds of stuff. They're claiming the Uzumaki brat was working with Orochimaru, that he turned you all against the village, killing Clan Heirs and Asuma. They even revealed he's a Jinchūriki to everyone, it's like they're trying to get everyone hungry for the brat's blood. And it's done nothing to help me either, everyone's now accusing me of being a spy and a traitor." Said Anko, scowling in anger at what everyone's saying about her and the whiskered blonde.

While they weren't exactly close, they were both outcasts and treated like pariahs, now they're being viewed like they were worse than her old teacher.

"That honestly doesn't surprise me. Look, I'll explain everything once we're out of here, but the basics of it is that Danzō tried having us killed during the invasion so he could capture Naruto and those two girls he's been seen with, recently. Having sent his ROOT Anbu after us and even got other Konoha Ninja on his side. We were able to fight them off but not without losses, until Jiraiya showed and tried killing Naruto. We were only able to escape because of his new friends catching him off-guard." Yūgao summarized, with Anko looking at her with wide eyes.

"And you thought it was a good idea to come back here?! Why?!" Said Anko, know coming back here would basically be a death sentence

"Because of you, you idiot! Kurenai and I weren't going to leave you here to fend for yourself!" Retorted Yūgao, like it was obvious, surprising Anko at her words.

"You…really came back for me?" Anko asked, surprise and touched, knowing while they were friends she didn't think they'd take such a risk as to come back for her so soon.

"Yeah, we did, you're our friend Anko and unlike most of the Ninja here, we aren't going to leave a friend or comrade behind. Kurenai also came to get Yakumo as well, and Gai came to get Lee since he couldn't escape with us." Yūgao replied, making the other purplette smile, happy and touched at her words.

"Okay, then let's go. The sooner we're out of this place, the better. And the sooner I can show you and Nai-chan my…appreciation~." Anko said slyly, with the Anbu merely rolling her eyes fondly.

"We love you too Anko. Now let's go." Said Yūgao, Anko nodded in agreement as they prepared to leave.

Only for their eyes to widen as they tensed, before quickly jumping off the branch they were on just as it exploded from a compressed blast of air. With the two purplette's landing on the ground, Yūgao drawing her sword while snakes emerged from Anko's sleeves.

"Don't even try it." Someone said behind the Kunoichi.

Hearing the sudden voice behind them, Yūgao and Anko froze when they felt fingers pressed against the back of their necks. Only able to glance behind them to see Hiashi, before suddenly Tsume and Hana Inuzuka jumped down in front of them along with their Ninken.

'Fuck.' Yūgao mentally cursed, not expecting Tsume, Hana and Hiashi to be here or that they were among those watching Anko.

The only thing that kept her from really panicking is that they didn't immediately attack them, aside from forcing them onto the ground.

"…I'm only gonna ask this once, your answer will decide what happens next and I swear if you lie, you'll both be chew toys." Tsume warned with Kuromaru growling beside her.

"How did Kiba die?!" Demanded Hana, wanting to know what happened to her brother.

"Protecting his friends and fighting those that tried killing them. Kiba went down fighting the real traitors, he was avenged by Shino until he was killed too. Akamaru's alive, though, alive and safe. Hinata, Hanabi and Neji are still alive too, Neji saved Hinata when she was protecting Kurenai and Hinata saved Hanabi from Kumo Ninja that tried kidnapping her during the Invasion." Yūgao said, wanting to assure all of them they weren't their enemies.

With her words, thankfully, making Hiashi and Hana relax as the Hyūga Clan Head let them go. Though Tsume still looked angry before shouting as she swiped her claws across a tree, tearing out a large chunk of it.

"That lying, perverted fucker!" Tsume growled, having felt Jiraiya had been lying about how her son died, now having confirmation of the Toad Sage's treachery and was currently using every ounce of willpower to resist the urge to go rip his throat out with her teeth.

"I take it Jiraiya tried turning you against us." Stated Yūgao, not surprised the Toad Sage would do that.

"He did. Unfortunately, he succeeded with manipulating Shikaku and Chōza, with the loss of their sons as well as Inoichi's death. Neither of them were in the right state of mind to suspect he was lying." Hiashi replied, shocking Yūgao to learn Inoichi is dead.

"Inoichi's dead? How?!" Yūgao asked, wondering how he could've died.

"The pervert is claiming the brats girlfriend's did something to his mind. Making it so that Inoichi's head exploded after he tried entering it to find out what happened." Said Anko, making the Anbu's eyes widen in disbelief.

'Damnit.' Thought Yūgao, knowing this'll be another blow to Ino.

Losing her entire team and now her father, she could only hope that the Yamanaka Heiress would be strong enough to get through the pain.

"What really happened then? We've only heard what Jiraiya and the Elders are claiming happened, but you were there. So what's the truth?" Questioned Hana, crossing her arms wanting to hear it from Yūgao.

"I really don't have time to explain everything, but anything Jiraiya and the Elders claim, assume it's a lie. But right now we need to get out of here, Gai and Kurenai are both going to be waiting for us to meet up." Yūgao said, with the three simply nodding knowing they didn't have a lot of time.

"Would you be able to take Hana with you?" Tsume asked, shocking Hana at the request.

"What?! Kaa-san, I'm not going to-" Said Hana, not wanting to abandon her mother and clan.

"You will! If Yūgao's telling the truth then Konoha isn't safe anymore and I'll be damned before anything happens to you! I…I already had to bury one child; I'm not burying another." Said Tsume, refusing to lose both of her kids, especially with Jiraiya's reputation then she wanted Hana as far from him as possible.

"And what about you?" Hana demanded, also not wanting to lose her mother.

"I'll be fine, I still need to lead the clan and keep everyone in line. You disappearing is one thing, a Clan Head disappearing will only create more accusations and put the Inuzuka Clan in danger." Tsume replied, putting her hands on her daughters shoulders and pulled her close.

"Hana, just please listen to me, get out of here and be safe. This'll be your best chance to escape before anything else happens." Said Tsume, not wanting anything to happen to Hana, not if there's a way to keep her out of danger.

Gritting her teeth, Hana hugged her mother tightly. Not wanting to leave but also knowing she was right; it wasn't safe for anyone in Konoha.

"…Fine. But that also means you have to stay safe and get out of here if things get too dangerous." Hana said since she didn't want to lose her mother and her brother.

"Yeah, I will be. Stay safe pup. And you three look after my little girl." Tsume said, looking at the Three Haimaru Brothers, who all barked in confirmation that they'd keep their partner safe.

Sighing, Hana went over to Yūgao and Anko with the two patting her on her shoulders in reassurance.

"At least we'll be together." Anko offered, trying to lift the mood, only for the Inuzuka to look at her dryly.

"Always have to look on the bright side, huh Anko." Said Hana, but was at least grateful for the attempt.

"We would have come for you too Hana, but…we thought you'd be safer with your clan than end up being labelled a traitor too." Yūgao said apologetically, since she's just as much their friend as Anko is.

But between them, Anko would be the one who wouldn't have anyone to watch her back, while Hana would have Tsume and the rest of the Inuzuka Clan to look after her.

"I know you would have. Though I probably would've been more likely to attack you, before learning the truth." Hana said with a slight smile at them, glad that she'll at least be with her friends.

"Hiashi, is there anything you wanted us to do. Anything you wanted us to tell Hinata, Hanabi and Neji?" Yūgao asked, turning to the Hyūga Clan Head, who frowned deeply in thought.

"Just that they should stay safe…and alive…is enough for me. Though…there are some things I would like you to give them, but I don't have them with me at the moment." Hiashi said, wishing to give his daughters and nephew more of the Gentle Fist Techniques, so that they can still learn and grow to look after themselves and each other.

Along with something meant for Neji, for him to no longer worry of being a caged bird and be able to fly freely.

"We can't risk staying here any longer than necessary. Is there any way you'd be able to deliver the items to us?" Yūgao said since the longer they were here the greater the risk of being discovered.

"Perhaps…is there a chance you can bring one more person with you?" Questioned Hiashi, seeing a way to deliver the items and have someone look after them.

"Do you trust this person?" Questioned Yūgao since taking someone they don't know was out of the question, it invited too much of a risk.

"I would trust her with my daughters lives, without question." Hiashi said, without hesitation, with the three Kunoichi trading looks.

"Well, if you trust them that much, then here." Said Anko, biting her thumb and going through handseals, summoning a snake big enough to wrap around her arm but small enough to hide under someone sleeve.

"Once you have everything ready, give this little guy to them and they'll be Reverse Summoned to me." Anko said, lifting the snake up, with Hiashi holding out his hand allowing the snake to slither up his sleeve and around his arm.

"They'll be ready, soon enough." Hiashi said before jumping away to meet the person and gather everything he'll send with them.

"Stay safe, all of you." Said Tsume, looking at the three, giving Hana one last reassuring look before she and Kuromaru jumped away.

Letting out a shaky breath as her mother left, Hana looked at Yūgao and Anko when they wrapped their arms around her.

"Don't think of it as goodbye, think of it as…see you later." Yūgao said, wanting to assure her that she'll see Tsume again, but even she wouldn't believe herself.

"Yeah…see you later… Let's get moving before I stop myself." Said Hana as they jumped off out of the forest to the rendezvous point.

*With Gai*

Meanwhile, Gai stuck to the shadows and alleyways in the village, moving with surprising silence despite his normally boisterous and loud attitude. Though being a Taijutsu expert, Gai had trained extensively to move with speed, grace and silence. There were just rarely any moments that required him to move silently, with this being one such time.

With it not taking him long to reach the hospital, looking for the window that went to Lee's room, having visited enough times to memorize which floor and corridor it was located in.

'There!' Though Gai when he spotted the correct window.

"And just where do you think you're going, Gai." Someone said, making the Green Beast tense and quickly turn around with a spin kick.

Finding Iruka and Ebisu behind him, with the two quickly moving back barely avoiding being hit by the Jōnin's leg. Though Gai still got into a stance and ready to open the Eight Gates, knowing it may come to that if he was discovered and swarmed by Ninja.

"Iruka, Ebisu, I have no quarrel with either of you. Please leave now as I have no wish to commit such unyouthful actions as attacking comrades." Gai said as despite everything, he had no desire to fight and kill other Konoha Ninja.

Relaxing only slightly when they didn't attack or try alerting anyone, with the Chūnin and Tokubetsu Jōnin exchanging a look before turning back to him.

"So you and everyone else, you aren't traitors then." Iruka stated, with Gai immediately shaking his head.

"No we are not, we were fighting off the true traitors, those that sided with Danzō to capture young Naruto and his new companions. We fought them off, but suffered many losses, until Jiraiya arrived and committed the most unyouthful action of attempting to snuff out Naruto's Flames of Youth. It was only because of his allies we escaped and now are seeking out Tsunade-sama to heal him." Gai explained, relieved that they weren't going to fight him, while Iruka and Ebisu were shocked to hear what happened.

Especially Iruka, who was horrified upon learning that Naruto almost died.

"And you are here to retrieve your third student, Rock Lee. Correct?" Said Ebisu pushing up his glasses, surprising Gai that they knew his reason for being here.

"Yes, I am. How did you know?" Gai asked.

"Lee was once my student, Gai, so I know how much time you spent with him. It was obvious you would come back for him at the first opportunity, if you weren't really a traitor." Iruka replied, with Ebisu nodding in agreement.

"Indeed. It also wouldn't align with your personality to willingly leave behind someone you care for. If you had truly turned traitor then we wouldn't be have this conversation at all, you wouldn't have returned nor would you wish to avoid a fight. It's likely we wouldn't even be alive if you truly were a traitor." Said Ebisu, knowing the kind of person Gai was, given they were once teammates on the same Genin team.

So he knew that Gai becoming a traitor went against everything he stood for, and the only way it would happen is if he was being controlled or something forced him to abandon the village. The fact he returned for Lee showed it was the latter, rather than the former. With the brief time he spent with Naruto during the one month training break for the Chūnin Exams, as well as the fact that he was kind enough to take him to the hospital while Jiraiya was the one who knocked him out in the first place, adding to his skepticism regarding the Toad Sage's claims.

It's why he'd been watching the hospital, knowing he'd find out the truth himself if Gai appeared to get Lee out of the village.

Their words finally made Gai relax, thankful that they were thinking clearly enough to hear him out rather than believe whatever lies Jiraiya told them.

"Yes, which is why I must get Lee out of here, before Jiraiya does something to endanger or corrupt him." Gai said, only for Iruka and Ebisu to frown.

"Then you're going to need some help. We weren't the only ones who thought you'd come back for Lee. There are guards outside his room, watching for any intruders." Said Iruka, making Gai curse since that means he would've been caught the moment he entered Lee's room.

"We can draw them away, but it'll mean we'll likely be declared as traitors for helping you." Ebisu said, aware of the consequences of their actions.

"You are welcome to join me and the others, even without assisting me, remaining in Konoha is dangerous with Jiraiya around spreading lies and poisoning people's minds." Said Gai, something neither Iruka or Ebisu could deny.

"I can handle distracting the guards. Iruka would you be able to get Moegi and Udon?" Ebisu asked while looking at the Chūnin.

"I can, I'll get Teuchi and Ayame, they'll want to get out of here too and make sure Naruto's okay. We'll meet you outside the village." Said Iruka before Shunshining away to get Moegi and Udon along with the Ichiraku's.

"Moegi and Udon? The friends of the Sandaime's grandson?" Gai asked, confused as to why they wanted to bring them as well.

"The same. They are also close with the…Uzumaki child and have been worried since his disappearance. They also have the innocence of children and refuse to believe he's a traitor." Replied Ebisu.

"Then what of young Konohamaru? Surely he wouldn't believe such lies, either?" Questioned Gai, only to get a sinking feeling when Ebisu looked down sadly.

"The Honorable Grandson…I'm afraid Jiraiya has gotten ahold of him. Using his position as the Sandaime's student and one of the Legendary Sannin to not only take Konohamaru on as his apprentice, but also become his legal guardian." Ebisu revealed before telling Gai what he witnessed when he went looking for Konohamaru.

*Flashback*

"Damnit! I can't get this figured out!" Konohamaru cursed as he fell from one tree after another failed attempt to learn the Surface Walking Exercise.

"You need to use more Chakra, kid. If you use too little you'll just fall off again, but make sure to not use too much or you'll just be blown back. You need to find the right balance." Jiraiya instructed from his wheelchair, still recovering from his injuries but wanted to begin molding Konohamaru into the Child of the Prophecy as soon as he could.

The sooner he got the runt to obey him without question the better.

"I know, I know sensei. I'm just…" Konohamaru said looking down while rubbing his head, making the Toad Sage's eye twitch.

"You're thinking about him again, aren't you." Stated Jiraiya, already knowing what's distracting him.

"I can't help it! Everyone keeps saying Aniki is a traitor, that he…he joined Orochimaru before gramps killed him…th-th-that…that he killed Uncle Asuma… But I just don't believe it! That's not who my rival is, he'd never abandon his home or kill his comrades!" Konohamaru said adamantly, refusing to believe Naruto would ever join the person that got his grandfather killed or that he'd kill his uncle.

It's why he took Jiraiya's offer to be trained by him, not only for the chance to learn from one of his grandfather's students, but so he can find out the truth. He wanted to find Naruto and learn what really happened, who really killed his uncle.

'Stubborn brat.' Jiraiya thought, seeing how he still kept defending that little bastard, but did see an opportunity to begin turning Konohamaru against him.

"Yeah…I know it's not easy to believe someone you admire and care about could ever become a traitor. I actually had a friend like that, once." Jiraiya said, sighing at the "tragedy" of being betrayed.

"You did?" Konohamaru asked, turning to his new teacher curiously.

"I did. We were even in the Academy together, he was the prodigy and I was the deadlast, and I couldn't stand him. Always acting so calm and collected, being the most talented, how much smarter he was than everyone else, everyone always praising him as some once in a lifetime genius!" Said Jiraiya, only to start scowling hatefully at remembering how much everyone loved Orochimaru for being a "prodigy".

"Aniki wasn't like that." Konohamaru said while frowning since no one considered Naruto a prodigy, with this also keeping Jiraiya from getting too angry.

"Wasn't he? Look at how strong he became in just a month for the finals, maybe he just needed the right teacher, which he didn't have in the Academy or on the Genin Team that he was assigned to. I'm sure if he showed this kind of talent in the Academy, he'd be no different. But even with his reputation, I still came to see him as a friend, a brother even. That is until he showed just how twisted he really was." Jiraiya said "gravely", not lying entirely as there was a time where he did come to genuinely see Orochimaru as a friend and brother in arms.

However, he snuffed out that part of himself decades ago and Jiraiya couldn't be happier.

"Wh-Who was this friend?" Konohamaru asked, enraptured by Jiraiya's story as he couldn't help but wonder who this friend could be.

"Orochimaru." Revealed Jiraiya, causing the young Sarutobi to scowl furiously.

"Naruto's nothing like that monster!" Konohamaru shouted, shooting up to his feet, glaring at the Sannin for comparing Naruto to his grandfather's killer.

"Isn't he? They're both orphans, they both were loners as kids, they both summon snakes, they both dreamed of being Hokage, they're both prodigies, they even share an affinity for Wind. And what makes them both similar is that they're good at hiding their true personalities. No one ever suspected the kind of monster Orochimaru really was, the things he did to achieve his own goals or just for his own amusement. And the bas-brat's no different, hiding behind the mask of a goofball when really he's just as psychotic as Orochimaru was. You might not want to believe it kid, I didn't want to believe it about Orochimaru, but it's true. Those that you call friends aren't always who they say they are. Trust me, it's better you learn this now, otherwise if you do ever encounter him again, you might not be as lucky as I was to survive his attack. Because wherever that kid goes, people will die, just like with Orochimaru. It's not really surprising he'd recruit the kid before sensei ended that snake. But who knows if the kid will continue what Orochimaru started." Said Jiraiya, making Konohamaru frown before furiously shaking his head as he went back to his training.

Once Konohamaru wasn't looking, Jiraiya smirked wickedly since he knew even with his refusal to believe the little bastard is like that damn snake, the seeds were now planted.

'Soon he'll believe every bad thing that's happened is because of that bastard. I won't even need to give him the idea to kill him, he'll get it all by himself.' Jiraiya thought eagerly, knowing soon he'll have Konohamaru utterly despise the Uzumaki and will do anything to see him dead, no matter who else he has to kill to do it

Though while Jiraiya was focused on his plans to make Naruto suffer and make Konohamaru the Child of the Prophecy, he missed Ebisu hiding behind a tree. The Tokubetsu Jōnin's eyes being wide open at everything he heard before quickly Shunshining away.

*End Flashback*

"I tried speaking with Konohamaru, but wherever he is Jiraiya isn't far behind. And I couldn't risk trying to talk to him with Jiraiya listening." Ebisu said, ashamed at his failure, that Jiraiya now had Konohamaru in his grasp and will do who knows what to the boy.

While Gai's eyes widened in shock and disgust, that Jiraiya would really go so far as to turn Konohamaru against Naruto. Grooming him to kill the Uzumaki, out of spite.

"While it pains me to know Jiraiya would stoop so low, we can only hope Konohamaru inherited the Sandaime's wisdom and will not fall for his lies and manipulations." Said Gai, hoping Konohamaru won't become Jiraiya's pawn.

"Yes…let's hope." Said Ebisu, not sharing his enthusiasm.

With all his immediate family members dead and the Sannin now being his legal guardian, Konohamaru had no one to pull him away from Jiraiya's influence. Especially with the rumors of Jiraiya being the one that'll succeed the Sandaime as the Godaime Hokage, with everyone knowing that the rumors are true and that it'll likely be officiated once he's had time to recover and get used to the prosthetics that Suna has provided Konoha.

"Now, wait here and wait for my signal to go in and get Lee." Ebisu said before jumping away, leaving Gai in the alley to wait for his chance.

'Hang on, Lee. Soon you will be free and hopefully with Tsunade-sama's help, you'll be able to continue pursuing your dream to be a splendid Shinobi.' Gai thought, intending to do anything he can to get Tsunade's help to heal Lee as well, but after making sure they've gotten out of Konoha.

*With Kurenai*

It didn't take Kurenai long to reach Yakumo's home, staying just outside the perimeter of the traps to not alert the guards. Before she went through handsigns to cast a Genjutsu over the guards. Making them believe someone triggered the traps, sending them to chase after illusionary intruders.

'Hopefully we'll be gone before they figure it out.' Kurenai thought while rushing through the traps and inside Yakumo's home.

Already knowing where the Kurama Heiress likely was, the Genjutsu Mistress ran through the corridors until she reached the art room and quickly went inside. Relieved to see Yakumo inside, and not surprised when she immediately glared at her.

"What are you doing here?!" Yakumo demanded, angry at the sight of her former teacher, but also nervous if she's here to kill her after having already sealed away her power.

"I don't have time to explain, but I promise I will. But right now, we need to leave now, Yakumo." Kurenai said urgently, only for the brunette to scoff.

"Why would I go anywhere with y-" Said Yakumo, only for Kurenai to go over and grab her shoulders.

"Yakumo!" Kurenai exclaimed sternly, making the girl flinch at the unexpected tone.

"I know you hate me; I know and I understand. But just please…listen to me this once." Kurenai pleaded as her stern tone began to immediately crumble, surprising Yakumo at what she's hearing.

"When the Hokage asked me to train you, I was so…so happy, that I was being trusted to have an apprentice when I hadn't even been a Jōnin for that long. Even better that it was someone that had even more talent in Genjutsu than myself and most members of the Uchiha Clan, that I could help you become the best Genjutsu user you could be. But…then I learned about your condition, that you didn't have the physical strength needed for most tasks required of a Ninja, but you were still so determined to succeed using just Genjutsu. And I…I wanted to help you, I really did, but…I didn't believe I could give you the help and encouragement you needed. Not because I didn't have faith in you becoming a Ninja, but because I didn't want anything to happen to you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself, if you got hurt or worse on a mission because I failed to train you properly." Kurenai said with tears spilling from her eyes as she began revealing the truth to Yakumo, with the exception of Ido.

Not wanting to worry her with that right now, though Kurenai did have every intention to tell Yakumo once they were in a safe enough location. After losing Kiba and Shino, she didn't want to keep hiding anything from her first student nor put more on her plate than what's needed at the moment.

"That's why I tried convincing you to give up on being a Ninja, because I-I cared too much about you. It was selfish and unfair that I put my own desires above your own but I never stopped believing in you, Yakumo. You didn't give up either, not until I…" Said Kurenai before embracing the brunette with her chin resting on the young Kurama's shoulder as she broke down sobbing, surprising Yakumo as she could feel some of Kurenai's tears and some snot dripping down onto her back and hair.

"I'm sorry, Yakumo, I-I truly am! Now please, please come with me and I swear…I swear I will tell you everything, I promise. And if-if you still wa-want no-nothing to do with me, then I'll…I'll do everything I can to make sure to get you somewhere safe! Where you can live peacefully without worry of anyone ever hurting you again, and never worry of seeing me again either! Just please…please let me get you out of here…" Kurenai said, pulling away and giving the Kurama Heiress a pleading look as she wiped the tears and snot trailing down her face, while Yakumo could only look at her with wide eyes.

Every part of her wanted to scream and push her away. To call her a liar, to scream and shout that she never cared about her. And yet…another part of her, a large part of her, wanted to believe the ravenette. That she did truly care about her, especially after seeing how the normally calm and collected Kunoichi in front of her just broke down in tears. That she didn't seal her powers away just to take away her dream.

"O…okay, Kurenai-san." Said Yakumo, willing to give her one more chance and if she didn't like what she heard, then she did also offer to take her anywhere she wanted to go.

"Thank you, Yakumo. I promise I won't fail you, again. But we need to go, quickly, so just hang on." Said Kurenai, turning around so Yakumo could climb onto her back.

Not expecting this, but understanding whatever's happening it's urgent if they need to get out of Konoha as soon as possible. With Yakumo climbing onto Kurenai's back and wrapping her arms around her neck.

Once she was certain that Yakumo wouldn't fall, Kurenai quickly took off out of the manor and back to the rendezvous point. Finding Kakashi's Ninken there, waiting for them and seeing she was the first one back, much to the ravenette's concern.

'Please don't let anything happen to the others.' Kurenai thought, not wanting to lose more friends.

Thankfully, Yūgao soon arrived with Anko and, surprisingly, Hana as well along with her Ninken.

"To keep it short, we ran into Tsume, Hana and Hiashi, they were willing to listen and Tsume asked to bring Hana with us so she'd be safe. Hiashi also had some things he wanted to give to Hinata, Hanabi and Neji, so Anko gave him one of her snakes to deliver them to us." Yūgao said, with Kurenai nodding in response.

"Well, it's good you're coming with us, Hana." Said Kurenai, smiling at the Inuzuka, which she returned.

"Yeah, if Yūgao's right then getting out of Konoha is honestly the safest option, right now." Hana said while giving a quick glance at Yakumo who was doing her best to hide behind Kurenai, not used to being around so many strangers.

Before they tensed when they saw a puff of smoke, with it clearing showing a Hyūga wearing a maid outfit and Anko's snake around her arm.

"I take it you're who Hiashi sent." Yūgao stated, looking at her warily.

"Yes. I am Natsu Hyūga, Hanabi-sama's caretaker. Hiashi-sama sent me to ensure Hinata-sama, Hanabi-sama and Neji are looked after. They are okay, aren't they?" Natsu asked worriedly, having only been told they were alive and what she's to deliver to them.

Something she's more than happy to do if it meant ensuring Hinata and Hanabi are taken care of, and to make up for her failure with Hanabi being captured during the invasion. Even if she hadn't been there when it happened, Natsu still blamed herself and refused to fail her charge again.

"They're safe and alive, shaken up given the circumstances. But I'm sure they'll be glad to see a familiar face. But if you were Hanabi's caretaker, do you have the…" Kurenai said, wondering if she had the Caged Bird Seal.

Understanding what she meant, Natsu removed her forehead protector, showing there wasn't a seal on her.

"Hiashi-sama removed the seal before sending me, so that in the event any Main Family Hyūga might come after us I wouldn't be incapacitated. He's also given me the means for Hinata-sama and Hanabi-sama to remove the seal from Neji as well, so that he wouldn't worry about the same happening to him." Replied Natsu, surprising the Jōnin and Anbu that Hiashi would do such a thing, but were glad that it's something they wouldn't have to worry about.

They then tensed again, when they sensed several people coming towards them until Gai arrived with Lee on his back. But they were also joined by Iruka and Ebisu carrying Moegi and Udon, along with Teuchi and Ayame.

"Forgive my lateness! I had encountered many who also wished to join us, as well." Gai said while seeing a few more additions besides his own.

"Gai gave us all the basics of what happened, so no need to worry about explaining it." Said Iruka, with Kurenai nodding slowly before looking at Teuchi and Ayame.

"Can you two keep up?" Kurenai asked, since they weren't expecting civilians to join them and couldn't just walk.

"Hey, I might be old, but I was still a Ninja myself and still capable of keeping up with you youngsters." Teuchi said, knowing he might be out of shape but he can still move just fine.

"Don't worry about us! Just take us to where Naruto-kun is, so we can know he's okay!" Said Ayame, simply wanting to make sure her surrogate brother is alright, before letting out a squeak when Anko suddenly lifted her up and began carrying the female ramen chef in her arms.

"Sweet of you to care so much about the brat. But if we want to get out of here before anyone realizes what's happened, then we need to move fast." Anko said, with Ayame nodding shakily while sporting a light blush at being lifted up and carried like that as she wrapped her arms around Anko's neck.

With her blush intensifying when she felt the Snake Mistress's breasts pressing against her, with the mesh shirt she's wearing not leaving much to the imagination.

"D-do you wear a bra under that?" Ayame couldn't help but ask in a light whisper, only for her face to practically become a tomato when Anko leaned in close enough to where she could feel the purplette's warm breath on her ear.

"Why wear something that just gets in the way~?" Anko asked with a sly smirk as she gave Ayame's ass a squeeze, getting another squeak out of her as steam could be practically seen from her ears.

"That's enough Anko, we needed to be gone minutes ago and the last thing we need is Ayame-san passing out, right now." Hana said, sporting a noticeable blush herself with her enhanced senses allowing her to hear every word of Anko's flirting, with Snake Mistress letting out a sheepish chuckle as Ayame was looking anywhere but at the woman carrying her as her blush began to recede.

Though, she did still have rather noticeable one going from cheeks and cross the bridge of her nose.

"If that's everyone, then let's get going. Take us to Tenzō's group." Kurenai said to Kakashi's Ninken, figuring it'd be safer to regroup with Tenzō's group to find a way out of the Land of Fire.

Letting out a bark, the Ninken took off running through the forest. Followed by the entire group of escapees.

Though unknown to the group, not far behind them, someone was following at a safe distance to where they wouldn't be sensed. Not worried of losing track of them given her own superior sensing abilities and her refusal to lose the chance she was given. A chance to see if she truly wasn't alone, like she initially believed.

'I really hope it's true.' Thought the girl, brushing her bright red hair out of her face as she followed the group.

So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Kakashi has managed to locate Tsunade thanks to his Ninken, along with how the survivors have stayed hidden since escaping. Before they begin making a plan, with them splitting up into three teams, Kakashi leading one to find Tsunade to heal Naruto, Tenzō leading another to find them a way out of the Land of Fire and Kurenai, Yūgao and Gai are returning to Konoha to save their remaining loved ones.

We also see that Temari, Kankuro, Tayuya and Kin are sticking around, with the remaining Sand Siblings having nothing left in Suna and know it wouldn't be safe to return. While Tayuya and Kin reveal the mission Orochimaru gave them, and that he's now dead, leaving them no where to go but decide to stick around to continue their mission of looking after Naruto.

Before the teams split up to fulfill their objectives, being joined by Kakashi's Ninken to meet up once they're done. As we see Kurenai, Gai and Yūgao heading to Konoha, splitting up to find their loved ones, with Yūgao going to Anko, Gai to Lee and Kurenai to Yakumo.

With Yūgao finding Anko in the Forest of Death, explaining the basics of what happened with the Snake Mistress being relieved her friends weren't traitors, and touched they'd risk themselves to come back for her. But before they can leave they're cornered by Hiashi, Tsume and Hana, who thankfully are at least willing to hear them out. With Yūgao revealing what happened, along with assuring them that Hinata, Hanabi, Neji and Akamaru are at least safe and alive.

Leading to Tsume asking them to take Hana with them, despite her protests, refusing to lose both of her children let alone leave her daughter in the same village with Jiraiya, given his reputation. With Hana reluctantly agreeing to go, knowing Tsume is right, while Hiashi gives some things for his daughters and nephew, along with sending someone to look after them as well.

We then see Gai reaching the hospital to get Lee, only to encounter Iruka and Ebisu, who suspected he might return to save Lee, knowing the kind of person Gai is and that he'd never leave someone he cares about behind. Much to Gai's relief as he explains what happened, much to their shock to learn what Jiraiya's done, before agreeing to help him get Lee, while also bringing along Moegi, Udon, Teuchi and Ayame.

As we then see a flashback that Jiraiya's gotten his hands on Konohamaru, not only his teacher but his legal guardian as well. Allowing him to begin molding and manipulating Konohamaru, making him believe Naruto's just like Orochimaru, that he's just as much of a monster. Something Konohamaru refuses to believe, only for the seeds of doubt to now be planted. With Gai only able to hope he won't become Jiraiya's pawn.

Next we see Kurenai finding Yakumo, who's initially, and understandably, angry at seeing her and refusing to listen. Until Kurenai begins telling Yakumo the truth of everything, minus the Ido since that will come later. That she does care about her, that she didn't want to see her get hurt as a Ninja, that she did believe Yakumo could achieve her dream but that she couldn't help her do it. Though it never stopped her from caring, now a wanting to get Yakumo to safety and take her anywhere she wants after learning the full truth. With Yakumo accepting, not expecting such a display from the normal calm and collected Kurenai.

Finally we see the group meeting back up with all the new additions, including Natsu who Hiashi sent with Anko's snake summon with several Gentle Fist Techniques and the means to remove Neji's Caged Bird Seal. With the group moving along, while also some light flirting from Anko as she carries Ayame. And unknown to them, they have another tagalong following them, one with red hair who I'm sure some of you can guess who it is. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.

Storm out