Naruto was back in Uzushio. In his war room to be precise. A big open room with a center table with enough seats to give every one of his trusted people a place to sit. On the table lay the biggest version of the elemental nations map they could fit on it. On this map were different symbols to mark different parts of intel they had or hideouts he or his operatives established. The Leader of the Uzumaki had arrived just yesterday evening. He needed to craft a scroll for Hinata first, but now he was back here and his eyes were set on his next target.
"I want a status report on our two primary targets."
Konan was here on Nagato's behalf and stood up first to answer. "Well, neither Danzo nor Orochimaru entered our borders. As agreed Nagato and I mostly pulled out of Akatsuki. While Nagata had to agree to help seal the Biju if they could be found, we are now officially abstaining from the hunt. That should further slow down the efforts of the masked man."
Naruto acknowledged her report with a small nod and looked at Hatsumi, who still looked downtrodden but started talking. "We uncovered three strongholds of Orochimaru. We annihilated them and salvaged everything we could find. We have no detailed information about the location of one Sasu…" She stopped and sniveled for the blink of a second before she continued. "No information about the location of our secondary target but we assume that he will be near Orochimaru. The Sensor Unit narrowed it down to Stone Country."
She sat down again but her complete lack of positive emotion let us look deep into the eye that this woman was not her former self.
Naruto sighed he wanted to address this topic but he wanted his last report first so he looked at the two masked people in the room. "Report Raven, Crow."
Both nodded and in a near-emotionless voice, one of them started. "As far as we could uncover. Shimura's trace has completely gone dark. Traces of his name are around the capital cities but mostly in regards to his bounty. There are whispers about a new counsellor who seemingly managed to get the ear of the different Daimyo. His identity is the thing we work on to make a profile."
Again, Naruto nodded in thanks and looked at the last person at the table. A beautiful woman in very sensual clothes. She was the Madame of one of the brothels that had pledged their loyalty to Naruto after he had helped them get out of some cutthroat contracts.
"Ahh. Naruto-kun. You know I would love to meet you outside of these meetings right?" followed by a flirtatious wink, she pulled out a fan and continued speaking in her melodic voice. "More and more nobles are talking about the dawn of a cultured age. That it would soon be time for the code to take top priority once again and that values such as honor would protect the land. Everything indicates that the daimyo's want to abolish the existing system."
That led to a reaction from everyone present. The implication that they would be able to retire the well-established ninja system was a big one. Naruto stood and addressed the room. "Okay. Let me start like this." It was clear to see that Naruto needed some time to gather himself.
"First of all thank you all for your efforts to gather the intel or try to track down our targets. Now let me make some things clear. In comparison, I might have some problems with the Hidden Leaf. We reclaimed our home here. The Fire Daimyo begrudgingly had agreed to give this part of his realm back to its rightful owner."
That brought some smiles to some of the faces. But, Naruto was not finished. "With our resources spread and the whispers getting louder we need to prioritize. I want the search for Danzo paused and all resources invested into uncovering Orochimarus remaining forces. I want this snake gone and Sasuke Uchiha recovered. I will personally join the efforts."
That got Hatsumis and the attention of the two masked people. Hatsumi looked slightly better now, while the two masked ones stood at attention. The blonde leader of the Uzumaki nodded once before he continued. "I want our border strengthened. When the daimyos think they can retire the ninja system, the fire daimyo may want to reclaim the islands of Uzushio. Something I won't let happen." He gave them a meaningful look before he turned to Konan.
"Also I would like for you guys to make sure you are safe alright. Cousin Nagato and you are always welcome here if things get worse." Konan gave him a grateful nod that was answered by Naruto with a foxy grin before he got serious again looking at the map.
"We will move in the dawn of tomorrow. We will figure out Orochimaru, rescue Sasuke, and switch to Danzo doing just the same thing. Nobody will stop this maelstrom. Believe it!"
While Naruto was swearing his people to their goals, one of the targets was about to reach his. With an almost maniacal laugh, a white snake with the face of Orochimaru the Sannin looked at the body of Sasuke Uchiha. With a sideways glance at his right hand, Kabuto showed a spark of triumph.
"Didn't that mark turn out perfectly Kabuto-kun? No resistance is to be expected. His consciousness is completely isolated."
Kabuto nodded assuredly, his tone dripping with flattery. "Nothing else is to be expected from your intellect, Orochimaru-sama."
The snake's head shook briefly before "KuKuKu. Kabuto-kun. You also had a part in this success, I trained you well. Your idea of trying to create a clone of this body so that a perfect host body is always available has only confirmed my decision to have you sign the contract with Manda. As soon as I am in my new body, you are welcome to set off for the caves."
Kabuto bowed reverently. "Thank you again Orochimaru-sama" He didn't get any further than that when the snake got a white Chackra aura, only for it to suddenly literally bite into the position of Sasuke's Juin.
It was only seconds before the snake became smaller and smaller as it was seemingly absorbed by the mark. Tensely, Kabute looked at the monitors that were monitoring the Uchiha's vital signs and more.
He held his breath and for a moment it glowed a nasty red before fading back to black. Shortly afterwards, it spread over his whole body and Sasuke opened his eyes, but the onyx-colored eyes had disappeared and were replaced by the golden snake-like pupils of Orochimaru.
Only to switch through the different levels of the Sharingan shortly afterwards. Slowly, Orochimaru sat up in his new body and looked at Kabuto. His voice had also replaced that of the Uchiha. "And. What do the systems say Kabuto-kun?"
Kabuto had to catch himself for a moment as he witnessed his master's ultimate success. It took him a moment to regain his speech and check the monitors. "Everything looks fine Orochimaru-sama no signs of rejection."
While the teacher and students were celebrating, a person deep within himself had briefly awoken from his meditation. "So it has begun."
Another voice that seemed to be disembodied agreed with him. "Correct. With all his knowledge, he thinks himself unassailable. I'm sure you can feel it already. Now the process of actual learning begins. We start with an exercise we already know. Let it become still within you, become one with your surroundings. Take a deep breath" The voice trailed off as Sasuke began his exercises. As long as he had not lost hope there was still a way, right?
In a similar pressing situation, Mei Terumi looked at the entourage in her office and was blinking away her surprise. "Pardon me, but I think I must have misunderstood you Ratoshi-dono. You want me to decommission all Shinobi except those needed to police and hold the village?"
The daimyo of the water realm was sitting in front of Mei Terumi's desk. He hid his facial expressions behind his magnificent fan. His voice was a little higher and in the office were several of the new samurai who were gradually appearing more and more frequently in the nations. A full suit of armor mostly painted in the colors of the individual nations, plus a full mask that had similarities to the Oni. Two swords hung from their belts and one hand was always ready to draw one of them.
The daimyo continued to wave to himself as he gave voice to his demands. "Of course, Terumi-san. Stability is important, of course, so the village should be able to defend and govern itself, but the military will be provided by the capital from now on. I don't think we should risk another civil war in my shinobi village, so I'm assuming full cooperation."
Mei was shocked. Her Anbu had told her that the daimyo were meeting and that the samurai presence was increasing. To be confronted with this now, shortly after she had managed to pacify the village. To lead it out of the time of bloody Kiri. The treaties with her allies. And now all that was for nothing? She stood up in a suitably agitated manner, causing the samurai to take a step in her direction while the Anbu appeared in a defensive formation.
The daimyo winced briefly and covered it up with his fan. Mei looked him straight in the eye, her chakra presence spreading out and noticeably warming the room. "Please forgive me, daimyo-dono. How do you imagine your samurai will protect our borders? How am I supposed to protect the village and the nation if you want to cut my troops so harshly?"
Ratoshi looked quite unimpressed and closed the fan with a loud snap. "As I said before, the samurai will take over. You certainly won't embarrass me in front of the others because you think you've accomplished something here." He laughed contemptuously and brushed a wrinkle from his expensive robe. "Don't think I'm not prepared for you. Several regiments are already waiting to burn the village to the ground if it goes rogue. It's time to leave this ninja hocus pocus in the past."
"Chakra is not hocus pocus," she replied a little more forcefully than she wanted to. "What's more, we just signed new contracts." Mei seemed annoyed and confused at the same time.
But the daimyo didn't seem to care much. "And now you're getting new contracts, Mizukage Terumi." He emphasized her title so that it was clear who, in his opinion, had the say here. "Be clear about one thing. You work for me. There will be times when I might come back to your services, but the times when I let myself be influenced by the whims of a Kage are definitely over. My financial support will be exactly the size needed to keep the village going. Everyone else should find alternative employment. Perhaps something more civilized. Farming, perhaps?"
With these words, he stood up and left Mei with the scroll on her table. Followed by his guard, the door to her office fell loudly into the lock. One of the Anbu looked at her and his monotone changed voice was enough to catch everyone's questions. "Mei-sama. What should we do? It looks like the daimyo wants to see us slowly die out."
Mei looked at her agent and could only nod slowly. "Call the council together. We've only been through one war, I don't know if we can wage war against the daimyo and win. Whether we are ready to spill blood again."
The surroundings were truly breathtaking, as Naruto and Karin had met on Karin's plea for a last get-together before Naruto needed to go. She had decided to make him some tea in the traditional way. The tea ceremony took place in the well-manicured gardens of the Uzumaki compound.
Cherry blossom trees swayed gently in the breeze, casting delicate shadows on the soft grass beneath their feet. The scent of freshly bloomed flowers mingled with the aroma of the tea, creating an atmosphere that was both serene and romantic.
The garden was meticulously maintained, with intricately carved stone walkways leading to various secluded spots where one could sit and enjoy the beauty around them. A small pond with colorful koi fish graced one end of the garden while a quaint teahouse sat at the other, adding to its charm.
The aroma of freshly brewed green tea filled the air. Karin, dressed in a traditional kimono, sat cross-legged on the tatami mat next to Naruto, who wore his casual attire. Their eyes met, and they shared a warm smile as they leaned against each other.
Something that had come to happen just more often after Naruto had returned from his training trip.
As Karin prepared the tea, she took care to move with grace and precision, showing off his skills in front of Naruto. Once the tea was ready, she poured it into their cups, offering one to him first. As their eyes met again Karin had to hide the small blush that wanted to grace her cheeks.
Their hands brushed against each other as they held onto their respective cups, and Naruto couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for her. They sipped their tea in silence, savoring the taste and the moment together.
"I wish you didn't have to go tomorrow," Karin finally broke the silence. "But I know how important this operation is for you. The small chance to save your friend and everything. " She placed her hand over his, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Naruto nodded in response, feeling a mixture of sadness and determination well up inside him. "I have to do this, Karin. Orochimaru has to pay for what he's done. His kind of people is the reason we Shinobi are looked down upon. Well okay, there are others but he is one of the worst around." His voice was firm but laced with emotion.
Karin nodded again her voice now barely above a whisper. "Yuya and I will be waiting. She promised to up my training again. As does Mito-sama. We will look after our home. So when you come bake there is a warm place waiting for you." After saying the words she had to blush again. Something Naruto missed as he was taken aback himself.
He recovered quickly though and gave her his trademark smile. "There is no doubt that I won't be back here as soon as I can Karin-chan"
"Then let me give you just one more incentive to be quick about it." She said as she leaned in to sensually kiss him on his lips both closed their eyes just enjoying the moment. The glance they shared just after was a whole unspoken conversation.
The next morning saw Naruto in a heated discussion with Hatsumi.
"For the last time Hatsumi. You will stay here guard the borders and look after everyone. You are too emotionally invested to be rational. Crow and Raven are joining me and we will complete the mission and bring him back."
Hatsumi took a step towards Naruto so she was in his face. "I don't care. He is my s… responsibility and I will join you!" She said with emotional conviction as Naruto stared her down.
The blonde boy with the red tips in his hair not even flinched as the woman got closer and closer. Other leaders may have raised their voice, but not Naruto. He was just standing there taking a deep breath. "So he is your responsibility. And who was on his team? Who failed to protect him from Orochimaru. Who was the person who needed nearly two years to come up with a valid counter to this stupid seal of his?" His voice was steady but small tears ran down his face.
"While he may have been your responsibility sometime ago. You are mine now."
It was like Naruto had slapped the woman in her face as she winced and took a step back. The emotions had completely claimed her voice and while it was not a whimpering it was close. "You. I. I am a grown woman Naruto. I .. I can make my own decisions."
"Oh, I don't doubt that." said the Uzumaki as he emphasized the whole thing with a defensive gesture of his hands. "On the contrary, your work for the clan was essentially responsible for the fact that we are as well positioned as we are. But with all the good work, don't forget one thing Hatsumi."
He paused briefly and Hatsumi looked directly into his eyes, which took on a reddish glow for a moment, or was it purple? He started again. "You are Uzumaki, you have pledged allegiance to me before our guardian spirit. You are a strong kunoichi. At the same time, this mission is designed for a team of three people. Raven and Crow are used to traveling with one of my clones. Their chakra and mine are so in tune that we can travel from one point to another quite quickly..."
He didn't get any further when he was interrupted by Hatsumi. She had now activated her Sharingan and was concentrating a strong amount of Killing Intent on him. "Your reason is that I'm a liability to the mission?"
Even the two masked Raven and Crow winced at that.
Naruto himself only activated his Sharingan as well. What few noticed were the veins protruding from his sides.
Naruto used his own Killing Intent to cover Hatsumi's. He crossed his arms as his tomoe spun quickly only to shift into the vortex of his mangkyou. "You're strong, but compared to Raven and Crow or me? Your reserves can't keep up and do you mean the three of us who have been training together for the last few years? Even if they were just clones of me, our formations can't just be changed to a fourth person. On the contrary, it would make us slower and more vulnerable. Do you realize how much faith I have in you?"
Hatsumi was about to reply when the last sentence choked her words in her throat. This allowed Naruto to continue without any problems. "Who is coordinating Uzushio in my absence and is responsible for his defense?"
"Me..." came a little quietly from Hatsumi, who looked down a little ashamed when she realized what Naruto was alluding to.
"Well, if Uzushio were to be attacked, who would be responsible for ordering all the forces back and developing a system, especially for that purpose?"
"I am," Hatsumi began, her thoughts slowly clearing. She felt guilty that she had allowed herself to be carried away like that.
"Naruto I am…"
"Stop it. You don't need to be sorry. Or apologize or something." He gave her his foxy grin. "It is understandable and I get you, you know? But this mission. I need to make things right. After that when he is back you can do your part okay?"
Hatsumi nodded, grateful. Naruto turned to Karin one last time and gave her a wave before nodding at Hatsumi. Shortly after He joined Crow and Raven donning a mask. He used a fox as a cover before all three of them vanished in a yellow flash.
"They will bring him back" came the voice from the side getting Hatsumi out of her musings. The former Uchiha turned and looked at Karin Uzumaki. Who seemed to fix her gaze on the point where Naruto had vanished. "Naruto never goes back on his word, and he has promised to come back to me after a successful mission."
Hatusmi nodded once before she left towards the new city center to activate all the seals again. To herself, she was whispering. "I hope you are right Karin. For the both of us."
Waiting in a rather opulent residence in the capital of the Water Empire, the Daiymo entered a room days later and nodded to the person kneeling on the floor mats and creating calligraphy.
"Shimada-san," the daimyo opened as he knelt opposite him. "I hope the premises are to your satisfaction," he spoke with a certain eagerness to please Shimada.
Shimada himself finished his brushstroke and looked up. He wore an eye patch over one eye and his front eye looked up at the daimyo and his mouth twisted into a small smile. "Most pleased, Ratoshi-dono. What brings you to me? How can I be of service to you today?" he replied calmly.
The daimyo seemed a little uncomfortable for a moment and slid back and forth on his knees. "The Mizukage seems open to the idea, just asked for more time to organize her troops accordingly. Apparently, her council can't estimate how many ninjas are needed to protect the village."
Shimada nodded briefly. "You should make this concession, but increase the presence of your troops. Terumi is a very proud woman. Compared to other ages, however, she is still new. If you move too quickly against her, you could risk an uprising or civil war. Which in turn could be perceived by others as a weakness on your part," he explained in a calm voice.
Ratoshi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded several times. "Exactly what I was thinking Shimada-san!"
The man picked up his brush again and put down a new sheet of paper and, almost ritualistically, he dipped the brush into the ink and began his precise strokes as he spoke. "Be warned, however. As I said before, ninjas are devious creatures. On the outside, they often present an open-hearted image, but their roots are corrupt and poison the earth."
Ratoshi seemed to hang on his lips and agreed with enthusiasm. "You literally took the words right out of my mouth Shimada-san." He looked over his shoulder at his general. "Prepare the appropriate regiments. We will keep a close eye on whether these barbarians keep to the agreement." Shimada finished his calligraphy and put it down to dry, but he nodded proudly to the daimyo first. He then sat up even straighter, as if it was his deepest wish to make this guest/advisor proud. After the two of them talked a little more about trivial matters, Ratoshi left the room while Shimada stood up and looked out of one of the windows.
He looked in the direction of one of the samurai and spoke. "We are on schedule. How useful this once great clan is without even knowing it." The guard got a vast nearly inhuman grin and just nodded before looking around and then sinking into the ground.
In the next weeks, Daimyos met with their respective Kage. Onoki had stepped down without deciding what to do. Just saying that he will doom them all if he really thinks his little soldiers can do much against good Shinobi. He stated that he was just too old to deal with this in his old years. Rumours claimed that A had thrown the Daimyo and his guardian battalion out of Kumo. Well, he literally threw them out and some ended up splattered against the cliffs. He put his village on lockdown and the news coming from Kumo seemed that the capital was mobilizing and was about to attack the village. Suna had a much easier job their forces were so small the Daimyo just stated that as long as they would keep to the desert and not increase their numbers he was fine.
Konoha on the other hand had a much bigger problem.
"... you want me to do what?" Tsunade was standing, enraged behind her desk. Hiruzen had joined her to provide counsel but even the old monkey was in desperate need of some clarity.
"I said ... I want the heirs and heiresses coming with me to enroll in the schools. They will need a better education if they want to establish their foothold in this new era." The Daimyo of the fire nation said with a gleeful expression sounding quite proud of his order.
"You want to have hostages so we will stay compliant? Don't you think we got the news that Kumo is preparing to engage with their Daimyo? You are scared I will give similar orders."
Tsunade barked out.
The daimyo looked at her opening his fan and giggling. "Maybe. Even if that would be the case what do you think will happen? If my numbers are correct we outnumber your forces 10:1. My fine samurai could crush you. Don'teven think you would just survive a longer conflict as you would simply be starving to death without my economic support."
Tsunade disappeared and in the next moment, she had the Daimyo in her hand preparing to strike him with a fist as the Anbu moved on the guards holding them in place with Kunai at their throats. She snarled. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear. The Senju and Uchiha built this place for the clans to have a safe place. I am the Godaime Hokage. I am the Princess of the Senju clan. And I am sure to punch you right back to the capital."
Her killing intent flooded the room and Hiruzen had recovered only to lit his pipe. The old man had warned the Daimyo that his plan was not a good one but the man that usually listened to Hiruzen's advice had changed.
The Daimyo was struggling with his legs dangling in the air. "I will have you head for this. I don't care who you are. I am your Lord and superior you will bow to me and obey my orders."
Tsunade gave a short nod to the Anbu and each of them killed one of the guards only to step some steps back as they seemed to dissolve into white plant-like beings. She threw the Daimyo to one of her Anbu inspecting the corpse. "What… What are those things?" She turned back to the Daimyo.
"You did not think that we would not notice the army at our doorstep, did you? You came here, ready to pressure us into submission. After Kumo? How stupid do you think we Kage are? I can understand we Mei gave in, Oonoki stepping down or the young Gaara doing nothing. But did you think that the nation with the most wins in wars would not have active border forces and spies?" Tsunade had talked herself into high gear and with his guards dead the Daimyo looked not as high and mighty as he would be.
That was exactly the situation Kakashi found as he entered the office humming a tune to himself. Casually opening the door he blinked twice. Before he activated his Sharingan to dispel the Genjutsu he was prepared to see. The genjutsu he found, however, was beyond anything he had expected to see.