Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto (either manga or anime!); the wonderful Masashi Kishimoto-sensei owns all rights. However, the plot and Namiko Uzumaki are mine!

Chapter 51: Declarations

Everyone had started to fall into the temporary new normal. Hinata helped keep perimeter watch. Kiba and Akamaru delivered messages. Kurenai helped other mothers watch over theirchildren. Sakura juggled managing the medic shinobi and healing more complicated illnesses and injuries. Namiko helped Sakura in the clinic tent by helping prioritize patients and take smaller injuries. Sasuke helped out where he could, be it byhelping move debris or keeping watch over Namiko as per Kakashi. And Kakashi was Acting Hokage, which he wasn't thrilled about, counting down the minutes until Tsunade returned.

Three days after Pain's attack, Kakashi began to allow people back into the village to examine the damage done to their homes. The crater had been filled thanks to those shinobi who could use Earth Release, and Yamato had been busy building new houses with Wood Release while houses still standing were being repaired as quickly as possible. Pain's destruction was still evident in the various collapsed buildings and scarred streets, but hope was returning, piece by piece.

Naruto and Namiko's apartment, though still standing, was unlivable due to heavy damage to the roof, but it would be repaired in due time. However, they were unsure of the state of the Uchiha compound and Sasuke's childhood home. Kakashi suggested Sasuke investigate the compound to see the extent of the damage.

A quiet hum of rebuilding filled the village as the morning light bathed Konoha in a warm glow. The scent of freshly cut wood and damp earth lingered in the air, mingling with the sound of tools and distant voices.

As Namiko walked slowly through the village, her gaze drifted over the structures being repaired and the people moving back into their homes. There was a solemn peace in seeing families return with children laughing as they chased each other through newly cleared streets.

She tucked a loose strand of red hair behind her ear with one hand while she felt the slight curve of her belly with the other; for now, it was still flat and easy to hide, like she'd had a big meal, but she knew it was a matter of time before the twins made their presence known. A small smile graced her lips despite the lingering sadness in the air. The village was rebuilding and beginning to find a new normal, and in her own way, so was she.

Sasuke was by her side, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he stared ahead, quiet as usual, but the tenseness in his chakra was palpable to Namiko, even without her sensing active. She could feel his hesitation, his memories swirling just beneath the surface, though he never spoke of them.

"Are you okay with this?" Namiko said softly, as they reached the familiar gates of the Uchiha compound.

Sasuke stopped, his eyes trailing over the broken stone walls and the old symbol of his clan carved into the stone above the entrance. It felt like stepping into the past he'd spent years trying to bury. "It's not like I haven't been in the compound since that night. I just normally visit at the shrine, the lake, or the training ground."

"Have you…" Namiko hesitated, pressing her lips together. "Have you been to your old house?"

He nodded, not meeting her gaze. "Just not since I've been back in Konoha. I last came here the day I left."

He walked through the gates and Namiko quickly followed after him. She followed him on the familiar route toward the lake; she knew his childhood home was close to it but she had no idea which house it was. Almost all of the houses and businesses had been destroyed beyond help and she wondered if his house had survived Pain's destruction.

They started down a more secluded path and a beautiful building came into view. She was surprised to see the house at the end of it appeared fully intact, minus some damage to several doors and windows. The grass was overgrown, and it was in obvious need of care, but it was whole.

While Sasuke kept walking, she stopped several meters back, taking it all in. The house was beautiful and a combination of modern and traditional. It was large, obviously because Sasuke's father had been clan head, but not nearly as elaborate or gaudy as the Hyuuga clan's traditional-style houses.

Sasuke paused at the main door. "Are you coming?"

"Huh? Oh." Namiko snapped out of her stupor as she stepped on the engawa and removed her shoes at the entranceway just as Sasuke had.

Together, they stepped inside the house. Dust hung in the air, settling on old furniture and family heirlooms long untouched. They entered the kitchen and Namiko's gaze swept across the room, taking in its simplicity. The furniture was covered in a layer of dust, untouched for years, but the structure seemed solid.

The air inside was still, carrying the weight of memories. Sasuke moved with aquiet purpose, walking to the low table in the center of the room. He ran his fingers over it, absentmindedly tracing his clan's name in the dust, his face unreadable.

"This was where we used to eat breakfast," Sasuke murmured. His voice was distant, almost detached, but Namiko could feel the turmoil underneath. "My mother would always sit here, my father at the head normally reading a scroll. It's strange…it all looks smaller now."

Namiko took a step closer, her heart aching for him. She wanted to reach outand offer comfort, but she knew better than to push. She remembered all too well Sasuke's memory of the massacre when he accidentally showed her months ago. This house was filled with the history of his clan and if it was overwhelming to her, she could only imagine how he must feel. So she chose to silently observe, giving him space but letting him know she was there if he needed her.

As he stood there, lost in thought, Namiko could feel the heaviness in the room intensify. She placed her hand on her belly again, grounding herself in the present. The past could be overwhelming, but it was the future that mattered now—for both of them. For their family.

Sasuke finally turned away from the table, glancing at her. "Let's check the rest of the house," he said quietly.

They moved through the house together, Sasuke guiding her through rooms that were once vibrant with life, though he avoided a large room at the end of the house entirely. She chose to not ask why because she was pretty sure she knew what had happened in that room.

The silence of the house was eerie, broken only by the creak of wooden floorboards beneath their feet. Each room told a story, though most of them were unfinished, suspended in time by tragedy. Namiko wondered if joy could ever fill these walls again.

When they reached what must have been his parents' bedroom, Sasuke hesitated. The door was slightly ajar, a draft from a broken window stirring the edges of the dusty curtains inside. He swallowed hard, gripping the doorframe for a moment before pushing it open. The room was untouched, much like the rest of the house, but the large futon, still made as if waiting for someone to return, seemed the most haunting of all.

Namiko stayed back, watching him as he stepped inside. She didn't need to say anything—she knew he needed this moment alone. Sasuke walked to the foot of the futon, looking down at it. His shoulders were tense, his back rigid, but he didn't move, didn't speak.

Namiko shifted her weight, her hand once again finding her belly. She wondered what it must feel like for him to return to this place, to stand in the space where his family had lived, loved, and died. The weight of those memories seemed almost unbearable, but Sasuke was carrying them with the same quiet strength he always did.

"Baa-chan," whined Naruto as he blew onto his cold hands, "why is the meeting all the way here in the Land of Iron? It's freezing out here!"

Tsunade shot him a glare. "Naruto, a little cold and snow never hurt anyone, so suck it up."

"The samurai in Iron have graciously agreed to be our host. It's best for all the nations," explained Shizune. "This meeting is important for us tomeet on neutral ground so no shinobi nation has hierarchy over the others by hosting."

"Just how much longer until we arrive?" asked Naruto.

"We'll be there tomorrow. There's a stop not too far from here." Tsunade sighed heavily; she was too old to be dealing with this.

Sasuke stood in front of Kakashi, his usual stoic expression attempting to mask the mixture of emotions swirling inside him. Sitting at a low table in the tent Tsunade had been using earlier, Kakashilooked up from the scrolls in front of him, one eye visible and watchful.

Sasuke gave a slight nod, cutting to the chase. "I checked out the Uchiha compound. Most of the buildings are completely destroyed, but the house I grew up in is mostly intact after the attack. It needs repairs, but could be livable soon."

Kakashi leaned back in his chair, understanding dawning in his eye. "You're thinking of moving back?"

Sasuke shifted, his gaze steady. "Yeah. With Namiko…we're going to need more space. Especially with the twins coming."

Kakashi smiled under his mask. "I see. You're thinking ahead. Moving into the compound does make sense. It's your birthright, after all. It's yours to restore, just as it's your choice to rebuild the Uchiha name how you see fit."

Sasuke's face tightened for a moment, the weight of his clan's legacy pressing on him as always. "It's not just for me," he added quietly. "It's for Namiko too. For our children. They'll need a place to grow up, somewhere safe."

Kakashi's gaze softened. "You've done everything a little backward, but you've come a long way from that angry kid who wanted nothing but revenge. I'm proud of you. I'll make sure the village provides any support you need to restore the house and the compound."

"I don't want to rebuild the compound, just repair the house. I don't want my kids to grow up segregated based on their parents' lineage and background. The village can use any of the materials from the destroyed compound to help others, all I ask is the house I grew up in, the pond, and the training grounds." He held Kakashi's gaze firmly.

Kakashi nodded. "A reasonable request, and I think Godaime will happily agree."

Sasuke's expression didn't change much, but the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. He turned to leave but paused at the entrance. Without turning back, he spoke in a low voice. "Thank you…"

"You're welcome, Sasuke." Kakashi's eye crinkled in a smile. "You'll make a great father."

Sasuke entered the tent later that evening and found Namiko sitting on the futon reading a book. She looked up as Sasuke walked in, giving him a warm smile, though there was a hint of exhaustion in her eyes.

"Sasuke, welcome back," she greeted softly. "How did your report go with Kakashi?"

"It went well." Sasuke sat beside her on the futon, close enough that their legs touched. His eyes scanned her face before answering. "He likes my plan."

Namiko closed her book, angling her body more toward him. "What plan is that?"

Sasuke mimicked her posture, turning to face her more directly. "I want us to move into my family's old house."

"Us?" Namiko questioned, raising a delicate eyebrow curiously.

"Us. I want you to move in with me," he declared, laying a hand on her knee. "We've been living together anyway in your and Naruto's tiny apartment, but things are changing. The house is big; there's more than enough space for you and me…for the twins."

Namiko blinked, her eyes wide with surprise. "In the Uchiha compound? I love the idea, but Sasuke, are you sure? That place holds a lot of memories for you, and some of them are pretty horrific."

"I know," Sasuke said, his gaze softening slightly. "But it's time I stop running from it. That place was my family's legacy, and now, it's going to be our family's future. We can make good memories to wipe out the bad." His hand reached out, gently resting on her stomach for a moment. "We're going to be parents in a few months, and babies need stability, right?"

Namiko tilted her head, her eyes searching his. "You've been thinking about this for a while, haven't you?"

Sasuke didn't respond right away, his gaze dropping to her belly. His voice was quieter when he spoke again. "I have. Since the moment you told me you were pregnant, I knew it was time for me to truly grow up. I promise you, I will do everything I can to provide for you and them. They need a real home. And I want you to have a place you can call your own."

Namiko watched him for a moment, her expression softening as she took in the meaning behind his words. She knew how hard it was for Sasuke to confront the ghosts of his past, and yet here he was, offering to share that part of himself with her.

"If you're ready to go back there," Namiko said gently, "then I'll follow you. Always. We can make it our home."

Sasuke nodded and reached out, taking her hand in his. "I want to wipe the slate clean and bring pride to the Uchiha name once again."

Namiko smiled, squeezing his hand. "I think you've already been doing that. You came home. Home to Konoha…home to me. We'll build new memories in that house, together. Wonderful memories."

Sasuke leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers. His eyes closed for a brief moment of peace and kissed her deeply before pulling her to his chest firmly, resting his chin atop her head.

They stayed like that for a while, both of them silently acknowledging the road ahead. Sasuke might not have spoken much, but his actions—his decision to reclaim the Uchiha compound despite the bad memories, so he could create a space for their family—spoke volumes about his commitment to their future.

Namiko broke the silence, her voice containing a teasing lilt, "Admit it, you just don't want to live with Naruto anymore."

"Hn," he scoffed, "that's a bonus."

Namiko held back a giggle and rested her head back on his shoulder. "We'll be alright, Sasuke. You, me, and the twins. We're going to be a family."

Sasuke's arms tightened gently around her body, his own way of agreeing, even if the words didn't come easily. "We already are."

Namiko couldn't help but smile brightly and place a loving kiss on his lips, pouring her heart and soul into the kiss and praying he could feel it.

The grand meeting hall in the Land of Iron was a vast, cold room built from solid stone, its walls lined with torches that gave off a dim, flickering light. At the center of the room sat a U-shaped table, where the Five Kage, each representing the great shinobi nations, gathered.

The guards for each Kage sat hidden behind a curtain, directly behind their respective Kage. "Hey, Kankuro! Temari!" said Naruto excitedly as he and Shizune sat beside the two Suna shinobi.

Temari nodded in greeting as Kankuro smiled at Naruto. "Hey yourself, what are you doing here? Aren't you still a genin?" he asked with a teasing scoff.

"No!" retorted Naruto, "Tsunade-baa…I mean -sama, promoted me to Chuunin a few months ago. I'm here as a jinchuriki and someone who's fought the Akatsuki."

"Yeah, we heard what happened to Konoha. It's a miracle the village is still standing at all," said Temari. "Even more of a miracle that no one died from the attack."

Naruto rubbed his head nervously. "Well, they did, but everyone came back to life."

Kankuro raised an eyebrow confusedly. "How the hell does that happen?"

"Eh…I'll explain later," said Naruto as Shizune motioned for them to be quiet as the meeting had started. The four focused on the voices on the other side of the fabric barrier.

An older man with long hair and a mustache cleared his throat. "You, the Five Kage, assemble here today in response to Raikage-sama's summons. I am Mifune, and I shall preside over these proceedings as a neutral party. Now let the Five Kage Summit, begin!"

"Then allow me to begin. Listen—" said Gaara, his eyes darting to the Tsuchikage as the old man cut him off.

"My, my, how the Kage have changed. To become Kage at your young age is quite impressive Kazekage-sama," said Onoki, the Tsuchikage, clicking his tongue. "Despite your father's obviously brilliant guidance, he seems to have not taught you etiquette."

"Probably," said Gaara flatly. "It's one of the reasons I was chosen as Kazekage."

Onoki let out a loud belly laugh. "You cheeky rascal!"

Mei, the Mizukage, sighed lightly. "Tsuchikage-sama, please do not interrupt. Kazekage-sama, do continue."

"I'm a former jinchuriki. I've been captured by the Akatsuki and had my Biju extracted from me by force and almost killed by them," explained Gaara solemnly. "That's why I consider the Akatsuki to be an extremely dangerous group. I sought the help of the Five Kage many times, but I was ignored. Except by Hokage-sama. Jinchuriki have been taken from all your nations, so to collaborate at this point is too little, too late."

"The hidden villages of the great nations cannot alert other nations that their jinchuriki have been taken. It's an embarrassment!" shouted Onoki. "Covert rescue missions are the norm, and no one seeks aid from other lands when jinchuriki disappear."

"Appearances and status are foolish, outdated concepts," said Gaara.

Mei spoke up again, "Biju being taken should not result immediately in mass terror. It takes significant skill, knowledge, and time to achieve control over them."

"They have the skill and knowledge," explained Tsunade, "The Akatsuki don't need the time…they have Uchiha Madara on their side."

"Surely you jest," scoffed Onoki. "He's been long dead!"

Tsunade straightened in her seat. "Most definitely not. Konoha had an informant in the Akatsuki, one who was placed there before I became Hokage, and after having his memories thoroughly examined, we confirmed that Madara is certainly the one who is leading the Akatsuki."

"I thought the leader was the one they called Pain," questioned Mei.

Ay, the Raikage, finally broke his silence. "You mean to tell us that you've had a spy in the Akatsuki all this time?!" he growled out.

"I just found out myself a couple of months ago when Uchiha Itachi surrendered to us," said Tsunade defensively. "His memories were analyzed in-depth and it turns out he was sent in to become an informant for Jiraiya, who had been tracking the Akatsuki. The two of them are the reason Konoha knows some of the inside workings of the Akatsuki and hopefully set us all up to defeat them once and for all."

"Jiraiya…" said Onoki carefully. "He was one of the legendary sannin with you and Orochimaru, correct?" At Tsunade's curt nod, he added, "Such a loss."

"How can I trust any of you?!" shouted Ay, his fists slamming against the table and splintering the wood. "Konoha. Iwa. Suna. Kiri. All of you have had rogue shinobi from your villages in the Akatsuki! I have proof that among you, including previous Kage, are those who have even utilized the Akatsuki for your own gain! I don't trust any of you! The reason why I've summoned you all is to finally question your loyalties."

Gaara's lips parted questioningly. "What do you mean by utilized the Akatsuki?"

"You're the Kazekage and you know nothing? Suna previously used the Akatsuki in battle." Ay's eyes narrowed threateningly. "Suna used the Akatsuki to try and bring down Konoha in the form of Orochimaru! Though it's not clear if he had left the Akatsuki by then or not, both the previous Hokage and Kazekage perished as a result. And don't get me started on Kiri! There are rumors swirling around that your village is the birthplace of the Akatsuki!"

Mei averted her eyes. "I will be honest, there is some question into whether someone may have been manipulating my predecessor, the fourth Mizukage, and it's possible that someone was the Akatsuki…" She kept her focus on her Kage hat in front of her. "That's why I didn't say anything—"

"You disgust me!" snapped Ay through gritted teeth. "Each and every one of you!"

"That is quite enough," said Mifune calmly. "Now let me say this from my standpoint as a neutral state…the Akatsuki are powerful and they've proven this over and over after kidnapping Biju from all nations, and especially after what happened in Konoha just a few days ago. The best course of action would be for you all to form the world's first United Shinobi Army of the Five Great Hidden Villages."

"A united army?!" Ay sneered.

Gaara nodded in approval. "I think it's an excellent idea."

"And just who do you propose would take the reins of this army?" said Onoki with a scoff.

"A standardized chain of command would be ideal, though if the choice were left to you all, you would squabble, thus, as you have deemed me a neutral party, I would like to make this suggestion…" began Mifune, his eyes scanning over the five Kage in front of him. "That you allow me to decide who leads."

When no one argued, he took a slow breath in before continuing, "Konoha has the last Biju embodied in its two jinchuriki. I feel how they are guided and protected will be key. I say, why not allow the Hokage to lead the Allied Army?"

Noises of surprise arose throughout the room, from Kage and guards alike. Ay rose to his feet, "Why the Hokage? Kumo has not produced a single member of the Akatsuki! Such a critical role should not be relegated to someone who cannot be fully trusted!"

"I do not agree," said Mifune.

"What?! Why?!" demanded Ay.

Mifune pointed to the dent on the table from Ay's fist earlier. "Passion and strength are necessary to lead a force of powerhouses, but someone who is ruled by his emotions like you would probably end up splintering a united army just like this desk."

Ay growled and slowly sat down, then Mifune explained, "Kazekage-sama is still too young to spearhead such a venture. Conversely, Tsuchikage-sama is too old and gives the impression of one whose power has waned. As Mizukage-sama's Kiri is suspected to be the birthplace of the Akatsuki, there is concern about possible intelligence leaks which could cause distrust. Therefore, Hokage-sama is the most logical choice as she is strong and passionate, yet humble and trustworthy."

Tsunade tried to hide her surprise. "I respectfully and humbly accept."

"Well then, I hereby declare the Shinobi Allied Forces inaugurated!" stated Mifune authoritatively.

Tsunade sat up a little straighter. "My first course of action is to give you more knowledge about the jinchuriki and the Akatsuki. Naruto?"

Naruto turned to look at Shizune and she waved at him to go. He stepped on the other side of the curtain to be at Tsunade's side.

Naruto stepped into the spotlight with a determined look, feeling the weight of the Kages' eyes on him. He was still getting used to being at the center of attention like this, but the urgency of the situation kept him focused.

"As Hokage-sama said, I'm Uzumaki Naruto, one of the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. I've fought with several members of the Akatsuki, including Pain who was the one who attacked Konoha. I've seen their strength up close, and they've got something big planned."

"And what exactly is that?" asked Onoki, his arms crossed, squinting at Naruto like he was scrutinizing a child. "Do you have actual intelligence to share, or is this just a story?"

Naruto's face hardened, and he stood taller. "Look, I may not be a Kage, but I'm not a dumb kid either! I fought Pain one-on-one, defeated him, and got him to understand that this cycle of hatred, of revenge between nations, isn't the way. But he was following orders—orders from Madara."

The room grew even more tense at the mention of Madara again. Gaara's brows furrowed in thought, while Ay's fists twitched on the table. There was a brief silence as the gravity of Naruto's words sank in.

Tsunade nodded in confirmation. "Uchiha Itachi confirmed this plan when he turned himself in. He gave us as many details as he could; they're planning some sort of mass weapon by using the Biju. We can't afford to underestimate this. If Madara succeeds, it won't matter which village is the strongest or in control—everyone will lose."

"Bah!" Ay stood abruptly, his hand slamming the table again, cracking it further. "So what? We all bow to the whims of Konoha now because you say so?!" His gaze swept across the room. "I'm not putting my faith in a village that breeds traitors and whose Hokage is just sitting on this information!"

Naruto's face flushed with anger, and he stepped forward, fists clenched. "We're not sitting on anything! We're trying to share the information! We're all here because of this! If we don't work together, Madara's going to crush us one by one."

"Let him speak," Gaara said calmly, cutting through the tension with his even tone. "Naruto has faced more of the Akatsuki than any of us. We need to listen to what he has to say."

Naruto took a steadying breath and continued, "Look, I get it. None of us trust each other, but that's exactly what Madara's counting on! That's why we need this alliance. If we don't work together now, we'll lose everything. Konoha was almost totally destroyed. Gaara—Kazekage-sama nearly lost his life, Raikage-sama's brother lost his life, and now my sister and I are next…and I can't risk her life like that and not the lives of—" He caught Tsunade's sharp look and stopped. "…others."

Ay's fists tightened, but after a long, tense moment, he sat down again, though his expression remained stormy.

"Let me ask you something, boy," Onoki interjected, his voice low but sharp. "You've fought some of the Akatsuki, yes, and maybe you've even won a few battles. But can you really say you're ready to face someone like Uchiha Madara? The man who once stood against entire armies?"

Naruto's eyes flashed with determination. "I'm not just ready to face him—I'm going to stop him."

A deep voice seemingly came out of nothingness, "Well, aren't you a confident one, Uzumaki Naruto?"

All eyes, including the Kages' guards and several samurai, turned to face the source and instantly prepared to attack the orange-masked man. Naruto glared intensely at the intruder. "Madara…what do you want?"

"Right now? Just to talk and give a warning," replied Madara matter-of-factly.

"Talk? Aren't you here to capture me?!" shouted Naruto.

Madara leaned casually against the wall. "Not just yet. I must have the hachibi first."

"What are you talking about? You killed my brother!" Ay charged at him in the blink of an eye, going right through Madara, and slamming into the wall behind the masked man.

"Ah, but your brother is still very much alive. The hachibi's capture failed and he escaped." Madara's voice became almost reverent, "Now there's a shinobi who is a perfect jinchuriki. There is no one quite like your younger brother."

Ay froze momentarily before yelling, "WHAT? That fool is taking the opportunity to play hooky! Unforgivable! I'll subject him to the Iron Claw!"

"Why would you need Bee first?" asked Ay's guard, Darui.

"I must have the Biju in numerical order for my plan. I must have the hachibi before going after the kyuubi." A smirk became evident in his voice. "And thankfully, I'm lucky enough to have two choices for the kyuubi."

Naruto let a low growl slip through his lips. "You won't touch my sister!"

"I will not allow you to harm Uzumaki Naruto and Namiko!" declared Tsunade. "Nor will I allow you to harm Killer Bee."

Gaara quickly chimed in, "Nor will I."

Mei and Onoki echoed his sentiment and even Ay added, "Of course I won't hand over my little brother!"

"You will never be able to stand against the ultimate jutsu from my weapon. I may not have any strength, but I do have the power of the seven Biju I have collected. You have no chance of winning," taunted Madara.

"We will never give up!" shouted Naruto confidently. "You're the one who has no chance of winning!"

"We won't lose hope," stated Gaara firmly.

Madara gave a small scoff. "Well then, I hereby declare war on you all…prepare for the Fourth Great Shinobi War!"

"Prepare for war?" said Onoki, aghast. "You're starting the Fourth Great Shinobi War? Are you mad?"

Madara stood up intimidatingly. "The next time we meet…it will be in battle. You won't know when or where, but war is coming…"

Without another word, Madara disappeared into the swirl of his void.

The room fell into silence again, the Kage each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Tsunade broke the silence. "Enough debate. We've formed this alliance because there's no other choice. Whether or not we trust each other completely, the Akatsuki and Madara are an immediate and dangerous threat to every village and nation. We can't afford to waste time arguing while they move forward with their plans. We will begin open communication between all of us at once."

Mifune nodded solemnly, signaling the close of the meeting. "The Allied Shinobi Forces will be formed immediately. I expect each of you to return to your villages and prepare." Everyone nodded and sat back down.

"The Allied Shinobi Forces must plan to use the strength of the hachibi and kyuubi in battle, agreed?" suggested Onoki.

To Naruto's surprise, Gaara was the one who spoke, "No. Absolutely not. This is also a war to protect the three of them. I believe the reason why Madara is declaring war with the seven Biju is that in his weakened state and so few Akatsuki members left, it is too difficult to capture the remaining jinchuriki. Even if it were possible, the risks are too high." Gaara let out a slow breath. "He's probably hoping to lure them out with this war."

Mei nodded. "Agreed."

"I also concur," said Ay. "We can't afford to parade the hachibi and kyuubi in front of the enemy."

"So, do we agree that the three of them are under protective custody until further notice?" polled Tsunade, and everyone agreed in unison.

"Wait! Why don't I get a say in this?" groaned Naruto.

Gaara answered calmly, "Because you would gladly throw yourself in the line of fire to help even one person, but if you or Namiko are captured, then Madara wins."

The color drained from Naruto's face. As much as he didn't like it, Gaara had a point; he needed to think of what was better for everyone, even if that meant being forced on the sidelines.

As the other nations prepared to leave, Gaara turned to Tsunade and Naruto. "Hokage-sama, if I may, I would like for us to accompany you back to Konoha to provide extra protection and help out with Konoha's recovery."

Tsunade bowed in appreciation. "I would greatly appreciate it."

"Nice! Road trip!" Naruto grinned at Gaara. "Just wait'll you see Namiko! It'll be a nice surprise."

A/N: Finally back! Thank you all for sticking my mini hiatus with me! Both ofmy daughters ended up getting really sick, and they came first. But they're healthy now and mostly back to normal.
I had some great suggestions from you all for the anniversary, and I'm definitely planning on including some of them. (You'll just have to wait to see which ones I picked!) Thank you guys for all the love and I'll see you soon!
Love,
Eriisu

PS: Comments are my tip jar!