Episode Fourteen

Oni no Kuni – Family clearing

With the final fireworks sparking out, Naruto looked over at Chojuro, who looked back, and they nodded together with big grins. Then, they looked back at Omoi, who caught the grin, followed by Karuii, who nodded. Naruto looked to his hime, who both smiled and stepped back, as finally he stepped forward. A puff of smoke caught everyone's attention.

Three more puffs of smoke followed shortly, revealing various weapons. Chojuro moved with his friend clear of the larger group, with the Kumo duo following after. Naruto chuckled with a grin, now holding an odachi. "Let's get this done."

This caused a recollection to flash across Yugao's face, who also steps forward immediately, leaving Ayao with Shirin. The former began talking his ear off. Kakashi moved after his former subordinate, and this is when Tsunade realized what was happening. She then informed Jiraiya, who was surprised but eager to know more, as he had not heard anything about Naruto's past yet.

Naruto stood with Chōjūro, their respective swords on their backs, standing at one edge of a three-way triangle. Omoi was beside his partner, drawing their weapons, in perfect synchronization, matching Chōjūro with Hiramekarei, though Omoi spoke up, "Are you really going to use that?"

They all look to the Mist swordsmen, who shrug, looking at one another and grinning before looking back. Naruto draws his odachi from its sheath and takes up a stance, prompting the other two teams to do so. "What's the matter? Scared?"

Omoi sighed, his single straight nodachi held before him. His partner in crime, Karuii, grinned eagerly, her own sword in hand, speaking up, "Scared? Of you? Nah. We are well trained, ya know."

"Mah – mah… size isn't everything…" Kakashi quipped, a puff of smoke revealing his old Anbu-issue tanto in his hand, eye smile on full. The two Kumo shinobi nod in agreement, though the Mist swordsmen have truly devious smirks, Naruto commenting, "Sure… Kakashi, you would know…"

Silence.

Karuii coughed to try to mask her laughter. Omoi looked away, unable to take that seriously, his hand covering his mouth. Kakashi hung his head, and Yugao went red from the sheer amount of effort she was using to not laugh aloud. Thus, she was the only one to catch the two Mist swordsmen charging at them.

Chojuro was heading for Yugao and Kakashi, Naruto for the Kumo team, in perfect coordination. Just before they clashed, both mist shinobi stamped hard, and darted towards the other's foes, and in a blink Yugao was clashing against Naruto's odachi. Seeing as no chakra was permissible, it was only their natural strength at play here.

Naruto pushed her back each time their blades clashed, though she thought she held the advantage in experience, Yugao found herself caught in a retreating fight, almost at the area's edge. Thankfully, Kakashi arrived, and Naruto was forced back. Together, the two leaf shinobi, formerly of Anbu Team Ryo, pushed their offensive, forcing the blond on the defensive.

Chojuro, on the other hand, was nearly batting around both Kumo chunin, who were unable to block the powerful swings of the legendary sword of Hiekam. So, on the next swing, Omoi jumped into the personal space of the Kiri Jonin, slashing upwards. The swordsman was prepared and side-shifted his body to narrowly avoid the upward swing, bringing his two-handed blade around in an arching slash.

Thankfully, Omoi's partner was a rash redhead, and they joined their blades to successfully block the hard strike. Though Karuii was then kicked hard by Chojuro, who had learned a few tricks from his partner. The duo rolled back just as Chojuro slammed an overhead slash down between them. The ground rumbled from the impact, and both Karuii and Omoi looked up at Chojuro's smiling face as he announced, "I guess I win, huh?"

They both nodded silently, though Karuii wanted to swear up a storm but knew Shion and Yugito were present, so he bit it back.

Naruto had been on the defensive against the combined might of Kakashi and Yugao, who had slipped into their old teamwork forms, controlling where their foe could go. Naruto, however, was stubborn and professionally trained in using the full length of his metre-and-a-bit-long odachi. Paired with natural flexibility and high speed, trying to corner the blond was proving to be a challenge.

It was clear to both, though, that Naruto was playing it safe and not counterattacking them but holding them at bay. The ground rumbling caught them off guard, but it told Naruto his part had been played, and he grinned. Now he could push back against the opponents who had forced his retreating defensive action.

The pace quickly grew to surpass the previous mid-Jonin level, almost reaching mid-Anbu, and the blocks and deflections became more subtle and unpredictable from the outside. However, it was soon to end, as Chojuro arrived in Kakashi's blind spot, though Yugao yanked him clear of the knockout blow. This, however, cost her, as Naruto managed to close in, and with the back of his sword at her neck in the following second, he whispered, "Yield..."

Yugao sighed and nodded. She figured this was the plan after she had noticed the calm defense Naruto had been putting up, believing that they could beat him before his partner dealt with the Kumo team. "I yield."

Kakashi spoke next from the ground, with the legendary sword at his throat, "Yeah – me too. I yield."

Both Mist swordsmen nodded in acceptance and withdrew their weapons from their enemies' vitals, grinning madly at one another as they bumped fists. The crowd cheered for their victory. Those of the Mist were loud, but not as loud as the Demon group. The Leaf and Kumo contingents muttered about it not being believable, and how chakra would have won it for them, but it was all in good fun.

Naruto caught the sheath to his katana, which was thrown at him by his warrior queen, and sheathed his weapon. However, before he could seal it back up, Yugao asked, "Umm... Naruto..."

Naruto looks back at her, somewhat confused by her hesitation, and nods, "Yeah...?"

Yugao approaches and locks her eyes on his sword. "May I…?"

Naruto thought about it for a few seconds. His sword was the first of many. Most of the Nadishiko kunoichi have one at this point, in various forms, from kodachi, tantos all the way up to his odachi. Their unique black metal was a result of the combination of his Uzumaki sealing technology paired with their armoury workers.

Technically speaking, they could be considered state secrets.

Unsure if it was allowed, he looked to Shizuka, who raised a brow at his confusion and began to approach him, Nami in arm. She spoke up when close, "What's wrong with you?"

Naruto gestured with his head toward Yugao, then pointed to his sheathed sword. "She wanted to see it up close. Seeing as only those of Nadishiko are allowed to wield them, I was in two minds about it, seeing as mine was the..."

Shizuka cut him off. She would have bonked him, but her baby girl was making a racket, so both hands were occupied. "It's fine, right? Your seals have prevented forgeries in the past. I don't see the issue."

Naruto nods once, seeing her point, though the mention of Naruto having placed seals naturally drew attention from the toad sage and his clansmen. Handing his long katana to Yugao, Naruto speaks softly, "Careful, it's heavier than I make it appear."

He was not joking either, as she took it, it was almost twice as heavy as her own sword, while only being a third or so longer. The sheath was not as ornately decorated as one might expect of a ruler, but rather plain. Pitch black, with two grey rings at the top, a third ring linking them, and a fourth at the bottom, leaving a two-inch gap before the grey tip.

Pulling the blade out revealed a beautiful matte black blade that was just as sharp as one would imagine of a first-rate sword. As there was no guard or tsuba, the wraps were capped off and secured with a thin strip of grey steel, but on closer inspection, Yugao could see the inscription on the strip that read, "In defence of the light" in an elegant script.

She nodded, very Naruto of it, as her eyes traveled to the actual blade itself. Upon the light groove that ran almost the entire length, barely two paper sheets deep, half an inch wide, Yugao could see intricate lines of the previously mentioned seals engraved into the dark metal itself. They were masterful in their application, clearly a lot of time had been put into the refined, stately writing of them all. A beautiful masterpiece of calligraphy that stretched the entire trench.

Next, Yugao looked at the cutting leading edge. It was clearly well used but well-maintained despite just coming from a spar. Not a scratch marred its surface. Just pure black metal, though not shining like other blades polished to such a degree, it was clean and smooth.

Done with her inspection and accustomed to its weight, Yugao only then noticed that she wasn't the only one inspecting the katana, as she looked up to find the Uzumaki duo, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Kiba also inspecting the weapon. Jiraiya commented first. "Those seals are artistically drawn out."

Karin nodded in agreement, smirking, "Though, very little waste of any at all. Highly efficient use of channeled chakra."

"A fine blade, to be sure," Shikamaru said, still staring at the article in question. As an experienced knuckle blade user himself, he could tell how much effort had gone into servicing the weapon before him. "I wouldn't mind a swing with it."

Kiba, who was just curious at first, could tell just how dangerous this weapon was at even a glance. He was no swordsman, heck, he barely used his kunai, but as a hunter, he could tell he would not like to be on the receiving end of this sword. "Gives me the creeps just looking at it. The black seems foreboding and uncompromising."

Kakashi nodded to that; it reminded him of his father's saber back home. He should really think about getting it repaired at some point. Maybe he could ask if Naruto knew someone or something about reforging, if this blade was anything to go by.

"Though," Honoka began, still staring at the script, "I can't make heads or tails of the entire seal on it. Sure, there is a chakra recognition seal at the pommel, but the rest…"

Naruto, Shizuka, and Kiyota chuckled or grinned at that, with Naruto answering his clansmen, "Trade secret. The other Nadishiko blades were based off that one, so..."

Tsunade looks at the two Nadishiko women and asks, "Do you have similar weapons?"

Shizuka handed Nami to Naruto, who smiled wildly at his less fidgety daughter, allowing the woman to unseal her regular-sized katana, which had the same midnight-black finish as Naruto's, "My husband made mine personally."

Kiyota was relieved of Koki by Shion, who suspected she'd do the same as her sister-wife, and after a quick thank you, Kiyota too brought out her katana. The black blade was similar to the other two. As she spoke, "Mine is the standard issue one, though, of the common variety. It is still linked to my chakra."

"Chakra locked, huh?" Shikamaru comments, nodding as that was a decent way to secure them, looking at Naruto who was playing with Nami, "Say, Naruto, any chance of…"

"Depends on the talks, Shikamaru," Naruto cut in without looking up from Nami's giggling. Shikamaru nodded, still looking contemplative.

Yugao stepped away from the group and started going through her standard kata. Though it was far longer than what she was used to, the weapon itself was fine, though off balance a bit. Naruto noticed this and nodded, expecting it as the chakra recognition was throwing her off balance periodically, thus working as expected.

As she finished, Yugao looked down at the blade, confused. Naruto appeared at her side, and she looked up to see him place his hand on the handle above her own grip, channeling chakra into it, causing the seals to light up dimly. After a second, he pulled back and smiled at her, "Try again."

She nods and does so, immediately feeling the difference. It didn't so much cut the air as feel like the air parted to allow its passage unhindered. The balance was perfect. Its weight did not hinder velocity changes as much as before, and if she hadn't already known, she would have sworn it weighed less than her own sword.

Just before she finished her third set, the chakra faded, and immediately she felt the difference, as if the blade's weight had tripled. The sluggishness returned, and she stopped, looking at Naruto, who was watching with his arms folded and a satisfied smirk. "Yeah. Part of the security is everything you've probably noted wrong with it. Though, if you try to channel chakra through it, you'd get the shock of your lifetime, so I don't recommend you do so."

Yugao nods, returns to Naruto, takes and re-sheaths the odachi, then hands it back, saying, "It is a fine blade. Can I assume that Ayao will receive one?"

Naruto shrugged uncommittedly as he took the weapon back, sealing it away in the same motion. "Dunno. Haven't decided yet. She isn't a nadeshiko nor trained as one, so I don't know what they'd say if I started handing them out, but I might think on that later."

This is when Kurama and Shukaku arrived at the chat group, and Naruto knew it was time to end for the night. Looking back at his former protector, he smiled, "The night is over now. Time to get back to our worldly pursuits."

The two joined the crowd, and Shukaku immediately headed over to Karin, Honoka, and Jiraiya, who were discussing the blade Kiyota had pulled out, inspecting the seals, and joining in.

Naruto approached Kurama, who nodded at his container. "Times up, runt. I've set the night patrols, and Fu-girl has volunteered to keep watch with Chomei."

Naruto nodded at that, "then, come tomorrow, I will take watch, then Gaara, then Utakata, with Yugito last."

Kurama nodded softly, before following her baka container's eyes to the other Uzumaki, her younger brother and the toad sage in discussion. Knowing all the parties, she knew exactly what they were likely discussing and had no intention of allowing her runt to get involved in that as punishment for joining her little sister instead of calling for her. "Not a chance, runt."

Naruto snapped back at her, a plea in his eyes, "But..." his voice trembling, but she maintained her glare on him, "No. I am not done with your punishment for earlier."

"It was an emergency. You know? Mid-combat. I didn't know you were back in the shrine already." Naruto protested, but she smirked, "I don't care. Now move it, buster, or I'll call her..."

It took Naruto all of five picoseconds to realise who and paled, "You wouldn't…"

Kurama's grin told of her willingness to, and Naruto began to sweat bullets, whispering out, "You terrorist..."

Tilting her head fiendishly, Kurama offered an alternative, "Or perhaps, I shall handle it myself…"

The clearing became suspiciously quiet. All the containers swallowed their spit and desperately looked anywhere but at the nine-tailed fox and her container. They weren't the only ones, as even the Bijuu present were sweating bullets at that threat. As such, the rest followed suit out of an inbuilt, instinctive sense of survival that forced them to look away from the grinning kitsune.

The man himself, Naruto Uzumaki, was alone but could not blame them. His companions' sadistic tendencies made Seiken look like a saint, though she rarely uses them these days, as pulling pranks, goofing off, or projecting power was far more fun. However, on rare occasions, they popped up, and Naruto looked like her new toy.

Naruto was unashamed of his bowing, a full ninety-degree bow, nor the plea that leaked into his voice, "I will be good, Kurama-sama."

Main Shrine

The following morning, Naruto was preparing breakfast with Honoka and Karin assisting when Shion arrived, slightly surprised to have expected her husband to already be at his office by now. She was not complaining about this development, as she knew that the remaining three days would be tough, with Naruto split between meetings, paperwork, and security work. She herself would be split between keeping the children safe and her own work in internal affairs for the nation.

Sharing a kiss with her husband, as he flipped the bacon, then the eggs, and then checked on the honeyed ham. It didn't take long for Shion to fall into the cooking line, taking note of the coordinated sips of coffee between the three Uzumaki and finding it humorous.

When Shion started humming a tune, the others took notice, but it also reminded Naruto of King Michiru's request, and he decided to address it: "Say, wife dearest..."

Shion looked over, pausing her placement of the next plate for the eggs her husband was cooking, as he continued, "Michiru asked about the pulled pork."

She chuckled saintly, a massive smile on her face at the fact that the King of Moon Country was so obsessed with her family dish that even his personal chef had to be called in. Though she responded with a soft nod, "Yes. It will be served at the banquet tonight. Feel free to tell him, Mei, Gaara, and the others. There should be enough for all those on the guest list for seconds. Though, do not tell them that. We'll leave it as a surprise."

Naruto grinned at that, nodding, before glancing over his opposite shoulder at his two clanswomen, who looked back at him. "Trust me, guys, you won't be disappointed."

They set the table just as most of the kids showed up, but Naruto didn't stick around long, as he finished his food rather hastily. His first meeting with Mei was about treaty renegotiations.

As he stood, kissed Nami on the forehead, earning a giggle, he looked to Yugito. The Kumo group had joined for breakfast. He asked, "So, Yugito… who is escorting me today?"

Yugito stared at him blankly. The two were still a bit on edge around each other after their arguments, and neither really knew how to approach it, as this was new territory for them. Though, she supposed that it also had something to do with Matatabi, who had been sulking in her seal since last night. Yet, before she could answer, he waved her off, and Naruto left the room. "It's fine. I'll handle it."

She jumped up, but he was gone already, if that yellow flash was anything to go by. Sighing, Yugito looked down at the food, before flopping down in her seat. She hated this. He was her stupid little brother. Her brother. How the fuck was she meant to fix this.

None knew what to tell the Kumo Jonin, though. Omoi stood silently, heading out via a smokeless body-flicker.

Breakfast was quiet after that.

Mist Consulate

Naruto silently flashed in, out of sight from most, as he yawned with his coffee in hand as he makes his way to the meeting room. As he wasn't actively hiding, it did not take long for Mei, who was familiar enough with his presence, to pick up on his arrival. Utakata too.

He entered the briefing room, which was void of life, sat at one end, his cup of coffee a quarter full, and immediately pulled out copies of his current agreements with the Hidden Mist and Water Country.

Mei would find him like this, still in her own casual wear, truly a rare sight, and a gift to Naruto's mood as he recognized her dark blue t-shirt. It was his during their brief stint as housemates. Her baggy trousers were Chojuro's favorite pair from back then, and her hair was bedhead of the highest order. Classic.

Naruto smirked as she dropped into the seat beside him, sipped the last of his coffee, and spoke softly, "Brings back memories, huh?"

Mei smirked back at him. She had no makeup or anything else, just her natural self, and even Naruto would have been lying about her beauty, even if it was solely in jest. She spoke up, "Yeah. The aftermath may have been difficult for us all, but the small apartment we shared holds many memories I still think of fondly."

Naruto nodded in agreement, as he placed down his empty mug aside, taking the one she brought in, as Chojuro, also in casual wear, arrived with the files and sipped his own coffee.

It took a few minutes to sort all the paperwork in order of importance, and the trio fell back into their roommate days from a few months after the water massacre, before Naruto left for help from Suna after Mei and Aio had finished sorting out their situation. Naruto recalls their final mission together as a four-man cell, escorting the daimyo back to her home in the capital after spending time in Kiri while the ruins were repaired.

"You're thinking of our last mission again," Mei's voice brought the reminiscing Naruto from his trip down memory lane. His eyes dropped from the ceiling, down to his first friends after his banishment, and he nodded once, smiling the whole time. "The three of us here, like this..."

Chojuro smiled softly, as he lowered his drink, "That apartment?"

Naruto smirked. "Is it still there?"

"It is," Mei confirmed, her head resting against her hand as she read the new proposal her council wanted to present to the Regent, continuing. "I listed it under your name after the Kage tower was rebuilt, as I had to take up residence there," she glanced up at him, smiling softly, "Though, I still use it on occasion."

Naruto nods before inspecting the document she hands to him, a new supply of medical herbs that should be ready by month's end. Signing it, he nods again, "Did anyone fix that leaking shower head?"

Chojuro answered, "I did."

"Still leaks though," Mei informed, earning a chuckle from the other two, "no matter what we did to it."

Naruto nods as he reads over another proposal, responding softly, "I'll have a look when I head over next month. A pit stop for my trip to Sunagakure."

Mei raised a brow, lifting her emerald gaze to meet his sapphire, "Don't you just reverse summon yourself?"

Naruto blinked at that, recalling that yes, he does do that, before shrugging. "I do. Guess I'll take the long way home instead then. Have Isobu's Song pick me up from there."

Chojuro chuckled softly into his mug before sipping. The two officials signed off on a few more trade-related documents before finally speaking up. "Are you going to speak to your ex-girlfriend again?"

"Have to right…" Naruto mumbled, earning chuckles from the other two, "Or things could get messy for you," looking to Mei, "Right?"

Mei sighs at that, nodding. "The council hasn't stopped whining at me about it. They want to know if the Yuki clan is making a comeback. Her constant refusals have ruffled more than a few feathers."

Naruto's eyes hardened at that, staring directly into his friend's eyes, though she didn't even twitch, speaking up, "What? Don't trust me?"

"You know I trust you, Ash-chan..." he grinned, and she narrowed her eyes at him, trying not to rise to that taunt, but damn, she wanted to melt him right now. Naruto knew this too, so his grin grew foxy, yet before he could push her buttons any further, Chojuro drew his attention. "Hey, Naruto, Mei."

Both Mei and Naruto looked at the casually sitting swordsman, who adjusted his glasses as he stared at a particular scroll open before him, "Have you seen this?"

Mei reached and took up the scroll, having not recognised it and perked up in response. Though, she knew it was impossible to deal with now. "This is… seems I have a certain councillor to melt when I get home."

Both men knew that she meant it too. The heat in the air was not a warning nor the heating seals acting up. This is what Utakata walked into, seeing his former boss and brother at one end of the long table, piles of papers around them in semi neat piles. He yawned as he approached, "Yo…"

Naruto glanced over, eyes leaving the revised fishing rights in waters off the Land of Honey, "Oh, Utakata. Fancy meeting you here."

Chojuro snorted, Mei grinned, and Utakata shrugged taking a seat, "Yeah well, I have a class in a bit and Hotaru was rather insistent about my attendance."

Naruto snickered, returned to the treaty draft, "I don't doubt," though he paused for a moment, before looking at his brother, "Say, have you been to the Land of Honey recently?"

Utakata shakes his head, speaking up with a yawn, "Nah, not particularly. Fu has though. You should ask her."

Naruto snorted at that, waving his hand dismissively. "She only goes there for those damn honey gumdrops. She wouldn't know the current fishing regulations if I had ordered her to find them."

"True," the room collectively acknowledged, knowing of Fu's love for sweets was only second to Gaara. Though, both seem to be in a race in that regard. Utakata speaks up, "Though, I was thinking on heading towards Spring Country next. The warm season is coming up soon."

"That's true," Mei says with a nod, going through several reports, as she swore she saw something regarding that earlier and set it aside. "I believe Lady Daimyo wanted an escort there to meet the actress daimyo. I had it here somewhere..."

"The fact that you have it here," Naruto dropped his fourth mug of coffee, then looked at Mei, "means she has asked for the Eight Blades again, huh?"

Mei nodded distractedly, "Yes. Along with Chojuro."

Naruto looks to Utakata, "Any idea's of exactly when the warm season kicks off?"

The black-haired, golden-eyed container thought about that for a moment, before it came to him, "Two months or so."

Naruto let out a tight breath. "That's going to make my schedule incredibly tight."

"Oh..." Chōjūro asked, from the other side of the table, helping Mei sort the documents. Naruto sighed at that, before looking up from the sale request for rosemary to a shop in the Water Capital. "Yeah. At the end of next month, I have an escort mission with the Wind Daimyō. It will probably last no more than a week."

Mei finally finds the request and scans it with practiced ease. "Ah, how fast can you get from Wind to Water..."

Naruto let out a heavy sigh, pinching his nose, face scrunched up, "Just – just give it to me straight."

Mei looked apologetic as she spoke slowly, "The following week is for your wind escort."

"Fine," Naruto replied swiftly, not even caring at that point, "but do tell her that we'll set off later than expected."

Mei nods, but Chojuro speaks up, "If it helps, I'll take the first watch."

Naruto nodded gratefully. "It would be nice. Thanks, Chōjūro."

Utakata speaks up, "I could go in your stead, no? I mean, sure, I haven't used a sword in a while, but I think I can handle it."

Naruto looks at him with a smile, "Thanks for the concern, Utakata, but I don't want to railroad you into anything. It goes against your nature. If you're there, great. We haven't done a mission together in a while. If not, then fine there's always next time."

Utakata smiled at that, nodding firmly, just as Hotaru arrived with a fresh pitcher of coffee, though she did raise a brow at the laid-back attitude of this 'formal' meeting. All were in casual wear, beside Naruto, though his jacket was on the back of his chair, top loose.

As she places down the refreshments, Chojuro moving to give everyone a refill, Hotaru asks, "Isn't this supposed to be super important, official stuff for the country and stuff?"

Everyone nodded at that, with no sign of anything changing, so she arched a blonde eyebrow. "Then, why are you all so calm and casual about this whole thing?"

Mei shrugged in a familiar, fluid manner, "Hotaru. We are normally in formal meetings and stuff in public places as that is required of our stations. Behind closed doors, we are more roommates than anything else. Sure, it's been years since we were actually roommates, but old habits and all that."

Chōjūrō nodded, handing Naruto his mug back, speaking. "Yeah, besides, this paperwork is stressful enough, and I'm not even the one signing them."

Utakata chuckled upon hearing Naruto grumble about stupid teammates not backing him up and stuff, though Mei to scowled at her swordsmen. The six tails host speaks up to his student, "Hotaru, you need to take respite whenever you can, however you can, to perform at your best when you need to. As wartime shinobi, these three have that drilled into their personalities thus, in private, they will take it easy if they can but still get the work done."

"Preach." Naruto and Chōjūro chorus, Mei chuckling at their antics, as she files the signed works into two stacks for approved and denied.

Hotaru nods slowly, processing that, as she looks over the stacks of paperwork that they have indeed been combing through. Sure, they are relaxed and a nice easygoing atmosphere hung about them as they chat idly around mundane things, but they are clearly also focused on their jobs even if they don't seem to be doing so. She can't really complain about their work ethic.

Just before the three-hour mark, all the papers requiring Naruto and Mei's attention had been finished, and Naruto had a few minutes to relax before he had to meet the Tea representative. Placing his mug down, he stood, "I need to hit the road. I have to meet Tea next."

Chojuro was first up, and fist bumped his friend. "It was fun having you around here. You should visit Kiri soon."

"Yeah, yeah. I've heard that a lot at this festival. It took me almost a year to get back here with all the kids and stuff. I will get back to normal service soon." Naruto informed, and the swordsman nodded, as the blond made it to his other roommate, who stood and gave him an affectionate hug. Nothing sensual or anything, but purely platonic. She acted flirtatiously in public, but she truly cared for her friends in private. "Please visit more often, Naruto. It has been a while since we had a movie night or anything."

"Yeah, I will. Though, if you ambush me with Kuno's Kitsune again, I will burn your eyebrows off again."

She chuckles nervously, pulls back, and grins softly, "No promises."

He play scowls, but moves off with a chuckle, as Utakata stands, "Fancy walking part way?"

Naruto nodded as he recalled that the Tea group was just south of the central plaza, swung his formal jacket onto his shoulders, and said, "Sure. The place isn't far from the plaza."

Oni no Kuni – Town

Naruto is joined by Utakata and Hotaru, as he heads towards the town centre, with more than a few waving at him, though that bakery on the corner of the street of the Mist Consulate ran him out an experimental coffee brew they've been working on. It was a bit too sweet for him, but Fu would love it. Gaara too.

As they approach the central plaza, they notice the Akimichi stand off to the side doing well for itself clearly. This is when both Naruto and Utakata's stomachs growl in unison, causing more than a few to do a triple take over their direction. Hotaru had never been so embarrassed.

The two Demon Jonin looked at each other and nodded, silently agreeing, then moved towards the stall. Hotaru was stunned for a moment before rushing to catch up, shouting, "Wait up!"

Oni no Kuni – Akimichi-Q

Naruto and Utakata entered the establishment together and Choza spotted them immediately, waving them to a seating booth. Guided by their stomachs, the duo moved together just as Hotaru entered and followed them. After slipping in, Hotaru would join Utakata's side, Choza stood at the tables end, "So, what can we get you?"

Naruto didn't miss a beat, "Full barbecue ribs, full mash bowl, and two glasses of water."

Utakata's response was simpler, "Same."

Choza jotted them both down, signalling to his clansmen to start, before he turned to the lady, "Half-grilled chicken, side of cheese salad. If you would be so kind."

Choza nods with a smile, "Of course, a drink?"

"Water, please," Hot responded. The big man nodded with a chuckle, "Coming right up."

He would return a scant twenty minutes later with the food, the drinks being served already to find Utakata and Naruto in a high stakes game of naughts and crosses. Choza swore the air around the table was thick enough to cut with a leg of lamb. He was not even sure the girl was breathing as the two stare each other down.

Yet, it was Utakata who broke the stalemate, "Draw?"

Naruto nods. "Draw."

They shook hands as their stomachs growled, and now Choza knew why they both agreed so quickly. The food in his hands, he chuckled lowly as he and his clansmen placed down the order. As they tackled their food, he himself slid up a chair, causing Naruto to look at him with a raised brow, expecting this to be honest. "Can I help you, Choza-san?"

"Choza is just fine, Naruto. I know enough about you that formalities aren't your thing," Choza waved off, and Naruto swallowed his mouth before nodding, signaling for the clan head to speak. "Well, I am not sure if you are aware of this or not, but we are doing pretty well here."

"I have," Naruto nods, pulling apart another rib with his bare hands, yet not even a speck of sauce reached his formal wear, so Choza continued, "So, I was wondering..."

Naruto cut in, "Find a shop. I'll green-light it if the Hokage and I come to an agreement."

Choza smiles and nods, getting up. "That was surprisingly simple."

Naruto shrugged, responding after swallowing, "I would likely have a riot on my hands if I denied it." He then shrugged, "besides, I have been reminded recently that I shouldn't ignore my past as my family and friends are here to help me."

Choza smiles at that, placing a hand on the younger shinobi's shoulder. "Wise words. I will let you get back to your food. Our doors are always open to you, Naruto. Never forget that."

Naruto offered a stiff nod, and the man left, as he caught Utakata's eyes. A brief, silent exchange before the former Mist shinobi turned Demon shinobi smiles, "We all have your back, little brother. It's what siblings do, right?"

Naruto smiled back and shrugged, "I think so. Your guess is as good as mine."

Both share a chuckle at their parroted words, with Hotaru smiling softly as she ate her own lunch sensing that her company just had a family moment. This was nice. Being part of a larger whole.

Seiken also noticed and recalled the exchange they had back in the office from within her seal within Utakata. She took a mental tally. Both Utak and Yugito are truly good siblings for Naruto, an experience that will only benefit the family as a whole. Even her fellow bijuu are learning how to be better siblings to one another through their containers.

Naruto's office

Omoi had been looking for the boss all morning, and hadn't found him anywhere. Thus, he returned to the shrine to check if he had an itinerary for his meetings. As he entered the office, he found Shion there with Sato, going over domestic affairs.

His entrance caused the occupants to look up. Shion raised a brow. "Omoi, shouldn't you be..."

The man nodded, swirled his pop in his mouth, and said, "Yeah, can't find him. Wanted to know if you knew where he'd be."

Sato nodded, reached for the drawer at the back of the room, pulled out a folder, and upon opening it, frowned. "It should be here."

Shion frowned briefly, then searched the top drawers and found a diary. Naruto insisted it wasn't a diary, but she called it that regardless of her husband's complaints about her naming sense. She flipped it open to find the schedule, though it was more suggestive in nature, and let out a tired sigh. "Why doesn't he write things down?"

Sato sighed, shaking his head, "Sometimes I wonder if he has any sense."

Shion looks up from inspecting the book, "Either Mist Consulate or the Tea Group. Though, he might be going to see Gaara for lunch."

Omoi nodded once, swiftly turning on the balls of his feet, "I'll get on it right away."

"Omoi," Shion calls, and he glances back at her. "I do not know what happened between him and Yugito, but do me a favor and don't try to fix it. I will handle it when he gets back, okay?"

He nods once, gives a two-finger salute, says, "Yes, ma'am," and heads out, leaving Shion to sigh again. She then looks at the Samurai captain and says, "Sometimes he can be so thick-headed."

"That he is, my lady." Sato nodded in agreement as they got back to it.

Shrine approach

Omoi strolled down toward the town, to find Utakata and Hotaru heading up back toward the shrine. He smiled and waved, "Yo, bubbles."

"Lollipop," Utakata responded and they both grin at that, though the dark-skinned man asks, "You seen the boss? Been looking for him. Supposed to be his guard and all."

"We just left him," Hotaru informed and Omoi raised a brow, so she continued, "We just had lunch at that stall in town. Said he was going to meet with the Tea group afterwards."

Omoi let out a relieved sigh, nodding after that, "Thanks. Saved my ass wondering around aimlessly."

"Did something happen?" Utakata asks, brow raised, to which Omoi nods, "Boss and Kitten had that argument yesterday. They are still not talking."

Utakata frowned, but nodded, recalling that small altercation, "I will talk to Yugito. Despite everything, I know those two are the closest with one another. They need each other."

Omoi nodded, but he recalled Shion's words: "Right, well, Boss Lady said she'd handle boss man when he gets back. I am not to try anything until she does."

The Demon shinobi nodded firmly, Utakata whispered. "I would listen to her then. We have a class to attend."

Oni no Kuni – Town

Naruto just got out of dealing with the tea negotiations, letting out a wary sigh as they had asked for tulips, but most had already been sold, and they couldn't meet that demand. Thankfully, they accepted the red daisies instead. Naruto was brought back to his thoughts by a voice, "Yo, boss man."

Looking up, Omoi was resting against the wall opposite, in his Kumo chunin uniform, sword and all. "Omoi, what brings you...?"

"Your guardsmen today. Figured I could do with some time away from the female hormones back at the house." He shrugged after that, pushing off the wall. Naruto nodded, understanding that, and moved off towards his next destination. "Fine. Keep up. We have to get to Suna now. We have to make a stop at Michiru first, to let him know that the pulled pork is on the table."

Omoi fell into step, then immediately out of it upon hearing that information. However, he quickly caught back up with the most serious expression Naruto had ever seen on the chunin's face. "Is that confirmed?"

"It is," Naruto chuckled as they entered the central plaza, "and you are the first to know outside my clan and family. Be careful with that level of information."

Omoi nodded seriously. That was S-rank mission-worthy information he now had. He wouldn't let it slip even if he had to take on half of Kumo. Then the other half would probably come to their aid, and then he'd have to go up against Bee-sensei, and then the Raikage would probably join in. His spiraling thoughts were broken by a flick on his mind's eye. Naruto spoke up, "Stay with me, Omoi. You're supposed to be my escort, remember?"

Omoi nods, recalling that fact, and focuses on staying on his friend's back.

Cadet Training Grounds

Yugito arrives to find the training ground filled with preteens from all over this continent, running about in exercises or going through the established basic Demon sword training course set forth by Mist and Kumo. Looking around, she finds her other brother, Utakata, walking through the three ranks of four students who are drilling their hand signs.

Heading over, Yugito was surprised when Utakata spoke first, just as she reached him, "I wondered when you were going to come here."

Yugito raised a delicate blonde brow. Utakata looking to her calmly, blank-faced, "After what happened yesterday, I was informed that you two are still not in our little brother's good graces."

She flinched, then sagged down, Yugito muttered. "Yeah... it's a bit of an issue."

Utakata nodded at that, looked at her, and said, "This is new to all of us, Yugito. Our entire family is new, and none of us know how to be siblings fully yet." He shrugged, "I think you both need to just sit down and speak to one another."

Yugito just stared at him for a long moment, before she asked, "Speak to one another? Utak. The last time we did..."

"You both let your bijuu instincts get the better of you." Utakata spoke firmly, his golden gaze upon her piercing. Yugito had to swallow that hard pill. He wasn't wrong after all, though, the two of them were probably the two closest with their tenants and in-line with their more basic instincts of the family. Besides, maybe Fu.

Before her thoughts traveled too far down that rabbit hole, there was a thought. Rabbit. Utakata's voice dragged her out of her own mind, he spoke. "Besides, I am pretty sure there is more than one reason you are so angry at him, right?"

Snapping up at her brother of circumstance, Yugito looked genuinely confused, so Utakata elaborated, his gaze returning to the kids ahead of him, "I mean, his outburst was largely overblown, but it was also in line with his usual way of doing things. Protecting the family. Yes, Matatabi messed up, he was mad. It is our job to reign him in when he steps over."

Finally, he looked at her again, his gaze level. "Yet, you blew up at him, foregoing your normal thought process. If you had been paying attention, you would have noticed both Gaara and I about to interject. Fu, too, was going to cut him off. Yet, you exploded on him. So, I ask you, Yugito Nii, what are you not telling me?"

Yugito was left at a loss for words. She never really thought the family's airhead was this observant. Nor did she think that the others would come to her tenants' defense against their brother. Thinking back, maybe he was right. She wasn't thinking straight either. Neither were.

Naruto had just returned from a fierce battle against two S-class shinobi, while protecting two family members and using an experimental technique that they had theorized about but never intended to use. They were unsure of the potential mindset shift that could result, either temporarily or permanently.

Sighing hard, face meeting palm, Yugito nodded and mumbled out of earshot for everyone but her brother beside her, who had returned to instructions, "I have to apologise, Utakata. I am not sure if I can actually say anything here, but I know what I have to do now."

She looks up to see him looking back at her, over his shoulder with a smile, Utakata speaks softly with a shrug. "We're family, right? It's our job to look out for one another."

Yugito smiled back, shaking her head. "Where did you learn that?"

Utakata smirked now, shrugging carelessly, "Naruto. Though, he was unsure of it too."

They both share a chuckle before inspecting the hand signs of these recruits. Just as the last genin hopeful completes a satisfactory set, given approval from both Utakata and Yugito, the latter turns to the former, "I need to get going. I think – I have some things to do."

"No problem, though – I think I'll be here for the banquet tonight.." Utakata looking at her, to which she nods with a smirk, Yugito asks, "For the pulled pork, right?"

He nods with more seriousness than Yugito has ever seen. Wait. No. Maybe that lumberjack back in the Land of Hotwater, who hit on Sieken. No one recalls what happened to the bastard. Or his hussy who had hit on him. It doesn't matter.

Suna Consulate

Omoi had watched the boss man and the Kazekage discuss the agreement and proposals from both lands for the last hour as if discussing the weather. Lifestyles, livelihoods, and economic choices are altered by the swipes of these pens, yet they were both rather nonchalant about it all. Even a joke or two was thrown out. Dad jokes made an appearance too.

He blinked at that. Right. They were both dads. Both S-ranked powerhouses who could wipe out armies using their hands with chakra or the pens they currently wield. It suddenly dawned on Omoi that two of the top shinobi in their alliance were sitting before him, and if he messed up, Kumo's reputation could suffer. Then, the Raikage would either be forced to offer an apology or break the agreement, leading to a war that would…

His thoughts were halted by a ball of sand smacking his chest lightly. Blinking owlishly, Omoi looked to the Kazekage, who, along with the boss, was staring at him with an intense gaze. Naruto spoke up, "You really need to get a girlfriend, man. You were thinking way too loudly."

Omoi was confused; how could one think loudly?

Gaara spoke up, seemingly reading his mind, "You bite down on your sweet, furrow your eyebrows, then scratch your chin whenever you go on your mental tirades."

Naruto notice the chunin to let out a deep sigh, shoulders sagging, before scratching the back of his head, a habit he picked up from Naruto, before speaking, "My apologies. I will work on that."

Naruto smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "Stopping your mental spirals, or getting a girlfriend?"

Omoi looked bewildered for a moment, before chuckling nervously. Yet, Gaara jumped in on that bandwagon, "There are many fine women within the alliance territory of sufficient attractiveness. As long as it isn't my sister."

Said sister had been about to enter and overheard that, thus kicking in the double oak doors with a growl, "Oh? What was that, Gaara?"

Both containers paled. Omoi's red face was noted by the Kazekage, who promptly stared holes into the lowly chunin from Kumogakure no Sato. Gaara, answering his sister, maintains his glare at the white-haired, dark-skinned shinobi, who is definitely not good enough for his sister. "That Chunin Omoi is not good enough for you, so he should leave you out of his prospect pool."

Temari was a statue at the information shared, unsure how to take it, though she did take note of Naruto's tense posture, who seemed to be in between suppressing a giggle and not wanting to draw her ire. So, she turned on him, internally smirking, "Oh? You think that's funny?"

"No, ma'am." Naruto's swift response, regal training cranked up to twenty with his regal posture and tone flat, "To what extent would my actions suggest that to be the case?"

Temari played scowled, internally impressed at how he pulled that one-eighty, though she maintained her faux anger, "So, you think I can't choose my own man, huh?"

Naruto didn't even twitch at the accusation, though he could sense the sand particles passing by his feet toward the clearly nervous chunin behind him. Gaara wasn't messing around anymore, nor did he want to get into trouble with his big sister. His one weakness was her approval after all.

Clearing his throat, hard, Naruto had used that sound to mask his discreet blast of wind that knocked the sand clear of Omoi, who relaxed at his boss saving his skin, "You know that is not the case here, Temari no Sabaku. I would appreciate that we all take a moment to calm down and recenter ourselves on the meeting,"

"Oh?" Temari says lowly, raising a brow and placing her hands on her hips. Naruto knew that pose all too well; it was her "reverse trickster" pose, where she was concocting an evil scheme that would benefit her at his expense. He had to shut this down now before she got too far into her complex planning, and he had his trump card.

Many would call it a waste for such a situation, however Temari was like a hyperactive Nara in her planning. Not only that, but as she has spent so much time with him, she has picked up a bit of his unpredictable nature, making her truly worthy of the S-rank she was gifted with by Iwa. Clearing his throat a second time, Naruto nods once firmly, "Yes. After all, I do have vital information that you may wish to hear. About our next appointment."

All the loose sand Gaara had been moving around the wind wall Naruto had deployed ceased all movement at that moment. It all swiftly moved back to his feet the next, as the Kazekage sat forward in his seat, eyes fixated on those of his first friend. "I am listening."

Naruto looks back at him, perfectly blank faced, before looking to a contemplative Temari, asking her, "What about you, Temari no Sabaku?"

Said kunoichi stared back at him for a moment, though crossed her arms, a sign that he had her attention in Naruto's knowledge of his friend's body language. So, he nods, before explaining, "I can officially confirm that the Pulled Pork is on the table."

Gaara nodded once to confirm he had heard, before looking at Omoi, "Your life is your own once more. Do not waste it with such folly again."

Omoi nods frantically, sweating bullets, and responds quickly, "I promise, sir. I swear."

For a moment, nothing changed before everyone, but the Kumo shinobi, burst into laughter, confusing him. A second Temari stepped into the room, laughing too, as the first one looked back at her with a toothy grin, held up a victory sign, and then puffed away in a plume of smoke.

Temari then chuckled, "Wow. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought that was really me too. You are really good at that."

Naruto shrugged as he finally calmed to light chuckles. "Yeah, well, have you not seen our mission record? Your inflections were rather easy to replicate after all that time together."

Gaara nods too. "Indeed. Though, I must admit, I did not think that such a prank would work on Omoi-san. Though, he was rather distracted so..."

Everything clicked then for Omoi. He had been duped. Letting out a tired sigh, he leaned against the wall, his arm covering his eyes, "Man, I thought you were really trying to kill me, ya know?"

"That was the idea, yes," Gaara's voice maintained its usual tone of flatness in his response, though Naruto could see the slight twitch of amusement on his face. Thankfully, Temari was there and gently tapped her little brother's shoulder, "Leave the poor boy alone. You two have tormented him enough for one day."

"Try a year," Omoi muttered, and Naruto chuckled at that, shaking his head. "Sorry, Omoi, but you are such an easy target."

After things had calmed down, Temari looked at her fellow Suna Jonin, "Say, Naruto, are we joining your trek home?"

Naruto shrugged, "Sure, if you guys want. It'll be a bit of waiting around as we set up."

"Not a problem," Gaara informs. Naruto nods as they finish up the final paperwork, with stamped letters indicating either acceptance or rejection.

As Naruto and Gaara chat amicably at the entrance of the consulate building, Omoi rests on the gate ahead of them, casually observing the celebrating civilians who are heading out to their second night of the four-day festivities. This is obviously spotted by the Leaf group, who are in the hotel across the street.

Though the Kumo chunin was broken from his watching of a pair of very fine teenaged women in kimonos, who were clearly giving him the eyes, as he turned back upon the door opening to reveal an absolutely bombshell of a lady. Wait. That's Temari. He paled.

Temari stepped out into the front yard of the building, wearing an elegant full-length formal dress, a form-fitting kimono, her bust emphasized with a perfect blend of sex appeal and modesty, and a long haori in the traditional Suna color palette, adorned with her clan's sigil and the Saber Arrow. Her makeup was light, featuring peach lip gloss, a hint of blush on her cheeks, and darker eyeliner to make her eyes stand out further.

With her heeled sandals, Temari stood just barely shorter than her male best friend, who had his eyebrow raised at the sight of her. Her hair was done up in a layered flow, having escaped from its normal four pigtails. A smirk covered her nervousness as she placed her hands on her hips, matching Naruto's eyes as she asks, "What? I can clean up too, ya know."

Naruto maintained his stare for a full ten seconds, causing the Suna princess to fidget slightly, a first for Gaara, who had his gaze moving from his brother to sister, repeatedly. He also noticed the blush donning his sister's face and his mind connected the dots easily enough. This banquet was not the first they've gone to, but his sister had never gone this far in her formal attire or makeup.

Gaara smirks internally. His sister has a crush on Naruto. He then frowned. Even though he approved, he also knew that Naruto would never cross that line as he is in love with his wives. He must make a plan to combat this. It was up to him to help his big sister find love. Naruto will treat her well, regardless of his other two wives.

Naruto eventually speaks up, "I never doubted it, Mari, but I didn't think you needed to bring out the big guns tonight."

Temari grinned, posing confidently, "Big guns? This is not my 'big guns' yet. You should come to my birthday for that one."

Naruto shrugged fluidly, his gaze fixed on his fellow blonde. "Like I said. If you host it here, sure. I'll likely show. No promises though."

Looking at Gaara, who had just finished complimenting his wife, who had also cleaned up very well, looking all cute, if you asked Naruto. However, he spoke up, "So, are you ready, Gaara? I take it Kankuro is on babysitting duty."

"He is," Matsuri confirmed, smiling sweetly, causing Naruto to break into a cold sweat for some reason. Adjusting his collar, he maintained his diplomatic smile as she continued, "After all, he should learn that he must be more responsible than anyone else as the head of the Sabaku clan."

Naruto's face was carefully neutral, contemplating his response carefully before eventually nodding. He didn't want to risk being on his sister-in-law's shit list tonight, as he already had a sister who was mad at him. "Very well. We should get moving then."

Temari took position on Naruto's arm, who seemed to be unfazed by her presence beside him, and they headed to the gate to find a formally dressed Tsunade, Hana, Kelsi, Kakashi, and Yugao.

Naruto looked at Temari, who suddenly placed her head on his shoulder, so he looked at Gaara, who looked back and shrugged. They both looked to the Hokage, Naruto asking, "Lady Hokage, what brings you here?"

Tsunade smiled slightly, "Well, Lord Regent, King Michiru spoke of the banquet tonight, and so we were awaiting to accompany you to the location."

The other members of the Leaf contingent arrived. The clan heads were formally dressed, and the shinobi guards were all wearing their uniforms, which were pristinely decorated. Their headbands and kunai were polished to a sparkle, their shirts ironed, and even their plated gloves seemed cleaner.

Sighing internally, Naruto nods once firmly, filled with the dignity of his station, and says, "Very well."

His eyes travel across the gathering, noting the Nara eying up the impressive sight of his sister, Temari, hanging off him. Though, Hana was clearly going all out in an exquisite manner with an eye-catching full-length formal dress, a loose-fitting black and green kimono, that pushed up her bust, which no hot-blooded man could ignore.

Naruto could appreciate the view, though he did not inspect it too closely, despite the fact that she had her hair up in a noble bun, senbon keeping the ornate look in place, and away from the long leaf green haori.

Leading the larger group, Naruto and Gaara strolled through the town, women on their arms, with Omoi walking between the two, two steps behind, acting as a buffer between the two groups. The Leaf group followed, with the shinobi guard group moving as honor guards for both groups.

Shrine Approach

As the group entered the shrine's approach, the first samurai guard post waved them in, saluting their Regent as he passed by, splitting their unit up to provide the appropriate guard for the next checkpoint. None of the twelve samurai commented on the Suna princess's blissful appearance, hanging from the arm of their leader. It was way above their pay grade.

Reaching the second checkpoint, Naruto finally turned to the Leaf group, speaking formally, "Be warned. Any wrong move from this point on, you will be detained immediately and without mercy. I am not going to be held accountable for your actions now that you have been warned."

They all nodded in agreement.

Naruto looked forward, but swiftly looked to the side and saw the discreetly watching Yugito within the shadows of the tree there, but she did not reveal herself to anyone but him. She just watched for a moment before vanishing again, and Naruto moved on with the others. Her message was simple and straightforward: meet me later, alone. We need to talk.

Outer Shrine

The shrine came into view of the Leaf troop for the first time, and many of them held their breath. However, it might have been because two large, twenty-meter-tall eight-tailed kitsune were flanking the final checkpoint before the final approach. They were both regal looking, purple and black, muscular, and covered in elegant, ornately detailed dark green armour, and no shinobi could miss the sheer amount of dense chakra they both had.

Hana, Kiba, and Kelsi couldn't help but gawk at these massive foxes that had spotted Naruto and lowered their heads to greet him, as Naruto speaks up softly, "Karrtriana, Tatinana; It is great to see you both."

Their gentle melodic voices caught many off guard. Karrtriana answered first, "You are always so respectful, Naruto-sama. This is our job, no? Defending the den."

Tatinana chuckled with a thicker accent, as she rarely ever spoke the human tongue, "Ye' we ar' thank full, Naruto-sama."

Naruto smiles as Temari speaks up, "Karrttriana-chan, how is little Sofia-chan doing?"

The chirp was adorable, not matching the expectations of the newcomers from an animal of this size, as Karrttriana responded, "She is doing fine and is eager to see you again, Lady Sabaku."

"Please," Temari speaking up, "we have gone over this already, Karrttriana-chan. Can you not call me Temari?"

The giggles from both as they raised up were soft and melodic. Tatinana responded shortly after they reached their full height. "No, Sabaku-sama."

Naruto snickered as Temari let out a tired sigh. Hana stepped up beside them, her eyes locked on the towering canines. "Naruto... they..."

"Members of the Guardian Corps consist of seven and eight-tailed kitsune. Our strongest fighters," Naruto informs with pride, noting that the kitsune themselves seemed to take pride in his acknowledgment. He continued, "We have not required them to act, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Thus, their presence here."

Hana nodded, still in awe at the strength of these fellow canines. Her own partners were just as hesitant to approach and questioned their own strength in the face of these beasts. Kiba and Akamaru were also at a loss for words. These were the pinnacle of the foxes' strength.

Tsunade was measuring them against her own summon, Katsuyu, and to be honest, she doubted that she could handle one of these Guardians. These Kitsune were not even the strongest of their race. They had to be careful not to cross them. Though, she knew this already.

Taking a deep breath, Tsunade looked to her forces, who all met her flowing gaze and nodded their support for her endeavor. So, she nodded once. Looking forward, she spotted Naruto, Temari, Gaara, and his wife heading into the building. The Hokage spoke, "Let us go. This is it. The chance to clean things up."

"Hai, Lady Hokage."

A/N: There is a bit of a misunderstanding with Jiraiya's attendance at the festival. It was a temporary thing. Naruto had his chakra sealed, a tracking seal linked to a paralysis seal so should he move beyond the confines of the town. He did not want to disrupt the joyous atmosphere of the festival so temporarily overlooked his transgressions. Shukaku, Kurama, Utakata and Gaara, let alone himself who was with him, were all overlooking the festival so even if he tried something funny, he'd be interrupted.

With that over, Jiraiya is back in his cell until the Leaf leaves. He might not like the leaf but Naruto isn't heartless. Even when he tries to be, he isn't cruel. Not in his character to be.

Yes. Both Karrtriana and Tatinana speak with russian accents. Most the Guardian Corp do. Thought it would be cool.

Yui and the hunters speak like the Japanese inspired characters they are.

Agent Kao Morino, as a British shorthair, is basically that secret agent trope turned fluffy with just a dash of prankster thrown in for good measure. A Bond in grey. He will be back as he always chooses to die another day, with his next assignment is to try one up his mentors in their old stomping ground, guess where, and look criminally adorable while doing so. He will learn to speak human later on upon teaming up with Isebell for a mission.

Episode XV: The Ballroom is alive, final deals discussed, and international relations business is settled finally. Temari lets loose abit and Hinata's resolve remains unshaken. Sharks are in the water and Shizuka is having none of this. Yugito and Matatabi come to an understanding. Shion shows she is just as observant as her ninja family members.

Episodes XVI: Heavy Lifting is done, and Naruto has earned time with his now middle children. How does a day with Saki and Miroku end up so chaotic?

o7