Chapter 20: The treaty.
Tsunade huffed in annoyance and drummed her manicured nails on the wooden desk, her head propped up on her fist. She stared at the piles of papers, scrolls and folders covering her desk making mountains. She huffed blowing her hair from her eye for a second. 'Why did I ever take this damn seat?' She thought in annoyance.
She looked around the room and at the closed windows before opening the second drawer on the left and opened it slowly and quietly revealing a small bottle and a shot glass. She let a mischievous smile cross her face. She pulled the top off and poured the clear liquid in the glass before closing it and swirling the drink before bringing it to her painted lips.
"Tsunade-sama!"
"Oh dammit!" She snarled in anger at her apprentice turned secretary Shizune. The woman came in carrying a scroll. "What Shizune!?" She snarled fixing her with a nasty glare.
"I apologize for the interruption." She said walking up taking the glass from the woman.
"Shizune." She growled darkly.
"I'm sorry but you know you have paperwork to handle before you can drink." She said. "Besides it's water." She said pouring it out, Tsunade looked at her shocked before yanking the drawer open and nearly out of the desk and ripped the lid off taking a slug tasting the water with the sight aftertaste of sake. She snarled at the woman who smiled.
"What was so damn important than?!" She asked sitting up scooting closer to the desk.
"A letter came from Sunagakure ma'am." She said. "It's strange." She said with a frown.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
Shizune held out the scroll and Tsunade took it with a huff opening it and began to read it quietly mumbling.
"What shady actions during the chunin exams!?" She asked. "The only 'shady' actions going on were from their side!" She said throwing the scroll. "They think we're gonna apologize!?" She snarled.
"But Tsunade-sama, something must be worked out. I don't think we could survive a war between us and Sunagakure." Shizune said.
"I hate this seat." She muttered rubbing her forehead.
"Maybe you should talk to Hurizen-sama." Shizune said, Tsunade bit her lip and stood up rolling the scroll again and walked out.
"Cover for me." She said and slammed the door shut causing the papers to fall all over the place making Shizune slump with a whine.
Tsunade stopped outside the building before signalling one of her anbu guards.
"Yes Hokage-sama?" He asked as he bowed.
"Locate Hurizen for me." She said.
"Yes ma'am." He said and flashed away, Tsunade sighed and walked through town stopping at a small convenience store grabbing a small bottle of sake and took a gulp with a sigh. The anbu appeared next to her once again.
"We've located Hurizen-sama. He is with Jiraiya and Naru near the mountain's waterfall." He said.
"Thanks." She said and walked out heading towards their location slowly.
She arrived and smiled to see Naru standing on the water panting heavily, she swung her fan around controlling the air slamming it to the water spun it around creating a small tornado with water spinning as well.
Jiraiya stood to the side with a smile, Mamoru laid stretched out in the grass and Hurizen sat next to him watching.
"Am I interrupting?" She asked, they looked at her and smiled.
"Hello Hokage-sama." Jiraiya said, Tsunade sent him a death glare making him chuckle.
"How is it going Tsunade? Sorry I haven't been there to mentor." Hurizen said.
"It's okay." She said and took a seat. "Hello Naru." She said.
"Hi." She replied before focusing jumping up and began to sail on her fan. "She's gotten better." She muttered.
"Yes." Jiraiya said.
"What brings you here?" Hurizen asked.
"We got a strange scroll from Sunagakure."
"Strange how?" He asked.
"They are requesting a new treaty due to the treatment they received during the chunin exams." She said, Hurizen looked at her confused. "I know." She said. "You said they were the ones treating us strange during the exams." She said.
"The jounin of the sand team that made it, Baki, he was uncaring about his students, I had anbu try to dig some information up but they couldn't find much." He said.
"What should I do?" She asked.
"We'll speak in the office." Hurizen said standing, she followed him. "Naru." He asked, she perked up and looked towards him. "I have a few things to talk with Tsunade about, I'll be back later."
"Okay." She smiled, he smiled and walked away with Tsunade.
Hurizen walked into the office before Tsunade and set up a privacy barrier and sighed quietly.
"What should we do?" Tsunade asked.
"Reply to the letter, request what the agreements are." Hurizen said. "Wait for the reply." He said, Tsunade sighed and pulled out a page and began to write a letter before letting Hurizen proof read before sending it to Sunagakure via hawk.
"Let's wait for the response." Hurizen sighed.
"How is it going with Naru?" She asked.
"She's improved, Jiraiya is teaching her elements of the sage jutsu and is widening her jutsu and weapon wielding." He said. "She has her mother and father's skill."
"It didn't unlock until she lost her sight though."
"That's because of the treatment from the village." Hurizen said. "I always said Minato had to be rolling in his grave seeing the treatment of his daughter."
"No doubt." Tsunade said and sighed. "Well I wont keep you from her."
"Tsunade, I'd advise you not to mention this to the council yet." He said. "They'll cause trouble. Granted they were my old partners and teammates but they can't be trusted."
"I understand." She nodded, Hurizen nodded and walked out.
-o0o-
Hurizen frowned deeply as he looked at the letter they received in reply. Jiraiya stood to the side with a frown along with Tsunade.
"It's the exact same treaty." Hurizen said. "Although they'd like more access to have teachers from Konoha to teach their ninja." He said. "More trade of foods and medication." He said and sighed. "Why ask for a new one?" He said.
"Do you think it's a trap?" Tsunade asked.
"To ask for a hand delivered treaty..." He said.
"Well?" She asked.
"I'll do it." Hurizen said.
"Wha-?" Tsunade said in shock.
"But if it's a trap..."
"Then no one important will be wounded." He said.
"I'll send a team with you." Tsunade said. "You wont go alone. You may not think you're important but you are sensei." She said, he smiled and nodded his head.
"Alright." He said. "Let's set it for two days. It'll take roughly three days to get there, to meet with the Kazekage and discuss the terms, so I'd say over two weeks then something has gone wrong." He said.
"I'd prefer if you'd have a way to contact us immediately if something was wrong." Tsunade said. "That way a rescue team could be dispatched sooner than later."
"You're the Hokage, you choose what you believe is best." He said, Tsunade chuckled a little and sighed.
"Unfortunately the only team available is team 7." She said.
"They're the only ones?" Jiraiya asked.
"On short notice. Chunin and jounin are getting prepared for the new classes, missions have been pouring in from the success of the chunin exams." Tsunade said. "Of the genin that participated team 8 has been disbanded for the time being while Hinata recovers and trains with her clan, Shino and Kiba are training with their families." She said. "Team 10 is on special assignment, it leaves team 7." She said.
"I just worry, they haven't really worked together in what...? Two-three months?" Jiraiya said.
"Just about. But I have no doubt they can come together and work. Naru is trained well with Mamoru, Sakura is learning under you Tsunade, and Sasuke and Kakashi well... they work together." He said.
"Have you even learned anything about the shifts in those two?" Tsunade asked.
"I've had anbu searching but the time from his last report and sighting in the village to them randomly showing up is blank. They disappeared." He frowned then sighed. "Maybe I can get to the bottom of it on the journey. I'm going to go prepare." He said and walked out.
Jiraiya and Tsunade glanced at one another worried and sighed, their similar worries going unsaid but fully agreed on both sides. Something was going on, Hurizen knew it but wasn't going to say a word.
-*o*-
"I'm aware you four have not been a team for a while, but at the moment you are all that's available." Tsunade said with her hands crossed in front of her mouth staring at team 7 standing at attention in the office. "Sunagakure is requesting a hand delivered treaty, a new alliance between us." She said, Kakashi frowned slightly. "It's strange but we wont delve into the unneeded information." She said waving her hand. 'Mainly because we don't know the other information.' She thought and huffed. "Anyways Sandaime-sama will be going to deliver the treaty." She continued. "You four will accompany and protect, make sure this treaty is delivered, keep your eyes open and senses on alert to any traps of deceitfulness that may be at play."
"How long is the mission intended?" Kakashi spoke up.
"Two weeks, you'll be mostly traveling on foot, make sure you have your supplies, I am having special weapons and supplies created just in case." She said. "You'll receive them at the gates. Your departure is in the morning, 7:00am, do not be late." She said giving Kakashi a pointed look. "Dismissed." She said and began to shuffle papers on the desk as they walked out silently. She groaned and slumped back in her chair and rubbed her head. "I need a drink." She mumbled.
-o0o-In Sunagakure-o0o-
"The plan is working, they fell for the bait." Orochimaru said standing in the deep, dark cave, a figure stepped out revealing Pein. "The jinchuuriki will be on the mission, they will be leaving in two days."
"Excellent, I will be sending my most unstoppable team. They can take any opponent on."
"They have to be ruthless." Orochimaru said.
"These two are the deadliest of the group. They can't be killed." He said. "Nothing can stop them." He said.
"Excellent." Orochimaru said.
"What's in it for you though? You are giving me the jinchuuriki. Nothing in return?" He said.
"Oh I can assure you that there will be some payment for my help, but at the moment it's not needed, just don't forget what I am doing for you." Orochimaru said licking his lips with his tongue, Pein sneered at it but have a hum and walked back into the darkness and disappeared. Orochimaru turned with an evil smirk and chuckled silently. 'Your little group will aid me in the future for my plan. Whether you get your jinchuuriki or not.' He thought before replacing 'his' face of the Yondaime Kazekage and headed back upstairs to continue his plan.
Pein walked through the caves before finding Konan and Madara waiting for him.
"So?" Konan asked.
"The jinchuuriki will be on the mission. I will be sending the team 5. they will get it done." He said.
"And of the rat?" Madara asked.
"I sent him on a mission to locate some new team members, he's in the land of Snow."
"You're sure? Itachi is a sly one."
"I have others watching." Pein said. "Let's go." He said and disappeared.
-o0o-
Hurizen sighed as he stood at the gates, Naru and Mamoru sat next to him waiting for the others to show up.
"Saru, what's going on?" Naru asked.
"What do you mean Naru?" He asked.
"You're just off, you're not you..." She said. "You got me worried." She said, he chuckled and rubbed her head.
"Don't you worry Naru, just thinking." He said. "I'm okay." She nodded slightly and sighed before turning her head feeling Sakura coming up yawning.
"Hello Sandaime-sama." She said, he nodded.
"Good morning Sakura-chan."
It took another five minutes before Sasuke and Kakashi walked up greeting them before they set out on their journey.
Naru rode on Mamoru's back silently thinking about everything that had been happening recently. With her powers, her choice of declining the solution to her sight, Hurizen resigning because of her, even her relationship with Shikamaru. It all buzzed around her head not letting her rest or even really focus. She picked up some strange feelings and looked towards them which were from Sasuke. His chakra was on the fritz, his body was tense and yet sluggish. The way it is when you've had no sleep, or had bad new delivered or something, she swallowed a little taking the shot.
"Sasuke?" She asked quietly.
"Hm?" He asked.
"Are you okay? You seem... off." She said.
"I'm fine." He said. "Just thinking." He said, she nodded slightly and toyed with Mamoru's vest.
"If …. if ya'd like to talk... I'm here." She offered.
"Thanks Naru." He said with a small smirk, she smiled before they fell into silence once again.
They agreed finally to move through the trees to speed up the journey and before they knew it they were making camp for the night. Naru laid out her bedroll and sat down letting out a sigh at the heat from the fire.
Hurizen smiled gently watching her and sighed taking a sip from his tea.
"I'll have my pack watch over us, so we can all rest." Kakashi said as they settled in for the night. Hurizen laid on his bedroll next to Naru, Sakura took a spot on the others side of the fire and Kakashi laid his bedroll out on another side, he glanced at Sasuke who sat away from all of them staring out silently.
"Sasuke." Kakashi said walking up and crouching in front of him. "I know it's hard." He whispered. "But you need to act normal. We'll get it figured out, but right now you need to focus on your mission." He said.
"sigh... I know... it's just difficult." He said, Kakashi ruffled his hair making him frown in annoyance. "Come make your bed and get some rest." He said, the boy nodded and set his pack next to Kakashi and laid down closing his eyes.
Hurizen squinted at the two and frowned. 'What is going on?' He thought.
He was pulled from his thoughts when Naru turned over facing him. "Saru?" She whispered.
"Yeah?" He asked.
"What's going on? Everyone is off today, Sasuke, Kakashi, you..." She said. "I'm a little worried." She said.
"Everything is okay Naru, something just isn't right all the way around. I am trying to figure everything out." He said.
"Well … like you told me, maybe this isn't something you should tackle alone." She said, Hurizen smiled and rubbed her face.
"You've grown Naru." He said, she smiled at him and blinked as her eyes became hooded. "I promise if I do need help I'll get it." He said. "And you promise me that if you need help, you'll ask for it." He said.
"Promise." She said holding her pinky out, he wrapped his around hers gently before he continued to rub her head which coaxed her to sleep. He looked at Mamoru who was curled up behind Naru's body his tail draped over her hips. 'You'll take care of her, I know it. Even if I wont be there.' Hurizen thought before closing his eyes and falling into a troubled sleep.
The team set out as the sun began to rise in the sky and by noon they reached the border of the Land of Wind.
"Wow..." Sakura said looking at the large expanse of pure sand, nothing else.
"Let's get going, faster we do, the faster we're through it." Sasuke said stuffing his hands in his pockets, Hurizen looked at the boy then at Kakashi and sighed.
"Let's go." He said and walked forward, Naru frowned looking at him. 'Jiji...' She thought in worry.
They walked for a few hours before stopping for a quick rest near a large rock. "Man!" Sakura said wiping her forehead, Naru poured water into a bowl for Mamoru who quickly drank it all.
"How much farther is the village?" Naru asked.
"Probably another five hours of walking, faster if we use chakra again." Kakashi said, they groaned in annoyance.
Hurizen perked up and looked to see a large billow of sand heading towards them.
"A sand storm?" Sasuke asked.
"Take cover behind the rock." Hurizen said, they moved back and waited as the sand shot past them, the wind whipped around them. Hurizen glared out feeling the chakra in the sand and wind. 'So it's what I figured...' He thought.
"What's going on?!" Sakura yelled.
Naru perked up as the ground vibrated under her feet. "Someone's coming." She said just as the sand exploded, they skidded back and watched a black figure with a mask on it's face.
"What is that thing?!" Sakura cried out in fear.
"A chakra monster?" Sasuke said.
"Whatever, just fight it." Kakashi said pulling kunai out.
Sakura cried out as black tentacles pulled from the ground wrapping around her ankle, she struggled before slicing through them and jumping back.
"We can't see in this!" Sasuke said wincing as sand continued to blow at them.
"Futon: Kamaitachi no jutsu!" Naru yelled swinging her fan forward smashing into the sand knocking it back stopping it.
"Excellent Naru." Hurizen said, Naru stood forward focusing on the area.
"There are five people here." Naru said. "Powerful chakra in each." She said.
"We can take 'em." Sasuke said pulling out a blade.
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Hurizen warned.
A loud electrical buzz sounded making them look up and shoot in different directions avoiding a large bolt of lightning shot from the creatures mouth.
The ground rumbled more before black vine like tentacles shot out, Sakura screamed jumping backwards watching as a hand pulled up before yanking back in the sand before it completely exploded up from the right.
Kakashi winced as a figure shot in the air directly in front of the bright sun making him wince, he saw a large blade just as it was brought down. Kakashi grunted and slipped out of the way just in time watching the man stand up. He wore a black tall collar cloak that was opened revealing a hitai-ate tied around his neck bearing the Yugakure symbol slashed. He wore a chain necklace also that hung down his bare check that was circle with a triangle inside it, he had slicked back silver hair and had a large three bladed scythe behind him.
"Do you believe in Jashin?" He asked and chuckled. "No? Well I'll have to introduce you face to face. I, Hidan will deliver your unrepentant heart to lord Jashin! " He said and made a thrilling noise before he rushed forward swiping at the Kakashi who dodged and smirked as Sasuke tackled him from the side knocking his blade totally away from him.
"You mother fucker." He spat and threw the boy off but Sasuke kept a tight grip and they rolled in the sand.
Mamoru growled shifting his shoulders ready to pounce, the sand burst up throwing it everywhere as another black figure appeared. Mamoru launched in the air and swatted his large paw with his claws extended with chakra and sliced into the creature.
"He's hiding!" Naru said.
Sarutobi looked at Hidan's outfit and froze slightly recalling his talk with Jiraiya about a group who were hunting jinchuuriki to rip the biju out of them, which meant Naru was their target.
"Naru." He said.
"Jiji?" She asked.
"Go run and hide, do you understand?"
"What? Why?" She asked.
"These guys are after you. I want you to get as far away as possible! Do you understand me?" He asked.
"But jiji!"
"Naru this is the one time I wont let you win a fight. You run that is an order. Mamoru!" He barked. "Get Naru out of here! Now!" He barked, the cat skidded to a stop and ran over to Naru throwing her up, she screamed in shock as he took off running dodging the figures and their jutsu.
"Mamoru! Stop! I'm not running" She yelled.
"No!" He barked, she frowned before she kicked off of him. "Naru!" He snarled, she ripped her fan out whipping it all around stirring up the sand, she yelled sending a burst of chakra out knocking them all back.
"Stupid bitch." Hidan snarled. "Kakuzu! Where they fuck are you? You fucking pussy!" He yelled loudly.
The sand rose behind Naru, revealing a tall man wearing an akatsuki cloak but had a mask over his mouth and a special hat on his head. She spun around with her face meeting his powerful fist sending her tumbling into the sand. "Quit playing around! We're here for the jinchuuriki, nothing else."
"For once you're not after some bounty."
"Shut up." He said. "Do your job." He said.
Hidan kicked Sasuke in the stomach making him cough harshly, Hidan laughed. "You're such a pussy, ya can't take a punch." He said laughing throwing Sasuke to the side. He shot forward heading to his discarded scythe but before he could hands of sand shot up grabbing ahold of him, he grunted as he hit the ground and glared at Hurizen.
"You're not getting Naru." He hissed.
"I don't need to lay a hand on her." Hidan said yanking out a small blade and threw it out.
"Naru duck!" Hurizen barked, she gasped as the blade shot past her cutting her cheek and blood ran down.
Hidan laughed manically. "You stupid bitch! You're gonna be at the mercy of Jashin, hope you're ready to repent!" He said and broke through the sand jutsu.
"Fine!" Hurizen barked running though signs quickly. "Shuriken kage bunshin no jutsu!" He yelled, thousands of blades shot out towards them. "Naru drop!" He barked, the girl dropped and began to crawl away.
Hurizen released a barrage of jutsu in nearly every chakra nature all at once and it came barreling to Hidan who stood their in awe of the ball of destruction heading at him. He screamed loudly holding his hands open as the jutsu's engulfed him and lit up bright making the ground shake.
"One down." Hurizen said panting, Naru rushed over to him and propped him up.
"You gotta rest. We need back up." She said.
"Word was already sent to Konohagakure. We knew something like this would happen." He panted.
"Why go through it then!?" She asked.
"Because we had to Naru." He said. "No one will get you. At all, you'll be fine I'll make sure of that." He said, she smiled then gasped as she was gripped by the foot and yanked away from him, she screamed as she was flung in the air and the fist slammed into her stomach, blood shot out hitting the ground.
"Great Kakuzu!" Hidan yelled appeared.
"Impossible!" Hurizen barked.
Hidan ran to the blood and began to smear her blood creating a circle with a triangle in the middle. Hurizen pulled out the blade and licked the blood of Naru's that was on it.
They watched in slight horror as Hidan's body changed taking on a grim reaper like image. His skin turned black with white shapes like bones all over his body. He yelled out a long blade and it shot out longer.
"Let's experience the pain!" He yelled and stabbed his blade into his leg.
"He's nuts!" Sakura cried out dodging the monster.
Suddenly Naru's scream of agony drew everyone's attention to her, she gripped her leg as blood poured from it staining the sand.
"How!?" Sasuke asked staring through his sharingan.
"Not enough!" Hidan yelled and ripped the blade out and stabbed his stomach, Naru screamed out and held her stomach as blood poured down. Mamoru roared and launched scratching Hidan's arm, Naru screamed out as blood ran down.
"Keep it up! Yes! Yes! Oh yes!" Hidan yelled in an almost pleasurable voice, his eyes rolling back into his head.
Naru groaned and got up slowly before she collapsed to the ground. Sakura and Sasuke were back to back surrounded by two of the chakra monsters and Kakashi was battling Kakuzu.
"What do we do!?" Mamoru growled, Hurizen panted and looked at the ground and smirked.
"Suiton: Haran Banshou no jutsu!" Hurizen yelled, water rose up from nowhere and slammed into Hurizen and everyone.
As the water and sand settled down, they looked to see the enemies were gone, Kakuzu stood to the side with Kakashi at his feet shaking in pain, smoke rising from his body. He moaned and struggled to get up, Kakuzu gave kick knocking Kakashi back.
"Stupid bitches! Ya fell for it! You just make it easy!" Hidan yelled, they looked to see him flip over to Kakuzu. "Get her and let's go!" He barked. The sand moved and Hurizen spun around with Mamoru as they found Naru gone, she shot from the sand wrapped in the black tentacles wrapped around her, she struggled before screaming as lightning poured through them and to her causing her to lose consciousness and slump over.
"No way!" Hurizen said jumping in the air and sliced the tentacle making Naru hit the ground unconscious. Sakura screamed out in fear making him look to see the sand they were standing it began to slowly swallow them whole.
"Hiden: Mabayui bakari no asutoraru." Everyone winced as a bright light shined completely blinding them for a few moments before it faded.
"Naru!" Mamoru said looking all around and panted. Hurizen looked around but all they could see was miles of sand and nothing else.
"Naru... no." He whispered shaking.
"We need to get to Sunagakure." Kakashi said with a raspy voice holding his shoulder that had a hole through it. "We'll track her then and send news to Konoha."
"That parts done. Oh what have I done. I shouldn't of let her come." He said as a tear rolled down his cheek. "Hang on Naru. Hang on." He said as they rushed to Sunagakure to find backup to hunt for Naru before it was too late.
Mabayui bakari no asutoraru-blindig astral