Naruto sat down in the room, looking at the Hyuga who was bound to a chair before him. He had arrived in Cata after finding all the explosive tags littered around Haryana. He and his clones had moved quickly, managing to avoid any substantial damage to the city. Unfortunately, the mine had been submerged and partially collapsed in his battle with the Konoha shinobi. He had left ten clones back in the city to help with any rebuilding efforts while he tried to reach his Chunin before their fight with Hanabi had grown too dangerous. He had been too slow. Luckily, it didn't much matter.
When he arrived on the scene Hanabi was bound, defeated, while Kagari was doing his best to nurse Midare's and Suiren's wounds. The blonde had quickly done the best first aid job he could. He had never been more grateful for Sakura's lessons. Still, they needed more intensive treatment, that much was clear. The blonde had made plans to move back to Ame as soon as the day broke. He would have moved out sooner, but Kagari had fainted as soon as he arrived. The blonde meant safety, and his adrenaline had long since faded.
Naruto had to admit he was impressed.
That left him sitting in a room with Hanabi, the only two there while his Chunin rested in a nearby room.
"Are you just going to stare at me all night?"
"I might," Naruto admitted. "It's...good to see you. Really see you. You've grown."
"Don't talk as if you know me."
Naruto hesitated, feeling the bite in those words. But he pressed onwards despite it.
"You're right. I don't know you anymore. I was gone for three years. And I left at the worst possible time at that. I caused you so much pain Hanabi, pain you shouldn't have had to experience."
Naruto dropped to the ground, prostrating himself before his former student with his head bowed.
"I'm sorry Hanabi."
The Hyuga stared, shock on her face at his words.
"You're sorry?" Hanabi muttered. She stared at her former sensei, eyes shaking. "What use is being sorry?"
Hanabi shook her head.
"You left after she was buried," Hanabi whispered. "Didn't say a word to me, or tou-san. Not even Konohamaru. You were there one day, and then gone the next. Never to be seen again. You weren't the only one hurting you know? You lost your wife. Your child. I lost my sister. Tou-san lost his daughter. Kiba and Shino lost their teammate. Everyone lost something when she died. Filling a hole like that...it's impossible. But I figured if there was anyone I could rely on it would be you. You were always dependable. You were always there sensei. And then you weren't. I don't know when I realized you weren't coming back, but once I did..."
Hanabi trailed off as if struggling to finish the thought.
"And now you're back. Training other shinobi from another village. I don't know you anymore. Did we even mean anything to you?"
"Of course, you did," Naruto shouted, head shooting up. "All of you did! All of you do."
"Then why are you with Ame?" Hanabi questioned. She looked at the other room, knowing that was where Naruto's students slept. "Why are you training replacements?"
Naruto could hear the unheard question in all of this.
Why did you abandon me?
The blonde slowly approached the Hyuga, looking at her with sorrowful eyes.
"I...shouldn't have left Konoha," Naruto admitted. "When Jiraiya-sensei died I was...lost. Hinata helped me through that. But in so doing I became dependent on her. More than I should of, even though she was my wife. It made her death harder than Jiraiya-sensei's to handle. We had planned out so much life and then it was all snuffed away. I felt alone."
"But you weren't!"
"I wasn't. But I felt like I was. I blamed myself. I blamed Neji. I blamed Yokomana. I blamed the war. It felt like the only thing I could do to get away from all of that was run. Run as fast as I could and as far as I could until no one involved with the war could ever find me again, friend or foe. Penance, punishment, stupidity, call it whatever you want. I was...depressed. It wasn't the right decision and the effects of it I've had to grapple with. Jiji is dead because I wasn't there to fight Gaara in his stead. He should be retired right now. Konohamaru and you...you shouldn't have had to grow up like you have. After Hinata's death it fell to me to take up more responsibility but...I didn't feel like a shinobi then. I felt..."
"You felt empty," Hanabi whispered. "I know the feeling."
Naruto bit his lip.
"I am sorry Hanabi. We should have been empty together."
Hanabi snorted, shaking her head.
"You're corny."
Naruto gave a light chuckle.
"But why," Hanabi continued. "You didn't explain why you never came back. Why you joined Ame and trained their shinobi."
"I wasn't planning on staying if it helps," Naruto began. "I was invited by the Amekage himself. He wanted to meet with me."
Naruto leaned back.
"He's...family."
Hanabi raised an eyebrow.
"What are you talking about? Your parents had no living relatives."
"My father had no living relatives," Naruto countered. "And my mother didn't know that her clan wasn't extinct."
Hanabi's eyes widened.
"The Amekage is an Uzumaki?"
"Not just him," Naruto said. "His wife, along with others. The largest gathering of Uzumaki Clan members likely live in Ame Hanabi. Our clan, wiped out by invasions from the Great Powers, lives here. At first it was...curiosity. I'd never gotten to meet anyone from our clan. There was even someone who had seen Uzushio! It was...nice. Ame wasn't involved in the war, at least not yet. And there were no specters of my past life that I saw at every corner. No place Hinata and I had out first kiss. No training ground I had worked with Sasuke on developing my Suiton (Water Release). No hospital where Sakura taught me basic first aid. It had a freedom that I didn't have back in Konoha. That I could never have."
Naruto sighed.
"I think I understand why Kakashi-sensei spends so much time staring at the Memorial Stone."
"Ame was a new beginning for you," Hanabi said. Naruto watched her carefully. Her words were judgmental, but what the judgement was Naruto was unsure.
"I...do not enjoy it," Hanabi finished. "But...I can understand that."
Naruto smiled.
"The trio in there...they were somewhat forced on me," Naruto admitted. "I had refused to take on students before. But once I realized Konoha and Ame were going to come to blows, well...I knew it would be imperative that Ame had shinobi capable of defending it."
"Capable of killing Konoha shinobi."
"We both know what our job description is Hanabi," Naruto said. "I take no pleasure in killing Konoha shinobi. I spare those I can."
"Hayate and Yugao claimed as much," she whispered. Naruto smiled. So the duo were alive.
"I know what the job is," Hanabi continued. "But...it just..."
"It feels like I'm abandoning you again," Naruto stated, understanding her pain. "But that's not what this is Hanabi. I would never abandon you again. Suiren, Midare, and Kagari...they're my charges. My students. I'd protect them with my life. But you're also my student. I'd protect you with my life too."
"But we're enemies. Shinobi from different villages."
"You know," Naruto said. "The benefit of becoming a rogue is that I've come to realize the lines between friend and foe are a lot more complex than simply if one belongs to a specific village. Shikamaru, for example. We met before he came to Ame you know. He was on a mission to bring me back to Konoha. It was clear his heart wasn't in it."
"That doesn't matter! We're on opposing sides of this war. If we don't fight that's betraying the village!"
"I don't remember teaching you that the village came before all," Naruto said. "I remember teaching you never to abandon your comrades."
"The village is my comrade!"
"Neither Ame nor Konoha are mine," Naruto stated plainly. "But the people in them are. Perhaps that's the difference between us."
"But...how can you be so...so selective?"
"Must be another benefit of becoming a rogue," Naruto shrugged.
"What you're saying just sounds like treason."
"In some respects, it is," Naruto whispered. "You were right. Everyone was right. I'm a traitor to Konoha. That's a fact that I have to accept, no matter how painful. I was a traitor to myself as well. But I'm not that man anymore. I want to protect all of my precious people, village be damned. If that makes me a traitor to Konoha or to Ame, then so be it. I refuse to let those that I care about die. That's my nindo."
Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You are one of those precious people, Hanabi. Always will be."
The Hyuga stared up at the blonde, a violent mixture of emotions rolling through her. Naruto smiled.
"Get some rest. We're headed to Ame tomorrow."
"What? Going to make me some prisoner like you did Sakura?"
Naruto winced.
"Frankly speaking I'd rather not, but you did kill innocent people Hanabi. That can't be forgotten. Some punishment will be enacted. It will be deserved. But I won't allow you to be killed."
The Daimyo of Fire was a patient man. He had been forced to be. His father's proclivities with women had left him with a substantive lack of positive role models in his life, bar the Twelve Guardians who were mostly uninterested in him as a child. But a lack of positive role models was in a way a positive role model itself. He had grown to be patient, loving, and humble when faced with those who possessed significant power.
But he had also learned when to be practical.
"Your reports are lacking, Hokage-dono," Ikkyū Madoka stated, his voice raspy. "You failed to inform me of Gai's death."
Danzo stared at the Daimyo, careful to mind his manners even in this realm of astral projection. The Daimyo was contacting him via the two Yamanaka and amplification machines they had in Konoha and the capital of Shiranui. Inoichi was responsible for the link in Konoha, while Koharu Yamanaka was responsible for the Daimyo's. The technique was draining for both shinobi, and as such long-distance meetings between the duo were usually brief.
And they were always annoying.
"Forgive me, Daimyo-sama. The news came as a shock to us and it must have slipped through the cracks to inform you. An oversight."
"Hm, an oversight," Madoka stated. "Perhaps that would be a good explanation for why Suna and Kumo are pressing into our lands? The Daimyo of Rivers is sending word to me every day of need for aid. Need I tell the Daimyo of Rivers to redirect his messages to you instead, or would that be missed by oversights?"
"You need not worry about either village. They shall be dealt with shortly."
"Shortly isn't fast enough, Hokage," Madoka insisted. "A Suna contingent marches on Hirashi as we speak. A Fire city. My city. That is unacceptable. If they conquer Hirashi, the war effort of Fire will be crippled. We cannot fund Konoha or the samurai army without that city."
"I have plans in the works for both."
"Oh, please do tell how you plan on dealing with the threats posed to us. Killing Gai is no small feat. Your forces are pulled in two directions, with two significant threats. You cannot send Asuma Sarutobi to reprioritize his defense to Rivers and Fire due to his preoccupation with the late Kazekage's daughter. Meanwhile, the Raikage and his Jinchuriki are marching on the village. What is your counter play, Hokage? Do you have shinobi in reserve I'm unaware of that can fight off threats of that magnitude?"
Danzo opened his mouth to speak, but Madoka interrupted.
"Ah, perhaps they are located in that contingent you sent to fight...Ame? Shikaku Nara's brilliance would be much appreciated in times such as this. But you sent him to Rain...a backwater village with two entities of note. For what? To reclaim the Kyuubi Jinchuriki? To kill the Amekage? You know as well as I do, he shall accomplish neither goal. Meanwhile, the nation is on the brink. So, tell me, what goal is so vitally important in Ame that we must strain ourselves so?"
Danzo fought back the urge to strangle the man before him. Madoka was a Daimyo. Politically he was the most powerful man in the country, no, the continent if one considered Fire's dominance over the other nations. He was no fool. But he was weak. A Genin could kill him. That power imbalance was one the Shimura found hard to respect.
"Our spies in Ame have reported interesting news," Danzo stated. "Ways we could bolster our shinobi's power. You are correct, the goal is not to kill the Kyuubi or the Amekage. It is to strengthen our forces to handle these threats more effectively."
Danzo's lone eye narrowed.
"I trust you to handle the issues of civilians and mind my place. In matters of the military, I would appreciate the same level of respect."
Madoka's eyes narrowed. He was well aware when he was disrespected. His fingers strummed his thighs as he contemplated making an example of the Hokage but thought better of it. As bitter as he was to admit it, the Hokage was needed. He knew how quick Konoha would fall if they lost another Hokage so soon after the last.
"I shall keep your words under advisement. You would do well to remember in matters of the economy...the Daimyo is head."
Madoka turned his head, as if he was addressed by someone else. He turned his attention back to Danzo not long after.
"It seems our time draws to a close. There is still much I wish to speak with you about. However, make no mistake Hokage, I will not tolerate Hirashi falling. If you will not protect it, I will. Get the job done, Hokage."
Danzo grunted.
Madoka watched the astral realm fade into the distance. The Yamanaka before him panted, exhausted from the exertion.
"Thank you for your work, Koharu-san."
"I live to please, Daimyo-sama."
The Daimyo of Fire sat back, a frown on his face. He spoke up as Koharu made to leave the room.
"Koharu?"
"Yes, Daimyo-sama?"
"Tell Kazuma to keep the others on standby, for now at least."
"But sir, the Twelve Guardian Shinobi are intended to be your personal guard?"
"Yes, but it seems their role may need to be...expanded," the Daimyo insisted. "Get to it."
The news of Amado's kidnapping by Kashin and Sakura's rescue by the Konoha ANBU had not been received well. Konan was irritated, although it was hard to tell with her typical stony expressions. She knew that if she had moved just a little faster, she would have been able to at least delay Kashin's retreat. She was confident she could have defeated the man, if not for Fuka's insistence that he was significantly stronger than he had let on. Upon the news that Kashin was a secret Konoha agent Konan had immediately returned to the Scientific Ninja Tool facility, finding several blueprints and devices stolen. That was not all. Kashin was thorough. He had set tags across the building that had detonated not long after his departure, leaving it a flaming ruin. Only Amado's personal research lab, given special protections from the scientist, had been saved from destruction.
That spoke nothing of the loss of their premiere bargaining chip in Sakura Haruno. Nagato had been furious when he had learned his clan members were attacked once more. Fuka had started screaming, demanding the Hokage go on a warpath to kill not just the Haruno but for him to burn down all of Konoha for the crime. Luckily, cooler heads had prevailed. Karin's words had put a cap on the anger of the two Uzumaki. It hadn't taken long for either of them to realize that if it weren't for Sakura, Ashino would be gone and Karin and Kamino would be dead. The Konoha kunoichi had saved them, when she had little reason to. The fact confused the Uzumaki, but none more so than Fuka. Karin believed she understood quite well why the kunoichi had done so.
The two events had left the leadership of Ame drained. They had little energy left. The border may be safe, the raids having stopped and reports of captured or dead Konoha forces coming in from Naruto, but the village proper had been struck. It revealed a sense of vulnerability in their previously unassailable home. A chink in the armor of the 'strongest kage'. A point of shame for the newly minted Great Power, still struggling to find its sense of security under the weight of their predecessors. All were frustrated.
But none were as furious as Yahiko.
"This is an absolute disaster," the man hissed. Spit flew from his mouth like flames from a dragon. Konan, Fuka, and Nagato sat in the room with him, all struggling to meet his eyes.
"Sakura Haruno was taken! The best bargaining chip we had with Konoha to force them to call off their attacks and we extracted no information from her. She has seen our battle plans. She knows everyone critical to the village's operation. This is also forgetting the fact that she is a powerful shinobi and the best iryonin on the planet! She bolstered Konoha's military due to the fact that any shinobi we don't kill is liable to be fully healed by her!"
Yahiko's chakra boiled over, giving off waves of heat in the room.
"And that's to say nothing of the loss of Amado. Konoha knew about our Scientific Ninja Tool research. Kashin was a spy. He was here for years. Our technological advantage against Konoha will be gone with their production speed if it isn't already! Kashin knows too much. How could you let him get away?"
"You speak as if I knew about his intentions," Fuka countered, irritation on her face. "By the time I figured it out I was expecting to face a Chunin in strength. He was far above that. Next time he won't be so lucky."
Fuka revealed a scroll, a smirk playing on her face.
"Besides, he didn't get everything. I have Naruto's arm here."
"That's something," Nagato muttered, a small smile on his face. Small victories were the best they could hope for. Unfortunately, Yahiko would have none of it.
"We don't know if there will be a next time. For all we know we will be facing down all of Konoha's military might soon. We need to rework our defenses. Strengthen the village."
"What about the outskirts," Nagato questioned. "We cannot abandon them."
"Do you think I wish too," Yahiko roared. His eyes pierced Nagato's, emanating more power than the legendary eyes the Uzumaki held. "I would have us develop them into prosperity like they deserve. Unfortunately, you squandered that opportunity."
"Me?"
"Yes, you," Yahiko spat. His tone and eyes were more accusatory than his words. "Fuka can be forgiven, for none of us knew of Kashin's origins. But you could have. If you had simply utilized the Ningendō (Human Path) or Jigokudō (Naraka Path), as I suggested from the beginning, we would have known Konohagakure's plans and been able to effectively counter. Because of your reservations we had limited intel."
"Intel garnered through torture," Nagato interrupted. "That type of intel is not worth the cost in human lives."
"Now who doesn't care about the border towns."
"Excuse me?"
"You speak constantly of not wishing to utilize your abilities to avoid the human cost. To avoid potentially killing human lives. But whose lives are you prioritizing, Nagato?" Yahiko spoke his name as if it were an insult.
"Your failure to even risk Konoha lives has led to a disastrous result. Border towns raided. Innocent civilians, dead. Haryana was crippled, even with Naruto Uzumaki's presence. We lost countless shinobi to a surprise attack from Shikaku Nara. Amado was kidnapped, Sakura Haruno was retrieved by the enemy, the Scientific Ninja Tool research facility destroyed. How many lives were lost because of your failure to procure information Nagato? Or do you truly believe not killing one or two Konoha spies to gain information on their plans would have saved more lives? We could have countered their assault every step of the way, effectively shutting down their entire offensive. Then, bartered the Haruno for peace, as was your intention."
Yahiko raised his arms.
"Tell me. Where am I wrong?"
Nagato was silent, as were Fuka and Konan. None could deny there was some truth to his words.
"I simply wished to maintain the ideals of peace Jiraiya-sensei taught us."
The excuse was pathetic. Yahiko wasted no time in pointing it out.
"Those ideals of peace got Ame shinobi killed. Your home had its safety shattered. They broke in, regardless of Karin's Kekkei Genkai. Regardless of Samehada's sensing. They can pierce our defenses Nagato. You are not as safe as you thought."
Yahiko shook his head.
"You have the powers of a God. But you refuse to wield them. And in turn Rain suffers."
Yahiko turned, opening the door to Nagato's office. He couldn't bear to be in the man's presence any longer.
"Sometimes I wonder if you understand the responsibility of the hat you wear. The lives your decisions impact. You have a responsibility to Rain. Not the world. The world has done nothing for us, but maybe your ideals have blinded you to that? I'm sure that will be a comfort to the dead."
Yahiko slammed the door on his way out.
Jumeno Hizashi was a successful man. Born and raised in Hirashi he had risen from the status of a low-born peasant, practically destined to work in the farmlands to becoming a renowned banker in the city. It had taken him years of hard work and luck to reach his position. He had done things he wasn't entirely proud of in the process, but who was he to complain? His parents no longer had to toil on a farm all day and night, bleeding from their hands and barely having the time to sleep to make ends meet. His wife no longer had to sell trinkets on the street. His children could go to school and get an education. His daughter had even been proposed to a month ago!
All things considered; life was looking up for him.
At least, that was before the war began. It had come as a shock to him. At first, he had struggled, many of the noblemen that lived in Hirashi had quickly taken their money from their accounts, a tale as old as time. Banks were popular targets by foreign shinobi in an attempt to halt the circulation of money through enemy countries. Noblemen held their money directly in such a time in their own castles and palaces. Still, he found a way to adapt. He had started gathering different types of clientele than the noblemen. Military manufacturers. Shinobi-ware craftsmen, major construction companies, and more. It had quickly saved his soon to be failing business. It didn't make his bank less of a target, if anything it made it more of a target, but with the additional money came the ability to get protections.
Mercenaries, some of whom were low-level shinobi, paraded around his building like packs of wolves. A show of force was required to ward off potential threats, and he had one of the best in town. His bank had never been robbed by a regular criminal, much less assaulted by foreign shinobi. It had even convinced the noblemen to place their money back in his bank, allowing him to further expand his business. Soon he would create a branch in the capital with the goal of getting the Daimyo himself to trust him to handle his money. It was hard to not be pleased with oneself.
From the lowest among men he had risen, and Jumeno was certain he would continue to rise to create a great family legacy. Or at least, that was what he thought before the plague began.
It had started only a few weeks ago. The waterways of Hirashi had become polluted, giving many untreatable illnesses. Bodies had started piling up soon after. The city had started to dig mass graves in an attempt to cope with the sudden influx in corpses. It still wasn't enough. Infected corpses littered the streets, making it dangerous to even walk around. City government tried their best to manage the situation, but they didn't know where the disease had come from. Some new bacteria released from a mining operation? An attack by a foreign power? A mutated virus? It was a complete unknown. The best doctors in the city were working on it, but it was clear it was beyond their scope. The city mayor had sent a messenger to the capital to ask for aid and they had still heard no response.
Many would have left the city, recognizing it for the death trap it was, but the mayor refused to allow anyone to leave. National pride, he had called it. A fear of allowing the disease to spread to the rest of Fire. Samurai had been positioned around the city, barring any from leaving. Jumeno called it foolhardy. All the mayor was doing was ensuring everyone in the city would grow sick and die. They had no way to retreat from the outbreak.
And then his wife had caught the disease.
Jumeno had done everything in his power to get her the best doctors money could buy. He had even gotten into contact with smugglers when the doctors failed to find an effective cure for her disease.
The smugglers had failed as well.
His wife was caught and thrown in prison by the mayor. He had pleaded his case, but the judge had heard none of it. The most they would do was release his wife to allow her to be with him in her final days. He watched helplessly as she grew thin, unable to eat. Her skin turned a violent shade of purple, eyes bulging from their sockets. Blood dripped from her pores, and she rasped every night. She lost her ability to speak first. Then her ability to move. After a time, she couldn't even see. Just a sniveling, crying mess left crippled by a disease none could pinpoint.
Jumeno could only watch, feeling like he had failed in his sole purpose as the man of the household.
She died three days after being released from prison.
But if Jumeno had thought that was the end of his torment he was sadly mistaken. His parents, his children, even his daughter and her fiancé had caught the disease as well. The mercenaries he had hired to guard his bank started disappearing, whether of death via the disease or from fleeing the situation he could not tell. The bank he had built, brick by brick, was raided by thieves and vandals, desperately looking for money to feed their own sick and needy.
Jumeno could only watch as his world crumbled around him, helpless in the face of a sickness that ravaged the entire city of Hirashi. Riots started. Violence had broken out on the street. Jumeno had to wonder if it was some curse from the gods that he was forced to watch it all, unaffected by the sickness ravaging the city. Causing its destruction. He had prayed and prayed for salvation. First for his family. Then for his city. Then for himself. He had hoped the Daimyo would come, a beacon of light that could doubtlessly save the city with his entourage of doctors and iryonin. Purify the waters. Put an end to this madness.
It was not the Daimyo who came.
When the Kazekage broke down the walls of Hirashi Jumeno knew that whatever gods he had believed in were fake. Only demons existed in this world. So, when the ultimatum came, he swore to meet them and curse them to their face.
"Submit to the Kazekage's rule or face death civilian. What is your choice?"
Jumeno stared up, sunken eyes lacking any light in them.
"Death."
"Are you alright, Orochimaru-sama?"
Orochimaru raised a hand, hissing as he rose from his prone state. A bandage covered his eyes, blocking out his vision.
"Silence," the Sannin hissed. Instead, he held out his hand.
"You have the other set, correct?"
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama. I will not give them to Sasuke unless you give the word."
Orochimaru clicked his teeth, as if debating whether he should allow the violation of the young Uchiha to stand.
"There may be...kinks...to this transformation. So long as I maintain my seals on him, he is no threat. Go ahead with the procedure."
"Understood my lord."
Orochimaru could feel the hesitation.
"What is it Kabuto?"
"While you were out there were...complications. Our envoy to the Daimyo has yet to return."
Orochimaru clicked his teeth once more.
"Go out and search for them after this operation. We will have to move locations soon. The battleground between Fire and Lightning is soon to grow more ferocious with the Raikage pushing hard in Fire. We cannot be caught in the crossfire while still testing our newfound abilities."
"Understood Orochimaru-sama."
"You're sure this information is accurate?"
"I got the information directly from one of our spies," the man stated. A Konoha shinobi sent to serve under Kakashi on this front of the war. "They've never led us astray before."
Kakashi frowned, rubbing his mask. His eyes ignored the man before him, instead digesting his words as if it were a particularly hard to swallow meal.
'The Mizukage is planning a blockade on our eastern-most port cities using Wave a staging ground. If she's successful...Konoha's ability to trade will be completely cut off from seaborn routes. With land routes being as perilous as they are...'
"Understood."
"What is the plan, Hatake-sama?"
Kakashi stood, grabbing a cloak and slipping it on.
"We're going to go try to kill ourselves a Mizukage."
Lee sat silently in the fort, darkness shrouding his form. The shinobi under Shisui Uchiha's and Might Gai's command had been forced to retreat deeper into Konoha. Soldiers who were wounded more deeply had been sent back to Konoha, while more reserves were doubtlessly being sent over from Konoha to reinforce their position. They had suffered terrible loses. Whatever those new weapons from Lightning were, they were dangerous.
Lee knew that very well.
Shisui had told him the truth of what had occurred after Gai had rescued him from death at the hands of the Raikage.
Lee clenched his fists, staring even harder at the wall before him. He couldn't help but feel the weight of his mentor's death particularly heavily. He had always known Gai was going to die. That was the way life worked. He had always known Gai would have preferred to have died in battle. That was the type of man his sensei was. But he had never thought that it would be because he was too weak to stop the threat.
The thought infuriated him.
How could he face Neji or Tenten now, knowing that the reason their sensei had died was because he was too inept to protect him? They were supposed to be a team, and yet here he was, being the most worthless member once again.
Just like when they were Genin.
"You did this."
Lee's head shot up, shocked to hear another voice talking to him only to see Neji standing before him.
"If you had just been stronger, he'd still be alive."
"Neji, I tried. I used all the gates that I could-"
"But it wasn't enough," came the voice. Lee turned, shocked to see Tenten standing before him as well. Wasn't she with Asuma near Suna? That was the other side of the country. "Just like always. Your efforts are never enough."
"You deserve this."
Lee winced at the harsh voice of Neji. The Hyuga stared down at him as if he were his lesser. Like he always had.
"Why did you have to go and try to become a shinobi? You were nothing. You were placed at the bottom for a reason. Why couldn't you just accept that you were a loser from the start Lee?"
"No..."
Lee dropped to his knees.
"He's right you know," Lee heard. This time it was his own voice. His mouth was moving even if he wasn't talking himself. Lee slammed his hands on his ears, shaking his head furiously.
"No, no, no, get out of my head!"
The voices did not stop.
"It is hard to believe that this is me. I mean look at you. Taller, muscular. You look strong, but I guess it is only your appearance that has changed. Dig deeper and you are still weak, and that is all you will ever be. A dreamer that never learned his place."
The voice ripped itself free from his body, staring down at him in a shadowy form that turned the dark environment into blackness.
"Or should you be satisfied now? Isn't this what you always wanted? Recognition? Well, you've got it. Now, who could possibly forget you?"
The figure cackled to itself.
"The shinobi that got Might Gai killed!"
"No!" Lee screamed, shooting up from his slumber. He was covered in a cold sweat. No one was around. Lee's eyes widened as he realized what had occurred.
"Dream," he whispered to himself, slowly laying back down.
"It was just a dream..."
"Are you sure you're ready for this Kagari," Naruto whispered as his team looked over the village of Oaxaco. The Chunin nodded, his face stony.
"I want you all to be there."
The Ame Chunin's teammates and sensei nodded. They marched into the village, their blonde sensei leaving two clones to watch over Hanabi who sat outside the village. Bringing her back to the village would do nothing good. The quartet quickly moved through the town, noticing that the rebuilding efforts were going as well as could be expected. The destroyed houses from the Konoha forces earlier assault had been completely deconstructed, and the remaining houses had tried to use whatever materials were still useful from the raid. The villagers already had a joyful look on their face, but Naruto could see it was taut. Forced.
The scars of war here would not heal for some time.
But one scar could heal today.
Kagari knocked on the door of Hitou's house. The man opened the door, greeting the Ame shinobi with a smile.
"Ah, you're back. Did you stop the Konoha threat?"
"As much as we can," Naruto admitted. "We're headed back to Ame soon. These three need a break."
"I see," Hitou said. "Well congratulations. Thank you for your service."
The two children, Akichi and Lurua shot out, smashing into Kagari.
"Kagari-nii you're back!"
"Hello," Kagari said, hiding the jolt of pain that shot through his body as the duo collided with him. His blonde sensei frowned. Kagari hadn't truly begun his recovery yet. They were doing him a favor by going to Oaxaco before Ame to allow him to settle his unfinished business, but the blonde would force him to Ame at the slightest sign that his injuries were growing worse.
"I missed you two."
"We missed you too!"
"You two have been good to Hitou-san right," Suiren asked, looking at the children.
"Of course, Suiren-nii! We even got him flowers!"
Suiren blinked. Suiren-nii? Since when had the two grown so fond of her. The children pointed to a small ring of flowers that rested on Hitou's wrist. The elderly man gave a wry smile. Naruto shook his head.
"Are they here," Kagari asked, looking at the man. Hitou nodded, gesturing to the boy's parents, still wrapped in the cloth.
"I've done the best I could to preserve them, but the elements-"
"It's fine," Kagari interrupted. "Thank you...Hitou. You've done so much for me and my family."
"It's the least I could do," the man said.
Kagari nodded, walking forwards. He looked down at the bodies of his parents before he bent down. With a grunt of effort he slowly lifted them, using chakra to fuel his body. Slowly he lifted them from the ground before he winced in pain. However, before he collapsed Midare and Suiren were there, assisting him with the load.
"You guys...this is my burden to bear."
"Says who," Midare questioned.
"We're a team Kagari-san," Suiren said. "One person's burden is all of our burden."
Kagari gave a light smile. The trio slowly guided the bodies outside, walking to the outskirts of the village. They were followed by the group of Hitou, Akichi, Lurua, and Naruto, all of the four with a solemn look on their face. Finally, they came to the place Kagari had marked, the crevice in the ground where Kagari had gone hunting for the wall rabbit before. Slowly they laid the bodies down on the ground.
Kagari stared down at the corpses of his parents, a great sorrow filling his chest. He knelt, placing a hand on each of them and offering a small prayer that could be heard only by him. He rose, looking up at the sky. It was not raining.
"Does anyone want to say anything?"
Midare stepped forward.
"I didn't get a chance to meet you," Midare began. "But you raised a strong son. A capable son. One that cares for Rain, all of Rain. The citizen and the shinobi. From the strongest of us to the weakest. A son with more character in his finger than I had in my entire body. Rest well. If this is the gift you've given us, you've more than earned it."
Midare stepped back. Suiren smiled, shaking her head, simply giving Kagari a light squeeze to show her support. Lurua and Akichi stepped up next.
"Thank you for giving us food," Akichi began. "And letting us stay with you when we were cold. And helping us learn how to count!"
"I'll always remember how you taught us how to recognize flowers. Or gave us our first piece of meat. Or when you let us go rain surfing," Lurua said, excitedly. "It was great."
"I love you. And I miss you," the two children said next, tears streaming down their faces. They stepped back, running into Hitou's arms. The man held them, a hard look on his face.
"Thank you," he whispered. "For this great young man you've raised." Hitou opened his mouth as if to say more but shut it. Tears were barely restrained behind his eyes. He couldn't say anything more.
Naruto took that as his que. He placed a hand on Kagari's shoulder.
"I never got to know my parents," the blonde began. "But from how highly Kagari speaks of you I can only hope they would have been as loving and attentive as you were. Midare said it best. You've raised a wonderful young man. I'm proud to call myself his sensei."
Kagari smiled, tears streaming down his face throughout everyone's small words of appreciation. Still, he could sense the eyes of everyone on him. It was his turn. He stared at his parents, the eyes of everyone else bleeding away and leaving him here alone before them.
"We always joked," Kagari began. "Saying that you both would be the ones to bury me because I was a shinobi. Seems like that wasn't the case huh?"
Kagari bit his lip.
"I'm sorry I didn't move you out to the capital like I said I would. I was saving up for it, and once again I was too slow to do it. Just like I was to reach you. Despite what everyone's said here...in some ways I'm always disappointing you...aren't I?"
Midare looked like he was going to say something, only to be stopped by Suiren. The kunoichi placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking her head. Kagari needed to get this out of his system.
"I don't know if you'd be proud of me..." the Chunin continued, "or the decisions that I've made."
Naruto stared at him, his mind flickering back to Hanabi.
"But there's no use worrying about it," Kagari whispered. "Because that isn't who I am anymore. I'm not the helpless kid that couldn't help with the farm animals, or the incompetent shinobi. I'm the Chunin who helped take down someone from the Hyuga Clan, the teammates of Midare and Suiren, and the student of Naruto-sensei. We pushed back a Konoha invasion! I won't be a step slow anymore. And I won't be someone who can't stand on his own two feet any longer!"
Kagari reached a hand out.
"I wish I could say that I'll live the rest of my life trying to make you proud. But your pride will do nothing for me now. You're dead and gone. And I'll miss you for as long as I live. But I'll keep pushing forward...because I've grown into a man now you hear me! I'm not a kid that needs to be sheltered any longer."
Tears poured down Kagari's face as his determined face shone brightly for all to see. He pressed a seal against his parents' bodies, watching as flames engulfed them.
"My name is Kagari DeMita! And I am an Ame shinobi!"
The flames roared to life, burning the bodies as Kagari finished his speech. Tears streaked down his face as the Chunin said his final goodbyes to his parents.
It was all his friends could do to stay there with him in support.
It wasn't long before Naruto and company left to return back to Amegakure. They had left Oaxaco with a cluster of Naruto's clones to help with the remaining rebuilding process and the promise that they would return with aid from the capital to help develop the city. Kagari had wanted to stay longer, but Naruto had forced his wards off to Amegakure with little debate. They were heavily injured, and he had already done Kagari a favor by letting him say goodbye to his parents before getting his wounds treated. It would undoubtedly show up to bite the Chunin in the ass when it came time to recover from his wounds.
When they arrived back in the capital city the blonde had immediately sent the trio to the closest hospital. He had only bothered to leave when he was satisfied that they were going to get treatment. In the meantime, he had moved to the Tower, taking Hanabi with him on the journey. She had been quiet for most of the trip. The duo had not spoken since their conversation back in Cata. They did not need to. They had reached an understanding. There was nothing for them to discuss.
When the blonde arrived in the Tower with his ward he was greeted by a frigid sight. It wasn't hard for the blonde to detect a problem in the air. Nagato looked downtrodden, Yahiko's eyes cut with more intensity, showering him and Hanabi with a new curiosity, and Konan had a worried look in her eye. Naruto frowned.
"What happened?"
"Not in front of her," Yahiko measured, eyes glaring at the Hyuga. "Guards, take the prisoner to the cells. We'll get information out of her yet."
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"And how do you plan to do that?"
"The ways that work," Yahiko insisted, as if there was no room for debate. Ame shinobi approached Hanabi, the Hyuga eyeing them testily. Naruto clicked his teeth.
"Yahiko...need I remind you of what happened the last time someone tried to act rashly regarding a friend of mine?"
"The enemy is a friend of yours?"
"She is my friend. She is your enemy. Things are not as simple as you think they are."
"They should be."
"That's enough," Konan stated, getting between the two. The kunoichi glanced at the guards. "Take her to the cells. Do not torture her for any information."
The kunoichi looked at Naruto.
"We have a lot to discuss."
The blonde nodded at Hanabi who was taken away to the cells of the Tower. It wasn't long before he was marched into a room with Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko.
"I assume your side of the mission went well, Naruto-san," Konan questioned.
"As well as can be expected," Naruto muttered. "The Konoha breakaway contingent is no longer a threat to Ame. Hanabi is captured, my students are alive. By all technical means it's been completed, although the damage to the towns was devastating."
"We'll repair the towns," Yahiko stated firmly, his mind noticing the fact that Naruto referred to his students as his. The blonde had grown attached to them on their mission. That was good. "And it's good we have a replacement."
"Replacement," Naruto questioned. "What are you talking about?"
So, Konan explained the situation to Naruto. Nagato's failure to effectively stop Shikaku Nara's plan. The attack on the Scientific Ninja Tool facility. Kashin kidnapping Amado after defeating Fuka in battle. And then, how Karin, Kamino, and Ashino had been attacked by Konoha ANBU who had managed to retrieve Sakura. How the kunoichi had, likely, saved their lives.
Naruto gave a soft smile at the news.
"You seem pleased after hearing that your friend was taken by Konoha shinobi," Yahiko stated aggressively.
"Sakura was a prisoner here. She had no access to her chakra, no ability to save people's lives. She lived a purposeless existence. She can go back to what she loves now. What was the end goal with her staying here?"
"With village secrets," Yahiko hissed, clearly avoiding the question the blonde had asked. Because he had none, or because the answer would displease the Uzumaki one could not know. "Am I the only person who understands this? She has knowledge of Ame and the power to back it up. Not to mention she has motive. We need to strike, hard and fast."
"Without her Karin and Kamino would be dead."
"And we will pay her back by killing her quickly."
Naruto's eyes snapped up, eyes digging into Yahiko's own.
"You know, I'm really getting sick of you threatening the people I care about Yahiko. Maybe I should remind you what happens when you do that."
"I don't care what you think. We need information on Konoha's future plans to press the advantage we have. To do so we'll use the Hyuga you brought back."
Naruto raised his hand, drawing a tense silence into the air. Yahiko's eyes narrowed as he heard the light whistle of wind pierce the air. He could feel the slight gust of wind. The blonde had formed a kunai of pure wind right before his throat.
"If you think I'll let you do to Hanabi what Fuka did to Sakura, let me make it clear: I'll kill you."
"Well finally, the Konoha rat shows his true colors. You're a Great Power shinobi, just like I thought."
The killing intent that flooded the room was shut down by Nagato finally opening his mouth to speak and forcing the two men to stop their squabble.
"Yahiko...has a point."
Naruto snapped his gaze to him, eyes hard. Nagato met his gaze, his eyes compassionate but also sturdy.
"We will not torture her. I will not have it. But using the Hyuga is our best bet. We shall use her how we should have used the Haruno."
"And what is that?"
Nagato could hear the thinly veiled threat in the Uzumaki's tone. It was clear that whoever Naruto was when he had left, he was not that man anymore. He had dug his line in the ground and would fight for it regardless of the consequences or who he had to defeat for it.
Including him.
"Use her as a bargaining chip. Her freedom for peace."
"What," Yahiko muttered. "You should barter her security for land! Resources! We're in the more powerful position here Nagato, and they've wounded us! Her for Amado. Water. Farming land. Now is the time to consolidate our power."
"What Rain needs now more than ever is space," Nagato exclaimed. "We have sat idly as the world has passed us by. That was the wrong choice, and it has fallen squarely on my lap. The situation in the border towns is evidence enough. We need to be able to stand on our own two feet. We can no longer stay reactive in the face of the shinobi world."
Nagato turned to Konan.
"I am trusting you with a plan to fortify our position. We need more shinobi. We need resources. We need allies. Do whatever it takes Konan."
The blue haired kunoichi nodded.
Nagato turned to Yahiko.
"I will barter for peace with Konoha. In the meantime, it is your job to get the railroad magnates in line Yahiko."
The man frowned but nodded. The Uzumaki then turned to his clansmen.
"And my role?"
"For now? Rest. Ensure your team is as well. I have the feeling you all shall be needed in the future."
"How do you feel," Shikaku questioned, sitting down next to the kunoichi. The pinkette grunted, flexing her hands.
"It's strange," she said finally. "Feeling my chakra again. It'll take me some time to get used to it I imagine."
"We may need that time faster than anticipated," Shikaku muttered. "Kumo is mounting some form of an attack We'll need your manpower."
Sakura clenched her fist.
"I'll do my best. But what about Hanabi?"
Shikaku frowned.
"I want to retrieve her, especially given how you turned out. No offense."
"None taken."
Shikaku sighed.
"Regardless, I can't spare the manpower to save her. The Hokage is recalling our force. A shift in priorities. Staying here would be treason. In his eyes, recovering you for her is a more than acceptable trade, her being a Clan Heir or not."
Sakura frowned. Shikaku knew her well enough to know her displeasure at the cold logic the Hokage often showed.
"Do you believe she will be fine?"
Sakura glanced downwards, eyes hard as she thought about Naruto and his presence in the village. He would be fiendishly protective of the kunoichi, of that she had no doubt. Additionally, she had left with some modicum of goodwill with Karin Uzumaki.
"She stands a better chance than I did," Sakura muttered.
When Naruto had returned to the Uzumaki Clan Compound he had been looking for Karin, Kamino, and Ashino. He had been hoping to find the trio to ensure their safety. They had been attacked by ANBU. Even if they had survived, psychological scars were likely, especially for Ashino. The child had been subject to far too much in a short time frame. He needed a break from the shinobi world.
He had not stumbled across the trio.
"You're back," Fuka whispered, standing awkwardly before the man. Naruto stared at her, feeling the familiar emotions of anger flare up inside of him. The awkwardness filled the air between the duo. Neither were ready to apologize for their actions.
"I'm back," Naruto finally said.
The blonde stepped forwards, moving passed the kunoichi only to pause.
"Are you...all right?"
"Kashin only hurt my pride," the kunoichi whispered. "I'll be fine."
"That's not what I mean."
Fuka turned, her confused eyes meeting Naruto's. The younger Uzumaki had an intense look in his eyes.
"This is the second time Ashino was attacked."
Fuka bit her lip.
"He's vulnerable," she said. "We're vulnerable. How am I supposed to accept that as his mother?"
Naruto frowned.
"You can't. You can only prepare him for it."
Fuka looked at Naruto long and hard.
"You want me to train him. Really train him."
"He has an aptitude, and these attacks won't stop. It's the only way for you and him to feel secure."
Fuka bit her lip before she eventually nodded. Naruto nodded back, continuing his walk only for him to hear her call out to him once more.
"Naruto!"
"Hm?"
"I...I'm not sorry for your friend but...I shouldn't have done that. I wanted to hurt her but...I ended up hurting my family instead. You're still looking after them despite the distance between us. I'm sorry for that."
Naruto looked at the redhead kunoichi. His eyes were flat, as if the apology hadn't truly reached him. Fuka stared, wondering if her apology had truly been received only for the blonde to give her a small smile.
"I'm not sorry about kicking your ass. I'd do it again."
Fuka gave a small smile.
"The way I remember it it was me who was kicking your ass."
"I was still injured from fighting the Ichibi."
"Speaking of injuries," Fuka stated, changing the topic. Her eyes glanced at Naruto's missing arm. She pulled a scroll from her pouch, tossing it to Naruto.
"It was all I managed to recover from Amado. It's the arm he made you. Use it or lose it."
Naruto glanced at the scroll for a moment before he gave a nod as his thanks. Fuka gave a small smile back as the blonde turned and continued his march.
Fang was a weak minor country. Centered in between the major powers of Stone and Wind it relied heavily on good relations between the two nations. It often served as a meeting point for the Kazekage and Tsuchikage to discuss terms for trade, border disputes, or other issues. That was the way it had thrived until the Third Shinobi World War.
Then Suna had turned their once lush land into a sea of poison in an effort to uproot Iwa forces resting in the country. It had destroyed them economically. Fang had quickly allied themselves with Stone in an effort to push Wind out of the country and they had been successful. They had been a staunch ally of Stone ever since. However, the damage had been done. Much of their arable land had only recently recovered from the poison that once flooded their lands. The populace was still poor and destitute. It was recovering, and within another decade or two perhaps they would regain their former glory, but the scars would still be there. They had not escaped unscathed.
Then the Ichibi had trampled through, carving a path towards Earth between Fang and Claw. They were ravaged once more. The populace thrown back into destitution. The recovery process for this would be much longer.
Which made it all the more frustrating to the local civilians when an army marched through their lands. However, this time it was not an army from Wind that poisoned their lands and trampled them underfoot. Now it was a Stone army, given sanction by their own Daimyo, to mobilize their troops fully through their territory. Samurai and shinobi alike marched south, all eager to crush the vulnerable Wind to their southwest. The populace buckled to support them. The influx of people that should have brought an influx of money had instead been given free reign. The Daimyo had promised to pay for anything they may need. An empty promise. The Fang Daimyo had neither the money nor the influence to ensure such a thing. But he was afraid. A Bijuu had just been at their doorstep, burning a trail through their lands, and Iwa was seeking retribution.
This was a golden opportunity to get themselves back on their feet and the Daimyo had spat on it out of fear of what the Tsuchikage would do to their weakened country if his forces had conditions. Some called it wise. Some called it foolish.
Others called it barbaric.
But none had the power to stop the army. So, Stone moved on, ready to crush Wind beneath its feet once and for all. The populace could only watch with empty stomachs and longing eyes as they moved. Some took solace that they would leave soon. Others believed with Wind defeated Stone would grant them some of Wind's former territory to help rebuild due to their loyalty. Rumors were abound, but none more so than the one related to the Stone army itself.
Within the army, or so it was said, marched the Tsuchikage themselves, along with one of their Jinchuriki and the inheritors of the Jinton (Particle Style).
Naruto had not expected the invitation from Konan. The woman was elusive to him, a mask of stoicism that made it hard for him to believe she had any other side to her. Yet she was married. What she could possibly see in a man like Yahiko was beyond him, but it was not his place to question the heart of another much less one who had done nothing to wrong him.
He had entered her abode, his mood dropping when he saw Yahiko there as well. He had expected as much, but that had not stopped him from hoping. The kunoichi had explained she wanted both of their opinions on how to best formulate the strategy to strengthen Ame's position. Nagato was a powerful shinobi, but the strategic aspect of leading a nation were not his strong suite. Naruto was quickly beginning to realize it was Konan's.
"We have three problems," Konan stated plainly. "Manpower, resources, and lack of alliances. With Konoha giving us time to breathe we need to solve all three of these problems before their next attack."
"Since my plan has been so helplessly shut down," Yahiko spat. Clearly, he was still upset and lacked the maturity to handle it gracefully. "What do you suggest?"
"We split up," Konan muttered. "Each of us handles a section."
The woman looked at Naruto.
"You should handle manpower. Out of the three of us you're the strongest."
"I hope you're not suggesting I train the entirety of Ame shinobi. That's unrealistic."
"No not that," Konan stated. "We need stronger shinobi, or at least strong allied shinobi. You training Midare, Suiren, and Kagari is already assisting with the former. This should naturally spawn a growth in our shinobi as well. I would appreciate you training more shinobi, but for the task I desire it will be an impossibility for you to take on even more load."
"What are you suggesting?"
"Our manpower problem can only be solved with having more shinobi, or stronger shinobi. Ideally both. But we have strong shinobi. What we truly need are bodies. The Land of Mountains contains a minor shinobi village. You shall head there and secure an alliance with them. You should take your students with you as well. It will allow them to continue their training and be good experience for them."
"Iwa and Suna are closer to them. Why would they ally with us?"
"Because you will rip Fang and Claw from the clutches of Wind and Stone to do so," Konan stated. "To reach Mountains you must travel through the two countries. Secure economic allegiances with them as you go. In so doing you can assist with all three of our problems."
"That won't be easy. Wind and Stone have their ties deep in each country."
"I did not suggest it because it would be easy. I suggested it because it would be beneficial. I believe you are more than capable of this. Am I wrong?"
"No," Naruto stated. A small smirk formed on his face. He hadn't known she had that level of manipulation in her. She knew just the right buttons to press to make him excited.
"Good. The alliance should bring an influx of missions and thus money into the nation. We can use that to continue to purchase other resources and train our shinobi."
"What about you? What will you do?"
Konan pointed to Rivers on the map.
"I will move to handle our economic problems. Similarly, to you I will for an alliance. Rivers has currently been invaded by Suna shinobi. Konoha has failed to effectively protect them and can no longer send a focused effort with one of their major trade hubs lost to the Kazekage. It gives us an opening to turn the eye of the Rivers Daimyo to us favorably if we retrieve their gold mine for them."
"You'll be making an enemy of Suna and Konoha if we do that," Yahiko stated. "I thought you wanted to avoid more wars."
"And I thought you wanted to grab more territory where we could," Konan countered. "Suna has provided us with an opportunity to gain an ally, and a rich one at that. Bolstering our economy is necessary to kickstart rebuilding efforts and fund an increased number of shinobi. It also prevents us from being economically crippled like Konoha attempted to do to us."
"This will anger Konoha. It may impact Nagato's ability to get a peace deal done," Naruto countered.
"On the contrary," Konan stated. "I will use this as a bargaining chip for Nagato. Yahiko wanted a military expansion into Konoha territory, but that is unnecessary. We will give them Hanabi for peace and for them not meddling in our affairs in Rivers. Besides, if Rivers turns their back from them completely, they will have no choice but to accept that they have no interest in Fire any longer."
"They could invade."
"Then we listen to Yahiko," Konan stated. "It is risky, but the risk is well worth the reward. Besides."
Konan tapped the map.
"Rivers gives us access to seaports. Not many, due to the catastrophic rivers, but access. That means global trade is a possibility. No longer will we be constricted by land routes. I will spearhead this myself."
"Why not me," Yahiko muttered. "I could give those Suna fucks a good thrashing."
"You lack the temperament for foreign dignitaries," Konan stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Instead, I'll be having you focus locally on solving another aspect of our resource problem. Transportation."
"The railroad magnates," Yahiko stated, understanding the predicament.
Yahiko placed his hands underneath his chin, his eyes wandering. Distant. As if pondering different potential outcomes of the options he had before him.
"I just need to convince Higuroma to lower his demands."
"We can't do that," Konan stated. "Higuroma and his ilk have too much power economically. Bullying them with might will do nothing but hurt us in the long run."
"But what if I didn't bully them," Yahiko stated. "Their main concern is their bottom line. We have been pleading for them to see that the stronger Ame is the more lucrative their business will be as a result, but that's the wrong way to go about it. What if I alleviated a different problem for their bottom line to make it easier for them to say yes? Quid pro quo?"
"And how do you expect to do that?"
"I'm unsure for now."
"I need more than that Yahiko-kun."
Yahiko rubbed his forehead frowning as he looked at the map.
"Security details might work," he muttered. "I'd need to work out the kinks, but if we could get enough shinobi to protect ourselves and provide security details to the railroads to fend off the attacks from bandits and rogue shinobi that have cropped up then we should be able to help their bottom line, especially if we provide the service for free."
"Free service doesn't help Ame's economic position," Naruto muttered.
"But it does provide good relations. Good relations mean they'll be friendlier in making deals with us. Which means easier transportation. Besides, the more goods they ship into the country means more money flowing into it. That money will reach us, even indirectly."
Naruto couldn't deny the logic but still scoffed.
'He knows how to have good relations with someone?'
"It's a start," Konan stated. "But be careful. Many of their train tracks run through Fire territory. We cannot afford to anger them more than we already will with Rivers. That could destabilize our entire operation. If Fire saves Rivers before we do..."
"We lose a major economic boost," Yahiko said, waving her off. "I know Konan-chan. Trust me."
The kunoichi smiled, nodding.
"In that case, it sounds like we have a plan."
The members of the Shiin Clan were quick to mobilize. The orders of their Clan Head, dubious and unnatural as they may have been, were absolute. They were ready to throw their lives away if Hiraku ordered it.
Unfortunately, it was Fugaku who had done so.
The Shiin Clan surged into the caves, desperate for any way to find Orochimaru's base. Kakui led one contingent, the Kumo shinobi still trying to fight the genjutsu that forced his body to move in ways he did not design. Fugaku watched the scene unfold from a distance, crimson eyes glistening. He had sent Kakui down the center path. Ideally the man found trouble and was forced into helping him, regardless of if the genjutsu wore off or not. That would eliminate one variable.
Now, Fugaku Uchiha waited.
And the second there was any sign of Orochimaru or his base he would strike. In the worst-case scenario, he could return to Konoha having killed a traitor. In the best, he would get his family back.