Chapter 103 Shinobi Alliance.

The hotel room was oddly full when we got back. The Rookie 12 were all gathered like an intervention. They glared at me and I felt unwelcomed in my own room. I greeted them and held the door open for the little ones. Their eyes widened as a group of 'children' walked in obediently. I closed the door behind Sasuke who walked in with Kurama in his arms. For a fox that hated Uchihas, he seemed to like Sasuke.

Neji was the first to recover from the shock.

"You," Neji was at a loss for words. "Multiplied?"

"Divided, actually," I corrected.

I picked up Hashirama and presented him with pride.

"This is the first Hokage!" I declared. "Say hello."

"Hello," Hashirama greeted shyly. "My name is Hashirama Senju, First Son of Butsuma."

He was so cute!

Neji stared at the mini Kage with a blank look.

He took a deep breath and released looking at me with that blank stare. I hugged Hashirama to me.

"What?" I asked. I could feel a scolding coming along.

"I thought the Kages were inside you," Shikamaru spoke before Neji could explode. "Why are they suddenly children?"

Ah, Shikamaru, asking all the important questions.

"There were some complications with the seal, so I'm having them wander around until I fix it," I explained.

"Eh!" Naruto, the fuinjutsu expert he was, rushed over worried. "Are you okay? What when wrong? Are they trying to take over your body?"

I giggled at his worried face. I pinched his cheek out of amusement. Taking over my body is the least of my concerns.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," I assured him.

"Naruto?" A small voice came from below and we looked down. Minato clung to my leg looking up at Naruto unsure. He was so cute. Like a mini Naruto!

Naruto stared at the Fourth Hokage, the rusty gears in his head turning.

"Dad?"

"Naruto!" Minato yelled in excitement after confirming it was his son. He ran from behind me and suddenly grew to my height as he hugged his son. I blinked. Eh? Emotions of happiness burst the fourth and I suddenly felt faint.

"What's wrong," Neji asked, catching me before I fell.

I opened my mouth to reply but my vision swam and my thoughts became fuzzy.

"What is this?"

"This form is!" I could hear the Kages before I lost consciousness.

"What the hell was that!?" I demanded, thrown back into my inner world. Madara ignored me, moving the seal around in deep concentration. Only when the kanjis harmonised and glowed did he turn back to me.

"Some chakra slipped out while I was modifying the seal," He explained. I hummed as I watched him. Even as he worked he still held me under his arm like a precious toy. He was like a technician repairing a broken ship, meticulous in his work. I imagined him in an overall leaning over the car engine and I snorted.

I trembled with barely contained laughter.

"I wouldn't wear it like that," he said suddenly, much to my confusion.

"Huh?"

An image of Madara leaning over a car with the overalls around his waist and in a sweaty marina flashed and my laughter died.

"Are you seriously in my head?"

"I've always been in your head," He remarked running a hand over the walls and illuminating the seals there.

"Yeah but not in real time!"

"I've always been in your head," he said again, rewriting the broken kanji. The room trembled and five platforms appeared, each displaying an element. "It's a benefit of us being together."

"A benefit for who?" I muttered, mortified that my thoughts were never safe.

He stood over the platform for 'fire', his platform, and frowned. It was damaged, and the kanji was barely readable.

"We're going to need a new seal," he concluded. He touched the broken platform and the seals glowed weakly. "Since the power is unbalanced, perhaps something revolving around my chakra?" he muttered.

Since Madara's mother was a Uzumaki, it wasn't surprising he knew his way around seals, but it was always fun to see him work.

"Why are you still here?" he looked down at me, still tucked under his arm.

"What?" I smirked. "Don't like my company?"

"Your company is fine," He responded. "It's your friends that are the problem."

Before I could ask, I woke up to the panic of genins.

"She's waking up!"

I opened my eyes and scowled at the crowd.

"What?" I muttered.

"You fainted!" Ino exclaimed.

"I noticed."

I sat up with Neji's help and took stock.

There were new faces in the crowd.

Hashirama and Tobirama were in pre-teen forms and what I thought was Naruto's clone was in fact Minato. I looked around and found the fox in Sasuke's arms still. They hadn't changed size but I could tell they were more dense with chakra.

"What Happened," Neji asked. I looked over my shoulder at him and smiled reassuringly.

"Growth spurts," I said dismissing the issue.

"Your seal was changing," Minato stepped forward. "I tried to help but it repelled me."

I chuckled. "It wouldn't be much of a seal if its prisoners could alter it," I explained.

"Eh," He looked surprised. "But Mada-" his words were cut off by the hands of the Senju brothers.

"I see, so chakra slipped out, that explains it," Tobirama said with understanding.

"It must have been quite the shock, I'm sorry," Hashirama smiled at me.

Ah, they were covering up Madara's existence.

"It's fine, though I will have to make a new seal," I tried to stand but felt dizzy so stayed on the ground, leaning back into Neji.

"We'll help however we can," Tobirama offered.

"Thanks."

Growl~

"Can we start with some food?"

The meeting room was tense as the Kages discussed the recent events from their points of view. Hiruzen felt some level of shame to find Orochimaru challenging the Kages in times of chaos, though he couldn't help the pride, at knowing he won.

"Whoa, you guys really had a hard time huh?" Yagura was amused.

"Why were you spared?" Raikage yelled, slamming the table with his fist.

"I was trapped inside the barrier with the other Jinchurikis," He explained. "Even if I wanted to leave and join you, Sakura captured me and said I couldn't go anywhere."

"That being said, a familiar face or two was among those attackers weren't they?" Onoki said, turning to Hiruzen. "The leaf has raised quite the monster."

Hiruzen sighed, missing his pipe at the moment.

"I was also surprised to see Orochimaru there, but I suppose I shouldn't have been, seeing as he was affiliated with the Akatsuki for a while now."

"Wasn't there also a child with him?" Rasa asked, recalling the event. "A pale boy."

Hiruzen sighed. "Yes, the young former root anbu, Sai."

"Anbu at such a young age," Rasa muttered.

"While I can't say for sure, I don't think Sai has betrayed us," Hiruzen spoke up. "I believe this may well be a ploy to get intel on the enemy by Danzo."

"Isn't he dead?" Yagura asked without a hint of remorse.

Hiruzen serpressed the grief.

"Yes, I was informed of his… demise."

"That genin of yours is really something," Raigake leaned back in his chair. "Fighting off a dragon and then subduing a veteran shinobi." he chuckled. I dear say, she's out of control."

"Or being controlled by ghosts," Yagura offered. "I saw it myself. First and Second Hokage, back from the dead."

"So it's true then," Onoki muttered. "I heard from my shinobi but didn't believe it."

"It's true," Yagura confirmed. "They aren't controlled by her and seem to function like a tail beast," He looked thoughtful. "It must be crowded in there. The three tail does talk, so I don't have to deal with it, but Utakata tells me Saiken can be quite, energetic."

"If the First and Second are back, those that mean the Fourth is also back?" Onoki asked.

The room became more tense.

"I didn't see him with her but I did see him on the battlefield," Yagura told them.

A shiver ran through Raikage and Onoki, those two were the ones to suffer from their battle with the yellow flash. If he was indeed back, along with the first and Second, then Konoha was once again the strongest.

"Does this mean they will be able to fight with us against the Akatsuki?" Shibuki, the young chief, asked. He was forgotten in the presence of the Kages but he had a Jinchuriki and so was invited.

"If their going to fight it would no doubt be in the interest of Konoha and not the shinobi world," Onoki huffed.

"I heard," Shibuki said unsure. "That there is someone the tail beast adores, inside that Sakura girl. Or at least their chakra is."

"Adores?" Raikage asked.

"Oh, great!" Onoki threw up his hands. "The leaf now has another person that can control the tail beast! Why don't you just take over the shinobi world and be done with it!"

"Don't put the idea in their head," Yagura warned. "Their Jinchuriki can slay a dragon." the reminder wasn't appreciated.

"We should be focusing on the Akatsuki and their declaration of war," Mifune reminded them before they started the fight. "They have demonstrated their ability to summon an army of the undead and challenge Kages. It's best if we work together to combat this threat."

"I agree," Hiruzun said. "Seeing their ability and those in their ranks, it wouldn't be good for any one of our nations to fight them alone. If we work together we can overcome this."

"It's not like you have anything to worry about," Onoki scoffed. "You have your army in one body."

"I agree with the Hokage," Yagura said surprising the Kages. "While I would rather there not be a war, since it's come to this, we should work together. While it's not a good comparison considering the circumstances. We have worked together before to demolish a country of Uzumakis." his sadistic smile felt out of place on his childlike face.

"Even though that team up, created this situation, to begin with, Mufune muttered.

"I'm in favor of this as well, Rasa stated. "They already have such power, yet want the tail beast. I will not be handing over my son to them to do as they like."

"Fu is like a daughter to me," Shibuki stated. "While we don't have a lot to offer. You have the Takigakure support."

"Well, we're sure as hell not giving up Bee" Raikage sighed. "If It's to protect him, I'll work with you tree huggers this once."

All eyes went to Onoki who huffed. "You'd like it if I said now and watched my village crumble wouldn't you," he scowled. "We'll guess what, I'll be using you youngsters and a shield to protect my village!"

Clap!

"Then it's decided!" Mifune declared before anyone had second thoughts. "In light of the rising conflict and the declaration of War by the Akatsuki, I announced the birth of 'The Shinobi Alliance'."

"What a momentous occasion," Shibuki whispered.

"As for the leader," Mifune went on.

"I think you should be the leader, General San," Yagura interrupted him.

"It's for the best, I wouldn't want to be bossed around by these youngsters," Onoki stated in agreement.

"General is neutral and can be trusted not to favour any one village," Hiruzen pointed out.

The others nodded.

Mifune was a bit baffled but agreed.

"Very well, as this war will affect us as well, the samurai will fight alongside you!"

Raikage looked at the pleased face of Yagura with narrowed eyes.

No one can say the land of Iron doesn't have good food. The village was located in a snowy biome so there wasn't a lot they could provide, like Konoha, but they excelled at what they had. I bit into the tender meat and giggled in delight. I wasn't sure why the food tasted so good to me so suddenly but I wouldn't object.

Hinata and Ino were giving Sasuke suspicious looks but the boy was meeting them with a blank stare. I wanted to know what the conversation was they were having, but the food came first.

Choji came over with more food, this time from his own stash.

"Eat up!" he said sitting the plates down in front of me. "After that fight you had, you must be hungry."

"Choji," My eyes teared up, he was so precious. "You cute little dumpling." I pinched his cheek and watched them redden.

"Yes! Eat and regain your strength," Lee agreed. "You have done great things for the village this is not a sufficient reward!"

"Easy, Lee," Tenten warned the excited boy.

"Everyone got out okay, yes?" I asked before downing the soup.

"We are fine, worry about yourself," Neji said sternly, removing the plates as fast as I emptied them.

"Your Jinchuriki friends came by earlier, but you were out so we told them to come later," Shikamaru informed me, lounging on the get without a care.

I hummed in thought. I tried to see through the eyes of my summons but received a backlash. I flinched and Neji narrowed his eyes at me.

"What's wrong?" he asked setting the plates aside.

"I got nerfed," I muttered. "It's fine just can't do certain things right now." I smiled at him, but he didn't seem convinced.

"Naruto-kun," I called. The blond sat with the Kages looking through my fuinjutsu scroll, debating something.

"Yeah?" he answered looking up from his scroll.

"Do you know where Sensei and Tsunade are?" I asked. We originally came here as an escort mission, we would have to take her back with us. As things are right now, we won't be in this village for much longer.

"His eyes glazed over and he shook his head to clear it.

"Grandma Tsunade is at the hot spring," He muttered quietly, almost dazed. "Kaka-sensei is with the other Jonins," he reported.

"Is everything okay?" I asked. I didn't like the vacant look in his eyes.

"Sensei is fine, but, well," He glanced at Hashirama worried, which the Senju noticed.

"Is something the matter, Young Naruto?" He asked, his smile kind and inviting.

"Some old do was peeping on her!" Naruto exclaimed, covering his head to shield against the incoming explosion.

"Eh?" Tobirama said, finally listening to the conversation, but it was too late.

"Who's peeking at my granddaughter!?" he yelled, causing everyone to flinch.

Killing intent filled the room and the genins froze in fear.

"Idiot, control yourself, she's not a child anymore," Tobirama reminded him but Hashirma was deaf to his words. He turned his head in the direction of the spring and charged out of the room.

"Don't worry Tsuna! Grandpa is coming!" he declared as he ran.

"That idiot," Tobirama sighed and stood. "I'm gonna make sure he doesn't kill anyone."

With those ominous words, he disappeared. Naruto wilted and Minato patted his head in comfort.

As the Senju's left the room was once again livable, causing everyone to sigh in relief.

"You can't use your summons, can you," Shikamaru said in the quiet.

I glared at him and finished chewing my steak before I answered.

"I can still use them but most jutsu involving them cause a lot of chakra and I'm currently experiencing a form of Chakra exhaustion," I explained.

Shikamaru sat up.

"How weak are you?" He asked.

Madara screamed not to reveal any weakness but it's not like it could be helped.

"I'm about Acadamy level," I estimated. "Give or take. I can still fight I just can't use Chakra right now."

Shikamaru looked thoughtful. "We'll have to hide this from everyone, the other villages are scared of you because of that fight, if they find out you're weakened," he said.

"It's not like I'm defenceless," I remarked, taking the time to down a bottle of Sake. I sighed in satisfaction. " They might not look it but the Kages are actually quite strong," I smirked. "I might not be able to control them, but I know they'll protect me when the time comes, Ne Minato Kun~"

I turned to the elder blond. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. It looked so much like Naruto that I couldn't help my fondness.

"You noticed, did you," he chuckled.

"We're already under attack, aren't we," Ino said.

"It's fine," Minato assured them. "Like Sakura said. We'll protect her at all cost."

Outside the window Kabuto hung upside down, unconscious.

I feel like this fanfic is just writing itself at this rate. I try to get on with the "Plot" but it decides I don't need that plot device, ugh, this chapter is fine but I really just want that guy to show up already!

Next Chapter

June 15.