Strategy

Kiba brushed another branch out of his way as the war party kept marching forwards. They weren't far from Yamaji Village now. Still not quite far enough to see the village or increase the pace, but they were far enough to send out scouts. The first scouts had been sent out two hours ago, some samurai at the direction of Hoheto. Kiba didn't quite understand the decision. There were shinobi in the ranks, easily more capable of getting information faster than any samurai, and better able to defend themselves, but they were not being used.

He didn't understand what could possible by on the Daimyo's mind, but he supposed that wasn't his purpose. It wasn't his job to understand. It was his job to follow orders. He wasn't in charge. So he kept walking, and walking, his mind wandering until he bumped into the person in front of him.

"Watch what you're doing," Kiba stated angrily, only for the person before him to glance back at him harshly. It was an older Chunin.

"If you were paying attention Inuzuka you would know we were just told to stop. The scouts found something."

"Oh," Kiba muttered, embarrassed. "What did they find exactly?"

The Chunin snorted, muttering something under his breath about Genin being incapable of paying attention even in war situations before replying. "They said they found a survivor of the previous battle at Yamaji Village. A kunoichi."

"A kunoichi," Kiba parroted, his eyes widening. There was only one kunoichi in Yamaji Village when the first battle began to his knowledge, Tenten. If she was out here that meant she was alive! That was good. Still, for her to be out here definitely meant one thing. The village had fallen. She might be alive, but undoubtedly countless others had died in battle. It was a hollow victory if there ever was one.

"Do you know where she is," Kiba questioned.

The Chunin shrugged. "Likely talking with Daimyo-sama. Until she's done debriefing him I doubt we'll be going anywhere. I'd get rest while you can Inuzuka. The next time we march we might not stop until after battle."

Kiba frowned, realizing he likely wouldn't be able to talk with Tenten but nodded nonetheless. The man was right. The most important thing right now was reclaiming lost territory. Tenten could wait until after the battle was won.

Still, Kiba was happy she was alive.

Sakura sighed, the iryojutsu she was using fading from her hands as the fish flopped back to life. She smiled, wiping the sweat from her brow at a successful jutsu perfromed.

"That's quite impressive Sakura-san."

Sakura turned, her eyes widening as she saw Ameno standing before her, her fellow kunoichi apparently walking through the training hospital. Sakura frowned, grabbing the fish before her before putting it back into the tank, making sure it didn't suffocate.

"Thank you," Sakura stated stiffly. Ameno frowned, noticing the irritation in her voice.

"Sakura-san? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Ameno frowned, nodding quietly before she moved to a nearby table. "You know you can be more proficient in your healing correct? You're using too much chakra. Your chakra control is impeccable, but there's no need to heal the entire wound. Find the most critical aspect and push your chakra into it to force it to heal at a faster rate than normal. As long as the wound is not lethal the victim's body should handle the rest. Obviously your way does heal the entirety of the wound, but it takes far to long."

Sakura clenched her fists. She didn't know why but this girl annoyed her. Maybe it was due to the fact that she so blatantly pointed out that her medical book was wrong on all the technical aspects. Reading was her strength, as it allowed her to know more things than most people. Knowledge was supposed to be her weapon, her tactic to get over the edge against people and this girl so drastically outclassed her that it was annoying. Of course the reward for being first in the rankings not doubt affected her. She could be trained by Tsunade of all people. That was high honors.

"So you specifically target the area that has the most serious damage?"

Ameno nodded. "Yes. I increase the rate of blood clotting if it's a serious cut, and then I start the scabbing at the edges. The body tends to handle the rest. If they had a puncture wound I would handle things differently of course. Use the iryojutsu to first draw out any impurities that might cause infection by creating a suction. This includes drawing out the excess blood that is making things more difficult. Then you slow the bleeding. Pressure points and chakra points are both very useful in this. You can slow the rate of blood travelling throughout the body if you channel iryojutsu into those points, slowing the victim from bleeding out. Depending on the severity I've heard the most adept iryonin can use the skin to stitch itself in on-field situations, but that's purely theoretical. I've never seen it done. Then you handle the monotonous work. Increase red blood cell count, repairing damaged tissue and the like."

Sakura's eyes widened at the detailed explanation on how to stop the different types of injuries. It was more than she had ever expected to learn, at least not while in the program. The overall program in the hospital was mainly focused on teaching basic first aid to shinobi, not teaching them to be full on iryonin. But from the way Ameno talked she seemed to have taken a dedicated path into becoming an iryonin. It was likely why she was performing so well. She just knew more. She gave more in depth explanations than Yoshino, and she was a Nara.

That fact hurt Sakura more than she cared to admit.

"Fascinating," Sakura stated, sincerity in her voice. "None of the books I've read were so detailed in their descriptions. I'll have to look into that."

Ameno smiled, gracefully looking at Sakura. "You flatter me. It's really nothing. I've been working to become an iryonin for a while so it's really no surprise that I'm more advanced than you. You're learning much faster than I did when I first began. It took me a month to even get the basics of the primary healing jutsu."

Sakura doubted that. Ameno had a tendency of toning down her own accomplishments she had noticed. From her insecurity in pointing at Sakura's books failures, to her shyness about her position in the rankings. Although the girl seemed to be gaining more confidence from it if her lack of stuttering was any explanation.

"Still, it looks like you'll win the competition at this rate. Of course I won't let you take that spot from me so easily."

Ameno smiled. "Good. That's the spirit. Always try your best!"

Sakura groaned internally before she nodded and left the room. Ameno was too nice! It was hard to stay mad at her! Shaking her head the pink haired girl clenched her fists. She could do this. One more test to pass Ameno.

Naruto nodded as he stood in front of the Hyuga Compound. Jiraiya had let him off for the day, apparently a notice coming in through a raven that had called for his attention. The Sannin had suggested Naruto keep training, which he was technically. At least a hundred shadow clones were at the training grounds the duo were previously at, practicing the wind manipulation Jiraiya had been teaching him and restocking on seals. It would do to be prepared. But the blonde himself couldn't stay. He had someone else to see that he hadn't seen in a rather long time.

Hinata walked out of the Compound, a small smile small on her face as she saw the object of her affection.

"Naruto-kun!"

"Hinata-chan," Naruto called, hugging the girl. The girl blushed, returning the hug before she looked him over.

"You look...hurt? Are you okay? I know Sakura-san told me you disappeared not long after the invasion."

"Yeah I'm fine," Naruto stated, leading the duo on a walk. "I just got back. Ero-sennin sent me on a mission and it was really important."

"Ero...sennin?"

"Jiraiya!" Naruto stated, as though the comparison was obvious. Hinata blushed, looking at Naruto with wide eyes.

"Naruto-kun you can't call Hokage-sama such a name! It's improper!"

"But why," Naruto questioned. "He's a perv. A big one too. Did you know he peeps on the woman's hotsprings! Don't go there!"

Hinata blushed, red filling her face. Naruto tilted his head, pressing his hand against her forehead. "Are you alright Hinata, you're a little hot?"

With a mild "Eep" Hinata stepped away, shuddered and tried to cleanse her mind of that image. Naruto stared at his girlfriend as though she had grown a second head, but Hinata did not explain. Shrugging the blonde led the girl into Ichiraku Ramen, sitting down at a stall. Hinata sat next to him, sighing. The image would not leave.

"Anyways," she muttered, desperation in her voice. "What was the mission about?"

Naruto smiled. "We had to go to Uzushiogakure, the home of my family!"

"That's great! I'm happy for you! Did you find any of your family members?"

"No," Naruto stated sadly. "It was dilapidated still from it's destruction so long ago by the combined forces of Kumo, Iwa, and Kiri, but we managed to explore a bit. We did end up being attacked though."

"Attacked?"

And so Naruto told her the story of his time in Uzushiogakure with Tsunade, even being as open to tell her about how he got speared through the heart in the midst of a battle, nearly costing him his life. Hinata's eyes widened at that part, and for a moment it looked as though she might cry, but she steeled herself and nodded. He was alive now and that was what mattered.

"Promise me that you won't be that reckless again," she said. Naruto chuckled, rubbing his arm behind his head.

"I'll try to not die ever again I promise! But I got blindsighted!"

Hinata's eyes narrowed, and Naruto nervously laughed. Clearly that wouldn't work as an excuse. However, before the two could continue the conversation Teuchi came from the back.

"Well look who it is," Teuchi stated. "The brat returns. Been a while since I've last seen you kid!"

"Hey ji-chan!" Naruto stated. "Sorry. I've been doing a lot of cool ninja stuff so I haven't been able to swing by as often! I meant to stop by after the invasion to check up on you and Ayame-nee. Are you alright?"

"Don't worry about it kid," Teuchi stated, brushing it off. "You shinobi have been busy over the past few days, even more so with the war with Suna and Oto. Ayame and I have managed throughout. Wish I had known you were coming though, would have told her to not go out with that boyfriend of hers."

"Ayame-nee has a boyfriend," Naruto stated, a look of horror on his face. Suddenly killing intent flooded the bar, causing Teuchi to laugh. That was his reaction too. "Who?"

"Some civilian fella, he's a good guy overall. Although if you're willing to look into him more for me..."

The agreement went unsaid. Naruto immediately formed a clone that dashed from the building to look for his surrogate sister. Teuchi grinned darkly, and Hinata somehow felt that she was the accomplice of a crime.

"Anyways, what can I get for the lovely couple?"

"Miso ramen for me," Naruto stated.

"Tonkotsu ramen is fine for me."

"Coming right up," Teuchi stated, walking over to cook. Naruto then turned to Hinata.

"Anyways that's enough about me. How have you been?"

Hinata frowned. "Well it's been...hectic. Neji-nii went off to go join the war so he's out of Konoha, along with a lot of our friends. In the meantime I've been training with Kurenai-sensei on elemental manipulation and Lee with taijutsu. I want to improve. Fighting Neji-nii and with Sakura-san against Nurari was a wake up call. I barely beat Neji-nii, and Nurari was a difficult opponent. Both of my fights I escaped just barely and I can't have that."

Naruto frowned, nodding. "What element are you? If you're wind I might be able to help."

Hinata shook her head, a frown gracing her features. "As nice as it would've been to have been the same element we're not the same. I'm a lightning element, so I don't think you'll be able to help me much in that department."

Naruto frowned. "Well ya never know. I might not be helpful in actually mastering Raiton jutsu, but I could help you get used to fighting an opponent that has a natural elemental advantage against you. Plus, I like to think I'm a good sparring partner. At least on Lee's level."

Hinata smiled. "Naruto-kun you are great...but Lee only trains in taijutsu."

Naruto snorted. "And I'm still faster than him...without the Gates."

Hinata snorted, before she blinked at the unladylike sound. Naruto roared in laughter, causing her to giggle before Teuchi sat the ramen in front of the duo.

"Dig in!"

"Thanks Teuchi-san!"

"Thanks jiji!"

Teuchi snorted, smacking Naruto on the back of the head before he walked away. The duo then turned back to talk with one another, enjoying the rest of their night.

Kakashi looked at the dead bodies around him, glancing at the nearby Anbu members who were sheathing their tanto's.

"Taicho they're all dead. We got the scrolls as well."

Kakashi nodded, sighing as he glanced around. Danzo's work was certainly well organized. Leave one survivor for Konoha to kill so they could officially list the mission under their own books. Of course Danzo's work would never be officially listed considering his ROOT organization technically didn't exist, but to Kakashi it was obvious. He did work in the organization for a period after all. Kakashi grabbed the storage scroll given to him by Cat, pocketing it.

"Alright you all know the orders," Kakashi stated. "Cat, Raven, you two move up towards Rangeki City. Scout out the number of Suna shinobi patrolling. Shark, Leopard, you both and I are going to destroy the weapon stores. Under the guise of that Hawk it's your job to move in and capture Gendo Shirogane."

"Taicho are we sure this information is accurate," Shark stated, his voice raspy. "I mean the Suna shinobi just...told us. How do we know this isn't a trap?"

Kakashi frowned. Shark clearly didn't understand how Danzo got his work. This was not a trap. Gendo Shirogane would be in Rangeki City in three days time to sell new Suna puppet technology and seals to some of Konoha's most wanted. If Danzo got the information it was probably true. Of course the reaction from Danzo was typically the issue, but considering this was on the books there was little Kakashi had to worry about.

"It's accurate," Kakashi stated. "Remember, your job is not to kill Gendo until we get the new tech and seals. After that he dies. Everyone clear?"

"Clear!"

"Then let's move!"

Anko frowned as she sat in the debrief with Hoheto, undergoing debrief. She, Sorano, and the Daimyo were the only people in the tent other than Tenten and the ninken next to her. Anko did not understand why. She had been informed of course of Hoheto wishing to recruit her into the Twelve Guardian Shinobi, but she didn't think he would begin personally recruiting her. She thought he would leave that to the actual members of the Guardian Shinobi, but considering the fact that two of them were presumed dead she supposed she understood why he might personally be taking part. Of course, there was also the fact that Hoheto was rumored to be more involved in the political and wartime affairs of Konoha than his predecessor that made the development slightly less strange. Anko's attention was broken when Hoheto patted the head of the ninken, Takamura she believed its name was.

"I'm sorry about Gaku Takamura," Hoheto stated. "I assure you that if he is not alive we will avenge him and Hayama. Otogakure will pay in blood for this." The ninken barked, seemingly accepting the words before it sat. Hoheto then turned his eyes to Tenten, the girl wilting slightly under the pressure. She did not look him in the eyes, her orbs glued to her feet.

"Please Tenten," Hoheto said, a sweet softness in his voice. The man sat down next to the girl, a gentle smile on his face. "I know this will be hard for you, but we need to know what happened."

"I," Tenten paused, her voice weak and raspy. She had been crying. The girl coughed, Hoheto quickly rubbing her back as tears slowly began to fall down her face. Hoheto slowly reached his arms around the girl, pulling her into a hug. She was struggling with something, and it was clear what she would be. She and the ninken were the only survivors from what they could tell of the battle. Everyone else had been killed or was captured. And her father was with her when they were dispatched to Yamaji Village. Anko clenched her fist. Another person that had been harmed by Orochimaru.

"They came in two attacks," Tenten managed to whisper out. Hoheto nodded, before the girl's tears came out in full. Hoheto didn't even grunt at the wetness the began to form in his clothes from Tenten's tears, rubbing small circles on the kunoichi's back as she let her emotions out. Her sobs and cries of anguish filled the tent. Anko glanced at Sorano, the man clearly uncomfortable in the situation.

Then the cries stopped. Tenten shook her head, slowly opening her mouth before she began to explain. The first attack with the few shinobi and whatever those...monsters were. Her father fighting the gigantic monster and falling to it. Her wounding the creature before Hayama killed it. The heroic stand of the samurai. And then she told the rest of the story. The slight reprieve they had before the invasion of the second force. The overwhelming odds they faced in the sheer number of shinobi. Her attempts to assist in the battle. Hayama and Gaku fighting against waves of Oto shinobi, with Hayama engaging against Guren. Hayama using himself as a distraction so anyone could get away, and Gaku going back for her father. The burning. The howls of the Oto shinobi.

The death.

When the girl finally stopped talking surprisingly the tears stopped coming down her face. Her voice had strengthened, but barely. Talking about it had done her good.

"Thank you Tenten," Hoheto whispered. The Daimyo gently rubbed Tenten's shoulders. "Please, go get some rest. You need food and rest. Tell the Supply Head that you can have whatever you want on me," he said, a brilliant smile breaking out on his face. Tenten nodded dumbly, walking out of the tent, Takamura close by her side. Clearly the ninken was protective of her. Hoheto watched the duo go, a sigh escaping his lips as a sad look graced his face.

"That poor girl."

"Indeed," Sorano stated. "She should be looked at for a psych-evaluation. As much as I feel for her she could be a flight risk with the death of her father being so close."

"Her father may not be dead Sorano. And I will not subject her to a psych-eval so soon after her fathers death," Hoheto stated. Sorano opened his mouth to speak once more, but the sharp look he got from Hoheto was enough to shut him up. "Enough of that. We need to strategize on how to recapture Yamaji Village."

"There's always poison," Sorano stated. "I have airborne poisons. I can send in my poison over the village to kill any Oto shinobi."

"No," Anko stated. "Poison likely won't be effective against elite Oto shinobi. Sure you'll kill the fodder, but the actual threats in Oto are mostly trained against poison. Their master is Orochimaru after all."

"You make a good point," Hoheto stated. "Which is why I want you to take point in this plan. You know Orochimaru's style of fighting the best out of all of us. What would he do?"

Anko paused, unprepared for such a large role so early into her supposed job interview, but she nodded. With a savage grin she looked down at the map of the battlefield. "Of course. Well Tenten only mentioned two strikes, and Orochimaru is famous for three strike assaults. The attack on Konohagakure notwithstanding, Orochimaru typically strikes three times. The first time to weaken, the second time to actually win, and the third strike to either reinforce or secure. Tenten's force dealt with two strikes, so the third has likely already grouped with the second. There are probably more shinobi to deal with than we're expecting. I doubt they outnumber us, but it would be better to be safe rather than sorry. We need to cull their numbers."

"But we can't use poisons," Sorano interrupted.

"I didn't say we can't use poisons, I said we can't expect to kill their elite in poisons. Besides, it's a bad idea to do airborne poisons because we don't know if they have hostages. We don't want to kill any Konohagakure shinobi. However, instead of a lethal poison we can send in a paralytic. It would weaken the shinobi which would make their numbers less effective. My snakes have some, and mixed with your own poisons Sorano that should critically weaken them. Still, we'd have to act fast. Any higher ups there would instantly notice the poison, so we need a fast acting one that's set the day or two before the attack. Anything we could put in water sources would be great, although we'd have to change water supplies until the poison dies out once we recapture the fort."

"That's a good idea," Hoheto stated. "However, we can't solely rely on the poison. More shinobi than you expect could be resistant to it. And what if they have those monsters? I highly doubt they'd be effected. We need another way to thin their numbers before the battle. A way to weaken them."

"Yes," Anko stated. "That's why I think we do two things. The first is my responsibility. I can go into the fort and rig up traps for the shinobi. Explosives, poisonous gas, flash bangs, all little things. By themselves they're not incredibly dangerous, but together they're extremely effective. Of course an added benefit is that I can scout out the area and see if there are any hostages. If there aren't then we can send in a more lethal version of the poison by transitioning back to Sorano-san's idea before we attack. If there are monsters we'd have to rethink the strategy. I've never heard of anything like them and I'm not quite sure their capabilities other than basic Chunin-level strength and speed according to Tenten."

"That's not enough," Sorano stated. "Sure your ideas will add up, but Yamaji Village is a fortified position. We can't just charge in there. Oto could because they created abominations and had such a high numbers advantage against weakened forces. They will have no doubt fortified their position against us."

"Exactly," Anko stated. "I don't just know that, I'm relying on it. Oto will likely have focused all of their attempts at defenses on the perimeter." Anko paused, a grin developing on her face, an evil look appearing on her face. "That's when we gut those fuckers right down the middle with a surprise attack at night. I'm not just going in one night to set up traps. I'm going in to set up a summoning circle. We'll blow by all of their traps right then and there by warping into the base."

Hoheto's and Sorano's eyes widened, both surprised at the bold presumption. Before either of them could say anything however Anko continued. "The poison is a distraction. We torture them, get them to raise their guard. They'll know Konoha forces are close but they won't know when we'll strike. Unbeknownst to them we already have. They'll have set up extra guards, be weakened already, and now they'll be tired. With the explosions, extra poison, and flash bangs from my traps disrupting their senses they'll get even weaker. We on the other hand will be well rested and easily capable of taking care of the majority of the problem. The only issue will be the Oto elites. I'll be exhausted from summoning in this many people, but the number should allow them all to overwhelm the Oto shinobi."

Sorano, stunned into silence could only gape. Hoheto smirked, looking at Anko with an approving look. "Truly an incredible strategy. You meet all your rumors and more Anko Mitarashi. If this plan of yours works it might be one of the most decisive victories in Konoha history. I had no idea you were such a great strategist."

"It's really nothing," Anko stated, although her posture disagreed with her as she puffed out her chest. Hoheto glanced away, embarrassed as her chest was practically on full display in her mesh. "I'm only able to plan this well because that bastard is the one leading the charge and I know how he thinks. Everyone is expendable in his eyes," she said, bitterness seeping into her voice. "His shinobi likely won't be that strong because of it. They're not traditionally trained. Only his elites are noteworthy. From what Tenten told me of this character Hayama fought, she'll likely be the difficult one in the battle. I will be too exhausted to deal with her. Sorano do you think you can take her?"

Sorano frowned. "I'm afraid not. Hayama was a much better fighter than I and if he failed to defeat such an opponent I doubt I would fair any better. My genjutsu may allow me to be a more tricky opponent however and that could be useful. With the size of the force it wouldn't be difficult to mask enough of them in my genjutsu to allow them to subdue her. The chakra restraining seals we have should make her nothing more than a regular human. With my genjutsu already making her focus more on what I'm doing, someone else should be able to get close to her and defeat her."

"Good," Hoheto stated. "I approve. Both of you go prepare."

"If I may ask," Anko stated. "What will you do?"

Hoheto smirked. "My place here is not to battle Anko-san. My place here is to lead. Part of leading is choosing the right personnel for the job," he stated, his eyes lingering on her with a knowing smirk on his face. "And another part is inspiration. So that's what I'm going to do. Inspire."

Anko grinned.

Asuma grunted as he stretched his body, glancing down at the village of Konoha. He hadn't expected the training to be so easy, but the monkeys were not a kind Summoning Clan. They did not know the meaning of taking it easy. He barely had any time to rest while undergoing their training at all. He was surprised they allowed him to leave without mastering the technique. Of course the fact that he promised to finish the training another day had eased their worry, along with the fact that he had mastered the primary technique they had wanted to teach him, even if it was only the supplementary idea to the real thing.

"You look worried."

Asuma turned, surprised to see Kurenai walking next to him. The man then smiled. "No, not yet. I was off on official son of Sandaime business. Something about honoring the Sarutobi Clan or something like that."

Kurenai smirked. "You at liberty to tell me anything?"

Asuma glanced at her, seemingly debating the idea before he smirked. "These lips are sealed. Maybe you'll see it in action."

"Or I can open them for you?"

Asuma blinked, pausing to look at the woman who blushed, looking forward. Asuma shook his head, refusing the urge to laugh if only to make the situation less awkward for the kunoichi. He didn't know how she hadn't thought that phrasing would go right, but it was hilarious. After about a minute or so he realized she wasn't going to speak again and took pity on her.

"I thought you'd be out in the battle?"

"Haven't been called yet," the kunoichi stated. "Something about wanting the heavy hitters to hit the battlefield first."

"Right," Asuma stated. "You're a more technical fighter than the Kakashi or Gai types. I'd dare say you're close than an Uchiha who loves genjutsu over their fancy ninjutsu."

Kurenai rolled her eyes at the comparison. She'd heard it all her life, especially due to her eyes. Many whispered behind her back if she was secretly some forbidden love child between an Uchiha and a civilian that failed to develop the Sharingan-gene and the it instead morphed into her eye color. All ridiculous.

"How original."

Asuma chuckled, taking a drag from the cigarette in his mouth. Kurenai frowned. "That's a bad habit you know. It'll kill you. And for a wind expert like yourself it's really bad."

Asuma laughed, shaking his head. "Everyone says that," he muttered. "But realistically I won't live long enough for me to see the real effects. Shinobi don't tend to live long. My father is an outlier. Just gotta look at Yondaime-sama to see that."

Kurenai frowned, reaching over and snatching the cigarette out of Asuma's mouth, before forcefully extinguishing it. "Stop. Killing. Yourself."

Asuma laughed. "And what would you rather have me do then? Get depressed over the fact that we're in a war that we're hoping doesn't spill into the Fourth Great Shinobi War?"

"Yes actually," Kurenai laughed. "Or just enjoy today instead of sulking."

"I wasn't sulking."

"You were sitting here thinking about something with a cigarette in your mouth during a war. That's the definition of sulking."

"It is not."

"You're wrong. Now come on, we're leaving."

"To go where?"

"Somewhere where you'll have some fun and stop thinking about battle," Kurenai stated, grabbing the man and leading him away. "And to get you a shower! You reek of cigarette!"

Neku grunted in the uncomfortable heat, leaning against a tree on the edge of Tanzaku-Gai. The heat was had only increased as she had left Konoha. The village tended to be cooler than the rest of the Land of Fire during these summer months, but it always disturbed her exactly how much cooler it was. Tanzaku-Gai was closer to the edge of Land of Fire territory, but it was closer to the Land of Rice Paddies, so it wasn't surprising that the heat in the area increased more often in certain times of the year. But this was just bothersome. At worst Konoha would heat up to slightly uncomfortable but this was closer to intolerable. Sure, it was likely nothing in the face of the deathly Suna heat in the summer months, but this was awful. Luckily enough the air had some moisture in it that, while making her feel stuffy, at least made sure she wasn't breathing in arid air.

Shaking her head Neku looked up at the sky, waiting for the sun to set. She couldn't exactly just go into Tanzaku-Gai dressed as she was now. She was Anbu, and unless specifically instructed they were not to take off their masks. Their identities no longer existed. They were merely tools of the village. She was Neku, not the Jonin who existed in her body beforehand. That was why this meeting could not take place in Tanzaku-Gai. It had to take place outside the city.

Neku sighed. Godaime-sama hadn't exactly been clear with who she was supposed to meet. It was likely to make sure that the informants identity was protected, but she didn't understand why he couldn't give her more information. He just said it was an important meeting that she couldn't afford to miss. That was when she heard the branch snapping nearby. Neku immediately drew her blade, her senses exploding. Whoever that was had gone completely unnoticed by her sensing jutsu. That was a dangerous person.

"You're not who I expected to see."

Neku whirled, blade spinning through the air. Her blade stopped in front of the mans throat, causing him to gulp. Neku leaked killing intent, staring at the man intently.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Dan Wazahai," the man quickly muttered out. "I was told to come here! Please don't kill me!"

Neku's eyes narrowed, and she lowered her blade, although she did not sheath it. "You were told to come here you said. Was it over the rain dropped hills?"

The man squirmed under the intense gaze of the Anbu agent but answered the question anyways. "I'm afraid it was where the sky meets the ground in the sun-crested valley."

Neku nodded, sheathing her blade. "You work for Godaime-sama."

The man nodded. "Y-yes. I was told I would be meeting someone new, but I didn't think it would be...well Anbu."

Neku ignored the comment, instead activating her sensory ability once more. The fact that this man had gotten by it without her being aware already proved he was a threat. She didn't care if he worked for the Hokage or not, the fact that he could get the drop on her, an Anbu, when he was a civilain meant that she could not lower her guard in the slightest.

"Report."

"It's nothing serious," Dan stated. "It's merely what Jiraiya believed to be happening beforehand. Orochimaru has made contact with the criminal underworld on a level we previously had not expected him to. I've seen his operatives as they slunk around. The snake is making a grab for power in the Daimyo Courts. The Land of Rice Paddies no longer has a Daimyo, at least not in the traditional sense. Orochimaru practically owns the country. He's going to attempt the same thing here."

"Assassination."

The man nodded. "That's what I believe yes. The Daimyo of the Land of Rice Paddies hasn't been seen in weeks. It's likely their Daimyo is a puppet look-alike due to a transformation. I fear the same is planned here. Of course these are just my theories."

Neku nodded. This was valuable information. Anything that could be used to stop Orochimaru's actions in the war was good. If they could save the Daimyo's life, and prevent the political power of the Land of Fire from being in the hands of that snake it would be for the better. Any action he took under the Land of Fire's name, especially under the supreme power in the nation for all intents and purposes, was likely to spark another world war.

"Do you know the operatives he's working with in the city? Any dates or times he's planning his activities?"

Dan frowned. "I'm afraid not. No one truly knows what his plan is. His agents are tight-lipped. It was a miracle I managed to weasel this out of them at the bar that I own. You wouldn't believe the amount of alcohol I gave away for free to get it."

Neku's eyes narrowed. "Keep to the important parts."

Dan blanched, still uncomfortable around the Anbu. "Right. Well, essentially I haven't learned any dates. I'd just recommend keeping a close eye on the Daimyo. His life is likely in jeopardy."

Neku frowned. There wasn't much she could do about that. The Daimyo wasn't in the capital currently, instead on a warpath with a host of shinobi and samurai towards Yamaji Village from what she knew. It was a known potential battleground, where swarms of Otogakure shinobi likely would be. The perfect place for an assassination. So many potential variables.

Neku's eyes widened. She didn't have time to report this to the Hokage. She had to move now! She had to warn the Daimyo that someone was after his life, and wherever they were going they were likely walking into a trap. A trap set up to exclusively kill the Daimyo, regardless of the cost, to turn Konoha into political turmoil.

It could not succeed.

Gaara grunted, looking over the now conquered fort. The dead and injured were being cared for by the Sunagakure medics, the shinobi acting with the utmost respect. Gaara couldn't watch. He didn't see the point. He didn't understand those shinobi. Sure he had fought with them, but he didn't know them. He had never spoken with them before. He had no bonds with them. To fight for someone you had no bonds with, it went against everything he understood from Naruto's words. The redhead turned his attention to the desert sands in front of him, a frown on his face. The Uchiha had fought for the Konoha shinobi with him even though he didn't know all of them. Naruto fought for Konoha shinobi that he personally did not know.

How?

If bonds were what made Naruto tick, and the Jinchuriki was under no illusions that it was likely what made Sasuke fight so hard as well, then how were they able to fight when the people they had bonds with were not in direct danger? Could it truly be as simple as a unification through a headband? Nationalism was such a strong motivator that the duo were willing to throw their lives on the line for it? But why? If what Naruto said was true he was abused by his own countrymen as a child, so how could he even have a strong sense of nationalism?

Naruto had said it was those that he cared about personally that made him fight so hard. But if they were completely unaffected by the fight, no one they loved was there and they would not be directly affected how could he fight? Not just go through the actions of fighting, that was simple. But to find the conviction to give it your all? Gaara shook his head. He didn't understand. Bonds only applied to the people who he knew. Everyone else was just background noise.

Bonds.

Kankuro, Temari, and Naruto.

The only bonds that he had were with those three. Baki was the next closest person that he felt that he had a bond with, and even then he wasn't particularly close with his Jonin sensei. Gaara sighed, shaking his head. He didn't understand. Sure he would fight for Kankuro or Temari, but for a random Suna shinobi? He'd sooner fight for Naruto. Gaara nodded his head at that moment. He understood what he had to do. He always had. There was no point in trying to come to a conclusion all on his own. He couldn't. Even when he talked to Sasuke he couldn't understand.

So he would just have to talk to Naruto. Cause enough of a ruckus on this front that it demanded the presence of the blonde Jinchuriki. Of course he would have to do that without massacring people. Naruto wouldn't appreciate the unnecessary death. That wouldn't make Suna happy, but again, Gaara cared more about what Naruto cared about than Suna's thoughts of him.

He could do it.

Sasuke grunted as he leapt through the trees, frowning as he looked around through the air. Yakumo was carefully positioned on his back, the girl doing her best not to cause too much trouble to Sasuke's fleeing form.

"We should be fine for now Sasuke-dono," Yakumo stated. "The Suna shinobi have should have stopped looking for retreating Konoha shinobi. We can rest for a moment."

Sasuke shook his head, still shooting through the trees. Yakumo was right that the Suna shinobi had likely stopped pursuing any Konoha shinobi they couldn't capture already but that wasn't why he was running.

"We can rest when we reach the fort," Sasuke stated. "Just because we're in our own territory doesn't mean we're invincible. We never know if Otogakure is going to launch an attack on Suna, and we can't afford to be caught between the two."

"But even if we ran into Oto shinobi we couldn't defend ourselves. You're running low on chakra and I wouldn't have time to set up any genjutsu. We need to rest, if only for a few minutes."

Sasuke frowned, but dropped to the ground with a small "Hn." Yakumo thanked him, Sasuke letting her rest near a nearby tree. The Uchiha stood across from her, eyes scanning the trees that surrounded them. It didn't look like they were in any danger, but he couldn't just trust the environment. He knew the stories of the Third Great Shinobi War. One could never be too comfortable. Kakashi had trained him better.

That was why he immediately drew his blade and slashed as a figure landed near him. The figure managed to duck away from the strike, hands raised in a placating gesture.

"Calm down dickless it's me."

Sasuke paused, his blade still out as he saw Sai standing before him, a fake smile on his face. Sasuke wanted to groan. That wasn't helpful. He couldn't tell if this was the real Sai or not, because Sai never showed genuine emotion around him. The Uchiha activated his Sharingan, a sigh of relief escaping his mouth as he saw there was no genjutsu going on. Of course that didn't deny the possibility of a transformation. With a grunt the Uchiha reached forwards, grabbing Sai's shoulder roughly. The emotionless Genin's eyes widened, the idea that Sasuke might kill him going to his mind only for him to relax as he felt Sasuke press his chakra into his body in an attempt to break any attempted transformation.

"Good decision, but it's the real me," Sai stated.

Sasuke grunted, sealing his blade and deactivating his Sharingan. "Can never be too sure," Sasuke muttered, walking away from him. Sai tilted his head, a plastered smile on his face before he glanced at Yakumo. He gave a brief nod to her, the girl nodding back.

"I'm glad you two managed to escape."

"You don't sound like it," Sasuke gruffly stated.

"I am, truly. It would be a shame if Konoha lost two promising Clan Heirs."

Sasuke growled, the insinuation that he was nothing more than a Clan Heir slightly irritating him. He was a person, a person with goals. A person with a dream that he would make reality. Itachi, dead at his hands, and the Uchiha Clan rebuilt. He wasn't just some Clan Heir. He was the avenger of the Uchiha. Yakumo however nodded at Sai.

"Yes well I am only alive thanks to the efforts of Sasuke-dono. How did you manage to escape Sai-san?"

"Eh, I just ran," Sai stated. "I couldn't form any ink birds due to the fact that the Suna shinobi would have sniped them all down. Once I got far enough away I created one and was flying away until I spotted you two. I was looking for survivors."

"We're the only ones you found," Sasuke interrupted. He stated it as a fact.

"So far," Sai stated. "But you might not be the only ones."

"I doubt it," Sasuke stated. "The poison that the Suna shinobi sent towards us. It was...powerful. Anyone touched by it is probably already dead, and if not they're close to it. Only the people who weren't hit by it are alive at this point, regrouping to the fort."

"About that," Sai stated, taking out a scroll and drawing three giant ink birds, each large enough to carry a person. "How about we get going there? I can fly us there. It would be safer than being out here, don't you think? I'm sure Suna would enjoy killing two Clan Heirs."

"We have names," Sasuke muttered.

"Of course dickless. My apologies."

Sasuke growled, lifting Yakumo and placing her gently on the bird. The girl nodded her thanks, grabbing it tightly before Sasuke hopped onto his bird. With a grunt Sai got on his own bird and the trio took off through the skies. Sasuke could only stare back towards the direction of Suna.

"I need to get stronger," he muttered. "I should have been able to turn the tide of that battle. Itachi would have. I'm not strong enough. My hatred isn't strong enough," the Uchiha hissed, gritting his teeth. The Uchiha could only remember what Naruto said back after the invasion.

(-Flashback-)

"That's what we call me not losing my fight during the invasion."

(-Flashback-)

The blonde was right. He hadn't lost his fight in the invasion, against Gaara no less. The Uchiha himself wasn't confident that he could defeat the powerful Jinchuriki. He couldn't defeat the enemies who came to capture him during the invasion after all. He hadn't defeated Gaara during the battle, he hadn't defeated Genraika, he hadn't won. Sasuke clenched his hands, angering gathering in his heart. How could he even say that he had improved if he couldn't defeat enemies that were weaker than Itachi?

Was he really that weak? Itachi had said that he needed more hatred to kill him, to develop his eyes to Itachi's own. Clenching his fists Sasuke stared up at the sky. He had to become stronger. No more losing. Only victory. He needed to grow his power. He would grow his power. Sai had called him a Clan Heir, and despite the annoyance of being referred to as merely a title he wasn't wrong. He was a Clan Heir. He was the Heir to the Uchiha. He was the heir to all of their cries for justice. He was the heir for all of their hatred and pain. He would live up to their dreams. He would become the true Uchiha Clan Heir and kill Itachi. And to do that he needed to grow in power, and the only way to prove his power was to defeat enemies.

Sasuke nodded. He couldn't stagnate. He needed to win. He needed to become stronger. He would become the avenger he had always claimed he would be. The battle had opened his eyes. He was an avenger. He always would be.

Ko sighed as he sat down on the table in the barracks. It hadn't been long since he had reached the fort. He was let into the fort by the Konohq Chunin manning the gates. After the brief security check, mainly consisting of a genjutsu check, a transformation check, and a requirement of listing ones Konoha Shinobi I.D. Number he was let in, the guards comfortable that he was who he claimed to be. Of course his Kekkei Genkai assisted in that department considering there were not many rogue Hyuga, and even fewer shinobi who had managed to steal their eyes. The Hyuga had quickly talked to the Jonin in charge of the base, informing them of the battle with Suna. The duo were confident that no Suna forces would try and invade their territory, so they would be fine to recover and get redeployed.

Ko sighed, thinking back on the battle. Apparently he was one of the few from the battle that had reached the fort. The Jonin had promised to send out scouting parties for any sick or injured Konoha shinobi, but Ko was doubtful. Most shinobi were probably hunted down in the chase Suna had put up, and anyone not killed by them likely had been struck by the poison. With no idea what it was, and no time to send it back to Konoha for Tsunade to analyze, there was no counter for it.

The defense of the fort was a complete failure. That was a fact he would have to live with for the rest of his life. The lives of all the shinobi who died were on him as the acting commander. And tactically he had failed them. If he had been more capable it might have been a different story. Defeating the puppeteer or the Jinchuriki more handily could have turned the tide of the battle. He could have assisted on the walls, and the crushing moral blow would have instantly helped turn the tide of the battle. Clenching his fists Ko looked at the ceiling.

How could he call himself a capable Konoha Jonin if he was failing to defend a fort under a single assault? He should have been better than that. Suna's strategies were clearly improvised, nothing like their usual strategies, but that was no excuse. They operated under a new attack strategy thanks to Yakumo's unique abilities. He should have been more prepared for that. His Byakugan didn't catch the burrowing Jinchuriki until it was too late to do anything about it. And due to his failure not only had they lost the battles, but until he saw them with his own eyes Ko had to believe Konoha had lost two Clan Heirs.

Ko shook his head. He just had to hope that the scouting parties would find Konoha shinobi instead of corpses in the forest and desert sands.

Neji frowned, looking for Tenten. He had overheard a conversation of two Konoha shinobi that they had recovered a kunoichi survivor from the battle, and there was only one kunoichi he knew in that area. The Hyuga was desperate to find any evidence that his teammate was alive. After everything that had gone on recently he didn't know how he could deal with losing a teammate on top of everything. Gai and Lee would undoubtedly handle it poorly as well. The two would throw themselves into their training until they were shells of their forming selves.

That was why Neji was relieved when he saw the girl - with a ninken at her side strangely enough - sitting on a tree stump picking at her food. Neji's eyes softened briefly before he walked over.

"I'm glad to see you're alive."

Tenten glanced upwards, surprise flooding her face before her expression turned to one of happiness. Neji was happy to see it before he saw the flash of sadness on her face, as though reminded of a memory. Neji knew that look. Tenten rushed over to him, hugging him. Neji awkwardly returned the hug, not used to such a brash show of emotion from his teammate. That only made him more positive. Someone had likely died in the battle. A ninken was with Tenten, and that look of sadness meant that someone close to her had likely died.

"Neji I'm so glad to see you," Tenten whispered. "I wasn't sure I'd see any of you ever again."

"Of course you would," Neji said. "You're a capable kunoichi. I knew you could handle it."

Tenten released Neji, looking at him as her eyes shook with the emotions burning underneath. She shook her head. "No...you're wrong. I couldn't handle it. I lost my battle in the first invasion of the fort."

Neji tilted his head. "I think I need more context."

Tenten nodded, sitting down. Neji sat down next to her as she began to explain to him what had happened during the two Otogakure battles in the village. Neji could only frown. The experience sounded awful. She had no idea if her father or owner of the ninken was alive. And the only other shinobi who had been with them was definitely dead. Neji grit his teeth. Such suffering had been inflicted on her. Once more someone had to die because of another village. It was enough to make him furious.

Neji just reached out and took her hand, the movement awkward considering their fairly professional relationship, but it was the most he could offer. He knew better than to say everything would be fine. It wouldn't. He had lost a father before too. There was no amount of words that would make the situation better other than the knowledge that one's father was alive. While Tenten's situation was ambiguous, he couldn't blame her for her sobering thoughts. He would think the same in her situation.

"I just don't know what to do," Tenten stated. "He was all I had left. My only remaining blood relative. I...I just can't understand how to deal with losing that."

Neji nodded. "I understand. The pain. The anger. It doesn't ever go away no matter how hard you try. You can try and repress it with all your might, but no matter what it will always be there. There isn't really a way to free yourself of it."

"How did you handle it," Tenten questioned. "When your dad..."

Neji nodded. "I...I am not the best example. I threw myself into my training. Into my hatred. In a way I was much like Sasuke, only I had relatives that I could still talk with in the Branch Family. I became stronger due to it, but it was not easy. The Rookie of the Year title...I only attained it because I wanted to spite the Hyuga Clan. The Main Family. I wanted them to know that a Branch member had accomplished something that even many elite Main households members had failed to do. I wanted them to acknowledge me. I wanted them to apologize. I did not get it."

Neji sighed, looking up at the sky. "It would not have helped me."

"So I can only throw myself into my hate," Tenten muttered, thinking back to her relationship with Neji and Sasuke. Seeing the duo's lives and how isolated they were from everyone...it was not something she was looking forward to. Then again she supposed that was the point.

"No," Neji stated, shaking his head. Hinata flashed into his mind. "I was wrong to throw myself into my hatred. Sure it gave me strength, but it blinded me. I did not realize that the entirety of the Main Family is not at fault for the actions of a few. I tortured innocent parties in my hatred. I isolated myself from my teammates and my fellow villagers, and in turn I failed to gain true strength. The strength that Hinata-sama demonstrated to me in the finals. The strength of having something worth fighting for, something bigger than yourself. You have to keep your faith. Your friends, your family, a creed, your villagers, whatever it is you need to find something else to fight for. And you have to cling to it with a fervor. Your father wouldn't want you to remain stuck on his death. He would want you to move on with your life and find something else to live for. It'll never replace your father of course, but it will make life matter again."

Tenten frowned staring at the ground despite Neji's words. "I...I don't know."

"It won't happen all at once," Neji stated. "But just know that we're here for you. We're your teammates. We're...we're friends."

Tenten looked up Neji, a small smile forming on her face as she nodded. Neji nodded back and the duo were content to sit in silence.

Naruto grunted as he sit in his room, meditating. The boy had left Hinata back at her Clan Compound, the two promising to train together tomorrow once Naruto finished his training with Jiraiya. Naruto was excited about it, but he was able to control it even if it was due to him getting more training in a different way.

Ashina stood in front of Naruto, the elderly Uzumaki looking at his descendant with interest. "You are not full Uzumaki."

Naruto blinked. "What?"

"You're not a pure-blood," Ashina stated as though it were obvious. Think about it, have you ever seen a photo of a pure blood Uzumaki without red hair? Tsunade is a prime example. While the Senju are related to the Uzumaki before her, she is not a pure blood, hence her blonde hair. Like your own."

Naruto frowned. "Is that...is that a problem?"

Ashina shook his head. "Not at all. Unlike the foolish Uchiha we do not care if you're pure blood or not. You are family. Besides, from what you've told me it seems like there are not to many Uzumaki left on this world anyway."

Naruto frowned, looking at the ground. Ashina smiled, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Enough of this somber talk. Let us talk about something else. You came here for a reason yes?"

"Yeah it's just," Naruto smiled. "Can you tell me about the Uzumaki Clan? Baa-chan was mostly raised as a Senju so she doesn't really know much about them, and my mom is dead so I can't learn from her either."

Ashina smiled, sitting down. "Of course. Where do I begin is the question," he laughed. Ashina's face rested, a longing look forming. "I guess it's easiest to explain like this. We, the Uzumaki, are not only related to the Senju through Mito Uzumaki and Hashirama Senju's marriage. The Uzumaki is actually on offshoot of Senju that happened a long time ago, so long even I do not know the exact date when. However, due to that our origins are of the Senju, dating back to the age of the Sage of Six Paths as the story is told."

"The Sage," Naruto muttered. "I thought he was a myth."

"I couldn't tell you," Ashina answered honestly. "I believe he existed, but I did not exist then and most of what I have heard is from our Clan Elders. While they were respectable, it is likely that they may not know the truth either. The Senju would know best, but they're mostly dead. Such a shame that all of the Clans directly descended from the Sage are almost all extinct."

Naruto frowned, glancing at the ground. Ashina caught it.

"But that does not mean that we were only known for that. As you may not know, our Clan was closely intertwined with the creation of Konohagakure. The Uchiha and Senju are most closely remembered, but our clan helped form a solid friendship that allowed Konoha to remain strong. That is why our spiral is on the flak jackets, as a symbol of our friendship with Konohagkaure. We taught the vast majority of Konoha's early seal masters."

Ashina paused, debating whether or not to tell Naruto about the temple in Konoha's outskirts but decided against it. The amount of power in that temple was best to not be trusted with the young boy quite yet.

"It was this fuinjutsu that caused us to be feared. I myself was quite proficient. A seal master if I dare say. It was also what was likely our destruction. Our fuinjutsu was so powerful it would not surprise me if we were attacked by other villages because they feared us, especially after the creation of Jinchuriki. Of course, that is just my theory."

"That wouldn't surprise me," Naruto stated, pondering. "From the amount of Uzumaki scrolls I could find in the Senju library the seals in there were powerful."

"Ah so the Senju still have some of our seals huh? Of course."

"Hey Ashina-ji I have a question."

Ashina blinked, nodding. Naruto frowned. "How come all of the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki have been Uzumaki? Mito Uzumaki, my mother Kushina, and I all had the Kyuubi sealed into us. Is there some history there?"

Ashina shook his head. "There is no direct feud between the Kyuubi no Yoko and the Uzumaki if that is what you are asking. It's more of a matter of ability. The Uzumaki have a strong life force, as I'm sure you're aware. It is a byproduct of us being related to the Senju. For example, I lived until the reign of the Nidaime Hokage, while Mito herself lived long enough to transfer the Kyuubi into your mother. We live for a long time. That alone makes us prime candidates to be a Jinchuriki, especially when combined with our fuinjutsu and the power the Kyuubi has at its disposal. However, if that were the only reason the Senju could easily be Jinchuriki. No, it is mainly because our chakra has a unique effect on the Kyuubi. Due to a popular fuinjutsu in our clan that created Adamantine chains that had a powerful restrictive sealing ability we could hold off the Kyuubi better than most. The common use of the jutsu on our bodies eventually worked its way into our DNA. It gave our children the ability to be able to fight off the Kyuubi better than most."

"Wow," Naruto muttered. "So I have the power to fight off the Kyuubi inside me?"

"Well," Ashina muttered. "You, not being a pure blood, likely have a weakened power. Fuinjutsu, when engraved on the body enough to cause effects, can cause genetic distortions due to the chakra use. There was even a theory that was how Kekkei Genkai came to be. That theory is wrong. Anyway, it's why many seal masters are adverse to using seals on themselves except for very simplistic ones like weight training or the like. But even if it gets in the DNA it will never have an immense power, just a slight inclination, a moderate power boost if you will. Your fathers blood dilutes that already weak genetic frequency."

"Oh," Naruto muttered, disappointed. Ashina frowned.

"That does not mean I cannot teach you the jutsu of course. I plan on teaching you everything I know boy. Do not act defeated. It is unbecoming of an Uzumaki."

Naruto smiled, "Yeah! I'm gonna be one of the best Uzumaki ever!"

"Well it's what's expected of my grandnephew so of course."

Naruto blinked. "What?"

Ashina smiled. "My little sister, Kurina, was the mother of Kushina Uzumaki Naruto. That makes you my grandnephew."

Naruto's eyes widened, shock flooding his system as he heard he had another family member in the world. Ashina smiled, watching as tears began to fall from the boys eyes, even if he didn't know. "You are my blood," Ashina stated, hugging Naruto.

Naruto slowly reached up to hug him back.

Alright everybody here's this chapter. I wanted to actually notify everyone by the way that if you go to my profile and look near the bottom, I posted some story challenges at the bottom if anyone wants to take them on. Just lemme know. I'd really like to read those stories. As for why this chapter took so long to come out, well if you guys have been following me long enough you know that I have shit luck in the summer. That story continued. Long story short, computer broke, got robbed, aunt had a wedding.