Lucy was walking towards the Hokage's office after she had been summoned, when she looked up towards the Hokages office window and saw two figures sitting outside of it, "Naruto," Lucy whispered, "back already huh?" she smiled but continued at her leisurely pace, "how was the rest of his training, Jiraiya?" Lucy asked seemingly at nothing but knew that he was there watching her from a tree,

"it was good, he showed progress," came the old perverts voice as he landed beside her, "how have those seals been coming along?"

"slowly," she replied and hunched over slightly, "I'm currently working on making my own,"

"that's going to be incredibly difficult," Jiraiya commented,

"gee thanks," Lucy huffed and when they came up to the Hokages building she started walking up the side of it instead of walking through the door. Jiraiya chuckled to himself at the way she dismissed him, this happened a lot when Lucy was travelling with him and the brat. However, that was mostly because once Lucy's body began developing he would always ask her to model for him, for 'research' as he always put it, she never did of course but for whatever reason Jiraiya never peeked on her while she was in the hot springs. What Lucy didn't know was that both Tsunade and Kakashi had a 'discussion' with him before she joined their training.

Lucy made it to the window Kakashi was currently sitting on and put her lips close to his ear, "that better not be what I think it is in your hands Kakashi," Lucy said lowly as she spotted the book that was currently being clutched in Kakashi's hand,

"umm, I don't know what you're talking about," Kakashi said and tried to hide it from her,

"oh no you don't," Lucy said and tackled him, wrestling him for the book, "give it, you have enough perverted books," she yelled, Lucy heard Tsunade sigh tiredly from behind her but she didn't pay her any mind. Kakashi had managed to push her away and stand up, "Kakashi," Lucy said lowly, and Kakashi ended up stuffing the book down the front of his pants, "you think that will stop me?" Lucy scoffed shocking the people in the room with the exception of Tsunade who laughed, "I've seen you bare as a baby's bottom on the day it was born Kakashi, getting a book out of your pants is not an issue for me," Tsunade kept laughing as Kakashi gulped, Sakura blushed a bright red and Naruto spluttered, "oh get your minds out of the gutter, he doesn't go to the hospital so I'm the one that heals him," Lucy said, "Like I would ever with Kakashi anyway," she then added,

"hey," Kakashi said and this time it was Naruto's turn to laugh, "what's wrong with me?"

"you really want to pull at that thread?" Lucy sniffed, Naruto laughed harder quickly followed by Tsunade and Lucy could hear Sakura snigger from besides them,

"you having trouble with the ladies Kakashi?" Jiraiya said as he sat at the window that Lucy and Kakashi were just at,

"I don't know if I would call Lucy," Kakashi started but Lucy started to force her magic and charka to the surface, making her hair lift up,

"finish that sentence Kakashi," Lucy said and turned to look at him, "I dare you," she gave him a frozen stare,

"out of my league, completely out of my league she is," he stuttered out and took a step back.

'At least I'm not the only one scared of her,' Jiraiya thought to himself and he laughed along with everyone else at the two,

"that's what I thought," Lucy smiled and looked at where Sakura and Naruto were standing, Sakura tensed slightly and Lucy knew she would have to talk to her today, "Naru," Lucy said pulled Naruto to her and hugged him,

"Lucy," Naruto said embarrassed but didn't push her away. Lucy ran her hands through his hair and he completely relaxed in her hold, Tsunade smiled at them slightly and so did Sakura a little,

"damn I'm jealous," Jiraiya grumbled loudly so everyone could hear, Tsunade rolled her eyes and Naruto finally lifted his head to glare at him,

"I told you Pervy Sage, Lucy is off limits," Naruto yelled,

"I also told you that," Kakashi spoke up glaring at the Toad Sage,

"as did I," Tsunade added, Lucy smirked at Jiraiya,

"did they now?" Lucy asked,

"and I have been the perfect gentleman," Jiraiya said sweating slightly, Lucy rolled her eyes and turned to Tsunade,

"what have you called me here for?" Lucy asked and everyone turned their attention to Tsunade,

"well I actually got you here so that you could watch the test," Tsunade said, "I thought you would like to see how these two have improved since they were last a team,"

"sure, when do they start?" Lucy asked,

"actually," Kakashi said and everyone turned to him, "I'm sure Naruto needs his rest after travelling such a long way, we'll meet up at the training grounds in a few hours," he said and got the book out of his pants but poofed away when Lucy made to grab it from him,

"oh that lazy pervert couldn't wait just one day," Lucy grumbled and jumped out of the window after him.

"maybe he isn't having as much trouble with the ladies as I thought," Jiraiya

"she just called him a lazy pervert," Naruto said,

"that may be so but she still went after him," Jiraiya chortled out loud.

A few hours later Lucy had landed on the fence post besides Kakashi, "you finished it yet?" she asked stiffly and folded her arms over one another,

"almost, their seems to be a major plot twist in this last part but I'm gonna save it for later," Kakashi said and snapped the book shut and placed it in his ninja pouch,

"shouldn't you finish it so you're not distracted?" Lucy asked him,

"nah it'll be fine," he waved her off and she sighed,

"fine hurry up, I want to see those two kick your butt finally," Lucy said and jumped away,

"I don't know if they could do that just yet," Kakashi said and followed after her, they both landed in the training fields that team 7 took that first bell test in,

"finally," Naruto complained,

"yeah took you long enough," Sakura weighed in,

"alright I'm off to find a safe place to watch," Lucy said before they could all get into it, "kick his butt you two, he'll probably end up trying to finish this early so he can finish his stupid book," she rolled her eyes and jumped away.

Time skip

Lucy smirked at Kakashi once she landed beside him, "now what was it that I said before you got here?" she teased him,

"you were right, I should of just gone ahead and finished it," Kakashi whimpered with his shoulders hunched,

"so what do you think Kakashi?" Tsunade asked as herself, Shizune and Jiraiya appeared in front of them,

"well, they got the bells," Kakashi pointed out and shrugged,

"so then it's decided," Tsunade announced,

"what's decided?" Naruto asked,

"Naruto Uzamaki," Tsunade announced,

"ahh yes," he said confused,

"speak up,"

"yes ma'am," Naruto stood up a little straighter,

"Sakura Haruno,"

"Mi'Lady," Sakura replied with just as much command as Tsunade,

"Lucy Heartfilia,"

"Tsunade," Lucy replied with the same tone, everyone besides Tsunade looked at Lucy with surprise, they were even more surprised when Tsunade didn't correct her,

"You three have shown that you all have improved over these past two and a half years," Tsunade started looking at all three of them, "Naruto and Sakura, you two will now become a team again along with your old sensei,"

"what does that mean?" Sakura asked,

"it means that the time between student and sensei is over" Kakashi announced, "we will now be considered as equals,"

"you will now be known as Team Kakashi," Tsunade announced, "and now, Lucy," Tsunade turned to Lucy, "these past two years you have changed the way most ninja see medical ninja and the necessity at which it needs to be implemented into the academy, you have taken the limited resources we have and turned it into an entirely new sector of the hospital specifically to teach medics in training. You have kept the council quiet and have been a trusted informant since my very first day,"

"umm okay," Lucy sort of agreed, not knowing where Tsunade was going with this, "wait, please tell me you're not giving me more to do," Lucy asked tiredly,

"don't interrupt," Tsunade snapped and cleared her throat, "you will no longer be in charge of an academy class nor will you be a full time medic from now on," Lucy was surprised by this and was about to protest when Tsunade continued, "Instead you will become a Jonin sensei and train a three man Genin squad, a couple times a week other Genin who have expressed an interest in medical ninjutsu will join you,"

"what?" Lucy asked, "you can't be serious,"

"I thought you would be happy with less to do?" Tsunade sniffed,

"I am but I can't be your informant if I have to babysit baby ninja," Lucy reminded Tsunade,

"Hey, I just became a Chunin," Sakura exclaimed,

"and technically I'm still a Genin," Naruto also huffed, "is this what you thought of us when you helped Kakashi train us before?"

"Yes," Lucy didn't hesitate to answer, "but that was different, I wasn't your designated teacher and I had more time back then," Lucy defended,

"still cheap shot," Sakura grumbled,

"you will still be able to do your missions, they aren't very often anyways," Tsunade said and Lucy was about to protest again but Tsunade continued, "and don't worry about the hospital, I will now be the sole head with Shizune as my second, you will still be on call though so instead of coming to my office when summoned just go straight to the hospital,"

"but,"

"the new set of Genin will be graduating soon so you better start thinking of what you want to teach them first," Tsunade said and left,

"wait," Lucy yelled but hunched over when Tsunade disappeared. Kakashi moved forward and put a hand on her shoulder,

"isn't this a good thing, you'll have enough time to focus on that personal project of yours now," Kakashi reassured Lucy,

"that's not why I protested,"

"then why did you?"

"the kids at the academy are still afraid of Haku and won't listen to anyone but me," Lucy panicked, "now how are we going to get more medics onto the field?" she stressed. Kakashi laughed at her, "this is serious Kakashi,"

"but can still be left for another day," he said and started pushing her towards the gates out of the training fields, the sun coming up behind them and Naruto and Sakura strolling in front of them.

Walking through the town Lucy was beside Kakashi with Sakura and Naruto in the front, "I improved so much over these last few years that I might even be better than you Kakashi-Sensei," Naruto bragged,

"Now, I don't think you're up to my level just yet," Kakashi chuckled, "you know just the other day I worked out this incredible new jutsu and you wouldn't believe what," Kakashi cut himself off when he realised that neither Naruto or Sakura were listening, "I miss the old days when they would follow me around and stare in wonder at everything I said and did," Kakashi whined out sadly,

"don't worry Kakashi I still want to hear it," Lucy comforted him,

"really? Well it was really cool, it actually," Kakashi started again but Lucy cut him off this time,

"just not right now," she said hastily and ran to catch up with Naruto and Sakura who were going to get something to eat. Kakashi's shoulders lowered significantly,

"a heartbreaker isn't she?" Jiraiya called out to him as he caught up with Kakashi. Kakashi hummed in reply,

"are you off again soon?" Kakashi wondered,

"yes, there's the lead that Lucy got that I need to chase up and I have delivered Naruto back into your care as promised," Jiraiya said quietly,

"Lucy and I will take care of things from here, just do what you need to do," he said and with that Kakashi poofed away to go finish up some paper work.

In another store Lucy was sitting next to Sakura, she had followed her after she ditched Naruto so that they could talk, "so Ino told you everything, well almost everything," Lucy said casually before she turned to the worker who had placed her food on the table and thanked him,

"yeah," Sakura said quietly, "why didn't you tell me?" she asked,

"do you remember what happened that day? You ran out not wanting to hear it," Lucy said and Sakura flinched, "although you're not the only one at fault, I didn't want you to know anyway," when Sakura turned back to look at Lucy in hurt and Lucy didn't bother sugar coating or make excuses, "what I went through was and still is an incredibly sensitive topic and I didn't trust you with that information," Lucy took a bite of her food, "back then you were the type of person to use someone's insecurities and past against them in order to get what you want and Sasuke always has and always will be your priority," Lucy said and when Sakura tried to protest Lucy continued, "I understand that you still care about him, but when it came to Sasuke no one else's feelings mattered to you,"

"but I still deserved to know, both Sasuke and Naruto knew, I was a part of Team 7 too," Sakura protested,

"my past has nothing to do with you all being a team and the fact that you haven't listened to what I just said proves to me that you still haven't matured that much," Lucy said sternly, Sakura flinched at her words because she knew they were true, she was lashing out because she was hurt. "Sakura I'm not saying this to hurt you, I'm saying this because you need to know the sheer magnitude of the information about me that you know. A lot of this is Jonin level classification and if it gets out than not only will people be after me but also you for knowing and a lot of rumours that could ruin my reputation might go around,"

"so you care about the rumours?" Sakura scoffed slightly,

"not necessarily, but if my rep goes down then so does everything I'm working on, which includes getting more medical ninjas onto the field," Lucy said, "personally I could care less about what you or any other in this village thinks of me but the programs that I have started may just save millions one day," with that Lucy paid for both of their meals and left the small stall.

Sakura was hunched over as she walked along the road towards her house thinking about what Lucy said. Sakura knew that Lucy was right, that she was always right; Sakura just didn't know how to go about talking to Lucy. Lucy was someone that Sakura secretly looked up to and admired but she was also jealous of her and that jealousy over ran any kind of affection that seemed to grow. Sakura also knew that this issue had nothing to do with Lucy but her own insecurities,

"yo, Sakura," Sakura looked up at whoever called out to her and was surprised to find that it was Kakashi,

"Kakashi-sensei what are you doing here?" she asked,

"taking a stroll to clear my head before I get back to that paper work," Kakashi waved off and Sakura scoffed in disbelief, "now, now there's no need to be like that, I saw you walking at night dejectedly and saw fit to call out to you as a teammate," Kakashi halfheartedly defended. Sakura sighed loudly and hunched her shoulders once again,

"I just spoke to Lucy," Sakura whispered,

"ahh yes, Lucy mentioned that she was going to speak to you about what Ino told you," Kakashi said to move things along, "so, what did she say?"

"basically told me to keep it to myself and that she doesn't trust me," Sakura grumbled out,

"did she tell you why though?" Kakashi pressed,

"more or less," Sakura admitted,

"ahh, then I don't think I should interfere," Kakashi said and started to walk home he travelled about five steps away before he heard Sakura call out to him. When he turned back to face her she was looking very embarrassed,

"how do I fix it?" she asked and Kakashi smiled slightly under his mask, not that Sakura could tell,

"how about we talk while I walk you home?" Kakashi said and turned around to start heading in the direction of Sakura's house with Sakura herself walking beside him.

The next morning Lucy was in the living room with all of the possible graduates academic files around her looking at possible teams and students she might be taking on and that's exactly how Kakashi found her several hours later, "you came back late," Lucy mentioned,

"yeah, I was walking around while finishing Jiraiya's book before I came back to finish more paper work," Kakashi waved her off slightly and Lucy scrunched her nose at him before just shrugging it off and going back to what she was doing, "I'm going on a mission with Sakura and Naruto this morning and we both know how unpredictable that could be," Kakashi said as he grabbed an apple and started to walk out of the door,

"Good luck," Lucy sang out from behind him and continued to make notes on the academies graduating class.

Kakashi greeted Sakura and Naruto as he walked up to them at a leisurely pace, "you're late," Naruto accused and pointed at Kakashi,

"I had to write up the documentation for the new team and it took a while," Kakashi rubbed the back of his head,

"this is our new teams first mission and you don't even care, you're always like that I don't know how Lucy puts up with you," Naruto complained,

"be quiet Naruto, Kakashi-sensei has never been one to show excitement and I doubt he's going to start anytime soon," Sakura sort of defended Kakashi,

'I'm seriously loosing face here,' Kakashi thought to himself as he followed Sakura and Naruto to Tsunade's office. Where Naruto instantly started to complain,

"I'm not doing a mission like that," he shot down,

"you got a problem?" Tsunade said harshly, Kakashi looked at Naruto tiredly and a little worried,

"well your personality hasn't changed much" Iruka said,

"my apologies Mi'lady, just let me talk to him," Sakura rushed out and grabbed Naruto in a head lock.

"The 3rd was way more understanding," Naruto grumbled,

"you say something?" Tsunade slammed her hand down on her desk, Sakura was in the middle of reprimanding him when someone burst through the door,

"Lady Fifth, Emergency. We've received word from the sand, the Kazekage has been captured, by the Akatsuki," the messenger woman announced panicked and everyone started to look worried, Tsunade closed her eyes for a moment before opening them,

"Someone send for Lucy Heartfilia immediately," she demanded and the messenger ran right back out of the room, "Team Kakashi, I'm assigning you a new mission and Lucy will be joining you, go to the Hidden Sand village at once, get a grasp of the situation there and report back to the leaf. After that follow any orders the Sand gives you and back them up."

All four of them were at the gate with Iruka, Tsunade and Rogue behind them, "okay we're off," Naruto said back to them,

"alright Mi'lady we're off," Sakura saluted,

"do your best," Iruka smiled towards Naruto then looked at Lucy, "be careful," he said to her,

"yeah," Naruto confirmed and Lucy nodded before turning to Rogue,

"Don't do anything stupid," Rogue said before walking away,

"hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Lucy shouted, all of them started walking away but Jiraiya interrupted them.

"Going on a mission huh Naruto?" he said,

"Yep,"

"By the way Tsunade, the Sand's Kazekage," Jiraiya started but Tsunade interrupted him.

"I know, I'm sending these guys off there now," Tsunade pointed at them. Jiraiya leaned in the whisper in her ear before pulling Naruto off to the side to speak with him, when they finished Naruto started moving ahead,

"let's get a move on guys," he called back to them,

"Wait a minute Naruto," Sakura called out to him as she ran to catch up, Lucy and Kakashi waved back to them as they also started walking.

As they were all jumping through the trees Sakura spotted someone on the ground walking, "Temari," she called out and they all jumped down to her, Sakura explained the situation to her.

"It'll take us three days to reach the sand from here so we better hurry," Kakashi told her and with that they were all off again. Except Naruto was beginning to speed up even more and split off from everyone, Lucy sped up to catch up to him, "Just because I said to hurry doesn't mean you should split up from the team. Naruto calm down, didn't Jiraiya just warn you about your temper?" Kakashi said,

"I can't stand it," Naruto growled out, "even I know why they're after me and Gaara, you still don't know, do you Sakura?" Naruto said, "Inside of me, is sealed the nine tailed beast," everyone behind Naruto just looked at him sad, except for Temari who looked slightly shocked, "me and Gaara, because we have monsters inside of our bodies, that's what they're after," Naruto started to raise his voice, "that's what I can't stand. Just seeing us as monsters, I can't stand them looking at us whatever way they feel like. Gaara and I are the same and he was fighting, he was lonelier than I was. Gaara was targeted by the Akatsuki just like I was, even so. Why is it always Gaara? Why does he always have such a hard role? Always him alone?" Naruto was yelling at this point, "That's why, that's why I won't just sit around asking 'why', this time, I want to save him,"

Temari looked at Naruto speechless, 'Naruto Uzumaki,' Temari thought before she closed her eyes, 'Thank you.'

"Naruto. You've gone through a lot haven't you?" Sakura started not long after Naruto finished his speech, "Itachi Uchiha, you're his target," she stated and Naruto looked shocked, "I wasn't just training myself these past two and a half years. I was looking through Tsunade's and Lucy's notes, researching as much as I could. The person that Sasuke wants to kill, it's really his older brother Itachi Uchiha isn't it? A Member of Akatsuki, because of that Sasuke is now with Orochimaru to gain power. Orochimaru just wants Sasuke's body, doesn't he? And all we have left is half a year," Sakura continued to explain, "and Orochimaru was originally a member of Akatsuki, in other words what I'm trying to say, is that as we get closer to Akatsuki, we get closer to information about Orochimaru and therefore, we get closer to Sasuke and our time limit of about six months," Sakura concluded,

"yeah," Naruto confirmed everything Sakura just said, Lucy had not said a word this entire time. Choosing not to weigh in on the conversation and was trying to ignore the looks Kakashi sent her when Sakura had mentioned that she was looking through her notes, because Lucy no doubt knew about it.

Three days later they arrived outside the Sand Villages gates where someone was waiting for them, "The Kazekage was taken, after that Kankurou went after them but he was wounded," he explained as he lead them through the village. Temari panicked, "he was caught by the enemies poison and we have no idea how to neutralize it, at this rate he has half a day at most,"

"Temari," Lucy called out and everyone looked at her, "take us to him, Sakura and I will take care of it." Lucy and Sakura bounded into the infirmary right after Temari, with Naruto and Kakashi not that far behind.

"The White Fang of the Leaf," an old women said and jumped into action,

"hey, back off Lady," Lucy shouted but didn't stop moving towards Kankurou, Naruto stood in front of him instead,

"I remember that time, the White Fang of the Leaf, my son's enemy, I will get my revenge for him today," the old lady said,

"wait, no, I'm not," Kakashi tried to say but the old lady wasn't listening,

"Sister, take a look, there's a strong resemblance but he isn't the White Fang," an old man said as he put his arm up in front of the lady. Lucy sighed as both herself and Sakura started examining Kankurou.

"hey you two, who do you think you are?" someone protested,

"we are Leaf Medical Ninja," Sakura announced proudly, Lucy activated her eyes and Sakura started to listen to his heart,

"they seemed to have used a metal-based toxin," Lucy said and Sakura nodded in agreement with her,

"the type that attacks muscle tissue and destroys the cell," Sakura added on as she lifted her head, "the cardiac muscle will be destroyed,"

"and his heart could stop beating any moment now, meaning it's uncertain if we can create an antidote in time," Lucy finished for her,

"are you saying there's nothing you can do?" Temari cried out,

"now I didn't say that," Lucy said and turned to Sakura who nodded in confirmation, "we're going to need these things immediately," Lucy demanded and two Sand medics straightened up at the tone. Lucy listed off the things that they needed while Sakura made sure that the drip was in order and correctly placed. The Sand medics came back with several containers of a greenish liquid and placed it onto the small table that Sakura pushed to Lucy's side, "you do it Sakura, I'll guide you," Lucy said with her eyes still activated. Sakura looked at Lucy surprised but took her place while Lucy opted to stand by Kankurous head where she could hold him down and have a better view at the same time. Sakura placed her hand in the liquid and when she pulled it out the liquid grabbed onto her and lifted out of the container as well. Lucy guided her hand over Kankurous heart as a place to start,

"alright," Sakura said and started pushing the liquid into Kankurous body, but Kankurou struggled with the pain, Lucy had a tight grip on his shoulders but he was still kicking his legs, "hold him down," Sakura demanded Temari and the other Sand Medics in the room, once they got a hold of him, Sakura was able to sink the liquid into his skin and Lucy watched it seep into his heart. Lucy was watching the toxins surface from the organ and become absorbed by the liquid, Sakura snapped open her eyes and looked towards Lucy who nodded at her, and she began to slowly pull the toxins out of Kankurous body. Once it all was extracted Sakura placed the liquid back into the container and demanded another. They continued with this repeatedly until Lucy told Sakura switch with her for a while and then repeated the cycle again, Sakura finished up the procedure by getting the last of the toxins that Lucy could see out of his lower stomach and they both told Temari that Kankurous life was no longer in danger.

"Now we have to make an antidote just incase we missed anything, please get us a list of all the medicinal herbs you have available, also set aside some of the toxins that Sakura extracted, we'll be needing it later and make sure you set up Kankurou with a brand new drip," Lucy commanded and Sakura looked up at Lucy with awe, the Sand medics were following her orders directly.

"you two are a lot like that Slug woman Tsunade, to think such girls like you would come," the old woman spoke to them both,

"well, Tsunade shishou taught the both of us," Sakura smiled, "and it was by her order that we come here." Lucy and Sakura were both lead to the medicine storehouse which doubled as a greenhouse that was catered to all different types of herbs,

"there are so many medicinal herbs here" Sakura praised as she worked on the antidote,

"yes it is quite impressive," Lucy also praised,

"we can make three antidotes with this many herbs," Sakura explained. After Lucy and Sakura were finished working on the antidote they made their way back up to Kankurous room, "drink it all," Sakura urged him to swallow the foul tasting antidote,

"you'll be fine now, however, until the paralysis wears off please don't move just rest up," Lucy spoke up,

"Right, lets go," Naruto demanded put his bag back on his back and handed Sakura her own while Kakashi handed Lucy her multiple small pouches.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Kankurou said, "please save my brother," he pleaded. Naruto smiled,

"Leave it all to me, because I will become Hokage someday too, so I'll secure a favour from the Kazekage in advance," he smirked and they all made their way out of the building where the old Lady who's Lucy now knew to be Chiyo convinced Temari to stay behind while she went with them.

They hadn't been travelling for very long before Sakura started asking questions about the Akatsuki and Naruto, Lucy decided not to be a part of this conversation and chose only to listen especially when Chiyo started talking about separating the tailed beasts but then they just went on to explaining what a Tailed Beast was and why they were so sought after during the Great Ninja War.

"Everyone stop," Kakashi said and put his arm out, not too far away from them stood Itachi Uchiha, "well this is sudden," Kakashi muttered,

"Itachi Uchiha," Naruto exclaimed.

Lucy mentally sighed, 'damn Itachi, causing me such trouble,' she thought tiredly,

"this is, the child who killed his entire family?" Chiyo exclaimed,

"it's been awhile, Kakashi, Naruto, Lucy," Sakura looked at Lucy in shock, no where in her notes did she mention Itachi, only Orochimaru.

"you bastard," Naruto yelled out, "not just me but Gaara as well, I'll take you all down," he pointed at Itachi,

"no one look into his eyes, it's dangerous," Kakashi yelled out and Lucy took this time to activate her eyes once again,

"then what do we do?" Sakura asked,

"judge his actions from the movement of his feet. Itachi's genjutsu in an eye jutsu, you'll be fine as long as you avoid eye contact," Kakashi explained,

"that's really difficult,"

"it's been quite some time since I've fought a Sharingan," Chiyo said gravely, "there's no need to be overwhelmed, there are many tactics for fighting this type of eye jutsu,"

"what should we do?" Naruto asked,

"if it's one on one, surely flee. If its two on one, take the rear," she said,

'not a bad tactic if it were anyone else, but Itachi is different,' Lucy thought to herself as Chiyo finished explaining,

"well, that's alright for normal genjutsu level, but in this case, it will be a little more trouble." Kakashi explained, mirroring Lucy's thoughts,

"what do you mean?"

"he uses a genjutsu that surpasses the original Sharingan, the Mangekyou Sharingan. If you are struck by that, his genjutsu can affect you in an instant, there is no one who can get out of it once caught," Kakashi said, "the only one who managed to do it was," but was cut off by Lucy walking forwards in front of everyone,

"me," she said calmly, "I am the only one who can," everyone besides Kakashi stared at Lucy, there expressions in between shock and awe,

"that's Kakashi for you, knowing all of that just by being caught once," Itachi said,

"that's not all, after you used that jutsu, you became tired and immediately left the fight," Kakashi continued, "besides the fact that it uses a considerable amount of chakra, it also presents a great risk to your eyes as well doesn't it, Itachi?"

'that's because without the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, overusing his eyes causes cancer like symptoms in his cells, the only way to recover from that would be to implant cells that regenerate into his body,' Lucy kept that to herself though, although now that she was standing in front of everyone so that couldn't see her face, she let some of the concern she felt for Itachi make its way through.

"well done, given that it's only been one fight," Itachi said,

"how far has your eye sight deteriorated?" Kakashi wondered out loud and pulled up his headband,

"Kakashi, impossible, you," Itachi started,

"last time I was unprepared, but I'm not like that this time. This won't go the same way as it did last time," Kakashi said,

"if you think I'll be the same too you're making a huge mistake," Naruto shouted,

"Naruto I'll handle him," Kakashi said,

"no you won't" Lucy announced, "he's mine," Lucy snarled, both Sakura and Naruto looked shocked at the tone of Lucy's voice,

"Lucy, we shouldn't be splitting up right now," Kakashi stressed, "let us cover you at least," he pleaded,

"Lucy we need to hurry up, now's not the time to prove something," Sakura also chimed in,

"you really think I'm so petty as to prove something at a time like this," Lucy said, "I'll be fine on my own but anymore time wasted here is less time to get Gaara,"

"we can finish this faster if we work together," Naruto said. Lucy sighed but didn't argue because she knew they wouldn't leave,

"we'll kindly ask you to come with us now, Naruto," Itachi said and pointed towards Naruto,

"you'll have to face me first," Kakashi said and raced forwards, towards Itachi attempting to punch him in the face. Naruto became still however,

"oh crap," Lucy said and started walking towards Naruto, "honestly so careless," she muttered,

"what do you mean?" Sakura asked,

"I thought you would be the one to understand first Sakura," Lucy said as she placed her hands either side Naruto's head,

"wait, he got caught in a genjutsu?" Sakura gasped,

"yeah he did, both of you place your hands on his shoulders," Lucy instructed, Chiyo and Sakura did as told,

"I thought you were the only one to break out of his genjutsu, why do you need our help?" Chiyo asked,

"I'm naturally immune to genjutsu, this makes it impossible for me to cast and difficult for me to expel in others, the only reason I can is because of chakra control and my eyes," Lucy explained, then all three of them forced chakra into Naruto's system and disrupted the flow of the genjutsu, snapping him out of it.

"are you alright Naruto?" Kakashi asked as he landed on the ground and slid back a couple of feet, Naruto stuttered and Lucy walked up to be beside Kakashi leaving Sakura to explain what happened to him, "right, it's finally time for the last battle, put your all into it, Naruto," Kakashi announced and Lucy looked at Kakashi sternly,

'it appears as if he has volunteered me to stay in the background,' Lucy grumbled inside of her head, 'we are definitely talking when we get home,' Lucy thought to herself,

"Naruto, I'll show you how to do it," Kakashi called back to Naruto when Itachi started to make hand signs and blew a huge ball of fire in their direction. Sakura, Naruto and Chiyo all jumped back but Lucy changed into her Aquarius star dress and coated herself in a water barrier while Kakashi hid underground and sent a shadow clone towards Itachi.

The clone shot up out of the ground and tried to punch Itachi in the jaw but Itachi moved his head at the last moment. Itachi grabbed onto Kakashi's sleeve and pulled his arm downwards to the ground moving his upper body with him, Itachi then pulled him arm back in order to punch Kakashi but Kakashi ducked down. When Itachi's arm had flown past Kakashi's head he grabbed the back of Kakashi's head lifted it to make Kakashi look him in to eye to cast a genjutsu on the clone. The clone grabbed onto Itachi to keep him in place,

"no wonder, I wouldn't expect you to be affected by the genjutsu, this is a clone," Itachi said, the real Kakashi lifted himself out of the hole he made in the ground besides Lucy,

"take him and my clone out Naruto," Kakashi said while two Naruto's holding one giant rasengan sped towards Itachi,

"got it," they said together and slammed the huge rasengan into Itachi's stomach, "giant rasengan," they shouted together and created a huge crater in the ground where Itachi and Kakashi clone were. When the dust cleared Lucy, Sakura and Chiyo joined Naruto and Kakashi as they examined the body, but it was not the body Itachi Uchiha. Lucy was able to keep her sigh of relief at bay,

"he," Chiyo started,

"do you know this person?" Kakashi asked,

"yeah, Yuura, he's a Jonin from my village,"

"from the sand? What does that mean?"

"even I don't know,"

"could he have possibly been a spy?" Sakura asked,

"no way, he's been working hard as a leader for four whole years," Chiyo stuttered out,

'that doesn't mean he wasn't a spy,' Lucy wanted to say but didn't out of respect,

"was he impersonating Itachi?" Naruto wondered,

"no, this isn't that level of jutsu," Lucy replied,

"she's right, the goukakyuu is a jutsu that the Uchiha clan worked out and use well and that was the real thing," Kakashi explained, "beaten again, looks like the real one's at the hideout. His objective was to delay and gather information about us, those criminals sure do have good jutsu," Kakashi worked out,

'no, that wasn't Itachi's intention at all, if he really wanted to delay us, he would of taken a hostage, knowing Kakashi and his teachings, we would of gone after them.' Lucy thought to herself, 'but no one listens to me, otherwise you would of all gone ahead while I handled Itachi,' her thoughts continued bitterly,

"indeed, this was clearly stalling, there's no doubt about it; they've already started to extract the tailed beast," Chiyo said, "maybe they want to use the one-tails to make a new Jinchuuriki," Chiyo theorized,

"we have to hurry then," Kakashi said and Chiyo nodded,

"Jinchuuriki?" Sakura questioned before they could go anywhere,

"like I said, since the tailed beast have inconceivable power, every country wanted to use them for military affairs," Chiyo explained, "a Jinchuuriki is, so to speak something that controls that power,"

"but before you said that nobody could control that power," Sakura said,

"that is how it is, yes, but still, over time people over time have tried to control that power by sealing the tailed beasts inside of humans," Chiyo explained and Lucy clenched her fist at her words, even though she already knew all of this, "by doing that, the overwhelming power of the tailed beasts is compressed and can be directed," Naruto placed a hand on his stomach where the seal was, "and the ones who had a tailed beast sealed inside of them, people like Gaara, were called Jinchuuriki. The feature of Jinchuuriki is that they resonate with tailed beasts and can use inconceivable power, including Gaara, in the history of the sand, three Jinchuuriki have appeared so far." Chiyo explained.

Sakura looked pained as she looked down, "these Jinchuuriki were used, many times for war, weren't they?"

"yes,"

"how do you remove a tailed beast?" Sakura asked surprising Naruto,

"if for an instant, a sealing jutsu which releases the exact amount of power to match up with the tailed beast is used, that takes a considerable amount of time but, if that were to be done the Jinchuuriki would," Chiyo paused Sakura looked scared,

"you mean?" Sakura asked,

"yes, they die," Chiyo finished gravely, the two I mentioned before, the Jinchuuriki of the sand apart from Gaara, had the one tails extracted from their bodies and this cause their deaths," Sakura's eyes started to fill with tears.

"You're always being moved to tears Sakura, I told you not to worry," Naruto said and Sakura turned to him with her tears that just started to spill down her cheeks, "because I'll save Gaara," Naruto smiled at her.

"Naruto, it's you I'm," Sakura shouted but Naruto cut her off.

"Come on, let's hurry," Naruto announced and started walking off, shifting his bag as he did so.

Lucy placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder, "let's focus on the task at hand for now," Lucy whispered to Sakura and she nodded her head before wiping her tears away as they all began to follow Naruto before they all stopped for a break when night fall came.