Chapter 5

It was midnight; Naruto was sitting by the window of his hotel room, alone in the darkness. It was fine; he was used to the darkness. So many times he'd sit through in his apartment, not even realizing that the sun had already set.

"How disappointing," Jiraiya said as he appeared within the room.

Naruto glanced at the Sannin for a moment before looking back outside of his window. The night was truly a peaceful time: Perhaps a bit of his favorite time. Back in the Hidden Leaf, it had been his moment to be free, to feel like that whole of Konoha was off his back. "What are you looking for, sensei?"

"I thought I'd see you getting some action…" the perverted Sannin said in a sad tone.

"Like I'd allow you to get that close…" Naruto said in a calm tone. "Sometimes it is best to just know people, sensei. 'Friends' are not truly bad people to have around."

Jiraiya frowned. "I think you have a different definition of what a friend is… it is certainly not the same line as I do…" the Sannin stated.

It was strange to hear from Naruto. On the outward everything looked fine because Naruto didn't avoid people like they were a plague. He actually talked casually and smiled with people but there was a certain distance that one could not push through. Naruto didn't like going personal. There was always a side of him that he didn't want people to see; a side of him that Jiraiya wanted to know and thought getting closer slowly would change things.

It hasn't been working all too well so far. Naruto didn't reveal too much behind that mask of indifference. He had his moments when he let out a couple of things, but it was far in few between the story lines; far in between for him to piece together. It was almost as if he only released details when he knew you wouldn't be able to make something out of it.

"That is something else to say, sensei…" Naruto said. "But to get to know people is a good thing. There may not become your friends, but they certainly become people you can 'connect' with. In your line of work, you cannot do much with those connections."

"But what would be the use of making connections, in your part, I mean?"

"Who knows?" Naruto responded with a shake of his head. "Sometimes people do the most ridiculous things that you really cannot begin to explain."

This again, Jiraiya frowned. It wasn't going to take him anywhere. "What do you think about the shinobi world, Naruto?" Jiraiya asked after a couple of moments of silence.

Naruto eyed the Sannin at the corner of his eyes but didn't offer an immediate response. What of the shinobi? It was kill or be killed. Rule or be ruled. If you have power, you can do whatever you want and no one will say anything unless it affects their interests but if the benefit outweighs the losses, a blind eye can be turned. No one did anything without expecting something in return.

But Jiraiya knew this world. He understood it better having spent much time travelling and having fought in past wars. It was another test. Ah, the temptations of this world. He was always being tempted in each corner he turned to, wasn't it?

"What does it matter what I think about this world, sensei?" Naruto asked in a curious tone.

"It matters, Naruto. Your view of our world shapes your ideals, your dreams." Jiraiya said in a firm tone. "Everyone has a thought and everyone wants something. We all have duties to our villages but we still have dreams."

"Some shinobi dream nothing but services to their village…" Naruto said. He thought of Itachi at this moment. "But yes, that attitude is based on what is important to them. To determine that, you do need to have a view on the world around."

"If you can say those words, why do you need to ask why your view matters?" Jiraiya asked with a raised eye brow. Then again, Naruto could simply be speaking his thoughts but not something he actually believes in. This trait bothered him. There were many times he couldn't tell if Naruto actually believed in what he was saying or was simply just saying it.

"My question was to you, on your personal level, sensei." Naruto said calmly. "You can say you need to know because you are my sensei, but haven't you said that a student should always carry the teachings of his master? You get an apprentice to share your dreams and carry on with your will. That has been the desire, hasn't it?"

It was indeed true. He had shared his dreams with the Ame orphans and he'd heard of the good that they had been doing. It had honestly surprised him. But he had been happy. Yet sad that they ended up dying.

"In our situation, it doesn't really look like you are doing what I want. You have your own goals and although you seemed interested in my dreams, you have not made any commitment." Jiraiya started firmly. "I am your sensei, I must know where you stand. If it is the wrong path, I need to be able to correct you; if the path is good, I need to be able to assist you as your sensei."

"I see…" Naruto said. "I have wondered, Jiraiya. But I still cannot form a conclusive view of the shinobi world. There is a lot of bad than good. Should I do something about it? Should I simply be loyal to my village and do what is best for it? I cannot yet answer those questions…" Naruto shook his head lightly.

"If you need help with understanding something, please talk to me Naruto. I know you prefer to figure things on your own but you have friends, colleagues to help you in such cases…" Jiraiya said in a hardened tone – just to drive the message through.

"I have not been shy in asking questions, Jiriaya-sensei…" Naruto said. "But I have always decided for myself. It is true that I was close to the Sandaime, but he did not have the same kind of influence on me as you would have on your students. I loved the old man because he loved me. But I formed my ideas depending on how I saw things."

Perhaps Jiraiya should have seen this as a red light blinking but he wanted to have hope. "There is nothing wrong with being independent but be careful. You don't want to stray too far. Without observing and listening to other people, you are likely to cloud your own thoughts and drift away from reality."

"With my past, I cannot drift away from reality, sensei. I know what is real and what false hope is. An illusion one paints to live in glory…" Naruto said. "Why did you bring this up?"

"Tsunade wants to know what your thoughts are about Uzu. If the Uzumaki have indeed revived and offer you an invitation, would you accept it?"

This question again. People were really too curious. But could he fault them? He was the only Uzumaki living in the Hidden Leaf and with his past, they had to be curious. They must be dying to know. Naruto thought perhaps that if some villagers knew about this, they'd certainly wish that he go home. Most people in Konoha have forgotten about the clan. They didn't even know where the symbol on their shinobi vests came from and yet, they knew very well that their founding father, Hashirama was married to Uzumaki.

Maybe she was just Mito and Uzumaki was nothing more than a name; Just a meaningless name. Ignorance.

"If they came now, I would reject the invitation…" Naruto responded while staring at the Sannin. After saying that, he turned his gaze outside of the room.

"Why? You are a proud Uzumaki. Anybody who looks can tell that much. And you don't even hide it…" Jiriaya asked with narrowed eyes.

"Should I not be proud of my mother's name, Jiraiya? By all accounts I should be Namikaze, isn't it?"

Jiraiya frowned. Kushina was married to Namikaze. Naruto forename was supposed to be his father's but because the Sandaime wanted to separate Naruto from Minato, he gave him his mother's forename. If Naruto wanted to, he could change but it was not going to happen.

"Yes…" Jiraiya finally responded.

"But my circumstances robbed me of that legacy. I should have inherited my father's legacy as his only child, but I did not. Perhaps if I had, I would be proud to be Namikaze…" Naruto said in a thoughtful tone. "But Uzumaki was the first thing I heard. It was the first good news. And the Sandaime said to me, it is your clan. I grew up being proud of that. I had nothing else to be proud of. The villagers resented me. Uzumaki was my happy moment."

Jiraiya cursed himself once more. Had he been a little responsible; Had he thought things clearly, he could have taken Naruto away from the village and raised him. Naruto would have experienced happiness and a happy childhood. He could have returned him when he was old enough to ignore everything else.

But he did nothing.

He kept chasing women, Intel, Orochimaru and running away from problems. A pathetic life. His regrets. They were heavy.

"I understand them, but why would you still not take any invitation?"

"Because sensei, if they come now, it won't be because I am Uzumaki but because I could be useful. I honestly can't allow myself to be used like that."

Jiraiya nodded. "If they'd come when you were younger?"

"I would have jumped on the chance to leave my misery behind…" Naruto said. "Because then I would have known that they are coming to me because they want me. Because I am Uzumaki and it would be an escape from hell. I am not that miserable anymore…" Naruto said.

He said it like that and for some reason, Jiraiya felt thankful that they did not come. It was selfish of him. If they had come earlier, Naruto would have had a better childhood. He wouldn't have experienced as much pain as he did. Jiraiya felt disgusted for his thoughts. He didn't voice them. He kept them to himself.

The Toad Sage smiled miserably. "I will write to Tsunade and tell her your thoughts. She was really worried you know. She cares for you and really doesn't want to lose you."

"Naturally… you don't want to lose people you care for…" Naruto said. "That is why we sometimes kill, isn't it, sensei?"

Jiraiya nodded. "Yeah…"

Silence reigned in for a couple of moments. Naruto was fine with it. But Jiraiya didn't let it last for long as he lifted his chin and spoke once more.

"We are worried because we don't know what Uzu's motives are…" Jiriaya said. "Recently, I was informed that Iwa's spies were killed and their heads were sent back. We know that spies don't return, but they've never done something like this. And it is going to cause some reaction from the Hidden Stone."

Naruto nodded. "I wonder how they will react…"

"We are going to find out."

"We?"

"Yeah… we are heading to Iwa tomorrow morning." Jiraiya said. "I wanted you to know that. Tsunade wants me to find out what they want to do. I could send spies but I need to hear from the Tsuchikage."

"What do you want to find out?" Naruto asked.

"What he plans to do and if there is something that needs to be done, I will have to do something about it…" Jiraiya said firmly.

Konoha had no formal relations with the current Uzu but they didn't want a repeat of what happened last time around. He did believe that Iwa would try to do something about it. They could plot Uzu's downfall. Kiri wasn't being put in the picture because it was currently recovering from its civil war and had closed its doors to focus on rebuilding. They would surely not try to do anything that would attract bloodshed.

Naruto merely nodded his head but said nothing about the matter. "I guess I should rest and I might have to face Kurotsuchi…" he said with a sigh.

"Why do you say it like it's a bad thing?"

"It's not…" Naruto said with a shake of his head. "She is just a bit of a difficult person. She might be thankful or mad that I tricked her into getting drunk."

"Either way, you'll get out of it…"

"You continue to overstate my persuasive skills…" Naruto said.

The following day

Naruto wasn't wearing his armour; he decided to put it away. He was comfortable with wearing it, so he would no longer have to adjust to anything when he does have to wear it during battle. In the future, he would have days were he sets out to battle and in those moments, he would depart wearing the armour but unless otherwise, he would be dressed a bit 'formally.'

He was already away from the Hidden Cloud, travelling slowly with the Toad Sage. "Any reason we had to sneak out of Kumo?" Naruto certainly hoped that the Sannin didn't piss off some people and that was why they had to sneak out.

Jiraiya responded with a shrug. "A force of habit and I wanted to see if you had it in you…" the Sannin said.

"Had it in me?" Naruto asked. "You know, I had to practise being invisible in the streets of Konoha just to avoid the glares. It was an interesting experiment and there were some failures there and then."

"Success?"

"It was there…" Naruto said. "But as you know, I don't talk much about my conquests…" he said.

Jiraiya nodded. "We should start talking Fuinjutsu before you go back to Konoha. You know, you are Uzumaki and you are truly proud of it, it won't be bad to know sealing. You have said you know things, practising it should make you even prouder."

"I cannot disagree to that…" Naruto said. "You know, when looking at current seals, I think the standards have really dropped. I have been inclined to look at some sealing and say 'pathetic.' Most of the seals in Konoha were originally developed by the Uzumaki and when you look at it, there is no other village that can match them."

"Every village has something that it excels in and the Uzumaki truly worked wonders when it came to Fuinjutsu. Their skills were just a bit too complex…" Jiraiya said. "Even though I call myself a Fuinjutsu master, by Uzumaki standards, I am nothing…"

"No need to be bitter about it…" Naruto said with a shrug. "Where to after Iwa?"

"We will see… if information comes around, we will probably head to either Amegakure or Kiri." Jiraiya said.

Konoha

Tsunade hated herself for this but there was just no helping things. She needed to make use of Danzo's services now more than ever. Of course, she couldn't trust him but she still had to use him. If he does something he isn't supposed to do, she was sacking him. If he did anything treasonous, she was going to hang him while his friends watch. She wasn't going to have him do as he pleases under her watch. Her sensei allowed it and indulged the man. He allowed Danzo to do as he pleases. She would not.

Of course, this represented another threat. Danzo could influence things but there was no going about things without taking the risks. She had Jiraiya to count on if Danzo does something he isn't supposed to do. Given the room, the war hawk could possibly try to set alight the flames of war for 'Konoha's' gain. Ridiculous. Then again, the Leaf did have that kind of history and this man really did play some part in it. A corrupted past that tainted the image of this image. Certainly not something her grandfather had envisaged.

Nothing in this ever went according to plan. Had things been different, Minato would have still been alive. He would be Hokage and maybe she would still be miserable or just running the hospital. He did have a good future. But that ended. Misery to his son and a great legacy. This village celebrated him as its greatest Hokage yet, it had scorned his very son. The only child he left in this world. That hadn't been the plan. The plan had been to make Naruto a hero but the villagers had turned him into a villain.

Tsunade shook her head. This wasn't something she wanted to be thinking about. The most important thing was that they had an Uzushiogakure problem. And this was something that could turn the peace they were currently enjoying into a memory. There was a threat but Tsunade wanted to believe that it wasn't to Konohagakure. If it was to Konoha, they would have to fight to protect this village, their home.

She did wonder though, what would Naruto do if Uzu turned out to be the enemy? Would he fight his clansmen? Would he side with Konoha? It was a situation she didn't want to see but it all depended on Uzu's actions.

"What the hell is keeping that damn cripple?" the Godaime Hokage demanded from Shizune.

"I don't know…" Shizune said with a shake of her head. "Should I go search for him?"

"A more fitting way would be to send Anbu to drag him…" Tsunade amused herself with the thought. He would certainly not be happy with that action. She wouldn't even be surprised if he marks the Anbu who manhandled him for death in the near future.

There was no need to go that far nevertheless. The war hawk walked into her office, with a pale teen by his side.

The Godaime glanced at the teenage boy for a moment before looking back at Danzo. He had sent the list of his operatives to her. She had studied the list but hadn't done anything about it or even commented regarding it. He delivered something she could touch. He'd passed the first test.

"What do you know about Uzushiogakure?" Tsunade asked before Danzo could say anything.

That damned village. If Danzo really wished or if he was the Hokage, he would have already sent people there to determine its motives, strength. If it was dangerous, he wouldn't be against its elimination. If it could be used, he would send shinobi for a takeover mission. But he wasn't the Hokage. This naïve woman was the one who was making the decisions.

Well, there was also the little problem that he couldn't get information out of Uzushiogakure. The people he'd sent had been refused entry. They couldn't even get on boats in the first place. If they got in, they would be turned back at the gates. The village truly had ways to keep people out. He wasn't doing everything he could nevertheless. He'd avoided killing people because he didn't want to attract any attention.

"If you are referring to the Current Uzu, then not much. I do know however that they mostly depend on the Wave for their supplies. Anything that can't be made in the Island, they get them from the Wave. I do suspect that they either control the country or have a rather strong relationship with them."

"What do you mean by that?" Tsunade asked. "The Wave Country still sends its mission requests to us… and nothing has changed in the way it does things."

"Yes… nothing has changed because they don't want to attract attention."

Tsunade looked thoughtful for a moment. She hadn't thought of investigating the Wave because it wasn't the problem. But at this point, it was the only nation that had a relationship with the Whirlpools. If this wad true, then they would have had some information.

Unless… "Why don't you know something? If Uzu depends on the Wave then obviously it will look at the nation as an 'asset.' Most likely someone from Uzu is within the nation."

Danzo shook his head. "The Wave has grown over the past couple of years… someone was behind it. It does seem that the people there credit Uzu for the changes…" He explained lightly. "But it isn't something they openly talk about and none of the masses have had contact with someone from Uzu. However, the man who acts as 'Daimyo' frequently visits Uzu. He goes alone. And he can't talk."

"Can't or won't?"

"Can't…" Danzo was frowning in the inside. They used a method he would use but even if you threatened to kill of the man's family, he couldn't talk.

"So you have tried something in the Wave but there is nothing much…" Tsunade said. "Back to Uzu it is then…"

"What are you planning?"

"I'm sure you already know what they did to Iwa's spies…"

Danzo nodded. "I'm surprised that they were even able to tell they were spies from Iwa. Unlike shinobi, spies do not wear their allegiance for all to see. The only way to know is through interrogation. A spy never reveals his identity, much less his home…"

"And if they didn't reveal it by choice?"

"It means we cannot underestimate Uzu…"

Tsunade nodded. "I have sent Jiraiya to Iwagakure to discover what Onoki is planning to do about this. But I want you to do what you can to find as much information as you can about Uzu before we make a move."

Danzo nodded. "What of the Kyubi's Jinchuriki?"

"Naruto…" Tsunade said sternly. "It is Naruto."

Danzo stared at the slug princess for about a minute before finally speaking "Naruto…" Danzo was forced to say.

"He is finishing his training trip and will return within two to three months." Tsunade said. "That is all I am saying to you. You should have no interest in him. He is my shinobi and my problem, if he is a problem."

"It becomes more than your problem when he can threaten the very security of this village…" Danzo stated in a calm tone. "You should now know already that there is nothing much about his childhood in our records because Hiruzen made sure all records were destroyed. I will tell you something you don't know… there is also a suspicious moment where Hiruzen took Naruto out of the village for about two weeks. He said he was taking the boy to train in secret. I tried to tail them but I lost track of them. He would not say what the training was about nor did Naruto show in any changes in his skills. But if the boy isn't a Fuinjutsu master, I don't know anything."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Hiruzen stone walled all my attempts to get closer to Naruto and made sure that I wasn't able to observe him…" Danzo said. "However, I did observe Hiruzen himself. He visited Naruto almost every day in his apartment. Even if he would only stay for a couple of moments, he would go there. He collected Fuinjutsu scrolls and possibly handed them over to Naruto. And that was before he even joined the academy."

Tsunade frowned. Jiraiya has never said anything about Naruto's Fuinjutsu skills. A Jinchuriki who knows the art of sealing wasn't something that would please anyone.

"I see…" Tsunade said. "And him?"

"For Naruto's observation when he comes back. I would have suggested he joins them but you are not going to agree to this…"

"And what makes you think I will even agree to this?"

"Team 7 is still short of one member. You don't have anyone suitable to put in the team…"

"I will think about it…" Tsunade said. "I expect results soon, Danzo…" she said dismissing the man with a wave of her right hand.

Once he was out of the office, Shizune spoke. "Well, that was surprising."

"The Third really did keep many things about Naruto to himself. It was almost as if he didn't want anyone to find out…" Tsunade said with a shake of her head. "But Jiraiya has been with him for these years and he still hasn't done anything to raise anyone's suspicions."

"It does make it a little hard to believe that there could be something we don't know…" Shizune said.

Iwagakure

"Halt!"

Jiraiya frowned deeply at being stopped by the guards at the village gates. He really didn't like going through this check. It was annoying. He was the Legendary Toad Sage, and he had a pass to go everywhere he chooses. This kind of thing was the reason he often chose to sneak into villages. The Raikage hadn't been amused in his last attempt. But he had managed to laugh it off without setting the man off. He'd nevertheless, been given days within the village and was told that he would be watched.

"Jiraiya…" the toad Sage said to the guards. "This is my apprentice and we have come here to see the Sandaime Tsuchikage."

"Jiraiya-sama…" one of the guards said. He then turned to face Naruto – his eyes sharpened slightly. "Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto merely nodded with disinterest. He just looked away from the man and turned his attention into the atmosphere around the village. It was different from Suna. The wind had a different vibe to it. Within Kumo, there was a bit of static within the air and it had made him uncomfortable.

Seeing that the guard looked a bit ticked off by Naruto's response, Jiraiya quickly responded. "Don't mind him…" he said with a smile, before taking back his papers. "We will find the way ourselves."

"Tsuchikage-sama is waiting for you, we will quickly take you there."

Jiraiya shook his head. "I want to walk."

"No, we insist that you allow us to take you there, Jiraiya-sama."

"I also insist." Jiraiya said in an even tone.

The man stared for a couple of moments before relenting. He could not force a Sannin into anything. "Fine… but we will escort you…"

Jiraiya smiled. "I can live with that."

The man talking to them led the way while his partner remained behind. Naruto and Jiraiya walked through in a slow pace. There was no hurry. Jiraiya was probably checking places he could stop by once they were done with their business.

"You do realize that when these people see blond hair, blue eyes, and a Konoha headband, they think of the Yondaime Hokage…" Naruto said to Jiraiya seeing the curious looks they were getting. The sannin wasn't an unknown man either.

Jiraiya shrugged his shoulders. "It is bound to happen sooner or later…" he said. "Besides, this will be a good test."

"There is no need for a test…" Naruto said. "There is no contempt. Perhaps only from those who lost their loved ones in the war. It would be like with the Kyubi rampage."

Jiraiya frowned deeply. He was getting it now. Naruto really didn't have a problem talking about his childhood days and what Konoha did to him. Worse, he didn't mix his words and even spoke with some indifference. It bothered Jiraiya but he could not tell Naruto to cry when he speaks about his miserable past. Perhaps it was good that he wasn't afraid to talk about. What was missing was emotions.

"Maybe…" Jiraiya said. "But it is good to know. We know where we stand and should be able to tell if there are enemies we should look out for…"

"You are not wrong…" Naruto said before falling silent.

Jiraiya said nothing either as they were led into the Tsuchikage tower. Upon arrival, he stared at Naruto. "Respond politely is they ask you a question about Uzu or Minato. We don't want to go back to war with Iwa."

"Do I look stupid to you?" Naruto asked the sannin.

Jiraiya blinked once before shaking his head. "I will accuse of many things, including being disrespectful to your sensei, but you are not stupid."

"Good." Naruto said as they entered Onoki's office.

The Sandaime Tsuchikage didn't offer both Naruto and Jiraiya any smile as they appeared before him. He had only even accepted this because he thought he could get some information regarding Uzushiogakure.

His stern eyes glanced at the blond. What caught his attention was the Uzumaki clan symbol. He nearly glared. But he was sure he would still be able to recognize the symbol even if he was blind. The Uzumaki represented a problem. But it wasn't one that gave him nightmares. He could solve this one. He just had to move carefully.

"This is rather bold of you bringing an Uzumaki here when they are proving to be a problem…" Onoki said, facing Jiraiya.

The Toad Sage shrugged a bit carelessly. "Naruto is my student and a Leaf shinobi. He has no connections to Uzu."

"But he is Uzumaki."

"I didn't deny that…" Jiraiya said in a hardened tone. "Naruto isn't the reason I came here…"

"But his clan is…" Onoki interjected before the Sannin could finish.

"Yes…" Jiraiya eyed Naruto. The blond looked indifferent as always. He was a little thankful for it this time around. "We know what they did to your spies."

"Everyone seems to know…" Onoki said.

He glanced at Naruto once more: that look was pissing him off… but why was an Uzumaki still running around the Elemental Nations while his clan was rebuilding. If he had been his shinobi, Onoki wouldn't trust him. Everything would just be suspicious, especially if he was going to walk with the symbol of the clan proudly drawn on his chest.

"Before its destruction, Konoha was allied to Uzu… do you have contact with the nation?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "We are in the dark about it as everyone else is. We don't know what is happening in the village."

"You have Uzumaki with you… you could send him to find out…" Onoki suggested. "You wouldn't have a problem with it, would you?"

"It would be dangerous as we don't know anything." Jiraiya responded. "Naruto is a little too important for Konoha to lose."

"If you don't have anything and are not willing to use an asset you have to find out something, why are you even here, Jiraiya?"

"The Leaf is interested in two things: what you plan to do about Uzu and your connections with the Akatsuki…"

"I plan to determine if Uzu is a threat.. if so, it will be destroyed… as for my relationship with the Akatsuki, it is not your business to know…"

Jiriaya frowned. He should have known that Onoki would say something like that about Uzu. It was dangerous and would cause unnecessary tensions within the Elemental Nations. Konoha was still technically allied to Uzu, if Iwa was going to do something without being provoked, Konoha might be forced to step in. They did nothing while Uzu was being destroyed the first time, they could not sit back the second time.

What would the villages who depend on the Leaf for protection even say? Konoha would lose friends. But if they tried to stop Iwa, it would be war and that was something they were looking to avoid.

"What do you have to say about that, Uzumaki?" Onoki asked Naruto.

The blond shrugged. "Nothing, really…" he said with indifference.

"Oh? I thought you'd say you would fight for your clan…" Onoki said. He would have marked the blond as someone who must be killed if it had come to that.

"Tsuchikage-sama, I want to cauti-"

The doors burst open at that moment as Kurotsuchi stalked into the room and stared at Naruto. She grabbed him and twisted him around. "You bastard!"

Naruto smiled. "It is good to see you too, Kurotsuchi…"

She glared and dragged Naruto out of the office. Onoki sat speechless for a moment. "Do they know each other?"

"I think they met a couple of months ago…"

Onoki was silent for a moment. "I hope nothing is happening there, Jiraiya…" he said in dangerous tone.

The Toad Sage acted as if he was oblivious to the danger. "If the young ones find love, it is up to us to guide them in their love rather than stand in their way."

"I hope you heard me, Jiraiya.. I am not losing my granddaughter to Konoha."

"You have little faith in her… you think she'd be willing to leave Iwa for love?" Jiraiya asked. "Let us get back to the subject at hand, Tsuchikage-sama."

The Sannin gave the old man a stern look. He would not allow Onoki to dismiss him like that when he had clear intentions of destroying another village. This just made him think about what Naruto had said when they were talking about the issue. Iwagakure was going to do the wrong thing and more to that, this was war. This world didn't need another war. The Uzumaki didn't deserve it. Not after what was done to them in the past.

Looking at things, Jiraiya didn't think that Uzushio would have the might to face off against any of the Great Nations. Iwagakure perhaps by quantity had the largest military power. They had even outnumbered the Hidden Leaf in the past war. Then again, Konoha had been fighting in all wars around that time. The Leaf never missed out on a war. Never.

Onoki looked towards the door for a moment before facing Jiraiya. "I really don't know what you want to talk about, Jiraiya. If you have nothing to give… I have nothing further to discuss with you."

"You have indeed said that but I am concerned about the state of affairs in the Elemental Nations. That aside, do you really think that Uzu would have the power to invade Iwagakure?" Jiraiya asked.

Onoki shook his head. "They do not… They never did. Despite their power, they never had the power to threaten any village with invasion but that is beside the point…" the Tsuchikage said. "If Uzushio seeks revenge, even though it doesn't have the power to attack us, we will do something about it."

"And if it remains locked down?"

"We will need to see what is happening in there… what do you know? Maybe they are busy building up a military strength…"

"Or maybe they just want to keep out people who only have bad intentions against them and think they have the right to decide who lives and who dies simply because they think of them as a threat…." Jiraiya said in a stern tone.

Onoki's eyes sharpened. "Watch what you say, Jiraiya-san…"

The Toad Sage shook his head. "I am just telling it like it is… Don't forget that Konoha is still technically allied to Uzushiogakure… If they ask for our help, we would have to respond to their request."

"Didn't you say you have no relationship with the current Uzu?"

Jiraiya nodded. "But we are making arrangements to meet the leader of Uzushiogakure to determine where they stand. If we determine that they are a lost generation, we will do something, but if they have no intention of invading any other nation, we can't stand to watch someone attack them…"

"So you are saying that Konoha would be willing to fight, Iwagakure?" Onoki laughed. "In the last war, we outnumbered you. It took the efforts the Yondaime Hokage to end the war. Years ago, you suffered greatly in the Kyubi rampage. You have lost the Sandaime Hokage, Yondaime, and the likes of Orochimaru since we last fought, do you think that you can stand in our way?"

Jiraiya stared at the old man. Regardless of how you look at it, that was a not so subtle threat. "What are you saying?"

"If we determine that Uzushio is a threat, we will destroy it and anyone who gets in the way…" Onoki said in a firm tone. "The current Leaf doesn't threaten me."

"I see…" Jiraiya said. "I really do want you to consider things carefully. An unnecessary war will cause needless bloodshed. You should know better than anyone that war causes pain on both sides. Even if you win, you will lose something."

"I don't need a lecture about war from you…" Onoki said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Meanwhile

Once out of the office, Kurotsuchi dragged Naruto atop of the Tsuchikage tower. She didn't want to be seen with him in the streets, lest people start rumours about it. Civilians had a thing about gossiping and so did shinobi. It wasn't that she paid attention to it. Sometimes you just could not ignore it because people were always around talking behind your back.

The black haired Jonin turned to Naruto with a glare on her eyes. She really wanted to pounce on him and beat the crap out of him for doing what he did and then disappear just like that without even saying a word to her. She had searched through the town, looking for him, but there was no sign of him. She had come to realize that he had disappeared from town with his sensei.

Bastard

She had been afraid when she woke up in the morning. Had something happened to her? Had he not touched her? Relief had washes over her like a tonic when she had come to realizethat she was still intact. There had been nothing out of place. It had been strange, for someone who had been acting like a pervert, why didn't he? It wasn't that she wanted him to do anything. Getting drunk hadn't even been part of the plan. She was never going to drink again. Not like that.

"You disappeared without saying a word."

"I am here now…" Naruto said with a small shrug. "It would have been painful if I had taken advantage of you after getting you drunk. But I don't swing that way. Despite everything, I have some moral integrity…"

Kurotsuchi snorted. "What do morals have to do with being shinobi?"

Naruto eyed the woman. "Shinobi are still people… you are a kunoichi… it doesn't mean you must lose all sense of right and wrong because of that…"

"You sound like an idealist…" Kurotsuchi said with a shake of her head. "But you got me drunk…"

"I did…" Naruto said with a smile. "But that had been because you thought you could get me drunk and get information out of me… admittedly, if you had done that and worked on your seduction skills, I might have spilled… I do have that weakness…" he said in thought.

"I don't have any seduction skills."

"I was certain all experienced Jonins who sometimes work undercover are taught those skills… then again, you are not that type…" Naruto said. "You shouldn't have been too confident in your ability to lie…"

"I didn't know you were that good even after drinking so much…" Kurotsuchi said. "If did sound like you knew about me. Then again, I should have known it when you called me by name."

"It happens…" Naruto said before turning to look at Kurotsuchi in her eyes. "It seemed like you didn't tell your grandfather about our encounter…"

"I couldn't tell him: it is embarrassing!"

Naruto laughed. "I hope my sensei doesn't mention it by mistake…." He said with a smile.

"The old man wouldn't think twice before he puts me on a leash for a couple of more years!" Kurotsuchi said. "With how things are, I shouldn't even be talking to you. It might cause some problems."

"Then why are you talking to me?"

"I couldn't just ignore you after our last encounter!"

Naruto shrugged. "It's not like we shared a bed the whole night and then I decided to make a run for it in the morning," he said easily enough. "Think of this as a chance to get close to the enemy."

Kurotsuchi narrowed her eyes. She looked ready to battle him there and there. "Are you an enemy?"

"What if I am?"

"I'd kill you now… all of Iwa's enemies must be dealt with."

"With those terms, even if I was an enemy, I wouldn't tell you…"

"If it wasn't because you are a Leaf shinobi, I'd use other means to get you to talk. Although you are still ranked as a Genin, your relationship with a Sannin is troublesome. If you were ordinary, I wouldn't care…"

"Spoken like a villain."

This was something Naruto was seeing that would become a bit of a problem; this woman was willing to do anything to secure her village's interests. It was no longer just about security but anything that could benefit Iwagakure. If stabbing a friend in the back had to be done for Iwa to gain new business that would help, she was probably willing to do it. If this woman couldn't change her thinking, Naruto was to watch his back with four eyes and the have someone watch him as well.

The good thing about dealing with people you knew had this mind-set was that you always expected it. There was no need to feign surprise or shock when they try to stab you. You wouldn't even have a problem cut them up because you never trusted them to begin with.

The woman shrugged. "I am kunoichi of Iwagakure…. It is my duty to protect it… I wouldn't be doing any service if I allowed a known threat to walk free…"

Naruto shook his head slightly. "Overzealous…" he muttered. "But for now, you are not grabbing me by the throat because you don't want to be the one to start a war with Konoha."

She nodded.

"But I thought you were going to become my friend getting to know me better so that you can see if I am an enemy you need to kill or a friend you must keep." Naruto said.

Kurotsuchi was silent for a couple of moments before responding. "I hadn't been thinking about it. I didn't think you were serious. You could have been lying even. You really can't trust what a shinobi says."

"You can't trust a kunoichi either…" he said. "You continuously lied with a straight face. I was honest with you and even treated you well after you got drunk."

"Don't try to make me feel bad for you…"

"I'm just stating the obvious…" Naruto responded calmly. "It is up to you to decide how you take that. But hopefully, you take my offer and decide to be a little honest. Until then…" Naruto turned away to leave.

Kurotsuchi grabbed him, to stop him from leaving. "Wait…" she said. She cursed herself for sounding a little desperate when she spoke that word. She quickly shook off the look on her face and stared into the back of the blond. She would not show any weakness.

Naruto looked into the heavens with a smile.

Kirigakure

The Hidden Mist: his former home – A land that was once blessed with so many bloodlines. Yet, the normal people saw them as curses. They saw them as stains that needed to be removed from the world. They had been driven away and the village plagued into a civil war. Kiri would certainly be a very powerful nation if it wasn't because of its bloody past – a past that Haku had somehow managed to escape from with the help of his former master.

Haku really did miss the man. He had died being useful. But he was alive again. Someone had been sacrificed for him to return to life. And he had been shown his master's actions upon being shouted at by Naruto. Oh, what a good person Naruto had been, on the outside it seemed. Deep inside, there had been a mystery. But not everyone seemed to be aware of it.

This was his second chance to live; to do things differently; to make something out of his life. But he had another master – the emperor: The person who gave him this second life.

"You really look like you are lost in thought…" Guren said to Haku. They were being escorted towards the Mizukage's tower by two shinobi and along the way; the Ice user hadn't said a damn thing.

Haku glanced at Guren with a smile. "I was just thinking about the past…."

"Past?" Guren frowned at the thought. Her past was with Orochimaru. That sadistic bastard. She smiled bitterly at the thought. Wasn't she like him in that regard?

In any case, she had ended up leaving. She had escaped him. Yukimaru was the reason. Perhaps it was the guilt – A ridiculous feeling. Guren had never thought she would be able to experience it. But she had grown attached and her master had gleefully said he knew it would happen. She was no longer needed there. He had found a new host who was admittedly better than her.

"Yours was a rollercoaster…" Haku said of Guren's past.

"I don't know much about yours…"

"We have different positions. But once we are done, we will work closely together… you'll learn a couple of things…" Haku said.

"I am going to be removed from my post?" Guren was a bit alarmed by this. She loved her current job regardless of how tiring it was. There was danger but being a kunoichi was danger to begin with.

"Not necessarily but you won't take on as much responsibilities as you do now…" Haku said. "They are still busy fixing up everything on their part. And some people are still busy with training. Once that is done, they take over."

"And what are going to do?"

"Work closely with his majesty…" Haku said. "We'll also be his guards when he travels outside of Uzushio."

"What of those 'two.'?"

"Oh, those two… their job isn't to protect his Majesty but they have other roles…" Haku said. "I actually come from this village. But I left when I was younger. It was a long time ago…"

"Is that one of the reason you were sent?"

"Likely…" Haku said with a nod. "I'm going to be the representative and you will be my guard. Don't forget that you still have that mission."

"It's going to be difficult when we are being watched like this…" Guren said with a frown. "And we have to leave before the day ends…"

"Well, we can't afford to be away from Uzushio for a long time…" Haku said. "Well find way to make things work. We can't go back home without any result."

Guren really hoped that failure wasn't treated with death. She hated that kind of principle… but she had been told that she wasn't to Punish anyone for failing to do their jobs. It was part of the job and no one had to die for failing. They just had to learn from their failure but if they continued to fail, they would be removed and shown to another department.

"Hopefully…" Guren said. "Failure doesn't click well with my language…" she said as they arrived at the door of the Mizukage's office. She wasn't used to this kind of thing. Well, at least Haku would be talking. Guren didn't do diplomacy. She used force to get what she wanted.

Mei looked up from behind her ask as the two people from the Hidden Whirlpools entered her office. She was certainly curious about how they would handle things. That aside, this was the first time she was dealing with anyone from the nation since its revival. She also knew that the nation didn't send its people outside to handle issues. The Wave country always handle things, but the nation never admitted it was on behalf of Uzushio. However, from where she stood, Mei could tell that Uzu lived off the Wave.

She didn't bother standing up to greet the two but she did smile. Her smile became a little sly when she caught the eyes of the handsome young man walking beside the purple haired kunoichi. She could tell though, they were both capable shinobi.

Haku smiled and greeted the woman. "Hello, Mizukage-sama…" he said quietly. "Haku Yuki… representative of the Emperor of Uzushiogakure…" he pointed at Guren. "This is my comrade, Guren. She is acting as my guard."

"Hold on…" Mei said with a stare. "Did you just say Yuki? Are you from the Yuki clan?"

Haku nodded with a smile. "Yes… I was born in this village but after my clan was killed, I was forced to flee. Admittedly, I almost died but I was saved…"

Who would have thought that a member of the Yuki clan would still be alive at this time? And not to mention now, wearing a headband with the symbol of the Uzumaki clan. Disturbing but this was due to their past: A past where bloodline wielders were not celebrated but hated as people hate Jinchurikis. Mei thought it had been nothing more than jealousy.

Either way, she now had someone from her village allied with another nation and he was just willing to admit it like that – that was perhaps the most disturbing part. They had no records of him, so he was probably just a civilian by the time he left the village. She frowned at the thought: If only she had found him first.

"I see…" Mei said.

"You don't mind if we talk alone, do you?" Haku asked. He was thinking that Guren would need to go out of the office and have a look about. He didn't want to stay any longer than he had to after speaking with the Mizukage.

Mei thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. "No…" she said.

"I'll be taking a walk around the village…" Guren said, "If possible, I'd like to have someone show me around."

"The guard will show you around…" Mei said. She watched Guren leave the office, leaving her with just the handsome Haku. She allowed him to sit down.

"Thank you…" Haku said.

"I'm surprised that the 'emperor' didn't decide to come here himself. It is even more surprising that you are willing to come here yourselves. The Wave has always been the nation we negotiate with…" Mei said.

She did not forget the history between the two Nations. It was a troublesome history and one that didn't make her happy. Had she been the one in charge, she wouldn't have threatened Uzushiogakure; she wouldn't have done anything against the nation. But her past leaders took part in the destruction by providing ships. They didn't have a problem since Uzu wasn't much of a problem to them.

The nation hasn't made its intentions known. Perhaps that was why Iwagakure has sent her a message to enquire if they had made any contact with her. It was likely that the Hidden Stone was plotting destruction if Uzu proved to be an 'enemy.' Mei didn't want to think it was the case. She didn't want to think that Uzu was out for revenge.

"The Land of Water's recent actions have been troubling. They do threaten Uzushiogakure, that is why we decided to come here. We are also thinking that perhaps some actions are being motivated by our existence."

Mei shook her head. "I don't know what the Daimyo is thinking… we don't get along that well. We are trying. I think this has to do survival than anything sinister. The Wave country is growing, at a faster rate than anyone would have thought. It is taking some of the Land of Water's economic interests. For our own survival, we have to take measures to ensure that our own futures are secure."

Haku smiled. He seemed relieved more than anything. "I'm glad…"

Mei tilted her head to the side with a raised eye brow. "Glad?"

Haku nodded. "I am glad that it is something that can be resolved in simple matters." He said lightly. "The Wave and the Land of Water don't have any deals, but you do trade. I understand you are saying that you don't know what the Daimyo is thinking, but you don't have any bad intentions towards the Wave and Uzu, yes?"

Mei nodded her head. "And if I had bad intentions?"

"It would have made things a bit complicated…" Haku said with a shake of his head. "I do have a question; do you always do what the Daimyo wants you to do?"

"I cannot answer that question."

Haku nodded. "I understand…" he said. "Never minding what the Feudal Lord is doing, we want to form a trade deal with Kirigakure. It will be of mutual benefit to ensure that none of us suffer. We are in competition, and we are a bit of a small nation, we'd rather not get involved in disputes. We would rather we just form an agreement."

Mei stared at Haku for a long minute. He was asking her to do things the Lord of this country wasn't doing. It would be like going against the Feudal Lord. He had asked her the question about whether they always did the man wanted for this reason. He was young, but obviously capable.

"What kind of trade deal are we talking about?"

"It was an agreement in which we play by certain rules. Competition is good when it is played fairly. This agreement can help us create an environment that allows us to rule over the seas in a peaceful manner. You have your territory, we have our territory. If we want to come to your territory, we have to pay fees, per our agreement. If someone wants to buy something, we can sell it to you for a good price and you sell it to your customer. We don't want a situation where we are stealing your customers and you are stealing ours."

"That is a broad suggestion that will require time to iron out things…" Mei said in thought. "If you break the agreement?"

"You have the military might to do what you think is right." Haku responded calmly.

"And if we break it?"

"We have our methods." Haku said with a smile. "We can discuss the broad terms and what it shall entail. The Wave will conclude things."

Mei shook her head. "I'm not signing anything with the Wave… I am talking to Uzu, now, am I not? Then my agreement isn't with the Wave but with Uzu."

Haku looked thoughtful for a moment. He could see what she was trying to do; a relationship between the two nations would be formed because of such an agreement. But the decision was not for his to make. "I will have to consult with the people back at home to see what they have to say. You have to understand that as things stand, we have no formal connections with any Hidden Village. To break away from that, changes everything for us. And only the emperor can make that decision."

"I understand but that is the only way you are getting an agreement with me."

Haku nodded. "Are you still willing to discuss the broad terms?"

"Yes, but I am still not agreeing on anything."

Earth Country

Jiraiya was stalking out of Iwa with giant footsteps. He looked like he had one unpleasant meeting with the Lord of terror or he had just been told to cut off his ties by his beloved mistress. They stepped out of Iwa and the man didn't say anything until they could no longer see the Hidden Stone.

"I really need to find a town and just sit back with alcohol beside me…" the Sannin grumbled in a stern tone.

"Now now, sensei… you really don't want alcohol to be the tonic to your problems…" Naruto said.

Jiraiya glared at Naruto. Then snorted. "Says the brat who consumes alcohol like it is water. Worse, you drink alone while sitting in a dark little corner."

"I don't do it to forget about problems…" Naruto said.

Jiraiya shrugged. "The fact is you drink… you should not be telling me to stop…" he eyed the blond. "And I doubt your reason is truthful…"

"Ah…" Naruto looked shocked. "You now doubt my word, sensei? We really need to sit together for a soul-searching mission to ensure that we get this mistrust out of the way…"

"You'll probably be shrugging all the way."

Naruto thought about it for a moment before nodding his head. "You are probably right…" he said. "I guess things didn't go well…"

"Not as bad but it could be…" Jiraiya said in a serious tone.

"How bad?"

"I knew Onoki was a stubborn old man but I didn't think he was this stubborn. He wouldn't listen to a word I say. It was difficult getting a message across that thick head of his. You should have seen him, Naruto. If I hadn't been firm, you would have to worry about your clan…

"He says if he determines that Uzushiogakure is a threat, he is going to destroy it. He wouldn't listen and he really has a narrow definition of what a threat is…"

Naruto looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head. "People can disappoint you some times, sensei. You cannot always predict their movements. They are troublesome."

"Yeah…" Jiraiya agreed. "He is willing to wage war against Konoha if it defends Uzu. He even brought up the last war – a war isn't what I want. But Iwagakure seems more than willing to drag us into war."

A war against Iwagakure? It was going to be another bloody massacre. People would die. Lives would be lost over the quest to destroy Uzu. Simple minded fools. Naruto couldn't understand the mentality behind that reasoning. He would never comprehend it. It was nothing more than a perverted thirst for destruction.

Konoha could not afford to go to with Iwagakure. The Leaf was powerful but an all-out war with the Hidden Stone would leave it massively weakened. It wouldn't be any surprise if any other village decides to take advantage of the situation. Iwa has been rebuilding since the last war and it had two fully experienced Jinchurikis.

"That is indeed a troublesome situation…" Naruto said with a nod. "Tsunade will certainly be left fuming over this attitude."

Jiraiya nodded. "But at least I managed to get him to chill until Konoha has tried to develop some contact with Uzu… it will still be difficult to tell if he will keep his word."

"Shinobi are liars after all…" Naruto said. "Agreement signed can always be torn apart."

"The very thing that is wrong with our world…" Jiraiya said. "I wonder when it will change, Naruto. People do whatever they want without suffering any consequences."

It was a free world. The strong ruled. The weak simply had to look away to avoid destruction. Some times even they have yet to do anything; their lands are used as battlefields. In that time, innocent people die. Shinobi rape and take food from innocent civilians. It was war. Anything could happen. Just making it out alive was all that mattered. It didn't matter if you lost all of emotions and moral integrity.

Naruto shook his head. He wasn't the one who to speak about emotions. "Perhaps I might join you for that drink, sensei. And we can talk about this."

Jiraiya grunted. "How did things go at your side?"

"Not bad but that woman is willing to stab friends in the back for the sake of pushing forward the Iwa agenda…" Naruto said with a shake of his head. "However, the human emotion is something curious. Because of emotional attachment, there are some things that you really cannot do. And even if you try to do, you hesitate. That moment can save a life."

"And is it all that you are looking for?"

"It is easy to come to an agreement over something with someone you are emotionally attached to… especially if it is a case of war and you both want to survive."

Jiraiya couldn't fault Naruto's words. It was perhaps something he could very well agree on: that was kind of thing that could even help them avoiding a war. "Is that the same attitude you take with Temari?"

Naruto shook his head. "Temari is an honest person who wouldn't stab a friend in the back. To be quite honest, I did enjoy my time around her…" the blond admitted in a calm tone.

That was a reality that he had to face. Although he didn't want to get too attached because of his own associations, Naruto did realize that he couldn't deny himself an opportunity to be a friend to someone. He was a friend to her brother but not to her, was he? Naruto shook his head. He would see what happens the next time he does see her.

Jiraiya smiled. "You know, it isn't wrong to fall in love sometimes," the Sannin said. "You're still young. You can love, get married and have children…"

"I certainly wouldn't want you closer to my children. I'm certain if I have a daughter, you'd already be measuring just how much of a beauty she would be in the near future…" Naruto said with a pointed look.

"You really wound me Naruto…" Jiraiya said with a hurt look on his face. "Have you no faith in your sensei?"

Naruto shrugged. "When you start acting like you can be trusted, maybe I will have some faith you…" he said. "You are talking about me, what of you, sensei? You are can still love. Is your heart so wrapped up around Tsunade's chest that you cannot look elsewhere?"

Jiraiya frowned. "It isn't her…" he said.

"Regrets… what a miserable man you are, sensei." Naruto said with a shake of his head. He then smiled. "Well we are both miserable people – for different reasons. Perhaps this is why we are able to get along. A sadist will surely find comfort in the presence of another sadist."

In the sea

The ship was heading out of the Land of Water, going back Uzu. Haku was standing by the deck, watching the waters with an expressionless mask on his face. He had seen his former home. The memories had been unpleasant but that was the place he had been born. It looked so peaceful. He really wished he'd been born in this age. Perhaps he would have experienced a better childhood. Better memories.

He did wonder though, would Uzushio end up fighting Kiri over the past? Haku hoped not. Kiri was peaceful now. It had already seen too much blood shed. And the Mizukage seemed like a good person. No, she was a good person. Haku was certain that the emperor would like her. But when would they meet?

"You're gonna end up falling over the sea…" Guren said as she walked over to Haku. "Did things not go well?"

It took a couple of moments before Haku could respond to Guren. "It went well.." he glanced at the purple haired woman before looking at the water below. Just how deep was the water? If you fell, you'd suddenly be crushed by the pressure of water.

"Then why do you look so gloomy? Thinking of being shinobi of the Hidden Mist?"

Haku shook his head. "Death will separate me from my master…" he said. "Just thinking about things. You know, if we are going to get anything done, Uzushio itself will have to sign the agreements."

"I understand the village wants to keep its doors closed…" Guren started. "Is it the past?"

"There is that but what do you think when we open our doors to Kiri?"

Guren thought about it for a couple of moment before frowning. She worked with security, she should know. "It increases the chances of spies getting into our nation."

Guren almost laughed. She's just called Uzu 'our.' Ridiculous. When did she start taking Uzushio as her home? Well, she wasn't complaining about anything. She was actually having fun being in the nation.

"That is something we don't want. Not now…"

"Can't we do things without opening the gates?"

"We can but the Mizukage is insistent on a couple of things. She doesn't have a problem in signing the agreement with us but there some terms she wants before she agrees to it." Haku said shaking his head. "How did things go at your end?"

"Nothing much gained…" Guren said. "I will need to send someone there… to get into it deeper…" She wasn't concerned that she didn't get as much as she wanted. She did get something she could work with. "What does the Mizukage want anyway?"

"She wants to see his majesty. I don't think she will get it. Yoshino could pretend to be him and get things signed."

"Why doesn't the emperor just meet the Mizukage himself?"

"You must know already that his majesty isn't always present in Uzushiogakure."

Guren nodded. She had concluded as much. But that just left many questions around him. She still didn't know anything about him. "Because nobody knows him, Yoshino could play the role. That foxy man can play any role he wants."

Sunagakure

He was Kazekage but Gaara didn't want to say that he was tired of this job already. But the truth was that things were difficult. No one had said it would be simple. The council didn't matter. But at least they were not standing in his way. He was able to do his job without much interference but things were still difficult. It was still not easy.

He was doing it though. He was steering the ship. He was doing it. Suna was going through the right path. The villagers hadn't warmed up to him, but Gaara wasn't complaining. He had expected things to take time.

Gaara glanced at his sister as she walked into the office – she was his help. She spent time with him, helping him do some things he could not because he was busy with another thing. He didn't have a lot of people he could trust around here. So she was going more work than he would like. She seemed more than happy to help nevertheless.

"It has only been a couple of months and there are people who are possibly planning to kill me…" Gaara said in a calm tone.

Not long ago, some people had killed off the idea of killing him because it was impossible. Many had tried in the past and they had died. Gaara couldn't boast about it but it was the truth. They were not going to try to assassinate him this time. It would not work out. They were coming with another plan that could perhaps work. If the opponent was strong enough, he would be killed.

Yet, Gaara had cautioned Baki against hanging those people who were plotting this for treason. He didn't want his rule of be marred by bloodshed. He would find a way to deal with this. Well, he just had to survive it. Then again, the people were not really succeeding and he had someone watching them. He did have shinobi who were loyal. People he could trust. Not everyone, but they were there and that pleased him.

Temari frowned at this. "Who are they hiring?"

"Trying…" Gaara said. "They are trying to hire a mercenary group called the Akatsuki. I have been told it is a group of S-ranked criminals… nothing more about them exists. We will try to gain more information. I have sent a message to Konoha to see if they know anything more about it."

"What do mean by trying?"

"I mean they are not winning…" Gaara said. "It is strange. From what we know of the group, they are prepared to do anything, even if it means destroying a village. They have that power. But for some reason, they are refusing to take this mission. They wouldn't even have to take on Suna as this is planned for when I visit Konohagakure."

"That is indeed strange…" Temari said in thought. She shook her head. "You should still be a little more worried about this, Gaara. What if they end up accepting the mission?"

"It will be problem but I will try to survive. I don't plan on dying…" Gaara said. "I suppose I could go to them and give them a sword to kill me if they really want to do it. I will have a couple of words for them."

"You are not going to do that!"

Gaara managed a tiny smile. "I still have to figure out something before I head to Konoha." He said. "Naruto still hasn't gone back, has he?"

Temari shook her head. "No…" she said.

"That's a pity…" Gaara said. "I was hoping that we could see him."