Chapter 43

"Darui was reportedly seen leaving the Land of Lightning. Our people lost track of him in the Land of Hot Water but we suspect he was meeting with whoever is going to be Kumo's front should they wage a proxy war," Tsunade explained. The information had arrived late last night but Tsunade only learned of it when she arrived in her office. She promptly called for her teammates and her advisors.

"Should we assassinate him while he's away from the village?" Homura asked. They'd been beefing up their counterintelligence on the other villages, mainly their VIPs. Darui was the Raikage's number two and rarely left Kumo unless it was business that involved state affairs. Tsunade shook her head in the negative.

"There are a few issues with that course of action. One, we may have information on the route he traveled to Hot Water but there is no guarantee he'd return that way. Secondly, my agents informed me he was not alone, couple that with being one of the most skilled and powerful shinobi in Kumo's ranks we'd have to be very selective about who we sent after him," Tsunade reasoned.

"Surely Team Kakashi or Team Gai would suffice, both teams have two Jounin with the younger ones being prodigies," Homura continued but frowned when he heard Jiraiya scoff. "Is there an issue, Jiraiya?"

"I just think we're throwing around the word prodigy a little loosely. But, more importantly, we know Darui isn't alone. That doesn't tell us how many people are with him and I'd put good money on him being escorted by Kumo's ANBU. How confident are you that either Neji or Sasuke can handle multiple black op ninja, cover their teammates and be ready to assist Gai or Kakashi should they need to? If we send too large a force they'll most assuredly tip them off, assuming we know where he'd be and we'd be unable to cover it up. Ay would have justification to retaliate and we'd look like the aggressors," Jiraiya argued.

It wasn't just their commitment to peace that kept Konoha from visibly initiating inter-village conflict. Much of their branding was being the kinder, gentler ninja. It earned derision from the other villages but the number of contracts Konoha received yearly supported their method. Those contracts meant their genin got less risky and violent missions to start, allowing them to mature and grow instead of the harsher experiences of the other major villages.

"It is also believed Darui is a moderating voice in their governing structure. If he's gone, we lose someone that may be advocating to avoid this unnecessary conflict, thereby ensuring it will come to pass," Tsunade added.

"This does seem to support the idea that Ay is looking for a smaller village to do his dirty work," Koharu interjected. "The question is, which one."

"Claw and Fang can be ruled out as if either diverted attention to Oto the other would attack them," Homura stated.

"Not Taki, not since Team 7 saved that cowardly leader. Though they didn't exactly ingratiate themselves so maybe we could do something to firm up that relationship," Koharu continued.

"Do you have any ideas?" Tsunade questioned.

"Well, we have a highly trained Jinchuuriki, maybe he could share some tips with their own," Koharu suggested. "It'd be a show of good faith."

"I'll draw up the offer today and inform Naruto if Taki agrees. Now, I doubt it's Kusa but Jiraiya if you have the resources, have your network pay attention to them," Tsunade ordered.

"Sure, I'll get right on it. Just another gift of Orochi's misadventures while a nukenin."

"I figured the Gallant Jiraiya would commend me for rescuing a young girl from being sucked dry. Or is that, like almost everything that comes out of your mouth, complete self-aggrandizing nonsense? Not to mention, she is Naruto-kun's clansman."

"You didn't have to kill her entire team," Jiraiya pointed out, not even annoyed at her barb.

"I don't have to do a lot of things I do but it was faster than negotiation and she wanted to leave so it all worked out."

"Ok, enough, you two. We can be reasonably sure Ame won't help Ay. Konan-san may not like us but I doubt she avoided an invasion just to start a war."

"Could Ay have formed a coalition of smaller villages?" Homura asked.

"He doesn't strike me as one for diplomacy, if Sensei is to be believed. Finding a village with an existing grudge is one thing but bringing others along for a shared vision? I doubt it. His ninja are conditioned to put up with him but I can't see others following suit," The Godaime answered. The meeting continued for a time until Tsunade called an end. There wasn't much to take away from it except for how much the parties involved didn't know, something none were overly comfortable with. As the advisors departed, Orochi was held back at Tsunade's request.

"Koharu and I are having a ladies' night so you have to be there," she said.

"I have plans," Orochimaru responded.

"No, you don't. I can always tell when you're lying so you're coming, even if I have to drag you there. Strongest of the Sannin my ass!"

"Like I told that pervert, anytime you want to test the claim just let me know."

"I'll be taking you up on that but not tonight," Tsunade rejoined and saw her friend looking reluctant. "C'mon, it'll be fun. You can invite Anko if you want."

"Fine but I am not drinking," Orochimaru said, causing Tsunade to snicker. The Snake Sannin did not handle alcohol well and the last Senju always found it adorable.

"We'll see," Tsunade whispered as her oldest friend departed looking forward to getting her sloppy drunk and then prying details about her new relationship out of her.

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"So… mokuton?" the lazy Nara heir drawled. His most troublesome teammate informed him of the fruits of his training trip and Shikamaru almost walked off at the absurdity of it all, especially when Shino relayed how he discovered Naruto's ability with the most vaunted nature release in the entire village. The three laid underneath the early morning sun at their team training ground.

"Created an apple tree?" Shika said, words dripping with skepticism. "To impress your new girlfriend? Who is Orochimaru of the Sannin?"

"You knew I had feelings for her before I left, dummy," Naruto retorted.

"I thought it was one-sided, a crush. Besides, she stabbed you."

"That was a misunderstanding."

"She threatened to kill my and Shino's entire clan," Shikamaru continued.

"She was just playing." Shikamaru ignored that asinine response.

"And you're happy?"

"We just started dating, Shika but yea."

"Fine, I approve."

"Oh, no warnings of her dastardly evil plans?"

"Nope, however, my acceptance comes with a price."

"You're my friend, bastard, no it doesn't."

"It does. Shino's as well and because you're our friend you'll do it without complaint."

Naruto propped himself up on his elbows as he stared at his friend curious what the pineapple-haired boy could want. Shikamaru never took his eyes off the few clouds that could be found in the sky but he felt Naruto's gaze. He decided to drag the wait on for a bit, just to mess with his teammate.

"You're going to host a party tonight. Team Asuma, Team Kakashi, and Team Gai will be in attendance. Maybe a few others."

"Ha, nope!" Naruto said emphatically.

"No complaining was a condition, Naruto," Shino chimed in.

"I haven't complained I just denied the request," the Uzumaki corrected.

"Troublesome, how are you going to be Hokage if you aren't even known by your own generation Naruto? You need to start building a reputation and connections," Shikamaru started, "Or if you don't want to do that then just tell everyone the Fourth is your father."

"How did you figure it out?" Naruto asked and he saw both his teammates smirk.

"With great effort and even greater care," was Shino's reply.

"It wasn't easy, you two look more alike now than you did before you left. My question is why didn't you tell us?"

"I'll answer your question with a question, Shika; what was your first response when you confirmed the Yondaime was my father?" Shikamaru didn't answer but the grimace Naruto saw on his face was all he needed.

"That explains it. Or something to that effect, right?" Naruto asked, rhetorically. "I was already under one shadow, I didn't want to be under another and I didn't want people thinking all my effort was basically worthless when compared to the obvious genius I inherited. It's bullshit and even you, knowing me better than almost anyone, couldn't help yourself," Naruto said, looking at the sky.

"I don't still believe that, Naruto," Shikamaru defended.

"I didn't suspect you did but not everyone is you. If my abilities aren't attributed to the Kyuubi then they will be laid at the feet of my father's legacy. I respect him but not so much I want him given credit for my hard work."

"Especially when you want to surpass him," Shino added and Naruto nodded.

"Exactly."

"All the more reason to extend your network. If you will not have the benefit of legacy then you have to become more visible," the Aburame heir concluded.

"Fine. I'm assuming you spoke with Tayuya and Karin about this, right? I don't want them surprised by this, it's their house too."

"Yes, I spoke with Tayuya and Karin and they consented."

"Ugh, alright. What do I need to do?"

"Get the food, set up your backyard. Do you have a grill?"

"I can get one," intending to experiment with his steel release to make one.

"Please do, Choji will man it."

"You will also need to come to terms with Team Gai," Shino added.

"I've come to terms, I'm not the one with the problem."

"And can you not see why they would have one?" Shikamaru questioned. "You didn't have to do what you did, you had other ways to beat Lee and Neji."

"I gave them a chance to concede. Neither of them took it so how am I responsible for their refusal-"

"To acknowledge you. Because that's what it was about. Two more Konoha ninja that couldn't give you your due so you had to punish them for it, punish them in ways you wouldn't be allowed to otherwise."

"When did you become a Yamanaka?" Naruto asked and while he tried to hide it both Shino and Shika heard the anger in his voice.

"Troublesome. Before you fly off the handle, I'm not saying you have to apologize. What you did was justifiable, even merciful to enemy ninja. They were competitors, not enemies and that's the difference. And if you just wanted to be a career Jounin it wouldn't matter but you want more. People will fear you Naruto unless you give them a reason not to."

"People feared me long before I'd given them a reason to."

"Point of fact, they feared the Kyuubi. That fear has waned but if it becomes necessary for you to demonstrate your abilities, those who have alienated you may expect and dread reprisals for their previous behavior," Shino interjected.

"What am I supposed to do? Shake babies and kiss hands?"

"Just let the rest of the village get to know the extreme pain in the ass we've come to tolerate."

"That hurt, Shino."

"Kurenai-sensei did call you her problem child," Shika offered as support.

"She just said that because I'm her favorite," Naruto countered.

"I think it's pretty obvious I would be her favorite. Why? Because I am even-tempered, reasonably hard working and low maintenance."

"Troublesome, it would be me. I'm the most naturally inclined toward her specialization, I don't get into stupid competitions nor do I buzz like a low powered vibrator."

"You familiar with the sound and various power levels of a lot of vibrators, Shika?"

"I'd imagine he would be. Why? Sex would be too troublesome," Shino observed, causing Shikamaru to gain a look of annoyance as Naruto laughed.

"Asshole," Shikamaru said, though there was no real heat to it.

"Alright, enough about Shika's sexual inadequacies, gentlemen. We came here to train so let's get wild," Naruto said enthusiastically, doing a handspring to return to his feet.

"If we run would he follow us?" Shikamaru whispered to Shino.

"Like a hound on a scent," Shino replied.

"I wouldn't have to, ya bums. I've already tagged you both. Now, let's get after it."