Chapter 29

Kakashi shrugged his shoulders. "Menma… I know this puts you in a tight spot." He said drawing his attention. "But, if it comes to it, and Naruto becomes a major problem for Konoha and the other villages, then you must be Hokage first and his brother second."

Both Menma and Minato understood what he was saying. Menma immediately wanted to dispute that, but how could he? Minato's heart ached, but he understood what he was saying. If Naruto was truly set in his ways, then he would have to be put down before he hurt anyone else. It hurt him more knowing that he was partially responsible for what his son had become.

"Kakashi… I couldn't… I couldn't possibly." Menma began.

Minato butt in before he could finish. "He's right…"

Menma was completely shocked by that statement. "t-…Tou-san…" Had he really just agreed to kill his own son? "How could you even say that?"

Minato shook his head sadly. "Menma… Naruto is not well… and if he's running around killing people, we may have no other choice but to put him down." Menma sat back in his seat again, his heart shattering within his chest at the mere thought of having to do such an unspeakable act. "Believe me… I know how you feel, but if it comes to it… it just has to be done…"

"What if we find him before he does more damage?" Menma asked, trying to find a way around this. Kakashi and Minato shared glances with each other. "I mean, we're the only ones who know who he is, so if we could find him and Ino before then, we could probably take them back undetected."

Kakashi sighed. "Menma, it doesn't work like that." He said scratching his head. "Even if we did get him back, he'd be thrown in a prison immediately, or worse…"

"Well what's a better option?" he asked in frustration. "What, just kill him?"

Minato sat up in his seat. "Menma, there are just things that must be done. I doubt Naruto would even let us take him alive."

"What do you mean 'let us'? I'm sure with me, Kakashi, and Sasuke there wouldn't be much he could do." Menma responded, letting slip a bit of his arrogance.

Kakashi wasn't as confident. "Menma, do not underestimate him." He looked much more serious than they were comfortable with. "I can't explain it, but this is not the time for arrogance…"

Menma shook his head in confusion. "Kakashi, I said me, you, and Sasuke."

Kakashi just shook his head. "Just, don't take him lightly." Kakashi said, looking down at his own foot.

Naruto, Ino, and the six higher ups sat within a room with a round table. Ino was on Naruto's lap with her bare feet propped up on the table as she stroked his hair. Naruto and the others were speaking of Naruto's plan. Or as much as he was willing to tell them.,

"What was the estimation?" Naruto asked directing his statement towards Pakura.

She shuffled through a few papers. "Uh… about even all around. About fifty for Konoha, forty for Kiri, forty five for Suna, forty for Kumo, and fifty for Iwa."

Naruto nodded as he absentmindedly rubbed his hand against Ino's exposed thigh. "Hm… well if I were to guess for you lot. I'd sayyyy you Pakura are definitely leaning towards Suna.. Deidara, without a doubt, Iwa. Zabuza and Kisame Kiri, and that just leaves Konoha and Kumo..." he continued to rub Ino's leg in thought. "Well, in any case, everyone will have the choice of which village they decided to lead their attack on. If there are any shortages, we will have to balance it out with willing individuals."

"When is this whole attack business happening anyways?" Asked Deidara.

Naruto tilted his head up in thought. "Well, immediately of course." He said casually. "No beating around the bush. Although I am a patient man, I have been waiting for many years. Now is the time. If we allow that alliance of theirs to solidify it will only make our task a lot harder." He said casually. "Well, there are eight of us here… First things first, we must first take our incentive." He said darkly, confusing them all.

"Yay! Sounds like fun." Ino quipped happily wrapping her arms around Naruto's neck.

Flying atop of his explosive clay bird, Deidara stared down menacingly at the village below. Familiar streets he knew all too well with maroon flags waving proudly upon every building. It had been so many years since he's been here and it was so… technologically advanced. TV's new stores he had never heard of, it was impressive. 'It'll look even better in rubble.'

His hatred for this place stemmed from their mistreatment of him in his younger years. In Iwa, you were either born fortunate enough to survive on your own or you were handed over to the military for either experimentation or early training. With both of his parents vanishing, he was handed over to them and subjected to the former.

His eyes caught a glimmer of something in the outskirts of the village. He tossed down another of his flying creations which swooped down to the spot. Moments later, the bird returned with a blood splattered Hidan on its back. "Hidan. Did you get the information?" he asked.

Hidan nodded, licking the blood from off the edge of his sickle. "Oh you bet your fucking ass I got it. Man, this is the most fun I've had in years!" he yelled out, looking down at the village he had no quarrel with. In truth, he just enjoyed destruction. All around destruction.

They had left right after the meeting. Naruto had explained a condensed version of his plan to the entire army and had them divide themselves based on which village they decided to attack. He explained that they were to wait at the base getting as much training in as possible until they were called to action.

The higher ups left for their assignment of sending a message. Everyone had their task in mind and were determined to do it. They had more than a few objectives they were told they must complete before returning. There was a spark that was ignited within them all now that they were actually taking action. When their new leader said he had a goal, he was definitely not one to beat around the bush to make it happen.

After only a week, they were already taking action. Deidara chuckled as he mentally ordered the birds to take them up into the cover of the clouds for the time being. His eyes staring intently at the setting sun, waiting for it to be swallowed by the horizon.

Standing atop a very high cliff overlooking their previous home, Kisame and Deidara readied their blades. Kisame had a very excited grin on his face and Zabuza's was set in a nonchalant manner. "Oi, this sure brings back memories, doesn't it?" Kisame asked peering over at the man.

Zabuza just rolled his shoulders out. "Ah…" he said in reply with a small nod. "It's been a while since we've actually fought together." He said looking back to him.

Kisame's grin widened. "And what better way to get back at it than against our own home?" he finished with a chuckle at his own joke. His shark skin sword was already purring in excitement. Kisame had a dark history with this place. He refused to admit that he at one point admired their psychotic Kage who was intent on destroying bloodlines. Ironic given his unusual mutation. "So, you want to grab the kid? Or me?"

Zabuza chuckled. "It'd be dead before its use ran out if I let you do it." He said in amusement. "You just handle the distraction." Kisame grinned wider, displaying his sharp teeth. Zabuza's eyes dazed over, staring at the gentrified village he had left behind all those years ago. It was almost sickening how peaceful it seemed as the last time he was there it was nothing more than a stain upon the elemental nations.

The last time he was there, the war had taken the last bit of life he had left in him. Killing the child he had taken under his wing just a few years prior. That was his vendetta. That's what brought him to Kai who promised the vengeance he sought. He wanted the village to suffer the way they made him suffer all his life. From his blood-filled academy days to his last few years of service. He wanted them to suffer for all of it and now, with the help of their new leader, they finally would.

"So, you trust him?" he asked the blue skinned man to his right.

Kisame looked over at him to ensure he understood the question. "It's been a week and we're already attacking." He said as if there was no question.

Zabuza nodded. "Yeah, but there is something else, I know it. He's got some other objective he's not telling us."

Kisame shrugged. "If we get the revenge we need, I don't care what he's planned." Zabuza just nodded and looked out to the horizon. The sun was almost down, it wouldn't be too long now.

Standing on a giant sand dune, two beautiful women, one green haired and impressively muscular, the other a dainty looking blonde who was bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement. "Oh, I can't wait to work with you!" Ino chirped happily looking over at the stony faced woman.

Pakura looked over to her, just mentally wondering what the hell was wrong with this psycho. She was far too happy for someone who had killed a group of Genin on their way here. "…Dido…" in truth, the mask creeped her out as it seemed to match the girls tone of voice… misleadingly sweet.

"Do you want to grab the package or would you rather be the distraction?" Ino asked her.

Pakura just shrugged her shoulders. For whatever reason, something inside of her was telling her she did not want to get on this girls bad side. It wasn't just because of her boyfriend being her leader either. It was something that was just screaming that this girl was far more dangerous than she let on. "It's up to you."

"Great!" she quipped happily as she clapped her hands. "I'll be the distraction. I get to use my new toys!"

Pakura wasn't sure, but she knew it wasn't something she would have liked to face if she were on the other side of this attack. Had it not been for a few bad events, she may have been on that other side. Luckily for her, the higher ups hated her for what she was and they tried to kill her. That was their first mistake. After two years of following Kai, Pakura was losing hope in her ever having the revenge she so desperately wanted. Now, with the directing of Naruto, and a firm plan set in action, it was finally time. What they did was unforgivable and she refused to let them get away with it.

Turning to the horizon, there was still a bit of time before their attack was due to take place. In an effort to dig up some kind of feel for her new leader, understand their relationship, and get used to the blonde's personality she started a conversation. "So, what's leader-sama's deal?" she asked casually.

Ino looked over to her in confusion. "Are you asking me about my honey?" She asked in an almost threatening way.

Pakura noticed and quickly defused whatever deranged thoughts she may be having. "n-No, I was just trying to understand who he is…" she said quickly.

Ino gave her a very unsure look from beneath her mask. "Well, don't get any ideas lady. And you don't need to understand who he is."

"What is he? Your husband?"

"Soon to be." She said happily placing her hands together and tilting her head in a cute way.

Pakura was weirded out but continued anyways. "Well, who is he?... You know, under that mask."

Ino looked at her eerily for a few seconds. "… You don't need to know who he is." This time, it was definitely said in a threatening way. "It's almost sundown, get ready." Pakura was alarmed by how hostile she seemed to turn all of a sudden. She turned away and prepared for the mission.

Standing on a lower mountain, Naruto and Kakuzu awaited the fall of the sun. It was almost time for them to attack. It was decided that Kakuzu would take the role of the distraction as Naruto was much more stealthy and deadly within close proximity which is where their target resided. The sun was a sliver away from being completely consumed by the horizon.

"It's time." He said to Kakuzu who simply nodded and followed him as the jumped towards the bridge to Kumo. Naruto looked up and the sun was almost none existent. "As soon as darkness takes over, began the assault." He ordered.

Kakuzu said nothing as his body began to bubble and his stiches began to come apart. Four of the masks connected to his body shot out and created bodies of their own. He nodded to his redheaded leader who nodded back to him.

"It will take no longer than twenty minutes." He said as he jumped off the side of the bridge, intent on taking a different path.

Kakuzu watched the last ray of sunshine slowly disappear until it was completely gone. Wordlessly, the creatures on his back sprinted towards the entrance to the mountainous village with the only purpose of causing as much damage as possible for twenty minutes.

He jumped onto the back of his creature containing the infinity of fire element and they shot into the air. While there, he went through hand signs and blew an enormous ball of flames at the busiest section of the village he could see. The people had no time to react and were burnt to a crisp. Within seconds, the shinobi within the surrounding area were on him, demanding what he was attacking for. He remained silent and continued to wreak havoc upon the citizens of Kumogakure.

Using chakra, Naruto clung to the bottom of the Raikage's office. He waited closely to the nearest open window, listening for his chance to enter. He could feel the vibrations of Kakuzu's attacks so he knew the Raikage could feel it too.

"What was that!?" Yelled a fairly drowsy sounding voice from within the office called out. He could hear a few footsteps charging towards his office.

"Raikage-sama!" another male voice yelled, this one much more urgent sounding. "We're under attack!"

Naruto could hear the Raikage's chair slide out. "Alright." He said. "Samui… take Ryui into the vault. You'll be safe."

"Ok. You better come back Darui…"

After that brief yet heartfelt commotion moment, Naruto heard a heavy door shut, and footsteps charging back down the hall. Slowly, he crawled up to the open window. Climbing in, he looked around suspiciously making sure no one was around. When he was certain, he walked further in slowly. He could hear small pouts and reassuring whispering from somewhere.

Turning his head, he grew alarmed when he saw the Hachibi form near the front of the village. That means Kumo's jinchuriki were still in town. At least one of them. He had to be quick.

Going up to the vault, he knocked on the door. From within, the woman called out to him timidly. "d-...Darui?"

Naruto did his best impression of the man he had just heard a few minutes ago, adding a bit of labored breathing to make it real. "Samui! It's me, open the door. We have to leave, now!"

"Daddy? What's wrong?" A child's voice called out.

"Ryui, everything's ok. We have to go, now." He said with the same level of urgency. He could hear Samui urgently trying to open the door and he tapped the door as if he couldn't contain himself.

Samui was shocked to see someone other than Darui. She stepped in front of her son with a kunai in hands. "Who are you!?" she demanded dangerously.

"I'd love to fight you, but I am afraid I am pressed for time. If you'd believe me, I'd rather not hit a woman in front of her son." He said casually.

Samui's fight or flight syndrome was kicking in and the only thing on her mind was the will to save her son. She rushed forward slashing at the assailant, but Naruto grabbed her wrist, spun her around and delivered a sharp chop to the back of her head, putting her to sleep. Then, he was left staring across at the five year old dark-skinned boy looking at him in fear.