Chapter 75

"It seems Sarutobi wasn't available today," Hachi told the other two, coming back from another of his visits to the outside world.

"Things are all over the place," Eiji noted, leaning back against his chair. He'd put a set of them and a table in the middle of the clearing in the Playground. Tsuchigumo was currently chasing after some deers. Not really hunting, much to his surprise. She seemed to enjoy the chase, probably a side-effect of playing tag, he guessed. "I'm not surprised he has other stuff to take care of and it's not like we had an appointment."

"Indeed, now, if you would tell us the new information?" Kage urged and Hachi acquiesced. The three of them took notes on notebooks to have all of it compiled for themselves. "They don't have much."

Which was an understatement. Hachi had gotten both Iwa and Kiri's reports regarding the incidents with their Jinchuriki. There was very little on the assailants though. Every possible witness had been killed off, leaving only what they could gather from the scene, which wasn't much at all, really.

There was the possibility that either of them, Iwa more than Kiri, had withheld information, even if they had been the ones to ask for him to do this. Eiji really hoped that wasn't the case. The whole situation was difficult enough without the people he was trying to help working against him.

"Yeah," Eiji nodded, not looking particularly worried. "We know that Deidara was in Iwa though, which is something," He pointed out. After all, the report said there were plenty of signs of explosions. Too many to be anyone but Deidara. The fact that it had been in Iwa just added to that, really. "Which leaves Hidan and Kakuzu as the ones that attacked Kiri since Itachi and Kisame are supposed to be…" Eiji then trailed off.

His face paled, and off to the side, Tsuchigumo tensed.

"Are supposed to go after Naruto," Hachi finished with a smile that was more of a grimace. "They haven't said anything about any of that happening," He added, already seeing the question coming.

"But they could just not want to tell me, or they could just not know," Eiji said, his whole body stiff.

"There's nothing we can do regarding that, Eiji," Kage replied. "Besides, we know the truth about Itachi. Chances are that he'll find a way to avoid that from happening."

What "that" was went unsaid, since they all knew what it meant.

"I know," Eiji admitted, sighing wearily as he slumped forward and rested his arms on the table. Tsuchigumo approached behind him, laying her body behind the seat and curling her body in a C shape around the boy's chair. Eiji couldn't see that, but the same couldn't be said about his companions, who shared a look between themselves before deciding to act as if nothing had happened.

"So, we agree that it's unlikely that Nagato and Konan were the ones to move against either of these targets?" Hachi asked, bringing the conversation back to the topic at hand. Both, Eiji and Kage nodded at that. "We can reason Deidara's presence in Iwa well enough, provided we can justify our knowledge of him at all. However, what about the rest?"

"We need to get our hands on a Bingo Book," Kage offered as a response before continuing. "That way, we can just say that we looked for unaffiliated people that are dangerous enough to take on a Jinchuriki. From there, we just have to find enough clues to point at the ones we know are behind all these."

"It could give us more information about them than what little we have too, which is a very nice plus," Eiji added, mulling over the idea. "However, none of that helps us find them though."

"True," Kage nodded. "Jiraiya's spy network could help us do that, in a more general sense. You'll need a tracker in your… team, as it were."

"I guess. Anyone in mind?" Eiji asked, receiving only headshakes in response. He expected as much, but he couldn't help but sigh regardless. "I have an idea but… I don't like it."

"Is there anything to like about this?" Hachi pointed out with a raised eyebrow. For his part, the boy could only massage the bridge of his nose.

"I guess the remaining part of this plan is how to deal with them?" Kage continued with the brainstorming session. "Deidara should be the least difficult, actually."

"I would say Hidan," Eiji countered. "His immortality schtick is annoying, but if one knows about it, it can be countered easily enough. Don't let him do his ritual thing and incapacitate him before making sure he's permanently out of the equation, even if he doesn't die."

"Hm, that's true," Hachi nodded. "After that comes Deidara. Then Sasori and Kakuzu, I suppose."

"Konan and Nagato shouldn't be a concern for a while. Or, I hope so, at least," Eiji continued. "If they are though, I think Konan might actually be the most difficult of the two."

"We know how the Paths work, more or less," Hachi nodded again. "And we also know to look for Nagato's main body too. Konan, on the other hand, has a simpler power but a more troublesome one too."

"Yeah… so, about this team I'll have to work with. It'd be better if we make plans for them too, for how they'll help, if I get them to work with me-"

"When you get them to work for you," Kage corrected, a corner of his mouth twitching up at the same time as Eiji's eyebrow.

"-And also in case we have to deal with them," The boy continued, ignoring the interrupting.

"In the very unlikely case that happens," Hachi added his own part, much to Eiji's annoyance. "But, yes, that would be for the best."

"Lot's of plans to make," Eiji noted with a grimace.

[}-o-{]

[Hiruzen Sarutobi]

He was growing increasingly more annoyed and tired as the day went by.

The Hokage thought that was justified though, since not only was the current world situation looking pretty bad, but also everything seemed to have decided to happen that precise day. First, he had a meeting with the Suna siblings, which were some of the few Sand ninja that remained in the Leaf. The rest had been sent back with the request, read demand, that Konoha was making regarding their choice for Kazekage.

Second, immediately after it finished, he received word that "Hachi" had made another appearance. It irked him that he hadn't been there to interact with the man this time. Hiruzen was, after all, one of the people that knew Orochimaru better to try and read his expressions. Not that it would do much for anyone, but something was better than nothing.

At least Danzo had indirectly taken matters in his own hands regarding that. A small comfort, really, when Hiruzen was told that they'd given Hachi rather detailed information. Considering what a risk it was to give such a person any kind of intel, he thought he could be excused if the notion made him nervous.

If only they could send a Yamanaka into Eiji's mind to check. Alas, Inoichi had advised against doing that, since from what they'd been told, the Mindscape had suffered extensive damage. An intrusion of any kind could make things worse and they couldn't risk that.

Inconvenient, but understandable.

And lastly, his students had finally arrived back into the village. Normally, that would have been good, if not for the news that they had brought with them. Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki were part of the group that seemed to be targeting Jinchuriki. Hiruzen could almost hear the thoughts of Iwa's more resentful people, theorizing about how Konoha and Kiri were working against them, nevermind that the Mist had been a victim too.

He didn't envy Onoki's position, honestly.

This, however, meant that the group was moving to get Naruto, which was Bad with capital B. They'd have no other option other than keep the boy inside Konoha, but that was a temporary solution at best. It was probably what every other village was doing at the moment, except Suna and Kumo, since their Jinchuriki were currently in the Leaf. Jinchuriki were weapons though, even if Hiruzen didn't like thinking on those terms. They were assets, and an asset that couldn't be used was like not having it at all.

That, and Naruto was unlikely to take well to being confined inside the village too, which was something to take into account. Hiruzen didn't want to find out what the boy would do if they tested his patience, especially with how incredibly fast he advanced in Fuinjutsu. The Hokage shuddered even thinking of the things the blonde could do now.

Regardless of that, this mysterious group would strike again, of that Hiruzen had no doubt. Where and how, he didn't know, but it was unlikely that just holding the Jinchuriki would work for long. Eventually, they might grow tired and attack the villages themselves. Just from the one pair of them they knew of, and what they had achieved in two different Nations, he knew that they had more than enough firepower to attack a village and likely get away with it, especially a weakened one, which was the case for most of them really, except maybe Iwa.

Hiruzen had the sudden urge to send away the Kumo and Suna people that were currently in Konoha. Alas, it was for the best that he didn't. The people from the Cloud had one last thing they had asked of him, and he'd accepted, if only to offer a modicum of goodwill. How much good would that do, now that A wouldn't be Raikage anymore? He didn't know, but it could hurt.

Furthermore, the lessons/meetings that he was holding with the Ichibi Jinchuriki were both necessary and interesting. The boy was very apathetic, but he seemed to be growing out of that too, slowly and awkwardly, but he was doing so. Eiji had certainly managed to make an impression, that was for sure.

Speaking of, Hiruzen was growing more and more concerned about sending Eiji on this mission. If only the situation in Iwa wasn't what it was… He'd have to make sure the boy had a good team when he went on his mission. With the kind of people that seemed to be part of this group, he'd need all the help he could get.

As it was…

"His condition is bad," Tsunade informed them, as if they didn't know that already. They had left Shizune, her student, in another room, still recovering from Samehada's attack, and promptly took Hiruzen's student to the Satou's room. She'd been checking him over for a while now. "Really bad. I don't know how he's still alive, if I'm honest, especially if he's been like this as long as I was told."

Hiruzen almost grimaced at the look on Naruto's face as he heard that.

"A case of Tailed Beast Chakra Poisoning this bad should have killed him long ago," Tsunade continued, apparently unaware or uncaring of how her words were received. The Hokage suspected the first, she seemed entirely focused on her examination of the boy. "I'll have to keep an eye on him for the next few days, to see if he's getting better, worse or if the situation continues as is. I doubt it's the second though, since he doesn't look as bad as if that were the case. From my side, I can only help him withstand the effect a little better and help him along his recovery, if he can develop a resistance to that chakra. That's all I can do."

"I'll have to check the information you got on the Cursed Seal and see if I can turn it into a Jinchuriki one," Jiraiya continued from there, his face, for once, the picture of seriousness. "I can't guarantee anything though, since I know nothing of how Orochimaru made the seal as of now. I'm sorry," The Toad Sage added, seeing his blonde student's face.

"Can I help?" Naruto asked, more a plea than a question. Sasuke looked a breath away from doing the same, before seemingly realizing that his skillset was pretty much useless in this case. That only made the boy grimace and frown.

"Sure thing, kiddo," Jiraiya accepted easily, putting a hand over the Uzumaki's head and ruffling his hair. "I can always use your weird ideas."

If Hiruzen hadn't known Naruto as he did, he would have questioned the wisdom of letting a Genin learn about the workings of the Cursed Seal. But he did know the blonde, and if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that Naruto didn't have a bad bone in his body.

"For now, you two need to rest," Hiruzen told the two Genin, who both looked ready to protest. It warmed his heart to see such camaraderie in children so young, but it wasn't the time for that. "There's nothing you can do as tired as you are," He added, pointing out the obviously weary signs on both boys, who sagged at his words. They looked ready to fall down at any moment already.

"Ok, Jiji," Naruto replied in the end, with Sasuke humming along. Both looked like he'd told them to give up being ninja or something of the sort. Fortunately, they didn't cause too much trouble on their way out, only twitching occasionally, as if they were about to turn around and stay anyway.

"Sensei?" Jiraiya asked, and Hiruzen realized that both of his students knew he had something to tell them. His lips twitched up at that, proud of how much those children he'd taught had grown. If only Orochimaru hadn't gone the path he did…

Shaking his head, he focused himself again.

"Eiji has woken up three times so far," He informed them and he saw both frown at those words.

"If he did, why didn't you wait until just now?" Tsunade asked, clearly as suspicious as his teammate.

"Because it wasn't him the one in control of his body," Hiruzen said then, causing both of them to react in unison once more, tensing this time. In any other situation that would have been funny. Alas, this wasn't the case at the time.

"Orochimaru's Seal?" Jiraiya guessed instantly, coming to the conclusion Hiruzen had that first time.

"I've told you about what Eiji did to keep his Mark under control, haven't it?" Hiruzen decided to start with, causing the Toad Sage's frown to deepen.

"He kept Orochimaru's influence at bay through what I've been told is very impressive control of his Mindscape," The white-haired man replied, unsure of where he was going for a moment. Then his eyes widened. "This damaged his Mindscape? Did that cause-?"

"It did damage his Mindscape," Hiruzen interrupted, making sure he had both of his student's attention. "But that was the Tailed Beast's chakra reacting in a… very specific way with Eiji's Mark. According to our intel… it created a Chakra Beast."

"That… So that's why you want a Jinchuriki seal," Jiraiya pieced together in a second. "Not to keep the Tailed Beast chakra under control and take away the Cursed Seal…"

"What does that have to do with someone taking over the Satou's body?" Tsunade prodded. "Did the Chakra Beast do that?"

"No. Eiji kept the Cursed Seal under control with his Mindscape construct, yes, but he also had another measure to keep an eye on Orochimaru's Shade. He made a copy of said Shade, one that he could place modifications and, more importantly, restrictions on."

"An Orochimaru that would be on his side," Jiraiya mumbled, looking both impressed and horrified. "Did it work though?" He asked, clearly disbelieving.

"Surprisingly, it seems to have done so. Well, that and he made both his creation and the Shade fear him too much to even try to search for a loophole in his restrictions," Hiruzen informed them, drawing wide-eyed looks from both.

"How?" Tsunade breathed.

"That was done through a technique of his own making that, if we ever get him to teach it to us, will be going straight into the Kinjutsu scroll. Regardless of that, the one that has been in control of Eiji's body is his Mindscape's guardian, Hachi, as he likes to be called."

"I'm guessing you're telling us in case he wakes up again?" Tsunade asked, still looking pretty shaken from the news she'd just heard. "I'll try not to punch his face in. No promises though."

"Tsunade…"

"Fine," The woman sighed before grimacing. "Please tell me that this… Hachi isn't as insufferable as Orochimaru."

"He reminds me of Orochimaru before he started… turning into what he became," Hiruzen confessed, looking forlornly at Eiji's unconscious body, as if that would bring Hachi. How would that feel, having his three students once more with him? Fake, he supposed, since Hachi wasn't actually Orochimaru. He could only smile sadly at that thought.

"I'm not sure that's a good thing, Sensei," Jiraiya said and Hiruzen would admit that there was wisdom in those words, but he hadn't met Hachi. The Hokage had already gone through every paranoid and not so paranoid thought regarding this situation and concluded that chances were that things actually were what they looked like, surprisingly enough.

"I know, Jiraiya," Hiruzen patiently replied. "But I'm not the only one that thinks the situation is under control. And regardless of our thoughts, we are still keeping an eye on him. We won't let our guards down until we can actually confirm that Eiji is there somewhere and that he's alright and in control."

"I guess that's as good as we can have things," The Toad Sage sighed. "Why can't prodigies and geniuses be normal?"

"Because they wouldn't be any of those things if they were," Hiruzen pointed out, keeping to himself what he thought of the hypocrisy in the statement. After all, he knew that Jiraiya didn't count himself in any of those groups, for whatever reason.

"Well, that's nice and all, but I have work to do. Now, if you two would please leave?" Tsunade asked with a frown. The Hokage simply nodded and left. His student had come back and that was a victory in itself. No need to push things with her for now.

[}-o-{]

[Tsuchigumo]

The Calm One, Eiji, hadn't been very calm lately. Something had taken his calm away and Tsuchigumo didn't know what or who it was, but she'd very much like to do something to it or them. Several things, actually. As it was, she could do nothing…

At least while Eiji still liked the matching duo. After all, one of them had told Eiji something that made the calm disappear. That was good enough a reason for Tsuchigumo, but not for Eiji, sadly.

A shame.

So, she'd been doing what she could to give him calm again, like he'd done for her. It… wasn't easy, she'd found. It brought a new sense of appreciation for what he'd done, that was for sure. Still, Eiji liked being close to her, so she stayed close. Eiji liked petting her, so she let him, often pressing herself on him. It wasn't a great sacrifice, really, since she liked those things too.

Silently, Tsuchigumo waited. Waited for him to recover and give her peace again. Waited for her chance to make the one or ones that caused this pay. Was it this "Akatsuki" Eiji and the pair kept mentioning? She thought so. If that was the case, she could wait. Soon enough, she'd be able to get what she wanted.

"Tsuchi," Eiji spoke softly, apparently done chatting with the pair. She looked up at him. He smiled softly at her, petting the spot between her eight eyes. Some of the calm returned to him, apparently, she could feel it. And thus, some returned to her. 'Good,' She thought, and if she could, she would have smiled.

Tsuchigumo rather liked her new form, however. It wasn't very expressive but Tsuchigumo found it… familiar, although that may not have been the word. Words were hard. Yes, she'd rather remain in a shape that didn't need to talk. Eiji understood most of what she meant, and if not, she had her ways.

"Would you like to play some more?" Eiji asked after a moment in which he seemed to just enjoy Tsuchigumo's presence. He had good taste, at least. She perked up, ears and all, and started vibrating in place. Eiji understood. "I'll take that as a yes. What do you think? More tag? Hide and seek?"

Tag had been fun, Tsuchigumo was ready for another go at that anyday. Hide and seek… she didn't know that one though and conveyed her situation with a tilt of her head. Eiji chuckled before shaking his head.

"Right, so, hide and seek is a game… similar to tag, but not," He explained. Well, that explained everything… not. She tilted her head to the other side as Eiji continued petting her. "One player gives the others some time to hide before they go out and seek, you get what I mean? One person seeks and the others hide."

Oooh… That sounded fun to Tsuchigumo. It was like hunting, just like Tag. A different kind of hunting though. Yes, she was pretty sure that she would enjoy this game too. She'd never truly hunted yet, but she knew that she'd like it.

She bounced around for a moment, urging Eiji so that they could get started already. Sometimes he was just so slow to do anything. He laughed, as if she was the silly one for wanting to get to playing. What was he even doing just standing there?

"Ok ok. Let's try hide and seek, yeah? You hide and I'll seek, then we switch. Now, go." Before he was even done, she was already rushing out to the forest. Tsuchigumo slowed a little at that, noticing that Eiji's mood dropped the moment she left.

He stood there for a bit, although he didn't seem to be waiting for her to hide, not really. He seemed to be… thinking. Tsuchigumo had found that it wasn't a good thing for Eiji to do. His mood always crashed when he did. Any semblance of calm replaced with nerves and fear.

She didn't like it.

Tsuchigumo howled, snapping him from his thoughts. He looked around, as if remembering what he was supposed to do and started just walking towards the forest. She was pretty sure that it was to give her some more time, since she'd given away her position.

Eiji was nice like that.

Now where would be a good spot to hide…

That looked good enough, she guessed.

Her position chosen, she made sure that she was as out of view as she could get. Then, she started thinking.

How was she going to help Eiji with these things that seemed to make him not-calm? All his problems seemed to come from… outside. Tsuchigumo wasn't entirely sure what all that was about, but it was somewhere she hadn't been before, that was for sure. Maybe she could go with him? But what if she couldn't?

Well… Tsuchigumo had energy.

Lots of energy, really.

It was what made her herself. She'd noticed that neither the pair nor Eiji had energy. Maybe she could give energy to Eiji? Maybe then he would be like her! Or not… but that could help, right? She didn't know how that would feel though. Would it hurt? Energy made her. Would she change if she gave some of it away?

Hmm… something to think about.

At least she'd have something to do while Eiji and the pair talked. They talked a lot after all. Tsuchigumo didn't see the appeal, but then again, they wore clothes too and she didn't see the appeal in that either. Different people liked different things, maybe. That would explain it, right? Or maybe it was because they didn't have energy and she did?

She didn't know.

People were weird.