Chapter 24

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything related to it.

Chapter 24

Naruto was laying against two trees on the outskirts of a village built around a hot spring. They were nearly back to the village, but as expected the Sannin were dragging their feet.

Well, Tsunade was. Naruto had to admit he was surprised Jiraiya had managed to get the woman to come this far. They hadn't made any more stops after their 3 day stop in the town the festival had been.

That was until passing by a sign advertising the hot springs. Apparently Tsunade wanted to relax and while initially Jiraiya had sided with him on getting back to the village he was easily swayed once Tsunade reminded him what would be at the hot springs.

Of course after checking into the resort Tsunade immediately went to gamble at a pachinko palour. No one blamed her though with Jiraiya there. It was a mixed bath hot springs and Jiraiya wasn't budging until he saw a bevy of hot babes as he put it.

The group split up after that with everyone else checking out what the town had to offer. Naruto however decided to take a bath and then catch a quick nap before they were on the move again. Nobody seemed to mind so they went on without him.

As soon as he shut his eyes two idiots tried to brake into the room to steal their stuff. He easily caught them and they explained what they were doing.

Apparently they were debt collectors trying to get Tsunade to pay a rather large debt she owed their clan. And they were both to chicken to actually confront Tsunade so they reverted to thievery.

Naruto quickly resolved that by marching them to where Tsunade was. Strangely enough they found her with Chakoku Jurochou, the boss of the Kaidou clan. Who just so happened to have a letter telling the two idiots the debt had been re-payed and that they should come home.

That really annoyed Naruto especially after the sob story they tried to lay on him including a guilt trip. Seriously why should he care about a couple of debt collectors he caught trying to sneak into his room to steal something they could use to force Tsunade into paying her debt? Although he doubted this was the first time this happened to the woman.

Anyway after all that got sorted out the duo left to return home. Apparently they felt they owed him something as they thanked him before leaving.

Instead of packing up however Tsunade was enjoying her time with the Kaidou boss drinking some expensive Sake the man was plying her with. Naruto just let it be and left since Shizune was there. It wasn't his problem anyway as long as they got back to Konoha with her in one piece and still intent on taking the job.

He had tried to go back to his hotel room, but Jiraiya was lying on his bed muttering something about monkeys, sumos, and old grannies. Naruto didn't understand what the man meant, because he had checked out the hot springs and the only people there were about five cute young women from town.

The women had even invited him to bathe with them, but he felt it best not to. He didn't want to have to explain anything to the girls or his mother whenever they got back. So he was now sitting here trying to relax, but even here he got no peace.

"How long are you going to follow me?" Naruto asked seemingly no one.

Guren slowly walked out from behind the two trees Naruto was sitting against. A crystal shaped like a knife was in her hands and it was obvious what she was up to.

"How did you know I was there?" She said hotly.

She was Orochimaru's number one assassin. No one lived if they were her targets and no one knew when she was about to kill them either.

"Being the jinchūriki for the Kyūbi no Yōko does come with some perks. I'm not a sensor like my cousin, but I can sense negative feelings and emotions. Your intent to kill me made you very easy to spot for me" Naruto answers.

"That's not fair!" Guren yells.

Naruto just shrugged.

"Life isn't fair. Get over it and while you are at it get over this business with Orochimaru's death. The man never cared about you just your ability.

If you didn't have your ability he likely would have killed you a long time ago, because you wouldn't interest him" Naruto says.

"SHUT UP! I won't listen to your lies!" Guren shouts at him.

"Please keep your voice down. I'm trying to rest here" Naruto responds.

That just infuriated Guren more since he hadn't even opened his eyes to look at her. She threw the crystal kunai at his head, but only hit one of the trees. To piss her off more Naruto hadn't opened his eyes then either only moved enough to the side for the kunai to miss him and then went back to leaning against the tree that wasn't hit.

Guren's response was to throw two fistfuls of crystal kunai's at the resting teen. Naruto just sunk into the ground as the kunai's hit nothing but grass and bark.

Guren searched for the younger male, but couldn't find him. Until …

"You know … your really starting …"

Naruto had to stop to avoid getting a face full of crystal needles. How he did this by once again rolling from side to side before once again sinking into the earth. This time Guren looked all around for two seconds before hoping in the air and suddenly twisting to face what was behind her for another two seconds.

But this was Naruto she was dealing so once again while she was hoping around.

"starting to become annoying. I thought …"

Naruto had popped up in a spot to her right, which she wasn't checking. It took her less than a second once she got over the shock to send more crystal needles at the blond. Of course he just sunk into the ground again.

To this guren unleashed hundreds of the crystalline needles all over the place. The whole area was covered in the thin pink crystals. Still …

"thought I said a few days ago that you could leave without consequence. What about that encounter gave you the impression that coming back to attack me was acceptable?" Naruto asked.

He was now standing directly in front of a huffing Guren. To Guren's surprise had had simple risen through the ground and her crystals without disturbing them and was now calmly standing atop a patch of her crystal needles.

"Heh, I didn't agree to any of that. I told you I would kill you to honor Orochimaru-sama and that bitch isn't here any more to protect you!" Guren shouted.

Naruto just stood looking down on the woman.

"You really are stupid aren't you" Naruto states calmly.

Guren didn't take that so calmly. She quickly materialized a handful of crystal shuriken and threw them at the teen as she shrieked in rage. This time Naruto's hand became coated in darkness as he grabbed each of the shuriken. Guren watched as they were absorbed into his hand the particles breaking apart and becoming chakra for him.

"Enlighten me. Why fight so hard for a man who has done nothing for you except turn you into something I know you hate?" Naruto asked.

"You know nothing! Orochimaru-sama saved me! He liberated me from the hell of that village and those stupid weak parasites that call themselves human!" Guren shouted back.

"I know more than you would like me to know. I know Orochimaru didn't kill those people for you. Killing them was just to satisfy whatever sick fascinations he had back them. Liberating you as you say was just an unintended side effect … one that garnered him something very valuable" Naruto says.

Guren didn't reply. The ever present scowl on her face was her only response to his words.

"He gained a soldier with the potential to be very strong and her undying loyalty. Another man in his position probably would have used it to bed you and force you to have multiple children that would have your bloodline and then probably dispose of you.

But your loyalty to him was even more valuable then your bloodline" Naruto continues.

The last part definitely caught her attention as the scowl was replaced by a questioning look.

"Don't give me that look. In this world loyalty … unquestioned loyalty and devotion is a rare commodity. I imagine the Snake had you as one of his most trusted operatives. As your skill rose your value only increased.

At the same time despite your devotion, loyalty, skill, and bloodline ability the Snake wouldn't have wasted a second to dispose of you if it benefited him to do so. To someone like Orochimaru loyalty was a one way street, something only the weak espoused. Loyalty was merely a weakness to be exploited by him" Naruto finishes.

"I don't care what you say! I will serve Orochimaru faithfully until the day I die" Guren responds.

"Is that what you are after?"

"Do you want me to kill you Guren?" Naruto asks.

"Hahaha! As if a brat like you could kill me. I was Orochimaru-sama's top assassin. I kill fools like you for fun!" Guren shouted.

"Really … fun you say. Then please show this fool how skilled you truly are assassin" Naruto replied.

Guren came at him fast and hard. She threw a punch aimed at breaking Naruto's nose. Naruto's response was a chop on the wrist, a slide to the left, using the hand he defended with he threw a punch at Guren's chest. She defended blocking the punch with the arm her earlier blocked and then attempted to kick Naruto on his right knee cap.

Naruto jumped back and analyzed her attack.

'Her body is coated with a layer of crystal meaning it will be hard to break through without a focused attack' He surmised.

Guren wasn't giving him time for more. She ran after him and attempted a kick to his body, which Naruto caught. Guren twisted coming around with a roundhouse using the leg she was balancing on to force him to drop the leg.

Naruto instead wrapped his left arm around the trapped leg and caught the leg she was kicking with with his right hand. Guren wasn't done as she formed hand seals quickly and sent a barrage of crystal needless point blank.

To her surprise Naruto let of the leg he was holding with his right hand and seemed to catch all of the needles as his hand seemed to coat itself with some kind of dark chakra. However, she also noticed the needles seemed to be absorbed into the hand.

She kicked out as hard as she could with her trapped leg, but the kid wouldn't budge. Instead she tried for a flip crouching down as much as she could and jumping off her free leg.

Naruto countered by pulling on the trapped leg before letting it go and then with the right hand punching Guren directly on her stomach. What surprised her was the layer of crystal covering her body was broken through by the punch and she felt why immediately.

She was sent flying back, but managed to flip over and right herself as much of the damage was absorbed by her crystal defense before it broke. She quickly mended the damage sending more chakra to cover her skin with a denser covering of crystal.

She moved to retaliate but when she looked up the only warning she had was the rush of air before something that felt like metal contacted her left cheek. The blow stung, but her crystal defense once again kept most of the damage from harming her.

She then felt something dig through her defense and into her skin, which should be impossible. The sensation of being stabbed repeating told her other wise. She was then yanked off her feet and thrown into the tree, which surprisingly held.

When things calmed down she looked forward and found the tip of the kusanagi suddenly pointed right between her eyes. She tried to move, but found she was wrapped in chains around a sturdy thick tree trunk and the chains were grinding into her crystal defense slowly grinding at it digging slight groves with its links that threatened to dispel it entirely in a very painful way.

"Do you want to die?" She heard.

"Do you want to be with your dead master so much that you would push me to end you in such a manner?"

"Do you fear living so much that you would choose to make me your murderer?"

Those three questions served to set her on edge as did the pressing of the kusanagi to her temple.

"I don't need more threats running around. I gave you the chance to leave peacefully and find somewhere you can call a home. You have chosen to disregard that and come after me now you have two choices.

Die or submit yourself to me mind, body, and soul. If you choose death I will be quick about it. If you choose to submit I won't give you a chance to stab me in the back. Orochimaru wasn't the only that can use seals to ensure loyalty.

And trust me I will ask much more of you than Orochimaru. If you submit … you will belong to me" Naruto explains.

Guren couldn't believe this.

'What the hell is going on?'

'How did I loose?'

'I'll …'

"Then kill me. Kill me and get it over with!" She shouted.

"I'll never serve anyone except for Orochimaru-sama" She declares.

"That's a shame, but I guess it can't be helped" came the response.

Before she could ask what that means the kusanagi was suddenly gone and faster than she could track he was biting down on her neck while a chakra infused hand was pressed to her forehead. She never felt any pain as he held the bite before standing back and the chains dropped from her body and dematerialized.

She quickly hit the ground falling onto her knees. A sudden rush of bile hit her throat as she threw up, but it wasn't her stomach contents that came out. Instead it was like she was vomiting her chakra out all at once.

Bent over on her knees when it ended she looked up into Naruto's eyes. They look discernibly darker than she remembered.

"W-wha-t h-have you done to me?" She asked shakily.

"I gave you a choice and you chose wrong. You are far too valuable and beautiful to just let you die. Do not worry you will forget this ever happened when you wake up and all of this will just be a forgotten memory" Naruto answers.

Guren's fingers dug into the ground as she tried to fight off the feeling of exhaustion. The thoughts whirling inside of her head the voice shouting angrily for her to fight slowly went away. She made one last threat before she finally succumbed to the exhaustion and collapsed to the ground.

"I-I wi-will ki-ki-kill you" She ground out.

"Not likely" Was the response she never heard.

Naruto did a few hand seals and then touched the ground. The area was engulfed in darkness for only a second before it brightened again and Guren's body was gone. Most signs of the fight that took place were also erased.

With that over he headed back towards the Hot Springs Inn. Apparently he wasn't going to get any rest or down time in this town. He hoped everyone would be ready to leave when he arrived. As soon as Naruto couldn't be seen any longer a figure emerged from behind the two trees he had been resting on only to disappear by sinking into the ground.

A few days later

Naruto was walking behind Shizune, as she was holding her pet Tonton, down the halls of the Hokage Mansion. They had made good time after leaving the Hot Springs town and were back inside of the village late the previous night. Since it was so late everyone even the council decided things could be pushed until the morning after everyone had time to rest.

Naruto had been requested to accompany Tsunade when she met with the council for some reason. Plus, the Senju had asked that he take her to the hospital to deal with Rock Lee and his sensei. Apparently the woman knew enough about the green spandex wearing taijutsu user's quirks enough that she wanted a buffer and he was the poor sap chosen for the job.

Why was he going along with it you may ask? Simple, the old lady was threatening to withhold his mission pay for retrieving her along with the Toad Sennin. It was a mostly empty threat as the mission scrolled had already been filed as complete and on his record, but it worked all the same.

Anyway he was walking with Shizune and the pig to find her master when they came across the interesting sight of her talking to the Sandiame's grandson. Naruto didn't care for the kid in the least. He was pampered, spoiled, stupid, whiny, selfish, egotistical for no good reason, and worst of all expected to get his way for no other than he was that old farts grandson.

It was Shizune that got Tsunade's attention from the brat and alerted her to their presence.

"Tsunade-sama, the elders are waiting. You must hurry" She called out.

Tunade turned away from her sensei's grandson and acknowledged the trio.

"I know" she replied before focusing for a second on the brat.

"You be careful little boy" She said before flicking him on the grey helmet he was wearing.

This caused the helmet to move a bit forcing the boy to adjust it. When he got it back in place he noticed who Tsunade was now standing with.

"You!" The boy shouted.

The three looked at the boy as he pointed at Naruto.

"Me?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, you with the stupid looking face. Your Uzumaki Naruto right!" The boy shouted.

Naruto just ignored the kid.

"Are we leaving? I'm interested to see what the council has to say to me" Naruto tells the two women.

Tsunade and Shizune both give him questioning looks, but decided it didn't matter and turn to continue walking. Konohamaru wasn't having that.

"Hey! Don't ignore me! I'm talking to you!" He shouted.

As the kid was further ignored he ran up to punch the older boy only to trip on his scarf. He squawked indignantly as he fell directly on his face.

Naruto paid him no mind as he continued to walk on. He had been to the council chambers enough to know where they are. Tsunade paused to look at the brat, but also continued on. She wanted to get this all over with and then have some sake.

In the end it was only Shizune and Tonton that went to the help the boy.

"Are you alright?" She asked as he helped him up.

"I'm fine" He muttered ignoring the help.

He quickly remembered what he was doing and looked around only to find Naruto and the big boobed blonde were long gone.

"What?" "Where did he go!?" The boy shouted in confusion.

"They have urgent business with the Council. Tsunade-sama will officially be made the Godaime Hokage today so they had to hurry. I'm sure if you …" Shizune never got to finish.

The little boy had screamed and stormed off angrily about something. She just watched as he left before hurrying to catch up with Naruto and Tsunade.

'I wonder what that was about?' She thought.

Council Meeting

Naruto noted that they weren't in council chambers or a secure room. No this was just another room in the Hokage Mansion and only the two elder council members were here.

"Listen carefully, Tsunade. We must quickly call the feudal lords and announce the inauguration of the Fifth Hokage. Then the village can start preparing for the ceremony" Koharu Utatane explains.

"Feudal lords, ceremony … it's troublesome" Tsunade mocks.

Naruto could see the two councilors bristle from where he was standing near the window.

"TSUNADE!" The old lady shouted.

Shizune jumped at the shout of the elder. Tsunade just waved it off.

"Yes I know, I know. This is all part of the Hokage's duty, right?" Tsunade says.

Satisfied the old lady then called for three somewhat familiar ninja and told them to make the announcements. Naruto just stood looking out the window. When the ninja left he could feel their eyes bore into him.

"Genin Uzumaki Naruto" Koharu calls.

Naruto turns to the face the elder. He noticed out of the corner of eyes that Tsunade was also smiling about something … or was it a smirk.

"Gaki … catch" Tsunade says getting his attention.

Naruto caught the scroll she tossed to him. The old lady started talking soon after.

"You are hereby promoted to the position of Tokubetsu Jōnin of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Congratulations" Koharu says in a flat manner.

Naruto just looked at everyone in the room. Shizune and the pig seemed to be genuinely happy and while Tsunade smiled he could feel something behind it that wasn't well intentioned. The two elders looked the same as always.

"What's behind the sudden promotion?" Naruto asked.

"It's not so sudden Uzumaki-san. You have been on the mission with Jiraiya for some time. The ninja world moves fast boy.

During that time the other villages have recognized your talent from your performance during the Finals and Invasion. You have been listed in the bingo book as an A rank threat.

In a way you can say our hands were tied by their actions. Because of the listing in your absence you were promoted by the members of the ninja and elder council" Homura Mitokado explains.

"You should be proud gaki to attain such a rank so soon after graduation. Of course I was a Sannin by the time I was your age so don't get too cocky brat" Tsunade offers.

"Congratulations Naruto-kun" Shizune offers.

She had to restrain herself from going to give the former genin a hug.

"Oink, Oink"

"Of course Uzumaki the village will expect more of you. The village is low on manpower and every active ninja of Chūnin level or above is doing their best to meet the expectations of our clients, which have only grown after the Finals and successful defeat of Suna and Orochimaru" Koharu adds.

"What about my team?" Naruto asked.

"As I said all higher ranking ninja of the Leaf are pushing themselves to complete the many missions the village has been inundated with" Koharu begins.

"Therefor, Uzuki-san has returned to her duties as a member of ANBU. The other sensei's have likewise been asked to contribute more and have temporarily been relieved of their commands over their respective genin teams.

Your two teammates will be allowed to continue on in the village as ninja to finish the remaining time they have with us. The Daimyō has seen fit to send a third child to replace you on the team. The Daimyō was most pleased with the news of your promotion and wanted me to extend his congratulations since he couldn't be here" Homura finishes.

"I see …" was Naruto's response.

Everyone in the room took note that he had yet to examine the scroll or look happy about the news. The elders soon took their leave and it was just Tsunade, Shizune, Naruto, and the pig. Shizune taking note of the mood of the room decided to switch topics.

"Ahh … Tsunade-sama. I believe it's time to go to the hospital and see about Naruto-kun's young friend and Hatake-san" Shizune offers.

Tsunade nodded and stood to leave, but never took her eyes of the brat.

"You coming gaki. You were the one that requested I see them, right?" Tsunade questioned.

"Hai" was Naruto's bland response.

The quartet was soon walking out of the Hokage Mansion towards the hospital when someone called out to them.

"Hey, Naruto" Shikamaru called.

From a slight distance in front of them came the Nara head and his son.

"Nara-san, Nara-san" Naruto greeted neutrally.

"Hello there Naruto-kun" Shikaku greeted.

"Ahh … if it isn't the little Nara boy. How long has it been …" Tsunade greeted the clan head.

"Tsunade-sama" Shikaku returned.

The blush on his face was quite noticeable from being greeted by the woman. Of course this caught Shikamaru's attention as he wondered why such a young and beautiful looking woman would be addressing his father as little boy.

"Naruto … who is that?" Shikamaru asked quietly.

He didn't need to of course as they were for the moment being ignored by the three adults as they caught up.

"That is the soon to be formally instated Fifth Hokage, Senju Tsunade the Slug Sannin" Naruto informs him.

"Th-that's not possible" Shikamaru blurts.

Naruto looks at him questionably for a moment, but knew what he was getting at. That henge was good. Tsunade and Shizune quickly resume walking and Naruto follows without even sparing the Nara's a wave.

Hospital

Naruto, Tsunade, Shizune, and the pig managed to get to and enter the hospital with surprisingly little fanfare. Tsunade decided to deal with Kakashi first since his trauma was more easily fixed.

It seemed very simple as Tsunade placed her chakra infused hand over his temple and within a few seconds he was up. Of course the part Naruto enjoyed was when she berated the man for being placed in the hospital in the first place.

She couldn't get too far into chastising the man unfortunately before Gai barged in and was desperately pleading for her to heal his student.

Tsunade acquiesced and they quickly found Lee walking up a hallway a defeated look on his face. Naruto also took note of the look the Sannin also had on her face as she was instantly diagnosing the broken boy.

"Is that your pupil" She asked Gai.

"Hai! That's right! He's my very dear and favorite pupil!" Gai yells anxiously.

Tsunade's eyes never left Lee as she addressed Naruto.

"Naruto … why don't you head on out" Tsunade says.

Naruto nodded. He didn't need to be told twice. He needed to find his team anyway and inform them of what's happened. He gave one last glance at everyone in the hall and then departed.

As Naruto was leaving the hospital someone else he hadn't seen in awhile entered.

"Naruto … is that you?"

"Hello Iruka-san" Naruto greets evenly.

"Eh, you don't have to be so formal with me Naruto. You can just call me Iruka" The teacher offers.

"I'm only calling you Iruka-san, because I forgot your last name … I think it started with a U" Naruto responds.

As usual Iruka just deflected the comment.

"Naruto, I wanted to talk to you about something. How about we go to Ichiraku's and I'll treat you to a bowl of ramen" Iruka offers with a smile.

"Is there something in particular you needed to discuss?" Naruto asks.

"No … I mean yes, but it's nothing urgent. I just thought it would be nice to catch up over a bowl of ramen. We haven't had a chance to talk since …" Iruka admits.

"Mizuki's betrayal" Naruto finished for him.

Iruka just nodded. He hated thinking about that night. About what he did, what his friend almost did, and the fact he might have died that night if it wasn't for the kid he wasted so much time hating.

"I'm going to pass. I have some news to share with my friends and family before it becomes public knowledge" Naruto responds.

Iruka perked up at this. He wondered what kind of news it was.

"Good news I hope" Iruka says with a small smile.

Naruto just shrugged, "Depends I guess."

Iruka could tell that Naruto was ready to leave.

"Well maybe some other time. I know I never treated you well Naruto-kun, but I hope you will let me make it up to you" Iruka says.

The honesty and sincerity and his voice were noticeable not that it mattered.

"Living in the past isn't healthy Umino-san. Forget about it and me. I already have"

Naruto walked out of the building leaving Iruka to fester in the feelings of guilt that had only grown since that night.

'I'm sorry Naruto' Iruka thought.

He then went on about his business. He wanted to take the blonde's advice, but he just couldn't. He had to find some way to get the blond to forgive him.

That Night

Everyone was gathered in Naruto's hotel room eating take out from a restaurant near the Hotel. Naruto, Akari, Miyuki, and Karin were sitting on his bed. Kushina, Yuudai, Katsu, Jūgo, and Kimimaro were seated in chairs around them.

"You said you had some news Sochi?" Kushina asked.

"I do unfortunately?"

The choice of words served to make everyone go on alert.

"It seems Konoha is finally ready to make their move against me. With the Sandiame dead and Tsunade standing in his place the council has decided to act against the agreement" Naruto informs them.

"How?" Kushina asked for everyone.

"Yuu, Katsu their first moves affect you mostly" Naruto tells them.

They both stop eating and look directly at Naruto.

"I have been promoted" Naruto says.

To prove it he took out the scroll Tsunade threw him earlier and unsealed it's contents. When they saw the vest the boys thought they knew what happened.

"So what they made you a chūnin. I thought chūnin's often stayed with their genin squad and acted as the leader when jōnin wasn't available allowing them to still be able to go on missions" Yuudai says.

"Except they didn't just promote you to chūnin did they sochi?" Kushina asks.

"No, they made me a Tokubetsu jōnin. Meaning the team will be broken up" Naruto answers.

"But the Daimyō …" Katsu starts.

"Has already been informed about this and signed off on it. He is even sending a third guardian's child to take my place on the team, although Yūgao is also being forced back into ANBU so someone else will lead the team" Naruto informs them.

"What!?" Katsu yells.

"They can't do this can they?" Miyuki asks.

She had come to see Yuudai and Katsu as good friends. This move would only serve to splinter their group and separate them. Naruto hugs her close to him.

"They already have. It's actually a pretty good move on their part. In promoting me they made the Daimyō happy making him think they were doing something that would only benefit me. This also allows them to team me up with their shinobi on higher ranking missions.

They are either planning to get the most out of this contract and send me on ridiculous mission after ridiculous mission or … I don't know. I didn't see this coming. They have used the time we spent chasing after the Senju well" Naruto explains.

"What can we do, Naruto-sama?" Kimimaro asks.

Naruto waves the older boy off.

"Nothing, it was an almost perfect move. I can't refuse the promotion and even if I refused to work with their ninja they know Yuudai nor Katsu are ready for the kind of missions jōnin are asked to take. No offense" Naruto replies.

Yuudai and Katsu wave him off. They knew they were not ready for that either.

"I'll have to work with their shinobi. And that maybe what they are after with this" Naruto says.

"We could become your teammates Naruto-sama" Kimimaro says.

Naruto admittedly had thought about that. Kimimaro and Jūgo were good enough. Unfortunately Jūgo's instability would make it dangerous for him to go on missions right now. He just wasn't ready and Kimimaro needed to be near him to keep him calm while they were in the village.

"I thought about that, but it wouldn't work. Jūgo's instability unfortunately won't allow it. Not yet anyway. Besides I'd rather keep the both of you off of Konoha's radar for now. Same goes for you Kaa-san.

If you were to join me Konoha may use it as some kind of excuse to put you under their control. It's best if I deal with this one on my own" Naruto says.

The mood of the room dropped with everything they heard. They believed in Naruto, but it seemed things were no longer going exactly to plan. Konoha was considered the strongest of the five major villages for more than their military strength after all. They were also dangerous politicians and tacticians.

"Look don't worry about it. Katsu, Yuudai I'll still train with you guys when I can. And we're still on track to get out of this village free and clear. I can put up with anything they throw at me and in the mean time I'll use these missions to make even more of a name for myself" Naruto declares.

Everyone smiled at his declaration. Letting go of the depressing mood they began to eat again.

"There is something else I wanted to talk about" Naruto interrupts.

Two Weeks Later

Naruto spent the two weeks training and preparing for his new duties. He had also reset the seals dropping his physical abilities to the level one would expect of an elite jōnin and his chakra to the levels one might expect from a Kage. He used the time to get used to the restrictions and continue to improve his skills thanks to spars with his mother, Kimmimaro, and Yūgao when she showed up later in the week.

Yūgao had not been happy when she was informed of the changes made to what she had come to see as her team. Still, she couldn't argue it. She always looked to the female Sannin and admittedly was over joyed to see a female Hokage lead the village.

She was happy that Hayate had been tapped to take over for her. At least she knew two of her boys would be alright. Hayate would make sure they would continue to get stronger until it was time for them to leave and from what she saw of their new teammate she had some skill as well.

That's right the replacement turned out not to be a son, but a daughter. She was a slender dark haired girl with honey brown eyes and an athletic build. She was also a kenjutsu practitioner and her elemental focus was water. Yūgao knew immediately she was going to make time to work with the girl despite her duties in ANBU.

Everyone else was also busy with their own training even Kushina was working on something. Now though it was time for Naruto's first mission and he was curious as to who he would be working with. He hadn't spoken with Tsunade since the hospital and he had heard she was really focused on helping Lee, but it seemed like a lost cause.

As he walked into the mission's office he was directed on up to the Hokage's office. Naruto noted it was seemingly going under repairs as a couple of workers were replacing the doors. He walked past them and into the room where he saw team 7 was waiting for him.

There was Anko standing there and as soon as he entered he could tell the woman was dying to do something he wouldn't like. Instead she settled for a decidedly childish wave. Ami was standing beside her mentor she turned to see who her master was waving at and even though it was only a second Naruto could see the look of hate she gave him before quickly turning back around.

And the Uchiha mighty as ever stood with some cocky smirk on his face as he gave him a brief look before focusing forward again. Sakura as usual didn't notice anything, but Sasuke so she never even noticed him. Naruto also sensed another presence in the room hiding, but decided to ignore it.

As he walked to stand beside Sakura he felt her turn her head in surprise then immediately go back to fawning over the Uchiha. Naruto just ignored it in favor of getting this all over with as they all focused back on Tsunade when she shouted.

"Hatake, you have two seconds to come out from behind that curtain!" Tsunade shouts.

The silver haired man quickly followed orders stepping out from behind the curtains to stand beside Sasuke. He wisely chose to not have his Icha Icha out in front of the quickly angered Sannin.

"Alright, I have gathered the six of you for a B-rank mission to protect the prince of the Crescent Moon Kingdom as he is returning to his home. You are to meet him at a designated spot and protect him and his convoy from there. The details are inside the mission scroll, any questions?" She asked.

"Hokage-sama why is he here? We can handle a simple B-ranked mission without his help" Sasuke says.

"Actually Sasuke I am asking tokubetsu jōnin Uzumaki here and two elite jōnin to take on a B-ranked mission. You three genin are only here, because your sensei's requested that they bring you along" Tsunade clarified for the boy.

Generally a B-rank mission would be handled by a team of chūnin or a team of chūnin with a single jōnin probably a tokubetsu leading them. This was basically a gross misuse of manpower in a time where every ranking ninja was needed to deal with mission overflow. Tsunade saw that the genin were still looking at her oddly, actually it was mainly the girls. Sasuke was scowling at the insult.

"Fine, I'll be blunt. The prince is a fat over indulged child who gets whatever he wants and price is no object. He sent enough money for two B-rank missions with the mission request. I am sending you six to thoroughly impress the moron and bring the Leaf a potentially valuable and important repeat client perhaps even a future ally" Tsunade explains.

They could only nod at the logic.

"You suggested that they are bringing their team along because they requested it, right?" Naruto interrupted.

Tsunade just nodded.

"Then it's only fair I also bring someone along that can be useful to this mission" Naruto says.

"And who would that be brat? One of your little girlfriends?" Tsunade asked derisively.

Of course this managed to get a few chuckles from the peanut gallery and a smug look from a few others.

"While the Crescent Moon Kingdom would be a lovely spot to take them I couldn't just bring one and leave the other. I intend to bring my cousin Karin" Naruto states.

"You mean the cousin that wants to jump your bones?" Tsunade adds.

"No, I mean the cousin that has A level sensor ability and a chūnin grade healer" Naruto responds.

This got all laughs to stop. Tsunade even grew serious at hearing this.

"I haven't read any reports about the girl having any ability whatsoever, particularly not any sensor ability" Tsunade states.

She had read every report or scrap of information Jiraiya could gather about the group he hung around with including his former teammates. She never read anything about the girl being more than a below average genin.

"Karin was a spy for Orochimaru stationed in Grass Country. They never held any clue of her abilities, because she only showed them one so that she could become one of their genin. I assure you that she is a sensor of the highest caliber and only getting better under my mothers tutelage" Naruto responds.

Tsunade brought her hands together as she thought about the information. She would have to inform the council about the girl. Naruto's group kept getting more powerful and more disconcerting for the council to have around. Something would have to be done soon.

"Fine, you can take her with you but she is your responsibility just like the genin are Kakashi's and Anko's" She told him.

Naruto just gave a nod of understanding.

"Anything else?" Tsunade asked.

Her tone stated that she was done with the briefing and that it better be quick.

"When do we leave Hokage-sama?" Kakashi asked.

"Tomorrow morning. The prince probably won't reach the meeting point for a few days. I'd pack for warm weather as well"Tsunade tells them.

They all nod.

"Good. Then dismissed" She says.

Once they left the room Tsunade slumped a little in her chair. She hoped this scheme the elders had cooked up worked, but somehow she got the feeling the brat had already figured them out.

Figuring there was no use worrying about it she went back to studying Rock Lee's charts and medical reports. So far she had been able to make the surgery a 50-50 proposition, but she was still searching for at least one more percent in favor of things going well. It was still slim odds, but she had gambled with worse.

Next Day

Team 7 and the two Uzumaki's were now walking through a dry arid plain. Surprisingly only one person was complaining and that was Karin. She hated the heat and the sun barring down on them.

"It's so hot" stated a sweaty tired looking Karin.

"We're in our summer clothes, quit complaining!" Sakura shouted at her.

"It's hot … so hot" Karin continued ignore the pinkette.

"The rendezvous point is only a little further Karin" Naruto tells her.

"Fine, but I'm going to need a change of clothes soon" Karin states.

Her clothes were nearly soaked by sweat. She was wearing her usual black shorts and sandals, but she had taken off the long black stocking she wore once they stopped traveling through the trees. Her usual purple uniform top was replaced by a black tank top and matching bra.

What pissed Sakura off is somewhere along the way the bra had become slightly exposed and Sasuke for some reason had been walking close to her and Naruto.

'If that slut is trying to get my man … I'll pound her into dirt' was a small sample of her thoughts.

Naruto meanwhile was wearing black pants and a black short sleeved shirt with the head of a large snarling dog embossed on the back and a small orange uzumaki spiral over the right side of his chest. His hitai-ate was being used as a belt.

Ami was wearing a black and white striped blouse with black shorts and sandals. Anko as daring as ever was wearing her mesh suit, and a black mini-skirt, black sandals, shin guards, a wrist watch, and her usual snake fang necklace. Since it was hot though, she had exchanged her usual trench coat for a black bra.

Kakashi was pretty much wearing what he usually wore only with shorter sleeves. Sasuke was the same as well.

Sakura was wearing a cropped shirt the exposed her stomach and a red skirt with blue shorts underneath and blue sandals.

They didn't walk too much further before catching sight of the caravan much to Karin's approval. They all marveled at the sight of the caravan, which much of stretched for miles through the arid plain.

"What is all this?" Sakura comments.

"So much stuff … what are they carrying?" Ami adds.

"This is everything I brought"

"This is all the stuff I splurged on while traveling. Before I knew it I had this much"

The man who answered struggled to get out of his carriage before getting out and greeting them.

"I'm the Prince of Moon Country, Tsuki Michiru" He says.

"We come from the village of Konoha. I'm the Captain Hatake Kakashi" He introduces.

"This is Uchiha Sasuke" He points at the Uchiha.

"Hn" was the reply.

"She is Haruno Sakura" He points at the pinkette.

"Hello" She replied.

"Ami"

"Hi" Ami responds.

"And I am the sexy single Mitarashi Anko" The female jōnin responds.

Everyone could see the fat princes eyes explode into hearts as he viewed her body with little restraint.

"And I am Tokubetsu Jōnin Uzumaki Naruto and this is my cousin Karin" Naruto introduces them.

The prince stops leering at Anko long enough to register the blonde's words and turns to him.

"I remember you … you're the reason I hired Leaf ninja. I saw you fighting at the chūnin exams. During that horrible invasion you saved me and my son from a group of those horrible Oto ninja" Michiru explains.

"Ah … I'm glad I was able to help prince Michiru" Naruto responds.

"Nonsense my boy, please call me Michiru" The prince says.

Before anything more can be said Naruto calmly reaches up and plucks an arrow from the air. Every looks at him, but his eyes are on the carriage the prince left.

"Is that anyway to greet someone Hikaru-san" Naruto states.

A little boy with large glasses and a bow walks to stand beside his father.

"Papa, are you sure your things will be okay with them protecting it?" The boy says.

"You and your valuables will be safe with us Hikaru-kun" Hatake interrupts.

Hikaru gives a nasty look to Naruto but soon turns away.

"I'm sure everything will be fine, right Naruto-kun" Michiru says.

"You can rely on me" Naruto says.

"Good, then we should get moving!" The prince explains.

"If anything happens to the prince, it'll be international turmoil" Hatake warns.

As the prince returns to his carriage turns to the six ninja.

"Perhaps one of you lovely ladies would like to accompany me and my son in the carriage" The prince offers.

"Sure big boy, I'll accompany you" Anko teases.

This gets shocked looks from everyone except Naruto including the princes son.

"Good, good. Please do!" The prince says happily.

"Anko … what are you doing?" Hatake growls out.

"One of us should protect the prince from up close and I can distract him if anything should happen" Anko explains.

Everyone nods at that and she soon joins the prince in the carriage sitting beside the son across from the prince as he leered at her.

Soon the caravan moved and everyone remembered something else Tsunade told them about the mission.

'In the Moon Country there is an island called Mikazuki Island that has an everlasting summer. The country seems very prosperous and wealthy.

The island has many natural resources and the beautiful beaches are a popular tourist attraction. There are plenty of gambling establishments and the area is lively year-round. It's a place I'd really like to go.

Anyway it seems the previous escorts were treated pretty harshly and bailed on the job. This is an important mission. I'd normally only send jōnin class ninja on a mission of this important so I expect everyone to be at their best. Proceed with caution' They remember her saying.

They were soon attacked by a group of ten bandits as they went through a valley. Karin had already spotted them with her abilities so Naruto dealt with the ones hidden atop the valley among the rocks.

The bandits barely got in position from attack before five Naruto snuck up behind them and slit their throats after using his dark passage jutsu. The Kage Bunshin then slid down the mountain instead of dispelling and joined the caravan adding more eyes to the group.

Meanwhile Kakashi, Sasuke, Ami, and Karin had little trouble defeating four of the five that came at the caravan from behind some rocks. Sakura needed help taking out the fifth, but it was quickly squashed although he noted they left their five alive only beaten and tied up.

It was dark when the caravan stopped. The smells from the lead wagon as the prince and his son ate were simply overwhelming, but the ninja were left to their own devices including sleeping outside in the cold night air.

The next day Anko was back with Ami away from the prince. Seems he had tried something and she had shot it down in her usual Anko way so now Kakashi was walking beside the princes' carriage.

They stopped at a town with a traveling circus performing in it. Even from afar Naruto could see the prince's son was interested in the rare saber-toothed tiger. When he proceeded to interrupt the act by shooting an apple that an archer was to shoot he became apart of the show and as a reward when the act was over asked for the tiger.

Even Naruto was impressed by Hikaru's accuracy, but he returned to his brat like ways when he used his father to get the tiger who in turn bought the whole circus for a million ryo. This was going to be a huge headache for the ninja.

As the prince was working out the details with the headmaster and Kakashi Hikaru saw the little monkey try to feed the noticeably bored tiger an apple and fail so he decided to give it a try. The tiger wasn't having it and lunged at the boy. Luckily for Hikaru Naruto had been watching the entire time and intervened shielding the prince.

"Scared" Naruto asked him.

The kid quickly ran away after that, but not before he saw the tiger ate the apple after all. Of course the prince wasn't happy about the attack and had the tiger locked up.

The caravan continued until it reached some docks, but the normal ocean liners to the island weren't operable because of storms and they had to wait on the boats that were coming for them and all the princes' belongings. The prince was fine with this as he stated he had some important business to attend to.

The prince and his son left the port in his carriage with only Naruto and Kakashi following. They soon pulled up to a small, but lovely house. The carriage was filled with flowers cluing the two ninja in a little as to what might be going on.

Their thoughts were verified when they saw an attractive dark skinned, dark haired, brown eyed woman tending to the large garden in the front of the house in a simple green dress. The prince walked up to her with his arm full of bouquets of flowers only to have her dart right past him and embrace Hikaru.

"Hikaru, you're Hikaru right"

"Hikaru!" The woman shouted as she embraced the boy.

"You've grown, Hikaru" She comments after looking at him.

Naruto almost smiled at how shy the boy was acting with what appeared to be his mother. Then he almost laughed when the woman didn't remember the prince and then her reaction when she figured it out.

"What's with all the fat!" Amayo blurted out.

"It's because you left. I ate all the time to ease my sadness and ended up like this!" The prince responds.

"That's why I want you to come back. I miss you and so does Hikaru" Michiru says.

"And I already told you I don't want to be with you anymore!" Amayo returned.

"If not for that pre-nup I would have taken Hikaru with me!" She shouts.

The door to the quaint house slammed behind them as they went inside. Naruto broke away from Kakashi and the carriage and sat on the stone wall beside Hikaru. Neither said anything as they sat and waited.

Later at the docks Naruto was eating some ramen with Karin. Sakura was also nearby eavesdropping before the prince left the docks to deal with some problem with his luggage and grew uninterested with the story. Karin also left, but not before snagging another just heated cup.

When Hikaru walked up the docks it was just Naruto finishing his ramen. The boy walked up to him. He seemed to stare at him for awhile before asking.

"Is it good?" He asked pointing at the ramen cup.

"It's good enough. When I was a little younger than you I used to live solely off this stuff" Naruto responds.

Hikaru looked disbelievingly at him.

"Want to try some?" Naruto offered.

Hikaru nodded and Naruto fixed him a cup as the boy sat across from him on the pier. They sat in silence while the ramen cooked and then ate in silence. Of course Naruto finished first and he saw the younger boy was eying him as if he had something he wanted to say.

"What do you think, is it good?" Naruto asked him.

The boy just shrugged and Naruto waited for him to finish. When he did there was a brief moment of silence before Naruto got up.

"Wait, where are you going?" Hikaru asked.

"I'm going to see what's going on. The ships should be ready to go soon. I bet your anxious to get home, right?" Naruto asks.

The kid didn't answer as he looked like he was searching for an answer or question he didn't know how to ask. Naruto turned to walk away again.

"Be my servant" He heard from behind him.

"What?" Naruto asked.

"I said be my servant. I'll give you anything you want" The boy declared.

Naruto turned to face the kid.

"Not going to happen Tsuki-san" Naruto replies.

The look of disbelief on the boys face was priceless.

"B-but I can give you toys/games … as many as you want" The boy declared.

"Sorry kid, but the only thing I desire in this world is something money can't buy" Naruto answers.

"Money can buy anything!" The future prince shouts.

"When you grow up kid you'll find that money can't buy as much as you think it can. I can understand why you believe that to be the case. After all not many kids have a father that can or will purchase an entire circus just because they wanted one rare tiger" Naruto responds.

The boy just froze at the reminder of what happened.

"Your father never learned that lesson. That's why your mother didn't respond to his lame attempt to buy her back. Your mother wanted something that costs nothing to give, but is a lot harder to find than even a million ryo.

I hope you learn the lesson your father didn't and become the kind of prince your Kingdom deserves" Naruto says.

Of course what he said made the future prince of Moon Country angry so when Naruto turned his back Hikaru attempted to shoot an arrow at the back of his head. Naruto easily side stepped the shot and watched as the arrow lodged on the back of a certain pinkette's narrow behind.

"WHO DID THAT?!" She hollered.

Being the son of a prince Hikaru just figured he had nothing to worry about as he laughed at the girl removing the suction cupped toy arrow from her butt. Of course when Sakura keyed on the laughing boy her over the top anger didn't let her recognize who she punted into the ocean until everyone on the docks was shouting in alarm.

"Huh … what's … going … on?" She asks.

Naruto easily rescued the prince running on the water and plucking him out of the ocean before he drowned or became food for one of the large fish in the area. When they returned to the docks the Princess attendants rushed to the boy and began drying him off. Prince Michiru wasn't happy and asked who did this to him.

"S-sh-she did" He managed to say as he was still crying.

Of course this got all eyes focused on the pinkette as she tried to hide in her own shadow. Shame she wasn't a Nara.

That night

The circus performers were putting on a show for Prince Michiru and Hikaru as everyone else on the deck took part in a feast prepared for royalty. The only one not included was the currently tied up Sakura. She was covered from head to toe in rope and chakra bindings were placed on her hands, not that she could escape all that rope anyway.

She couldn't even see the feast or the performers as they had dumped her in a corner of the ship with her back to everything. That didn't stop the smells of the delicious food from reaching her as her stomach grumbled from just smelling it so close yet so far away.

No one seemed to pay any mind to her as she quietly sobbed she was sorry. No one also seemed to notice Hikaru sneak away during the dinner to once more try his hand at feeding the tiger.

Later that night when most on the ship were sleeping and Sakura was still tied up in the passageway also trying to sleep a storm was sighted ahead of them by Kakashi. Everyone was quickly put on alert to save the princess's belongings, which meant Sakura was freed by a reluctant Naruto. As Naruto was heading for the animal cages he passed Hikaru.

"You should let them be" Hikaru mutters.

"What's that?" Naruto asked.

"The animals. I'm tired of them. You should let them be" Hikaru responds.

"You shouldn't say such things?" Naruto tells him.

"Why?" Hikaru asks.

"When you got your father to buy 'him' for you he became your responsibility. Someday you are going to rule over a country full of people, animals, and things that will be your responsibility to take care of. If something bad happens you can't just say I'm tired of it, let it be, let someone else deal with it.

Other wise the people will begin to hate you and want a new ruler. Someone who is wise and responsible, someone they can depend upon no matter how bad or good things are. That cat, the other animals, the entire circus is now your responsibility. If you just give up, because things aren't going your way you will never be the leader your people deserve … or someone I would want to know" Naruto says before leaving.

Out on the deck everyone was busy trying to secure the cargo and animals. Naruto decided to help move things along.

"Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu" Naruto calls out.

15 Naruto's spread out, five helped bring the prince's luggage and inanimate cargo down below. Another five helped the circus folk get the animals out of their cages, and the last five helped the crew of the ship. A few minutes later Naruto heard some commotion near the cages.

Seems the little prince decided to help out. Sadly he was going about it the wrong way as he struggled to reach the sabre-toothed tiger's cage as he was banging against it trying to get out.

Naruto looked to see if one of his Bunshin were near by and saw one was close to the cage, but trying to herd a wooly elephant of some kind to where the rest of the animals were.

Naruto was proud when the boy reached the cage and managed to free the tiger, but saw a big wave was headed right for where he was still holding the cage door. Using a simple shunshin Naruto reached the boy and the monkey clinging to him in time to keep him from going overboard and managed to get them both to safety.

The next day the ninja, some of the circus group, and the larger animals plus Kiki were on the deck of the ship. Everyone had made it through the rough night and none of the princes' belongings had been lost. The only ones not on the deck were the prince and his son, but soon they came out as well.

The little chimp Kiki immediately jumped in Hikaru's arms chattering and screeching happily. That's when Cham, the Siberian tiger also walked up to Hikaru. The prince quickly left his sons side and went over to the headmaster that yelled a quick warning.

The warning proved unneeded as the monkey chattered excitedly moving it's paw to suggest the boy pet the tiger. Everyone watched worried as Hikaru slowly reached to pet him.

Everyone was pleasantly surprised when Cham actually accepted and moved into the petting before laying down and allowing Kiki to jump on its back. Naruto watched as the kid knelled down to continue petting the tiger before walking over.

"What you did last night was very brave Hikaru. You acted like a real prince and I think Cham agrees with me" Naruto says.

"I'm sorry for how I acted before" Hikaru apologizes.

Naruto nodded accepting the apology. The boy then turned to the tiger.

"I'm sorry to you too Cham, because you wouldn't play with me I got angry. The truth is I wanted to be friends with you and Onii-chan. I …" Hikaru starts.

A sigh made everyone turn their attention to Naruto.

"I guess I should have seen that that was what you wanted. Friends … I guess having a future prince for a friend wouldn't be too bad" Naruto remarks coolly.

"Really?" Hikaru says hopefully.

Naruto nodded and Hikaru smiled happily before he was knocked back by Cham.

"Seems they also want to be your friend" Naruto comments.

"Me too!" Sakura called.

"Umm … sorry for knocking you into the ocean" She apologizes.

Hikaru waved it off accepting the apology.

"Hey, I want to be friends with the little prince too cuz" Karin called out.

The kid brightened considerably at the declarations, but soon stopped and looked sad about something.

"What's wrong?" Sakura asked.

"Well, we're going to have to go our different ways after we reach the island" Hikaru responds.

The three teens nodded at that. This mission would be over soon and then it was on to the next client and mission.

"I can't say you are wrong about that. Moon has its own ninja village and you probably won't have much need for foreign ninja. That said if you ever need help that they can't handle I will always be there to help a friend. I won't forget about you Hikaru" Naruto says.

"Neither will I" Karin chimed in.

"You can always count on the Leaf Village" Sakura adds.

She missed the looks passing between the two Uzumakis, but no one else did.

"Let's promise to be friends for ever!" The boy responds.

Naruto shakes his hand and the others pile on before Cham decided he wanted in on it to and jumped up placing his paws onto of the pile of hands sending everyone down to the deck. Everyone just smiled as the little boy just laughed at it all.

The only two that weren't were the Uchiha that just dismissed it all as being stupid and Hatake. The anger he felt at the demon trying to corrupt another innocent child made his knuckles turn white. He would bide his time though, this was a mission and the mission took precedence.