The Mission

A/N: Just a reminder, new chapter here officially means new chapter over on the P atreon now, where my patrons are currently voting on the future direction of this story!

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"… There's no convincing you two to stay in the Village and avoid this path, is there?"

They'd gone to Tsunade, ultimately. The Fifth Hokage sits behind her desk in her office in the Hokage's Tower, resting her cheek in the palm of her hand as she looks at them both with a certain degree of exasperation. Naruto likes to think its fond exasperation though. At least, for him. He's not foolish enough to think Tsunade has developed any sort of fondness for Sasuko in the time the Last Uchiha has been back under Konoha's aegis.

At Tsunade's question, Sasuko grits her teeth and clenches her hands into fists at her sides. Naruto, aiming to ward off an outburst, steps forward and places a hand on Sasuko's shoulder. Not on her arm, because he didn't want to seem like he was restraining her. But rather, on her shoulder, to make it clear he was supporting her. She backs down after that, something Naruto knows Tsunade notices, even as he shakes his head.

"No, Madam Hokage. This is something Sasuko and I both feel needs to be done. For the future of BOTH the Uchiha and Uzumaki Clans."

In the back of Naruto's mind, he can feel a small sense of disgruntlement. Kurama has been like that since the damn fox realized he wasn't going to fuck Sasuko quite yet though. Naruto's passenger isn't too happy that Naruto is more focused on helping a Sharingan wielder, rather than subjugating and dominating Sasuko. Kurama had been much more eager when it looked like Naruto would pin Sasuko down and pump some kits into her.

Now that that wasn't happening, the Tailed Beast wasn't so content any more. But Naruto didn't care. It wasn't all about Kurama, damn it! Nor was it all about the village, or even all about his clan! Some things… sometimes, things needed doing because someone was your friend, your completely platonic friend, and you had to be there for them!

… Naruto definitely wasn't still thinking about that kiss Sasuko had given him at the end of their last conversation and what it meant. No sir!

Regardless, he gets his point across with his words, and he can tell Tsunade sees the seriousness in his face. As well, she recognizes that he has Sasuko well in hand. Naruto doesn't like that he's having to show that, but it's better to have the Hokage on their side then not, really. He'd certainly considered going to the Toads instead of Tsunade, but ultimately… this was a better idea. Naruto had to believe that.

"Very well."

His eyes widen at Tsunade's response. While he'd definitely believed it… he hadn't really believed it! She was actually going to let them go after Itachi?!

"Hold. Don't get too excited."

Looking at them both drily, it's immediately obvious that Tsunade had clocked their initial reactions. Shaking her head, she lets out a sigh.

"It's not so simple as just sending you after Itachi, you know. For one, we have no clue where he even is at this point in time, and even if we did, the information would likely be outdated before we could even get you to his location. He IS an S-Ranked Missing Nin after all, and constantly on the move."

… Fair. Naruto glances to Sasuko, to make sure she's taking this information well. So far so good, there's no outburst, no angry retort. Where Itachi is concerned, Sasuko has never been what one would call a reasonable type of person. But… the revelation that Itachi had been following the orders of that bastard Danzo had clearly shaken the young Uchiha woman hard. She's quiet, even as she takes in Tsunade's words.

Well, for the most part. Before Tsunade can continue, Sasuko does speak up, her tone not quite accusatory, but verging on it.

"Isn't he still a Konoha spy? Can't you just… recall him, or something?"

It's a fair question, though Naruto suspects he already knows the answer. He's certainly not surprised when Tsunade shakes her head.

"It didn't work like that, as I'm sure you can guess. Itachi Uchiha exists in a very grey area. There have been times over the years since his desertion where he's gotten information to us. His agreement with Danzo was that so long as you not only lived, but thrived as a member of Konoha, he would find his own ways of supporting us from afar."

Here, Tsunade adopts something of a macabre smile.

"But it's been some time since that agreement was relevant, hasn't it? We failed to keep you out of Orochimaru's clutches, and you were a Missing Nin yourself for several years. Needless to say, Itachi has not been in contact. And even if he did try and get into contact now, we don't expect that he would return to the village, as he and that partner of his did years ago when they were trying to kidnap Naruto."

Shaking her head, Tsunade lets out a sigh.

"No, I cannot recall Itachi, unfortunately. Nor can I tell you where he is, because I don't know where he is. But… we might just know where he will be. And in the end, the best we can hope for is to be waiting in one of the few locations he might turn up."

That gets Sasuko's attention. To be honest, it gets Naruto's as well. Leaning forward, the blond shinobi cocks his head to the side.

"You mean…"

Tsunade smirks.

"Yes. You yourself are acceptable bait for Itachi and his fellows, but the likelihood of them coming and invading Konoha for you at this time is low. The likelihood of them going and hunting down OTHER Jinchuriki, however… well, that's quite high indeed, isn't it? Rather, it's not even a matter of likelihood. They've BEEN doing that all these years. This group that Itachi is part of, that Jiraiya is investigating… the Akatsuki."

Tsunade says the name of their organization like a curse, a scowl on her face to replace her smirk. And to be fair, it might as well be. Naruto doesn't know the full details behind the Akatsuki or what the fuck they're after, but one thing is for shit-sure… they're bad news, and they've been collecting some serious firepower, hunting Jinchuriki all over the Elemental Nations and spiriting them away to do who the fuck knows what with them.

Lips thinning, Naruto's own hands slowly clench into fists as he considers the others. Those people who he had never even met, who also each hold… or in some cases, held a Tailed Beast just as he does. Naruto won't deny it. He's always been quick to feel an affinity with others, be they ally or foe. He's not the kind of guy who stands on ceremony, nor the type of person who holds on to bad feelings overly long.

Only in a few cases has he felt true hatred for his enemies. Orochimaru. Danzo. But everyone else… it's so very easy to find it in his heart to sympathize with the people he often finds himself across from on a battlefield.

That said; besides Gaara, he's never even met another Jinchuriki before, let alone fought one. So really, couldn't it be said that they're all his allies until proven enemies? More than allies… they're his kin in a way.

Kurama agrees too, begrudgingly. Naruto can feel it in the back of his mind, a sense of… belonging. In the way that younger siblings were downright irritating, but also had to be protected. It didn't sit right with the fox, that the Akatsuki had been collecting the other Tailed Beasts all this time. Didn't sit right with Naruto either.

"So, you want to send us after another Jinchuriki, in the hopes that Itachi will show up and we can stop him so that Sasuko can have her closure."

Inclining her head to the side, Tsunade gives a half-nod.

"That about sums it up, yes. You were right to come to me, you know. Jiraiya is deep undercover at the moment. I would like to think the Toads would have stone-walled you, but if they hadn't, or if you'd run off to look for him on your own… you might have gotten him killed. That said, while I can't get you to Jiraiya, I can let you make use of some of his latest actionable intelligence. The Akatsuki will soon move on the Village Hidden in the Waterfall, Takigakure. They'll be aiming for their Jinchuriki, no doubt."

Naruto's eyes widen at that.

"Wait, Taki has a Jinchuriki? That's…"

He can't help it. He feels a little betrayed. The Hidden Waterfall Village was… well, it was the last big mission that Sasuko and Naruto went on as part of Team Seven. Them, Sakura, and Kakashi had all escorted a shinobi named Shibuki back to his home. Of course, it turned out Shibuki was actually the leader of Takigakure despite his youth, and there was this whole thing where Shibuki's former teacher tried to invade Taki, forcing Team Seven, minus an absent Kakashi, to save the day.

And yet…

"… This isn't a new development, is it? They always had one."

Tsunade just nods.

"I'm not surprised they kept her out of sight during your visit, in spite of the troubles the village faced while you were there. They've always thought her their best kept secret… but of course, Konoha has always known about her. Her name is Fu, and she is the Jinchuriki for the Seven-Tailed Beast. It was decided by Hiruzen, even with the unanimous agreement of his advisors, Danzo included, to let Takigakure keep their Jinchuriki, as well as let them think they were managing to keep it a secret from us."

Tsunade's words wash over them both for a moment, and Naruto glances at Sasuko. Though she doesn't show it, he can tell she's at least a little shaken as well to find out Shibuki had kept such a thing from them. But at the same time, it probably shouldn't have been all that surprising in truth. They're all ninja after all, and for them and their society, keeping secrets is hard-baked in. Even if both Naruto AND Sasuko had used their strongest techniques at the time to save Shibuki and his village from Suien.

Well, no matter. What was done was done, wasn't it? It was in the past, and now was the time to look forward, to the future.

"So, you're sending us to back them up, and protect Fu?"

The Fifth Hokage smiles.

"That would be the idea, yes. Team Seven has the most experience of all of Konoha's active duty ninja in recent times. And in turn, Takigakure has the most experience with Team Seven. You lot could go for a visit and… if we're lucky, Akatsuki will make their play for Fu while you're there. Hell, your presence might even cause them to try to go for a two-for-one. Itachi is one of their best, so it would only make sense to send him and his partner, if they're sure they're going up against both you and Fu."

That made sense to Naruto. There was only one concern on his mind. Glancing to Sasuko, the blond shinobi clears his throat.

"Sasuko? What do you think? Does this sound good to you?"

He wanted to do it, personally. Not just because it DID in fact sound like their best shot of catching Itachi, but also because he wanted to meet Fu. But ultimately, he needed to make sure Sasuko was on board here. Because if she wasn't, there was every chance she might break away and go off on her own again, to do her own thing.

Luckily, that didn't seem to be much of a concern. Indeed, while there's a slight clench to Sasuko's jaw, her hands actually unfurl from fists as she lets out a low sigh and then gives a simple nod.

"It sounds like our best bet. Thank you, Lady Hokage, for giving us a path forward."

Damn. Naruto's eyes are wide, as Sasuko makes a point to be downright respectful to Tsunade. Meanwhile, Tsunade looks surprised for a moment, before letting her pleasure spread across her face.

"You're welcome. I will send a runner to notify Kakashi and Sakura of the reformation of Team Seven. The four of you can leave whenever you're ready."

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As it turns out, 'whenever you're ready' is later that day… after Kakashi makes the three of them wait at the Northern Gate out of Konoha for a couple of hours, of course. It's a little awkward, to be honest. Maybe if Naruto and Sasuko were also a thing, they could have had some fun with Sakura. But, uh, Naruto had sort of rejected Sasuko, albeit as gently as he possibly could.

It wasn't that he didn't want to do anything with her, more that he wanted it to come from the right place and happen at the right time. Neither of which felt like the case when she'd tried to get him to add her to his growing list of wives back at his Clan Compound.

But Sakura could pick up a mood and could tell that she wouldn't be able to do anything with him in front of Sasuko, so things had been a little tense as they'd waited for Kakashi to show up. They didn't get any less tense even after the silver-haired Jonin arrived, either. Team Seven was back together again, but Naruto felt like he was getting some sort of Monkey's Paw version of his wish. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it definitely felt weird.

No more was this more apparent than when night came and they made camp, having covered about half the distance between Konoha and Taki. They were making good time and had even caught some wild game to put into a stew that tasted a thousand times better than their travel rations.

Everyone was happily bedding down for the night… but of course, Sakura just had to sneak into Naruto's sleeping bag. As the pink-haired girl wiggles her way inside, her intentions obvious, Naruto hesitates for a moment. On the one hand, he's already getting hard, and by all accounts, he and Sakura are engaged to be married, so there's nothing wrong with them having sex. She's a part of his clan and going to be one of his wives.

At the same time, they're traveling with two different Sharingan wielders, and there's no doubt in Naruto's mind that they'll be putting on a show for someone if Naruto lets Sakura continue. As her hand finds his cock and begins to stroke it, Naruto lets out a quiet groan in the form of the pinkette's name.

"Sakura…"

Fuck. Why did he have to be the responsible one?

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