Chapter 20

When Naruto reappeared he was stood in Tsunade's office and looked around with a soft smile "Hey Granny" he said as she looked up from her paperwork.

"Brat" she said as he pouted a little.

"I'd prefer being called the Village's strongest" he said as she scoffed before sighing.

"So you beat Jiraiya?" she asked as he nodded.

"Using about a Quater of my complete strength" Naruto said as he took a seat and the Grandmother and grandson talked for a short while until they heard the doors open and Naruto saw Sakura and Shizune entering "Hey you two" he said as he took a sip from the Sake saucer on the desk in front of him.

"Who's this?" Shizune asked not seeing how Naruto looked now as Sakura giggled seeing the depressing aura appear around Naruto.

"Take a guess who the brat is Shizune" Tsunade said taking a sip of her saucer while Naruto was crouched in the corner drawing circles on the floor.

"Naruto?" she asked as he jumped up and his aura changed instantly as he cuddled.

"I knew my big sister wouldn't forget me" he said cheerfully as she giggled softly cuddling him until he let go and hummed "So you'd probably wanna test my strength?" Naruto asked as Tsunade nodded and he hummed "Who am I fighting? You, Kakashi or Gramps?" Naruto asked as Tsunade looked to him.

"If what you said was true then Kakashi wouldn't be a match for you, so you'll be fighting me and Jiraiya" Tsunade said surprising the two occupants and this is when Temari and Shikamaru entered while Naruto was humming in thought.

"Yeah, sure I'll accept the fight, in return when I win you have to give me a small holiday, I'll need it to go learn Sage mode from the Toads and learn some stuff from the Pantera summons" Naruto said as Tsunade sighed.

"If you win consider it granted" Tsunade said as Naruto smirked like a fox.

"Hey, Mari!" Naruto said turning on his heel walking up to his fiancée and cuddling her kissing her head softly, before he could speak anymore a small puff of smoke appeared on Tsunade's desk and Naruto hummed "Kichi? What's happened?" Naruto asked as Kichi locked eyes with him.

"Akatsuki have been spotted about a day away from Suna" Kichi said as Natuto's face turned serious.

"Tell one of the toads in Suna to go warn Gaara to start getting people into shelters, also tell Gaara that back ups coming don't worry" Naruto said as he looked to Tsunade who nodded.

"Jonin Naruto, Elite Jonin Kakashi you will take Chunin Sakura and Suna-Jonin Temari to Suna to assist in countering the attack of the Akatsuki and prevent them gaining the Ichibi, I won't accept failure on this mission" Tsunade said as she sat up straight "This is Sakura's first S-Rank mission so make sure she returns safe okay Naruto?" Tsunade asked as Naruto nodded.

"'Course Granny, I wouldn't want one of your students being killed" Naruto said as he looked at her "Who's in charge of the mission?" he asked seeing Kakashi at the window listening in.

"I wish to see how well you preform as the team leader, if you preform well you may end up getting promote to Elite Jonin" Tsunade said as Naruto nodded.

"Meet at the Gates to Suna in 30 minutes, anyone tardy will be left to catch up and I'm serious, this is an S-Rank mission with the potential to destroy the whole Continent" Naruto said seriously as they nodded and left in their own Shunshins while Naruto stayed behind and sighed "I guess you don't have any lollipops I could take?" Naruto asked as Tsunade raised a brow.

"Lollipops? Why?" Tsunade asked as he laughed.

"You don't want me being like Asuma now do you?" he asked as Tsunade shook her head and opened a drawer handing him a large bag.

"Jiraiya told me about it" she said as he smiled and grabbed one out while sealing away the bag.

"Right, thanks, I'll see you later" he said vanishing in a flash of yellow as Tsunade smiled.

"He truly is the strongest in the Village" Tsunade said as Shizune looked confused.

"Why do you say that Lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked as Tsunade giggled.

"He can use the Hiraishin with proficiency that even his father or my Granduncle couldn't get, he uses it like it's second nature, the same proficiency that Shisui had with the Shunshin" Tsunade said as Shizune's eyes widened "And we haven't even seen his proficiency with Mokuton" Tsunade finished.

"Troublesome" they heard before looking to see Shikamaru leaving after hearing everything and Shizune giggled while Tsunade sighed.

-With Naruto and the assist team-

Naruto had stood there and saw the three other members of the team there "We start now, I want to be at Suna before Dusk so I'll summon a toad to get us there faster, make sure to channel chakra into your feet to stick to the toad" he said as he bit his thumb drawing blood and held up the final sign for the summoning Jutsu that being Ram before a large orange toad with a haori for boss appeared "Hey chief toad" Naruto said as the Toad grunted.

"Naruto" the toad said as he smiled slightly and realized 3 other people "Who are these people?" Gamabunta asked as Naruto replied.

"You know Kakashi from my dad but the others are Sakura and Temari" Naruto said as Gamabunta nodded.

"Good to meet you again Kakashi, although we should get going now" Bunta said as Kakashi nodded and befote the others could say anything Gamabunta started to leap "Where to?" Bunta shouted as Naruto chuckled and replied.

"Suna, Gaara is going to be attacked by Akatsuki" Naruto shouted back as Bunta leapt towards Kaze no Kuni and Sunagakure.

-3 hours later, Sunset-

Naruto hopped off of Gamabunta's head with his team "Thanks Bunta" he said as Bunta nodded and vanished in some smoke, once they turned around and saw Jonin guards stood there who bowed and let them enter, Naruto made some clones upon entering "You four, stand at the gates and hide, there might be a traitor so if you find him I want you to arrest him before he can do anything" Naruto said as they nodded and vanished.

"What do you mean Naruto?" Temari asked as Naruto chuckled.

"It's just a precaution" Naruto said as they walked into a village and he smiled softly as they walked towards the Kazekage building, upon reaching the building they walked to Gaara's office and entered.

"Naruto" Gaara said as he entered and got a wave from his friend.

"I've come with my fiancée and our second best Jonin along with the second or third best medic we have" Naruto said as Gaara smiled at his friend.

"So you finally asked her?" Gaara asked as Naruto nodded and held his hand out as a panther like seal appeared on his hand before a Katana with an S shaped Tsubasa in the sheathe as he put it at his side.

"Where'd you get the sword Naruto?" Temari asked as he smirked.

"Ah this? It's a present from the Pantera Summons, when I master the sword style and learn the swords true name I'll be able to take the name of Panther King from the Summons" Naruto said as Temari's eyes widened as he looked to her "And you'll be their Queen" he said before he looked to Gaara "Anyways, Gaara, has anyone been suspicious recently?" Naruto asked as Gaara looked at him and nodded softly as Naruto hummed.

"Yes, Yūra has recently been acting suspicious" Gaara said as Naruto nodded "Apart from that no one" Gaara finished as Kankuro looked at his brother in surprise.

"Gaara, why'd you just tell him?!" Kankuro exclaimed as Gaara looked to Naruto who sighed.

"Crow and Shark are making their move against them as we speak now Gaara" Naruto said as he nodded.

"Naruto here is my boss, our groups boss, he came up with the name recently" Gaara said surprising the 3 who didn't know about it and Temari looked at her future husband and brother.

"You're in Naruto's group?" Temari asked as Gaara nodded.

"Yeah, Gaara was one of the first people I recruited" Naruto said as he looked out the window as his eyes glazed and he smirked "Seems Yūra's been caught" Naruto said as he gained the memories of a clone one of his clones made after catching Yūra, Naruto hummed as he felt two large signatures getting closer to Suna as he sighed "Seems they're here" Naruto said as they nodded.

Naruto opened the window and the group of 6 vanished as Naruto reappeared on the wall beside Gaara "So how has your relationship with Shukaku come along?" Naruto asked as Gaara looked to him.

"We're close enough that I'm allowed to sleep with the seal released and he doesn't try to escape" Gaara said as Naruto nodded "So, us against Deidara while the others take on Sasori?" Naruto asked as Gaara nodded and Naruto smirked seeing the clay bird as the rest arrived and Naruto smiled "You four have got Sasori alright?" Naruto asked as they nodded and Naruto's body sparked with electricity and he smirked as he saw Gaara become as they landed on the sand and Naruto looked at the clay bird before vanishing and ramming a Chidori through it's head before burning the rest with Amaterasu after activating the Mangekyo Sharingan before returning next to Gaara and seeing a pissed off blonde with a scratched Iwagakure headband in a black cloak withred clouds next to him a wooden like person both with a scowl.

"The Ichibi and Kyuubi? Sasori my man we have the best luck" the blonde said as Naruto chuckled.

"Seems Sasori is hiding behind a puppet, good luck you four" Naruto said as he grabbed Deidara and nodded to the Shukaku who nodded and both took off as Naruto was holding Deidara's neck.