Chapter 13: The Planning Season

As they approached Konoha's gates, crowds of villagers lined the streets, cheering enthusiastically. Their voices merged into a chorus of admiration for Naruto and praise for the Fourth Hokage's legacy.

Naruto maintained his signature bright smile, waving to the villagers, though his closest friends could detect his slight discomfort with all the attention. This level of recognition from people who had once shunned him was still something he was adjusting to.

Shikamaru appeared beside them, falling into step with the group. "Troublesome, isn't it?" he muttered to Naruto. "The whole village knows about your heritage now."

"Yeah," Naruto replied quietly, still waving. "It's weird, dattebayo! But at least it's helping with our plans."

Sasuke observed the scene with a mix of curiosity and confusion, while Sakura smiled proudly at her teammate's reception.

"Lord Fourth's son!" more voices called out. "The hero who saved the Kazekage!"

"We should head straight to the Hokage Tower," Shikamaru suggested, noting Naruto's growing unease with the attention. "Tsunade-sama is waiting for your report."

As they made their way through the crowded streets, Naruto couldn't help but think how different this homecoming was from the future he'd originally seen. The changes they'd set in motion were already creating ripples throughout the village.

"By the way," Shikamaru added under his breath, "the operation against Danzo was successful. Everything went according to plan."

Naruto's eyes lit up at Shikamaru's news, but he kept his voice low. "Really? How did the old war hawk take it?"

"About as well as you'd expect," Shikamaru smirked. "He tried to use that reverse sealing technique you warned us about, but Jiraiya-sama and Kakashi-sensei were ready for it."

As they approached the Hokage Tower, they spotted Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo waiting under ANBU supervision. Karin immediately perked up at seeing Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun!" she called out but was held back by the ANBU guards.

"Easy there," Naruto chuckled. "We need to meet with Baa-chan first. Everything needs to be done properly this time."

Tsunade stood at her office window, watching their approach. When they entered, her expression was a mix of pride and exasperation.

"Report," she commanded, though her eyes softened when they landed on Naruto. "And try to keep it simple this time, brat."

"Mission accomplished, Baa-chan!" Naruto grinned. "We got Sasuke back, convinced snake-face to behave, and even recruited some new allies! Though..." he scratched his head sheepishly, "I might have shown off a bit more than planned during the mission."

Tsunade sighed, massaging her temples. "When don't you, brat?"

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, surveying the group before her. "Alright, let's handle this one step at a time. First..." She turned to Sasuke, her expression stern. "Uchiha Sasuke, given the circumstances of your departure and Orochimaru's influence, we're treating this as a kidnapping case. However, you'll need to undergo a psychological evaluation and remain under supervision for a while."

Sasuke nodded silently, his face unreadable.

"As for our new... guests," Tsunade continued, looking at Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo. "Each of you will be interviewed separately and assessed for potential integration into Konoha's forces."

"What about my sword collection plans?" Suigetsu interjected, earning a sharp look from the ANBU guards.

"We'll discuss that later," Tsunade replied firmly. For now," She turned back to Naruto, "Care to explain why Orochimaru figured out you're a perfect jinchūriki? I even didn't put too many limits on your other powers, as without knowing this it's two different stories. So how did he figure it out?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, ya see, Baa-chan... it worked out okay, dattebayo!"

"Worked out okay?" Tsunade's eye twitched. "Do you understand that we don't know how much the Akatsuki will react now that you made that big attack to show Sasuke your different powers? Why couldn't you just knock him out? Now we might have lost the element of surprise!"

"I... I got carried away," Naruto admitted, looking down. "When fighting Sasuke, I wanted to show him how strong I've become, and then Orochimaru showed up, and..."

"And you couldn't resist showing off," Sakura finished, shaking her head.

"This isn't a game, Naruto," Tsunade said sternly. "Every bit of information we can keep from our enemies is crucial. Now we need to prepare for potential attacks sooner than planned."

"Sorry, I just wanted to convince Sasuke fast, and I wanted to beat Orochimaru before we brought him here," Naruto said, looking genuinely apologetic.

Tsunade's expression softened. "Just remember, Sasuke isn't what's on your shoulders anymore." She turned to Suigetsu, "We'll have a meeting in a month to discuss the Seven Swords matter. For now, you'll be staying with the Uchiha."

She straightened up, addressing the group. "Dismissed. Sasuke, show your team to their assigned quarters." As the others began filing out, she added, "Naruto, Shikamaru - you two stay behind."

After the room cleared, leaving just the three of them, Tsunade leaned forward on her desk. With a slight nod toward the shadows, she spoke, "Call Shikaku, Jiraiya, and Kakashi here immediately."

The ANBU guards disappeared silently to carry out their orders. Within minutes, the three seasoned shinobi appeared in the office, each wearing serious expressions.

"I assume this has to do with the recent developments?" Shikaku asked, his scarred face thoughtful as he glanced between his son and Naruto.

Tsunade activated the seals, The atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.

"As one of the mission goals, Team 7 managed to get Orochimaru to return to the village and cooperate with us," Tsunade announced matter-of-factly.

After Tsunade's announcement, Jiraiya stepped forward, his expression serious. "Orochimaru's cooperation could be invaluable, but we need to be careful. His knowledge of forbidden jutsu and village secrets makes him dangerous."

"That's why we've prepared a special facility," Tsunade explained. "He'll be working under constant surveillance, with specific research parameters. No human experimentation, no forbidden techniques."

"What about his current test subjects?" Kakashi asked, his visible eye narrowed thoughtfully.

"It's already taken care of," Naruto grinned. My clones brought them back. They're being processed now, dattebayo!"

Shikaku stroked his goatee thoughtfully. "And what of the Akatsuki? After Naruto displays power in both Suna and against Orochimaru, they'll likely accelerate their plans."

"That's why we're here," Tsunade said grimly. "We need to adjust our timeline. The Five Kage Summit is approaching, and we must be prepared for anything."

"The other jinchūriki are ready," Naruto added confidently. "We've been training and coordinating through our tailed beast connections."

"Still," Jiraiya cautioned, "we shouldn't reveal all our cards yet. The Akatsuki might be more cautious now, but that could make them more dangerous."

Shikaku turned to Naruto, his scarred face serious. "Did you reveal anything about our objectives to Orochimaru besides the experiment with the First Hokage's cells? And did you slip up about anything else?"

Naruto shifted uncomfortably. "Well... I might have mentioned something about Kurama helping me sense his soul piece in the cursed mark..." He scratched his head sheepishly. "And he figured out I'm working with the Nine-Tails."

"Troublesome," Shikamaru sighed. "What exactly did you tell him about the First Hokage cells experiment?"

"Just that we needed his help to figure out how to add them to me without side effects because of Kurama's chakra!" Naruto defended quickly. "I didn't mention anything about our other plans, dattebayo!"

Tsunade massaged her temples. "And how much did he deduce from what you showed him?"

"Well..." Naruto looked down at his feet. "except for Kurama, I used three elements of manipulation, and I think he figured out other stuff but I'm not sure!"

"This complicates things," Kakashi noted. "Orochimaru's too clever not to piece things together from what he's seen."

"At least he's working with us now," Jiraiya added optimistically. "Though we'll need to be more careful about what information we let slip in the future."

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter what he figures out. As long as he's in that body Naruto gave him, he'll be under our control."

"Wait, what?" Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you talking about, dattebayo?"

Jiraiya chuckled, shaking his head. "Brat, did you not look at the seals in that body? Well, if you didn't figure it out, it means Orochimaru is only about 40% suspicious of the body's true nature. That'll buy us some time."

"But... but I just modified Ba-chan's regeneration technique and added some control seals!" Naruto protested, looking confused.

"Those weren't just any control seals, kid," Jiraiya explained, grinning proudly. "The design you used - it was based on the Fourth's work. Combined with Tsunade's cellular manipulation and your modifications... well, let's just say Orochimaru isn't as free as he thinks he is."

"Oh!" Naruto's face lit up with understanding. "So that's why you guys weren't worried about giving him a new body! But wait..." His expression turned thoughtful. "If he figures it out..."

"By then it'll be too late," Tsunade smirked. "The seals are already integrating with his chakra network. Even if he realizes what's happening, he won't be able to break free without destroying himself in the process."

"Man," Naruto scratched his head, "I didn't even realize I was doing all that, dattebayo! I just followed the seal patterns that felt right!"

"Sometimes," Shikaku observed, "instinct guides us better than conscious planning. Your Uzumaki blood influenced your seal work more than you realized."

Naruto blinked, looking at his hands. "My Uzumaki blood? You mean like mom's clan?"

"Exactly," Tsunade nodded. "The Uzumaki clan was renowned for their sealing techniques. It's in your blood, Naruto. Even without formal training, you have an innate understanding of seals that most shinobi could never achieve."

"That's why we weren't worried when you started experimenting with the seals," Jiraiya added. "Your instincts as an Uzumaki are surprisingly reliable. Though I must admit, even I was impressed by how you integrated the control seals into the regeneration matrix."

"But..." Naruto frowned, "if the seals are that powerful, won't Orochimaru notice something's wrong when he tries to use his techniques?"

"Well, for now, his hands are sealed by the Third, so he can't use Jutsu," Tsunade explained. "And we left a back door for him to leave that body since we need him to free the other half of Kurama from the Shinigami."

Naruto nodded in understanding.

"The seals in the body are designed to gradually loosen their hold once certain conditions are met," Shikaku added. "It's all part of a larger strategy. But for now, let him think he's outsmarting us by finding that 'escape route' we left for him."

"That's... pretty clever," Naruto admitted, scratching his head. "But man, all these plans within plans make my head hurt, dattebayo!"

"Troublesome," Shikamaru sighed, leaning against the wall. "It's like a game of shogi where we're letting the opponent think they're winning by sacrificing a few pieces while setting up for a checkmate. Though in this case, the pieces we're sacrificing are a trap themselves." He smirked slightly. "Pretty devious for a bunch of 'good guys', don't you think?"

"Besides," Shikamaru added, glancing at Naruto, "your unpredictability helped make this plan more believable. No one would expect you to create such complex seals intentionally. It's the perfect cover."

Kakashi shifted his weight, his visible eye growing serious. " for Orochimaru now, we'll need to be patient. Let him think he's gradually working his way around the seals. The longer he takes, the better positioned we'll be."

He turned to Jiraiya, "Speaking of positioning... what did Itachi's latest report say about the Akatsuki's movements? When can we arrange a meeting?"

Jiraiya crossed his arms, his usual jovial expression replaced with a grim look. "According to Itachi, your recent display of strength has thrown them off balance, Naruto. They've decided to change their strategy - collecting the other tailed beasts first before coming after you with their full force. They're not taking any chances now."

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "As for meeting Itachi... he suggests we do it during the Five Kage Summit next month. The Akatsuki's surveillance on him will be at its lowest then since they'll be more focused on gathering intelligence about the Summit itself. It's risky, but it might be our best chance."

"The Five Kage Summit?" Naruto's eyes widened. "That's pretty bold, even for Itachi."

"Actually," Kakashi interjected, "it makes perfect sense. With all the political tension and security concerns around the Summit, one more covert meeting won't draw much attention. Everyone will be too busy watching each other to notice."

Tsunade nodded thoughtfully, "We need to carefully consider who will accompany Sasuke to meet Itachi. While Naruto's shadow clone would be ideal, the stakes are too high to risk it. We need someone physically present."

Shikaku stepped forward, his scarred face serious. "Jiraiya-sama would be necessary for this mission. His Sage Mode abilities would be crucial in detecting those Zetsu creatures. However..." He paused, considering his next words carefully.

"Kakashi should also be present. Sasuke will need emotional support after learning the truth, and Kakashi might be the only one who can keep him from turning against the village. Sasuke might not listen to Itachi alone, but..." Shikaku frowned, "That creates another problem. Both Kakashi and Jiraiya-sama need to remain here to protect the village while you, Hokage-sama, and Naruto attend the Five Kage Summit."

Tsunade rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of the decision. The timing couldn't be worse - they needed both Jiraiya and Kakashi for different aspects of the mission, but couldn't spare either of them from village defense.

Shikamaru leaned forward, hands forming his familiar thinking pose. "I think I have a solution. Since Naruto removed Orochimaru's soul fragment from Sasuke and he retained the ability to sense nature chakra, he should be able to detect the Zetsu creatures himself."

He continued, growing more confident in his analysis. "We can send Karin as the medic and sensor - she's already invested in Sasuke's wellbeing. For additional protection and containment if necessary, Guy-sensei would be perfect. His taijutsu skills could handle Sasuke if things go wrong, and he's not as politically vital to the village as Kakashi-sensei."

"As for emergency extraction," Shikamaru added, "we can have one of Naruto's clones transformed into a small object they can carry. If anything goes wrong, the clone can instantly teleport them to safety using the Flying Thunder God technique."

He straightened up, "And I can go with them. I have enough knowledge about what happened with Naruto to explain things if needed, but I'm not high-ranking enough to compromise village security by being away. Plus, my shadow techniques could help keep things under control if necessary."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, considering the strategic balance of Shikamaru's proposal.

Tsunade nodded approvingly, "That's a well-thought-out plan, Shikamaru. Your strategic thinking continues to impress me."

Shikaku smiled proudly at his son before adding, "The combination makes sense. Guy's raw power, Karin's healing and sensing abilities, Shikamaru's tactical mind, and Sasuke's enhanced abilities should be enough to handle most situations. Plus, having Naruto's clone as a backup escape plan is clever."

Kakashi stepped forward, his visible eye creasing with concern. "There's another factor we need to consider. The meeting with Itachi needs to conclude before the Five Kage Summit ends. If something goes wrong and Sasuke was to go rogue somehow during an international gathering of that magnitude, it would create a diplomatic nightmare we can't afford right now."

"Also," he continued, turning to Tsunade, "what about Itachi's illness? If we could find a cure, he'd be an invaluable asset in the battles to come. His intelligence and combat abilities would be crucial against the Akatsuki."

Tsunade crossed her arms, considering. "I've reviewed a blood sample Jiraiya obtained from Itachi. The illness itself will take time to cure, but with our current research on the seals and my grandfather's cells, we should be able to treat it. However," she sighed heavily, "the real His blood shows traces of various drugs that are barely keeping him functioning. And on top of that, there's his overwhelming guilt for his actions."

She looked at them gravely. "Itachi is a man who's looking for a place to die. That's why we let him think this meeting is purely about intelligence gathering, not about reconciling with Sasuke. He's been carrying this burden for so long, he can't imagine being worthy of redemption."

"That's why," Jiraiya interjected, "healing his body alone won't be enough. We need to convince him that he still has a reason to live. That his sacrifice doesn't have to end in his death."

Naruto clenched his fists. "Then we'll just have to show him, dattebayo! Sasuke needs his brother, and the village needs him too. He can't just give up!"

"It won't be that simple," Kakashi warned. "Itachi's mental state is as fragile as his physical condition. If we push too hard, we might lose him completely."

"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered. "So we need to not only heal his body but also give him a purpose beyond his planned death. This just got even more complicated."

Shikaku cleared his throat, breaking the tense atmosphere. "We don't - or rather, we can't - do anything about this particular issue. The only one who can convince Itachi to live is his brother, Sasuke. If Sasuke fails to reach him, none of us will succeed."

Jiraiya nodded solemnly, and a heavy silence fell over the room. Everyone present understood the weight of this truth - years of planning, medical treatments, and strategic preparations could all amount to nothing if Sasuke couldn't break through his brother's wall of guilt and self-sacrifice.

After a moment, Naruto opened his mouth to protest, but Shikamaru placed a restraining hand on his shoulder, shaking his head slightly. Even the usually boisterous ninja seemed to understand that this was one battle he couldn't fight for his friend.

"That's why," Tsunade finally broke the silence, "the timing and execution of this meeting need to be perfect. We can provide the opportunity and the means for healing, but the real battle will be between the brothers themselves."

The room remained quiet as each person contemplated the delicate balance they were trying to achieve - not just between villages and powers, but between two brothers whose relationship could determine the success of all their plans.

Kakashi shifted his weight, his visible eye focusing on Tsunade. "Have you decided on the meeting location or not?"

Tsunade leaned forward, placing her elbows on the desk. "Yes, we have. The meeting will take place at the old Uchiha shrine, just outside the Land of Fire's borders. It's isolated enough to ensure privacy, yet close enough for us to maintain security. More importantly," she paused, exchanging a meaningful look with Shikaku, "it holds significance for both brothers."

"The Uchiha shrine?" Naruto asked, confusion evident in his voice.

"It's one of the few remaining places connected to their clan's history," Jiraiya explained. "A neutral ground that belongs to neither village nor nation, but to the Uchiha clan itself. It's also where their father used to take them for important clan ceremonies."

Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. "A fitting choice. The location itself might help lower Itachi's guard, and make him more receptive to what we're trying to accomplish."

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his neck in his characteristic gesture of contemplation. "Troublesome siblings on both sides. We need someone there like Kakashi or Naruto - someone who can intervene if things get out of hand. But both of them are unavailable for this..." He paused, scanning the room. "So who's left?"

Tsunade interlocked her fingers, considering the question. "We need someone both brothers respect or at least someone they won't immediately dismiss. Someone who understands the complexity of sibling relationships and clan dynamics."

"Someone who won't escalate the situation," Kakashi added quietly.

Shikamaru continued his analysis, "They need to be strong enough to intervene if necessary, but not appear threatening enough to make either brother defensive. Plus, they need to be diplomatic enough to handle such a delicate situation..."

The room fell silent as everyone pondered this crucial detail in their plan, aware that choosing the wrong person could jeopardize everything they'd worked for.

Jiraiya crossed his arms, "Guy could be an option, but he doesn't know the truth about the massacre. Telling him now wouldn't help the mission - we need him as our fallback if things go wrong. He needs to remain objective."

Shikaku leaned forward, his scarred face thoughtful. "What about having Naruto teleport Kakashi from the village to the meeting location and back? Since we'll need to tell both brothers about Naruto's future vision anyway, demonstrating this jutsu won't be an issue." He paused, frowning. "However, Karin will sense both chakra signatures. If she tells anyone and they figure it out, we'll lose another surprise advantage. But we can't trust Karin right now - her loyalty is solely to Sasuke."

Shikamaru rubbed his temples, "There's another factor we need to consider. If Karin detects Naruto's chakra, she might alert Sasuke immediately. That could work in our favor - Sasuke trusts Naruto more than almost anyone else."

Jiraiya nodded, "But that also means Sasuke might expect Naruto to be there in person. When he realizes Naruto clone only came to drop off Kakashi..."

"It could make him feel manipulated," Tsunade finished. "And we can't afford to damage Sasuke's trust right now."

Shikaku interjected, "What if we're approaching this wrong? Instead of trying to hide Naruto's involvement, we could use it openly. Explain to both brothers why Naruto clone can only transport Kakashi but the original can't come himself."

Jiraiya's eyes widened, "You're right. Telling Sasuke that Naruto is at the Five Kage Summit might make things worse. He could see it as Naruto choosing village politics over him."

"Especially given Sasuke's current mindset about the village system," Shikaku added. "It might reinforce his negative views."

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, "But Itachi would understand immediately. He'd see Naruto's presence at the Summit as proof we're working toward larger changes."

"So we're back to our original problem," Shikamaru sighed. "Any explanation we give will please one brother and potentially alienate the other."

"Unless..." Kakashi started, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "What if we frame it differently? Instead of saying Naruto's at the Summit, we could say he's dealing with the other villages to let Itachi return to the village without any trouble from outside the village and inside"

"That... could work," Shikamaru straightened up, his mind already analyzing the possibilities. "It shows Naruto is actively working for both brothers' benefit."

Tsunade nodded slowly, "Sasuke might appreciate knowing Naruto is fighting for Itachi's future in the village. It aligns with his protective instincts toward his brother."

"And it's completely truthful," Shikaku added. "The Five Kage Summit will indeed be crucial for establishing Itachi's position, both internationally and domestically. The other villages need to accept his return, and our villagers need to understand the truth."

"Plus," Jiraiya continued, "it shows that we're taking concrete steps to address Sasuke's concerns about how the village treated Itachi. It's not just empty promises - we're working to make things right."

"But we need to be careful with the wording," Shikamaru cautioned. "If we make it sound like we're asking for permission from other villages, Sasuke might see it as a weakness. We should present it as Naruto ensuring no one interferes with what's already been decided."

"There's another advantage to this approach," Tsunade added, leaning forward. "It shows we're treating Itachi's return as a certainty, not a possibility. That commitment might mean something to Sasuke."

"And it demonstrates that Naruto isn't just focused on bringing Sasuke back," Shikaku observed. "He's working to create a safe place for both brothers to return to."

Jiraiya nodded, "The kid always understood that you can't just drag Sasuke back without addressing the underlying issues. This proves it."

"We should also mention that Naruto's working to ensure the truth about the Uchiha clan will be acknowledged," Shikamaru suggested. "That's something both brothers would want to hear."

"So who's going to deliver this message?" Shikaku asked, looking around the room.

"I'll do it," Kakashi spoke up, his visible eye showing determination. "Since Naruto's clone is already set to transport me there, I can deliver the message directly. As their former sensei and captain, I might have a better chance of getting through to them."

"That makes sense," Tsunade agreed. "They're more likely to listen to you, Kakashi. You understand both brothers' perspectives."

Naruto, who had been unusually quiet while trying to follow the complex discussion, finally spoke up, scratching his head.

"Okay, let me see if I got this straight, dattebayo!" He started counting on his fingers. "Me, Baa-chan, and Shikaku-san are going to the Five Kage Summit. Meanwhile, Bushy Brows Sensei, Shikamaru, Karin, and Sasuke will go meet Itachi. They're not just going so Itachi can tell Sasuke the truth, but also so Sasuke can convince his brother not to give up on living."

He paused, making sure he hadn't missed anything. "And I need to leave one clone with Bushy Brows Sensei's team, and another one with Kakashi-sensei so he can teleport to the meeting without leaving the village defenseless. Right?"

Tsunade smiled slightly, "That's correct, brat. I'm impressed you managed to keep up with all that."

"Hey!" Naruto protested, "I can follow complicated stuff when it's important, dattebayo!"

Shikamaru smirked, "When you're not falling asleep, you mean?"

"That was one time!" Naruto defended, then turned serious. "But this is too important to mess up. We've got to make this work - for both Sasuke and Itachi."

Jiraiya nodded approvingly at his student's focus. "Just remember, your main priority is still the Summit. Leave the brothers to handle their reunion."

"I know, I know," Naruto sighed. "But it's hard not to worry about them, ya know?"

"That's why we've planned this carefully," Tsunade assured him. "Each person has their role to play. Your job is to focus on the Summit and securing Itachi's future diplomatically."

"Speaking of roles," Shikamaru interjected, "we should brief Guy-sensei soon. He'll need time to prepare for this mission without revealing too much about its true nature."

"Yeah," Naruto agreed, brightening up. "Bushy Brows Sensei will help keep things under control with his POWER OF YOUTH!" He pumped his fist in an exaggerated imitation of Guy's signature pose.

Kakashi sighed at his student's antics. "Just make sure your clone doesn't transform into anything too conspicuous. We don't want to draw unnecessary attention."

"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei! I'll make it something simple, like a kunai or something," Naruto grinned. "Though maybe not orange this time..."

"Definitely not orange," Shikamaru muttered.

Tsunade cleared her throat, bringing their attention back to the matter at hand. "Alright, we've settled the details. Shikaku briefs Guy about his role. Jiraiya, make sure our intelligence network is ready for both operations. Kakashi, prepare for your part in the meeting. Shikamaru, work with your team on the logistics. And Naruto..."

"Yeah, Baa-chan?"

"Try not to overdo it with the clones. You'll need your full strength for the Summit."

"Got it, dattebayo!" Naruto gave her a thumbs up. "Everything's gonna work out this time - believe it!"

Tsunade leaned forward, her expression growing serious. "There's another matter we need to discuss, Naruto. The uncaptured jinchūriki - are they prepared? The Akatsuki will likely target them while we're occupied with the Summit, especially now that they've seen what happened with Gaara."

Naruto nodded confidently. "Don't worry, Baa-chan! We've been training through our tailed beast connections. They know what to do when they're captured, dattebayo!"

"Still," Tsunade pressed, "they need to be extra careful. The Akatsuki saw Gaara come back to life - they might be suspicious of the bodies now. We can't risk them discovering our plan."

Kakashi stepped forward, his visible eye thoughtful. "Perhaps we could utilize Orochimaru or Kabuto's expertise in this matter. They both have extensive knowledge of reanimation techniques and could help make the false bodies more convincing."

"That's... actually not a bad idea," Shikamaru mused. "Orochimaru's knowledge of cellular manipulation combined with Kabuto's medical expertise could be valuable."

"Yeah!" Naruto brightened. "And since we've got Snake-face under control now, we can make sure he doesn't try anything weird!"

"We'd need to be careful about how much we reveal to Orochimaru," Jiraiya cautioned. "Even with the seals controlling Orochimaru, we can't risk giving him too much information."

"True," Tsunade agreed, "but their input could be crucial. The Akatsuki has some of the most brilliant minds in the shinobi world. We need these false bodies to be perfect."

Naruto's eyes lit up with inspiration. "Hey, what if we tell Orochimaru how to get his hands back? You know, I saw it in the memories - there's this mask in the old Uzumaki temple. He can use the Shinigami Death Seal, then cut his stomach along with the Shinigami's. It'll free the Hokages and his arms!"

Shikamaru leaned forward, interest piqued. "That's... not a bad idea at all. It would get his attention. And with Kabuto's current state, he'd be motivated to work faster. Plus," he added, counting off on his fingers, "we'd gain four Kage-level fighters, and Kurama could merge with his other half, giving Naruto another power boost. That would help with our plans."

Kakashi crossed his arms. "There's still one problem though - we haven't secured any of Zetsu's created bodies yet."

"I'm certain Orochimaru would be thrilled to create the bodies himself," Shikaku interjected. "Though it would be more effective if we provided living sacrifices-"

"No way!" Naruto cut in firmly, his face set with determination. "We're not sacrificing anyone! That's not how we do things!"

Tsunade nodded firmly. "Naruto's right. We won't resort to human sacrifices."

"Agreed," Jiraiya added, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "We'll find another way. There's always another solution if we look hard enough."

Shikamaru rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "What if we consider two options? First, we could use untreatable patients who are willing to exchange their remaining time for something to benefit their families. Or second, we let Orochimaru create artificial bodies with life signs, but nothing more than that - no actual human sacrifice involved."

Tsunade folded her hands under her chin, considering both options carefully. "We'll go with the second option. Creating artificial bodies with life signs is the better choice - it's cleaner, more ethical, and won't involve any loss of life. Orochimaru has the scientific knowledge to pull this off."

"Plus," Kakashi added, "this way we maintain our moral standing. We can't preach about peace and protecting lives while sacrificing people, even if they're willing."

"That's right!" Naruto exclaimed. "And Orochimaru's always been interested in creating new jutsu and stuff. This kind of challenge might excite him, dattebayo!"

"It would also give us more control over the process," Kakashi noted. "We can monitor exactly what goes into these bodies without any ethical complications."

Tsunade nodded decisively. "Then it's settled."

Tsunade leaned forward, speaking in a hushed tone. "Now, about our arrangement with Orochimaru regarding infusing Naruto with my grandfather's cells... We need to be careful. While we've let him believe it's just for Naruto, our actual plan is much broader."

Shikamaru nodded, understanding the implications. "Right. We're planning to infuse all living beings with the First Hokage's cells to strengthen everyone for future threats. But if Orochimaru discovers the full scope of our plan..."

"He'd try to take advantage of it," Kakashi finished. "Orochimaru's always been obsessed with the First Hokage's powers. If he knew we were planning such a wide-scale implementation..."

"That's why we need to keep this quiet," Tsunade continued. "Let him think it's just about strengthening Naruto. He'll be focused on that while we prepare for the larger operation."

Naruto scratched his head, confused. "But how do we keep him from noticing when we need the cells to adjust to different people's physiques?"

"The timing will be crucial," Jiraiya added. "We'll need to be very careful about how we proceed with this."

Shikaku leaned back, a clever smile forming. "That's easy. We'll let Orochimaru focus on merging the First's cells with you, Naruto.

Meanwhile, we can use Kabuto's visit to the orphanage. We can use him to adjust the cells that Orochimaru helps create, making them compatible with everyone. With Lady Tsunade's expertise and our planning, it's perfect."

"And with the revived Second Hokage, we'll have an ideal team," Shikaku continued. "While we could include Orochimaru later, it's better not to risk it for now."

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "I see. This also gives Kabuto a chance to redeem himself. He needs some achievement to cover his past deeds so he can return to the orphanage without upsetting the village. This plan would be perfect for that."

"Two birds with one stone," Tsunade agreed. "Kabuto gets his redemption, and we get our worldwide enhancement program."

Tsunade crossed her arms, considering the implications. "We'll need to be careful about how we approach Kabuto with this. He's still walking a thin line between loyalty and suspicion."

"I can talk to him," Naruto offered eagerly. "After everything that happened, I think he'll listen to me."

Shikaku raised his hand thoughtfully. "There's another advantage to using Kabuto. His medical expertise combined with his experience in Orochimaru's experiments makes him uniquely qualified. He'll understand both the cellular modification process and how to keep it hidden."

"But what about the timing?" Kakashi interjected. "We need to coordinate this carefully between Orochimaru's work with Naruto, and the Second Hokage's revival."

Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need to rush things. First, we need Orochimaru to create a suitable vessel for the Hokages' revival. That's going to take time to perfect. We can discuss the rest of the plan once that's underway."

"Jiraiya-sensei is right," Tsunade nodded. "We need to take this one step at a time. Creating a proper vessel for reanimation is delicate work, even for Orochimaru."

"And it gives us time to establish Kabuto at the orphanage without raising suspicion," Kakashi added thoughtfully.

Naruto leaned forward, interested. "So how long will it take to create this vessel?"

"That depends on Orochimaru," Shikaku replied. "But rushing the process could be dangerous. We need to make sure everything is stable before we proceed with the revival."

"Besides," Jiraiya added with a knowing smile, "this gives us time to prepare everything else without drawing unwanted attention. Sometimes patience is the best strategy."

Tsunade stood up, placing her hands on her desk. "For now, let's tell Orochimaru about the bodies we'll need."

She turned to face everyone in the room but focused particularly on Naruto. "And Naruto, I have a special assignment for you. Over the next month, I want you to spend time helping around the village - especially with the civilian population. Work in shops, help with repairs, assist the elderly. Build your reputation among the common people."

"Eh? But why, Granny Tsunade?" Naruto asked, scratching his head.

Shikaku stepped in to explain. "Public opinion is important, Naruto. The more the civilians trust and respect you, the smoother our plans will go."

"Think of it as another kind of training," Kakashi added with an eye-smile. "Being Hokage isn't just about being strong - it's about connecting with all the people in the village."

"Right!" Naruto pumped his fist enthusiastically. "I'll show everyone they can count on me!"

"Good," Tsunade nodded. "Everyone's dismissed. We'll reconvene when necessary."

As everyone began filing out, Jiraiya gave Naruto a proud pat on the shoulder. The pieces were falling into place, one step at a time.