45. Guren: Part I 2

Tsunade was livid as the knock sounded against her office door in the early morning hours. Tsunade couldn't say it was a new day as she had not been able to sleep as she had waited for the woman she had summoned to make an appearance. "Enter," she growled tiredly and angrily.

Furofuki stepped into the room having been summoned several days previous by the Anbu. Tsunade frowned as the woman stepped before her desk appearing to have little concern about making the Hokage wait several hours pass the time she had informed the Anbu she would arrive. Instead of even making an attempt to apologize for her extreme tardiness the woman simply stated, "I'm here. What was so important that you needed to summon me away from my research?"

Tsunade held back the growl and string of obscenities that she wanted to let loose as she had little doubt the woman would explain her late arrival as being a result of her research reaching a critical point that hadn't let her leave when she expected she would. Considering the nature of her research and the fact that Furofuki had dedicated over a decade to the study of the Jofuku flowers, a missed lab result could set her back years. Tsunade kept this in mind, although she felt Furofuki keeping her waiting was more likely due to the animosity that she harbored towards her. The Hokage wasn't sure what she had done to get on the woman's bad side, but she knew that she had been there ever since their days as Academy Students. Tsunade did believe some of it was steeped in their shared interest in the at the time fledging field of Medical Ninjutsu. But at some point after the death of her brother Nawaki that rivalry had turned into an open dislike which Tsunade could see in Furofuki's eyes had not dismissed in all the years that had passed.

Tsunade knew it was perhaps petty, but she took a great deal of satisfaction in the fact that the constant scowl Furofuki had warn seemed to have given the woman a great deal of wrinkles to go along with it. Having at one time almost been a rival for Tsunade in the beauty department as well, the Hokage was pleased to see she had bested her rival in that arena now as well. Granted it was in parts to her lover and the Bijuu, he had held. But considering the mood her needing to wait around for hours had put her in, Tsunade would take what she could not to give into her anger.

Sitting back in her chair and giving a pleased smile she was sure irritated Furofuki to know end Tsunade said, "Yes I did. I know how much you prefer the company of your flowers to people so let me keep this brief. I trust you brought the research notes I requested."

Furofuki nodded as she pulled a scroll from her lab coat which she put on the table, "I did. Which I could have given the ANBU that you sent to summon me, but they were quite insistent that you wanted to meet face to face."

"Good." Tsunade said letting a little sternness enter her voice to remind the woman as to who she was addressing, "That would be because I did. Now according to the report that I read about the theft of the Synthetic Hero's Water the notes to the perfected version were also stolen."

"Yes, which as you said was in the report. Now if there is..."

"Be silent," Tsunade snapped slamming her hands on the table as she stood to glare at the woman. "I know you don't like me and frankly I don't care. But unless you want to see the funding to your research cut then I suggest you shut up, stand there, and answer the questions I ask. Are we clear?"

"Yes," Furofuki replied her eyes burning angrily, but unwilling to lose any of the funds to her research kept a lid on it.

"Good," Tsunade said as she retook her seat. Unfurrowing the scroll she looked at the notes for a moment before commenting on some of what she saw, "Fascinating, you used the healing benefits of the Jofuku flower to prevent the inflammation of the chakra coils that resulted from the ingestion of the Natural Hero's Water. It is this inflammation that leads to scars forming in the chakra circulatory system and thus in turn leads to them rupturing after prolonged use." Looking up she more stated then asked, "I take it though the Jofuku flower wasn't the secret though."

"Not entirely," Furofuki admitted, "I combined it with various different ingredients to create different batches. And while all of the batches did lessen the effects only one was able to completely negate them. But before I could more thoroughly analyze it to determine what exactly comprised the batch it was stolen along with most of my research notes. They even managed to steal the copies as well. I tried to recreate it from memory, but had no luck."

"That must have pleased you to some extent," Tsunade said watching the woman to gauge her reaction.

Unfortunately as Furofuki's attitude towards her tended to be anger it didn't really give her much to work with as the woman said, "I beg your pardon."

Tsunade leaned forward as she rested her elbows on her desk and the folding her hands in front of her face said, "I've spoken with the other researchers on the project. They mentioned that from the projects inception you had no desire to be a part of it."

"As you said I did nothing to hide that fact," Furofuki said calmly.

"True, which is why it must have surprised you when you actually succeeded?"

Furofuki glared at Tsunade and approaching the desk placed a hand on it. Leaning so that her face was right in front of the Hokage's she said, "Are you suggesting I had something to do with its disappearance? I assure you that Danzou was quite through in his investigation."

"Oh I have no doubt," Tsunade said her calm brown eyes meeting the angry grey ones of Furofuki, "But you're apparently behind the times. Danzou was a traitor and apparently has been one for some time. I wouldn't take being cleared by him as a comfort at this point in time. But the only point I was trying to make is that had the sample not gone missing you would have likely been assigned to studying and producing the Synthetic Hero Water for years, taking you from your much vaunted research into the Jofuku. I guess I was just wondering if with your obvious disdain for the research you were performing and you being the only one to know what comprised the projects only success, whether or not you really applied yourself to recreating it."

Furofuki stepped back from the desk as she said, "Believe what you will about it. I don't see how it matters considering all the time that has passed. It's likely that I may have recreated it exactly as my notes would have told me to, but something that I was unaware of had accidently been introduced to the batch during mixing. It would explain why the culprit that stole the Synthetic Hero's Water has been unable to produce it. That one success could have simply been the result of a mistake or any of another dozen explanations, all of which would have made the notes that they stole useless."

Tsunade nodded as she couldn't deny what Furofuki said since many of the greatest breakthroughs were often the results of mistakes or accidents that researchers then backtracked to the truth. Furofuki sensing she had for the time at least settled some of Tsunade's doubts about the disappearance of the Synthetic Hero's Water asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Two things actually," Tsunade replied, "First, while that would explain why the Water couldn't be recreated from the notes. It wouldn't explain why they couldn't recreate it from the sample that went missing."

Furofuki shrugged as she replied, "You're assuming that they made off with it. For all anyone knows they poured it down the drain somewhere to deny us from recreating it, while being unaware that the notes they took were possibly useless."

Tsunade couldn't deny that Furofuki's hypothesis was a valid one since a potential spy would likely find it easier to transport the research notes then a vial of a substance. Still, Tsunade believing that the Broker was perhaps the real Madara and had arranged it to look like Rin had stolen the Synthetic Hero Water to force Minato to unbeknownst to him aid in covering up the fact that the false Rin's death was in fact a smokescreen for the real ones abduction, couldn't help shake the feeling that the Water was still out there somewhere. She had almost hoped that Furofuki would have admitted to having stolen it to put an end to the project since it would mean that there wasn't another potential threat out there waiting to threaten her village and family.

"I suppose I hadn't considered that," Tsunade finally admitted letting the matter drop.

Furofuki to her surprise kept it going though as she asked, "What's with the sudden interest in a project that was shut down during the Third Great Shinobi War?"

Tsunade frowned at the questions since it could be Furofuki looking for information on where or who an investigation into the Hero Water's disappearance was pointing towards. But she couldn't deny that what made a person a great researcher was their curiosity and figuring she had awakened Furofuki's on the matter said, "You may or may not be aware of this, but Akatsuki besides being interested in the Bijuu, also had an interest in unique or even legendary weapons. Recently Hana and her team have stumbled across a base we believe that Tobi was using as a storehouse for them. He may have even been storing the Bijuu there. The base was trashed, making her believe that either something got loose or an unknown group attacked them. Considering he's been stirring up all the villages lately we cannot discount the fact that one of the other villages caught up to him first."

"If that's the case and if they secured the Bijuu then the balance of power among villages has shifted dynamically," Furofuki stated.

Tsunade nodded at the point although she knew the attackers had actually been Kiyomi and her brethren. Hana having been informed of the bases location by the Bijuu had conveniently led her squad there. While the details she had revealed thus far were half-truths as she continued she used the truth, "Although it appears Tobi managed to take most of what was stored there. A few of the rooms collapsed during the attack and Hana's squad found a few impressive artifacts and a lab of some sort."

"You believe the Synthetic Hero's Water may have been one of the artifacts they collected?"

"It's possible," Tsunade said, "I trust we should be able to identify the mixture from these notes if it is there." Furofuki nodded. Tsunade was about to dismiss her when she remembered, "There is one other thing worth mentioning. Found in the ruins were copies of a being we were informed called itself Zetsu. We've encountered several of them in recent actions against Akatsuki. From the corpses I've had the opportunity to dissect thus far I would wager he...or more accurately it is an artificial being. One cultivated from my grandfather's cells and merged with plant DNA. It is obviously the result of a brilliant mind. In your work on the Jofuku have you come across or heard of anyone working on such a method to combine human and plant DNA."

"No, I can't say that I have. I'll reach out to some colleagues to see if they may have some inclination as to who may be behind it. Also would it be possible for me to gain access to one of these corpses? I'd be interested to see the handiwork of someone you considered brilliant."

Tsunade watched Furofuki for a moment before nodding as she answered, "I'll see that one of the ones Hana is sending back is diverted to your lab in the Jofuku Forest. Let me know if you learn anything of value." The woman inclined her head before leaving the office. Tsunade frowned at the door as it closed before turning to look out the windows behind her. She wasn't sure why, but something bothered her about the woman still despite Furofuki answering her questions rather satisfactory. Feeling that perhaps her negative feelings towards the woman were a part to blame she nevertheless promised to keep a careful eye on Furofuki for the time being.

*****************************

Naruto awoke as his senses told him something was wrong. He was about to sit up but Rin placed her hand over his mouth and whispered, "Naruto, you need to stay hidden no matter what happens. Trust me this is all part of the plan."

Naruto was confused but saw that whatever the plan was Rin must have alerted Kin to it as he slept since he could see both kunoichi were dressed in the clothes they had worn earlier. From the wrinkles on Kin's it was quite obvious the two women had enjoyed themselves during the night. He looked at a clock to see it was just before dawn, and both kunoichi gave him a comforting smile before linking hands and moving towards the living room. Rin closed the door but left it cracked as Naruto moved to watch them while wondering what had awoken him and why Rin seemed prepared for it.

He received his answer to the first part as his eyes noticed some shadows moving in front of the hotel door. A moment later a kick to the door caused it to fly open as several men in suits burst into the room wielding swords. Naruto despite Rin's wishes to the contrary was about to leap into the room, but stopped as he realized he was still naked from his earlier activities. Cursing, he watched as a samurai entered dressed in a silken kimono as the men surrounded Rin and Kin.

Rin sounding torn between being scared and upset said, "Hey you're the bastard from the lobby. What the hell do you think..."

Naruto tensed as she was backhanded by the samurai that entered but before he could burst from the room regardless of his lack of clothing Rin caught his eye. Conveying her desire that he stay put she turned back towards the man that had struck her. The samurai gave her a dark smile as he said, "Earlier you had quite the rude mouth on you. I'm looking forward to teaching you some manners. But first let's take you to the boss so you can apologize."

One of the men holding Kin asked, "Hey boss what about this one?"

The samurai shrugged as he replied, "What do you think? I'm sure the boss would like for that one to apologize as well."

The men chuckled as they knew quite well how the man they worked for tended to force the women that he felt wronged him to apologize. Naruto watched on angrily, but aware that Rin had expected the situation and apparently planned for it began searching for his clothes just in case.

*****************************

Rin was pushed into the room of the man she had insulted earlier. The pudgy man that arranged for those interested in the merchandise the Southern Wolves procured smiled as his body guard pushed the brunette before him. It grew even more pleased as his gaze drifted to Kin. "Excellent work Sasaki."

The samurai smirked as he said, "Did you expect anything less?" Scratching the trimmed beard that followed his chin he added, "You almost sound like you doubted I could handle a simple snatch and grab."

"Not at all," his boss replied, "I was referring to the bonus you brought."

"Ah her," the Samurai identified as Sasaki said directing his gaze to Kin, "Well if you really want to show your appreciation you can always let me entertain that one as you wring your apology from your new pet."

"We'll see," the pudgy boss said. Focusing on Rin, he asked, "Now young lady do you have any idea of who I am?"

Rin smirked as she said, "You'd be Shinui Tomonoshin. You're the man that arranges the sales for those kidnapped by the Southern Wolves."

Shinui was obviously surprised by her response as he noticed the smirk that also showed on the other woman his men had brought before him. Directing his gaze between the two women even as his men pulled their swords sensing the danger they represented he asked, "And who would you be?"

"Who I am isn't nearly as important as what I want," Rin replied beginning to channel chakra to her fox mark.

"Which is?" Shinui said nervously since the women didn't appear to recognize the fact that they were outnumbered.

"Why the location of the base where the Southern Wolves keep their victims," Rin replied as she felt the kunoichi begin to respond to her signal.

Holding his arm up, Shinui calmed as his men prepared to strike so replied, "You'll have no use for that information in hell."

He was about to bring the arm down indicating for his men to strike, but his attention was pulled to a curtain as the rising sun cast a shadow on it. A moment later that something crashed through the window and wall. As the dust settled it revealed Naruko standing on Gama the orange toad that Jiraiya favored. Striking a pose she rolled her head along her shoulders as she said, "Have no fear the gallant Naruko has arrived."

"Kill them you fools," Sasaki shouted as his men stood around gaping at the blond as she held her pose.

Sasaki watched as his men moved as a result of his orders but cursed as they zeroed in on Naruko all but forgetting the two women they had brought. It was a fatal mistake as Rin and Kin began tearing into the men. He watched Kin disarm one of the suited goons that had thought himself a samurai only to learn that carrying a blade did not mean one deserved the title as he had his throat opened by his own blade. He watched Rin approach him as his men collapsed around her after she pressed her glowing hands to their necks or chest. Although not a coward, he was not adverse to fleeing from what he believed was a no win situation a trait which had led to his being branded a ronin. Seeing one before him as the two supposedly helpless women easily decimated the men Shinui had hired, he turned tail and fled from the hotel room even as the man he had been tasked with guarding called out for him.

Smashing through the door to appear in the hallway, he cursed as standing in the hall was a kunoichi wearing the distinct mask of a Hunter-nin. Behind her was a slug that almost blocked the entire hall and his path towards the stairs or elevator leading to his freedom. The kunoichi pulled her blade and Sasaki's eyes went wide as he recognized it as the famous Kubikiribōchō. To his surprise despite its size the Kunoichi handled it easily as she charged across the room holding the blade behind her. She spun upon reaching him forcing Sasaki to block as she brought the blade around to cleaving him in half at the torso. Again Sasaki was surprised by the woman's strength as he was thrown up against the wall by the blow. He rolled out of the way as she tried to cut him down gouging a deep line through the drywall.

Sasaki thanked his stars as one of his men charged out of the room trying to escape the blood bath inside only to run into the masked kunoichi. Raising his sword he charged her due to her back facing him, but had his head separated from his shoulders as she spun to deal with the threat. The moment was all Sasaki needed to get passed her as he charged the slug barring his path. Pulling his blade he slashed at it but it exploded into a bunch of smaller ones. Leaping through the wall of small slugs he sliced through the doors to the elevator before cutting the cable to the car and leapt down by jumping from wall to wall. The empty elevator car smashed into the ground floor startling the few employees and guest awake at the early hour. A moment later the door was slice open as Sasaki charged out trailed by a cloud of dust as he escaped into the night to warn the Wolves they were being hunted.

****************************

Haku stared down the elevator shaft as she placed the Kubikiribōchō back in its holster before turning to see Katsuyu reforming. "Are you okay?" the masked kunoichi asked the slug.

"Yes," the summons replied, "Thank you for your concern."

Haku nodded before asking, "I trust our ruse was a success."

"Indeed," Katsuyu said bowing her eyestalks in an approximation of a nod, "He appears to be quite unaware that one of my copies has latched onto him. Should we be unable to extract the base location from Shinui he should lead us right to it."

The summons began to shrink as Haku walked towards it and picked the slug up to put on her shoulder. Stepping into the room, she smiled as Naruko said, "Honestly you two. I hadn't even finished my introduction before you wasted these clowns."

"Then perhaps you should work on shortening it," Rin replied as her eyes zeroed in on Shinui. Naruko pouted as she sat on Gama's head in a cross-legged fashion. Rin along with Kin closed in on the cowering Shinui as he said, "L...look this is all just some...it's a misunderstanding that's all..."

Kin turned towards Rin as she asked, "That's funny I'm having a hard time imagining the kind of misunderstanding that results in some asshole sending thugs to kidnap us."

Rin smiled as she said, "True. I'm sure you can see my friends point. But we can be rather understanding. All you need to do is tell us where the base is where you keep your victims and we'll let you live."

"D-do your worse," Shinui said finding some backbone although it was more a result of his being afraid of what the Wolves would do to him. He saw the two kunoichi share a look and seeing their surprise at his calling their bluff said, "You can't do it can you? In the end, you cunts can't cut down an unarmed man. Ha-ha, go on bitches fucking do it."

"Okay, you asked for it then," Naruko said leaping from Gama's head to land in front of the kneeling Shinui. Crouching down to come face to face with him, his eyes grew concerned as he saw her blue eyes had turned yellow with square pupils. Grabbing him by the throat with one hand she picked him up and carried him towards the hole in the wall her entrance had made.

She held him out the hole and despite beginning to sweat at his current predicament he said, "This is no different than holding a sword to my throat or promising violence. You aren't going to drop me."

"You're right," Naruko said before pitching her arm back as she concluded, "I'm going to throw you."

"What!?" Shinui said before screaming as Naruko threw him through the hole. He didn't know how far he flew but as he began to approach the ground he spotted a woman standing in the spot he expected would be his point of impact. But before he collided with the earth she held her hand up causing him to stop in midair. He wanted to thank the woman but before he could was propelled backwards along the same trajectory he just flew.

A moment later he was dangling upside down as Naruko had caught him by his ankle and used it to hold him up. "Holy shit," she exclaimed in surprise, "that actually worked. Let's see how many times we can do it."

Naruko reared back to toss him again but before she brought him forward he cried out, "Wait...I'll talk. I'll talk...the Wolves have made their camp at the foot of Mount Shumisen."

Naruko dropped him on the ground as she said, "Good boy," before she began to walk away.

Shinui sensing that with their information in hand the kunoichi would be leaving him alone shouted, "It'll do you no good you bitches. We're untouchable. We have the Earth Daimyo's favor. That's why you're not even trying to haul me away to face justice. You know I'd be out before the ink even dried."

He could see his words bothered the women and he was about to add more, but a male voice said from behind him, "That isn't necessarily the case." Shinui's world went dark as someone grabbed him by the back of the head and smashed it into the floor.

Naruto stood up as he took in the carnage his lover's had unleashed. Shaking his head he focused on the brunette that had set everything in motion and said, "Rin, you've got some explaining to do."

*****************************

Naruto and his lovers appeared in a puff of smoke as Sage summoned them to where the Southern Wolves were camped. He was surprised to learn that had not only the former Animal Path signed the Toad Contract, but had also been permitted to sign the Slug Contract as well. Naruto had been confused as to why since he had figured she would use the summons Nagato had used, but Naruko had told him that without being pierced by the chakra rods she couldn't use them and that even if she could continuing to desecrate their corpses in such a manner was something Sage didn't wish to do. Learning that a part of the reason Sage was accompanying her sister on her journey was to locate the homes of the summons Pain had used and returning their remains. He guessed the Toads and Slugs upon hearing that had decided to lend their strength to her mission.

Looking at Rin, who was now decked out in black and wearing a mask he asked, "What makes you so sure that Suiren is even here?"

He wasn't surprised when it was Kin who answered as she said, "Despite being able to operate with some impunity. The Southern Wolves can't just do as they please. Also, it appears that Iwa despite the Earth Daimyo's protection of them still shuts down some of their smaller operations when they encounter them. Therefore they tend to stockpile captives before moving them north to some of the port cities they operate in."

"Still," Naruto said while noticing that all his lovers present were wearing similar attire, "Kanji was taken out months ago. If these Wolves captured her then, why would she still be here? They must have made a shipment by now."

Kin shook her head as she explained, "They recaptured her you mean. Suiren was sold to Kanji by the Southern Wolves. What I don't think either of them realized was that they placed a locating seal on her. Probably since they figured she might be able to escape and if she did they could either give her back for a fee, or sell her to someone new."

Naruto understood what Kin was conveying so theorized, "You're saying that when Suiren began making a break for Kirigakure they figured she had escaped."

"Yeah, and she led them on quite the chase it appears. They finally caught her in Tea Country," Kin said. Noticing the frown on Naruto's face asked, "What is it?"

"Well if she got that far I just wonder why she was caught that's all. From Tea Country she's only a boat ride away from the Land of Water."

"Perhaps she had reason to drop her guard. It is likely that the Land of Water would have allies there. One of them may have betrayed her as she waited to be escorted home," Haku suggested.

Naruto nodded, but noticing he was the only one dressed in bright clothes said, "I guess we won't be finding out the answer to that out here. Hold on and I'll go change into something a little less..."

"Don't bother," Naruko said, "You're staying here."

"What, why?"

Rin smiled at the face Naruto made as she explained, "Because the last thing we need is for Iwa to learn a Konoha-nin, let alone the son of the Fourth Hokage slipped into their country."

Naruto pouted as she folded his arms across his chest to declare, "This sucks! What was the point of my even coming?"

"Why to claim Kin of course," Rin said stepping in front of Naruto before sealing her lips to his.

When she pulled back Kin stepped in front of him to add, "Not to mention to entertain us during the celebration afterwards." Kin then followed suit to collect her kiss from Naruto as well who was followed by Haku.

Naruto was a little surprised as Sage stepped in front of him and when he paused unsure of what he should do she said softly, "Kiss."

Naruto gave her a quick peck on the lips, which seemed to make Sage happy, but her sister said, "That's not a kiss." She then wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck before pulling him to her lips. They kissed for several moments until it looked like Naruko was going to forgo the mission and get right to the celebrating.

"I think that's enough," Rin said after clearing her throat.

Naruko pulled back letting a strand of saliva connect their tongues before stepping back. Naruto watched as his lovers pulled their masks on before melting into the darkness. Feeling the familiar concern that also accompanied him whenever he was forced to sit back as his lovers put themselves at risk, he leapt up a tree to find a vantage point from which he could protect them should something go awry and to put his own plans in motion.

*****************************

Suiren listened to the soft cries of those lamenting their fate. Suiren couldn't blame them since many of the captives had no idea of what truly awaited them. She wished she could tell the women she was caged with that it would be alright, but experience had taught her otherwise. She knew that they would learn this soon enough as she had noticed a commotion being raised as a man burst into the camp. After the leader had emerged she had overheard the man explain that some kunoichi had attacked their representative and no doubt intended to locate their base.

The leader, a massive man by the name of Tessai, had not been pleased by the news and even more displeased with the man's apparent failure to protect his charge. Something he showed by snapping the man's neck like a twig. Shouting his men awake, he had told those that appeared first to get the captives ready to march as they were going to offload them. She had overheard that they were to be sold to a ship captain who would sell them in the Land of Night and to several other buyers. It was learning that some of them may end up in The Land of Night that frightened her the most as it was known as a paradise for men, but was a hell for the women that found themselves sold into the sex trade that flourished there.

But no sooner had Suiren come to accept that once more she would be forced to serve the base needs of a man or men who were unworthy of her then did the night erupt into light and sound as an exploding tag went off near the entrance of a barracks from which members of the Wolves were pouring out. Suiren saw several figures dash through the camp as the light from the explosion faded. Tessai spotted one of the female attackers and roared in rage as he charged the woman. His skin turned to stone as he pulled back a fist to cave the kunoichi's skull in, but to his surprise she easily caught it and held it in place. She then responded with a kick that left a geta imprint in his chest as he flew away to smash through a building the Wolves stored their heavier weapons in. The woman leapt out of the way as several arrows peppered the ground where she had been standing.

The archers prepared to fire another volley as the tinkle of bells could be heard above the din of combat. The men took aim at the woman they had just missed and fired the second volley. The arrows appeared to strike true, until the bells ceased their playing and the genjutsu faded to reveal they had just fired on several of their allies. They looked around in confusion until they saw the senbon that had been thrown around them and once they followed the strings to the woman at the end of the lines prepared to fire on her. Letting loose with a barrage of arrows an ice mirror appeared in front of their target as another one formed behind them. The arrows passed through the first mirror only to fly out the second and bury themselves into the backs of the archers.

Suiren stepped back as a woman approached the cage the captives were kept in. Holding her hand out Suiren watched as the door to the cage was ripped off its hinges towards the dressed in black kunoichi. She was forced to turn away though as a man holding a sword charged her. The other women in the cage seeing a chance to flee and not sure if those fighting the Wolves were friends or not, burst out of it to try and get lost in the woods.

Suiren hesitated a second longer than the others, but in the end the promise of freedom proved too tempting to resist as she took off running as well. Selecting her own path just in case the Wolves won the battle and began to round up the escapees, figuring they dedicate more resources to collect the bigger groups, she ran passed the armory and the angry gaze of Tessai.

Suiren ran blindly as she figured she'd gather her bearings after she put some distance between her and the camp. Wishing she could release the seal that was restraining her chakra, she figured that would have to wait until later. Later though looked like it wouldn't come as something passed over her and then landed in her path. Before she could arrest her forward momentum a hand shot out of the dust that was kicked up by the man's landing which clamped around her throat. She was lifted off her feet as Tessai stepped out of the dust cloud.

Suiren tried to break the grip around her throat, but Tessai's stone flesh refused to yield. "Stop your useless struggles whore. I'm not sure who these bastards that attacked us are, but I'm going to survive this and selling you will give me the funds I need to rebuild the Wolves." Suiren however continued to struggle causing Tessai to pull her face towards his as he growled, "Do not test me bitch...ahhhh."

Suiren seeing an opportunity jammed her thumb into Tessai's eye causing the massive man to drop her but before she could move away he back handed her causing her to fly bodily until she smashed into a tree. Tessai pulled a massive double-bladed sword from his back which he had taken from the armory and hefting it like a spear threw it at the Mist Kunoichi. The blade seemed to travel in slow motion towards her giving Suiren plenty of time to think over the suffering she had endured. Knowing that without her chakra she likely wouldn't be able to escape from Tessai, she couldn't help feeling that perhaps dying was the best outcome she could hope for. Closing her eyes to wait for the end, she caught sight of a blond man dropping in front of her just as her eyes closed.

Time seemed to speed back up again as she heard the sound of the tree splitting as the blade buried itself into it. Suiren opened her eyes and looking in the direction of the sound she had heard saw the blade that should have ended her life having nearly cleaved the tree in half. Realizing that she was in the canopy of a tree and that a pair of strong arms was holding her, she looked at the face of the man they belonged to. Committing it to memory she was about to thank her savior when another copy of him dropped down next to him and said, "Sorry, I'm really not supposed to be here."

Before she could ask what he meant he placed a prepared seal against her forehead which rendered her unconscious. Naruto nodded his head to the clone as he said, "Take her to the others."

"Right," the clone said as it leapt into the air before teleporting to a kunai Naruto had placed in preparation of his lovers' raid.

Tessai slowly moved to collect his weapon which he easily pulled free of the tree it had nearly split. Glaring up at the blond the man asked, "Who the hell are you?"

"Does it matter," Naruto replied leaping down to the ground, "Only one of us is going to leave this forest."

Tessai grinned menacingly as he said, "Good, I'm glad to see you understand that. But sadly boy you've only delayed the inevitable. That bitch is marked, I'll be able to find her wherever she goes. I'm going to round her up after I kill you just to make your last heroic act is completely meaningless."

Naruto closed his eyes as he felt his mother begin to fill him with Natural Energy. Tessai saw an opportunity to strike and took it as his skin once more hardened to stone, but before he took more than a handful of steps Naruto's eyes snapped open and he closed the distance to bury his fist into his opponent's stomach. Naruto's punch caused a great deal of the stone covering the area of impact to break away as Tessai flew away to smash through the tree he had damaged earlier. Tessai after rolling to a stop began to heave his guts out as he tried to recall the last time a physical blow had actually hurt him.

He rolled out of the way though as a shadow appeared from overhead and the ground cracked and rumbled from the foot that would have crushed his skull had it hit it instead of impacting the earth. Striking at the blond man's exposed back he swung the sword in his grip but his opponent leapt out of the way before he turned back around and leapt back towards him to smash his knee into Tessai's face. His stone armor shattered from the attack as he flew backwards. Hitting the ground he managed to roll to his feet, and feebly tried to swing his blade to strike the blond as he charged him again.

Naruto easily avoided the attacks as he delivered several shots to the man's stomach where he had already broken away the stone defense. Ducking a backward swing of the blade, he delivered a shot to the man's shoulder which shattered the defenses their and caused him to scream in pain as he released his weapon. Tessai's rage grew so that he momentarily forgot his pain as he brought his fist forward in a downward punch. Naruto leapt back as the blow missed causing his stone encased fist to smash into the ground. The powerful blow kicked up a cloud of dust that Tessai obviously intended to cover his escape.

Naruto deciding to use a jutsu Yuugao had taught him to end the fight created a shadow clone which leapt into the cloud as it henged itself. Naruto leapt into the air and landed where Tessai appeared and delivered a kick that sent him flying back the way he came. He heard the man hit a tree which cracked from the blow.

Tessai watched as the blond man slowly appeared from the settling dust cloud. Panic began to set in as he came to the conclusion that he was no match for his opponent. Then like a gift from the gods he spotted a young woman trying hard not to be seen by the badly beaten giant of a man. Despite not recognizing her, he figured she may have been one of his escaped prisoners from the newer batches he hadn't inspected; he snatched her up and with his arm around her neck and held her in front of him. "Stay back hero or the little bitch gets it."

"People like you are so predictable. You talk big, but when things turn against you, you always are willing to hide behind others," Naruto said with a shake of his head. His voice grew deadly serious as he said, "I'm only going to say this once. Put her down and surrender. If you don't, you're dead."

"I'll break her neck asshole," Tessai shouted increasing the pressure on his would be victim.

With a sigh the victim said, "You should have listened moron." The henged clone then exploded taking Tessai with it. The battered tree gave way from the blast causing it to topple over where the leader of the Wolves had been standing.

Naruto turned away finding that he may have found a new favorite clone jutsu and began to wonder what sort of explosion a Wind based chakra clone would make. Figuring such experimentation should wait for a training ground he Hiraishined away to finish collecting the captured girls.

****************************

Sleep refused to come to Sage, but not because she wasn't particularly tired. But as a result of her sister who was in the hotel room next to hers. "Oh...fuck, you're hitting me so deep Naruto. Don't stop," Naruko moaned loudly through the wall.

Sage sighed as she wondered if there was some reason that motels didn't seem to account for the fact that at times their establishments would be used by those seeking pleasure and thus not take the necessary steps to ensure their other guests wouldn't be disturbed. Figuring she wouldn't be getting any sleep until her sisters and the others finished she bit her thumb and placing it on her bed summoned Katsuyu hoping to get better acquainted with her summons. "How may I be of assistance?" the slug said having been summoned at a rather small size.

Before Sage could reply her sister moaned loudly before saying, "Yes, yes right fucking there...oh my gods..."

Sage noticed that Katsuyu seemed interested in what was going on in the next room. The summons focused on her and said, "It seems Naruto and the others are celebrating. Why did you not join them?"

Sage shrugged as she figured it was because although curious about the man both her mother and sister were bound too. She wasn't sure what the attraction was. Although granted, it was the first time she had actually heard her sister in the throes of passion. Hearing Naruko enjoying herself to such an extent did have an effect on Sage as she was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable between her legs and her nipples had grown erect.

Katsuyu watched as the young woman began to squirm in a manner she had seen many of Naruto's lovers when in a situation that they found arousing but where perhaps uncomfortable with dealing with it. She suspected that Sage didn't really know what it was she was feeling.

Katsuyu's own curiosity was getting the better of her and having watched Naruto with many of his lovers felt her own research had reached an impasse. Aware of an ability the woman before her possessed that may help her, she asked, "W-would you like to see what is happening next door?"

She could see her question peaked the kunoichi's interest, but perhaps being afraid of being discovered and labeled a pervert, as she had heard quite a few of the tales about Naruko's teacher, was about to decline. However, she was curious as Katsuyu said, "They will not discover you, and even if they do they will only catch me."

"H-how," Sage asked.

Katsuyu split into two, and then said, "Activate your Rinnegan and place you hand on me. Good, now channel your chakra into me."

Sage did as instruct and was surprised as she saw the hallway before her. Realizing she was seeing what the other slug was seeing, she felt a sense of anticipation as the slug squeezed under the door. When it appeared on the other side she was shocked to see that instead of one Naruto being shared by the kunoichi, there were several.

The slug's eyes first settled on the normally reserved Haku. Her usually cheerful face displayed the pleasure she was feeling as she rose and fell on the dick of the Naruto sitting in the chair beneath her. She fell back against his chest as he played with her tits and rolled her nipples between his fingers. Sage, noticed that she was trying to keep her voice quiet as she bit her lip, but let out a quick moan every once and a while.

The slug moved to find a vantage spot where it could watch the entire room and found one by using chakra to climb the wall and affix itself to a corner. It's eyes settle on both Kin and Rin as they sat on the floor next to the bed and had sandwiched their pussies around the stiff cock of the Naruto they were entertaining. The two kunoichi used their grinding to masturbate him even as they stimulated each other. Naruto aided them by thrusting his manhood between the two dripping quims and with a final powerful thrust he arched his back as he erupted coating both women's stomachs in his thick seed.

Sage watched confused as the two kunoichi scooped the white substance Naruto had produced from their stomach and then stuck their fingers in the other's mouth. They closed their eyes as if it they enjoyed what they were tasting and once their fingers were cleaned locked lips as they heatedly made out. They then broke apart but only long enough to maneuver themselves so that they came face to face with the others sex. They then proceeded to first lick the cum from the others pussy before focusing on the task of pleasing their partner.

Sage through the slug watched as Naruto climbed behind Kin who was on top and then slid his cock inside of her. The dark-haired kunoichi cried out which traveled through the wall, before muffing her further cries into Rin's drooling nether-lips.

Her attention was pulled back to Haku, who went stiff as she brought her knuckle up to her mouth and bit onto it to prevent from crying out. She sagged into Naruto for a moment as they began to kiss gently. She slipped from his lap a moment later to take up a position between his legs as she began to use her mouth on his man meat.

A new moan startled Sage as it sounded like closer than the others. Momentarily pulling her focus from what the slug was seeing, she realized that it had been her as she found that her free hand had migrated to her vagina as she had begun to mirror some of the action she was witnessing. Finding the feeling strange, but not unpleasant she returned her focus back to what was happening in the room next door.

Sage then focused on her sister who was laying on the bed with Naruto on top of her. Her sister's feet were resting on Naruto's ass as she raised her hips in time to meet his thrusts. Sage, begin copying her sister's actions as she rocked her hips against her hand and when the two blonds began moving faster did likewise as well. The pleasure grew more pronounced within her as a result and seeing how Naruto's penis was inside her sister wondered how it would feel. Sliding a finger inside her, Sage moaned aloud and turned her face towards her pillow as she began to slide it within her. Suddenly understanding why her sister was making such a racket since if her small finger felt so amazing she could only image how good Naruto must be making Naruko feel.

She felt something building within her, which made Sage a little unease, but watching the kunoichi she figured that must be what drove all the copulating couples on. Timing her movements with her sisters she watched as Naruko wrapped her ankles behind Naruto and used her legs to pull him towards her as her voice shouted through the wall, "I'm cumming!!!!"

Sage didn't necessarily know what her sister was experiencing, but she began to shake as something seemed to give way and she experienced her first orgasm. As she rode it out she watched Naruto stiffen as well as he buried himself fully inside her sister and held himself still. He pulled out and a moment later a large quantity of his seed began to escape.

Her own orgasm faded and she wanted to drift off to sleep, but to her surprise Naruko rolled Naruto onto his back and after jerking his cock a few times to bring it back to full hardness sat down on it. She watched her sister begin rocking her hips, but Sage's connection to the slug watching the action faded as she let sleep claim her.

Katsuyu watched on as she used her own connection to her copy. She felt a little envious as she had used the connection with Sage to link their nervous systems to experience what a human would feel and having experienced just a taste of what the women currently with Naruto were couldn't help but wish she had been born a different species.

****************************

Suiren sat up as the last thing she remembered was nearly being killed. A soft voice said, "Relax, you're safe here."

Suiren looked at the unfamiliar woman and asked, "W-where am I?"

"A hospital in Ame," the nurse replied. She turned to look over her shoulder and said, "Lady Konan, one of the women has woken up."

Suiren focused on a blue-haired woman that was approaching her bed. The Mist Kunoichi noticed that all of the women she had been locked up with were lying in the many beds that filled the room. Before Konan could introduce herself, Suiren said, "Ame, how did we get here? We were all captives of the Southern Wolves and in Earth Country."

"I see," Konan said sounding like she was surprised by the revelation. "We were actually hoping you could tell us what happened as you all suddenly appeared near a village in Rain Country several days ago. A flare was shot into the sky from a field and when the local villagers went to investigate they found all of you there. Can you tell us anything about what happened?"

Suiren was about to describe the man that had saved her, but recalling how he had made it sound like he wasn't supposed to be in Earth Country shook her head. To her surprise this seemed to please Konan although it was hard to see on her impassive face. Konan placed a comforting hand on Suiren's shoulder before saying, "Well regardless you are safe. Please tell the nurse everything you can about yourself and we'll see that you find your way home." Suiren's eyes widened at the word and she began to cry in pure happiness at the feelings the word caused to swell up in her.

*****************************

"Where the hell am I," a pudgy man shouted as he tried to stick his arm out between the bars of the cell to grab the two walking by his cell.

"That would be the Leaf Maximum Security Prison," Karin replied pleasantly and with a smile that grew wider as the color drained from the man's face. "Enjoy your stay," she added with a wave before moving on to remain near the man guiding her through the prison.

Her guide chuckled gruffly before saying, "I should rethink my stance on letting you join the Torture and Interrogation Division. You seemed to have taken a rather perverse sense of glee in informing him of his location."

Karin looked at Ibiki as she sent him an amused smirk as she replied, "Sorry, but you missed your chance. My new duties as president of the Great Tree Shipping Company keep me rather busy." Changing the subject back to the man she asked, "By the way who was that guy?"

It wasn't often that the world saw Ibiki smile, but today would be one as he said, "Someone whose immunity ran out. He was a deal broker for the Southern Wolves which were allowed to operate in Earth Country with the Daimyo's tacit permission. Apparently someone has decided to shut them down regardless and I guess whoever it was behind shutting them down figured that he wouldn't get the jail sentence he deserved facing Earth Country Justice so smuggled him to Fire Country where he was left tied up in front of the prison. We as well as several other shinobi villages have been after this bastard for years. I've even received a request from Kumogakure to get a crack at him."

"Really," Karin said surprised that Kumogakure would reach out to Konoha in such a way. However she supposed that considering the women of Kumo's rather exotic looks they may have ended up being targeted more often than not by the Southern Wolves. Although she already knew the answer to her question she nonetheless asked, "Are there any ideas as to who was behind the attack that shut them down?"

"Not at the moment," Ibiki said with a shake of his head. He remained silent for a moment before adding, "Truthfully though I don't think there's going to be much of an investigation into it. The Earth Daimyo may have had no problem with them operating in his borders, but the Tsuchikage did. From what I've heard a few of the thugs that escaped from the night raid that wiped the group out have been found hog tied and dropped off on the wrong side of the Earth Country Border in a similar manner as our friend back there."

"Do you think the Tsuchikage had anything to do with it?"

Ibiki though on the question for a moment before saying, "No, everything I've read about the Third Tsuchikage seems to lean towards him not taking any actions that would rock the boat. There is a potential for this to result in strained relations between the Daimyo and him. I believe he's simply making the best of a situation that for him may have no upside."

"You mean besides a massive criminal operation that he couldn't touch being shut down," Karin said.

Ibiki nodded but said, "If the Tsuchikage felt it was something worth risking the anger of the Daimyo over, then I figure he would have done it himself years ago. After all, he could have created a force to handle them if he had the desire. Something the Daimyo must be considering at the moment, but even if he doesn't arrive to the conclusion that the Tsuchikage was behind it. He would likely still be upset at the idea of a force strong enough to wipe out the Wolves sneaking into his Country."

Karin frowned as she found it hard to believe just how complicated something as simple as wiping out a group of slavers could be just because one of the principle players, in this case the Earth Daimyo, turned out to be a scumbag. Her frown deepened as Ibiki changed the subject to the purpose of her visit as he said, "I would just like to go on record to say I'm against this."

Karin nodded but replied, "Hey, it worked out okay in my case. I heard you were against me gaining immunity from my time with Sound."

Ibiki scoffed before replying, "You are the exception to the rule. I understand you traded in some favors you gained from your aiding Ino in locating the Paths during the Pain Invasion to secure this woman's release. But don't ask me to be happy about it. She may not have killed anyone during her attack, but she created a situation that allowed Kabuto to do so and make off with the DNA of several of our heroes."

Karin couldn't disagree with anything that Ibiki said. However, knowing what a manipulative bastard Orochimaru could be as well as having heard from Ino the events which led to the death of the boy whose grave she had robbed, commented, "I know it's a gamble that if I'm wrong could lead to more people dying. But the Guren that I had heard about during my time with Sound wouldn't have hesitated to kill to complete an objective. That she didn't here tells me that at the very least she's sorry for her past actions. It just seems like such a waste for someone with all her power to be locked away when she's already seen the light and can do so much good."

"Good," Ibiki said with another scoff, "How much good can she accomplish acting as a bodyguard for merchandise?"

Karin smirked as she said, "Hey! Don't underestimate the valuable service that we supply through the trade routes we are establishing. I heard your department recently made a breakthrough with a truth serum in thanks to some of the Desert Flowers my company has secured from Suna."

Ibiki didn't respond making Karin believe that she had made her point. But he did say, "Well don't come crying to me when you get a crystal dagger in the heart for your troubles." Reaching a cell door, Ibiki opened it up and then said, "Prisoner SK-zero-zero-one-five. You have a guest."

Karin felt a measure of pity for the kunoichi as she looked disheveled while staring off into space. All in all she gave the Uzumaki the distinct impression that she didn't care if she lived or died anymore. Trying to put on a happy demeanor she said, "Guren, my name is Karin Uzumaki. I'd like to offer you an opportunity to..."

"I'm not interested," Guren said without making eye-contact.

Undeterred Karin said, "Just hear me out. I promise it'll change your life..."