"Kuso!" Uzumaki Naruto exclaimed when he looked around for the fifth time, sure someone was watching the two Konoha-nin. His senses were on high alert and the Kyuubi was restless. He'd seen glimpses of men all day, with red coulded cloaks, but whenever he would look, they'd be gone. And, to top it off, they had ran into a party of two Oto-nin eating at a local restaurant, obviously planning something heinous.
"Naruto," Kimourii asked him as he looked around for the sixth time. He turned to her. "Are you alright?"
He shrugged, "I keep thinking that we're being watched, but when I look no one is there. It's almost like we're being followed, too."
Kimourii shrugged. "Well, it isn't like we haven't been in this situation before, Naruto. The only difference is that this time we are in the state of war with Oto, and may run into Kemuri-nin that want to delay our job. Anyway, how is being a Chuunin different from Genin?"
Naruto sighed. "It's different. As Genin, the only time we had to worry about our lives would be if we didn't learn a jutsu right. Now, I have to worry about not only my life, but yours and Nushi's. If I make a bad decision, I could literally kill you both. It's a lot of pressure, and not something that you're really ever prepared for."
Kimourii sighed. "Hai, I understand what you're saying Naruto. Demo, if what you say is true, then why did you become a Chuunin?"
Naruto smiled. "I... because I wanted to make Sandaime-jiji proud. And... I think that he was proud at the end. I want to become Hokage for the same reason. Sandaime-sama taught me to love myself, and love my village, even in the face of adversity."
Kimourii smiled.
Looking around, Naruto sighed and said, "well, we'd better get back to work, Kimourii-chan. Who knows when the Oto-nin will decide to attack."
"Hai, Naruto-sama!"
Naruto groaned, and as the two jumped to the top of the building, the mysterious figure watched.
Daylight streamed down on the city as the various Oto-nin all converged on the topmost building, with the weird Kanji of, "Success". The bingo hall was covered in spiderweb, and the odd chill of death hung in the air. Genma had been following the team for a few hours, his worry evident in everything he did.
Using handseals, Genma said, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."
The Kage Bunshin nodded, and with a puff of smoke, used Henge, and went inside as a bug.
"So," one of the guards asked, "what are we going to do about the Konoha-nin snooping around."
The man sighed and said, "nothing, if we do anything, the equally as annoying Kemuri-nin will decide to attack, and we will have nothing left to offer Orochimaru-sama."
"What about the child with Whisker marks?" asked a third Oto-nin, gaining the attention of the other three. "Didn't Orochimaru-sama say he was one of the top targets?"
The other three smirked.
"Of course, but I was at the Chuunin Selection Exams. You know that Gaara kid, right, the one that never sleeps? Whisker-mark kid beat Gaara. Even Orochimaru-sama said that the other Jounin couldn't beat Gaara, that it would be troublesome for us to fight him. Orochimaru-sama will defeat the kid, I'm sure of it."
The first one sighed and said, "I don't know. But... we do have a mission to complete. Sartorius, when will the plans be completed? Orochimaru-sama is expecting the Opium shipment anyday now, and will not allow for mishap."
Sartorius sighed, his long, gray hair cascading down his back as his displeasure was shown. "We will have the first shipment ready on time. Why Orochimaru-sama needs Opium for his experiments, I don't understand."
"Baka! It is not our place to question Orochimaru-sama!" the third screeched angrily.
"And why is that, Sabu! Or even you, Akarui. We are not loyal to Orochimaru-sama! We are Nuke-nin from the Kiri, Suna, and even Konohagakure. Why do we place our loyalty with one village!"
The oldest sighed and, as bones protruded from his hand said, "it is the will of Orochimaru-sama."
Sartorius paled significantly and said, "now Kiminaro-san, I didn't mean any disrespect towards Orochimaru-sama, I just don't feel comfortable taking orders without reason from a village I have no true alliegance too!"
Silently cursing itself as its Chakra ran out, the Kage Bunshin missed the last part of the conversation.
"Opium?" Kimourii asked, silently frowning. For all she knew about the drug, Kimourii couldn't figure why an experienced Shinobi would use Opium for any reason. "Demo, Genma-sensei, that doesn't make sence. Opium is an illegal, and highly addictive drug that makes it harder for Shinobi to react correctly. Why would any Shinobi use such a restrictive drug?"
Genma shrugged, chewing on his senbon, trying to figure out a reason.
"Ano" Nushi interrupted. "Is it possible that they are going to use it to strengthen loyalty to Oto by giving Shinobi Opium-laced food?"
Genma shook his head, "no, while it is odorless and tasteless, a Shinobi's heightened senses can pick up smallest traces of anything in our food or drink. And it is illegal to sell Opium, not that Nukenin worry about the law, but even if they find someone to sell it too, the revenue is going to be too small for anyone to notice."
"It doesn't make sence, though," Naruto said. "Your Kage Bunshin said that Orochimaru experimented with it, right?"
Genma nodded, shuddering because of his previous encounters with Orochimaru's, "experiments."
"Hai, Naruto. That is what I got from the Kage Bunshin that I used. How can this information be useful?"
Naruto shrugged. "I don't know, Sensei. What are some ways of making people become dependent?"
Genma shrugged. "The most efficient way would be to lace a city with as much as possible. Then the dependency would increase and that would create a dominant structure where they would become the leaders of the city."
"Do you think they're moving on with the plans to take over Rice Field Country, sensei?"
Genma stopped and looked at Naruto for a moment before frowning. "Ano, that sounds like a good possibility Naruto. I will ask Godaime Hokage-sama about that."
"Ano sa, sensei, I was wondering?" Kimourii began. Genma looked at her and said, "hai?"
"What about Jiraiya-sama? We heard that he was in the area, and when we investigated today, we did find evidence that strongly supports that idea."
Genma shrugged. "Do not approach him unless absolutely necessary. Jiraiya is keeping a low profile because of a mission he was put on from the Sandaime Hokage, and when he is in areas that are not Konohagakure cannot be seen as a Shinobi of that village, unless ordered by the Hokage, like our earlier mission."
She nodded. As he noticed Nushi yawning, Genma smiled and said, "you three did well today. Get to sleep, I will awaken someone in two hours for the next shift. You go to bed."
The nodded and stalked off to their rooms as Genma's position quickly changed to defensive. When the woman, bearing a single note on her Hitai-ate, walked out of the shadows, Genma froze. "I was wondering when you would be alone, Shiranui Genma."
He frowned. "So, you did not really think that your students would notice me, did you. My stealth is above that of Chuunin."
"I'm sure that they noticed, but I gave them a direct order, so that you would come into the open. What do you want, Oto-nin?"
"Is that any way to treat your sister, Genma-baka. Well, anyway, what I want is your silence, Genma, on our activities with the Opium. I am willing to make you a very good offer, say five thousand pounds of our freshest opium and your word that you will not mention it to anyone."
Genma frowned and said, "you are more stupid than I thought, shisuta-baka. I do not believe in Opium, nor do I believe in chatting with enemy Shinobi."
"Enemy? Enemy? How am I an enemy? It can't be because I was forced away from Konoha for following my sensei's orders, could it?"
You know as well as I do, Akarui, that it is up to the individual Shinobi to enforce the law. Any order Orochimaru gave you that was against the law should have been disobeyed, and then notified to Sandaime-sama. Instead, you killed two innocent people to further Orochimaru's 'experiments.'
"Forgive me for not being perfect, Genma-baka, not everyone could have a perfect mentor, teuch. You're still as stupid as I remember, baka."
The man sighed, "and your still as ignorant of Orochimaru's evil, as you ever were, shisuta."
The woman sneered. "You would do well to not talk about my sensei, Genma-san. You may be my family, but I will kill you."
"You stopped being my family when you followed the Hebi-teme, instead of the years of training and dedication instilled in you by Konoha. You are no sister mine."
The woman frowned, more than a little hurt, and said, "well, how about this, brother dear. Boys, attack!"
Suddenly two Oto-nin attacked from his left and right, while she came from the front. Genma cursed and jumped backward, dodging all three attacks. Suddenly, one of the Oto-nin flashed through Hand Seals and said, "Doton: Doryuudan!"
A small dragon appeared made out of earth; coming out from the ground, and flies at Genma. Just as he's about to counter, a hand grabs his leg and pulls him, while a voice says, "Doton: Shinjuu Zanshuu no Jutsu." He places his hand at the side to stop his decent and flashes through the seals, yelling, "Suiton: Suiryuudan!"
The dragon reaches him just at that second and melts, the hard earth around him softening as the third smirks and said, "Magen: Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu!"
He curses, as the room fades away. Suddenly from his right, a swarm of bees buzz after him. As one connects with his body, Genma is pushed back, as a stinger enters his face.
"Kai!" he yells as he pulses Chakra from him, trying to dispel the illusion. It doesn't work. "Kuso."
The swarm turns back, flying toward him at an angle, while increasing in speed every second. "Kuso" he again says, before dodging to the right, as a plant rises from the ground, catching him around the middle.
"KAI!" he yells, releasing a large amount of Chakra to dispel the illusion, and regreting it a moment later when two more stingers enter his arm. His arm feels numb, the tenketsu being closed due to the chakra entering his body that disrupted the flow of his own.
He clamps his hand over the now numb wound, trying his best to dodge as a large vine wrapped around his legs, and squeezed.
The swarm aimed at his face. Genma flashed through a quick set of seals and said, "Suiton: Mizu Bukahasousei no Jutsu!"
Two towers of water raise from the ground, whetting the swarm that had been after him. Genma breathes a sigh of relief for just a moment, before he's hit in the back of the head by a blunt object.
He falls to his knees and rolls.
He jumps as the swarm comes after him again, and releases an even bigger amount of chakra, when all of the sudden, the illusion separates, and he sees Kimourii over the Genjutsu user, who had asphyxiated.
Naruto was fighting with the Earth user, while Nushi was distracting his sister, Shiranui Akarui, the one that brightly shines among the light, that had started the entire thing, knowing that she was outclassed. He smiles and flashes through the Hand seals and said, "Nushi! Down!"
As she drops he says, "Hyouton: Haryuu Muuko!"
Akarui jumps out of the way, yelling, "Shannaro!"
"Raiton: Ku Bakufuu!" Genma frowns as the woman jumps into the air. Suddenly, nine different streaks of lightning fly from his fingers, and connect with his sister, the family disgrace, who is down for the count.
While he is reflecting a voice cries, "Katon: Karyuudan!"
Naruto, of course. He is about to interfere when he sees the flak jacket on the opponent. "A Chuunin and two Jounin."
"Sorry whisker-kid, I'm not going to be taken out like that."
"Oh yeah, tell that to your arms when I get them with my next attack!"
The older Chuunin smirked and said, "I don't think so. You should be glad we came instead of our fourth partner. He'd kick your ass easily."
Naruto snarled. The man laughed, "don't worry, whisker-kid. When Orochimaru-sama gets your body, we will be teammates."
"As if I'd let that Hebi-teme get my body, you baka! You, however, should not let your opponent distract you."
The man stood in confusion before Naruto said, "Suiton: Suirou no Jutsu!"
Suddenly, out from nowhere, walls of water surround the last of the attacking Oto-nin. Naruto looks at Genma and nods. The man nodded and said, "Raiton: Raikyu!"
A small lightning ball appeared and flew toward the man. Just before it hit, Naruto dropped the prison he had created, and the man fell over, knocked out. "Good," Genma said. Suddenly, a Wolf ANBU arrived, flashed his ID and said, "I will take them to Konoha for questioning."
Genma nodded and said, "arigatou. Ano, could you keep this one in a separate cell, I will interrogate her myself, should Hokage-sama allow it, when we get back. We didn't expect the mission to be this short. We have the final identity of the last member of the Oto-nin, who I believe has already left, and their reason for being here. We will confiscate the contraband, or let Kemurigakure do so, and be back tomorrow."
The ANBU nodded and said, "Hai, Shiranui, I will hold your sister for interrogation."
As their sensei bowed, the three students smiled slightly at this unusual insight into their sensei's life.
He turned and said, "I am glad you three sensed them. When I ordered you three, you looked underneath the underneath. For that, I am ever grateful. Now, really, go to bed. I will find the on duty Kemuri-nin and a local officer and separate the contraband. We will take it to Konoha for distruction tomorrow."
"Ano, Kimourii-chan?" Nushi asked her friend when the two Kunoichi woke the next morning.
Kimourii smiled and said, "Hai?"
"What happened to your crush on Naruto-kun?"
The kunoichi smiled sadly and said, "when we went on our border patrol mission with Team Gai, Neji and I talked while the rest of you went your separate ways. He told me of his family, and of his animosity toward the Main House. Then, he told me that should things have been different, he would have liked to get to know me before.
We started talking, and I eventually realized that Naruto would never see me as more than a friend, and that I had an oppurtunity with Neji-kun. I, obviously, took that oppurtunity, and am happy."
The Inuzuka smiled and said, "hai. So, any potential mates for our darling Naruto-kun?"
Kimourii's nose prickled and she shook her head.
"Good morning ladies," a voice at the door startled the two Kunoichi. The turned to see Genma-sensei standing there, Naruto behind them, just waking himself.
"Good morning Genma-sensei!"
The man smiled lightly. "We have to move quickly this morning, our mission is not yet complete. I received orders last night that we were to confiscate the Opium that was left behind when the Kemuri-nin left. So, let us go to the wearhouse and get the things that we will need for this mission to be a success."
The three nodded and Genma said, "Yosh! Let us go!"
With that, four Konoha-nin disappeared in flumes of smoke.
They arrived at the wearhouse from yesterday. Crates, filled with white powder, were stacked in rows of three by four. "We will need to move quickly. I have arranged a carriage to take us out of the city. After that, we will summon our bosses and go to Konoha to have the ANBU dispose of the illegal drug.
Ah, and here is our ride."
Just then a carriage pulled in, lead by a team of six horses. The nodded and at once, each of the Shinobi said, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Then, they set to work, piling the highly illegal drug inside the tented cab. Nushi and I will ride on the back to look for potential spies, Naruto and Kimourii, stay with the driver to protect the front. We will be traveling to the outskirts of the city. When we arrive, you will be duly compensated for your trouble, yosh?"
The man nodded.
With that, the thirty minute ride began.
As they arrived to the outskirts of the town, Naruto pulled out his Gama-chan wallet and six one-hundred ryuu notes. He then disembarked and said, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
When the crates of Opium were taken off of the cab, Genma walked to the driver and thanked him. Then, looking at his students, the man bit his thumb and made quick hand seals. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
Suddenly, a giant Squirrel appeared, followed by a smaller squirrel summoned by Kimourii. Nushi had summoned a rather large Dog-summon, and was now strapping the Opium atop its head while she sat with Kimourii.
The surprise came when, instead of a large, nine-tailed Kyuubi, a rather small, six tail, was summoned forth.
"Kyuubi and I are merged rather closely now. He isn't sure the effect would be worth the risk if I summoned him in battle anymore. We still talk, but it's more along the lines of pleasant conversation, instead of Sensei-gaki.
The three nodded. "And, anyway, Zorro is my personal summon now. The new Kyuubi wants to make sure I'm not hurting the summons, and even though they respect me, the new leadership needs to get to know me before I summon from the other plane.
Genma nodded and said, "alright, let's go!"
The three students smiled.
Suddenly, the four summons were bounding toward Konohagakure, as a pale, blue eyed Oto-nin watched in displeasure. Orochimaru-sama would not be pleased.
"We are without a Kage! I cannot believe you would allow such to go on any longer Baki! Make the girl take the job!"
"Sabaku no Temari does not wish to be the new Kazekage. She has displayed this in many ways, and has said that she does not qualify anyway, that though she is the strongest Kunoich in the village, her brother, Gaara, is the most powerful in Suna."
"We will not allow a Jinchuuriki to run our village! Think of the outrage this would cause, especially when the boy is so volatile!" The word Jinchuuriki spoken as if it were poisonous.
"And, he lost to a member of Konoha!" Konoha spoken as if it were a crime.
"We would not be taken seriously!" The third voice said, making the most sense of them all.
Baki smiled. "No, we are not taken seriously now because we were duped by Orochimaru, who killed our Kazekage. We were taken advantage of, and now you want to appoint a Kage that will take the blame, so you, yourselves, will not be blamed as the ones that pushed Yondaime Kazekage-sama into battle with Konoha."
"How dare you speak above your place!"
Baki glared at the old council and said, "Gaara will take his place as the Godaime Kazekage, there is not a Shinobi of Sunagakure that can stand in his way, and if the Council does decide to, then he will kill all of you."
"That does not stop the fact that Gaara lost to a Genin when our own Jounin cannot defeat him!"
"Gaara was defeated by a Jinchuuriki; like himself. That should account for something."
"A jinchuuriki you say? In Konoha? Are you sure?"
Baki nodded. "Fine, send the demon in, and we'll speak with him."
Baki nodded and walked out the door, motioning to Gaara, who crossed his arms and walked inside the room.
Ten minutes later, three separate screams could be heard, as Gaara killed the three members of the council not related to him.
The last two, an old woman and her brother, nodded at Baki and said, "gather the citizens, and welcome in the reign of the Godaime Kazekage, Sabaku no Gaara."
Gaara shook his head, "no, not yet. I wish for a... friend, to be in attendance."
"And, who is this friend?" Temari asked. Gaara looked at the skies and said, "Uzumaki Naruto."
Temari nodded and walked out, smiling slightly at the look on her brothers face. He had made a friend, in the one person that could defeat him.
Walking into the messenger room, Temari carefully wrote a diplomatic invitation to Konohagakure, inviting Uzumaki Naruto, to the inauguration of the Godaime Kazekage.
To the Office of the Godaime Hokage
In efforts to stabilize relations between Suna and Konoha, we would like to invite you, and one Uzumaki Naruto, to the inauguration of the Godaime Kazekage. This is a personal request, that will strengthen relations between our villages.
Sabaku no Temari
The four summon animals disappeared as ANBU greeted the team back to Konoha. The crates of Opium were sitting on the ground, and surrounded by a blue field of water.
Soon, the crates were taken inside of the gates, and the group passed into the empty streets, the call of sleep long fallen. The guards were weary of letting anyone in, but they had the proper ID, and therefore, were citizens of Konoha.
"Good mission," Genma said, as the three walked towards the Hokage's Tower. He smiled, nearly two years ago, they would have fallen asleep already, but now they were focused and wanted to see the report given by their commanding officer.
He stood with a bit of pride at that, and walked in, pausing to greet the ANBU on guard, rabbit.
The door was locked, while the hustle and bustle behind the door signaled whoever was inside had been asleep, and therefore, dressed inappropriately.
As the door opened, Tsunade raised her eyebrow and said, "you're back early."
The group nodded and she said, "well? Report!"
Genma looked at his team and said, "I first want to say that my team performed exceptionally well. The mission parameters included a one month mission to the northern city along the Fire Country border to deal with the Oto-nin problem. We did as such, having caught six Oto-nin, while the last is believed to have fled. We also found the source of their interference, twelve crates of Opium, that was to be delivered to Orochimaru.
We confiscated those crates and delivered them to the ANBU that were on duty."
Tsunade nodded and said, "Hai, very well. You have successfully completed your C-Rank Mission then. Prisoners?"
Genma nodded, "six. Five unidentified, and the last Shiranui Akarui, the lost daughter of Shiranui, and student of Orochimaru. Nukenin for ten years, and caught as she attacked myself, and my team."
Tsunade's face fell and she said, "I am sorry, Genma. I had hoped she was dead, and not a Nukenin. In accordance, I will ask you to have no contact with her until her punishment is doled out, we do not want you accused of treason as well.
I am sorry."
Genma nodded and said, "may we be excused, Godaime-sama?"
She nodded, "Hai. You have tomorrow off since you are just now getting in from traveling overnight. I will also like to see Uzumaki Naruto and Inuzuka Nushi tomorrow for their yearly physical examinations."
Naruto winced and nodded while Nushi, who idolized Tsunade, merely grinned and said, "Hai!"
Naruto arrived at his home fifteen minutes later, and walked into his bedroom, not bothering to change or shower. As he lay down, resting his head upon his pillow, Naruto had no idea the changes this night would make.
He woke, precious minutes after his head hit the pillow, to the sight of a nine-tailed Kyuubi in his mindscape.
"Hey, Kitsune no Baka."
Hey Naruto, it's been a while, yeah?
Naruto nodded, his three tails waving magificantly in tune with the nine of his mentor.
Naruto, what do you know about the seal Yondaime placed upon you?
Naruto shrugged, "nothing, it's SS-ranked, therefore not known to less than Sannin level shinobi."
The kitsune sighed. Naruto, it's very important you listen then. The seal that your father created, to hold me in, was also created to turn any chakra taken from he, into chakra for you. It would keep its demonic power, but because your coils were not developed when I was sealed, your coils withstand my chakra.
This serves two purposes. The first, is an infinite amount of Chakra, and healing ability, especially when the seal is opened to its fullest, and you gain the attribute that is most needed at that time.
The other, though, is the most important. Naruto, the seal was designed to trap my chakra within you, so that I cannot regenerate. Needless to say, Naruto, that when my chakra is gone, I will be too. Your seal will remain, and hold my chakra in reserve, so you can open it, the ultimate defense to the Hakke Rokujuu Yonshou.
Needless, I do not wish to die, Naruto. Therefore, I will not aid you as much as I have before. I will still heal you, though with the merge as potent as it was, you will heal just as well. You will not draw on as much of my chakra as you did in your fight with Kabuto, because once my Chakra is outside of the seal, it is outside of my reach.
Naruto nodded. Now, I have searched my memories of your Yondaime, and have found a jutsu that he used quite often, that I believe you should know. It is a Doton jutsu that Jiraiya taught him. I will now teach it to you.
If my memories are correct, it uses and utilizes a large amount of Chakra, more than most Chuunin have, and a bit close to the reserves of most Jounin. You must spread Chakra among the ground that you are standing on, and into the shape that you will want to cover. As you spread this Chakra, you will use the seals, and call out the jutsu, then strike the ground, causing it to turn to clay and quicksand.
Since this is using your Chakra, you will be repelled by the jutsu. In order to escape it, in case you ever have the misfortune of being caught in that white haired baka's, you must send a large burst of Chakra toward your feet, and repel yourself up.
Naruto nodded and said, "Hai, arigatou Kyuubi."
Kyuubi nodded. Now, the name of this jutsu Naruto, is Doton: Youmi Nuuma.
Naruto nodded and, going through a quick set of seals, placed his hand to the ground and spread a large amount of chakra through it. "Doton: Youmi Nuuma no Jutsu!"
Suddenly, from around him, the earth exploded, as Naruto was threw back from the force of the chakra in the jutsu. He cursed, as he thought, and realized that he shouldn't have had that much Chakra.
The Kyuubi was laughing, as he saw the reddish coated chakra replenishing almost instantly. Shaking his head, he sighed, the boy had reserves.
As Naruto fainted from the pounding he had taken, Kyuubi laughed and said, less is better
End Chapter