A week had passed since the recapture of Shiranui Akarui, and Genma had yet to see his shisuta. He felt betrayed. Having grieved for her, and thinking for all these years, that she was dead, he wondered if he even had to call her sister.

The team had been supportive. Each of them took the missions that he felt he couldn't handle, namely guard/escort missions, that consisted of being around the holding facility that held his once dead sister.

His family had come under a lot of critisism, also. Civilians in the street treated him like he was Orochimaru himself, and acted like he needed to be punished for his sister's actions.

All in all, Genma was catching the same type of treatment that Naruto was, now that everyone knew about the Kyuubi.

Suddenly, he is on his feet as a blaring bellows through the village. As the shadowed figure runs past him, Genma stands up, as one of the two ANBU operatives that were chasing the figure stop in front of him.

Shiranui Genma, the Scroll of Kinjutsu has been stolen by a Iwa-nin. It is imperative that we retrieve that scroll, as it contains many of our village secrets. This is a Jounin level mission and you are recruited."

Genma nods. "Hai."

The ANBU then jumps onto the top as Genma puts his earpiece in and runs, catching up with Kurenai and Gai.

The three Jounin look at each other and nod before running into the wooded area around Training Field 59.

"He went southeast!" the broadcasted message played in Genma's ear. Turning swiftly, the Jounin, along with his two partners, turned to meet up with the Iwa-nin that stole their village secrets.

As he pulled his Kunai, Genma spotted the figure, dressed in a black stealth suit. The Kunai met with the pack on the figure's back and, a small rip tore enough room for the scroll to fall out. Kurenai made it first, and picked up the Kinjutsu scroll and opened it, making sure it was the correct scroll.

It was, if the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu was any indication. The figure suddenly stopped, turned and said, "Iwa Bunshin no Jutsu!"

Earth drifted up, around the Iwa-nin, and separated into five different clones. Suddenly they flew at the three Jounin, one dropping to the ground and swinging out it's leg and trying to trip them. As the nin was standing, hands flashed through a fast set of hand seals. "Doton: Doryuuheki!"

A wall rose and the Jounin jumped on top of it, using Chakra to keep him or herself steady. When the wall was ready, the Iwa-nin jumped off of it and into the trees.

Out of nowhere, Hyuuga Hiashi appeared and hit the Iwa-nin with a Kaiten, before the ANBU appeared. As the Earth: Rising Wall technique fell away, Genma, Kurenai and Gai.

The Iwa-nin looked around, cursed and flashed though seals, before anyone could get close enough to stop her and said, "Magen: Jubaku Satsu!"

Out of nowhere, trees sprouted around Genma and he fell to the ground. He placed his hand together and said, "Kai," but nothing happened. Suddenly, it felt like he was punched in the gut. Genma fell to the ground as a tree vine wrapped around his neck, squeezing the life out of him.

As it disappeared, Kurenai's sunset red eyes looked back at him and, suddenly, she smirked. "Still bad with Genjutsu, are we?"

Genma shrugged and said, "Hai, Genjutsu is difficult."

She shrugged and looked back at the Iwa-nin on the ground. Flashing though her own seal, Kurenai walked over and said, "Kokuangyou no Jutsu!"

As she placed her hands to the Iwa-nin's forehead, Kurenai stepped back and picked up the Kinjutsu scroll and said, "we have what we needed, ANBU-sama. Please allow me to return this to Hokage Tower."

The ANBU nodded and picked up the Iwa-nin, before disappearing in a flash of smoke. Genma blushed at the attention Kurenai was giving him. He blushed even harder as she said, "really, Genma-san, if this is how bad you are at genjutsu, I may need to teach your team myself."

Gai laughed and said, "now Kurenai-san, be nice to Genma-san, his flames of youth still burn brightly!"

Team Genma stood in front of the Hokage, as they were handed their D-ranked mission. Basic repairs needed to be done on the Yamanaka Flower Shop, and as Asuma and his team were out of the village, they got the mission instead. As they arrived at the Yamanaka Flower Shop, Naruto could feel the piteous eyes of the owners on his back. He turned and met with their gazes, questioning them slightly.

"Before you three begin your mission, we would like to apologize to you, Naruto. I'm sure your team knows why, but as we can't talk about it openly, I will only say that we have bad memories from that time in our history, and live in fear of something simular happening. To find that it still walks among us, even in the form it is, scared us.

When Ino told us that we were being stupid, we looked at each other and realized that we were, in fact, being stupid about that subject."

The Chuunin nodded his head and said, "hai, no problem."

The woman sighed and said, "alright, well, as you can tell, we're too old to be worrying about bringing in the seed bags, or such. So, to start, please bring in those, and spread them out in a nine by thirteen pattern in that soil there. Then water these plants liberally. Now, unlike the other Flower Shop, we used to be Shinobi, and are perfectly capable of using Chakra. So, please channel chakra into the soil when you have the seeds planted. This will hyper-evolve the plants.

After that, as you can see, we have holes in the roof, and the paint is chipped in various places, and the overall feel of the shop has dwindled. If you could repair these things, we would appreciate it."

"Hai, we will repair your shop for you Yamanaka-sama."

An hour later, all repairs were done, and Naruto was talking to the woman. He nodded and said, "alright. I'll inform the rest of my team. Nushi, Kimourii".

The two kunoichi nodded and said, "Hai!"

"Yamanaka-sama paid for a full day's work. As we've completed the day's mission, we have to options. The first is to deliver the product that need delivering, or we can simply wait here until time for the mission to end."

Nushi simply sighed and said, "Naruto-san, of course we extend the mission parameters until the day's complete. That's what D-ranked missions are about."

Naruto laughed.

It was a few hours later that they were using the backyard for training. As they were told, Team Asuma often used the area to work on Chakra control, and jutsu training. Naruto looked at the team and said, "I'm not sure about how we do this. So, I'll just show you the jutsu and explain how it works, hai?"

The genin nod. Naruto smiled. "This is a C-Ranked jutsu that I learned from Yugito-chan at the Waterfall. It's a Raiton jutsu, but not that difficult to learn. In fact, as long as you have the proper amount of chakra, you can use any of these. Now, the one I'm going to teach you here is called the Lightning Combo. It's a ninjutsu, and used to stun and incompacitate your opponent. The seals are simple, Tori, Hebi, Tora, O-hitsuji. You then stretch out your hands and spread your fingers.

Then you force your Chakra to leave your hands and lines of lightning should leave your fingers, hitting your opponent. Like this.

Tori, Hebi, Tora, O-hitsuji. "Raiton: Raikiri Rendan!"

The bolts left his hands and sped off faster than either girls had ever seen. Since he had raised his hands, the bolts went into the sky, and away from anyone else. Naruto smiled, "like that."

The girls nodded and Naruto was about to say something to them when an ANBU appeared.

"Uzumaki Naruto, your presence is requested by the Godaime Hokage-sama."

Naruto nodded and said, "practice this away from people, the first few times you use it will hurt, and will be eratic at best. YOu don't want to use the Raikiri Rendan near anyone that could be hurt."

Nodding at the ANBU, Naruto disappeared in a flash of smoke, as the ANBU did the same.

The guard at the door opened it and nodded for Naruto to go inside. He sighed and entered, bowing his head shortly for his Kage. Jiraiya was in the room with her, and smiled when he saw his student. "Ohayo, Naruto!"

"Hey Ero-Sennin!"

The woman laughed. "Uzumaki Naruto, you have an important diplomatic mission ahead of you. If it were a mission, it would be considered S-Rank, but as it was a public request, it is not considered a mission. You have been invited to the public inauguration of the Godaime Kazekage."

Naruto looked at Jiraiya and Tsunade and said, "NANI!"

Tsunade nodded and said, "hai, Sabaku no Gaara has requested your presence. It is believed that his changes are permanent and that you are to thank for that. So, do you accept?"

Naruto nodded, more excitedly than Tsunade could remember, "Hai, I will go, Tsunade-sama."

"We will leave in the morning. You will pick your best clothes, and meet me at the North Gate, and we will leave from there. Jiraiya, you will accompany us to the gates of Sunagakure, correct?"

The Sannin nodded, "hai, I will."

The Hokage sighed.

He arose early the next morning, and looked at the clothes laid out on his travel-pack. Smiling at the new Chuunin outfit, green clothing, with the Konoha leaf on the back, with his Chuunin Flak on the top.

Smiling to himself slightly, Naruto dressed quickly and quietly, hoping to represent Konohagakure no Sato correctly until they arrive to Suna.

As he exits the Clan head's bedroom, Naruto sighs. In the kitchen, Neji is sitting at the kitchen table when he enters. Smiling at his roommate, Naruto looks down, wondering about what the day would bring.

"Naruto" Neji's voice calls quietly across the open room.

"Hai, Neji?"

"What time do you need to meet Tsunade-sama?"

Naruto looks at the clock on the wall, smiles and said, "fifteen minutes. I'd better be going, Neji. Ja ne!"

"Ja ne, Naruto!"

As he exits the house, Naruto shakes his head and disappears in a flume of smoke.

At the gates, Naruto smiles at Tsunade, who had arrived seconds before. The woman, dressed in Hokage garb, ruffles his hair and said, "oi, Naruto, remember that this is a diplomatic mission. And also, we received word this morning, Uchiha Sasuke is doing well. I've already told Nara Shikamaru and Hyuuga Neji, and they have agreed to pass word along. Are you ready to go?"

"Hai Tsunade-baachan."

"We'll be taking a carriage fitted for a diplomatic mission, until we reach the borders of Wind Country. When we arrive, there should be a delegation waiting. If so, then we will probably be escorted to Sunagakure no Sato.

Understand, Naruto?"

He nods silently as the carriage pulls up.

As the three shinobi leave the village, Naruto looks back and says, "I will make a difference, dattebayo."

Tsunade smiles, "you already have, gaki."

The trip took two days, going at the highest speed possible. The border to Wind Country was obvious, where the forest ends and the desert begins. Three jounin stood guard to the border for each side, Konoha-nin on one side and Suna-nin on the other.

"Halt" calls one of the Konoha jounin as Tsunade steps out. The jounin flinches and said, "Hokage-sama!"

The Suna-nin perk. One stands at the border and bows his head. "Hello Hokage-sama! I am Baki, Jounin-Sensei of the Sand Siblings. I have been ordered to escort Uzumaki Naruto and yourself to the inauguration of the Godaime Kazekage."

Tsunade nods, knowing this full well. "We will be bringing along my former teammate, and Naruto's sensei, Jiraiya, as well."

Baki nods, "hai, welcome Jiraiya-sama. Hello Uzumaki Naruto-san. I hope we find you well?"

"Hai, arigatou Baki-san. And how is Gaara, Kankurou and Temari?"

"The siblings are doing well. Kazekage-sama is anticipating your arrival. If you will please?"

As one the Sand-nin nod and release a genjutsu of another carriage. Tsunade looks at the Konoha-nin and say, "come, Naruto, Jiraiya. Let us not keep our potential allies waiting."

The two grin and nod, walking across the border, into Wind Country, and heading for Sunagakure.

They arrive less than an hour later, though if anyone else had said that it was easy to find the hidden village, they were mistaken. It seemed like there were fifty turns and seven layered genjutsu. Finally, they arrived to the clay model houses, tan, billowing and erroding from the strong sands that were battering the broken village.

Carts stood in alleyways, restaurants were all closed in, and in the center stood the largest building, the Kazekage Tower.

"Are we going directly there?" Tsunade asked as Baki said, "if that is your wish, Hokage-sama."

"Hai, I do believe that would be best. We will go directly there, arigatou. Uzumaki Naruto, as of this moment, you represent Konohagakure as a representative of goodwill. Are you ready for this responsibility?"

Jiraiya guffawed, while Baki said, "I believe that anyone that can defeat Gaara is someone that should be honored. Gaara, before all this, was psycotic, and unruly. No one could control him, because Shukaku wouldn't allow it. Now, Gaara is in control, and we have Uzumaki Naruto to think for that."

Tsunade smiled, rubbing his head familiarly as they arrived to the tower.

"You will be staying in this tower, Hokage-sama, and Sunagakure has set up accomodations for Uzumaki Naruto. We will be happy to accomodate you, Jiraiya-sama, if that is your wish."

Jiraiya shook his head, "no, no. I just came to keep them company. I'll meet them again the day they are to leave, and travel back to Konoha. But, for now, I'll head out."

Baki nodded and as they stepped out of the carriage, Jiraiya disappeared in a flume of smoke. Baki went to a large, golden handle on the door and knocked three times. When the door swung open, there was a large delegation of Suna-nin, and the council in the back. Gaara was simply sitting loosely on the front row, open seats to either side of him.

The council was small, Tsunade noticed, and wondered where the other members of the infamous "Suna-itsutsu" were. At the head position, Chiyo sat looking over the masses. A wonder, and as good at Medical Jutsu as Tsunade herself, Chiyo was renown as a poison expert, and hated Tsunade. So, it was with no surprise that the old woman looked upon Godaime Hokage's entrance badly.

"Ah! Ano Namekuji-musume!" Chiyo said out loud as a quiet snicker ran though the Suna-nin in the room. "What are you doing here. Did you bring that Hiki-manuke! And that must be Uzumaki Naruto-kun."

Naruto stepped back at the look on the Hokage's face. "Chiyo-sama" Tsunade said through grit teeth, "it is so good to see you, again."

The woman snorted and said, "right, gaki. And what is this, you use a genjutsu to hide your real face? Heh, are you worse looking than I?"

Tsunade opened her mouth to retort when sand started floating through the room. The Suna-nin tensed, while Tsunade looked at Gaara, in apparent confusion. He had one hand raised and his eyes closed.

"Sand is Gaara's main weapon. He can control it because of the Shukaku inside of him."

"Ah, I understand, Naruto-kun. I apologize, Kazekage-sama, it was not my intention to get into a war of words with Chiyo."

Gaara opened his eye and said, "welcome to Sunagakure, Hokage Tsunade-sama, Uzumaki Naruto. I hope you are well?"

"Gaara, you baka-teme, how are you?"

The Suna-nin again tensed, ready to run until Gaara did something worse, in their eyes. He smiled.

"I am well, Uzumaki Naruto. Oh, Tsunade-sama, your delegation is doing well, I have asked them to meet here before my inauguration as Kazekage. I figured you would like seeing that your Shinobi are well taken care of."

"Arigatou, Gaara."

"Please... sit... is that right Temari?"

Temari nodded. "Hai."

"I... apologize?... yes apologize. I am... still learning... not to rely on Shukaku's voice alone. It is... difficult... yes... difficult... especially with Naruto-sama here. Shukaku knows Naruto-sama is a threat to himself. Chiyo, I am ready now. Let's begin."

Chiyo nodded and stepped down, as Tsunade sat on Gaara's right. Naruto sat on his left. "I will need a small amount of blood from you, Uzumaki Naruto, as his closest friend. Then, I would like you, Tsunade to heal his cut, while I take another small amount of blood from Gaara-sama."

Tsunade shrugged as the knife cut into Naruto's palm. The blood pooled onto his hand and fell into the vial. By the time the blood was completely in the vial, his hand was healed. She looked at the hand, and said... "huh?"

Tsunade smiled as Naruto blushed. Gaara cleared his throat and said, "That was not unexpected. Uzumaki Naruto has a bloodline limit that heals excessive damage quickly."

The old woman nodded.

"Now, Gaara-sama, I need a vial of your blood also, and then you will both sign these documents, marking you as the Godaime Kazekage. It will also name Uzumaki Naruto as an honorary Suna shinobi, and strengthen the alliance that we will later be proposing. Don't worry, Tsunade he will still be a Konoha-nin, but we are recognizing his part in helping Gaara this way."

Tsunade nodded as Gaara took the quill that had been used by the Kazekage for nearly a century and dipped it into his own blood. Signing the contract in Kanji, Gaara then handed it to Naruto.

He too signed the document, under Gaara's name, and smiled as the people bowed to Gaara and a steady clap filled the room.

"I introduce your new Kazekage, Sabaku no Gaara."

Gaara smiled and said, "as my first official act... I... would like to propose a treaty of alliance to you, Hokage-dono."

He quickly glanced at Temari, who nodded, telling him that he said that correctly.

Tsunade smiled at the healed cut on Gaara's hand and said, "I would like that, Kazekage-dono. Let us retreat to your office and etch out the details?"

"Uzumaki Naruto... I am glad that you could come... I... consider you my best friend. You will always have a place here, in Sunagakure."

Smiling, Naruto said, "as long as you don't break my legs, Gaara, we're fine!"

Then, he smiled, conveying that he was joking. Gaara glanced at Temari, who was standing behind him. She smiled and said, "he was being friendly, Gaara, and telling you that you are forgiven."

Gaara teared up slightly, and wondered who used a Jutsu on his eyes. Tsunade smiled and said, "Naruto, go find my Shinobi and tell them I am at the Kazekage Tower, and that it is time for their yearly."

Naruto flinched as Tsunade said, "may I have the services of your hospital, Gaara?"

Gaara nodded, before saying, "arigatou, Uzumaki Naruto."

After searching for fifteen minutes, Naruto finally caught up with one of the Jounin, Kotetsu Hagane. To say the man was shocked to see a Konoha Chuunin this far away from Konoha was impressive.

"Ah... Naruto right?"

Naruto nodded, "hai. Tsunade-sama and I were invited to the inauguration of Gaara as the Kazekage. Ano... Tsunade-sama has ordered me to find you and the other Jounin here, and am to tell you to report to the Suna-hospital for a checkup."

Hagane winced and said, "you'll understand my displeasure at finding a Chuunin here without notification, so until I see Tsunade-sama myself, I'll have to escort you."

Naruto frowned, crossed his arms, but nodded and said, "hai, I understand."

The newly promoted Jounin nodded as if in complete control and said, "Yosh. Take me to Tsunade-sama!"

Naruto nodded and looked at him, waiting for the man to set the pace. Hagane shrugged and jumped to the top of the roof, and Naruto followed a second later. As they arrived to the hospital, Gaara sat by Tsunade, both dressed in Kage garb, sharing a bottle of Sake. Naruto winced as he saw Gaara looking oddly at the drink, and could hear his mutter of, "I thought it was alcoholic."

"Gaara, we're different than the others. Alcohol, and stuff like that, won't affect us."

Gaara smiled, a truly sinister site that Naruto didn't want to see again, and said, "Hello Naruto, Hagane. It seems your mission was a success. Good job for a newly instated Suna-nin, eh Tsunade-dono?"

Tsunade crossed her arms and, very seriously, said, "Hai, that is what I expect from a Konoha-nin."

Gaara looked at the Hokage crossly and said, "I thought I made it abundantly clear that Naruto-kun was now a Suna-nin?"

Tsunade spit her Sake out, all over Hagane and said, "I thought you were joking!"

Gaara looked at Temari and, very carefully, smiled and, monotonely said, "got you."

Naruto fell, laughing at the look of surprise on the woman's face as Temari sighed and said, "you're getting there, Gaara."

"So, Gaara-teme, you want to fight?"

Gaara sighed, looking at his best friend and said, "I cannot. The Council has stated that I cannot face you in battle, that I must present a strong front, and even losing a spar against a Chuunin, even another like myself, would not let me be seen in the best light. Of course, the council forgets that the only reason I lost is that you've got larger Chakra stores than I have."

Naruto nodded and said, "hai, that does seem to be the reason I win so many battles."

Gaara sighed, "Naruto... I... will miss you when you go. You... acknowledged my existance. My reason to live changed when you acknowledged me."

Naruto smiled and held out his arm, and extended two fingers. Gaara took those two fingers with his own and said, "arigatou, Naruto-kun. As long as I am Kazekage, Sunagakure will stand with Konohagakure... will stand with the only other person that knows my pain."

Tsunade smiled and said, "well, if that doesn't sound like an agreement than I don't know what does! Hagane, you are to find the Konoha Jounin on assignment and I am going to administer a physical in Sunagakure. Gaara-dono has agreed to let us use his hospital for the time being so I can conduct this small mission. Again, Gaara, I thank you for this. Naruto, go find that baka-sennin and tell him to come to the hospital."

Naruto nodded solemnly and said, "Gaara, I need to go find Ero-Sennin! You'll meet my sensei!"

"I... am confused. I thought Shiranui Genma was his sensei?" Gaara asked as Naruto ran out of the door. Tsunade smiled and said, "Naruto has nearly four Sensei, all teaching him different things. Or had anyway. Sarutobi-sensei taught Naruto from an early age after he was nearly killed. Then Genma became his genin sensei, while Jiraiya taught him jutsu created by his Otousan. Then, there's Gai!"

In Konoha, Genma and Gai sneezed in their Sake, while Jiraiya sneezed, causing the female Suna-nin soaking in the bathhouse to turn towards him. Soon, the white haired Sannin was flying through the air, alerting Naruto to his presense.

"Oi! Ero-Sennin! I told you not to peep! You Ero-Sennin!"

Shaking his head, Naruto draws his Kunai and with precision accuracy throws it, catching Jiraiya in the back of his red cloak and said, "Hiraishin no Jutsu!"

He narrowly escaped the killing intent from the females behind him, that stood in awe of the Yondaime's Legacy.

"Oi, Ero-Sennin! I told you not to peep! You Ero-Sennin!"

That was the sound that Jiraiya had awoken too, seeing the blond, frayed hair of his sometimes student, Uzumaki Naruto. The man sighed and covered Naruto's mouth and said, "quiet. You don't want... what's this hole in my cloak!"

Naruto blushed. "Not my fault Ero-Sennin! You are the one that was peeping, and when they caught you, you were flying away! So, I used a Hiraishin to catch you. The Kunai caught your cloak!"

The man's face turned blue, and Naruto thought, for a second that he was going to hit him. Then he burst out laughing.

"HA! Even now, though you don't realize it, Naruto-kun, you are learning the ways of the Super Hentai!"

Naruto shrugged and said, "Ero-Sennin, they're coming back! Let's go!"

The man climbed on Naruto's back and, as he used Chakra to throw the Kunai, Naruto said, "Hiraishin no Jutsu!"

He caught the Kunai and went into the hospital. Jiraiya paled at the site that met him. "Not really, Ero-Sennin. It's just that Tsunade-baachan wanted to see you. He was caught peeping, Tsunade-baachan!"

The woman bristled and stood up. Fist met face as Jiraiya flew through the window that he'd just came in, and far along the skyline of Sunagakure. Tsunade smiled and said, "charge the window to Konoha, please, Gaara? And apologize to your kunoichi for that Hentai."

Gaara shrugged and turned to Naruto, "what's a Hentai?"

End Chapter

Ja ne!