XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hiruzen's POV (Leaf Camp - Land of Iron)
Hiruzen sat patiently in a chair as he observed the Anbu guard and his now-grown students preparing for the long trek that would be the journey home. Though admittedly, Hiruzen's mind was more occupied by the troublesome string of recent events.
The exams had been more eventful than any previous Hiruzen had held or had the pleasure of attending. Multiple Leaf shinobi, even clan heirs, had suddenly gone missing. In a manner that suggested it was less than a mere case of stir crazy young adults venturing off, and more victims of a violent kidnapping. Kabuto Yakushi had randomly defected, while he had been a mere Genin and an unimpressive one at that. It was odd the Genin would randomly attack his own team, successfully somehow, then disappear. A spy or simply a criminal showing his true colors? Arguably worse of all, Naruto's status as a jinchuriki was exposed, now all of the Leaf's enemies knew of their resource.
All of this, in a mere span of days, was enough to make Hiruzen seriously consider forcing his role on either Tsunade or Jiraiya. The paperwork alone would be colossal, the increased chance of espionage and straight-up hostility from rivals- overwhelming, and the fury of angry shinobi parents would surely be the death of him. But as if Kami had heard his internal complaints and taken offense, the list of missing people had only grown and now included potentially the Leaf's most valuable assets.
Sasuke Uchiha, a Chunin many were convinced would redeem his fallen clan and become a shinobi of considerable note. Hinata Hyuga, heiress of the most prominent clan of the Leaf. Shino Aburame, heir of a smaller but no less notable clan. And even the newly exposed Naruto Uzumaki. The jinchuriki of the Kyuubi. 'Who in Kami's name could possibly be responsible?!'
Yet his trusted ally Emna appeared just when Hiruzen's old bones began their infernal aching. Hiruzen had been overjoyed at first; despite their business relationship as a summoner and summoned, Hiruzen had found the Monkey King to be some of the best company to keep around. Their years together through war and strife had bred a lifelong friendship. But that surprised joy soon drowned in the turbulent sea of a frown on Enma's face.
"Hello, old friend. I wish I had heard better news, but this meeting seems more of an emergency than a reunion." *1* Emna's voice was grave and foreboding. It instantly filled the elderly Kage with something akin to fear. Emna barely came to Hiruzen like so; last time, it had been to expose his student Orochimaru. He could not take another problem right now; the Leaf was too vulnerable.
"Of course, Emna, I worry a little for the circumstances. But merely seeing my ally fills me with happiness. Tell me whatever ails us, and I shall do what I can to alleviate your worries." Hiruzen answered.
"I received correspondence between another summoning clan. Normally, we monkeys don't bother with such. We have no interest in outer clan matters; however, the news seemed to be of interest to you. The clan I mentioned informed me of the arrival of several of your shinobi taken to our world of Terra. This was done by an unknown clan of animals." Emna replied.
"Summoning World? *2* I thought your homeland was somewhere on this planet. Now, you tell me it is an entirely different world?" Hiruzen asked, perplexed.
"Aye. Even summoners like yourself are often kept out of such matters. It is understood within all clans that using humans in conflict is a last-resort tactic, one that is regardless of context, looked down upon quite harshly. Regardless, it is not such a simple matter. We are in a different world, named Terra, but the difference does not lie in location. It would be easiest to say that our two worlds are layered upon each other. Occupying the same space in parallel, yet somehow not affecting the other, for the most part anyway. The point is some party, either a summoning party or even an unknown third party, has taken your shinobi for unknown purposes. This is problematic due to the dangerous and hostile land in Irminsul. As well as the danger of allowing a random clan access to powerful, young, and impressionable shinobi." Enma explained.
"So you're saying they were all taken like this?!"
"At least the majority of them, confounding the clan who informed me of this, had requested aid from another Chunin of yours. One named… Naruto Uzumaki? Yes it was him, him and three other humans have ventured to Terra with the aid of this clan to save the others. The blind leading the blind as it were."
Hiruzen felt his blood flow faster as his body reacted to the terrible news. Not only were his men now confirmed to have been taken, but someone or somebody took them to a dangerous and strange area. For unknown and surely dark purposes. Potential casualties, insubordination, and future international incidents filled his mind. If the lot of them were to perish, it would cause irreparable damage to the coming generation of the Leaf. If not outright leading to their destruction in the present. Hiruzen mastered the panic within an instant.
Hiruzen needed to fix this NOW.
"Jiraiya! Tsunade!"
Tsunade looked up with lazy impatience. Jiraiya nodded respectfully but was distracted watching a female Anbu member bent over her digging into a bag. Tsunade, ever with a watchful eye, noticed such and stomped on his foot. Hiruzen, any other time, would've enjoyed the childish bit of humor. But now was not the time for such foolishness.
"I need the two of you to contact your summoning clans now! I need the two of you to go and ensure the safety of the younger generation trapped within Irminsul. You both are more than powerful enough and should be more familiar than I with this "Terra" world." Hiruzen barked.
"Your Summoning Clan will have more details and advice to find them." Emna chimed in helpfully. "My own are more solitary than most, they likely be of no service."
"Sure thing, sensei. Let me summon one of the small toa—" Jiraiya started, though his blonde teammate's answer silenced him.
"No." Tsunade answered. Jiraiya froze, seemingly shocked by the open defiance. Though recovered quickly, shaking his head but stepping back. Clearly he intended to let this play out.
"I was not asking." *3* Hiruzen replied evenly. His patience had been eroded, and it was little guilt that Hiruzen flexed his chakra and killing intent. He should've taken Tsunade to task a long time ag-
"I'm not getting pulled into this again," Tsunade said stiffly. Boldly glaring into Hiruzen's eyes. "If you all wanna raise the next dumb dream-blinded bastard, then go on ahead. But I'll take no part. I'm not saving that little shit, he'll learn the same way THEY did."
"This is about Naruto, isn't it," Jiraiya replied with a frown.
"Surely you cannot mean to sentence someone to death! Did the deaths of Nawaki and D-" Hiruzen started but astutely chose to stop when he saw Tsunade's brow crease. At a speed that even Hiruzen found impressive, Tsunade had her hand wrapped around his throat. Jiraiya had reacted quicker, perhaps seeing this coming. He calmly had a hand to Tsunade's shoulder, careful not to force it, but seemingly as a subtle warning.
"You have no right to speak his name, even less to use him as a tool to disrespect me." Tsunade tensely whispered at Hiruzen. "You see Naruto as the next Minato, right? Well, great, 'cause he sounds just like his father, another "hero" dying to die young and early."
Before either man could respond, Tsunade dropped Hiruzen, shoved Jiraiya off her, and marched away, making it clear she was refusing to ensure the Genin and newly Chunin made it home safe…
"We can't force her sensei." Jiraiya spoke. "Let me attempt to do so, besides I'm more than enough to save em'."
"Fine." Hiruzen spat, his anger bleeding through a bit. "But you must speak to her, she's almost rebellious!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Jiraiya replied dryly before he slammed his palm to the ground, a summoning matrix appearing as he did so. "Summoning Jutsu!" The two men watched as the smoke cloud appeared. But to their shared shock nothing appeared after.
"It seems old age has affected your performance…" Hiruzen joked, dismayed.
"I can't summon anything…" Jiraiya said equally worried. "Those rookies are on their own…"