"I like your idea of equal sharing of missions," said Tsunade thoughtfully.
"It makes sense but too often our own greed gets in the way. As long as it is equitable then why shouldn't we share mission responsibility when certain mission would better suit a Konohagakure or Kirigakure shinobi? There may be minor discrepancies in the value of the mission but in that case we simply split the difference. Both sides win big and we're likely to bring in more business if they know that two shinobi villages are backing them," said Mei.
"It makes sense to me as long as the daimyo approve in the end. This may be something to try and bring Sunagakure in on as well once they have finally appointed a Kazekage," said Tsunade.
"Are they still arguing over that?"
"They have an interim but nothing is set in stone yet," said Tsunade. "It might be a year before they finally settle the issue."
"So long... then again look what my own country recently experienced," said Mei. She took a sip of her tea.
"Things will settle again soon enough, they always do," said Sarutobi. He was there to advise and assist as well as keep the peace if necessary as a moderator.
"I do have another request," said Mei. "As I understand it, some of your shinobi encountered a nukenin by the name of Momochi Zabuza."
"That is correct," said Sarutobi. "It was a clean engagement in Nami no Kuni. He was killed in action."
"I understand, I'm not angry about it. He was a nukenin even if he was on my side of the civil war. We are seeking to recover his blade," explained Mei.
"We have it sealed away," said Sarutobi. "It can be returned for a fair price."
"Define fair," said Mei.
Tsunade glared at Sarutobi for interrupting her negotiations. "It is an A-rank weapon, correct?"
Mei nodded.
"Let's say two A-rank bounties then," said Tsunade.
Mei sighed in relief. "That is a very fair price. Thank you."
"Heritage is important," said Tsunade. "I would hope that if you ever came across a piece of our heritage you would be a fair with us."
Mei nodded once more fully understanding the underlying meaning of the statement. Heritage could mean treasured objects as well as shinobi.
"How are things going with the recovery? Do you need any assistance?"
"I'm currently bogged down by a rat hunt," said Mei with a frown marring her face. "There are still a lot of elements from Yagura's reign that need to be cleaned up. I wish you could help with that but it is an unfortunate internal matter."
"How much longer do you expect it to last?"
"Resistance is fading quickly now. Maybe another six months, if we don't suffer any setbacks," said Mei. "I appreciate the offer to help though. Believe me, just knowing that we have an ally on our border relieves a lot of the pressure."
"Have you made any inroads with Kaminari no Kuni?" asked Tsunade.
"No, the current raikage is a stubborn fool. Every attempt to contact him has been resisted and denied. He believes we are still too unstable and is preparing for an 'inevitable war' with us," said Mei, the frustration on her face showing clearly.
"Gives me the same crap line all the time," said Tsunade. "Stubborn bastard."
"And Onoki hasn't been any better," said Mei.
"We haven't talked to the gnome in years," said Sarutobi. "They have become completely isolated in recent years. The only one they have any semblance of peaceful relations with is Kumogakure."
"Such stubborn fools, both of them," said Mei.
"Anyway, we still have a few more issues to discuss," said Tsunade.
"The next chuunin exams," said Mei. "I would offer to host but I fear my village isn't prepared for it yet but maybe in a year."
"This rotation is with Yugakure anyway so it's an open invite," said Tsunade. "We aren't scheduled to host for another two years. Sunagakure is suppose to host in about eight months but if they don't get their act together they might get skipped this rotation."
"I could probably manage in the event they are unable," said Mei. "It would be tough but a strong first step."
"I'll have teams there," said Tsunade. "If you can manage it. We'll have to get Sunagakure involved if we're going to make this happen. They may even thank you for it. It would provide them a little needed relief."
"If you would speak with them on my behalf it would be greatly appreciated," said Mei.
"I'll send a letter this afternoon informing them of everything we've discussed. Right now let's get all of our agreements lined up so we can submit them to our daimyo for approval. Hopefully your daimyo and mine are open to working together," said Tsunade.
"Of course," said Mei. The remainder of the day was spent cleaning up and writing a final draft to send on to both daimyo.
BREAK
"Afternoon."
"Afternoon."
The two men sat in silence for a while before one of them passed a jug of sake to the other.
They sat like that for a while passing the jug back and forth before the man with bright red hair spoke. "You here to kill me?"
"Nah, too much effort for too little reward," answered the man with spiky white hair.
"I haven't had any new intelligence for you in years, don't know why you'd come back now," said the red head.
"I'm here on other business," said the white haired man.
"What other business could you have with me, Jiraiya?" asked the red head.
"The kind that deals with saving your life, Roshi," answered Jiraiya.
"I'm old, Jiraiya. I very much doubt there is anything you can do about that," said Roshi.
Jiraiya chuckled. "I'm no spring chicken myself you know. I can't do anything about you becoming senile in your old age. I came here to talk to you about 'the shit flinger'."
Roshi took an extra long drag of his sake. "Akatsuki, right?"
"Yeah," said Jiraiya.
"I know old Onoki sold me out," said Roshi. "Heh, always knew they'd betray me some day."
"Shit, I didn't realize," said Jiraiya. "It's not because of our relationship after the wars ended?"
"Nah, I'm sure the gnome knew you and I exchanged information in an attempt to keep things calm... well calmer anyway. No, this is more to do with me leaving active service of the village all those years ago. He's tried pressuring me to return a few times but I guess he just got tired of it," explained Roshi. He sighed heavily before taking another long pull on the sake jug.
"You made any progress with 'the shit flinger'?" asked Jiraiya.
"Not really, stubborn chimp," said Roshi.
"If you'll allow it, there is someone I'd like you to meet."
"Yeah, sure, why not," said Roshi.
"Yo, Naruto, come on out!" shouted Jiraiya.
Naruto stepped into view and gave a nervous wave. The last thing he needed was to be confused for his father.
"That his kid? I heard rumors but the similar appearance is striking," said Roshi.
"Yeah, it was announced almost six months ago now. Still, I'm surprised you heard anything this far out in the middle of nowhere," said Jiraiya.
"What's up, gaki? I'm Roshi, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. I'm Naruto."
"Oh ho, 'the shit flinger' is all stirred up suddenly. You a jinchuuriki too?"
"Yeah," said Naruto. "Kurama and me wanted to warn all of his brothers and sisters about Akatsuki."
"Kurama? I'm guess that's the fox's name," said Roshi.
"Yeah, if you're good with it Kurama was hoping to have a face to face with 'the shit flinger'. He loves that nickname for his brother by the way," said Naruto.
"You seem awfully chummy with your bijuu. What's that all about?"
Naruto shrugged. "It's complicated. Anyway, let's go talk to them, shall we?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever," said Roshi as he closed his eyes.
Naruto sat and began his meditation.
"Kyah ha ha ha!" howled Kurama as Naruto neared his prison. "Your container regularly calls you 'the shit flinger'. I'm never going to forget that so long as I live. I can't wait to tell Gyuuki and Matatabi-chan."
"Damned you Kurama-teme! I do not throw shit and you know it!"
Kurama just laughed harder.
"Yo," greeted Naruto looking towards the yonbi. "I'm Naruto."
"What do you want human?"
"Be nice 'shit flinger'," ordered Roshi as he came into view.
"How many times have I told you that is not my name. My name is-"
"I don't give a crap about your name 'shit flinger'. Never have, never will," said Roshi.
"That's kind of rude don't you think?" asked Naruto.
Roshi shrugged nonchalantly.
"Your container is a dick," said Kurama. The fox suddenly shivered as he realized that Naruto's personality was rubbing off on him.
"Trade you," offered the yonbi.
"You can kiss my furry nine-tailed ass, Son Goku. He's my container and he is a hell of a lot better than your senile old bastard," said Kurama.
"I knew I was rubbing off on him," said Naruto with a grin. "It's nice to meet you Son Goku!"
"He's weird. I may actually be a little freaked out by him," said Son Goku, blinking a few times.
"You don't know the half of it," mumbled Kurama.
"Enough with the pleasantries. What the hell do you want with 'the shit flinger'?" asked Roshi.
"There is a group called Akatsuki hunting us. At least one of them is an Uchiha with the power to control us," explained Kurama.
"Why would they want all of us? I doubt he'd be able to control all of us at the same time," said Son Goku.
"I've had time to think about it for a while now. I can only think of two reasons to try to gather all of us to the same place. Either to set us loose to create chaos or they want to resurrect it."
"And if the Uchiha can control us then he probably believes he can control it," said Son Goku finishing the statement.
"What is it?" asked Naruto. "You mentioned that when we were talking to Saiken too."
"Saiken?" asked Roshi interrupting.
"Rokubi," answered Naruto shortly.
Kurama growled as he considered answering the question. "It is the juubi, our progenitor."
"Proge-what?"
"The Rikudo Sennin was the first jinchuuriki, he held the juubi. Before his death, he broke the juubi into nine different beings and thus the bijuu came into existence," explained Kurama.
"I'm guessing the juubi is bad news," said Naruto.
"Understatement of the millennium," mumbled Son Goku.
Roshi sighed and cursed several loud explicatives in anger. "Did you know about this, 'shit flinger'? Did you have any idea about this?"
"I suspected but I didn't know for sure and you absolutely refuse to even try working with me to find out. You take my chakra to try and understand it but you don't even try to understand me. We've been together for almost forty years and you know almost nothing about me."
"Swallow your pride, Roshi-jiisan. You're going to have to work with him if you want to stand a chance against Akatsuki when they come for you. And they definitely will come for you," said Naruto.
Roshi spit. "Fine. Son Goku, we've got some work to do."
"About damned time," said Son Goku.
Naruto and Roshi both opened their eyes in the real world moments later.
"Well that was interesting," said Roshi.
"So what are you going to do now?" asked Jiraiya.
"Son Goku and I are going to train our asses off," said Roshi. "And when those fuckers from Akatsuki come knocking, we're going to rip their arms off and beat them to death with them."
"You're going to need help," said Jiraiya. "We're on a mission to warn and inform all the jinchuuriki. We'll be going to Takigakure next. Don't suppose you'd do me a favor and go find Han. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be interested in talking with any of my group. Last time he and I 'talked', I almost killed him and the time before that he almost killed me. And if he saw the gaki I have no doubt he'd completely freak, he and the yondaime never had a friendly chat either."
"Yeah, if they are hunting me it would probably be best I got myself on the move anyway. Make it harder for them to find me that way," said Roshi.
"My network says they aren't planning to start making moves for another year or two so you've got some time to train and hopefully find a someplace to disappear where they won't catch you. Anyway, we'd better get moving," said Jiraiya.
"Good luck with you mission, gaki," said Roshi with a nod to Naruto.
"You too, Roshi-jiisan," replied Naruto.
BREAK
"Why are we going through Kaze no Kuni?" asked Naruto. "I thought we were going to Takigakure?"
"We are but there is no rush. I figured we could check up on a few of my spies and maybe you could pay that Gaara kid a visit, see how his training is coming along. I may even give him a few pointers if I'm feeling generous. Plus it will give you and Kakashi some time to train," explained Jiraiya.
"You mean for me to train Naruto and Gaara, right?"
"Nope, you need to train too. You should have already been made hokage, instead you've slacked off, staring at that damned stone all day everyday. You've got a lot of catching up to do," said Jiraiya. "Minato would be disappointed if he found out just how lazy you've been."
"Low blow old man," said Kakashi.
"Am I wrong?" asked Jiraiya.
"No, but it was still a low blow," said Kakashi. "Fine, I guess I can get back into training mode."
"Good, it'll keep Naruto on his toes," said Jiraiya.
"Don't I get any say in this?" asked Naruto.
"No," chorused Jiraiya and Kakashi at the same time.
"For now focus on sand walking, you're starting to sink," said Kakashi, pointing at Naruto's feet.
Naruto shouted in surprise and quickly climbed back out of the sand. "Stupid chakra control," he grumbled.
"Don't worry, by the time we leave the desert it will be second nature to you," said Kakashi with a mock cheerfulness.
"I hate you," said Naruto flatly.
"Stop flirting you two, let's a get a move on," ordered Jiraiya. The cackle afterward at the way both of the men sputtered carried through the desert as they traveled.
It took them three days to finally reach Sunagakure. Once there they checked into a hotel and registered their presence with the local authorities. Then it was decided to have a free afternoon to explore.
Naruto's priority was naturally finding Gaara to see how he was doing.
"Excuse me, do you know where I can find Sabaku Gaara?" he asked a shop owner.
"What do you want with the demon?" asked the shop owner.
"First, he's not a demon, asshole. Second, he's my friend, fuckhead," said Naruto rudely.
The shop keeper sputtered before pointing to the south in an effort to just get rid of Naruto.
"Thank you," Naruto replied cheerfully. He loved messing with assholes like that.
Once he was out of earshot he mumbled to himself, "Prank target acquired, mission accepted." Laughing loudly Naruto jumped up onto the rooftops and headed south keeping an eye out for Gaara.
Naruto found him near the southern wall in a small park that was shaded by the nearby wall turret.
"Yo, Gaara!" he cheered happily as he landed.
Gaara looked at Naruto flatly. "I'm surprised to see you. Why are you here?"
"I've been traveling with Ero-sennin. We've been finding the other jinchuuriki and warning them about Akatsuki," explained Naruto. "Anyway, Ero-sennin needed to check on a few things, otherwise known as visit the brothels. So here we are. I guess we're going to stay a few weeks to train and rest from all the traveling."
"I see, welcome to Sunagakure," said Gaara.
"Thanks," said Naruto. "So where can I get a decent bowl of ramen around here?"
"Follow me," said Gaara.
Naruto followed. "So how have you been? How is training going? I bet I'm still more of a badass than you are."
"I have been well. My training has been intense. You caught me taking a break. I like to see the children playing, I never got to play as a child. It makes the parents nervous I think," said Gaara.
"They'll get over it," said Naruto. "Hey, I know, make an awesome sand castle for the kids next time. They'll love it and it may soften the parents a bit."
"I shall have to try that," said Gaara. "How has your training been going?"
"Good, it's tough with how much we've been traveling," said Naruto. "I mostly have to train at night when we make camp and even then we have to be careful if we're not in friendly territory. We were in Tsuchi no Kuni a week ago, talk about being on edge."
"I can imagine," said Gaara thoughtfully. "I have been focusing on learning to use taijutsu. It is difficult because of my sand's automated defenses."
"What do you mean?" asked Naruto.
"When someone tries to punch or kick me, my sand reacts on its own before I can," said Gaara.
"So get faster than your sand," said Naruto. "That's how Lee got around your sand, right? Just do the same."
Gaara raised an eyebrow. "I had not considered that."
Naruto shrugged. "After ramen, why don't we go find some training dummies and get in a work out?"
Gaara nodded his agreement.
An hour later they had found some training dummies to work with. They were designed specifically for taijutsu practice. It was a thick wooden post with three arms and a leg mounted on a slightly springy frame representing a stationary human opponent.
"Okay, so for now you're too slow to move faster than your sand right? Makes getting a sparing partner difficult, yeah?"
"That is correct Uzumaki Naruto," answered Gaara.
"So start with a dummy to learn the moves," said Naruto. He then faced one of the dummies and when through a series of blocks and strikes as he moved around the dummy.
"I know it's not much but it's a good place to start, don't you think?" asked Naruto.
Gaara stepped up the dummy and tried to repeat the pattern Naruto used. It was sloppy and slow but his sand didn't interfere much except to protect his skin.
"See, not so bad. Just keep working at it and getting faster and faster. Eventually your sand won't be fast enough to keep up or you may control your sand as part of your taijutsu. Maybe it can act like a secondary attack, you punch and the sand acts as a follow up punch. Or... ooh, we met this Jugo guy that could shape shift. He'd turn his fist into anvils, knives, spears and shit like that. You could do that with your sand too maybe. What do you think?"
"It is something to consider. For now it would simply be best to learn taijutsu to make any of that possible. I have also recently begun learning some fuuton ninjutsu," said Gaara.
"Cool, I'm a wind type too," said Naruto. "It's fun right?"
"Maybe," said Gaara.
"Have you accidentally blown up any girls skirts yet?" asked Naruto in a conspiratorial whisper.
Gaara's eyes widened slightly. "I had not considered the possibility. Does that work? Doesn't it risk hurting them?"
"Not if you make it super weak," said Naruto with a big grin.
The corners of Gaara's mouth twitched into an uncontainable smirk.
"Just don't do it too often or you may get caught and that would mean big trouble. And never do it in front of a female friend unless you want to get slapped around," advised Naruto.
"Interesting," said Gaara. "I did not get the impression you were a pervert."
"I'm a man, all men are at least slightly perverted. I only did that a few times on accident but Ero-sennin has begged me to do it more often. He's a super pervert. Not that I didn't enjoy the free shows," said Naruto.
Gaara let a small laugh. "Let's get back to training. Please show me again how to start."
Naruto nodded and show Gaara a simple pattern of two block, two strikes and a kick to practice.
"How many times do I repeat it?" asked Gaara.
"I usually do around five thousand reps but that's only cause of Kurama and my bloodline healing me," said Naruto. "Why don't you start with a thousand and see how you feel?"
Gaara nodded and began repeating the effort.
Unknown to both of them they were being observed by two jounin.
"It's interesting to see Gaara work to improve, don't you think, Kakashi?" asked a badly damaged man. He had a wooden arm and leg that he seemed to be controlling with chakra strings.
"He has a great deal of potential, Baki," said Kakashi. "I'm surprised you survived. You're quite resilient."
"I'm of the desert, I have to be resilient to thrive here," said Baki.
"Your student would probably thrive with a ninjato," advised Kakashi. "You're good with swords, aren't you?"
"Very," said Baki. "I will consider teaching him now that he is finally making an effort to train."
"Jiraiya-sama has offered to give him some training pointers while we're visiting," said Kakashi. "You could help us teach them too. Naruto is a very gifted fuuton user also."
"I'll consider it," said Baki focusing on the pair below them. "That style the Uzumaki is showing Gaara. I'm not familiar with it."
"It's not a style at all," said Kakashi. "It is simple combinations to teach punching, kicking, and blocking. Naruto knows a lot of those."
"It seems awfully simple," said Baki.
"That's the point," said Kakashi. "It's used to teach simple muscle memory, build speed, and improve accuracy. That's why he does so many reps with it."
"How many are they doing?" asked Baki.
"Naruto will do around five thousand repetitions then switch the lead move to the other hand or foot. He probably told Gaara to start with half that. Gaara will be lucky to do a thousand," said Kakashi. "Maybe less as he's just starting to train physically. We'll see how it goes."
"Ten thousand repetitions?" asked Baki. "Even I couldn't do that many!"
"Well... he is an Uzumaki," said Kakashi with a shrug.
BREAK
The mask was blank. It was unpainted. It held no animal representation. It was his identity while in ANBU training. It was strange how free he'd felt since he'd put on that mask. He felt like he was no longer hiding from the world. He felt like his darkness was where it was meant to be, on the surface of his face for everyone to see.
Everything was communicated without a single word being spoken. Using a twitch code so elaborate it had taken him six months to learn enough of it and its iterations to use it effectively. It stretched his mind to the limit to learn it all and he was still learning.
His actual training though was completely brilliant. He slept during the brightest hours of the day and trained the rest. His physical conditioning regimen would break most people, pushing his muscles to their limit. His chakra training even more so, hanging by a single finger from a ceiling for hours on end without breaking that finger or getting it ripped off was intense. And the mental conditioning helped to quiet his mind, to control the memories of what happened to his family. Most importantly it taught him to control the need to kill better than any of his previous training had accomplished. He no longer felt as if a wrong word from any one person would set him off on a killing rampage. Instead, he could now run an exercise of assassination techniques and planning in his mind to use later if needed.
He'd found his home in this world. Uchiha Sasuke was home in the shadows and enjoying every second of it.