Chapter 31: It Starts, A Potentially Serious Problem!

"Kiba!" Naruto shouted, entering Training Grounds 17 for the first time. The Inuzuka clan heir, who was on inactive duty while his Jounin instructor, Hatake Kakashi, trained the former Number one rookie, Uchiha Sasuke, turned. His ears sharpening, and his eyes narrowing. He'd heard tales, of course, of the now infamous chuunin, Uzumaki Naruto, most of them from his cousin.

"Nani, can't you see I'm trying to train?" Some of the stories, while telling of his character, couldn't off-set the years of verbal and physical abuse Kiba had noticed the blond had gone through. "I don't have time to listen."

He watched out of the corner of his eye as Naruto, well known for the seal carried on his stomach, around his naval area, and the Kyuubi inside of him, frowned. He was an Oinin, one reluctantly allowed by the Konona Council, his kaa-san among them, that disliked him.

"You're hereby recruited to join the former team 3, containing Inuzuka Nushi, her nindog Sutermaru, Riyousha Kimourii and Nii Yugito, as we head to Sunagakure no Sato. This will be in part to allow you early access to their training area for the Chuunin Selection Examination."

Kiba frowned, his face displaying a set of contribed emotions that were verily visible to the Chuunin, he knew, but in all honesty, he didn't think it mattered.

"What about Sakura-san? She's the only one left to work with, with that Uchiha-teme out of the country on a training mission. I don't want to split my team."

"Haruno Sakura has already accepted a spot on another team, and will be at the Chuunin Selection Exams herself. We would like to offer you this oppurtunity, which will allow you to practice the Inuzuka style, as well as take the exam itself."

"Che, figures. She doesn't think of anyone other than the Uchiha-teme, anyways. Alright, I'll come. But, don't try anything with Nushi-sama, or I'll kill you, Chuunin or not."

All Naruto could do was laugh.

Hokage Tower, 11:47AM

The bandaged visage appearing in Tsunade's door gave her a headache as she looked at the limping figure of Danzo. He was once one of Konoha's top Shinobi, and former candidate for title of Hokage, until it came to light that he was willing to kill, to go to war, for the position. The Nidaime, who had taken over from his brother, the Shodai, had seen the error of Danzo's ways, and refused the position.

Danzo had never forgiven the Sandaime, Sarutobi, for the slight. Ever since, he'd worked against the will of fire, even, her reports showed, going as far as to try and work with Orochimaru, not that she could prove it.

"Danzo," she hissed to the bandaged clad man. "What do I owe the pleasure?"

"Godaime-sama, it has come to my attention that you denied my request for Ne once again. Surely you can see the advantage of having a specially trained ANBU force? Why must you persistently go against this?"

"I, as well as my former teammate Jiraiya, have seen your version of better trained, Danzo. A group of ANBU completely loyal to you, only. No, if I find out that you have reopened Ne without approval, that will be seen as a sign of hostility and treason."

"You're being unreasonable, Hokage-sama. Ne is not solely loyal to myself. They were better trained, yes, but answered to the Konoha Council."

"Which is why my predecessor, the Sandaime Hokage, restricted your movements by making Ne an illegal organization, Danzo. He knew the type of person you were, probably more so than anyone. You attempted to coerce the Yondaime as a Chuunin, did you not?"

Danzo glared at the blond haired woman, and said, "your information is faulty, Tsunade. Just as is your information on the Gaki no Kyuubi. Sarutobi was a fool who did not deserve to wear the title of Konohagakure no Sato no Hokage."

"You had better watch yourself, Danzo. You are committing treason by speaking ill of two Hokage. Your spite is apparent in the way you speak, and if you do not lessen your hostility, I will see that as an act of attrition."

As she watched Danzo forcibly lessen his Killing Intent, Tsunade couldn't help but feel slightly smug. "I'm sure you didn't come to grovel over Ne, Danzo. What is it you want?"

Danzo looked up and said, "the Council has called a meeting for later today, Tsunade. It would be best for you to come."

She nodded, her assent coming in the form of a sneer, as the former ANBU captain disappeared into the shadows. "Shizune, get me the new team Yugito immediately and bring me a messenger-nin at once."

"Hai, Hokage-sama!" Shizune said, her own body disappearing in a flume of smoke. As she turned, she said, "did you hear, Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya sighed. "Hai, my sources in Ne have said that Danzo is preparing to move. I'd watch my back, Tsunade. We still don't know what he has planned."

"I know, my friend. Jiraiya, I want you to assist me in something. Akatsuki is gaining more and more brass, lately. My own sources indicate that they have acquired the Shichibi no Kaku, and are holding it for extraction. Because of this, I have sent missives to Kirigakure and Sunagakure, which host Jinchuuriki, and have asked them to send the same to wherever Jinchuuriki may be spotted. I want you, I need you, to find out their plans for the biju."

"Tsunade, I'll try. Oh, ohayo Naruto-kun!"

"AHH! Ero-sennin! Konnichi-wa, dattebayo!" Naruto said, as he walked into the room, the three genin of the new Team Yugito following him. "Yugito-chan is on her way, Tsunade-sama. She was finishing up some paperwork for the Oinin, and asked us to come before."

"That's alright. Sit, we'll wait until she is here. Inuzuka Kiba, I understand that you have decided to join Team Yugito for the upcoming Chuunin Exams in Sunagakure. Is this true?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama. If Yugito-sama finds our teamwork adequate, she has expressed interest in going to the Chuunin Exams. I understand that we will be the first Genin cell she has tried to train."

"Hai," Yugito cut in from the doorway. "My situation is close to Naruto-kun's, in that hatred and distrust blind even the best intentioned people. Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-san."

"Arigatou, Yugito-chan. I have a terrible feeling that Danzo is going to attempt to make his move in the coming days. Our original estimates said a month, and while that is still a week or so away, it seems more and more likely that our time is quickly running short. As such, I am sending Team Yugito, and Uzumaki Naruto-san to Sunagakure. You are to replace some long-standing Jounin teams stationed in Sunagakure until after the Chuunin Exams are over, and as the genin in the cell will be participating in said Exams, train them. Do you understand?"

"Hai, it sounds as if Danzo is planning a Coup-de-grace. Your will is ours, Hokage-sama."

"Uzumaki Naruto-kun, as part of your duties at this time, you will be acting with the Will of the Godaime Hokage under Hokage Special Order 7. You will be acting with my will, during your time in Sunagakure. We have received word that the Akatsuki are going to attempt to abduct Sabaku no Gaara, you are to prevent this in any fashion possible. Understand?"

Naruto nodded. Tsunade said, "Uzumaki Naruto, as described by my words, do you accept this SS-ranked mission that can last in excess of twenty years, and only unspoken by the seal of the Godaime Hokage?"

Naruto searched her eyes, and nodded. "Uzumaki Naruto, in accordance, I hereby order you to Sunagakure. Team Yugito, you are to accompany the Yuujou, and act upon his will. Jiraiya, you will accompany them to Sunagakure, and attempt to find Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Sasuke. They are to immediately make their way to Sunagakure, is that clear."

"Hai," the six shinobi said. As they disappeared, Tsunade sighed and said, "Grandfather, Sensei, please allow me to act upon you will. The will of fire. The will of the Hokage."

As she looked at the clock, she sighed and said, "well, better get this over with. Shizune, select three Jounin guards. No one is to enter or exit the Council chambers while this meeting takes place. Prepare Ibiki, and have him get ready as many rooms as possible. If things go as I anticipate, tell him that Konoha may have betrayers upon us."

"Hai, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade sighed, petting Ton-ton as she exited, the red and white robes of the Hokage shimmering in the afternoon light.

Konoha Gates

The six shinobi exited to the sounds of whispers coming from the Chuunin's guarding them. And yet, they weren't the worried whispers of hate-filled Shinobi, but the respected kind, of Naruto's former associates. They passed by, Naruto locking eyes with them and flashing Oinin code to them, to prepare. It wasn't very known, but Oinin are heavily trained. They had to be, to track the various ranked Nukenin, they had to be more powerful, and more cunning than even the ANBU at times. The signal Naruto had given alerted them that something was on the rise, and to prepare the units.

That civil war just might be upon them. As they left, Jiraiya, Yugito and he all felt the sense of dread that came with knowing that they were leaving Konoha to a fate worse than death.

Konoha Council Chamber

Danzo, Koharu and Homura were all standing, their respective seats dealing from the forboding position of power that assured Tsunade would be looking up, instead of down, at them. Around them the various Clan Heads, and Village Elders that made up Konoha's most prized locations. Her eyes narrowed as she searched out familiar faces, her surprise hidden as she recognized the newly added Icharaku Ramen seller, Teuchi, sitting beside Hyuuga Hiashi. She could tell that the lines had been drawn evenly, with half of the council acting with her will, and the other half against it, and never before had she been so... nervous.

"This, the seven hundred sixty-fifth meeting of the Konoha Council will come to order. As this is an emergency meeting, we will remain behind closed doors until a decision on certain aspects of life in Konoha are made. Danzo will now have the floor."

Danzo laughed, his body rigid from abuse and disuse. The bandages fell from his waist, and his upper torso, as he said, "recently, I have had the Medi-nin restore and heal various affects of my body. I, Danzo, hereby challenge Tsunade, Godaime Hokage for my rightful position. I have the signiture of a majority of Konohagakure's council, and am acting under provision 167 of the Council. Shall I lose, I will lose my seat on the Council."

Tsunade frowned. "Challenge accepted, it will take place after the meeting."

The council shifted as Homura said, "Tsunade-sama, the challenge must be posted now."

"It cannot, Homura-sama, as you well know, emergency meetings last until all new business is taken care of. In this case, I have several items to bring to your attention, and then, I will be more than happy to dispose of Danzo."

"I, Hyuuga Hiashi, have new business."

"I, Icharaku Teuchi, have new business."

"I, Nara Shikaku, have new business."

"I, Aburame Shibi, have new business."

"I, Inuzuka Tsume, have new business."

"I, Tsunade no Godaime Hokage, have new business. Any old business?"

The Council glared, and one by one shook their heads. "Fine, as you know, a majority vote of sixty-percent is needed to pass any new business into law. This meeting will not end until each piece is correctly finished, and then the challenge will take place. At this time, the ANBU are rounding up each member of the former cell, Ne, who will be held for questioning, as well as any new recruits that you have decided to train without approval. For the first order of new business, we turn to Hyuuga Hiashi-sama."

As Hiashi stood, he picked up his papers and shuffled them once. His stack was several inches high. With a smile, Hiashi said, "arigatou, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade smiled and, with several well-hidden seals, said, "Hajime!" underneath her breath.

Outside, of the room, Shizune stood guard as the light above the door turned red. Shizune, turning to the closest Jounin, Yuuhi Kurenai said, "gather all the shinobi you can that are loyal to Hokage-sama. That was the signal. Danzo is making his move. We will need to assemble as many off duty genin and chuunin, and prepare for battle."

Kurenai nodded and said, "Asuma, gather Shikamaru, and have him prepare. I'll contact Neji, Naruto-san showed me how to pass the genjutsu on his house. I saw them leaving earlier, gather the guards at the gate, and have them enact whatever precaution that Naruto told them about. Gai, I think you need to inform the ANBU, and have us all gather outside. I'll gather the tokujou and we will be on alert."

The stunned jounin nodded, and ran off, in their varying directions. Shizune, the only one left said, "Tsunade-sama, I hope you don't have to use that technique."

Team Yugito

The feeling of rising forboding made the team of six on edge. Jiraiya, the highest-in-rank above them was fidgeting every few moments, his eyes closed. The silence was broken, of course, by Sutermaru and Akamaru's simultaneous bark. The shinobi, carrying a message scroll, stopped as he saw Jiraiya and said, "Jiraiya-sama, I have an important message from Hatake Kakashi. He ordered me to find the highest ranked shinobi at once, and hand deliver this to you."

Jiraiya took the scroll and said, "Arigatou, Hana. You are to immediately return to Konohagakure and meet with Shizune, the Hokage's apprentice. Hokage-sama is in a meeting. Inform Shizune that I will meet with Kakashi, and act as I see fit."

Hana nodded and turned to Kiba. "Kiba-kun, the desert is no place for a nindog that is improperly vaccinated. Apply this vaccination approximately thirty minutes before you enter, and take care of Akamaru. Nushi-chan, it is good to see you. Uzumaki-san, Yugito-sama. Kimourii-chan."

As the Inuzuka ran off, the Haimaru Sankyodai followed.

"My neechan is so cool!" Kiba yelled, making the team sweatdrop.

"Yugito, I'm afriad I need to meet up with Kakashi. Once you arrive in Sunagakure, gather whatever loyal Shinobi and Kunoichi to Tsunade you can and inform them that the Council is attempting to take control of Konohagakure through lies and deceit. We only have a matter of hours at worst, and a few days at best. Leave a large enough contigent that we may hold our end of the agreement. I'll head back to Konoha after finding Kakashi. Be well, team Yugito."

"Ossu!" the three genin, one Chuunin and Jounin said.

With that, Yugito said, "so, think you guys can keep up if we go all out?"

The three genin exchanged looks, and in the case of Nushi and Kimourii, nodded. Kiba merely shrugged, not sure his training, however brief it was, allowed him to keep up with the jinchuuriki and their teammates.

"One way to find out."

At once, they all took off, making haste to Sunagakure.

Kurenai

The house was shrouded in black shadow, as Kurenai approached the large, genjutsu covered home of Uzumaki Naruto-kun. She was worried, and a bit anticipatory at the large, three-layered genjutsu that was obviously the work of her predecessors, the Kurama Clan. She'd heard about their work, so exact, that it hid the best-trained users by a specially formulated Kekkai Genkai that made their stuff sensitive. But, she had an advantage that they didn't. Contrary to popular belief, her eyes weren't a genjutsu, but a doujutsu that allowed her to see through the largest of genjutsu.

She'd had it since she was a teenager, barely old enough to enter the academy. She'd gotten it the day she'd first seen Naruto, barely old enough to walk and yet walking away from the place she'd called home for all of her thirteen years.

She was, contrary to popular demand, an orphan of the war. She remembered the killing intent from that horrific day, her chakra control so precise, even then, that it scared her sometimes. She had only been six when the Kyuubi attacked, and like her friend's Iruka and Anko, still remembered the sight of her parents crushed under the rubble of the very apartment that Naruto was forced to live in.

She was there the day the Sandaime had Naruto move into the haunted dwellings, Konoha's 'gift' to their fallen hero. The papers, all signed by the adults of the village, gave Naruto proper ownership of the most unsturdy apartments, and Kurenai is ashamed to say that, at the time, she felt glad.

She had seen the way the adults treated the children mean to Naruto, praised for hating the, "misfit with whisker marks". Having just learned about taijutsu that day, Kurenai was happily walking past the former dwellings, held together by a few nails, and hated the fact that her parent's killer lived there, alone.

When the building exploded, in front of her very eyes, her heart stopped. Her heart raced, as she ran forward, into the burning building, her senses on high alert for even the shortest intake of breath. At the moment it happened, she didn't even care that it was that kid that was being burnt to death, only realizing until it was too late what she was doing.

She tripped, falling over a fallen four by six that was alight with fire, when her vision blurred. Her senses shut down, as she rubbed at her salty eyes. As the screams, Naruto's screams filled her ears, she broke into a run. Suddenly, as if by a miracle, the smoke was gone!

She ran through the now gone smoke, and the invisible yet there fire, that touched her skin. She pushed away the pain, and into the door, where the seven year old was slapping his skin to put the fire out.

She ran forward, and grabbed onto him, jumping out of the third story window, and into the arms of the Sandaime Hokage, who, with a look of relief on his face, clutched Naruto to him. Her eyes grew angrily at him, and she demanded why he cared so much for that Kitsune no Gaki, and the man smiled sadly at her.

"Kurenai-chan," he had said, "as Hokage, all life in Konoha is precious to me, this is true. But, what I see in Naruto-kun, is what your parents saw in you. I have raised Naruto these past two years, seen him grow into an excellent child. I have trained him to be a shinobi, with the skills and love, and support a parent would their own child. Yes, the council gave Naruto this, and yes Naruto is seen as a scourge for sharing the birthday of so many deaths, but Naruto is only a child.

And now, I must ask you where you got those lovely, crimson eyes from?"

As she looked into the piece of broken glass, Kurenai could only gasp, as a symbol of her mother's bloodline came to her. She smiled and said, "dougenkai", her whisper reaching the old man's ears.

"Hai, you have awakened the mighty doujutsu of the Yuuhi Clan, Kurenai-chan. Now, when you look at Naruto-kun, you will not see the misfit, but someone that you saved with those eyes of yours."

"Uzumaki Naruto, eh? Well, Hokage-sama, it's time I meet my new otouto."

"Gomen nasai, Kurenai-chan, but Naruto-kun has a long time left. I'm afraid you can't see him just yet. I doubt he will remeber you, Kurenai, so when next you see him, treat him differently than the others. This I ask of you."

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

As the man laughed, a loud, joyous occassion, Kurenai walked away, tears in her eyes, as she held her head high. She never heard the Hokage's chilling words.

She looked through the genjutsu, she could feel the tingle of what wasn't really there, and closed her mind to the sensations, as she'd taught herself to do. She knew that, no matter what, her body would push through. She entered the compound, aware of the all-seeing eyes of the Hyuuga inside, studying her as she neared the door.

As she rang the bell, Kurenai winced as the sound reverbated.

"Hai?" the Chuunin standing there asked. "Hyuuga Neji, as ordered by Shizune, I am going to have to ask you to accompany me to the Hokage Tower. A battle is about to take place, and Hokage-sama will need all the help she can manage."

"Arigatou, Kurenai-chan. You have my permission to be on premises."

The genjutsu faded immediately. Kurenai said, "arigatou, Neji. Please hurry and dress, so we may return to Hokage-sama's side."

Neji nodded, and returned a few minutes later dressed in traditional Hyuuga garb. As they transported out, the genjutsu flared up and, a moment later, trees surrounded the former home of the Yondaime Hokage.

Asuma

Oinin base, the place that Asuma still had nightmares about. The hellish nights, the long, bloody missions that had him face some of the strongest Nukenin out there, all B and A-ranked, with chakra capacities that well exceeded his limits. If anyone knew the horrors of the Oinin, it was Asuma. That was why, as he passed into the place, his senses went on alert. He stretched them out, hoping to force out the images that came to the forefront of his mind.

He should be at the council meeting, but his clan didn't exist anymore. He was the last Sarutobi, other than Konohamaru, and two didn't constitute a clan. Kurenai, he knew, was in the same position as he, and it made his heart ache.

"Hai, Asuma-san?" the rigid voice of the Oinin commander, Karyuudo Riki, said from the shadows. It took every ounce of strength he could muster not to shiver. That voice still gave him nightmares.

"Riki-sama, Godaime Hokage-sama is to face Danzo in a battle. We are gathering all available forces loyal to Hokage-sama. It has come to our attention that Danzo has been training Ne again, and we need to have equal, or greater, numbers to face them."

"And this affects the Oinin how?"

"Nara Shikamaru was partnered with Uzumaki Naruto, who stands to be executed should Danzo succeed in the Coup-de-grace. I believe you are familiar with Naruto-kun?"

The commander of the Oinin stood rigid as he said, "alright, I'll gather the Oinin. I assume you remember what that means?"

Asuma sighed, reaching into his flak jacket and pulling out a scroll he swore to never use again. He bit his thumb and did three seals, and said, "Kuchiyose: Yoroi no Oinin!"

As his mask appeared, Asuma said, "Sarutobi Asuma, reporting for duty."

As the commander said, "excellent," he pressed the red button on the wall, as red claxon went off in the background, alerting all Oinin that carried the tattoo to gather immediately.

The Oinin were gathered, and they were in their element. The commander smiled.

No one beats the Oinin on their home turf. No one.

Gai

Gai sighed as he entered into the compound for Konoha's highly trained, "Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai" or the ANBU. He'd only been here once, when he was approached to join as a Chuunin for his highly trained Taijutsu, before opting to become a Tokujou. He'd initially agreed with their offer, but having to sign up for another six months training didn't sound fun to him.

He approached the ANBU captain, who held the second highest rank in Konoha behind the Hokage, and said, "Yamato-taichou."

Yamato turned, his eyes filled with curiousity. "Yamato-taichou, it has come to our attention that Ne has been operating illegally. Danzo has issued a challenge to Tsunade-sama, and we want to make sure that Ne as well as the rest of the council stay out of the fight. Please gather the most youthful of the ANBU and join me."

Yamato turned, his eyes studying the pictures on the wall. His eyes fell on the second from the left, one that carried his visage and said, "Hai."

He pressed the blue button on the wall, and waited, as the ANBU appeared in sync and said, "ANBU, as of now we are on alert. Godaime-sama has been issued a challenge by Ne leader Danzo and we are going to make damn sure the bastards don't interfere. As of now, you are under strict order 7-751-364, and are to fight for Konoha, and the will of fire. Those of you that cannot, SHI NE!"

A loud roar filled the ANBU, and Gai felt nervous at the simultaneous killing intent that filled the room. As the ANBU walked out, Gai felt nervous for the first time in a long while.

The ANBU were joined, to his surprise, by line after line of white-robed nin. His eyes grew as he felt Asuma's unique chakra, and said, "Yamato-taichou, who are they?"

Yamato looked and took his place by the lead, and said, "Riki-dono. This is Maito Gai, the head Jounin of Konohagakure no Sato. He informed us of the situation."

The man said, "Hai. Arigatou, Gai-san. Please leave this up to us. We have trained for this, since that baka Ne was founded. We knew, eventually, that our village would be divided, and came up with a contingency plan. Your duty is to take care of the villagers that may attempt to riot when Danzo's plan fails. Allow the ANBU and the Oinin to take care of things."

After all the two leaders said, simultaneously. The ANBU/Oinin won't be beaten on our home turf. We carry the will of fire, and the power of the Shodai, Nidaime, Sandaime and Yondaime Hokage.

Gai believed it. "Ossu, I'll gather the Jounin, Chuunin and Genin, and keep the village itself in line, you protect Hokage-sama. If I know anything, its that you don't mess with the Hokage."

At once, the collective group disappeared. Gai, a grin on his face, said, "OSSU!" and disappeared too.

Konoha Council Chambers

Five hours had passed since Shizune had given the order to gather all available forces, and only recently had any results been shown. The ANBU and Oinin, both strategically placed around Konoha, had gathered en masse and approached her position. They both stopped, appearing in front of her as a massive amount of Killing Intent from the oddly silent room broke through them.

Suddenly the doors opened, and the Godaime Hokage, Tsunade walked out, Danzo following closely behind. She stared at the massed troups and grinned, before saying, "good. Danzo, we'll battle outside of Konohagakure's gates. Surely your cripped bones remember the way?"

The man nodded and said, "I do. Why are the forces gathered, Tsunade? Do you need help?"

Tsunade merely smiled and said, "we shall see."

At once, the massed shinobi disappeared, as did the council, who separated to their respective clans. and homes.

Among them, no one noticed the pale man with snake-like eyes as his borrowed face peeled off. Under the visage of Mitokado Homura, Orochimaru laughed and disappeared as well.

"Well, Tsunade-hime, prepare to lose."

Suddenly the battle was afoot. The few remaining Ne loyal to Danzo appeared at once and backed him. Their forces were almost on par with hers, Tsunade noticed, as the floodgates of Konohagakure opened and Jounin flooded out. At once, their loyalties were known, as, led by Morino Ibiki, they moved to side with her. Danzo paled.

He hadn't counted on that.

Suddenly, a large amount of killing intent circled them, as Mitokado Homura appeared. Tsunade's eyes widened, as she looked at Danzo, who's body was filling out with a dark, purple hue. She glared, as Danzo said, "look, look Tsunade. The power of this cursed seal, even at the first stage, is too much for one of the Sannin to handle. Arigatou, Orochimaru-san."

Orochimaru merely shrugged, and stood beside him. "No matter, once this farce is over, I shall take my place as the real Hokage of Konohagakure. Kukuku."

Tsunade's eyes widened, as Danzo, moving faster than she could see, approached her. His fist connected with her face, as Tsunade flew and collided with the large gate of Konoha. "No one here has the power to stand up to me!"

Tsunade growled, and stood. She glared at the once prodigy, a genii on par of Yondaime-sama, as she stood. She knew the effect of that cursed seal better than anyone, having designed the containment seal herself. She knew that she'd need to be careful, to think like one of the Sannin.

Then, she'd deal with Orochi-teme.

She stood, green chakra being directed to the middle of her spine by mere will alone, as she said, "It will take more than a lucky punch to defeat me, Danzo. I carry the will of the Shodai, Nidaime, Sandaime and Yondaime Hokage. I carry the will of fire. I am Godaime Hokage no Tsunade, you cannot defeat me."

"Then let us begin the battle for Konoha, with our lives on the line."

Watching through his half-torn mask, Orochimaru laughed.

Somewhere Within a Half Hour of Konoha

The two high-leveled shinobi barely had time to think, as they passed another slime-trailed path. The first one, bearing a solitary sharingan, was moving with the power of determination, as the second, barely catching his first wind, led him onward.

Behind them, coming on a medium sized frog, the prodigy of the Uchiha Clan was waiting impatiently as the killing intent filled the area. A massive battle was about to start, and if they wanted to be there, to finish things, they needed to hurry up.

Sunagakure

Yugito, Naruto and the rest of team 3, were resting in the Kazekage's tower, as Gaara listened to the report coming in. They had just arrived moments ago, looking for an oppurtunity to rest their bones.

It was not, it seemed, to be. Gaara's face frowned as he turned to Naruto.

"It seems that it is as we feared, Naruto-sama. Ne has moved, and Konoha is caught in the cross-hairs. What are you too do?"

Naruto frowned. "I'm to follow orders, Kazekage-dono. Carry out the will of fire, as your Yuujou. I'm sure we'll know the outcome within the day."

"I hope it turns out favoribly, Uzumaki Naruto."

"So do I, Gaara, so do I." As Naruto's eyes opened, the crimson orbs of a vengeful Jinchuuriki stared out, it's gaze directed toward Konohagakure.

End