Eroninja

Seven turned away quickly but didn't reach for the door as she listened to the sounds Fu made as she pleasured Naruto's cock. She tried to will herself to leave and ignore the sounds of the blond's pleased grunts and groans much like she had while in the prison since many of the prisoners would indulge in s.εﾒ due to their freedom as part of Akame's plot. She had been propositioned numerous times by both men and women, but had always turned them down. She hadn't understood why especially since she had been quite curious as a result of what she had experienced secondhand from Fu. But a part of her believed the answered lay in what would have come afterwards. If she had given into her desire and slept with one of her fellow prisoners she imagined the best she could hope for would be a quick compliment before they'd return to their own cell. But Seven had become spoiled from her time of experiencing s.εﾒ with Fu, as she knew she would want to experience the same warmth that Naruto seemed to bathe all his lovers in during the afterglow of s.εﾒ.

Therefore, being within the same room of the thing that had indirectly awakened the notion of pleasure to her, Seven found it hard to overcome the almost magnetic like attraction she was feeling. As a result before she knew it she was standing behind Fu, who although she couldn't swallow his entire length was using both her hands to stroke what remained as she worked her tongue around his swallow head.

Naruto was resting one hand in her minty-green hair as he stood in front of the large bed of the Harem's Master Bedroom. He was staring up at the ceiling enjoying his lover's actions as he grunted, "For someone who was talking about taking our time earlier you seem in quite the rush now."

Fu let his head slip from her mouth with a pop as she replied while still jerking him off, "That's because your cum is so delicious to me. The thought of you exploding in my mouth just makes me so eager for it to happen."

Naruto brought his gaze from the ceiling, and noticed Seven was standing behind his kneeling lover. Fu noticed her presence as well, so slid over before reaching up and pulling Seven to her knees in front of Naruto. The Bijuu upon coming face to face with his one-eyed monster tried to scramble back, but her former host quickly moved behind her. Whispering in the brown-haired Bijuu's ear she said, "I know you want to experience it first-hand also right. His warm cum filling your mouth...or maybe you would prefer it down here?" With that Fu reached through the slit in her skirt to begin massaging Seven's drooling lower lips.

Naruto though was a little hesitant since he had only met Seven in her current incarnation today. Having been more than willing to give her space so that she could come to terms with her new life, Naruto said, "Fu, maybe you should ease up a little. I'm sure that when she's ready to find a lover she'll let..." The rest of his sentence turned into a groan as Seven swallowed his cock having decided to give into the desires she felt.

Although she was able to take almost half his length into her mouth unlike Fu, she felt far clumsier compared to her as well. Especially in light of the fact that the female Jinchuriki obviously had developed a technique to overcome that perceived weakness in her oral ability. Still she was spurred on by words of encouragement from the green-haired kunoichi, who began removing Seven's shirt. But also by the young man's eyes watching her with a warmth that made her want to please him all the more.

Once her arms were free of her shirt which Fu had opened down the front and then pulled backwards off of her, Seven placed her hands on Naruto thighs as she raised up on her knees to take more of his cock into her mouth. She bobbed her head frantically hoping it pleased him and although he groaned from her efforts he placed a hand on the bun in her hair to slow her down slightly. Taking the hint, she let him set the pace as he gently eased her head back and forth.

Seven moaned as she felt a topless Fu pressed her chest against the human-Bijuu's back and began playing with her breasts. The added stimulation caused Naruto to also moan in turn as his hips suddenly jerked. The brown-haired woman gagged as he prodded the back of her throat before he backed off muttering an apology. Despite it having been uncomfortable for her, Seven slid her hands from his still clothed thighs to his ass as she pulled his hips towards her face. Naruto got the hint and in a controlled manner he slowly began to fuck her face.

They continued on like that for several minutes until Naruto stiffened and pushing his cock up against the entrance of her throat said, "I'm cumming." He held off for several heartbeats and when the woman made no move to push him away exploded filling her mouth in his warm seed. Seven unprepared doubled over as she coughed from the powerful jet that hit her throat spilling his cum onto her chest and the floor. Fu quickly clamped her mouth onto Naruto's spurting dick and moaned contently as she drank his offering. Advertisements

Seven looked up at Naruto as she tried to steady her breathing as Fu cleaned his penis with her tongue. Naruto rubbed the back of his head as he looked at her apologetically saying, "Sorry, if I was a little too rough on you."

Seven smiled and was about to assure him that she was fine, but Fu said slightly reproachful, "You shouldn't waste his yummy cum." The young woman then began licking her former Bijuu's chest cleaning it of the spilled semen. Once she was satisfied she had cleaned up all his cum, Fu looked up at Seven with glittering eyes before opening her mouth to show the collected cum. Seven didn't hesitate as she leaned down to kiss her former host and both women moaned as they shared Naruto's essence between them.

Naruto took the opportunity to shed all his clothes and then offered his hand to the women as he said, "Shall we continue this on the bed?"

Both women looked up at him lustfully before placing their hands in his. Naruto pulled them to their feet where Fu then climbed onto the bed followed by Seven. Fu spun the Bijuu to face Naruto as her head rested on the young woman's lap. Fu the reached forward gripping Seven by the knees and pulled her legs open. Although her wraps were still in place she was quite sure Naruto could make out her pussy due to how wet she felt.

For a moment her attention was pulled from the blond man as she noticed the cum she had spilled onto the floor. She noticed what appeared to be an abnormally large slug making its way towards it, but before she could comment her world exploded as Naruto climbed between her legs and began to kiss her pussy through the cloth barrier. She looked between her legs but couldn't see the man's head due to her skirt obscuring it.

He appeared from behind the curtain as he got to his knees in order to kiss Fu. When the kiss ended he returned his attention to Seven, but instead of lowering himself to drink of her pussy again he picked her hips up over her head. She then watched as while Naruto held her in place Fu quickly removed the Bijuu's skirt and then began to unwrap her cloth bandages which were keeping her wet cunt from being exposed. Once exposed to the jinchuriki, Fu adjusted herself so that Seven's head rested on the bed before joining Naruto in licking and sucking on her pussy. Seven moaned in pleasure from feeling the two jinchuriki teasing her wet folds with their tongues. Although she couldn't see it because Fu was kneeling over her face in order to concentrate her efforts on the top half of Seven's twat.

Fu was circling her tongue around Seven's clit when she felt the first tentative lick of the Bijuu's tongue. Although pleased Seven was getting into the act, she pulled her mound away so that she could lower her face to the woman's in order to say, "Let us make you feel good right now. You'll be able to reciprocate later." She kissed her former tenant gently before looking up to Naruto to added, "I think she's ready to receive you."

Naruto pulled his mouth from Seven's snatch his mouth covered in her juices and gave Fu a nod. Lowering the Bijuu's hips, he climbed between her spread legs to ask, "Are you sure you want this Seven?"

The Bijuu bit her lip torn between giving into the pleasure her body was feeling or rejecting it due to a lingering feeling of being trapped again before she could enjoy her newfound freedom. However, her need to feel the full effect of the pleasure she had gleamed from Fu's experiences one out as she nodded her head. She then tensed as she felt his rigid pole press against her entrance before it slipped inside of her.

To her surprise she didn't feel any pain only a sense of fulfillment as he spread the muscles she hadn't yet used in her new existence. She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised since she had doubted the woman whose body she had taken over had been a virgin. Naruto gave her a moment to get used to his intrusion before he began to pull out. Seven moaned as her pussy flexed and gripped his cock trying to prevent its exit. It need not have bothered as Naruto then slammed himself back into her turning her moan into a gasp as he poked something deep inside her. She wrapped her arms under his as she gripped his shoulders while trying to meet his thrusts with her hips.

Seven was surprised at how quickly she found herself and him covered in sweat considering some of the training sessions she had experienced in the prison. Although in all honest she couldn't be sure of how much time had actually passed since she and Naruto had first become one. All she did know was that something was building inside her which promised to expand and redefine her understanding of what pleasure was.

As she continued to build to her release she noticed Fu watching her and Naruto with her nimble fingers rubbing her pussy. Naruto grunted as he began to swell inside of his newest lover whose eyes went wide at the feeling of him actually growing larger. "I'm going to explode," he whispered before kissing her deeply. He jammed his cock forcefully inside her causing her to tense as a white light exploded behind her eyes at the same time as her womb began to accept Naruto's release.

She held herself to Naruto as they both rode out their orgasms as the sounds of Fu joining them in release reached her ears. All the tension bled from her body as she basked in the warm feeling of a womb filled with her lover's semen. "T-that was...amazing," Seven said breathlessly.

Naruto stared down at her and said, "I agree, thank you for choosing me to enjoy such a moment with." He then leaned down kissing his newest lover. However, a glowing light began to appear from where there stomach pressed against each other. Concerned Naruto leaned back to see the seal on Seven's stomach was glowing.

While both Jinchuriki looked on in concern Seven was feeling anything but as the seal on her stomach evolved once more now that Naruto's chakra had mixed with hers. Able to feel not only her sisters, but all of the women she was now connected to she had to admit it was a rather overpowering sensation for her. Having grown used to being alone while locked behind the seal of whatever Jinchuriki housed her, she founded it rather ironic that one that had at first been used to bind her, was now connecting her to others in a new and exciting way. Naruto and Fu now able to sense her presence as well smiled at her as the seal faded again.

Able to sense her satisfaction and joy at the change he leaned atop her again to say, "Welcome to our family Chomei."

He kissed her gently at first, but it soon escalated into a deeper and needier kiss. As her tongue danced with his, she thought, "Now I understand why they fell so hard for him."

The kiss ended when Naruto was pushed to the side as Fu said plaintively, "Naruto, I want some too." She then surprised Seven by pressing her lips to the brown-haired woman's as she climbed on top of her. Naruto chuckled as Seven surrendered to the kiss taking her old host gently into her arms.

He then positioned himself behind the two women's legs where he angled his cock to penetrate Fu's pussy. After stirring up her insides he switched to Seven, who once more stuffed with full of her lover's cock thought," Mmmm, I definitely understand why they fell for him."

Several hours later, when they finally signed into the village, Seven wouldn't have been surprised if she had left a trail of white droplets from where they had Hiraishined to the kunai Fu had hidden due to all the cum that had been deposited inside her pussy. Taking in her new home she wasn't too surprised that being forced to live there for the time being didn't feel as oppressive as it had earlier in the day.

*****

Rin smiled at the man that had insisted he escort her out of the village as it locked itself up for the night. Although due to the mask she was wearing to cover her face she doubted he could tell. The man commented on the fact that it was just the two of them by saying, "I figured Naruto would have wanted to see you off as well."

Rin couldn't help squirming a little as she remembered how they had said their good-byes. She giggled slightly as a result of blush appearing just above Kakashi's mask due to her saying dreamily, "Oh don't worry about that. I'm taking a little of him with me." She squirmed again as she felt a little of his seed try and to slip from between her legs.

Kakashi cleared his throat as he awkwardly changed the subject, "Are you sure about this? I'm sure both Asuma and Kurenai and the rest of our classmates would like to know you're alive and well."

Rin nodded as she answered, "I am. Everyone else has moved on with their lives. Plus...I believe this is where I can do the most good. Not as some recently returned ghost to reclaim what remained of her old life, but as a woman embracing her new one." Rin prepared to leave but stopped as she looked at the forest path she planned to take from the village. Although glad she was now with Naruto, the old her did want to know one thing so she asked, "Kakashi, if I hadn't of been abducted...do you think maybe there could have been something between us?"

Kakashi sighed before answering, "No...in truth...I always viewed you as the one Obito sacrificed everything for. I couldn't have dishonored his memory like that."

Rin nodded, but turned as she said, "That's a sad way of looking at things." Kakashi stared at her in surprise prompting her to explain, "In a sense that is the type of thinking that Naruto is battling against. We attribute so much worth to those who have passed that we forget that we are the ones still alive. Therefore we convince ourselves that the dead need avenging or we can't act as our hearts wish because they would be upset with us." The sad smile she wore was easily visible through the cloth mask as she continued, "But take it from one that has returned form the dead. They don't want us to live in misery."

Kakashi couldn't completely accept her words so quipped, "Then what about all those old ghost stories where the dead come back for revenge."

Rin smiled still not quite used to the Kakashi that would try to deflect a point with humor rather than just ignoring it outright. However growing serious she said, "And how do those stories end? Either with the ghost learning that revenge is wrong and returning to the grave. Or it becomes something far worse that needs to be stopped as it commits its grisly acts." Rin's voice grew concerned as she said, "What I'm trying to say is please stop living in the past. I forgive you for "killing" me if that is why you visit the Memorial Stone every day. I would have been far more upset if you let evil me get away."

"And what of Obito?" Kakashi asked.

Rin sighed seeing as how she had received her confirmation that their teammate's request had not only denied her the relationship she had wanted in the past, but also appeared to have been a chain used to bind Kakashi to a lifetime of regret said, while reaching up to cup his cheek, "Kakashi, I miss Obito too. But this world belongs to those that live in the present. Not the past. Try to remember that before you find yourself an old man with just his regrets keeping him company."

She stepped away from him before sending him one last smile before darting off into the darkness. Kakashi watched the shadows for a moment as he chuckled mirthlessly as he thought about the old adage of a person not knowing what he had until it was gone. Although happy for his teammate and student a small part of him began to wonder about what his lift could have been had he accepted Rin's feelings. However, taking Rin's words about not living in the past to heart he brushed such thoughts aside. Although when they turned to another kunoichi he had let slip through his fingers he found it a little harder to do. Suddenly in the mood to hear some of the local shamisen players apply their craft he decided to head to a park he knew that musicians often gathered at. Still despite Rin's words, Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling that if Obito did come back as a ghost he would have been a very vengeful spirit indeed.

*****

"Really Tsunade, what is so important that you feel the need to summon us all in the middle of the night," Homura said removing his glasses so that he could clean them.

"Not everyone is here," Tsunade replied as she addressed the members of the clan council.

"If you are referring to Danzou then I'm sure he'll arrive shortly," Homura replied placing his glasses back on. "Until then how about..."

"Danzou will not be showing up at all," Tsunade said as she folded her hands in front of her face, "and he is the reason I have summoned you hear. Danzou has become a rogue element within the village that needs to be dealt with."

Homura looked like he was about to chastise her for speaking poorly about an elder of the village, but was stopped by Koharu as she said, "I'm afraid it is true."

Hiashi stepped forward as he asked, "While elder Danzou can be rather blunt, he's only ever appeared to work for the benefit of the village."

Tsunade scoffed, but Koharu replied diplomatically, "I have thought the same as you. However, recent events would indicate otherwise, the Prisoner Rebellion being but just one example."

It was Homura's turn to scoff as he said, "This again. It was already explained that the Noble behind the plot was attempting to frame Danzou. He had provided Akame with a Sharingan eye to place people meeting him in the prison under a genjutsu."

"I would be more inclined to believe that if he then tried to avoid the security cameras laced throughout the prison. He didn't even try to avoid the ones that were in place before Akame's secret renovations," Tsunade countered quickly. "He may have been wearing a mask but from the build alone you could tell it wasn't Danzou. That's pretty sloppy work for a supposed mastermind, who somehow managed to secure a Sharingan."

Shikaku Nara partially agreed with her saying, "That is true, however there exist certain organizations that trade in Kekkei Genkai that they collecting from the bodies of the deceased. For all we know the eye Akame was provided had been collected quite some time ago."

Tsunade smiled behind her folded hands as she mentally thanked the Nara. "Well we know that either Itachi or someone else collected the eyes of the Uchiha after the massacre. So it's not too out of the question. But, I doubt any of those organizations you mentioned would have gone through the effort to get inside the village to collect and preserve literally hundreds of eyes, managing to conveniently time their operation to go on at the same time as Itachi killed his clan, all without being detected and yet display no intention of selling them until now. You would think more than just one eye would have appeared in the hands of our enemies at this point."

As expected Shikaku understood where she was heading so said, "You're saying another one has."

Tsunade reached into her desk and pulled out the eye that Komachi and Yuugao had procured. Placing it on her desk she said, "I'm saying that the counterpart to the eye Akame had has been found. Wouldn't it stand to reason that the person who had it was the true culprit in the Prison fiasco?"

"I trust we have more than just the word of your new allies to go off of for securing that?" Homura asked obviously skeptical.

"You have mine," Yuugao said stepping away from the wall that she had stood against. "I secured that evidence after taking a tour of a very active Root facility underneath Elder Danzou's home and which also had branches that led into the Uchiha district. I placed a chakra identification seal at the location of my discovery. We've already managed to match the DNA in that eye to blood evidence taken from the jacket of the woman that confronted Akame."

Homura seemed to come around as he said, "If what you say is true. We'll need to act quickly and eliminate Danzou before word of his betra..."

"No," Tsunade said firmly, "I'm not going to kill Danzou as a criminal while leaving his reputation intact. He'll be brought to justice to answer for his crimes."

"You can't be serious," Homura said agitated, "Think of how our enemies will react upon learning there are seeds of rebellion they could exploit. It would only embolden them further."

"Then we'll have to be more vigilant," Tsunade said standing, "I'd rather face external enemies then those we would embolden in the village if they learn that instead of facing the truth of their crimes, we cover up their dirty secrets with lies while letting them keep their reputations."

"Very well," Homura conceded although reluctantly, "We should see to making the necessary preparations."

"You misunderstand the reason for this meeting Elder Homura," Tsunade said heading towards the exit of her office, "This was merely a formality of informing you about what is going to happen. The preparations are already complete, my shinobi are merely awaiting my order."

*****

Danzou didn't show it externally, but he was beginning to feel the first stages of worry creeping upon him. It had been two weeks since he had activated Rin and although it could simply be that the puppet she had become was being cautious. The fact that his sources had heard nothing about her fate was beginning to eat at him, especially since those same sources had alerted to him of the mass defection which he had believed was Joseki activating more agents to stop Rin. That nothing had been made of their fate either was another sign that perhaps his plan had failed.

Of course it could simply be that Joseki's agents had eliminated Rin and then disappeared since they would likely be aware their careers as Kumo-nin were over. But from Kumo's seemingly lack of concern at six of their shinobi going rogue, his instincts were telling him that there was something else going on. Something he was yet privy too.

The one concession he had made to his growing unease sat kneeling in front of him as he had put his Root forces on alert and called his inner council before him. The Inner council was composed of several of his best Root operatives. And although independence was something frowned upon in Root, even Danzou recognized that unless it was at times encouraged in certain individuals he may be blindsided by an opponent's cunning by surrounding himself solely with unthinking pawns. The men and women kneeling before him were his higher ranking pieces in the game he waged against his opponents. After consulting his lieutenants for their opinions on Kumo's lack of response Danzou would likely need to contact his shadow partner to see if his sources had any information he was yet aware of. But, such a move would be a last resort since it may undermine confidence he had instilled in his partner about how well his handling the fallout of the prison had gone.

Flanking the chair he sat in as was the usual were his favored bodyguards Towa and Komachi. In truth Danzou was considering promoting Komachi to his inner circle, since it appeared her own reading of what could happen by his informing Joseki of his plan for Rin may have been the right one. He was about to speak when a sudden clang sounded from a tube that resided in a corner. Danzou stared at in concern since it was tied to a network of tubes that ran throughout Konoha and which allowed his agents or allies to reach him without entering the facility.

Motioning towards the tube, Towa quickly followed the silent order and removed a canister that he handed to his master. Danzou activated the blood seal in order to open it and pulled out a small note. What he read caused him to shot to his feet as he shouted, "Prepare for Failsafe Omega."

*****

Komachi had no idea what Failsafe Omega was as she followed in Danzou wake. His lieutenants did apparently as they quickly moved to follow their orders. Both Towa and she were joined by Fuu Yamanaka and Torune Aburame. She was aware that among Root the two men were unique as they were quite respected members of two major clans of the Village. Although she hadn't paid it much thought before her becoming Naruto's lover, she made it a point to learn all she could on how Root may be operating in the village. One such way she had discovered, had been that Torune Aburame had been positioning himself to become the next head of his clan. She had little doubt that would have meant that the current head would have been eliminate in some fashion.

She got a clue as to what Failsafe Omega was when Danzou entered a hall that appeared to be a dead end. He then pressed a hidden button that caused three doors to pop open. Speaking to his Inner Circle members he said, "Do not allow yourselves to be seen. You two are the future of Root; go dormant until it is time for the Roots that nourish the leaves to gather once more. You'll know when it is time."

Fu surprised her by asking, "What about you sir?"

"My time is over," Danzou said, "However; I cannot allow them to find me here and capture me. So long as I'm alive they will direct their gazes outside the village. Giving you both time to entrench yourselves into Konoha's power structure."

His men nodded before entering their respective tunnels which sealed seamlessly behind them. Turning to his bodyguards he said, "Follow me!"

Both bodyguards nodded wordlessly as the followed Danzou into the darkened tunnel. Although Komachi did so while wondering how it was that Danzou had been informed of the noose closing around his neck.

*****

Ino hugged her shoulders as a dust cloud erupted from the Uchiha district. A part of her felt angry at having been left out of the force that had been sent to arrest Danzou, even as it became apparent that things were likely not going as planned. But she ignored that anger to focus on the reason for her apparent chill which was due to the worry she was feeling for a man that she knew was a part of it.

Her emotions were especially raw in concern to him since he had visited her just before apparently needing to join the group tasked with bringing Danzou to justice. She had been in the greenhouse watering her shop's flowers. She had stopped but not turned to face him when he had teleported behind her. She tried to will him to leave, but instead he had said, "Ino, I know you're angry at me for being too reckless. I can't argue with you that I am as I'm sure you've heard about what happened in Kumo by now."

He trailed off perhaps expecting some sort of response, but Ino remained silent although her grip on the water can she was using became almost painful. The reason for her silence was because she had heard the details from Sakura. But, when she had tried to make her friend see her point of view, Sakura had simply blown off her concerns since he had come through alright thanks to Rin breaking her programming. Ino had grown extremely angry by that as she tried to point out that if Rin hadn't then instead he'd just be a lifeless corpse floating down a river. Still it had done no good as Sakura had simply responded, "Ino, he's the man I fell in love with."

Hearing a similar excuse as the one she had from Tsunade annoyed Ino, who had left the medical lesson they were attending early. She was half expecting Naruto to give her a similar set of explanations as to why he refused to stop taking needless risks. But she just couldn't accept that, even though she knew her own reasoning would sound coldblooded. Since to her, Naruto nearly throwing everything away to save some kunoichi that the entire village already believed was dead was completely unnecessary when measured against all the pain and heartbreak his own death would cause. Instead of going off to play hero, he could have just used Mabui to inform the Raikage of the plot and let the Raikage's own forces deal with it. Granted she accepted that in that scenario Rin likely doesn't survive, but when weighed against Naruto's. She conceded that she was putting her thumb down on Naruto's side of the scale.

She was prepared to continue to ignore him or to argue with him again based on what he said. However, all her mental arguments were swept away when he said, "I'm sorry for intruding, I just thought it had been a while since I told you that... I love you. I just wanted to say it in person."

He disappeared before she could spin around. She stared at the spot where he had been standing before whispering, "I love you too."

*****

"We're experiencing heavy resistance from sector D4," a voice called out from the main radio where Tsunade was listening in on the attack from an apartment overlooking the Uchiha district and Danzou residence.

Yuugao cursed as she positioned a wooden piece marked with the squad that had reported in unit number. Tsunade looked over the map the Hinata had spent the past two weeks preparing as she used her Byakugan to the point of exhaustion. The difficulty had stemmed from the tunnels being filled with relics from the Third Great Shinobi War. Iwa, a force that also favored digging tunnels had developed seals to hide them from the Byakugan. They did so by casting shadows which made it difficult for the Hyuuga Bloodline to distinguish the tunnels from the rest of the ground. It could be done once a Hyuuga knew what to look for, but it still meant that a map created that way could be filled with false images making it less than accurate. However, luckily for Konoha's forces there was a secondary element to the seal which would cast a bright light hoping to blind any Hyuuga using their bloodlines and to further obscure the shinobi moving in the tunnels. When the secondary function had been activated it had allowed Hiashi to verify which of the tunnels Hinata had drawn were accurate.

Tsunade had been pleased when the Hyuuga head had commented on just how accurate his daughter's map had been. Tsunade, naturally hadn't been surprised in the slightest, aware that Hinata would never provide something she wasn't a hundred percent confident in since one of the shinobi fighting in the tunnels would have been their shared lover.

Looking over the map and seeing that her forces were being held up at every junction she slammed her fist on the table saying, "Someone tipped that bastard off!"

"Lady Tsunade, you have no proof of that. Don't you agree it would be best to keep such idle speculation to yourself?"

She glowered at Inoichi Yamanaka, but was saved from tearing the Yamanaka head a new one, by Shikaku, who said, "It is a reasonable hypothesis. We are not experiencing the resistance from an opponent caught off-guard."

"Perhaps, it was one of the shinobi you secretly gathered," Homura supplied.

Tsunade was about to tell the elder just what she thought of his suggestion, but Koharu stepped in diplomatically to say, "A reasonable possibility. I think we can all agree that right now is not the time to be bickering among ourselves, but focusing our thoughts on supplying our men and women fighting with the strategies they need to break through Danzou's defenses."

A large rumble began shaking the building, followed by a large explosion of dust that erupted from one of the tunnel entrances. Tsunade, as did several of her fellow Harem members in the room felt their hearts clench as Sakura's voice erupted from the radio, "Naruto...Naruto...Kakashi-sensei."

Tsunade closed her eyes and could sense her lover was alive so said, "Sakura, report!"

Hearing Tsunade sound so businesslike had a calming effect on the pink-haired kunoichi as she likely confirmed he was alright also. Regaining her composer she reported, "A...A Root member tried to charge our position. Kakashi-sensei took him out with a Lightning Cutter, but he had several exploding tags on him. Naruto created some clones and got us clear...but the tunnel collapsed...I'm not sure of Kak....of their status."

*****

Kakashi ached all over as he picked himself off the ground, and looking behind him saw the tunnel was blocked with debris. Trying to contact the main camp he only received static so guessed that the radio signal was being blocked by all the stone and it wasn't strong enough to connect to any of the relays that Tsunade's forces were dropping to communicate with the Hokage.

Going over what had happened, he remembered killing the Root membered that had charged his team's position. Seeing the smoke erupting from the dead man's clothes he had shouted a warning back only to see Naruto create a mass number of clones that had pushed the Konoha-nin out of the corridor. Meanwhile, he had also produced a familiar kunai that he threw at his teacher before disappearing in a red flash. Appearing next to Kakashi, he had caught the kunai before tossing it again. He then kicked the corpse free of his teacher before both of them disappeared as the explosion erupted. However, they had been caught up in the shockwave upon reappearing on the Root side of the collapse.

Looking about the hall all he found was unconscious or dead Root members so asked, "Now where did he run off too?"

*****

Naruto appeared in an underground cavern near a river after Hiraishining to where he felt Komachi was. After saving Kakashi and dealing with the Root members that had been present he took a moment to confirm Sakura was okay via her fox mark only to feel Komachi was even deeper underground then he thought the tunnels went. He had created another force of clones mixing in some of the more resilient K-clones to clear the surrounding tunnels. Seeing that Kakashi was beginning to stir, and would likely council him against doing what he planned, he Hiraishined to Komachi to face the elder directly.

Naruto took a small amount of satisfaction in seeing the elder's face twist into a surprised mask. However, he felt a measure of concern appear as he quickly calmed to say, "The Hiraishin. You've truly become your father's son. But where did you place the seal."

Naruto couldn't help the quick glance he sent Komachi's way prompting the elder to say, "Ah, you've turned one of my pawns."

The Anbu next to her reacted immediately pulling his tanto as the tattoo on his right arm flared to life glowing a deep red. Komachi parried with her own blade, but was pushed off her feet as Towa expelled the energy of his tattoo through the blade. Naruto moved to intercept her, but was kicked back by Danzou, who said, "Leave them be. I imagine Towa is quite displeased about learning his partner is a traitor. Let them settle their differences."

"Then he should really be pissed at you," Naruto said skidding backwards from the elder's blow. "How many people have you betrayed in order to advance your plans?"

"Necessary sacrifices for the greater good of the village," Danzou countered. "I'm sure you can agree."

Naruto's response died on his tongue as he was suddenly filled with the sense that Danzou was right. He was about to say as much when his Mother shouted, "Get a hold of yourself Naruto!"

"Mom," Naruto replied as he felt her chakra begin to course through him, "What's going on."

"I'm not sure, but it felt like he was trying to brainwash you or something," his mother replied as her chakra set about removing the chakra that had been trying to put Naruto into a genjutsu.

The blond shook his head before giving Danzou a grin as he said, "I'm not sure what you just tried to pull. But it isn't going to work."

"Tch," Danzou grunted as he continued to release the seal on his right arm and was annoyed that the Jinchuriki seemed to have overpowered the Kotoamatsukami he had attempted to use. Suspecting the Bijuu that the boy contained was responsible, he said sounding somewhat disappointed, "It's regrettable, but I guess I will need to eliminate you then. It should buy the village time to deal with Akatsuki. It will also buy me the time necessary to learn how to control the fox myself."

Naruto was confused as to what the elder meant until he revealed his right arm as the gauntlet like seal the elder had been fiddling with fell away. Naruto looked on in shock as it appeared like another man's face was residing in his shoulder coupled with the Sharingan embedded in his arm. "What the hell have you done to yourself?"

"Simply restored some function to a limb sacrificed to the Leaf," Danzou replied before exhaling several blade-like projectiles at the young man.

Naruto nimbly avoided them, before moving to attack the elder. He spared a moment to make sure Komachi was holding her own, and confident she was, focused squarely on Danzou. The Elder noticed though and as he blocked Naruto's fist said, "Your concern for her is telling. Just how did you manage to turn her against me?"

Naruto attempted to connect with a follow up kick, but that was also blocked by the old warrior. Danzou wrapped his arm around the jinchuriki's leg and was about to bring his elbow down on Naruto's knee to break it when two clones popped into existence. Danzou was forced to let go as the clones began to work together, but he again gained the upper hand by hitting one with an air bullet that pieced through the center of the clone. He then grabbed the second by the face using his right arm and smashed its head into the ground causing it to burst into smoke.

Naruto used the cover of the clones' demise to throw several kunai, but watched as they were battered out of the air from a gust of wind that Danzou exhaled. "Rudimentary tactics like that boy won't get you very far in this world." Naruto smirked even as the elder shot another air bullet which pierced his forehead. As Naruto fell backwards he suddenly burst into smoke as well. "What!" Danzou said surprised as the kunai he had deflected suddenly turned into clones of the blond as well. Surrounded by them due to his scattering the kunai, he couldn't avoid all of them as they attacked as one group. He took several blows before they all kicked him into the air. Having heard of this tactic of the blond's before he thought, "The real one will attack from above." Recovering as best he could in mid-air he spotted Naruto descending towards him but managed to throw a kunai which caught the young man in the throat. He took a sense of satisfaction in the look of surprise that appeared on the Jinchuriki's face before that one also exploded into smoke. "Then where?" Danzou thought before pain erupted in his back as Naruto was tossed at the elder by a clone from among the pack.

Danzou screamed in pain, before disappearing as he activated Izangi. Appearing on the ground again he said, "Now let's try that again," and then ready himself as the clones charged him.

*****

Komachi avoided the red wave that Towa's blade made due to the unique nature of his tattoo. Responding with several senbon, she wasn't too surprised that the man managed to avoid them. Having sparred with him countless times she was well versed in what to expect. However, this time she was aware that only one of them would be walking away from the fight.

Komachi wasn't surprised that her partner had yet to speak. Having been conditioned in much the same way she knew that those in Root didn't need to understand why. Despite what she had heard Danzou say she doubted Towa felt anything about her betrayal. The why's and how's were unimportant, only that she had been identified as a traitor mattered. Fighting him, she could understand why Danzou would consider that a strength since Towa was focused solely on her elimination.

Komachi was finding it difficult to say the same especially as it appeared Danzou once more seemed to have gained the upper hand due to his sudden ability to cheat death. Her attention was split when Naruto suffered a nasty gash from another of Danzou's wind blades. Towa took the opportunity to strike pulling his right hand back as he charged. Reaching his fellow Root member he thrust his arm forward as a red drill manifested from the tattoo.

Komachi managed to leap back in time to avoid it but was hit by several shuriken that Towa tossed with his other hand. She didn't cry out in pain less she distracted Naruto in his own struggle. Landing on the ground, she fell to a knee due to one of the weapons being buried in her thigh. She could sense that Towa thought the battle would soon be over, but she refused to give up as she pulled the blade out. Getting to her feet, she held her blade in the ready position in order to meet her former partner's charge.

*****

Naruto had managed to connect with the Rasengan two more times since his fight with Danzou had begun. He was concerned with Komachi own struggle, but found that the slightest inattention would likely cost him his life as the elder was just that good. Putting his faith in his lover's strength he focused solely on Danzou.

He suspected that outside of the first time he had hit with Rasengan where he believed he had genuinely surprised the Elder. His other two successes were either to make him get sloppy by his believing he was getting the better of the elder, or to dishearten him that it appeared that the man was unkillable. In either case, he knew he would be playing into the elder's hands.

Still even with his understanding that much, it wasn't helping Naruto in coming up with a strategy to defeat him. He felt a small amount of doubt that he could beat the elder begin to take hold, but it was banished as he was hugged by a phantom like presence. He then heard his mom's whisper as she asked, "Do you mind if I cut in for a bit, Honey?"

Naruto didn't respond but Kushina felt her son surrender control as her chakra began to surround him. Being careful not to allow too much pass the seal to quickly so as not to harm Naruto, she assumed the stance she favored. She could tell the sudden shift confused Danzou, but she made sure to not make eye contact as Kushina put her years of sparring with Mikoto to use.

Danzou suddenly found himself on the defensive as the jinchuriki's attacks became stronger and more precise. He could understand the new strength as being a result of the Bijuu cloak now covering him which was becoming thicker and darker hiding the blond behind it. He expected it to take the form of a fox but instead found himself facing what appeared to be a woman like figure.

Danzou managed to fire off an air bullet but watched in amazement as it was battered off into a wall. Suspecting he was now facing the Kyuubi, he tried to exert some control over it using the First Hokage's cells and Shisui's Sharingan. From his research he knew he'd experience some of the Bijuu's rage. Yet to his stunned surprise although he experienced anger it was tied to a motherly affection towards the young man the Bijuu's chakra was now protecting. He also felt that there was a fair amount of attraction as well.

To his further amazement the Bijuu easily rebuffed his attempt to control it as it smiled at him. Bits of white and dark chakra appeared from the chakra cloak which collected into a small ball which the Bijuu swallowed. It then inhaled deeply before exhaling a powerful blast of chakra which incinerated the elder. He reappeared unharmed which didn't last long as the Bijuu appeared in front of him and slashed open his throat with its elongated claws. Appearing unharmed in a different location, he saw that he only had three eyes remaining so needed to come up with a way to defeat the Kyuubi in three minutes unless he wished to experience a final death.

*****

Komachi watched her partner silently confident that Lady Kushina would let no harm come to her son. She steadied her breathing as she prepared to unleash a jutsu that she had yet to use in anything but training. However, since the training had been with Yuugao, she doubted Towa would be able to counter.

Studying her opponent she waited for the moment he would strike and as he charge her followed suit. However, before reaching him she leapt. As expected he tracked her movements, but found it difficult due to the two after images that appeared. Using the Dance of the Crescent Moon jutsu, Yuugao had taught her. Towa lost track of the two clones she had created in the after image of her jump. They reached the man cutting him across the stomach as Komachi landed behind him.

For the first time since the fight started he spoke asking, "How," before collapsing.

"I out grew my programing," Komachi answered although she doubted Towa had heard it. Turning to aid Naruto, she saw that Kushina appeared to have matters well in hand.

*****

Danzou was smashed into the earth after being sent airborne as the Bijuu appeared above him. It landed at the edge of the crater his body had made staring down at him with its glowing white eyes. The last Sharingan closed and not willing to lose the one implanted in his right eye, Danzou said, "I surrender."

The Bijuu stared at him before the chakra began to dissipate revealing an unharmed Naruto. Danzou managed to get to his knees before saying, "Impressive to think you've managed to tame the Kyuubi to such an extent."

"I didn't tame her," Naruto replied, "We've simply come to an understanding."

"Her?" Danzou said confused, "Ah perhaps that would explain the..."

Naruto's foot lashed out catching the Elder in the face. Danzou was confused by the young man's shouting, "Hey, what are you doing?"

He suspected the Bijuu hadn't wanted him to reveal the attraction it felt towards its host. But seeing his opening shot forward as a kunai appeared from the left sleeve of his shirt. Naruto focused on him as Komachi shouted a warning, but Danzou knew it was too late for the jinchuriki as he shouted, "This is the problem with your and Hiruzen's way of thinking. You're too quick in turning your gaze away from your enemies believing them to be as noble as you."

However, before reaching his target he heard the sound of chirping as a hand pierced his back to appear out his chest. As his life passed before his eyes Danzou heard Kakashi as he said, "That is why there are those who hide in the shadows to protect them. It's a shame you have forgotten this in your lust for Sun that the Hokage represents."

Danzou looked back at Kakashi before weakly replying, "That's because you'll find that even when banishing one enemy from the shadows. More appear to take their place."

Facing Naruto, Danzou considered activating the sealing jutsu to take his enemies with him in death. However, his gaze landed on Komachi as she threw her arms around the young man in a lover's embrace which he returned. Although surprised, he decided to allow the young man the victory so said, "Naruto, this day is yours, but don't believe you've seen the last of Root. We'll be watching for the slightest sign of weakness on your part to assert our place in the sun."

"It doesn't have to be like that," Naruto said sadly. "There's plenty of room for everyone beneath it."

"Naïve boy," Danzou said with a small smile, "I'll give you a gift. Take the Sharingan in my right eye. With it you could even make Sasuke return to the village." Danzou smirked as his life faded since although it was a gift, it could also be considered a cursed one since it would force Sasuke to obey the directive given against his own true desires. He briefly wondered if Naruto would use it or would refuse seeing it as the darkest form of manipulation that it was. "I suppose what he chooses will decide which of us was right. Eh Hiruzen, what do you think?"

*****

Kakashi pulled his arm free of Danzou chest as Komachi kissed her lover. She stepped away as she said, "I have to go. Whoever, tipped Danzou off is still out there and will likely come looking for me to learn about what happened."

The Konoha Jounin wasn't surprised when Naruto accepted his lover words at face value. However as she passed him, he placed his hand on her shoulder to say, "Just hold on a moment. We both know you're going off to your death."

Komachi stiffened which Naruto noticed causing his to ask, "What does he mean Komachi?"

The kunoichi refused to speak resulting in Kakashi saying, "Three Root members entered this tunnel. However, only one leaves with both you and I emerging unharmed. Whoever is working with Danzou is going to have a lot of questions and isn't going to be too inclined to just take her at her word."

"You have to let me go," Komachi said facing her lover, "If even by just a single percent it increases our chances to ensure we completely remove Root we must take it. I know it's reckless, but is that not what is at the heart of your disagreement with Ino? It can't just be you that takes all the risks."

Naruto was torn not able to send his lover off knowing what she may face. However, Kakashi spoke up saying, "Well to mitigate some of those risks we just need to find a way to ensure that Root is inclined to believe her. You understand me right, Komachi?"

The Root Anbu did indeed and wasn't surprised her lover was staring at them in confusion. Pulling her blade, she slashed down Kakashi's chest before removing her mask. Naruto dropped to the ground as he caught his teacher as he fell back. The jinchuriki stared up at her in shock as she tossed her mask onto Kakashi. She the spun taking off down the tunnel Danzou had been leading them towards.

"Komachi," he shouted after her into the darkness.

"Let her do this," Kakashi whispered weakly, "It's the best way for her to protect you from the shadows." Naruto nodded but as the pain from his wound was getting worse Kakashi said, "I'm not going to stop you from getting me a doctor."

Luckily for Kakashi since Naruto had picked him up in a none too gentle manner, one of the Konoha squads, after having received some help from the clones Naruto had deployed, stumbled across the entrance to the tunnels that Kakashi had exposed in his search for his student. Therefore, they were able to stabilize the jounin before his student could kill him from the pain he had been feeling.

*****

The Present:

Tsunade's recollection ended to find herself at the training ground where the would-be Sannin had performed the bell test. She cursed herself for her weakness as she had chickened out unable to face the man she loved and see his eyes lose the eternal brightness if even for a moment. She considered waiting till morning to have the guest she had found waiting in her home tell Naruto the news that he had delivered.

She suddenly wished she had simply gone to the Den instead of heading to the place that was listed officially as her home but could never truly be it since the man she loved didn't reside there. However, she had wanted to shower before throwing on something sexy as she planned to remind Naruto that although Kakashi had been injured they had still won a great victory. Advertisements

However, the decision of when Naruto would learn the news that her uninvited guest had delivered was taken out of her hands as he stepped onto the training field behind her. She turned to face him as he asked, "Tsunade, what is it?"

Unable to bottle up her grief any longer she said, "Jiraiya's dead."

The look of shock and pain that appeared on his face made her own grief grow exponentially. But she watched both proud and heartbroken as he tried to push it aside for her sake as he opened his arms to her. She flew into his embrace as he tried to comfort her as she emptied her tears into his chest, but wasn't too surprised when she felt his tears begin to fall on her head.

He held her tightly for several minutes before asking, "How?"

Tsunade answered simply, "Pain," before filling Naruto in on all that Fukasaku had told her of the Toad Sannin's last battle.