Chapter 64: The land of Water

Naruto, his team, and the three rebels left Konoha swiftly and started running at Jonin speeds, it would take them the rest of the day to get back to the Rebellion HQ, and since they didn't have much to do they decided to talk to each other, introduce themselves a bit more than what they did at the office of the Hokage.

Naruto was the first to ask something as he was the most relaxed one out of them, "So Terumi-san, are you the strongest ninja in the rebellion, or is there someone stronger than you?" Naruto inquired.

Mei thought for a second before she answered "Well there are a few that I would have to fight seriously but as far as I know I am pretty much the strongest around, I can ask the same of you as well, while the Hokage gave off a powerful aura you seem stronger to me." Mei asked back.

Naruto chuckled "Well I am certainly strong but there are still quite a few ninjas in the village that can beat me simply because of experience, I am similar in strength to an elite Jonin like Hatake Kakashi or Might Guy, but in an all-out fight I guess I'd win since I have the Kyuubi and seals on my side, plus I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well but I would most likely be seriously wounded." Naruto replied jokingly, while he believed he'd be able to win in brute strength and destructive power Naruto did not doubt that someone like Guy, Kakashi, or Hiruzen would be able to defeat him, not to mention Jiraiya and the other two sannin he had yet to meet, he knew that he was strong but they were formidable opponents so Naruto didn't want to say that he was stronger just yet.

Mei, Ao, Chojuro, and his team nodded, they knew why he had said what he said and thought that it was wise of him so they didn't make any comments on it.

"So can you tell us about what we will do when we get there? It would be nice to know beforehand." Sasuke asked.

Mei nodded at him "Well you'll mostly be helping us retake territory and fight, I was told by the Hokage that Naruto could make a large number of shadow clones so you'll be helping out with building and making defenses, as for Shino I was told that you are capable of long-range attacks and communication so you'll be helping with that, and as for you Sasuke I was told that you were a formidable close-range fighter and that you are quite a good assassin so you'll be doing the most fighting, of course, Naruto and Shino will fight too but most likely less than you." Mei said as she spoke to all three of them, "I will give you more specific tasks when we arrive at HQ so until then I can't really tell you anything else." She said.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Shino all nodded, they would be used in areas where they were useful so it made sense.

The six of them didn't encounter much on their journey through the Land of Fire, they went through a village where they grabbed a quick bite of food but didn't stop for more than 20 minutes, which meant that they had made rapid progress in their journey.

Naruto could feel the air become moister the closer they got to the land of water, and eventually the landscape completely changed, the land they were walking on ran out and they arrived at a port town where they took a boat to the island where the Rebbelion HQ was located, it was quite far from the mainland of the Land of Water but it wasn't too far away as to make it difficult to attack or get messages to other islands, strategically it was one of the best islands to have an HQ.

The boat ride took a few hours so the sun was already starting to set but it did not hide the fact that war was present in the country, the island they arrived at was quite destroyed, similarly to the few villages they had passed the island gave off a depressing vibe and it was visible that there had been multiple battles on the island as everywhere they looked the landscape was destroyed.

Naruto held a grave expression, he didn't like it when innocent people suffered so he would do his best to end this war as quickly as possible, Sasuke and Shino had similar reactions as they didn't like needless fighting, and seeing innocents suffer wasn't something that they liked.

"Terumi-san, if possible I would like to be sent out to battle as much as possible, the war will end sooner that way," Naruto said with a neutral expression.

Mei was taken aback, it was like Naruto and his team had completely changed, the relaxed group of boys was completely gone, and in their place were three trained killers that held no remorse for killing their enemy, their bloodlust was barely being held back and it was noticeable as both Ao and Chojuro's instincts told them to run as far as they could.

Mei clenched her fist and replied, "I'll see what I can do, first you'll need to be introduced to my fighting forces, afterward I will try to send you out to help as much as possible." she said as they continued running towards the Rebellion HQ.

Around 20 minutes of running later they had arrived at a normal-looking cave where Naruto could sense a large number of negative emotions, he could also feel a few faint chakra signatures but they could be played off as animals or plants since it was incredibly faint but Naruto knew that the HQ of the rebels was here.

The six of them entered and after being surrounded Mei gave the group of ninjas a code and all hostility disappeared as if a switch had been hit.

One of the ninjas wearing a mask on his face approached and kneeled in front of Mei, "Lady Terumi! You have finally returned, we were anxiously waiting for your return!" he spoke out loudly.

Mei's eyebrows twitched but she ignored the man's words and spoke, "Yes I have returned with good news, gather everyone that is available I will be making an announcement in 10 minutes." She said and continued on inside the cave.

Once they entered the HQ it was as if they had arrived at an underground city, there were at least 20 thousand chakra signatures present which was quite a lot to be underground, Naruto wondered how they got enough food and resources down here for this many people to survive.

Within 10 minutes a few thousand people had gathered in front of a large building which Naruto assumed was Mei's office, they were standing on the balcony of the building so they were being sent many interested looks by the ninja that were present.

They were silent so Mei only needed to start talking, "Today I bring you good news, our journey to Konoha has proved successful as they will soon be sending forces to us, the three standing with me are three of their Jonin and their Jinchuriki who will help us win this war and take back our land! I want you all to welcome Uzumaki Naruto, Sasuke Uchiha, and Aburame Shino to our forces, if anyone has complaints they can meet me in my office in 30 minutes, you may all leave now." Mei finished and turned around to go back inside.

There wasn't any loud cheering or happiness, most people just looked like they had gained some hope, Konoha was a formidable ally to have and Naruto's presence was proof that they would soon receive help from Konoha, but many faces looked unhappy with this but since their leader had made this decision they couldn't say anything other than begrudgingly accept.

Naruto hoped that happiness would soon return to these people's faces.

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My vacation officially starts at the end of next week and I have finished all of my exams today so I'll have a lot more time to write, so chapters will be more frequent soon.