Chapter 31

Naruto smirked beneath his mask and looked over to her. "Ah, at last." He said putting his book away and standing up. He held his hand out for her to take which she did gracefully. "Did you retrieve the target?"

"Yes! Well, no. Pakura did. I was the distraction." She said hugging onto his arm.

Naruto looked over to her. "Were you now?" he asked rhetorically receiving a nod of her head against his arm.

"Mhm! And love, my kiss of doom worked!" she said excitedly.

Naruto slowed his pace. "I thought I told you, I don't like you using that." He said holding onto her mask. "You nearly killed yourself the last time you did."

Ino rubbed his hand. "I've got it down now." She said casually as she shrugged her shoulders. "I can do it from up to fifty feet away now." She said with a nod.

Naruto shrugged. "Well, if you say so." He said nonchalantly as he began walking again. Ino rushed him and jumped on his back as she always did. Naruto cupped his hands beneath her knees and carried her to the meeting room as she once again played with his slicked back hair. Even though it was slicked back, it was extremely moist. It was as if he perpetually took showers.

When they reached the meeting room, the others were still chatting away about their complete missions. They were all giddy about what was next, even though they of course expected a few months of inactivity. Well, that's what they expected.

"Be ready." Naruto said as he tilted his head so that the now maskless Ino could freely attack his neck. "We leave for the final portion of preparation in an hour." With his piece said, he turned to leave.

"Final portion?" Pakura asked for the group.

Naruto turned back around and looked at them as if it were obvious. "Konoha of course… we're all going." He said nonchalantly before continuing down the hall.

The six higher ups all exchanged glances with each other. Hidan stood up with a chuckle. "Hoh, I love this fucking guy!" the others didn't verbally agree, but by the way they all stood up with either a grin or a chuckle, they were very pleased as well.

-break-

Naruto and Ino walked down a hall that led to the containment area in which the four kidnapped victims remained within a cell. Well, the three that could provide for themselves. The Kazekage's nephew was being cared for by one of the women of the army a few rooms over. Naruto had set Ino down and they were just casually walking until they got to the front of the cell.

When they peered inside, the three victims scrambled away from the bars. "What do you want!" yelled the woman Zabuza and Kisame had taken from Kiri.

Naruto just stared at her. "Welcome, Rai-sama." He said pleasantly. "You must be wondering why you lot are here." He said pacing in front of their cell. Despite her outburst, she was still very much afraid and backed up to the wall. She even tried to block Naruto's view of the child, letting show her motherly instincts. "I am horribly sorry, but you are here because of your fiancé. I need him to accept my invitation. And if I have you, he'll come running."

Makatsuchi decided to question him next. "Then, why am I here?" her voice was timid, as she already knew the answer.

Naruto just shrugged. "From what I was told by Hidan. You are widely known to be the closest friend to the Tsuchikage, Kurotsuchi." He said. "At least that's what the informant told him." Makatsuchi remained silent after that, certain that lying would do her no good. Naruto just went back to pacing.

"w-What are you gonna do to us?" Rai asked in fear as she pushed the little dark-skinned boy further behind her.

Naruto tilted his head at her. "…Nothing… As I said before. You are only here as incentive for your fiancé's attendance." Rai began crying even more hysterically as she slid down the wall. "In due time Rai-sama. Until then, remain here. Shout out to this gentleman here if you need anything." He said grabbing onto a random soldier who was passing by.

The man looked absolutely star stricken standing in front of their leader. "u-Uh! Yes sir!" he yelled with a salute. Naruto patted his shoulder and he and Ino walked back.

-break-

A few minutes later and the group of deadly ninja stood within the field above their base. "Now." Naruto said turning to address them. "The attack must happen now and we have to get there as soon as possible. It takes about ten days total for a message to be sent from Suna to Konoha. Meaning we have an estimated three days to beat it there." He said with a deadpanned tone.

"Oh, we'll make that no problem." Deidara said throwing out some clay. It expanded into a huge dragon, large enough to carry them all. Naruto nodded to him in apparent appreciation before continuing.

"The reason we are all going is because of Konoha's strength." He could see some of them were immediately offended and he defused their anger quickly. "Not as a nation, but individual shinobi wise, they possess the most extensive listing within the bingo books. Everyone will be need to play the distraction other than Ino who will retrieve the target."

"Gotcha hun!" Ino said from his side.

As everyone climbed up on the clay creation, Naruto turned to them. "We attack with no mercy. Cause as much damage as possible. Keep the attention on the main battle field and off of the objective." He said looking out towards the ground that grew smaller and smaller the higher they got. Then, on Deidara's command, they were zipping through the sky.

Menma and Shikamaru stood on the roof of the Hokage tower looking out at the clear day. He was going over everything they discovered, hoping Shikamaru had a different view point on the whole ordeal. "Ino huh?... so she's alive…" he said solemnly, thinking about his old teammate.

Menma understood what he was going through on a much deeper level. It was his brother. His own flesh and blood. Even though in the past it didn't seem like it, they were a lot closer back before they started their training. It was the common infatuation that any kid would feel for his older sibling. Mito as well, but it was to a different extent with him. They were brothers.

He could remember the days of climbing into Naruto's bed when he had a nightmare, or jumping on him and crushing his ribs to wake him up in the mornings. Those were much better times. The three Namikaze children were inseparable in those days. Crazy when he thought about it being his own selfishness to start training that caused the whole neglect thing to happen. If he had just waited until after they graduated the academy as they planned then maybe his mother and father would have trained Naruto while they spent their time being children. But instead, all of their attention was focused onto him and Mito, leaving Naruto to fend for himself.

For a while, in his Chunin days when they left on their training trip with Jiraiya and his mother, Menma wondered why it was Naruto was so forgiving of them. When he was younger, he wasn't worried about it. His young mind just focused on them returning to normal and Naruto was a part of normal. By the time he made it to the academy, he had so much pride in his brother that he constantly boasted to everyone on how great he was. Of course, he was always overshadowed by Sasuke whose brother was Itachi Uchiha.

Regardless on the trip out the village, he began to mature and understand the world a bit better. When he did, he thought back to those days in the past where they sometimes wouldn't see Naruto for days upon days, then weeks, then ever. It was the first time he truly understood the reason he sometimes found his mother crying alone every now and then. He understood what neglect was and he couldn't imagine how it could affect someone.

So, why was his brother so okay with it? Menma was certain that had it been him in that position, he wouldn't be that care free about it. He saw him in a new light, even from miles away. To him, at the moment of that realization, Naruto was unbreakable. He was too strong both mentally and physically to let anyone or anything hold him down.

Then… they received word, midway through their trip that Naruto Namikaze has been arrested. Without hesitation, the trip was dropped and the four of them ran home demanding answers. It was a shocker to Menma when he returned to a cold shouldered Sasuke who seemed to hate him for some reason. It wasn't until later did he learn the circumstances of the whole incident. Naruto had killed Itachi Uchiha by the manipulation of the Snake Sanin. It was a heartbreaking story to even hear about, knowing how close the two were.

It seemed as though Sasuke would never forgive him, but apparently after their fathers made up, Fugaku gave Sasuke a talk that set his misplaced anger to rest. He absolutely hated Naruto though, which Menma understood of course. It was only a natural human emotion. Regardless of their friendship, he was determined to free his brother for an act that was not his fault.

Point is, he knew exactly what Shikamaru was going through and then some. "What do we do?" Menma asked him, gripping the railing in front of him.

Shikamaru sighed and looked around the village. "Menma, if it comes down to it, we cannot spare them if they plan to continue their actions."

Menma shut his eyes in defeat. Hearing it from Shikamaru just sealed the deal. Everyone had already suggested it to him so far, now hearing it from the one person he knew could come up with a better solution just solidified what everyone else had already told him. He would have to face his brother the next time they met. If he wouldn't listen to him, then he would be forced to kill him. "Do you think you can do it?" he asked him, referring to Ino.

Shikamaru leaned over the rail as well. "Menma... I have a son… If Ino jeopardizes his safety in any way, shape, or form. I will not hesitate… It destroys my heart, but for my son, I will do what I have to."

Menma rubbed his neck, this was already so much stress for just having taken office. He looked up to the cloudy sky in confusion. Why were there so many clouds? It was just completely clear a few minutes ago. As if an ominous warning, a faint clap of thunder from miles away shook the village. There was a storm coming.

"Ugh, I thought we were in for clear skies." Shikamaru said, looking up at the grey clouds looming above. "Damn weather is so unpredictable these days." He said.

"…Yeah…" Menma replied, trying to ignore that feeling welling up within the pit of his stomach.

Naruto and the others were hidden above the clouds, preparing to attack the village below. Ino grabbed a Kunai in her hand and jumped off the bird down into the forest they were gliding over. Deidara brought the clay bird back to the center of the village awaiting the order. Naruto was mouthing down numbers slowly, as if he were following a clock.

The others were already preparing their first attack. Deidara had two of his clay birds in his hands, Pakura manifested her chakra orbs, Zabuza and Kisame had their swords drawn, the masks on Kakuzu's back tore from his body and took their own forms, and Hidan was itching to leap from the bird and wreak havoc.

Naruto went through hand signs and stuck his hand out. A Rasengan began forming above his palm before a number of things happened to it as it emitted a high pitched screaming sound with blades of wind surrounding it, then from the center of the orb, sparks of flames began spitting out before changing the color of the orb to a very bright white. He held it over the edge of the clay creature with the others watching in wonder. The wind around them twisting violently.

Naruto just continued counting down quietly to himself. "Six… five… four… three…" he went silent as he stuck his hand out more. Then, he casually turned his hand over, causing the deathly looking ball of light to fall from his hand. The others watched it in curiosity at what it would do.

The ball of chakra fell within the crowded market section of Konoha with a few people looking at it in wonder. When it hit the ground, it seemed to melt into the ground momentarily before a deathly ground shaking explosion encompassed the entire area. Silence followed it for more than a few blocks until the deafening sonic boom followed right behind it. The others watched on in amazement as that single jutsu took out block after block.

Before they knew it, they were spotted and balls of fire were being sent their way. "Go." Naruto said as everyone dove from the clay creature that spiraled towards the ground like a missile. While in their freefall towards the village, the group swerved around the projectile attacks coming from all directions. It would seem as though every ninja within the village was already attacking.

Pakura sent one of her chakra orbs flying to the most densely packed area she could see. When it hit the ground it exploded, causing the resulting mist to drain the unlucky individuals nearby. Hidan was using his sickle to slice through the attacks with the help of Zabuza. Kisame was absorbing everything that came within his vicinity, and Kakuzu was on the back of one of his black masked creatures that was protecting him from anything that came too close.

When they neared the ground, they grabbed onto whatever pole or slid off of any building to break their fall. Without question they dispersed, to split the troops apart. Hidan and Zabuza hurdled off towards the entrance of the village until they were attacked by two very well-known Jonin.

They split apart avoiding the wind enhanced kunai that would have impaled one of them. Rolling to their feet, before them were Kakashi Hatake, and Asuma Sarutobi. "Neh, Kakashi. Guess, we'll take these two." Asuma said, ashing his cigarette onto the floor.

Kakashi had his sights set on Zabuza as he lifted his headband. "I guess so." He said drawing two kunai. Zabuza wasted no time in rushing him.

Deidara zipped through the sky throwing around his clay creatures until he was forced to jump, avoiding, surprisingly, another piece of flying art. This one created with paint. Turning around, he locked eyes with a pale man with a blank expression, eyeing him intently from a bird. His grin widened as he took off zipping through the sky, throwing more creations out along the way. The pale man was forced to either save the people or attack him.

Pakura landed on the ground and was immediately blown back by a gust of wind. She pulled a kunai while in mid-air, deflecting the massive barrage of weapons sent her way. When she landed, she saw none other than the Kazekage's sister standing next to a girl with two buns in her hair and two scrolls in her hands. "Oh… it's you." Pakura said casually as if she wasn't threatened in the slightest.

"Pakura!" Temari yelled stepping forward with her fan at the ready. "Why have you come here?" she demanded. Pakura ignored her question and formed two more chakra orbs that circled her form. Temari stepped back to talk to Tenten. "Don't let those touch you. You'll die instantly." Tenten nodded and jumped back further, figuring support was her role since Temari had knowledge on the enemy. Pakura rushed forward, dodging the wind enhanced blades being flung in her direction.

Kisame was using his shark skin to slice down any shinobi foolish enough to try and engage him, simultaneously eating the chakra that they used from the techniques they were sending out. Just as he was about to kill another man, he jumped back, avoiding the kick that destroyed the wall next to him. Looking at his next opponent, he stifled a laugh at his ridiculous appearance. He was clad in a green spandex suit with an idiotic bowl cut atop his head. "Heh, what the hell are you?" he asked pointing his sword at him.

Before he received an answer, he jumped back again, receiving a slight feeling of déjà vu when another one came crashing down, wearing the same get up but a few years younger. "Gai-sensei! Let us fight to win and better ourselves while we are in the spring time of our youth!" he yelled ridiculously.

"Careful Lee." Said a new voice, this one coming from behind him. Turning around, Kisame was greeted to a member of the famed Hyuga clan. "This guys no ordinary opponent." He said as the veins around his eyes began to bulge. "His chakra is unbelievable…"

"Lee!" Gai called out to him with a serious expression. "Remain vigilant… for some reason, I'm getting the vibe that this guy is very dangerous… We will beat him together!" he proclaimed with a thumbs up and a smile that was unnaturally bright. Kisame just watched the spectacle in confusion before readying his blade.

Kakuzu walked casually alongside his masked blobs of thread as they destroyed everything in their path. He didn't have to do much, but he did reach out and kill individuals every now and then. He continued walking until he physically couldn't. He forced his eyes to look down at his feet to see his shadow was a lot longer than it should have been. He followed it to a young man who was crouched down with his fingers in a strange position. Standing next to him was a pudgier man with swirling patterns on his face, a Hyuga girl, a man on the back of a huge dog, and a kid releasing bugs from his body.

"Eh." Shikamaru said with a sigh. "This one was easy enough. Hinata, put him to sleep."

"Hai." She responded dropping down into a taijutsu stance and activating her Byakugan. When she did, she gasped and looked to the ground. Before she could warn him, a hand thrusted from the ground in front of Shikamaru, grabbing his neck and slamming his face against the floor.

Kakuzu retracted his hand from the hole in the floor next to him and began walking forward again. The group of Shinobi readied themselves for a fight as his five masked blobs of thread shot forward.

Pulling herself through the window, Ino ran down the hall of the Hokage building in search of her target. She had already checked two different places they could be, but came up empty handed both times. This was the last location she could think of. Hearing footsteps she dropped down into a slide and cut the shinobi running the other way at the knee caps, dropping him instantly. With no intention of putting him out of his misery, she continued on.

Rounding another corner, she saw a door at the very end of the hall with a light peeking through the bottom of the door. She ran full speed and kicked it open. Within was a room with nothing but a single table. But, the light was on and no one was there. Ino grunted in frustration before turning to leave.

Before she took a step, she heard something ever so slightly. Like a thud upon a metal surface. Turning back, she looked around the room, wondering what it was. She walked further in and looked in every possible location there was to hide. But, the room was empty. She was just about to leave when she noticed something unnatural. The chair was pushed too far away from the desk and she hadn't touched it. It wasn't at a distance that could've just been chocked up to someone leaving in a hurry, it was too far. She peeked under the desk again to notice a small fissure in the carpet. It was almost unnoticeable, but she saw it.

Walking over, she pulled at the fissure until a good chunk of the carpet seemed to come up with it with ease. It was like a cut out that perfectly hid the cut when you laid it back into the spot. Pulling it more, there was a metallic door that obviously belonged to a bunker. Ino stared at it with a bit of a grin. She pulled the door open and dropped down into it. Looking around, she spotted what she assume to be the target, laying in a carrier was the daughter of the Hokage. She chuckled a bit before throwing her hands up to the side, blocking the kick that came for her head.

It was hard enough to kick her off to the side of the bunker in which she rolled away from, getting out of the way of the fist that came flying to her. Ino stood at the exit to the bunker, her old friend and rival standing protectively in front of her child.

"Who the hell are you!?" the pink haired girl yelled drawing a kunai in her hand.

Ino smirked beneath her mask and swung her sword around. She chuckled watching Sakura's poor stance. A few years out of training was very apparent already. "Sakura Namikaze." She mocked slowly. Sakura crouched lower with a will to protect her child. "Look, how about you just step aside before you get hurt sweetie."

Sakura adjusted her grip on her kunai, realizing she'd have to fight for her son. The bunker was such a small place that she couldn't fight the way she usually did. She'd have to play defense to protect her daughter.

Walking down the street, Naruto used his sword to easily cut through anyone who attacked him. He had so far decimated a group of chunin, three ANBU agents, and a number of Jonin. He was fearlessly strolling through the village killing anyone he saw. By now, he expected to have been at least engaged by someone more worthy like Kakashi or maybe Gai. Not a single sight of them anywhere.

He reminisced his time here and also looked casually at the new scenery, well whatever was still standing. There was much more than what he knew growing up. Pulling up his sword, he blocked the kunai headed to his face. Following behind it was an Uchiha police member with his Sharingan activated. He rushed Naruto with another kunai in hand.

Most people would feel some type of urgency when faced against the legendary doujutsu, but Naruto had experience in fighting someone who was known as one of its greatest users. He blocked the slash headed towards his face and slashed lazily towards the man's neck. As expected, the man leaned back to avoid it. When he did, a clone of Naruto sliced his head off with ease from behind him. He stared down at the head of the wide eyed kid and stabbed both of his opened eyes, knowing full well the kind of vultures that preyed around Konoha.

Continuing down the road, he was greeted to two more people. Deep in thought, he didn't even realize he had already killed them until he looked up and their blood was gushing out. The liquid sprayed out and covered the side of his mask. Naruto ignored it and continued on.

Turning the corner, he was on the main road of Konoha, staring straight down the road at the big red building. Without warning a kunai flew towards his face. Stopping it before it impaled his eye hole, he realized immediately that it wasn't a regular kunai by its three pronged shape. With seemingly no reaction, he stuck his hand up, catching the fist of Menma who had suddenly appeared in front of him.

Menma was shocked and quickly jumped back. "… Hokage…" Naruto said slowly walking towards him. The look Menma gave him told him that he knew who he was.

"Please… please don't do this…"

Naruto stopped a few yards away from him. "You've grown." He remarked casually, ignoring his plea. "Hokage now huh…"

Menma tightened his grip on the Kunai in his hand. He looked across at his masked brother with a painful expression. "Why… why are you doing this!?" he yelled to him, demanding an answer.

Naruto didn't react. Instead, he caught the throat of some random Jonin who jumped from an alley next to him. Menma stuck his hand out as if telling him not to. Naruto could see his hand cocking back to throw the kunai. With no mercy or patience, he snapped the man's neck with ease.

"NO!" Menma yelled throwing the Kunai forward.