Sorry for the late update. I was very busy last week.
Here you go, a new chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
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About an hour later;
Silence filled the room as all its occupants processed what Naruto had just said. Naruto had recounted everything that happened in minute detail, leaving nothing out.
They couldn't quite believe everything being said due to how difficult it is to believe it, but seeing who was saying it, they had no choice but to believe, especially since Naruto would gain nothing from lying.
"Do you know why they came after you?" Shikaku asked, breaking the silence.
"I am not entirely sure. At first, I thought they were after my head for the bounty, but Kakuzu had told Hidan to incapacitate me and not kill me. Either they wanted something from me by keeping me alive or...."
"Or they are after the Kyuubi," Shikaku muttered, finishing what Naruto was about to say.
"Are you sure they are an organization?" Inoichi asked, dreading the thought of other Shinobi of the same caliber under the same banner.
"I can't find a better explanation for the matching cloaks," Naruto said with a shrug.
"Here is what is going to happen," Hiruzen said, making the others look at him.
"The regiments posted near the border with the land of the wind will stay there until we are sure whether Suna has a hand in this or not. As for the shinobi who are mobilizing here, have them return to their regular duties but keep them on standby in case Suna is involved." Hiruzen said as he looked at Shikaku, who nodded.
"Naruto. Since you are fine and will be discharged soon, I will give you the rest of the day and tomorrow off, but I need you to write a detailed report about your last mission as soon as possible." Hiruzen said to Naruto, who nodded before turning to look at Inoichi.
"I need you to gather intelligence about those two rogue shinobi, or anyone wearing these black cloaks with red clouds. I will also inform Jiraiya to be on the lookout for anything." Hiruzen ordered, to which Inoichi nodded.
"I will reactivate Kakuzu's bounty and see if Hidan had one. If not, I will add it to the bingo book." Hiruzen said
Knock, knock, knock
"Come in," Hiruzen said as he, along with the others, looked at the door.
"Sorry for the interruption, Hokage-sama." An Anbu operative said after opening the door and before presenting a scroll to Hiruzen.
"This just arrived from Suna by messenger birds." The Anbu said as Hiruzen took the scroll.
"Thank you, you are dismissed," Hiruzen said, to which the Anbu nodded before leaving and closing the door.
Hiruzen examined the scroll for a couple of moments before opening it and reading its contents with his blank expression.
His expression didn't change throughout the few seconds it took him to read the message before passing it to Shikaku.
"What do you think?" Hiruzen said after a few moments.
"It is either a deflection tactic so they can buy more time, or they really have nothing to do with what happened," Shikaku said after a couple of moments of silence
"That is what we have to find out. Everyone knows what they have to do."Hiruzen said before looking at Naruto and smiled softly.
"Get some rest, my boy. I am glad you are fine and safe." Hiruzen said before he walked out of the room, followed by Shikaku and Inoichi, leaving Tsunade and Reiko with Naruto.
There was a small moment of silence that was broken with Tsunade's hand latching onto Naruto's ear and twisting it.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow. I know. I am sorry. Don't pull on my ear," Naruto said with a slightly pained expression, while Reiko had a look of amusement.
"That is good that you know what you did," Tsunade said with a huff as she let Naruto's ear go.
"But I can't be mad at you, as I know what would have happened if I saw you like that," Tsunade said with a soft tone as she ruffled Naruto's hair.
"Love you too, Kaa-san," Naruto said with a slight cheeky tone.
"Don't get smart with me, brat," Tsunade said with a huff as she pushed Naruto's head jokingly.
Half an hour later, on the way to the Senju compound;
"How is Suna, Naruto?" Reiko asked as she walked with him and Tsunade.
Naruto was discharged from the hospital after a quick check-up to make sure everything was in order before he, along with Tsunade and Reiko, left the hospital.
Hearing the question, Naruto looked at Reiko for a moment. He half expected the question since Suna was Reiko's 'Pakura's' home before they betrayed her and threw her to meet her end. But she still had people there that she was worried about.
"Gloomy, on treading on the verge of financial ruin. I can't say that I enjoyed my stay there." Naruto replied, to which Reiko nodded slightly.
"Who did you meet there?" Tsunade asked, intrigued.
"The Kazekage Rasa and his children. Chiyo and her brother. Suna's council." Naruto said with a shrug while Reiko looked at him with slight astonishment.
"You met Garaa?" Reiko asked
"He was the one who approached me. And I felt sorry for the child." Naruto said
"Who is Garaa?" Tsunade asked
"Rasa's youngest child… and the Ichibi's Jinchuuriki," Reiko replied, making Tsunade look at Naruto with wide eyes.
"Son, please. Tell me you didn't do anything stupid." Tsunade said
"I didn't. Just talked with him and ate with him. You would have felt sorry for the kid if you met him, Kaa-san. The boy is hated and isolated by everyone, even his father and siblings." Naruto said
"His situation as a Jinchuuriki is much worse than mine." Naruto continued softly. Making the others turn silent.
"Naru-ni-chan"
The familiar voice broke the silence as a small blond-haired child rushed towards Naruto, followed by a small red-haired child.
"Mito, Karin. What are you two doing here?" Tsunade asked, looking at the two children hugging Naruto's legs.
"Sorry about that, Tsunade-sama. They just took off running as soon as they saw Naruto." Akari said as she arrived too.
"Kaa-san is taking us to go and eat Ramen," Karin said with a wide smile as she looked up with Mito, doing the same while nodding her head.
"Hey, Reiko-nee-chan." Mito greeted with a smile
"Well, hello, little Mito," Reiko replied with a soft smile
"Ni-chan, can you come with us?" Mito turned her attention back to Naruto.
"What do you think, Kaa-san? Go together?" Naruto looked at Tsunade.
"Yeah, let's go. I am in the mood for some Ramen." Tsunade said as the entire group started to move.
"For the record, I blame you for Karin's addiction to Ramen," Akari said, looking at Naruto.
"You too like Ramen," Naruto replied back
"I still blame you," Akari said with a huff.
To be continued.
Guys and gals, show me those powerstones.
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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
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1292 words
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