Root Base of Operations. Deep Underground.
The scroll slid across the stone table with a dry sound and Danzō showed no emotion as he finished reading the intelligence report, moving his single visible eye with analytical coldness over the kanji. In front of him, Fū and Torune remained kneeling, intact and silent as they waited for orders.
"So the Fifth Hokage finally showed her fangs," said Danzō with a calm voice to break the sepulchral silence of the chamber, closing the scroll slowly while interlacing his fingers on the table. "Confirm the final details of the confrontation for me."
"Visual and sensory confirmation complete, Danzō-sama," began Fū with a tone devoid of any emotion. "Kisame Hoshigaki has been eliminated, for his body was destroyed by his own summons to avoid capture before we could recover biological samples, while Itachi Uchiha has retreated after suffering significant damage and losing his partner."
Danzō did not blink, but his fingers tensed imperceptibly on the stone armrest.
"And the sword? Samehada."
"In the Hokage's possession," intervened Torune. "She is using it as an external chakra source and since Jiraiya was also present in the combat, both Sannin intervened directly."
"Of course they did," murmured Danzō with contempt. "Hiruzen's sentimentality has spread like a plague, but I need to know about the anomaly since the field report mentioned a massive chakra fluctuation."
"Karin Uzumaki," said Fū. "During the confrontation she manifested the Adamantine Chains and managed to immobilize Itachi Uchiha's technique long enough for Tsunade and Jiraiya to attack, a power that was amplified by a direct chakra transfer from the Jinchūriki."
Danzō closed his eye for a moment at the mention of the Adamantine Chains. The lost legacy of Uzushiogakure, resurfacing in a refugee girl under Tsunade's protection.
"We underestimated the scope of their influence," said Danzō, more to himself than to his subordinates. "They are not training a genin team, but rather they are forging a personal elite unit where the Jinchūriki acts as the brain, the Haruno as the strike force, the Hyūga as radar and the Uzumaki as absolute containment, making them a mobile fortress."
"Requesting orders for a second extraction phase, sir," said Torune. "With the current commotion we could attempt to isolate the Haruno again."
"Negative," cut in Danzō. "That would be strategic suicide because we tried to take a piece and almost lost the hand. Tsunade not only repelled Akatsuki but crushed them and took their weapons, so if we attack now with the two Sannin on high alert and that squad operating at this level, we expose ourselves to a total purge."
He stood up slowly leaning on his cane and the shadow of his figure elongated on the stone wall.
"We withdraw," he decreed. "Root will return to the deep darkness and cease all active surveillance on the Jinchūriki and his immediate circle, for we cannot afford to provoke Tsunade while she has that level of war power at her disposal, so we will wait."
"Wait for what, Danzō-sama?"
"For them to make a mistake," he responded while sitting back down in the gloom. "Or for a threat greater than Akatsuki to attack them, but until then we are invisible."
Konoha Main Square. Noon.
The midday heat beat down on the village tiles and made the air feel hot, but no one moved from their spot in the crowded square where a multitude of Jōnin, Chūnin and Genin filled the space under the Hokage Tower, exchanging nervous glances and whispers that sounded like a constant buzzing.
Naruto stood next to Sakura and Hinata with his arms crossed and his jaw tense, while Shikamaru, Ino and Chōji were right behind them squeezed by the crowd.
"I had never seen so many people gathered without it being a festival," murmured Ino standing on her tiptoes to try and see something. "Do you think it is bad news? My father was very serious this morning and didn't want to tell me anything."
"Tsunade-Sama wouldn't gather us all to give us good news on a Tuesday at noon," said Shikamaru yawning although his eyes were alert. "This is damage control or a declaration of intent, but either way it is going to be troublesome."
"Shut up, she is coming out," whispered Sakura giving Naruto a soft nudge so he would pay attention.
Tsunade stepped out onto the balcony without the ceremonial hat, with her green robe billowing and a cold expression, flanked by Jiraiya who had his arms crossed and by Shizune who held a stack of documents with a rigid posture.
"Shinobi of Konoha!" shouted Tsunade and her chakra-amplified voice swept across the square causing silence to fall instantly. "Days of uncertainty and rumors about attacks in our streets have passed and I know you are afraid and wondering if we are safe within these walls!"
Tsunade leaned over the railing and swept her gaze across the crowd.
"The answer is no, because we are not safe as long as we hide and pretend that nothing is happening! Orochimaru's invasion was only the beginning, but the true enemy is not a solitary snake seeking revenge!"
Naruto felt Hinata tense up beside him and brushed his hand against hers to reassure her without taking his eyes off the balcony.
"Akatsuki! That is the name of the threat!" continued Tsunade raising her tone. "An organization that seeks to hunt us and that tried to take one of our own in broad daylight inside our own home!"
A murmur ran through the square like a wave.
"Did she say Akatsuki?" asked Kiba a bit further away with Akamaru growling low. "I thought they were just rumors."
"But you were wrong!" roared Tsunade cutting through the murmurs. "They came looking for easy prey and found predators, which resulted in Kisame Hoshigaki falling dead and his weapon belonging to us while Itachi Uchiha has fled to save his life!"
The gasp of astonishment was genuine this time, so Sakura clenched her fists and looked at Naruto who nodded slightly.
"That is why today I decree a State of War!" shouted Tsunade relentless. "Any Akatsuki agent is a target for immediate elimination and there will be no negotiations or capture, so if they step on our land they will not leave it alive!"
The crowd erupted in shouts of approval in a mixture of relief and contained aggression that was finally being released.
"But we will not fight alone!" Tsunade raised a fist to ask for silence again. "The Sand was also a victim because their Kage was assassinated and their ninjas deceived, and although many ask for blood for the invasion I say that the blood we must shed is that of those who manipulated us both!"
She lowered her hand and her voice became more controlled.
"Konoha will offer a hand to Suna as allies against the darkness and I will send a diplomatic delegation immediately to bring a treaty or know if Suna is with us or against us! Disperse and prepare for new orders!"
Tsunade turned around and entered the tower followed by Jiraiya and Shizune, leaving the square in a boiling state.
"State of war," repeated Chōji opening a bag of potato chips nervously. "That sounds serious Shikamaru, do you think they will send us to the front?"
"There is no front yet, Chōji," said Shikamaru scratching the back of his neck. "But that mention of the Suna delegation gives me a bad feeling."
At that moment an ANBU with a cat mask landed in front of Naruto's group causing the nearby civilians to step back.
"Team of Naruto Uzumaki, plus Shikamaru Nara," said the ANBU with a monotone voice. "The Hokage requests your presence in the office immediately where Shizune-san is already waiting for you."
"I knew it," sighed Shikamaru letting his shoulders drop. "What a drag."
"Let's go," said Naruto adjusting the headband on his forehead. "Let's not make her wait or she will be in a bad mood."
Hokage Tower Hallway. Five minutes later.
The group walked up the stairs toward the office with the sound of their sandals echoing in the stairwell.
"Why isn't Karin with us?" asked Sakura looking back to make sure no one else was following them. "If she called everyone who was involved in the Kisame incident she should be here."
"Grandma said Karin was a special case," responded Naruto jumping two steps at a time. "She probably has her training or doing medical tests, so don't worry about her."
"I am more worried about the delegation thing," commented Hinata in a low voice walking next to Naruto. "Do you think she will send us even though we are just Genin?"
"Tsunade-Sama doesn't think in ranks, she thinks in results," said Shikamaru from behind.
They arrived at the office door and Naruto didn't bother knocking, so he swung the door open and walked in with a firm step.
Hokage Office.
Tsunade was seated behind her desk which looked small before her presence, reviewing an unfolded map with fresh ink marks while Shizune organized scrolls beside her and Jiraiya looked out the window with his back to them.
"You are late," said Tsunade without looking up.
"You summoned half the world to the square, Hokage-sama," replied Shikamaru entering last and closing the door. "There was traffic on the stairs and people wouldn't move out of the way."
"Excuses," Tsunade looked up and her golden eyes locked onto Naruto. "I have an A-Rank mission for you, possibly S if things get complicated on the road."
Naruto straightened up and the relaxed attitude disappeared from his face. "Is it about Akatsuki again? Because if so we are ready."
"It is about Suna," corrected Tsunade tapping the map with her index finger. "I need to send that official delegation I spoke of to sign the alliance treaty and bring Temari back, who must be dealing with her own council of paranoid elders right now and needs visible support from our side."
"Us?" asked Sakura blinking surprised. "The whole team is going to the desert?"
"Not everyone," clarified Tsunade looking at the group and pausing. "Karin stays here because her training with the Adamantine Chains is absolute priority and she will train with me directly, so forget about her for now."
Tsunade stood up and pointed at Naruto with her finger.
"Naruto, you will be the head of the diplomatic delegation."
The silence in the office was absolute for three seconds in which Shikamaru stopped scratching his head, Sakura opened her mouth without saying anything and even Jiraiya turned from the window to look.
"ME!?" shouted Naruto pointing at his chest with both hands and his eyes wide open. "Diplomat!? Grandma, you hit your head! I hit things, eat ramen and train, so send Shikamaru who is the genius or Sakura who is the smart one who read all the books!"
"Exactly, that is why I am sending you!" Tsunade hit the table with the palm of her hand. "Suna doesn't need pretty words or complex strategies from a book right now, they need to see brute strength and they need to see heart! Those old men on the Suna council are terrified and defensive, so if I send a Nara they will think we want to trick them with the fine print of the contract and if I send an adult they will think we want to invade or control them."
Tsunade rounded the desk and planted herself in front of Naruto, forcing him to take a step back due to the intensity of her gaze.
"But you... you defeated their ultimate weapon and saved Gaara from himself when no one else could," said Tsunade smiling sideways, a smile that mixed cunning and pride. "Besides you fed the most influential person in Suna currently and treated her like a person when she was our prisoner of war instead of letting her rot in a cell."
Naruto blushed slightly and scratched the back of his neck averting his gaze. "I only took her ramen a couple of times and we talked because she looked lonely, so I just did my interrogation job."
"She trusts you, brat," said Tsunade putting her hands on her hips. "Temari will listen to you and you are the only one in this village who can look them in the eye and tell them 'we are equals' and have them actually believe you, which is worth more than a thousand treaties written by Shikamaru or me."
Naruto lowered his gaze and pressed his lips together processing the responsibility, for it was no longer just about fighting monsters.
"But... Akatsuki is looking for me," said Naruto in a low voice looking up with genuine worry. "Is leaving the village not dangerous for everyone coming with me? If they catch me or ambush us..."
"It is a calculated risk and we have discussed it with Jiraiya," admitted Tsunade getting serious. "Akatsuki will not attack because they are confused and have lost a member of their group, so moving now would be stupid even for them."
She pointed to the rest of the group with a sweeping gesture.
"Shikamaru will be your strategist and your second in command to ensure you don't sign anything stupid and he will watch the shadows."
Shikamaru sighed deeply and looked at the ceiling. "Great, diplomatic babysitter in the desert, I knew this was going to be a huge drag."
"Hinata," continued Tsunade ignoring Shikamaru. "Your eyes will be the team's radar and I want you to see any threat miles away before they even think about attacking because you cannot afford an ambush."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama," responded Hinata firmly taking a step forward. "I won't let anyone get close without being detected."
"Sakura, you will be the field medical support and the secondary strike force if things get ugly," Tsunade looked at Shizune who nodded with a smile. "And Shizune will go with you as mission supervisor."
"Shizune-neechan is going too?" asked Naruto.
"I will go as head medic and to handle the technical aspects of the treaty, Naruto-kun," explained Shizune adjusting her glasses. "And to make sure Lady Tsunade doesn't have to run out of the village to rescue you if you get into trouble with the Suna Council."
"You will leave in a week," decreed Tsunade sitting back down. "We will use this time to prepare the documents, finalize the treaty details and most importantly prepare you, so I want you to rest, equip yourselves well for the desert and train together."
"A week?" asked Sakura. "Isn't that a long time? Suna could destabilize."
"We need the atmosphere to cool down a bit and we need to prepare supplies," explained Tsunade. "The road to the Desert is long and hard and we will be watching from here, but once outside the walls you are a moving target."
Tsunade looked Naruto directly in the eyes.
"You are not going as a warrior this time, Naruto, you are going as the face of the new Konoha and as the bridge between our nations, so bring me that signed alliance because I trust you."
Naruto took a deep breath, clenched his fists and nodded with renewed determination.
"I will do it! I will bring that treaty and make sure Gaara and Temari are really okay! I won't fail you, grandma!"
"You better not," grunted Tsunade taking a new document from the pile. "Now get out of here everyone because I have a mountain of paperwork that won't sign itself and Karin is waiting for me to start her personal hell, so don't get in the way."
"Let's go," said Shikamaru opening the door. "We have to plan the route and see what food we take because I don't plan on eating military rations the whole way."
"Instant ramen!" exclaimed Naruto leaving behind him. "We will take lots of ramen."
"No way, Naruto," scolded Sakura as they went out into the hallway. "You need real nutrients if we are going to walk through the desert."
The door closed behind them leaving a sudden silence in the office, at which moment Tsunade leaned back in her chair and looked at Jiraiya.
"Do you think they can do it?" she asked with a softer tone.
"The kid has a gift, Tsunade," said Jiraiya turning around with a half smile. "If anyone can make the sand and the leaves dance together, it's him."