Naruto / Tsunade's POV (Traveling - Fire Country)
"I… I did too…" Ino mumbled simply. "I was so terrified I did what it took to get out. I didn't even realize I intended to kill until I did. But we did what we had to do, Naruto." She finished softly.
"She's correct. It seems we all did such today. We were prepared for this day, though." Neji added. "I agree it was excruciating. I never expected it to be so surreal myself. But we must steel our hearts as shinobi. We will be expected to kill when told. This will not be the last time."
Ino nodded quietly at this. But Naruto sighed dejectedly, was that truly the answer?
"Sure, if you have no other choice but… just because they're from somewhere else, we should kill them?" Naruto dejectedly asked, some level of disgust in his voice. "I get we have to defend ourselves and homes… but this doesn't feel right."
"It's the job, Naruto. I agree it's not ideal, but… Well, they were going to kill us." Ino countered. "Maybe worse…"
"We must do what the village asks us to do." Neji finished simply. "Even if it wasn't the case it was justified. I doubt this will escape any of our minds soon, but I will find solace in the knowledge we did not seek to kill, merely were forced into it…"
Naruto stares up into the sky at that statement. "Well, when I become Hokage, I'll make things better, " he says simply.
"What are you gonna achieve world peace?" Ino asks with a smile. Neji is staring a bit intently at Naruto when he starts.
"If that's what it takes, believe it," Naruto stated confidently. "I just can't accept this is what being a shinobi is, maybe I'm naive. But the idea that this bloodshed is normal? It makes me sick…"
"Hmph, and here I thought your task of changing my clan would be hard. Now, you intend to end all wars?" Neji inquired.
"I don't just intend to become a Hokage or be famous. I intend to become the best Hokage. Make the place I love the best it can be. Earn people's admiration and trust. Whatever it takes. So, if I gotta end war or change the traditions of some old-fashioned clan, I will. I refuse to give up or back down regarding my dream. Never giving up is my nindo, ya know?" The two teammates smile at this, and the three settle into a comfortable silence.
"Maybe that's why we do what we do." Ino interjected breaking the silence for a moment. "Because we feel the need to protect what we have, allow it to grow. Our enemies… it's never crossed my mind but their motivation is the same. Maybe just doing our best to minimize it all is enough?"
Neji nor Naruto had a good reply to that.
X-X
Tsunade's POV
Tsunade and Dez stood ready at the back of Katsuyu. Both were tense, as if they were waiting for an inevitable fight. Though Tsunade mostly was doing it for show. The two criminals had clearly thought this an easy mission. Seeing a famed fellow S-Rank shinobi had proven quite the wrench. Tsunade doubted they'd take the risk of facing her again. As the two silently waited a small form of Katsuyu emerged from the hide of itself behind the two. It spoke silently."They still appear to be tracking us, Tsunade-sama. Their chakra is potent and foul, and as such, it is easy enough to detect. Should they choose to attack us, things will become difficult." The slug reported. "They likely even alone would prove a considerable threat, together they may well prove to be enough."
"Ain't that the truth? You are the strongest Big Boss, but those two are truly dangerous. Not to mention that even if Katsuyu and I worked together, either of those bastards would likely make short work of us. It'd be two-on-one. After only a short while, in others words a losing battle." Dez informed, taking a significant drag as he and Katsuyu waited for Tsunade's opinion. "Makes me wonder why they ain't taking their chance…"
"First off, stop calling me boss, you damn chimney," Tsunade said with a glare at her number two. "Secondly, we should be fine; they likely are just observing to see if they should take a second shot. Once we get close enough to the village, they will fall back. Just keep up the confident guard a little longer…" As if the words were prophecy, all three relaxed as they felt the two robust signatures falling back. Apparently not willing to risk the trouble.
"I know those Leaf dudes are supposed to be some big shots. But what kinda kid is worth the trouble of tangling with Big Boss?" Dez pondered.
"It is rather strange, Tsunade-sama. If they wanted to kill them, it seems odd that they would manage to last until we arrived." Katsuyu agreed.
"The blonde is a jinchuriki. I believe the son of Kushina Uzumaki." Tsunade replied with a slight frown. "I always hated sticking those destructive beasts into kids."
"Hmm, I've heard of them; they are quite powerful. But the two of them were infamous S-rank shinobi. It seems odd that they would want him when they are already on top of the world. Not to mention those cloaks. Weren't we looking into a group with black cloaks with red clouds? Bastards are supposed to be real tough guys." Dez continued.
"Akatsuki is their name. We're looking into them because the criminal world has info that all of their members are S-rank missing ninjas. Shinobi would be a red flag to all the villages and our business in their caliber gathering. However, considering how hard it is to get substantial info on them, the fact they want at least the Nine-Tails, and the power they already yield, It's doubtless they are something we should look out for. We'll have to report this to sensei." Tsunade concluded.
"Ah, the old bastard himself, wonder how good his tobacco is. The rich guys always have the nicest smokes." Dez said with a crooked smile.
"You're lucky I don't break your spine for smoking those around me. You realize how incredibly toxic they are to your health, right?"
"Smoke if you got 'em. What's my old man always told me anyway." Dez said as he removed his spent cigarette and replaced it.
"Well, then you got guard duty. Katsuyu, you are not keeping him company. Let him enjoy his smokes in peace!" Tsunade ordered, annoyed.
"Oh, come on, Big Boss! Don't be such a cruel dame!" Dez called out pitifully.
"For that last comment, you are banned from smoking for the rest of the day!" Tsunade hollered as she stomped to the front of Katsuyu.
Dez whined as he sat and held up a hand sign, sadly throwing the lit cigarette he had. "Smoke Style: Drifting Smokey Gaze!" As he said this, he exhaled his last drag. It came in clumps that resembled eyes. He was annoyed with the punishment, but Big Boss ran a tight ship. He should've known to keep his head down. The nail that sticks up gets hammered, after all.
"There! Now, no bastards will sneak up on us! Big Boss is gonna be proud of me!"
"I'm sure Big Boss will…" Katsuyu said politely as her more diminutive form merged into the larger one. Politely leaving the man to his solitude at the back of the slug.
Juzo's POV (Nearby Naruto's Group)
Juzo growled as he and Kisame sat back as their targets retreated into the distance. Juzo wanted to scream in rage, he was not a man used to retreating. In the Mist such foolishness was not accepted. He was usually more careful, but he had gotten arrogant against the Genin. The target had been the only one of them to even touch him. Yet he had landed quite the blow. Oh Juzo was about to pay him back for it ten-fold. Then that damn bimbo had gotten involved!
"Hahaha, not a bad fight at all. Well, for me anyway, it looked like you not only got your ass kicked by a woman, but the kid seems to have teed off on you as well. Bad day, I assume? HAHA!" Kisame gut laughed as he pointed at Juzo. Juzo growled as he looked down at his chest. Leader-san gave them substantial power-ups once they joined the team. Most of them were incredibly hard to kill now. Yet alone injure significantly. Even the legendary busty Sannin's powerful hit had healed quickly. Yet a dark red scar had settled on his chest where the kid's attack had landed did not. Somehow even with his healing working overtime, it wouldn't fully recover. As a shinobi, he was no stranger to scars. The fact that it was given by a Genin however was shameful.
"Stop badgering me, Kisame-san. I think that damn kid will be in trouble in a couple of years. I think we risk it against the Sannin. Better than letting him get stronger." Juzo growled as he gripped Kubikiribocho hatefully.
"You're just mad a woman beat you around. I'm jealous; a woman who's that powerful is a rarity. To trash you, she must've been a tougher nut than Kakashi. Hell, she puts most men to shame. Samehada was begging for a taste." Kisame replied. "But she is powerful and worse yet difficult to put down. I've heard her healing techniques are the only thing that surpasses her physical strength. Besides, I know you sense she has brought another Jounin with her. Just not worth the risk. Leader-sama ordered us to withdraw if we met substantial resistance."
"Damn whore landing a cheap shot on me… fine. She's dead next time, though." Juzo replied. He then eyed the former swordsman of the mist. Deciding to be blunt, he started. "I remember when we were first partnered, and I feared for my life. Few shinobi in the world can stand up to the Tailless Beast. Yet you respect our Leader to the highest degree. I've followed him since he's made us rich and safe. Life as a missing ninja isn't glamorous. But what on earth makes you follow? A wild beast who betrayed his own master. Being a loyal shinobi for another doesn't make sense to me."
"That's right, you haven't met him in person yet. Before him, I thought I was the strongest shinobi in this world... Even as I met the rest of you. All of you were more than a fight. Yet I was confident if it came down to it. I could and would kill any of you." Kisame said casually. Juzo flinched at the reminder his partner could likely kill him without much of a struggle. "But then I met him… I had demanded a meeting with him. Pushed the issue when he tried to dismiss it. A challenge of leadership, if he had allowed me to get away with it, worst yet back then the smaller group back then would've likely fallen apart. He had no choice…
We finally met face to face; his chakra alone was imposing. Samehada wanted no part of tasty chakra for the only time in my life. But I've never been a coward, nor do I fear death. I charged him, unleashing my full power. Every trick Samehada and I had was used. Even a few new ones, once I realized there was no chance at victory. But he crushed me thoroughly. Had me at his mercy, I never felt so ashamed! But then he asked me one question, my dear Juzo. He asked me: Will you serve as God intended for you? Such a pompous statement, and yet I believed him in that moment. I serve because I know as long as someone like him is leading this thing. That no goal will be too high, no law can hold us, and more than anything else…" Kisame said with a maniac smile as he faced his ally. "He'll just let me do what I love to do. Kill powerful opponents and allow Samehada to feast on their substantial chakra!"