The sound of a door falling caught his attention. Turning his head, he found the stairs and began running as fast as he could.

"This time brother, I won't let you leave"

******

Kunai in one hand and his other in a fist, he stood still while both avoiding eye contact with the Uchiha and watching the swordsman's moves.

To his own surprise, he cannot recall the name of the blue skinned man but he does recognize his face. He would have to look into it later. He doubts Itachi is simply here to reminisce over old times, no something else has brought him here today and he has an idea about what it is. Lord Uchiha would have surely followed his brother to this town looking for conflict with his relative. If only it could be that simple.

Lord Jirayia would still be out doing who knows what but it is better this way. He cannot get used to relying on others so blindly.

The sword wielded in the blue mans hand felt strange but he doesn't think it is anything of concern. This is to be treated just like any other mission Lord Hiruzen or Lord Danzo would have given him. Quick. Clean.

'And your plan, brat?'

'Pipe down' the first thing the fox has spoken in days and Fox can't say he missed it. He hates the canine's incessant speech some days, as silent as he may seem.

The sleeve's that covered his arms felt restricting, even more so than they do when he is in disguise. Perhaps it is the weight they carry as the fabric is heavier than what he is accustomed to.

Fox began to feel restless and charged the kunai with chakra. Not much of course, but enough that if he should feel the need to attack it will inflict the preferred amount of damage. He would like to avoid a large scale battle if possible as there are far too many witnesses and civilians around.

A large sword covered in wrappings was swung right in front of Fox's face, but he didn't flinch. At least, he doesn't think he did. These day's have frazzled him like crazy and they've left him unable to hold himself in check like he used to.

The end of the wrapping came loose and Fox threw the kunai as to pin it to the wall. He has to watch where he treads now as the abilities of Itachi's blue skinned accomplice are unknown.

Grinning, the man swung his sword back around as if in reverse only this time it was faster. Jumping backwards, Fox removed himself from the line of fire but it was too late. Knuckles scraped, he noticed that he felt a tinge weaker that before. A little bit more tired.

he tall man grinned, resting his sword back over his shoulder. Blood dripped from Fox's knuckles and onto the floor below. So that must be what his sword does.

The man chuckled "Samehada seems to enjoy the taste of your chakra, suppose it's a shame what will happen to you" With his thoughts being confirmed, Fox-

"Itachi!" What a complete fool. Shaking his head, Fox's frustrations boiled as he felt Lord Jiraiya's chakra behind him as well as Lord Uchiha's from the opposite end of the hall. Why must these incompetent ninja always interfere in his affairs? This is his mission, not anyone else's. He must prove his worth to the leaf village otherwise he has no purpose. There is only one issue though, he cannot fight as he would like since there are so many civilians around. Dammit.

The cloaked Uchiha turned around and saw his younger brother who was radiating anger and frustration. Lord Jiraiya stood behind Fox, his presence loomed over him. He wants his mask back now. There are too many people looking at him. His breathing slowly increased its pace. He needs his mask back. Now.

With his mind being preoccupied with the desire for his mask, Fox hadn't noticed that Lord Uchiha brought out his chidori and was charging at Itachi. Snapping back to his senses, he threw another kunai that was aimed dead center for his back. However, the man blocked it with his sword Samehada and it fell to the ground.

He smiled and laughed once again "Nice try brat"  his chuckle was getting on Fox's nerves. 

Fine. Just as Lord Jiraiya taught me, he thought as a... a smile graced his face. Fox would either regret this and have to face Lord Danzo's judgement or come to a better standing with the legendary sannin. But the mission depends on his ability to adapt. This is pushing it.

****************

He feels guilty over what happened to Lord Uchiha back at the hotel. He honestly does, but he did what Lord Jiraiya taught him to do in their brief time on the road so really he has no one to blame but the white haired sage. But even with the man's teachings, he couldn't complete the skill. Nothing but a mere third of the way and he couldn't get beyond that. But that was something to ponder another time.

Night had never seemed to loud to him. Fox never was one who enjoyed the evening crowds made up of drunken men laughing off their problems or children running around screaming as they played. It all tended to become a little too much, even when his mission called for it.

Once place seemed particularly lively that night, and so Fox followed his intuition (and smell) to a small gambling spot. Sake was popular in that spot and one woman wore it like a perfume.

Looking up at the smiling sannin, Fox knew that that was the right woman they needed. Only, she was more... eccentric then he had anticipated. 

Walking into the place alongside Lord Jiraiya, all eyes seemed to fall onto the blond dressed in orange and he couldn't have hated anything more. His entire purpose is to be silent and forgettable; leaving no trace behind in his tracks other than a memory of a shadow. He doesn't want to be anything more than that.

Emboldening himself, he walked with his hands behind his head, elbows sticking out inconveniently. 

Men who had far to much sake for their own health groaned and watched the pair walk through. Perhaps Fox should simply put on that ridiculous façade and hope that it would be enough to persuade both Lord Jiriaya and Kakashi to leave him to his missions. He doesn't need them and he doesn't want them. He was perfectly content in his life, serving Lord Danzo and Lord Hiruzen. Once he brings Lady Tsunade to the leave village, his work with Lord Jiriaya is done.

Feeling completely foolish, he noticed Lord Jiraiya gave him a curious look and laughed. Scowling, the anbu forced himself to retain his juvenile demeaner and continued walking alongside his... his... what is the man to him?

"Naruto, that's Tsunade." The toad sannin said while jabbing his thumb in the princesses direction. "Just let me do the talking, hmn? That shouldn't be much of a problem and we can be out of here in no time."

Wanting to get a sense of who exactly was in this drunken establishment, Fox watched his surroundings. Men and woman alike, laughing, stunk of alcohol, and were out of their minds drunk. Not much different to many of the shinobi he has dealt with in the past, but none the less disappointing.

Nodding at Lord Jiraiya, Fox found himself highly tuned into all his surroundings. More so than usual. Every movement was catalogued, all sounds recorded. This was a zone he only ever got into when certain things were in place, it does come with some drawbacks though. Li-

Walking into Lord Jiraiya who had stopped moving, Fox quickly backed up and moved before he would need to make eye contact. How embarrassed he felt over such a trivial error. The Sannin looked down, and pointed just above his own lip, as if indicating something to the younger boy.

Already knowing what it was that Lord Jiraiya pointed out, Fox used his sleeve and wiped away the blood that had trickled down and onto his lips. 

"As I was saying, Tsunade" Lord Jiraiya told her of their task and why they were there, leaving the woman looking displeased. Her helper, reveled to have the name Shizune, held a pig in her arms as she sat on the sidelines and listening to the conversation take place.

"Who's the brat you have with you?" She asked, eyeing up Fox who sat on the white haired man's right. He didn't particularly like this position since it would hinder him the most, but he could make due.

The man spoke before Fox could even mutter a sound, "This is Naruto." 

Lady Tsunade's eyes widened with interest and disbelief. The blond didn't particularly pay attention to it. It's always better that way. The evening carried on until they all seemed to just about have enough of each other, the negotiations not getting any closer to being closed terms. If he had free reign of this mission, he would have already dragged the woman to the leaf village, with or without her consent. Always waiting for everyone to agree on things does nothing but eat up valuable time. Time he could have used for better things.

He was however tempted to fight Lady Tsunade just to get the whole ordeal over with, but restrained himself from making such a scene. He is confident in his skills, but should she hit him... that isn't something he could recover from with ease.

Night continued forever, meaning that the duo would need to seek out a resting point for themselves that evening. Not that Fox had much sleep planned for himself, but it would increase the success of his mission if he played along with Lord Jiraiya's wishes.

Both anbu and sannin had gotten themselves a small but efficient room, their beds near each others due to the compact area. 

Something was bugging him though; why couldn't he pull of that jutsu? It isn't anything special, so why in the world could he only get part of it? Tossing and turning in his bed, Fox had enough of pretending to sleep and instead got up. Walking over in silence, he grabbed his sandals and walked over to the window with them in hand. Placing his katana on his back, he slipped his sandals on and jumped out the window.

Jumping from roof top to roof top, an uncomfortable sense of nostalgia washed over his mind. Shouts from villagers who were rightfully angered... searing hot metal so scorching that it melted the skin and forced it to reform as a shameful scar... scars that would never heal no matter how great a healing factor he possesses...

Snapping back to reality Fox found himself immersed in his training. Almost nothing but muscle memory now, his body began moving and mind turning; he has to complete this jutsu. Even if it is the death of him, he must.

Hours passed. He lost count of how many attempts he made, no longer finding it easy to focus. 

*

Shizune didn't understand much about this boy, other than what Lady Tsunade told her, but that didn't change her interest in him. Maybe it was the self-control he displayed, or something locked away beneath the surface: she knew that he was hiding something and she would learn what that thing is.

Unable to sleep, she opened the window of her room. The moon was full and cast shadows over all objects of the town. Groaning, she loosened her stance and supported her head with her hand, leaning on the sill of the window.

A shadow jumped off the roof of the hotel and shocked her. Sticking her head out the window, Shizune's interest piqued. Much to the shadow's dismay, that orange isn't exactly an easy colour to blend into the night with.

Putting her footwear on, she left the room and began following the young boy's shadow. Wandering the empty streets wasn't something that she normally did on her own, but she wanted to see just what this boy was hiding. Picking up the pace, she ran until she came to a forest full of dead trees. Naruto had stopped in the middle and simply stood there.

Strange. Why would he simply stand there? It didn't seem to have a purpose, and he stayed in that position for ten minutes. He is a strange boy, indeed.

More time passed and Shizune began to think she simply over thought it all and that there wasn't anything special about him. Sighing, she began walking back the way she came but instead a low glow caught her attention.

Turning around, she ducked behind a large rock and watched in disbelief. She was right! This boy was certainly special.

*

Dawn came after what seemed like days and Fox was exhausted. But he's so close...so, so close... what's he missing? He can't give up... he won't give up... that simply isn't his way.

*

Jiraiya wandered up the hill and found the blond laying on the ground, craters surrounding him in every direction. The kid never ceases to astonish him in the most unlikely of ways. Sweat dripped from the anbu's face. 

"So, Naruto" he  began "any luck yet?" the glare he received was welcome. At least he can still make an expression other than bored. 

Shizune appeared, running up the hill just after Jiraiya only with an expression of great concern.

"Lord Jiraiya, it's lady Tsunade." Ears perked, both males payed great attention to what she said.

TonTon walked over to Fox and oinked, seemingly interested in the boy's wellbeing. He didn't bother pushing the animal away, it's not like she was doing anything wrong.

Commotion that began in the town grabbed Fox's attention in a snap. Getting up off the ground, the anbu set off running down the hill, blueprints of plans already forming in his head. Everything depends on who his foe is and what level of jutsu he can display. The new jutsu is out of the question as it is still incomplete at best. Suppose he shouldn't use any that he would use under the comfort of his mask. That really hinders his range, but it does force him to adapt and get back in the groove of his old ways.

Fox jumped over fallen trees and ducked under lower branches. Having not marked this area, the fourth hokage's jutsu isn't an option, even if it would increase his speed. Basic running would have to give him enough speed to get there in time. 

If his senses don't betray him, then this battle wouldn't be a very pretty one. Not with what will soon be all three sannin at once. But Lord Danzo didn't train Fox to be meek and timid: he was trained to be cunning and agile, enough that his name was earned for both the battlefield and the mind.

Having covered much ground, he was only waiting in anticipation to enter the town and take control of the situation.

Just once,  He thought. Just this one time he will accept the help of others. This is not the type of battle that he could do on his own without his mask to hide behind.

Seeing the rubble of broken walls put his guard up. Coming to a halt, Fox looked around and analyzed the area, surprised to see that TonTon had nearly kept up with him. The animal just might grow on him. He smiled at the notion.

Jiraiya and Shizune had followed the boy and they too began looking at the destruction. Both knew all too well who caused this and the toad sage shuddered as he remembered the time he was caught by the lovely maiden doing his research.

Fox smelled the air and looked down when he caught a familiar scent: the slug princess left her jacket laying on the ground.

Picking it up, he passed it to the woman's aid.

Ruckus and debris snatched their attention and with only a quick glance shared, the trio (and TonTon) ran towards the source.

A feeling that in his eyes mocked excitement filled him. It would be an honour to fight among these champions.

A/N: end of chapter

So guys, pals, and gals, here is the chapter I didn't want to make this short. It will be split into two parts because it would have been looong. I'm not super happy with it, so please correct me where it needs it.

Thank you all for your patience and have an absolutely fabulous morning!