Ninja's hero

Naruto woke up with his mind feeling significantly lighter. Izuku had been right, they had focused so much on protecting what was important that they didn't put everything into revenge. He had walked home with his mom, smiling all the while, not feeling hollow or empty because he'd finally killed Danzo. No, he'd felt at peace, overwhelming calm. Just something he'd been meaning to do finally done. Clearly it translated for the rest of the family too. Kakashi seemed to relax after the buzz of Danzo's final attack, itachi and Shisui secretly had a small celebration too. Kushina had begun singing while going about the house. Even Grampa Hiruzen had been in high spirits, mourning his friend but grateful the monster that had replaced it was finally gone. In the week following, Mei had left to return to Kirigakure and the five Kage had decided on where the meeting point was. Naruto sighed silently. The gathering point, the place that would be the birth place of the Allied Ninja Forces. Led by Tsunade with Raikage as second, Mei would lead the intelligence division while Rasa was acting General for the five front line divisions. Naruto would be part of what was called the Midori Division. Izuku would lead and essentially they were the ace in the hole. Able to be at any battle field, at any point, with nine Jinchuuriki, the Next Sannin, three Uchiha's and two Primal Users. They had four Sharingans, eleven chakra cloaks, four Susano'o that could mesh with any of the nine beasts and at least two of every chakra nature. Suffice to say the group was the definition overpowered. So overpowered in fact, Izuku decided all sixteen of them weren't needed in the same place at once, instead teaching them all Raijin to get to any division that needed them. He'd gone in the evening after Danzo's death to grab the other eight. Teaching them the basics of Raijin to move themselves instead of doing it like the Uzumakis, carrying people through independently and calling things to them. Brought from his musings as Sakura and Ino woke up in his arms he smiled, giving them both a gentle kiss. "C'mon, we need to get up,"

"You can teleport to Izuku, five more minutes," Sakura whined, clutching him closer.

"Yeah, we're about to have a war," Ino nuzzled into his chest, trying to ignore the outside world.

"We need to get moving," He insisted, trying to sit up, "C'mon babes, you're going to be needed,"

"We know that but," Ino squeezed his arm "Comfy," He rolled his eyes.

"Come on, we can lay in for weeks after all of this is over, I promise," They both groaned,

"Fine," Letting him go the three climbed out of bed and began getting dressed, moving downstairs to find everyone, sans Izuku and Fu sat at the table.

"Morning you three," Kushina smiled, she was dressed in regular Konoha ninja gear, blue under clothes and a green flak jacket. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. Upon closer inspection, everyone was wearing some form of war attire. Tayuya, Shizune and Anko in the same outfit as Kushina. Itachi, Shisui, Katsuki and Kakashi had donned ANBU gear. The Sannin were dressed in their old grey and black uniforms, with Tsunade's having the Hokage symbol in red on the back. Temari donning a normal Suna attire, black underclothes and a beige flak jacket. With the exception of Sasuke and Naruto, no-body wore their regular clothing.

"Aren't you guys?" Itachi shrugged,

"Honestly at this point, who cares? We're a family and a clan of elite shinobi, I'm surprised that Ino hasn't been recruited to ANBU yet," Shisui smiled as he finished a flapjack. Naruto looked over to Ino who put a hand to the back of her head nervously. "Oh my god,"

"Just info collection," She admitted embarrased, Katsuki just looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"You two get into your actual gear," Ino looked at him and then Sakura.

"I'll explain upstairs shall I?" Sakura dragged the blonde upstairs as Naruto joined the table.

"It's going to be a big jump today then, taking everyone to the gathering point,"

"Actually," Orochimaru began, "Sasuke, Izuku and I are going to be trying something here and then joining you on the battle field, confidential plans I'm afraid," He smiled gently, "But regardless expect our aid quickly," Sasuke nodded as Orochimaru looked over Naruto's shoulder, "We may be longer than I anticipate but we will be as fast as we can," The snake grinned as Ino and Sakura returned downstairs, the pinkette quickly sat at the table as Ino stared at Naruto.

"Is-,"

"I'm mad at you," Her eyes narrowed and he gulped, "But it will wait until after we're done here," Her own mask was perched on her left temple, her eyes pierced him directly as he swallowed again and returned to eating. As everyone finished they began standing in groups, Katsuki held the ANBU dressed trio while Naruto made a clone for the others. Orochimaru, Sasuke and Tayuya stayed behind with a nod and the large group disappeared in a blinding flash.

There wasn't a cloud in the sky as far as Naruto could see. Around the seemingly indomitable force stood great stone spires, obviously made by shinobi. In each rested several multipurpose platforms. Many were rooms for the ninja of the villages that had arrived earliest. Rasa stood on one such platform, shinobi underneath him giving each other side glances and ready to fight at the signal. Mei, A, Onoki and Tsunade were stood behind him as he waited for silence. Naruto and the Midori division were stood further behind the Kages, ready to move out once the addres was finished. "Ninja of the Five Nations," Rasa began, "You are all brought here to fight as one! We have a common enemy this day, one that has gathered chakra from eight tailed beasts, today they have only one left, today is the day we unite and we stop them before they can get that chakra, today we unite and save the world!" Silence stood before him, "Next to you is a ninja you may have met before, or a ninja you do not recognize, you may have considered yourself an enemy before but no longer, because today, today we end the cycle of hatred, by uniting and fighting the very ones who perpetuate that very loop!" Nobody dared even breath too loudly, "We are no longer enemies, we have not been for years! Yet we have not truly been a single unit yet, even today you can not look beside yourself and see more than a rough ally, but now it is time to unite! Today we become one single force, ready to fight as one, to defend not our villages, but the ninja world as we know it! We all woke today ready to meet enemies, but tonight, and every night after that, we shall celebrate with brothers and sisters in arms! Because we will fight as one and we shall win as one!" Izuku began walking towards Rasa, "We will unite under one banner and from today, we are simply ninja!" Rasa lifted a single new hitai-ate, a dark green band with the kanji for ninja emblazoned on it. The greenette clearly and carefully removed his Konoha hitai-ate, pokceting it while accepting the new one from Rasa. Putting it on slowly he tied it with purpose, facing the crowd stone faced. "Uzumaki Izuku, one of the best Konoha shinobi has already been helping all five nations with preparations and fighting our enemy long before this idea was born, he was the first shinobi to fight not for the good of the village but for the good of the the villages, of all the nations, I ask you today to unite with those around like he has with all of you, unite together and fight as the Allied Ninja Forces!" People began cheering as Izuku lifted his head, looking deadset at the horizon, not hopeful, nor pessimistic but a look Naruto knew all too well. Determination. The team behind him began cheering as well as the Kage's all held up a fist over their heart in salute. Naruto grinned widely as Sakura took his hand gently, the two joining the cheering as well. Izuku turned around and walked back to the large group. "You know your roles, now to victory!" Rasa yelled, getting more cheers in response.

"You heard him Midori Division," Izuku pulled his mask down and nodded his head "Let's get moving," Naruto watched as everyone disappeared in their own colour flash. Pink, gold, black, ruby red, crimson, grey, sky blue, purple, dark blue, white, baby blue, mint green, beige, bright red and Izuku's dark green. Naruto gave Tsunade a grin and thumbs up before disappearing in his own bright yellow flash.

His first battle was at the beach. Or at least, the coast. People had called for him via the Raijin mark left on each squad's captain. He'd moved to mark people during the charge of the entire Alliance, then the First Division had broken off and moved towards their goal. Coincidentally it was they who had called him first. Taking in the area he found Zetsu were everywhere. People were sending brambles, stones, streams of fire, air and water, lightning and other substances everywhere. Ahead of him Darui, A's guard from the summit, was fighting a pair of reanimated Kumo-nin. With him was a pair of blonds, one male and one female. "What's going on?"

"These are the Gold and SIlver brothers, Kinkaku and Ginkaku, the Benihisago they hold will seal you away if you say you're most used word, even something similar will trap you,"

"But if you don't talk it'll suck you in anyway, Samui," The blonde woman nodded in greeting as she fought the silver haired nin.

"Atsui," The man lifted a hand as he distracted the golden haired man, "Darui, some help please?"

'Be careful Naruto, this pair is dangerous, they have access to my chakra, I swallowed them whole and they refused to die, instead eating my flesh from the inside'

'Gross'

'I know, they are stronger than average but they are no threat to us, their weapon, perhaps we can use it against them?'

'I like that idea' Naruto joined the fray, "Darui!"

"Yeah?"

"Think you can help me for a second?"

"Atsui, switch partners,"

"Got it!" The two men swapped opponents with a swift movement.

"What's your idea here?"

"Well, we need to think of how to defeat these guys, do you know if we can use the Benihisago against them?" Darui smirked as they leapt away from the silver haired nin and regrouped. "You know Lighting release?"

"Yeah,"

"Wonderful, get ready to hand it over,"

"What?" Naruto just held a hand out and created a Rasenshuriken.

"Add lightning to it," Darui hald a hand out to the spinning winds, eyes widening as the chakra's aligned in the jutsu. The low thrumming was joined by a high screeching. "Thank you," He hurled it towards the silverhaired man, "Rasen-dori shuriken!" The attack moved at such high speeds that their opponent had no time to dodge, instead splaying his limbs at it struck his gut. He was carried several yards out to see before it lifted off the ground and rose into the sky. The explosion cleared away several clouds.

"Ginkaku!" The golden haired cried, identifying himself as Kinkaku. The moment the name had left his lips his body began swirling, slowly getting pulled into the Benihisago. "Noooo!" His voice was becoming warped as the item consumed him. Ginkaku's body splashed down as the body was completely sealed. The four stood over the gourde, looking on as the reanimated enemy got to his feet. 

"What did you do to him?!" Ginkaku looked over at the four with rage, his body slowly getting covered in the red chakra cloak.

'You said they were no threat! Six tails looks a lot like a threat'

'I was not aware they could reach such a state'

Of course he wasn't. Kurama would have never heard of them again after he'd spat them out. Taking a deep breath Naruto watched the red Ginkaku growl at them, ready to charge. The blond intercepted halfway fo shore, his golden chakra cloak flowing in the wind. He held Ginkaku back with an arm. "Is that all you got tin boy?"

"How dare you!" Ginkaku roared "I am Ginkaku, the silver brother, I care not if you are the Jinchuuriki of the Nine Tails, I will destroy you all and avenge Kinkaku!"

"You idiot," The Benihisago began sucking the chakra consumed man in. His cloak faded as he clawed at the air. 

"No, no, nooo!" His voice suffered similarly to his brother's, warping further and further as he was sealed in the gourde. Once the body had disappeared the lid was slammed on and twisted to lock. Now the artefact was disarmed everyone relaxed.

"Thanks for the assist Naruto," Atsui grinned as the golden cloak dispelled, "Really cool," The blond nodded with a grin. They began walking towards the shore when a great wall of air knocked them over. They turned around to see Obito, walking towards them slowly.

"I must agree, thank you for the assist Naruto, these meddlesome brothers will help greatly," They watched him place a hand on the Benihisago a whirlpool effect spreading from his eye.

"No!" The blond charged forwards with a kunai ready, aiming for Obito's arm. He was too slow however, as the body and gourde both disappeared into whatever Time-Space he could hide in, letting Naruto crash into the waves that had been behind him. "MOTHERFUCKER!" Something tugged at the back of his head as he turned to the trio he'd helped, "Can you handle it here?" They all nodded and he was gone.

Naruto appeared in a flash of yellow and took in his surroundings. The Fourth division was currently fighting off three figures. "Onoki, situation," The Third Tsuchikage grunted, 

"My predecessor is under Kabuto's control, he has brought back Second MIzukage and Third Raikage, the three are now attacking us, Rasa has the Second Mizukage on the ropes with Gaara's assistance," The aged man responds, "You need to take the Third Raikage," Naruto turns and the tanned skin man is easily locatable. Taking off as fast as he could, Naruto calls his chakra cloak on and gets even faster. His blow lands and sends the bulkier man rolling. 

"Not many are able to land such a blow on me," The man wiped his cheek.

"Not many are like me, if I remember my history right, you were able to go toe-to-toe with Gyuki, the Eight Tails, it was the only battle that left a scar before your three day battle that resulted in your death,"

"You're well versed in your history boy, it is true I fought the Eight Tails and fought it to a draw, that should tell you,"

"Well I guess Kurama and I have found a nice benchmark then," Naruto smirked, "Nine Tails ready to go," The two stooped low and charged each other. He knew this was going to be a battle and a half as he ducked under a punch and returned it with a gut blow. Third Raikage took it with a grunt and kicked him away. That was bruise in the making. 

'Kit, Gyuki told me about this one, his defence is insurmountable' 

Naruto just grit his teeth, this man did seem impassable. He smirked, a plan forming. Third Raikage hald his hand out flat, with his strength it would be like a blade.

'Gyuki remembered the man was unbelievably strong, his attacks did almost nothing to the man and his concentrated chakra defence, he intends to kill you with his attack'

They charged again. He'd go for a lethal blow through the chest. Naruto made a Rasengan in his off hand, Raikage reared his hand back. With a simle Naruto pivoted on his foot, moving around the extending hand, to Third Raikage's shock. The blond slammed his orb of chakra into the man's forearm. "Rasengan!" The arm whirled around and penetrated Third's own chest. Naruto mentally celebrated how his plan had worked, it had been a huge gamble but the were little options left since drawing out the battle would be impossible. Other shinobi quickly moved in to seal the body and disable the jutsu. Naruto looked over and went straight to Onoki. The Third Tsuchikage was fighting the reanimated Second in a battle of Particle style. Two great almost clear cubes were pushing against each other. Using the speed Nine Tails mode gave him he leapt up faster than the eye could follow, he whipped out a kunai and dragged it along the Second's back. His foot caught the man's ribs as well, quickly delivering a powerful blow, breaking the reanimated Kage's concentration, allowing Onoki the opening to push his Particle style onwards and consuming Second's own style. The blond quickly jumped off the floating man's back, kicking him towards Onoki's attack while distancing himself. The white outlined cube consumed the body and it was quickly dissolved, it would take time to reform, time the other shinobi could use to get the seal ready to disturb the jutsu and stop the Kage. Turning around he focused on Rasa and his fight, ready to assist.

Only for him to see the body beling sealed in a coffin of sand.

Rasa was sweating and had several wounds but he remained standing with a powerful smile. His arm was outstretched and fist clenched. Naruto ran over and grinned at the man. "Nice job Kazekage!" They were about to recuperate when

"Great Flame Destroyer jutsu!" Naruto turned back around to see a wall of orange fire barrelling towards them.

"Water style! Wall of Water!" A row of Kiri ninja stepped forwards and spewed water to meet the flames, resulting in an explosion of steam. Fortunately Rasa had Temari in his division from the start, 

"Wind release! Sky cleansing jutsu!" A whirlwind took the steam into the sky clearing the field of vision. Naruto heard many people take a step back as they recognized the man before them. A man that had been heralded as a destroyer. The only one capable of matching the First Hokage, God of Shinobi. Before the Fourth division stood,

Madara Uchiha.

"I-it's him!" Several people muttered, "He's here!" More cried out in fear as Madara began walking towards them. "Here he comes!" People began swallowing and reaching for weapons. Several brave ninja yelled out, ready to die fighting, moving to meet Madara. War cries broke out as both parties sped up. Naruto was ready to collide with the reanimated man as a green streak moved past him, striking Madara and knocking him back across the field by several miles. Izuku rotated in the air to land on both feet, back straight. 

"I need to borrow some Fire and Lightning ninja, only two of one and one of the other, get them ready for me to go, I'll keep the bastard busy,"

"You wish to face me boy? Have you learned nothing?" Madara suddenly weilded his war fan in one hand, the scythe in the other hand, both connected by a rope at the bottom. IZuku held up a hand and turned into his ANBU uniform, he slowly moved a hand to his arm. From the sleeve on his lower arm a ring of weights emerged.

"Oh I learned plenty Uchiha," Izuku growled lowly as he dropped the weights, which cracked the ground as they landed. He did the same with the other arm. "I learned how to match you with weights on me, I damn near killed the clone before he could get the final chakra," His hands disappeared under his shirt and unwrapped more weights from his stomach. Naruto gulped as he held Rasa back with an arm. Izuku had never taken all of his weights off, training was too important for him. "I learned your movesets, how you work, most of all I learned you are arrogant to a fault and a hypocritical madman," Weights were taken from his shins as the greenette stood up. "Now it's time to get really serious," He disappeared with a body flicker, they watched Madara suddenly double over and get sent flying to the side. Izuku appeared where Madara had been stood, his fist raised before his middle and index finger and pointing the other way and pointing forwards. It was a simple message go around. 

"Rasa, Onoki, we gotta go around these guys, move towards the mobile center, get our wounded treated and ready to fight again," 

"Alright Fourth Division, we're going to leave this to Uzumaki Izuku, follow us!" They began racing ahead. Naruto let the others run past him, keeping an eye in case anyone was left behind. fortunately he'd intervened before anyone could get mortally wounded but there was still severe injuries. Quickly joining the back of the group he kept watch on the division as Madara and Izuku brawled it out. The Uchiha crashed into the ground besides the moving army, turning with seals already forming. Naruto was about to intervene when Izuku slid into position under him, his foot snapping upwards and colliding with Madara's chin. Flames spewed into the air as a result, everyone kept moving quickly. Cheers for Izuku began rippling through the crowd as they all supported him. Naruto heard two Sharingans activate before the two disappeared entirely, their clashing only audible with a green and red streak carving the air. An Izu-clone put a hand on his shoulder.

"Relax, Madara will retreat first, but the boss is going to need medical attention, get Sakura soon as you can," He nodded as the clone disappeared in a cloud of chakra smoke. He turned around as the battle continued behind them.

"Wood Clone jutsu!" Madara's voice rang out, he saw four Izuku's pop into existence.

"Wood,"/"Water,"/ "Stone,"/"Shadow Clone jutsu!" They chorused. An army of Izukus now blocked off a legion of Madaras. "You shall not pass!" A Madara raced for Naruto before slowing considerably and being pulled back into the miniature war. "Not past me Uchiha! Naruto get moving!" The blond nodded and turned around, watching the back of the Division lead him.

Izuku appeared in a green flash, Naruto and Katsuki ran over to him and caught his slumping body. The second blond had appeared, claiming that he needed to take Izuku and the other ninja back soon. The had been several hours ago. Sasuke had appeared to check in and noted that things were going to take a while before he disappeared again. The greenette currently being held up was smiling and giggling like a madman, they laid him on a bed as Sakura began checking him over. "He fled," Katsuki and Naruto shared a furtive glance before looking back to the looping brother, "He fled Naruto, he fled," The mutterings descended into cackles. Sakura slapped a hand over his mouth while she continued to look for any dangerous injuries. Aside from the few cuts and grazes there was nothing wrong with him. 

Physically at least.

Naruto saw his brother's eye dilate as he kept cackling under the hand. Until there was a deep breath and Izuku relaxed. "I won Naruto, I, I was finally able to beat him, Naruto,"

"That's awesome bro, really, you," His sleeve was grabbed as blue eyes met green,

"No, Naruto, I beat him, not a Wood Clone, or a genjutsu, or with my chakra cloak, I beat him, using nothing but taijutsu, kenjutsu and ninjutsu,"

"Wait you mean," Izuku's smile threatened to break his face.

"I'm stronger than Madara Uchiha,"

"For now," Katsuki folded his arms, "Hate to burst your bubble, but he's got to get the Rinnegan yet,"

"I know but I'm stronger than Madara in his base, I know the Rinnegan's abilities and weaknesses as well, so combining the two may make him more dangerous but so long as he doesn't have an ass-pull power up I can beat him," Izuku clenched his fist, "I have to beat him, we need everyone to fight off the Ten Tails,"

"But, you said it," Sakura began

"I know what I said," He hung his head as he took a shaky breath in and out, "But it turns out they didn't need Naruto at all, Kabuto did them a great favor by reviing assholes that previously stole some of Kurama's chakra," He spat looking at the floor,"Madara told me they're using the Gold and Silver brothers, since they absorbed some of Kurama's chakra, they're being absorbed into the Gedo statue in place of taking it now," His face darkened, "They're doing it tonight,"

"What do you mean tonight?"

"What I mean is get the five Kage and Mifune here now," Katsuki nodded and disappeared in an orange flash. Naruto and Sakura looked to each other before seven figures returned in a flash. "Call a retreat,"

"What?" Tsunade stepped forward, "Izuku,"

"I said call a retreat!" He sat up, "They have the Nine Tails chakra that Ginkaku and Kinkaku stole years ago,"

"Listen brat," A lifted a hand,

"No, you listen A," Izuku poked the man's chest, "I am not risking the lives of untold amounts of Ninja who can never and will never match Madara without his Sharingan, you are going to call a full retreat, leave the Midori Division behind and bolster defences," Each word was a jab into the man's torso, "I will not have your idiotic need for superiority cost innocent and good people their lives," A hand wave as the poking stopped, "So you will call a full retreat, you will leave this area and make sure your defences are stronger, so strong in fact, that even the Sage of Six Paths himself and the Mother of all chakra combined can't get through them, do you understand me Raikage?" A straightened his back.

"Why?"

"Because, the Ten Tails is a monster, anyone without something the opposition has is attempting a suicide mission, the New Sannin have the strength, the Jinchuuriki have the Tailed Beast chakra, the Uchiha have the Sharingan and Katsuki and I have all five releases and kekki genkai combined," 

"And what of us Kage?"

"You are needed as leaders, fight the ones that come after you, but leave Midori Division to do its job,"

"Which is what Izuku?" Rasa stepped forwards, the greenette's face darkened.

"Finishing it," Climbing off the bed he walked over to Katsuki, "We will be borrowing three of your shinobi, they will be unrelated to all but our mission, they will be returned to their Divisions by tomorrow evening at the latest," With that the Primal duo disappeared without another word, only a flash of green before dead silence.

"Alright, you heard him," Onoki turned around, "We order a full withdrawal from the area to all Midori Division room to operate at their fullest," Tsunade, Mei and Rasa all joined him,

"You are listening to him?" A turned on his heel and dropped his jaw in shock.

"You aren't?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

"He is a child, he doesn't,"

"Let me make this clear A that boy has been through more than you will ever comprehend, he has done more that anyone could ever ask of a shinobi and he has done it for the good of everyone, if you do not listen to him and people die, they will blame you, he will blame you and he will seek to avenge the people you killed," Rasa growled, "If you wish to ignore him, ignore him, but do not lead others into Death's maw because your pride is at stake,"

"When you get to my age, if you get to my age Raikage," Onoki hummed, "You will learn that leaving it to someone else is the best path to take, we are not fleeing, we are moving our more vulnerable forces out of the area, so that the powerhouses can stretch out," Mei nodded,

"It is a tactic I learned working with him and Katsuki, while they helped us in the civil war,"

"And the army of white Zetsu?"

"Will follow you," Naruto folded his arms, "Which is why he said fight the ones that come after you, because this isn't going to be an easy battle, they will not hesitate to sacrifice their troops, Izuku will, so better than that,"

"Move all the troops out of the battle field," Tsunade turned back to the exit, "You are either with us or not Raikage, Kumo can withdraw from the alliance at any point," She waved a hand, "But that does mean Kumo must leave the battle altogether, because this is a war for the Shinobi Alliance," A stiffened as he thought about it. Silence reigned for several minutes.

"We will not be able to retreat all at once," He turned to the other Kage, "Divisions will leave together but we must stagger depature in order to maximize survival chances," The five left the medical tent talking hurriedly as Ino entered. She immediately came over and hugged both him and Sakura.

"I heard the Fourth Division met Madara,"

"They did, Izuku fought him off apparently," Sakura huffed and crossed her arms, "He is incredibly reckless, he didn't know if he would win this time, yet clearly leapt in headfirst, now he and Katsuki have kidnapped three shinobi for a half baked plan I'm guessing and they won't be back until tomorrow," Ino pursed her lips Naruto raised his hands defensively,

"I don't know, do not ask me," He placated, Ino raised an eyebrow before slapping his chest.

"How could you not tell me you were part of Midori squad?"

"I'm sorry, it's just," Pouting and looking sad he muttered, "I didn't want you to worry," Her face softened before she caught herself and narrowed her eyes,

"No, I'm mad at you," Rolling his eyes he grabbed her arm,

"You don't mean that," He grinned, running a hand up the inside of her arm, "You don't," He insisted as she opened her mouth, her face began to flush as he stepped into her space, the hand that had slid up her arm snaking around her back. "Because if you did that'd mean you wouldn't let me do this," Kissing her softly he pulled away to see her mind crashing as steam trailed from the top of her head. Sakura mad a small noise before the blond turned to her. "You know I love you too," Grabbing and pulling her into his other arm he gave her a chaste kiss. They shared a mischevious look, "Anyway Ino," The blonde was shaken from her stupor and looked between them, "When were you going to tell us you were ANBU?" She began opening and closing her mouth like a fish out of water, blushing a deep crimson.

"I, well, I, you see, I, it's just," The duo laughed,

"We get it Ino, don't worry," Sakura smiled warmly, "Although I think that means we get a free pass since you're the one that got angry," 

"No, we don't," He stepped in, "It's fine, honestly, come on, we need to get ready for tomorrow, sixteen to three might seem like great odds but,"

"When it's Madara Uchiha and Obito Uchiha boosted by the Ten Tails, you take all precautions," Ino nodded tiredly, "Plus it's been exhausting fighting all those Zetsu,"

"Oh, oh, is someone tired because they had to fight Zetsu? I took out Third Raikage and Second Tsuchikage after helping to defeat Ginkaku and Kinkaku at the coast," She playfully slapped his shoulder before the three turned to leave the tent. "Although I didn't realize they'd end up using that against us, Obito appeared and stole the gourde we sealed the brothers in, I almost had him but the bastard used his Sharingan ability to retreat before I could get him," Eyeing the horizon he knew that two madmen were out there, readying the destruction of the world.

"Alright, people are falling back, we have few men left here, some that wouldn't willingly leave us," Ino yawned as Naruto searched for a top in his book of seals.

"How many we talking?"

"Only Guy, Lee and Kakashi honestly, everyone else doesn't want to disobey their respective Kage," Sakura shrugged as she tried smoothing out her shirt and putting on her flak jacket. "And really those three can look after themselves,"

"True, but Izuku probably won't like it," He grumbled as he finally found the shirt and threw it on. Grabbing a jacket from a different seal he slid it on before trying to organize his hair. "How many divisions left to mobilize?"

"Fifth division is leaving T minus half an hour," Ino combed her own hair gently, "We're expecting the Ten Tails to arise soon, so we need to get moving as well," She hummed for a moment, "Dad says he's going to keep in contact with me while the others move, with such a small force we'll be easier to organize, plus we'll need an eye on our backs since we have a small squadron,"

"That I understand," The pages of his book flipped as he pulled out different equipment. Kunai to refill his pouch, exploding tags, shuriken, his tanto, a few Demon Wind shuriken. The pages changed again, chakra restoration pills, some slow tags, chakra blocking tags, bomb balls, wire and some rope. Taking an entire page of seals out he slid it up his sleeve, he was going to need as many substitution items as possible. "I still can't believe Izuku sent a clone just to say that you specifically got to stay with the Midori division,"

"What can I say?" Ino shrugged "Izuku knew I'd be able to multitask like that,"

"Actually," Sakura interjected "It's because he knows you'll have the strongest two way connection to HQ," The blonde pouted as the pinkette. "Naruto, are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be baby," The jacket grew slightly tighter as he zipped it up. They slowly made their way from the tent and Naruto made a few Shadow Clones to dismantle it. The remaining ninja were gathered having breakfast and preparing for movement. Randomly greetings were thrown to him as they made their way for food. A certain ravenette was waiting for them.

"Izuku is going to be a while," Sasuke handed them bowls, "We need to start preparing to fight without him,"

"What do you,"

"Exactly as I said," He grumbled tiredly, "Izuku isn't going to be showing up at the last second this time, we need to be ready to fight without him," The blond groaned quietly. "Look, I don't like it anymore that you do, but what he's doing might take a very long time, he didn't even tell me what it was, it's just going to take a very long time apparently, so we need to prepare for a fight that doesn't have Izuku, we still have Katsuki, that's a Primal chakra advantage,"

"Yes but it's not Izuku, Katsuki is a power house sure but there's nobody that comes close to Izuku, not anymore," The Sharingan weilder opened his mouth, "He beat Madara, without powering up, he saved the entire Fourth division and kept the Madara Uchiha on the backfoot, greenie has battle experience, more than any thanks to the Shadow Clones he sent worldwide," Sasuke paused,

"He beat Madara?"

"Eleventh time's the charm I guess," Naruto shrugged "Look I know Katsuki could probably match Madara jutsu for jutsu, but Izuku matches him in speed and raw strength, we want a war of attrition here, and the only way we'd win that is if we have Izuku tiring him out," The table was tapped several times, "We kinda need him on the field, there's not many of us so stalling for time won't give us a lot of time anyway," A nod, "I'm not letting sacrifices stand either, so we need to keep everyone alive, meaning we have less time to stall for, so Izuku needs to get his shit done and get back here," Uncaringly shrugging and eating a mouthful of food Sasuke shut his eyes for a moment, "You, dude, this isn't good y'know,"

"Oh no shit, but you forget who we are and who we have with us,"

"Important people, special people,"

"Powerful people," Sasuke corrected him, "People that trained us collectively, Kakashi has Guy and Lee, best taijutsu masters in Konoha, Itachi of the Sharingan and Shisui of the Body Flicker are a duo the world fears to meet, Ino Yamanaka, training her body so hard that evasion becomes muscle memory, meaning she one of very few that can  use Mind Transference while still moving, Sakura Haruno, the new Sannin and next Tsunade, even capable of using Wood Style without the need for Lord First's cells," He just sat quietly, "Sasuke Uzumaki, next ANBU leader, slated to have a title created just for him," The ravenette smirked proudly, "Naruto Uzumaki, son of the Forth Hokage and slated to be Lord Sixth Hokage, if not Seventh, Jinchuuriki of the Nine Tails and uniter of the Five Nations, against Obito Uchiha, head of the Akatsuki, which members have all died by our hands, and a reanimated Madara Uchiha, Bitchboy of Lord First, if we got to Madara's age when First supposedly killed him, we could beat him one on one with a hand behind our backs, we got this,"

"We got this?" Naruto raised an eyebrow,

"We got this," Sakura nodded gently, taking his hand, "We're all going to make it home, if only because you're going to make sure we do," Ino nodded in agreement, a hand on his shoulder.

"We'll all get home soon,"

Itsuka woke up warm, which was the normal part, the weird part was she woke up face down. She never slept face down, so waking up as such was alarming. Until her mattress shuffled and rolled over her eyes widened in panic as she tried to move from the steel claw grip around her midriff. "Stop it," His voice came from above her head, "It's Saturday, sleep in," Kage's arms tightened around her, she looked up at his flat face, eyes closed intentionally. He was here, he'd stayed the night, the entire night. That was, that was. "Stop kicking me," They rolled further and she made a quiet 'eep' as he rolled on top of her. He wasn't wearing a cloak, meaning his mask was on. Oddly though he held no weight, looking down she could see his legs were,

Oh god,

They were between hers. His arms now rested either side of her head, his elbows just above her shoulders. His face buried in the pillow next to her head beside his arm. "How are you comfortable?" She hissed, his head rose lazily as he looked to her,

"I sleep outside most nights, with nothing but a bed roll on me, I can sleep anywhere,"  Itsuka wanted to test that theory but before she could her bedroom door began opening. The ginger stared at the door in mild panic as her birthmother poked her head in. "She sees you in bed as normal, act like I'm not hear," His breath was hot on her ear, despite the mask and she resisted the shiver down her spine.

"Itsuka, I was just coming to see if you were still asleep, we were thinking of going out for the day, say an amusement park, maybe some ice skating, would you be interested in coming?"

"Hm? Oh," His breathing was beginning to take over her thoughts, "Ice skating sounds fun, but, uhh," Kage really  needed to stop shuffling right now, "I'll, I'll go along with the group decision," An eyebrow was raised at her,

"Are you okay Itsuka honey?"

"Yeah, yeah sorry mom, just, sleepy," Her birthmother checked her watch, his arms shuffled against hers, Itsuka bit her lip.

"Well it's still early, so why don't you go back to sleep for five?" Itsuka just nodded and laid her head back down, trying to act normally. Her mom left the room quietly as she let out a sigh of relief. Immediately stiffening as she felt Kage relax onto her body,

"Will you stop, please?"

"It's kinda hard to move, when your legs are around me," Her eyes widened, as her muscles began listening to her again. Sure enough she could feel Kage's waist under her calfs being pushed against her waist. "You didn't notice?" Hurriedly she let him go

"Of course not, I was busy trying to make sure I didn't look like a looney to my birthmother," She hissed, stretching her arms above her head.

"Well considering that it was a large movement of muscles I'd assume that yes, you would notice," His hand clamped over her wrists as he leered over her, his face inches from hers. As her face went red he quickly let her go and rolled off of her. "Look, I, I wish this was under better circumstances, I do, I wish to Kami that I didn't have to do this," Itsuka started feeling sick, "I," He sighed and took a deep breath, "I'm not going to be around a whole lot for a long time,"

"W-why?"

"Things are, well, they're not really very good back home, I, I have to go to war soon," Her eyes began watering, "There's a high chance I'm going to get hurt,"

"You, you m-mean die, don't you?" Her hands grabbed whatever they could,

"No, I, there is a small chance I will die, I will more likely be put out of action for a very long time, so long that you may forget about me," Gently she was pulled into his chest, "I, when you next to meet Yumiko, tell her that I have asked if she could introduce you to the other few, I have copies telling them the same thing," Her body curled up unwillingly.

"No, I, I'd never forget you Kage,"

"It will be better for you, it will hurt less if you do," She looked at the expressionless mask.

"N-no, I refuse, I don't care if it, if it hurts, I don't want to," Clutching him tightly, she listened to his heart gently beat. A hand on the back of her head and her eyes closed.

"Itsuka, honey, time to get up," Her mom opened the door, startling her awake. "The group's decided we're going ice skating today,"

"Alright mom, just let me get dressed," The door closed and she climbed out of the bed. Shivering slightly she walked over and closed her window, she didn't remember opening that, even in the night. Walking past her bed, something crinkled under her foot. Looking down she saw, "Leaves? How did those get in my room?" Sweeping them up and putting them in her bin, she questioned the deep pang in her heart. As she got dressed and looked at the bed, she felt as if she was forgetting something.

Enri found him sat down. It was odd. Simply because he sat at the edge of a rooftop, looking across the street into Momo Yaoyorozu's bedroom. "Enri," He greeted quietly, that was sending more alarms off. "I need to ask you something,"

"What?" She sat down next to him and he offered her a cookie again.

"I need you to look out for her, Mina Ashido and Itsuka Kendo," Despite the shadow covering his face, she could feel the pain in his smile. "There's a war brewing back home, one I have to go and fight in,"

"You are worried saying goodbye will ruin them?" He laughed gently, humor was his coping mechanism then.

"No, no, i am far too good at goodbyes to know it won't, it won't ruin anyone," A wistful sigh, "Mainly because I will be wiping their memories, the day after tomorrow, starting with Young Miss over there," A small nod, as Enri dropped her cookie to the street in surprise.

"You, wiping their memories?" 

"It is for the best they do not remember who I am, so that they do not hurt," Quiet contemplation, "I will die in this war,"

"You don't,"

"I do know, because I am fighting an enemy that will be require me to call upon power that I can not stand, the stress I will be putting my body under will end up killing me," Her face dropped,

"What?,"

"I have come to terms with it, everyone dies at some point, it just so happens mine is sooner than the rest," He leant back and looked up at the stars, "Do you fear death Enri?" Before she could answer he continued, "I don't, I haven't for a while, not since I found my home, not sicne I found my true family, your wife, is she important to you?"

"Yes, my family is more important to me than the world itself,"

"So if you had to burn yourself up to save them would you?" Silence was his answer, "Of course you would, because you love them, you want them to be happy, even if it means you can't be there yourself, that is why I admired you Endeavor, you were a people's champion long before you were the symbol of jutsice," Her eybrows rose, "What? You think All Might is the only one with a moniker? No, she is the symbol of hope, that things will be alright," The venom in his voice highlighted so problems he had with the number one hero, "But you? You're the one that doesn't destroy city blocks in a brawl, quick, clean and efficient, you'd make a good kunoichi if you didn't yell every attack, but I digress, my family, in my home, I love them more than anything else, the brother born to my adopted mother was the first true family I had, he didn't reject me, he didn't hurt me, he worked with me, ate with me, helped me when I was low, and so I have been doing everything I can to make sure he gets the happy ending he truly deserves,"

"And what of yours?" A sarcastic laugh,

"Me? No, men like me don't get happy endings, we die in the shadows, forgotten in the annals of history, but weirdly I'm okay with that," Her motherly instincts began kicking in and she reachde out for him, not missing the small flinch he held, "I am prepared to die if it means saving my family, because I know with or without me, they shall be happy," a hand rubbed his back, "I used to wish for a happy ending, a wife and kids, a nice house with a picket fence, nine to five job, maybe even being a stay at home dad, it didn't matter to me," Her heart began clenching "All I ever wanted was to be loved by somebody, the man I used to be is dead and gone, he died a very long time ago," A seventeen year old should not talk like this, "I, when I found him, he needed love more than I wanted it, so I gave it to him, in order to protect him, I, I killed the people trying to hurt him, trying to kill him, and there was a lot of them, Midorikage isn't a name I selected, it is a reputation people gave to me, because they fear me," There was a lot of trauma this young mind was carrying, it was clear to Enri, "I, there's little to no people I can let in anymore, it's been far, far too long, letting these girls think they were winning against my walls, it would be cruel to then let them remember what they did," He stood up, "I will be doing the same to Rumi soon,"

"Why not me?"

"Because I need someone to remember me, someone to watch over the new generation, those three girls, they are a lot like you," There was a seconds pause, "Very open minded, patient, they will be the ones to usher a new age, better treatment for my fellow men,"

"You think a small group of people can ever change fate?"

"It's the only thing that ever has," A curt nod, "Enri Todoroki, it has been a privilege to meet you, a pleasure talking with you," As he walked away he paused and looked over his shoulder, "And truly an honour to call you my friend," He was gone before she could even open her mouth. The hand reaching out for him lowered back to her side, the sorrow in her heart was replaced by a cold rage. Turning to look over the city, she came to several conclusions. Number one, that boy had been severely hurt by someone of this city, if he spends so much time around here, it must hold importance to him. Number two, he had suffered so much trauma that he valued his own life so worthless that he was ready and willing to die at the first sign he could. And number three.

She would find answers with All Might.