Juzo's POV (Nearby Naruto's Group)
"What about the Sound shinobi being confirmed under the Snake," Juzo asked.
"Truly? How did you find out? They're just some pipsqueak village, after all." Kisame questioned.
" When I began my ambush on the Nine Tails, they were locked in battle with him. It seemed the jinchuriki had won by the time I arrived. Saw they were marked with scales. A subtle design, but the Snake can't help but mark his property somehow. Could be a lead to the Snake."
"Interesting, so one of our two traitors formed their village. Leader-sama will love to hear this." Kisame said with excitement.
Juzo was silent as he pondered both situations. Kisame was no normal shinobi; he may very well be the most powerful shinobi to come from the Mist today. He was known across the world for his powerful mastery of water ninjutsu, unique and powerful blade, and endless chakra. Juzo was truly dumbfounded that the Leader had defeated him with ease. At the very least, he was sure he had made the right choice when he had joined.
Kisame and he settled into a meditative pose. Discussing their failure among their peers would not be fun, but it was merely a minor setback. At least now, he could push for a more substantial attempt next time.
Orochimaru's men being there had certainly been a surprise but he had managed to kill at least one of them. Doubtful, it would hamper the man much. But the Leader had insisted if they ran into Orochimaru or someone related, they would kill them with no exception. He had no gripe with Orochimaru personally, as a cautious man he understood attempting to escape. But knew the value of dealing with threats, and knew better now than to betray their leader. Though he'd ensure get his revenge against the Brat Blonde and the Busty Blonde. Kubikiribocho would taste both of their blood.
Various POV'S (Traversing - Land of Fire)
Tsunade's POV
Tsunade sighed as she watched over the three Genin, who seemed quiet. It was to be expected her team had reacted similarly after one of their missions had gone wrong; what Jiraiya would have excitedly said went "tits up." Indeed, she shouldn't be concerned. But she had a soft spot for kids. Especially after Niwaki had passed. She would have to keep a lot of them out of the dumps. She wouldn't be sure how she would handle it if they got all sappy. "So let me ask you all something." She started. "Why the hell were you all fighting instead of trying to escape? I could feel each of you engage him when it should have been obvious none of you stood a chance in hell."
"I didn't even think I was just trying to protect Naruto," Ino answered quietly.
"I, too. I know we were likely to perish in the process, but shinobi must fight to their last breath. And I will not leave behind comrades." Neji responded simply. Tsunade watches the last one as he seems to think.
"I…" Naruto started. "At first, I had no choice. But when Ino and Neji arrived, they tried to save me. I could tell they were trying to buy me time to escape, but I would never leave them like that." Naruto stated confidently.
"If I hadn't arrived, the only thing that would've done is ensure all of your deaths. A shinobi knows when to retreat. Your heart said you couldn't retreat and leave your comrades, but you must be realistic." Tsunade countered. "If not for me, they would've died shortly after you, all for nothing…"
"Realistic?!" Naruto roared angrily.
"Yes, realistic. We are shinobi. We risk our lives and take others' lives as tools for our villages. All you can do is do your best to survive. Do you truly want to die?" She asked with a frown.
"So that's realistic, huh…we're all tools?" Naruto started darkly. "No. I won't see it that way. Everyone is someone important. Perhaps I will be killed one day. But I won't live my life fearing my death!"
"Then you'll die!" Tsunade countered hotly.
"If I die from pursuing my dreams and beliefs, then so be it!" Naruto countered as he stood, even in his exhaustive state.
"Why die for mere ideals?!"
"Because I will become Hokage! I'll protect the people I care about and will never kill unless I have no choice. I refuse to be some kinda tool!"
"THAT IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD!" Tsunade screamed as she lifted the blonde by the collar. Ino called out worriedly. Neji attempted to stand but was merely too tired to rise.
"Then I'll change the world, " Naruto said defiantly, shoveling his face toward the older woman. There was a tense standoff as the two glared into each other's eyes, neither seeming keen on backing down.
X-X
Naruto's POV
"Now, please don't hurt my cute Genin. I've grown quite attached." A calm voice interrupted the tense scene. Kakashi walked up to the two and gently removed them from one another. Naruto fell to the ground, seemingly too excited to see his sensei to be angry now. Meanwhile, Tsunade seemed to be a bit stunned, barely reacting to Kakashi's interruption. Before she stomped off toward the head of Katsuyu.
"I see my troublemaker is still making enemies… terrifying enemies," Kakashi said affectionately, rubbing the young man's angry head. Flawlessly dodging Naruto's attempts to bite him for it. "A few things, Team Seven." Kakashi started, and immediately, the group of young adults went silent. Naruto growled but settled down. "So let's discuss the mission a little bit. We're not too far off from home anyway. I'll handle the report; do not worry about failing the mission. There wasn't much we-"
"Actually, if you are referring to the bandit camp you all were fighting at, then you should know I went to clear them out myself after I had arrived, but the runt's clones had already captured and restrained the bandits! Big Boss had already sent for a pick-up for them, so no worries," Dez called from his position about twenty feet away at the back of the snail.
"Hmm, well then, my statement shall be even easier then…" Kakashi said as his voice took a grave turn. "Ino and Neji, you fought and nearly died trying to protect Naruto from a threat you could not stop. Naruto, you could have escaped while your allies bought you time. You also decided on your lonesome to challenge opponents and even launched an assault on the camp during our ambush. I must say my cute Genin… you've all made me incredibly proud." Kakashi finished. "I'm sorry you all had to suffer due to my inability to assist you." The three, expecting a telling-off, were shocked.
"But Kakashi, we risked ourselves. I thought you would be upset." Ino asked as the other two still seemed shocked.
"Perhaps, ne? But if we were ambushed, there was no way things would go easily. And yes, by shinobi protocol, you all should have acted less compassionately. But I believe my students should walk their own path. See, shinobi who risk the mission are scum. However the true scum is those who would abandon their comrades. This is something that many shinobi, including myself, learn. Often in the worst way possible. So, if you only learn one thing from today, let it be that. Comrades are your greatest treasure and number one concern out in the field. Never let the mission compromise what you believe in. Such is my nindo." Kakashi explained as they approached the village. "Now head on straight home. Tsunade and I will report to the Hokage. Once we do and your pay is decided. I will bring it to you and let you know when our next meeting is." Kakashi commanded as the slug dispelled as they climbed off. Tsunade, Kakashi, and Dez all poofed as their bodies flickered away. The three stood momentarily, conflicted on what to do. Neji started walking first.
"Farewell for now, friends. I will be expected to report now that I am home." Neji stated as he walked. Before he stopped for a second. "I'm sorry once again, Naruto. Next time, you will not stand alone."
X-X
Ino's POV
The two blondes watched as he walked away. The blonde didn't feel good seeing Neji like this. But I knew from personal experience that the Hyuga was tough. He would be alright. Excited to tell his mother about the mission, Naruto was about to say farewell. But upon matching eyes with Ino, he was surprised to see quite the serious look on her face.
"Naruto, can we have that talk?" Ino asked seriously. Naruto, having a feeling of what exactly she wanted to discuss, nervously nodded as he followed her up on the roofs of the Leaf village. The two landed on a decent-sized one that towered over the academy. They stared down at it while it seemed they both gathered their minds.
"There are two things I wanted to discuss. Firstly, I'm sorry we couldn't help you. I tried my hardest, but he was too damn strong. No… we were too weak…" Ino explained sadly. She felt so ashamed to have been that weak. She would convince her father to give her some extra training. Neji was right again. Ino went to say as such but stopped as she met Naruto's blue eyes. She had always been confident, but she could barely look the fellow blonde in his eyes in moments like this. They were too honest; she could see too much.
"There's no need to feel bad. He was something else. Besides, I would rather it be me than either of you." He said simply. Seemingly missing Ino tensed up beside him. She felt a flare of anger but pulled it back. Was this related to the pain Neji had mentioned before? How was Naruto so calmly suggesting his own death was preferably to theirs?
"Don't you know how scary it was to be helpless when he hurt you, Naruto?" Ino asked. "One of my friends was about to be mutilated, and all I could do was scream for you to stand. I cried pitifully when I thought he was gonna hurt you. I never knew I could feel so useless. So I-" Ino was interrupted when Naruto suddenly hugged her. He had wrapped her up tightly. His grip was innocent; it didn't linger or roam as other men had attempted. Somehow, that made her blush.
"As I said, it wasn't your fault. And I think I get what you mean. I'm sorry, but I can't back down when people I care about are hurt." Naruto countered gently.
"It hurts just as much to watch you get hurt!" Ino said, now fed up with his Blaise attitude towards his life. Pulling away from the blonde with an unnoticed anger.
"True, but if I didn't live that way, I wouldn't wanna live," Naruto stated. This drove Ino into silence. She still felt strongly against it but wasn't sure how to counter his point. Naruto glanced over and saw the conflict on her face. "Look, how about this? I promise I'll get strong enough that something like that will never happen again!" Naruto said happily.
This confounded Ino even further but did knock her out of her silence. "How can you promise that? That guy was probably at least as strong as Kakashi. Possibly even stronger. How will you get that strong? How can anyone?"
"The answer is simple but not easy, ya know?" Naruto asked with a smile. "Mom tells me you simply never give up. Besides, you and Neji are super talented! We'll probably kick their asses next time!"
"You're such a momma's boy, blondie," Ino said with a smile as she relaxed slightly. His answers were simple and seemingly arrogant, yet unlike many she had known, they were fully honest. She flinched as she remembered what she must ask him. She frowned as she went for it. "Naruto, " She asked as she turned and faced him. You're a jinchuriki, aren't you?"