The Path Of a Hunternin

The one you used to be

It took a total of five days for Naruto and his bodyguards to reach Lightning Country's port city.

Both Yamato and Jiraiya were used to silent travels as both had already participated in sensitive missions throughout their careers. However, none of them were prepared for a trip of complete silence. Naruto hadn't muttered a single word since they left Konoha, nor did he paid any attention to either Jiraiya or Yamato's attempts to begin a conversation. Both of them could see how his eyes lacked the usual focus on his surroundings and it began to worry them greatly, since they didn't know how Naruto was processing this mess. After the third day of travel, they gave up and let him be until they arrived at their destination. Naruto would have to open up to them eventually, since they were scheduled to remain at their hideout for a long time. They could only leave the place once the five kages appeared and released them, otherwise their orders were to remain hidden indefinitely.

Of course it wouldn't take that long, though. The bigger the enemy, the longer it takes for the war to finish.

Akatsuki was composed of only a few members, even if each member has the power to level an entire village. That being said, if the alliance managed to take down the members, then the war would end and everything would go back to normal...or as normal as it could be anyway. Lightning Country's port city was easily three times as big as Fire Country's, perhaps because it was Lightning's main source of travel whereas Fire Country used the land as its main way of transportation. It didn't mean that Fire Country didn't use sea routes; it's just that it had less than other countries such as Lightning, Water and Wave.

Quickly moving through the docks, the team from Konoha located the ship that would take them as well as two members from each village to a hidden location chosen by the Raikage himself. As they arrived at the ship's location, the team was surprised to see the Mizukage there with a member of the Seven Swordsmen named Choujuurou. As far as the ninjas from Konoha were concerned, the kages wouldn't participate directly in this war, but rather as commanders of the alliance, with the exception of Gaara, who was appointed as General of the Army. The team from Konoha quickly went onboard and Jiraiya approached the Mizukage for some explanation.

"Good afternoon Mizukage-sama. I wasn't aware you'd be joining us?" Although it was a sensitive mission, Jiraiya couldn't help but check the woman's impressive figure. Mei Terumi just smiled, though, not caring.

"Indeed, my part in the jinchuuriki's protection was decided by the Kages at the last minute. I'm here just in case Akatsuki finds our location."

Despite the lack in a Sannin's skills, Jiraiya just nodded and left the Mizukage alone.

===At the Ship===

Since the jinchuuriki was onboard, the ship set sail, leaving the port city towards the hidden location. Naruto opted to left alone as usual, avoiding any form of contact, even from the Mizukage herself, trying as best to be polite, seeing as she was the Mizukage. No matter what everyone said, though, this entire situation was fucked up in his opinion. Hiding him from Akatsuki was perhaps the dumbest thing he ever heard of. However, he couldn't argue with his kage's decision. In their right mind, protecting him would stop Akatsuki from fulfilling their ambition. And even if thousands are killed in the process, he was the one who needed protection. Naruto just hoped that the alliance managed to take the Akatsuki down without many casualties. He became a hunter-nin so that he could take care of them alone, without killing the ones he held dear, not to be protected like this. Also, was it not the alliance's wish that its weapon fought for the village?

All of these thoughts were in Naruto's head and only one, besides him, could hear them.

"Would you stop whining, you damn piece of flash. No one can hear your thoughts, but me and it's been five days already. Give me a break!"