Chapter 7

Suddenly, the pressure stopped like it wasn't even there. "Yo, the name's Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto said.

"I'll be helping you to win this war of yours…"

…

…

…

"Awkward…" Naruto muttered and slowly walked towards the direction of Mei who was now on guard after regaining her composure.

"Now-now, why don't you guys lower your weapons." He said as he displayed his hands signaling that he was of no threat, but the rebels couldn't just trust the man directly. Especially Mei who had so much to lose if this was to be a successful ambush.

"You may not have any weapon with you but from the killing intent you unleashed, you can kill all of us with no effort." Mei said, readying herself as rebel shinobis were now gathered behind her.

Amused by the sight he was seeing, Naruto played a little bit, "So you know I can literally end all of you and yet you're still standing there bravely."

"Despite that, I'm going to defend my people no matter what!" Mei shouted while her men gripped their weapons hard.

"Hmmm…" Naruto got into a thinking pose comically and nod in approval, "You've got the guts to be a strong leader, I approve!"

This confused the people, especially Mei who was wondering what the hell this guy was talking about. "Y-you… What do you mean?"

'Steve' Naruto signaled telepathically and said, "I was just checking out if the rebel camp's leader was okay or up to no good, it turns out that you are more than okay!"

Mei slightly tilted her head in confusion, she really didn't understand. "I don't understand, you just emitted so much killing intent, I thought you wanted to kill us all!"

Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "Well I thought that was the best way to test you hehe…" he said as Steve with the men and wagons arrived behind the blonde.

"Ah! This is Steve!" Naruto introduced, "This guy will be the biggest business man one day!"

'This guy's so casual! It's as if he's not in a warring country.' Mei thought as she lowered her guard and motioned her men to make way. "Why don't we talk over a cup of tea?"

"Hmmm… Inviting someone who can kill you into your den?" Naruto grinned devilishly.

The auburn haired sighed, "You would have killed as long ago if you wanted, and talking over a cup of tea would be better than in an area drenched in fog."

Naruto and Steve laughed a little then went with Mei to her strategy room and sat down. "As much I enjoy staring at your boobs, I'll be straightforward with you."

This made Mei 'smile' but Naruto didn't care, it was the truth, he enjoyed staring at the future Mizukage's boobs. "I want to help and support you on ending Yagura's dreadful reign."

Breaking her 'smile', Mei's interest then skyrocketed. Being helped by this strong man would really ensure their victory, but she professionally calmed herself. "Oh? How are you gonna help us rebels?"

"I'll be assisting on the front lines and face Yagura on," Naruto said confidently before pointing on Steve. "and this guy will sell you the weapons and armors you need."

Mei sighed as she was troubled by the second statement Naruto said, "I'd be really grateful on you assisting on the front lines but I don't have the money to buy your supplies."

The blonde and merchant looked at each other and nodded while smiling, "Don't worry about the money now, you can pay me after the war, Fifth Mizukage." Steve said boosting Mei's confidence towards ending this war.

Mei didn't know what to say but finally calmed down as she asked, "But wait, what the catch? You wouldn't do this without gaining something would you?"

"Of course I want to gain something," Naruto said, making Mei's heart skip a beat. "I want you to partner up and support my guild."

"Guild?"

"Yes, I am the Alpha of the Snarling Wolves Guild and Steve is my second in command, or a Sentinel." Naruto explained.

Their talk went for about another thirty minutes and Mei decided to sneak attack tomorrow at dawn after some convincing from Naruto.

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In a tall tower in the middle of Konohagakure no Sato, sitting behind a desk was non other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as The God of Shinobi for experiencing two shinobi wars and living to tell the tale.

He was currently filling out stacks of paperworks that seemed to never end, this was the bane of all Kages. They were the strongest in their village but they were tied to stacks of papers.

As he was about to sign another paper, he was stopped by a white-haired man. "I wouldn't sign that if I were you, sensei."

Stopping on his tracks, the sandaime focused his eyes on what he was about to sign. 'Approval for the ban of hot springs'

Sweat dripping from his forehead, Hiruzen suddenly realized. "Jiraya! You got better at hiding; I didn't even notice you."

"Hehe!" Jiraya grinned while rubbing his nose with his pointy finger, "Managing a spy network was helpful towards the breakthrough of my understanding on spying at the very least."

Hiruzen smiled warmly, this was the only student he got that was normal (really?). "So, did you get anything?"

Finally turning serious, "A spy of mine reported that he saw a blonde kid beating up some bandits, six feet tall but had some weird clothes."

Hiruzen didn't quite get what Jiraya was on about, "And?"

Sighing Jiraya continued, "Sensei, I think this could be Naruto."

Silence… That was what happened for a few seconds as the sandaime's eyes were now covered by shadows. "Jiraya, if you're joking with me…"

The white-haired quickly replied, "Sensei! I would never joke about my apprentice's son! I gave a copy of Naruto's picture to every spy I had and my reported that he had the exact same hair color but he had no whisker marks."

"Tell your spy to focus on Naruto and make him update us every week on what that kid has been up to IF he's alive." Hiruzen commanded Jiraya as the latter nodded.

"I already did that; I want to make sure he's Naruto before we do anything else."

The Hokage stood up and turned to his window, looking towards the moon. "Naruto…"

Jiraya looked at his sensei as he thought about everything he missed.

'Minato…'