☆A Flower That Blossoms in Adversity☆

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 5

𝑇𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑；

𝑵𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑷𝒐𝒗;

As Sakura walks away from Shukaku he rubs his little hands together "I think it's time we took this war into our own hands." He chuckles mischievously before darting off toward the tents flaps. How little Shukaku knows that this evil plan may just save Konohagakure. He waits as Ebisu struts out of his tent in a towel and slippers humming as he carries two extra towels and a back scrubbing brush.

Shukaku darts in before pulling Crickee in after him. "Okay little guy this is what you need to do." Shukaku tell the insect and with a chirp Crickee gets to work. Shukaku glares holes into a picture of Ebisu who was shaking the Hokage's hand.

When Crickee jumps aside and smiles he rushes over and picks it up "Okay let me see what you've got." He begins to read "From General Itachi Uchiha, Dear brother we're waiting for the Oto at the pass and it would mean a lot if you'd come and back us up. Hmm," he looks at Crickee "That's great except you forgot 'And since we are out of potpourri perhaps you wouldn't mind bringing up some.' HELLO! THIS IS THE ARMY! Make it sound more urgent please; you know what I'm talkin about?"

Crickee salutes Shukaku and quickly jumps back into the ink and onto the paper. "That's better much better!" he tells Crickee before snatching up the paper in excitement and dashing away "Let's go." He hurries as fast as he can to find Khan. He spots the Khan, who is drinking water, and climbs up onto his back.

"Khanny baby! Hey we need a ride." Shukaku tells Khan and Khan shoots water at the squirrel who falls off before he glares and Crickee who holds up his hands and slowly backs away. They set off with a new plan.

The men laugh as Ebisu runs onto land clutching a slipper in one hand and a towel around his waist "Insubordinate ruffians." He grumbles as he walks away from the water "You men owe me a new pair slippers!" he shouts at them while shaking the slipper at them before walking away "And I don't squeal like a girl. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he screams as his slipper is snatched from his hand and he stares at a panda who lazily eats his slipper.

"Urgent news from the General." Shukaku says and pushes a stick forward moving a stuffed dummy hand forward. Ebisu raises a brow and looks at the panda "What's the matter? Never seen a black and white before?" Ebisu takes the letter with a glare placed on the dummy shinobi.

"Who are you?" he asks the dummy "Excuse me! I think the question is who are you?" Shukaku makes the dummy point and slap him "We're in a war man! There's no time for stupid questions. I should have your hat for that." The dummy lashes out as the walk past Ebisu who has ducks out of the way "But I'm feeling gracious today so carry on before I report you." Ebisu looks at the paper as they walk behind his back.

The panda climbs up into a tree as Ebisu opens the letter and reads it before gasping and running to Sasuke's tent. He bursts through in a panic "Captain, urgent news from the General! We are needed at the front." He tells him and outside Shukaku celebrates "Pack your bags Crickee, we're moving out!" and they high five.

𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕;

We started walking sometime late last night, I at least managed to sleep before hand, and as the sun nears the horizon the men decide to sing.

"For a long time we've been marching off to battle." Beside me Gaara is fine but Kiba is slouched and tired "In a thundering herd we feel a lot like cattle." He groans "Like the pounding beat, our aching feet aren't easy to ignore." Naruto runs up to his friends "Hey! Think of instead a girl worth fighting for." He sings with a dreamy like look in his eyes and this makes the others smile with him.