Disclaimer: I don't own the concepts of ninjas or jutsus or chakra, and I don't own the show Naruto either.
Chapter One: Crime and Punishment
"I'm very disappointed in you Masako. What were you thinking? Your team was counting on you to bring them home alive, and you failed them. All so you could bag the prize for yourself."
As usual, Masako Suzahara paid the Mizukage no mind. She made no effort to conceal her boredom, tapping her fingertips impatiently on the Mizukage's desk and staring out the window listlessly. I wish he'd shut up already, she thought. As far as Masako was concerned, the worst part of her job was having to put up with the old man Mizukage's bothersome speeches about teamwork. After all this time, he should know that she worked more efficiently on her own. Teammates only slowed her down.
After a while, Masako became aware that the Mizukage had stopped speaking, and was fixing her with a stern glare.
Masako met his gaze calmly. "I did what was necessary, Mizukage-sama. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good."
"I refuse to allow innocent shinobi to be murdered for your personal benefit!" the Mizukage yelled, slamming his fist down on his desk for emphasis. The force of the blow knocked over a bottle of ink, ruining the pile of papers that awaited the Mizukage's signature.
However, Masako was unfazed. She looked back at the Mizukage of the Village Hidden in the Mist with a bland face and a plastic smile. "Thanks to me, Kisame Hoshigaki, an S-class criminal and a dangerous enemy of our village is dead."
Masako smirked, almost daring the Mizukage to refute her statement. She was secure in the knowledge that she would get away with no more than a slap on the wrist, as usual. After all, she was the best of the best when it came to assassination missions, and the village needed her.
Thus, the Mizukage's next words came as a complete surprise. "You are an excellent kunoichi, Masako, there's no doubt about it. As you say, you truly are the best of the best. However, your callous disregard for human life has made you a liability for this village. Therefore, I have no choice but to reassign you."
Masako jumped up in astonishment, knocking over her chair. She stared at the Mizukage incredulously, blue eyes widened in shock. "You have got to be kidding! You can't demote me! I'm the only decent ninja among the useless nincompoops and fools you call ANBU!"
The Mizukage looked at Masako calmly, and continued his speech as if nothing had happened. "As of today, your new job will be to serve as sensei to a squad of three genin. You are to teach them everything they need to know about becoming ninja. Am I understood?"
"Yes, I understand" Masako replied. Although she struggled to keep her expression neutral, barely concealed resentment was easily readable in her gaze.
"Good. You are dismissed."