Reports.
Chapter one. Details of a mission.
The weather was worsening in Konoha village. Sandaime Hokage's mood was no better than the outside storm, he was retired after all, now it was Yondaime's task to surveil the village. He still kept most of the minor tasks for himself, as to keep off the burden from the young Hokage's shoulders. This one wasn't minor, but he had asked to deal with it and Yondaime had approved.
So that was what he was going to do, right now.
No one knew where did Sarutobi-sama spend the last few days, nor with whom. He had returned, wrapped in the same secrecy he had left in. Plus, one of his hands was wrapped in the same secrecy... though it must have been just a common bandage.
Now he had summoned a jounin for a very private conference indeed.
The windows were closed into what resembled an advanced genjutsu. Not that the jounin would ever be bothered: he knew better. This one was very young, but highly skilled in dodging gen-casted images and releasing its effect before it took over his senses. The doors were closed and he could sense than no other but the very-trusted ninjas were around. He cleared his throat, about to begin.
- Now, I believe you are curious to know why I called you here in such secrecy. It has been a while since you last had a big mission, so this one should make up for time lost.
- Surely it's a very trustworthy mission that you wish to put in my hands, Sandaime-sama – the jounin's voice sounded childish but somewhat gloaty, all the security involved in this conversation would mean he was to be entrusted with something big. Just wait until that copy ninja Kakashi Hatake got wind of this.
Sarutobi smiled, yet it was a happy smile. "I bet he's all winded up with this, and can't wait to know, but it is so complex, yet so simple, that I bet you won't like it at first glance"
- Well, it's a mission I can't give to any other, just because you're the only one with the required skills to bring it to good end – the child jounin's chest puffed evidently, and Sarutobi smiled, nibbling his pipe and letting go a cloud of white smoke into the air.
- You know you can count on me – a self-satisfied, toothy smile appeared in the jounin's face, echoed in his shining eyes.
- Sure, I know, Gai-kun – that condescendent treatment wiped an end of the smile in the fourteen year-old's expression. After all, he knew the lad for as long as he remembered.- It's pretty much giving me a daily report on someone's whereabouts.
Gai jumped from his half-kneeling respectful pose so eagerly he almost bumped into Sandaime's face headfirst. That boy... for as long as he knew him, missions were for him what candy is for most kids.
- Who is him? Is he from the Sand? Or from the other surrounding villages? You know, I can scout three villages a day, I can sneak in even in broad daylight and– Sarutobi-sama raised one hand up with such authority that Gai had to back a few steps and swallow what else he could do.
- First, it's no scouting mission. The subject of you attention will be here in Konoha – Gai's eyes bulged – Secondly, you do not – he stressed the last word – need to bring me 24-24 reports a day, this is not a mission I wish you to devote day and night on. And third and last, for the next few years your target isn't going anywhere.