Disclamer: I own everything that is Naruto and Naruto-related…….PSYCHE!!

A/N: This story is part of a brilliant 'multific' project engineered by my fellow author and friend Ashley. This story is what I'd like to call an 'Improvisational Multi-Author Narrative' or 'IMAN'; it is the collective work of two or more authors and involves them carrying along a plot without any input from the other author(s) save the information in the preceding chapter. Basically it's like an Olympic relay, you write a chapter and then you 'pass the baton' so to speak. Neways enough explanation let the magic begin!!This first chapter was writen by me, Justin, ak on fanfiction as, 'Kazu the E.P.O.A.' Please review!!

Chapter 1

The Great Jinchuriki Mission

As the the sun shone down on her on the terrace a cool breeze swept through the trees of Konoha, softly caressing her face and carrying her golden locks behind her. Her heart filled with sadness at the thought of her most recent loss.

"Oh Jiraiya...", she whispered softly to herself.

"Tsunade-sama. It's time to start the meeting, everyone's waiting." came the voice of her faithful assistant Suzume.

"Yare yare...I'm coming. Jeez."

As the Fifth Hokage entered her office she was greeted by the sight of perhaps the most interesting group of ninja she had ever encountered in her life. Before her stood Team 10 (sans the late Asuma Sarutobi), Team 8 (with a most pregnant looking Kurenai), Team Guy (looking as youthful as ever) and of course Team Kakashi (a rag-tag team of three Jounins, a medical Chuunin and Konoha's loudest, most surprising and probably oldest Genin). They looked at her with the calmness befitting Shinobi of their caliber.

"As you all know, I've called this emergency meeting in regards to the recent report from Team Kakashi's last mission as well as Jiraiya's dying message." Tsunade paused if only for a moment out of respect for her fallen comrade "If the intel we now have is correct it means that the Akatsuki is readying itself for the final phase of their master plan. It is imperative that we prevent them from acquiring any more tailed beasts which is why I'm going to split you up into special groups in order to search for and-if possible-protect the Jinchurikis. I have also requested assistance from our allies the Sand and the Cloud. They should-"

"Umm Tsundae-sama. The cloud has refused our request." Came the voice of Suzume meekly.

"DAMNIT! Those idiots don't seem to understand the gravity of this situation! They must still be angry about the Hyuuga incident years ago..." the angry Hokage paused to think "Very well we'll send a diplomatic team over there immediately. Hinata, Neji and Kurenai, you three will head over to the cloud and negotiate a truce. Take the Fire Country councilors with you. Now the next step is-"

WHOOOOSSSSHHH

Suddenly in a cloud of sand and wind four ninjas appeared outside the Hokage's office on the railing of the terrace. Suzume rushed to let the visitors in.

"The emissary from the Sand Village has arrived." said Temari in a very authoritative voice.

"Heh...this troublesome woman is always in the village." scoffed Shikamaru.

"You better watch your mouth you smart aleck punk or I'll-"

"Temari please. Don't be this guy's puppet" came the voice of her older brother Kankuro.

"...Naruto-kun, nice to see you again." said Gaara stoically.

"Hokage-sama I am here to assist as well. I know these three the best and can help the Leaf nins deal with their quirks." said Baki in a polite voice.

"No need to worry about that Baki, I know you are one of the sand's best but so are they. I actually want to put you with Yamato and-"

"HOLD UP TSUNADE NO BA-CHAN!!" shouted Naruto.

"...what is it!?" seethed Tsunade.

"I want to go to the Cloud too! The ninjas there use lightning element and I want to test my skill against lightning attacks!" said the yellow-haired Jinchuriki.

"That's right Naruto-san!! Training is very important!!" said Lee.

"OH YOUTH!!" said Guy.

"WOULD ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!!...fine then. Naruto you will also go to the cloud with the Hyuugas and

Kurenai." said the Godaime with finality.

"DATTEBAYO!!"

"Now, as I was saying we need to locate the other Jinchuriki and-"

"BA-CHAN!!"

"WHAT NOW YA LITTLE PEST!! I SAID YOU COULD GO TO THE CLOUD!! WHAT MORE COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT!!"

"...Sasuke..."

The room was filled with dead silence at the mention of his name.

"Look as far as we know Sasuke is in the custody of the Akatsuki along with Itachi's body. The best way to get him back is to stop Akatsuki." said Tsunade solemnly.

"For all we know Sasuke could be on the beach posing by some rocks laughs" said Shikamaru.

"You think you're always right don't you!?" Temari said.

"Well it's hard to be wrong when you're always right." said Shikamaru coolly.

"Why you..."

"Let us return to the meeting please." came the calm and collected voice of Neji Hyuuga.

"Thank you Neji. Now, the teams and objectives are as follows: Neji, Hinata, Kurenai and Naruto. You will go to the cloud with the Councilors and negotiate a treaty. You will also search for the Two-tails Jinchuriki."

"Affirmative"

"Y-y-y-yes"

"Understood."

"HELLS YEAH! I'M GONNA SEE SOME LIGHTNING!!"

"Next up is Kakashi. You and your dogs are more than capable of handling the search for the Five-tails on your own but just to be safe please take along a medic nin. That means you Sakura."

"Yes Tsunade-sensei. Thank you for trusting me like this" said the pink haired medical ninja.

"Thank you Tsunade-sama. Hmm, the Five-tails is a shark-like beast that means the best place to look for him would be along the coast."

"Heh, maybe you'll see Sasuke there posing! Huh Shikamaru old buddy?"

Chouji began to laugh heartily at his friend's previous joke and as he did so he began to spill some of the potato chips he had been eating. This greatly angered Ino who stood right beside him.

"Jeez Chouji you're such a pig!"

"Well get used to that pig Ino" said Tsunade "because that pig is your teammate in the search for the six-tails."

"NOOO!!" Ino screamed.

"Along with Sai" added Tsunade.

"YESSS!!" Ino screamed again.

"Kankuro, Kiba and Shino. You three will search for the seven tails."

"I'm cool with that."

"Looks like I may end up saving your life again huh dog-boy?"

"Now the Eightitails should prove to be quite the foe which is why I want the people with the most experience in handling a beast to investigate its Jinchuriki (should one even exist). Yamato, Baki and Gaara. You three will take care of that."

"Yes Tsunade-sama. Gaara and I can handle Jinchurikis."

"Indeed. I will try my best Hokage-sama."

"...I can handle it..."

"Now, the Four-tails Jinchuriki it seems is an old man. Someone who is more likely to be won over by talk and solid convincing is best taken care of by two intelligent people. This is why I'm sending Shikamaru and Temari."

"What!?"

"...I can't even BEGIN to say how troublesome this will be."

"Now for the Three-tails. Our intel says that the Three-tails doesn't have a Jinchuriki and just patrols the waters of Wave country. So, I know that the Mist village is not on good terms with us and that Mist nins can only be fought by those who have experience in dealing with their special abilities. This is why I'm sending Tenten, Might Guy and Rock Lee. You three have experience in dealing with dangerous Mist nins like Kisame so you shouldn't be too surprised by the techniques of the Sanbi. Also, who better to deal with a beast than the Leaf's own Green Beasts ne?"

"Thank you very much Hokage-sama."

"Yes! Me and my cute Lee will take him down!!"

"I'll throw pointy things at it..."

The Hokage looked around the room content with her decisions. She raised one hand in the air and as she brought it down she said...

"NINJAS...MOVE OUT!!"

The room emptied in a flash of smoke and they were off.


A/N: The next chapter will be wrtten by Ashley. Check her out on fanfiction: brighteyedcherryblossom... hope you liked the first entry.