Tainted

Main Meeting Room for the Alliance, Kumogakure

Suddenly, the heavy wooden door of the meeting room burst opened. All men and women in the room stared at the door cautiously. They have placed a few men to stand guard, who should not be able to take down easily.

A black hood man took the lead and stepped into the room swiftly and graciously, while 6 other people followed closely. "Greetings, ladies and gentlemen," said the silver haired man, who took off his porcelain mask and his hood, showing his pale face as well as his long silver hair.

"Sasaki-san," Tsunade addressed quietly and also unexpectedly. Although she understood the power that the man has taken back, she seldom see the man around the village, except a few occasions, noticeably in Sandaime's funeral and of course her proclamation. She knew that the man would only assist when the situation was unstoppable as he fulfilled his clan's promise, as they would not intervene the mankind's business. They would only reveal their power if only necessary. Therefore, she did not expect the man would show up at the battlefield, though she was certain that the man knew the situation clearly, as the man has provided a large amount of assistance during the Orchimaru's revenge, and that they have clear evidence that the Takaoka has reinforced their security of their land, as it was not far away from Kumo, where the battle would be take place.

The other heads were also stunned to see the man's presence, though it was quite obvious that the young Kazekage was glad to see the arrival, as the young man gently nodded towards the intruder. Mifune taisho stood up quickly, as the man approached the round table. He pushed his chair to the man, "please, Sasaki san." Although he was not certain whether the other Kage would welcome the intrusion, he would, however. This was because he has encountered numerous men and women in his life, the silver haired man's swordsmanship was astonishing.

Sasaki nodded gently, but did not take the seat. Instead he gestured and the person who stood behind him took the seat and pulled her cloak off, revealing her long purple hair. It was Akashiya Kyo. This caught the Kage and their assistants off guard, as they would not expect the presences of the head of clan of the most powerful clans in the world. Therefore, Tsunade stood up quickly and pushed her chair for Sasaki instead.

Raikage, A, waved at his assistants and pulled two extra chairs. Secretly, Shikaku studied the 5 men that the man has bought along. From their cloaks, he knew that they were not only from Sasaki and Akashiya, but also men from Takaoka. 'Troublesome,' he mumbled in his mind. This was because the men from these immoral clans were skilled but also pretentious, which he knew it might cause fictions between the men and his men, though he went along well with them, from previous partnerships.

"So what bought you here, Sasaki-san?" A asked in his hoarse voice. He knew that the man could be quite pretentious, which was opposite of his personality. Therefore, he would rather throw the question out straight way.

"Well," Sasaki replied calmly, "I thought it's quite obviously, A-kun." He glanced the men and women in the room before he continued, "since you have assigned my clan member as your 3rd division commander, I have bought him extra pair of hands. Furthermore, as we have agreed years ago, this Kabuto-kun," he addressed hatefully, "tried to disturb the peace and it is not something that we could tolerate. And for Kyo- san," he turned his head to the purple haired woman.

Kyo picked up his line quickly, "I come to drop off my assistant, Masana." She waved and one of the men stood out from the line, who then took off his hood, but with the mask remained. "He is going to stay and assist An-san, for the recording purpose. He is going to represent for the Akashiya, while I am off to stay with Akira-san." As she said, another man took off his hood, exposing the typical black haired that Takaoka has. As the Takaoka was based in Kumo, A and Mabui recognised the man instantly. The man was Takaoka Terashi, Akira's assistant, for who he was the only one that was not belonging to the council. Kyo continued, "An-kun and I are going to have our finally meeting and inspection before we head back to Gosutobare, where it would be the main place for our clans to gather."

The men and women remained silence, as they were deep in thoughts. This was because throughout their leadership, they have not encountered the three clans on this level, as they have only met the men and woman in few occasions. They, except Tsunade, Shikaku and Garra, only heard of the rumours of Kakashi has been converted to one of the Sasaki, but never received a firm confirmation, until now.

"In addition, for your information, I have ordered 2 units of my own warriors to stay put in the Takaoka Castle as a few Takaoka are staying in to defend. If there is no issue that needs to be clear, we would not want to disturb your meeting further."

Before An stood up, Mizukage, Mei, spoke softly, "are we getting to know the other three people then?" The other nodded in unison, as they wanted to know the men that An has bought along, as though they seems to have the Sasaki chakra, they did not have the tradition silver hair. Instead one of them has black while the other has blue hair.

"Unfortunately, no," An replied firmly and only studied the slim woman carefully for the first time. "I will reveal my assistants at the right timing." He stood up fluidly, "ladies and gents, have a nice day."

Author's Note

Although I will try my best to follow what Kishimoto sensei has plotted, as with addition of my own characters, some of the story line would be different as I am also using the ideas from my previous work, Mission 10, as well as the unfinished work, Days and Night.

Vi