0o0

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; I spend a lot of time imagining how to make it better, but I do not own it in a copyright sense.

Hello to all my readers- well my hopeful readers, he-he! So this is my first attempt at sharing my written fan-fiction. I'm someone who is full of ideas and wants to share them; I'm just too lazy to do so usually. But that stops now!

With that, I hope you enjoy this 'pre-story.'

I plan for this story to serve as the prologue to my epic-length fic, Empty Shinobi Naruto. Basically, this is my over complex introduction to the plot device of E.S.N, the 'bloodline' Bankyou(All Places); First person to guess what the bloodline may do correctly may submit a OC I must feature into the story as a main character, my promise.

Anyway, I've talked enough! Let's start this thing! I give to you chapter one of-

0o0

A Dire Mission: Rescue Naruto!

Chapter One: The Enemy is Here

0o0

High atop the Hokage Monument he stared at the village. It was a cold stare, one devoid of almost all emotion, save perhaps annoyance. The man felt a lot of it for this village of misguided idiots, trapped in their old ways; they could never see the future he saw.

He quickly quelled such thoughts. He needed to focus. Glancing to his left and right he took stock of his forces. Eleven... eleven disciples who would share with him the burden of the task ahead and the elation of victory that would follow success. Or the grasp of death, should they fail.

The man burned the detail of each into his mind, knowing this could be the last time he would see them. All wore similar long black robes parting at the legs, as well as a stylized mask of an animal. Beyond that though were minute details that he took a mental snapshot off. He would never forget these shinobi.

"We shall be quick. We must be. Team S, the target is yours to gather. Groups E and W, attack the hospital and academy to distract the majority of their forces. And N.. we shall deliver the message. Now go."

His strained words said, he and the group jumped off the monument. In midair, however, they all vanished, leaving no trace they had ever been there.

0o0

"Hey, Kakashi? I can't believe I'm the one saying this, but don't you think you can focus a bit more on the task at hand?"

The young jonin Kakashi Hatake pealed his eyes away from his newest book to stare at his assigned partner. "What do you mean Asuma? I'm very focused." He tilted his head to add to the confused look.

"Kakashi," the newest jonin started, "you're reading porn right now. On a mission. In front of me."

The one eyed teen answered by lowering his gaze back down to his book. "I don't see the problem. We only have a few minutes left before we are relieved, and it's not exactly like watching a kid takes up a lot of attention."

"Easy for you to say; you showed up late. You only got here after I got him to sleep. Come to think of it, you showed up exactly after I put him in his crib. Where you waiting for that to happen? You were, weren't you?!"

The question was followed only by a page being flipped, then silence. Followed by some more silence, and then another page turn. This was the state for several moments before Kakashi finally turned his gaze back to the Sarutobi.

"Sorry; did you say something?"

The past year and a half had pretty much been like this for Kakashi, as well as many other of the village's younger ninja. Ever since the Kyuubi attack, the Hokage has had the current jinchuriki under a constant surveillance, and had him moved to a different location every other day for numerous safety reasons, at least until a better solution could be agreed upon. Today's hidden location was a small apartment, the baby in the bedroom while the two ninja sat in the living room awaiting the next shift for the day.

And speaking of the two: Asuma groaned at his partner's response and pulled out a cigarette. He lit it, in-hailing deeply with a frustrated sigh.

"So you're smoking now?" Kakashi asked, though he clearly didn't care. "They say that it's a bad habit; they say it can kill you."

Asuma laughed. "We are ninja. That's something that can defiantly get you killed, yet I never hear people telling me to stop being one."

"Good point." The masked boy flipped to the next page and then looked back up. "So I hear the Daimyo has taken an interest in you. Going to join the Guardians?"

Asuma laughed. "Not likely, though I've considered it. My old man seems to think I need to stay here though. Something about not forsaking the village; you know, one of his normal rambles."

"The Hokage is a man of much wisdom. You should listen to what he has to say."

"That's easy for you to say Kakashi; but the Hokage isn't your dad. Others and him aren't constantly pressuring you to be just like him. It's different."

"I see," said Kakashi, eyes glued to the book.

Before any more words could be said the door to the apartment opened up. In walked two Konoha ninja. One was hooded and his eyes hidden by glasses, his forehead protector wrapped around his shoulder. The other was a woman, chunnin vest on, with her blond hair done up in a bun held up by her headband.

"Kakashi Hatake. Asuma Sarutobi. Your shift is finished for the day," the woman said.

Asuma smiled. "Finally. Best of luck then. Kid's asleep right now, so stay quite." The smoking ninja was halted at the door as the two newcomer ninja blocked his way. "What now?"

"You still haven't given your report." Asuma groaned in frustration, having forgotten procedure.

"Of course; my bad."

"I'll fill you in on today's report," Kakashi said interrupting his friend. "Go ahead and go Asuma. I know you have plans you're late for. Just say 'hi' to Kurenai for me, 'kay?"

"R-right," Asuma mumbled, blushing a bit as he did. 'How does the bloody cyclops know I've got a date?!' Still, he was grateful, saying goodbye and leaving the complex. Meanwhile Kakashi stayed behind to inform the two replacements on everything that happened during the last shift. Including 'Asuma's' ability to not show up on time.

0o0

Iruka smiled as he did his best to clean the academy fence. He was smiling because, despite not getting away with his prank, everyone knew about it. A lot of people had come around to see the proof of the 'great paint bomb' smeared all over the front of the ninja school's entrance. Someone had even whispered to Iruka, who had been forced to clean it almost as soon as it went off, that the fence looked better blue.

That made him happy. As a orphan, it was hard to get people's attention; pranks worked, though not usually very well. Today was a happy exception to that rule.

Wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, the ninja in training did have one complaint though: the heat. He'd kill for a nice, shady cloud right about now.

0o0

"She's doing fine, Itachi. Her bones been set perfectly back into place, and she should be able to leave within the week."

Itachi Uchiha nodded to the nurse, the closest thing to a smile he'd pull off in public. "Thank you. I just wanted to make sure she was okay. When will she be able to see visitors?" The young boy's teammate had been hurt during their last mission. It was not a dangerous wound, but the sight of Kuru's leg had made even him flinch. It had not been a pretty sight.

"Tomorrow. Till then she needs her rest. Please check back then."

He nodded and turned to leave the hospital, planning to be back first thing tomorrow.

0o0

The Third Hokage sighed in defeat. Today had felt like it had gone on forever and yet it still was an hour till noon. He personally put the blame on the meeting he was attending in the Council Chambers, a dim-lighted room, with one end holding seats for the council, the other the seats for the Hokage and advisers, and a small middle area in between . One meeting was held every two months as a attempt for the people of Konoha to work directly with their leader to manage the village.

It was a good and noble idea, one he himself implemented and enjoyed, seeing as it meant less work for him. Still, the meetings could go on forever, and many of the ideas and issues brought up were... well, a waste of time. Pure and simple.

Take the current topic for example.

"...a festival, held to promote the importance of oil and the importance it has for the village."

Sarutobi rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration, something many others in the room were feeling. "Kiyanku-san, I am aware your oil is key to powering the village; I think that a festival is a little out of the question however. We'll wrap up with civilian business for today. The next and final matter we need to discuss is upcoming Chunnin exams: they are being planned to be held in Suna this year. It will be a lengthier one, with seven trials, and rumors are being spread that the Tsuchikage plans to finally send a genin team. How many teams should we plan on sending this yea-"

The veteran leader stopped talking immediately, his attention turning to the center floor of the Council Chambers. The shinobi portion of the assembly did likewise, they too sensing the sudden, extra presence. Appearing to have come from nowhere were three people. All of them wore black robes that parted at the legs, and two wore ANBU style masks; one with a horse mask, the other a rabbit. The third individual had a mask too, a dragon, though it was resting on his upper left, chest leaving his face exposed. He was an older man, looking to be the same age as the Hokage, with a bald head and a white gotee. His eyes stood out the most being half-lidded but solid black.

The old man meet the sharp gaze of the aged Hokage with a neutral one. "Hiruzen," he spoke gently with a nod. Sarutobi glared harder in response.

"Ganji no Sora, the Sky-bound Philosopher. Had I known such an esteemed scientist was coming I would have greeted you myself."

The Third's words were spoken calmly and casually but the room itself was tense. The other two intruders faced away from the Hokage's station, keeping an eye on the rest of the council. The ninja in said council were ready to attack themselves at the first sign of hostility, much like the hiding ANBU in the rafters. Everyone was ready to make the first move.

Ganji's head tilted very slightly to the left. "Is it a surprise? A good one I hope; I'd hate to ruin the day for everyone."

"What is your business here, Ganji? Last that I heard, you had been killed after the Second Great War for war crimes. And I very much doubt you stopped by to say 'hello' to an old enemy."

The bald man nodded. "Wise as always, sempai. Yes, I came here today to deliver a joyous burden, an important message to the leaders of Konoha," He raised his hand into the air slowly, palm open and pointing up. "Your world, your very reality, shall be made undone soon," he squeezed his hand tightly. His knuckles popped loud enough that the whole room heard, "and remade by my faction, the Prime Zodiac."

One councilor, a civilian woman who ran a orphanage, stood up from her seat in a panic. "It's a declaration of war then, isn't?!" she cried out.

In response, Ganji turned just so his black eyes meet her's. "No, it's not a declaration of war. No it's something far, far greater than that," he now had a slight grin on a otherwise neutral face.

"It is a promise; a promise for a-" something began to happen to the old man. White spirals appeared in his dark orbs, having spun into existence. The council majority flinched.

0o0

Iruka, finished with his punishment, turned around to leave only to bump into someone. He was knocked to the ground and quickly uttered an apology.

"I'm sorry, I really didn't see you thei-" he stopped mid sentence as he looked at who he bumped into.

A robed ninja, wearing a rat mask.

0o0

Itachi was only a block away from the hospital before he stopped. He had sensed a strange burst of chakra from behind and when he turned to look three individuals appeared near the healing facility.

He activated his Sharinganand moved in closer to investigate.

0o0

Kakashi finished his report and proceeded to leave the apartment. He ran into a situation literally right outside it's door. The young ninja looked up from his book to see a group of three masked people heading towards the apartment. He pocketed his book and moved to intercept once he noticed which room they here heading for.

The one with Naruto.

0o0

"- a Revolution!"

0o0

Thank you for reading Chapter One of A Dire Mission: Rescue Naruto! (ADM:RN!)!

Seriously, I greatly appreciate it. This is my first go at sharing my fan-fiction writings via the web and I hope it proves successful.

But anyway, review! Tell me it was awesome! Tell me it sucked! Tell me it was different or just confusing! Tell me what you really think, otherwise I'll just never get better.

Which Reminds me: I really need a beta-reader. I'll be looking for one on the site, but if anybody reading this would like to apply for the job, let me know. I really need a beta-reader!

Peace my people, I'll try to post again soon.

Update: Wow, it hasn't been soon at all. I guess college will keep you pinned down like that. Anyway, I have gone back, cleaned this chapter up a bit, am finishing the second, and I hope to pump out the other chapters more steadily now that I think I have finally adapted to the dorm life.

Out