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Chapter 2: I'm Ready

Flashback

"Aoi-san! The 5th Hokage summons you now!" the ANBU guy said.

What? After all these years, now they summon me? Why? For what reason?

"I'll be there in an hour." I replied.

The ANBU guy nodded. Just before he left, he turned around and said, "Oh, and Aoi-san, you'll probably need to bring all your belongings with you."

End of Flashback

Aoi's POV

I'm glad I'm a ninja. I can just fly instead of walking to the Hokage's building. Feeling the wind pass by me while leaping from tree to tree soothed my anger. But why? Why do they need me now? What's their reason? Haven't I suffered enough? Out of all these years, no one, NO ONE, even called for me. Why do they call me now? I thought.

My mind was puzzled for the moment. I couldn't think of an answer, but I tried to think of one. No answer popped through my head. It was blank. I feel like I have a headache because of this.

Finally! A sight of buildings! , I thought. Konoha hasn't changed much. Wait. Why is there another face after the 4th Hokage's? The village must've chosen another Hokage. What happened to the Third then?

A girl who had pink hair, fair skin, and looked about 16 or 17 years old was right in front of the Hokage's building entrance. Because of the headband located on her head, she must be a ninja. She was looking around continuously, as if she was looking for someone. And then she saw me. Her eyes then sparkled and she smiled, like she found what she needed, and walked towards me.

"Hi! I'm Sakura. Are you Aoi?" she asked in a cheery tone.

"Yeah. I'm Aoi. It's nice to meet you." I replied, smiling.

"I guess you can say I'm your "tour guide" around Konoha and I'm in charge of bringing you to the Hokage, Lady Tsunade." she said.

"Really? Cool! Oh, and speaking of the Hokage, what happened to the Third Hokage?"

"He died during the Chunnin Exams two years ago in order to save the village. Then, Lady Tsunade was chosen as our new Hokage, the 5th."

"Oh I see." I said in a sad voice. So the Third's dead. He was just like a grandpa to me…

Sakura, analyzing my sad face and voice, tried to lighten up the mood.

"The Third died as a hero. He was a brave man who cared for others. His teachings will pass on to the new generation and the next." she then paused, but then continued, "Um… I think it's time to go see Lady Tsunade. Shall we go?"

"Sure! Let's go", I answered in a fake cheery voice. (It wasn't obvious to tell it was fake though :D)

Sakura leaded the way to the Hokage's room. When we finally reached her room, I looked around. Many other people were in there. Since all of them have Leaf headbands, they must be ninjas. I think the lady sitting in the chair must be the Hokage. She had light blonde hair, split into two loose pigtails. She looked fairly young, especially to be a hokage. Other people surrounding her looked my age, sixteen or seventeen, except for some other people and a pig.

"Are you Aoi?" the Hokage asked.

"Yeah, and you must be the new hokage." I replied, emphasizing the word "new".

"Well, it's nice to finally meet you. I've heard a LOT about you from the ANBU in charge of you these past few years." she said.

It was a one-on-one simple conversation between me and her. I think it's not that simple though.

"You didn't call me all this way to just meet me, right?" I asked.

"You catch on quick. Yes, you are right. There's more. See all these people around you?" she asked back.

"Yeah."

"You're going to go on a mission with all these people… tomorrow morning."

"Really? Cool! Wait…what?"

"You heard what I just said. You're going on a mission tomorrow with these people"

"Is Sakura going on this mission too?"

"And us too. Don't forget about us." A blonde, blue eyed boy said and continued," Hi! I'm Naruto Uzamaki!"

"Err… um... hi. I'm Aoi" I replied.

"I'll introduce you to the rest. This is…" Naruto said but was interrupted by the Hokage.

"Shut up Naruto! You can introduce her to the others later."

"Um… Lady Tsunade, one question." I said.

"Go ahead."

"What's my mission about?"

"Good question. I already told everyone else about it. Ok… everyone else except for Kakashi, Yamato, Guy, Neji, Shikamaru, and Tenten stay."

"Hai", everyone else said and left without hesitation.

"Aoi, as the Hokage, I'm making you a Chunnin."

"Wait. Why? Do I even have the experience? Am I strong enough? Am I even qualified? Why don't I have to take the Chunnin exams?"

My jaws dropped. I was shocked. Is she crazy? She's actually turning me into a Chunnin, without hesitation between her words. She then continued with what she was saying.

"Yes, you are and you know why. There's no reason for you to take the Chunnin Exams. Why? Here's the reason. I knew your parents a long time ago. They had strong hearts and were strong, very strong. They must've taught you most of their jutsu before they passed away?"

"All except one. The last was a forbidden jutsu."

"Oh, well then that's fine. Ok. Aoi, I now grant you a Chunnin."

"Wow… Thank you."

I felt happy. My parents would have been very proud if they were here. If only they were here…

"Now onto the details about the mission…" Lady Tsunade said, "It's an S-rank mission. Your mission… is to find Uchiha Sasuke."

My eyes widened. Now I think she really is crazy. She makes me a Chunnin with no requirements or even take the Chunnin Exams. After that, she hands me an S- rank mission. Is she out-of-her-mind?

"Um, Lady Hokage, even though you call me strong, I'm a newbie. I haven't participated in a single mission. Furthermore, I lack experience, so I think should start off with D-rank or C-rank missions. Are you sure I'm capable enough?"

"Aoi, I choose my people wisely. I know you lack experience, but you are well-suited for this mission. You have something others don't. You know what it is."

"…"

I was out of words. This Hokage sure got her way through words.

"On with the details of the mission. The Jonin that have stayed back will be working together in leading this mission. Since Kurenai is out with her baby, Guy will lead Team Kurenai, consisting of Shino, Hinata, and Kiba. Because Neji is jonin, he will be the leader of Team Guy's group, consisting Tenten and Lee. Shikamaru will lead Ino and Chouji. Kakashi, the guy with the spiky gray hair and the mask, and Yamato, the guy with the short brown hair, will lead a bigger squad. They'll have Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and you, Aoi."

Right after she stopped speaking, the gray hair dude, Kakashi, gestured a peace sign while the

"Lady Tsunade, I'm a Chunnin. Why are you making me a leader?" a guy with a spiky hair in a high ponytail said.

"Shikamaru, you know better. You could have been a Jonin know if you had taken the exams, but noooo, it's too troublesome for you. You're the smartest people in the Fire Country. I'm sure you'll be fine leading a group." Lady Tsunade replied.

"What a drag… fine" he replied.

"Ok then." Lady Hokage said, "Everyone except Tenten, get out!"

Hehe… told ya it would be longer this time. Please read the next chapter when it's out! Thx!