-New Konoha- Stage Two: A New Kind of Weapon
As the early morning sun glistened gently on the peaceful city of New Konoha, Naruto was just beginning to awaken. He felt regret for acting so immature towards the new guest in his teacher's house. He yawned, and stretched out on his futon. It was a brand new day. A perfect time for improvement.
In the meantime, Sakura and Kakashi were already eating their breakfast of rice and green tea. Naruto walked in with dragging feet.
"Mornin', everybody," he yawned.
"Good morning, Naruto," Kakashi replied. "We were wondering when you were going to wake up."
Naruto gave a sarcatic chuckle.
"Ha, very funny, Sensei."
Sakura looked up from her dish and took a look at her surroundings.
"Uh, Sensei?" she gently asked.
"Yes, Sakura?" Kakashi spoke.
"Where's Koneko? Is she still sleeping?"
Kakashi took a look around for himself before answering.
"Yes," he confirmed. "Probably."
"Ah," Sakura sighed. "That makes sense."
Naruto joined in on the conversation. He sat down in between his teacher and his companion and grabbed some food and drink for himself.
"Do we know anything more about this girl?" Naruto asked while taking a sip of fresh tea.
Kakashi shook his head and sighed.
"No, sadly we don't," he said. "But after seeing how worn down her sandals were, it's pretty safe to infer she's traveled a long way. And from how unsanitary she was, it's also easy to guess she's been camping out alot."
Sakura blinked in interest.
"What is she even doing here?" she questioned.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Sakura," Kakashi replied. "There are many options."
"Like what?" Naruto jumped in.
Kakashi turned his attention to him.
"Well, Naruto," he started. "She could be lost, a run-away, or even a spy."
Both Naruto and Sakura looked to Kakashi with wide eyes.
"A spy?" they both questioned in unison.
Kakashi nodded.
"Could be."
Just before the conversation could continue on, the sound of another set of footsteps came down the hall. Everyone turned to look and see the source of the noise even though it was quite obvious as to who it was.
Koneko peeked her head around the corner and faced the others with a smile.
Kakashi was the first to say anything.
"Well there you are, Koneko," he smiled. "Nice of you to join us."
"Good morning, Koneko," Sakura added.
Naruto gave a slight wave.
"Yeah," he said. "Mornin'."
Koneko's smile grew larger and brighter.
"Good morning, everyone," she gently said.
Koneko's voice sounded young, but very sophisticated. It was obvious she had spoken with many people above her age level. As quiet as her tone was, there was a sense of power. Even though it hadn't been recognized yet, this girl meant business and only business.
"Oh, and Miss Sakura?" Koneko addressed.
"Yes?" Sakura acknowledged.
"Thank you for letting me borrow some of your clothes, but I have my own with me."
Koneko stepped out from the corner wearing tall, black boots with a miniskirt to match. She wore a red, sleeveless shirt cut at the naval with a collar that circled around her neck. Along with black gloves and black choker to match, the total combination was enough to make Naruto a man.
Evidentally, Naruto's jaw dropped at the very first sight of the ensemble. Sakura on the other hand grew envious.
"Oh great," she thought to herself. "Another girl who can make everyone swoon."
Koneko sat down with the others in between Naruto and Sakura. As she kept a straight face, emotions of lust and envy came from the ones beside her. Kakashi could easily read his students like a book, and chuckled out of amusement.
"Hey, Naruto," Kakashi said to snap him out of a daze and add insult to injury. "You're not supposed to have eye candy for breakfast."
Naruto blushed and made a quick attempt to change the subject.
"So, uh," he began in a rather sharp tone. "Did you figure out the case of the missing weapons?"
Kakashi shook his head.
"No, not yet," he sighed. "I've always been able to figure things like this out. I don't know why it's different this time."
Koneko blinked.
"Missing weapons?" she questioned.
"Yes," Kakashi replied. "During our training, both Naruto and Sakura's weapons vanished into thin air. It was right before you showed up, actually."
Koneko's eyes widened in realization.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "I remember now! That was me!"
Everyone stared at her.
"That was you?" Sakura gasped.
"Yes, it was. I'm sorry, I never gave them back."
Koneko then ran off back to where she had slept the previous night and came back with a bag. She untied the strings with gentle tugs and twists. Then, turning the bag upside down, both Sakura's shuriken and Naruto's kunai knife fell onto the table. Team Seven was highly confused.
Naruto picked up his long-lost weapon and examined it.
"I don't get it," he started off. "How did you get these so quickly and easily?"
"Oh," Koneko replied. "I used my own little weapon."
Sakura blinked.
"Your own little weapon?" she questioned.
"Yes."
Koneko dug into a different part of her bag and searched for her special tool. Again, all everyone could do was stare. Sensei and all. The whole gang was eager to see the surprise their new comrad was about to pull out.
"Here it is!" Koneko shouted as she pulled out the anticipated device.
She placed it on the table for all to see. There sat a paper thin diamond knife-like object with a hole in the center with strings attatched to it. Hooks were placed on the end of each string each at a specific angle. The entire object was practically invisible at first glance.
"Amazing," Sakura whispered. "I've never seen anything like this before in my life."
Kakashi just stared at it with satisfaction.
"Wonderful craftsmanship," he complimented.
"I made it myself," Koneko bragged.
"Yourself? Really?" Naruto asked as he blinked in amazement.
"Yes. In the Rock Village, creating a weapon is a highly respected artform. My brother loves art."
"What is your brother's name?" Naruto added as another question.
"My brother told me not to tell people his name. He says he's wanted by quite a few authorities in many towns and cities."
"Wow," Naruto stated. "A wanted criminal for a brother! Isn't that cool, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi did not reply.
"Eh, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi blinked and looked at his student.
"Oh, sorry Naruto. What did you say?"
"Nevermind it, Sensei."
Koneko was about to mention more about her device, but she stopped suddenly, as if she was sensing something or reacting to an action.
Sakura looked at her with yet another confused stare.
"What is it, Koneko?" she asked.
"Uh," Koneko paused. "N-Nothing! Please excuse me for a minute."
With a bow and a nervous look plastered on her face, Koneko ran out the door and went behind a tree. She checked her surroundings with shifty eyes. After making sure the coast was clear, she ever so gently pulled back her long, flowing bangs and looked through a scope that laid across her right eye. She had been hiding it all along.
She peered through it and gazed hundreds of yards away on the hilltops. Then after a few minutes, a figure waved at her. She stopped and waved in response. As contact was confirmed, both Koneko and the figure turned a hidden knotch on their identical earpieces. They began to communicate.
"How is it going, hmm?" the figure asked.
His voice was deep and manly. He had the same business-like and fortified voice as Koneko. There was certainly going to be a serious discussion by his tone.
"Just fine, but," Koneko replied.
She paused for a moment.
"But what, hmm?" the figure questioned.
"But I sort of showed them the weapon. I'm sorry. They just seemed to facinated with it."
"You what?! That weapon is a secret kept by the Rock Village only whether we hate that damned place or not, yeah!"
"I know! I'm sorry!"
"Oh, I guess it's alright. Those pea-brained Konohans probably don't even know how to pick that thing up, yeah."
Koneko looked back to her caretaker and his students. They were still sitting around the weapon facinated. Fortunately for her, no one had dared to touch it.
"You're right," she finally replied back. "They're clueless."
"Excellent, yeah."
The figure smirked from afar.
Koneko smiled with a prideful grin.
"Now don't forget the plan, yeah," the voice started off again.
"I won't. I promise not to screw up again."
"Good. Very good. You really are becoming a true tyrant, yeah."
"I'm doing the best I can."
"I know. And I'm proud of you. But don't let your pride get the best of you, alright, hmm?"
"Yes, alright."
"Well just go on with being all sweet and innocent until the new moon. I'll meet up with you then. Are you gonna be okay 'til then, hmm?"
"Yes, I will."
"Okay, then that's when we'll meet up again, and then this village is ours for the taking, yeah!"
"That's right!"
"Now I must bid you farewell. I'll see you at the new moon. Same spot, same time, un."
"I'm ready for it."
"But before I go, what did I teach you to always keep in mind, hmm?"
"'Art is a bang'!"
The mysterious voice chuckled.
"That's my sister, yeah!"
"And that's my brother."
"Good luck, and Godspeed, yeah."
"Right see you then."
From there, Koneko turned her earpiece off and went back to join the others with a plan in her mind and pride in her heart. She was excited and estatic over her quest, but she knew she had to stay quiet for just a bit longer for bother her and her brother's sake. There was going to be a showdown, and she was more than ready. Konoha, new or not, was going to crumble, shatter and fall to its knees. It was only a matter of time.