DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto.

"Uzumaki," Naruto heard a calm, emotionless voice behind him. "Tsunade-sama wants to see all the genin and chuunin in front of the mansion. I figured I'd better let you know."

Naruto Uzumaki turned to see Shino. Nodding sternly, Shino gestured the blond genin to follow him. They walked together silently to the training grounds. 'I wonder what Granny Tsunade wants from us.' Naruto speculated.

As they arrived at the training grounds they observed that all of the genin and a handful of chuunin had already arrived. Rock Lee jogged over to them, Shikamaru close behind. "I heard Orochimaru is on the run again and had been spotted!" Lee announced to Naruto. "I have a feeling that maybe that is what Tsunade-sama wants to talk about!"

"But then what about the jonin and ANBU?" Shino disagreed. "Why would she only want to talk to us?"

Naruto and Lee shrugged.

"They probably want them to recover," Lee said. "Most of them are either hurt or gone on a mission."

"I hope it's something AWESOME!" was all Naruto had to say.

Naruto suddenly spotted Sakura across the field talking to Ino and Tenten. "Sakura!" Naruto shouted, waving excitedly. "Over here, Sakura!"

Rolling her eyes, Sakura ignored him and continued her conversation with Ino, dwelling on how "adorable" Sasuke's eyes were. "Seriously, Sakura, I don't see what is so great about that guy!" Tenten disputed. "There are a lot of great fighters in the Leaf Village, not just him! Plus, I've never even seen him use ninja tools!" She smirked, adjusting her left hair bun. She motioned over towards Neji. "Now there is a real man."

Ino and Sakura both made gagging faces. Even if they both thought Neji was hot, Sasuke was sooo much hotter.

"Genin and Chuunin, please approach the center of the training grounds," Lady Tsunade's voice called out. "I have a very important announcement to make!"

Naruto, Lee, and Shino walked over to the heart of the field. Naruto spotted Hinata and waved, smiling brightly. Hinata blushed deeply and almost fainted, but managed to wave back.

"We are understanding that the ANBU and Jonin are either ill, injured, or off on missions," she cleared her throat and began to speak again. "We made the risky decision to send 3 genin or chuunin off on a very dangerous mission."

The whole assembly of genin and chuunin gasped, some eyes wide with shock, and murmurs erupted throughout the crowd. "They can't be serious!" Chouji exclaimed. "How will we eat?"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes and said, "What a troublesome mission."

"QUIET!" Tsunade erupted. "You will have your time to ask questions, now is the time to LISTEN!" She nodded to Shizune, who began to speak.

"Three genin or chuunin will be sent on their way," she inhaled deeply, bracing herself for the response. "To track, and hopefully capture Orochimaru."

When those words escaped her lips, all hell broke loose. There were shouts of disagreements. "We'll die out there!" a blonde chuunin kunoichi protested.

"We don't stand a chance, especially the genins!" another ninja agreed.

"The mission isn't mandatory," Shizune continued. "If you don't want to go, simply don't volunteer."

"And also remember," Tsunade reminded. "We have complete faith in our ninja; we don't expect them to fail. I think they stand a chance if they work together, even against Orochimaru."

A few nin shook their head, while others nodded in agreement.

"If you would like to attend this mission, come to my office as soon as possible starting tomorrow," Tsunade instructed. "We will accept no more than three to go on the mission. I will hopefully see you tomorrow."

THE NEXT DAY

Sakura Haruno was walking down the road of the Leaf Village center. As she was pacing, she saw a glimpse of Tsunade's office. 'Hmmm, I wonder who's going on that Orochimaru mission,' She pondered. 'Someone really powerful like Sasuke should sign up! Wait!' Then it hit her. 'Sasuke probably ALREADY signed up! He is so ahead of everyone he was the first one to volunteer! I HAVE to go if Sasuke is going; I just have to!' Sakura bolted down the street towards the Hokage's mansion. Little did she know, Sasuke was securely asleep in bed, not even thinking of the mission. He wasn't planning on it either.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama, I would like to go on the mission!" Sakura repeated proudly.

"OK..." Tsunade's voice trailed. 'Why on earth does Sakura want to go? I mean I knew she wanted to get stronger...but this mission is dangerous. Ahh well I have faith in her.' Her mind wandered.

"Well, when we get the other 2 nin, which is hopefully by the end of today, we'll meet back here at my office for the briefing." Tsunade smiled, guiding the young kunoichi towards the door.

"Other 2?" Sakura asked, her eyes wide with horror. "You mean I'm the first one to sign up?!"

Tsunade smiled brightly. "I truly honor your bravery, young Sakura-chan."

The color drained from her face as the Hokage led her out the door. She left the mansion gates slowly, her mind racing. 'What have I gotten my self into now?' was all she could think.

AUTHORS NOTE Haha aren't I good, it's only been about a day. Well I hope you liked it. The next chapter or two will be the major sign-ups and some drama, and then I'm planning on the mission beginning! PLEASE review review review! The more you review, the faster I update!

Ohh and thanks to my awesome beta, Kyubbi-Kitsune!