Chapter 2- Secrecy
One year had passed, and already so much had changed. Once Konoha was rebuilt, Danzo had his new surface root base up and running and ready for recruiting. He moslty took in different higher up clan genin, but every once in a while he took in a shinobi of interest. The ones not selected were left at the academy, and were left to the regular teaching methods. Danzo's changes didn't end with education, and they were under what Danzo considered was "significant". After Tsunade had recovered, he ordered her to take over the medical corp. Not one to be ordered, Tsunade wanted to knock Danzo right out of her chair. However, when he suggested that he could just exile her and have one of his root take over the corps, Tsunade decided she would take over if only to keep something under the right control. Danzo also upped the difficulty of the missions for Jonin and Genin alike. He took out missions like cleaning and yard work completely to keep the genin vigilant, which meant that genin had to take mostly escort missions. While many of the missions went well, there were a few that went bad and it cost many young genin teams a member or two. This of course brought up roars from both the shinobi and civilian councils. Danzo responded with that it was Hiruzen's weak influence that caused the failure of these genin being unprepared for these types of missions. This appalled the council members since Danzo was insulting the man they revered as one of the greatest shinobi to have been Hokage in Konoha. Danzo merely shrugged off their reaction and told them that what he was doing was all to make the village stronger. Many wanted to speak out against this, but Danzo had already had a type grip on the village thanks to many of his root shinobi becoming the main enforcers of the village. No one could speak out openly against Danzo would be dealt with by them like hawks catching a mouse. Such was the rule of Danzo and that was just within 3 months. At the present, Team 10 just returned from their latest mission to clear a town of bandits.
"Ugh thats the fourth mission we've had in a month thats required us to clear out badits or rouge ninja from a village. I need a nap," said Shikamaru, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I could use a bite to eat. Anyone wanna come along?" asked Choji, having a tired look on his face.
"For once, I think I'll take you up on that offer. I just need to have a relaxing moment for today," said Ino, whose hair was thrown around.
The trio entered their favorite restaurant, and found that team 8 sitting at a round booth.
"Hey guys, you look like you've been through hell," said Kiba, while the team sat down with them.
"It's these missions that is getting to us. It's as if Danzo wants us to fail on these things," said Choji, putting some meat on the grill.
"We also had a mission where we had to take care of whole platoon of mercenaries on their way to a village in fire country. The logical thing would have been to send at least two teams, but he decided to send just us," said Shino, whose right arm was bandaged up from the mission.
"I've heard he does it to motivate shinobi into going into Root to sharpen their skill and make them emotionless weapons for him," said Kiba, saying in a low voice so as not to be heard.
"Either way I'm getting sick of it. Look at my hair!" said Ino, trying to fix her hair that had gone all over th place.
"It's not that bad Ino," said Hinata, trying to comfort her friend in vain.
"Besides, you needed a new hair cut any way," joked Shikamaru, getting an angry glance from Ino and a laugh from the others.
"I thought I heard you guys in here," said Sakura, walking into the restaurant.
"Hey Sakura. How was work at the hospital?" asked Kiba, shifting over with the others so that Sakura could join them.
"Ugh, it was miserable. Over fourty patients, most of them shinobi on missions. Danzo is shedding a lot of blood," said Sakura, laying back in the booth catching her breath.
Ever since Naruto disappeared, Sai resumed his Root responsibilities, and Tsunade was head of the medical corp Sakura decided to help Tsunade in medical works and jobs. Ever since Danzo had upped mission difficulties, the hospital was practically over flowing at times. Even after being able to heal many individuals during the Pein Invasion she was still being overwhelmed.
"Wow, didn't know things were that bad. We were just recounting the troubles we had in our last missions," said Choji, setting some beef on his plate.
"It's practically no better than you're situation Sakura. We're all being worked to the bone around here," said Ino, taking a bite from her meal.
"Even with how difficult it is, I can't help but think that Naruto would be enjoying the up in mission difficulty," Kiba chuckled at the thought.
"Yea, he'd be saying that each one was fun and he couldn't wait to do it again," said Sakura, as the others chuckled along with her.
"And now, this all seems out of place without him," said Shikamaru, as everyone else nodded solemnly in agreement.
"But it's not like he's dead. He's out there somewhere right?" said Hinata, trying to cheer them up.
"Yes Hinata, but until something is... changed about Danzo, Naruto cannot return to Konoha," said Shino, saying the last part lowly so as not to be heard.
"Until that time should or if it comes, there isn't much we can do," said Sakura, going back to enjoying her meal.
Upon finishing their meal, the group of seven exited the restaurant in time for a representative from the medical corp.
"I'm on my way back I know my break's done," said Sakura, trying to discern the member of the medical corp.
"Actually, Sakura-san, Tsunade-sama wishes to speak to Hinata-san," said the member, confusing the group.
"W-what does she want?" asked Hinata nervously.
"She wouldn't say to me, but did request you personally," said the Med. corp. member.
Hinata went with Sakura and the Med. corp. member back to the main bulidng of the Medical corp. that was put in during the rebuilding of the village. Upon entering the compound, Sakura waved goodbye and went back to her duties while Hinata was lead to Tsunade's office. When she entered the office, she found Tsunade sitting at her desk filling out paperwork, but stopped after noticing that Hinata had arrived.
"Good you've arrived. That will be all Elaina," said Tsunade, as Elaina bowed and left.
"Is there something you need from me, Tsunade-sama?" asked Hinata, seeing Tsunade motion her to have a seat in font of her desk.
"Hinata, I have called you here for an important assignment, however the contents must be discussed in private," said Tsunade, putting up a barrier of silence.
"As many are not aware, when Jiraiya died he left his spy network to me in order to continue to find any Akatsuki members left. However, after a couple of months with no Akatsuki movement, I decided to set them on a different assignment: locate Naruto Uzumaki."
"You've found Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked excitedly, trying not to jump out of her chair.
"Yes, but to his credit he hasn't made it easy. I just recieved the info a week ago, and the info tells that he's been sighted in Amegakure," said Tsunade putting her elbows on the desk in front of her.
"So, what is it you need from me?" asked Hinata.
"I thought it would be obvious. I want you to find Naruto in Ame," said Tsunade, recieving a shocked look from Hinata.
"What? W-why me? Why not Sakura or Kiba or one of the others?" asked Hinata franticly.
"I need Sakura here, and the assignment does not require multiple people. Additionally, the person for this assignment is someone who seems unsuspecting to the Root operatives," said Tsunade, seeing Hinata look down in thought, "listen Hinata if you want me to get someone else to do it-"
"No!" said Hinata, stopping Tsunade and regaining her composure, "I'll take the mission. I just want to know what you want me to do once I find him. Do you want me to bring him back?"
"No no best he stays where he is until something can be worked out. I need you to inform him whats happened and stay there. I will send you a messenger bird giving you updates on the situation back here. Understood?" asked Tsunade, as Hinata gave an affirmitive nod, "Good. Here is the false details to fool the gate guards. It states that you will be going on a long term expedition to find new medical supplements for our village and you leave tomorrow."
"Understood. I'll go get ready, Tsunade-sama," said Hinata getting up from her chain and bowing to the former Hokage.
"Hinata," said Tsunade, getting the Hyuga heiresses attention, "good luck to you."
"Thank you Tsunade-sama," said Hinata as she exited the room.=
As Hinata left the Medical corp. building, she found Kiba and Shino waiting for her outside.
"What did Tsunade want with you?" asked Kiba, walking next to his teammate.
"She wants me to go on a long expedition to look into some new medical supplements for the village," said Hinata, handing him the mission assignment file.
"Just you? Why not Sakura or Ino?" asked Shino, curious as to why a non-medical corp. member would be sent on an assignment like this.
"She needs both of them here to continue healing. It's not too difficult I'll be fine," said Hinata giving a confident smile to her teammates.
"Alright, just be careful out there Hinata," said Kiba, while Shino gave a nod and left with Kiba and Akamaru.
Hinata was in thought the whole way back to the Hyuga estate. The prospect of seeing Naruto again was very exhilarating and breathtaking. Upon entering the estate, she told her father her assignment and was given the run around about her action dictated the reputation of the clan before he told her to be careful and he loved her. She went to her room and packed enought to find Naruto and someother items to keep herself safe. She went to bed to get an early rise on her mission.
Upon waking up, Hinata showered, got dressed and headed for the gate. Upon coming to the entrance she was stopped by the guard.
"Name and where you're going," stated the guard, a regular chunin.
"Hinata Hyuga, on a mission for Medical corp," said Hinata, handing her assignment folder to the guard.
"Everything checks out. You stay safe," said the guard, while Hinata bowed in respect and proceeded to leave.
As she left, she didn't notice the Root anbu on the wall watch tower seeing her leave. He decided to report back to Danzo directly.
"So, Tsunade decided to send a non-medical corp shinobi to gather new medical supplements for the village. Interesting," said Danzo, rubbing his chin in thought.
"In her defense, Danzo-sama, the medical corp. has been very busy so she can't afford to expend any of her own," said Sai, who was a commander amongst the Root ranks.
"...We'll leave it be for now. For now, go about you're usual routes and continue to train the recruits," said Danzo, as everyone bowed and left Danzo's office.
"Danzo looked onto the map in front of his desk. It had multiple X's on it and each one was in close proximity to each of the great shinobi villages. Danzo smirked at the plans that were coming to fruition.
(A/N: Wuzzup! More setup for the following chapters. I think this was a good chapter to set up the future. Also,, Neji's team is out on a mission so that's why they weren't here. Alright, till next time. Cya.)