CHAPTER 3

She tapped her finger upon her desk. Tsunade was one impatient woman; everyone knew that, but of course they never said it unless they wanted to be sent flying across the room. She was over fifty, but she didn't look it. She was strong, everyone knew that. She was a horrible gambler . . . truly horrible.

"Hey! Old Lady, why are we here?" Naruto called out to her as he sauntered into the room-only to have a book thrown at his head. Caught off guard it hit him square in the face. With a hand to his bruised nose, he growled at her and rapidly walked to her desk. "Oye, what was that for!"

"You are late. Uzumaki Naruto. That is why." Tsunade stopped her tapping and fixed him with a glare that sent shivers down his spine. "Now shut up and let me talk, you fool." Looking past him, she addressed everyone else with her eyes. Within the room stood the future shinobi of Konoha.

Team Asuma-Choji, Ino and Shikamaru. Unfortunately, Asuma had died awhile ago, but they had decided to keep their old name.

Team Kurenai-Hinata, Shino, Kiba, Akamaru and Kurenai.

Team Gai-Lee, Neji, Tenten and the 'gallant' Gai.

Last but not least: what used to be Team Kakashi-Kakashi himself, Naruto and Sai.

As Tsunade looked around, she noticed how things had changed. The teams, their looks and personalities.

"Now that we are all here . . . we can get started." Leaning back in her chair, she pulled out a sheet of paper. "There has been a rumor as of late and I've decided that we are going to look into it."

"What is the rumor?" Shikamaru asked with a bored tone.

"Past both the Sound and the Sand is a little country called Nuie. No one from this village has ever been there, in fact, there has never been a reason to go there seeing as it's a poor town with no Shinobi." Tsunade looked at the paper in her hands. "However, this rumor that has been spread around states that the little country has a scroll that teaches a powerful ninjutsu that apparently doesn't need Chakra to work. That in itself is dangerous, but even more so are the guardians that are said to protect this scroll."

"Who could be more dangerous than Naruto?" Kiba said with a grin as he looked at the expressionless Shino. Unawares, Naruto flipped him off.

"These guardians, do not use Chakra either." That brought up a bunch of whispers. "They are born with some type of ore born into the ridges in their spine. These ores give them powers that Chakra would give ninja."

"How is that possible?" Hinata muttered to herself.

"Who knows, but I do know that others will take this seriously. Orochimaru is dead, but the Akatsuki isn't. So we need to get there first. Before that I need-"

"If the Akatsuki go to get this scroll then that means Sasuke might be there!" Naruto cried with realization. "We have to go there now before we lose our chance!"

"If you would let me finish!" Tsunade growled out. "This place is one of the most dangerous of areas. So before you charge off into the unknown . . ." With a grin she tapped her cheek. "You will need someone who has been forced to live in a dangerous place."

"Do you know such a person?" Tenten asked with a worried expression. "And if you do, what will keep him from coming after us?"

"Her friendship with all of you will be enough," Mass confusion was seen around the room. "This person, is your old friend, Haruno Sakura." The confusion was instantly replaced with suprise at the mention of her name. "I will be sending Naruto and Lee to get her while the rest of you wait here."

Naruto shook with excitement. It had been three years since he had seen his old friend and he couldn't wait to see how she had changed.

"Sakura lives in the mountains in a little place called the Village of Katuali. It also happens to be five days away from one of Orochimaru's old hideouts. This place is made up of huge forests that have started many myths. Such as leeches the size of a man's head. These leeches are said to have the ability to suck out your soul if it touches you. Also, there are grasses that if touched . . . they will explode instantly." Many worried and skeptical expressions were seen around the room at this point. "In her reports, Sakura has said that the abandoned hideout has become the hotbed for criminal activity and that deals happen almost every night." Looking at Naruto and Lee she continued. "She has also said that if I were to send someone to get her . . . she couldn't promise they would make it . . ." Lee's sweat dropped just a bit more and Naruto gulped.

"Or get out alive."