After such a LONG wait I'm finally posting chapter 4. I've had the outlines for chapters 4-6 sitting on my desk for awhile. Thank goodness I've finally got to them. This is indeed one my best chapters.

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Chapter 4

"The Falling Leaves"

The two rouge ninja, Hidan and Kakuzu, continued to approach there Destination to obtain their target; The Fifth Kazakage himself, Gaara of the Desert. It'd been only a week since they received their assignments. It was actually short notice. Though previously assigned to go after the Two-Tails……Their Leader thought of something better. A better plan. Unknown to most of the organization, this plan would mean nothing for them. But for HIM, it would definitely be something……

"(Sighs)….Finally." said Hidan. "Please tell me that's the village gate."

"No."

'C'mon!! You know it's against the commandments to go so long without killing…"

"We'll get there when we GET THERE!!"

"Can't we just—

Suddenly Kakuzu stops to survey the area and takes out his map. But before he can look at it, someone come comes out of the ground…

"Zetsu." said Kakuzu. "What is it now?"

"Nothing really… (Yes it's something!!) We just want to… (Don't screw this up!!) Inform you that Deidara and Sasori are in position. (I look forward to my next corpse!!)

"Huh?" said Hidan.

"I hate it when you two talk at the same time…." said Kakuzu. "But anyway, don't worry….we won't screw this up at all."

"(Yeah right…)" thought Hidan

"In fact I hear that a legendary puppet user resides in the Sand. She's known for her Dance of 10 Chikamatsu Puppets or "Quintessential Ten Fingers". Strangely, she's still alive to this day. I hear she has a Bounty on her."

"Focus on the Mission!!" yelled Zetsu

In the Leaf Village

After quite some search, Naruto finally found Asuma Sarutobi and asked him to teach him the game of Shogi. Surprisingly, Asuma did have some free time on his hands and told Naruto to meet him at Shikamaru's house. He would teach Naruto as he played Shikamaru. Excited at this Naruto couldn't wait. But unknown to Asuma, the only reason Naruto wanted to learn was to one day beat Shikamaru and prove to everyone just how smart he was.

After this, Naruto decided to go ask Tsunade if she had any missions for him. But on his way there he came across an ANBU walking pass him in the streets. He had the usual animal mask, cloak, armor, and weapons on his back; but something about this man troubled Naruto. He dropped the thought, however, and went on to the Hokage's Mansion.

"Lady Tsunade!!" yelled Naruto as he bust through the door. "Please tell me you have a mission for me!"

"No I don't. Can't you just take the day off for once?'
"But—

Suddenly Shino Aburame steps into Tsunade's office.

"Yes Shino…"

"Umm….Lady Tsunade, I wanted your permission to umm…..run an experiment, for—

"If it's for your Bugs Shino….You have my permission. I trust that you want damage the forest." said Tsunade.

"Thank you ma'am."

"Shino wait! Why don't you take Naruto with you?"

"But…."

"That's an order to BOTH of you!! Now please get out of my office. I haven't slept in days."

As Shino and Naruto hesitantly walked out the room, Shino gave a long lecture to Naruto not to screw anything up as he practiced his new Jutsu in the forest. Naruto told him that he wouldn't stay long because of his appointment with Asuma. He wasn't interested at all in Shino's bugs. In fact, the only reason Naruto was going with him in the first place was because he was bored.

When the two got to the Village Gate, they noticed that no one was there to greet them neither at the booth nor by the two large doors. Shino's bugs were already starting to act up. It was clear to Shino what they were reacting to………….corpses.

"Naruto!!! Check the booth…."

"Wh….what?"

"Quickly…"

As Naruto looked over, he was immediately shocked to see two men lying on the ground. No doubt about it; they were just murdered. But if so, why was it that no one neither saw nor heard the commotion? Was there any commotion? Or even a battle?! All of these questions ran through the minds of Shino and Naruto as they continued to stare at the necks of the victims……

"…..Darts?" asked Naruto with a puzzled face.

"Poison…..by the looks of it. It must have instantly paralyzed them, then….Never mind, we have to…"

Ignoring Shino, Naruto immediately began dashing back into the Village trying to get back to the Hokage's Mansion. Shino took it upon himself to start investing the Actual Walls that Surrounded the Village. Suddenly, with no warning he saw someone dashing out of the woods at lightning speed.

"Guy?" said Shino. "What are you…"

"Did you see him?!! Where is he?!!

"What happened?"

"I saw him on my way back to the Village. Black cloak with red clouds!! I lost track of him.

Shino's Heart Sank. At that time he hated himself for being right then….All of his worst fears became reality in just a day. Guy was the first to realize it; now Shino too,…..All that left now was…

Leaf Village Street

Neji quickly noticed that he wasn't from the Leaf at all. And quickly got up and ran after him. But it was too difficult to get through the busy crowds walking down the street. He knew he had to get to him in time so he simply pushed people out of the way and continued his pursuit. He knew this would blow his cover. Quickly realizing that someone was following him, and that there was no reason to delay any further, the suspect started to run, and hid himself in a dark alley beside one of the stores. But nobody paid any attention to him because of what they saw when they looked up…..

Neji finally made it to the alley but only saw clothes….

The hallway leading to Tsunade's office

As Naruto was running down the hallway towards her office, other Shinobi were running in the opposite direction. They were all headed outside to see what all the commotion was about outside. Naruto finally made it in her office and saw her looking out the window…

"Lady Tsunade!! The guards at the Village Gate were murdered!!" yelled Naruto.

"What?!!" yelled Tsunade as she turned around to speak "What happened?"

"Someone's invaded the—

Naruto simply stopped….He watched in horror as what appeared to be a black rope, latched on to the Window ledge. A second after that he saw man with red hair…….and several Leaf Ninja behind him…. The rope started to coil up in what looked like a hole in his stomach and at the same exact time he held up the palms of his hands towards the window which had small holes in the center of them. They simply emitted flame.

As the people on the street watched what appeared to a flock of birds flying right past the few of the Sun….They heard it. The sound of frantic screams coming from the Hokage's mansion. But before they could react…the birds quickly swooped down unexpectedly. They exploded on impact.

Just outside the Sand Village

"Please!!!......Kakuzu….can't we just take a 30 second break..."

"We're here…."

"Heh heh..….I can actually see the gate...... but we still got a ways to go!!"

"Don't worry. Just keep walking. They'll come to us."

On the rooftops, the watchmen easily spotted the two with their binoculars and other scouting equipment. They quickly noticed the red clouds on their robes and immediately took action.

"My Lord…It's them!! Akatsuki!! They're approaching the Village. We're not prepared!!"

"I'll handle it…"

"Lord Kazakage, I'll send back up to go with…….umm…..Lord Kazakage?"

"Just send Temari and Kankuro…"

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Bran The Man