Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Percy Jackson and the Olympians; they belong to their respective owners. This is purely for entertainment and not profit.


Interlude One:

Sandaime Hokage


Lord

noun

1.

a person who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler.

2.

a person who is a leader or has great influence in a chosen profession: the great lords of banking.

3.

a feudal superior; the proprietor of a manor.

4.

a titled nobleman or peer; a person whose ordinary appellation contains by courtesy the title Lord or some higher title.

5.

the title of certain high officials (used with some other title, name, or the like): Lord Mayor of London.

Professor

noun

1.

a teacher of the highest academic rank in a college or university, who has been awarded the title Professor in a particular branch of learning; a full professor: a professor of Spanish literature.

2.

any teacher who has the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor.

3.

a teacher.

4.

an instructor in some art or skilled sport: a professor of singing; a professor of boxing.


Sarutobi Hiruzen took a long draft from his pipe. Chalky smoke billowed out from his mouth as he exhaled. Initial reports from the Anbu stationed near the gate had Team Seven entering the village three minutes ago. He glanced at the sun.

They had a captive so Kakashi would pause and let the Interrogation corps bring them back to their medical facility. Two minutes ago.

The clock ticked with each second. He sucked in another bout of nicotine. They would arrive by rooftop in six four minutes. He exhaled again; causing a coughing fit to sprout from his weathered lungs. Even after earning the title of Professor and Kami no Shinobi; he still hadn't mastered the art of smoking. Three minutes now.

He shuffled reports off of his desk; into the drawer containing his crystal ball. Jiraya's reports were interesting indeed. Two minutes.

He knocked the excess tobacco into the trash and refilled his pipe. They entered the building; one minute. He refilled it and lit the pipe with a minor Katon jutsu. Twenty Seconds.

Nineteen

Eighteen

Seventeen

Sixteen

Fifteen

Fourteen

Thirteen

Twelve

Eleven

Ten

Nine

Eight

Seven

Six

Five

Four

Three

Two

One

He paused waiting for the knock. It never came. 'Odd,' he thought to himself. 'I was sure I had gotten the timing correct.' One minute later the knock came. He bid them enter and straightened in his chair. 'Ah, that's right,' he thought in distaste. 'Kakashi.'

The four entered his office, silently. The heavy atmosphere was broken by one thing.

"Oi, Jii-san," Naruto cried happily, waving his arms frantically from where he stood. Sarutobi chuckled; the boy was certainly a spot of sunshine. His eyes scanned them; not failing to notice the bronze sword, the tightened eyes of the Uchiha or the stiff back of the Haruno girl.

When he spoke his gravely, grandfather like voice was replaced by the sharp tone of the Hokage. "Report."

The next few hours were spent review every detail from each perspective. An oddity that didn't go unnoticed by Sasuke. He was quite proud to find that Naruto defeated two ronin on his own.

He sucked in a breath, past the pipe clenched in his teeth. He turned his head towards Naruto; the boy was still rocking on his heels in impatience. Perhaps Ebisu would help correct that. He glanced at the bronze sword and motioned for Naruto to hand it to him.

He turned it over in his hands; examining every detail, committing them to memory. His brow rose in surprise at the strange symbols along the blade.

He couldn't make them out but he had seen something similar before. He would have the research division looking through the archives tonight. They couldn't have a strange weapon near their Jinchuuriki after all. Not after that Fiasco with the Gobi Jinchuuriki in Iwa.

Just as he was going to hand it back it disappeared from his palm. Startled, the Anbu guarding the room sprang from their spots, kunai and blades in hand.

It reappeared in Naruto's hands. He flushed lightly and glanced up at him.

Research indeed. It seemed even if it were to be taken away it would just return to Naruto. He motioned for one of the Anbu to alert the research division of their assignment; and for the rest to resume their positions.

He took another draft from his pipe before signing the pay ledger for each member. It was bumped up to an A rank mission after all. He would have to send someone to collect the funds, he mused silently.

With a wave of his hand he dismissed Team Seven from his office.


Translations:

Kami no Shinobi – God of Shinobi

Katon – Fire style