Lady Tsunade sat at her desk while absentmindedly skimming through a report while her assistant Shizune stood nearby. She bit back a sigh as she glanced at the enormous pile to her left—almost completely blocking her view. First the unexplained explosion and now this. She needed a drink. Eyeing what she could see of Shizune, Lady Tsunade slowly reached for her sake cabinet. Although it was argued that having such things is not fit for a Hokage, Tsunade couldn't care less.
Just as her hand began to grasp the handle, several ninjas walked in: Neji Hyūga led the way and Sakura Haruno and Tenten followed.
"Hello." Shizune welcomed the group.
"What is it?" Tsunade demanded, "Wait, first, where is Naruto?"
"Sorry Milady." Sakura began sheepishly, "Naruto got in a fight, but the mission was a success."
"The whole point of the mission was to teach the two of you not to get in pointless fights." Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a sigh while Sakura bowed her head in apology, "Was there any damage?"
Tenten spoke from Sakura's left, "Just an explosion and three unconscious people."
"Including Naruto." Neji added in his solemn tone.
"Anything serious, Sakura?" Tsunade inquired.
"No Milady, but it did warrant a hospital visit."
"Who are the other injured, the academy kids?"
"No Milady. A boy and girl—possibly ninjas. The girl was unconscious when we approached the scene; the boy engaged Naruto."
Lady Tsunade's hand crept towards the sake again. The other ninja stood erect as they waited for instructions.
"Sakura, you are dismissed to the hospital. Check on Naruto and our other guests." She commanded.
"Yes, Milady." Sakura said and dashed out of the building.
"Tenten, Neji. Provide me with the details." Tsunade instructed.
The ninjas gave a quick report; well, Neji did. He provided primary information that he himself saw and details provided to him by Sakura. Tenten merely added minor details. As the tale continued, Tsunade became troubled. When Tenten added that Sakura thought that the girl fell from a high place, but that there was no higher ground, the Hokage let out a small gasp. Coincidently, as soon as the report finished, a ninja burst through the room in an array of smoke and spandex. This consequently launched all the paper in the air. Paper rained down as the ninja was followed closely by another ninja who came in silently.
Neji turned to the new arrivals, "Lee, Sai. Why did you leave the hospital?"
Sai answered for them, "The occupants are safe, but Kakashi demanded we come here."
"Why?" Tsunade asked warily as she rose from her desk.
"He said something about a Star Clan!" Lee yelled, throwing his arms in the air
"What!?" Tsunade roared as Shizune gasped.
The group of ninja took a step back. They had never seen the Hokage so panicked.
"Who is the Star Clan?" Neji asked, ever calm.
"They should be dead." Tsunade said bitterly.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Tenten asked.
Lee nodded his head in eager agreement. Tsuande was suddenly reminded of how young these ninja were.
"Not now. You are dismissed. Relax, eat out. Enjoy yourselves."
The group saluted, "Yes ma'am!"
They scattered as Lady Tsunade stalked to her desk and sat down heavily. She wrenched open her sake cabinet and took a long drink.
"Lady Tsunade," Shizune asked softly, "I have only heard rumors—myths, really—of the infamous Star Clan. I wasn't aware they truly existed; I thought they were a children's tale to convince kids to behave."
"I would have agreed with you if I had not first-hand seen the carnage this clan can do."
"But, devouring souls? The Path of the Demon? Surely these sound almost fictional to me."
"I wish it was fictional. Never have I seen nine assassins—I refuse to refer to them as ninjas—do so much damage. I was once said that they were too mad for one world so they had a second one."
"Weren't they exterminated?"
"We had hoped so. We only succeeded in driving them out, never to be seen again."
"Shit." That was the first time Tsuande ever heard Shizune curse.
"Let's get ready to question the ninjas at the hospital." Tsunade said finally and took another swig of her sake.
