Chapter 7: Team Kakashi Deployed to The Hidden Sand
Kakashi's P.O.V:
I had just finished reading Make Out Tactics for the second time, Master Jiraiya's works really are literature masterpieces, I sighed as I closed it "Brilliant, it's even better reading it a second time. Right, I guess I should get some sleep, busy day ahead of myself and the old Squad 7 tomorrow" and with that I turned off my light, but the sun was…rising? I looked out the window whilst saying "Huh it's morning already?" and I put the book down and shuffled across my bed to put my slippers on and walked to my desk to look through my papers for the unit dossier whilst saying "Oh no that's not good, I still haven't made up that Personnel list for the new Squad. That's not it, no, not that where'd I put it?"
Naruko's P.O.V:
It was a beautiful morning and I couldn't wait to go on my first mission with Team Kakashi today, I had just finished getting dressed, and I looked at myself in the mirror, to make sure everything looked ok before smiling and saying "Alright! Time to meet the rest of the team, and get started" and with that I left and headed to where I was meeting the rest of Team Kakashi
Sakura's P.O.V:
I had just finished getting ready for the day I looked at myself in the mirror and said "Lets go to work" and with that I was off to meet my Team
Sasuke's P.O.V:
I had just finished my breakfast I looked at the clock and said "Time to get started" and with that I was off to meet the others
Kakashi's P.O.V:
I was late, but it was my own fault for reading the book again suddenly I heard Naruko say "There you are! You're late!" then Sakura "Finally Sensei" and finally Sasuke "It's about time you got here" I just walked up to them rubbing the back of my neck in embarrassment "Yeah um sorry about that, it took me a lot longer than I thought to uh finalise the new Squad dossier" and of course Naruko was as loud as ever when she responded "Hello! This is our first new mission as a team again, couldn't you be just a little excited? Kakashi-Sensei you really haven't changed a bit have you?" and then the other two added their opinions into the mix "Already you're annoying Naruko, shut up!" "Don't waste your breath guys, you know he's always looked unenthusiastic, like he doesn't care" I couldn't help but think 'Hmm, I don't seem to be inspiring a lot of respect here do I' suddenly there was the cry of a hawk "Hmm?" myself and my Squad looked up and I thought 'That looks like one of The Hidden Sands Carriers' suddenly Naruko spoke up "That carrier bird? Isn't that Takamaru, from The Hidden Sand?" I just nodded and said "Come on we'd better get to the mission assignment office, we don't want to keep Lord Hokage waiting" and with that we were off
Bird Handler Shinobi's P.O.V:
It was a bright and beautiful morning and I was just feeding the last of our carrier birds "Here, there you go" when from behind me came the sound of flapping wings I turned and there was a bird with a message "Hm where did you come from so early in the morning? Huh it's Takamaru, the fastest carrier bird the Hidden Sand's got" the other 2 bird handlers gasped behind me, I took the message from Takamaru and released the Sealing Jutsu on it "Release!" I pulled out the message and what I saw terrified me "Oh no!" the other handlers came over and gasped, one of them said "A Level 1 Emergency Dispatch" I turned to him and practically shouted "Go send word to the Cipher Corps at once!"
Naruko's P.O.V:
We were headed toward the mission assignment office, I hope we get a good one "Oh man it'll be so good to be on a real mission again" Sakura spoke after I had said this "But whatever kind of mission we're given just take it and don't complain about it" then Sasuke added "That's right, even if he is your Father, the last thing we need is the Hokage being mad at us, because you complained about the mission we're assigned" I just said "Don't sweat it, those days are over guys" and then Kakashi-Sensei added "I hope so Naruko, I really do" I looked at him "What they are" 'Well at least I think they are' suddenly we heard the sound of running footsteps, and the next thing I knew I was shoved into a wall the only thing I heard as I fell to the ground was a woman shouting "Out of the way! Out of the way!" then I heard Sakura asking "What was that?" then Sasuke was helping me up "You ok Naruko?" I answered him "Yeah, apart from my nose bleeding" then Sakura came over to us "Here Naruko, Lady Tsunade taught me Medical Ninjutsu, I'll have you fixed up in a second" and with that she healed my nose then I yelled after the woman who had shoved me "Why don't you watch where you're going! Who do you think you are shoving the Hokage's Daughter like that?!"
Kakashi's P.O.V:
'They've called in the Cipher Corps huh, then it's true. The carrier bird we saw earlier?' "Alright Naruko calm down, lets just get going" and we continued on to our destination
Cipher Corps Shinobi's P.O.V:
I reached the Carrier Bird building and said to the Shinobi that were there "I heard there's a Level 1 Emergency Dispatch. Are you absolutely sure?" I was answered with "Yes, see for yourself" and the Shinobi gestured to the message, so I walked to the table that held it to see "From The Hidden Sand Village" and I released the seal "Release!" and I unravelled the scroll from behind me another of the Shinobi spoke up "The fact that they would send this to us" and the one who had answered me when I asked about the Dispatch continued "They must be in some serious trouble" I picked up the scroll and said whilst beginning to read the encrypted code "We'll find out once I decipher it"
Naruko's P.O.V:
Was Dad serious here "Huh?! Escort duty on a caravan! Come on!" he didn't sound surprised when he responded to my outburst "What? Have you got a problem with that, Naruko?" what the, didn't he know me at all I mean come on really, I keep being told I'm exactly like he was at my age, he should know me better than anyone for crying out loud "Since you're asking Dad yes I do! Lousy C-rank mission it's beneath my dignity!"
Sakura's P.O.V:
'Here we go again, what did Sasuke and I just tell her'
Kakashi's P.O.V
'Calm down Naruko, because I'm the one who's going to have to take the heat if you don't'
Minato's P.O.V:
'Just as I expected, nothings changed' and I looked at Shizune out of the corner of my eye
Shizune's P.O.V:
'Ok, ok you were right' and I chuckled nervously in my head, I knew I was going to pay for this later
Minato's P.O.V:
From beside me Iruka sighed before saying "Naruko, your skills may have improved, but mentally you haven't matured at all" and I couldn't help but agree with him in my head "Naruko, sweetheart, I've chosen an easier mission to start with to break you in. You've been gone from us for a while. And you haven't been on any missions since before you left with Lord Jiraiya 2 and a half years ago" and just as I expected she didn't take that well at all "Well who says I want to be broken in or want an easier mission, Daddy!"
Sasuke's P.O.V:
My eyes widened after she said this and I grabbed her in a headlock "So sorry Lord Hokage, let me talk to her I'm sure I can bring her around"
Sakura's P.O.V
Was she crazy? I thought she said she'd matured, obviously not 'You idiot, you have no idea how ferocious your Father can be, do you? Are you insane? Chaa!'
Minato's P.O.V:
It was official, she was way too much like me and her Mother, that was obvious from the day she graduated from the Academy, it was like having Kushina here again whenever she was like this "The details of your mission are here" and I pushed the mission forward on the desk, Kakashi came forward whilst saying "Right" then I heard Naruko say "Hm, I bet if The Third Hokage was still alive, he'd be smart enough to know what he was doing when it comes to mission assignments" that got me angry "Huh?! What did you just say to me Naruko?!" Sasuke tightened his hold on her whilst saying "Just shut up will you, you knucklehead!" then the door burst open and a member of the Cipher Corps came in shouting "Lord Hokage, terrible news!" "Now what is it?" her response shocked me, a lot "A Level 1 Emergency Dispatch, addressed to your Daughter from The Sand Village" and I heard Naruko say "The Sand?" the Cipher Corps member definitely had everyone's attention "Where is this Dispatch?" she held it up whilst saying "I deciphered it for her as quickly as I could, I just need to find her so I can give it to her" then Naruko said "Well she's standing right behind you and also happens to be the girl you shoved into the wall earlier!" wait, shoved into the wall? The Cipher Corps member turned to her and bowed whilst saying "Oh, I'm so sorry ma'am!" then Naruko turned serious which was very unusual for her "Don't worry about it. If this message is as urgent as you say it is, being shoved into a wall is the last thing I should be worrying about. May I have the Dispatch please" and she handed it over saying "Yes ma'am, here it is" Naruko took it, opened it and began reading it, then she said "What the?" and her team-mates looked over her shoulders
Naruko's P.O.V:
Sakura and Sasuke had been reading the Dispatch over my shoulders, Sasuke said "Huh? It can't be" and Sakura said "No way!" I could hardly believe what I was reading myself "Impossible, there's not way that he could've been, I don't believe it" then Dad asked "Naruko, what is it? What's happened?" I looked at him, and noticed all eyes were on me "Dad it's The Kazekage of The Sand, it seems he's been taken prisoner by The Akatsuki" this caused the entire room to gasp and from beside me I heard Sasuke say "Gaara" and I realised that they were back "So they're back again huh?" Dad nodded and said "Yes we've been studying them in your absence, The Leaf knows more about The Akatsuki than any other village in The Five Great Nations" to which I responded with what was said in the Dispatch "Yeah that's true Dad, but I know more about The Akatsuki than anyone else, therefore The Sand Village has officially requested my help" Kakashi-Sensei, Dad, Iruka-Sensei and Shizune looked shocked when I said this then Dad said "Well then, I guess I have no other choice" then Shizune turned to him and said "Sir, you're not suggesting that Team Kakashi?" he closed his eyes and said "Shizune, this is urgent. I haven't got time to form another Squad, and besides we have two Shinobi in this Squad that have actually fought The Akatsuki, and they specifically sent this Dispatch to Naruko, which means that they want her, so it's best to send her Squad" Shizune looked like she wanted to argue "Yes but even so…" but Dad interrupted her and said to us "Alright, Team Kakashi I'm assigning you a new mission, you're to go to The Sand Village at once. Find out what's going on there and keep us informed, you're to remain there and follow their orders. Give them any backup they need"
Minato's P.O.V:
After I said this Team Kakashi responded with "Yes Sir!" and with that they started leaving the room to get ready "Kakashi, please wait a moment I'd like a word with you" he just nodded and sent Naruko and the others ahead "Don't worry Kakashi you're not in trouble for Naruko's earlier outburst, promise me you'll keep your eyes on those three and make sure they don't do anything reckless" he nodded and said "I promise, Lord Hokage, I'll keep them in check, Naruko especially" I nodded and dismissed him
Jiraiya's P.O.V:
I was sleeping in a motel, about a days travel from the Leaf Village, when I felt something on my face, so I swatted it away and scratched my chest, then it came back so I swatted it away again, then there was a splash of cold liquid on my face so I shoved what was on my face off, I was now officially awake. I shook the liquid off of my face and looked in front of me, "Huh?" there was a frog with a scroll there, it croaked at me "Is that scroll for me? Well what are you waiting for you idiot give it to me!" and it croaked again, I took the scroll and said whilst opening it "Hm, what have we got here?" and I began reading it "The Kazekage of The Hidden Sand hm. This is no time for me to be sleeping on the job!" and with that I got dressed and headed back to The Leaf to inform Minato of the situation
Naruko's P.O.V:
After we left the mission assignment office I headed straight home to get ready, once I was done I headed to the main gate to wait for the rest of my team, it wasn't long before they arrived along with Lord Orochimaru, Lady Tsunade, Dad and Iruka-Sensei "Ok lets get moving" and I put my backpack on then Sakura said to Dad "We'll be back soon Lord Hokage. We won't let you down" he nodded while saying "Good" it was quiet for a few minutes and then Iruka-Sensei said to me "Naruko good luck" I turned to him and said "Thanks, Iruka-Sensei" and with that we were of to The Sand Village, well until Pervy-Sage dropped down in front of us
Jiraiya's P.O.V:
The main gate of the village had just come into view, when I noticed Naruko and her team heading out so I dropped down in front of them "Hey there, so off on a mission Naruko?" she saluted and said "That's right" then I said whilst walking towards Minato "Well good for you, but more importantly…" once I was in front of him I said "I've got some disturbing news, The Sand's Kazekage has been…" but he interrupted me "Yes I know" and he pointed behind me "I'm dispatching a Squad they're just about to leave" I turned to see who he meant, but all I saw was Naruko and her team, Naruko had a grin on her face and nodded to me "Mm-hm" somehow I knew my mouth was gaped open, was Minato serious here, I went up to him and whispered in his ear "You know about The Akatsuki's interest in Naruko don't you?" he looked at me and said "I had no other choice, it's an emergency situation, and they asked for Naruko specifically" well if they'd asked for her I guess I couldn't stop her but I still told him "You're running a pretty big risk Minato, I hope you know that" he just nodded then I began making my way towards Naruko
Naruko's P.O.V:
After he'd spoken to Dad, Pervy-Sage came towards me and said "Naruko, I want a word with you before you leave" I followed him with a "Mm-hm" once we were away from the others a little bit, he turned to me and said "Listen to me now, you be careful around those Akatsuki you hear" I responded with a little anger in my voice "They've all been out looking for me right, well this way they won't have to look very far!" and there was silence after I said this, then Pervy-Sage said "It's true you've come a long way Naruko, but training doesn't mean a thing if you get reckless and blow your cool. You still have a bad habit of losing your head when someone you care about is threatened, even now" I knew he was right so I grit my teeth and looked down "Ugh" then he put his hands on my shoulders and I looked up at him, then he told me with a serious tone of voice "Naruko, never use that power unless you're in Sage Mode or the Nine-Tails Cloak Mode. You know what I'm talking about, don't you" I looked down again, I knew he was referring to using the Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken outside of those Modes "Yeah I know, you don't have to remind me. I can't promise that I'll be able to keep my cool if we face The Akatsuki, but I can promise you that I'll try my best to keep a level head and try to keep my emotions and the Nine-Tails in check Pervy-Sage" he nodded at what I had said and headed towards Kakashi-Sensei
Kakashi's P.O.V:
Master Jiraiya headed towards me after he had spoken with Naruko "Kakashi, make sure that kid doesn't do anything stupid. I can trust you right?" I just nodded and said "Right" then Naruko shouted from up ahead "Kakashi-Sensei, Sasuke, Sakura come on what are we waiting for, lets move out!" and she started walking Sasuke and Sakura ran to catch up with her whilst saying "Ok, ok coming!" "You don't need to be faster than us Naruko, we're all heading to same place for the same reason you know!" I turned to Master Jiraiya "We're off" as I went to catch up with the team I heard him say "There she goes again"
Minato's P.O.V:
As we watched them leave I heard Iruka sigh beside me so I asked him "Worried Iruka?" he replied with "Worried, no not a bit, she's no longer a Rookie Shinobi who needs me to worry about her. Sasuke and Sakura too" "How is it that they grow so fast? It's a mystery" and with that Team Kakashi headed off
Naruko's P.O.V:
Once we were moving at a faster pace from the village I thought to myself 'Hang on Gaara. We're coming!' and with that our mission to aid The Sand Village and help them save The Kazekage began.
