Chapter 6 – Mission at the hidden mist
Naruto was a little bit bored. The rest of the travel by boat had been uneventful, and now they had arrived to the Water country. They were running through the forest, on their way to Kirigakure. Sometimes Naruto felt like this was all he ever did as a ninja. If an interviewer were to ask him, what is it like being a ninja? At that moment he would feel like answering, running in forests man…
And Kakashi had kept them in the same formation again, so Naruto was stuck running beside Sakura. Not that he didn't like her, but right now she kept talking about Sasuke. She was unstoppable. Kakashi was too far ahead to hear, and Sai and Sasuke were too far behind, so Naruto was the only lucky one listening…
"… I mean he's different but he's still the same, you know?" She was saying. "I still love him, because he's still the same guy deep down. And honestly, I think it would be best for everyone if he stayed like this. Maybe this is fate. Because he deserves a second chance with us…"
Sure, Naruto pretty much agreed with her. Well except about Sasuke staying like this being better. He personally found it a little bit weird, and at times would like to have the old Sasuke back. Even if he was probably crazy for thinking that – the old Sasuke wanted to kill him after all.
But when Sakura had said all this for the twentieth time, maybe even more, and she sounded more like she was trying to convince herself than anything, it was starting to get on Naruto's nerves…
So he was relieved when Kakashi finally stopped. They weren't at the hidden village yet, but they were close.
"All right guys," Kakashi started, "It's time I tell you more about this mission." He took out the mission description from his backpack. "I read this while you guys were sleeping…"
"You mean you can read other things than porn?" Naruto teased him.
"Well," Kakashi shrugged, "I was finished reading my book."
Sasuke laughed. Again, the others stared at him in shock. It was hard to get used to Sasuke laughing. He stopped and cleared his throat.
"Uh… sorry."
"Don't apologize for laughing!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Anyway," Kakashi continued. "Sasuke, what I have to say is about you, actually. You'll have to stay back for now."
Sasuke frowned, waiting for more explanations. But they weren't coming.
"Why, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura finally asked, breaking the silence.
"That's all I'm saying for now," Kakashi said.
Naruto frowned and pointed an accusing finger at him. "But you just said you'd tell us more about the mission!"
"Ah, my bad," Kakashi shrugged.
Naruto was about to protest some more, when Sasuke spoke.
"It's okay. I'll stay here and wait for more orders, sensei."
Kakashi nodded, and then motioned for the others to continue following him to the village. But Naruto was hesitating.
"Naruto?" Sakura asked, worried.
"I'll be right behind you," he said.
Kakashi, Sai and Sakura nodded, and started running.
When Naruto turned to look at Sasuke, he was staring at him questioningly.
"What is it?"
Naruto glanced away and scratched his messy blond hair.
"You're not, like," he said shyly, "gonna run away or anything?"
Sasuke's lips twitched into a little smile. He chuckled and brushed his raven bangs out of his eyes. Somehow Naruto liked looking at his every movement, even the simplest.
"You were worried about that?" Sasuke asked softly, and then shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere. I promised, remember?"
Naruto remembered all right, but he couldn't fully believe his friend. For reasons that Sasuke couldn't possibly understand in his current state.
But he nodded and smiled anyway. "I'm gonna come back as soon as I know what's going on!"
Sasuke smiled back, and then Naruto left, running his fastest to catch up to the others.
At the center of the village they met up with one of the Mizukage's assistants. Apparently she was too busy to see them herself.
"The rebellious group is using an old fortress at the East of the village, where I am leading you," the elite Mist ninja explained as they walked. "Their prisoners are being held in the dungeons…"
Kakashi cut him. "How many prisoners? The Hokage only mentioned a Lord and his wife…"
The man shook his head sadly. "They have been killed two days ago. But they are taking more prisoners everyday – ninjas and innocent people."
Naruto frowned as he looked at the villagers. They all looked scared, and overall the atmosphere of the village was heavy and tensed. It made him shiver.
"What is their objective?" Sai asked.
"Didn't you tell them?" the Mist ninja asked their sensei.
Kakashi scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah… that is… I wanted to let you explain."
Naruto face palmed. Damn Kakashi… He could be so unprofessional at times.
The Mizukage's assistant didn't comment. Instead he started explaining. "They want all the Rogue ninjas currently in jail and on our hunting lists to be freed, and given a second chance."
Naruto's heart skipped a beat. So this was why Sasuke had stayed behind. He was one of the most famous rogue ninja, after all, and even if he was on the temporary protection of Tsunade, it would have been inappropriate.
"We are almost there," the man said as he stopped walking, "but let me explain further…"
They went to a small tea house and sat at a table together. The man wanted them to be able to rest a little before officially beginning their mission.
As the four of them were drinking their tea quietly, he spoke again.
"You probably know this already, but our law for rogue ninjas is the strictest of all ninja villages. We have squads deployed for the only task of finding them and bringing them back – dead or alive."
Again, Naruto shivered. He couldn't help but feel sympathetic to this so-called rebellious group's cause. He didn't approve of the killing of innocent prisoners, though.
"The leaders of this movement are three elite Mist ninjas. Tsumi is the most powerful. Her boyfriend has recently been executed, despite all her efforts with the Mizukage to free him."
"What was his crime?" Naruto couldn't help but ask.
Beside him, Sakura also looked shaken up.
"He was a rogue ninja," he answered simply, "he deserted right in the middle of a mission. But he came back of his own free will, saying he had made a mistake…"
Naruto frowned. "And he was killed anyway?"
The man sighed. "It is our law."
"What about the two other leaders?" Kakashi asked.
"Ibumo and Saito. They are brothers, and teammates. And they wish to avenge the former third member of their team, who has also been killed for being a rogue ninja. She deserted when the recent ninja war was announced…"
Kakashi cut him again. "I understand their motives. But political matters are something beyond our reach," he said, throwing a meaningful glance at Naruto. "Now, what can you tell me about their powers?"
"I believe," the man said, "the Hokage chose your team to help us because you have experience fighting ninjas with water style abilities?" Kakashi simply nodded. He continued, "They are experts at it, needless to say. As for the girl, Tsumi, she can also control lightning, which makes her a terrible opponent."
When they finished their tea, they started walking again. When they arrived to the ancient fortress, they retreated to the forest not to be seen.
Before leaving them for their mission, the Mizukage's assistant gave Kakashi an old map of the fortress. He also added a few words on the current situation.
"We have interrupted the killings of the rogue ninjas. But they will not be satisfied until they are freed. The Mizukage cannot agree to that, of course. But they have many precious ninjas and villagers in the dungeons, and they are ready to kill them to threaten us. So we are in sort of a dead end. We believe they have about thirty followers, and the number increases everyday. In my honest opinion, and even if it saddens me, the three leaders will have to be killed for this mission to be successful."
Kakashi thanked him for all the information and help, and then he took his leave.
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto immediately said, "I disagree with him. I don't want to kill these guys…"
He sighed. "I knew you would say that, Naruto."
"I also agree with him," Sakura said. "But the safety of the prisoners comes first. This whole thing doesn't make any sense! Their goal is to save lives, yet they take innocent people's lives to achieve it!"
"I don't think," Kakashi said in a low voice, "I have to remind you that revenge can drive certain people crazy…"
Naruto and Sakura went quiet.
Kakashi sat and leaned against a tree, studying the map he had just been given.
Sai broke the silence. "What was Hokage-sama thinking? Sending Sasuke with us on this mission…"
Naruto gasped. "Sasuke! I have to go get him now!"
To his surprise, Kakashi immediately nodded. "Sure. It's the best choice. Even though I agree with Sai, we can't just leave him alone. It's not any better if he is found by water ninja guards."
Naruto didn't lose any time. He started running – in the forest yet again. But he wanted to counter the village, and not run straight through it; it would be suspicious. He concentrated and turned into Sage mode to increase his speed and make sure he would feel Sasuke's chakra.
But when he did feel it, he couldn't find Sasuke anywhere. He was starting to panic, when Sasuke appeared right in front of him. He was smirking.
"Why are you making that face? It was just a genjutsu dobe. Precaution."
"Ah, yeah," Naruto scratched his hair, laughing, "I knew that!"
"…Right."
"Hey what did you just call me?"
Sasuke frowned. "What?"
"You called me dobe."
"Oh, uh, sorry…"
"No don't apologize! Felt good to hear it!" Naruto exclaimed, laughing, and he slapped Sasuke's back in a friendly way.
Maybe a little too friendly, because Sasuke almost lost his balance, and had to put a foot in front of him not to fall. When Sasuke looked back at him, it was clear that he found him a little bit weird.
"Anyway, let's go!" Naruto exclaimed, and they started running together.
"So why did I have to stay back?"
The blond sighed. "See, the shinobi we're fighting in this mission, their objective is the freedom of the rogue ninjas… But it's against the law of course. So, since you are one, it would have been inappropriate I guess…"
"Can I still help you on the mission?" Sasuke asked, his voice showing no sign of emotion whatsoever.
"Of course, yeah, we'll just have to wait hear Kakashi-sensei's plan…"
xxx
Kakashi's plan was a little bit crazy, Sasuke thought as he crept up toward the fortress at night. Kakashi wanted him to pretend to seek their help, and then infiltrate in order to free the prisoners. Crazy and suicidal.
Naruto hadn't been too happy with this plan at first, but they hadn't come up with anything better. The blond had talked to him a little bit apart from the others. Sasuke couldn't help but smile at the thought. Naruto had told him to act like a bastard and prick in order to have some credibility. Sasuke had promised him he would try his best to do just that. He doubted acting too much like a bastard would work to infiltrate the place as an ally though…
He would just have to improvise a little. But hey, he was a ninja. He could do anything. Or, in the worst case, use genjutsu on them. His eyes felt different. Well his eyesight was perfect. It had deteriorated a little, before… well in his fake memories - he was accepting the fact that they were fake now. But it was more than just that, he didn't know what exactly though.
He arrived at the side entrance to the fortress. It was hard to find, but with Kakashi they had studied the map thoroughly. So he knew where he was going. Even if it was well hidden, and he had to crawl down a little cliff to actually get to the entrance below, there were still five people guarding it. They immediately raised their swords, the blades brushing against the exposed skin of his neck.
"I'm not an enemy." He simply said.
"I recognize him," one of them frowned, "he's Uchiha Sasuke. Lower your swords. If he had wanted to kill us, he would've done it already."
And so they did. Well, well, looked like he had a nice reputation…
"What do you want with us, Uchiha?" The same man, apparently the leader of this little squad, asked.
"Being a rogue ninja myself, I want to join your movement."
"What's in it for you?" He frowned, his hand still clenched tightly on the hilt of his sword.
"I have nowhere else to go at the moment," he said, hoping the news of his being back in Konoha and under the Hokage's protection hadn't reached this people.
"Go get Tsumi," the man told one of his teammates.
The latter nodded and pushed the heavy looking door open, disappearing inside.
Sasuke didn't so much as glance down, but he knew a few of Sai's little ink mice were crawling their way inside to do some spying and exploring. Well, that much had been achieved…
A few seconds later, a young girl – she couldn't be much older than Sasuke – with a long chestnut ponytail and violet eyes that reminded him of Suigetsu joined them. She seemed to blush a little when she met Sasuke's eyes, but he couldn't be sure because it was so dark.
"Uchiha Sasuke," she said, "so you wish to join us?"
Her voice was trembling a little, as if she were nervous or flustered. Sometimes, Sasuke thought, it came in handy that all the girls liked him. This one seemed to be no exception.
"Yes," he said.
"How have you heard of us?" she asked, apparently still a little suspicious.
"The Water country was my current hiding place," he improvised. "Everyone is talking about your group these days."
They bought it.
"I am Tsumi," she introduced herself very simply. "Come in."
The guards stayed outside, and Sasuke followed her inside and through a long, creepy hallway. It reminded him of Orochimaru's hideouts, actually. He almost stopped short and gasped, but he caught himself in time, and continued walking beside the girl as if nothing was wrong. He had never been to an Orochimaru hideout…
Was he remembering some of his true memories, now of all times? No matter what, he couldn't let it distract him. He had to stay completely calm.
She finally pushed a door open. Two men were sitting in a meeting room, apparently discussing strategies. One of them was wearing a headband, but it was just plain blue with no symbol on it. He seemed to be about twenty years old, wore a sword on his back and had long brown hair. The other guy's appearance was very similar, but he wasn't wearing any headband, and his hair was shorter.
"These are the guys who started this group with me," she explained. "Saito," she pointed the one with the headband, "and his twin brother Ibumo." She pointed at the other one. "Guys, this is Sasuke, he wants to join us."
He stayed silent, keeping on a blank face. Saying hi and smiling wouldn't fit the description Naruto had given him, after all.
"Famous rogue ninja, aren't you?" the one named Saito got up. "Well if you want to help us defy the ninja laws, I'll be glad to work with you."
Sasuke only gave a slight nod.
"We were discussing our next move," Tsumi told him. "I think you could be a great help…"
He sat with them, and continued improvising as they talked strategy and politics. They wanted to find ways to make the Mizukage flinch. But Sasuke knew this was all pointless. He kind of felt sorry for these guys. They wanted revenge for their loved ones, who had been killed because of these ninja laws. In his alternate memories, Naruto had been the rogue ninja. And Sasuke could understand their feelings…
But it was all pointless for the simple reason that Kakashi and the others would attack soon. He was only waiting for the signal…
He didn't have to wait long. The mice had probably returned to Sai, letting him know Sasuke had successfully infiltrated the place.
"We're being attacked!"
Shouting and screaming could soon be heard as everyone was getting out to defend the fortress. The twin brothers immediately stormed outside as well. Only Tsumi stayed back, frowning.
"Is this your doing?"
He saw no point in lying. "Yes. I was ordered to do this. I'm sorry. But if I can say something, in order to spare your life, and your friends, talk to my friend Naruto, outside. I know he wants to try and find a better solution than violence."
"There's no other solution," she hissed.
She quickly unsheathed her sword and stabbed him in the chest. She was shocked as he didn't even move. But then his body disappeared. It was a genjutsu.
The real him was already running towards the dungeons. He knew the way, thanks to the map. In the chaos no one was stopping him. Even a large group like that didn't stand much of a chance against Kakashi, Naruto and Sai. So they all needed to go help.
It was easy for Sasuke to knock out the few remaining guards at the dungeons. He stole the keys from them, and proceeded to free all the prisoners. Some of them recognized him. Needless to say, they were very confused as to why Uchiha Sasuke, international criminal, was saving them of all people. But he gave them no answer.
He only spoke when they were all freed. There were ten of them. Mostly villagers, it seemed. Even if their cause was understandable, Tsumi and the others hadn't really played fair. Their prisoners looked like they were malnourished.
"Follow me," he said. "The ones who can walk help the others!"
They followed his orders even if they were still evidently confused as to what was going on. There was a secret passage leading outside. Sasuke had to break open a heavy metallic door, using lightning energy on the lock. Then they had to climb up rotten stairs. Sasuke stayed back to help the weaker ones get all the way up. The door that led outside was already destroyed. Sakura had most likely used explosives on it.
Sure enough, she was waiting for them on the other side.
"Thank God, Sasuke," she smiled when he got out last.
After that she immediately proceeded to heal the ones who were injured.
As for Sasuke, he ran to the other side of the fortress, where his friends were fighting. They had already managed to break through their defences and they were now fighting on the inside ground, above the high stoned walls. Sasuke reflexively focused his chakra to his feet and climbed up the wall. An enemy threw a shuriken at him but he deflected it with his kunai.
Once he jumped to the ground he immediately knocked out the one who had thrown him the weapon. Glancing around him and taking in the situation, he saw that Naruto had made some shadow clones, and he was okay. Kakashi and Sai had two or three opponents each, but they seemed fine as well.
But Sasuke noticed Tsumi, Ibumo and Saito were staying back. He could feel their chakras; they were hiding behind a wall and most likely analyzing the situation and discussing what to do. Sasuke decided to ignore them for now. After all, if they were lucky, maybe the three of them would decide to surrender.
So he picked up a sword from a fallen opponent, and went to help Naruto with his enemies. The blond threw him a quick glance, smiling. Sasuke had no idea if it was a shadow clone or the real one, but oh well. They fought side by side, taking down their enemies very quickly. They weren't killing them, only knocking them out.
As soon as the last opponent was down, though, the three leaders of the group came out. Sasuke frowned. They had wanted them to tire out before attacking. They had no intention to surrender. But they were underestimating his team.
The girl and twin brothers jumped off the fortress before they could stop them. They were very fast. Kakashi immediately ordered to pursue them, so the four of them jumped off as well. Sasuke had a pretty good idea what their enemies were plotting. They would lead them by the nearest riverside, so their water style could be most effective. And they had no choice but to pursue them, otherwise their missions wouldn't be complete.
He remembered Kakashi's words. Our objective is to get them arrested, kill them only if you don't have a choice.
One of the brothers split from the two others, and Kakashi and Sai went after him. Sasuke continued pursuing the other brother, Saito, if he wasn't mistaken, and Naruto went after Tsumi.
They were getting dangerously close to the river. But Sasuke was running faster than him, so he decided to stop this right there. He threw four shuriken at his enemy's back as he ran, and the latter had no choice but to throw himself to the ground to evade the deadly weapons. When he got back up Sasuke was already on him, his Chidori blade raised.
Saito rolled on the ground and managed to get back to his feet, drawing his own sword. They crossed blades, but Sasuke could see through the other's every movement. The other backed off, understanding he was no match against the Uchiha at sword fighting. Instead he formed hand signs and immediately they were surrounded by a tick mist, and it was impossible to see anything.
But the raven smirked. He closed his eyes, perfectly calm and concentrated. He didn't need his eyes to know where the other was. He was perfectly trained to recognize his surroundings only by hearing. He frowned slightly; the other one was coming at him with the clear intention to slaughter him. Still, Sasuke didn't want to kill him. So he swiftly turned around, blocked Saito's blade with his at the last second, and letting out a grunt he kicked him to the ground. The mist disappeared.
Saito tried to get back up, but Sasuke knocked his head, and he fell unconscious. If Sakura, or other medics from Kirigakure, got to them on time, he would be fine for sure.
Sasuke concentrated, and as he detected Naruto's and Tsumi's chakras, he ran towards them.
As he had expected, Naruto was holding back, not wanting to kill this young girl seeking revenge. But young girl or not, she was very dangerous. And Naruto was in a tricky situation. Sasuke, feeling like a knight in shining armour, arrived at the perfect moment. Naruto had just been thrown roughly in the river, and Tsumi was about to channel lightning energy through the water. Sasuke pushed his body to move even faster.
He jumped, encircled his arms around Naruto, and jumped again, bringing them safely to the other shore in time. The very next instant, deadly lightning energy was running through the river, at the exact spot Naruto had been.
"Good timing," Naruto said, impressed.
"I know," Sasuke chuckled, still panting.
"You can let go now," he said, amused.
He realized he still had his arms around Naruto's thin waist. He quickly pulled away and got back up. Naruto did likewise.
"As I told you before," the blond shouted at their equally exhausted opponent, "Surrender now, and I will help you! We will go talk to the Mizukage together, and ask her to revise the law!"
She sighed, and shouted even louder, "Do you really think I haven't tried that before?"
"It's no use, Naruto," Sasuke said sadly.
The blond let out a frustrated sigh. "Shadow clone no jutsu!"
With his four shadow clones he jumped back to the other shore, and attacked Tsumi. But she was a very skilled sword fighter, even Sasuke was impressed. He got worried when she brought down the shadow clones quickly, and there was only the real Naruto left. So he jumped as well, ready to help him.
But the girl seemed on the verge of breaking down. And as she crossed her sword with Naruto's kunai, Sasuke could tell she wasn't putting her heart into it.
Naruto pushed her away and she fell to the ground.
"I understand how you feel!" Naruto exclaimed fervently. "I heard your story. And I'm in the same situation you were! If someone were to…" He looked at Sasuke, who was standing right beside him, with sad blue eyes, and then he looked back at Tsumi. She was still on the ground, and her big violet eyes were locked with Naruto's; she was listening to his every word. "If someone were to kill him, just because he's a rogue ninja, I wouldn't forgive them!" he exclaimed. "Not now, when he's willingly working with us again! I will do everything I can, to defend…"
"I tried!" She shouted, interrupting him. Tears were falling from her eyes. She wiped them out in frustration. "I tried, but they killed him anyway… It's not fair…"
Naruto sighed shakily, and then he walked up to her. He sat beside her, and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Sasuke also walked closer, but only because he was still worried she would try to harm him. But instead she buried her face in his chest and cried. Naruto looked up at him helplessly. Sasuke didn't know what to say.
xxx
The mission was finished. The prisoners were all right, Sakura had done a great job, and then the medics from Kirigakure had taken over. Kakashi and Sai had also defeated their opponent pretty easily. Now the three former leaders were in jail, as well as the rest of their followers. And Sasuke, Kakashi, Sai and Sakura were waiting outside of the Mizukage's headquarters. Naruto had wanted to talk to her personally. Kakashi hadn't objected; after all, Naruto wanted to become the next Hokage. Such an experience was good for him.
When he got out, they all looked at him expectantly. Naruto made a little smile.
"They're not gonna be killed," he said simply. "And the Mizukage agreed to revise the laws about rogue ninjas to prevent such a thing from happening again."
Sakura gasped. "That's great, Naruto! How did you do it?"
"She couldn't resist my charm, of course, hehe…"
"You idiot!" Sakura punched him in the face.
"Ow that hurt!" Naruto screamed in pain, rubbing the reddening skin on his cheek.
Sakura snorted. "It'll teach you to say such silly things…"
Sasuke could only stare at them in shock. He had yet to get used to this particular relationship between the pink-haired girl and the blond.
"I'm proud of you, Naruto," Kakashi smiled behind his mask.
"I'm proud of you too, dickless."
"Shut up Sai," Naruto snapped.
And with that said, they began their journey back.
TBC
