EDIT: yep, back to editing it seems. I'm hoping to do most of the mission in one go, especially since later on my free time will be greatly limited. Lets see how that goes. Anyway, this chapter, at least, is fixed
Kumiko: Hello everyone, this is your lovely reporter Murasakki Kumiko speaking. Today I'm with a talented, young writter Shang in order to find answers to your questions!
Shang: What ever happened to Kai?
Kumiko: He cought a flu. Anyways, here's the first question: many readers find it suprising that Kakashi is our Hokage-sama. Why did you picked him as the Rokudaime?
Shang: Well, I knew it'll be one of the old jounins. Asuma, Anko and Ibiki didn't fit in for the role due to their characters. Kurenai was close, but in the end I needed the Rokudaime who would be able to use ninjutsu and as we all know, Kurenai specializes in genjutsu. I was considering Gai, mostly because it'd be unexpected and funny (plus it'd show that you can be a great shinobi with only taijutsu), but in the end the Hokage had to know ninjutsu. Plus Kakashi's carrying attitude seems to fit for the job (even though he is a pervert).
Kumiko: Moving on: some of the readers want to know who are the jounin leaders of the other, rookie teams. Mind telling us?
Shang: Sorry, you'll read, you'll see.
Kumiko: Okay, since we're almost out of time, final question: could you get Kusari off my back!
Shang: Could I not answer that?...
IMPORTANT NOTE: In few days I'll have to go away for two weeks or so. During that time I won't have access to the internet or even computer for that metter, so the next chapters may take a while to upload. I'll do my best to upload the tenth chapter before I go, but I'm not promising anything. Sorry that you'll be forced to wait.
And now, without any more delays:
Chapter #9: New Assignment
Title Page: Kakashi's in his normal outfit, sleeping on the desk which is filled with documents
Naruto and the rest of his team stood in front of the long desk, behind which sat few of the Konoha jounin along with Hokage himself. The Kyuubi vessel gave the Leaf's leader the report from their last assignment and returned to stand by his students' side.
Kakashi read the note he was given and after a little while he putted it away, saying: "Well, guess I should give you guys a new mission, but it seems that most of the D-rank ones are already taken…"
"Huh?" Kumiko was a little shocked at the statement. "How come?"
"Seems that your friends, team number four, is really active" responded the Rokudaime with a shrug. "Plus, there are other gennin teams except the three that just graduated from the Academy that needs some missions."
"And good thing they're so into those lame tasks!" announced Kai with a somewhat bored tone. "Maybe now we'll get something more interesting! I mean, come on, picking herbs for the local medic? How's that suppose to help us get stronger?"
"It just so happens that that medic-nin that we've been picking herbs for is a good friend of mine" responded Naruto as he glanced at the younger blond. "Besides, did you really expect that you'll get to fight other shinobi right after leaving the Academy?"
"Look who's talking" Kakashi whispered to himself with a sweat drop. "Well, judging from what Naruto told me about you guys…" he said, this time out loud. "I guess I could give you a C-rank mission" with those words he picked out a scroll from his pocket. "I want you to deliver this letter to the lord of the Country of the Stones. He's a good friend of mine, so I do hope you'll do a good job…"
At this the whisker-marks walked forward and took the letter from the Rokudaime's hand.
"So what's in that scroll?" asked Kai curiously.
"That is of no importance to you" replied the Hokage seriously. "But this mission also has a second part. Since you guys will be heading to the Stone Country capitol anyway, I'd like you to take someone with you…"
At the very same moment, a young girl, around eighteen years of age, walked into the room along with Iruka. She had long, brown hair (A/N: I know, another brown hair, sorry, but at least this time, no ponytail) and big, blue eyes. She was dressed in a long, white dress and carried a little fan with some paintings on it.
Naruto looked at her and grabbed Kusari just in time to stop the boy from jumping straight at the girl: "I love you!" yelled the chain master, right before his sensei smacked him on the head.
"You're really creepy" stated the Kyuubi vessel. "And what every happened to your feelings towards Kumiko?" he asked, rising his eyebrow.
"I still love Kumiko-chan, but you can't master your heart" replied Kusari with dignity.
"You do realize that she's like six years older then you?"
"Now I get it" announced Kusari thoughtfully, pointing a finger at his teacher. "You want her for yourself, don't you, Naruto-sensei? I may be too young for her, but you're just rust and wrinkles by comparison!"
"What the hell are you talking about? First of all: she doesn't interest me! Second… I'm not that old" he said with a sad face. "I'm only thirty" he added, much quieter.
"This is Hayama Deji" Kakashi introduced the girl, trying his best to ignore the two. "And she's the daughter of the Stone Country lord. Kusari, I suggest you stay away from her, especially since her wedding is only about ten days away…"
"Wait a minute, you old fart" Deji interrupted, gazing at the Leaf's leader. "You mean they're the ones who'll escort me? They look pretty wimpy. Especially that idiot with the blonde hair and that I-am-so-cool-with-my-scar-on-the-eye dope…"
Takaru's eye twitched, as he turned to Ibuki and whispered: "You're the killing expert here. Could you… you know… kill her in her sleep?" he asked annoyed, holding back his anger.
"Guess so" she whispered back. "But aren't we supposed to protect her?"
"Yoh, lady!" yelled Kai, pointing at the Stone princess. "I don't care who you are, but I'm the one who's going to become Hokage one day and I demand respect!"
"Look here, shrimp" came a response with a frown. "I'm royalty, so if anyone deserves respect around here, it's me. And you really should do something about your hair, because it sucks!"
"Hokage-sama" meanwhile Naruto walked over to the desk, whispering to the cyclopean ninja. "I know that this is none of my business, but why didn't the Stone Country lord hired shinobi from his own land? After all, Iwagakure is known for their shinobi strength."
"The way he put it" replied Kakashi, also with a lowered voice. "He told me that he's not certain about Hidden Stone ninja loyalty. You see, Deji is destined to merry Ouritsu Recca, the prince of the Tree Country. Those, two countries are recently at war and since shinobi villages are the military power of the country, both Tsuchikage and the leader of the Kigakure are earning a lot of money on battling each other. The marriage would end the war and you can easily figure that both shinobi lords may not be too happy about that."
"Great" came a response. "So why are you planning to send us? After all, they're just gennin rookies and according to your words, Hokage-sama, fights with jounin are possible…"
"I know, but at the moment you're practically the only jounin available. I promise to send some backup as soon as such a possibility will appear. Besides, you're one of the most respected shinobi in Konoha and your subordinates are pretty skilled. At least that's what you said about them…"
"Yeah, they did mastered tree-climbing already and both Takaru and Kusari are able to walk on water, but they didn't had a real, shinobi battle. Moreover, they're still not as good at teamwork. Sending them on such a mission is extremely risky."
"I trust your abilities, Naruto" replied Kakashi seriously. "Also, I know Tsuchikage a little and I believe that he won't send anyone to kill Deji, because he's not that type of a shinobi lord…"
"Well, I'll do my best" announced the Kyuubi vessel, straightening himself. "But I can't assure the success of the mission this time, I'm afraid. Okay, you guys" he said, this time in the way his students would hear him. "Pack your shinobi tools; we're heading to the Stone Country!"
-That time, outside the village-
"So, she's in Konoha at the moment?" asked a mysterious voice from the shadows.
"Not for long" replied another voice. "She's leaving with a small group of shinobi as we speak. But it's nothing much, really. Most of them are just brats, so I assume they're gennin."
"If they are, they also have a jounin with them" announced a third figure, but this one was a little girly. "By any chance you know who he'll be?"
"Actually I do" answered the second voice, allowing a smirk. "Some blond shrimp by the name of Uzumaki Naruto. I believe that the name is known to you, eh Kataki?" he asked, turning to another shadow.
"Uzumaki" repeated the fourth member of the gathering. "Seems that I'm pretty lucky. I was hoping to meet him for some time. Looks like I'll finally get the chance…"
"And I guess you want us to stay out of this, am I right, Kataki?" asked the fifth voice.
"If you'd be so kind" replied the one called Kataki calmly. "Having an opportunity to fight him… I'll finally get the chance to squares debts…"
"Fine then" announced the first figure. "We'll leave it to you. But remember, lady Deji is a priority. You may kill Uzumaki as a bonus…"
"Of course" responded the fourth shadow.
-The next day-
"Right, let's go!" yelled Kai, throwing his hand to the sky.
"Cut it out already!" scold Kumiko, smacking her teammate on the head. "What are you so excited about anyway? You never went outside the village?"
"I did, but we're heading to the Country of the Stone!" explained the blond excitedly. "I heard they have powerful shinobi! I can't wait to face them!"
"Calm down, Kai" asked Naruto lightly as he walked besides the princess. "Even if we do run into stone-nins, the one who'll be fighting them will be me…"
"That's not fair, Naruto-sensei! Why should you have all the fun?"
"Look, I'm not saying that you guys are weak. Actually, I believe that you're tops among Konoha gennin, but in the fight against a jounin you still don't stand a chance, so if only a high rank ninja will appear, your mission will be to take Deji-sama to safety and let me handle the battle. Is that understood?"
"But how are we supposed to get stronger if you won't allow us to fight enemies, Naruto-sensei?" asked Takaru with hands in his pockets as a slight disappointment sounded in his voice.
"I know that for you, youngsters, it's hard to deal with…" responded the Kyuubi vessel with sympathy. "But you have to learn that in the real battle, your enemy won't hold back on you. One of the most valuable, shinobi skills is to recognize his opponent and know when his enemy is too strong. Getting into every, possible fight, especially at your current level, will sooner or later equal death."
"Yeah, so shut up already and pick someone to carry my bags!" yelled Deji, rising her chin.
Naruto sighed. "She's even worst then Tazuna…"
And so the princess and her six shinobi bodyguard head to the Country of the Stone, not knowing that they were observed by a mysterious shadow from the tops of the trees…
-mysterious figure appear… and its goal?-
And that's that for the 9th chapter. Please give me your opinion about it.
As promised, I'll try uploading the tenth chapter before I go, but I don't know if I'll manage to, so sorry in advance.
Take care and hope to see you in the next chapter!
