Hey hey:)
sorry for he waiting! here's the next chapter - the adventurous part finally begins!
HAVE FUN!!!
"Hokage-sama, no one survived." said Tenzo, his face grief.
Tsunade hid her face behind her palm. She felt her head heavy and the air too thin to breathe. It was the third ANBU team that had failed to return alive and she was out of ideas.
"What did they find out, Tenzo?" she requested sounding tired.
The sunrays were warming her back as she was sitting by her desk in the Hokage's Office.
"The last message of them was the one that arrived early this morning." Tenzo informed her. His voice was warm and serious. It calmed Tsunade somehow. Tenzo was one of the few ninjas of this village she trusted, and she knew she could count on him. Even though she never approved the fact that he was bearing a part of her grandfather's gene, something that was caused by Orochimaru her former teammate as one of his hundreds experiments on humans, he proved liable and trustful.
Tsunade looked at the scroll lying on her desk.
She sighed and stood up.
She turned her back to Tenzo and looked out of the huge window, which observed Konoha.
It was such a beautiful day and she was hoping of getting finally good news from the third and perfectly skilled for such a mission ANBU team.
Madara, she thought of the name and felt rage growing inside her.
She would give anything to have the chance of fighting him.
Madara Uchiha, he was the last member of the Akatsuki alive. According to the few information gathered, Madara was never actually a loyal member of the Akatsuki. He joined only to get in touch with the youngest Uchiha that was still living. It seems Madara was well aware of Sasuke's desire to avenge for the murder of his family and kill Itachi, his older brother. But, for some reason, all these three years after Sasuke's and Itachi's death, Madara was still active.
The evidence gathered showed dead young genins on Madara's path. He was hunting down genin groups around the five great shinobi countries, killing one member of each team. Most of the dead genins came from the Land of Snow, three came from the Sand Village, two came from the Village Hidden in the Mist. Fortunately, there was still no victim from Konoha.
This is why Tsunade had ordered no genin teams to leave on missions beyond the borders of Konoha, ever since they had concluded that those deaths were no coincidence.
Tsunade had discussed of the matter with the council of Elders, with her best ANBU ninjas, but no one knew anything more than she did.
There was no reasonable explanation of Madara Uchiha's actions.
Tsunade looked towards the building of the Ninja's Academy. How many genins were in there right now. How many of them were banned on going on missions because of Madara Uchiha.
She hated being blind. She hated having to face an unknown danger. She hated having to risk the lives of so many good ninjas. But she had to. She had to face the threat, she had to face the destroyer of Konoha and the murderer of so many innocent younglings.
She turned to Tenzo looking decisive.
"Call Kakashi and Turo."
Tenzo stayed focused on her with a wondrous look.
But Tsunade's angry look made him move hastily nodding.
He disappeared behind a cloud of smoke.
Tsunade sighed and walked quickly towards a bookcase that extended by the entire wall. It was filled with hundreds of folders containing files of missions, profiles, history books, ANBU records, some magazines of hers and, of course, hidden behind an extra piece of wood, a bottle of sake.
Tsunade opened it and took a sip, when she heard faint footsteps approaching. She swore to the bottle and hid it. She was standing, leaning on the bookcase when Shizune opened the door.
She was holding little Tonton in her lap. He squeaked to Tsunade greeting her.
"The first part of the chuunin exams just began, Tsunade-sama. It will be an interesting competition, I'm sure. There are fifty-six participants coming only from the Sand Village. While ours are only twenty. Tsunade-sama, you look pale!" Shizune noticed coming closer to Tsunade.
Tsunade looked at her frowning.
"I will send Kakashi to search for Madara." She said simply, although her voice sounded deeper than usual.
"You mean Kakashi-team?"Shizune looked shocked for a second.
"No, not Naruto. I can't send him. I won't. I made Jiraya a promise. The boy's not ready yet to face that Uchiha. No, I mean Kakashi, along with Tenzo and Turo." Tsunade tried to think of anybody else she could send along. They needed a medic-ninja for sure and she even thought of sending Shikamaru along as well.
But if she should send Kakashi on this mission, Naruto would eventually find out. She had to find a way of distracting Naruto's attention.
At that moment sounded new footsteps on the hallway.
There was a knock on the door.
"Enter!" Tsunade said harshly.
A messenger entered holding a new piece of scroll.
Tsunade noticed it bear the stamp of the Sand Village.
"An urgent message coming from the Kazekage of the Sand Village." The messenger said his eyes wide open.
Shizune took it from the messenger's hand and thanked him.
She gave it to Tsunade.
Tsunade unfolded it quickly and read the fine handwriting of Gaara-sama.
Hokage-sama, this matter is of extreme urgency.
Knowing the threat coming from a former Akatsuki member, Madara Uchiha, we have sent a best-qualified team on search of his trails. There is evidence of new victims in the Land of Thunder. Specifically in the Village of the Thousand Ghosts, south of the Village Hidden in the Clouds. For the reason that our village has suffered the loss of three genins, I request your assistance on sending a combined team of Leaf and Sand shinobi at the spot to gather information.
According to our existing evidence, there is an accomplice with Madara Uchiha. He's known by the name Kuroi.
Waiting for an answer
Sincerely, Kazekage of the Sand Village
Tsunade had the deepest desire of calling upon every single jonin and ANBU ninja and lead them to war with that bastard Uchiha. He had just killed more children.
"No such person deserves to live!" she shouted and threw the scroll on her desk.
She grunted, Shizune and Tonton keeping a distance from her.
Tsunade sat on her desk and fetched a new piece of scroll and sank her pen in black ink.
She could smell the bitter scent of the fresh ink and without thinking much she scribbled on the parchment.
Kazekage-sama
A team of four best-qualified shinobi will be awaiting your team at the Bridge In The Rain in a time of one and a half day counting from the minute you receive this message.
Sincerely, Hokage of the Leaf Village
She rolled it and handed it to the messenger who was still standing in the centre of the office. He looked nervous as Tsunade walked up to him.
"Send it to the Kazekage now. It's urgent." She ordered using her Hokage-tone.
The messenger bowed and left muttering "Right away, Lady Hokage!"
Tsunade waited until she heard the door slam behind her.
She looked at Shizune who looked anxious, her beautiful characteristics darkened.
"Tsunade-sama, are you alright?" Shizune said in a low worrying tone.
"No, I'm not. I need a drink." Tsunade muttered, but was serious. She could drink the entire bottle in one swallow. Maybe this would make Madara Uchiha disappear.
Tsunade wanted to punch the wall and turn it into dust, imagining it was Uchiha's face.
"A tea would be a better choice, I think. Let me make you one. A green tea calm-!"
"Shizune-san, call for Shikamaru and Naruto right away!" interrupted Tsunade. She needn't any tea. She needed Uchiha dead.
Shizune left Tonton on Tsunade's desk and left quickly the office.
Tsunade felt ready to explode. Like the heat boiling up in her was burning her insides, like her brain was about to burst open. She hated this man. She hated him for hating her clan, Senju, she hated him for being one of the actual grounders of Konoha, she hated him for causing so much pain by being the real reason behind Sasuke's seek for revenge, she hated him for being an Akatsuki, she hated him for being the one who planned Konoha's destruction, she hated him for killing children, she hated him with all her might.
"I will find you, Uchiha. I will find you and then I'll destroy you!"
___________
The Hokage Tower was buzzing. Everywhere ran messengers and jonins up and down.
Kakashi knew it was always like that, but for some reason he was feeling a strange air in the tower this time.
It was like a threat had arisen. Like the smell of rain while watching a single dark cloud in the sky. Kakashi felt a bit nervous as he was climbing the stairs.
But he was feeling good as well, since the welcoming sweet scent of Sakura next to him was reaching his nostrils. He glanced at her with the corner of his right eye and saw her looking so cute, but so mysterious too. Like she knew she was being watched and wore an expressionless mask. Kakashi wanted to laugh thinking like that. He was the only one who acted that selfishly, not wanting anyone to know his true feelings. Sakura was exactly the opposite of him.
She said what she was thinking, and she showed it as well. This is why she was so respectful and strong. She knew what she was feeling and she didn't get lost, while trying to conceal her true thoughts and emotions. At least this is how he remembered her. Maybe she has changed, Kakashi thought.
They reached the first floor following the cylindrical corridor. The windows extending on the one side of the corridor gave a surrounding view of Konoha.
It was a wonderful summer's day, Kakashi observed.
Passing by two doors, they reached the double-doors of the Hokage's office.
Kakashi heard Tsunade's intense voice, she sounded really angry about something.
Sakura must have heard it a well, as Kakashi exchanged worried glances with her.
Kakashi noticed that he was standing quite close to Sakura. So close he could just feel her exhaling and could see all tints of turquoise in her eyes. He felt a shiver taking him over and stepped backwards in order to hide it.
"It's Kakashi." He said calmly and when he heard Tsunade's harsh voice allowing them to enter, he pushed the one leaf of the door open with the tips of his fingers, letting Sakura enter first.
He followed her taking the chance to feel her scent once more before walking away from her.
He avoided looking at her and instead glanced at all the guests.
There stood the Hokage in front of her desk holding a pen fidgeting with it. She looked furious, her forehead wrinkled, vanishing the small tattooed evidence of her Creation Rebirth seal, and her lips pressed together.
In front of her stood Tenzo-san and Turo-san. They were both wearing their jonin uniforms, their faces worried.
Kakashi looked at Tsunade.
She was looking at Sakura. It seemed to him like the Hokage wanted to talk to Sakura alone.
After a minute of silence, Tsunade looked at the three jonins one after the other, when she fixed her gaze on Kakashi.
"Read this." She said handing him a dark scroll.
Kakashi looked at the small parchment and read it.
Urgent message for the Hokage
Trails found 2 miles east of the Village of the Blue Tree, before an encounter with a shinobi called Kuroi. Ox fatally injured. Followed trails by a waterfall with cherry blossomed trees. A child, genin, found deceased hanging by a tree. A note found on the corpse, sent along with this message. Now following trails leading southeast of the waterfall.
Kakashi noticed a piece of the parchment ripped off at the bottom and the ink smudged at the end of the last word, like the sender had written something too hastily. Kakashi froze at the thought of what might have happened.
He knew of the rumors about Madara Uchiha being back killing younglings, but he never asked about more information. He knew now it was his turn to attend the matter. Tsunade must be very desperate of that matter to have called for Tenzo-san, Turo-san and himself.
He looked up at Tsunade.
"I want you to follow those trails and find out what on earth happened to the ANBU team." She said talking to all three of them.
"Madara Uchiha has a partner as it seems." Turo commented.
"Yes, it's confirmed also by our neighbors. The sand ninjas encountered this Kuroi as well."
"Do they know who he is?" Turo asked frowning.
Tsunade moved on her desk and turned to Turo.
"No." she said. Her voice sounded like it hurt to speak.
"This is why I want you three to follow the trails and find out more. I want to know where this Uchiha is." Her voice was trembling with fury.
"Shall we go as ANBU?" Tenzo asked in a low tone.
Kakashi was thinking of Sakura. There was no reason not to trust her, but he felt strange having to show his ANBU side in front of her. Usually the assignment over such important missions was held under great secrecy. But Tsunade trusted Sakura. He trusted Sakura.
"No. The last three ANBU teams failed. Let you appear as normal jonins, maybe then Uchiha will try to get in touch with you, as he's the kind who likes talking. I guess the murder of the ANBU ninjas was only a message."
"A message?" Turo wondered.
"It seems this entire thing was a stage. The hanging genin with the note, the trails. Like Madara wants to show off his power. It's like he knows our every move. It seems he wants to communicate with someone more important, someone the Hokage trusts." Tenzo spoke to Turo.
Kakashi folded his arms on his chest.
"Where is the note?" he asked.
Tsunade looked at him. Her gaze darkened.
"There was none." She said simply.
Kakashi glanced at the window and then turned to Tsunade again.
"We shall leave immediately, before more killings occur." He said being decisive. He knew the importance of this mission. He knew that Madara Uchiha knew that Kakashi was one of the most important ninjas of Konoha and a trusted one of the Hokage. He wouldn't speak with anyone else than one the Hokage trusted with her life.
Kakashi remembered when he had first encountered this powerful ninja. His level of Sharingan was way beyond his. He was a master of twice the jutsus he was, and probably even more.
It was the first time he feared of fighting a shinobi that much.
Kakashi noticed that the Hokage was watching Sakura.
"Madara Uchiha?" sounded Sakura's trembling voice.
Kakashi turned to look at her. She was standing closer to Tsunade on the other side of the office. Her hands were tight fists and her eyes were fixed on Tsunade's. Kakashi could imagine perfectly what she was feeling.
All this time they were talking about a mission to go and discuss with Sasuke's murderer.
"What's he up to?" Sakura demanded to know.
She sounded determined to know the truth. Kakashi wondered why the Hokage had let Sakura listen to all of this in the first place. He turned to Tsunade. She looked worried.
"He's killing genins from all over the great five shinobi countries, Sakura, and he has an accomplice as it seems. We must find out why he's doing all this." She explained to her talking a bit too slow.
Sakura grunted under her breathe.
"Why must we find out why he's doing this, and not just find him and kill him?" she requested moving a step closer to Tsunade.
"Because it's Madara Uchiha we're talking about. He's probably the most powerful ninja alive, Sakura. We can't just walk to his hideout and challenge him on a fight, like-!"
"Of course we can. He did it! Why can't we?" Sakura's voice echoed stronger and angrier.
"Sakura, I want to destroy him as much as you do!' Tsunade shouted to Sakura. The echo hit the walls making it quake for a second.
Sakura froze frowning at her master.
Kakashi hated seeing Tsunade furious. She turned into a monster. But most of all he hated watching her shouting at Sakura.
"You could keep it a secret from me, Tsunade-sama." Sakura said in a lower and calmer tone. She was still angry nonetheless.
Tsunade walked quickly to Sakura with an apologized look on her face.
Turo, Tenzo and Kakashi looked at them.
"Sakura, I'm sorry for having to listen to this like that. I know what you feel about this- this monster. But you are a great kunoichi and I need you. I need you on this mission. You are the best medic-nin in the village. And I can only trust you on this mission." Tsunade assured her holding Sakura from her shoulders.
Kakashi felt taken out. He couldn't help but protest.
"Hokage-sama. I believe Tenzo-san and myself are capable enough in medic-ninjutsu. Sakura shouldn't attend this mission. It's too risky to-!"
"Kakashi, this is not your decision." Tsunade interrupted him turning slowly her gaze towards him.
"She's my student as well, Hokage-sama, so I have the right to decide if a student of mine can attend this mission or not." He insisted trying to sound less angry than he felt. He kept his eye fixed on Tsunade.
"She stopped being anyone's student ever since she left, Kakashi. Let her decide." Tsunade said harshly.
Kakashi turned to Sakura. She was looking worryingly at Tsunade and then she looked at him, like she was trying to find an answer.
Tsunade was right. She should make the choice. Sakura was mature enough to know if she could handle going on this mission. She would know if she would be a burden or actually helpful.
Kakashi trusted her, but he couldn't trust himself anymore knowing that she would walk down a very risky road that he couldn't avoid. But he would be there. He would watch over her. He wouldn't let anything happen to her.
Sakura looked at Tsunade.
"I can do it. I will attend this mission." She said calmly.
Kakashi froze. He couldn't move his eyes off of her.
He took a deep breath and put his hands inside his pockets feeling real fear taking him over.
"Great! Leave as soon as you can! I want to be informed on your every move. Twice a day." said Tsunade relieved. She fell on her seat behind her desk.
"What about Naruto?." Sakura said.
"Oh, there is another mission of equal importance awaiting him. Don't worry." Tsunade said half smiling.
Kakashi wished for a moment if only he could punch her for forcing Sakura, and now Naruto, into such danger. But he only thought of his anger, not showing a thing on his half hidden face.
"Of equal importance?" Sakura wondered.
"There are other trails at the south of the Village Hidden in the Clouds. Another jonin team will attend this matter. Naruto will go along this way, with Shikamaru, Shizune and Neji."
"But how do you know where Madara is? He could be there and if he gets in Naruto's way, it…! Tsunade-sama, I should be watching over Naruto, I don't believe he will be able to restrain himself." Sakura said. She was fidgeting the small skirt above her black leggings.
"Sakura, did you forget that Naruto bears no longer this monster inside of him? He has evolved tremendously. I've been watching his training all this time. He may be even stronger now he has the space to improve the capacity of his own chakra and not that of the Nine-Tailed Fox. You're right that, may Madara be there-which I don't believe-, Naruto will turn mad. But he has matured. He has grown Sakura. Once you watch him fight you'll understand." Tsunade assured her, her honey-brown eyes fixed on Sakura's.
Sakura was silent watching at the window behind of the Hokage. She looked uncertain, like she wanted to believe but couldn't.
Kakashi wished to comfort Sakura. To assure her himself that her friend would be perfectly fine. He thought of trying to persuade Tsunade of rearranging the teams. But he should do this in private.
He turned to Tsunade. There was one thing that made him still uneasy about Madara Uchiha.
"Hokage-sama, may I ask, what makes you think Uchiha is at the Village of the Blue Tree and not at the Village of the Thousand Clouds. It's two different directions. There were at both places trails of him." He wondered.
Tsunade looked at him. She looked more tired than ever.
"My ANBU team actually saw Madara. The sand ninjas at the Village Hidden in the Clouds only found Kuroi and trails of his master. I had received a message yesterday night. Madara no longer wears the cloak with red clouds on it." She told them. She rubbed the sides of her forehead before lifting her head to look at each of them with a serious dark look.
Tenzo and Turo turned to look at Kakashi.
Kakashi noticed their serious looks, like they were awaiting his order. For some reason, even if he didn't actually want it, they thought of him as their leader. He noticed Sakura standing next to Turo staring at Tsunade.
Kakashi felt a warmth inside his chest, it tickled his insides and caused him to lose his row of thinking.
Kakashi looked back at his fellow teammates.
"I need to have a word with the Hokage. Wait for my call." He told them calmly.
Turo nodded and was about to leave.
Tenzo, on the other hand, stayed still looking at Kakashi with a wondrous look.
Kakashi was well aware of Tenzo's curious nature, but he rarely showed it. He also looked worried like he had noticed that something weird was happening inside his leader's and teacher's head.
Kakashi assured him with one look that everything was alright.
Tenzo nodded after a minute of silence between them and abandoned the office.
Kakashi heard the door close and looked at Tsunade who was staring at him seriously. Her eyelids were about to shut and she had taken off her green anorak.
"What is it, Kakashi?" she asked annoyed.
"I think we should make some changes. Let Sakura go with Naruto's team. And Shizune may attend our mission." He said staying focused on the Hokage.
Sakura was still in the room, but he wanted her to stay. If his students were about to attend these risky missions, let them be at least together.
"Kakashi, I made up my mind. I trust Shizune with Naruto she can control him."
"Sakura can control him better. And Naruto trusts her."
"This is what I want to avoid, Kakashi. Shikamaru is a perfect leader, he will keep Naruto restrained if there is the need. But right now, your mission is the most important, this is why I want the best on it, understood?" Tsunade insisted her voice loud and steady.
Kakashi wasn't persuaded and it seems he had shown it, for Tsunade stood up and approached him.
"This mission has to do with secrecy and tactfulness. Turo-san, Tenzo-san and yourself are the best I have. I want you to return all safe with as much information as you can get. And I know Sakura will make sure this happens. I trained her. You should know it as well." She told him with a quieter tone.
Kakashi felt his thoughts travel back to the cemetery, when Sakura spoke of the path of life. How people get lost in it. He felt this sensation right that moment. He took a deep breath not looking away of Tsunade's steady gaze.
He nodded and looked at Sakura.
"Aye, Hokage-sama." He said and moved his hands inside his pockets.
She trusted Sakura more than him or Tenzo and Turo. He understood her plan. He wanted Sakura to speak with Madara Uchiha. The anger inside of him wouldn't calm down. But he would be there, by her side. If Madara Uchiha tried to lift a single finger on Sakura, he would destroy him.