CHAPTER X
Rare Item
"I know it's not our position to inquire, but what kind of help do you need?" Sakura asked humbly yet seriously.
When the green clad stranger turned to the voice of the young lady, he suddenly went frigid. His large yet very round eyes locked on Sakura's face while a small pink, turning to red, tint started appearing on his cheeks. Naruto could only look at the stranger curiously. Sakura just stared at the stranger, too. But Sasuke's different.
The young Uchiha prodigy's blood started to boil and he could feel his fist shaking intensely inside the pocket of his pants. He glared at the stranger as hard and scary as he could but none of it registered, instead, his gaze towards Sakura was unyielding. Sasuke's tolerance level decreased.
Sasuke was unable to suppress irritation when he spoke. "Oi, you're given a question. But if you don't want to answer then we're going ahead."
Sakura and Naruto jerked their heads towards Sasuke with both having the same thought. What's wrong with him?
The stranger blinked his round eyes as he stepped forward towards Sakura and started bombarding her with a gibberish introduction of— "The flames of my youth has bestowed upon me a young goddess before my eyes! Such is my destiny when I finally met the one who would truly save—"
That just ended it when Sasuke seethed. "Would. You. Mind?"
It finally made the stranger return to his alarmed state and recalled Sakura's question before he was overwhelmed by her charm. "Oh, I'm so sorry." He took a breath before he speaks. "I was sent by my Master from Jadea as a messenger to inform the Emperor that our city has been under attack by several strong monsters."
Naruto suddenly interrupted, "That's ridiculous. Each city in Gaea is protected by magical runes which wards off malevolent monsters."
Sakura saved his dropping hope as she spoke. "We can't be sure Naruto-kun. A person with gems and jewels like us could destroy the rune and allow monsters to invade. We can't brush this issue aside. Let's hurry to the Tower."
Once again, the green clad stranger stared longingly at Sakura. "This is indeed the bursting flame of my youth! I have met a beautiful maiden with a golden heart! Oh! I am so—"
"We don't have time. Let's go." Sasuke immediately ordered as he sped up ahead of the stranger.
Sakura and Naruto looked at each other before shrugging.
----------o0o----------
Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke, much to his frustration, have escorted the green clad stranger who introduced himself as Rock Lee. His wide huge eyes could have widened more when he observed his surroundings. Lee heard stories about and seen some places through Gemstones but he had never been in there.
The city was lively and a lot people were busy. It could have been one-fourth of the idea why Lifropolis' economy is continuously rising, every people in the land were helping. Moreover, the land was completely beautiful. It was huge and there were lots of lovely buildings. If he only came here for vacation—
"We're here, Lee-san." Sakura announced.
Said person stopped his tracks and looked up the gates of the Tower. Lee guessed that it was the largest and tallest building in this land. He wondered how many people were working within the said tower.
"We'll guide you to the High Council. Tell them your message." Sasuke interjected his thoughts when he, once again, walked ahead of his friends.
Soon Lee followed his suit.
Sakura was about to walk too when Naruto suddenly whispered to her. "I wonder why Sasuke's pissed off. Lee's a nice guy."
"Well… I don't really have an idea."
The two who was lagging behind immediately followed their friend when he glanced to his side to signal them to follow. They also thought that they would report to the Head Quarters too. As they trudge the stairs towards the High Council Hall, Naruto noticed that Lee had somewhat changed. When they met him on the way to Lifropolis he seemed to be cheerful but now as they neared the hall Naruto easily detected that the stranger has a big dilemma. Naruto wondered if he could help a kind person despite the flashy introduction of continuous citing of "youth."
It wasn't long when they reached the hall and was welcomed by a High Council with wild unkempt silver hair.
"Good morning kids, how may I help you?"
All four teenagers stared audibly at the man. But of course, silence would never be long lived as long as Naruto is around.
"We're not kids anymore."
The member of the High Council raised an eyebrow. It was at that moment that they realized that his other eye was covered with an eye patch.
"How old are you?"
"18."
"You're a teen and still a kid. End of discussion."
All Lee, Sakura and Sasuke did is let their jaw drop on the floor.
The member High Council smiled at them. "I'm in the mood so it's natural to be this hyper." Suddenly his expression changed as he eyed Rock Lee. "You aren't from this city, is there something you need?"
Lee stepped forward and before he started his talk, the three immediately noted the gravity of his request. "I want to request immediate reinforcements, sir. Our Jadea is in danger. My Master sent me to inform you that our city has been invaded by monsters. The barrier that protected our city was destroyed."
The member of the High Council hastily placed a couple of gemstones on his bracer then a holographic globe glowed before their eyes. "This is Hatake Kakashi of the High Council Hall. I have an urgent request from Jadea. Monsters have invaded their city."
There was someone inside the holographic globe who responded from Kakahi's report. She said that back up would be assembled in an hour. Most of their soldiers have been assigned to different tasks in Gaea and only a few have returned.
Kakashi was about to end his communication when Naruto instigated. "We'll do it!"
His friends were doubtful and surprised at first but afterwards they resolved firmly when each of them gave Kakashi a curt nod. In front of them, Lee looked at them with tearful eyes and a silent gratitude.
Kakashi looked at the person from the holographic globe for an affirmation. She talked for a few moments before Kakashi moved the globe to face the teenagers.
"I am Mitarashi Anko of the High Council Orders. I have been informed that the following people were assigned to aid Hyuuga Hinata of Diamantis: Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura." The three stepped forward as their names have been called. "We will not allow you to go on another mission unless you give us a report from your previous task."
Sasuke threw a Chronicle gemstone, which holds the entire events that happened in Diamantis and Saphiris, on to Kakashi's hand. Kakashi picked up another gemstone to fuse with the Chronicle gemstone so that Anko could immediately retrieve the record. While Anko was running through the records, Kakashi glanced at the teenagers. He did notice their resolved of wanting to help people. It was even remarkable that they all agreed to do a mission just right after they've done completed one.
Quick tempered.
"Kakashi." Anko called. "Let them take the mission."
Kakashi smiled. "Certainly." The Oracle gemstone's power was dispelled. He faced the young Lifropolis soldiers and their client. "Very well children. It takes three days to get to Jadea. Rock Lee will escort you there. But—" He threw a bluish-green gemstone towards Naruto who caught it effortlessly. "I recommend you to use Atlas. I want you three to investigate and assist Jadea. This is no deed of naïve people—" He also threw Sasuke's Chronicle gemstone. "So be careful."
"Yes sir!"
----------o0o----------
They were standing outside Lifropolis' gates when Lee walked ahead then stopped abruptly. The three who have gathered after a few minutes of preparation, looked at each other.
He looked at their eyes as he spoke. "Allow me to show my gratitude and apology as well." Then he bowed courteously.
After a few moments in silence, Sakura spoke. "There's no need for formalities, Lee-san." Rock Lee immediately looked up at Sakura.
Naruto thrust his right hand and gave Lee a thumbs-up and a wide grin. "Yeah! We're just starting!"
For the most time that Sasuke felt irritated around Lee, he finally smirked. Once again, Lee felt like crying at their abundance of kindness. However, with issue at hand, he collected himself and gave them all a nod. "Yeah, let's go! We can make it today if we hurry!"
"What?!"
"Are you nuts?"
Then a mirthful chortle.
Lee instinctively scratched the back of his head as he grin back at them. Soon after, they sauntered the path towards Jadea. Sakura reminded Naruto to activate Atlas. At first, Naruto was doubtful because he hasn't used as much gemstone as possible, but with his wide grin, he immediately put the gemstone on his bracer and activated it.
"Whoa! There are a lot of marked places in here!"
Excitedly, his three comrades rounded beside him to look at the glowing holographic globe.
"Kakashi-san has certainly been to a lot of places." Sakura was impressed. There were really a lot of cities and shortcuts glowing in Atlas.
"Members of the HC (High Council) are usually traveling to far places either for research or from missions." Sasuke explained as he stared harder at some glowing paths. He noted to buy Atlas when they arrive at the next city.
"Well! Let's keep moving!" Naruto announced after his initial amazement.
He used Levitate gemstone and shared its power on Rock Lee. Sasuke refused thrice from Naruto's assistance but when Sakura suggested that he take it for him to accumulate energy that he used previously, Sasuke ultimately gave in.
"I can't believe you survived our first mission with only low level gemstones." Sasuke mocked.
Naruto frowned at him. "Well I'm a genius! And I can survive at any situation, you know!"
Sasuke snorted, "You should upgrade your gemstones fast or it will be rendered useless soon."
"Why you--!!"
As they entertain themselves to bicker at each other, Sakura approached Lee for information. Truly, she hasn't been to Jadea nor does she know anyone in that city. She was also particularly curious about the destroyed magical runes.
"Lee-san," Lee instantaneously turned to her. "Do you have any information regarding the attack?"
Lee looked thoughtful for a moment as Naruto's Levitate gem power helped him move forward. "Well, we didn't really saw the culprit but I was informed that they came from a group called Agate."
Sakura blinked. "So this group destroyed your city's magical rune and allowed monsters to invade."
She glanced at the Atlas to check their paths, chuckling for a second when the two behind them haven't finished their bickering.
Sakura continued. "For what purpose does this group have to suddenly wreck havoc in your city. Do you have any idea?"
The person in question stared back at her. He looked as though he was going to response quickly only to held his tongue and looked down on the road. Sakura's brows furrowed together as she observed him.
"From what I heard, they're after something… Something important that can only be found in our city."
Lee grew silent after that. Sakura could only stare at him quietly, her mind already processing after hearing the details.
Behind them, the two have finished their bickering after giving each other a rude finger.
----------o0o----------
They arrived in Brozeis later at night and have an agreement to stay in the inn. After purchasing two rooms, Sasuke immediately disappeared. The boys would share one room while Sakura took the other. Lee wondered where Sasuke went.
"Don't worry about him. He's obsessed with equipments. He must be window shopping in armories or in gemstone shops." Naruto said as he busied himself to prepare his bed.
"Oh." Lee was laying his back on his bed for a minute then immediately rose to sit as a sudden thought pass his mind. "So that means he's a Zatanku?"
Naruto smiled at his work before jumping on his bed and then laid his back on it. He rolled to the side to face Lee. "Yep. He graduated as a Zatanku. I'm a Zagante and Sakura-chan's a Zarune."
Lee was eager to prolong the conversation as he shared his. "I'm a Zatanku, too but I'm not really good with weapons."
Naruto's brows rose up. He didn't know that Lee would have a rank because he didn't have any equipment to prove anything. It seems as though Lee followed Naruto's train of thoughts.
"My bracers are in my bag." He smiled.
Naruto sat up and glanced at Lee's things. "Why aren't you putting your bracer on? A ranked soldier should always have their equipments on because we don't know when we're going to fight you know."
Lee smiled bitterly. "I know that, Naruto…"
"Huh?"
Lee suddenly changed his expression before announcing that he's going to sleep.
"Oh. Okay, goodnight then."
----------o0o----------
Sasuke returned to the inn after buying what he needed. He walked pass Sakura's room and was tempted to check if she's alright when suddenly Naruto stopped beside him.
"Lee's asleep."
"Nn."
Sasuke's eyes stayed longer at Sakura's room before he gave it a curt nod. He glanced at Naruto.
"You should sleep."
"I'm just wondering why you suddenly became touchy when we met Lee."
That stopped Sasuke from heading towards the room.
Naruto continued with a sly grin, "Well, well. Aren't you becoming possessive huh?"
Sasuke looked over his shoulder and sent Naruto a glare. "None of your business, dobe."
Naruto started laughing when he caught Sasuke's flushed face.
----------o0o----------
Explosions were heard everywhere. Amidst chaos, a yellow-haired young man stood at the heart of the city.
"Tell us where we can find this gemstone and we'll keep these monsters away! But if you don't—" Another explosion. "We'll burn this city down. Hmm."
People were screaming everywhere. Monsters were scattered as they destroy anything they see. Jadea only have few soldiers to obliterate these invaders which is why the current leader of its city dispatched a messenger to call for help.
"Well if your Empress would like to give us what we want, we'll stop assaulting."
The yellow-haired man offered to the soldiers but none of them responded politely since they tried to attack him. The invader seemed to get annoyed that he made a counter attack.
"Don't try to piss me off! Hmm!"
To be continued…
Author's Note: I've updated finally! Also I uploaded an entry in my livejournal account (look for Terminologies, it's a link) for AUC's terminologies. You see, this is like an RPG written as a story.
TERMS:
ATLAS – A bluish-green gemstone which serves as a map of Gaea. There aren't a lot of these gemstones because only those who have traveled far can store many locations. Also it is essential that the user should always use this gemstone when traveling.
CHRONICLE – A gemstone that records events during mission. It is also used for demonstration. For soldiers it is similar to journal or record files. (Used by Sasuke)
HIGH COUNCIL HALL – A place for ranked soldiers to report and take missions. It is also the place for clients to make requests using military forces of the city.
HIGH COUNCIL ORDERS – A place where some of the members of the High Council are working directly under the Emperor. These people were the ones who will approve and receive missions from ranked soldiers.
JADEA - Originally came from the name Jade. It is a small city located to the south from Lifropolis. It takes three days to travel to arrive in the city. This city is led by an Empress.
ORACLE – This gemstone is used for communication. There are particular three gemstones to combine in order to summon Oracle. When Oracle is used properly, a holographic globe will appear which shows person that the user contacted will appear in it. It is frequently used by High Council members.
Author's Note 2: I have re-uploaded from chapter 8 to this chapter. I'm so sorry I messed up uploading . .