1). Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or it's characters. Just this storyline and my characters.
2). Third chapter update in one day. I managed to write the third one for today like I said I might so enjoy it.
3). This is the first chapter in the Rescue Konohamaru Arc. If you want to know what these missing-nin want to use the Land of Waves' ports, you'll just have to wait, I haven't thought about it myself yet. Also this is probably the longest chapter I've written so far.
11. Return to Konoha! Arising Crisis!
The sun had reached the western horizon and Sakura awaited at the front gate for the return of Naruto. She just wanted to make sure he really okay and not hurt or injured in any way. Sakura also knew her visit with Naruto would be short lived after he returned, he'd probably would have to go to Tsunade's office right away to debrief on the mission. She had been waiting for a good hour before her heard a familiar voice in the distance and sure enough, accompanying that voice was her blonde-haired ninja friend.
"Alright guys, there's the gate's of Konoha." Naruto said happy as ever to be home.
"Thank kami, I'm so tired I could pass out right here." Shiro said.
"You said it, Shiro." Hiroshi added.
Naruto chuckled, "Don't forget, we still got to pay a vist to Tsunade-baachan."
The three genin just groaned and Naruto chuckled and turned his attention back on the gate. When he got close enough, the first thing he saw was Sakura, standing at the gate with a huge smile on her face.
'Oh crap.' Naruto thought in fear. Hiroshi saw her too.
"Uh oh sensei, looks like she's back for round two."
Naruto gulped, "Don't joke like that Hiroshi."
Hiroshi laughed. Himawari and Shiro looked confused.
"What do you mean Hiroshi-kun?" asked Himawari.
Hiroshi rolled his eyes, "It's nothing Himawari-chan."
She said and Shiro just stayed silent. Naruto and his team entered the main gate into Konoha. He was scared, he wasn't expecting Sakura to be waiting and even then, scared wasn't the word to describe it.
"Sa-Sakura-chan," Naruto began, trembling. "What are you doing here?"
Sakura just smiled and hugged him tightly. Naruto was surprised and taken back by the event that just unfolded. Why was she hugging him? She nearly killed him with her powerful punch to the face just days before. Why the sudden change of heart?
"I over heard Tsunade talking to ANBU yesterday and…." Sakura began.
"And what?" Naruto interrupted.
"She sent them to follow you to make sure you actually went on that mission." Sakura continued.
'What the hell? She didn't trust me about going?' Naruto thought. "Go on."
"Also that you were fighting Sasuke."
Naruto froze up. 'Damn it, she found out about that.'
Naruto just stayed quiet.
"I was worried that you would be killed." Sakura finished.
"You were worried?" asked a touched Naruto.
"I thought I would lose my friend." Sakura admitted. Naruto smiled.
"You should have been there. I kicked his ass a good bit before he escaped." Naruto said with his voice getting sadder at the end, "Which means I failed again."
"Don't worry about it, Naruto. I'm just glad you're okay." Sakura said trying to cheer Naruto back up. Hiroshi, Himawari and Shiro just watched. Shiro was getting impatient and wanted to get the debriefing over so he could go home so he decided to cut in. Shiro got in between Sakura and Naruto. Sakura was just confused and Naruto looked at Shiro with anger in his eyes.
"What is it Shiro?" asked an annoyed Naruto.
"I want to go home, so can we go get the debriefing over with already." Shiro said.
Naruto sighed, "Fine." He looked back up at Sakura. "Well Sakura-chan, I have to go see Tsunade-baachan."
Sakura nodded, "How about we meet up for Ramen tonight? There's something I want to talk to you about."
Naruto smiled, "Of course, I'd love to!"
Sakura smiled and waved off Naruto and his team as the headed for the Hokage's building.
Team Eleven arrived at the Hokage building. They stared at it as if they didn't really want to go but they did. They went straight to Tsunade's office where Naruto knocked on the door.
"Come in." A faintly familiar voice said from the other side. Naruto and his Genin enter to find Shizune at the desk.
"Oh, Shizune, uh, where's Tsunade-baachan?" asked Naruto.
"She'll be back shortly." Shizune replied.
Shiro sighed, "Oh great, more waiting."
Naruto ignored his impatient Genin and waited. About ten minutes after arriving Tsunade entered here office and saw Naruto and his team falling asleep sitting down, waiting. Naruto finally sensed her presence and got up.
"It's about time." Naruto said. Tsunade just sat down, ignoring Naruto's small outburst.
"Alright, spill." Tsunade finally said.
"What do you want to know first?" asked Naruto.
"Did you find out any information about Itachi?" asked Tsunade.
"They didn't know anything." Naruto answered. "It seems to me he was just passing near the area, didn't actually go into the village."
"I see, and what about your fight with Sasuke?" asked Tsunade.
"I kicked him around a bit then he escaped." Naruto replied. Tsunade sighed.
"At least you're in one piece this time." Tsunade said. Naruto just nodded but before Naruto could speak up again the door swung opened.
"What's the meaning of this?" yelled Tsunade before she realized who it was. Standing before her was a beaten up, man wearing sunglasses and had his forehead protector tied completely around his head as a bandana. He wore the traditional Jounin vest. Had a black shirt and blue paints with the blue opened toe shoes.
"Tsunade-sama." He spoke up, "We have a problem."
"Naruto, you and your team are dismissed." Naruto nodded and walked out the door along with his Genin.
Outside the Hokage building Naruto and his team stood out front.
"I wonder what was that all about." Naruto said and he looked at Hiroshi, Shiro and Himawari. "Alright, you all can go home now."
"Goodbye Naruto-sensei." Himawari said waving.
Naruto smiled, "Goodbye."
Shiro just waved slightly and walked off. Hiroshi stood there without moving. Instantly Naruto knew what was bothering him.
"Still don't want to go home yet?" asked Naruto. Hiroshi shook his head. The whole mission kept Hiroshi's mind off the death of his parents. Now that he was back, the news came back to haunt him. Naruto sighed, he didn't really want Hiroshi to stay another night with him. Naruto cared about his students, but Hiroshi can't always rely on him. Also there was the fact he was going to spend some time with Sakura in a little while.
"Hiroshi look, I know you feel lonely and don't want to go." Naruto began to say but then stayed silent. He didn't know what he could say to the boy this time.
Hiroshi sighed, "Don't worry about Naruto-sensei. I'll go deal with it."
Naruto sighed and watched Hiroshi walked away. He felt guilty for just letting the boy go finally he couldn't handle his conscience.
"Alright Hiroshi, you can stay another night, but I'm not going to be home much tonight." Naruto finally shouted.
Hiroshi turned around. "Are you sure?" Naruto nodded.
"But like I said, I'm not going to be home until later tonight."
Hiroshi and Naruto reached his apartment. Naruto took out his key and unlocked the door and the two stepped inside. Hiroshi just basically fell onto the couch and in a few minutes he was out.
'Poor kid, was more tired than he showed.' Naruto thought as he washed up. Thirty minutes had passed and Naruto left his apartment. He quickly ran down the stairs out into the streets and headed for his favorite ramen bar. It was a quick walk and he was the first to arrive, he sat down on one of the bar stools and waited. The old man that ran the place approached the counter.
"Ah, Naruto, haven't seen you in a few days." The man said.
"I was on a mission." Naruto replied.
"I see. So what will it be today?" he asked.
"Not yet, I'm waiting for someone." Naruto replied.
"Alright then, holler when you're ready to order." The man said and walked into the kitchen in the back. Naruto only had to wait another ten minutes until the girl he was awaiting for arrived.
"Hello, Sakura-chan." Naruto greeted her with his famous grin.
Sakura smiled, "I hope you weren't waiting too long."
"Nah, only about ten minutes." Naruto said. Soon enough the old man returned.
"So what will it be?" he asked.
"The usual." Naruto said.
"And I'll just have what he's having." Sakura said afterwards. The old man nodded and went back into the kitchen.
There was a little awkward silence. Naruto didn't know what to say and Sakura didn't know where to begin. She sighed and gathered her thoughts.
"Alright, what's this news you have Ebisu?" Tsunade asked.
"Well," Ebisu began, "We were about to leave the Land of Waves when we were ambushed by a few missing-nin."
"From where?" asked Tsunade.
"I don't exactly know." Ebisu replied. "It happened so fast really. The man that was running the show was powerful and he beat me pretty badly."
"What of your teammates?" asked a serious Tsunade.
"Well Moegi and Udon are injured but I got them to the Infirmary before I got here." Ebisu began, "As for Konohamaru, he was taking hostage."
"What?" yelled Tsunade. "Alright we have to get him back."
"Of course, but these people are holding him ransom." Ebisu cut in. "They want the Land of Waves so they can use it as a port for their bidding. If they don't comply, they'll kill Konohamaru and place the blame on the Land of Waves so we'd go to war with them and ally with us so when we destroyed their village, they'd take it over."
"What?" Tsunade asked in shock. "How did you find this out?"
"Well, one of the leaders of the Wave found me and told me these peoples plan." Ebisu replied, "So I came here as fast as I could so I could warn you."
"We'll get Konohamaru back and rid the Land of Waves of these missing-nin." Tsunade stood up. "Shizune."
"Hai, Tsunade-sama?"
"Summon Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto at once." Tsunade said.
"Hai." Shizune said and ran out of the Hokage's building.
Two hot fresh bowls of ramen were ready. One was place in front of Naruto and he began to chow down and the other was placed in front of Sakura and she began to eat it.
"So Naruto, listen." Sakura finally spoke up. Naruto stopped eating and turned his attention to the Kunoichi.
"What is it Sakura-chan?" asked Naruto.
"I'm sorry about punching you like I did the other day." Sakura said in a sad tone.
"It's okay Sakura-chan." Naruto said and began eating his ramen once more.
"What did you fully say?" Sakura asked. Naruto blushed and told her what he and Hiroshi were talking about. Sakura laughed after Naruto was done, he too couldn't help but laugh, but inside he was kind of hurt.
'So she thinks me wanting to marry her is funny. I should of known.' Naruto thought as he turned sad but of course he didn't show it outside and placed a fake, but believable smile and continued to eat until a certain silver-haired ninja appeared before them. Naruto and Sakura turned around to see their former sensei.
"Kakashi-sensei." Naruto and Sakura both said.
"Naruto, come." Kakashi said.
"What? Why? Can't you see I'm kind of busy Kakashi-sensei." Naruto said slightly upset.
"It's urgent, Tsunade-sama has called for us." Kakashi spoke.
"What the hell for? I just talked to the old bat a couple of hours ago." Naruto injected with more anger.
"Naruto, don't make me drag you to the Hokage's office."
Naruto sighed in defeat, "Fine." He turned to Sakura. "I'm sorry Sakura, but I guess it's important."
Sakura nodded, "It's okay Naruto, I won't hold it against you."
Naruto and Kakashi left and Sakura stayed and she looked down at the counter and sighed.
'I wish I could spend more time with Naruto.' Sakura thought. If she was a Genin, she wouldn't have thought such 'horrible' thoughts. But since Sasuke left years ago and being around Naruto more after he returned from training with Jiraiya, she grew to like Naruto and like spending time with him, and as the years went on the two got more busy. Her with working in the hospital with Tsunade., Naruto with his missions and training to become the next Hokage. Since the two became Jounin, they had been busier than ever and now that both have teams, they rarely got to see each other at all. Sakura sighed once more she was about to hand the old man when he waved his hands and showed that Naruto had paid for both their meals before leaving with Kakashi. She smiled and began to walk home.
Tsunade was waiting in her office when Kakashi and Naruto appeared before her.
"I see Shizune managed to find you in such a short time." Tsunade said. Kakashi and Naruto nodded.
"Let's cut to the chase Tsunade-sama." Kakashi spoke up, "What's going on?"
"We have a crisis on our hands." Tsunade began.
"What kind of crisis?" asked Naruto.
"You were here earlier when Ebisu stumbled into the office, right?" Naruto nodded, "Well he and his team were ambushed by mysterious missing-nin. They have taken Konohamaru hostage and plan on using him to get the Land of Waves to hand over their ports for these missing-nin's use. For what purpose I do not know. All I know is if the Wave does not hand over their ports this missing-nin are going to kill Konohamaru and try to place the blame on the Wave so we'd go to war with them."
"What? They've got Konohamaru!" Naruto yelled.
"Easy there, you need to calm down." Kakashi asked.
"So I'm sending you two along with your team Naruto to find their hideout and rescue Konohamaru. Got it?" Tsunade said.
"Hai." both Kakashi and Naruto said.
"Good, you leave as soon as Naruto gathers his team."
The two disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared outside the Hokage tower.
"I'll wait for you at the gate." Kakashi said and disappeared. Naruto ran back to his apartment.
'Great, the kid was asleep when I left. He's impossible to wake up without scaring him.' Naruto thought.
Naruto reached his aparment and quickly unlocked the door and got inside. He went straight for the couch and shook Hiroshi violently. Hiroshi groaned and saw who was shaking him.
"What is it Naruto-sensei?" Hiroshi said in a tired voice.
"Come on, get ready." Naruto stated, "We're going on an emergency A-Class mission."
Hiroshi seemed to have snapped awake, "A-Class? But we're only Genin."
"Relax, you have me and Kakashi-sensei." Naruto replied. Hiroshi quickly got ready. The two darted out the door. Naruto locked his apartment door and quickly went to their next stop. After a few minutes of roof hopping, Naruto reached their next stop and Naruto knocked on the door. A woman answered the door and recognized it as her daugher's Jounin sensei.
"Naruto-san, what can I do for you?" she said.
"Himawari, is she awake?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, do you need her for something?" the woman asked.
"Yes, Tsunade is sending me, Kakashi-sensei along with my team on an emergency mission."
The woman nodded and went back inside. A few minutes later Himawari came running out.
"Alright Naruto-sensei, I'm ready." She said smiling and the three were off to their final location before meeting up with Kakashi at the main gate. Another few minutes went by and they reached Shiro's house. Much to the luck of Naruto, Shiro was laying on the ground gazing at the night sky and Naruto leaned over into his field of vision and startled him a bit.
"Naruto-sensei?" he began slightly startled, "What are you doing here?"
"Come on, we're going on another mission. No complaints, this one's an emergency."
Shiro didn't argue and quickly got up and grabbed his ninja gear and was ready. Naruto and his team didn't waste any time and reached the gates within minutes. Waiting for them was Kakashi reading the latest copy of Icha Icha Paradise. Naruto just sighed and shook his head.
"Alright Kakashi-sensei, we're all here and ready to go." Naruto said with giving thumbs up. Kakashi just nodded.
"Alright, we better get going if we're going to get to the Land of Waves before dawn."
Naruto and his Genin just nodded and they took to tree hopping on the their way to the Land of Waves.
I will probably update again tomorrow but until then, see ya.