A/N: Hello again all! Welcome back. Are you ready for some good old fashioned rivalry? If so, then say hello to Konoha's Great Green Beast! And as promised, the item that the band of ninjas is to search for is revealed. Final preparations are being made to start the quest. Let's find out what they are shall we? Sure. Enjoy!

Close to 9:00PM, all the ninjas assembled outside Tsunade's offices. Jiraiya and Gai had gotten there first and were waiting as Anko, Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma filed down the hall to join them. As soon as Gai saw Anko he made a bee-line for her. "DEAR ANKO! It is WONDERFUL to see you up and around and looking so healthy! The flower of youth radiates from you as always. And KAKASHI! My eternal rival. Think we can sneak in some training before we depart on our quest?"

Kakashi stepped forward and said, "I don't see why not."

Jiraiya interrupted, "You two don't need any more training and I'm sure Tsunade wouldn't appreciate it much if one or the both of you accidentally got injured playing around."

Gai said, "That is true. Still, Kakashi – the usual then?"

Kakashi sighed and said, "Oh alright," as he approached Gai.

Both ninjas took up attack positions as Gai balled his fist. He said, ONE, TWO, THREE – SHOOT! NOOOO!" Gai looked down as his "rock" was soundly defeated by Kakashi's "paper." Jiraiya rolled his eyes as Anko, Kurenai and Asuma suppressed smirks and giggles.

"REMATCH!" Gai yelled.

"Not now Gai – I'm sure our Hokage has more pressing things for us to attend to," Kakashi said.

Gai answered, "Rain check then my friend," and he flashed his trade-marked Gai smile, complete with tooth sparkle.

Jiraiya said, "If everyone's ready – let's not keep Tsunade waiting." He opened the door and held it for everyone, opting to go in last.

Tsunade had her back to everyone, as they entered. She seemed to be staring out the window, lost in thought. Everyone stood silently and waited for her to address them. A small "thunk" was heard and then Tonton walked out from behind Tsunade's desk. She walked up to Anko and sat at her foot – sniffing happily.

Kakashi whispered, "Your friend's back."

"Quit," Anko whispered back.

The small break in the silence brought Tsunade out of her thoughts. She turned her chair around, and a look of worried concentration was on her face.

"Everyone's here. Good. Let's begin. Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya stepped forward and started, "As you all are aware, Orochimaru's life has ended, yet because of some sort of forbidden jutsu – his body continues to live – as if it has a will of its own. We feel that it's searching for a host body to grant it mobility."

All the ninjas in the room stared at Jiraiya as he continued, "Kakashi was able to remove Orochimaru's head – by the use of his mangekyou sharingan. Because of the toll it takes on him – having him 'dispose' of the rest of the body, is a last resort option. Tsunade and I have discussed another way of disposing of him – permanently. This mission – this quest as it were – will more than likely be one of the most dangerous that all of us will ever attempt. No matter how dangerous, it is something we must do to eliminate any possibility of Orochimaru every finding a way to come back."

Come back. The words echoed in Anko's head and the thought turned her stomach. A sickeningly sour taste filled her mouth.

"Tsunade. Would you like to take over?"

Tsunade sat up a little straighter and her worried look hardened as she prepared to deliver her information to her chosen team. She said, "There is no easy way to put this, so I'll just give it to you straight. Tomorrow morning, you are leaving on a quest to obtain the Sword of Totsuka."

Everyone's eyes got a bit wider. Everyone's but Jiraiya's.

Gai spoke suddenly, "But that sword! It's said to be nothing but a fable!"

Jiraiya said, "Far from it Gai. I've done all the research. It does exist and we're pretty sure we know who has it."

Kurenai said, "Itachi right?"

Jiraiya nodded and said, "Smart and pretty." Asuma cleared his throat.

Kakashi closed his eye and shook his head. The rogue Uchiha was the last person he ever wanted to cross paths with again. But as he opened his eye again and saw his Anko standing next to him, he knew he'd do it. He'd do it to make her life better, even if it killed him in the process. He'd do anything for her.

Gai said, "Uchiha Itachi. A formidable opponent. Why do you think he is in possession of the sword?"

Jiraiya said, "Because Orochimaru pursued him with such intense ferocity – subjecting himself to joining the ranks of Akatsuki to try and possess the Uchiha's body and obtain the sword, we're fairly certain that Itachi has it. We can't be 100% positive he has it," Jiraiya paused, "until we confront him."

A cold silence filled the room as each ninja realized the gravity of the task they were about to take on.

"Where are we going?" Asuma asked.

Jiraiya said, "My toad scouts have been keeping an eye on Itachi. He's been traveling back and forth from the Land of the Sea to the area where you and your team encountered Kisame, Gai – the Akatsuki headquarters."

Asuma said, "Begging your pardon Lady Tsunade, but you can't seriously think that Uchiha Itachi is just going to give us this sword, if he does have it, just because we ask him to. It is an ultimate weapon. Itachi would never give up that kind of power."

Tsunade said, "As I've said before, some information has come to light lately that I cannot reveal to you all just yet. Jiraiya will inform you of it as you travel. Itachi may be more willing than you think." She took in the disbelieving looks on their faces as her words sunk in.

Gai said, "We don't have something better to offer him in exchange for the sword, do we?"

Tsunade said, "We do. But we will have to see if he accepts it or not."

Asuma said, "And if he doesn't accept our offer?"

Jiraiya interrupted, "Then he could potentially use the sword to kill us all as well as take Konoha if he chooses."

Tsunade said, "Jiraiya has been instructed on what to say to Itachi. It seems the biggest hurdle you'll face will be his partner Kisame."

Gai said, "That man has an enormous amount of chakra."

Tsunade said, "That's why I'm sending so many of you. You may have to divide and conquer. This group before me – every one of you has something, some skill that is vital to this quest. Gai – your ability to fight someone who has sharingan as well as your endurance in long battles is essential,"

"as well as my youthful exuberance!" Gai interrupted.

Tsunade rolled her eyes and said, "Yes, Gai – flames of youth – we know! Moving on! But just so you know, Kurenai is the one who suggested you be added to the quest."

Gai turned to face Kurenai, smiled at her and bowed his thanks to her. She smiled back.

Tsunade said, "Asuma and Kurenai – you've both faced Kisame and Itachi before. Asuma, with your hand to hand combat skill and wind chakra, you could engage either one up close, as Kurenai traps either in a genjutsu."

Kakashi said, "Itachi isn't affected by genjutsu from anyone other than a sharingan wielder." Kurenai nodded in agreement.

"Then focus on Kisame you two – stay away from Itachi." Tsunade said. "That brings me to you Kakashi. You and your copy ability, coupled with your sharingan will be essential in any confrontation with Itachi. Just don't go overboard and expend too much chakra."

Asuma said, "If you do, I'm not carrying your ass home."

Kakashi said, "Since you got a good look at it in the shrine – I though you might think differently about my ass." Asuma made a retching sound as all the other ninjas except Anko looked at Kakashi like he had just elevated himself to a much higher perv-level. "What?" he said innocently.

"If I may continue?" Tsunade said. She gave them a stern look and continued, "Jiraiya, of course has many weapons in his arsenal, as well as his toad sage mode. And Anko," Anko raised her head to look at her Hokage as she was addressed, "Your ability to access any situation, your stealth, your serpent techniques and your long distance fighting accuracy are yet another spoke in this wheel." Anko felt especially strong at that moment.

Tsunade said, "I know you are all close friends, but you must keep your heads in the game when you confront either or both of the targets. Work as teams – try and separate them and persuade Itachi to lend us the weapon. For the sake of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, as well as Anko and everyone else bearing a curse mark – we need to destroy ALL of Orochimaru – permanently."

At the mention of Orochimaru and her curse mark – Anko felt it tingle.

"One final thing," Tsunade said, "the information that Jiraiya will be giving you as you travel will more than likely change your attitudes about a few people, good and bad. Listen to what he says and believe that it's all true."

Kakashi said, "Are you telling us Lady Tsunade that Jiraiya's going to brainwash us on the way there?"

"No," she said, "but there are some truths that have been hidden for far too long. Do any of you have any more questions?" She was met with silence. "Then you're dismissed. Get some rest – you leave in the morning. And PLEASE! All of you . . . be careful."

A somber mood descended on everyone in the room – everyone that is but Tonton who had fallen asleep next to Anko's foot. Anko looked down and carefully picked up the sleeping pig and carefully walked around Tsunade's desk where she put the still snoozing pig in Tsunade's lap. Tsunade gave her a gentle smile and said, "Thank you Anko."

"You're welcome Tsunade-sama. She's a nice little pig." Anko smiled softly at the sleeping pig.

Tsunade said, "She certainly is. Good night Anko." Anko turned and joined Kakashi as the group left Tsunade's offices.

A/N: So there you have it. The Sword of Totsuka - the ultimate weapon. But will Itachi be willing to let the Leaf ninjas borrow something so powerful? You'll see!

Next up: A little humor amongst the band of ninjas before they disperse for the rest they're going to need. Also, the final lemon for the series - and it's a JUICY one (no kidding!). Finally, the cliffies are back, and it's a BIG one. See you soon!