Stop! If you are reasing this as of June 19th 2012. This does not link up with chapters 1-6. This fic is going under major renovations in order to smooth out the storyline and minimize appearance of OC's.
Yo! Sorry about the long wait. I finally got my own computer back and I had to catch up on all the fics I had been reading beforehand. So Here the Next chapter of The Shattering Mask.
-X-
"Your joking, right?" The Hokage of Konoha asked as he stared at the teams before him, and their two companions.
"Would I joke, jiji(old man)" Naruto asked and everyone looked at him. "About this," he added. Sarutobi sighed, knowing that not even Naruto would joke about such a thing.
"Who's idea was this?" As predicted, Everyone pointed to the enigma of Konoha. Not that most realized he was a mystery, preferring to think of him as just lucky. Sarutobi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Can I talk to Naruto alone please?" he sighed Obediently they all left as the Hokage called, "Zabaza, Haku, please stand outside the door"
Once the door was called, Naruto raised an eyebrow, Grinning widely as he whispered, "Well?" and waited for his leaders arguments.
The man known as the Professor of Konoha studied the boy across from him. Inwardly he wondered if the boy's smile was part of his mask, or if the boy was genuinely grinning.
"Why don't you start," The Hokage proposed. This was something they often did when Naruito was a child, hiding in the Hokage's office. When he need help on a question of moral's or occasionally politics, he a Naruto would debate the issue. It helped The aging man see both sides of the issue and kept the boy's mind sharp.
"Well, Zabaza is a well-known missing-nin and would be a strong addition to the ranks. He might not be trusted at first, but I'm sure we can turn the views around." The Boy proposed.
"Yes, but as you said, he is well known. Accepting him into are ranks shows the other missing-nin we are companionate towards them. Soon we may have thousands on our door, jading in applications."
"Haku is a nearly-dead, bloodline and we both know Konoha loves bloodlines. Plus they could both add some major water Jutsu to our arsenal and library."
"Yes but accepting them may also make us look weak to the other villages, as if we need help. That may queue and attack, and that a war. Besides, if the Council knows he has a near-extinct bloodline, they'll try breeding him like an animal, be for he gets any chance to start his own life. And I know you'd hate that."
Naruto frowned, It was true, the idea of a human being treated in such way made him sick. No one deserved such a thing. He'd know. "True…" They were both silent as they considered their arguments.
"Zabaza is a master at the broadsword and has useful info on the other six swordsman form the mist, including Kisame, a member of Akatsuki. That could be a very powerful ability's over our enemy's. And our Ally's as well."
"True…" the old man nodded. "Well, you got me this round Naruto. Call them in"
Naruto took a deep breath and restored the smile that had slipped from his face during the debate. Then he waked to the door an d open it.
-X-
Zabaza fidgeted, wondering what was taking so long as Haku calmly read a scroll, hiding his own nervousness.
Suddenly the door opened and everyone(Team 7 had stayed with them, Naruto's team had gone to the re usual training grounds to wait.) looked up. Naruto smiled and waved the duo in. If this was anyone else, Zabaza might have been comforted by that smile, but this was not any one else. This was Naruto, who was always smiling. So
Zabaza walked in as Naruto waved to the Hokage, "Bye Jiji!" he called.
The pair form the mist walked in to meet their fate.
-X-
(in this scene, I was tempted to not let you know who one but decided not to leave that particular Cliff-Hanger.)
-X-
Naruto arrived home, exhausted. Anko had put them through their drills as if they had spent the past week traveling and a month before that on mission. And if Naruto was exhausted, that he hated to think of the condition his teammates were in.
Naruto fell asleep and was pulled into his sub-conscious. He opened his eye's in front of the fox's cage,. The fox was there waiting for him.
"Hey Kyuu, what's up? You've been kind of quiet this past month or so. I was starting to get worried."
The fox smiled at him lightly, hearing the sarcasm in his voice, but knowing he really had been worried. "Yeah well, sorry about that kit, but I was busy."
The Genin raised an eyebrow, "Busy? How busy could you be when you sealed within my stomach and are stuck in my sub-conscious all day."
In answer the demon nodded to a door in the wall that had not been there last time he had visited. "I have been building that."
Curious, The host walked over and opened it.
"…" Was his first reaction. It was his second too.
"Wow…" he finally managed. In front of him was a Huge walk din closet, type room. But the walls were made of shelves which held scrolls. Lot's of scrolls
"What is it" he asked curiously.
"A Library." The Kyuubi answered smugly. Naruto shot him a glare and he elaborated. "It's from my memory. I have a photographic memory so I went through and found all type's of thing that may be useful to you. Like a string a hand seal and what they do, and even a approximant amount of chakra needed. Other thing like Exercises and weapons are there too."
"You know, any one ion the worlds would give up all they own to access this."
"Yes, but only you, me, or another Container can access it, and only if you allow them to. Nit even the Yamanaka clan Jutsu's could penetrate that library. Of course, you free to memorize and copy anything in there when you wake up. So others can learn it. That's up to you."
Naruto smiled at the fox who was his closest companion. "You awesome, so awesome, I don't have the word to express it."
"I know"
"Now don't be getting a big head. After all, I'm only a piece a trash, what I say isn't important." The two friends shared a sorrowful laugh.
"You better get some real sleep, kit. That sensei of yours is crazy"
Naruto nodded in consent and agreement and let his mind slip into sleep.
-X-Elsewere -X-
"Hokage-sama the diplomat was telling the truth. He has other information he is willing to share, but demand we give him protection. Also, he is due to return in the morning." Ibiki reported
"Can we send anyone in to take his place?"
"No sir, are infiltration specialist is on long term assignment and are second best is gone as well."
"What about our third best?"
"Sir, we have no third best. The only one who came close died last month." Reported Ibiki. "I'm afraid, sir, that infiltration agents is something we are decidedly lacking. There is no one I know of, that I would trust to do the job properly."
The Hokage spoke grimly, "I know one, but he won't be happy about it."
-X-
When Naruto awoke, he found a note slid under his door, saying the Hokage was requesting him in particular, for a special mission that required his skills. He quickly shrugged in his clothing , thankful for Anko pulling him on a 'reluctant' shopping trip.
He quickly left.
-X-
"Anko, I know this is sudden but I need you to take this mission. It's a low-c-rank, escorting a low-level diplomat. There shouldn't be any trouble, but if there is, send a bird for back up if possible. I'm also afraid, you guy's will be without Naruto. I need him for a few days."
Shimari frowned, "Hokage-sama, may I ask why we are receiving a c-rank mission so soon?"
"Yes, you see, I wish for you guys to be ready for the Chunnin exams if you wish to take that. For that, I think you should spend a bit more time outside the village."
"But then shouldn't Naruto…"
"Naruto, " The Hokage interrupted as kindly as possible, has been outside the village before, without permission halve the time, but out of it. That is halve the point of this mission. Plus I need him to settle in Zabaza, since it was idea." This last one had just occurred to him, but it seemed sound enough. "Plus, he shouldn't be needed. Three ninja, should be enough for this."
They were silent for a moment, before Anko spoke, "Alright team, go and pack for a week. Meet me at the gate in two hours." They nodded and left. Anko continued when they were gone, "Who are we escorting and what is Naruto really doing?"
The leader put a hand over his heart in pretend shock, "you doubt me! You've been around Naruto too long." she said nothing and he sighed and stood, opening a window, saying "both can be answered in a moment." a moment later a figure jumped through the window. Naruto stood up, dusting his knees. "Nice timing," He laughed. "Hey Anko-sensei!" he half shouted, before his face froze as he took in all the details in the scene before him. His sensei holding a c-rank mission scroll. The Old man watching him carefully. The wording of the summons note, "…a special mission that required his skills"
Gradually he turned to the Hokage, why do I feel as if you about to black mail or are currently tricking me?"
"Does know one trust me?" he asked.
They gave no answer.
"Fine, your team is going on a escort mission for a low-level diplomat. This is partly because I need to hide you missing and partly training for the Chunnin exams."
"And why am I going to be missing?" Naruto asked and added, "Give the answer I think your going to give and I'll hit, just so you know,"
The Hokage smiled. The shock of what he was doing had knock off Naruto's mask. Maybe there was hope yet. "Then I won't say it, since you already know"
"Stupid old men" Naruto grumbled before demanding, "Just give me the damn scroll!" The Hokage tossed him the scroll and Naruto scanned the contents.
Anko turned to the Hokage, "Sir, I'm confused, and a little lost. What does Naruto have to do with this if he's not going? Who are we escorting and why does Naruto want to tear you to pieces."
The Hokage chuckled, "You see Anko all those questions are answered with the fact…"
"…That you're escorting me. " Naruto completed the sentence as he performed the transformation seal.