Has anyone noticed how on most stories on this site Koharu and Homura are written to favor Sasuke when they actually ordered his whole family killed with Danzo. I don't think they wanted him to survive and certainly wouldn't favor him after his family plotted a hostile takeover of Konohagakure. It's almost as widespread as Sakura's mom on the council and hating Naruto… this is so popular that it seems like canon but Sakura's backstory is completely blank besides the occasional flashbacks that didn't reveal anything about her family. Well enough complaining here's chapter 21, I'll probably just finish the mission off in one more chapter unless the fight scenes eat up a lot of space then I'll probably split it in two.

-Operaman

Pipe smoke drifted lazily through the air as the Sandaime Hokage exhaled a thick cloud from his nose. Turning his attention away from the dancing wisps of smoke the Hokage took in the team before him. Naruto stood at attention with a confident smirk on his face while Sakura and Temari stood on either side and Sai stood with a fake smile on Temari's right. Seeing the professor's eyes focus on his team Naruto took a step forward, "Team Naruto reporting for a mission Hokage-jiji."

Gazing proudly on the four bright flames in front of him Sarutobi fingered through the C-rank mission scrolls on his desk before pulling one out of the stack and opening it before reading the details, "Your team shall undertake a mission to protect one of the runners in the Race to Todoroki Shrine. You will meet your client in Degarashi port on the coast of Cha no Kuni. The rest of the details are in the scroll. Dismissed, except for you Naruto."

The three genin gave the Hokage a sharp salute before exiting the office leaving Naruto alone with the venerable leader. After the door closed the Sandaime took a moment to gather his thoughts, "Naruto I'd like for you to think about what I'm going to say very carefully before answering. During the chuunin exams the Yondaime Raikage, who fought your father on several occasions, made the claim that you were the Yondaime Hokage's son. Before I could deny it the Daimyo, who was quite fond of your father, also made the connection after having it pointed out to him so I had no choice but to verify the statement. I have managed to keep the information smothered for now, but the Daimyo has been insisting that you meet with him and with the information in Kumo's hands it is only a matter of time before they sell it, most likely to Iwagakure.

To make matters worse, it said in Kakashi's reports that you used a small amount of the Kyuubi's chakra but enough to show that you were indeed a Jinchuuriki, though apparently Killer B knew it before you even used the Kyuubi. We have several different routes we can pursue, one would be to just come clean about everything right now to the shinobi of Konoha and let it slowly filter to the populous at large. I'll make the announcement in two days while you are on your mission, The Kazekage is already aware and I suspect most of his jounin know as well, so I shall make an announcement to Konoha's jounin and slowly filter it out and finally I will verify it to the other shinobi five days from now when the Suna nin in Konoha have their bi monthly assembly to address any issues with several high ranking officials so they won't be at the announcement, and from there it will filter into the civilian population which will cause the most problems. I would just announce it to them at the same time but I don't know what their reaction would be.

They were calling for your blood when they found out what happened to the Kyuubi all those years ago, and if it wasn't for some of my most trusted ANBU there would've been a riot. As you know most of your staunchest detractors are civilians and would use the opportunity to rabble rouse. The Yondaime was incredibly beloved by them because he didn't come from a shinobi clan so I don't want to test those waters. The rumors will circulate after the announcement, but I don't think anyone will act on it immediately. I estimate two months at the earliest so you will have time to get acclimated. You can also just reveal your heritage to the public but keep the younger generation clueless of the Kyuubi, or you can keep both hidden for as long as possible, and though it may be convenient now the most convenient option isn't always the easiest in the long run. I would like to hear what you think we should do."

Naruto scratched the whisker marks on his right cheek and stared at the picture of his father hanging next to one of a younger Sandaime. He then looked out the window towards the Yondaime's face on the mountain, the place he would always go as a child to seek comfort. "You know old man, I like the picture of my dad better than the mountain carving. When I become Hokage they better not make me look like I have a stick up my ass."

Sarutobi chuckled, "Yes, I agree. All the Hokages could put on the serious face, though in reality a smile would've suited their personalities much better. Even mine looks to stern for my liking, perhaps it is a tradition that you will change someday."

Naruto smiled and took a deep breath before making his decision, "I guess the best thing to do is just tell everybody. People are either going to like me or not like me when they find out either way, and there's nothing that I can do about that. But I know that I can change their minds and become Hokage so I think we should face it head on, after all running from your problems just makes it worse."

Naruto had the same fire in his eyes as his father had and said that with the determination and will that his mother possessed. Any doubts the Sandaime had vanished. "Well Naruto I agree, it is best to face it head on, so please inform Sakura and Sai of this on the mission discreetly so they know. Now I'll let you get on your way and prepare for the mission. I'd wish you good luck, but I'm sure you won't need it." Naruto gave the Sandaime a cheeky salute and jumped out the window while the old man looked at his back with pride as he leapt across the rooftops, "You're already influencing him a great deal Jiraiya. I hope for your sake he doesn't start picking up your more lecherous habits or I fear Tsunade may finish the job she left undone when you were caught peeping on her. Speaking of Tsunade…" Turning back to his desk the Hokage pressed the button on the intercom, "Can you please send in the next appointment dear." Soon enough the door opened and Tsunade strolled in followed by Tayuya and Shizune who held Tonton in her arms, "Please take a seat."

Taking one of the offered seats Tsunade relaxed into the cushion before addressing her sensei, "Well what's the deal old man? I've been sitting around for over a week and I'm starting to get bored. I thought you recalled me to do more than sit on my ass."

The old man chuckled as Shizune scolded her master and raised his hand to stop the brunette and his face lost all it's cheer, "Tragically the current head of the hospital committed seppuku after learning his adopted son was a spy for Orochimaru, and now the position needs to be filled. I figured that if you were going to improve the medical program the hospital would be the best place to start."

Tsunade crossed her arms under her tremendous bust while looking at the pictures of her grandfather and great-uncle, "My intention was to grow the medical program, and having to divert my attention to run the hospital would severely hamper that."

"Yes I too wish for the program to grow, but it's an exercise in futility to expand something if the base isn't solid. Unfortunately the high expectations of your time have waned and with the interest in the program dropping it becomes harder and harder to field skilled iryo-nin. I had hoped that after you return the hospital to its previous standards you could begin the classes with several doctors that you handpicked to assist you. When word gets around that the legendary healer of the Sannin is teaching classes interest and applicants will skyrocket."

Tsunade gave the Hokage a nostalgic smile, "What's with you and metaphors sensei? If you really think it's that bad then I'll take over. But once it gets settled I want Shizune to take my place, I wish to return to the field eventually."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair and gathered his thoughts for a moment, "According to Jiraiya you have much training to undertake before you are at your previous level… I'll tell you what, if you can expand the medical program by fifty percent in two years while returning their standards to previous levels and regain or surpass your previous strength I'll allow you to return to active duty with whatever ridiculous stipulation you no doubt want."

Tsunade nodded, "Then you've found the new hospital head."

Turning his attention away from his student the Sandaime focused on the younger kunoichi, "While Tsunade turns her attention to the hospital I have a task for you as well Shizune. You can teach classes and help your master at the hospital, but I want your main focus to be Tayuya's training and integration into Konoha for the next six months. If she receives your stamp of approval then we will grant her the rank of genin and find a team to place her with. It should be close to the end of the next chuunin exams so there should be several openings in genin teams, especially if the last exam was any indication."

Shizune gave the man a determined nod, "Of course Hokage-sama, I shall do my best."

The elder gave Shizune a gentle smile, "Then that shall be more than enough. Now if you don't have any more issues please enjoy the rest of this beautiful day. Report to the hospital at nine tomorrow Tsunade and I shall make the announcement to the staff."

Sarutobi watched the backs of the three women hoping his efforts to solidify and prepare the village would be effective.

Four forms blurred through the canopy giving no sign they were there and leaving none except for the brief shifting of the leaves when they leapt from branch to branch. After leaving the Hokage's office Naruto went home to pack making sure to strap his saber vertically down his back with the handle sticking out above his right shoulder for easy access and no loss of mobility. He then met his team at the gates, and after receiving some teasing from Sakura and Temari on their new team name he read them the scroll he received at the briefing. Now leaping from branch to branch Naruto traced his finger around the handle thinking about his crash course training with his new blade. Kakashi was due to depart for a mission the day after Naruto approached him for help so couldn't offer much help, but the copy-nin allowed his student to use the sharingan to copy some of the more basic movements that were needed to wield the weapon with any proficiency, and the blade would impart visions of some of the simpler moves used by its previous wielders as well as some of its lesser powers.

The boy bought a practice weapon and had his clones spar using the normal blades, he also practiced the movements he was shown by Kakashi and the saber, Naruto had even tried approaching Sai for help on handling the small tool, but the pale boy somehow shifted the conversation to penises so Naruto didn't ask for any more help. Pushing distractions to the side the young chuunin turned his attention to the mission, and so far everything was going smoothly if he said so himself. Temari and Sakura would constantly argue or try to one up another during training, but now they both stayed professional and focused on the task at hand. Nobody spoke since they left the gate opting to save their breath until Temari broke the silence, "Naruto-taicho, I know a good dumpling place near here that would be a good place to break for lunch with your permission sir."

The chuunin ignored the sandy blonde's teasing voice and stopped to consider it, on one hand they were making good time so a break couldn't hurt, but on the other he was anxious to get his first mission as a chuunin commander underway as quickly as possible. Deciding that a good squad leader would want his subordinates to be rested and well fed he nodded towards the Suna kunoichi, "Alright, lead the way Temari. We'll continue to Degarashi Port after we refuel."

Naruto watched as the older girl leapt to the head of the pack with his eyes lingering on her backside as the team veered slightly off course. It didn't take more than five minutes for the foursome to reach their destination and they hopped down from their tree branches before entering the homely building. Grabbing one of the many open tables the four looked around to see the restaurant was deserted except a boy, probably around Temari's age with brown hair that resembled a mullet, except the party in back was pulled into a ponytail. He was wearing ANBU style shin guards with blue shorts that stopped above his knee with bandages wrapped around both of his thighs. He wiped some crumbs off his blue vest and plain white undershirt while giving the four shinobi a dirty look. The stranger quickly devoured the remainder of his meal and approached their table giving Naruto the evil eye, "What are shinobi doing out here in this peaceful area? Did you come to massacre some innocent civilians for some money?" He turned away from the chuunin cutting off his angry response to face the two girls at the table, "Obviously I don't include lovely ladies such as yourselves in that sentence. Why don't you quit being killers for hire and come with me? I promise you'll enjoy yourselves."

Naruto was about to give the punk a piece of his mind, and maybe leave a sandal mark on his ass to remember him by, but the blonde saw signs of Sakura's anger surfacing so sat and watched, waiting for the fireworks. Her warm green eyes froze over as she gripped the table with her hands cracking the sturdy wood. The boy backed off in fear as she turned her frosty gaze on him, "You have some nerve. Coming over to our table to insult my friends and profession, then trying to hit on us like a sleaze ball. You have ten seconds to get out of my sight or I'll make it so no girl will ever look at your face without recoiling in horror, and that will just be the visible damage. I don't think you want to know what I'll do to your little friend."

The teenager wisely heeded the warning, but Sai got the last word in, "Don't take his words to heart. I've read people that are overly hostile towards others are usually compensating for something, and most of the time it is an incredibly small penis."

The shinobi laughed at the retreating form of the fuming jerk and enjoyed the meals that the woman placed in front of them, but Temari saw something off, "Hey Obaa-chan, why are there two receipts here."

She stopped her shuffling towards the kitchen to answer the question, "Well that nice young boy said that his four friends inside would be paying for him."

Temari grabbed her fan and rose to give chase when Naruto held her down with a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry about it Temari-chan, I've got it covered." Biting his thumb Naruto ran through four seals before slamming his bloody hand on the ground, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu." Seals spread along the ground before vanishing in a puff of smoke revealing a small frog with a strange device on his head, "Hey Gamaseki, this guy that was sitting over at that table and shoved his bill off on us and ran. I was hoping that you could track him and lead my shadow clones to him so I can get repaid along with some interest."

"No problem." The toad began to scan the area while turning his knobs, "That's quite strange, normally a civilian leaves a tiny amount of residual chakra in the area which is hard to isolate, but this one leaves behind a trail I would expect an average genin to."

Naruto looked out the door, "That's weird because he seemed to have a problem with ninja. Maybe he was trained as a samurai but was replaced with shinobi or something. Regardless I have a bone to pick with that guy, so if you manage to lead my clone to him I'll summon you back tomorrow and let you loose by the ocean, I'm sure you could find some interesting bugs there."

The chuunin summoned a Kage Bunshin and the frog jumped on its shoulder, "No problem Naruto, I'll be seeing you tomorrow."

Confident the problem was taken care of the squad finished their meals and paid the two bills before taking off towards Cha no Kuni once more. After making sure they were on track Naruto addressed his team, "It appears that kid is travelling in the same direction as we are. Hopefully he was caught and my clone is keeping him restrained for us, I want to Sennen Goroshi his ass after I get my money back. After a couple of hours they ran into the Kage Bunshin hunched over with Gamaseki perched on his shoulder while the bunshin was breathing heavily at the ledge of a cliff. "I couldn't catch up to him boss. I was right on his heels but he suddenly put on a burst of speed and my chakra started to drop because I had to use it to keep up, I hardly have any left, and to make things weirder his chakra trail practically vanished and we couldn't distinguish it from naturally occurring chakra, which according to Seki means he's suppressing his chakra which samurai aren't usually trained to do. There is more to that kid then meets the eye."

Naruto nodded and dismissed his clone and began sorting through the memories before his eyes widened, "Wow that is fast. There's definitely something strange about that guy. After we meet with our client I'll send Jiji a messenger bird telling him to keep an eye out in the area for that kid, he might be a missing nin or spy."

Temari shook her head, "I doubt he was either. If he was then it would've served no purpose to attract our attention and ire like that."

Sakura nodded, "She's right, though we should still alert the Hokage and give him a description because him escaping from a trained shinobi isn't normal, even if it's just a clone."

Naruto looked down from his vantage point at the forest, "Well there's nothing we can do about it now so let's just keep going, I'll still summon you tomorrow Seki." The toad dismissed himself before Naruto faced his team, "Alright, no point in waiting around here, let's get a move on to Degarashi Port double time."

Team Naruto stood on a bluff overlooking the port town. There were massive docks where large ships were docked while getting cargo loaded or unloaded. From there it turned into a fresh seafood market, which gradually shifted into a more standard marketplace. From there the town expanded outwards in all directions with residential districts on the fringes, though the wealthier ones were the farthest from the docks. Two houses on the north and south sides dominated the view of the port town. Most of the houses were small two story buildings and were all similar shades of brown, but these two mansions had large stonewalls forming their perimeter with what appeared to be guard towers at set intervals. On the inside were well kept yards with what appeared to be a maze of bushes that were almost as tall as the stone wall, and were so thick that they appeared impenetrable.

The house on the north side was a massive four story mansion with marble pillars framing an enormous front entrance with an ornate door that was at least fifteen feet high inlaid with gold carvings. The house itself was painted pearl white and had seven large wings that were as long as four average houses from the town. The one on the south side was only three stories but was much larger than the other manor when viewed from above. It was at least twice as long as the other mansion with twelve wings spread throughout the yard. This one appeared more modest though. It lacked the imposing front entrance and gaudy doors, and it was painted a tan color with brown shutters on all the windows matching the theme of the other houses in town. Not wasting any more time the four shinobi jumped down the cliff face then started traversing it until they got to the path that wound between the cliffs that lead to the front entrance. They walked into town and shortly after an older man with grey hair called out to them. He was well dressed wearing a light blue kimono with two symbols on the shoulder and a thin tassel holding it together over a green hakama. "Greetings Konoha-nin, my name is Wasabi Jirocho and I am your client."

The man reached out his hand and Naruto clasped it recognizing him from the picture in the scroll, "Hello Jirocho-san, I am chuunin Uzumaki Naruto and leader of this team, though the blonde kunoichi is actually from Suna and named Temari. The pink haired kunoichi is Sakura, and the boy is Sai. I understand we are supposed to guard a runner during a race."

The man motioned for them to follow and as he led them through town he explained the details, every four years there is an event called the Todoroki Shrine Race. It is a competition between my family and our rivals across town, the Wagarashi family, to see who controls Degrashi Port for the four years in between each race. The Daimyo started it to serve as a substitute for the growing bloodshed that was regrettably beginning to take its toll on innocent people. We both agreed with him, and though my family won the first three races we haven't been able to win one since and it's because our runners keep getting stopped by strange events, like rockslides blocking paths, leaky boats, and one man was found knocked out and couldn't remember the past four days at all. I began to suspect that the Wagarashi were hiring shinobi to sabotage our runners so I want you four to protect him. If it turns out shinobi are interfering I would like you to stop them, and please make sure that nothing happens to our runner Idate even if there is no interference from ninja." The group arrived at the mansion on the south side of town shortly after the explanation and their host skillfully led them through the maze of plants and they made sure to memorize the route. After arriving at the door he faced them, "I shall have a servant show you to your lodgings though you are free to come and go as you please. A guard shall escort you through the maze to make sure you don't get lost. Our runner is currently in his room, I shall have someone show you where that is so you can post a guard if you think it necessary."

Jirocho opened the door and left the group as an attractive brunette, who appeared to be in her young twenties, wearing a plain white kimono with a red obi approached them and bowed, "Please let me show you to your rooms for the night." She led them through the hallways and they took note that the floors chirped like birds as they walked down it their was a layer of paper covering the wooden walls with a large gap in between them making it impossible to walk on using chakra. The woman pointed out the runner's room as they walked and eventually stopped before pointing to four doors in the area. These are your rooms and are all the same so choose amongst yourselves." Before leaving she faced Naruto and Sai and bowed once more, "If the young masters wish it we can send some company to their rooms for the night if they get lonely and would like some entertainment."

Sakura looked like she wanted to rip the servant's eyes out and Temari was about to sodomize the girl with her fan, but it was only the confused face of Naruto that stopped them, "Umm I don't think I'll be lonely. Besides I don't really like board games so I'll just watch television."

The servant could only give the shinobi a wide eyed stare and walked away unable to form a sentence. After the four claimed their rooms and dropped off their gear they met in Naruto's. Each of the rooms was like an apartment containing a living room furnished with a three person couch and several chairs behind a glass table facing a wall mounted television. The room was connected to a small kitchen and there was a small hallway that led to a room with a king size bed and a full bathroom complete with a sit down shower. Currently Naruto sat in the middle of the couch sandwiched by the two kunoichi who were glaring at each other over his spiky blonde hair while Sai sat on a chair sketching in his notepad. Naruto found that the fridge was stocked with different drinks and snacks and was currently devouring a plate of cinnamon rolls.

After licking his fingers and lips clean Naruto outlined the strategy for his team, "Alright, I'm going to send my clones off to runt the race so I'll have to focus my attention on maintaining them that far away. After they dispel we can make our strategy for guarding the runner, but for now I want to gather some information. Sakura and Temari will go into town dressed as civilians and try to get some information on this Wagarashi family. While you two do that I want Sai to stand guard outside the runner's room in case he decides to go out for a stroll and send out some ink animals to infiltrate the Wagarashi house. I'll send one of the girls to relieve you when they get back and we'll stop our watch at midnight because I'm sure he'll be asleep. I'll get up at six tomorrow to resume the watch and I want you guys to meet at the starting before people start showing up to the race and survey the crowd."

The three set out to complete his orders while Naruto summoned several shadow clones and let them slink off into the night while he relaxed. After sensing that the girls left and went their separate ways Naruto sent two clones out to make contact with Sai and Sakura. One leapt out the window to head towards the town while the other located Sai. He found the boy lying down on the roof above the runner's room and sat next to him. They sat in silence for some time while Sai continued to draw, and when the pale boy rolled up the scroll Naruto decided he could wait no longer. "Listen Sai, I have some things I need to tell you and you can't tell Temari or anyone else from Suna. I never knew who my parents were and it turns out it was for my safety. You see my dad was the Yondaime Hokage and he sealed the Kyuubi into me. Apparently the Raikage uncovered this at the finals of the exam and his brother knew I was a Jinchuuriki because he's one too. The Hokage is making an announcement while we're on this mission and I just wanted you to hear it from me because you're a friend and teammate."

Sai's eyes widened when Naruto revealed who his father was, and he already knew of him being a Jinchuuriki. The Root agent felt a strange pull in his stomach and wished Naruto's father didn't die sealing the Kyuubi into him for some reason. Pushing the feelings aside Sai gave Naruto a blank look, "I don't know what to say. I'm glad that you told me yourself but I don't see how this makes you any different than you already are."

Sai was once again confused when Naruto gave him a wide smile, "You know what Sai, every once in awhile you somehow say something that's really cool."

"I am still confused."

The guards patrolling the grounds wondered what was going on when they heard someone roaring in laughter.

Sakura walked back towards the Wasabi household chewing on her bottom lip. She managed to learn that the Wagarashi family were the main importers of various drugs cultivated on the many small islands that were impossible for the weakened Kirigakure and Mizu no Kuni to patrol, and they supplied most of the big time drug lords across the elemental nations and the kunoichi was willing to bet Gato was helping them before his death. She found a dockworker wearing the symbol of the Wagarashi taking a break and managed to spirit him away for interrogation. After subjecting him to some of the nastier interrogation genjutsu she learned from Ino's mom the girl was able to find out that the ships also imported weapons, slaves which were mostly women, and imported and exported anything illegal they could make money on. Shortly after he spilled his guts she put him to sleep with a medical technique and dropped his body into the water face down. All that was secondary though to what the clone told her when it called her into a decrepit warehouse.

Flashback

Sakura followed the clone into the decaying building wondering what was so important. "Maybe he wants to confess his love for us." Knowing that Naruto wouldn't do something like that on a mission she pushed her inner self aside and looked at the clone's face. He appeared nervous about something. He kept fidgeting and looking anywhere but her, not to mention he opened his mouth several times but promptly closed it without saying anything each time. "Naruto, you can tell me anything, you know that right?"

The blonde took a deep breath after that before facing her, though Sakura could still see the trepidation in his eyes, "The Sandaime asked me to inform you and Sai of something during the mission because he'll be announcing it while we're in the field, but you can't tell Temari. The story about the Kyuubi we were told as children is a lie. The Yondaime defeated the nine tails, but you can't kill a Bijuu, they're just masses of chakra held together by a strong will. Knowing that he couldn't beat the beast by normal means the Yondaime took his newborn son and sealed the Kyuubi into him to stop the beast's rampage. The populous learned of it and called for the child's blood ignorant of his heritage and the Sandaime was forced to make a law saying you cannot speak the truth of the Kyuubi attack or tell anyone. If someone broke it they would be executed after it was proven."

Sakura stared at Naruto wondering why he was beating around the bush, but she got a bad feeling about the whole thing, "Well who was the baby… wait it's you isn't it. That's why all the adults treat you weird." Naruto's head dropped hiding his eyes from her, and even though she knew it was just a clone Sakura squeezed it so hard it almost popped, "I'm so sorry Naruto. It must've been so hard for you, I'm so sorry."

The bunshin wrapped its arms around Sakura and squeezed her back whispering comforts, "Shh Sakura it's okay. I know you have a lot of questions but we'll talk when we get back to Konoha." The pinkette nodded into the clone's chest and wiped the stray tears from her eyes on its shirt. The clone squeezed her one more time before letting go and stepping back. "I'll see you when you get back Sakura-chan."

Flashback End

Sakura ran along the outside of the stonewall before leaping over it while the sentries were looking elsewhere. She then jumped over the hedgerows until she reached the wing of the house they were in and walked up the wall until she reached a window and opened it before slipping in. Shutting it behind her the genin exited Naruto's bedroom to see the blonde in a meditative position. She crept out of the room careful not to disturb Naruto and breathed a sigh of relief before slinking off to her room to change out of the civilian clothes. Sakura returned to the blonde's apartment and she silently thanked god that Temari was in the room. Giving the older kunoichi a begrudging nod Sakura went to the fridge to get some juice and waited for their team leader to wake up. They didn't sit long as Naruto's cerulean blue eyes shot open shortly after Sakura arrived and he immediately opened a map and started furiously scribbling as he bent over the table.

The two girls tried to make sense of it but he was drawing so fast it was impossible to get a good look. Naruto put his pen down and laid the map on the table before unfolding a blank one and placing it next to his marked one. "Temari-chan I want you to go to your room and rest up after this because tomorrow morning you and Sai will be leaving early and heading to the boats to inspect ours and keep it safe from any sabotage, there's a map with the route marked in your room. Sakura and I will trail Idate and meet up with you guys at the boats. We'll all travel together from that point on until the end of the race, but thats the best case scenario. We need to have someone with Idate at all times so if we have to fight we'll be forced to separate because we can't slow him down, and if shinobi are behind it then we'll probably have to fight." Naruto pointed to four places that were heavily marked. "These four areas plus the boat ride are the most obvious places for ambush, but thankfully only one of them is before we meet up at the boats. The woods are abnormally thick in areas and the river is incredibly deep and fast moving and it makes crossing this river impossible except for one area where it turns into a fjord. It's an excellent choke point and the perfect place for someone with a water nature, fortunately I have some suiton jutsu of my own. After the boat ride we'll form a box around the runner and leap through the trees for maximum protection, that way."

The blonde slid his finger across the map before pausing at a line that stretched across the page, "Almost twenty miles down the trail is a ravine so when we get within five miles of the entrance Sai and Sakura will move ahead and check the area for enemy shinobi. This area is a ravine that is unstable on top of the cliffs so we'll have to go through. You two should have no problems moving on both sides of the cliff and making sure nobody plans to cave it in on us. After that we come to the densest area of the forest and it's impossible to get through unless you run through the designated path, but I think it looks more like a tunnel through trees. I'll send some clones ahead to flush out any traps because even shinobi would be hard pressed to strike quickly after entangling themselves in the trees so if the Wagarashi runner gets a lead I can guarantee that the path will be heavily trapped. Finally after that is a bridge. I'll go forward with Temari and we'll check out the area and keep the bridge from getting cut down. After that it should be a dead sprint to the finish so we'll stay near the runner and make sure nobody can get the jump on him. Sakura go relieve Sai and tell him to come to my room. You get to bed Temari, the race starts at eight and I want you guys at the boats by four."

The two girls left to carry out his orders while Naruto stared at the maps and reviewed his plan over and over again, looking for any flaws that could get his precious people killed.

A beggar slunk through the north side of town, rummaging through the alleys until he neared the city limits. Seeing nobody was looking down the alley he was scrounging in the beggar slipped into a hidden tunnel to get into the Wagarashi household that was only known to several top members of the family. The tunnel was primarily used for sending out agents without anyone knowing though its original purpose was for a secure way out of the house if it needed to be evacuated. Once he emerged behind a thick bush near the greenhouse the man strode confidently across the grounds and through the maze looking like he owned the place despite the looks he was receiving from the residents and staff, but nobody would dare question someone who walked like they owned the place no matter how strange the person, though the guards were notified he was coming.

The man rounded a corner and saw two burly men standing in front of carved oak doors. Reaching into his tattered brown cloak the man pulled out a fine jade figurine. It was a large tree with an intricate root system, and it looked like the small statue could buy him enough food for a month. The vagabond didn't break his stride while put the carving back into his cloak and the two burly men stepped aside and opened the doors to grant him access to the founder of the Wagarashi Family and it's leader, Boss Kyuroko. The filthy man looked out of place in the room filled with fineries like crystal decanters no doubt filled with whiskey older than he was, or the fine pieces of art that adorned the walls. Even his filthy feet, sans shoes, looked strange standing on top of the ornate Persian rug leaving trails of dirt on the pristine carpet. Despite this the head of the Wagarashi family appeared to defer to the man as he gave him a respectful nod, "I've done as you asked and hired Rokusho Aoi from Amegakure for an extra fee to sabatoge the Wasabi tomorrow."

The vagrant stared at the finely dressed man with cold eyes, "Do not make it seem like you are going out of your way Kyuroko, you know very well the reward promised will more than make up for any expense that you can incur. My master is generous and merciless, do not anger him, and since I am representing him do not anger me."

Boss Kyuroko placed his palms together and held his hands over his bowed head, "Yes I am sorry, please forgive me for my stupidity." Seeing the man gave no outward reaction to his plea Kyuroko continued thinking he was off the hook, "Yes well it seems Jirocho has hired a team from Konoha to protect the runner, but it seems they are all children, except one has a vest that the higher ranked ninja usually wear."

"Do not underestimate the leaf. It is a major power and therefore it can set a higher standard for promotion than a smaller village like Ame that needs the numbers. However you don't have to worry because their presence has already been accounted for. You shall receive your reward regardless of the outcome."

Kyuroko sighed in relief when the man turned and exited the room with door closing loudly behind the stony faced man and Kyuroko poured himself a tall glass of liquor before draining it in a gulp and pouring another, "I think I need to retire and take a trip somewhere nice after this job."

The beggar slipped into the same abandoned warehouse that Naruto told Sakura about his heritage and burden in and placed the jade carving on top of a collapsed wall. He then sat in a metal chair before tying his feet to its legs. He then slumped forward before looking up and at his surroundings in a panic. Before he could scream an arm burst forward from the shadow behind him and a kunai slit his throat and cut his vocal chords leaving him unable to make noise as he thrashed about in death throes with blood spilling down the front of his body despite him blocking the gash with his hands. Suddenly a figure in a black cloak with the hood up and an animal mask with green marking stepped out from the shadow with the bloody kunai extended. He wiped the blood off the kunai on the dead man's soiled rags before placing it in his pack and grabbed the jade statue placing it in his cloak. Making sure the item was secure the figure sat in a meditative position and called out to his master, 'Danzo-sama, I have done as you ordered and the Wagarashi have hired Aoi."

He sat patiently feeling for his masters thoughts before latching onto the thread he was looking for, "Here is your next task Fu, go to the Daimyo's city in Cha and place the documents I gave you in the drop point for our spy in his court. Once wind of it gets to the Daimyo he'll have the Wagarashi executed. I can think of no better reward than release from this cursed world for Kyuroko and his wretched ilk. Once the family is arrested I want you to take Team Epsilon and discreetly secure his illegal operations so we can increase Root's funding for the coming storm."

"It shall be done master."

Sai was getting ready to go to bed when he remembered his orders from Danzo. Usually such things would be at the front of his mind, but the pale boy was trying to decipher the strange feelings he was getting as of late. Once again pushing the strange fluttering in his stomach to the back of his mind Sai undid the seal and began reading. As he got further down the scroll his hands gripped tighter and eventually the scroll ripped in two and Sai stared at the pieces in confusion, 'Why do I want to tear this scroll to shreds? It will simply disintegrate in two more minutes.' The pale boy frowned as he sat in the bed, all thoughts of sleep forgotten. He sat unmoving for two hours before he finally blew out the candle by his bedside. There was no way he was going to intentionally sabotage his team so he could retrieve the Raijin blade for Root. Sai lay in bed and looked up at the ceiling, 'I don't think I could live with myself if I put Naruto and Sakura in danger like that. I'll find a better way to accomplish the mission and strengthen Konoha.'

There's chapter twenty one, my story can legally buy alcohol in the United States now. I know the Tea mission was B-rank in canon, but Aoi ambushed Jirocho's men before they reached Konoha so the difficulty level would be increased in that scenario. On a different note I'm also closing in on two hundred thousand words and my review count is steadily rising which makes me happy. Anyway I wanted to get this out faster but I rewrote the first chapter because it was so short and it's so much better, though I still have a long way to go and you'll have to wait for it. Anyway a little more set up, bet you didn't see Danzo sticking his wrinkly sharingan covered hand in here, did ya? Yes it's another scheme to increase his power to protect Konoha, though he won't be involved in the next mission. I've also tried to make him and the Sandaime mirror images of each other trying to protect their village with different methods almost like how Naruto and Sasuke are two sides of the same coin. If Danzo became Hokage would Hiruzen be operating a clandestine organization under his nos? And I know I haven't given Akatsuki many pages but they aren't really active yet. I've hinted that the rebellion in Ame is complete, introduced Tobi and they've captured the Nanabi but they don't want to emerge from the shadows just yet because they still don't have Oro's ring and need to recruit two more members. Anyway more fights next chapter and I can't wait. The Tsunade ones may have been lacking, but it was to show how the generations keep growing. Naruto and Nawaki are roughly the same age and Nawaki probably got advanced training since he was a child but Naruto is stronger, at least in my story, I don't know how strong Nawaki was in canon. Also I wanted Jiraiya to vent and kick the crap out of Dan and give him more depth than I just forgive everybody because I want world peace, I've tried to make his character have a little more reality to it. He's still a nice guy but there is a feeling of bitterness buried underneath. Also had to have Tsunade and Tayuya underperform to motivate them a little and get them off their fat asses. I promise that these next fights will be much better and it won't just be Team Naruto vs Team Aoi. Two more chapters, then I'll jump right into the next mission. After that's done you'll have to wait till I edit the first part till you get the training trip, but it'll be worth the wait. Also I just realized that I rambled so sorry for the long author's note, read and review.

-Operaman Bye Bye