Chapter 25-The ANBU Return! The Mystery Man!
The Hokage called Nobuki and his team over to his office. Nobuki was informed the ANBU had returned from the mission. They had arrived early to what they explained from the shambles of the Sand. Nobuki was listening, but he was getting too anxious. He was glad that the ANBU had done their job quickly, but he needed to get information about Old Man Kenji, so he could get his godfather back.
"My ANBU along with the other three nations in alliance with us described the Sand to be in mortal chaos. They said that the once beautifully built city was now torn to shreds. They managed to get information from some of the 'survivors' as they called them. The leftover citizens were ninja from the earlier Sand. My men reported saying that a man of unknown origin came in and killed hundreds of people demanding that the Kazekage give the reins off the village to him. The Kazekage of course refused and the citizens say instead of ruling the village the man rules the Kazekage. They said a few were refugees that managed to escape and wander off to the coast while the ninja stayed behind to be under the ultimate control of the man," the Hokage informed.
Nobuki was left speechless. The Kazekage really was the puppet while this scumbag was controlling him. Nobuki wondered who this powerful man was that made the Kazekage crumble under his control. This man must not belong to any village, but Nobuki couldn't shake the fact this man seemed familiar.
"What you're saying is that Sand is being controlled by an ultimate ruler that kept the Kazekage quiet and the citizens to run off in fear is controlling one of the Five Kage?" Kohaku asked.
"Yes, but this man seemed to be identified as a Jinchuuriki. The people didn't know how many tails or what beast the Jinchuuriki possessed. From what we currently know it could be the 1 or 2 Tailed Beast Jinchuuriki that defected from the Sand without any other nation knowing might have come back and taken over the land again," the Hokage explained.
"Kohaku isn't that what Naruto told us before he closed the link?" Nobuki asked looking over at Kohaku.
"Yeah, he did say the Kazekage wasn't pulling the strings," Kohaku agreed.
"Naruto is dead. He's been dead for fifteen years. How could he talk to the two of you?" the Hokage said his face turning angry.
"He gave my Nine-Tails some of his chakra so he could talk to us through the chakra," Kohaku explained. The Hokage nodded and hid his hurt feelings. Nobuki knew from the speech the Hokage gave at the Summit he was close to Naruto Uzumaki.
"Lord Hokage, we have all the information that we need. Can we now go and save my godfather?" Nobuki asked.
"We have to get a team from each nation in our alliance, so I already picked my team. I chose you guys and this time you'll be a three man squad. The Stone has chosen its candidates as well as the Cloud. The Mist should be sending out a letter soon to each country. Once that is finished the teams shall meet and gather as much information on each other as possible and go into the Sand with no surprises," the Hokage explained. Nobuki nodded and knew this was it. He either got to the Sand or saved his godfather or he failed and died in the effort.
"Before we are dismissed Lord Hokage, I have a message for you," Kohaku started. The Hokage listened with full intensity.
"When we met Naruto he sent Nobuki away, so he could give this message to pass on to you. Naruto said that you're an excellent Hokage and even though he's dead that he couldn't be more proud of his brother. He said that you've made him proud as a teacher and that your training with him was the best quality he's had with you. Even though you guys fought over the most trivial things like the Sexy Jutsu battle which he said he won. He looks at you like he did his own teacher Jiraiya, the Pervy Sage and admires your talent. He said most of all even if he never said it in life he said through death that he is very proud and honored to have known the man named Konohamaru Sarutobi, the boy who took down one Path of Pain and the man who fought the fight for peace. This is word for word. I leave these words to Lord Hokage Konohamaru," Kohaku recited. The Hokage looked shocked and the pipe dropped out of his mouth. The Hokage waved them away and they left the room. The sobs of the Hokage could be heard as they walked away.
"Kohaku, let's go out on a double date with Nobuki," Haruko busted out.
"Double date? Why has that come up suddenly?" Kohaku asked.
"We could hospitable and take them to the BBQ shack and then we can have fun," Haruko said winking trying to hint at something. Nobuki quickly caught on. Kishi must know some information about the Sand.
"Yeah, I'll go and we can have some fun before we go on this mission," Nobuki said.
"Okay, but you guys have been acting weird all of a sudden," Kohaku said walking out of the building with Haruko and Nobuki following suit. They walked down the stairs and saw the Hokage standing at his window looking at the sunset as he wiped a tear from his cheek.
"We'll meet right here after I get Kishi, so stay here," Nobuki said. Nobuki walked to their apartment building and Nobuki walked up the stairs and ran to his apartment. As he walked in the door closed itself and he was grabbed by the neck and pulled into a kiss. He saw Kishi as they kissed. Nobuki broke apart and Kishi looked hurt.
"We're going on a double date with Kohaku and Haruko," Nobuki announced. Kishi instantly whistled for Mishikana to come who was lying on the couch. Kishi explained herself.
"I have to get ready I'll see you in twenty minutes," Kishi said almost bolting out the door.
"You look fine and anyway it's not the dress your best double dates. I'll explain to you at the BBQ shack," Nobuki said. Kishi sighed as Mishikana came back in as well Kishi.
"Chakra beast don't you want me to look my best?" Kishi asked with puppy dog eyes.
"Come on they're waiting," Nobuki said opening the door as Kishi stomped out as Mishikana followed. Nobuki patted Mishikana who barked in agreement with Nobuki. Nobuki really liked Mishikana who agreed with him on almost everything. Nobuki grasped Kishi's hand as their fingers interlocked with Mishikana under their hands as they walked out the building. Kohaku and Haruko were standing together talking about something as Haruko laughed and hugged Kohaku.
"Hey, don't be doing that stuff in public now," Nobuki smiled.
"Be quiet you and Kishi are worse than us. You want to know how many times we've seen you guys kissing in the park, the Training Grounds, in front of the Hokage's building, by the bookstores, by the theaters, and a thousand other places," Kohaku said. Kishi blushed and Nobuki laughed as they were all true. The two teenage couple walked a short distance to the BBQ shack and they ordered a table. The kind waitress sat them down and they thanked her. The restaurant was friendly to Mishikana and a couple well behaved dogs drawing the line with the undomesticated animals.
"Thank you ma'am," Nobuki said as they sat down. Mishi sat behind Kishi watching everything take place. They ordered three plates of meat and a couple plates of rice and vegetable. Mishi was thrown some raw meat which she sat with no problem.
"So, who do I thank for the free food?" Kishi asked smiling.
"Me, I would like to get some favors after this," Kohaku said deserving a slap on the back of the head by Haruko. The meat grilled which gave them the perfect cover for their conversation.
"Ok, Kishi the reason why we came here in the first place is to talk about the update the Hokage gave us today. He said the One or Two Tails Jinchuuriki might be controlling the Kazekage," Haruko said.
"I see why you guys came to me. I'm no expert on the Jinchuuriki, but the Two Tails Jinchuuriki might be the one doing this. The man is named Shinamen Hokidato who was banished from the Sand for crimes of treason. His Tailed Beast is pretty docile from what I've heard. I know the One-Tail Jinchuuriki, Moniton Jikinuchi is pretty ceremonious and his Tailed Beast is pretty destructive. It could really be either one," Kishi explained.
"How do you know all of this?" Nobuki asked.
"I was sent with my team on a scouting mission before the Leaf and the Sand were friends to border a peace treaty and my team was confronted with those two Jinchuuriki," Kishi explained. Nobuki nodded and now he knew who might be behind it.
"Ok, that's great. Now that Haruko got her information let's eat the meat is all cooked," Kohaku said in charge of the meat. The group ate dinner and actually had the double date and left the BBQ shack as they parted their separate ways. Nobuki and Kishi with Mishi walked down the road to the apartment building. Nobuki held Kishi as they walked as the night was getting cold. They stopped under a street light.
"So this Moniton guy did he flirt on you?" Nobuki asked looking down at Kishi.
"Of course! He was so desperate to get me! I denied of course! Hey I can't blame him I would date myself," Kishi said. Nobuki laughed as they walked to her house in the middle of the village and parted ways.