Chapter 26: Tsunade's Decision: Challenging the Seven Serpents

Nightshroud: Hey, I put this one up rather fast, wouldn't you say? I would also like to thank all my faithful reviewers. I love you guys!Anyway, enjoy.
News of Gaara's encounter with Shizuku reached Konoha. Rather quickly too, due to the surprisingly abundant amount of gossipers in the village. Baki had told Tsunade himself all the details and had told her that he would attend as a representative in Gaara's place so that the meeting would go ahead as planned.

"So I used the Wind Sword to get her away from Gaara, and then she took off," Baki explained, conveniently leaving out the part where he was seduced.

Tsunade nodded. "I see. And from what Kabuto has said, she is only one of seven of Orochimaru's followers."

Kabuto affirmed her statement and the room went abuzz with excited murmurs.

"I think it's obvious that something needs to be done about this. I suggest we send teams after each one of these Seven Serpents. We can't afford to sit back and let Orochimaru do as he pleases. We need to take the offensive."

The Tsuchikage raised an eyebrow at her decision. "And what exactly do you suggest?"

"We need to put our forces together and send our strongest shinobi to deal with this threat."

"In case you didn't notice, we have our own problems to deal with. Maybe Konoha can afford to expend ninja, be we can't," snapped the Raikage.

Tsunade looked to Kabuto and Baki. The Sand and Sound were the Leaf's closest allies. Baki shook his head. "Only Gaara has authorization to do that, and he's incapacitated at the moment. That's why I have to call in Kankuro and Temari. As soon as Gaara recovers, we'll be sure to send help."

Kabuto looked even more grim. "Unfortunately, Oto is all but gone. We have no shinobi to send."

Tsunade nodded and sighed. "I guess it's up to Konoha to see this through."

Kiba, Asuka, Hinata, and Sai sat resting after hard training. Asuma had come to tell Kurenai that the Hokage requested the jonin, and the two had gone off together so they were now alone.

"Hey, did you guys here about all the stuff going on?" asked Sai.

"I heard my father mention it. It had something to do with Kabuto and Gaara, right?" asked Hinata.

Sai nodded. "Apparently, Orochimaru is back and he's formed a special group called the Seven Serpents of Shichisto. Orochimaru himself almost entirely slaughtered the Sound Village, and one of his subordinates almost killed Gaara."

"Orochimaru?! He's back?! No, it can't be!"

Kiba looked and noticed the panicked look in Asuka's eyes. He gently squeezed her hand and smiled. She turned and looked at him, her eyes becoming soft and a smile appearing on her face.

Hinata looked thoughtful. "I'll bet that's what the whole meeting was about," she then said. Sai nodded in agreement.

"Well that's what Asuma-sensei said it would be," said Ino, with her team walking up.

"Oh, hey guys," said Kiba with a grin.

After waiting for more than an hour, Asuma and Kurenai finally showed up again.

"Hey, the Hokage has requested that you all be sent on special missions. Here are your assignments."

Asuma handed them all assignment folders. Kiba looked at his folder and then read out loud.

Mission: Reconnaissance at Kikyo Castle

Details: The enemy has taken a castle in Kikyo Pass. You are to spy out the castle and retrieve any information you can. If you spot any enemy leaders, eliminate them.

Shikamaru looked at him. "Hey, that's my mission too."

"Me too," said Ino.

Choji, Sai, and Hinata both had orders to go to Border Town to maintain order.

"What's your mission, Asuka?" asked Kiba. She looked at her folder.

"I have to go to Port Town with Lee and Kurenai-sensei."

"Are you going somewhere too, Asuma-sensei?" asked Ino.

"Yeah, Gai, Kakashi, and I have to go to Tanzaku Town. Good luck on your missions, though. And you be careful, too," he said, kissing Kurenai.

"Asuma! Not in front of the kids," Kurenai protested.

"Well, you guys better get a good night sleep before tomorrow. See ya all around," said Asuma with a wave.

"Hey, too bad we're not on the same mission, huh?" said Kiba.

Asuka smiled. "It's okay. We'll see each other soon."

"That's a promise," said Kiba giving her a kiss.

"A mission, huh Kakashi-sensei?"

"That's right, Naruto. You and Sasuke will be going to the Limestone Caverns on the border of the Land of Earth. Sakura, you and Seta will be going to a temple to the south. Both places are supposed to have some of Orochimaru's subordinates. Well, you leave tomorrow, so good luck."

"Aww, it is not fair that you guys get such an exciting mission while I am only to stand guard in Port Town!" whined Lee.

"Lee! Do not tarnish your youth with jealousy!"

"I am sorry, Gai-sensei!" shouted Lee, bawling his eyes out.

Tenten and Neji rolled their eyes and walked away. Tenten opened her folder again and scanned the pages.

Mission: Sneak through Amagai Castle and eliminate one of Orochimaru's subordinates.

Details: One of Orochimaru's subordinates, Dr. Kimaira, has taken over an abandoned castle in the Amagai province of the Sea Country and has been manufacturing self-moving puppets called automatons. You are to eliminate him and destroy his production.

"Amagai Castle, huh? You ready, Neji?"

Seta and Temari stood at the village gate.

"You have to go back?" asked Seta.

"Yeah, Gaara's been hurt and they need me back home. I'll be back as soon as he's better. You be careful on that mission of yours."

"I will. I'll see you soon, doll." Seta gave her a kiss and waved as she left for the Sand Village.

Kiba awoke the next morning, hurriedly got dressed, and rushed for the village gate. Shikamaru and Ino were already there waiting for him.

"All right guys! Kikyo Castle, here we come!"

Nightshroud: Sorry, rather short chapter, but intro chapters are like that. Anyway, it's going to be a whole lot of action now. I was just wondering if I should make the each mission and the fight with the Seven Serpents as separate chapter, or combine them into one. Meaning do I have the whole Kikyo Castle mission as one chapter and then the fight with one of the Serpents there as another, or should the whole mission and fight be included into one. I guess it depends if you would rather have one long chapter or two shorter ones. Just wondering so let me know in your review. I promise I'll update soon, so R&R!

Next chapter: Mission to Kikyo Castle: Uncover the Plot!