Chapter 28

A New Leaf Grows

Kakashi leaned against a tree lining the outer edge of Training Ground Thirteen. The sun had barely crept over the horizon, and Asuma and Shikamaru were already midway through a rather rigorous routine with chakra blades.

Since their return to the Hidden Leaf Village, Kakashi witnessed two distinct reactions to Asuma's missing limb. The first was an outright aversion of eyes – along with sympathetic mutterings of what a shame it was to have to end a career so young. These were met with Asuma's scowls of distaste – or on a more regular basis – a practical demonstration of just how skilled the man still was.

The second reaction – and thankfully, the more frequent of the two – was for fellow shinobi to offer to help Asuma find ways to compensate for the missing arm. After the tenth such offer from highly skilled and respected ninja – Shikamaru finally started to come around to the idea that this injury – although unfortunate – was by no means the end of Asuma's career . . . not by a long shot.

Kakashi chuckled to himself. Shikamaru may be a genius – but when it came to people who were precious to him, the young man had one hell of a blind spot. Kakashi would need to keep this in mind for future team and mission assignments. Otherwise it might prove to be a liability at a most inopportune time.

Currently – Shikamaru was working with Asuma to learn to adapt the use of the chakra blades to enhance the young chunin's shadow jutsus. Kakashi knew that Asuma had reasoned that it would be a waste for him to continue using the knuckle blades when he'd be better served with a weapon that would extend his reach – and therefore his defenses. Which – of course – brought Kakashi to why he was spying on the pair. He patted the sheath at his hip and stepped into the clearing once he saw the duo take a break from the action.

Asuma narrowed his eyes with suspicion at Kakashi's approach, while Shikamaru seemed glad for the interruption. The younger man was leaning forward with his hands on his knees while he tried to catch his breath. Kakashi crossed the distance at a leisurely pace – his hands shoved in his pockets. When he got closer, he pulled one out and gave his usual two-fingered wave.

"Yo!"

Shikamaru looked up and nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Good morning, Lord Hokage."

Asuma scowled. "Checking up on me again, kid?"

Kakashi put on his best innocent expression and shrugged – shoving his hand back in his pocket in the process. "Didn't know you needed checking up on, Asuma. Are you doing something you shouldn't be?"

Asuma pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He spoke around the smoking tobacco. "Depends who you ask – I suppose."

Kakashi chuckled and moved his hand to the sheath at his waist. He detached it and tossed it toward Asuma in one smooth movement. As he expected – Asuma clenched the cigarette in his teeth and easily caught the sheathed sword.

"What's this?"

Kakashi shrugged and moved to Shikamaru's side. The young chunin was finally recovered from his workout, and was standing up with one hand shoved in his pocket, while the other went to the back of his head.

"Looks like a sword, Asuma-sensei. Although I suppose it could be an illusion."

Asuma glared at his student, and Kakashi hid his laughter behind a forced cough into his fist. Once he regained control of himself he met his friend's eyes.

"You could just attach it to your hip and pull the thing out. Then you'll know what it is."

Asuma sighed – looked at the hook on the side of the sheath and glanced back at Kakashi with an unasked question in his gaze. Kakashi grinned.

"I had a colleague create a latching system that can be easily manipulated one-handed. He said to send you to him if it needs any adjustments to make it function to your liking."

Asuma stared down at the sword and lifted it to his belt. As promised – he was able to securely attach it without any additional help. A moment later and Asuma pulled a lethal-looking katana out and held it in front of his eyes. Those brown eyes widened in shock at the realization of just what this gift was – and Asuma raised his gaze to Kakashi's face.

"This must has cost you a fortune."

Kakashi shrugged. "The weapons-smith cut me a deal. Guess it pays to be Hokage after all."

Asuma chuckled and returned his attention to the blade. Kakashi watched him swing the sword – testing its weight and balance – all of which Kakashi knew were perfect. After all, he'd given the craftsman exact specifications for the weapon himself.

Once Asuma was satisfied with the test drive – he focused his chakra and sent it dancing along the edge of the blade – extending its reach by a good hand's length. The bearded shinobi grinned like a brand new genin with his very first headband. He extinguished the blue glow of chakra, twisted the blade, and re-sheathed it at his hip with an ease that made it look like he'd always used this weapon. A frown settled on his face and he looked toward Kakashi once more – his hand resting possessively on the hilt of the sword.

"What's the catch?"

Kakashi met Asuma's gaze steadily. "Two things actually. First – I told you before I had plans for you. I need you to head the Village Guard while I'm gone."

Asuma's eyes narrowed. "Agreed. And second?"

Kakashi glanced over to the brown-haired chunin who'd been silently watching them. "Second – I need to borrow Shikamaru for awhile."

Asuma held his cigarette in his fingers and flicked the ashes to the ground. He looked from Shikamaru to Kakashi before answering. "I guess that's fine . . ."

Shikamaru made a startled noise. "Don't I have a say in this?"

Asuma and Kakashi spoke as one. "No!"

Shikamaru sighed and slouched in defeat. Asuma moved to Kakashi's side and gave him a sidewards glance. "And that's all?"

Kakashi scratched his head and smiled. "Well – you could leave me alone with Kurenai for the night . . ."

Asuma's swipe at Kakashi's head nearly connected – but Kakashi ducked just in time. He backed up a step and held his hands up between them.

"I'll take that as a no – shall I?"

Asuma glowered at him and Kakashi sighed. He needed to get back to business now. He turned his attention to the chunin.

"Shikamaru – I need you at the west gate with full field gear at six in the morning."

Shikamaru nodded. "Six tomorrow morning. Yes sir." The young man tipped his head in Asuma's direction. "Although it's troublesome Asuma-sensei, I'm afraid you'll need to find someone else to beat up tomorrow."

Kakashi watched Asuma's eyes cloud over a bit. "Kakashi – if you're going where I think you're going. . ."

Kakashi placed a hand on the older man's shoulder. "I'll keep my eye on him Asuma. But he won't need it – you've trained him well."

Asuma walked over to Shikamaru and talked quietly to the young man. Kakashi turned away when he saw Shikamaru's stance stiffen, and a shocked look cross his face. Kakashi figured the man was giving his student some idea of their destination, and a few tips on how to survive a mission with the Copy Ninja.

-----


Itachi managed to obtain a small amount of information from one of his contacts outside of the village. For instance – he knew the Fifth Hokage was dead and that Kakashi Hatake had placed temporary administration of the Village under Jiraiya's control. This led him to the conclusion that their target was planning something outside the village – and soon. He'd also learned that security around the Village would be far denser then he'd ever seen it in the past. The main reason for the increase in patrols was likely the fact that Asuma Sarutobi was now in charge of the guards. That meant any visits into the Hidden Leaf would now be three times as difficult to conceal as before. So he'd need to change the method for obtaining information.

By the time Itachi and the others arrived outside the boundaries of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, his hopes of slipping into the village unseen disappeared when he watched the third patrol in less then twenty minutes pass through the area where they were hidden.

His companions seemed on edge as well. Itachi glanced at the two Akatsuki members and frowned. These two were normally sure of themselves and eager to do battle – but at the moment they looked more concerned with blending into the bark of the trees then in confronting ninja from the Leaf Village. Their encounters with Kakashi had seemingly shaken them to their cores. This would not do at all.

He sat back on the limb he perched on, watching the main gate into the Village. He knew that whatever was about to begin, this would be where it started. He wasn't disappointed.

Kakashi Hatake arrived at the portal to the village first. Itachi raised his eyebrows. It was unusual for the man to ever arrive first. Obviously, whatever the unknown mission was, it was very important to Kakashi – which meant the Hokage would be increasingly focused on that task as well.

Itachi frowned as he tried to fathom what the man was up to now. Soon, others joined the Hokage and a small group of ninja dressed in field gear surrounded him. He watched Neji Hyuga step forward and speak quietly to Kakashi, and then watched the young man apply a series of swift blows along the older man's arm and shoulder before picking up his pack and rejoining the others.

Itachi's sharingan eyes caught the purpose behind those blows, and he nodded his head in silent appreciation for the simplicity of the process. The chakra points leading to and from the ring fused to Kakashi's finger were effectively shut down. No wonder the Leader was unable to make a connection to the Tool. If nothing else – at least he'd be able to deliver that bit of news to the others.

He signaled to Mishobi and Aigaki to head out. There was no point in waiting around here if their target would be moving out into the world. Besides – by the looks of things, Kakashi would be looking for them soon enough. All they could do was prepare for his arrival – and then they could end this nonsense once and for all.

-----


Kakashi looked at the hand-selected, ten man team standing around him. He'd spent the better part of a week trying to find the perfect combination of skills and experience to give this mission the best chance for success, and he had to admit he was pretty impressed with what he ended up with.

Shikamaru had been the easiest to come up with. The young man's tactical skills were second only to his own, and his increasing level of skill with his shadow jutsus was bound to come in handy – especially with the addition of Asuma's chakra blades to his arsenal.

He added Sakura to the group for two reasons – first – her medical skill was close to Shizune's, and second – her fighting style was as strong, if not stronger, then Tsunade's had been. Besides – he didn't want the woman to stay in the village and dwell on the Fifth's death. Tsunade would never have forgiven him if he allowed that to happen.

Choji and Ino were another no-brainer for this mission. Their past work with Shikamaru meant they already knew how best to blend their varying skills – and he didn't mind having more then one medically trained ninja on board. This task was liable to get quite messy before it was over.

Genma and Aoba were a given – as his self-appointed bodyguards made it crystal clear they would follow him no matter what orders he gave. So adding Raido only seemed natural – considering he'd worked with the threesome on many occasions in the past. Their familiarity with his methods was bound to come in handy and help center the younger members of the group as well.

Neji's Byakugan and other skills would be invaluable – but none so much as the young Hyuga's ability to block the Akatsuki's chakra ring from influencing him during this mission. They'd learned the skill needed to be released and reapplied a handful of times during the day in order to keep his own chakra levels from bottle-necking again – so even if the young man wasn't so skilled in other aspects, he'd still need to come along.

The final member of this special team was Kiba and his hound, Akamaru. The chunin's tracking skills had grown almost as quickly as his pup had, and now the pair were two of the best trackers in the Five Countries. That skill would be put to the test in the weeks to come.

Kakashi was about to signal for the team to set off when he noticed Jiraiya and Naruto walking over to him. He should have known the pair wouldn't just let him slip out of the Village quietly.

Kakashi sighed and walked over to meet them halfway. What he needed to say to them didn't need to be overheard by the others

Jiraiya had a hand on Naruto's shoulder and a look in his eye that made it obvious he was going to carry out the orders Kakashi left him with last night. Although the frown on his lips also made it clear the Toad Sage wasn't too happy about being left in the Village.

Kakashi shifted his gaze to Naruto. Since his talk with him at Tsunade's graveside, Naruto seemed a bit calmer. The two had spent additional time together since then so Kakashi could fill him in on everything he remembered of the Fourth Hokage – as well as information on Naruto's mother. The young man had absorbed it all and asked more questions then Kakashi thought possible. But when it was over, Naruto seemed to have a focus that he clearly remembered his own Sensei having when important issues were looming. Which was why Kakashi made sure the young man had something worthy of that focus to concentrate on while he was gone.

"So Naruto – when will you be leaving for your training?"

The genin looked up at Jiraiya and then back at Kakashi. "As soon as Pervy-sage bothers to let the Toads know about it I guess."

Kakashi shifted his gaze back to Jiraiya and raised an eyebrow. The older man frowned. "I was getting to it. Besides – I figured he'd want to see you off."

Naruto rolled his eyes at the Toad Sage's obvious lie. "Right – he just wanted someone to distract him from all the paperwork you saddled him with."

Jiraiya's hand moved from Naruto's shoulder to cuff him on the side of the ear. "Keep it up kid, and I'll never send you for that training."

Kakashi crossed his arms and narrowed his gaze at the Toad Sage. "Jiraiya, don't even joke about that. If any of my plans are going to work – Naruto needs to get that training."

It was Jiraiya's turn to roll his eyes. "Come on, Kakashi, you know I was only kidding. I'm sending him out tomorrow morning. Give him a month – and you won't even recognize him!"

Kakashi sighed and returned his attention to Naruto. "I know you wanted to come with us, Naruto. But trust me – once you finish with the sages you'll understand why it had to go this way."

Naruto grinned at him. "Don't worry about it Kakashi-sensei. I know you wouldn't let me or the Village down – so this must be important. I won't let you down – believe it!"

Kakashi chuckled and nodded once. He turned and walked back to the others at the gate. They looked at him eagerly and he focused on the task at hand. "Alright folks – it's time we show our enemies just what the Will of Fire is all about. Let's go wipe out the Akatsuki once and for all."

With that, Kakashi headed down the road, confident the others were behind him. He knew they would follow him to the ends of the world if it meant securing the safety of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. After all – he was the Sixth Hokage.

~ fini ~


AN –

Thank you to all my faithful readers who have held out to the bitter end to see the trials and tribulations of the Sixth Hokage.

As you can see, my favorite masked ninja has more in store for him, but this seemed like a fitting place to end the story - The Sixth Hokage.

Work has already begun on the companion piece to this story – The Will of Fire.

I hope you will find it as entertaining.

Yours truly -

KakashiKrazed