The journey started off way to calmly. There was nothing but bright blue water below them and clear blue skies above. The wind was going in the right direction, and the current was pulling the boat forward even more, helping Idate and Team Seven gain on the Modoroki Shrine on Nagi Island. Akira just knew that something had to go wrong soon. Nothing could be this calm forever. Sakura came over to her.

"Hey, what do you think about Idate?"

"What do you mean?" Akira asked, looking over to the young man at the front of the boat.

"He's not just some ordinary kid."

"Well, no. I suspect he received training from a family member by the name of Ibiki Morino."

"Ibiki Morino?" Sakura contemplated. "Oh, yeah! Wasn't he the proctor of our first exam?"

"What'd you say?" Idate said, turning around. "M-My brother... he's alive?"

"Well of course he's alive! Why wouldn't he be?" Naruto said. "He threw us such a curve-ball at the tenth question in."

"Seriously, he's really alive then?"

Akira's head snapped towards a projectile heading towards Idate. Swiftly, she threw a shuriken at it, slicing it in half. The peace had ended. She tied the tiller to the boat so that it would stay on course for Nagi Island and she went to stand by Idate. A boat was approaching them, but there was no sign of anyone on it. Akira didn't let that dissuade her.

"Sasuke, Naruto, fend them off. Sakura and I will keep and eye on Idate!" Akira ordered.

"Right!" they all chorused, getting into position.

All of a sudden, a shower of arrows headed towards them, with each arrow having a rope attached to it. Akira's eyes narrowed. She recalled the abilities of the Amegakure ninja. The team leader tossed a kunai at Naruto.

"Naruto, cut the ropes!"

"You got it!"

As Naruto went over and cut all the ropes, the Amegakure found another way into the boat. Akira motioned for Idate to stand behind her, but he didn't listen, so she turned around and pushed him back, the red of the Sharingan staring straight at him. He recognised those eyes, everyone in Konoha did. Idate instantly backed off and let Akira do her job. All of a sudden, the Amegakure ninja began coming up through the floorboards of the boat. Akira's Sharingan could tell they were clones.

"Most of them are clones!" she shouted. "One hit will dispel them! Sasuke, behind you!"

"Same for you!"

Akira pushed Idate to the side and flung out both her Katana, clashing with Kagari's kunai. She swiftly disarmed him and hit him on the head with her Katana's hilt, then tossed him overboard with a kick. He reappeared beside Oboro in a flash.

"This sword kid is a pain. Let's switch to plan B, Kagari," Oboro said. "We'll kill them all, instead!"

Akira put her swords away the second Kagari nodded. Her pupils dilated and her hands followed the signs he was making. It was a water technique; right in her wheelhouse. As Sasuke and Naruto got rid of the clones, both Kagari's and Akira's bodies began secreting black flames and soon, it began to rain black. Akira gasped.

"Sasuke! Do not use any fire techniques! The rain is oil!"

"Got it!"

Kagari and Oboro growled at the Chūnin, but Mubi was laughing. He launched an arrow lit with fire and it hit the oil, setting the boat ablaze. Akira cursed and looked around, thinking.

"All right, everyone off!" Akira shouted.

"What!?" the others gasped.

"It is the only way! I will cover you all, just go!"

"No way I'm leaving you here!" Sasuke shouted.

Amidst the arguing, another arrow shot toward Idate. Without thinking, Sakura jumped in front of him, and it cut her shoulder.

"LEAVE NOW! THAT IS AN ORDER!"

Everyone jumped off the boat, including Akira. But she stayed behind, sending Chakra to her feet to stay afloat. The three Amegakure ninja laughed, seeing the girl all alone. However, Akira smiled as well. In quick succession, Akira performed multiple handsigns and breathed deeply.

"WATER WALL!"

All of a sudden, water rushed from the bottom of the ocean and rose up to an incredible height. Using her special ability, Akira made it rise higher. Although the three Amegakure ninja couldn't see her, Akira reached to her sides and, with a loud snapping sound, clapped her hands together once. The giant water wall suddenly collapsed and turned into a powerful wave, which ran straight for the enemy boat and crushed it to bits. The part of the wave that rushed towards her was deviated with her hands, as she 'danced' and cut it in half, parting the water like some sort of God. Slowly, she released it back down and checked the horizon for any signs of team Oboro. Nowhere in sight, Akira turned around and propelled her herself towards land, using her Chakra to manipulate the water into a wave she could surf on. She slowed down when she was beside three heads bobbing in the water.

"Akira!" Naruto cheered.

"Sakura, how is your wound?" Akira asked, ignoring Naruto.

"Oh, it's fine, really. I've had worse," the girl replied.

"All right. Where's Idate?"

"He must already be ashore," Sasuke said.

"Will you be all right if I go on ahead - to make sure he's all right?"

The three ninja nodded and Akira sped off again, zooming over water like she was a speedboat. She could see the island on the horizon getting closer, and soon, she was close enough to see Idate crawl up the rocky seaside of the island. However, she growled and sped up when she saw someone else was there with him. It couldn't have been Oboro, Mubi or Kagari, so it must have been Aoi Rokushō. All of a sudden, Akira saw a paper umbrella float into the air and Aoi's arm rise. She arrived just in time. Akira barely had time to jump in front of Idate before Aoi sent four razor sharp senbon his way. They embedded themselves in Akira's shoulder, and she stumbled to the ground instead of landing on her feet. She pulled them out and stood, facing Aoi with a stern face.

"Aoi Rokushō, I presume?" she said, sounding quite casual, as though there was no pain in her shoulder.

"Do you not feel pain, girl?" Aoi said, legitimately curious.

"I do. I have simply felt worse."

"Oh, the strong hero! You know, Fukusuke is about to arrive at Modoroki Shrine. Any chance our friend Idate had, is gone now."

Suddenly, Akira became dizzy and fell to her knees. It started to rain.

"Poison..." she whispered.

"Ah, yes. Works faster than most. Specially made in Amegakure," Aoi said.

"Idate, get out of... here."

Akira felt a wave of pain cross through her body and she swayed, falling sideways onto the muddy ground. Rain fell on her, soaking her clothes. Her eyes were closing. Everything was fading to black...

"Akira, come over here."

The young girl nearly skipped over to her father as he sat at the dining room table, sipping on tea. She sat across from him and smiled. The man smiled back at her.

"How is it going at the academy?"

"It is going great, Father! Sasuke and I are top of our class!"

"I'm happy to hear that. Did you find out what natural affinities you had?"

"Uh, yes. I did," Akira said. Her happy demeanor changed. She seemed almost scared now. "First, the paper wrinkled, then it softened because it was wet. That means-"

"You have a natural affinity to both lightning and water," Fugaku said sternly, no longer smiling. "Akira, we are the Uchiha, a clan famed for its fire-based techniques. Lightning, is passable, but-"

"But Father, what about Storm Release? It is a mix of lightning and water Chakra natures, and our great ancestor Madara Uchiha had it!"

"Do not interrupt me, Akira!"

"But I have seen the scrolls! It is a really powerful kekkei genkai - what if I have it? What if I will become as strong as Madara one day!?" Akira contested.

"Madara Uchiha was the reason our family is questioned all the time today!" Fugaku shouted. "He did questionable things and went against the First Hokage! It took Tobirama Senju to knock him down!"

"I did not say I would become Madara Uchiha, Father. I said I would be as powerful as he was, and that it what I plan to do! I will be the strongest kunoichi I can be, and I will protect the Village Hidden in the Leaves and all of its people if it is the last thing I do!"

Feeling slowly returned to her body, as if she'd just woken up from deep slumber. It was warm, and the light was dim. Akira sat up, but she was held back by Sakura. Idate was lying down too, apparently injured.

"What happened?" Akira asked.

"The senbon were poisoned," Sasuke said. "Sakura gave us all a pill, Aoi attacked us all. Idate is seriously hurt. He might not be able to keep running."

"Also, he secretly stole the Scroll of Sealing and the sword of the Second Hokage for Aoi because he thought he'd become a Chūnin," Naruto chuckled.

"Need I remind you, you did the same thing for Mizuki," Akira said, and Naruto immediately grew solemn. She turned to Idate. "Is that why you thought Ibiki was dead? Because of Aoi?"

Idate nodded and looked away. The Scroll of Sealing and the Sword of the Thunder God had been missing for years. Akira would get them back. Or at least the sword, since Aoi was likely to have it on him.

"All right, let us get moving," Akira said, standing up.

"What? But Akira, Idate can't move!" Sakura said.

"Then I will carry him. This race will be won by Idate. He made a promise."

"I'll carry him," Naruto said sternly. "I'll carry him until the end of the line."

Akira nodded, and Naruto picked up Idate, setting him down on his back. Then they all exited the cave they were in and ran through the rain, ignoring it as if it wasn't even there. Soon, they made it up to Modoroki Shrine, with everyone waiting for them. Both families had gathered there to see the runners. After climbing the stairs, everyone cheered. It seemed they all thought Idate had run off. To Akira's surprise, Fukusuke was just leaving, giving Idate a fighting chance. He jumped off of Naruto's back and ignored the pain, running straight for the jewels and then off to continue the race.

Idate was just about to cross the suspension bridge to Ouzo island when an electrical shock came out of nowhere and hit Idate straight in the chest. Akira hid in the bushes to plan an assault. It was Aoi, and he was holding metal handle into which a yellow beam of electricity retracted. It was the Sword of the Thunder God.

"Well, well, I have to say that I never thought you'd make it this far," Aoi said as he cut two of the ropes holding the bridge. Idate tried to run forward, but he only got electrocuted again. "Now why don't you stop that. You're no match for the Blade of the Thunder Spirit, the sword wielded by the Second Hokage himself. But then again, you know all about it, don't you Idate? After all, you're the one who stole it and brought it to me."

Akira threw half a dozen shuriken at Aoi from the bushes, and jumped out, holding what looked like wires. The shuriken embedded themselves into Aoi's umbrella. With one hand, Akira made the sign of the tiger and ignited the wires, sending a wave of fire at the Amegakure ninja. He threw his umbrella aside and calmly jumped out of the way.

"You are in the way, Aoi. And that sword does not belong to you," Akira stated aggressively.

"And you're gonna need more than an umbrella to dodge my attack!" Naruto said, suddenly showing up.

"Naruto," Akira said softly, "hit anything but the sword directly. It might be powerful, but it will break if hit with enough force. We need to bring it back to the village, so be careful, all right?"

"You got it! Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Multiple clones appeared from thin air, and Naruto put his hand behind him. Then, the clones began gathering Chakra in his hand, spinning it into a ball. Akira's eyes widened. This is what Master Jiraya had been teaching him this whole time: the Rasengan. Naruto ran at Aoi, intending to strike his stomach, but the Amegakure ninja blocked the attack with the sword. Akira winced. Another hit like that and the sword would crack.

"Ninja Art: Senbon Shower!"

From his back, Aoi pulled out another umbrella and threw it into the air. A rainstorm of senbon began falling, but Akira was quicker than them. She pulled the water from her gourd and spread it over herself, Idate and Naruto like her own umbrella. The senbon fell into the water and slowed, and Akira balled it with a hand motion, then sent it back towards Aoi. Shock drew itself across his face. He couldn't use the sword for this or the electricity would amplify the water style attack. Instead, he jumped out of the way again, but that left him wide open, and Naruto knew it. He summoned another bunch of clones and attacked Aoi with the Rasengan. While he did miss, it gave Akira the opportunity to charge up her attack. Both her Katana glowed just as bright as the Thunder Blade, and Aoi gaze didn't miss it. Just then, Sasuke arrived as well, charging up his Chidori.

"Don't touch the sword!" Akira shouted.

Sasuke nodded firmly, and they both launched themselves at Aoi. Sasuke's Chidori pierced the man's shoulder, whereas Akira's twin blades cut through Aoi's stomach like butter. Sakura ran over and kicked him for good measure, sending him flying down into the abyss beneath the suspension bridge. With a whip of water, Akira grabbed onto the Thunder Blade and stuffed it into the bottom of her bag so it wouldn't fall out.

"All right, no time to celebrate. We need to catch up to Fukusuke," Akira stated. "Move out!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" Idate said, chuckling.

Everyone smiled at him and they all broke into a run. They weaved through the forest and down the trail until they could see Fukusuke jogging up ahead. Akira smirked and made a hand sign. Soon, particles of water began clinging to every single one of them, creating a mirror-like shine, reflecting their surroundings. In other words, they were invisible. As soon as Idate rushed past Fukusuke, however, Akira released the jutsu. Everyone cheered at the sight of him, and they cheered even more when Idate crossed the finish line first. The entire crowd ran forward and cheered Idate's name, while Fukusuke collapse to the ground and sulked. However, as Idate was sent to stand at the center and be announced as the winner alongside Boss Jirōchō, the Tea Daimyō's* minister and the head of the Wagarashi family stepped forward.

"Hold on, that's enough!" Kyūroku Wagarashi shouted.

"Huh, Kyūroku?" Jirōchō muttered.

"It seems this kid rode on the back of a hired ninja for part of the way. That's a violation."

"What is he talking about?" Akira mumbled.

"I have proof! Just take a look at this photograph, huh," Kyūroku said, taking out a photograph of Naruto carrying Idate.

"They have to make it here by their own strength," the minister said. "Those are the rules of this race. The boy must be disqualified! Which means that Fukusuke Hikyakuya is the winner, and the Wasabi family must disband."

"It can't be!" Jirōchō said.

"Wait a minute, that's-"

"I'll hear none of your excuses!" the minister interrupted Idate. "A promise is a promise, Jirōchō."

"Just a minute," the actual Daimyō called, walking over. "There is no such rule. Stop talking nonsense."

"But, my Lord-"

"But what? Are you suggesting that I let the Wagarashi win just simply because you wish it?"

"No! Of course not!" the minister denied.

"Perhaps the reason you want to win so badly, is because it would mean an end to all the bribes you've been accepting."

The Daimyō pulled out a picture of his minister accepting a large sum of gold from someone.

"Oops. Looks like Kyūroku Wagarashi got caught with his his pants down," Akira chuckled.

"Akira! That sounds like something Kiba would say!" Sakura gasped. "I think you've been hanging out with him too much."

"Oh, shush. This is hilarious, and you know it."

In the end, it was the Wagarashi family that was disbanded, and the winner remained Idate Morino. The festivities lasted for a few hours, and no one was sad when they ended. By that time, the sun had died down a little, and the sky had turned shades of pink, orange and purple that put the most beautiful woman to shame. A boat had come for them, and Akira boarded immediately, heading below deck. A few minutes later, Akira came out with fresh clothes and a washed face. Idate was saying his goodbyes to Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jirōchō board the boat and make his way towards her. She turned to him and bowed.

"I cannot thank you enough, Akira, for leading your team and Idate to victory," he said.

"There is no need to thank me, I was simply doing my job, Boss Jirōchō," Akira replied.

"If there is ever anything the Land of Tea can do for the Leaf Village, it would be an honour."

Akira bowed one last time to the man, and he handed her their pay for the mission. She put it at the bottom of the bag and made a note to give it to Tsunade so that they Shizune could calculate the portion that went to the village. Akira looked down at Idate, and he waved her over.

"I wanted to thank you for your harsh words, Akira," Idate said.

"Yes, well, how else are people going to learn?" the girl joked.

"Also for your help. I would probably be dead if it weren't for you."

"Most likely. But it does not matter. I was simply doing what was required of me."

"I've come to gather the wounded."

Everyone turned to look at the boat. Standing at the edge was Ibiki Morino, and it was clear he was pretending to not recognise Idate. But Idate wasn't, and he called out to his brother. Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto made their way onto the boat, telling Ibiki there were no wounded and that he was misinformed. Akira placed a hand on Idate's shoulder, sympathetically, and walked back up to the boat.

"He has grown up well, has he not?" Akira commented as she passed Ibiki.

"Indeed he has."


It was late at night when Akira and the rest of Team Seven arrived in Konohagakure. Ibiki left them to their own devices and disappeared in a flash. Akira looked up at the stars and smiled. They were back home - in one piece. Akira had successfully accomplished her first mission as a team leader. Her final act as leader was to dismiss everyone and send them home to get some well deserved rest. In the meantime, Akira still had things to do. She made her way towards towards the Academy, and entered the Hokage's office. To her surprise, Tsunade was still there.

"Akira," Tsunade said, mildly surprised. "How did the mission go?"

"It was accomplished without my team or the clients getting injured," Akira said simply.

"So it escalated?"

"It did. I will put it all in my report, I just need the paperwork." Tsunade handed her a notebook. "Is this my log book, now?"

"Yes, it is. You've finally earned it after your first mission."

"Also, this is for Shizune to divide."

Akira dropped the bag of Ryō onto the Hokage's desk.

"There was also something else I pulled off an enemy."

"He's dead?" Tsunade said, sounding mildly surprised once again/

"He got a Chidori and two swords to his torso, plus he was kicked into a swirling pool of water," Akira said in a matter-of-fact sort of tone. "If he is not dead it is because someone brought him back."

"What is it you took?"

Akira pulled out the inactive Sword of the Thunder God. Tsunade's eyes widened as she looked at the blade. She was smart enough not to attempt to open it or use it. She looked back up at Akira.

"It was in the possession of one Aoi Rokushō. He tricked a young boy by the name of Idate Morino into stealing it three years ago. He since defected and joined the Amegakure troops. As for Idate, he was the boy we were sent to protect. Good kid. I hope his actions will not be held against him should he ever return to Konoha since he was coerced?"

"No, they won't. I'll send a letter to the Land of Tea in the morning," Tsunade said. She looked at the sword. "What do you expect me to do with this?"

"It belongs to the Second Hokage. I assume it would go with the other artifacts people are not supposed to steal."

"What about you?"

"What about me?" Akira echoed, confused. "I just gave you my opinion on the matter."

"I'm asking you if you would like to keep it." Tsunade explained.

"I cannot. As I said, it belongs to the Second Hokage. Technically, all of his possessions go to family upon his death. You are the granddaughter of the First Hokage, which means the Second was your Granduncle. The Sword of the Thunder God belongs to you, by inheritance."

"Look at your hands, Akira," Tsunade said. Akira glanced at the lightning-like scars that spread from her fingertips to her elbows. "The jutsu you created is powerful, but it has its drawbacks. This sword only works properly for someone who's natural affinity is with lightning, or someone who's really good at lightning style jutsu."

"What is your point, Lady Tsunade?"

"I am both the owner of this sword, as well as your doctor," Tsunade said. "I give it to you as both a gift, and a medical recommendation. I also happen to be Hokage, so refusing a gift from me is akin to a crime."

Akira sighed and bowed to the Hokage, retrieving the sword from her. Tsunade stood and went over to a pile of papers, fetching a few documents. She handed them to Akira, then went over to her bookshelf full of scrolls. Tsunade pulled one out and gave it to Akira as well.

"The documents will help you in writing your report. Figured they'd be useful since this is your first one," the woman said. "The scroll is just as prized as that sword, and will tell you how to use it properly and what you can do with it. Once you've studied it, I expect it to be returned to this office."

"Of course, Lady Tsunade," Akira said, bowing deeply. She rose and continued, "I cannot thank you enough for this. I swear to you that I will take good care of it."

"I know you will, Akira... I know."


*Daimyō: (in feudal Japan) one of the great lords who were vassals of the shogun