(Welcome to today's chapter everyone.)
One morning in Konoha inside the casino known as Ebon's palace set up by Ebon himself, gamblers were inside at slot machines, craps, blackjack, roulette, and poker tables. Ebon who was dressed in a gray suit with pants, and a red tie was walking around his casino observing all the gamblers, "Hey man, enjoy that sake? Keep it up people," He continued talking to some gamblers he passes by. He stopped in front of a blackjack table seeing two gamblers ready to make their move. He saw one of them has a seventeen, "If I were you I'd stay." He suggested to the gambler and carried on.
Ebon saw Guren and Raiga walking around, "Raiga, Guren, you two sure look close together." He teased.
Guren and Raiga blushed, "Yeah so what of it, Ebon?" Guren asked.
"Nothing, it's a good thing." Ebon replied.
"So how's business?" Raiga asked the shadow man.
"Never better, Raiga. The gamblers just keep on coming in." Ebon said as he heard a man cheer in victory after winning a jackpot.
"Well it's good to see Konoha has a great attraction like this place." Guren noted.
An Anbu appeared before them startling them, "Hey man you gotta warn a brother before you go popping in like that." Ebon told the Anbu.
"Ebon, Guren, and Raiga, the Hokage requests your presence at the tower." The Anbu said and disappeared.
"Well we better go." Raiga said as they headed off.
As the three entered the Hokage's office they saw Naruto, Suigetsu, Jugo, Karin, and Haku already there, "Hey guys." Naruto smiled.
"Good you've arrived we can get down to the mission," Tsunade started, "I'm sure a majority of you know about Houka Susumaru."
"The rogue fire ninja from the land of Ashes?" Raiga asked.
"Yes," Tsunade answered, "Him and a group of other ninjas have been reported by Suna that they had attempted to sneak into Suna and make off with a scroll containing it's forbidden Jutsus."
"Impossible, how can anyone get past Suna's security?" Naruto asked.
"That's the thing; no one knows how it happened," Tsunade explained, "Gaara feels as though they will eventually come back, so he has requested that you Naruto, and a team to assist them."
"Seems like Gaara really needs our help on this one," Naruto smirked, "Well why not? Consider me ready for anything. How about it team Namikaze?" Naruto turned to his team.
"Does it have to be Suna?" Suigetsu complained.
"Is that a problem Suigetsu?" Tsunade asked raising an eyebrow.
"Not to complain but heat isn't exactly a friend of mine." Suigetsu reminded her of his condition of intense heat and his liquid body.
"Oh suck it up, Suigetsu!" Karin scolded him.
"Come on guys let's not start." Jugo played peacemaker.
"Don't worry Suigetsu I got a little something to help you with your problem." Naruto assured his teammate.
"Really what is it?" Suigetsu asked.
"This," Naruto holds up a small sealing patch, "This patch contains a formula I've designed. It should keep your body moist so long as you wear it."
"Oh sweet!" Suigetsu cheered while Karin sighed.
"Well I'm all for the mission." Guren answered.
"Same here." Haku agreed.
"Likewise. I can wait to tell Ranmaru." Raiga put in.
"So why am I here?" Ebon asked.
Tsunade answered Ebon, "The Kazekage has also requested you Ebon and the Breed to accompany Naruto on this mission."
"Well if he wants us, he's got us." Ebon replied.
"Good then it's settled. All of you prepare for the mission. Ebon you collect the Breed and tell them the situation." Tsunade ordered.
"Yes ma'am." They all responded and left.
Naruto was at the mansion collecting some things. He put on his fingerless gloves, the rings of Deidara, Kakuzu, Sasori, and Hidan and strapped his sword to his back, "There all set." Naruto said and went downstairs to see Yukina.
"Do you have to go dad?"
"I'm sorry sweetie but you know a ninjas job is never over." Naruto explained and she nodded.
"Ok, but next time you bring me with ok?" Yukina asked.
"Deal," Naruto agreed and kissed her cheek, "You be good now."
"Hai." Yukina smiles and watched her father leave the mansion.
Meanwhile at Shiv's 'House of Gags' joke shop, Shiv was inside giving some joke props to a couple of kids while Shizune watched him, "Come again." He called to the kids.
"So you took care of everything? I mean you are going to be away for a couple of days." Shizune reminded him.
"Everything's been taken care of, Shizune." Shiv replied as Shizune approached him.
"You be careful in Suna." Shizune instructed him.
"Don't worry about it. I'm more than capable of handling things." Shiv answered.
"Paging, Shivomatic! Shivomatic!" Hotstreak called from outside the shop.
Shiv chuckled and kissed Shizune, "See you soon." Shiv left.
Soon Naruto and the whole crew were outside Konoha gates, "Ok guys this is it, we head for Suna."
"This could probably take a while." Onyx said knowing how far Suna is from Konoha.
"Not to worry Onyx I got a solution," Naruto said before pulling out a small disk and threw it on the ground, "Might wanna stand back everyone." Naruto instructed and they did so. Naruto zapped the disk with electricity and the small disk grew into a giant sized saucer.
"Whoa now that's a big one." Suigetsu noted.
"Yeah this one should carry all of us," Naruto said as he jumped on it and levitated it up, "Hop on everyone!" he called as Team Namikaze and the Breed piled on making sure not to crowd it.
Soon Naruto was levitating the saucer through the River Country, while Suigetsu, Ebon, Hotstreak, Shiv, and Kangor pretended to be surfing, "Oh man no wonder Virge loves this." Hotstreak said while pretending to surf.
"Yeah check me out!" Shiv cheered while hanging ten.
"Hey guys try to keep the saucer balanced. I don't want it to be rocking." Naruto called behind him so he doesn't lose concentration.
"Hey how much further we got mon?" Kangor asked.
"Suna shouldn't be too far ahead," Naruto replied as he continued steering. "Hey Suigetsu you better put that patch on now we're heading into the hot climate."
"On it," Suigetsu replied as he put the patch inside his shirt and onto his chest, "Oh yeah it's already starting to work."
"Well brace yourselves guys, desert dead ahead." Naruto called as they rode into the desert lands that lead to Suna.
They surfed above the sand and soon spotted Suna up ahead, "There it is guys!" Naruto called.
"We made it." Guren cheered.
"Finally." Karin added.
Raiga looked at the land from afar, "Suna, a lot's happened in this one village."
"A lot indeed." Ranmaru agreed.
Soon they arrived at the entrance to Suna which was by a cliff with a slit between it so you could walk through. A Suna guard stopped them, "Halt identify yourselves."
Naruto introduced them, "Naruto Namikaze, Team Namikaze, and Meta-Breed," He starts, "I believe the Kazekage is expecting our company?"
The guard remembered, "Ah yes Namikaze-sama, please welcome back." He escorted them all through the entrance until they entered Suna.
"Whoa." The breed gasped.
"Check it out." Ferret looked around.
"Oh sweet." Shiv cheered.
"Never knew a huge civilization this big could be built in a desert, except in Egypt." Kangor added.
"It sure can, Kangor." Karin noted.
Soon the Suna guard led them through Suna and numerous civilians were waving and greeting Naruto as he passed by, "Wow Naruto you sure are popular here." Guren noticed.
"What'd you expect from a guy who saved their Kazekage from two Akatsuki members?" Hotstreak asked.
"Yes, and once again we thank you for your show of bravery, Naruto." The Suna guard added.
"It was nothing." Naruto replied.
Soon they reached the administration building where Kankuro was stationed outside, "Yo Naruto!" Kankuro waved to them.
"Hey Kankuro, how's it going?" Naruto asked.
"Excellent, glad you and the guys could come," Kankuro said and looked at Team Namikaze, "So this is Team Namikaze, huh?"
"You got it," Naruto nodded and motioned to the team, "Kurosuki Raiga, Hozuki Suigetsu, Karin, Jugo, Guren, Haku, and Ranmaru."
"Well let me welcome you guys to Suna. Now come on Gaara's expecting you." Kankuro showed them inside the building.
Kankuro showed them through the halls, until he stopped in front of a room and knocked on the door. Gaara's voice was heard from the other side, "Enter."
Kankuro opened the door and let Naruto and the guys in. When they entered they saw Gaara at the desk in his Kazekage robes while filling out some forms. Kankuro presented himself along with Naruto and the team, "Lord Kazekage Naruto Namikaze and Ebon have arrived with their teams as you have requested."
"Very good Kankuro, that'll be all." Gaara dismissed him.
Kankuro left while Naruto and the others are left with Gaara, "So Gaara's how's being Kazekage treating you as of late?" Naruto asked.
"It is a tough job, but someone's gotta do it." Gaara replied.
"Well it's good to see you got something to do." Ebon added.
"It is." Gaara replied.
"So what's the situation?" Talon asked.
"Well I'm certain you've all been told of Houka Susumaru and his intrusion?" Gaara asked.
"More or less." Kangor replied.
"How was he able to slip past security? I mean Suna's security is just as tight as Konoha's." Onyx noted.
"I know which is why I've concluded he didn't do this by himself," Gaara explained, "Someone let him in."
"You mean?" Haku gasped.
"Yes, one of our own is a traitor." Gaara folded his hands.
"My least favorite word." Naruto said bitterly.
"So what can we do?" Guren asked.
"Well I'm sure whoever let Houka in will try to do it again when our defense is down," Gaara explained, "Which is why I'm having Anbu Black Ops monitor our entrance guards. Though I told no one about this, I also want you to monitor as well."
"You want us to do it?" Jugo asked.
"Yes, Naruto is the one true friend I trust with my life," Gaara stood up, "The Meta-Breed is also a reliable team whom Naruto trusts more than anyone for as long as we've known each other. And since Naruto's mentioned about Team Namikaze in his reports and spoke highly of each of you, I believe you will be of great help to the village."
"You really think so despite us being rogue ninja?" Raiga asked.
Gaara nodded and walked to them, "Do you all accept this assignment?"
"We do!" they all reply.
"I thank you for all your help." Gaara smiled.
Temari entered the room, "Lord Kazekage, oh sorry I didn't know you were entertaining."
"It's ok Temari, Naruto and his team has arrived, you may show them to their quarters." Gaara explained.
"Yes," Temari nods and turned to the group, "Follow me please." She showed them out of the office and through the halls.
They walked past one of the guards who had a tattoo of the kanji for desert on his wrist, "Hi Temari the work forms have been checked just as you asked." He explained.
"Thanks Hakado, I'll look over them later." Temari answered as they walked by.
"Don't remember that guard?" Naruto said to Temari.
"Hakado was initiated as a guard fourth months ago." Temari explained as they continued on unaware of Hakado listening to them from around a corner.
When nighttime came Naruto, Team Namikaze, and the Breed were already set up in a large guest room with beds for each of them. Guren, Talon, Karin, and Puff were already in nightgowns and sitting in their beds reading books or magazines. While the guys were already in their boxer shorts, and some wearing sleeping shirts, while Ranmaru was wearing blue footsie pajamas. Naruto was in red boxer shorts and was looking at a note he found in his bag, "Oh look guys, my girls tucked in a little note into my duffel bag," He said and smelt it, "Along with coating it with their favorite perfumes."
"Oh." The guys cooed in sarcasm like women just for laughs.
"Dear Naruto-kun," Naruto began reading, "We hope you are having a good time in Suna, we're starting to miss you already. We hope that you stay safe, out of trouble. Be sure to come back alive. With love Ten-chan, Hina-chan, and Hana-chan," He finished, "P.S, if you come back alive we'll… Oh Kami." He gasped.
"What, what do they say?" Suigetsu asked.
"Sorry but this one's private." Naruto answered before pocketing his note.
"Seems like you're already missed back in Konoha." Raiga noted.
"Hey we're all missed I know. I mean Ayame almost wouldn't let go of me." Hotstreak explained.
"Tell me about it Anko almost tried to bind my feet with her snakes." Kangor added.
"Talk about some weird relationships." Suigetsu chuckled and they headed for bed.
"Uh would you mind turning off the light please, Suigetsu?" Onyx asked seeing as how he was right by the switch.
"Oh yeah Onyx, you checked your bed for scorpions right?" Suigetsu asked Onyx.
"Scorpions?" Onyx asked in confusion.
"He's messing with you, Onyx." Naruto warned him.
"No I'm not," Suigetsu replied, "Suna is the scorpion capital of the Ninja World." He warned Onyx.
"Yup Onyx. They're big ones to, about as big as my fist." Karin put in.
"They outnumber people two to one, and that margin grows with every sting. So have a good sleep, Onyx." Suigetsu said as he doused the light and they all got into bed.
"Goodnight everybody." Naruto said to everyone.
"Night, Naruto." Karin replied.
"Night, Sue Ellen." Shiv said to Hotstreak.
"Night, John-Boy." Hotstreak replied in a mock hillbilly like accent.
"Scorpions, yeah right," Onyx said calling the bluff as he got under his covers and tried to get some sleep. Within a minute he groaned, "I got one. I got one!" he shouted as he jumped out of bed and picked up crowbar from his duffel bag and poked it through his covers hoping to kill it. The guys woke up and Suigetsu turned on the light as Onyx stops poking his bed hoping he killed it. He reached into his covers and yelped as he pulled something out. To his shock and confusion it wasn't a scorpion but just a twig. Everyone started laughing having been in on the prank, while Onyx turned to them with a frown, "Very funny!" Onyx said in sarcasm and threw the twig aside.
"We're just trying to help you with any problems you had about this place Onyx really." Hotstreak assured him.
"Onyx, don't worry you come and sleep with me." Puff offered Onyx while patting her bed.
"Well thanks, but I'd rather take my chances with the scorpion thank you," Onyx answered as they all got back into bed and the lights were shut off again, "God I hate this." Onyx grumbled.
"It's not that bad." Naruto said as he lied down on his stomach.
"Yeah it's like summer camp," Hotstreak said and began to sing, "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt."
Ebon, Talon, and Naruto joined in, "His name is my name too!"
Slowly everyone in the room joined in singing, "Whenever we go out, the people always shout, there goes John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. Dah dah dah dah, dah dah dah!" they sang and laughed.
"John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt." They continued to sing.
"Everybody!" Shiv cheered.
Outside of the administration building, their singing could be heard, "His name is my name too!"
"SHUT UP!" the residents of Suna shouted indicating that they were disturbing the peace at night.
Meanwhile outside Suna watching the city from a distance was a man dressed in a red cloak with the kanji for fire on the back of it. "Soon Suna will be at my hands." He said to himself.
(And that's my chapter.)
