A/N: Naruto is not mine
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"We followed the trail for few kilometres before it branches off - each branch led to more branches, all of them led to dead ends, or cold trails as none of my ninken can pick any clue" reported Kakashi once they've returned to Konoha.
Godaime Hokage closed her eyes as she processed the information before opening them and said "ANBU investigation also did not reveal much. Essentially, Hidden Village of Hot Water was almost destroyed by one individual, presumably S-rank-"
"Almost?" asked Mai
"Almost" replied Tsunade "Luckily they are survivors who managed to escape the carnage. They ran for help to the Daimyō of Land of Hot Water who in turn, asked for our assistance-"
"-though it is doubtful whether they can return to be the Hidden Village they were" sighed Hokage.
"Anyway, Izumi sent another intells. This time, Kakashi you'll go with Maito Gai-"
"Nii-san's back!" Mai beamed widely
"-while Mai, Itachi will be returned in few days. I want you and him to provide assistance for a client" ordered Tsunade as she looked straight into Mai's eyes
Mai nodded. That means Itachi has recovered.
'Izumi will be happy to hear about this' thought Mai.
"You are dismissed" said Hokage.
Mai ran off happily.
"You are not going?" asked Tsunade to Kakashi who has taken out his Icha-Icha book and read while standing.
Kakashi answered monotonously "...and subjected to Maito Siblings Drama: Reunion Special? No thanks. Seen that too many times for my own sanity"
Tsunade chuckled.
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Next day
Itachi landed gracefully on the ground before looking at the traps he has set for himself.
'I'm getting better' he thought to himself-
"Wow, bullseye!"
Itachi turned and saw Mai scanning the traps and targets before turning to him and asked "Up for a spar?"
Itachi shook his head "Not today. I exerted myself a bit setting up and disarming these traps to test my sharingan.
"We have a mission" said Mai.
"Mission?" asked Itachi "Are you sure?"
"She is-" answered a voice.
Itachi and Mai turned and saw Tsunade walking towards them.
"You are almost there" said Tsunade gently "I thought of sending you on a simple mission to Jiraiya to observe Naruto's training"
"We are going to see Naruto?" asked Mai, elated at the prospect.
Tsunade nodded and explained "Jiraiya wrote that he planned to loosen the Kyūbi's seal in few days. I trust he can handle the situation. Having extra pairs at hand is better"
"So, just a simple D-rank?" asked Itachi.
"C-rank for starter, may go higher depending on the situation" explained Tsunade as she looked at Itachi "You'll be okay"
Itachi looked at Tsunade and nodded his head.
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Itachi and Mai almost reached to the location given by Jiraiya when they felt the chakra-
-they looked at each other and sprinted off to the source-
-and saw Jiraiya on his back, wounded and talking to Naruto-
"So you don't remember?"
"Jiraiya-sama, are you alright?" asked Mai and Itachi simultaneously.
"Nee-chan!" cried Naruto "I don't know what happened! I was unconscious!"
Mai hugged Naruto, noting the burnt skin and torn clothes on him.
"It's okay Naruto. Why don't you help Itachi to carry Jiraiya-sama to a room while I scout the area. I'll join you later" Mai gave Naruto reassuring nod.
Once they have left, Mai scanned the area; she noted the fallen trees, scorched marks on the ground, as well as on the barks of the trees.
'Oh Naruto, what a heavy burden you carry' thought Mai internally as she touch the scorched ground, feeling the residual heat.
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When Mai entered the room, Jiraiya and Itachi was sitting around the table.
"Where's Naruto?" asked Mai.
"Sleeping" replied Itachi
"I took some samples of the burnt marks and sent to Konoha" said Mai as she passed a scroll containing her report and sat down.
"What happened, Jiraiya-sama?"
...
...
...
"I see. It's a good thing Godaime Hokage sent us to observe" said Itachi "We'll stay for a couple more days before returning to Konoha"
"Yeah. I can bring Naruto shopping tomorrow. He'll need new pair of jackets, shirts, pants, ... ... ..." muttered Mai.
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Somewhere in Hidden Village of Sound,
"Sasuke-kun. Today you'll prove the results of your training" said Orochimaru.
"By killing you?" asked Sasuke
"Me? No. Them" Orochimaru pointed at 1,000 shinobi of Hidden Village of Sound.
"Tch"
...
...
...
"You are too soft" said Orochimaru as he noted Sasuke did not kill a single shinobi, just knocked them out.
"They are not worth it" said Sasuke as he returned to his room.
Orochimaru smiled 'Soon you'll be mine, Sasuke'
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End
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