Squad 7 and Hanara were currently sitting with the man who Tsunade called Boss Jirocho.
"Welcome." Boss Jirocho smiled, "I thank you all for coming."
Hanara was about to respond, but Naruto beat her to it.
He extended his hand for a handshake and responded, "I beg you greetings and offer you my services. I have come from the Village Hidden in the Leaves, which is also the place of my birth. I was raised on hard work and ramen and given the family name of Uzumaki. However, I am known to everyone as-"
"The knucklehead," Sasuke cut in.
Hanara let out a snort and hurriedly covered her mouth, "I- I apologize."
For the first three years of her life, Hanara was given etiquette lessons, which were then continued in the Academy through kunoichi lessons. Even if she didn't, anyone knew that snorting in a formal environment was rude.
Surprisingly, Boss Jirocho also burst out into laughter, "It's fine. I see Naruto hasn't changed much. You're the Hyuga girl that was with Naruto and Tsunade, right?"
"Yes sir," Hanara nodded, "I'm also the leader of this mission. Lady Tsunade informed me that you would give us the mission details?"
"Mhm. All right then," Boss Jirocho nodded, "You know about the dedication ceremonies held at the Great Todoroki Shrine, don't you?"
"Yes," Hanara said.
"No," Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura chorused.
"Well, it started long ago," Boss Jirocho began, "The legend goes that in ancient times there were terrible storms. In desperation, people dedicated Ryoko stones to the Great Todoroki Shrine. It worked and the storms subsided. Now, to prevent history from repeating itself, it happens every four years. At first, it was just a re-dedication of the jewels, then it became a festival with a race that made the winner be treated as a hero. Now," Boss Jirocho said sadly, "what was once a friendly race became something much more troubling. For generations, Fort Degarashi has been split by two families: the Wagarashis and the Wasabis, two rivalling gambling organizations. Both families wanted control over the town, which naturally lead to disputes. These disagreements often became violent, resulting in all-out battles. The rest of the townspeople often were caught in the crossfire. To stop this from happening, our district leader made us come to an agreement: henceforth, the leader of the town would be decided by a race that would take place every four years. Four years ago, the Wagarashi beat us by hiring a squad of ninja and we suspect they have done so this year as well. That's why instead of asking for one ninja as we usually do, we have asked for a squad. I beg you, please lend our family your strength. We cannot let the Wagarashi win again."
"Not going to happen! You've got Naruto Uzumaki on the job!" Naruto exclaimed.
Hanara nodded, "I assure you, we will do our absolute best to give you a win."
"So, who are we escorting?" Sasuke asked.
'I'm starting to feel like he's the most responsible one around here.'
"Excellent, that means you'll take the job!" Boss Jirocho smiled.
'No, we totally didn't just say that.'
"Idate, come in!" he called.
'Oh, hell no!'
"Yes, Boss? You needed me?" Idate asked, sliding open the shoji door.
'I have the feeling that things just got a whole lot more complicated.' Hanara internally groaned.
Naruto and Idate pointed at each other, "It's you!"
'Damn it! My first mission as a squad leader and I've got to deal with this mess! Okay, Hanara. Be professional. That can't be too hard.'
"So you already know each other? That makes everything easier!" Boss Jirocho exclaimed.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Sakura muttered under her breath.
'Agreed.'
"Idate, they will be your guards for the race. Please show them around," Jirocho requested.
"But Boss-"
"Please, Idate," Jirocho interrupted.
"Okay, Boss," Idate sighed, "Come on."
After walking around for a bit, Sasuke and Sakura left, leaving Idate with Naruto and Hanara.
"Boss Jirocho is a big guy around here," Idate snarled, "He shouldn't have to beg and bow to a bunch of shinobi wannabes."
'Uh, that's not how it works... we treat our clients with respect provided that they pay for the correct rank. They have no need to beg or bow.'
"He can beg and bow all he wants!" Naruto exclaimed, "There's no way I'm going to escort a lousy cheapskate like you anyway! You robbed Hanara!"
"Fine. Believe me, if I wanted an escort, I wouldn't get a snot-nosed runt that barely reaches my kneecaps or a girl that looks like she should be at home playing with dolls." Idate said.
Hanara smiled tightly, "Yes, he robbed me and for that, I'd like to Gentle Fist his ass to the Bloody Mist and back, but if we escort him I get that money and then some. For that reason, as your captain, I'm going to have to ask you to please escort him. Also, Idate, I'd like to remind you that I am a Chunin and very much qualified to take a B-ranked mission, and Naruto's team is made up of some of the strongest Genin the Leaf has."
'It's true. Few Genin have a summoning animal and Sasuke knows elemental jutsu.'
"Yeah!" Naruto agreed, "Who do you think you're calling, runt? I'm going to be Hokage someday!"
"Tch. Hokage? Big deal!" Idate scoffed.
"It's better than being the boss of a bunch of gamblers!" Naruto shot back.
'Too far, Naruto. It's not like he wasn't asking for it, though.'
"Hey, squirt, my boss' a great leader so watch what you say!" Idate said, defensive.
'They're never gonna get along...'
"A great leader, huh? Would he sacrifice himself for the village like the Hokage would? That's a great leader!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Are you kidding me? Boss Jirocho would sacrifice his life, his heart, his soul, and the soul of his children's children for all of eternity!" Idate said.
"Yeah? Well, the Hokage would do all that and more twice a day!" Naruto yelled.
'Actually, the closest to that a Hokage's come to (that I know of) were those rumours that Lord Third sacrificed his soul to the Shinigami to seal Orochimaru's arms. I can already tell that this'll be a long mission. How can Kakashi deal with this team every day?'
Early the next morning, Sasuke, Hanara, Sakura, and Naruto, all stand behind Idate and wait for the race to begin.
"Woah! I had no idea that this was such a big deal!" Naruto exclaimed as some fireworks went off.
'It's like the election of the Hokage except more frequent. Of course, it's a big deal!'
"So, what kind of race is it?" Naruto asked.
"The kind with a start and finish," Hanara sassed, pulling out a map, "I'll explain, don't worry. The starting point is here: Port Degarashi. From here, the runners make their way to Modoroki Shrine, which is the midpoint."
"They run over water?" Naruto asked in awe.
Hanara facepalmed, "No, the first part is done by boat, see?" she pointed at the word Port on the map.
"Ohhh."
"Anyway, the runners pick up the Ryoko jewels from the Modoroki Shrine and take it to the Great Todoroki Shrine. The first one there wins," Hanara said, "That's all the rules. From there, anything goes. Shortcuts, dirty tricks, anything."
"That's why hiring ninja is allowed," Sasuke said.
"I see," Naruto nodded to himself
"Yeah." Hanara nodded.
"What about the other ninja hired?" Sakura questioned.
"Yeah! I wanna fight them, ya know! Show 'em what I've got!" Naruto exclaimed.
"They're around, but keeping a low profile. Watch your step, okay?" Hanara warned, "From what Tsunade told us, I'm guessing they're either Mist ninja or Rain ninja because they're the ones that use senbon the most."
"Hn," Sasuke grunted.
"Couldn't you fly Idate?" Sakura asked.
Hanara shrugged, "Don't want to risk it. If he wins, the Wagarashi might say, 'The ninja flew him, that's against the rules!'"
Idate turned towards them, "Whatever happens, just stay away from me, okay?"
'We're supposed to protect you...'
"Say what?" Naruto exclaimed.
"I've got a race to run and I don't need you guys in my way!" Idate said.
'Well assuming that you aren't going to fly like I am, I won't be in your way.'
"In your way? You-" Naruto growled.
"Hey, hold on! Can't we all just work together?" Sakura interrupted.
"With him? Never!" both boys said, pointing at each other.
They both crossed their arms and turned away from each other.
Hanara sighed, 'I miss my team. They're never like this.'
"Attention! Attention!" a man yelled, "The Great Todoroki Shrine Race is about to begin! Running for the Wasabi: Idate Morino!"
Lots of people started cheering, but Idate just puts up his hand.
'Not very egoistic, just wants to get the job done. I can appreciate that. Makes my job easier.'
"Running for the Wagarashi: Fukusuke Hiyakuya!"
When everyone cheered for him, the man punched the air and yelled, "Yeah!"
"Runners! Take your marks!" the door in front of them slowly opened to reveal the ocean and some boats, "Go!"