*bang-bang*-NARUTOOO! Are you in there?- Half asleep, Naruto drags his body to the door to open up.
-What's up Kakashi?- Still in his briefs and a long sleeve, blinded by the sun he meets Kakashi's disapproving gaze.
-What do you mean what's up? It's 3 pm already, The Hokage is expecting you in her office.
-What does she want?
-Don't know, don't care. I gotta go I'm going on an escort mission with a new chunin team and Asuma to the Land of Sugar.- With this Kakashi disappears from Naruto's sight.
Yawning and stretching he goes back into the apartment searching for a clean outfit but to no avail. *This smells, this is even worse, euggh* After a while he finds a blue hoodie and gray shorts in the back of his wardrobe. He puts them on quickly before slipping into a pair of flip-flops before heading to the center of the village.
The unusual outfit had one benefit, no one recognized him. Not the people around Ichiraku, not the lady at the grocery store, all alone until he reached Tsunade's office.
Even she raised her eyebrows as Naruto enters her office but chose not to comment.
-So, what is it? Do you have a new mission for me?- Tsunade places a scroll on the table with her personal seal on it indicating its importance.
-Naruto, I know you've worked hard these last few months but it is imperative you are the one taking this to Kirigakure. Although he didn't understand the Hokage's reasoning he took the scroll and placed it in his inner pocket.
-Where is the meeting point with the Kiri-nin?-Tsunade sighs.
-There's no meeting point, you are handing this directly to the Mizukage, Mei. This document contains the route you'll take and your teammates names. You'll head out in the morning.- She stretches her arm out but as Naruto is about to take the paper, she tightens her grip and their eyes lock- You have to hand it over Naruto.
- I already told you I can't, YOU of all people should know you don't break a promise to Jiraiya.- She stands up to be face to face with him, Shizune who just arrived in front of the office is frozen in place from the pressure of these two.
-People have been charged with treason and betrayal for less.-She grinds her teeth while talking.
-So what of it? The technique still won't be yours.- Tsunade leans closer to him, now aware of Shizune's presence just outside the door.
-Don't get cocky brat, you might be strong but are you sure you can take me on in a fight? Or the whole village?-She whispers.
- If it comes to that, I won't be the one you'll have to fight- His right iris slowly turns into a slit- if you got a problem with how I handle things, you can take it up with Jiraiya personally. - Tsunade leans bsck while Naruto rips the paper out of her grip.
-Thanks for the information, I'll find the guys listed and do a quick briefing. See ya.
Shocked by his quick changes in mood Tsunade stares at him in silence as he's leaving the office.
-Oh, hi Shizune. Come on in, I was just about finished.-
-H-Hi Naruto.-She couldn't sense any of the pressure she previously felt from the room, she absentmindedly places the file holders on the Hokage's table still staring at the door.
Her gaze is only broken by the sound of the desk cracking by Tsunade's grip. Shizune stares at the Hokage for a second as she hadn't seen her like this in ages.
-What happened?-She asks while Tsunade leans back in her chair and buries her face in her hands.
-Nothing, he's just stubborn but one way or the other I will get that jutsu out of him.- Although concerned about the situation Shizune dismisses her bosses comments and starts separating the folders by color...
Nice going Naruto, really scared the crap out of her with that.- Yeah, a few more seconds and I would've dropped one myself- Haha, so where are we going to find your team members for the mission?- I'll take care of it in a second.* Three clones appear out of smoke, they collectively nod their heads and scatter through the windows.
Can you be any lazier? - I could, but I have to eat someh- Oh shit that's Sakura and Ino! *Face Morphing Technique * Naruto covers his face with both hands for a second before he emerges with a completely new face, paired with his unusual outfit slipping past them should be a piece of cake. And it was as the duo was distracted laughing at something, letting Naruto escape through a window before they realize they've never seen the man who just passed them.
You're really on fire today, so what's up with this jutsu of yours?- All I know is I can't tell anyone, Jiraiya made me promise. And I don't intend to go back on my word.-Yeah, yeah bla bla it's your ninja way- Keep that sassy attitude and I'll seal you back- That's a cruel thing to say. I'm gonna take a nap, call for me when something interesting happens-Alright*
The night came suddenly, now he's face to face with the three chunin assigned as his teammates, Naruto takes out the document he got from Tsunade and cracks his knuckles.
-Okay guys, I've got a separate room for us to do the briefing, you want any drinks? They got some soda if you don't like alcohol-all three shake their heads- aaalright then, I'll have a beer if you don't mind.- the awkwardness can be felt from a mile- my name is Uzumaki Naruto, I'm a special jonin assigned to lead this mission, nice to meet you, what's your name?-All of them are dressed roughly the same, flak jacket with the blue pants, as if he was looking at three Kakashis from the neck down.
*That's Shiki for ya-Who's that?- Their teacher, he graduated three years before me and quickly rose through to the rank of jonin, he's very devoted to the village and expects the same from his students. - I see, interesting guy for sure.*
-Hi, my name is Akuru Shinya, nice to meet you.- despite wearing a beanie Naruto could still see a scar spanning all the way through his forehead.
-Kure Miruru- Naruto could barely hear her name through her mask.
-Inorin Yamanaka, looking forward to working with you. -*Wow, never met anyone from Ino's family besides her and her father, is he her cousin*
-So, we'll meet at the gates 6:00 in the morning, pack lightly as we have to be quick...- Naruto goes over the plan in great detail, explaining the route, where they'll stay overnight, the distribution of the mission budget, things he never would've thought he has to do a few years back as a fresh graduate.
-That's all, understood everything?- They nod in unison- you're dismissed, see you tomorrow morning. Shinya and Miruru leave together, but Inorin stays.
-Is there something you need?- Naruto asks as he stands in front of him. Inorin suddenly bows before him.
-Thank you for getting Ino home yesterday.
-How do you know about that? And why are you bowing?
-Uncle Inojin told me to relay this message after he heard how you took his daughter home safely. We were about to search the village with every member of the clan just before the stumbled through the front door.
-Oh yeah, well you're welcome then.-he says with a smile- lift your head please, it wasn't anything special.- Inorin does as Naruto asks.
- It's nice knowing Ino found someone who's such a good person.
-Found? What?! NO, we're not like that. I wasn't even with them, I just found her while she was already drunk.
-Huh, that's going to be a tough pill to swallow for Uncle, off I go then.- Naruto leaves a bill on the table for the beer but as he's passing the bar he locks eyes with Ino sitting alone. He tries to brush it off and slip past her but she grabs him by the arm and turns him around.
-Can we talk for a bit?
-S-sure...