Ch. 17

Tsunade and Kakashi were discussing the new intel as Shikamaru brought Naruto's team into the Hokage's office. Tsunade looked up from her desk, "Good, you guys are here."

Naruto looked at a scroll resting on the table, "Is that the new intel?"

Tsunade stood up, "Yes, it is." Then she turned to Kakashi and gave him the floor.

Kakashi was sitting down and stood up before speaking. "Lets start with the basics. That scroll is from the Sand, written by Gaara himself." A look of slight shock crossed the face of the shinobi before Kakashi continued. "We recently sent word of Sasuke's innocence to the Sand."

Naruto looked at Kakashi, "What about the other lands?"

Kakashi replied, "So far, the Sand is the only one we've sent this information to. We need to keep this intel regarding Sasuke and this business between the Sound and the Rain quiet. Regardless of his actions in the war, Sasuke is still a hot topic whenever he's brought up."

Naruto looked at Sasuke, then back to Kakashi and gave a nod of understanding.

"After Gaara received our intel, he sent back this communication thanking us and provided us with some new intel."

Naruto stepped forward, "What is it?"

Kakashi replied, "In short, a mission." The 6 nin were now showing their interest. "This however, will be a complete reconnaissance mission. The mission will be performed in Deep Shadow conditions."

Sasuke now stepped forward, "Just what type of mission is this?"

Kakashi looked at Tsunade, then back to Sasuke and the team, "Gaara has a location on the intel regarding the future offensive against the Leaf and/or the Sand. The information we need is stored on the computer of the person impersonating Sasuke. You guys are going to retrieve it."

Naruto replied as he looked over at his team, "That means that we're headed to the Rain."

"Exactly…except for one thing."

The team turned to look at Kakashi. "Due to the nature of the mission, it wouldn't really help to have 6 of you on the mission. A reconnaissance mission is best carried out by a small group of ninja. Your team is currently too large at 6 members…That's why your team will consist of three members."

Naruto looked slightly exasperated as he could already see what was going on. He was being set up. Kakashi watched his reaction before finishing what he was saying. "Naruto, as the head of the team, your presence is a non-negotiable. By extension of that, Sasuke must also be present on this mission. The choice for your final team member is up to you."

Naruto eyes widened as he felt his throat tighten up. He assumed they would just put Sakura on his team since she was a medic, but they gave the choice to him. Maybe since it was a simple reconnaissance mission, there didn't necessarily have to be a medic.

Naruto turned to his right and looked at Sasuke who was now staring directly at him. He had that same blank stare, but Naruto could tell he was waiting to see which decision would be made. Would he choose Sakura, or someone else.

Sakura had already put her head down. She saw what Kakashi and Tsunade were trying to do. The only problem was it wouldn't work. Naruto was talking to her now, but it was mainly professional and they still weren't close enough for him to choose her over someone else. Not only that, she didn't have any skills that would be useful on a reconaissance mission. Neji had his Byakugan, Shino had his bugs and Kiba had his senses. On top of that, she had just kicked him in the nuts…..

Naruto felt the pressure mounting. He felt his throat start getting a little dry and thought it would be nice if he had some water. He tried to knock himself out of it, but it wasn't working. As he let out a silent gulp, he heard Kurama's voice, "Just remember what I said kid."

Naruto paused, then started thinking about how Kurama had told him that the only reason he was having so much trouble with Sakura was because he wasn't trying. After a few seconds of thought, a smile came to his face followed by an expression of resolution. Soon after, he entered Kurama's chamber.

He looked up to Kurama and said in a soft but firm voice, "It's gonna hurt...but I'm gonna try this time…" After a pause, he continued in a noticeably more enthusiastic voice, "And I'm not only gonna try this time, but every time after!"

There was a certain fire in his eyes, a fire of determination. Then he held out a closed fist to Kurama with a wide grin. Kurama smiled, then gave him a fist bump, "You're gonna be ok kid."

Kurama smiled as he thought to himself,'I knew he was in there somewhere…'

Naruto looked over to Kakashi and said in a proud voice, "I choose Sakura Haruno!" Then he turned to Sakura, gave her a thumbs up, and one of his trademark, closed eye smiles.

Sakura's head immediately flew up. She was stunned and felt the blood rush to her cheeks as he smiled at her. What happened to cause this much of a change. For once, she saw those blue eyes fill with that vibrance from when he was younger. Not only that, there was a fire in those eyes. She didn't know what it was for, but she knew it was part of the reason he looked a little like his old self. She could feel her eyes starting to water, but she resolved not to cry in front of everyone in the room.

As she finally regained her composure, she found herself at a loss for words, so she just smiled and let out a very determined nod at Naruto. Her eyes were a little watery and her cheeks were still slightly pink, but she didn't care because Naruto had chosen her.

Naruto was still hurting, but he found some comfort in Sakura's reaction. He could tell she was surprised, but that she was also happy on the inside, and that made him happy.

Kakashi smiled and looked at Tsunade, who was now smiling. He automatically knew what she was thinking – Success.

Shikamaru was smiling at the sight when he noticed Kakashi turn and give him a wink. Then he remembered that they had bet on when Naruto and Sakura would reconcile with each other. He had gotten free lunches from all the other members of the Konoha 11 and he and Kakashi were the only two left. Kakashi was off by a few months, but Shikamaru was off by a few years. All because of an unpredictable variable…Sasuke. He sighed as he thought about owing Kakashi a months worth of lunches, but he couldn't bring himself to stop smiling. The moment was just too good for that.

Neji, Kiba, and Shino also smiled as they soaked in the sight.

There was a small moment of silence before Sasuke broke in, "Good choice, Dobe." Naruto turned to Sasuke who was slightly smiling and facing forward with his eyes closed. Naruto grinned slightly and then turned to Kakashi, "So when do we leave?"

Kakashi turned to Naruto, "About that, first things first. You guys will be wearing these." Kakashi walked over to Tsunade's desk and pulled a huge briefcase out from under it. It was around the same size as a travel suitcase, but had two combination locks holding it closed. After he popped it open, he reached into it and pulled out three stealth uniforms. They were all black with strong padded armor underneath all of the vital areas of a ninjas body. He tossed one to Naruto, who quickly started to look over the it before saying in a hushed voice, "Awesome…" Kakashi smiled as he saw the old Naruto start shining through the rough exterior Naruto had been wearing the past few years. "Everything else you need is in here. From the device you'll use to secure the information to the building plans showing the location of the computer. The shoes that go with those uniforms are also in here, along with your masks, and other miscellaneous items that may be useful on this mission."

Sasuke turned to Kakashi. "Masks?"

Kakashi turned to the briefcase and picked one up. "Well we can't really have you guys on a reconnaissance mission with no masks. You guys are probably the three most famous ninja in all the known shinobi world. If anyone saw you, your cover would be blown. Nothing identifying you with Konoha or any clans either."

He threw the mask to Sasuke. "It's not that bad right?" Sasuke examined it. It was a simple black mask with a slit for the eyes. He rolled his eyes and replied in an annoyed voice, "Fine..."

Naruto smiled then turned to Sasuke, "Come on, Sasuke, it won't make you look too different from how you usually look…" A small vein formed on the side of Sasuke's head and Kakashi let out a slight chuckle. Sasuke immediately turned and looked at him. Kakashi's eyes opened a little wide as he thought of an excuse. "Uhhhh sorry. Mask jokes just get me…" He rubbed the back of his head uncomfortably, then cleared his throat as he changed the subject. "Last thing, we were hoping to get this intel as soon as possible. We don't really like being in the dark about a planned offensive against us."

Naruto turned to Kakashi, "Does that mean we leave immediately?"

Kakashi replied, "Something like that…" then turned to Sasuke.

Sasuke looked back at him, "What does that have to do with me?"

Kakashi looked a little pensive, but at the same time, inquisitive, "If I remember correctly, one of the abilities of the Rinnegan is traveling through space-time… Do you think you could teleport the team into the Land of Rain?"

All eyes were now on Sasuke. He crossed his arms and after he thought to himself for a while, he replied. "I'm only used to using my Rinnegan to travel to other dimensions. I can try to focus on traveling only in this dimension, but I'm not sure if it would work… Maybe I could quickly pass through a different dimension and return to this one..."

After he thought about it for a second, he continued, "I think that would work. The only problem is that using that technique is a huge chakra drain. If I use it too much, I temporarily end up losing my ability to do that technique, my ability to use my Mangekyo Sharingan, and some abilities of my Rinnegan." Kakashi's eyes slightly widened. He knew the technique was a chakra drain, but he didn't think that overuse would have such a detrimental effect. "Hmmmm. Do you think you could do two trips without any serious side effects. I don't want you weakened if there's an offensive against us."

Sasuke pondered for a moment then replied, "Yeah, I think I can do it." His only concern was that this would be his first time crossing through dimensions so quickly. He planned to quickly enter a different dimension, then exit near the Hidden Rain Village. He had never done that before, so it would be his greatest obstacle.

Kakashi gave a nod before replying, "Then suit up. Tsunade and I will be waiting at training ground 3. The rest of you are dismissed."

Author's Note

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