Hey guys Its Ya manz Gemini, and back with a little bit longer chapter this time. Before I start, i'd like to address the Elephant in the room-

kakashi: you mean theres an actu-

Me: No, Bakakashi, there isn't. Anyways, I would like to let yall know that while my story is great, I am not a Perfect writer, while i do love that people have give lots of constructive criticism, there is a point where it becomes too much. Now im not just talking about in the reviews, but in the PMs as well. yall know who you are. Id like to emphasize that My works are FAR from Perfect. Im no Stephen King, or JK. Rolling. Im not professional. In all honesty, this story started out as a High School Assignment, i didnt really expect to get the amount of followers i have, but i am grateful for it. (i am STILL writing this from my phone, in case some of you had forgotten BTW) And please do take time to read the authors note at the end of the chapter. it will help you understand why things have been slow...

Chapter 11

Konoha, 3 Days later.

The sun rose over the Hokage monument and the village seemed to get busier ever minute afterwards. On the outskirts of the village in training ground 7, Naruto sat under a tree meditating, trying to calm his nerves, but to no avail. It was only a few days ago, but the memory burned fresh in his mind... The 4th Hokage... The Greatest shinobi to live, was His father...

He opened his eyes and looked towards the great stone heads. "I will make you proud one day. Believe It dad!" Naruto says, with mass amounts of determination.

"You know, one would think he already is, Naruto." A voice says from a low tree branch.

"Huh? Oh, Kakashi Sensei! whats up?" Naruto says as he stands in front of his sensei.

"Lady Tsunade wished to speak with us. Its probably time for another mission."

"Well, then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Naruto says excitedly, Speeding off towards the Hokage's office without much hesitation.

meanwhile in the Hokage's office*

"Now listen.. this mission is to be taken care of with the most caution possible... got it?" Tsunade Says, issuing her final orders.

"Will do, Lady Tsunade." Shikamaru tells her as he begins to walk out the door.

Shikamaru reached for the door and immediately as he grabs the handle, the door slams open into his face and falls back onto the floor, dazed and confused. On the other side of the now opened doors, stood Naruto and a face-palming Kakashi.

"WE ARE HERE AND READY TO-... Oh... Shikamaru... sorry about that" Naruto says laughing nervously.

"What a drag, you couldnt have Knocked first?" The shadow user says, rubbing his head.

"ENOUGH"

Naruto froze in place. he didnt like this side of Tsunade. Either his entry, or the seriousness of the next few minutes were the reason why she was like this...

or, maybe it was both...

"Listen up you two, cause im only gonna give these instructions once-"

The door Bursts open once again to reveal a girl in a dark purple, black and white outfit, much like Sakura's which had the Rinne Clan's Purple Emblem on the front and back of her top

"SORRY IM LATE HOKAGE-SAMA I-"

"CAN PEOPLE STOP BARGING IN WHILE IM TALKING!" Tsunade yells out.

"Sorry... Hokage-Sama... I ran... as fast as I... could..." Lily says, trying to catch her breath.

"Whatever. Now Listen up. I Just sent out word to the other villages. We are going on the offensive against the Akatsuki."

"What?!?" the three shinobi exclaim in disbelief.

"So far the akatsuki have 3 of the tailed beasts. we cannot allow more to be captured. so we need to start taking them down. Intel gathered over the years by Jiraiya suggests that there are 9 of them. Used to be 10 until Orochimaru defected from the group not long ago." Tsunade explains

"How are we supposed to go after a group of ninja that we dont even have much solid intel on?" Naruto asks, obviously very confused..

"Well, based on what we know, we know that Itachi Is a member. Kisame Hoshigake makes 2, And Sasori of the Red Sands is the 3rd that we know of." She tells them.

"Right... So let me get this straight... you want to send countless ninja on a suicide mission?!" Lily exclaims.

"While that is what it seems like, that is not the case. im only sending your squad." Tsunade says.

"Squad? Im a part of a squad? " Lily questions.

"Yes, you are now a part of the Hidden Leaf, and depending on your clan's response, they may be able to move some of their people here." She rambles.

"That... May not be a good idea, Lady Tsunade. A lot of my people didn't take very kindly to jinchuriki."

"I see...Then perhaps Naruto can take you into his own clan? Then the members of Rinne can't touch you." She suggests.

Lily gives a look of uncertainty. "I dont know. I'm not sure right now. could I take some time to think about that?"

"Of course. We wont force you into something if you dont wish to go along with anything." The Hokage says with a smile.

"Waitwaitwaitwait Hold on a second...First question. The Rinne Clan is joining Konoha?!?!? How did this go right by the elders?!?"

"Because I'm the Hokage.. They have little to do with anything outside of keeping the village happy. And Naruto, where in the hell have you been for the last 5 Minutes?!?" Tsunade yells with a face that screams WTF.

"Honestly, I've been trying to figure out how I'm gonna deal with Itachi." Naruto says, thinking back to the last time they met.

"Its quite simple Naruto, He's an enemy of the village. A traitor."

"No, he's not. Not in my eyes. I have questions of my own about him... How is it he is an enemy of the village, when he was only following Lord 3rd's orders?" Naruto questions.

"What the hell? Thats a triple S class secret!"

"Yes, one that Itachi himself revealed to both me and Ino-chan. I do not believe that He Deserves death when he was following orders from the Hokage!" Naruto yells back.

There was a long silence and multiple looks of frustration on both of their faces.

"I'll tell you what..You bring him back alive.. And ill promote you to Jounin. Failure to bring him back alive, will result in A freeze of rank until I meet my maker..." Tsunade says..

"WHAT? THATS NOT FAIR!" Naruto shouts.

"AND NEITHER WERE SARUTOBI SENSEI'S ORDERS... Look Naruto.. We live in a life where nothing is ever fair... I know Itachi followed orders... but everything has a consequence... Now go on. you have your mission... i expect you to be out first thing in the morning tomorrow, so let your team know and have them prepare."

"Hai" the three shinobi say, acknowledging thier orders and dismissal.

As the 3 walk out of the room Naruto Turns to Lily and Kakashi. "West Gate. 9AM...Got it?"

"9AM. Got it." the Others reply.

Meanwhile with Ino and Sakura*

The Two Kunoichi look out over the 3rd Hokage's head. Talking about their last couple of days and discussing various things going around the village, Then they sat in silence, taking in the view of the village.

"Hey Sakura?"

"Hm?"

"what do you think about Naruto? what do you see him as?" Ino asks.

Ino already knew the answer to her own question but she wanted to hear it from Sakura's mouth herself.

"Ill be honest with you... I like him-"

"But you dont see him as just as a friend.."

"yeah.."

"Hm.. alright then." Ino says getting up from her spot on the mountain.

"Im gonna run home and take a shower. I think Naruto said something about having dinner later tonight." Ino says happily.

"Alright, see ya round pig!" Sakura says giggling to herself.

END CHAPTER*

Well damn... that took way longer than expected... and im surrounded by moving boxes as I type this up on my basic android phone... To all my followers and favorites, Thank you for sticking around. i know im not as consistant as you guys want, but life happens... ive gone through a difficult time these last few weeks, between Losing my best friend, and the anniversary of losing another of my friends to an accident 9 years ago... then adding on moving from the only place ive ever calles home, to another place i dont know anything about.(military family lifestyle). its been difficult.

R.I.P Brianna (8-21-1999/9-13-2017)

see you at the crossroads sis

R.I.P. Maddie, (2-03-1999/10-28-2008) Butterflies to the Clouds.

Thank you guys for reading, ill try to update soon. -M