Chapter Eight: Bandits in Fire Country. On to a C-Rank Mission!
Naruto let out a groan as he collapsed onto his bed at home.
Tired already? The Kyuubi asked with a scoff. I thought you had boundless energy. I guess when you began to ignore me, you must've tuckered your frail body out. Then again, you just stopped suppressing my ability to converse with you.
I have a ton of energy... I just need sleep...
Uh-huh, sure. It was so exhausting of you to go to dinner with your team. You're only more depressed it took out most of your mission stipend you just earned.
Shut up fuzzbutt.
Better fuzzy than fleshy.
Where's the shaver when I need one? Naruto thought wistfully.
You shave any of my fur, even if you could, I'll eat you.
(A week later)
"This is Red-Four, target in sight. Are you in position Yellow-Two?" Akane's voice began with an electronic distortion.
"Affirmative." Naruto said into his ear piece, crouched in hiding on a nearby rooftop just across from Akane's location. "Purple-Three, are you ready?"
"Correct Yellow-Two. Permission to engage Silver-Leader?" Ryouken's voice cracked over the headset radio.
"Permission granted. Engage the target, capture and restrain only." Kakashi's voice buzzed, before the three Genin moved into action.
~/~/~/~
A cat prowled the streets of Konoha, a red ribbon tied to the brown fur of her right ear. A unique black marking adorned her head between her ears, marked by three bars of differing sizes going across the line. Her eyes were amber, and she was looking for a hiding spot.
She hissed and turned to run the other way as Ryouken appeared in front of her in a grabbing motion. How is a mortal cat so fast? Ryouken wondered to himself as he threw a kunai in front of the cat's path, forcing it to change direction and run down an alleyway. "Red-Four, target is heading down the designated alley."
"Roger that Purple-Three." Akane's voice greeted his ears. "Yellow-Two, create five clones and form a wall in the entryway."
Naruto jumped from the roof he was just recently on to keep track of the target, landing lightly before forming the Shadow Clone seal. "Tajuu Kage Bunshin (Multiple Shadow Clones)!" He shouted, as five clones burst into existence flanking either side of him. They then grabbed each others arms, forming a living wall. Tora the cat hissed, and turned to run deeper into the alleyway.
"We are ready Red-Four, spring the trap." Ryouken said as he watched Tora start trying to climb up the side of a building using just her claws. Such a determined creature...
Akane soared from the top of the building, pulling out a large canvas bag and with a swift acrobatic twirl she swallowed the cat up in the confines of the bag and twisted the opening shut using a drawstring of ninja wire.
She held the bag over her shoulder. "Silver-Leader, this is Red-Four. Mission is a success, target is in the bag."
"Excellent work Team. Report to the Mission Assignment Desk to transfer the prisoner to the client." Kakashi said, cutting the comms-link.
Akane walked to Naruto, who dismissed his clones, while Ryouken retrieved his kunai and re-holstered it. "We're not putting that in the report." She commented to Ryouken. "What if you hit the target with your kunai?"
Ryouken shrugged, taking the squirming and writhing bag that contained Tora the demon cat. "I did the necessary calculations of her speed, and took that into account to counter her-"
Akane sighed, holding her hand up. "I get it. But do you really need to be so matter of fact with us?"
"Yeah, what she said." Naruto started walking with the other two towards the Academy where the Mission Department was placed. "We're a team, we should be working together better now." Says the idiot who abused them during the first tes- Naruto shut the Kyuubi up with a quick application of chakra circulating through his seal, strengthening its ability to pacify the Bijuu. He didn't notice the curious expression on Akane's face at the action.
Ryouken sighed. They'll never understand... That's because you won't let them. "Just because we are a Team, doesn't mean I have to like or get along with you both. If you don't remember, some of the worst Traitors of the Leaf were considered great friends to both your Shodai and Sandaime Hokage. Madara Uchiha betrayed Hashirama at the Valley of the End. And then Orochimaru betrayed his sensei, the Sandaime."
"You like us, you just don't know it yet." Naruto quipped, grinning as he walked with his hands in his pockets.
Ryouken rolled his eyes, but didn't say much more on the subject.
"Say Ryou-kun, Naru-kun. We should go have dinner again tonight, just the team."
"No can do Akane-chan. I have an agreement with Sasuke-san to meet up and have a spar." Naruto said.
"I have no such prior agreements, I can go."
Akane groaned. "I thought you didn't like Sasuke?" She told Naruto. "And you never do anything besides go home and do who knows what." She directed at Ryouken.
"Well... Itachi-nii suggested it." Was Naruto's answer. "We are to both meet up and have a spar to get any anger we have with each other out once a week. That way, we both improve, and still be on friendly terms after our aggression are worked out."
"Hmm." Ryouken shrugged. "I just don't desire to do much I guess."
Akane let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine, whatever."
"I... Might be able to if the spar doesn't take too long. I have to also get home and train against Shisui-nii, so it can't be a very long sort of thing."
"Okay! Let's go turn this cat in and get going!" Akane had a large grin on her face, and started skipping down the street.
The blond and purplelish haired Genin looked at each other with mild expressions showing how perplexed they were, before shrugging and following along.
(Two weeks and many D-Rank missions later)
"Alright Team Kakashi." Sarutobi smiled as he filtered through the mission files, before pulling out one of the envelopes. "Since Kakashi has... Fulfilled his obligation to ensure you built up your teamwork and trust to what I felt was suitable." He smirked inwardly at seeing the Jonin rub the back of his head and look away from his team. "I have something special. You will be the first Rookie Team of your year to be assigned to a C-Rank Mission here in Hi no Kuni."
"Alright!" Naruto exclaimed, pumping his fist into the air. "What do we get to do today Jiji?"
"Naruto!" Akane, Kakashi, and Ryouken shouted harshly.
Naruto hesitated. "S-sorry... What do we get to do today... Hokage-jiji?"
That's not much better... Was the collective thoughts of most of the people in the room, including Iruka who face palmed from his seat to Sarutobi's right.
The Hokage chuckled however, waving his hand. "I'll let you get away with that this once Naruto-kun. However please remember I am your superior and to treat my station as the leader of this Village properly in the future." When he got a nod of affirmation from the blond, he continued. "Kakashi, there are reports from Aokusa Gai of a strong bandit presence near their town. The Mayor has placed a request for Konoha Shinobi to answer their call for help."
"Yes Hokage-sama, we will answer their call as it is your will." Kakashi said as he walked forward, grabbing the folder once it was held out to him. He tugged on it lightly, frowning a bit when Sarutobi didn't release it immediately.
"Remember not to favor anyone during this mission Kakashi. Train your team for what must be done in the Shinobi World." The Hokage murmured before letting the folder go and smiling at Team Seven. "I wish you all luck on your mission."
Nodding, Kakashi looked over his shoulder at his Team. "Prepare for a week long C-Rank mission, and meet me at the South Gate. Dismissed!" He nodded as his team turned and left quickly, before opening the folder while he strode out of the room while scanning the contents. Seems to be a large group... An unconfirmed report of thirty men harassing a town of five-thousand. Honestly... If people realized they had numbers in their favor, that wouldn't be much of a hassle. He thought realistically, before using a Shunshin to speed towards his own apartment to prepare.
(Almost an Hour Later)
Akane hummed to herself as she sat on a bench near the Gate House, where the guards were sitting with bored expressions.
"What's got you so excited?" One of the Guards, with long spiky black hair. His dark eyes sparkled with mild curiosity, and he had a bandage strip running across the bridge of his nose. A black marking adorned his chin, completing his facial appearance. Like most Konoha Shinobi, he wore the standard uniform. He and his partner wore their flak jackets completely zipped up, and the pockets weren't visible from the front.
"Got a mission or something? We need papers before you leave." The other Guard spoke. His hair was just as long as his partner's, but brown and flowed mostly straight down from his head. It covered his right eye, which were just as dark.
"My sensei should have the papers you'll need sir." Akane said, humming more. "Me and my team have a mission, and I'm just waiting on them to show up."
"Ah, a mission huh?" The guard who asked for her papers said, leaning forward. "Well miss, I'd like to give you some pointers. Keep a close eye on your Team, make sure you come back safe, and remember to give your mission your all."
"Izumo, lay off on the Genin." The partner said. "She's probably only what, twelve?"
"Thirteen actually." Akane quipped. "And you guys really are bored to be asking about that huh?"
"Kotetsu, you should stop being so laid back." Izumo sighed. "Well, I'm not interested in anyone that young. Who is your sensei though Genin?"
Akane smirked a bit. "Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan. A-Rank Shinobi of the Leaf, a man who was reputed to have copied 1000 Jutsu with his Eye."
"You know your stuff." Kotetsu looked surprised.
"Well, I have a Bingo Book." Akane patted the front pocket of her pants, hand over her currently green colored qipao. "I figured what was the harm in learning what I could from it? Anyways, my Team is almost here." She moved to stand up, just as Naruto came into view first.
"Hey Akane-chan!" Naruto called. "Wow, you're the first one here. I was kind of expecting Ryouken to be waiting here long before me."
"He was here earlier, before he wandered out of town." She ignored the startled gasps from the Chunin guarding the gate. "He's just nearby though, I think with how calm he seems, he is meditating or something."
"Your sensing ability sure is neat. Too bad I don't have something like that." Naruto grinned, his hands behind his head in a pose while he closed his eyes.
"Mhmm. Hi Sensei."
"Hey Red." Kakashi said from his position standing behind Naruto as he just appeared with a small swirl of leaves, while the blond yelped and turned around to jump away from Kakashi. He then handed a paper from his mission folder to the two Gate Guards, who accepted it without another word of their own."I will agree that your ability is very good. You knew I was going to arrive with my Shunshin just before my arrival, didn't you?"
Akane giggled, nodding her head.
"Hmm... Let's go. Naruto, send a Clone to Ryouken and let him know we're departing. Akane, tell the Clone where he is." He smiled as the two followed his orders, and a Replicant Naruto grumbling as he wandered off the path, and then began to walk with the two of them.
"So what did the mission brief contain Sensei?" Akane inquired as they began to walk.
"Not a whole lot, the civilians don't have the attention to detail a Shinobi would have. But that isn't necessarily something bad." Kakashi hummed. "Well, there seems to be a minimum of thirty bandits plaguing the town... And they have hostages. We'll have to approach this mission with precision and care to ensure none of the hostages die."
"Hostages?" Naruto asked with confusion.
"It means someone held against their will for additional gain." Akane explained to him quietly.
"More or less correct. There are other subtle ways someone could become a hostage, or have a hostage. However, all of the hostages captured were female."
Akane stopped walking for a few moments, just as Ryouken caught up. "What?" She asked with a soft voice.
Kakashi looked over his shoulder. "Yes, exactly what you are thinking Red. That is why I said we should handle this mission with care. But we should hurry towards Aokusa, in order to save them."
Akane grimaced, her eyes taking a look of anger. "Permission to melt some bandits when we get there?"
"Speaking of, we need to figure out the collective skills..." A pause. "We can do that when we camp tonight, we won't reach the town until tomorrow at noon at the earliest." Kakashi then jumped, into the trees to look at his team below. "From here on until we leave the forest, we'll be treehopping. If you've done the tree-climbing-," He paused when he noticed Naruto jump onto the tree and land next to him with ease, gravity unaffecting him from where he stood angled from the branch. "Like he seems to be capable of, it'll be easier. Otherwise, watch your step and try to keep up."
"Right." Akane jumped next, landing next to Naruto. Then Ryouken landed with a crouch near Kakashi.
"Let's move out." Kakashi turned once again, and began hopping through the branches of the large trees that made up the forest that surrounded and 'hid' the Village of Konoha.
Kakashi landed in a small forested glade, just as the sun was almost beginning to fully set. "Alright, this should be as far as we can manage tonight. We leave at first light tomorrow however, so prepare whatever food you have brought."
"Yes Sensei." Was his reply, while Kakashi began gathering wood in order to build a fire pit. He smiled as his team began setting up tents of their own.
In less than a few minutes, the camp was fully setup and food was cooking under a fire that Akane lit with a flare of chakra from her fingers.
"So, Red." Kakashi said as he sat down on a stump. "You seem to have a very high affinity to Fire if I am correct."
"You are." Akane admitted. "My chakra... Always seems to want to mould into Katon."
Kakashi nodded, before he pulled out three pieces of paper and handed them to his team.
"What is this?" Naruto asked with intrigue as he held the paper in his hands, flexing it lightly while tugging on the edges.
"Chakra paper." Ryouken stated. "A testing device designed to determine the Elemental Nature that a Shinobi's chakra is predisposed to learning." He held up the paper he had between two fingers. The paper began to wrinkle and crumple up, almost balling together. "As you can see, my main Affinity is Raiton chakra."
"So it seems." Kakashi looked impressed. "Not many Genin know what Chakra paper is, or what it is meant for." He nodded, looking at Naruto. "How about you use that next. Channel your chakra into the paper."
"Ah, okay." Naruto grinned and focused on his chakra, drawing it through his hand and into the paper. Which immediately split clean in half.
"Fūton chakra is to your predisposition Naruto-kun." Kakashi explained. "You have a very rare element in Hi no Kuni." Then he smiled as he looked at Akane. "Your turn Red." I think I already know how it'll react, but I wonder what it will do if she says her chakra reacts the way it does.
Akane nodded, and focused her chakra into the paper. There was no delay, it combusted with an intense flare of heat before incinerating into ash near instantly. "Surprise, Katon." She said without any actual surprise.
"Well, yes I figured." Kakashi said after a bit, noticing both Naruto and Ryouken looked startled at the intensity of the burning flare. "But that result isn't the normal reaction for chakra paper. Your Katon Affinity is strong, but I was expecting maybe a second delay before it began to burn away fully. But the absolute moment you channeled, it ignited and was ash... There has only been one recorded instance of Chakra paper reacting that strongly, at least in Konoha."
Ryouken inhaled slightly. "The Nidaime..."
"Correct." Kakashi nodded. "The Second Hokage was a man who despite being able to use all Chakra Natures, his Suiton mastery was so great he could use an S-Rank Suiton Jutsu while only using the Dog hand seal. When he created the test, the paper was soaked and dissolving in the amount of water his chakra density had."
Akane gasped in surprise. "You're saying..."
"You might have a Kekkei Genkai, or something." Kakashi stated. "Or might not, but we don't know for sure yet." They each have very offensive elements... Wind has almost no defensive jutsu, with Fire and Lightning being almost as bad in contemplation. My Team looks to be mostly composed of heavy offensive fighters. As I know from the Bell Test... Naruto is confrontational and very aggressive with his Taijutsu. It seems Ryouken plays the middle ground, neither aggressive or defensive. Akane... Depends on her attitude perhaps. "But unless you take a blood test, we won't know for sure. Honestly I won't force you to take one either."
"Why not sensei?" She asked curiously.
"In the world of Shinobi, you'll learn many harsh lessons." Ryouken said.
"Yeah, bloodlines are coveted." Naruto added his own input.
"Exactly. I only have my Sharingan because Fugaku-san honored the request of someone, and before you ask I won't tell any of you." He said, specifically to Naruto who started to raise his hand. "Yet. It is a long story, and it'll drag up the past I don't need right now while we are on a mission. Anyways, as I said there are many lessons. One of which... Don't trust anyone unless you have some dirt on them as well. At any time, even your fellow Leaf Shinobi, someone who knows something about you that you would rather remain secretive of." Kakashi pulled out a small black book. "There are several rules to being a Shinobi that we try to strive for, but they are guidelines. Rules can and will be bent, humans are as a rule creatures of free will."
"But won't we get punished if we break one of the rules?" Ryouken asked.
"Perhaps you will, perhaps you won't. However... There is one rule I won't allow to be broken, and you won't find it in the rulebooks of this." Kakashi flipped the small leather bound book to the Tatsujin. "While many view those who break the rules as scum... Those who abandon their friends are worse than scum." He smiled slightly at the looks it gave his Team while they went into thought. Ryouken even was more interested than before. "Do not trust easily, but once it has been properly earned cherish your friends. They are the most important thing in this world." He got up and grabbed his food from where it sat warming by the fire. "Anyways, that is enough out of me for one night. We have a mission to tend to, and I want Ryouken on first watch. After three hours Naruto will take the next watch, Akane will have it after. If it is still night time, wake me up and I'll take last watch." And then he walked into his tent and closed the flap.
Naruto and Akane nodded to each other, and waved to Ryouken before going into their tents as well.
Those who break the rules are scum... But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum... Ryouken repeated through his mind almost constantly as he began to circle the camp, planting Seals attached to kunai in a careful grid. Those who break the rules... Those who abandon their friends...
That seems to have made him think a bit.Banrai thought to himself from within the seal on his container's heart. Impressive. It might be the first step, but it's progress to reforming the connections he so desperately needs.
(The Next Day)
Naruto yawned as he woke up in the early morning, crawling out of his tent and rubbing his eyes. He almost yelped in surprise as a hot bowl of soup was practically shoved into his hands.
"Here." Akane said, giving the blond the food. "Eat up, we don't have much time before we should leave."
"Thanks Akane-chan." Naruto smiled and began to eat the soup, looking around for a bit. He saw Kakashi stirring the soup in a bowl, and noticed Ryouken standing near the edge of their camp looking towards the Northeast. "How long has Ryouken been like that?" He asked quietly.
"Since I woke up." Akane whispered. "He's been... Introspecting I think. His chakra is calm, but rippling on occasion while he fights with something."
Nodding, Naruto decided to finish eating his food and wash the bowl. And then quickly broke down his tent since it was the last one.
"Glad you're awake Naruto, and I don't have to drag you out of bed." Kakashi said with a grin. "First light is almost here... Is everyone ready?"
"Yes sensei." Akane and Naruto said, but Ryouken continued to stare off into the distance.
"Ryouken?" Kakashi said a bit louder. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah." The Tatsujin turned to look at the others, his usual sunglasses reflecting the sunlight as he turned. "I'm ready. Let's go deal with some bandits."
And with that, the group began to rush into the trees.
It was just slightly after noon when they arrived near the town of Aokusa Gai, and the Genin immediately gasped as they saw signs of razed farmland and sighs of still smoldering buildings near the edge of town.
"Hmm... Seems like there was recently another attack." Kakashi analysed. "I'll go meet with the Mayor. You three see if you can find any information of your own from the townsfolk. Be wary, and also be considerate of the danger the town was just under." Once he got the nods from all three he was seeking, the Jonin vanished in a Shunshin.
"Hmm... Let's ask around." Akane said and hurried into the town.
Naruto and Ryouken followed the red-head without much of a question, both looking at the destruction that had been wrought by their mission targets. Eventually they split up, searching on their own.
What sort of person could do this? Naruto wondered to himself. Humans. Foul, twisted, corrupt ones to be exact. The voice of the Kyuubi flowed through Naruto. But why though, why can't people just... Be nice to each other.
Because... Free will is your species greatest flaw, while also your greatest strength.
Wait... Are you actually being civil?
Are you implying I am incapable of such a thing? At Naruto's mental silence, the Kyuubi continued. I may be an ancient 'demon' of cataclysmic proportions, however I was the smartest of the Bijuu. I tried to remain hidden for as long as I could after my birth. But the reality is, I've witnessed more hatred and chaos from your people than I care to admit. My own Youki has become fouled by the presence of this hatred... Once you humans realized you could enseal a Bijuu into objects, it was only a matter of time before they began to weaponize us.
What do you-
That is for another time. Focus on your mission, I am done talking.
(With Ryouken)
"Excuse me, Shinobi-san?"
Ryouken stopped walking and glanced over at the woman who stopped him, holding out her hand. "Can I help you miss?"
"Please... Help us... Help me. Just a few Ryo... I need to feed my baby." The woman held a young child close to her side.
Ryouken tilted his head as he thought, before nodding. "Alright... Use it well ma'am." He withdrew some money from his pouch, handing a bunch of cash to her. That was kind of you. Banrai observed from within. They need it more than I do.
(Elsewhere...)
"Hot damn, look at that red-head." A guy said, jerking his elbow into his friend's side to get their attention. "Think we should tell the boss about her?"
"Hmm?" His friend, a man of average height and build looked over before smirking. "Yeah, she's a piece alright. Red hair, red eyes. No bust yet, but everything else looks just right to sell off."
"We should tail her. Figure out where she is staying."
"Agreed."
(With Akane)
Akane had a near constant frown on her face, but was desperately searching for clues among the people. Her ability to Sense was active, being strained to the limit as she was picking up on the subtle surface emotions around herself. Fear and despair was primarily what she was feeling, and it made her shudder in sympathy for the people around her. These poor citizens... So broken and most have just... Given up.
Then she felt a brush of a different emotion, one she almost froze at. Dark, cold, perverse lust from two people that were trying to follow her without being noticed. She turned as if to talk to a person who was running a market stall, and held a mild conversation about the wares while she looked out of the corner of her eye. I'm being followed. They look like normal people... But that feeling tells me they aren't. What if they are bandits disguising themselves as civilians in order to alert their friends of the best time to attack these people? Yeah, that must be it. No one here would take such an 'interest' in someone as young as me in this situation.
This made Akane glad she had her Konoha headband wrapped around her neck like a scarf, and she subtly shifted her clothes to be able to hide the shiny surface some more. I'll make them lose me, find Naruto-kun, and get him to make a Shadow Clone and Transform it into me in order to lay a trap. Actually, I'll talk to sensei first and get his agreement.
(With Kakashi)
"So a Shinobi of the Leaf finally decides to answer my request. You know, I've sent countless letters to the Daimyo but yet I get no answer. What is the deal with-"
"Matsu-san, that tone is unnecessary. We are a separate entity to the Daimyo's forces. We only recently received your formal mission request and we have acted upon that. Until you file directly to Konoha, you know that there is nothing we receive about any plights."
The somewhat fat and short man who Kakashi just cut off grumbled, before sighing. "Damn... You'll get rid of those bastards won't you? They took the daughters of some of my most important merchants, and they are threatening to remove me from office if they aren't returned."
"Matsu-san, I don't need that kind of information. I want to know about the attacks."
(With Naruto, a bit later)
Naruto stood near the center of town, when he noticed Akane walking towards him. "You look like something is up."
"Yeah, I was followed. I lost the tail, however I can't find Sensei."
"Why do you need to talk to sensei? Who would follow you anyways?"
Akane clenched her fist and punched Naruto's shoulder, causing him to shout in surprise and grip his sore arm. "Man you're dense."
"Sorry?"
Akane sighed. "They could've been members of the bandits." She whispered. "Could you have a Clone transform into me, so we can set up a trap for them?"
"I suppose... Alright." Naruto said after rubbing his shoulder some more.
"That might not be necessary." Ryouken said as he approached the duo. "I talked with some of the people here, the attacks seem to always come from the South each time. But the times vary, no one could give solid information on that. But we at least know they could be stationed somewhere nearby."
Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but Akane held her hand up to silence him. "Sensei is almost here, let's find somewhere to inform him."
"Oh, okay." Naruto nodded, and looked towards where Akane was looking when she stopped him. Sure enough, he saw Kakashi walking down the street with his hands in his pockets.
"Hmm? You three sure seem to have something to say." Kakashi hummed before jerking his head and walked with the group to a small restaurant that was nearby, entering and sitting down with them.
After placing their orders, and hearing Naruto groan when he found out they didn't sell ramen, the group looked at their Sensei.
"I'll tell you what I found out. Fifteen girls have gone missing, between the ages of ten and twenty-six. There are also reports of some men going missing, but the Mayor and I strongly believe that they could've joined the bandits and that was how they got into the village so easily. And what did you three find out?"
Naruto frowned. "Well... I didn't find much of anything to be honest. I was mostly helping with my Shadow Clones to repair things or move debris."
Kakashi nodded. "A noble action, so at least they have a brighter opinion of us Shinobi. What about you other two?"
Ryouken sighed. "The people are looking to be desperate, they have lost so much and yet I have a feeling that they could lose more. I have ended up giving out some of my money to those in need, and gotten a few ideas of who went missing after asking around."
"And I... Believe that I was trailed earlier by two of the bandits disguised as civilians."
Kakashi hummed. "Is that so?"
"Yeah, she wanted to have me make a Clone and transform it in order to let them 'catch' her so we can find out more information by observing them." Naruto said.
"And from what I have heard from the villagers, I have also found out that the attacks are primarily focused from the South. Which has a potential for a base to that direction." Ryouken added.
Kakashi nodded. "Then we will go with Akane's plan and trail them when they 'catch' her. We'll move out once we've eaten." And after I left a large tip to help the owners here recover from their own losses.
"Damnit Iyashii. You lost her!"
"Sorry Chijin. We have to find her though for the boss."
The two bandits continued to comb Aokusa in search for the redhaired chick they saw earlier, looking equally frustrated.
"Wait, there she is. She's leaving town heading south."
"Oh that's perfect. Let's go get her."
"They fell for the bait rather fast." Kakashi observed from the rooftops as the bandits converged on and captured the Naruto clone who was transformed to appear like Akane. They purposely put up no real fighting to not dispel, and they were tied up and carried out of town without others noticing. "They do that enough to know when and what to get away with it seems."
"Worrisome..." Ryouken sighed.
"Well let's not wait up, we should follow them." Akane said.
"Yeah." Naruto agreed, and with that the Shinobi each left their hiding spot and started to trail after the group of bandits.
Continued in the Next Chapter. Posted immediately after this one.
~Veloran-Darkfyre