Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters. I will own some of the new ninjas that will be appearing later in the story.

****** Chapter TW0 - The Journey Begins On the Road to the Shadow Country ******

Over the night each Genin has prepared themselves for the upcoming trip in there own ways of preparation. Sasuke would usually train himself a little and gather his equipment. Sakura would often prepare herself by resting. Naruto prepares himself by training himself to the extreme until he exhausted. Soon each Genin will have to await their mission.

Early morning has come and the sun has risen. The three Genins of Kakashi prepare themselves for another mission that excites them for more competition. Sasuke and Sakura arrive at the front gate that leads out of the Leaf Village. Sakura puzzling herself and asks Sasuke,"What's taking Naruto so long?"

Sasuke replies "He probably died training himself for this mission overnight."

Sakura agrees and says, "He probably did."

In a couple of minutes they hear footsteps approaching them, and they turn to see who it is. With enthusiasm Naruto yells "GOOD MORNING SAKURA-CHAN!" Sakura asks with an angry tone "Naruto why are you so late?"

Naruto replies and says, " I was training all last night, so I didn't have time to pack and I packed all my things this morning." Noticing Naruto's gigantic backpack, she then adds, "What the hell is in your bag"

Naruto then tells her, "Since we're going on a long trip I decided to pack my entire bag with Cups of Ramen."

Sakura begins to yell at Naruto and says, "You're an idiot, we're only leaving for a week and you decide to pack yourself a feast."

Sasuke agrees with Sakura and adds "What a total moron."

With rage in Naruto's eyes he glares at Sasuke eye to eye. Naruto was then about to attack Sasuke with his bare hands until Kakashi came, once again reading his "Flirting Paradise" and telling the two rivaled Genins to stop fighting. Kakashi begins to tell them that they will be departing in five minutes and he begins to give them his final message before they leave the Leaf Village.

Kakashi then says, "All three of you will be leaving the village without the super vision of a Jounin. I want all of you to make sure to always work as a team and never work by yourselves." Kakashi then asks, "Are you all prepared."

They all reply "Yes"

Kakashi then adds, " When you guys return we'll all eat at Ichiraku (Leaf Village's Best Ramen Shop) after the mission is done."

Naruto yells with excitement and says, "We'll finish this mission as soon as possible!"

Kakashi then announces, "You are all dismissed" All of Kakashi's Genins begin to walk towards the gate until they notice Naruto taking a long time to walk outside of the village. Kakashi notices this and tells Naruto, "You should lighten your load if you want reach the Shadow Country faster and if you want to come back and eat at Ichiraku then you should hurry up because if your late I won't pay you all." Sakura and Naruto then yell " Cheapskate" at their teacher. Upon leaving Naruto has taken out his huge stash of Ramen and they all wave good byes to their teacher except Sasuke (never showing emotions as always), while walking outside of the village.

While on the road, they begin to wonder what the newly developed Shadow Country is like and they soon begin to leave sight of their home, the Leaf Village. While walking down the road the Genins suspect a ninja hiding among the trees and the mysterious ninja lunges at them. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto are stunned by the ninja that tries to attack them on their journey.

Who is the mysterious ninja that attacks them on the road to the Shadow Country? What awaits this group of well-trained Genins in the Shadow Country? To find out, get ready for the next chapter of Secrets of the Moon Village!