I do not own Naruto – if I did, Kakashi would really be great – like a Sannin etc etc etc… and we'd see what's under his mask.

Revelation of the Wolf: The Glory of the Hatake Clan

Under Attack!

Looking down from a sprawling ridge – a spur of one of Rice Field's bigger mountains, Genma, Raido and Iruka sighed with relief at the sight of Fire Country's familiar sprawling hillsides.

Below their feet spread the wide band of forest which blanketed the border between the two warring countries. Among the trees glistened the river which branched out, flowing quickly from its source, the mountain springs.

The day was half past when Tsunade and her small team passed the border, following the river into their territory. Collapsing with relief, Iruka sighed and looked over at his Hokage.

She was leaning against the tree, gasping for air.

Genma frowned.

"Hokage-sama," he said, his senbon suddenly tense. "Our escort dropped behind!"

"How many?" asked Iruka, trying to concentrate.

Just because we're within Fire doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet.

No pun intended.

The irony wasn't lost on him either.

"Four." Genma stared into the trees behind them, tensely. "No…. make that that three…."

Raido relaxed back.

"Good to hear somebody's doing their job."

Tsunade stared at her hands, eyes blank.

"Do you think we should go evasive?" asked Genma. He paused.

Crouching down, he signaled something to Raido.

Iruka's eyes widened.

So the rumours I heard about Genma's sensing abilities ARE true!
Two platoons.

And two other presences.

And one coming up behind.

"Each platoon is coming at us from the side. The other two shinobi are coming at us from within Fire Country. Head on."

Raido whispered, "Can you feel them already?"

Genma nodded.

Iruka gritted his teeth and turned to the blonde woman beside him.

"What should we do, Hokage-sama?" he asked, trying not to panic.

We're in deep shit.
There was no answer.

"Hokage-sama?"

Genma's eyes widened as Tsunade gasped out. "Can't move, Genma. I think it's some sort of potion….. like what I gave Jiraiya…. Know what that means….. planned….. chakra won't be back for a bit……. I'm afraid…." She paused. "You're on your own, boys."

Then she crumpled to the ground.

It was so sudden nobody caught her. Iruka jumped up in exclamation. Rollering her over, the Chuunin leaned forward.

"She's breathing – but I think it'll be awhile until she's able to move much less mold chakra. Until then…."

We're so – fucked.
"Fuck. Shit. Hell. Damn." Genma swore over and over again.

"Calm." Raido said. "Must remain. Very. Calm."

Catching sight of Iruka's wide brown eyes, Genma took control.

"Right. Iruka. You stay with Tsunade-sama and defend her against the two oncoming shinobi – if they are hostiles. Let's hope they're Leaf…."

He looked around.

"The platoon on the left, I'llt ake. Raido – go the right. Iruka – as soon as there's an opening, get the HOkage out of here. Take her and run…."

"But what about you guys?" asked Iruka. "I can't just leave you guys here –"

"You CAN!" Raido said, quietly, cutting the Chuunin off.

His eyes met Genma's.

Iruka's heart dropped in defeat.

There is no way they'll survive!
"Have faith in us, Iruka." Genma said. "You haven't been the only one training. We'll try to catch up as soon as possible. If not…."

"Just keep going." Raido nodded. "We're entrusting you with a precious burden – don't fuck it up on us."

"Yes." Iruka nodded he stared back. "What about the one coming behind us?"

Genma sat, focusing for a bit.

"We'll hope our escort arrives in time – okay? Three presences are missing – two left behind….. I'm thinking it's a one on one now."

The senbon sucking Jounin stood and nodded tersely before disappearing. Raido, following suit, darted off in the opposite direction.

Iruka took the short time as an opportunity to hide his kage in a shallow pocket of earth behind some foliage and then went to set up a bunch of traps.

If he was going to fight, it was going to start with an ambush Konoha Academy-style.

Kakashi's foot connected with his opponent's jaw – feeling it snap back with a satisfying cruch. The Sound-nin flipped backwards and tried to entangle the silver-haired ANBU with a bunch of chakra ropese. Kakashi snapped out of them easily and stabbed the approaching shinobi in the left bicep with a kunai.
The man won't be able to do seals very well…..
The Sound-nin darted away, realizing that this was a fight he could not win. As Kakashi followed in hot pursuit – finding himself pass the border into Fire – he felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle with unease.
The forest is too quiet.

I've got no time to waste. Kakashi thought with a sigh.

Using his sensei's signature move, he positioned himself behind the surprised enemy, slit the man's throat and watched the body fall to the ground.
Forget the body.

Concentrate.

One chakra flare sitting still.

Two moving away from it in opposite directions, each to meet four oncoming presences.

It's a four way ambush.

Two platoons on either rside.

From the fore, at least two more shinobi to stop any fleeing enemies.

And one strong shinobi from behind to force the chase.

A classic take-down.

They'll need me to take out the one from behind.

Geez! Why do my missions begin easy and then get crazy?

There was a large BOOM and the ground shook.

No time to complain or worry.

"Kuchiyose no jutsu!"

Pakkun appeared in a small puff of grey smoke.

"Yo, Kakashi! What's up?"

"It's an A-class mission. I supposed to be protecting the Hokage-sama – but I can't sense her. If you can track her down, that would be great."

Pakkun sniffed the air and darted away, Kakashi hot on his heels.

Tsunade-sama's chakra is absent. Knowing Genma will lead – I bet he and Raido left to deal with the oncoming platoons. Which means…. Iruka is staying behind…. Is the kage hurt? In any case…. We're running out of time…. And I'm running low on chakra…. Which means……

Lightning's Howl.

Genma got two of the shinobi down in five minutes. They hadn't been expecting their prey to attack them – only the insane would do something like that.

Now their bodies lay in the clearing, senbon in their throats, while their two comrades withdrew to regroup and plan.

Plans too hastily made are often mental.
Genma sighed, chewing nervously on another senbon.

A cracking sound.

He dove downward in an earth escape jutsu, just barely missing some sort of sickle wind attack which reminded him unpleasantly of Temari and the fateful chuunin exam which began the whole damn business to begin with.

Once again – he was caught in the middle of it.

Geez! Why do I take all this shittiness?
Raido was thinking the same thing. As he broke one of his enemy's necks, he couldn't but wonder why the hell it was always him.

His first kill had succumbed to his explosive note, disabling the Sound-nin's partner enough for Raido to finish him off quickly.

Whenever anybody else protects the kage, the most trouble they have are insect bites, boredom and leg cramps. I get kunai wounds, betrayers, bad odds and crazy missions that go wrong.

Well, at least that's two down. I hope Iruka is doing okay – he's only chuunin – and the most he's done are D-ranks – not that D-ranks are nothing – if anything, they test your capacity for patience and your mental stamina – but this is no D-rank….

Without warning, a fist met his jaw throwing him backwards – his body snapping several trees in half.
Not good!
UP NEXT: Will Iruka survive in his steps to strength? Genma ponders the freedom of flight - what significance does Hayate have in his life? Will Raido be able to face his worst nightmare - or will he succumb to the despair unacceptance can bring? Kakashi learns to let go.