4- Doton: Shinjuu Zanshu no jutsu!
In the clearing, Naruto charged headlong at the Cloud ninja that Kakashi had been fighting, with six shadow replications. He jumped, seven identical fists launching at the startled ninja who did not have time to do anything before the attack rained down. Except that he obviously had had time to do something, because when the dust cleared around the area where the ninja had landed, a log lay in his place: Kawarimi no jutsu.
Sasuke saw him attacking from above before Naruto did, and he launched himself out of the tree towards the Cloud shinobi. They collided in midair and Kakashi watched as Sasuke took advantage of the ninja's surprise by executing a high-speed combo of kicks and attacks. He grabbed the Cloud-Nin's arm and punched his jaw. The punch was blocked, but Sasuke followed it with a swift kick that arced around into the enemy's chest. Sasuke's arm swung round again, the back of his fist connecting with the Cloud ninja's ribcage, then he dragged the ninja to the ground, grabbing his arm and grappling him into an arm-bar. The genius of the Uchiha clan was doing himself proud, because the Cloud ninja was obviously not finding it an easy task to fight the rookie Genin.
Kakashi glanced around to see Sharino fighting the other three ninja with ease. Then, for the second time, he noticed the red arm covers of the Stone ninja. He was not sure why until he saw that the ninja had removed one. Underneath was a long, hilt-less blade, attached to some sort of device for throwing it. He aimed it towards Sharino and fired. Kakashi called out a warning, but it was too late. Sharino turned just in time to have the spinning blade hit her full in the face.
There was no time to see if she had used a Kawarimi or a clone, because the Cloud shinobi behind him had managed to shake off Sasuke somehow and was forming another technique. Kakashi dived towards the ninja, stopping him in the middle of the sequence and he grabbed the Jounin's arm, punching him in the face with his other hand. Sometimes there wasn't time for clever strategies and Ninjutsu. Sometimes this was the best way. The Cloud Nin was obviously too used to using ambush tactics and had forgotten how to keep track of multiple opponents all attacking at once. Kakashi shoved the shinobi back into the nearest tree and pinned him there with several kunai. He stepped back.
"You're obviously not as experienced as your jutsu might imply," said Kakashi. The Cloud ninja's surprise was evident, though his expression was bitter.
There was a disturbance behind them, and Kakashi saw Naruto and Sasuke's expressions change from the smiles of victory to the shocked fear of defeat.
"Stop or I'll kill her!" an unfamiliar voice shouted. Then, a more familiar voice shrieked out into the clearing.
"Sasuke-kun!" Kakashi whirled; leaving the defeated Jounin pinned to the tree and saw another enemy ninja, this one with a forehead protector bearing the mark of the Hidden Village of Rain. He was holding Sakura in front of him, a kunai across her throat. She was already bleeding from a small wound on her forehead and her eyes were wide with fear.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto shouted.
"Sakura!" Sasuke said, much more quietly.
In the next few seconds, several things happened at once. The ninja that was holding Sakura suddenly fell, the kunai dropping to the ground in front of Sakura, who spun around to see what had happened. A kunai stuck out of the back of the fallen ninja's head.
At the same time, the Stone Nin felt the Earth underneath him give way and a hand reached out from the Earth and grabbed him.
"Doton: Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu!" Sharino's voice shouted. "Earth element: Suicidal beheading." The Stone ninja screamed as he was dragged down into the ground, and Sharino appeared above him, looking down at his head, which now stuck out of the ground, the rest of his body hidden. Sasuke immediately recognised the technique as the one that Kakashi had used on him during their survival training, just after he had become a Genin.
Kakashi turned around to face the Jounin, but in the distraction, he, the other Cloud Nin and the Grass Nin had disappeared. Sharino cursed, but she looked down at the helpless Stone ninja. At least they had one captive.
When Sakura span around, she found Genma kneeling beside the body of the Rain shinobi that had captured her. She realised that it must have been him that threw the kunai that killed him.
"Thank you," she said timidly. Genma smiled at her.
"No problem," he replied. "Next time, watch your back." She smiled in return and nodded.
"Yes, sir!"
---
In the smoke village, Gai and his team entered the home of Umatatsu Isamu. Isamu was tall, with a stern demeanor that spoke of experience. At that time he was wearing a comfortable house robe, but Gai guessed that he could look very formidable in battle dress.
After the introductions were made and explanations given, Nekoya was sent out to see if Sharino had returned yet. Gai and his team were invited to share tea with Isamu, which they did gladly, the four of them kneeling around a low table set for such a purpose.
A girl with the same black hair and fierce green eyes as Isamu brought in tea, and Gai guessed that she was his daughter. For a few moments after she had left the room, they sat in silence, then Isamu spoke, to ask what Nekoya had told them of the village's predicament. Gai let Tenten tell him what Nekoya had told them, then watched as the village's leader's face grew more solemn.
"Nekoya does not know everything," said Isamu. "His Sensei, Kenshin, was tortured." The mood in the room, already grave, grew blacker.
"Do you know why?" Gai asked. Isamu's only answer was to shake his head. He paused a moment before he said anything else.
"These attacks have claimed many. One of our most promising Chuunin has been told by our most experienced medical ninja that he will never walk unaided again. My only son has also been claimed. The attackers come from every country, and almost every hidden village, and we have no idea what they want or why they are attacking us!"
This man was obviously a powerful ninja, but his face showed he was distraught by the events that had changed his village.
"Not so long ago, this village was peaceful and prosperous, much like Konoha still is," he continued. "But we are now in dire need of help if it is ever to be that way again."
Isamu let the words hang in the air for a while, watching the faces of the Jounin and his three Genin students as they took this in. Tenten was obviously saddened, while Lee's eyes burned with the desire to fight and help in any way he could. Neji's expression was as impenetrable as ever. Gai's face showed a mixture of compassion and willingness to help. Isamu could tell that Konoha's will of Fire burned in these four, although the boy with white eyes was oddly cold for a Konoha ninja.
"You are of the Hyuuga clan, aren't you?" Isamu said, looking directly into Neji's eyes. Neji's frown deepened as he nodded to the older ninja.
"I am Hyuuga Neji," he said. Isamu's eyes widened.
"I see!" he said. Isamu's knowledge of Konoha's ninja was not perfect, but he had heard of Hyuuga Hizashi and his genius son, Neji, even though Neji had still been in the academy when Isamu last visited Konoha. "I am glad you are here. The Byakugan will be useful in this situation." Neji bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement, but said nothing.
At that moment there was a knock on the door. When it was slid open, the boy from before, Hikaru, was there. He bowed respectfully, but his face betrayed his excitement.
"Isamu-sama!" he said, "Sharino-san is back, with Hatake Kakashi and Shiranui Genma from Konoha. And they captured one of the Missing-Nin!" Isamu looked relieved, but then formality covered the expression.
"Good!" he said. "They have arrived."
---
Sakura thought that Kemurigakure no Sato, the Hidden village of Smoke, looked like such a sad place. It reminded her very much of the city in the Wave country where they had stayed, before Tazuna-san had finished building his bridge. Before their hope had been restored. Naruto must have been thinking the same thing, as he whispered a similar comment to her. Even Naruto was able to sense that his usually raucous voice would have been very out of place in this silent village.
Their prisoner was taken away by some of the village's ninja and they continued up the main street.
"Kakashi-dono," said Sharino, turning to him as they headed up the street. "Perhaps it would be better if your Genin came with me while you talk with my father. They must be tired, and I'm sure he will have much to discuss with you."
"Yeah, yeah," said Kakashi, in his usual bored-sounding tones. "That would be fine." Naruto looked a little annoyed that he didn't get to meet with the village's leader, but he did not object when Sharino offered to take them somewhere where they could freshen up, bathe, eat and sleep. It had been a long journey. Even Sasuke seemed to like the prospect of rest.
Sharino was about to lead the Genin away, when Hikaru appeared.
"Sharino!" he exclaimed, evidently relieved. "Your father will be glad that you are unharmed. He wishes to speak with you and the Konoha Jounin." Sharino closed her eyes as though she was less than thrilled by this prospect, making Sakura wonder what kind of man Umatatsu Isamu was. After a moment, Sharino nodded, and told Hikaru to take charge of the Genin.
Kakashi and Genma watched with Sharino as they disappeared down a side street, and then continued on their way towards Isamu's residence.
"You do not seem to relish the prospect of seeing your father…" Genma observed, looking at Sharino carefully to gauge her reaction. She smiled wearily.
"My father is a great man, but he has little time for his daughters." This was all she had time to say before they reached Isamu's residence. Sharino led them to the room where her father was, and they were also greeted by three more Genin and a tall, familiar green figure with a wide grin full of shiny white teeth.
"Kakashi!" said Konoha's beautiful green beast. "You're here at last!"