A/N: Chapter 29 has landed!
I don't own Naruto.
Chapter XXIX: Unwelcome Visit
Team 7 sans Kakashi strolled along the busy main road towards the Hokage Tower. Konohagakure was abuzz with the start of the Chūnin Exams. They saw genin teams from Kiri, Suna, and even Kusa heading to take the written portion of the exam. There were some Konoha genin teams, but not as many as they originally thought. In fact, the turnout overall seemed to be lower this year than years past.
"Boss!"
The trio turned to see Konohamaru bolting towards them, his teammates in tow.
"Konohamaru! What're you doing here?" Naruto asked.
"Ebisu-sensei said we can enter into the Chūnin Exams and give it a shot! Pretty cool, huh?" Konohamaru beamed as his teammates finally caught up to him.
"Jeez, did you really have to run so fast?" Udon complained.
"You really are easily excited, Konohamaru," Moegi pointed out, drawing a chuckle from the young Sarutobi.
"I just wanted to let Naruto know that we were gonna be in the exams! I told you I'd get stronger and catch up to you, big bro," Konohamaru said, ending on a slightly mirthful note.
Naruto let out a chuckle. "That's great, really. I'm proud of you for getting Ebisu's approval to enter." He immediately struck a dramatic pose. "But! Make no mistake! You still have a lot to learn! The Chūnin Exams are no laughing matter! Your abilities will be tested in ways you won't be expe—"
His spiel was cut short by Sasuke slugging him in the arm.
"Ow! Hey! What was that for?"
"Quit being an idiot, whiskers. We need to get to the Hokage Tower for that meeting," Sasuke reminded him.
"A meeting? With the Hokage? Are you proctoring the exams, Naruto?" Moegi prompted.
"Not exactly. The Hokage just wants us to help out with preparations and stuff," Sakura answered with a smile.
The three genin gazed up at Team 7 in awe.
"That's so cool," Udon thought aloud.
Sasuke cleared his throat. "I don't wanna be rude, but we should probably get to the meeting." He turned to Team Ebisu. "And you three should hoof it to the first round. We'll try and find you later to see how you did, but you don't wanna be late to the written exam. Mr. Ibiki will mess with your head if you are."
The genin in question froze, their eyes impossibly wide as Naruto simply crossed his arms and nodded sagely. "Sasuke's right. Mr. Ibiki likes messing with your head, and he might not even let you take the exam if you're late."
With a collective squeak, Team Ebisu scurried off, leaving Team 7 to continue their trek.
Sakura had to hold Naruto back from barging through the office doors, instead "persuading" him to remember his manners and knock.
"Enter," the Hokage called.
The trio was greeted by their sensei, Neji, and Konan in addition to the Hokage, who was flipping through pages of a binder on her desk.
"Ah, thank you for coming. We were just going through the roster of participating genin teams," Tsunade announced.
"Are you looking for the name of the jinchūriki of the Seven-Tails?" Naruto prompted.
"Yes. They're from Takigakure, so it should narrow things down considerably," Konan stated.
The younger members of Team 7 approached the Hokage's desk as they watched her scan the pages, her ruby red painted fingernail tracing down the list of names.
"Here. There's one team from Takigakure," she said as she tapped the page. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Neji craned their necks to glance at the names.
"Yōrō, Kegon, and Fū," Neji read.
"So which one is the jinchūriki?" Naruto asked.
The Hokage let out a hum as she closed the binder. "Ninja villages tend to keep that sort of thing under wraps. The Akatsuki still being at large certainly doesn't help, either."
Naruto pensively scratched his cheek. "Oh, yeah. That makes sense. There should be a way to tell which one of them is the jinchūriki, right?"
"I should be able to tell by their chakra signature. If theirs is unique like yours, then it should be straightforward," Neji answered.
"You can distinguish chakra signatures apart with the Byakugan?" Sasuke asked, turning to his pale-eyed cohort.
"More or less. I could tell when Naruto's chakra changed when we took the exams, and given the enhanced vision the Byakugan gives me, I'd be able to tell who's who in the forest."
"How's this gonna work, anyways?" Naruto piped up.
"ANBU is aware of the threat. Security around the perimeter of the forest has been bolstered, and some squads will be deployed in the forest, maintaining a search grid in case the Akatsuki slip past undetected. Once they're spotted, they'll radio in. Yamato will be overseeing the security at the central tower, while you all will be sticking close to the perimeter," Tsunade informed as she stood up.
"And Neji will lead us to their approximate location, where we'll carry out our mission," Sasuke concluded.
The Hokage nodded. "That's right." She turned to the Hyūga prodigy. "Remember, don't engage the Akatsuki. Your only assignment is to recover the target and bring them back to the central tower with the ANBU." Neji gave a single nod in response.
"As for Teams 7 and 10," the Hokage continued. "Kakashi will spearhead Team 10, as you already know. I trust that you'll get this done, just make sure you minimize collateral damage. The eyes of other villages will be on us if something goes wrong."
Everyone present bowed, even Naruto.
"Don't worry, Granny. We'll take care of it," the younger blond declared.
A small smile tugged at Tsunade's ruby red lips as she nodded. "I know you will. You're all dismissed. I'm sure Anko will be expecting you at the gates of Ground 44."
The combined Teams 7 and 10 stood by while Anko gave her spiel about how the second stage of the exams would work, which triggered a wave of nostalgia. True to form, Naruto and Shikamaru looked bored with it all, the former leaning against a tree with his hands behind his head, while the latter had his hands buried in his pockets. Sasuke didn't look as bored, but he wasn't quite enraptured by what was taking place, either. Chōji simply munched on some potato chips. Meanwhile, the two kunoichi present were waffling about nothing in particular.
"Man, even though I'm on the other side of it, this speech that Anko gives is still kind of a drag," Shikamaru drawled.
"You think she did the whole 'crash through the window for a grand entrance' thing like when we first took the exams?" Naruto wondered aloud.
"Knowing her, I would bet a couple hundred ryō that she did," Sasuke deadpanned.
"I think it's cool that she does that. Makes things interesting," Chōji said between handfuls of chips.
"Chōji, I know you need to eat to keep your strength up and stuff, but don't you think you could've done that before we got here?" Ino probed.
"I did. I just got hungry again," the Akimichi answered jovially.
The platinum blonde was about to further admonish her heavyset teammate when Naruto cut in.
"Ooh! She's gonna tell them about the liability waivers!"
Sakura crossed her arms as she watched on. "She's really putting on a show, isn't she?"
"Not as much as when we took the exams," Sasuke replied.
"Yeah, I think the situation must've made her a bit more subdued," Shikamaru added.
Naruto craned his head to see some ANBU making their rounds just out of sight of the exam participants. "Hey, do you guys think we should start walking around, too?"
"Maybe. But I think we should check with Kakashi-sensei first," Sasuke answered.
The group hummed in agreement as Anko finished her instructions. The participants milled about, signing their waivers and being given their respective scrolls. Once they were all shepherded to their assigned starting gates, Kakashi rejoined the squad.
"Well, can't say I particularly enjoy assisting with proctoring, but I suppose it is what it is," he mused.
"Should we be making some rounds around the perimeter?" Sasuke prompted.
"I was thinking we should move towards the edge that's furthest from the village. That way we're as close as possible to the point of entry," Shikamaru advised, retrieving a cigarette from his vest and lighting it.
Kakashi nodded. "That's a pretty sound idea."
"Since when did you pick up smoking?" Naruto probed with a furrowed brow as they started walking.
The smoker in question shrugged as he took a long pull. "Some time after stuff went south. I don't remember exactly when."
"I've already tried telling him that it's bad for him, but he doesn't listen," Ino whispered to her fellow blond.
Naruto nodded, silently acknowledging the meaning behind his friend's words. Shikamaru was never as open as Naruto was about his grief when it came to Asuma's death. While Naruto leaned on his friends to cope with the loss of Jiraiya, Shikamaru seemed to have taken up the less-than-healthy habit in addition to whatever he did to work through his grief.
Ino and Chōji looked calm, but the way the platinum blonde kept tucking her hair behind her ear didn't go unnoticed by Sakura. It was one of her more obvious nervous tells. Sakura couldn't fault her; after all, who wouldn't be nervous at the prospect of facing the same people responsible for the death of your sensei?
Chōji, on the other hand, was stiff as a board. The way he walked, like he was on autopilot, made it clear that his thoughts were elsewhere, and likely not anywhere good. Even Naruto picked up on the tension in the air as he turned and spared a glance at Team 10.
"Hey," he called, grabbing their attention. "We'll get 'em, don't worry." He finished with a reassuring yet foxy smile. Team 10 simply returned his smile and nodded wordlessly as the group made their way to their destination.
About half an hour had passed since the combined squad arrived at the rendezvous point: a section of the perimeter that was about as far away from the village as one could get. There was still no word from the patrolling ANBU of anyone breaching security. Try as they might to stave it off, the squad was getting restless and equally anxious.
Sasuke let out a huff. "I don't like this. We should've heard something by now."
"Don't be so hasty. The second the ANBU spot them, we'll hear about it," Kakashi said placatingly, his nose buried in his favorite green book.
Shikamaru's usual half-frown deepened slightly. "As much as I agree with Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei is right. The Akatsuki are likely waiting until everyone has split up further into the forest to not draw too much attention to themselves."
Naruto heaved a sigh through his nose. Patience was never his strong suit until he spent time at Mount Myōboku. Even then, learning patience wasn't the easiest thing for him. He wasn't the best at hiding his impatience, either. The frown that was plastered to his face was a neon sign broadcasting his mood.
Another ten minutes passed before the radio crackled to life. Two cloaked figures were spotted in the forest, moving fast. No sooner did Neji flicker in front of the group, a squad of ANBU following closely.
"If we move quickly, we can intercept them before they reach the target and make their escape. I have the grid and their anticipated trajectory. Let's go," the Hyūga ordered. The veins surrounding his eyes bulged against his skin, while his normally featureless pale eyes now held more pronounced pupils. Sasuke and Naruto instinctively activated their respective dōjutsu, while Kakashi uncovered his left eye. The rest of the team steeled themselves for what was to come.
The search party launched into the forest, leaping from branch to branch at full speed.
"There! Three chakra signatures! Eleven o'clock, nine hundred yards out!" Neji called out.
The combined squad immediately sped up, following close behind the Hyūga and the ANBU. They flew through the trees as Neji and the ANBU squad hung back, standing by to extract the jinchūriki. Concealing their chakra signatures, the squad spread out into the surrounding trees, watching as the two cloaked figures stood in a clearing.
The situation had already gone as south as it could have. Between them laid a slender, tan-skinned girl with mint green hair, clearly unconscious. Her presumed teammates were sprawled out just to the side, dead. One of the cloaked figures had a mask on, scanning the area with unnatural eyes that bore red sclerae around their green irises. The one holding the giant red scythe wore an all-too-pleased-with-himself smirk.
They watched as the masked man scooped up the girl, slinging her over his shoulder like a sack of rice. Naruto's hands balled into white-knuckled fists as he ground his teeth and tried to keep his breathing and boiling blood under control. Sasuke and Sakura spared a worried glance at their friend, silently praying he didn't do anything rash.
Team 10 held steady despite their nerves. Ino's heart pounded in her chest, while Chōji rhythmically clenched and relaxed his own fists. Shikamaru merely stared at the man holding the scythe. Hidan. The same man—no, monster—that killed Asuma.
The girl was their target. She had to be secured and brought to the tower. Naruto acted on instinct. Raising a hand while keeping his chakra signature as concealed as possible, he focused on the unconscious Taki kunoichi. He felt the catch and pulled hard.
The unconscious kunoichi flew into Naruto's arms, who gave her a cursory inspection for any serious injuries. Neji appeared next to him, taking hold of her gingerly. With a nod, he and the ANBU squad sped off towards the central tower. Team 10 was left staring at the blond jinchūriki, utterly flabbergasted.
"What the fuck was that?" Hidan puzzled as he readied his scythe.
"I don't know, but the target is getting away, and I can't tell where she's gone. Whoever took her must have suppressed her and their own chakra. Be on alert," Kakuzu ordered as he continued searching for signs of their attackers. "There's no way anyone could have just snatched her up like that."
"Whaddaya talkin' about? They must've lassoed her or something," Hidan reasoned.
"Not possible. There was no ninja wire. She just flew off my shoulder. As though some unseen force pulled her."
Hidan narrowed his eyes. "What're you saying?"
"Whoever took the target might have more to them than we might think," the former Taki nin warned.
The Jashinist snorted. "We can take them. I'm sure Lord Jashin will enjoy the sacrifice."
"Not if they have the abilities I think they do," Kakuzu retorted. "We would probably be better off regrouping if that's the case. Won't be worth the money otherwise."
Hidan clicked his tongue. "Man, you're such a buzzkill. Fine, whatever, let's get going I guess."
They turned to make their way out of the forest when they felt a shift in the air. A hail of kunai rained down, some tagged with explosives.
"Move!" Kakuzu ordered.
The two dodged the kunai, bobbing and weaving as the weapons planted themselves in the ground. They braced for the impending explosions, which never came, to their surprise. Kakuzu's eyes narrowed as he noticed the shadows begin to move.
"This shit again?" Hidan groaned as they avoided the creeping darkness.
Realization struck them as they realized the shadows were forcing them away from each other. The canopy wasn't doing them any favors, and only seemed to bolster the effectiveness of the shadow jutsu. Try as they might, they couldn't find an opening to escape and regroup.
"Fuck's sake! This is such a pain in the—whoa!" The manic Jashinist was suddenly yanked backwards by an invisible force, deeper into the woods and out of sight of his partner.
"Dammit. I need to find that simpleton and ge—" In an instant, the shadows on the ground retreated, giving way to an explosion of earth. In front of Kakuzu stood Chōji, his massive, earth-chakra-coated fist cocked back and ready to deliver a devastating punch. The former Taki nin could only raise his arms to block before being sent careening in the opposite direction of Hidan, smashing against a tree.
Across the way, Hidan met an equally unpleasant landing against a tree.
"Ow! Fuck! That hurt!" He got to his feet, craning his head as he looked around. "Show yourself, you pussy!"
He searched the small clearing for signs of who or whatever pulled him out this way. Once more, he felt the air shift and instinctively raised his scythe. A loud clang echoed through the forest as a blade impacted against the crimson weapon, sending sparks bouncing off his cheek. If Hidan hadn't raised his scythe when he did, he had no doubt his head would be rolling on the forest floor.
Across from the Jashinist stood a haori-clad Sasuke, his ninjato poised in front of him. The Uchiha's glare was unwavering. Hidan turned and regarded his attacker.
"And just who the fuck would you be?"
"Part of your reckoning," Sasuke answered coldly.
Hidan's maniacal cackle rang out. "That's a good one! Tell me another!" He pointed his scythe at the Uchiha. "You don't scare me, pal. I'm gonna carve your sorry ass into pieces and offer you up to Jashin." He recognized the crimson gaze of the Sharingan, stretching his sadistic smile even wider.
Sasuke readied his blade. "We'll see about that."
A/N: Dun dun dun! Kakuzu and Hidan arrive to face Konoha! A bit of a shorter chapter this time, but fear not, as there will be more to come. Thanks so much for reading! Chapter 30 is in the works!
