Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does.
The story might be boring at the beginning, but I'm trying to develop it for now. Everything will be explained as the story progresses.
Inuzuka Kiba couldn't help but think there was something bothering him about those four so called Sand-nins that just passed him. He shook his head, slowly climbed and sat himself comfortably on Akamaru's back. 'What the heck was that? I couldn't even move that whole time. They had a faint smell of sand and blood all over them. Of course, it seems pretty logic that they are ANBU and they're from Suna. But their captain's scary mask…"
Kiba ruffled Akamaru's head to comfort him, "Hey buddy, got anything you want to say in this?"
Akamaru gave out several barks, which made Kiba's face pale a little.
"The tall one and their leader seem to have some monstrous freaking high chakra reserves…?"
Akamaru gave a bark of confirmation.
"Man…are guys from the Sand always weird and strong? I mean between Gaara's sand and Kankurou's puppets, makes me really wonder how many other freaks they have in the sand." commented Kiba.
Sugiyama slowly walked back to his post, ready to face and answer the other guards' curious faces and questions.
"Come on Akamaru, another round of air dynamic mark!" exclaimed Kiba as loud as he could.
Akamaru replied back with a loud bark, and jumped off.
The guards couldn't help but feel sorry for the travelers that would be walking through the forests. May be they should make a complaint or two to their Hokage about the matter. But, then again, there was never a fuss from any traveler as they enter the city.
At the Hokage tower, Tsunade was one really pissed woman. She was facing several stacks of paper on her table: report, contracts, and other documents ready to be read and signed. The more she would delay them, the taller the stacks would be. All she was thinking at the moment was using a Katon jutsu, and watch them burn down while drinking a bottle of Sake. Her eyes were glaring, her hands were twitching, and her jaws were clenched tight.
Several knocks on the door were heard just as she was brainstorming several seals for a simple Katon and what the outcome would be, when Shizune and the council would find out what she had done.
"Come in," said Tsunade boringly as she succumbed to the duties of being the Godaime Hokage.
Shizune walked in with Ton-Ton, Tsunade's pet pig, in her arms. She could only see the upper part of Tsunade's head behind the stacks of paper before letting Ton-Ton go on the floor. The prized pig quickly ran off into Tsunade's waiting arms.
"I know what you're thinking Tsunade-sama," said Shizune.
"Then help drowse these papers with some sake," joked Tsunade with Ton-Ton on her lap. "I think I still have some spare sake bottles in that cupboard."
"Hai…." sighed Shizune. (Note: It's a sigh, she's not agreeing or yes in Japanese.)
"You think the stack of papers would decrease once Konoha had stabilize after the past three years." complained Tsunade as she took a look at one of the document from the whole stack. She threw it back onto the top of the pile. "But no….the stack of papers just stays the same or may be it's slowly getting bigger without me noticing."
"Tsunade-sama, you've been doing this after all this time, surely you would have gotten used to this, juggling your job and training Sakura-san." replied Shizune.
"Yeah, but sometimes I just let Sakura sort out which document that just merely needs signing."
Shizune was relieved when she heard Tsunade opening one of her desk drawers, thinking that Tsunade was going to start working. She was confused and curious when she saw Tsunade pull out a long measuring tape. The Fifth Hokage unraveled a little of it, and then began measuring the stacks of paper.
She mumbled to herself as she got her first measurement, "Hmm….this one is 45cm high. I knew it! They're slowly getting taller! Yesterday's one was only 44.7cm high. Hmm…how about the other ones?"
A large sweat drop formed on both Shizune and Ton-Ton's head as Tsunade moved on the other stacks of paper with the measuring tape.
There were more knocks on the door, but from the sound of it, it was definitely urgent. Shizune quickly rushed to the door to open it after Tsunade's approval nod. Morino Ibiki walked in without his usual uptight face, but changed a little when he thanked Shizune. He definitely looked like one of the last person any enemy shinobi wants to pass with: standing 193.5 cm tall, a long black jacket over a gray vest, with two long scars trailing over his face.
"Hokage-sama, apparently the group of ANBU sent by the Kazekage has just arrived and are already in the city for inspection." Reported Ibiki, as he stood tall in front of the desk.
"So? What's the problem?" asked Tsunade, still oblivious to Ibiki's serious face.
"I've checked their entry documents and such," answered Ibiki, "I just didn't realize until now that those ANBU were them…."
"What do you mean 'them'?" asked Tsunade, now angrily.
After several minutes, the two of ANBU guards that were stationed at the Hokage tower entrance could hear a shout had sent all the birds around flying away, "WHAAAAAT!"
In the streets of Konoha,
The Sand ANBU team slowly made their way through the streets that was now filled with people. Kisame glanced around as found there were a lot of kids that were wearing Konoha-hitae protectors on their heads. Everywhere he looked, he'd see at least three or four people wearing them, adults, teenagers, or even kids.
"It looks like the Leaf-nins and their forces seem to be doing fine." commented Kisame.
"A lot of them graduated the Genin tests over the past three years," said the one in the cat mask, "The ninja academies all over Fire Country had focused their teachings, trainings, and education over those years. With the extensive teachings, they were able to produce a lot of Genins time. Thus, their numbers increased in addition to all the Gennins."
"I hope they don't just graduate totally pathetic weaklings out of desperation," commented the kunoichi in the fox blue mask.
"You know, Asami, just because you were one heck of a kunoichi even at a toddler's age doesn't mean everyone is." replied the one in the cat mask.
The female shinobi behind the mask laughed out of no reason. "Speak for yourself, hypocrite, you and I have no much difference on how we were brought up and trained as a shinobi."
She gave a light punch at her teammate at the shoulders, but didn't care the yelp of pain that came from her victim. He rubbed his right shoulder back and forth, 'Great, now I'll have to check for any sign of bruises or may be even bone fractures for that matter.'
People around them gave a stare while some tried to avoid them as the group progressed through the streets. The hilt of Samehada that protruded behind Kisame caught most of attention. While others were wondering how could one walk around in that sort of uniform all the time. Wearing an ANBU mask underneath a hood that was a part of the cloak. The sand brown cloak then trailed down, only to stop near the ankles. There was definitely air ventilation, how they could stand the unbearable heat was unknown. It was just the start of the day, it wasn't too cold or too hot. Some pedestrians were curious enough to stop and stood there and watched them walked by, and later continue walking.
"Oh Kami-sama, why did you have to bless me with good looks that even under this cloak, they would stop and admire me?" asked Kisame.
"The day people would say your face is even passed as normal is the day fishermen of the Wave Country would marry the fish they catch." said Asami as she looked up to the taller shinobi on her left.
Out of all the four, Asami was clearly the shortest. Kisame was also clearly the tallest, by one head at least. One would judge those under the mask would at least be around 19 at least.
"I'm still surprised that no Leaf-nin has decided to come and ask questions like the guard before. I mean, with this ANBU uniform and Kisame's huge sword, and the…"
Just as they made their way, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and Sai were walking from the opposite direction. Uchiha Sasuke was wearing a Chuunin vest over his usual deep blue shirt with the collar that leveled near his chin. A few things had changed: on both of his short sleeves, the Uchiha symbol of a red and white fan could clearly be seen. His hair was definitely longer though, and was definitely as tall as any average 15 year old should be. He changed his usual white short pants to the long black pants like his Jounin instructor, with the kunai holster strapped on his right thigh.
Kakashi didn't seem to have change at all. He still kept his hitae-headband tilted over his left eye, to hide the transplanted Sharingan. He was even walking around while reading his usual orange porn novel in his right hand. The only thing that changed was the title of the book in his hand at least, the book that once titled 'Icha Icha Paradise' was now 'Icha Icha Panic: Prequel Edition'.
Sakura still kept her pink hair short, just passing her ears and centimeters away from touching her shoulder. She now wore a pair of brown fingerless gloves; her clothes remained pretty much the same except it had no sleeves at all and the addition of a skirt and shinobi combat boots.
Of course in the addition of Sai of the 'Roots', he was there replacing Naruto's position until he would return back from Jiraiya's training. Kakashi had thought about having two Sasuke in Team 7 was definitely too much. But he couldn't really argue against Tsunade's decision, much less the whole council's decision. Which only consisted of two Village elders that were in the same Genin team with the old man Third Hokage.
As the groups closed in, each member of Team 7 found themselves staring at a counter part from the Sand ANBU team.
Sai had his eyes moved away and observed the four ANBU Sand-nins as each of them got closer and closer with every step. The hilt of Kisame's Samehada caught his attention even though he remained calm and collective. He still had the usual annoying, stupid smile on his face. Meanwhile Sasuke was looking at the captain that wore the mask that definitely gave a whole new meaning to word creepy.
The leader wore an Oni (Demon) mask that was totally covered in blood red, unlike the animal ANBU masks the other three wore. It had that weird scary wide grin, from cheek to cheek, that revealed long dagger like fangs. One could tell it was canine like animal from the canine teeth that stood out longer from the rest and slight narrow muzzle. A few inches from the eyeholes, the horns shot out like a pair of spikes that somehow could barely recognized as ears.
Kakashi couldn't help but look at the one in the cat mask, though his counterpart seemed to be idly looking through the shops on both sides of the street. However, Sai tried to remain calm and collected with his usual 'happy' smile on his face as he looked from the corner of his eyes.
Sakura was looking straight at Asami, trying to achieve eye contact. Asami narrowed her eyes as both kunoichis' eyes met. Finally Sasuke, Sai, and Sakura turned their attentions at the captain, the one that was totally powerful by appearance. He was definitely by far radiating the most chakra from his body compared the rest.
All eight of them stopped as they were just centimeters away from just walking into each other. More pedestrians were curious and others were chanting 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' in their heads. The people gathered around as they stopped from any of their activities.
The one in the cat mask was the first to speak, "It's rude to stare at someone you know."
"That's quite an interesting sword you got there," commented Sai, still with the stupid smile on his face.
Kisame didn't say anything, something that totally surprised Asami. She nudged Kisame in the gut so he would say something, but Kisame remained quiet. She looked at him and somehow understood why. She replied, "It is, isn't it? Do you want to see it?"
"Yes please," answered Sai calmly with full etiquette.
Kisame gave a shark grin behind the mask and he single handedly pulled upon the hilt of Samehada out and drove an uppercut right towards Sai's head. The spectators didn't even have the time to gasp or shriek from such speed. However, all members of Team 7 with the exception of Sai took out their kunai, and prepared to block the sword. The impact never came, since the Tenken sword stopped just as it was going to touch any of the kunai.
"It is one fine sword, thank you very much for showing it to me," said Sai as he observed Kisame. He didn't even budge or faze from the attack. Kisame was really impressed upon this strange unknown shinobi as he pulled back his precious weapon back into the cloak.
"I trust you are the special ANBU guards of the Kazekage?" asked Kakashi for confirmation. He had put the orange novel book back into its proper place in his vest long before both group stopped.
The captain stepped forward, gave a nod, and bowed down towards Kakashi. His team members didn't realize this was coming from their leader.
"Humph," was only thing that Sasuke react.
"Though I must agree with my student here," said Kakashi as he turned to Sai. Sai definitely didn't like the word student as there was a twitch in his left eye upon hearing the word. "You really have one interesting sword there."
Kisame got the urge to gloat around about his divine sword, but it never came out. He was about to say something when his captain once again released the freakish killing aura at Kisame, which rippled out like a wave to everyone that stood there. Of course Kisame took full once again as it totally concentrated towards him. Kisame backed away slightly and bowed down in apology.
His captain turned away, took a good look at the faces of the watching spectator that had stood there, or walked by, now frozen with in their place out of fear and their faces sweating. Even Sai stood there unable to move from the effect.
The perpetrator ushered his teammates to move on as they walked past the still frozen Leaf-nins. As he passed Sakura, he whispered just loud enough for only Sakura to hear.
"Arigato gozaimas, Haruno Sakura."
The four of them leaped over the still frozen spectators and disappeared in a swirl of sand as they were in mid air.
Several meters away, the four ANBU members materialized on top of a building. They made their way to the residential building where the Kazekage and all Sand-nins will be staying during the Jounin exams. They made their way through the reception counter: Asami took the keys to the rooms that they'll be staying. It was two rooms connected together by a door. As they walked up the stairs, they met with a Jounin ranked Sand-nin. More precisely, it was Baki, the Jounin that was once the instructor of Gaara, Temari, and Kankurou. Asami couldn't help but suppress her laughter as they bowed down and passed one another.
They entered the room and stopped right at in front of a guest table and some couches.
"Oh Kami-sama, I thought we'd never find this place." expressed the captain whom suddenly had a drastic change in behavior.
"It seems that you've finally settled down," said the one the red decorated cat mask.
"Shut it, Kabuto." Replied the captain.
"Yup, definitely settled it alright." commented Asami.
Kabuto asked, "Was that really necessary? You scared us half to death, twice! I'd have to say that we're definitely drawing attentions to ourselves. Don't you agree, Kisame-san?"
"Don't tell me you're much too scared to speak. I didn't know my killing intents were that powerful." mused the captain as he gave a look on Kisame.
"Scared?" repeated Kisame, "You pull one of that silly stunts again I'll cut your butt in half, making two to four!"
The whole atmosphere around them seemed to have taken a drastic change when the captain gave out a laugh. Kabuto and Asami joined in the laughter, though Kisame still remained pretty pissed.
"You definitely had us worried when you just stood there all quiet, doing nothing, in front of Kakashi and his team." Said Asami as she recovered from her laughter.
"You gave out the last killing intent just to scare the hell out of those people and Team 7, didn't you? Not because I was going to talk," demanded Kisame.
"Looks like someone didn't like the idea of being replaced by a weak happy go lucky shinobi, isn't that right, Naruto?" asked Kabuto as he turned his head. After sensing the coast was clear, he was the first to take off his white bone ANBU mask and lowered his brown hood. He still wore his pair of glasses, though under the bangs of slightly longer white hair.
The captain took off his mask and hood, letting the bright spiky yellow hair free. He still had the three whiskers marks on each cheek, though they were somehow longer. His dark blue eyes narrowed upon hearing the words of his teammate. He snorted, "Hah, I couldn't care any less."
"You definitely took a heavy risk in talking with Copy Cat Kakashi, him and your teammates could have recognized your voice." said Kisame as he followed suit in taking of the mask and cloak.
"Ex-teammates," corrected Naruto as he threw the mask onto the table. "After not seeing them for three whole years, had Kyuubi age my body by another three years, including my now matured broken voice. Who could have even relate that the captain of a special ANBU force is actually the dead last Uzumaki Naruto?"
"He's got you there, Kisame." muttered Kabuto as he sat down on a three-seated leather couch.
"If they did recognize and capture you, man I can't wait to see how they would even react." replied Kisame as he put down Samehada and leaned it onto a wall.
"If they could catch me that is," mused Naruto as he sat on a couch opposite to Kabuto. "I'd like to see if they could even touch me."
Asami took of her blue fox mask, revealing a much stunning beautiful young kunoichi. She lowered and disentangled her cloak; as she let the shoulder length, blazing red hair free. She sat right next to Naruto and gave him a light punch on the shoulders.
Naruto winced in pain, as he slowly rubbed the spot and let Kyuubi's chakra heal any damages. Kabuto somewhat looked relieved only when Asami would hit anybody but him.
"Don't get too cocky," warned Asami with a smile.
"I won't." said Naruto as he replied Asami's smile with his own foxy grin. He looked at his three teammates, "Now let's finish this one once and for all."
All four of them said in unison with excitement on every word.
"To kill the last of the Sound. That Snake bastard, Orochimaru."
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