Chapter 10 – Mission: Escort to the Waterfall

Anko watched as her team laughed and cheered. She was truly happy for them and their success. They deserved it in her mind as they all dealt with issues in their lives. It also took a lot of worries off her chest as their sensei. In the beginning, she was a terrible sensei to them and it nearly cost her. Yet, she got better, which meant they got better. Now, her hard work showed as they were all chunin.

Seeing that her team was having fun, it was time for her to have some fun of her own. Pulling out a small vile, Anko spiked her team's drinks without them knowing. They would figure it out but they couldn't do anything about it. She might pay for it later but she was going to have her fun tonight.

XXX

Tsunade grumbled as she did paperwork. She cursed that blond mentally, blaming him for this predicament. Despite her displeasure, Tsunade managed to get things back to normal quickly. While the invasion knocked them down, she managed to pick them up. She even implemented some ideas that she wanted to do before. The only hiccup she had was the antics of team Anko. While it was funny when it happened to others, she did not appreciate the prank done to her. That was a week ago and each member was still paying the price.

A knock distracted her. She told the person to enter and the door opened to reveal Shizune.

"Ma'am, team Gai is here." She said.

"Send them in." The team of Neji, Tenten and Lee were ushered in. Tsunade knew the team well as she had to work on both male members. Lee was lucky to still be a shinobi. She saw the excitement on Tenten's face and figured that she was a fan of hers. She had several in her youth. "Team Gai, thank you for coming. Being that you are the most senior of the genin teams, you were called in. Truthfully, you were my second choice."

"Second choice ma'am?" Neji asked.

"I originally had team Kakashi to do this mission. However, Sasuke is still recovering and Kakashi is limiting his team to D-ranks as punishment. So, this C-rank is yours." Tsunade explained.

"What is the mission Lady Tsunade?" Lee asked with excitement.

"Sorry but your youthful fires won't be strokes by this mission. It is a simple escort mission to Takigakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Waterfall). You are escorting their leader, Shibuki." She said. Lee deflated a little after that.

"Will Gai-sensei be leading us?" Tenten asked, noticing that her sensei wasn't in the room.

"Because of the invasion, I have the jonin doing high ranking mission to help the village. So, I am letting several chūnin carry the load, leading the genin. This particular chunin is getting his first mission as the leader and he will be leading you." That's when there was another knock.

"Lady Hokage, chūnin Wanatabe Jakken is reporting as requested." He said. Tenten visibly froze when she heard his voice. Tsunade saw this and was curious.

"Enter." She said and he did. Jakken was now wearing black baggy pants that reached below his knees. His shins were taped up. He also wore a standard Konoha sweater with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his ninja mesh and most of his forearm. His new chunin flak vest completed the outfit as did his weapon hanging off a bolt.

"Reporting for duty…" Jakken began when he caught sight of team Gai. Seeing Tenten's horror, he quickly put everything together. "Oh, I knew that it was going to be good day. I am going to enjoy this mission so much." He said with a wide grin. Tenten was openly weeping while Lee chuckled and Neji sighed. Tsunade wondered what was going on right now.

XXX

"So Jakken was the first to get a mission? That's lame." Naruto said. He dodged a red ball before tossing another ball, striking a young girl in the head. "Nice try brat but my ninja skills are too great for you!" The young girl grumbled and made her way over to the others that Naruto had eliminated, each of them holding their heads. The blond chunin was engaging the class in a game of ninja dodgeball. Yakumo was standing at the sidelines speaking to him.

"You think that is funny? Get this, he's leading team Gai." She explained.

"Man, Tenten must be pissed. You know that he's going to lord this over her the most." Naruto said and dodged several balls before catching two balls and throwing them both back, outing four students. "You're out Moegi, Udon, Konohamaru, Hyuga!"

"Yeah, I just hope he takes this seriously. He's a chunin now." Yakumo said. That's when the whistle blew. Naruto cheered in victory.

"Ha, Uzumaki Naruto wins again!" The academy students grumbled and glared as they began to file into the building. Yakumo looked at her teammate with surprise.

"I thought for sure you would hate this. Didn't the Godaime put you here as punishment?" she asked.

"Yeah but if she thinks that this will break me, her mind is just as old as her body. Trust me, give me until the end of the week and Iruka-sensei will be begging her to get rid of me." Naruto said. This would be true as he heard Iruka shout his name. Yakumo just sighed and left him to the elder chūnin's wrath.

XXX

The team of four were on their way to Takigakure. Team Jakken, as the leader named them, covered the Taki leader in a diamond formation. Neji was in front with Jakken and Tenten on the flanks and Lee in the rear. As they traveled, they were going over their mission. One thing was said that did not please Tenten.

"What in the hell do you mean that we are dropping him off near the entrance?! We're supposed to escort him into the village!" she yelled.

"We would but Shibuki-sama won't allow us into the village. If you knew anything about Takigakure, you wouldn't question your leader." Jakken said mockingly.

"What do you mean sensei?" Lee asked, annoying Tenten.

"Stop calling him that!" Tenten roared.

"Well my student," Tenten growled at two. "In the history of the ninja world, Takigakure has never been found and never been invaded. They are a true hidden village and they would like to keep it that way. That's why when we get close enough to the entrance, Neji is going to shut off his eyes, we are going to drop him off to the entrance and then we head back home, mission successful." Jakken explained.

"That you for that, for understanding and respect the secrets of my village." Shibuki said.

"Well, my sensei likes to be informed about the outside of Konoha. She literally beat it into my team. I think it's a little too much but that is the nature of the ninja world. So, you can stop worry so much before you give yourself a heart-attack." Jakken said.

"Y-Yes, I will try. Again, sorry about my earlier outburst with the bird." Shibuki said, a little embarrassed.

"It happens to the best of us." Jakken said but the members of team Gai knew that he was just being nice. Earlier in the journey, Neji's and Lee's positions were reversed until a bird scared the hell out of Shibuki. Jakken saw just how shocked he was and decided to change positions. Since then, it had been smooth sailing. However, Jakken voiced his concerns secretly to the team. If Shibuki was indeed the leader of Takigakure, why was he so easy to scare?

XXX

Anko entered the large hall to see every jonin gathered. It was a meeting called by the Hokage. Anko had no idea what it was about as she was stuck in the village, doing D-ranks. What was once a hundred D-rank missions turned into two hundred because of her 'prank'. So far, she managed about fifty missions already. She would have added on if it wasn't for the mission.

Anko walked up to Kurenai and Asuma who were also waiting.

"Well, if it isn't the D-rank mistress herself." Asuma joked, earning a glare from the woman. Kurenai also got one after she giggled.

"It's your own fault Anko. I mean seriously, spiking your team's drink with one hundred percent alcohol?" Kurenai asked.

"It was a harmless prank. No one got really hurt." Anko argued.

"The Hyuga, the Hokage, councilwoman Haruno, Sakura and Mebuki would disagree with you." Asuma said. Anko scoffed at that. That's when Tsunade entered with the elders. Everyone stood at attention and waited for her to speak.

"This meeting will be short and to the point. We are hearing rumblings from Iwa and Kumo. Already, I have sent teams to the border to keep an eye out on them. As for the village itself, we should be okay if we all do our part. I have gotten word from Suna and the alliance is reformed. Hopefully, it will stay that way." Tsunade reported.

"Have they named a new Kazekage yet?" asked one shinobi.

"Not that I know of. Right now, the council is in charge and they are also in rebuild mode." Tsunade asked.

"What about Gaara?" asked Anko. "Does he still want to kill my student?"

"Actually, from what I have heard, Gaara has changed somewhat. He isn't as blood-thirsty as before. I don't think you have to worry about the brat. What you do have to worry about are the complaints I'm getting from the academy. Apparently, the defiant little shit is taking his punishment out on the students. He played a game of ninja dodgeball with the students."

"That doesn't sound too bad." Anko said. Tsunade pulled out a very thick file and opened it.

"Two bloody noses, sixteen bruises and two concussions. He has also taught the class to prank the teacher staff, which has resulted in massive property damage and hurt feelings. Then there is the mural on the side of the academy." Tsunade said.

"In Naruto's defense, he has done that before and this one is much better than the old one." Anko said. Tsunade narrowed her eyes at her. Anko could only chuckle nervously.

XXX

"You do know that this is your fault Naruto." Anko said to him. She checked in another person who came into the village. The jonin and chunin were now on guard duty at the village gates.

"Don't worry sensei, I have a plan." Naruto said.

"Oh, you have a plan do you? Here's what I think of your plan." Anko said and kicked him in the face. Anko grumble and went back to doing her job.

XXX

Jakken was showing the kids his weapons when he noticed Tenten.

"Hey Buns, stop slacking off and pick up that garbage! You are representing Konoha and I won't have you humiliate us!" Jakken shouted with some amusement. The harsh glare he received did not deter his amusement. The little girl looked at Jakken with curiosity.

"Hey, do you like her or something?" she asked. Jakken looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"What do you ask me that?" Jakken asked.

"My brother told me that boys are mean to the girls they like." She said. Her brother, who was with them, gave her a look.

"Not to say anything bad about your brother but he's wrong. While she's a good friend and good mocking material, I don't like in that way. Is some boy doing that to you?" Jakken asked.

"No because I would beat them up." She joked, making Jakken smirk. It took a while but all the garbage was picked up. It was an extra task that Shibuki gave them. Jakken took the job, letting him know that it will be added to the mission.

"Well, now that we are done, we will get out of your hair." Jakken said.

"Come on, can't we eat something first?" Tenten complained.

"Again, village secret entrance that they don't want us to know about." Jakken countered.

"Sorry but your leader is right. Again, thank you for all your help." Shibuki said. The team was preparing to leave when they all hear a woman's voice. The woman stepped out and the girl called her mommy. However, Jakken saw the kunai that was lodged in her back. Shibuki noticed it as did the team.

"Neji!" Jakken said. Neji activated his eyes and caught sight of someone coming out of the waterfall.

"Four, incoming!" Neji shouted and four figures popped out of the waterfall. Team Gai looked at the four and prepared for battle.

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Authors' Notes: Sorry for the late updates. Here's the new chapter to this story.