Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Chapter 11
Team's 4 & 7 walked through the gates of Konoha. Most of the genin were anxious to get home for different reasons. Tomaru wanted to tell his family all about how he singlehandedly bested an entire team of enemy ninja. Fuki and Sakura wanted to take nice long baths and finally relax after such a stressful mission. Sasuke had awakened his Sharingan during the battle against Haku and was eager to get home and scour the family library for jutsu and tips on strengthening his dojutsu.
Naruto was the only one not excited about being back in Konoha. He knew Hayama was expecting answers as was team 7's jōnin-sensei for some reason beyond him at the moment. He was sure the two were going to tell the Hokage about what happened. He was just glad everyone was still mostly confused on what he did so they couldn't tell the Hokage he had a bloodline.
That only left Naruto with the problem of if he wanted to tell the man or not. Naruto was not sure what his obligations were on this.
'Was he supposed to have told the Hokage he had a bloodline?'
'He didn't lie about having one or not. Would he be in trouble?'
'What could the old man do to him exactly for not reporting that he had a kekkei genkai?'
'It wasn't like there was some sign-up sheet with a box that said check 'yes' if you had a kekkei genkai'
'Why do I even care. They would know if they didn't ignore me or shun me like they did. I never tried to hide it in the first place. No one bothered to notice or care about me'
The two jōnin were a bit anxious although they hid it well even from each other. Of course their anxiousness was for different reasons. Kakashi was anxious to insert himself in the blonde's life and assume some kind of distant big brother role. Someone he could look up to, but only occasionally seek advice or guidance from.
Hayama was anxious because he already hid the fact the kid had a summon contract. He wasn't too worried about that, because there was no guideline on reporting something like that. He knew he should have, but there was nothing saying he had too and he did promise the kid.
Things were different now that it seemed Naruto was hiding even more from him and the village. This would cause suspicion to fall on both of them especially when he would have to add that Fuki also had one that was a result of a recent mission. He had omitted that entirely from the report, which could be seen a traitorous act but only by the hardcore sect.
Both groups walked into the mission office and wrote out their after action mission report. Naruto tried to persuade everyone one last time that it was a simple shunshin, but neither sensei bought it so his plea fell on deaf ears. Thankfully they did not have to face the Hokage as he was busy with his council and unable to see them. The jōnin let the genin go, but Team 4 would have a meeting the next day unlike Team 7 which was given the week off.
The next day Team 4 plus Hatake-san were standing in Training Ground Twenty-Three and were looking at Naruto awaiting an explanation.
"Umm … not to be rude but why is Hatake-san here?" Naruto asked.
"Maa, maa Naruto-kun, I told you to call me Kakashi-sensei from now on remember" Kakashi replied.
Hayama and Team 4 looked at the man strangely for a minute before Hayama tried to get things back on track.
"Look Naruto, I'm sorry but Hatake-san made a good point. This happened on a joint mission with his team and I don't need to tell you this but I suspect at some point we will both be summoned to answer questions about the report we gave. Hatake-san does have a right to be here so that we can confirm what you tell us and please don't lie to us" Hayama tells him.
"*Sigh* What do you want to know?" Naruto asked.
He ran his left hand through his hair absently put off at having to do this. Naruto wasn't sure at what point this became a secret, but he liked that no one knew about what he could do and he didn't want everyone to know. Why should everyone know his business anyway.
"You know what we want to know Naruto. You displayed an uncommon amount of speed on the bridge when you engaged that enemy kunoichi and rescued Inuzuka-san and Uchiha-san. How were you able to move that fast?" Hayama questioned.
Everyone looked at Naruto intently.
"Fine, I have a kekkei genkai. I believe it's called Swift release" Naruto says.
"Swift release?" Hayama questioned.
"I read about it in an old history book about Clans. One had the Swift release bloodline, but there was little written about them other than they died out for some reason" Naruto explains.
"When did you learn about this?" Hayama continued.
"On my birthday before I started the academy" Naruto answers.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Hayama asked.
Kakashi was also especially interested in this answer as shown by the fact he hadn't even taken his orange book out yet.
"No one asked me. Before I joined this team no one even bothered to talk to me to get to know me. Even Iruka-san ignored me in class until my final year of the academy. Before that everyone just acted like I wasn't there no matter what I did to get attention. So there wasn't anybody to tell" Naruto tells them.
At his explanation both Tomaru and Fuki tried to think back during their academy years and realized they too had ignored Naruto. Tomaru because his parents warned him against interacting with the blond kid although they never said anything bad about him or gave a reason why. Fuki, because like most of the females at the academy she was into Sasuke and being apart of the in-crowd. The others ignored Naruto so she ignored him too.
They both held their heads down upon realizing that. Kakashi also somewhat lamented his choice to ignore his sensei's kid, but the Sandiame said they should leave him be and let him grow on his own without interference. Hayama didn't know how to feel about it. He knew of Naruto or at least the demon container, but never ran into the kid to his knowledge. Konoha was a big place.
"Alright, I guess that explains most of the problem. Is there anything else you are hiding?" Hayama asked.
"I train before and after Team Training on Training Ground 3" Naruto answers.
"Anything else?" He asked again.
"You know about the summons so … no" Naruto answers.
"Summons? What summons?" Kakashi asked.
Hayama slapped his face in frustration. He was really hoping Naruto would avoid mentioning that in mixed company, but it seems like that wasn't possible anymore. Naruto also blushed slightly in embarrassment when he realized Hayama hadn't wanted him to reveal that particular secret.
"Naruto is a summoner for the Cheetah clan" Hayama answers for Naruto.
"Cheetah clan?" Kakashi questioned.
"I am their first summoner" Naruto says answering the unasked question.
"You are full of surprises aren't you Naruto-kun" Kakashi says offhandedly.
"I got what I need. I'll leave your team alone to finish your meeting now. I hope we can talk some more again Naruto-kun" Kakashi says before leaving.
Now that they were alone Team 4 talked some more before dropping the issue of Naruto's bloodline. Hayama decided to call it a day, but said they would meet again tomorrow to train. Everyone went their own way which left Naruto alone once again, but he decided against training just yet. He had already trained before the meeting and would wait a few hours before doing any more.
This left him with nothing to do though so he decided to walk through the village. Unfortunately for Hayama he wasn't as lucky. As soon as the team meeting ended an ANBU informed him that the Hokage wanted to speak with him. Hayama knew Kakashi was probably receiving the same message if he already hadn't.
With a nod to the ANBU that quickly left Hayama used a sunshine to reach the Hokage mansion. He then walked up the stairs until he reached the level the Hokage's office was on and then announced his arrival to the Hokage's secretary. He really had hoped he could get a few minutes just to gather his thoughts, but apparently the Hokage was waiting on him and he was sent on in to the room. If he didn't know already he now had no doubt what this meeting would be about.
"Take a seat Shirakuma-san" the Hokage directs.
Hayama took the seat in front of the old Hokage and befitting a man of his rank any anxiety he may have been feeling was well hid. His face was the picture of calm as he sat tall in the chair.
"I called you here Shirakumo-san to explain a few inconsistencies in the reports that I received about your last mission with Team 7" the Hokage says not beating around the bush.
Hayama nodded at the statement still not giving anything away.
"I'd like you to tell me in your own words about what happened on this mission and please do not leave out any detail" The Hokage says.
While Hayama was being grilled Naruto was walking through the streets of Konoha. As usual he was ignored as the populace went about their day like he didn't exist. It was fine with him really at this point he had even begun to like it a little. His solitude was interrupted by an unexpected source.
"Uzumaki" said one Shikamaru Nara.
Naruto noted that the boy was keeping his lazy, aloof demeanor yet he seemed intent on something. He responded back with a neutral look of his own.
"Hello Nara-san" Naruto replied.
Both boy's walked in silence a little ways before Shikamaru addressed him again.
"I want you to stay away from Chōji" Shikamaru says.
Naruto stopped walking as he heard this and Shikamaru calmly turned to face the slightly older boy.
"I'm not sure I heard you correctly Nara-san. Could you repeat what you just said?" Naruto asked.
"Why must you be so troublesome … I want you to stay away from Chōji and my home" The Nara youth adds.
"Chōji is my friend. We hang out, eat food, and read manga. Why do you care if we hang out?" Naruto asked.
"Chōji is my best friend and we understand each other. I don't need you messing that up by trying to change him" Shikamaru throws back.
Naruto stared at the black haired boy curiously for a moment. Shikamaru didn't back down and continued to stare at the boy with an irritated expression. He couldn't be bothered to do more than that and actually look angry, but he was.
"What makes you think I am trying to change him?" Naruto asked.
"You are making him do stuff he normally wouldn't do" Shika argued.
"We have only met a few times. I haven't tried to make him do anything. What's really going on here? Do you have a problem with me?" Naruto asked pointedly.
"Yeah … I have a problem. You made me look bad. First at the academy, then you try to befriend Chōji for no reason at all, and now I have to listen to my mom lecture me every day because of you" Shikamaru responds.
"I don't even remember talking to you at the academy. You were always asleep. And I thought Chōji was a nice guy, because he was always trying to make friends with others despite how mean they were to him always calling him names and bullying him. I thought he would be nice to have as a friend. And your mom was a nice lady … I'm not sure what your problem is, but it doesn't seem to be with me" Naruto says strongly.
Frankly he didn't need this crap. He didn't even know this kid. This was all very strange.
"Whatever, just remember what I said and stay away from him … and my mom" Shikamaru throws back.
It was still very weird especially since neither had been yelling despite the tense atmosphere. Naruto watched as the lazy kid then walked off slowly with some kind of stick in him mouth and his hands in his pocket. This was all very annoying. He just walked the other way not even caring to see Shikamaru turn to look back at him and make one last threat before angrily noting he was all alone on the deserted street.
Back with Hayama and the Hokage he had just finished giving the full report.
"So let me get this straight … Naruto has been hiding a kekkei genkai and a summons contract which he revealed to you, but you failed to report. Am I correct Jōnin?" The Sandiame questioned.
"Yes Hokage-sama" Hayama responds firmly.
The look on Hayama's face betrayed no emotion as he kept his eyes on the old Kage.
"Tell me why I shouldn't strip you of your command, demote you back to chūnin, and place you on permanent guard duty. I'm sure Hagane-san and Kamazuki-san won't mind the added company. The Barrier Team is always looking for new applicants" The old man threatens.
Even Ibiki would pale at such a threat and Hayama was no different.
"I beg your forgiveness Hokage-sama. Naruto asked me to keep what he told me about his summons in confidence and I didn't want to break his trust. He assured me he would eventually let it be known he had gained a contract and I didn't find out about the Kekkai Genkai until he revealed it on the bridge. He confirmed it just before the ANBU found me" Hayama explains.
The old man sat in his chair and puffed on his pipe as he studied the man in front of him. He had no reason to believe Shirokumo-san was telling him a lie. If anything it just confirmed his suspicion that Naruto was hiding things from him and what the team he had trailing them reported earlier.
For a normal shinobi that would be understandable and expected. Naruto was not a normal shinobi by any standards. He couldn't allow the boy to continue to keep these kind of secrets, but there was nothing he could actually do about it.
'He seems to trust Shirakumo-san and his team at least with some of his secrets. Still, this could be dangerous if this continues. Naruto should feel like he could trust me' the old man thought.
He never once took his withering stare off of Hayama delighting in making the experienced ninja uncomfortable. Some times in being Hokage it was the little things that made the job bearable.
"I'll over look this for now Shirakumo-san, but from now on I expect accurate and detailed reports from you and your team. Allow Naruto-kun for now to keep his secrets, but if he confides in you further I want to know about anything he tells you, understand" The Hokage orders.
"Hai, Hokage-sama" Hayama says with a deep bow.
"You can join us now Kakashi" The Hokage says.
And as he said Hatake came out from behind the curtains of his office window seemingly reading his book once more.
"And put away the book or you will be joining Kotetsu and Izumo" the Hokage adds.
Kakashi put the book back in his pocket faster than even the Hokage could follow after the threat was levied.
"Good, now I will inform the both of you that the Chūnin Exams are in Konoha this year and will commence at the beginning of the month. I have already informed Asuma and Kurenai of the upcoming event. I was willing to allow the rookie teams to make their own decisions, but in light of recent revelations I want all of the genin to participate" The Hokage tells them.
This of course alarm both Hayame and Kakashi. Kakashi didn't even bother to try to look aloof at the news.
"Excuse me Hokage-sama, but the nominations and participation of the genin teams is supposed to be voluntary is it not?" Hayama questioned.
The Hokage looked at both shinobi again before taking about puff of his pipe. He then turned to look out his window.
"That is correct and I will not force the genin to participate even Naruto. But … you will nominate your teams when I ask for them and inform your teams. You are only to inform them after I have formally asked for your nominations … am I understood" The Hokage says.
Both respond with a crisp, "Hai".
But Kakashi had to ask.
"Forgive me Hokage-sama, but what good would nominating them do if they can still refuse?" The copy-nin asked.
The Hokage took on a look of deep thought before answering.
"Once informed I believe the team members will push each other to join the competition. Young Sasuke for example no doubt still feels pressure to measure up to Itachi and Sakura-chan won't want to disappoint him, and Kiba's to brash not to respond to the challenge as well forcing Sasuke's hand if he proves to be reluctant" The Sandiame analyzes.
"Yamanka will take care of Team 10 ensuring that they will enter. Team 8 is actually the most troubling to figure out. Of the three genin only one has any chance of making it past the first round, but even that would be beneficial. However, since the Hyūga girl has confidence issue and the Kurama heiress is still working through her physical ailments the Aburame will wisely look to abstain from the competition. It is Kurenai herself that will push them into competing as she herself feels pressure to prove she's as good as the three of you male sensei's" Sarutobi adds.
"What about my team Hokage-sama? Naruto is rather difficult to predict?" Hayama asks.
"Tomaru's dream has always been to become Hokage and it wasn't so long ago that a young Naruto shared a similar dream with me. He may have forgotten or moved on from that dream, but I believe in the end he will support Tomaru-kun" The Hokage answers.
Both men nod at the Hokage-s thinking even if it secretly worried them.
"Now you have a month to get your teams prepared as best as possible. You may want to cut back on the missions during this time and focus more on training. You are both dismissed" The Hokage tells them.
Both jōnin immediately vanish leaving the old man to his thoughts. Things were becoming more difficult. The situation with Naruto was at an all-time low. The old man knew he had neglected his duty to the boy and now he wasn't sure if there was enough time to reconnect and guide the boy along the proper path.
'Perhaps it's time Jiraiya-kun meets his godson' Sarutobi thought.
2 weeks later
Team 4 spent the next two weeks since the mission to Wave training. Hayama took to increasing their training by exposing them to new aspects of being a shinobi while still working on refining what they already knew. He had also continued their work with meditation, which was still slow going unfortunately.
One of the things he introduced them to was poisons. For that he asked for help from a Tokubetsu Jōnin named Mitarashi Anko. Together the two jōnin taught the genin about the application of poison, different types of poison, how to recognize poison, how to defend against poison, and lastly how to treat yourself if poisoned on a mission or away from medical help. It was the longest and scariest week of the genin's life.
The genin were glad to see the woman and her many snakes go away Friday. Hayama even apologized for putting them through such an experience by letting them have the whole weekend off. Still, they had learned a lot from the woman during the week and would remember the lessons.
Although it did poke at a sore spot for Tomaru who felt like he was reminded everyday he didn't have a summon as Anko liberally used hers and the day before had Naruto and Fuki call on their summons to have a 3-way spar. Anko held back on summoning one of her larger snakes even to level the playing field since Naruto and Fuki were still new to summoning. Hayama also informed the Hokage about Fuki, which further shocked the old man at the growing similarities between his genin team and Hayama's.
The other areas that would be touched on were medical ninjutsu, bukijutsu, shurikenjutsu, and introduced them briefly to fūinjutsu. Hayama's plan was to have other jōnin that were more familiar with these areas to help him teach the genin and perhaps expand on what he knew as well. He hoped they could get in 3 solid weeks of training between a few missions, changing the focus and teacher so that his kids would be prepared for anything they would come across during the Exams.
Now it was Monday and Team 4 stood in the Hokage's office as he gave each member an appraising look, taking a bit longer with Naruto than the others although he hid it well.
"Team 4 reporting for a mission, Hokage-sama" Hayama says.
"Alright, we have a mission to babysit Lady Sasaki's three children and a mission to walk the Inuzuka dogs. Which one will you take?" The old man offered.
"Actually Hokage-sama, I was thinking a C-rank mission would be more beneficial to my team" Hayama interjects.
This cause the three genin to look at their sensei with surprise since they were sure they were back to dirty diaper duty once more, but were pleased at the change. The Sandaime meanwhile puffed on his pipe in thought for a minute before giving consent.
"I think I have something appropriate for your team …" The Hokage says.
A chūnin quickly retrieved a scroll after the Hokage gave him a nod. Unraveling the scroll the Hokage looked it over before handing it to Hayama. And then Hayama looked it over before nodding his acceptance.
"Team 4 your mission will be to investigate and perform a background check on a woman by the name of Kin Kichida. The individual that requested this mission has requested that the report be as detailed as possible and given to them in 3 days. Will you accept the mission?" The Hokage says.
"Yes, Hokage-sama" Hayama says after conferring with his team.
This type of mission was perfect in Hayama's mind as he felt his team needed a break after dealing with Anko. He really regretted asking her for help, especially since in order to secure her help the woman demanded he treat her to Dango for a month. Hayama managed to whittle that down to 3 dinners, but if last night was an example of what he could expect then he was going to be broke after the second dinner and in-debt up to his eyeballs after the third unless he could arrange to get his team sent on a couple of B-rank missions.
The mission would also serve to expose them to another aspect of being a ninja. It wasn't all fights and rescuing people. There was a mental component to being a ninja that was often over looked or under valued. Hayama wanted his team to get that message before it was too late.
"Alright, you have your mission. You are dismissed" The Hokage says.
Hayama and the team bowed in respect to the old leader before filing out of the room. The team walked back to the training grounds where they then began to discuss the mission.
"Alright team, this mission will be different than any we have done before. This one will require you to use your minds, stealth, and tracking ability. I realize I haven't taught you that much about stealth or tracking yet, but you should be able to do your part in this mission" Hayama tells them.
"How do we check someone's background sensei?" Fuki asked.
"Part of it is looking up their recorded information. Financial records, Commercial records, Medical records, School records, and see if they have a Criminal record" Hayama informs them.
"How do you find all that?" Tomaru asked.
"Most of the records are kept on file in the Hokage mansion. For those that aren't I will have to go around and talk to different people that have access to that information. It's not that hard to do really and I will show each of you what I'm talking about later, but I have something different for you three to do" Hayama explains.
The genin were eager to find out what they were going to do. Tomaru and Naruto were just glad they didn't have to look up some boring files. That really sounded lame and suspiciously like school work. Fuki also shared their thoughts, but she also wondered if they had a file on her and what it contained.
"What will we be doing sensei?" Naruto asked.
"You three are going to follow the client without letting her see you" Hayama announces.
"Ohh …" the 3 genin say collectively.
"Also if you find her away from her home I want two of you to sneak away and break in with one acting as a lookout. You will need to wear your communication devises and stay in contact with each other at all times. I want at least one of you following the target closely at all times. I doubt this will take longer than a few days to complete, but remember to switch off and one of you get some rest after you have been able to successfully break into the apartment and search it for anything of interest. I will find you after I have completed my half of the mission, understood?" Hayama explains.
"Hai, sensei" they all say.
"Then take the rest of the day off. We'll start bright and early tomorrow morning. Here is the targets information and photo i.d.. Any questions?" Hayama asks.
"What if we have to take a bathroom break?" Tomaru asks.
"Then go to the bathroom, but let your teammates know before you do so" Hayama responds.
"Anything else?" He asks.
This time all three shook their heads.
"Alright then you are dismissed, but remember to set up a meeting point so the three of you can set up your surveillance properly. If anything happens contact me on my radio by tuning to this frequency" Hayama says.
He hands them a slip of paper and then let's them go home. He wasn't too worried. The worst that could happen is the target would find out about the investigation, but it was pretty standard stuff so it wouldn't be a big deal unless something was really going on.
Next Day
Team 4 was hiding outside of the woman's apartment. It was still morning and they hadn't detected any signs of movement, which must have meant the target was still asleep. The genin took positions around the property and waited for their target. They didn't have to wait long. At 7:15 she walked out of her apartment, locked the door, and headed to work.
That morning the team decided that Tomaru would be the one to follow her initially while Naruto and Fuki broke into her apartment and looked around. They were still unsure as to what they were supposed to be looking for exactly.
When the woman and Tomaru were gone Naruto snuck up to her apartment and used his lock picking set to easily gain entrance. Since the woman had no shinobi background or any family living with her it was easy for him to gain entrance with Fuki quickly following as they closed the door behind them.
They snooped around for an hour looking through photos, bills, Fuki checked the bed and bathrooms, Naruto had the pleasure of going through the garbage. The apartment wasn't that big really, and didn't have many hiding places or at least none that they saw. Naruto had remembered to bring a camera and snapped a few pictures of each of the rooms. They left quietly and linked back up with Tomaru outside of the woman's work place.
They spent the rest of the day following her on her lunch break and then back to her house. After the lights turned out at around 10:30 in her apartment the genin began rotating shifts like Hayama suggested with Naruto and Fuki letting Tomaru go first as he seemed ready to drop anyway. When he came back in 3 hours Fuki then got some rest, and then Naruto.
Naruto arrived back on the scene just as the woman left her apartment and headed to work at exactly 7:15. They followed again with the same thing happening as she went on a 30 minute lunch break around noon, finished work a little after 6 o'clock, and lights out at 10:30. That was when Hayama appeared and rejoined the team.
Hayama looked at his genin and saw that each one looked a little tired and frustrated, which is exactly how he expected to find them which is why he wasn't going to prolong this mission over the period of several weeks like it would normally take. He really just wanted them to experience some of the more mundane and less talked about aspects of being a ninja.
Besides, this mission was perfect for a young genin team to get their feet wet. The woman was a model employ and had been for over a decade. The position she was being promoted to was more upper-middle management and pretty much just giving her a fancier title for doing the same work with a little more responsibility, a little less oversight, and a little more money in her paycheck. There really was nothing that stood out about this woman or the job she did. It was just a routine check to kick the tires so to speak and more of a precaution than anything.
When he asked for a report he got pretty much what he expected, nothing. Everything had checked out on his end as well with all the checks coming up as normal. He was about to send his team home and call the mission complete when the door to the apartment opened.
Instead of a late thirties, brown haired, average height, average weight, woman that wore glasses and conservative clothing stepped out a kunoichi in typical dark ninja attire. The unknown kunoichi had the same hair color as their target and height, but Hayama noted her build was slimmer and more agile.
"Who is that?" Tomaru asked confused.
"I don't know, get ready to follow. Fuki I need you to check the apartment in case our target is still inside and needs help. Be careful there might be hidden traps that weren't there earlier, and come find us if you don't find anything" Hayama ordered.
Not even a second passed between him saying that and the kunoichi taking off using the rooftops for visibility on a clear night and speed. Hayama and the boys quickly matched her, but it even surprised Hayama how fast the woman was moving as she was slowly getting further ahead of them.
It wasn't long until she stopped and dropped down on the ground and then ran again for one of the Easter sections of the Forest surrounding Konoha. Team 4 still managed to keep the woman in range and followed at a safe distance stopping when she did at an old indistinguishable tree.
From there it was a waiting game. Fuki even had time to catch up informing them that the apartment was clear and that she found the woman's clothes discarded in her bathroom, but no sign of any struggle. It was obvious this woman was a spy and had been for some time. The only suspicious thing about her was her lack of any real connections to any of her co-workers or people in the community. Everyone Hayama had talked to described her in the same way, as a normal unremarkable hard working woman with little or no personal life.
At 3:15 a.m. another man entered the clearing. Hayama clearly made out the hitai-ate (forehead protector) of a Suna shinobi.
'What is a Suna-nin doing here?'
'I'll have to inform Hokage-sama of this right away' Were a few of Hayama's thoughts.
The genin watched with anticipation already tense and expecting a fight.
"Calm down" Hayama told them quietly.
"But sensei …" Tomaru started only for Hayama to cover his mouth.
He shook his head at the boy and then motioned all of them to be silent.
The meeting between the woman and the ninja was fairly simple and neither seemed on high alert as if they had done this already many times. The woman produced a folder of document she had hidden on her body and handed it to the man. The Suna shinobi then took an exaggerated whiff of the folder and grinned before saying something to the kunoichi. They bantered back and forth for a bit and then both went their separate ways.
Hayama left the genin to follow the woman back to the apartment. He was sure she wouldn't make any further moves, which proved correct. Once the woman was back in her apartment the genin tense from the unexpected action quickly found themselves exhausted but held out until Hayama arrived just before dawn.
"Team our mission is over. Go home and get some rest and then report to the Hokage Tower at 2:00 to be debriefed and hand in your mission report" Hayama tells them.
"But sensei! She's a spy! Why aren't we …" Before Tomaru could go further Hayama muffled him once more.
"Tomaru this is no longer any of your concern. I know what you saw, but it's being handled by the Hokage now. You all did a good job on this mission, but now you have to let it go and move on. We still have more training to do before our next mission" Hayama says sternly.
"Why?" Naruto asked.
He like Tomaru also wanted to continue on this mission. That woman had seemed so boring and dull, and then bam she was all super spy moving in and out of the village and only they had noticed! He wanted to expose her and find out who she was working for just like Tomaru. Fuki also felt the same as the boys knowing how big a breech this could be to village security.
"Look … your all ninja now. Sometimes you get to be the hero's and then other times you have to let someone else save the day or help them do so. Our mission was only to follow this woman and do a simple investigation. We have done our job and possibly uncovered a dangerous element within the village. None of you are equipped to handle a mission this sensitive right now, but your time will come.
For now you have to rest on that you did your job and helped your village. I hope I don't have to tell any of you that this mission is secret and that you cannot tell anyone about it. If asked you will say it was a simple C-rank and that nothing happened. Am I understood" Hayama tells them.
"Hai, sensei" The trio responds.
None of them put much heart into it as they really wanted to continue the mission.
"Good, now get some rest and meet me at 2 o'clock. You are dismissed" Hayama says.
Team 4 breaks up each going home. When Tomaru got home he found his mother in the kitchen beginning to cook breakfast and asked if he would be joining them. He mumbled a quick no and headed to bed with his thoughts still on the mission and the mysterious woman. He never assumed anyone could get inside Konoha without someone knowing about it and this was definitely a big surprise to him. He couldn't understand why they didn't stop the woman or the foreign shinobi. He didn't understand any of it.
Naruto and Fuki went home to exactly the same thing they went home to everyday, an empty apartment. They also shared Tomaru's thoughts and wondered what would happen. All 3 found it hard to get to sleep, but eventually did and then woke up to give their report.
For the rest of the week things went back to normal for Team 4 as they were forced back into to training mode. Still each one would think of that mission and that woman occasionally, but eventually they forgot as Hayama introduced them to another new sensei. This time it was Hana Inuzuka, and she introduced the team to the finer details of tracking. Hana also was good enough to also introduce the team to medical ninjutsu, but only spent a few days on that as none of them seemed adapt at it. Hana did leave them with material they could go over on their own time individually if they were still interested.
Hayama then decided against doing another C-rank and instead had the team do a series of mind numbing D-ranks followed by another week of training, but this time there was no new sensei. Team 4 spent the time going over all they had learned and basic teamwork exercises and formations.
At the end of the fifth week Hayama saw a bird circle above the training fields and knew it was time. The Chūnin Exams were beginning.
I want to thank everyone for reading this latest chapter of Speed Unmatched. This is a challenged issued by Narutoenthusiast. For anyone interested in the challenge or others he has check out u/1646974/Narutoenthusiast