Chapter 65 – Running for Their Lives

"Talk"

'Think'

A/N: Thank you swishyla and heather taft3 for your supports

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei.

Tsuchikage Office

"They've left?" asked Sandaime Tsuchikage.

"Hait. They said they wished to cross the deserts during the night" answered the gatekeeper.

'Of course they said that' said Tsuchikage to himself 'Now that I think back, one of them seems familiar…I think he was with that accursed Yellow Flash…so he doesn't trust me huh? I guess it's natural since we are from the same era. But they'll lose anyway. Han…Rōshi, sorry but your sacrificed is needed for the greater good of Iwagakure no Sato'

Once they have left the gate, Konoha shinobi walked at a sedate pace until they are out of Iwa shinobi's eyeshot, then they picked up the pace for a few hours before Hamaki called for a break. The genins took this opportunity to stuff themselves with food while listening to Kakashi.

"We'll move in a line of four teams. The first team will be led by Hamaki-sensei and consists of Inuzuka Kiba, Uchiha Sasuke and Noriko. Kiba, Noriko, we are relying heavily on both of you detect any danger (Kiba and Noriko nodded solemnly). The first team was also most vulnerable to ambush; but I believe that the three of you are strong enough to come out safe from it (Kiba and Noriko nodded with determination while Sasuke remained impassive albeit a glint in his eyes at Kakashi's words)".

"Second team is led by Kurenai-sensei and comprises Haruno Sakura, Tenten and Tenzō. Sakura, you are our lifeline since you are our only iryō-nin (Kakashi smiled reassuringly while Sakura clenched her fists and nodded her head firmly) thus Tenten and Tenzō, both of you have to make sure that the enemy is kept at bay (Tenten and Tenzō exchanged glances, trying to measure each other's capacity)".

"Gai-sensei will lead the Third team whose members are Lee (Yosh!), Naruto and Sai (Naruto is excited while Sai looked solemn). This team is to provide support to any teams that is in danger".

"The last team is led by me and my team members are Hyūga Hinata, Hyūga Neji and Aburame Shino (The three of them looked stoically at Kakashi). Your byakugan and kikaichū are important to detect any attempt for sneak attack from behind"

"Before we go, your team leaders will check all your equipment and get to know your skills in brief"

There are several routes that can be taken from Iwa to Konoha. The most obvious choice was the path near Kusagekure since it offers the shortest and most direct route. For that reason, Mimura Hamaki made a choice not to take that route. Instead, he opted to go through near Takigakure.

Travelling through Tsuchi no Kuni was highly tensed since everybody was on guard. The tension abated once they have crossed the border and Sakura unconsciously heaved a sigh of relief.

Kurenai patted her shoulder and said gently "I understand your feeling, but it is too soon to relax-" her sentence was cut short when Akamaru suddenly whined.

Noriko, Neji and Hinata immediately activated their dōjutsu and scanned their surroundings. Few seconds later, Neji reported "Two people are entering my vision. They are wearing long cloak and one of them is carrying a large scythe. One of them has the largest amount of chakra I've ever seen"

Neji turned and asked "What should we do, sensei?"

Before Hamaki could answer, Kakashi asked sharply "Is there pattern on the cloak?"

"Yes. Cloud pattern" answered Hinata.

"Akatsuki…" said Kakashi.

Seeing bewildered faces on others's faces, Kakashi explained "They are mercenary group comprises S-rank nuke-nin" he emphasised the last few words.

Hamaki nodded. He has a lot of questions but that can be saved for later. Right now, time is of the essence and drastic decision has to be made, "I'll stay. We need a decoy to engage them to ensure that the genins are safe".

"But sensei-!"/"No sensei!" protested Sakura and Kiba while objection was written all over Sasuke's face.

"Let's call that plan B" said Kakashi.

Hamaki turned to Kakashi and asked "You have a better plan?".

"Yup" Kakashi answered with an eye-smiled and explained about his plan.

End Chapter 65

A/N: Before anyone pointed out, yes, the teams' movement are a modification from Shikamaru's during Sasuke's Retrieval Arc.

Dōjutsu – Eye Techniques

Iryō-nin – Medical-nin

Iwagakure no Sato – Hidden Village of Rocks

Kusagekure no Sato – Hidden Village of Grass

Takigakure no Sato – Hidden Village of Waterfall

Tsuchi no Kuni – Land of Earth