Chapter 87 – Reporting Missions II
"Talk"
'Think'
Flashback
A/N: Thank you eldergrayskull, Thebored27 and Tyalva1 for your support.
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei.
"Once the bandits were defeated, we tied them up and contacted the authority in Tonika-mura. While waiting, we…ahem…talked to them. That's when we knew that there was another group that was sent for another job. We pursued them as soon as the authority have arrived and taken over the bandits. That's when we met with Team Kurenai" Itachi reported to Shisui.
"He's right" said Kurenai "We were on our way to Cha no Kuni with our charges when Hinata reported two teams preparing to ambush. They were quickly dealt with by my team when Team Itachi arrived. We continued with our mission while Team Itachi assisted in handing our attackers with the authority.
"In the meantime, our mission was to locate a missing heiress" reported Kakashi "Apparently, she was kidnapped and our investigation led us straight to Team Hamaki-".
"-who was tasked to find a missing-nin" continued Hamaki "We found him surrounded by a number of people of various genders, ages, shinobi and non-shinobi. We were observing his movement when-"
"-I arrived" said Jiraiya "and incidentally, Hamaki's target was surrounded by more shinobi. While waiting for the arrival of Team Itachi, we pooled our information and realized that we stumbled upon a criminal organization, one that was smart enough to allocate different kind of jobs with different group of people in different countries."
"What kind of crimes?" asked Shisui.
"Kidnapping, human trafficking, robbery, blackmailing, bounty hunter…just to name a few" said Jiraiya drily.
"Are they associated with Akatsuki?" inquired Shisui.
"We are not sure at the moment" answered Hamaki "Once we've dealt with them, we went through every inch of the area and found documents which we haven't got around to inspect. Our prisoners were not speaking although they are with Ibiki right now"
Shisui was quiet for a moment before he turned to Asuma and asked him "How about you, Asuma? How did your mission fit into theirs?"
Asuma scratched at the back of his head and said blushingly "Ehehe…I think there's been a misunderstanding. We met them at the gate and Kakashi said they were going to give report together. So I thought of joining them".
Shisui chuckled and said "Go on. Who's been stalking Madam Shijimi?"
"No one" answered Shikamaru "Madam Shijimi was not the target, Tora was"
"WHAT?!" yelled everyone in surprise.
"A couple of months ago, one of the guards was tasked to find Tora. He had accident while chasing Tora and urm…became sterile" said Asuma.
"Ouch!" many grimaced at the notion.
"Yup" said Asuma "Apparently he and his wife wanted to start a family…and with the accident, that became impossible…so he wanted to take revenge on Tora. Once he was caught and confessed, Madam Shijimi dropped the charges and offered to help him to adopt instead"
"That was nice of her" commented Hinata.
"She is" added Shisui "Well thank you all for your hard works. You may leave" he smiled and nodded to all of them, followed by a small gesture towards Jiraiya.
"Let's go to lunch" suggested Ino "I want to hear more".
"Barbeque!" cried Chōji.
"Woof!"
"So…what do you think of their progress?" asked Shisui as he turned to Jiraiya.
Jiraiya smiled "They have potentials and determinations. Not bad"
Team Hamaki, Team Kakashi and Jiraiya were watching over their target when Itachi, Naruto and Noriko arrived.
"Sorry we are late" said Itachi.
"What are we doing here?" asked Naruto
"Missing-nins and their victims" Sai replied.
"Fifteen missing-nins and about forty of their victims, ready to be sold" said Hamaki grimly.
"We were waiting for you before we make our move" said Kakashi.
"What's the plan?" asked Noriko as she, Itachi and Naruto looked at what appear to be a floor plan sketched on a scroll.
"That's up for you to decide" said Kakashi.
"Saving these people should be a priority" said Tenzō.
"Agreed" said Sasuke "But they were kept at four separate rooms"
"It would be easier if we could move them to one room" Sai muttered
"I think that's why their captives were separated" stated Neji "They want to make our job difficult so we'll attack him, the missing-nin first. That's also why only one shinobi was guarding the captives' rooms but more near the main entrance.
"They want to use these people as hostages" spat Kiba while Akamaru growled.
"How about we do both?" suggested Naruto.
"What do you mean?" asked Sasuke while the jōnins looked at Naruto intently. They have been quiet throughout the discussion as they wanted to see how far the chūnins have progressed.
"Kiba, Noriko and I will attack here, as a diversion since our attacks can create chaos and confusion" said Naruto with a grin "In the meantime, Neji, Sai, Sasuke and Tenzō can move the captives here and here".
"The furthest rooms from the main entrance, as well as from the fights" stated Noriko.
"Itachi and I can guard them while you guys fight" offered Shin.
"While we, jōnin sensei will observe and interfere when things are getting out of hand" said Kakashi.
"Let's go!"
"The plan worked though at the last moment, Hamaki, Kakashi and I had to interfere as the missing-nin that was originally pursued by Team Hamaki proved to be too much for them" finished Jiraiya.
…
…
…
"Are they ready to hunt Akatsuki?"
Jiraiya's reaction turned solemn at the question. He contemplated for a while before answered slowly "This is Akatsuki we are talking about. We need shinobi with good skills and good head on his or her shoulders; not all of them has the criteria"
"They want to be part of it"
"Want and can are two different things"
Shisui smiled "I have faith in them. Besides, things could change in a few months"
End Chapter 87
Cha no Kuni – Land of Tea
Tonika-mura – Tonika Village