A/N: Hello there! I'm finally getting a hang of longer chapters. Thank you all, guys!

The ages are: Isamu - six; Izumi – 10; Noboru – 13; Naruto – 4. It's April in the story, so yeah.

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: don't own Naruto.

Warnings: Language (I guess?), politics and shinobi. Kinda.

Genin Arc: Decode

If not now when?

The first few weeks of being a Genin makes even seasoned shinobi shudder. The tortures of the real world, the true darkness… we've seen none of it.

The true monstrosity comes when the chores – pardon me, D-ranked missions – are explored. They break you; make you regret every single choice in your life. They…

They're freaking boring! Argh!

I must say that the chores are boring enough to make every single member of our team – and, luckily, Hamaki-sensei seems to be different from Kakashi… well, post-ANBU Kakashi. You get the idea.

Noboru, the ever calm and collected member of our team (who am I kidding, he's nuts), is having a rest after a rather tiring team exercise. Really, was Kakashi like the only sensei to slack off?

"Team," sensei's voice rings from somewhere to the left – I'm to tired to turn in order to check, "great job today. Currently our team has the greatest number of completed cho– D-ranks." We try to beam at the praise. And fail. Sweat-dropping, sensei continues, "Anyways, I'm proud of you. All things considered, you might be ready for a C-rank! Maybe. It's up to Hokage-sama and I – you're rather young, so it might be better to train you for a bit longer. That doesn't mean you're allowed to slack off – more twenty laps around the training ground!"

Sensei lay down on the grass, took out a smoothie bottle – where the hell did he get it? – and resumed watching his cute little Genin struggle.

I take it back; he's a carbon copy of Kakashi!

Actually, Hamaki-sensei is rather strange. He's tall, bulky, kenjutsu-inclined and likes to brag about fighting alongside the Yondaime a lot. Yet, he's very strict when need be… meaning he's laughing out loud at us half the time, the other half drive us crazy. But sometimes I can see a battle-hardened Jōnin, one who's lost many precious people to him. Other times I catch his staring, at me with longing and pity, at Izumi with slight disdain. And at Noboru as at an idiot. Another enigma, it's driving me crazy!

At least Noboru is easy to understand. I hope. We've yet to learn more about him, but he seems all right.

Izumi… she's an Uchiha, nuff said. I know that she's a half-blood, but that doesn't seem to make her any weaker, just a tad bit happier and joyful. I know that she lost her father to the Kyūbi Attack (dang you, Obito!) a few years back, but that doesn't tell us much. Having an Uchiha for a mother, the clan integrated them back in to time. They wouldn't allow for a possible sharingan wielder to be outside the clan grounds and plans. After the Kannabi Bridge they've been very keen about keeping their prized bloodline inside the clan.

My team is a walking headache, I'm tellin' ya! Not like I'm all that better, but still…

"TEN MORE LAPS, ISAMU! RUN!"

Kill me, I'm begging you.

"Hey, Isamu-nii-san! Wait up, -ttebayo!"

Guess who that is? Yup, the future Kage and a demigod. And he's calling me nii-san! I feel like a celebrity… of sorts.

Turning to face the blonde bundle of joy, I greet him, "Hi, Naru-chan! Long time no see! How're you doing?"

The blonde beams at me, all the while as the villagers glared at us. Somewhere around a month ago some started to loath me too. It's a pain, but only the angstiest ones do so, most don't give a shit. Thank Kami.

The ache in the little boy's eyes is perfectly concealed, just as always. How did he not become an infiltration specialist again?

"I'm gweat, -ttebayo! Jiji told that I'm gonna become a ninja soon! I'm gonna go to the academy and leawn ninja tricks and- and I'm gonna be the coolest ninja ever and- AND I'M GONNA BE HOKAGE!"

…Yup, the last part completely demolished my eardrums. Go, Naru-chan…

Placing my palms over my ears, I say (or scream 'cause it hurts), "Naruto, it's not an opera here and MY EARS ARE NOT A MICROPHONE!" seeing the adorable blonde squirm made my heart ache – that sly kit – and melt. Aww… "Of course you're forgiven, otōto." Why is he smirking…? "Anyways, what did Sandaime-sama say about the academy and your future carrier?"

The boy looks puzzled for a fraction of second. "Hmm… Jiji told me that I'd need to live alone befowe I go to academy. I'm so boooooowed… I also asked him about my pawents, but he says I'm too little! How can a futuwe Hokage be little, dattebayo?" The face he gave me would've made me laugh if not for the setting.

Shit, the one topic I'd rather avoid. Of course I can tell him, but execution isn't on my to-do list. And knowing Naruto, he'd make a target out of himself in less than a day. Or hour.

"Err… it's not that you're young. In fact, it has more to do with the fact that you need to deserve your knowledge, hence why Hokage-sama has yet to tell you. Everything comes with a price, Naruto, and knowledge has the most value," I try to explain. Half-truths help me out because, well, who doesn't like those?

Naru-chan's adorable face squinched in confusion. Great, he didn't get it. "Ano, Isamu-nii-san, what do you mean "know-knowadge-knowlawege-knolawage-"

"Knowledge," I mercy the four-year-old.

"Yeah, that, what do you mean by "it has the most value?"

I tap my feet in thought as we head towards the ice-cream stand, "You see, there are many valuable things in this world: friends, love, success, wealth. Those are just a grain of sand in a desert, but knowledge, when in hands of an intelligent person, is the most powerful weapon, as well as the greatest cure. It holds outmost significance due to it's might – you can bribe a person, control him, manipulate him, save him, help him, deceit him. Knowledge can be used in any way possible; all that you need is your imagination. If it weren't for knowledge, than nothing would matter."

The dumbfounded look on his face makes me want to smack my face over a bolder. Repeatedly.

"Isamu-nii-san… I didn't understand half of whatcha said, but to me it seems like knolawge is boring, -ttebayo!" His raised fist and smile does nothing in order to calm me.

I tried my best. This world is doomed…

We still got ice cream because… ice cream doesn't require reasons.

Yum!

The day was dark… Because it was four am. Normal people sleep at this hour, but no, sensei just needed to squeeze in training before our first C-rank.

On the matter, today we have our first C-ranked mission! It's been seven weeks since our shinobi carrier started, and we've yet to leave the village's borders. Am I excited? Sure as the light of the day! Am I anxious? Pff, of course n… n…

Yes, I am. Crazily. So what? Every member of our team is, but that won't delay the mission. Sensei's decision is final. All we have left is visit the mission station at seven-eight am.

Speaking of teammates, mine are just entering the line of sight. On any other occasion I'd have waved them over awkwardly, but not at fucking four in the morning. And don't you even dare blame me for being grumpy in the mornings. I got here early, only for everyone else to be late. Curse 'em all!

"Hn, brat. Seen sensei?" asked the oldest Genin on our team, or someone even less happy about the hour on the watch.

A raspberry escapes me in irritation. "I wish. I've been here for the last ten minutes, mourning my sleep and cursing my age for the contradiction against caffeine. I'd sell my soul for it, I swear."

Izumi, for all her cheerful demeanor, looks ready to go on a bloody rampage. Her usually perfect hair reminded me of a bird nest, the bags under her eyes big enough to fit an animal or few. And the kunai in her hand indicates nothing good.

Her eyes glinted with something before she hissed, "hehe, sensei better be ready for a warm greeting…" She twisted the kunai in her hands, KI feeling the air.

Yeah, I'm never getting an Uchiha as an enemy. Thank Kami I'm on her good side.

It took another half an hour for sensei to arrive, the three of us sound asleep. What did sensei do about it, you might wonder? Well…

It was a beautiful dream, flowers all over me, wind blowing my hair. I was free, just like a bird, flying up-

PWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARP!

The trio of Genin jerked up, all of us sleepy, moody and very, very startled. The training ground was dark and empty if you dismiss sensei's looming figure with a horn hanging around his neck, his foxy grin reminding me of Satan. And demons.

"Good news, everyone! Today we have your first tree walking exercise, just before your first C-rank! Who's ready?" The cheerful voice makes me wish to strangle him. Maybe if we use teamwork…

Nah, hiding the body's too troublesome.

"Sensei…" a low growl to my right indicates that I'm the only one sharing that opinion.

Sensei takes a step back as the Uchiha – an angered, sleep-deprived, female Uchiha – flashes him a smile, one that guarantees pain.

"RUN." Being a smart, self-conscious Jōnin, sensei run the hell away, Izumi high on his tail.

Noboru and I shared a glance, only to shrug right after. Without a word, both of us turned on our sides and returned to the world of dreams.

The training (that started at six am thanks to Izumi) was very easy. Like, come on, tree walking? I just walked up the tree, Izumi following right after. Sensei and Noboru, both flabbergasted, let us have a light spar, Izumi winning every single round because Uchiha, duh. Not like taijutsu is any fun anyway.

At half past seven we headed out in Hokage Tower's direction, arriving shortly after. Due to the training, some of the tiredness left us. That's why we let him lead us without much objection.

The mission desk is, well, always full of Chūnin and a seasoned Genin. Poor Konoha citizens, up and running at such an hour… Fortunately for me, the Sandaime was away on… whatever it is he likes doing. I never checked, you know.

Sensei strode off in the direction of an older Chūnin, a bright smile on his face. As his faithful ducklings, we followed shortly after.

The Chūnin, a short woman in her thirties, noticed us just before sensei stopped near her, bowing in a beat. She smiled gently as she returned the gesture. The minions (us) decided to play it safe and bowed as well.

"Rize-san, long time no see! How have you been? I see you look just as gorgeous." Asked sensei in his best "pick-up" voice. Ewwww.

The Chūnin – Rize? – flushed at his remark. "Thank you, Hamaki-san. You look great as well. Can I help you somehow?"

Sensei flashed her another grin before speaking, "Indeed you can, Rize-san. I'd like to know if there are any low-risk C-ranks available for my team?"

The woman seems to think it over for a moment before motioning for us to follow her as she goes to the desk and starts fishing through the cabinet. In a few seconds she extracts a thin scroll from it, a green ribbon – one that indicates that it's a C-rank – tied around it. Rize smiles at us again before unfolding the scroll.

"The mission," she starts, "is a simple investigation. There has been a robbery in a small village in the Land of Birds, Aoarashi no Sato. You only have to go there, find as much information about the possible thief as you can, try bringing the one responsible to justice, and return back home. You don't need to accompany anyone, meaning that there's almost no chance of encountering hostilities on the way there. Is it okay? There is also-" she was cut off before given chance to continue.

"It's amazing, Rize-san. We'll take it. Is there a deadline to this mission?" Sensei was almost glowing with energy… guess he's bored like crazy.

Rize blinked before shuffling through the scroll again, tracing the lines with her finger. "Aha… here, it says that you should arrive on April 21st, or in three days. You should spend at least ten days there; afterwards it shall depend on the mission progression. The warden of the Yamaharu Castle, Beniro Matsu, will be your escort throughout the mission in the village. You'll be provided accommodations on site. You'll need to pay for your meals, though. It's located close to the border between Land of Wind and Land or Rain, on top of the Ginki Mountain. You'll need…"

In short, we need our full gear plus warm clothes. It's rather rainy there, and windy too. According to the known info, we should leave at noon in order to arrive in time.

I enter the compound, the two ninken on guard greet me with swinging tails and wet noses. In moments I cross the street and enter the house, Hatsuyuki the only one inside. I'd be a fool to take her on a mission due to her condition, and Masu-chan already knows about me taking a C-rank. It pains me, but there is no way I'd risk Hatsu's life for mere fun.

I go upstairs into my room and pack everything I might need: kunai set, shuriken set, med kit, food pills, extra clothes and wire. The fūinjutsu supplies are all in a separate scroll, my newest seal just perfected.

/Flashback/

Komugi has finally dug up enough time to continue our lessons. There were so many types of seals! He has just entered the room as I rushed at him, Hatsu-chan followed right after.

"Ji-chan! Can I ask you a question?" I do my best in order to hypnotize him with my Puppy Eyes no Jutsu. And it works, hehe.

Shaking his head in order to come back to the world of living, he smiles, "Sure thing, Isa-chan. What is it?"

"You see, I always wanted to know how to apply a seal to skin. What seal array to use? What ink? What is the dif-" I shut up at the raised hand and his "oh Kami I'm gonna burst out right now" expression. Eh?

A few snickers escaped him before he spoke, "Isa-chan, the only difference is the surface – it's harder to draw on one's body and skin. Many start with practicing on leather, and I'd recommend you do too, if you want so much. Other than that, there is no difference! What, you want a cool tattoo like Nee-san and I?"

I shook my head. "Nope, I'm just an idiot, I guess." A snicker escaped him again! Gah, "Anyways, what are we gonna learn now?"

The glint in his eyes… it promises pain. "Hehe. Now, Isa-chan, we'll learn how to create silencing seals, used in order to keep sound from escaping the room. It's T&I's most favorite seal, hehe…"

Kami help.

/Flashback end/

Though it seems creepy, the silencing seals are really handy. I can watch TV all I want (even though TVs in Konoha suck, but still). Also Masuyo can use them when…

I'd rather forget that accident. The mere thought causes me to cringe.

Backpack packed (of course I sealed most of the stuff), I checked my on-skin seal. A very basic, very small seal for the hammerspace in order to keep my notebooks safe.

At a quarter to noon our team's Genin are already at the village gates, waiting for sensei. I can see Izumi biting her nails, her usual Uchiha shirt replaced for a warmer sweater with a modest Uchiwa fan on the sleeve. Noboru was whistling a tune while drawing (and doing a pretty good job at it). I was reading… and failing. And chewing gum because I must chew something when this nervous.

"Team," came sensei's voice, "let's head out!"

With a last glance, I left the village's borders for the first time.

The road to the Land of Birds was fascinating: the greenery, the fresh air, and the low hills of the Land of River. We passed a few towns, all of them rather humble and welcoming. It was a lot alike the Land of Fire, but the terrain was rockier and there were fewer trees.

The day we arrived at the Aoarashi no Sato was fresh, the fragrance of the morning dew reminding me of before. It was nothing like Konoha. The village resided on top of a hill that somehow earned the title of a mountain. The green scenery was enchanting. There were narrow waterfalls here and there. The rather high pine and birch trees provided us with astonishing views.

I must say that the Land of Birds is absolutely captivating.

The minute we arrived a short old man with a wrinkled face and a Homburg hat greeted us.

"Ohayō gozaimasu, shinobi-san! Here, here," he gestured for us to come closer, "I'm Beniro Matsu, I suppose you were informed of me."

"Ohayō, Ojii-san," sensei bowed to the old man, us following in a blink, saying "konnichiwa" in unison. "My name's Mimura Hamaki, Konoha's Jōnin. I was informed about your situation. My team consists of me, Izumi," the girl waved, "Noboru," the teen grunted, "and Isamu," I smiled and nodded. "Our team was dispatched in order to investigate a robbery. Am I correct?"

It seemed like Matsu's head would fall off from the amount of nodding. "Yes, yes, shinobi-san. There was an awful incident just recently: the royal family's heirloom was stolen! I spent the last sixty years making sure it was safe, and not once has anyone so much as looked at it! Other than the royal family members, of course. But that's irrelevant!" Wow, the old man can look fierce. Almost. "We must put the perpetrator to justice!"

Well, that's why we need detective Strike here! But we only have three brats and a Jōnin. Meaning that we'd do the entire job while sensei already has the answer. Sweet.

"I see, Beniro-san. My team will lead the investigation, so you have nothing to worry about. The culprit will be known in no time." His smile freaks me out. Yes, he already knows the thief.

The old man's face glimmered a bit. "Thank you, shinobi-san. The people of Yamaharu rely on you!"

Okay, Matsu's strange. Definitely need to check him out.

The inn was rather basic: beige everything, an onsen nearby. We spent the next few hours resting, just before we got ready to work.

"From what we know, there was a single heirloom, the royal family's titanium katana with a diamond-decorated hilt. It sounds expensive." Dear lord, Izumi, we know. "Isamu, Noboru, any ideas?"

Noboru narrowed his eyes a bit. "The old man was suspicious, but that's not enough. We need to use a strategy, but which one?"

In my old world I was never into expensive heirlooms, but even I know the basics. "First of all, we have to check the crime scene. That'll definitely fill in the blanks. So…" I trail off because I'm too lazy to make the call. Fortunately (or not so much), Noboru wasn't.

"Get up, brats. We gotta finish before the deadline or we suck." He promptly kicked us into the street and, with that, we headed for the castle.

At the castle, an old lady met us and escorted to the crime scene. Let me tell you… it was a huge mess. Broken shards of glass, wine splatters, torn wallpaper. Don't even get me started on the furniture. The ones who did this… they really put their soul to it, it seems.

We spent the remainder of the day looking for clues, which was about six hours. What we found was that, while it was a mess outside, on the inside things remained more or less untouched. That only created more questions. Like, why would the thief create such a distraction?

"Guys, any ideas?" I asked them while finally sitting on the floor.

Noboru let out a sigh. "I wish. This is a total disaster outside, but on the inside… I wish we had more info." His shoulders slumped down in defeat.

I turned to Izumi, only to be met with the same expression. Well, shit. What now?

That's when Izumi spoke, "guys, this is futile. What we need to do is to go outside. Maybe if we asked the locals…"

A light bulb appeared over Noboru's head, it seems. We waved us over and whispered, "Brats, what do you think if we try do impersonate someone? Like a merchant's kid or a mere child, just to get stuff out. Whatcha think?"

Well, that is… an actually nice plan. There is only one flow, though. In a whisper, I added, "It's be good to leave someone at the castle in order to investigate in and its surroundings. Other than that, your plan is ingenious!" I whisper-screamed the last part, causing the teen to blush.

Izumi tapped our shoulder to get attention. Her voice also barely audible, "I think I'd be the best if left in the castle." At our confused looks, she added, "I'm an Uchiha, we have very good senses. Also, Isamu would make a great spy in his age group and older one too, while you, Noboru, are a perfect character for a merchant's kid, no offence. It has more to do with our age."

Sound logic, I like that. I nodded in confirmation. Not in a second Noboru did too.

The next five days were rather fun.

Brushing off the imaginary dust, I looked into the window. My hair was covering my right (red) eye, only leaving the second one in the open. I was dressed in a gray sweater, green scarf and black pants. As for shoes, I put on average slip-ons, popular amongst civilians.

All in all, I looked like an average kid. Smashing on a way too wide grin, I turned to the other occupants of the room.

Noboru was wearing an indigo yukata shirt with a mesh underneath. His navy pants only reached his ankles, and civilian sandals.

For her part, Izumi remained in the exact same attire plus a hoodie.

I turned to them, slightly shaking on nerves. Smashing the silencing seal on the walls, I asked, "Are we gonna meet up at some particular place and hour?"

Both of my teammates blinked at me. Izumi shrugged and let Noboru choose. He gibbered something before saying, "I think it'd be best if we met in at around two pm and in the evening. Say, maybe behind the teashop across the street?"

Both Izumi and I agreed with a nod. He continued, "Great, than at two pm and nine pm, behind the teashop. Okay, brats, scatter!"

With that I started my first infiltration.

At nine I entered the playground filled with kids of all ages, starting with two and ending with eight. Kami, I hate children…

Deciding to get the hell away from here, I start the questions.

"Do you know anything about the castle?"

"I heard there was a cool katana! Can I see it?"

"Have you heard of the robbery?"

…

It's almost one pm when I hear something.

"I saw this black blurs! So cool!"

I stop swinging so much in order to hear the kid – yeah, kid, no older than me – give information.

"It was so fast, like…like a bullet!" What the… bullet? Really? They don't have guns in this universe… whatever. "And it just jumped! Like whoosh! Sugoi!" cheered the kid.

Well, at least that's something.

Yeah, that was the only intelligence I gathered in the next three days too.

/Behind the teashop, 21:00/

It was on the third day that Noboru brought something worthy. Impersonating a spoiled merchant's kid was easy for him… no offence.

Clapping his hands, he whispered, "Today some teens were talking about black blurs that left… wait for it… leaves floating. A Shunshin. Brats, we're in deep shit. Those are shinobi. And the civilians don't even link it to the robbery!" He whisper-exclaimed.

We're doomed, nothing new.

The best member on our team, aka Izumi, put her hand on his shoulder in comfort. "It's not that bad… sensei is also here… somewhere… he'll protect us. And we don't need to catch the one responsible, only to find out who it is."

Both Noboru and I visibly relaxed. Kami bless this girl.

"Now," Noboru spoke, "let's finish this."

The next time I heard anything worth a while was at another playground, a kid of five was telling his peers a story about a "monster".

"It was all black, no hands or anything. It moved too fast for a human eye, but I did see its face. The thing is… it had no face, just blank! It had no eyes, and his had some red lines on its not-face too! When it caught me staring I saw it disappear into leaves!" Exclaimed the boy in a low tone, hands covering his face as if to make it seem the same. Did he just describe "Spirited Away" in half a minute?

Anyways, wow. That is valuable information. Thanks, boy!

On the fifth day, in the evening, Izumi was waiting for us, anxiety seeping of her.

"Boys! Today I found something! I was searching the room again when I realized that there was dust on the floor, white wallpaper, white ceiling, but no footprints! Just ours! And the room, the way it was…"

Getting onto her train of thought, I concluded, "Someone deliberately destroyed, making it seem like some vandal did it."

She smirked at me. "Exactly. And I can think of only one type of people to do so."

"Shinobi," we all pronounced in unison.

The next three days were spent in the woods, searching for any and all clues. The only thing we found was a lone shuriken lodged into a tree bark.

With the help of a few kunai, the shuriken was ours.

The tenth day came by, and our suspicions left. We woke up early and headed for sensei. It didn't take all that long to find him…

Lying on the lounger was sensei, his shinobi attire disregarded in favor for some onsen robe. Peering open one eye, he saw us and grinned.

"Hello, Team Eight," he sat on his lounger, "got any ideas of who orchestrated the whole thing?"

Without a beat, Noboru took a step forward. "The perpetrator was identified as at least one member of Konoha ANBU."

If sensei's Cheshire grin didn't confirm, than nothing would. "Indeed, you have what it takes to become a great team. You are, in fact correct. Anything to confirm this?"

This time Izumi stepped forward, holding out a list and a shuriken. Hamaki-sensei took both, running his eyes over the list while twisting the shuriken. In a moment he spoke again.

"Great job, team. Now, what do you think happened here?" he even leaned in to hear it.

I stepped forward this time. Clearing my throat, I explained, "Konoha sent its ANBU here in order to retrieve a valuable exponent and use it to its liking. They made it seem like a mere robbery in order for the victims to start looking for it in the hands of average people. This, considering the village has a treaty with Konoha, also played in our favor: they requested a team to look for the culprit. Little did they know that we are the culprit, correct?" I say both proudly, nervously and a tad bit confused.

That's when sensei shakes his head, the cheerful demeanor completely gone. "We, in fact, did not plan for it. What I think is that another ANBU fraction was at fault, one that operates separately from the village. If my guess is correct, they wanted to check if the lot of you could figure out what they did. Which is why I'm going to take part of the blame for myself because you do not want for them to find out. Clear?" His tone left no room for objection.

Though we didn't like it, this mission was fun and a bit hard. With a loud "Hai, sensei" we did the final part of the mission:

Put the blame on "some thug group". Though neither of us (sensei included) liked this, we couldn't give our village away. That is why we're standing in front of Matsu-san now, just as sensei "explains" the situation.

"After all the examinations, we concluded that the ones responsible were a group of thugs, approximately twelve people, headed in Tsuchi no Kuni's direction. It's possible that they are already beyond the border of that country as well."

Though Matsu-san seemed sad due to the loss of something he protected for that long, he didn't look too sad. "I… see. Thank you for your help, shinobi-san, kids. I was a pleasure."

Bowing in respect (and guilt), we left the village and headed home.

Our first C-rank was a success. And, hopefully, Danzō was thrown off our tail.

A/N: Good news, everyone! I'm getting a hang of it, and the Genin arc will be shorter, and the best parts are here! Missions, Naruto and, very soon, Uchiha's and even puppets xD

Please tell me your opinion on this and till the next time!