Naruto: Tenth Dragons Poison
Chapter 3
First Briefing
The grass was lengthy from where he laid, standing to greet her just moments before her reaching his side.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto said more than surprised to see her. "How did you know I was out here?"
"I was told by some children who had been playing along the border of the village while searching," Sakura replied. "I've been looking for you all morning."
"I figured that much when I saw you coming," Naruto said. "You mentioned another mission right?"
"That's correct," Sakura confirmed with the nod of her head. "It's extremely important, which is why I was sent to come and find you."
"What happened?" Naruto asked showing a rising interest.
"I don't even know," Sakura admitted. "They said we'd all be briefed in once I came and found you."
"Then what are we waiting for," Naruto said immediately turning his head back for the village. "We better head back right away."
That was something the two agreed on, wasting no time in heading for the village. He kept his pacing in proportion with hers, not wanting to put in too much energy with the unknown lying ahead. A cool breeze could breeze could be felt blowing in the opposite direction as they moved. He found no disturbance with this, even welcoming it to an extent.
"Another mission…"
That was the only thing that could be found on his mind. It had been nearly two weeks since his last assignment, and from the sound of it this one was looking to be a big one. The anticipation only grew, showing in every stride taken from there on. He couldn't help but glimpse over at her after over a minute of travel, finding only a focused look in her eyes. He faced back forward after doing so, now assured she was as ready as him.
"Almost there."
It took only seconds for the entrance to the village to finally come into view, picking up in speed in response to this. It wasn't until he got closer that he saw him, standing with his back leaned to a tree, with a book in hand.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto greeted.
He turned away from the book at the sound of his voice, looking just in time to see him heading his way.
"So you found him." Kakashi said as the two came to a stop before him.
"He was out there just as I was told." Sakura said in response.
"So what's the deal," Naruto asked cutting straight to the point. "What's this mission Sakura-chan was informed of?"
"We'll get to that soon enough," Kakashi assured. "But first we'll need the attendance of Sai before we discuss matters."
"I'll go and find him," Sakura volunteered. "I think I know exactly where he is."
"Good," Kakashi said pleased to hear. "And when you do find him I want you both to head to Lady Tsunade's office."
"What about the two of you?" Sakura asked looking from one to the other.
"We'll be there," Kakashi assured once more. "In the case that you get there first, we shouldn't be far behind."
She nodded in response to this.
"I'll go and let him know right away."
With that said she took off, leaving just the two of them. He took another step toward him, anxious to learn details surrounding the unknown mission.
"Is there anything you can tell me," Naruto asked. "I don't see the sense in waiting to hear the details from Lady Tsunade when I can get it from you now."
"That would be an idea wouldn't it," Kakashi agreed. "If I knew what the mission was of course."
He couldn't help but bring a hand to his face, shaking his head from side to side after learning this.
"So you mean to tell me you don't know anything about what Sakura-chan was talking about?"
He nodded his head in confirmation.
"That is correct."
"Looks like I'll have to hear the news from granny herself." Naruto stated with the drop in his shoulders.
It was at that moment that Kakashi pushed away from the tree, completely closing the book in hand after doing so.
"Walk with me." Kakashi instructed.
"… Walk with you?"
"Would you prefer to stay here?"
He shook his head in response, following him as they made their way into the heart of the village. It was at this time where most activity could be seen beginning to pick up, from local shops opening, to the usual activity that could be seen throughout the streets. After roughly a minute of walking he glimpsed, causing him to look back at him.
"What is it?" Naruto asked.
"There's something I think you should know," Kakashi replied before facing forward as they continued to walk. "I'm uncertain if this has anything to do with your upcoming mission, but I thought it might be something you'd want to know."
Concern could slowly be seen crawling in from that point, stepping out in front to stop him in his path.
"What is it, did something bad happen?"
"It's only word from intel I was given," Kakashi began. "It appears there's a certain situation, one that seems to only be growing."
"What do you mean?"
"Several shinobi have been attacked in the last month." Kakashi informed.
"Here in Konohagakure?" Naruto asked.
"No such incidents here have been reported here as of yet," Kakashi replied. "But both Iwagakure and Kirigakure have been experiencing some, how should I say… disturbances."
"Disturbances," Naruto questioned. "What kind of disturbances."
"Like I mentioned before, there have been recent attacks on these two villages."
"So what's the big deal," Naruto asked throwing back his arms. "There's battle no matter where you go."
"True, but this is different."
"How so."
"These attacks, the enemy," Kakashi said with a long pause. "They're faceless."
"… Faceless?"
"Yes," Kakashi replied. "Only few have survived these attacks, and when asked no one could say who or what attacked."
"How could they not know who's attacking them," Naruto said throwing up his hands once more in confusion. "That makes no sense."
"Maybe it's the fact all attacks have occurred at night," Kakashi continued. "When asked, all survivors had one thing in common to say."
"Which was?"
"The shadows," Kakashi replied. "They said it was if they were being attacked by the shadows, their own even."
"What," Naruto exclaimed in disbelief. "That's just crazy talk."
"Perhaps so," Kakashi agreed. "But there could be some truth to it."
"You're right," Naruto said with the snap of his finger. "It could be the fact someone manipulated their shadows with some kind of jutsu."
"My thoughts exactly."
"If there are any plans for us to investigate this there's one person I can think of we should bring into the fray," Naruto said giving it a seconds thought. "So none of the shinobi attacked claimed to have seen anyone?"
"Unfortunately," Kakashi confirmed. "Which is why a name has been given to these night stalkers."
"What is it they're calling them." Naruto said with the clutch of his fist more than ready to hear.
"They're calling them the Shadow Revenants."
To Be Continued