AN: Update: Fixed up a very embarrassing error I missed for so long


Chapter 6 Lawful...Leeful Part 2


It seemed they were yet again sitting and waiting in the trees for something to happen. Only this time, progress was the very opposite from what was happening. Seeing the dawning sun would now mark the second day they had spent waiting for this Hisashi to show up.

"So you haven't tried the blue berry flavour shampoo yet? You have no idea what you are missing. It makes the fur amazingly soft."

"Kami-sama, what did I ever do to deserve this?" Two of the three at least were occupied with other matters. Lee abruptly standing made the other two halt their argument, "It's Jun-kun."

Turning to the cave entrance, the other two spotted the young boy emerging from the shelter. He had a large brown sack strapped to his back which looked extremely heavy for a boy his size. He was even having trouble standing still with the load. The boys shifty eyes then surveyed his surroundings, as if looking out for something, before he then broke off into a run. He was heading West.

"Where do you suppose he is going?"

"Perhaps Jun-san is going to meet Hisashi?" Sakura suggested.

"Odd that he would go out himself?" Despite Pakkun's question, they broke off after him, sticking to the cover of the trees.

With the shinobi now gone, another figure revealed himself from the cave entrance. It was Hachiro, 'I'm sorry.'


"Anything Pakkun?"

"Nothing, the boy is still resting." Just how far was this meeting place? They had been following Jun for a couple of hours now, yet there had been no signs of Hisashi. Looking up at the sun to judge the time to being past mid day, Lee then looked down at Jun again. He was arising from his spot under a tree, and heaved the bag off the ground, and was off again.

"Sakura-san, Pakkun-kun, I strongly believe something is amiss."

Stopping on the next branch, Sakura perked an eyebrow in question, "What do you mean?"

"Pakkun-kun told us that they were distressed about not having enough for 'this time around' with Hisashi, yet Jun-kun is carrying such a heavy load."

"They might have found something, or even stole something between then and now?"

"Perhaps. However, we were observing them the entire time Sakura-san. We would have seen that." Leaving their conversation there, they continued to follow after the growing fatigued Jun. When Jun put his hand on a tree for support so he could catch his brief, Sakura this time spoke her thoughts.

"You have a point then Lee-san, and again as Pakkun said, why is it just Jun travelling alone? Somebody else at least to share that load would help a fair bit. Then there is the stuff he is carrying too that is a mystery."

She suddenly was hit with an idea that made her awestruck, "U-Unless we are-..." It seemed Jun had reached his limit again, and had slid down the tree to rest, panting for air desperately like a dog.

"We should investigate now Sakura-san."

"Hai."

Within moments, the pair and nin dog jumped down on the forest grounds, and approached the tired boy. Jun must have been expecting them, because he didn't jump in surprise when he caught eye of them. He did have that ever so familiar childish expression of 'I'm in trouble' look on his perspiring face though.

Sakura didn't even ask for permission to have a look in the sack, her suspicions were too firm to be in doubt anymore. Opening the sack, she reached in to go wide eye, then narrow them in frustration. She then pulled out a fist sized rock, "You have got to be kidding me."

Tossing the object away, she turned her sights on the now paling child, "We only are trying to help you, why did you trick us!?" She was taken aback though when Jun tensed up, and shielded his head with his arms as if he was expecting her to beat him for it.

'W-What on earth? He actually automatically thinks I am going to hit him...'

Taking her voice down several levels in both volume and frustration, she sighed, "Will you please just tell us what is going on."

Jun shot his eyes open in surprise, to then look elsewhere in hesitance. Both shinobi watched the boy struggle to contemplate a response, until finally, "W-Well Hisashi will be with Hachiro-niichan by now, I guess it's safe."

Jun's mumble caused Sakura's mouth to hang, while Lee suddenly tensed, "Is that so?" Jun nodded.

"Will you please start from the beginning?" Lee prompted.

"...Hisashi has been making us do this for him around two years now. He visits us every month to see what we have taken for him. He only really is interested in stuff that is worth something."

"And what happens if you don't do what he says?" Jun went quiet, making Sakura clench her shaking fist, "That b-..."

'Bastard!'

"Can you not stand up to him? There are so many of you?"

"We tried to once, back when Yuichi was the one in charge. We tried to get help from someone, but..."

Jumping right to the point, Lee took charge, "What will this Hisashi-san do to Hachiro-kun for not possessing anything worth of value?"

Jun's disturbing silence as a response yet again, made Sakura snap, "Lee-san, we have to get back there, right now!"

The spandex wearer nodded, and reached down to his legs, "Sakura-san, you said as leader, it was my responsibility to decide the appropriate course of action."

"...Hai?"

Hearing the sound of his weight clips releasing made her go wide eyed, "Then I will reach Hachiro-kun and the others destination in under four minutes flat."

Placing the heavy looking weights on the ground, he looked up at Sakura, "Do you approve of this?"

Biting her lower lip, she harshly nodded, "Just be careful." Before either of them knew it, Lee disappeared with only a dust cloud remaining.

Sakura twitched at the sight, while Jun had his mouth dish wide open, "W-What speed!"

Deciding it would be better to simply acknowledge the speed difference between them was incalculable, the kunoichi returned her attention to the child, "On the way back, you can tell me all about this guy." Even though it was worded as an option, her voice clearly said the opposite.

Quickly allowing Jun to get on her back, she made for the trees, "Pakkun, can you work out how far Lee-san is already?"

The small dog groaned, "Oh jeez...he truly is the student of Gai. He will be there very soon."

"I-It talked?!"


The cavern always held a different atmosphere at the arrival of Hisashi. Despite the place being lit up all around by blazing hot torches, somehow, it would get darker, and the temperature would drop to resemble that of being outdoors in a storm. It suited Hisashi's generally dark appearance, with his loosely enclosed black Kimono, revealing his thick fishnet shirt. Clipped to his belt was a sheathed Katana, with a brass grip with fine engravings.

The items that kids had considered worth something to the middle aged, were presented on a dirty red blanket. Flicking away a loose strand of his long brown hair, Hisashi's onyx pupils scrutinized the selection with already a scrunched up nose. Hachiro was standing next to the older man, desperately trying to remain in composure, regardless of the fact his legs felt like jelly. In a fashion similar to a greedy magpie, Hisashi was 'pecking' with his fingers through the selection of items, occasionally tossing something he considered 'trash' over his head without care of it hitting something behind him. The issue that was making Hachiro begin to sweat bullets down from his forehead was just how much stuff was being rejected.

...too much.

Each and every 'clang' of an item either connecting with an unfortunate bystander, or the solid floor made him and several other kids eyes twitch in fear.

"Pots, copper grips, some loose change....this is junk!" The old man spat out, with his scratchy deep voice full of annoyance. Hachiro did not even attempt to evade the backhand that just flew across his face, remembering what happened last time when somebody did on reflex.

It still made the entire left part of his face emit pulses of red hot pain, "T-This was all we could get this time-" The next backhand held enough force to send poor child off his feet, with now his right side stinging worse than his left.

Hachiro's harsh landing on the floor made several sharp gasps in panic, but none dared intervene. The older man snorted, while scooping up the loose change and stuffing them into his Kimono, "I do not want to hear your excuses you brat. You have one simple task to do with your little 'herd' you have here, and time and time again, you continue to disappoint me."

'Then steal the crap yourself you old geezer!' Hachiro wanted to say, but knew better than to die today.

"W-We are sorry-"

"'Sorry', that's all I hear from you every time...It won't do this time."

Pressing his thumb on the hilt of his katana to lift it slightly from the sheath resulted in a sudden scream from another child, "Shut up, all of you!"

Hachiro's body was frozen in terror, as the easily three foot long, fine and clean steel blade was revealed, with a reddish glow from the fire reflecting off its surface.

"It appears I need to give you brats some incentive to do what you are told." The child could do nothing but close his eyes, and prepare for the worst as the sword was reeled up. The screaming echoing around him from his friends pretty much marked his fate, 'This is it...'

The sudden 'clang' made his entire body twitch, however, no rush of pain or cold touch of steel came.

"W-Who the hell are you?!"

Snapping his eyes open, Hachiro was greeted by the back of a green spandex wearer. Lee was blocking the sword with the metal chain of his nun-chuck's, "That symbol...Konoha ninja?!"

"Have you no shame?" Lee blurted firmly, having little issue stopping the sword from coming close to his head.

Since it appeared the older man wasn't going to speak, Lee continued, "To use innocent children to do your unjust deeds, do you not have a part within you that contains guilt for such an act?"

Recomposing at last, the older man smirked, 'He may be a ninja, but this guy is only a few years older than these brats...he won't be an issue.'

"Not one bit, just my way of making a living."

Lee closing his eyes as if his judgement on the person was decided, he responded, "I see..." Lee then abruptly opened them to reveal his focused stare.

"Then I shall enlighten you at how wrong your way of living is!"

"Bring it on, kid!" Hisashi quickly took a step back, to then come in with his katana from the side. Lee, as he had learnt, stuck to the defensive stance with his nun-chucks, connecting his clearly faster weapon against the blade before it could touch him.

This exchange carried on for several blows, while Lee concluded his opponents ability, 'He is not very quick at all. Judging how he now is taking a step back with each of my parries, it appears he does not have great amounts of endurance as well.'

True to Lee's musing, Hisashi did not resume his attempts to cut him with his sword, and already was showing signs of growing tired, 'What the hell is this guy?!'

"I recommend you accept defeat. Not to be disrespectful, but you clearly lack the stamina to continue."

"I'll give you something to be disrespectful about!" Despite his laboured breaths, Hisashi jumped back into their exchange of steel and wood again.

'He ignored my recommendation? He is cunning, however...'

Lee inwardly nodded to himself, 'Yosh. It is time to switch to the offensive stance.'

Growing frustrated, Hisashi attempted to cut Lee down from above several times in succession, only to have the miniature Gai effortlessly parry again and again. Hisashi wasn't expecting the sudden kick to the abdomen, making him slide back a few feet. Trying to recover, he growled, "You little-" His mouth was clenched shut by the sudden upper cut.

Stumbling back yet again, Hisashi rubbed his jaw, 'This guy is freaking fast!'

"Heh, do not underestimate me!" Hisashi growled, trying to feign he wasn't hurt from that hit.

Hisashi then swung his katana at the miniature Gai, who was patiently waiting in his stance. Quickly ducking under the blade, Lee wiped the nun-chucks hard into the older man's hip, feeling a hollow groan through the wood connecting on the other end. Hisashi's grunt confirmed his hit must have fractured the bone, or came close to it.

Wincing, Hisashi cursed, 'Damn it!' Sticking his hand into his kimono, Hisashi revealed a small knife, "How about this then?!"

Twirling around the knife in his hand, Hisashi aimed the couple inch long blade at his target. The twist being it wasn't at Lee, but at Hachiro, who was staring agape in shock. Finally realising it was aimed for him, it was too late, since the knife had already left the man's hand. In an instant, a green blur got between the projectile and Hachiro, and wacked the offending weapon, making it ricochet off the spinning nun-chuck, and imbed the cavern floor.

"Trying to attack a spectator of our battle. You not only have such detestable methods of earning a living, but you also are so unsportsmanlike in your fights."

"Shut the hell up, you crazy kid!"

"If my desire was to not detain you, I would go all out for such a poor display of attitude in an opponent." Lee's very strange dialect was beginning to play psychological warfare on not only Hisashi, but the pre-teen spectators as well.

Shaking his head, Hisashi prepared his sword again, "What the hell are you doing here anyway? don't you have some mission you should be doing?!"

"This is our mission. Only due to the circumstances, it has changed significantly. Do not attempt to bribe your way through me either, I will not tolerate another shameless antic."

"'Our?'"

"Yes, our!" Came a feminine growl from behind him, making him blindly spin around with his sword to take a swing. He met the sudden stop of a kunai blocking him from connecting to a pink haired kunoichi, with cold jade irises glaring into his.

Hisashi grunted in annoyance, 'Bloody hell, how many of these freaking ninja are there?!' His thoughts were cut off when Sakura gripped tightly onto the blade part of his katana, and in an instant, snapped his weapon as if it was a twig.

The reaction on the old man's face said it all, 'W-W-WHAT THE HELL?!' Now with only half a sword in his hand, he desperately tried to stab the kunoichi in front of him.

The sword never was able to even touch her vest, as she introduced his face to a firm, gloved backhand. Which just for him, was bundled full of chakra. The result was him doing a triple back flip in the air on the spot, before abruptly landing on his back with a load crash. Hisashi could only let out a pain filled groan before falling into unconsciousness.

"Oh-h...I so wish he didn't go down with just that." Sakura hissed in disappointment.


"Well I will be, you weren't kidding when you said our little thieves were just kids." Teijo exclaimed, watching the doctor giving one a check up.

"It is to our shock as well, Teijo-san." Lee stated.

Teijo then looked to the corner to find the comatose old man on the floor, "And that is the jerk responsible for why they live like this?"

"Not entirely. Hisashi was simply taking advantage of their situation for his own ill benefits. Hachiro-kun and his friends have been in that condition for quite some time."

"They have?" Teijo near shouted in surprise, only to hang is mouth open in disbelief when Lee nodded.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the clinic, Ume had awoken, looking much better in health to Sakura's and Jun's relief.

"So how do you feel, Ume-chan?" Sakura asked softly, only to have the shy little girl look down at her sheets.

"Sorry, my little sister doesn't usually talk that much to people."

Chuckling, Sakura shrugged, "That doesn't bother me. I am happy to see she is much better, but still will need to rest a couple more days to be safe."

Hearing shuffling from Jun, she looked down at the boy to see him presenting a scrunched up bill, "It's not much, but here."

First she went wide eyed in surprise, but instantly shook her head, "I do not treat sick people because I want to rob them of their wallets. I would never forgive myself if I took that."

Relenting, Jun gave a smile, "Thank you for helping us."

"You're welcome."

Back with Teijo and Lee, Teijo had found Hachiro. "So you are the little boss of this bunch, eh?"

Hachiro already was wide eyed, and slowly nodded his head nervously, "H-Hai." Teijo lifted his arm, making the child on impulse jam his eyes shut in tension.

The kid gasped when his rough hair was ruffled, "Let's talk about what you, and your friends can do to help around here."

"U-Umm-" "Let's look at it this way, we need our crops to grow, and you guys need a place to live. We don't have anything fancy out here, but I am sure compared to a cave, it will have a five star rating."

"U-U-Umm-I-"

"Hehehe, you're welcome kid." Seeing that everything was working out well, the shinobi took leave with their extra baggage.

The long walk with Hisashi to the prison was not the most enjoyable experience, especially to Sakura when he woke up, to discover he was bound with rope. She had a massive surge of temptation to send him into unconsciousness again, but restrained herself. The prison Tsunade had mentioned to them in actual fact was a branch off from the Konoha Correctional Facility, however, neither of them had seen it before. With Pakkun leading them to their course, they eventually arrived. Seeing that block of land in the middle of a lava pit earned a strange rush of satisfaction to the kunoichi, as they kindly bid Hisashi farewell.

Now returning course to Konoha, Lee asked away questions he had been wondering, "I do not understand Sakura-san. The way Hachiro-kun and Jun-kun were talking about Hisashi, I expected him to be very powerful."

Sakura, who was jotting down notes in her scrap book, paused, "I admit I was surprised too Lee-san, but we have to remember that they were only children. Hisashi most likely told them all kinds of terrible lies to ensure they did what he told them."

"It is a terrible thing to exploit the simple mind of a child, but it is the truth unfortunately." Pakkun explained.

"Even so...he was just an ordinary thug!" Sakura tried to protest her deep annoyance, while the dog now took over.

"Kakashi has seen far worse things happen to innocent people, all by the hands of another who were not even taught the ways of the shinobi. This is only just one such scenario that sadly happens too often in this world today, thanks to the still recovering nations from the third shinobi war."

Reluctantly accepting Pakkun's explanation, Lee changed the topic, "How did I perform Sakura-san?"

Smiling, Sakura got back to her note writing, "Well I think you did great Lee-san. You were anxious at first to take charge, but you soon did well. "

"I see. Not that I desired it to happen, it was a pity I didn't have the opportunity to demonstrate being an actual leader."

Sakura's chuckle made him turn in question, "You actually are very wrong, Lee-san."

"What do you mean?"

"This mission covers more than you can imagine, it being simple mission or not is irrelevant. From the start Lee-san, you assessed our abilities to handle the mission. On confirmation that neither of us possessed the ability to track, you suggested we seek out an additional member. It is a good quality of a competent leader to understand the limitation of their team."

Stopping her writing, she now turned to face him, "Then there was our discovery of Hachiro-san and the others. As a leader, you are expected to be able to adapt to a sudden change in the mission, and make the decision as to what we do next. You have demonstrated this exact quality. We could have just stuck to the original mission, which was to apprehend them, but we did not. Instead we helped them. "

Pausing to see he was with her, she continued, " 'A novice shinobi will only follow the mission outline to the point, regardless of the situation. A great shinobi will comprehend when the mission is still valid, and if so, then take the appropriate course of actions they believe to be correct in regards to the circumstances.' "

His mouth formed a stretched out 'oh' in understanding, "You show vast amounts of knowledge about these kinds of things Sakura-san."

Dismissing the praise with a wave of her hand, she protested, "Not really Lee-san. These are truthfully things I never even knew about before reading that book. As I said before, when I think about all the qualities they expect from us during the chuunin exams...I really do feel like I am still a genin."

Fidgeting with her pencil, she flipped over to a clean page, "Now all I need is Pakkun's evaluation to add to my own."

Said nin-dog blinked, "What are you talking about exactly?" Explaining Lee's situation again, Pakkun still held a blank expression.

"So that is why you are preaching the obvious." Hearing the groan of the pencil from the sudden firm grip on it by Sakura, Pakkun decided it would be best to just answer the question.

"What is it you wish for me to say?"

"Just tell me your thoughts about Lee-san. How do you feel he performed? Did he do anything you did not approve of? Do you agree with me or disagree, Those kinds of things. Think about that before I ask you again when we return to Konoha."

"As you wish."


Approaching those memorable entrance gates yet again, Sakura sighed in relief, "About time..." Her sudden pause mid-step caused the other two to react and stop a couple of steps later.

"Is something the matter Sakura-san?" Narrowing her gaze on the entrance, Sakura recalled what happened the last time they returned from their mission.

'He couldn't possibly be waiting for us yet again...right?'

"Pakkun, can you check something for me?"

The dog sitting moaned, "We have been walking for so long, what could it possibly be?"

"Can you tell me if you sense Gai-sensei?"

"H-Huh?!"

"Just humour me."

Baring a face that showed his complete bafflement, Pakkun did a motion that could be classified as a dogs way of shrugging, "Whatever."

Audibly sniffing the air, and walking around in a circle on the ground, Pakkun then returned his gaze to the waiting kunoichi, "Not even a trace of him."

'Oh well, at least Lee-san isn't going to get attacked again.' Taking lead, she ignored the still puzzled gazes from the other two behind her.

Upon crossing the threshold, Sakura turned to Lee, "Ok Lee-san, there is sti-"

"YOUR GAURD WAS DOWN!" A voice shouted out behind them, as Lee's face suddenly met the dirt from a raging foot.

Sakura could only stare in surprise and disbelief, 'Not again!'

Pakkun's flat face held no such emotion, but inwardly, 'How did he get past my nose?! I can easily pick up a scent from ten kilometres away?'

"Lee, this is inexcusable! Your spirits are too at ease, you must always be prepared for an unforeseen engagement!"

"H-Hawi Gawi-Senswei!" Lee muffled through the dirt.

Pulling himself up to rub his nose, Lee sulked, "I will put in more hearty efforts, Gai-sensei!"

"We will solve this matter now. Lee! You are to run around the town several times, while I will attempt to attack you when you least expect it-"

"Gai-sensei!" Sakura semi shouted, getting between the two before this disturbing antic could continue.

"Lee-san still has something to do before this mission is completed."

Gai's determined posture faded to question, "Is that so?"

"Hai. Lee-san as the team leader, has to write out the mission report to hand to Tsunade-sama."

She would have thought that would have ended it, but she found herself again surprised, "Oh! Such an essential task that requires great responsibility and aptitude has been assigned to my student?!"

"Hai..." Trying to ignore the in awe sensei, Sakura focused on the miniature version, "Another responsibility of being a team leader is that when a mission reaches a conclusion, it is your duty to produce a written report for Tsunade-sama. This is done with all missions, which are then stored for being kept on record in the case of similar events."

"I understand..."

"Don't worry Lee-san, we will both produce separate reports to hand to Tsunade-sama. I'm very new to doing this myself, so consider it a learning experience for both of us."

Looking down to Pakkun, they exchanged a nod, "However, I have other means to attend to. We will meet in my masters office by the evening."

Lee accepted their agreement, and watched Sakura leave with Pakkun. Hearing a plotting snicker, he looked up to see his sensei with sneaky antics, "Sakura is quite unfortunate that Kakashi is not around at the moment to give her advice."

Pointing a finger as if it was a dagger to Lee, Gai grinned, "You however, have your own sensei, that has singlehandedly produced pin point accurate, and heart wrenching reports. I have produced numerous S ranked mission reports within the time frame of the dawning sun!"

"What is it you are suggesting, Gai-sensei?"

"Lee, I shall give you some tips to produce a report worthy of being mounted on the Hokage's wall of fame of such pride filled ninja!"

"But Gai-sensei, Sakura-san would most likely desire me to attempt this on my own."

Leaning down to his level, Gai gave a sparkly smirk, "I admire your devotion of making this a fair competition. So for being so honourable, I will give you some tips that will aid you."

Lee must not have processed what he was debating with Gai, because instead of persisting, he now was gaping wide in awe, "Really Gai-sensei?!"

"YOSH!-" Going wide eyed out his outburst, Gai looked around in arguably very genuine caution. Leaning in again when he deemed their cover 'uncompromised', Gai began to whisper instructions to his student.


After several exhilarating hours of writing, with his sensei 'Subtly' passing him suggestions every odd sentence, Lee now found himself in the hokage's office. Sakura was there with him, both holding their written reports in their hands. Tsunade, who was oblivious to their little 'competition' as half the party saw it, raised her eyebrow in confusion.

"Welcome back?" Sakura taking a step forward, explained their proposition.

Tsunade sighed, while reaching down to bring up her sake bottle, "Very well then. I see the reason behind doing this and approve...that however, does not mean I want to do this a second time, are we clear?"

"Hai."

Flipping open the first report, Tsunade began reading, while the teens waited in silence. Why it was so tense suddenly, really baffled Tsunade. Looking up to see two expecting gazes, she soon saw why, 'Like I can read with these two practically waiting for me to react somehow. Oh well, that is what the sake is for after all.' Ignoring the two people before her, she widened her eyes in interest.

'Children?!'

Further reading, Tsunade looked up while leaning back in her chair, "How very interesting indeed."

Taking an unnecessary couple of mouth full's of the sweet drink, she let out an approving sigh, "That was your report Sakura. You took my advice wisely from last time, well done."

"Thank you Tsunade-sama."

Sliding the report to the side, she flipped over the next one. Within a minute, Tsunade began to wonder if the pounding sensation in her head was the start of a new hangover. Squinting at one word that she swore never existed, she reached under her desk. Both teens were taken aback at the discovery it was a dictionary.

'That's what that word means?!' Putting aside the surprise, she struggled to decipher her way through the report.

At long last 'making it' to the end, Tsunade took a very long pause, "Well both your stories are consistent. However..."

Tsunade tried to think of a polite way to put it, before continuing, "Your report Lee is way too, ermm...complicated."

"Complicated?"

"While both of these by far are passable and acceptable, people are going to prefer being able to read something that doesn't hurt their brain. A report while needing to be detailed, also needs to be concise, and basic in structure unless otherwise required. If this was an S ranked mission, what is interpreted from such material can mean a great difference in future operations, or even decisions made by the council."

Wide eyed, Lee nodded, "I understand Hokage-sama."

"Good. Now moving along, you are being sent on your next mission pretty much straight away."

"Really?"

Nodding to her apprentice, Tsunade cleared her throat, "Before I brief you, I sent away for your teammates earlier. They should be here right about-"

The three knocks interrupted her.

Calling out to come in, the door opened to make Sakura go agape, "U-Umm!- Tsunade-sama, w-we are meant to keep Lee-san's assessment bias free-"

"Gai-sensei!"

Giving the thumb up, said jounin sparkled his teeth, "Yosh! what a blossoming opportunity to give my own student a firm and conclusive recommendation!"