AN: You thought I was going to make you wait another 3 months didn't you? :P
~KuroiTori-sama & Eagleman : You are both correct. Hanzo indeed is dead, however remember from the anime episode where Jiraiya infiltrated the rain village. He was under the impression the village was still divided from civil war, and that Hanzo still was their leader. Meaning Pein's take over was kept a secret from people outside of rain. (Unless I happen to be wrong)
Chapter 11 Mission 4: Brewing Escorts
Taiga by this time had long returned to one of the labyrinth hideouts where Orochimaru was situated to give his report. They were both within an enormous underground chamber, with darkness creeping all around them bar some parts of the stone patterned room, where flaming torches were positioned on the many large support pillars. Taiga was kneeling not far from Orochimaru, who was seated on a snake-scale textured throne in the centre of the chamber.
"I see. So none of them were worth our time? It is so hard to find decent help these days, or at least find candidates that live up to your very fine standards. Perhaps in future we should just put the weak to use regardless. I'm sure Kabuto would value more test subjects who are a little above the current selection he has available, kukuku."
"I shall consider that for next time, Orochimaru-sama."
"However, Taiga-kun, it would appear you are being a little careless yourself. While I have no issue with you engaging Konoha shinobi, you shouldn't be proudly displaying the salamander summons. We don't want Konoha growing suspicion on its original owner's status now do we?"
The snake sannin's plastered smirk only grew, "It was no trivial task to retrieve the summoning contract of the salamander, especially being that Hanzo was defeated by Pein, who also destroyed the original scroll."
Upon mentioning 'Pein' Taiga's eyes hardened for a moment to reveal clear resolve before it morphed back into a neutral gaze, "My sincerest apologies, Orochimaru-sama, I got carried away."
"If you truly wish to avenge your proud and great leader, then you must be strategic, for your desired opponent right now could crush you with little effort. I have given you both Hanzo's summoning contract, along with one of my finest curse seals to aid you. At this moment, nobody outside of Amegakure knows of what is happening within its boundaries. Konoha snooping around to discover the civil war has been ended along with a new leader in its place would complicate your goal, among other hassles."
"Hai, Orochimaru-sama."
"Now then, continue your work in finding suitable recruits for our cause." Taiga nodded his head and then disappeared into the darkness. When a loud bang was heard of a great door closing, another figure walked into the dim light.
It was Kabuto, who was lifting his specs, "Very rare for you to show concern for a subordinate, Orochimaru-sama?"
The snake's pleased yellow slits met Kabuto's, "Why do my ears interpret that question as a sign of envy?"
"Hardly envy Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru snickered at the assurance, "Taiga's efforts in his task have shown great success with some worthy new shinobi for Oto. It would be a hindrance for him to be dispatched due to his impatience."
"That is very true…"
"What is it, Kabuto?"
"Forgive me Orochimaru-sama, however I am curious. Why did you take in Taiga-kun?"
"Kukuku, perhaps it is out of the brewing habit for me to bring in those troubled souls whose hearts are seeking revenge. Then again why not? Taking advantage of their lust for power and scarred heart's is just so easy to accomplish."
"You mean like how you reeled in Sasuke-kun?"
Orochimaru did not respond to Kabuto's question, as Kabuto yet again grew curious, "But do you truly believe Taiga-kun could achieve his goal. With avenging Hanzo-san and defeating Pein-san I mean, Orochimaru-sa-"
Kabuto's question was muted when the snake sannin abruptly started laughing uncontrollably at what he had just said. The echoing and menacing laughter did not subdue for over a minute as Orochimaru met his henchmen's quizzical expression.
"When did you become so humorous, Kabuto? You could potentially smother somebody to death with hysterics at just how outrageous your words are sometimes."
'How foolish of me to think otherwise. Orochimaru-sama is simply using Taiga-kun…Just like Sasuke-kun'
Kabuto's glasses flickered as he simply bowed his head, "I try my best, Orochimaru-sama."
"Hmmph-Hmmph-Hmmph. How amusing. Pein with those eyes greater than even the sharingan is as strong as a god itself. Even I am no match for him. Taiga-kun's ambition is nothing but a pure fantasy."
Kabuto's eyes narrowed for a moment as he adjusted his glasses, 'If Pein-san is so great because of the legendary Rinnegan bloodline, then I wonder why he is so interested in the sharingan…It is true Orochimaru-sama has wished to learn all jutsu, but even he can acknowledge the Rinnegan would be far superior.'
When he stumbled across an answer in his mind, Kabuto's only sign of understanding was a half-smile, 'I see now…It's because the sharingan currently is the only option that is practical. Using Sasuke-kun is possible due to him not being a match for Orochimaru-sama, while Pein-san is a very different case. Orochimaru-sama always has been an opportunist.'
The training grounds of Konoha were yet again only occupied by a lone spandex wearer as if it was a tradition. Lee was mercilessly hammering his blurring fast fists into a wooden post, which now had a miniature crater forming against its trunk from the endless onslaught in the one area.
Over the solid drumming of impacts, a triple digit number could be heard muttered from the focused genin, 'I must press forward with haste in my training to ensure that next time I will be prepared!'
Without slowing down in his tempo, Lee continued to muse over the information earlier, 'If Taiga Kano is in charge of the Oto forces that means he is most likely to attempt thwarting another mission of Konoha's. I will acknowledge he is strong, and my gut is telling me he was only toying with me before.'
Lee quickly switched to kicks that held more force than his fists did because of that realisation, 'If Gai-sensei had not located us in time I would have been forced to use the gates to have a chance.'
Lee in frustration switched to executing an entire combo with his nun-chucks, the blows being strong enough to cause bark chips to fly everywhere.
'Remember what Gai-sensei told me, remember Naruto-kun's iron will to defeat Neji. I must not doubt my abilities.'
Sensing a presence he recognised approaching, Lee stopped and turned, "Neji."
Said Hyuuga stopped when they were a few feet apart and acknowledged his teammate, "Lee. How is your evaluation going? I trust you are taking it seriously?"
"Yosh! I have successfully demonstrated my abilities in three missions so far."
"Three? You still have far to go then. Make sure you continue giving it your all throughout every single one."
"Absolutely, my resolve shall never even flinch until I am equal with my comrades again."
"Hmmph." Neji grunted in amusement.
Deciding to take a break from his training, Lee put away his nun-chucks, "What is it you have been busying yourself with all this time, Neji?"
The Hyuuga perked an eyebrow in surprise to Lee's question for a moment before it relaxed, "Hasn't Gai-sensei or Tenten told you?"
"…"
"I have been undertaking missions to allow me to qualify for becoming a jounin."
Lee's jaw hung wide in shock, "J-Jounin?"
"Of course. You think I am satisfied with being a chuunin? I want to ascend all the way through the ranks, and even then, Jounin is not the end of what it is I wish to do."
"I-I see…So you are continuing to move forward briskly."
"More or less."
"Hey-just a minute!"
Quickly recovering from his shock, Lee pointed at Neji, "What of our spar when I am of equal rank to you? I wished to fight you when we were both chuunin!"
Neji smugly crossed his arms and gave a grin that he knew made Lee see a flame emerge from his onyx eyes, "Well you best hurry up then, Lee. I do not plan to wait for you forever."
A simple taunt, but to Lee it was a challenge that he took with trembling and resolute raised fists.
"YOSH! I'll not lose my golden opportunity! I must convince Sakura-san for us to begin our next mission this instant!" Lee shot off with nothing but dust remaining in his place, as Neji slowly shook his head.
The Hyuuga knew his teammate all too well. Taunting Lee always was the perfect method to motivate him to do better as they had discovered. Similarly enough that was a trait shared with Gai as well. Lee didn't seem to realise he still would have to wait for the Konoha chuunin exam's regardless of how quick he completed his missions, but Neji still chose to prod him anyway since he noticed Lee was bothered about something.
"Do your best, Lee…"
Meanwhile, Lee was already bee-lining through the afternoon streets of Konoha. Despite the fact he had no actual clue where Sakura was interviewing Gai and Tenten, that didn't stop Lee from ducking his head quickly into every café and restaurant he passed to find her. He even went as far as to mentally declare if he didn't speak to Sakura about a new mission today, he would run two hundred laps of the village.
Shooting past a street his sharp eyes caught the briefest glimpse of pink, which made him double back confirm it was Sakura. He was about to call out to her until he noticed she wasn't with Gai and Tenten, but with Ino instead. The pair of kunoichi were sitting at a bench on the side of the footpath, discussing something Lee guessed was deep judging by Sakura's facial expression.
It looked as if she was convinced about something, while Ino was holding a collected expression. From his position he couldn't hear what they were talking about, but he noticed when Ino had said something it caused Sakura's jaw and eyes to suddenly become wide in surprise. Unlike before, she now appeared as if she was completely lost about whatever Ino had just said.
Deciding perhaps he should enquire about the mission another day, Lee respectfully turned away from the street and started heading back to the training field, 'No matter, we have until the next Konoha chuunin exam regardless…'
Lee paused in his step as his eyes slowly grew in realisation, 'I still have to wait so long! Neji surely would be a jounin before then! I was so eager I didn't comprehend that fact until now.'
Lee's eyes fell lazily to his sandals as he inwardly cursed, 'Damn it…'
"WOAH! Why is my hot-blooded pupil emitting such a depressing aura?"
Lee looked up from his feet to see Gai, giving an enthusiastic thumb up, "You should be overflowing with blissful glee. Your spirited team gave you a fond evaluation worthy of a capable chuunin."
"Neji is going to become a jounin before I am a chuunin."
Gai's thumb fell dull at Lee's statement, while Lee added, "I am proud to hear he wishes to continue forward, but at the same time I'm frustrated by this. I wanted to spar with him when we were of the same rank."
"Lee…"
Crunching his fists, Lee gave a firm nod to himself as he sharply looked up at Gai, "However I will not submit to defeat over this news. I will accept this truth, and use it to power drive myself to continue in my training even further!"
Gai rubbed his watery eyes at Lee's words, "Such scorching high spirits you hold within! I'm ever relieved to hear this development has not caused as much ill effect as me and Tenten originally feared."
Two days later…
Tenten had grown bored to death from idleness the past couple of days and decided to train with Lee down at the field. She started by beginning her typical warm-up of aiming at multiple well positioned targets with shuriken. Meanwhile Lee had just started his own warm up of its typical insane proportions.
One hundred single knuckle push ups.
He was spectating Tenten's training while doing so. It never ceased to amaze him just how no matter what the angle was, Tenten would always score a bullseye.
She certainly was living up to her reputation as a weapons specialist, "Such fine precision as always."
"Heh, thanks Lee." She replied, while raising a handful of kunai this time and hitting the mark on the several targets yet again right next to her previous shurikens.
Tenten sighed deeply at her boredom not ceasing, as she turned around to talk to like while lackadaisically tossing another kunai over her head to once again hit a mark, "Where is Neji?"
"He has left for yet another mission this early morning."
"I see. Bah, that Neji. He's always leaving us behind these days."
"You are a chuunin just like he is Tenten, I'm surprised you chose not to follow Neji's plan as well?"
"I'm not exactly in any hurry Lee, not to mention Neji never originally had an ambition until after his great match with Naruto."
"You believe Naruto-kun is the cause for Neji's desire to race through the ranks?"
"Well it's my theory to say the least."
"I see…However, we still must take this opportunity to better ourselves too, just like Neji is doing so relentlessly."
Snickering, the weapon specialist shook her head, "Sometimes, I swear you are an automated machine that just blurts out the 'we must keep training' message."
Lee pointed his index finger up while still continuing his exercise, "It is wise and true words that Gai-sensei would voice with full confidence."
"Tch, I don't doubt that in the slightest there."
"Perhaps you should use this opportunity to expand your range of jutsu? You're typically very keen to learn something new."
Tenten's eyes narrowed in thought, "Eh, that is also true…why don't you do the same as well?"
"Hmm? Whatever do you mean, Tenten?"
"You've trained arguably more than anybody else I know every single day, perfecting your taijutsu to as best as can be."
Lee briefly paused in his exercise to try and work out why Tenten of all people was asking this question when he expected her to know this better than anybody else. Deciding to voice his question, he continued his training again, "I train so vigorously due to my inability to mould chakra any other way than through my taijutsu."
"Yes-Yes, I would know that fact more so than anyone, Lee."
"Then-…-What do you mean?"
"What I'm saying is why don't you learn more jutsu that are moulded through taijutsu?"
Lee now stopped his training and sat up too speak properly to Tenten, "You mean like how I learnt dynamic entry, or-"
"No-No I mean jutsu that are not strictly hand-to-hand. You possess more than satisfactory capabilities in taijutsu already."
"Not taijutsu?-…I beg your pardon?"
Seeing he was puzzled, Tenten drew a kunai which started to glow with chakra, "Well, like for example moulding chakra within objects such as weapons. Placing chakra into shuriken and kunai for instance increases their speed when you throw them, along with making them deal more damage."
To demonstrate, Tenten span and threw the kunai in a blur at one of the large targets. The kunai pierced straight through one of her previous embedded kunai from the hilt, as it hit the mark in the exact same spot.
Having seen such a technique before did not break Lee's bafflement, "But you are moulding chakra within the weapon beforehand. I cannot perform such an action."
"Correction Lee, you cannot perform such an action without using taijutsu to mould the chakra."
"What do…"
Lee bolted up to his feet when understanding finally sunk in, "I understand! But is such a thing possible?"
"Well I don't see why not? I mean sure you mould it differently from anybody else, but it is still chakra that you decide how to use."
"I am very eager to attempt this!"
Before Tenten could speak, Lee in a blur pulled a couple of fresh shuriken out of his holster and dashed past Tenten aiming at one of the target boards, "IKIMASHOU!"
Letting the shurikens fly through his fingers, Lee watched in anticipation with his hand still raised as his airborne weapon flew towards the board. When they struck the board with a loud 'plunk', it oddly went quiet as a lone bird chirp became audibly louder. The cause being that the shurikens did absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.
Tenten formed a sweat drop at the still frozen in time Lee, "…I think we need to speak to somebody first to find out how to do it if possible, Lee."
Lee span around to show he was hardly displeased from his failure, "I fully concur to such a bright suggestion!"
'*Sigh* Lee…'
Leaving the field with Tenten leading, they agreed to go to the only person they knew was right to ask such a question…as much as Tenten wished there was another option.
When they found this person, there wasn't even Kakashi there with him to make it any easier, "Yes my diligent and blazing with boldness students?" If she had not gotten used to such a ridiculous greeting, Tenten's left eye would have got the twitches.
"We require your vast awareness and upbeat intellect, Gai-sensei." Lee chirped in response, as Gai gave an amused grunt bundled with a smirk.
"Always glad to educate the youths of today with my endless pool of knowledge! Please ask away and I shall answer every question with nothing but unbendable honesty."
The headaches from such language however never numbed away for Tenten, even after so many years, "We-erm-were wondering if it is possible for Lee to mould chakra into weapons?"
Gai took a deep breath in as he was about to begin, but nothing came out of his dish wide mouth. Funnily enough that bird must have followed them from the field, as the street suddenly became so quiet that it was the only thing which could be heard.
Tenten hung her head at her sensei's utter stupidity, 'Endless pool of knowledge…Yeah, right.'
Gai let out a baffled groan after a long minute, as he suddenly realised his state of confusion and raised his index finger high, "This is a question that must be enquired to one with even greater awareness than I."
'And who would that be? A sane person?'
Lee was much less sarcastic than Tenten, "Who could it be, Gai-sensei?"
"Why none other than-…"
Gai bit his finger as he ran through seals, and slammed his hand on the dirt to cause a pickup of dust to blind their vision. When the dust cleared, Standing on all fours at around four feet in height, was a great red tortoise wearing nothing but a blue Konoha forehead protector around his neck and an orange bandage on his front left leg.
"Ningame!"
"Ningame-sensei!"
"Great…" Tenten mumbled, suddenly wishing she was elsewhere.
The tortoise grunted in surprise, as his lazy large eyes looked up at his summoner, "What is it you want, Gai?"
"Ningame, we require your grand knowledge that only one of your age and experience would know!"
"How harsh to put it in such a way Gai, I'm only a hundred and twenty three."
This all sounded very familiar to Tenten, so she muted the entire conversation until Ningame got to the point, "Hmm, it is most definitely true that while you must mould your chakra differently than normal to perform jutsu, you would be able to do such an ability."
Lee couldn't hold back his growing enthusiasm, "R-Really?"
"Of course, do you not remember the amount of training we went through for you to be able to mould chakra so you could walk on water and trees? If that was possible, then this is just as achievable."
Tenten mentally groaned at the memory of just how much hard work it took Lee to finally be able to do what took herself and Neji a couple of days tops. Well from that memory alone, it was safe to say Lee practically did not care just how hard it was.
As long as there was even a remote chance to do something, Lee would tackle it with no means of giving up, "Do you know what training I need, Ningame-sensei?"
"Indeed I do-"
Ningame never even got a chance to finish after that, "-Please teach me!"
Three weeks later…
It was early morning now in Konoha, and Sakura had just exited the hokage tower with a closed scroll in her hand. Pausing for a moment to think, Sakura then took off towards the training field.
'Lee-san should be at the training field. He has almost been living there for the past couple of weeks.'
Sooner or later she arrived at the field, and just as she had predicted Lee was there along with Tenten. She assumed Lee was doing target practice or something based on the fact he was throwing kunai at a target board.
Paying no more notice to it, she approached and made her presence known, "Good morning Lee-san, Tenten."
Lee turned and gave a sharp nod in welcome, "Good morning to you too, Sakura-san. Forgive me for always asking, but any word on my next evaluation mission?"
Sakura's grin was more than enough of an answer for him, "Brilliant! Please fill me in on the details, I'm more than prepared!" Presenting the red coloured scroll, Sakura unwound it while chuckling at Lee's seemingly endless passion.
"Our mission is to protect a supplier's cargo of valuable items between here all the way to Grass country. They will be making several stop points along the way. This mission is of B rank, and expected to last approximately a week."
"Escort mission? I'm already pumped to get started. What exactly is the cargo we will be protecting Sakura-san?"
"I'm not exactly sure Lee-san, the scroll classifies them as extremely valuable. I guess when we meet our client we will find out then."
Nodding, Lee turned to bid his farewells to the silent Tenten, "My apologies Tenten, I will not be able to continue our training for the next week."
"I heard-"
Tenten sighed in boredom at the news she now had literally nothing to do for a week. Neji yet again was on another mission, and Gai hardly classified as company, "Take car-"
"Actually Tenten, I was addressing you as well."
"Oh?"
Sakura acknowledged Tenten's questioning gaze as she explained, "Tsunade-sama has passed a new rule stating that all ninja missions outside of Konoha's boundaries must either be undertaken by a four man cell, or at least have a jounin's presence with a team of three."
Tenten's face showing further question yet again prompted Sakura, "This is because of Oto and their continued efforts to interfere with our missions. The number of injured shinobi returning from missions to be hospitalised has grown very alarmingly high. Their new recruits it would seem are quite formidable. This is Tsunade-sama's way to try and balance the number of missions we undertake, while at the same time maintaining a high level of success and ensuring our safety."
"I didn't think it had gotten that bad?" Tenten muttered in clear surprise to this news, as Sakura replied.
"Me neither, shisho is being driven insane by all the chaos being caused from this. Hopefully it will return to normal sooner or later."
Putting that matter behind them, Sakura grinned, "As I was saying, I was told by Tsunade-sama to either locate a jounin or any two additional members to accompany me and Lee-san. So your help would be appreciated, unless you are busy."
"Intrigue me by saying Oto has become more than just a thorn in our side, and then question if I wish to join you?"
Sakura perked an eyebrow at the weapons specialist, 'The fact we have a high probability of encountering enemy ninja intrigues her?'
"You're not bothered by the news?"
Tenten responded with a smirk, "Of course the news is bothersome to hear. However, I always welcome a challenge to test my abilities, don't you agree?"
Sakura blinked in surprise at the question, but answered with an approving grunt, "You have a very interesting way to look at it. So we now need to find another member for our team, any suggestions?"
Lee finally jumped into the conversation, "Gai-sensei I'm sure was not doing anything."
Sakura immediately regretted asking the question but she caught herself in time not to pull a face of disapproval in front of Lee. Tenten however frowned with little care that Lee could see it, "Is there not anybody else?"
Sakura raised a finger to her chin as her eyes met the sky in thought, "Well…There is somebody else. But-…It's-"
"-There is no 'But' when you are comparing somebody else to Gai-sensei. Let's go." Tenten sharply added, feeling it was impossible for there to be someone else that could be considered as bad as Gai.
Upon meeting Sakura's other suggestion, Tenten suddenly began to question her beliefs.
The group were now standing before a Konoha chuunin, who was wearing a green hooded jacket, and a pair of goggles shielding his eyes from view.
It was Shino, "You wish for me to join you?" he questioned in that monotonous voice of his, with the slightest traces of wonder present behind it.
Sakura nodded to the bug user, "You would be a great help if you can."
"It should be expected for a comrade to aid another comrade who is in need. How can we depend on others if they do not?"
Lee was awestruck by the rhetorical response, 'That is so true!'
'Umm…I think that's a yes.' Sakura mused, as she hid her bafflement with a smile.
"Great. Please follow us so we can meet our client before packing."
"As you wish." Sakura and Tenten then took the lead and started walking away.
Tenten leaned close to Sakura's ear, "Of all the people you could have thought of?"
"Hey, you were the one insistent on it not being Gai-sensei. Besides Shino is not that bad, he is just…a little different." Neither kunoichi was aware they weren't quite being followed yet, as Shino and Lee were in a stare off.
The tension was to be expected, since this was their first time working together.
'This guy has such an overwhelming over that is making my skin crawl. He's very peculiar.' Lee thought, as he formed a firm salute to the bug user.
"I look forward to be able to work together with you on our mission!"
Only a light gasp of surprise was heard from the bug user as Lee stuck out an open hand, however no physical change was noticed. After a brief moment of his eyes staring at the welcoming hand, Shino accepted the firm shake, "Indeed I shall, cooperation is vital between comrades in order to bring success after all."
"That is very sharp words you speak, Shino-kun!"
'Rock Lee is his name I believe. Hmm…'
The shinobi's client was patiently waiting for them just outside the front gates of Konoha. Their client appeared to be an elderly man in his late sixties, and was wearing an immaculate maroon kimono that signified his great wealth.
He greeted the Konoha team with his welcoming soft blue eyes as he rubbed his mostly bold head, "Oh, you must be my escort."
Since she was in charge, Sakura obliged, "Hai, we very much are. Forgive us for running a little late."
"That is alright, it's nice to spend some idle time to admire the grand sights around Konoha anyway. "
Sakura was already glad that their client appeared quite a laid back and relaxed type of person, "My name is Sakura, pleased to meet you mr?-"
"I'm Taro."
Taro then looked to the others, "And you are?"
"Tenten."
"Shino…"
"And I'm Konoha's beautiful green beast, Rock Lee."
Tenten secretly groaned, reminding herself there could have been two 'Konoha beautiful beasts' instead of just one.
Shino payed a glance at Lee, 'He appears very highly motivated and enthusiastic…he sort of reminds me of Naruto.'
Taro didn't seem bothered however by Lee's introduction, "Well I feel safer already."
Taro then returned his gaze to Sakura, "I trust you are aware of my path?"
"Hai, however the mission briefing does not mention what exact cargo we will be guarding?"
"Oh woops, you have to forgive me, hehe, you tend to forget stuff when you are approaching my age."
Taro then turned to a great wagon that was behind him, which had a thick sheet covering the contents within it. Letting out a grunt as he lifted himself onto the top of the wagon, Taro raised a portion of the sheet, revealing dozens of corked shut bottles filled with liquids.
Nobody seemed to be effected by the contents shown except for Tenten, whose eyes were bulging wide. Perhaps putting up with Gai on this mission might not have been such a bad idea after all, not when this mission just became a little 'too' dangerous.
'Oh you have got to be kidding me.'
"I'm a supplier of some of the finest sake you will ever taste. No drinking though hehe, none of you look anywhere near twenty."
AN: As always, feel free to give freedback and I shall update soon (As long as uni doesn't continue to get in my way)
