Lord Dantako: "You're back already? I'm impressed. I assume everything went well?"

Me: "Yes, Aida has been assassinated, along with a portion of the Iwa Hospital."

Lord Dantako: "Is that right Mao?"

Great! Mao was there! I hope he didn't see what happened. That would ruin everything.

Mao: "Well, about that…"

Oh no...

Mao: "He did cause a bit of a scene, but, no one was able to see who did it. Aida is gone and there are no suspicions on a possible culprit."

Lord Dantako: "Good. Thank you Tenzo. As I promised, your parents have been released. You have proved yourself through this mission Tenzo, you are a very fine shinobi, and will prove useful in the near future."

Me: "Thanks."

I walked out of his office and out of the building. That was a close one. That has to be the first comment I have ever heard come from his mouth. What did he mean about being useful in the near future though? Could that mean that he plans to attack Iwagakure soon? I must act quickly.

I walked up to my door, unlocked it, walked in, and locked it back. Aida was to the side cooking supper. All of the windows were completely shut; all ways of spying on us were completely sealed.

Aida: "How did everything go?"

Me: "It went fairly smooth. Now we just have to figure out what will happen next."

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

Aida quickly hid in the closet and I walked up to the door. Who could it be? I opened it slowly.

Mao: "Whaaaaat's uup!?"

Me: "Oh, hey Mao, what do you need?"

Mao: "Well, I came to talk to you about what happened the other day."

Mao had a huge grin on his face. It was awkward and very creepy to look into his face. This means that he knows exactly what happened.

Mao: "So, is that pretty girl your new girlfriend now?"

*THUD!*

As quickly as he spit out his last sentence, Aida had him pressed against the floor with a kunai at his throat.

Mao: "Woah woah, calm down missy. I mean no harm to you two."

Me: "You mean you are not going to tell Dantako?"

Mao: "Not at all! I just simply have a deal I wish to make with you."

Great, why do I all of a sudden feel like I'm making a deal with the devil?

Me: "What is it?"

Mao: "I simply would like to plead for safety."

Me: "What do you mean?"

Mao: "Well it is sooo obvious. You are clearly planning to overthrow Lord Dantako! He he he."

I just paused. How does he know this? How long has he been gathering intel on me?

Mao: "I know what you are thinking, and it is as simple as this. Lord Dantako always keeps eyes on typically talented shinobi, and I was assigned to keep a steady data log about you and everything you do. I know everything that you have done up to this point, including what you have thought. My deal is simply this though. I would like to become a spy for you, Tenzo. I would like to trade safety for intel on Dantako and to false report your actions to keep you safe and under the radar."

Me: "Really? That is it? That simple? Why are you trying to help me?"

Mao: "Well, quite frankly, the way Lord Dantako executes his own shinobi without hesitation won't let me rest at ease. I don't know when he will one day decide to take my life."

Me: "Alright, well, I'm in no position to refuse your offer, so I accept your terms."

Mao: "Good good! Now, as for a little heads up. You are right. Lord Dantako plans to attack Iwagakure within three weeks."

Three weeks!? That is too soon! How will I be ready to retaliate that fast!? This is a big problem now. I don't know what to do.

Mao: "Any who, I must be off now. I'm a bit hungry. Can you please let me go Aida?"

Aida: "Fine.."

Aida let Mao go and he left the house. I locked the door and looked over at Aida.

Aida: "I don't trust him."

Me: "Neither do I, but we were in no position to refuse his help. We just have to play it safe."

Aida: "Yea.. Well, supper is ready."

We sat down and started eating. Soon after I made a spot to sleep on the floor and let Aida use my bed. We both fell asleep, well, that is what I hoped for. Aida was fast asleep but I could not sleep.

I decided I will go train. It would be best to get worn out and tired to get me to sleep. I walked into the closet, moved the box that was on the floor, and opened up the secret door that was under the box. I walked down some stairs and came to an opening. There all that was seeable was a large room in the shape of an arena, lit all the way around. I walked in and closed the door behind me.

Me: "Well, time to train."

I walked to the middle, formed a hand sign, and yelled.

Me: "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Several clones of me were standing around. I took a step back, nodded at myself, and pulled out a kunai.

*CLING* *CLASH* *THUMP*

Hand to hand combat. One of the most common styles of fighting. This is usually how I trained it. Five versus one was always a good way to stimulate having to fight in a war. You never know how many you're up against, especially in a war within your own village.

One after another, the shadow clones were defeated. Finally, all five of them were gone. Not one ounce of chakra was used. Perfect. The more chakra I save in fights in a war, the more I have to use when I fight Dantako. I laid down in the floor and just started to think.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

Mao: "Very impressive."

Me: "How did you get in here?"

Mao: "Didn't I tell you? I know everything about you. I know every possible way to get in and get out."

Me: "That is very, well, creepy."

Mao: "Any who, we are here for you."

Me: "We?"

Two Kusa ANBU walked out from behind him. Then they all three charged at me. What just happened!?