Although I try to make the storyline coincide with the series there will be instances where it won't work out exactly that way.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 11: "The Mission"

Tsunade intertwined her fingers and waited for her assistant to come through that door any second now.

'What is taking her so long?' she looked to her right and saw the mass piles of untouched paperwork, 'yeah I could do those until she shows up but-'

Her patience was wearing thin and just when she was about to start on the paperwork the loud knock on the door was heard.

'Oh thank kami' she thought, removing her hand from the page like it was on fire.

"Come in" she ordered, and the door opened making way to show a very stressed looking Shizune.

"Tsunade-sama, something terrible has happened!"

Tsunade motioned for her to continue with the details as Shizune took the opportunity to catch her breath.

"Well it seems that a bar just outside the border of the Land of Fire was attacked, the bar was famous for attracting the biggest criminals that many of our own jōnin couldn't take down, from the reports of the ANBU squad it seems there were no survivors, the person that did this left the murder weapon behind, and from the details in the report it seems the person that did this was a psychopath, there we signs of torture and slow deaths"

Tsunade gave the dark haired woman a quizzical look, 'isn't this good news? I know that bar very well, it housed the biggest of criminals, whoever ordered this mission did us all a favor'

Shizune sighed and locked eyes with the frowning woman in front of her.

"I know what you may be thinking Tsunade-sama, but this isn't good news, we have to think of the lesser of two evils, and the person that did this wasn't ordered to do this as a mission, I have already contacted the other assistants of the Kages and are just as concerned about this as we are".

"How many died at the scene?"

"102 men, Tsunade-sama"

'One person killed 102 men? Whoever we're dealing with here must be an S class to pull off something like that, Shizune is correct on one thing, the individual that did this is definitely the greater of two evils'

"Are you sure it was just one person Shizune?"

"Well I'm not too sure, but the report from the Investigation facility says it's very likely. All of the injuries were caused by the katana that the ANBU were able to take from the scene, it is a very unusual katana, and I've never seen anything like it".

'That's very strange news, it's very difficult to make a katana all that different from the usual design and still retain the same function'

Shizune handed Tsunade the report and awaited her orders.

"Shizune, give me the list of all the available chūnin and jōnin"

"H-hai Tsunade-sama", the dark haired woman bowed and scrambled around with one of the many folders she was holding to find the piece of paper with the list.

Giving it to the Hokage, Tsunade scanned the page debating on the candidates. The choice she made had to be considered greatly, sending her chūnin and jōnin on these missions always struck her a little and made her slightly worry for their return for even simple looking missions on paper could hide the clouded picture that could lead to a greater threat so even B or C rank missions had the uneasy effect on her. Glancing at the paper once more she made up her mind.

"I want team 10 to take on the bar murder mission with Yamato as team leader" Shizune nodded and wrote down the orders. Team 10 and most importantly the whole village had lost Sarutobi Asuma not many weeks ago, and the effect had taken the greatest toll on the team, she couldn't do much for them but grieve like the rest and move on, remembering Asuma for the great shinobi he was. Speaking with Shikaku many times before he had to leave the village she took it from his way of speech and facial expressions that he was hurt, most likely from the way his son had taken to the passing of their sensei. 'This mission will require great observation and dedication to track down the culprit, a great distraction for the whole team, will keep their minds occupied and I know I can't count on better shinobi for this mission-but at the same time it could be what decides what I'm about to do'. Tsunade wrote down a quick note and handed it to her assistant.

"Shizune I need you to deliver this to Yamato personally, he should be with Naruto and Kakashi out in the northern forest, so when you retrieve them hand him that note"

"Hai Tsunade-sama, also have you chosen who to put on the other mission yet, you've had a couple of hours to think about it", the deep scowl returned to the blonde woman's face as she reminisced about the event that occurred here not many hours ago, the words of the young academy girl still echoed in her head.

"Yes Shizune, I was waiting for you to tell you this, I have made up my mind, I need you to get Team 7 and Team Gai to take this mission"

Shizune looked at her Hokage with bewilderment.

"T-Tsunade-sama, why two teams? Isn't it better to just send one? A team of four is ideal, adding any more than that is jeopardizing the mission and placing more of our own in danger, plus it would be easy to-"

"I know that Shizune, but the words of that academy student still haunt me slightly" the blonde Hokage said while frowning from the uneasiness.

Tsunade recalled the words clearly.

"You're not even listening to me! It wasn't anyone in Konoha, s-she wasn't human! She was a demon"

"I know it's ridiculous", Tsunade chuckled lightly but sounded like awkward laughter to Shizune, "she has to be human right?"

'I've never seen Tsunade-sama like this, it's like she's seeking answers in someone else to reassure her but she really is concerned' Shizune snapped out of her thoughts as she quickly noticed that Tsunade was still waiting her response.

Shizune nodded

'Tsunade-sama is having a hard time comprehending this whole situation now; she isn't sure what to believe'

Shizune noted that Tsunade was done and rushed out the room to seek the teams and have them make their way to the Hokage's office for detailed instructions.

Tsunade was really wrapped into her own thoughts that she didn't notice Shizune leave.

'Either way I don't want to just rush my decision and send these kids out there like it's nothing, that girl was after blood and didn't care who she got it from, our students did nothing to aggravate her, she almost killed one of our own and I can't have that'

Tsunade wasn't sure about the details but she was sure that whatever was out there wouldn't be easy to take down. The injuries the boy had were severe from the report she had received from Sakura. Looking over the report once more she read it in detail. She really was proud of her apprentice, she had managed to attach the arm so it could return to its full use again, something that she would consider difficult herself it would take enormous amounts of chakra at pin point precision to connect nerve endings.

As if on cue the pink haired kunoichi entered the office, all Tsunade could focus on was her lack of knocking but her slight annoyance quickly faded when she noted the troubled look on the young girl's face.

"Shishou sorry for the intrusion but I got news from Katsuro Rei's doctor" Sakura approached her mentor and handed her a report, "It seems that his arm is fine, the blood transfusion worked, but he's getting worse, I've never seen anything like this ever, so I was hoping go over the report and give light to whatever it could be"

Tsunade looked at the report and wanted to help but couldn't. She read the line in the report that confused her, 'light purple markings all over the chest area, multiply with given time' she didn't know what that was.

"Sakura, I am of no help, I've never heard or seen of this sort of thing, I ask that you give this report to the Cryptanalysis Squad, they're not just for cryptics and messages, they also deal with extensive research and thorough findings that could help lead some clarity to this situation".

Sakura nodded in approval and waited for Tsunade to dismiss her. "Don't leave quite yet Sakura, I need you to stay here, I have a mission for your team and should be arriving soon, you can deliver that letter after you have received your mission details".

The pink haired girl wasn't expecting this and stood there dumb folded but quickly dismissed it and awaited her team mates.

After fifteen minutes of contemplating whether or not to start her paperwork the blond haired woman heard the loud obnoxious voice of the just as obnoxious Jinchuriki boy outside her office and awaited their knock.

"Ahhh~ but Kakashi-sensei why did we have to come here? You didn't have to drag me you know I would have eventually agreed to come here on my own"

Kakashi sighed and put down the blonde boy that had in insisted on kicking him in the stomach for the last five minutes after he had thrown him over his shoulder and headed for the Hokage's office after he had insisted on not going to see 'obaasan' until after he had mastered the Rasenshuriken to a greater degree.

Naruto sulked as Kakashi knocked on the door with the familiar faces of Yamato and Sai behind him.

The booming voice of the Hokage informed them that they were allowed to enter. Naruto instantly cheered up from his depressed state as he saw the pink haired girl from the corner of his eye.

"SAKURA-CHAN~!" Naruto skipped towards her and opened his arms wide to hug the said girl, he had just seen her the day before but he reasoned it had been way too long in his head.

Sakura waited for the last second then extended her arm to collide with the blonde boy's face which made it impossible to dodge. Everyone in the room smirked as they had expected this to happen.

"AHH~ Sakura-chan! That was mean; I really thought you would allow me to hug you this time!" Naruto pouted and rubbed his nose.

Kakashi had warned him many times to stop doing that but he had ignored him so now he didn't feel bad for him when he got punched in the face or worse.

Sai watched the exchange in amusement and took mental notes while Tsunade was trying her best to not scream at the fools in her office. Yamato just smiled and waited for instructions.

Everyone turned when they saw the door open and Shizune walked in with Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji in tow.

"Tsunade-sama, I have informed everyone that was on the list to head this way immediately" Shizune bowed politely and stood next to the desk facing the eight others in the office.

"Ehh~ why are there so many people here? What's going on Tsunade-obaasan?"

Everyone watched the deep scowl form on the Hokage's forehead and took a mini step back while a hard knuckle came in contact with the back of the jinchuriki's head.

"Show some respect Naruto!" Sakura warned him while a large bump appeared on Naruto's head.

It was deadpan silent from then on until the door opened harshly making way to the familiar teacher student duo wearing matching green jumpsuits. They both looked out of breath and panting heavily.

"C-Close one Lee! But I am number one" Gai said standing up straight and pulling his chest out. The boy behind him smiled up at his sensei and beamed of happiness for if you could squint slightly there would definitely be sparkles surrounding those two.

"Sugoi Gai-sensei, you are clearly the fastest person ever!" Lee stood next to the taller man and praised him highly.

"Don't feel down Lee, I am your sensei and one day you'll be just as fast or faster than I am, for you see, not even Kakashi could keep up with my speed" Gai eyed Kakashi who to everyone else looked like he hadn't even heard them come in.

"H-hai Gai-sensei!"

The Hokage counted all the people in the room and frowned, then looked up to her green clad jōnin.

"Gai I said to bring your whole team! Where are Tenten and Neji?" the blonde woman demanded already getting quite irritated with all the blabbering coming from her supposedly professional shinobi.

Gai looked around frantically for a couple seconds trying to find the weapon specialist kunoichi and the byakugan owner. He sheepishly smiled and turned once more to the Hokage.

"Well you see Tsunade-san, I thought they were behind Lee and I but I guess they didn't take part in the race, we were training out in the training fields when we received Shizune-san's message, those two don't know the meaning of youth but as their sensei it is something I will teach them with great encouragement and practice!"

Lee's eyes sparkled as he heard his sensei speak while the rest of them tried to stifle a yawn.

After 10 minutes of waiting, a steady walking Tenten and Neji made their way to the office.

"Okay it looks like we can finally commence" Tsunade gave Shizune a nod as she wordlessly approved to hand out the mission details on scrolls to the people in the crowded office.

"Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji, and Yamato, you will be receiving this A ranked mission, I don't know if you're aware of this or not but it seems that a popular bar outside the border of the land of fire was attacked hours ago, this bar was famous for attracting major criminals and they were all killed, there is a very strong suspicion that this was done by one person and I don't care what your opinion or moral standings of this issue lie, I need you four to investigate this case. The murder weapon was left behind at the bar after everyone was found dead, after you are dismissed here you can go to the ANBU headquarters to take a close look at the weapon, if you have no questions then you are dismissed"

Yamato was about to lead the group out of the room when Shikamaru spoke.

"Why did you choose us for this mission? Wouldn't it have been better to send Hinata, Shino and Kiba's team? Everyone in this room knows they are specialists in tracking and investigative work"

Tsunade was hoping he wouldn't ask this but knowing the boy for this long she had already suspected it.

The Hokage sighed and intertwined her fingers looking into the spiky haired boy's eyes. His look was cold and would have made anyone uneasy but coming from her gambling experience she wasn't about to back down, she just pulled a poker face of her own.

"Shikamaru, I have decided to form this team because I, like the entire village, am tired of this mourning and honestly quite pitiful attitude you and your team have adopted since the death of Asuma"

Shikamaru narrowed his frigid stare at the woman in front of him but she knew she had to continue, he had to hear this. She knew she was getting many bewildered and shocked looks from the people in the room but she also knew that these children had been pitied and spoiled from people all over the village that saw the three as victims, and at first Tsunade didn't mind but it had gone on for far too long to the point of embarrassment, she still considered them shinobi, and emotions weren't supposed to be a part of this when they signed up. She let them grieve then move on but it appeared that the 'move on' part was out of the question for these three individuals and mainly the boy in front of her.

"I know you're hurting and I really understand that, believe me I do I've lost loved ones too but when you decide to be in this particular field or have those loved ones in this kind of life then you're not allowed that luxury of grief for long, you move on and do the missions I assign, I selected the three of you for this one because I need you to go back to being a shinobi, to go back to what you were before the death of Asuma and-"

She paused once more to contemplate this idea in her head once more, it was risky and it did hurt a little but she saw it quite necessary, she looked at Yamato for a second and saw him nod to reassure she was doing the right thing. Yamato knew what was going through the Hokage's head at this very second, he knew she was deciding for or against it for this was the only chance she had to back down on her word if she thought of not going through with it, the note he had received earlier was still neatly folded in his pocket.

"There is also a very important detail that is attached to this mission, for I need the very best of the shinobi of this village and I expect the very best from you all, that is why I have decided that if this mission is not done according to my expectations from the report Yamato will write detailing this mission then the three of you will be deemed a burden and terminated from your spots indefinitely"

The whole room stood there wide eyed at the news except for Shikamaru and Yamato. Shikamaru looked like he had when he walked into the room and after a few tension filled seconds spoke up.

"You're saying if you don't like how we carry on this mission you will strip us of our rank and position"

Tsunade nodded and waited to hear backtalk and pleads from the people around her but surprisingly enough no one spoke up. Shikamaru nodded and moved his line of sight to the door keeping the Hokage in his peripheral vision.

"Very well, if that is all we will head to the ANBU headquarters"

Tsunade nodded and watched the team head out the office with Shikamaru in front and Yamato closing the door behind them.

'I hope I don't have to suspend you either Shikamaru but this is the push you all need to move on, I know I'm doing the right thing'

There was awkward silence in the room as the two remaining teams stood still not wanting to move an inch.

Shizune looked around the room then noted that Tsunade was in her thoughts again so she went next to her and placed her hand on the older woman's shoulder.

"Tsunade-sama, the remaining teams are awaiting orders"

Tsunade woke from her rambling mind and loud conscious and after a brief pause of gathering her thoughts spoke up.

"Okay Team Kakashi, Team Gai you two will work together on this next mission I will assi-"

Tsunade frowned as she was interrupted by the loud and annoying voice of the 'fiercest beast of battle'

"WOOHOO! Did you hear that Kakashi? Looks like our teams will be on the same mission, you know what that means! Whoever's team completes this mission first will give a one point lead on our current stalemate problem! TEAM GAI FIGHT!"

"YEEE~ FIGHT!", Lee and Gai chanted for a couple of seconds into the otherwise quiet room.

Naruto peeked his head out to look at Kakashi and read his face, to everyone else he looked the same as always but Naruto always seemed to think he knew the expressionless man a little more than anyone else.

"Don't worry Kakashi-sensei, with me on your team there's no way we'll lose! FIGHT!"

Soon Naruto had joined Gai and Lee in the chanting which greatly annoyed all the women in the room and Neji.

Shizune turned to Tsunade and with a look told her she was giving her a 'why did you put these two teams together again?'

"STOP! No I did not put you two together for a competition" she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You two will be working together to track down a suspicious individual that was encountered just outside the village by a group of academy students late last night. The details of this person are written and specified in the report that was handed to you; you will track down and capture the said person, be very cautious for a boy that faced this criminal had his arm torn off and suffered from deep mental and physical trauma. Don't underestimate this person"

After she was done speaking the booming laugh of Maito Gai filled the otherwise quiet room.

"Kakashi, looks like you got lucky on this one, not only did you save yourself from my one point advantage but my team has gotten significantly better from the last time we worked together! Team Gai this is our chance to prove just how better we have gotten, with the power of youth we will complete this mission in no time!" Gai dashed out of the room and everyone saw the ghost print of Gai as if he had teleported, just being around the energy filled man always tired Tsunade just watching him.

"That's right Gai-sensei, the power of youth will always prevail" Lee also dashed off after Gai.

Tsunade took a deep breath to control her irritation, 'I should restrict those two to tasks that don't require too much brain work…but luckily'

She looked ahead and noticed Neji and Tenten, the brown haired girl was going over the scroll and Neji with a deep scowl on his face was looking out the window.

She wasn't expecting the cool headed brunette male to speak

"3…2…1"

And after '1' the two green clad males came barging in the office once again. She was really surprised how much the Hyuuga knew the two.

"Gai! What is the meaning of this, barging in like that is unnecessary!"

After a pause to catch his breath he sheepishly smirked, "Well you see Tsunade-"

Neji walked over to the two and handed them their scrolls.

"Hahaha Neji always so dependable" the man laughed taking the scroll while Lee gave him a nice guy pose.

"First we will head to the northern outskirts of the forest, the report does outline a very specific location to where the incident occurred so we will head that way, Kakashi-sensei, your team can meet up with us later" with a polite nod to the three remaining adults in the room he exited with Tenten and Lee behind him.

"You don't have to hurry yourself Kakashi; by the time you get there we will already have captured the criminal!" Gai smiled triumphantly and exited the office.

'I should have made Hyuuga Neji the team leader but looks like he already took the position so I can rest assured something will get done'

The remaining four hadn't moved since they got here. Sakura awaited her shisho's further orders, Kakashi looked as he always did, Sai was looking over the scroll, and Naruto was drifting off into his own thoughts while picking at something in his ear.

"If you don't have any questions you are dismissed"

Naruto shook from his thoughts and fixed his posture with his chest pulled out, "Don't worry Tsunade-obaasan we will complete this mission and capture that low life, believe it, Usumaki Naruto never fails"

The trio walked out the room with Naruto running ahead of them.

'Why can't I ever give those two teams a mission without getting a migraine?'

Back to Hidan and Sunnora in the next chapter!

Reviews are encouraged (: