OOC: Let the romantic games begin with a mission to the Land of the Waves.
It was a peaceful day like any other. Things were finally starting to return to normal in the Hidden Village of the Leaves, or so it seemed. Tsunade sighed, searching through the various papers strewn about on her desk for the notebook that she desperately needed. Although she appreciated the leisure that came with peace, the overload of administrative detail produced by the war was definitely starting to give her a headache. At this point, trying to clear a space for her to write on the desk could be classified as a S-rank mission: damn near impossible. I wonder if I'm ever going to see the surface of this thing again…She thought, staring at the small mountain of leaflets that had gathered just this morning with another pouting sigh. Maybe I can get Shizune to order me a second desk…or filing cabinet…
There was a knock at the door, disrupting the Godaime Hokage from her thoughts. "Come in."
Two silver-haired siblings entered noiselessly, picking their way carefully among the various objects that were either piled or tossed about the room, most of them lists of shinobi or other administrative tidbits for the upcoming examinations. As her amber eyes came to rest on the blonde Hokage's face, Kaori could not help but bite back a smirk at the slightly sour mood of the Senju princess, something that she knew had definitely accumulated over the course of a few days or more. It was just a pity that due to the disruption of the war, this year's chunin and jonin exams, originally spaced some good three months apart, were now going to take place at almost the same time—burying Konoha's precious Hokage in mountains of never-ending paperwork. "Ohayo, Tsunade-sama."
The sight of their cheery mood even in the aftermath of traumatic disaster was able to bring a smile to the blonde Hokage's face. "I apologize for summoning the two of you so quickly when you've just returned from your respective missions—especially you, Kaori." She began, leaning back in her chair. "However, current circumstances leave me no choice. As you know, this year's chunin and jonin exams will be taking place at the same time. With our casualties in the war, this means that Konoha's shinobi forces are going to be seriously limited in terms of meeting administrative demands and fulfilling missions. I've been thinking this over for quite some time, and have finally decided on changing the format of this year's jonin advancement exams to meet the constraints of our forces. But," she paused, eyes plastered to the young buntaichou, "it will not be possible unless the ANBU also participate."
Kaori's eyes widened just a fraction. In normal circumstances, ANBU shinobi did not participate in invigilating examinations unless specifically appointed by the Hokage—and even those appointments, of which Ibiki was a prime example, were far and few in-between. When these large institutional events took place, the ANBU corps' main task was to ensure the security of and order within the village in addition to picking up missions that the exam invigilators would have normally shouldered. However, her gaze softened as she met the Hokage's gaze, desperate times indeed called for desperate measures.
Satisfied that there were going to be no objections, Tsunade continued. "This year, chunin that wish to advance to the jonin ranks will be sent out B-rank missions with a panel of three examiners. Unlike genin, who have to be supervised closely, chunin have the capability to be tested outside the village. Team 7's assignment will be to investigate the illegal trafficking of neurotics, opium in particular, in the Land of the Waves. Kakashi will act as team leader. You will evaluate Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura's capabilities while on this mission. Kaori, your task will be to provide backup support as the second examiner. Do not interfere directly with the mission or give them explicit guidance. This is an evaluation."
"Hai, Tsunade-sama."
"Mah, Tsunade-sama," Kakashi began, looking lazily about the room, "is there any particular reason why the kids aren't here besides the fact that they're not supposed to know that we are evaluating them?"
"Of course." the blonde Hokage grinned like a Cheshire cat. "I have to introduce you to the third examiner after all." She made a waving gesture at the door. "Come on in."
"Ita-kun?"
Kaori's use of a petname for the ever so stoic Uchiha Itachi was enough to make Tsunade's grin wider. "Itachi. Your task is similar in nature to Kaori's. I trust in your abilities to evaluate Sasuke's use of the sharingan and fire techniques."
The older Uchiha nodded.
"Good." Tsunade leaned back in her chair. "I just have one more thing to say before I summon the rest of the team." Her amber eyes locked onto the three figures before her. "Although this is a B-rank mission, there may be a possibility that it is more dangerous than we anticipate. If that is to be the case, then the three of you must ensure the safety of the children no matter what."
"Hai, Tsunade-sama."
"NANI?!"
Tsunade smiled at the surprise on the teens' faces. It was hard to believe that these three were on the frontlines of one of the bloodiest battles in the history of shinobi just some months ago. "Think about this as a learning opportunity, Naruto." She explained. "Becoming a jonin means much more than being skilled in combat. It also involves the ability to strategize, organize, and execute missions efficiently. So far, you have all been fortunate enough to have been under Kakashi's guidance. This time, although he is still team leader, I want you to think for yourselves."
"Hmmm…" The blonde Uzumaki folded his arms over his chest and pouted. "But it's STILL not fair that they get to come, Tsunade baa-chan!" He huffed a few seconds later, angrily pointing an accusing finger at Kaori and Itachi. "This is just a B-rank mission after all! And even if Kakashi-sensei holds back, we won't be able to get any action because those two are ANBU!"
"Ahou!" Sasuke roared, angry at his teammate's careless attitude towards his older brother. "You know that nii-san hasn't been able to officially participate in ANBU activities so far because he is still sick!"
Kakashi winced. I've never thought that I would live to see the day when Uchiha Sasuke would become so protective over someone…I must be getting old.
"Naruto-kun." Kaori tried to calm the situation. "Ita-kun and I will only be there as support. Tsunade-sama has explicitly ordered us not to interfere with the mission itself. Besides," she smiled, but the temperature inside the Hokage's office immediately dropped below freezing, "I want to make sure that your recklessness doesn't land nii-chan in the hospital for the umpteenth time. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Naruto squealed, putting his hand to his forehead in a military salute. Kaori onee-chan is so scary-attebayo!
"If you prefer, we can conceal ourselves so you won't be able to tell that we are there." Itachi offered with a rather straight face.
Kakashi chuckled at the three teenagers who were shaking their heads so quickly that it looked like they might unscrew and come off from their necks. Having two ANBU tailing you in silence was probably the shinobi equivalent of being hunted down by lions.
"That's all for now." Tsunade placed her hands on her desk, glad that the ruckus was over and eager for some peace and quiet. "You may leave for the Land of the Waves this afternoon."
"Yatta!" Naruto punched his fist in the air as the group began to filter out of the room. "We're going on a mission-attebayo!"
"Nii-san," Sasuke began, worry etched into his voice as the brothers silently made their way home to the Uchiha compound, "you're…going to be okay…right?"
"Ah." Itachi nodded. "Tsunade-sama has said that I am well enough to go on these types of missions."
"I see…" the younger Uchiha heaved a sigh of relief. "I'm glad…"
They stopped at a dango stall, having been drawn in by its delicious smell. Just as Itachi was going to pay for their share of snacks, Sasuke quickly snatched the money out of his brother's hands and paid the shop owner with bills of his own.
"Sasuke-"
"Nii-san," the younger male began, looking his brother straight in the eye, "no matter what happens on this mission, don't use your sharingan." I will protect you like you protected me.
"Silly boy," Itachi smiled, bumping their foreheads together, "you should probably worry about passing the jonin exams first before you worry about me."