Yo! ShadowRonin is bringing it earlier than normal! I was going to wait to update this weekend, but since Acen (Anime Central) is this weekend, I am not going to be typing on anything remotely close to a computer till Sunday Night. So, enjoy, and live as Team Seven, newly formed, starts off things with a mission!

Chapter 8: Mission w/ Team Seven! Association 15 is Revealed!

Koji yawned at the oncoming morning, and Yami woke as well. Konoha is nearing completion, and life has been really laid back. "Koji Hyosuke?" It was Shizune. "And you are?" Koji asked. "I'm Tsunade-sama's assistant, Shizune." Shizune replied, and Koji gave her a side look. "What does the old bat need my help for?" Koji asked. "Well, it involves an old friend of hers." Shizune said, and Koji looked on, interested.

(Hokage Tower)

"So, you want me to accompany Team Seven to a nearby village?" Koji asked, and Tsunade nodded. "Why me?" Koji asked. "Because, Dosu talks about how strong you are. I want to see if this is true." Koji looked behind him, and Shiro approached, along with Nekobe.

"Ah, healer who wears a sword on his cape!" Koji said. "The name's Nekobe Hitokiri." Nekobe said. "And I am Shiro Masamune." Shiro said, approaching the Spark Nin. "How do you know Dosu?" Koji asked. "Because, his team is a part of my group. We are known as the Shadow Blades." Shiro said.

"I see. So, why does this concern me?" Koji asked. "Dosu believes you would be of great help to our little team. I was wondering if you would like to join us?" Shiro asked. Koji looked a little confused. "I don't get it. The Shadow Blades seem like a close knit group. Why include an outsider like me?" Koji asked.

"Because, we could use a little more manpower. Besides, Kin and Zaku talk really highly about you. Dosu does in his own way." Nekobe said. "Well, sure, I guess." Koji said. "Good, but before you can officially become one of us, you need to be a Jounin." Shiro said.

"Eh?" Koji asked. "Don't worry about it. It's not for another 4 months." Shiro said, and Tsunade brought the attention back to her. "Now, you will meet the other 4 members of your little team." Tsunade said, as Team Seven walked into the room. Koji and Sakura's eyes connected, and they both pointed at each other with white eyes.

"YOU AGAIN!?!?!" They both screamed. "You know him, Hag?" Sai asked. "He was one of the nin peeping!" Sakura said, glaring at Naruto, who rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Your that loud manly pink haired girl!" Koji said, and immediately regretted it.

"You want to try that again!?" Sakura asked, her eyes dead white, and a killer aura radiating off of her. Of course, Koji could have merely apologized, but this chick punched him dead in the face. He wasn't going to be nice.

"I mean, as loud as you are, and as strong as you are, you must be a man-woman. You know, like an Amazon." Koji said. The whole room went dead silent. Naruto began fidgeting nervously, and Shiro and Nekobe walked out, not wanting to get involved. Tsunade and Shizune looked amazed that he would say something like that to someone like her. Sasuke and Sai shook their heads, moving to avoid the crossfire.

"What?" Koji asked, before Sakura screamed a battle cry, and punched the holy hell out of him. (Humans are really stupid. He provoked her knowing she would beat the snot out of him.) Yami thought to herself, watching as Sakura went postal on Koji's ass.

(Along the way to the village)

"I know. I probably deserved that." Koji said, as they walked to the village. "I've never see Sakura-chan so angry before. Even I know when to not do something stupid." Naruto said. "What can I say? She reminds me of someone." Koji said.

As that conversation was going, there was another between the two raven haired nin. "So, Sai. You're my replacement?" Sasuke asked. "Not a replacement. Merely another teammate who was there to help return you home." Sai said.

"Hn. So, what's with you and giving weird nicknames?" Sasuke asked. "I'm trying to learn about human emotions. Dickless and Hag are helping me." Sai said. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, but kept any comments to himself. "It's weird how similar we look." Sai said. "Agreed." Sasuke finished.

Sakura was still fuming at Koji's usage of words to describe her. "Manly? Amazon!? I say we kick his ass the next time he opens his mouth!!" Inner Sakura ranted. Sakura silently agreed. "Hey, Amazon! We're almost there!" Koji screamed, and a vein appeared on Sakura's forehead.

"Do you want to die!? Sakura isn't someone to mess with!" Naruto said. "She is violent, tempermental, has a short fuse, and acts more like a dude than a girl. If I keep letting her know about her faults, she will-" Koji never finished the sentence, because Sakura had punched him again, dead in the face.

(At the village)

"You know you deserved that." This time, it was Sasuke who spoke. "Shut up." Koji replied. They had made it to the village, and they had to take Koji to a doctor since Sakura refused to heal him. "Violent bitch." Koji said, glaring at Sakura. "Pompous Jerk." Sakura replied, glaring back at him.

"Pinky!" "Bastard!" "Amazon ass-hole!" "Loudmouth shithead!" Sasuke and Naruto looked on, amused.

"I never knew someone could get Sakura so mad." Naruto said. "Seems like this guy knows how to piss Sakura off." Sai said. "They fight like a married couple." Sasuke said, and all arguments stopped, as both of them turned away from each other, blushing from both embarrassment and anger.

"Wow Teme! You knew how to get them to stop?" Naruto asked. "No. They literally act like my uncle and aunt used to. They would fight, but they loved each other dearly." Sasuke said, walking away. "I bet Sakura-chan and Koji would make a cute couple!" Naruto said, and Sakura bopped him in the head, while Koji flipped him the bird.

(A few hours later)

Well, the nin that they were sent to fight were complete chumps. Hell, they were as strong as mercenaries, and the 5 nin even began a bet to see who could take the most out. Sasuke won, and since Naruto had the least, he paid for dinner. Of course, Sai and Koji never let him live without knowing Yami got more kills than he did.

It was now 10:00 at night, and they were asleep, at least, Koji pretended to be. Something was bothering him, like he was being summoned somewhere. Putting his clothes back on, he snuck out the hotel silently. Unbeknownst to him, Sakura saw him leave, and silently followed him. Masking her chakra, she followed him, keeping him within eye range.

(Somewhere just outside the village)

Koji walked out to a forest, and stopped. "I know you're here! Now come out!" Koji said. And then, out of nowhere, 15 people in black cloaks appeared. "So, he actually came here." One of them said.

"Who are you people?" Koji asked. "Well, we are known as Association 15. We are a gang who plan on taking over this nice continent." One of them said. "Why are you sending indirect messages to me?" Koji asked.

"Because, you may become a threat to us, if you decide to become a Shadow Blade." One of them said. "We don't have time to deal with you now though." Another said, and they all disappeared. "Wait!!" Koji screamed. He took 5 steps, before one of them appeared, using the dark portal they warped in.

"What? Only one?" Koji asked. "Another approaches." The cloaked man said, and another dark portal appeared. The second nin was moon walking towards them, using some sort of power to play disco music. Koji sweat dropped, and the first hooded man sighed. "Idiot." He said.

"Now T.K! That's not a very nice thing to say!" The other nin said, pulling his hood down, to reveal a giant afro. Koji had a o.O look. "The hell!?" Koji said. "You don't look like you have much groove in your body, little boy. Leader wants you tested, so we will test you!" The fro man said, tossing his robe aside, revealing a dreadful purple outfit that would have been home in the 70's.

Koji looked like he was having a twitching fit. "Is he serious?" Koji asked, looking at T.K, who kept his hood up. "Sadly." T.K said. "Now, let the music play!" The disco weirdo said, snapping his fingers. After a few seconds, an upbeat disco like song started playing, and the fro fighter began moving to the beat.

"You face Sidestep, the funkiest groovester on this continent!" He said, striking a pose. Koji's eye was twitching viciously.

Sakura was looking on, worried. These two nin were pretty strong, and Koji was on his own against them. "Hey! You! Quit spying!" Sidestep screamed, tossing some shuriken. Sakura jumped out of the way, revealing herself. Koji looked, and his eyes widened in surprise.

"Sakura!?" Koji said, and then he turned to the two Association nin. "Leave her out of this." Koji said. "Agreed." T.K said, disappearing. He reappeared in front of Sakura, and stood in her way. "Don't get involved." T.K said. Sakura glared at him, and he ignored it. "Between Sidestep and Koji." T.K said. Sakura couldn't do anything without this guy getting in the way, so she merely looked on.

Koji was getting annoyed. This guy was merely dancing there, and he was ready to fight. Deciding to hell with it, he charged. He threw a punch, but Sidestep slid out of the way, like he was dancing. He even counter attacked with a kick to Koji's gut, knocking the wind out of him.

The force of the kick sent Koji flying back a few yards, before he fell to his knees, catching his breath. (What the hell? That freak just knocked me the hell out!) Koji thought to himself. He jumped back up, and smirked.

"Okay, I underestimated you. Now, I'm going to go at you for real." Koji said, his hands pulsing with electric chakra. He charged again, this time moving unpredictably. Sidestep took one step forward, and began dodging the punches and kicks that Koji was sending.

"How?" Sakura asked herself. This afro disco freak was dodging everything that Koji was throwing, and making Koji look like an idiot. She turned to look at T.K when he muttered something to himself. She didn't catch it, but turned when she heard Koji scream in pain. He had been kicked again, and flew into the air. But instead of falling, he poofed into smoke, signaling that he was a Shadow Clone.

Sidestep looked confused, and never saw Koji coming from behind, ready to take his head off. Koji would have succeeded, if T.K had stayed put. As Koji was in mid-air, T.K appeared in front of him. Alarmed, Koji never got to defend himself, as T.K kicked him with his heel.

Koji floated in the air, before T.K roundhouse kicked him, sending him through 2 trees and into a third one. Sakura ran to him, checking to see if he was still alive. "Koji! Koji! Say something!" Sakura said. "…ng. Something." Koji said, smirking. "Baka." She said, using her healing jutsu to heal him.

"Did you catch that at all? He moved so fast I didn't get to react at all." Koji said, and Sakura shook her head. "I saw nothing either. He's really fast. Lee might be the only one to match his speed." Sakura said. "I'm not fast enough to catch him." Koji said to himself, sighing. "Fight." T.K said, tossing his robe off. His short orange hair spiky. He had a white muscle shirt, and what looks like blue jeans.

"I'll hold back." T.K said, and Koji got peeved. Koji jumped up, and T.K placed his hands into his pockets. "Bring it." T.K said, and Koji smirked, electricity pulsing through his hands and feet.

(In Konoha: While Team Seven is walking to the village)

In Konoha, Sanosuke was sitting, polishing his blade. Rock Smash was a blade given to him by his sensei, who was a master of a ton of weapons. Sanosuke chose the Zweihander because the blade was a rare find in any other part of Element Continent.

The only other place such blades existed was in Mist, with the Seven Mist Swordsmen. Sanosuke was amazed that his sensei had such a weapon, but he felt the blade calling to him.

"Rock Smash, we've been through quite a bit, haven't we?" Sanosuke said, sighing. He was about to continue wandering Konoha, until he saw Hinata in the distance, striking a wood post. He sealed his blade, and went to observe her. Hinata was striking the post with everything she had, and her hands were taking a beating.

"You shouldn't push yourself so hard." Hinata turned around, and saw Sanosuke there, smiling at her. Hinata averted her gaze, and Sanosuke looked confused.

"You submissive or something?" Damn, that was pretty blunt. Hinata looked at him confused, and he shrugged. "Shy?" He asked. She didn't say anything, and decided to try another approach. "So, you know Naruto Uzumaki?" Sanosuke asked, and the girl lit up like a light. A red light, that is.

(Ah ha!) Sanosuke thought to himself. "Does the little lady like Naruto?" Sanosuke asked, and Hinata turned even darker. "Does he know about this?" Sanosuke asked, and Hinata looked to the ground, depressed.

(Good thing I'm good at reading body language. She's as chatty as a mime.) Sanosuke thought to himself, sighing. "You obviously have big time self esteem issues." He checked her reaction, and frowned when she lowered her head in shame.

"But I can help you. I'll help your esteem and help you get Naruto." Sanosuke said, and Hinata looked at him stunned. "Don't thank me! I live to help others." Sanosuke said, and Hinata smiled at him.

(Besides, Sensei would do the same.) Sanosuke thought to himself. "Besides, Koji should be back from his mission tomorrow. He would also probably help out."

(Present time)

Koji charged the laid back nin, pretty mad about the fact that he was standing there, with his hands in his pocket. As he threw his punch, T.K dodged it, and kicked Koji dead in the gut. Koji reeled from the blow, and fell to his knees.

(Sheesh! He kicked me harder than the other guy!) Koji thought to himself, letting electric chakra run through his muscles. When he got up, he took one step, before he shot off, disappearing.

T.K was a little caught off guard, but he managed to duck under the punch that was coming for the back of his head. T.K jumped back, and began dodging the punches. This was hard because Koji was actually moving as fast as he was currently. Eventually, Koji threw a punch that he couldn't block, so he had to pull his right hand out to block it.

"Stronger that I thought." T.K said, and Koji smirked. "Don't underestimate me." Koji said, and T.K smirked. "Won't hold back!" T.K said, tossing Koji's fist aside, and blasting him. (Oh shit! He wasn't moving as fast as he could!?) Koji thought to himself, sliding before T.K could hit him.

He caught the kick T.K aimed at him, and kicked him dead in the face. T.K slid on the ground, before he disappeared from sight. Koji lost him for one second, and that was more than enough time. T.K appeared under him, and kicked him in the gut, sending him into the air. He then jumped up, and kicked him into some trees.

The last one he hit, the back of his head ran into it really hard, giving him a concussion. "KOJI!!!" Sakura screamed, running to the unconscious nin. His eyes were open, but they were glazed over. He was completely unaware of the world around him. "That was harsh." Sidestep said, looking on. "Had to be done." T.K said, putting his hands back into his pockets. "He hit his head."

Sakura was shaking Koji, but he wasn't responding at all. Using the Medical Scan Jutsu, she was relieved that his brain wasn't messed up or anything like that. T.K and Sidestep walked towards them, and Sakura stood in front of them, with a determined look on her face.

"You plan on stopping us little girl?" Sidestep asked, smirking. Sakura glared at them, and before anything happened, attacks were called from the skies. "Chidori!" "Rasengan!" Sidestep and T.K jumped out of the way to avoid the attacks.

"Naruto! Sasuke!" Sakura screamed, and both glanced at her. "Don't worry, Sakura-chan! We've got your back!" Naruto said, and both turned to look at T.K and Sidestep.

"Okay, we don't have time for you little punks!" Sidestep said, grabbing his black cloak, and tossing T.K his. "Later." T.K said, and both nin disappeared in a portal of darkness.

(The next day)

In the morning, Koji awoke, yawning. "Ng. My head hurts." Koji mumbled to himself. "Stupid boy. You would go out on your own, all because of some summoning?" Yami of course scolded him, but he acted like he never heard her.

"Where are those two nin?" Koji asked. "How should I know? Only Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto arrived at around 10:20 last night." Yami said, and Koji sighed. "I didn't think they would come and get me." Koji said. "You obviously don't think to much of these people. That girl with the pink hair stayed up well into the night just to make sure you were okay." Yami said.

"You mean Sakura? Nah! She wouldn't waste that kind of-" Koji started before Yami cut him off. "Look in the corner." Koji turned, and his eyes widened. Sakura was on the couch, asleep. "She's been in here the whole time?" Koji asked. "She's a weird one. The blond and the dark one insisted she go to bed, but she was adamant about making sure you were okay." Yami said. Koji smiled, and laid back onto his bed.

"Well, it would be bad to let such an early rise go to waste. I'm going to go back to sleep." Koji said. Before his head could even hit the pillow, Naruto blasted through the door. "WAKE UP!! We finished the mission! I want to go home and eat Ramen!!" Naruto screamed. Koji shot up, an anger vein right on his forehead.

"Naruto. It's 6:30 in the god-damned morning! I don't like to wake up for retarded reasons!" Koji said, fixing Naruto with a fierce glare. "Sorry. But a ninja must always rise and be ready for anything." Naruto complained.

"Yes. And a ninja is also capable of breaking his foot in the ass of someone being very annoying! Now, which one should I do?" Koji asked, smirking real evilly at Naruto. They both then felt the presence of dark chakra. In the corner, Sakura was slowly rising, and boy was she looking pissed.

"Naruto! Koji!" She said both names real slowly, and both nin began to sweat profusely. "He did it!" They both said, pointing at each other. Sakura screamed a battle cry, and attacked.

(The road towards Konoha)

At 11:00, Team Seven along with Koji and Yami began their trek back to Konoha. Koji and Naruto were sporting some serious bruises, and bumps, courtesy of Sakura rampaging on their asses.

"Dickless, you and Dreadlocks are seriously loud in the mornings." Sai said, and Sasuke smirked. "They saved us the trouble of waking Sakura up, though." Sasuke said, and Naruto glared at him. "Who'd have guessed the Amazon wasn't a morning person?" Koji said, and the fierce glare he received shut him up.

"So, what now?" Sai asked. "Ramen for a job well done!" Naruto said, and everyone else agreed for the sake of shutting him up.

ShadowRonin: And so, Association 15 is born. These guys are going to be just as much of a pain in the ass for Koji as Akatsuki is or Naruto. They want him dead. He just wants to survive this. Let's watch as this whole thing plays out. Review, and I will see you all after Acen!!!