At Iruka's apartment
'Very soon I have to leave my village behind.' Iruka takes in a deep breathe, he sighs.
Today and the next couple of days, he will not go to the academy. Tsunade Sama has relieve him from the academy and the mission room, basically from all his works. She tells him to get sufficient rest and prep for the upcoming mission. He has rejects her offer initially but accepts it after giving some thoughts to it. He will not be able to suppress his emotion if he will to teach the unruly pre-gēnin for the last few days before departure. He has no confidence if he will not give away to his own emotion of sadness for leaving them behind and not able to tell them the reason.
In fact, Iruka did not mention to anyone, not even Naruto. He knows the blond-headed boy will be angry for not telling him when he finds out later his favourite Sensei has left the village, just like Sasuke has left without telling anyone. Putting Naruto in the same situation again is the last thing Iruka will want for him but he knows that he is not able to promise the child if he will be coming back any time sooner after the ceremony. 'Well, I can't just ditch the lady whom I went through the ceremony with, nor can I bring the lady back for visiting. How am I suppose to introduce her to everyone, especially Kakashi? No, it's not a good idea to introduce her to Kakashi.' He shakes away the thought of what will happen if Kakashi finds out the existence of his said lady companion.
'It's better this way...' Iruka reasons with himself.
Yet, the most difficult part is leaving Kakashi behind and not able to tell him that he still loves him. 'There's nothing I can do about it, he's not supposed to know. I love him but he may not feel the same feeling towards me now.' Ever since the breakup, not once did Kakashi looks him up. Still, Iruka knows what is going on with Kakashi, thanks to Genma and Anko, who updates him on every single details and whereabouts of Kakashi and what he is up to.
It seems Kakashi is not falters by the breakup. He was caught flirting with a kunoichi working in the Intelligence Division by Anko, who happens to be there. She has the urge to go up to Kakashi then and confronts him for being so heartless, but she is stops by Ibiki, "Don't meddle with other's business and make it worst." That is what he says while pulling the unwilling Anko away.
'I guess it's a one-sided love after all. Why did it have to come to this? If I have listened to Izumo and not excel in that damn test.' He recalls that fateful day where his near to perfect life begins to crumble before him.
The day of the candidate choosing test
"Iruka, over here!" Izumo shouts towards the direction of one particular brown-haired Shinobi with his hair tucks firmly behind his ear and tied into a small ponytail at the back of his head.
"It's good to see a familiar face." Iruka replies with a smile when he is within audible range of his friend.
"Yeah. I'm glad you are here. I've got this memo saying that I'm suppose to report here for a test and not tell anybody about it. You?"
"Same. So do you have any idea what this test is about?"
"Beats me. I wonder anyone else we know of is being calls upon."
"We'll soon find out."
Both Chūnins continue to engage in their own conversation. When it's about time, they realise there is a few dozen more Shinobi gathered in the reporting area field with them. Strangely enough, given with their job nature to associate with most of the Shinobi in their village; in the mission room for Iruka and the guard duty at the gate for Izumo. They realise that they are not able to recognise most of them who are here and those they know of, are just acquaintance who acknowledge their presence with a slight nod or a small smile when there are eyes contact. They also notice only a couple of them are Chūnins like themselves and the rest are Jōnins or perhaps even holding a higher rank.
"This doesn't look good." says Izumo, eyeing wearily at his surroundings.
"They are not just regular Jōnins, I recognise some of them are special Jōnins and even a few of them are elites in their own field."
"Really? Then why are we being call upon in the first place? We don't really share anything in common with them."
Before Iruka can utter another word to his friend, a chilly gust of wind can be felt throughout their surroundings, follows by a poof of smoke in the center of the field. Everyone turns their attention to the sudden surge of the strong chakara.
As the smoke gradually dissipates, three forms of figures visualise from it.
On the right is a male shinobi wearing the full normal assigned ninja attire. He has a well-built body judging from the outline of how fitting the attire is showing his muscular body. He has one of his hands places on his hip and wears his hitai-ate on his left upper arm.
A female ANBU stands on the left. Despite having her ANBU attire covering her front upper body, one is able to tell the fullness of her slim curvy figure. A sword is placed at the back of her. Even without seeing her facial expression, she emits a dangerous aura.
In the center of them, is another male. Unlike the first male, he does not wear the assigned ninja attire, just a blue overall and a plain robe over it. Nor there is any indication showing him his status or rank. Yet, it is obvious that he is the one in-charge of today event. As in his hand, he holds a file; no doubt it is a file listing each one of them who has come for this test today.
Opening the file in his hand, he steps forward and addresses everyone.
"I know everyone is curious of why you are here. Each and every one of you is specially selected for your strengths and unique abilities. The higher up wants to find out how far you can display each of your individual strengths and abilities. You may take it to evaluate the village's power. Question?"
A Jonin raises his hand, "Will the outcome of this test be reflected in our personal portfolio?"
"No, it will not. You can relate it as a survey assessment to show our strengths to our neighbours." The blue robe man answers casually and continued, "It will be, however, used as an indicator for promotions and assigning of special assignments internally."
The last sentence indicates clearly to everyone in the field how important this test is.
Recognition.
A week later after the candidate's choosing test
"Iruka Sensei. You're being summoned." A low voice echoes from within a dark alley when Iruka is on his way back to his apartment after a full day teaching in the academy. The messenger vanishes before Iruka can locate the source of the voice. Resigns to his fate, he turns and walks towards the building where he will meet the maker who have sent for him.
Knock knock.
"Enter." A voice full of authority speaks from within the room.
"Umino Iruka reporting." Iruka identifies himself. He stands in the middle of the room facing two sited figures, a coffee table position between him and them.
A moment of silence stretches before one of the figures speaks.
"We are please you have did what is expected from you as a Shinobi of this village, despite your rank."
"It's my duty," Iruka bows his head in respect, yet in his mind, 'it has nothing to do with my rank!'
"Very well, you must know that day we have absolutely no intention to choose you as the candidate for this marriage. You are not as good as what we want but looking at your rank as a Chūnin, your performance is acceptable."
"I understand," still in his polite tone, "I will give my best to see through this marriage."
"Good. Your 'volunteer' has won the trust of the Fire Lord and with our recommendation, the Fire Lord will be asking specifically for you from Tsunade to send you in. You will soon be call upon any time by her." Right on cue, a messenger hawk is circling in the sky. "Do not fail us or you will know the awaiting consequences."
"I will not."
"Good. We'll be looking over you until the day you leave this village."
"... I shall take my leave." Iruka bows once more before turning to the direction of the door which he has used to enter earlier.
"One last thing, Sensei."
Iruka halts at his spot with his hand at the door handle and slightly turns his head to the left, indicating he is listening.
"Knows your place."
Without replying to the last sentence, Iruka opens the doors and leaves the room. His heart tightens as he walks briskly down the long corridor towards the Hokage Tower, refusing to show any sign of weakness as he knows his every move is being watched.
'What should I do, Kakashi...'
In Tsunade's office
Knock knock.
"Come in."
"Hokage Sama." Iruka bows.
"Iruka, I am expecting you. Do you still remember the test you took a week ago? Do you know of its purpose?"
"Yes, I remember the test and the purpose of the test is to assess our strength and ability of our village's Shinobi" Iruka answered.
"It seems you have the best result and the Fire Lord has specifically appointed you to take on a classified mission."
"I am honored to be chosen for a mission appointed by the Fire Lord himself."
"This mission is not to be taken lightly and it is different from those regular missions. It is a mission that will take as long as it needs to, as long as the circumstance asks for it and tough decision must be make to ensure a 100% success in this mission. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I do."
"Very well, this mission requires you to see and go through a ceremony."
Deep inside, Iruka knows what kind of ceremony it will be, but feigning ignorant, he asks the question.
"What kind of ceremony?"
Pausing a moment, "Marriage." Seeing the lack of response from Iruka, she continues, "You are required to go through the ceremony with a female candidate chosen by the Earth Nation."
'No!' Every inch of his heart screamed out to him but instead of voicing his thoughts, "I will do my best for this mission."
Tsunade raises her left eyebrow, taken aback by the Sensei's quick reply. She scrutinize him carefully, this isn't the reply she is hoping to hear. It is not a secret in the village that the Great Copy Nin, Sharingan no Kakashi is having an intimate relation with the plain and gentle academy Sensei who is feared by the pre-genins for his tempered.
"Iruka, this isn't the reply I'm expecting. You are choosing to take this mission when I am certain you are going to reject me in the first place. I must admit it is out of my curiosity when I have send for you, to see what your reaction will be when you heard about this mission and how you will reject it. I have even written the rejection and recommendation letter to send in another candidate to take over your place."
"With all due respect, Hokage Sama, you did mention that this is a mission asks specifically by the Fire Lord to send me in. I don't practically think that it is something we can reject bluntly. Beside, it is rare that the Fire Lord will request for a specific person for a mission. With that, I am honor and gladly accept the mission I am assigning to."
"How about Kakashi? Will he let you go?"
Iruka paused for a moment and says, "He doesn't have to know about this mission."
Tsunade's eyebrow rises, "You are not going to tell Kakashi about this mission?"
Iruka just look back with a slight movement of his head slowly from left to right.
"How do you think Kakashi will react if he finds you heading out to a mission which has no returning date and a mission which involve you getting in a marriage cermony? There will be a high possibility he is going to make things difficult."
"He will not if I break up with him and with your help, if I may dare to ask, he will not be a problem at all."
Tsunade frown from hearing this, "It is not like you, Iruka. You are suggesting a breaking up with Kakashi and you are asking me to help you with it. Even if it is a mission given by the Fire Lord himself, he will still show us some respect and will allow a change of candidate when I explain the replacement candidate holds the same qualification as much as you."
"I can't possibly ask that from you, Hokage Sama. I should be treated equally as the rest of the Shinobi in the village and not get special treatment from you. I don't deserve it. I want to contribute to the village in some way. I may not be as good as Kakashi in combat, but I believe I am skilled in my area of expertise. I am aware the delicateness of this marriage and I do think that I am indeed the best candidate for this mission. Therefore, I will accept this mission even if I have to sacrifice myself."
Tsunade looks hard into Iruka's eyes and from it, she see strong determination and confidence. She knows Iruka has chosen to go for this mission and nothing will change his mind.
"Very well. I will summon for you when we have the date for the actual ceremony and your departure. You may go."
"Hai, Tsunade Sama."