A New Mission in The Land of Lightning!
The next morning, Naruto is awakened by Shizune & Sakura, actually, it's more like Sakura woke up Naruto by violently smacking him. Shizune was just there to watch. "SHIZUNE, DON'T JUST STAND THERE! MAKE HER STOP!", Naruto cries out as the pink haired kunoichi beats on him. "She won't help, she knows this is the only real way to wake you up Naruto!", Sakura replies before finally backing off. The blonde ninja sits up & glares at Sakura before screaming, "WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR!?". Sakura immediately begins a death glare focused at Naruto, & as she begins walking toward him, Shizune grabs the back of her shirt & pulls her away. "That's enough Sakura. Now then, Naruto, there's a new mission....", Shizune says. However, the moment the word "mission" was spoke, the world's oldest Genin (lol, MINE) jumped out of his bed & started packing. "I can't wait! Mission, mission, mission, mission mission mission mission mission, MISSION! WOOHOO!", he chants excitedly. Within a moment, he's ready, something that surprises both of them but they don't know why.
As Naruto, Sakura & Shizune arrive they notice that nearly everybody else is already there. Ino & Shikamaru are talking to Choji, who doesn't even know what the mission is, but is upset that he can't go. Sasuke & Tsachi are talking to Kakashi & Neji, who are trying to hide their disappointment. Tsunade is just standing there, waiting for everybody to arrive while trying not to fall asleep. "Good, that makes almost everyone....", suddenly a voice calls out, "I'm here. That makes everyone, right?". They all turn around to see Kurenai Yuhi, Jonin & leader of Team 8, or the team of Kiba, Shino & Hinata. "Yes Kurenai, now everyone is here. Tsachi is leading this mission, & he will explain the details. For now, you are headed to the Land of Lightning. Good luck.", Tsunade declares before the gate opens & the others disappear after saying goodbyes.
Tsachi looks around at his team, then at Kurenai, "So, do you know why you're here, because I have no idea. Not that I'm complaining or anything.", he asks plainly. Kurenai shrugs & answers, "I didn't get a reason. I suppose though, it's to balance things out. After all, you're used to working with Sasuke & Sakura, who are used to working with Naruto. Ino & Shikamaru are on the same team, which has worked with my team plenty. I guess I have to replace Asuma since he's off doing god knows what.". Tsachi nods slowly & replies, "Yeah, that makes sense. Honestly though, I'm kinda glad it happened.". Ino & Shikamaru try to keep from laughing as the female Jonin stares at Tsachi, "Why is that exactly?", she inquires menacingly. He smiles warmly & responds, "Didn't know I had to have a reason. Oh well, let's go!". Sasuke & Sakura start laughing as they follow Tsachi, quickly followed by Naruto. The 3 others stand there for a moment, looking out at their teammates. "He certainly is a strange 1, isn't he?", Kurenai asks to no one in particular. Ino & Shikamaru look up at her, "Yeah, he is. Nothing wrong with that though, makes things interesting.", Shikmaru replies while Ino adds, "Yeah, besides, he doesn't smoke like Asuma. I didn't know you liked him like that Kurenai-sensei.". The next moment, Ino & Shikamaru are running away & not looking back as they're being chased by an angry Jonin.
Later, after a long day of travel, all of them are sitting by a campfire. They have just finished eating, & Tsachi starts talking, "I think it's time you all understood what this mission truly is. Also, you must understand what is expected of each of you. At this point, you know that we're heading for the Land of Lightning, but you don't know why. Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto mentioned something called Sensaishi. He said it was this giant festival. He's partly right, what he didn't say or didn't know rather is that it means that the Village Hidden in the Clouds is ready to unleash a great power.", he pulls out a pair of scrolls & continues, "See, I told all of you about The Sage of Six Paths earlier, & his temple & all that. What I didn't mention was what he locked away. When the world was much younger, before any of us were alive, The Sage had a great power. A power he used to make the world a better place. He knew though that he wouldn't live forever, & that his power could fall into the wrong hands, hands that would seek to undo all the good he did for their own selfish means. Instead of passing it on, he sealed it away, making sure that it would only be released when it was truly needed or so he thought.".
He unfurls a scroll to show the 6 animals, & goes on, "Each animal represents a path of nature. Natures that each of you hold & represent. That power, the power of The Sage, our mission is to unlock it ourselves before Sensaishi ends and others gain control of it. There is no telling what chaos will ensue if we don't.", they all look at him in shock as he stares intensely at the scroll. "So, ummm, why are we here then?", Naruto asks. Tsachi looks up & his eyes flutter before he answers, "We will have to unlock it together. Each animal represents a path, & each 1 also has a jutsu you must master to unlock their power.". Naruto's eyes grow wide in excitement & he yells, "WE'RE GONNA LEARN A NEW JUTSU?!?! FUCKIN' AWESOME!", Sakura punches him hard & says, "Quiet, you, you idiot! He isn't finished!". He sits up quickly & all of them look at Tsachi, hoping he'll finish soon because it's late & they're tired. "Yes, I'll teach each of you a new jutsu. While it can also be used in battle, it isn't something you can use repeatedly like your Shadow Clones (cough cough, Naruto). These jutsus will drain a lot, if not most of your chakra. Starting tomorrow evening, I will spend a night with each of you, teaching you how to use & control your respective jutsu. Mastering it is up to you, something all of you must accomplish before we get to the temple.". After making sure they all understand just how dire this mission is & how hard they'll have to work, the younger ninja all go to bed, while Tsachi keeps watch.
Kurenai sits in front of the fire for awhile, staring at the scrolls Tsachi left out. She walks over to him a bit later & hands them to him, "Thanks Kurenai.", Tsachi states as he puts them away. He looks up at the sky, & after a minute or so Kurenai starts to walk away. "I never got to see stars like this back home ya know.", he says randomly. Kurenai turns back & inquires, "What's that?", whether she didn't fully hear him or was just confused by the randomness of it didn't matter to Tsachi. He looks at her & elaborates, "It's always cloudy at night there. I could never see the stars like I can here. It's amazing.". Kurenai smiles softly & shakes her head slowly before stating, "You're a strange 1, you know that?", Tsachi smiles back & replies, "Yep, but when you're like me, in my situation, your personality starts to match other aspects. I'm different from other ninja, I know it, I know I'm strange in that way. I guess after accepting it, I start becoming strange in other ways too.". He looks back up at the sky & Kurenai walks over to Tsachi after deciding to sit down next to him. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry.", she says apologetically. He pats her hand softly & responds, "It's fine, it's no big deal. I've accepted who I am, I'm just glad that others are finally starting too as well.". He starts to wrap his hand around hers when Kurenai states, "I have a...I'm seeing somebody.", Tsachi lets go & looks away, feeling embarrassed. "Asuma, right? I wasn't sure, but it would make sense.", he asks quietly. Kurenai nods & looks away, saying, "yes", softly. Tsachi puts a hand on her shoulder & says, "Well I'm happy for both of you, & I think he's a lucky guy. Goodnight Kurenai.". He gets up & heads to his tent, setting traps along the way. Kurenai finds herself looking back & whispering, "Goodnight Tsachi.".