Chapter 12 Combined Route
*Konoha - Outside Tsunade's Office*
Sakura stood in the sunlight bathed hallway outside of her master's office. Usually she would just walk in, but ever since Tsunade received a message from Jiraiya yesterday, her mentor ran around nonstop for the rest of the day with an annoyed look on her face.
"I wonder what that letter was about…" Sakura said. The door swung open and Shizune looked at the pink haired girl.
"Come in Sakura." Shizune said.
Sakura silently walked into the office.
Sakura looked around the office, Shizune and Tonton was behind her and much to her surprise Danzo stood in front of Tsunade.
"I'm sure even you will find this plan agreeable." Tsunade said.
Danzo stood silent for a second. "For now it will be acceptable. I don't know what Jiraiya is trying to do but I find it acceptable… for now." Danzo said as slightly opening his uncovered eye.
He turned away from the Hokage. He walked past the pink haired girl and out of the room. Tsunade rubbed her head I frustration.
"I can come back later…" Sakura started
Tsunade held up her hand up. "You we're supposed to be part of this conversation but that man made it difficult."
Sakura looked at her teacher with a puzzled look. "Sakura, I want you to go to the land of Iron and retrieve Zoro."
Sakura looked back at her teacher in disbelief.
"Me…?" She asked.
Tsunade nodded. "I've sent a messenger hawk to the Iron to tell Zoro to be ready to leave with you as soon as you arrive."
Sakura shifted uncomfortably as she stood in front of the paperwork ridden desk. "Can't we send someone else? I know Ino would be excited to go on this mission." Sakura said. "Or even his old team, or perhaps Anko. They seem to be better suited for this mission."
Shizune sighed. Anyone who knew both Zoro and Sakura knew the relationship between the two. Sakura absolutely hated the swordsman, while Zoro could care less about the girl.
"Anko is out on a mission and so is team ten. And Ino hasn't been my student for a long time." Tsunade said. "You on the other hand are my student, and this mission is yours. Now go and prepare to leave, report to me as soon as you two get back to the village."
Sakura clenched her fist. "Yes Tsunade-sama…" The pink haired chunin said as she turned and left the office.
As the door closed behind her Tsunade let out a relieved sigh and reached into her desk for a familiar cup and bottle. "Damn that Jiraiya, leaving this to me…" The slug sanin seethed.
"She took it better than I thought she would." Shizune said walking to her teacher's side. "She has really matured."
Tsunade nodded before she downed the sake in her cup and began to pour herself another. As she looked into the cup and the liquid showed her tired reflection. 'Jiraiya, I've done my part now let's see what you're up to…'
*Days Later – Iron main gates.*
The journey to the Iron had been uneventful. She had traveled alone in the past for Tsunade but this trip seemed more depressing. Even though the snow covered surroundings where beautiful, she was on her way to pick up the person that when they last met threatened her life. The man who vowed to kill the man she loved. That notion is what pushed her to train harder in the past years than anything else and she was sure that it caused Naruto to do the same. As she came upon the gates even with the distance between them her eyes met with the swordsman. Her old self would have been frozen in fear, but she was nothing like she was back then. She pressed on. As she closed in on the gate she there were two figures by Zoro, an unknown girl appeared to be around their age and the legendary samurai Mifune, leader of the Iron. As she approached the group she respectfully bowed.
"Mifune." She said in a respectful tone. "Tsunade-sama wants to thank you for taking care of one of our own for such a long time."
The old samurai smiled. "It's been helpful both ways." Mifune said. "Hopefully we can continue to be allies in the future."
Sakura turned to Zoro. His usual White and black pants combo was replaced by a similar dark kimono to Mifune's, the top open revealing a scar across his chest. Yet his personality remained the same even with his change of wardrobe. As she approached the small group Zoro didn't greet her like any normal ally would, choosing to stare at her with his usual look of indifference. Sakura forced a smiled. She couldn't show a leader of another country how much disdain the two had towards each other.
"Let's go Zoro." She said. "The Hokage wants to meet us as soon as we reach the village." Sakura allowed the swordsman to walk past her. She bowed to the samurai and then followed behind the swordsman for the trip back to Konoha
*Land of fire – Outside Konoha*
Sakura stood side by side with Zoro. She never wanted to be this close to the green haired boy but it was a precaution. Ino and Naruto had told her about his bad since of direction but this was ridiculous. Five times he had wandered off. Five! She couldn't believe it. For the supposed strongest person in her class to have such a huge flaw, how has he even survived this long?
"You don't have to be so close." Zoro said not even looking in her direction. She almost blew it right then and there. The first thing he had said to her for the entire trip was that.
"If your sense of direction wasn't so bad I wouldn't have to be this close or even had to come get you at all." Sakura said.
"My sense of direction is great. It's obvious that you got lost." Zoro said.
Sakura stopped in her tracks. She was about to give him a piece of her mind. When she caught up with the swordsman, she saw looking at the gate with a smile on his face.
"Hmm it's been a while." Zoro said as he looked out at the city. Sakura walked up to Zoro, her anger wavered a little.
"We shouldn't keep Tsunade waiting." She said.
Zoro nodded and the two walked up to the gates. The guards looked at the two approaching leaf ninja.
"Ah welcome back Sakura." One of the guards said. The he looked over to the person accompanying her. "Zoro. Welcome back." The guard greeted giving him a once over. "Tsunade-sama is waiting for both of you. She is currently at the tower."
Zoro raised an eyebrow.
"We must have been spotted coming in." Sakura said as she looked out at the people of Konoha running around doing there morning errands. 'To have people watching out for our approach, Tsunade-sama must have something very important for him. Well time to drop him off and relax…' Sakura turned around and Zoro was nowhere in sight.
Her mouth opened in shock.
"Did you see where he went?!" Sakura asked the guards.
Both shrugged.
Sakura ground her teeth together and punched a nearby wall causing a hole to form and a crack to run up the side. She softened up only towards him for only a second. "Now I have to find him for a sixth time."
*Konoha – streets*
Zoro wandered around Konoha. He was supposed to go see Tsunade in her office but it seemed that in his time away they had moved the Hokage's office.
The swordsman looked around scratching his head. "You'd think they'd put the office of the leader in a more visible location."
"Zoro? Is that you?" A familiar female voice said. Zoro looked to see the familiar figure of Tenten.
Zoro waved at the weapons user. "Tenten long time no see."
She jogged up to catch up with the swordsman. "It's nice to see you again! How long have you been in the village?"
"I just got back." Zoro said as the two began to walk down the street together. "So what have you been doing?"
"I've been training. Just like everyone else we know." She said with a smile on her face. "We can't let you and Naruto get too far ahead of us, and in my I've been trying to figure out the best way to fix your Sandai Kitetsu. How did my sword hold up anyway?"
"Great." Zoro said as he held out the sheath that use to hold Tenten's sword. "It eventually broke and I was entrusted with this." Tenten took the sheath in hand and partially drew the blade revealing the red blade of the Rettenjo.
She looked on in awe of the blade. "How do you end up with all the good weapons?" She said in a joking tone as she placed the blade back into its sheath. "Why did you keep the sheath? A blade this well-made had to have a matching scabbard."
"Well you said you spent a lot of time on it. So I thought it would be a waste just to discard it."
Tenten smiled. "Oh did you learn something about emotions too?" She asked as she poked him in the ribs.
"S-shut up!" Zoro yelled. "
No matter! Come on." Tenten said grabbing him by the wrist. "I'll make some changes to make it properly fit that blade."
*Couple hours later - Elsewhere Konoha*
Sakura was at wits end.
"Zoro!" She called out. Gone, he had simply vanished. How could someone with such a unique look simply vanish? "Tsunade has probably gotten the report about us getting back by now. I want to find him so I can be finished dealing with that jerk." She said as she started to think about what her teacher might be thinking.
"Sa-sakura?" She heard someone say from behind her. She turned to see the familiar yet older figure of the bright orange-clad ninja with Jiraiya and Kakashi.
"Eh-Naruto!?" The instant she acknowledged his existence, Naruto beamed showing his signature smile, something she had missed seeing.
"So, how do I look?" She asked. "Do I look more like a woman now…?"
"You look fine! You haven't changed at all!" Naruto said.
"Still don't understand women…" Sakura said "You've gotten taller than me!?"
"Yeah…." Naruto said as he began to compare the height between the two.
'Hmm Naruto… You've become really strong since I last saw you…' She thought as she watched Naruto.
"Sakura…! Oh Naruto and Jiraiya!" The three turned to see Tsunade approaching them.
"Old lady Tsunade!" Naruto said as he ran up to the Sanin.
"Welcome back." Tsunade replied then she looked around as Kakashi, Naruto, and Jiraiya looked on.
"Where's Zoro?" She asked causing Sakura to remember what the reunion with her teammate caused her to forget.
"Zoro's back too!" Naruto asked.
Sakura nodded.
"He probably took to steps into the village and instantly got lost." Naruto said while laughing.
"That's exactly what happened." The group turned to see Tenten approaching them while pulling Zoro along wrapped in a chain. The sight made the group begin to laugh.
"I told you this was too much!" Zoro yelled.
"It was the only way to make sure you didn't wander off." Tenten said as she opened her scroll causing the chain to disappear. Tenten put away the scroll and bowed. "I'm sorry Tsunade-sama. I was the one who delayed Zoro."
Tsunade smiled at the girl. "There's no need to apologize. Thanks for saving us the trouble of finding him."
The praise from her idol cause Tenten to blush. She quickly regained her composure and began to run off. "Zoro, make sure you come and see me again when you're actually free!"
Zoro waved in acknowledgement. He turned around only to be met by the determined eyes of Naruto.
"Zoro, I thought it would be impossible but you seem way stronger than you did when we last saw each other." Naruto said.
"The same goes for you. I'd never thought you could reach this level in such a short time." Zoro said returning the glare.
"Naruto!" The two broke they're staring contest to see Konohamaru running up to them. "Oiroke No Jutsu!" The young ninja yelled as in an instant he transformed from a little boy to a totally nude woman.
"Oh ho ho!" Jiraiya yelled as Sakura looked on in shock, Tsunade, Zoro, and Naruto looked on with blank looks on their faces, and Kakashi was too into his book to even notice. Then with another puff of smoke he returned to normal.
"How was that!?" Konohamaru asked excited to show the older boy his improvement. "A real drool of a Jutsu, huh!?"
Silence reigned for a few moments, and then Naruto let out a light chuckle that shocked the young ninja.
"Konohamaru, I'm sorry but I'm not a kid anymore." Naruto said causing Konohamaru to sadden. "From now on, you shouldn't use that jutsu either."
Sakura smile musing on how much Naruto had matured. "Such a Jutsu is now mediocre, Konohamaru!" Naruto yelled to the shock of those around him. "Behold! The new perverted ninjutsu I've been developing! Here we go!"
"Aha, new ninjustus you say, a new perv…" Cutting herself off midsentence to deliver a vicious right punch to the jaw of the unsuspecting Naruto. "Perverted ninjutsu?!" You idiot!" As Sakura reached down into the crater to pick up the half conscious Naruto and start to shake him,
Zoro looked on with surprise on his face. 'This girl… I've never even thought of her as a fighter or even a small threat.' Zoro thought. 'Maybe I'll have to re-evaluate her…'
"The Nostalgia ends here." Tsunade said as Kakashi closed his book. "Well... It's been a while hasn't it." Kakashi said. "Starting today, we're equal Konoha Ninjas. It's different than before. From now on, the three of you will come with me on team-related missions." The three younger ninja's looked.
"Three…?" Naruto asked.
Kakashi nodded his head.
"Yes Team Kakashi consists of Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Zoro for the time being anyway." Tsunade said answering Naruto.
"I'm supposes to be on a team with him?" Sakura whispered to Tsunade as Naruto started bouncing around tell Zoro all the awesome stuff they were going to do as teammates.
Tsunade nodded. "Why do you think I sent you to get him? I was hoping you two could become less hostile towards each other." She whispered back.
"His goal is the exact opposite form mine and Naruto's." She said in a louder tone noticed by the rest of the group. "Why would we want to work with him?!"
Naruto calmed down. One of the reason's he trained so hard was to prevent one of his friends from killing the other.
"Zoro... do you still intend on…" Naruto said his look turning serious.
Zoro's usual silence answered Naruto.
The fox marked boy clenched his fist. "Then if you're going to go through on your promise then I'll…"
The jingle of bells interrupted Naruto. "I'm curious as how you've developed." Kakashi said trying to defuse a possible explosive situation. "You all know the rules." Kakashi said glancing at Zoro who nodded. "If you don't come at me with the intent to kill, you'll never succeed in getting the bells."
"Sorry Kakashi." Tsunade said. "Zoro won't be participating in this exercise. It might be too much for even you to handle if all three of them came at you."
Kakashi looked at the Hokage then over to Jiraiya, she obviously had planned on doing this in advance.
"Zoro, I believe you have something for me." Tsunade said.
Zoro reached into his bag and handed the woman the scroll Mifune had given to him. Kakashi sighed under his mask. It was clear that Tsunade and Jiraiya have some knowledge of what the boy was capable of. But that didn't help him in the long run. He'd have to find someone to test Zoro's growth.
*Later*
Kakashi and Zoro walked down the darkened streets of Konoha. Kakashi looked down at the green haired boy. He didn't seem to be affected by the turn of events. Even with his intervention the tension between the two original team seven members and the temporary member didn't falter. Sakura was expected with their history, but he was surprised that Naruto, Zoro's friend, acted the way he did. It goes to show how much they cared about the renegade Uchiha.
"Zoro, after the past years you still hold that much distain for Sasuke?" Kakashi asked stopping in front of the swordsman.
"Do they expect me to just forgive him." Zoro said. "Betrayal shouldn't be tolerated. To try and kill a friend is unforgivable."
"I share your conviction Zoro… but for the sake of this team can you just keep your intent to yourself, I'll tell them that I convinced you otherwise." Kakashi said.
"Do whatever." Zoro said.
The copy ninja sighed and the two continued on down the unpaved road. "Tomorrow while I'm with Naruto and Sakura, I'm going to line something up for you. Even though the Tsunade and Jiraiya-sama seemed convinced of your skill level I need to know what you're capable of."
Zoro looked up to see his familiar home in Konoha. "I'll try to catch up with you tomorrow." Kakashi said as he disappeared into a puff of white smoke. Zoro walked up the staircase and up to the door. Before he even reached for the knob the door swung open.
"You're late!" Anko yelled. "I wasted a whole day expecting you to come here right after seeing Tsunade-sama, and you come right now! I lost a whole day because of you!"
The people that lived around them started to look out of their windows and doors.
Zoro rubbed his ears. "You're being too loud."
"Too loud!? I'll show you…." Zoro placed his hands over Anko's mouth and pushed her into the apartment.
Anko, not liking being handled like that, bit his hand. Zoro quickly released the snake lady and as soon as he did Anko twisted her stomach and punched him in the stomach. Zoro bent over and held his gut as Anko smirked in victory.
"And to think I actually missed you." Zoro said with a smile on his face.
Anko laughed placing an arm around the boy. "Welcome home, little brother." Zoro looked around.
The place was cleaner than he was use to, looks like Anko went out of her way to prepare for this, and there was three spots set.
"Yeah, you kept someone else waiting." Anko said. "Even Tenten showed up saying how good it was to see you again. You're in the dog house already."
Zoro sat down as Anko handed him a mug and he began to pour 'In the dog house already? What is that stupid snake woman hinting at?'
'Come back soon Zoro. I'll be waiting on you!'
Anko watch on as Zoro continued to pour into the already full mug. "Still slow as ever when it doesn't have to do with fighting." She said as she adjusted Zoro's hand to prevent any further spilling. "Are you worried about how mad she is?"
"I'm not worried!" Zoro yelled as he began to drink.
"Sure you're not." Anko said as she sat across for him and poured herself a glass and the two drank the night away.
*Next Day.*
Zoro walked out of his room. As he walked through the living room, Anko was still laid across the table. He was glad to see the woman hasn't changed while he was gone, even if she was a pain most of the time. Zoro opened the door and was immediately met by Lee and Gai rapidly doing one arm pushups, Tenten rubbing her head and Neji looking uninterested.
"Zoro finally decided to come out." Neji said as he noticed the swordsman walk out of the building.
Gai quickly jumped to his feet and placed on hand on Zoro shoulder. "Welcome back, Zoro!" Finishing with his signature pose and smile. Lee quickly followed suit mirroring his mentor's actions.
"Nice to see you after such a long time!" Lee said.
"I guess you're the ones Kakashi put up to this." Zoro said as the group began to walk away from the apartment.
"Well… I was supposed to be the only one here." Gai said. "But Lee found out, told Neji, and he insisted on being the one."
Zoro looked at the Hyuga.
"Yes while you were gone I became a jounin." Neji said. "You are one of the few people I want to test myself against."
"I also want to test myself against you Zoro!" Lee said clenching his fist. "Stories of your feats in the Iron reached back here. I would be hon…"
"For today, I want you to fight Neji." Gai said interrupting Lee. 'Sorry Lee. You would go all out and I can't have you opening multiple gates just yet.' Gai thought as he looked at a disappointed Lee.
Zoro looked at his opponent. "So the same as usual, training weapons." Zoro said.
"No, I would like you to treat this as a real battle simulation." The group turned around to see Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya-sama I didn't know you'd show up for this." Gai said.
The toad hermit smiled. 'I didn't expect Kakashi to do something like this. But this will turn out better if I see his skills first hand.' Jiraiya though. "I have the perfect spot for this."
*Outside Konoha.*
Neji stood across from Zoro. His outer appearance was stoic but his inner self was bursting with anticipation. Before they left he had went back to the compound to see if Hinata had made it back yet, knowing the girl would be ecstatic to see her old teammate, but unfortunately she was still out on a mission. But his teammates, Gai and Jiraiya weren't the only people there. There was a pretty high up person named Danzo standing beside them. He appeared out of nowhere and the whole time he had his one eye locked on the swordsman. But that was of no concern of his. His one thought was to defeat the swordsman.
"Ok!" Gai said. "I want this to…"
Not waiting for Gai to finish, Neji rushed Zoro. The swordsman began to dodge the palm thrust.
'As expected he's a lot faster!' Neji thought. 'But...' Zoro noticed as smile on the usually serious boys face before a palm blow caught him on his right arm. 'I've grown too!' Neji quickly tried to end it with a palm strike to the chest but Zoro quickly created some distance between them.
"What's the matter?" Neji said as Zoro tried to move his disabled arm. "I didn't expect to hit you on the first barrage. Has that time with the samurai dulled your sense against ninja?"
"Neji! This is a fair fight!" Gai yelled. "You could of at least…"
This time Zoro jumped at Neji. The white eyed boy expected and prepared for the balanced attack of the Wado but was surprised as he drew out the Shusui. Zoro slashed at Neji sending the jounin jumping backwards. Neji looked on in disbelief.
'Does he intend on taking him on with one arm?' Neji scowled as Zoro stood with Shusui in hand. Zoro once again dashed towards Neji. Neji was caught off guard at the speed Zoro was wielding the Shusui. He had gotten Tenten to reveal as mush at she knew about Zoro, as she was known for being one of the few people he actually relaxed around.
The Shusui, his heaviest sword, was being used like it was a light as a feather. Neji quickly took notice to Zoro's shifting of the black blade in his hand.
"Sanbyakurokuju Pound Ho!" Zoro yelled catching Neji clean with the air projectile sending him barreling into a nearby tree before turning into the traditional log substitution and traveling deeper into the forest along with any object the attack touched.
"Still doesn't know how to hold back…" Tenten said with a deadpan look.
'That was close.' Neji thought from his hiding place as he watched the swordsman start to regain use of his right arm. 'I was a little reckless there. His close range is still top notch. So...' Neji activated his Byukagan and popped out of his hiding spot and threw several kunai at Zoro and as expected Zoro deflected them with ease but keeping in one spot was what Neji wanted.
"Hakke Kusho!" Neji yelled thrusting his palm forward releasing his own vacuum projectile at his opponent. Zoro quickly drew the Wado with his now functional right hand.
"Tatsu Maki!" Zoro yelled using the twister to deflect the attack taking a page out of the Hyuga clan's book. Neji didn't wait for Zoro to stop rotating and began to attack.
Palm thrust where dodged and countered by sword strike and sword strikes where dodged and countered by palm thrust.
"Nigiri Toro!" Zoro yelled.
"Kaiten!" Neji countered deflecting the blow.
Zoro quickly recovered and placed the Wado in his mouth and drew the Rettenjo.
"Santoryu: Jigoku Tsukkomi!" He yelled pressing the three blades against the spinning ball of chakra. To the shock of everyone present, every place that came in contact with the blade began to form a pale blue flame. Neji quickly stopped and jumped away as the flames started to eat away at the shield causing holes and leaving him more vulnerable the longer the clash went on.
Zoro and Neji once again stood across from each other. Both with knowing smile, both ready to fight one another further. They both dashed towards each other.
"That's enough!" Jiraiya yelled causing both to stop mid attack. "I believe we've seen enough to make a judgment." Gai and even Danzo nodded in agreement. "Gai is this enough for your report to Kakashi.
"Yes. It is great to see the fires of youth in both of them!" Gai said. "Both of you are great assets to the village!"
"Zoro that last technique, Jigoku Tsukkomi, did you invent that yourself?" Danzo asked speaking for the first time.
"Mifune was the one to come up with that one." Zoro said sheathing his swords. "He said just powering through chakra shells wasn't enough. Focused attacks were needed to properly disrupt them."
'Heh, those samurai were good for something.' Danzo thought. 'That last technique he used countered the protection of the Kaiten perfectly! Just think what it could do against Jinchuriki's chakra cloak!'
The turtle hermit stared at Danzo with a look of distain and suspicion. He knew that he was thinking the exact same thing he was thinking except for more sinister purposes. He was glad he had stopped the fight before Zoro could reveal more. He would have to act quickly to insure things went according to his plan.
*Later*
Lee once again traveled with Zoro, this time back to the village. Neji and Tenten had gone their separate ways, Gai went to talk to his rival, and Jiraiya disappeared along with Danzo to parts unknown. Lee burned with determination. He didn't get the chance this time but he wanted to fight Zoro even more after the performance he had seen. As they got closer to the village they saw the bandaged visage of Danzo stand with two masked ANBU.
"Lee." Danzo said. "I have something to do Zoro. You can go I'll make sure he gets where he's intended to go."
Lee looked to Zoro who looked a little on edge then back to Danzo.
"Hmm I wouldn't want someone of your stature to worry about this, Danzo-san." Lee said.
"It is perfectly OK." One of the masked men said. "Danzo wants to talk to Zoro in private."
Lee hesitated before leaving. One of the ANBU began to follow Lee as the other one got behind Zoro.
"I want to talk more about your progress and your future in the Leaf, Zoro." Danzo said. "I know that you've declined my offer in the past about joining my ranks. But with your improvements I think it would be in the best interest of Konoha if you join the Root."
Zoro slowly reached towards his swords.
"Zoro it wouldn't be wise for you to start a fight here." The ANBU said from behind him. "Attacking an elder of the leaf wouldn't go over so well for someone just returning to the village. We could make it so that you'd be labeled a spy and treated as such." Much to the surprise of the masked ninja he didn't back down even with the threat.
"Zoro you know that this isn't a good idea." Danzo said.
Zoro stood straight up as Danzo smiled.
"Now Zoro, like I said, I need you to come with me." He placed a hand on the swordsman "I'll inform Tsunade of you are now a…."
"Zoro, here you are." And before their eyes Kakashi appeared eyeing the three. "Gai told me you were with Lee, didn't expect to see you with Danzo." The bandaged ninja opened his eye at Kakashi. "Sorry if he caused you any trouble. Zoro are you ok." Kakashi said with a hard pat onto the back of Zoro.
The boy stumbled forward then he shook his head.
"Let's go." Kakashi said to an obvious disoriented Zoro nodded before leaving Danzo with his subordinate.
'Damn that Kakashi. He was clearly in my genjutsu and you come along and ruin this!' Danzo internally swore. 'Next time you won't stop me from acquiring my new tool.'
*Konoha – Next day*
Zoro roamed around the village by himself. He hated to admit it but he owed Kakashi. He had no Idea what Danzo or that masked ANBU did to him but it wasn't natural.
"Danzo…" Zoro said. Deep down even if it was that other ninja Danzo was probably the one to set it all up. He punched his hand. Next time he saw that bandaged freak he wouldn't let his guard down. Then a familiar scent caught his attention. He looked up to see a familiar flower shop. Then a new presence sent a chill running down his spine.
'What is this feeling…? I feel as if death is right behind me.' Zoro thought. He turned to see an apron-clad Inoichi standing behind him, his eyes piercing him more than any weapon had.
"I heard you were back." Inoichi said with no emotions in his voice.
"Y-yeah." Zoro said wondering why he was acting in such a manner.
"I was wondering when I would get to have a proper one-on-one talk with you." Inoichi said as he approached the boy. "My daughter seems to talk about you a lot, even in your absence. You haven't used any weird ninjustu to ensnare my little girl have you?"
"I'm not a ninja." Zoro answered.
Inoichi placed his hand on Zoro's head. "That's a great thing to say, but I know your track record." He said as his face darkened. "I have many ways to see if you are telling the truth."
"Dad! What are you doing!" Ino yelled as she approached carrying a crate of flowers.
"Oh Ino." Inoichi said his tone changing from the dark tone he was using to a more cheerful one. "I was just having a conversation with this young man." He said moving out revealing a slightly perturbed looking Zoro.
Ino gasped nearly dropping the crate before regaining her composure and turning up her nose at Zoro. "Do what you please." Ino said as she walked past the two men. "If he runs into any trouble Tenten surely will come save him."
Inoichi smiled. "You aren't even back two days and you're in the dog house."
"I'm not in the dog house." Zoro said waving off the statement.
The Yamanaka clan head took off his apron. "You don't have nothing to do today right." He said forcing the dirt stained apron on the boy. "Help out around the shop. I have to take care of something for a while and Ino can't do the lifting and take care of the shop today." Inoichi started to push the boy into the store.
"Dad, can you start setting up the flowers?" Ino yelled from the back. "I need to get ready for the shop to open."
"I won't be around for a little while but I found someone that will fill in for me."
"Who?" She said as she looked around the corner to see her slyly smiling father standing behind an apron wearing slightly angry Zoro.
She place quickly ducked back into the room and placed her hands on her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Really, I'd do better by myself." Ino said barely able to hold her laughter.
"You'll have to deal with him until your mother comes to take over for you. Then he'll be her problem." Inoichi said.
"Ok, Ok." Ino said. "Zoro you can start by placing the rest of those flowers by the door outside."
"You better get to work Zoro." Inoichi said. "And if I think you even thought about doing something impure." He placed his hand on Zoro's head again before leaving laughing to himself as he did.
"How did I even get into this situation?" Zoro said.
"They're still in here. Hurry up and put them outside!" Ino barked as she emerged from the back and walked behind the counter.
Resigning to his fate and began to move the crates as ordered.
"And put your swords in the back! You won't need them today!"
Zoro stood like a statue, an awkward out of place statue. Defanged and standing in front of a flower shop wearing an apron of all things. Everyone that came by the Yamanaka Flower shop either chuckled behind his back or straight out laughed at him. He tried to stay in the back moving various boxes and sacks but Ino immediately saw through this action and ordered him to stay in plain sight, like some mascot!
"You shouldn't look so serious, you'll scare away all of your customers." An older woman said with a stern look. "Isn't Inoichi supposed to be helping around the shop today?"
"I was recruited to help out in his place." Zoro answered the woman.
"Hmph, I guess you'll do. My idiot son is walking around the Sand representative for the next chunin exam. I'm looking for some flowers to give to that lazy man to give to her. What do you suggest?"
Zoro was dumbstruck. He didn't know a thing about this.
"So?" The pushy woman said.
Zoro didn't answer.
"You need to ask Ino." Zoro finally answer after a brief staring contest.
The woman looked inside to see Ino dealing with a number of people already and sighed returning her gaze to the swordsman looking him over.
"Ah, you're Zoro, now this makes sense." She said. "My son, Shikamaru, has talked about you. I'm his mother Yoshino."
This came as a shock to Zoro. Shikamaru and his father were as laid back as people could be yet the woman of the household.
"Don't zone out on me!" She said.
Zoro snapped to. 'I guess she is the personality needed for that house hold.'
"Hey swordsman, I want those flowers by the window." Yoshino said. "Cut me eight." Zoro reached inside the apron and pulled out the scissors Ino had given him to replace his swords. Yoshino watched closely as Zoro awkwardly positioned the scissors to cut the first one.
"A master swordsman is taking this long?" Yoshino taunted.
Zoro took offence to the words and held the scissors like a swords and slashed at the flowers and eight jumped up and slowly floated back into the box.
"W-wow!" Yoshino said in amazement at the feat. Zoro twirled the scissors around and simulated the sheathing of a sword. And on cue a line formed along the glass in the window and into the wall. The glass came crashing out of the window and onto the ground grabbing the attention of everyone in earshot.
Yoshino and Zoro looked into window to see everyone inside staring in their direction and Ino her head lowered and her fist clenched in anger.
"Zoro…" She growled and glared at Zoro. Yoshino gathered her flowers inspecting them and making sure that they were undamaged.
"Thanks Zoro. It was nice to meet you." The older woman said patting the swordsman on the back and walked to the door. "And good luck in your next battle."
Ino was tired. Today was an eventful day for all the wrong reasons. She looked on as her mother supervised as her father and Zoro put up a new window. It took two days but she finally got to spend a little time with Zoro, even if all she did was laugh at his expense. She looked on as her parents started to ask him all kinds of questions.
'This is the first time they've had to speak with him.' She thought. 'I'm just glad they seem to like him'
"Ino what are you doing over here." Her Mother said walking up to her with a smile on her face. "It's been three years since you've last seen each other and if you leave him with your father anymore this happy scene might take a turn for the worse."
Ino and her mother looked one as Inoichi continued to question Zoro as if he was interrogating a criminal.
Ino sighed. Running to the back and grabbing Zoro's swords, she pushed them onto the swordsman and dragging Zoro out of the flower shop.
"Tch, I didn't get all the information I wanted." Inoichi said as he watched his daughter drag the green haired boy out of the shop
"He seems like a fine boy." His wife said with a smile on her face. "But he is a little on the destructive side to help in the shop." Inoichi laughed knowing that he ultimately was the cause of the situation.
People looked on as the blonde-haired kunoichi dragged the swordsman through the streets of Konoha. Ever since they had left the shop she her hand never left his yet she didn't look back at him trying to maintain her angry demeanor towards him.
'He's an idiot.' Anko's words from the day of his arrival rung in her head. 'Don't be too mad at him, when it comes to stuff like this he's worse than the blonde idiot.'
Ino finally let go of his hand, taking a couple of steps forward. "Zoro, it's been a while." Ino said. "I thought our first meeting would be a more festive and I'd be actually dressed for the occasion, nothing like today." She said with a nervous chuckle as she brushed the dirt off of herself.
"Yeah, I don't think I'll ever do that again." Zoro said rubbing his head as he reflected back on the past day's events.
"Ha, you don't have a choice." Ino said. "Dad wants you to pay for the window and Mom said she won't accept your money. So your only choice is work. I think it's just an excuse to get you around more."
Zoro sighed. "Do I look like someone who'd work in such a place."
Ino laughed earnestly at Zoro's dejected voice. "Don't worry. You won't be in the shop after today's scene. They'll probably just have you moving stuff from our compound to the shop." Ino suddenly stopped laughing. "Hey, Zoro." She said turning to the steel eyed boy who narrowed his gaze onto her. "Next time you come back after a mission or something like that, could come see me first?"
Zoro looked at her with his usual glare with a slight raised eyebrow which caused her to blush.
"I-I mean after checking in and going home to see Anko, and..."
"Oh think I see what's going on here…." Zoro said with an intense stare which caused Ino to blush a deeper red. "Anko put you up to this didn't she, stupid snake woman. One day I'm going to have to put her in her place."
Ino looked on in disbelief. "What…" She said dryly.
"I didn't think she was that sore about this. I'll have to get the jump on her when I get back." Zoro said as he started to think of a plan of counterattack.
"Idiot!" Ino yelled punching Zoro in the back of the head. "I swear, sometimes I don't know why I even bother with you!"
"What did I do?!" Zoro yelled.
"Stupid swordsman! Moss head!" She yelled at the top of her lungs at the swordsman as people started to stare at the two. "After these years you haven't changed at all!"
"I think I have." Zoro said with a smirk on his face.
"I'm not talking about strength." Ino said increasingly losing interest.
Both stopped talking, the onlookers continued on to where they had intended to go. The uneasiness of the atmosphere started to get to both of them.
"Listen, Zoro I…"
"Ino, I'm glad to see you again." Zoro said with a smile catching the girl by surprise. "If you have some free time, we should spend some time together and catch up on things."
"You're such a troublesome person." Ino said with a smile. "OK! I have to meet with Shikamaru and Chouji tomorrow, but after that we will hang out!" She began to run down the street back towards her shop. "You better not forget and make plans." She said with a scowl.
"Ok Ok…" Zoro said.
Ino turned back and ran towards the shop. 'Anko's right, he's an idiot when it comes to these things.' She thought as a smile formed on her face. 'I guess l can put up with it a little longer.'
*Next day Hokage's tower*
The newly formed Team Kakashi stood outside the mission briefing room waiting on their turn to receive a mission. The sight of the student of the Hokage with two ninja's that have been training with living legends was enough to have them whispering as they passed. Zoro looked at Naruto and Sakura. The pink haired girl just simply returned his glance and Naruto had the same huge grin since they met up this morning.
'Kakashi must have gotten through to them.' Zoro thought as the door swung open.
"Enter!" Tsunade ordered. The four walked into the big open room. Several leaf jounin sat beside Tsunade each with huge stacks of papers in front of them. Naruto began to deny the missions left and right.
"Ehhh... That mission? No thanks." Naruto said turning up his nose.
"Eh!? What kind of response is that?" Tsunade said her anger slowly rising.
"Gah… Naruto you haven't mentally matured at all have you?" An annoyed and worried Iruka said.
Zoro too was growing nervous. Behind that visage that Tsunade had hid tremendous strength…. and a short temper.
"Sor…sorry teacher! I'll sort him out!" Sakura said wrapping Naruto in a headlock.
"The third was more sensible…" Naruto said and the air in the room froze.
"HUH!? What did you say?!" Tsunade yelled seeming to be at the end of her tolerating stage.
Just when all seemed to be coming to a halt the door swung open.
"It... It's bad! Fifth!" An unknown woman yelled running into the room.
"What is it? You are so loud…" Tsunade addressed the out of breath woman.
"We just received the message! The sand's Kazekage has been taken by an organization called Akatsuki!" She yelled.
Everyone looked at her in shock.
Zoro could care less about the sand's leader, whoever he was, but the Akatsuki.
"Kisame…." Zoro said to himself. The fishman shark like visage appearing in his head He clenched his fist.
"Right, Team Kakashi, I will tell you your new mission." Tsunade said with a cool, commanding demeanor. Zoro smirked as he could see where it was going. "You are to go immediately to the sand, find out the situation, and relay it to Konoha. After that, follow the orders of the sand and back them up." It had been a while since he had a chance to fight such an opponent. It was time for him to test how far his training had taken him.
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Delayed due to Project X Zone sorry m(_ _)m
R/R
~B.O.X~