Chapter 16
Blood covered the streets, signifying the recent massacre that had happened. There were no bodies present. The carnage was the result of the attack on a young boy. The mob responsible had been ruthlessly hunted down and executed.
No one walked the streets, out of fear of the slaughter that had occurred. The fear of the men in masks. The fear of the ANBU. As it was, few people knew what caused such a mass execution. A man in a white cloak stood on top of the Shadow tower, his dog mask observing the village.
A man in standard ANBU gear appeared next to him, and tonelessly said, "Sir, all responsible have been eliminated." The Dog masked man, the ANBU Commander, simply nodded in response.
Within the ANBU headquarters, laid a young blond boy asleep. A forced sleep. No one could bear his screams.
It was a bright day. Lush grass covered the area, the field wide and open. A soft breeze blew through the air. Then a hurricane like wind tore through the area, uprooting large amounts grass, and causing massive devastation. Silence followed.
"Naruto, how much of your chakra did you use with that technique," Kenshi asked.
"About a fourth," was the awe stricken reply.
There was a pause, before Crow spoke again, "Don't do it again."
"Got it Kenshi," Naruto replied, still in awe of what he had done. Naruto then continued, this time his voice full of dread, "Am I going to have to pay for this?" Kenshi nodded in response. Naruto promptly fell on his knees, screaming, "How can I pay this off with an ANBU salary! We paid like genin do!" Any further was stopped when Naruto stated, "Cat is coming. We might have a mission."
Crow nodded, before adding, "Or she is here to complain how her boyfriend is sick 80% of the time. Not that it really changes anything for her since it's not contagious."
The two waited for a few more seconds before Cat appeared, both Naruto and Kenshi overly excitedly saying, "Hi Cat,"
Cat paused a moment before brushing the strange welcome off. She was fixing to say something when Naruto interrupted, "Do we have a mission?"
Again, Cat was going to speak when Crow spoke for her, "You're here to complain how Hayate is always sick."
Cat pause for a moment before saying, "Naruto, the Fire Shadow wishes to see you. Kenshi, you have an appointment with death. Also, what happened to the field?"
Crow spoke, "Naruto trashed it with an overpowered great breakthrough. He used a fourth of his chakra apparently."
Cat stared at Naruto before off handedly commenting, "At least we don't have to pay for repairs since were ANBU," before leaving.
Naruto slowly turned his head to Kenshi. Kenshi was obviously straining not to laugh. "Kenshi, you do indeed have an appointment with death. And it will take him a long time to arrive." Naruto then also left.
Kenshi broke out into tears, "I'm so proud of you Naruto, that threat was superb!"
Naruto entered into the Fire Shadow building through the ANBU doggy door, designed by the ANBU commander himself. Seeing no one was in the office, Naruto entered. "You wanted to see me sir." It was not a question.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled in response. "Yes Naruto, I have a mission for you. Fox should be arriving any moment." Fifteen seconds later, Fox did just that.
Fox was mid-height, had loose black hare, with a slumped posture. "What can I do for you Shadow sir."
"Fox, Hare, you will be investigating a company named the Gato Company. They have been trying to buy out some companies that we are loyal to, and I'm not too happy about that. Fox, you have discretion on how to handle the situation. Details are in the mission scroll," Sarutobi stated.
Fox let out a small sigh before saying, "Yes sir."
"Also, there will be a team of chunin there to get good press, as well as questioning people. You give them the questions you want."
"Yes sir."
"Utilize the chunin as you need."
"Yes sir."
"Keep Naruto safe. There is a chance of enemy ninja."
"Yea sir."
"Don't do anything stupid."
"Yes sir. Sir, I think I got it all sir. I know what I'm doing," Fox said, exasperation in his voice.
"Yes yes, take care, dismissed," Hiruzen replied sheepishly.
Fox didn't bother responding and left with Naruto, through the secret ANBU doggy door. The pair soon arrived at the ANBU headquarters. Fox then opened the mission scroll, and read through it. He then handed it to Naruto, who also read through it quickly.
So the man's name is Gato. How pretentious. Crow would be proud of me for using such a complicated word. Anyways, he already has bought out one company. There are three others that he is taking over. His company has existed twelve years. We know he does some underground business and black marketing.
"When do you want to leave," Naruto asked.
"We'll leave in five hours. Pack up and take a nap. We're going in cloaks," Fox said before walking off.
Fox is so lazy. I guess it is in his blood. So he wants us in cloaks. He always did like those. Made him not have to bring a blanket.
Naruto walked to his room at ANBU, which was quite spacious. There was a large bed, two closets, several dressers, and a large desk.
I'm glad ANBU isn't like it was before the fourth shadow took office. Apparently, rooms were small as were beds, and people had to use external storage lockers to stow their gear. Now, we have spacious everything, and personal storage areas in our rooms. ANBU also got massive benefits. Meant to keep ANBU morale up. It helped. The only downside was the severe cut in pay.
Naruto went into one of the closets, and from a large rack full of them, pulled out a simple scroll, labeled 'Two Weeks.'
Okay, there are my rations and underclothes for the mission. I can wash them if were there longer.
He then pulled out another scroll which read, 'Basic Supplies.'
This holds three kuni and shurkien sets among other things. That should be enough.
He put both scrolls in his left thigh pouch. He finally pulled out a black cloak.
The ANBU cloak of awesomeness. It is amazing what these things can do. It's also the reason they're so freaking expensive. It does not bode well to lose a cloak.
Naruto then put the cloak on, and said, "Ahh, these things are so comfortable." He then grabbed a contraption, a senbon launcher, and put it on his left wrist. He then grabbed another two scrolls labeled 'Senbon Launcher.' He slightly opened one and inserted in a slot on the launcher.
The poison on these senbon...quite deadly. We have to receive special training in order to get to use this baby. It's only useful when using a cloak in order to keep it hidden. From a rack in the closet, Naruto grabbed six kuni, and placed them in slots on either side of his cloak at the waist. He also took two sets of four shurkien and placed them is a similar area to the kuni. He then took his extended tanto, and attached it to his back.
Finally, he walked to his desk, and took his mask. He then put it back, saying, "I'm not leaving for another five hours, no need to wear it yet." He then laid on his bed, and went to sleep.
It hurts. It's dark. Why does my body hurt. The villagers...they...they tried to kill me. Why? Why would they try to hurt me. Why?
"It is because they think you are something that you are not," a voice spoke.
The blond boy looked around. "Who's there," the blond boy spoke hesitantly.
"Close your eyes, the lights will soon turn on," the voice replied softly. The boy did so. The lights did so, and slowly, the boy opened his eyes. The boys eyes fell upon a man in a black cloak, with a mask resembling a bird. "My name...is Crow."
Authors Note
Hello fans. This chapter is mainly an opener for the next, which is a nice size. It should be up tomorrow. The next chapter will be the first to have combat. If I had to name an arc for this current series of chapters I would call it the Cloud Militarism Arc. It still has several story chapters until its over, in which there will also be some filler chapters to fulfill the humor aspect. Make sure to review.