Chapter 31
"Why do I have to get a kimono," Naruto asked.
"Naruto," Yugao huffed, "Your being invited to a formal dinner. It is only polite that you dress nicely." As Yugao said this, she dragged Naruto through a tailor shop, attempting to decide the best colors for him to wear.
When Naruto had suggested a simple black kimono, Yugao scolded him saying that he shouldn't dress like he is going to a funeral. In the end, Naruto ended up getting a formal kimono with a dark blue body and sleeves, a dark red obi, with black leggings.
"I've never known a tailor to be so fast with their work," Naruto commented as the pair left the building.
Yugao replied, "Well, there were reasons that it went so fast. For one, he already had your measurements since a week ago, and the fact that I threatened if it wasn't ready today, he would suffer."
Why are women so scary?
Naruto shivered before continuing his walk with Yugao, now in his new kimono. She walked with him the Inuzuka compound, before she said farewell to him and left. Naruto looked at the gate of the Inuzuka compound. It seemed so massive to him, like it towered over him. Despite his feelings, reality said that the gate was only five feet tall. Naruto was almost the same height.
Naruto heaved open the little gate, and entered the compound. As one could see even on the outside, as only fencing separated the inside from out, the Inuzuka compound was a lot more busy than normal.
Multiple groups of man and dog and woman and more dog walked the compound. Almost all of them casually dressed in their ninja garb. None wore kimonos. None were dressed formally.
Maybe they are still just getting ready. That has to be it. This is a clan dinner...they just haven't changed yet.
"It is to my belief that you will represent the minority with your style of dress," the nine-tails commented. Naruto groaned in response.
Taking a deep breath, he started walking to Ashi's house. As he did, people glanced at Naruto, which could really be for a multitude of reasons. Perhaps it was that he was the holder of the nine-tails. Or that he was dressed formally where not a single other person was. Perhaps he had a stain on his face. Whatever the reason, Naruto failed to enjoy the recognition he was receiving.
Naruto arrived at Ashi's house and knocked on the door. After several moments, it was opened by Kegawa. "Hello Naruto...what's up the kimono?"
Naruto replied bitterly, "It was not my choice. I was forced into it."
Kegawa nodded before responding, "I would say run home to change, but you would probably rip the kimono up. I guess you'll just have to deal."
Naruto groaned in response.
Ashi then also came down. She was in her regular outfit consisting of light, grey jacket with grey shorts.
Why wasn't I told this was a casual event?
"Hello Ashi," Naruto said with a downturn tone.
"Hi Naruto," Ashi started, "What's with the kimono?
"You know Ashi, perhaps if I was informed that this event was going to be casual, I might just have worn something a bit more simple. As it stands, I knew not of this until I arrived," Naruto replied.
Ashi then slightly blushed, hopefully out of embarrassment, and then replied, "Oh. My bad."
From there, the Inuzuka group soon finished getting ready, the main reason for the hold-up was Kegawa making a large platter of dumplings. The trio then walked toward the compounds center square. In it, were large amounts of people, as well as extremely long tables full of food. No one, except Naruto wore formal clothing. Naruto was likely cursing Yugao right now.
Whatever the case, and although it could not be seen from his expression, Naruto was nervous. Naruto was then dragged by Ashi over to a table while her father moved to find a place to place the dumplings. He would be searching for a long time.
After some difficulty, the pair, or rather Ashi, found them a place to sit. That meaning they were squished between a numerous other children their age. Ashi then introduced many of the nameless persons who likely hold little importance.
That is at least to Naruto, who was barely listening. To him, there were multiple boys and girls, most of which who had the Inuzuka clan tattoo, and most had dark brown hair. There was much diversity within the group.
Naruto was currently hiding in his own thoughts, not being able to take the large group of people well. Naruto was stolen from his sanctuary when Ashi punched him in the arm. Naruto felt no pain, but it did catch his attention. "Yes," he asked?
"Naruto, you were asked a question," Ashi deadpanned.
Naruto looked around when person spoke to him, trying to be heard within the crowd, "How long have you been a ninja," a boy approximately of Naruto's age asked. Naruto stared at the boy, who wore a grey hooded jacket before replying, "Several years now."
The boy looked astonished before replying, "No way! You look my age, but I've only graduated just this year!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow in response before answering the unspoken question, "I graduated early. Not being from anyone important, and graduating during a tenuous time, there weren't many people to spread the news."
The boy slowly nodded in response, before speaking again, "My name is Kiba, what was your name again."
This time, both of Naruto's eyebrows raised in response. He let out a sigh before responding, "The fact that you failed to hear Ashi say my name several times over leads me to believe that your auditory acuity is on a different level."
Kiba looked confused in response. Ashi clarified, "He said you have bad hearing."
"Hey! I'll have you know I'm an Inuzuka! My hearing is better than a normal persons," Kiba responded hotly.
"I fail to recognize your self-proclaimed greatness. Perhaps some hearing aids will help you," Naruto replied.
Ashi then chose to place an intervention, in a courageous attempt to keep the peace. Her method was the head smash, which consisted of smacking people across the head. The two victims groaned in pain. "Play nice," Ashi ordered sternly.
Kiba and Naruto quickly nodded in fear. Ashi then smiled sweetly, and started talking to several of the other Inuzuka there. "Why are women so scary," Naruto muttered. Kiba simply nodded in agreement.
The dinner party continued on with little incident, a good part due to Naruto suppressing his presence, making it harder to notice him, though not invisible. After it was over, Ashi found her father and the trio went back to Ashi's house.
While Ashi and to some extent Kegawa seemed energized, Naruto looked dead on his feet. The trio talked, or rather Ashi talked.
After some time, Ashi asked, "Naruto, what is it like in ANBU?"
Naruto finally having a topic he was interested in responded, "It's awesome, though the pay is terrible. We only get ten percent of what others would get for the same mission."
Ashi looked slightly shocked and asked, "Why is that? It seems unfair! ANBU seem to work the most out of everybody."
Naruto replied, "It's not as bad as you would think. The benefits that accompany it are quite amazing. We have an unlimited amount of high quality kuni, shurkien, senbon, as well as various other pieces of equipment, all for free. We can order any chakra iron or steel weapon, which we get for free. I myself have a chakra steel tanto, costs about seven million ryo, for free. Also," Naruto said, pulling a small scroll from in his kimono, "We get unlimited access to the highest level storage scrolls. This would cost you nine million ryo. I have over sixty. All free. Crow, one of my partners, has over two hundred. If we die, our immediate families will be compensated for as long as they live. No other ninja has that. Also, we can eat for free at any restaurant in the Leaf village. We have free boarding, and numerous other benefits. This was the result of the Fourth Shadow hating his time in ANBU."
Both Kegawa and Ashi had dropped jaws. Kegawa then asked, "You even eat free at the Autumn of Bloom restaurant, the most expensive restaurant in the Leaf village?"
Naruto nodded, before adding, "As well as having seating reserved just for ANBU."
The duo of Inuzuka stared at Naruto. Naruto shifted uncomfortably.
Why do they have to stare?
"Dad, I want to be an ANBU," Ashi stated.
Naruto had given his farewells to the duo of Inuzukas, and headed towards his own home, at ANBU HQ. As he leapt across buildings, the nine-tails commented, "That was enjoyable to watch."
Naruto rolled his eyes in response. When he arrived to his destination, he checked the time. Naruto saw that the ANBU meeting was in three hours. Sighing in response, Naruto quickly changed into is ANBU gear, including his cloak, and took a two and a half hour nap. After waking up, he slowly stretched himself.
This cloak is so nice to sleep in. Warm and comfy.
Naruto double checked himself to ensure he had his basic gear, and walked the common room, which also served as the meeting room for when all of ANBU, that were in the village, were addressed. When he arrived, fifteen other ANBU were already in the room. Crow wasn't as he was on a mission.
After several minutes, Cat arrived. She headed towards Naruto and asked, "How was the dinner?"
Naruto stared at her through his mask for several moments before replying, "Miserable, the dinner was extremely casual. I was the only person there out of over a hundred that was in a kimono."
Yugao scratched the back of her head, perhaps from embarrassment. After a little longer, the rest of the ANBU currently in the village arrived. All in all, there were thirty-four people in the room. Dog then spoke, "This year, Leaf is hosting the chunin exams." Silence. "For it, we will keep forty-five ANBU in the village. The rest of course will be on missions. One ANBU will be assigned to each foreign team. Right now, we have fifteen foreign teams confirmed. We are expecting more. Notable are the Rock team and the Sound team. Rock, for being Rock, Sound for being completely unknown. There will be six ANBU assigned to the Rock team, and two to the Sound. Keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. The Rocks team leader is Arido Kazudo."
Immediately throughout the room, killer intent was felt.
Arido Kazudo. Responsible for the death of thirty ANBU during the third war. I struggle to hate the man, since I wasn't in ANBU at the time, and knew none of the ANBU. I remember seeing him at the meeting with Rock. He seemed nice.
After several more moments, the killer intent faded. Dog continued, "I don't like it either. If it were my decision, he wouldn't be allowed in the village. Too destructive in his techniques, should he choose to attack. I expect professional behavior from all of you. Add to the fact he will know you're there the entire time. He is one the best sensors there is after all. As for the sound team, gather as much information as you can on them. Sound is a new village, and we want to know what their capabilities are."
One ANBU, Carp, then asked, "If it's one ANBU to a team, then what if the teams separate?"
Dog answered, "No need to worry about that. They have been specifically informed that teams must stay together at all times. They have permission to walk around the village, but they are restricted from coming within a hundred meters of the wall. They also may not come within fifty meters of the Shadow Tower, unless given special permission. First exam is given by Ibiki, a written exam. Second by Anko, in the Forest of Death. Three four man teams patrol around, one four man team within. Don't give any teams any favors."
The group nodded at the order. "Other than that, everybody will be on standard patrol. Be prepared for a few long nights to come next month. All teams except Sand will be required to leave in the time between the second and third exam. More information will come in as the exams draw nearer. Dismissed for now."
The ANBU saluted, before leaving the room.
Hare was enjoying his nap when Manatee entered his room. "Hare, Dog wants you immediately."
Hare immediately got up, and ran to Dog's office. Fox was there. "Reporting Sir."
"At ease," Dog spoke, "Fox, Hare, Genin Team 7 was on a mission when they encountered two chunin. The team leader Kakashi dispatched the two chunin. The team is continuing, but are slowing their pace. They expect further enemies. They are currently on an escort mission to Wave Country. You should easily be able to catch up. Hare, you know the layout of the land. Fox, if you can, capture the enemy. You have ten minutes to leave. Dismissed."
"Yes sir," Fox and Hare chimed.
The duo left the office and Fox spoke, "Hare, fetch any further gear you may need for a sustained combat mission. Meet me at exit nineteen."
"Yes sir," Hare replied. Hare quickly ran to his room, and grabbed an equipment scroll and a two week scroll. From there, Hare quickly ran to exit nineteen. When he arrived, Fox wasn't there. After another two minutes, Fox arrived. Hare grumbled, "Lazy Fox."
The duo then began their quick paced journey. They estimated to reach their targets within three hours. In that, they succeeded. Unsurprisingly, only Kakashi detected them, Deciding to unveil themselves, the two ANBU dropped down in front of the genin. Horrifying them. The civilian too.
"Hello ANBU, how has your day been," Kakashi said, with his closed eye showing mirth.
Fox spoke, "It has been fine Hatake. We are here to assist on your mission."
Kakashi's eyes lingered in Hare for a few moments before responding, "Why thank-you, it will be very much appreciated."
The team of genin, composed of a child with spiky black hair, one with long pink hair, and the final one had short brown hair. The spiky black haired genin had onyx eyes and wore a blue high collar shirt with white arm warmers, and tan shorts. The pink haired girl had green eyes and wore a red dress and green shorts. The final boy wore a long sleeve gray shirt with black pants.
Kakashi then introduced his students, "This is Sasuke Uchia, Sakura Haruno, and Tarin Sarutobi. And that is Tazuna."
Fox then introduced themselves, "I am Fox. That is Hare. We will scout ahead."
Sasuke then stepped forward, and asked pleadingly, "May I join you?"
Hare replied, "If you could keep up, maybe. As it is, your still a genin. We're ANBU."
The pair of ANBU were fixing to leave when Sakura called out, "How are you in ANBU, you can't be much older than us!"
Hare replied, "Size isn't everything," before the duo jumped away.
When they had made some distance, Fox spoke with an annoyed tone up while they were running, "Really Hare, size isn't everything? Size is everything."
"I agree," the nine trails chimed in.
"It sounded cool at the time. It's not like they would argue with ANBU," Hare replied weakly. Fox huffed in reply.
After running for some time, the duo came across a small impediment. The ocean. Fox asked Hare, "Do you want to try to find transportation, or run it?"
"I say we run it, but only to the bridge. Save some energy in case there's trouble. What was the latest figure for the bridge?"
"Seven miles now," Fox replied, "Only one more mile to go. We're going to pay Gato a visit. If he doesn't back down, I will keep my promise."
My apologies for it being so long since an update. Between having my wifi turned off by parents and having a lot of work for the past week, I haven't had a lot of time to write and proofread. So, how was the first encounter with team 7? In the anime/manga, the bridge may have seemed smaller, but from the official map, Wave country is at the very least several miles offshore.
Fox's promise refers to the time that Hare and Fox encountered Gato on another mission a few chapters ago in case you're wondering.
Make sure to review!