"The Greatest Idea Ever"
By Quick-n-Popular
Disclaimer: "Naruto" and its characters are not my property.
A/N: The big 20! Thanks to all my readers for their comments, the favs, and the alerts to this story. Back from my break! This is basically a lead up kind of chapter. The next one has more action and development. There's a character that I'll bet some will be surprised to see.
Anyhoo, on with the story.
Chapter Twenty: Ambition
"And so, without further delay, I'd like to announce the promotions to Chuunin from the results of the last Exam." Tsunade said.
Later, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Shikamaru Nara, Tenten, Neji Hyuuga, and Shino Aburame stood at attention in the Hokage's office. Though some were more serious than others, one had a barely-concealed grin as he was given his Chuunin flak jacket.
"Try to hold it in, won't you?" Tsunade chuckled as Naruto looked practically gleeful at his new jacket before he rushed to put it on.
Tenten watched with humor, while Sakura rolled her eyes and the other three boys were trying not to look in his direction in favor of not ruining ceremony; although, Shikamaru was feeling disappointed at being promoted at all, laziness being his only personal agenda.
Tsunade then talked to newly promoted in a more authoritative tone, "Welcome to the rank of Chuunin, you six. Your new assignments will be announced tomorrow, so for now you're dismissed. Naruto, Sakura and Tenten can you please remain?"
When they were left with Tsunade, she folded her hands and looked at them seriously.
"This concerns Sasuke, your teammate, Naruto and Sakura; and also, Tayuya." She nodded to Naruto, who had a mixture of emotions, and to Tenten, who had a somber expression; while Sakura looked relieved at some news about her teammate and not so secret crush.
"Actually," Tsunade said, closing her eyes, "They appear to be linked."
Three pairs of wide eyes greeted her before one of the owners, Tenten asked a question.
"This has to do with Orochimaru, doesn't it, Tsunade-sama?"
The Slug Sannin smiled pleasantly, "Astute as usual, Tenten. Yes, it's most likely his orders to Tayuya to abduct Sasuke Uchiha."
Naruto and Sakura caught on with Sakura venturing out a question, "Does...it have to due to that weird mark on his neck?"
Tsunade sighed, "Possibly. Jiraiya and the others are still investigating." She then looked to Naruto who was quiet and staring at the floor, frowning; "Naruto?"
Naruto sighed before giving a steely look, "When are we going to go after her?"
"You'll have to wait for assignments, Naruto. But I can tell you now, you won't be on the mission to retrieve him and face Tayuya, I'm sorry to say." Tsunade looked firmly at him. "Your assignment is an important one that Jiraiya needs you on due to the circumstances."
Naruto's first impulse was to argue and demand to be put on the team to retrieve his teammate but a soft, calloused, hand touched his bringing his attention to her.
"From what she had said, Sakura and I will be on the team to rescue him and face Tayuya, right, Tsunade-sama?" Seeing the Godaime's nod, Tenten looked back to Naruto. "You trust us, right? We'll bring him back and punish that bitch of a harpy." Tenten gave a very Anko-like, smile.
Sakura nodded.
Seeing the fire in Tenten's eyes and a similar one in his teammate's, Naruto silently nodded in acceptance.
The very next day, Naruto was waiting at the front gate of the village with Neji and Shino being there too. This being their first mission as Chuunin made them wonder what the assignment was as they were told that Jiraiya would be leading them and the mission came from the Hokage's office.
Naruto still felt a little bit put off by not being on the team to rescue Sasuke but having thought about it since yesterday, it was probably ideal to let Tenten and Sakura do this as both girls could do the job easily. Tenten was hell bent on taking down Tayuya and Sakura would make sure that Sasuke would come back alright; her recent training to become an apprentice to Tsunade would help with this mission.
He really had nothing to worry. All he had to do was have faith in them.
Now he just had to wait for Jiraiya to come and get THIS mission started.
"He's here." Neji announced, seeing Jiraiya walking up to them.
"Alright, glad to see everyone is punctual. So here's the mission details, make sure you pay attention. We're to go to the port city of Wave and hire a boat to go to Tenchi Island where a shady summoning experiment is happening." The Toad Sannin looked to Naruto, "It's possible that it's being funded by Akatsuki or Orochimaru; hence our needing to look into it."
Understanding now why he was needed for this, Naruto nodded to the unspoken question by the man.
Neji, though, ventured a question, "What do we do if it is tied to one of those two?"
Jiraiya sighed, "We're only four person group, so don't expect to get into a fight just yet. Primarily, this is a fact finding mission. However, we'll adjust when the time comes." He looked to the three and gave a nod, "Now, let's get going."
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office stood Tenten, Sakura, and Shikamaru; waiting to be briefed by Tsunade who was out of the office for a moment.
During this pause, Sakura looked to Tenten, who was cleaning the dirt out from under her finger nails with a kunai.
"Hey, Tenten?"
The Weapons Enthusiast turned to her and nodded.
"I'm just curious but how are you and Naruto so close? It only seemed not that long ago that he was being a nuisance and was bugging me to spend time with him. Not that I am wanting to have that attention back." She added the last part hastily.
Tenten sighed, "I'm not exactly sure what it is you're asking. He and I are just really good friends. It's not like we're lovers, you know."
'For now at least', Sakura thought. 'As dense as he is, he's probably viewing her as someone special to him, too. They're both hopeless.' Sakura smiled and shook her head, "Sorry for asking such a personal question."
The door soon opened and Tsunade came in flanked by Shizune her secretary.
"Sorry for making you all wait. Let's get down to business."
Shizune laid out a map of the land of fire, which the village was situated in, and then laid a marker in a marked area.
"We were lucky that our Anbu and hunter nin work fast. They've spotted and pinned down Tayuya in this area, the Valley of the End, which is right at our border."
Tsunade though gave a serious look as she addressed the three newly promoted Chuunin teens, "There are some thoughts that Tayuya is creating a diversion and is trying to be noticed on purpose. So, please be careful in that regard."
"That and she might have reinforcements in the waiting. How troublesome…" Shikamaru drawled.
"It's as you say." Tsunade nodded, "Your Jounin leader for this is Kakashi Hatake and you'll meet with him at the front gate in under an hour. Be ready to deploy by then. Dismissed."
Three collective nods and then the three teens began to file out of the office before Tsunade spoke to Tenten, who was the last to go.
"I need you to make sure she doesn't get away again. Capturing her alive is no longer an option. Make sure you take her out this time."
Tenten gave a firm nod, "Yes, Godaime-sama." She then turned around and exited the office.
"I plan to do JUST that." She said in a low tone.
Time was passing at a leisurly pace. Jiraiya was busy writing notes for his adult book series, while Neji was on guard, Naruto was abosrbing how it was going to feel to see Tazuna, Tsunami, and Inari, and Shino was at the rear of their march just being silent.
However, as time wore on, Naruto decided he wanted to start a conversation and it seemed Shino would be a better partner than Neji would as there was still some awkwardness between him and Naruto.
Turning to the Aburame, Naruto asked, "Hey, Shino, is it true that Fu is staying at your place?"
Shino nodded, "I was the one to find her."
Naruto nodded, "I'm glad. She's a bit weird but is nice, I guess."
Shino looked down for a moment before looking up, "She wanted me to tell you she thinks that you and she need to work on your tailed beast training some more, or just hang out."
Naruto groaned, "I told her, I have no interest cooperating with that damn fox-" Naruto ground to a halt as he stared at Shino, uncomfortably. "Shino...you know what...Fu and I have in us?"
Shino nodded, "Yes. Father and I found out about Fu-san, when we first met her. And" He paused, "My Kikaichu sensed something similar in you."
Naruto turned away before asking, quietly. "How do you feel knowing what Fu and I have?"
Shino answered in less than a second, "We Aburame are hosts for the colony of Kikaichu that we use. How do YOU feel about us?"
Naruto shrugged, "I don't have a problem with it. It's kind of cool, I guess."
The Aburame nodded, "I concur. The Aburame clan would never seek out to harm you as it would be hypocritical for us to do so."
Naruto felt a wave of relief and a smile appeared on his face. "Thanks, Shino."
"He's not the only one." Came a quiet voice ahead of Naruto.
Turning he saw that Neji had slowed down his pace as he looked over his shoulder at Naruto.
"During our match at the Exams, my Byakugan could see a second chakra source from you, which was similar to that refugee girl you two were talking about. It wasn't that hard putting two and two together."
Naruto frowned, slightly, "Does that make you bitter on how I beat you?"
Neji shrugged, "I won't deny that me pairing against you was somehow unfair but it WAS a random draw that had us against each other. But like the Aburame said, I'D be a hypocrite to slander you since you and I both hold seals of significance, that we didn't have a choice over." He then added, "And I owe you a major favor for watching out for my teammate."
Naruto watched, silently, as Neji quickened his pace to be where he had been before.
Jiraiya, still penning his works was smiling in relief at his Godson's fortune at having been accepted by two of his peers. When they came to the entrance of Wave, the whole four of them stood in shock at the sign appearing above the entrance of the bridge.
"The Great Naruto Bridge"
"Brat, is this one of your pranks? Did you do this when you were with your team, here?" Jiraiya asked, perplexed.
Naurto still looking at the sign in wonder, shook his head, vigorously.
Neji sighed, "Whatever it is, shouldn't he hurry?"
Shino nodded.
"Okay, "Great Naruto", lead us to this Tazuna person you recommended." Jiraiya said with a goading grin.
Naruto looked away from the sign as he tried to remember correctly where the old man's house was.
Before long, they arrived at the quaint little house a bit outside of the port town. Jiraiya let Naruto make contact with the people he had met on his first mission.
Steeling himself, Naruto knocked on the door.
"Just a minute, please." Came the soft, motherly, female voice. Soon a tall long haired woman wearing an apron came to the door and then froze.
"Naruto-san?!"
"Hi, Tsunami!" He gave a sheepish grin, "Long time no see."
Tenten, Sakura, and Shikamaru were waiting at the gate and Sakura was grumbling to herself about her Sensei and his penchant for being late. However, he was better than most times as he came five minutes past the time.
"Alright, we're going skip pleasantries as this Oto Kunoichi could disappear before too long. So, follow me." He then broke out into a sprint, which the two teen girls, and one reluctant Nara, followed suit.
During the course of the travel, Kakashi asked Tenten, who was nearby, "Godaime-sama has asked you to eliminate this enemy Kunoichi. Can you do it, Tenten-san?"
Tenten didn't hesitate, "Yes."
Kakashi nodded, "Don't lose that motivation. Some beg for their lives, others try to threaten others, and some try to take you with them."
Tenten nodded in understanding, "I'll remember that, Kakashi-Sensei."
He nodded and soon they were approaching Konoha's surrounding forests, after that was the Valley of the End.
For some strange reason, Jiraiya was holding back on being the Super Pervert hat he had propped himself up as. Instead he was reading through a scroll that one of his toad summons had delivered to him before they arrived in town.
Tsunami was humming happily as she was stirring some miso stew. Then, as if the stew was some sort of secret summoning technique, A loud booming voice came at the front door.
"Tsunami, my dear, I'm so hungry!"
"Grandpa, don't eat all of it this time!"
The door swung wide open and old man Tazuna, the bridge builder and his young grandson Inari, came in. Upon seeing three people he did not know, Tazuna was about to demand an answer when he heard his excited grandson shout.
"Naruto-san!"
The blond cheekily raised his hand in greeting, conveniently sitting in Tazuna's lounge chair.
"Hey, Inari! Hey old man!"
While the three teens from Konoha ate Inari's mother's miso stew, while Inari gave a passionate recount of what transpired here months ago with Gato and Naruto's team (Most of which had to be corrected by Naruto as Inari exaggerated on what happened way too much) Jiraiya and Tazuna were seated in the chairs in the living room drinking sake, swapping stories and information.
"So, you and these brats are heading to Tenchi Island? Might not be a good idea. There has been a lot of people going that way, not to mention boats carrying strange things in crates. Anyway, a drinking buddy of mine said he was hired by a couple of shinobi to sail them to that island by the dozens." Tazuna said, swirling the saucer in his hand. His daughter and grandson allowed him a couple of drinks but was forbidden to get drunk as it was going to effect his work especially with more and more orders pouring in.
Jiraiya took a sip from the saucer before thinking, "Did he happen to see the insignia on their headbands? Also were they wearing black cloaks with red clouds, by chance?"
Tazuna shook his head before taking his last drink and then set down his saucer. He then looked at Naruto sitting and chatting away Inari with the adventures he had after he left Wave.
"He sure has grown. Looks less like the green little shinobi that I hired with his team to protect me. My, how I feel older yet happier. Er, never mind, it's the booze talking." He grumbled before joining the table while Jiraiya shook his head in bemusement.
Since there was a good deal of sunlight left of the day, the four Konoha shinobi decided that they wouldn't stay overnight in Wave and Tazuna found someone who was willing to sail them to the island, as it was a good quick ryo opportunity with all the strange foreigners going there.
However, before they left, Naruto asked Jiraiya if he could go and visit the graves of two people that meant something to him. The Toad Sannin nodded and he, Neji, and Shino went to get their provisions for the boat trip.
Naruto made his way to the area he had picked for the burial of Zabuza and Haku, finding it ALMOST untouched. Zabuza's sword, the Kubikiribocho, was missing. Naruto, though a little peeved, was understanding as he pieced together that Kiri probably learned what happened here and found the graves with one of the Seven Swords men of the Mist's sword being used as a grave marker. Of course they'd take it back.
Naruto sighed. 'Sorry Tenten…'
He remembered, fondly, when she asked him all those questions at Ichiraku's about his mission to Wave and about these two men he faced. Her eyes really lit up when he mentioned Zabuza's sword, despite the fact it had almost killed the boy she was pressing for answers.
"Anyway, long time no see, Haku. I did as you told me and found someone who I would protect with my life. I'm not sure if it's made me any "stronger" but it dies fill me with confidence."
Naruto sighed, "Zabuza, I'm not sure how you'd feel that one of your enemies was inspired to take up the sword because of you almost killing them." Naruto chuckled, "But there it is. I'm becoming better and have two good Kenjutsu Senseis." He smiled, thinking of Hayate and, of course, Tenten.
No more was said as the blond teen bowed to the two plots and turned and walking away, thinking.
'I promise to continue on, never forgetting you two.'
Later, Naruto and the others were on the boat headed to Tenchi Island. On the boat, Jiraiya handed the three teens different clothing and taking their headbands and giving Neji a pair of shades.
"Why all the disguises?" Naruto asked, now wearing a gray colored kimono that hid his sword underneath the folds.
Jiraiya looked at the teens, "Because, it seems that there ARE Shinobi attached to this experiment. Who they belong to, though isn't certain. Neji, in case they're from Kumo, you need to be well-hidden. Do not take off those shades or the bandanna covering your seal.
Neji nodded stiffly, his eyes burning with resolve behind his dark sun glasses.
Shino, his new clothes not any different than his others than their color, noticed that they were to land soon.
"Jiraiya-sama, we're here."
As the boat was being docked, there was a woman there awaiting them. Tall, with long red hair wearing a white headband, wearing a purprle and yellow shinobi gi with a mesh shirt underneath. Her eyes were firm but there was a touch of gentleness as well.
Jiraiya stiffened at first, then relaxed.
'I was almost seeing a ghost, but...she's definitely not Kushina. Then, who is she?'
As soon as they docked, the red headed woman walked up to them and bowed.
"Are you Jubei and the men he hired to help with the Yuriko Project?" She asked, eyeing them.
Jiraiya nodded, "Are you their representative?"
The woman shook her head, "I am merely another volunteer. Right now, there errand girl. They were looking for people with sealing abilities and I was available." She then blinked and gave a rueful smile, "I haven't introduced myself, have I? My name's Honoka."
Kakashi, Tenten, Shikamaru, and Sakura arrived at the Valley of the End and soon heard flute music. Sakura and Shikamaru, tensed but no genjutsu befell the group.
Kakashi urged the group on until they saw a figure standing on the bottom of the water fall, standing on the water. It was a red haired girl holding a flute in her hands and as soon as the Konoha contingent came close to her she gave a sneer as soon a she saw Tenten in the group.
"Sorry to tell you fuckers, but you're too late. Your little dipshit Uchiha was picked up by a summons and is now in Oto." She then turned to Tenten, "I'm going to enjoy fucking you up in all kinds of ways."
Tenten gripped one of her new "special" weapons that she had prepared for her reunion with this girl. "Time to die." She whispered.
To be continued….
A/N II: The next chapter is going to action packed, so stay tuned.
Thank you for reading. Please review if you can.
Q-n-P