AN: I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters.
All her life, Hyuga Hinata had lived in fear.
Fear of her father, fear of her clan, fear of her cousin, fear that her younger sister would surpass her.
Fear that she could never reveal what was in her heart.
She was tired of being afraid, of feeling inadequate & a failure with every breath that she took.
Once, she felt that's how things would always be - this gaping sense of insufficiency that would snuff out every positive emotion in her heart.
But then she met her sensei, and her new teammates.
Being a member of Team 8 had certainly helped.
Kurenai-sensei had become her confidant, someone she could go to in times of need and who was slowly turning into the elder sister she never had - yet at the same time imparting on her the sense of responsibility and discipline that came with being a kunoichi.
Kiba-kun with his energy and slapstick nature was drawing her out of her shell more and making her smile.
Truth be told, she thought she looked quite nice when she smiled.
Shino-kun had been a wall of silence at first, but soon they were able to gain each other's trust, and that was only growing each day.
So it was that day that Hinata decided to begin shedding her fear, by revealing her heart's desires to that special person.
For the first time since she could remember, she'd even applied some make-up.
After all, you only confessed to your first love once.
She purchased flowers from Ino-chan's family flower shop, and made her way to Ichiraku Ramen. Kiba-kun had somewhat reluctantly told her that was Naruto's favourite, and she went there in the hopes that would transpire like those romance novels she used to read before her father put an end to it.
As fate conspired, there was a noveleseque finish; only it wasn't Hinata's.
Her hands turned limp and the flowers slipped out of her hands.
The rain slapped down on her, leaving scars on her face as the make-up dissolved.
She turned around and ran, sobbing into the wind and not thinking where she went.
Unknowingly she arrived at her sensei's house.
She didn't know when it had started raining, and her clothes were as drenched as her cheeks.
Not wanting to disturb her sensei, she crumpled against the door and shriveled up, crying into her lap.
Some time later, perhaps after an infinity - she heard her sensei.
"Hinata! Come inside or you'll get a cold."
But she stayed where she was, wanting the cold rainwater to cleanse her of all her negative emotions.
Kurenai-sensei had to almost pick her up and take her inside.
She huddled Hinata up by the fireplace, and soon she was wrapped in warm blankets with a steaming cup of hot chocolate in her hand.
Kurenai-sensei wiped the tears from her face and gently caressed her cheek.
"What's wrong Hinata-chan?"
"Kurenai-sensei, my first love is incomplete."
Her sensei said nothing, only taking her into her arms; and allowing Hinata to completely break down in her arms.
9 PM
"Since when do you like bento?"
Kakashi tensed for a moment.
Naruto was sometimes too clever for his own good.
"Had some leftover."
"Really. From where?"
"On the way back from my mission. I was starving and the only place open was a bento stall."
"Where is it? I'll have some next time."
"You know I can't tell you that."
Naruto shrugged "Can't blame a guy for trying."
He sighed, "I suppose I can't. Enough of that. How were things here?"
Naruto helped himself to some bento "Same, for the most."
"So what was different?"
"I think some of my peers are beginning to suspect something. Sasuke for instance, seems to be quite curious. And Shino confronted me the other day, and turns out him and Shikamaru have been comparing notes about what they know and don't know of me."
"And" Naruto looked at him slyly, "did you really borrow ladies perfume from your neighbours? Last I knew the apartment to your right was empty and on the other side a seventy-year old man. Hardly the type of person to stock women's scents."
Kakashi was glad his mask hid how warm his cheeks were.
"You are too young to discuss these matters with."
Naruto grinned at him unabashedly "So you can discuss Icha Icha with me, but not real-life action?"
Kakashi cleared his throat loudly and changed the topic "Do you want me to do something about your peers? I could speak to the Hokage?"
"I don't know what the Hokage could do without any suspicions. And you interfering on my behalf would only raise more questions. It's best if I did this myself."
"Are you sure?"
"I am. Though there is one thing with which you could help."
"Of course" Kakashi nodded.
"I don't know if my mother ever talked to you about the Kyubi, but recently he'd gone silent. Unless I concentrate on the seal I can't sense him."
"Fuinjutsu isn't exactly my specialty, but I do remember your mother telling me something similar. It had happened numerous times with her. Jiraiya-sama had to slightly tweak the seal to increase its chakra in her system. But there were some drawbacks. The Kyubi is a being that breeds on negative energy & violence. Increasing its levels in your system could elevate anger & aggression."
"So how did my mother counter it?"
"I'm not aware of the specifics myself, but as far as I'm aware she wore bracelets made from a special substance that could absorb & channel the Kyubi's chakra. I believe the Lady Mito did something similar. It would be best to ask Lord Jiraiya next time you see him. He was the one who helped your mother in this case."
The ominous gloom surrounded Danzo like a cold blanket, and he regarded the man kneeling at him.
"It is done."
Not a question; a statement. Danzo expected nothing less than perfect execution of his orders.
"Yes my lord."
He dismissed him.
Orochimaru considered himself the paragon of cunningness; when in reality he was nothing but an arrogant cretin obsessed with a hopeless desire.
Eternal life
Man was never meant to live forever.
The idea of a man, and his legacy could.
And Shimura Danzo's legacy would be immortal.
Hawks preyed on snakes, not the other way round.
Danzo would not deny the man (if he could still be called a man) had his uses.
He had an extraordinary intellect not seen since the Nidaime, and his depravity had aided Danzo many a time.
So what if Orochimaru intended to burn Konoha to the ground?
Even beggars could dream.
And a dream it would remain.
No one could touch his village whilst he drew breath.
Even if the entire world cursed him for his methods.
So what if Konoha itself did?
Danzo would protect Konoha at all costs.
Even from itself.
Sakura was glad she hadn't kept any expectations from this evening. Not that she was disappointed - more unfulfilled.
The date with Sasuke-kun had begun well enough.
Sasuke-kun had praised her for her culinary skills, and that gave her a glimmer of hope for the rest of the night. Unfortunately, his attention then turned to their benefactor - their teammate who had 'loaned' them their spot. He began asking her questions, which were not only strange but increasingly dangerous. About Naruto.
Sakura tried her best to deflect his attention - stooping so low as to point out Naruto's orphan status, which she was sure didn't earn her any points with Sasuke-kun, but it was all she could think of on the spot. Sasuke-kun then started observing the place like a hawk, and soon his pupils started spinning & darkening. Sakura felt entranced, compelled to look. She gasped when the spinning stopped. Blood slowly trickled down his eyes, and against the backdrop of the full moon, smirking as he touched the blood upon his cheeks, Sakura admitted to herself he looked like a demon.
He left soon afterwards, undoubtedly to go through the clan archives they'd arranged the other day. Before leaving however, he did turn around & scrutinise her.
"Be sure to make your way back safely. Are you carrying a weapon?"
His eyes swept her over, and she almost fainted when she realised he was scanning her.
"Yes" she managed out through blushing, "I have a kunai."
He turned around & sped backhill.
The blush stayed for a long time. Not only because she had just been checked out by Sasuke-kun, but because it was the first time he'd shown her he cared for her.
Being a civilian almost her entire life, Sakura had never really considered the importance of secret-keeping to her profession. And now she had two of the village's biggest secrets in her purse - the identity of its sole junchuriki; and the only Uchiha in Konoha gaining his Sharingan.
She replayed this in her mind as she walked. After their dinner had ended prematurely (Sakura loathed to think it was a date)she'd returned home; and a feeling of restlessness had consumed her. She felt she needed someone to talk to, and whilst she loved her parents dearly - this was not something she could discuss with them.
There was only one person she could really.
She rung the doorbell.
"Sakura-chan? What are you doing here? Not that you aren't welcome, but I thought you had a date with Sasuke-kun?"
Ino's surprised voice rang from behind "Sakura? On a date with Sasuke?"
"Yes. Didn't she tell you? She had an onigiri bento meal with Sasuke-kun, alone."
Ino's mother looked back at her.
"Oh silly me, making you stand outside for so long. Please, come in."
Ino was about to sneak off to Inoa's house when the bell rung.
Then Sakura showed up out of nowhere, apparently from a date with Sasuke of all people.
She could clearly see the conflicted look on her face, so she dragged her into bedroom and made her sit down on the bed.
"Shoot" she ordered.
And Sakura did. She told Ino everything. Her team passing their sensei's induction test (boy was she glad now not to have been chosen for Team 7. Asuma-sensei just told them to come to training the next day).
The letter Sasuke-kun wrote about Itachi, to giving that letter to Naruto; Naruto setting her up with Sasuke-kun and the actual date itself, which culminated with Sasuke activating his Sharingan. Her teammates seemed constantly meeting each other without her, and this tension that Sakura had noted between them.
Hours could have passed when Sakura had finished talking, but instead of feeling tired she seemed rejuvenated - like a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
Ino didn't say anything for a while, absorbing everything Sakura had told her.
Then she looked up at her, and a burden similar to the one Sakura had just let go of was present in her eyes.
"Since we're revealing our team stories, I have something to tell you as well. Remember when I told you about my telepathy?"
Sakura nodded; that was something she would probably never forget.
She listened as Ino narrated her own story. About how she'd told her teammates of what she'd seen inside Naruto's head. Thankfully she hadn't figured out that it was the Kyubi at that point, so her teammates weren't privy to that knowledge (atleast from her side). Sakura's face became worried as Ino detailed Shikamaru's worrying reaction, and how his behaviour had seemed off in recent weeks.
"You don't think he's found out do you?" Sakura asked.
"I don't know. As lazy as he is, when he puts his mind to something he doesn't stop till he reaches his goal. But information like this, it isn't available in books. And I certainly don't think anyone that knows is going to tell him, even his own father. The way he reacted, it was almost as if he was suspicious about Naruto, rather than concerned for him. I most definitely won't be telling him anytime soon."
Sakura nodded "It's best if you don't. If Naruto finds out that Shikamaru has been poking around, I don't think he'd take too kindly to it. I know I wouldn't."
"Do you think Shikamaru is in any danger?" Ino asked her in concern. While Shikamaru may have been completely out of order, he was still her teammate; and dare she say someone she considered her brother. She didn't want him getting hurt.
"Not for now atleast. But based on what I've seen of Naruto since we've been teammates, Shikamaru needs to be very careful how he goes about this."
Next morning
Fifty-five thousand, seven hundred and forty-eight
That was the total number of scrolls he'd got back from the village archives.
Sasuke knew that because he'd spent the whole night cataloguing them and going through as many as he could find.
He wasn't worn down from a lack of rest, but kept awake from the sense of jubilation and glory that had coursed through him all night long.
A lesser person would've yelled out from in the mountain-tops in joy until their lungs hurt and ran around like a madman until their feet dropped.
Good thing that he was not a lesser man - he was an Uchiha.
So far he'd only reached around twelve hundred.
None of which had been very academic.
He was looking for anything he could read about the Sharingan.
The Uchiha had been quite zealous in their efforts to conceal the secrets of the Sharingan.
His first course of action had been to go through the police files - as they were the ones which required the Sharingan. As soon as he activated his eye, the words rearranged themselves and started making sense. The issue was, they were random words pieced together. Clearly written in code, so that even if there was a data breach or a traitor the information was useless to the reader without the source code.
The next thing he did was read through the journals & diaries of clan members with the Sharingan. Unfortunately, many did not know much of their eyes' machinations - only that it could be used to copy jutsu and enhance sight.
Sasuke knew that already.
What he didn't know was how to strengthen his Sharingan so he himself would get stronger. Or how the Sharingan copied jutsu. And when it did, how would that information be accessed at a later time?
His father had once told him that an Uchiha was only as good as his Sharingan.
And Sasuke would not rest until his Sharingan were unmatched.
Finally, he was one step closer to achieving his goal.
Finally, he had unlocked his birth right, the key which would unlock true power for him.
Nothing could get in his way now.
Team 7 arrived at the Missions Office at 0700 & by 0715 had received their first and last mission for the day.
It was very unusual, and nothing like they'd ever done before in their brief existence as a team.
The mission was a D-rank, as they always were, but it was at a very unique location - an orphanage.
The orphanage was in urgent need of renovation, and didn't have enough funds to finance it. The orphanage staff had been able to arrange emergency accomodation, but only for the day. Which is why the orphanage faculty had come to the Hokage's Office for help. Understandably, the mission fee was waived off, and it was assigned a D-rank.
A file of documents was given, and they were asked to go through it to get a sense of what was required.
Sasuke found nothing of note - Naruto himself could complete this task with his Shadow Clones. He didn't see the requirement for so many others, primarily him. He chose not to reveal his thoughts. Besides, one couldn't exactly refuse to help an orphanage, particularly when there was no question of money going out of his own pocket.
The missions officer informed them that Teams 8 & 10 would be joining them, and were instructed to wait outside for their fellow rookie genin before making way to the Sunshine Orphanage at the western village border.
As they were leaving, the officer remembered something.
"Ah, Captain Hatake, before I forget: your presence is requested in the Hokage's office. It is a matter of urgent attention."
"Thank you. I will go straightaway."
Kakashi sensei faced them, "Wait outside. I shouldn't be too long."
He infact, wasn't too long.
Within the next 20 minutes they were joined by Teams 8 & 10, and seconds later by their sensei.
However, those 20 minutes passed like 20 hours, all thanks to Naruto.
Naruto turned to Sasuke.
"How was the date last night? You two crazy kids made it back home at a decent time?"
Sasuke-kun turned his back on them.
"I'm not even going to grace that with a response."
Sakura turned well...Sakura pink.
"It was...I mean...it wasn't bad."
"I take it pretty boy here isn't much of a ladies man."
"You're one to talk. Anytime Ino's name even gets mentioned your ears perk up like a fox's."
Sakura snorted at the irony of Sasuke-kun's retort.
Of course, this irked Naruto, who fiercely denied doing so (even if it was blatantly true, but Sakura didn't have the heart to correct him. Besides, it was pretty funny watching him around Ino, and vice versa).
Their dispute was ended prematurely (thankfully) by the arrival of Team 10, which prompted Naruto's ears to perk up like a fox.
Soon everyone had arrived and they were on their way. The senseis had agreed that everyone would go to the orphanage together at first, so they knew its location; and there they would break up the genin into trios on 8-hour shifts.
Sakura turned to her sensei, remembering how the mission officer had addressed him.
"Say sensei, I didn't know you're a captain. How did you achieve that?"
"Well, it was before your time, but in the Third Shinobi War I was on the frontlines. It was there that I earned my rank. And that stays for life, unless you get dishonourably discharged."
Sakura did the math mentally and was confounded:
"Wouldn't you have been a teenager? What were you doing fighting a war?"
Kakashi-sensei replied with the slightest hint of patronising.
"Well, things are different now. Back then we did not have the luxury of D-ranks & days off. Within 6 months after war commencing my genin team was transferred to the front lines, and after a few months we were carrying out solo missions. But that was wartime. In times of peace we can afford to give our genin some more time & guidance."
Shikamaru had another question - "Did we really win all three Shinobi Wars? I know that is what are books say, but such a probability is very low."
"It depends who you ask. No Great Village will want to admit defeat", Asuma-sensei answered. "Neither of the three wars saw significant territorial expansion of any of the Great Villages, and there were enormous losses on all sides. But Konoha always fought from a defensive standpoint in all three Shinobi Wars, and from that perspective we were successful in defending our territory."
"And what about our allies?"
"Suna? They are still standing, and are still classed as a Great Village. There were different alliances amongst the major powers in all three wars, and they are all present & robust."
"Then what about some of the minor belligerents?"
Sakura didn't understand who Shikamaru meant. As best as she knew, the minor villages had little impact on the Shinobi Wars, and there was little mention of them in all the books she had read.
However, she did see Kakashi-sensei place his hand over Naruto's shoulder and gently press - perhaps to support, or suppress?
Kurenai-sensei steered the conversation away.
"Have anyone volunteered at an orphanage before?"
No one said yes.
"Well, there's always a first for everything. I hope this mission encourages you to help those less unfortunate than yourselves."
Sakura jumped in with her own question - "Have there ever been similar missions? Obviously it is for a good cause but how will this be useful to us as shinobi?"
"Good observation kunoichi Haruno", Kurenai-sensei praised. "As far as I'm aware this is the first of its kind. As for why we're doing it, it's to teach you people skills & crowd management. Being a shinobi doesn't just mean combat or espionage, but quite often knowing how to talk your way out of conflict, or into alliance. This is much more rudimentary, but a good starting point. As well as helping those in need."
"The mission file said the orphanage faculty should be back within a day. What if it takes them longer than a day? Or what if they don't get the money" Kiba asked.
Kakashi-sensei shut his Icha Icha book, "Well then, the orphanage will have to shut down & all the kids will be forced onto the streets."
She shook her head and sighed. Only her sensei could make a joke about something so severe.
It didn't take long to reach the orphanage, and they split up into their designated groups. Normally this would mean their genin teammates, however the jounin had decided on the way over it would be beneficial to rotate teams. It made sense to Naruto, it was good training for emergencies or wartime when it wouldn't be feasible to maintain genin squads.
Naruto was working with Ino & Sakura. They had the last shift - 0000 to 0800 the next day. They agreed to meet an hour ahead of time at Ino's shop and then come together. As everyone was spliting up, he saw Hinata look at him & Ino. Usually he'd think nothing of it but he felt a miniscule amount of bitterness in the girl's stare. Why he had no clue, and wasn't particularly inclined to investigate.
He'd never spoken to two words to her, and was a bit weary of her considering who her father was and what clan she came from.
So he turned around to go to his team's training ground for some solo workouts.
Naruto wanted to work on his taijutsu skills; and the best opponent to face was yourself. He'd learned a lot by observing his clones & what mistakes they made; which he would then rectify.
"Naruto wait."
It was Sakura.
She walked up to him.
"Are you going to train?"
"Taijutsu, yes."
"Can I come with?"
Naruto blinked at her.
She had a decent work ethic for a civilian kunoichi, but from their practice sessions it was clear taijutsu was her least preffered shinobi art. Still, it wouldn't hamper him too much. Naruto figured he could make a couple extra clones, and continue with his schedule.
Then Ino, who was stilll nearby also came over.
"What's this I hear about training? If Sakura's in, so am I."
Seeing no way to get out, Naruto sighed.
He'd have to cancel the shadow clone training, but atleast he could practice taking on multiple opponents at once; even if the opponents weren't of the finest quality.
"Alright, let's go."
Orphanage: 1600-2400 shift
"Why am I always stuck with the paperwork?" Shikamaru grumbled.
'And why am I always stuck with you?' Sasuke thought to himself.
They'd been assigned to catalogue all the orphanage's papers
the middle slot. The kids thankfully hadn't paid much attention to him - they found Nara's hair & Aburame's goggles far more interesting. He found it refreshing, for a change he'd walked into a room and not been recognised by the symbol on his back - and there hadn't been the customary glances of pity towards him.
The kids went went to sleep by 9 PM, and that left him alone with two people he've never had much contact with; infact he could never remember speaking to Shino before.
Shikamaru asked aloud what they all were thinking.
"Well? What now?"
"I suppose we could have a look around, see if there's anything we can improve in this place."
Sasuke didn't particularly agree with Shino's suggestion, but he found it much better than the uncomfortable silence.
They went from one room to another, until they entered a room with papers strewn everywhere.
"Kami, what is this supposed to be?" Shikamaru asked?
Sasuke picked up one of the papers & frowned.
He saw from the corner of his eyes Shino do the same with a stack of papers
"Some of these documents don't make sense", Shino frowned "A lot of pages have redacted portions, including all of the children's records.
"Whoever has done it has done a very shoddy job. They're not even concealed properly - someone's just applied permanent marker over them. Any number of shinobi with the requisite ability would be able to bypass them."
Sasuke's mind started working in overtime.
"You two go. I'll take care of this."
Shikamaru shrugged with typical boredom and left. He could feel Shino's eyes bore into him for a moment, before he too went out.
It would be difficult to go through all this paperwork.
Except for Naruto.
'Stop it' he chided himself. He had his Sharingan now; no need for this petty jealousy anymore.
And that very Sharingan would be tested now.
Permanent black ink huh?
Perhaps not so permanent.
His eyes swirled red & black.
Shikamaru had migrated to the next room over with Shino, thankful that Sasuke had volunteered to sort out that mess by himself. Why he didn't know, but this late at night he didn't particularly care as he slumped back into a chair.
That was, until Shino spoke.
"Something's not right."
"It's past my bedtime & I'm babysitting over two dozen kids. You'll have to be more specific."
"My kikaichu. They're picking up something, something they haven't in years. Over half a dozen years infact".
That got Shikamaru's attention.
"What?"
"If they're correct; and I've never known them to be wrong - it's one of a kind in the village, and two of a kind in all the Elemental Nations."
Shikamaru's eyebrows crinkled in confusion.
Shino looked at him.
"The Sharingan."
He almost fell off his seat in disbelief.
"I share your astonishment" Shino monotoned.
"How do your bugs know that's what it is?"
"My father had introduced a small colony of his own Kikaichu to me at birth. During the Third War, he had fought alongside Sharingan-wielding Uchihas. When an Uchiha activates their Sharingan, a chemical is released from their brain which stimulates chakra flow to the eyes. The stronger the Sharingan, the more blood flow it requires - meaning the chemical is produced in greater quantities. Right now, my Kikaichu are picking up a minute amount next door. This chemical gives off a distinct scent which our Kikaichu can detected. It is impercetible to all life forms but them."
"You seem to know an awful lot about the Sharingan."
"I gather as much intel as is relevant to our business. All our clansmen our. We live in a world where knowldge can be the difference between life & death. Surely our situation demands we know as much we can, no?"
This complicated things. He was already dealing with the Naruto situation, and this was just as big, if not bigger.
"It seems like Team 7 has a proclivity for big surprises."
He agreed. At this point he wouldn't be surprised to discover Sakura's superpower was super strength.
"Any suggestions on how we proceed?"
Part of him wanted to be deliberate. Take things slowly & carefully.
But another part wanted instant action.
How well taking things slowly with Naruto worked out?
Perhaps he was more like his mother than he'd admitted.
He looked back at Shino.
"Here's what we're going to do."
Just before they were about to begin, Shino stopped him.
"I don't disagree with the execution, yet I question the motive. What would be achieved by this?"
"Ego check. The Uchiha were said to be extremely proud & hubristic of their dojutsu. We'll just make sure ours learns how to control it, and that he remains ours."
"Sometimes I worry Shikamaru-san, if you were to turn your back on the village one day."
"The reason we're doing this Shino, is so that they don't."
Sasuke had worked through most of the documents, discovering the real identities of a lot of the orphans.
It disgusted him.
These weren't helpless kids left at the orphanage's doorsteps.
They were children once living in foreign lands, all orphaned by Konoha - through special ops, collateral damage or missions gone wrong.
What kind of sick game was this.
His anger was disturbed by a buzzing sound which was increasing in intensity.
Sasuke looked up and saw a swarm of insects hovering inches from him.
His sharingan allowed him to see these were no ordinary flies.
They were kikaichu.
Which meant he was being spied on.
His hands flew into handseals.
"Katon: Gokakyu no Jut-?"
The fire remained stuck in his chest.
He tried his best to finish the seal but couldn't move his body.
His eyes widened as he realised.
Shadow Possession.
"Right know you're thinking to yourself how we know. Maybe we'll even let you know, if you ask nicely."
"The second you run out of chakra, you better pray Shino has enough bugs to form a human shield or I'm roasting both of you alive."
"Appealing, but we'll pass" Shikamaru shrugged.
"See, what you don't know yet is about the bugs inside your ear. If at any point we feel at threat those bugs travel up to your optic nerve; and once they're done you'd be lucky to see, let alone use those Sharingan."
"Nice bluff. And I can sense your chakra faltering so you better prepare to duck."
Shikamaru turned to Shino, "I told you he wouldn't believe us. Perhaps a demo is in need."
Sasuke's body tightened, and just as Shikamaru had to let go of the jutsu he fell onto a chair and spasmed.
Shino went over & helped him up.
Sasuke pushed him away once he'd recovered enough.
He looked at both with unconcealed venom.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Shikamaru joined him at the desk.
"Now that we have your attention, we'd like to tell you something. We're not interested in how you unlocked those eyes, atleast not yet. What the point of this little stunt was, to discuss something. After our little circus act, I'm sure you won't think we're trying to pull your leg."
"Discuss what?"
"Your teammate" Shino spoke, "More specifically, your blonde teammate. We've recently discovered some things about him, and we were wondering if you could corroborrate them."
He seemed to relax, atleast outwardly.
"What do you want to know?"
Shino readjusted his shades.
"I believe the question is, what do you want to know?"
Next shift, 0200
"I don't like this."
Ino raised her eyebrows at him.
"Babysitting? What's not to like? Especially when it's past bedtime. I've made so much money babysitting cousins."
"No. What this mission asks of us - that's what I don't like."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked. "We're to look after this place until the staff arrive with funds."
Naruto turned to her, "Not when; if. You heard Kakashi-sensei. There's no guarantee they'll get the money. What happens then? Do you just watch orphans being evicted onto the street?"
Ino put her hand on his shoulder.
"What do we do then? Fix the place ourselves?"
Eureka.
That's it.
"Ino, you're the best."
He kissed her on the cheek & dashed outside.
In his haste, he missed Sakura's mouth dropping open like a pufferfish, or Ino blushing and cupping her cheek, muttering "Thanks."
Morning, 0815
"I'll be damned" Asuma-sensei spoke through a drag of his cigarette.
"Naruto, you did this alone?" Kurenai-sensei asked.
Ino could hear the same astonishment in the jounin's voice she felt when she saw Naruto, or rather dozens of him at work last night.
Dismayed by the prospect of the orphans being forced onto the streets, Naruto had taken it upon himself to fix the entire orphanage. First, he made copies of himself, or Shadow Clones as Sakura had explained - physical copies of himself as a result of equally splitting his chakra into the desired number. Some went off to get supplies, whilst others took apart anything that needed replacing - cracked windows, damaged fences & so on.
Sometime later, all the clones had returned with all the neccessary materials - how Naruto was able to find everything that late at night she didn't know; but they set about at work.
It was astonishing.
Both the method & result.
Hordes of Narutos piled in & around the orphanage - not once clashing or getting in the other's way, as if they were synchronised like the hands on a clock. They barely made any voice, Ino had to strain her ears to hear them, and she spent so long observing them she didn't even realise when it was over.
Naruto came inside to take her & Sakura outside to ask for their opinion; and her heart swelled when she saw the fruits of his labour.
"You've done an amazing job" Sakura gushed.
"You're amazing" she beamed.
He turned around & gave that same gigawatt smile that had her heart racing yesterday.
She was about to throw her arms around him and close the distance between their lips when three faint pops sounded behind her.
The senseis had arrived. Very soon the orphanage staff came, and they too displayed the same incredulity.
Now, they were inspecting the orphanage in case Naruto had missed anything.
When they were finished, the senseis told them to go the Hokage's Office for their mission reports.
One of the staff members walked up to Naruto and held out a cheque.
"Consider this a token of our appreciation for your help."
Naruto shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know what I'd do with all that money. But, if you want to say thanks - use this money and take all the kids out to Ichiraku's. Tell them my name - Naruto, and they'll give you a good discount."
"I don't know how we could ever repay you for this" the man thanked.
"Give those kids a nice home. After all they've been through, they deserve it."
Hokage Tower, 0830
"Excellent job Team 7, I'm impressed not only by your performance in today's mission, but by your overall conduct in the short time you've been a team. As a reward, I have something else for you. A C-Rank mission. You'll all be given pre-mission reports to assess, and I'd to know what your analyses tomorrow morning before your mission. Sakura-chan, a missions officer will arrive at your house later today to speak with your parents. They'll explain to them the nature of the mission, and all the measures we perform for your safety. You will be going outside the village for a few days, so best to pack accordingly. Best of luck."
His genin left, and then the Sandaime underwent a series of seals. Once finished, he looked up at Kakashi and nodded at him to speak.
"It has been done as you asked Lord Hokage."
The Hokage smiled back at him.
"That's good. Even better that you're unharmed. Was there any trouble?"
"Not during the mission itself. As I was wrapping up, I did get into a spot of trouble; but I managed to wriggle out. It's all in my case report."
The Third opened the file infront of him, and went through it.
"Impressive Kakashi, to improvise so flawlessly on the spot."
"I learned from the best Lord Hokage."
"I'd tell you to stop the flattery", the Hokage smiled "but I know that's beneath you. Is there anything else?"
He nodded, "Yes. About Naruto. Recently, he has been having difficulties communicating with the beast. I'm aware Kushina-Obachan went through something similar - I'm wondering if Lord Jiraiya could assist in a similar manner."
"I think we would need to consult him for that. If he is happy to proceed, then I will not object. From my end though, I would suggest caution. We know so little about them; Nidaime-shishou spent a lifetime's worth researching them, and even he could not find much - except that they were possibly all one creature eons ago. Leave this with me Kakashi - and I shall take it up with Jiraiya at once."
The Hokage's Office, yesterday
"Kakashi, I have something to ask of you."
"Of course Hokage-sama."
"The reports of malicious activity in the village during night-time have stopped. However, there was another incident yesterday. A gas leak in an apartment complex at the eastern outskirts. Apparently this began in one of the apartments and quickly spread through the entire complex."
"I'm sensing a but coming."
The Sandaime nodded "The Fire Chief brought it to my attention that in this specific building, the pipes had been structured in such a way that a leak would be self-contained."
Kakashi could infer what this meant, "So every individual apartment had a gas leak, which coalesced into a massive blast."
"The remains are still being accounted for, but the preliminary data suggests that everyone currently residing there did not survive."
"What is my mission Sandaime-sama?"
The Hokage slid a brown paper envelope towards him, "Your mission should you choose to accept it is to finish yesterday's work. You think correctly, yesterday's accident was an operation, though unsanctioned and by whom it is still unclear."
From the look in the Hokage's eyes Kakashi could tell he knew who was behind it.
"Every single person living in those apartments was involved in the night-time ransacking of farms and stores. Our Intelligence team confirmed that they were foreign entities, and this was corroborated by yours' and Asuma's genin. Enclosed in this envelope is all the gathered intel and is necessary to complete the task."
He opened it, and went through the contents.
"I accept."
A grateful smile appeared on the Hokage's face, "As I thought so. I understand you have just returned from a difficult task, but of all the shinobi in the village it is you I would trust most to do this. You can have the day off to sort out the details"
Midnight
As a child, he could never understand why people feared the dark.
Civilians perhaps, they were always taught to be afraid of the unknown.
But shinobi? A shinobi had no use of a fear that he could not conquer.
He donned his mask and slipped into the darkness.
It had been years since he had used it, and the way the strap pressed at his ear was annoying.
Annoying, but not a hindrance.
It took him longer than he would've liked to culminate his journey.
He checked his surroundings again, ensuring his presence had gone unnoticed and that no traps had been triggered.
This time of night, even the birds were silent.
He moved up the stairs one step at a time until he was in front of the door.
"Illusion Art: Standstill."
He then unsheathed his father's Raito tantō, it's white blade reflecting his face back to him.
Carefully, he sliced a semi-circle around the door lock so that the door was completely separated from it.
Once finished, he gently slipping inside and saw a man looking suspiciously at the door.
If he was able to detect something was amiss, it meant he had to be at Kakashi's level at the very least.
Kakashi denied him further investigation by driving Raito into his larynx, snuffing out his voice and breath.
One down. Five to go.
One hand gripping his tantō, his other hand remained free should any further handseals be required - which ideally were not.
He let go of the genjutsu, moving further into the apartment.
Another door swung open, and a man appeared from the other side.
Kakashi thrust Raito into the man's throat, and the man soundlessly crumpled into his arms.
There were three bedrooms. He checked each one and found a man lying asleep.
Apparently they had taken turns keeping watch.
At least they received a quick, painless death.
There was only one person left.
He had searched all the rooms, except...
Kakashi moved to the end of the hallway, and slowly nudged the door open.
This bathroom was empty.
He knew there was another bathroom en-suite.
Any second now, he would have to drop the genjutsu.
Moving back to the master bedroom, Kakashi spotted a second door inside.
He turned the handle, and just as he entered the bathroom the genjutsu dissipated.
Inside was a man sitting on the bog, and he could only let out a surprised yelp before Kakashi silenced him permanently.
The easy part was over.
Now the difficult part - proving who these men were.
Kakashi knew, as did everyone involved in this op that these were all Suna jounin.
But knowing and proving were two different things.
If he could find solid evidence of their identities, it would go a long way in countering the Sand's treachery.
In the next thirty minutes, he turned the entire apartment upside down, finding nothing.
He ended up back where he had made his final kill.
Kakashi saw something that he hadn't earlier.
The man was clutching a book.
And not just any book - a book that Kakashi had been chasing for a good few years:
Icha Icha: Desert Seduction.
'It could be an important document, I must fully inspect it.'
Looking around to see no one else around, he decided to keep the book for himself.
Something fell out just as he picked it up.
He bent and picked up the sliver of paper.
Turning it over, he saw that it was an identification card, and the inscription at the bottom read ANBU.
These weren't just run-of-the-mill jounin - these were LRDG: Sunagakure's special forces.
This was all Kakashi needed, and he slipped the card into his pouch.
He felt cold metal pressed against the back of his neck.
The voice that spoke was not familiar to him.
"It would not be in my best interests to kill you, and it would be in yours not to give me a reason to kill you."
"You're not like regular ANBU. You ask first and shoot later. You must be one of Danzo's Root."
The knife pressed harder into his skin.
The voice repeated, devoid of any emotion "As I said, it would be in your best interests not to give me a reason to kill you."
Kakashi decided to test the waters, "Bold of you to assume you could kill me."
"Had I not pressed this knife into your neck then I would not assume, Kakashi of the Sharingan. But I have, and you will give me what I want, or I don't have to tell you what happens if you don't."
Kakashi slowly reached for the document inside his pocket, acutely aware of the steadily growing pressure on his jugular, and held the card out with his outstretched hand.
Once the card swapped hands, he asked a question.
"Before you kill me, do tell me if I was right. You are ROOT?"
The knife made the slightest of cuts, and blood coagulated at his neck.
"A long time ago, you let one of ours live. Consider the debt paid", and with that the man vanished into thin air, and out of Kakashi's life forever.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Kakashi's lips slipped into a smirk.
He'd just fooled his apprehender.
The document he'd given was an Ichiraku coupon Naruto had given him, and the identity card was still safely tucked inside his other pocket.
So sorry for not updating for so long - I had a lot of things to sort through. Hopefully I should be much more active now.
I haven't been able to decide a pairing for Hinata. I've considered Shino, Kiba & Lee. Let me know what you think.