Chapter 22: The New Threat
''Team eleven, your mission is...a raid, an assassination, and some intelligence gathering.'' Tsunade announced.
Naruto, Kurotsuchi and Genma looked at Tsunade with looks of excitement. For the first time, they were going to go on a mission that possibly involved combat with the enemy.
''A-a raid?'' Asked Naruto.
''An assassination?" Asked Kurotsuchi.
''Intelligence gathering?'' Asked Genma.
Tsunade nodded. ''Mhm, that's right you two. Team eleven I want you in my office first thing in the evening in two days so I can assign you the mission and give you the details. Be seeing you.'' Tsuande then disappeared in a puff of smoke leaving the three Jonin alone in the field.
Mako then turned to face her students. ''Well, how does that sound you guys? Our first mission reunited in five years and it's an assassination and a raid. How cool is that?''
''Very cool, I've been dying for some action. All those boring Tora retrieval missions are getting too tedious.'' Genma quipped.
''I know, it's been a while since I went on an exciting mission.'' Kurotsuchi said.
Naruto was shaking in excitement and it wasn't that the mission was another A-ranked one, it was because it was his first mission back with his team and they were all Jonin is what got him excited. ''Oh yeah! This is gonna be fun as hell! Our first mission together as Jonin and our first in five years!" Exclaimed the blonde.
Kurotsuchi giggled at her best friend and crush's antics before bopping him on the side of the head. ''Settle down Naruto, I get that you're excited but remember how dangerous B and A-ranked missions are?''
Naruto immediately sulked hearing that. ''Oh yeah, I forgot but ya know, we're all Jonin now and with someone as experienced as Mako-senpai we'll have no problem!"
''You sure about that Naruto? Your training with Jiraiya proved that you're amazing but you know what really makes me still better than you?'' Mako asked in a teasing voice.
''What would that be senpai?'' Naruto asked curiously.
Mako then slowly moved in close so that her face and Naruto's were close. She then activated her sharingan making herself look more intimidating. ''Training is good, but nothing beats real experience.'' Mako said in a scary tone.
''Holy shit.'' A now terrified Naruto said. He then turned to Kurotsuchi and ran towards her clutching her feet like a begging child. ''Kuro-chan help me!"
''Kuro-chan? When did that happen?'' Genma asked with an eyebrow raised.
''Uh, um he said Kurotsuchi not Kuro-chan so I don't know what you're talking about!'' Kurotsuchi protested while Naruto held onto her for dear life.
Mako deactivated her sharingan and sported a tender smile on her face. ''Anyway, would you three like to go eat? On me.''
Naruto, despite wanting to catch up with Genma and Mako decided to spend the rest of the day with Kurotsuchi. ''Well, actually I was thinking about spending the entire day with Kurotsuchi, I mean no offense Genma, Mako-senpai.''
Mako and Genma raised their eyebrows and grinned at the two in amusement. ''Really? What for Naruto?'' Questioned Mako.
''Uh..it's um..uh..'' Naruto couldn't get a sentence out. Seeing his nervousness Kurotsuchi decided to help her crush.
''It's nothing Mako-senpai, I wouldn't mind spending the day with my Naru-kun...I mean blonde knucklehead! See you later!" Kurotsuchi then took Naruto by the hand and performed a shunshin.
Genma, seeing the nervousness from his two teammates couldn't hold in a laugh. ''Oh man, I can't believe that those two are still acting like love-sick teenagers!"
''Tell me about it, I mean it's so obvious they have feelings for one another.'' Said Mako.
''So should we check on them and try to get those two close enough so they can...kiss?'' Inquired Genma.
Mako shook her head. ''Nah, let's let it all play out naturally. It's better that way.''
''If you insist senpai.''
The two of them then leave the training ground to take care of whatever family business they had to take care of.
-Streets of Konoha-
''So Naruto, what do you want to do for the rest of the day?'' Asked Kurotsuchi as the two of them walk through the rebuilt shopping district.
Naruto placed a finger on his chin and thought about it for a minute. ''Ya know what Kurotsuchi? I was thinking that we take the afternoon to relax and when evening comes..um...I was wondering..''
Hearing her crush's pause in between words she looked at him with an eyebrow raised.''Wondering...what?''
''Um, I was...um..would you...like to go...out and...have dinner with..me? As in...a...date?'' Naruto managed to say despite the heavy blush plastering his face.
Blushing, Kurotsuchi looked the other way to avoid having her blush being seen by her crush. ''Um, well Naruto..I..well I um..''
''Yes?'' Naruto said with hope in his voice.
''Well, to be honest...as much as I would love to..''
Naruto's heart almost shattered into a million pieces. Seeing her blonde sulk she smiled tenderly and place a gloved hand on his chin and lifted his head up so they were eye level. ''I'd love to go on a date Naruto, it's about time you asked me!"
Naruto felt his almost shattering heart instantly mend itself together. Out of excitement he takes both her gloved hands in his own and pulls her in close. ''Really? You'd really go on a date with me?''
Kurotsuchi just smiled, ''Yeah of course. Why did this come up all of a sudden though?''
''Well, the truth is..I..I've been thinking about this during my training trip. I've always wanted to go on a date with you...'' Said blonde said shyly.
''Wait, could he mean that he wants to go on a date because he...Oh please be true..'' Kurotsuchi thought before giving him her answer. ''The thing is, we have a mission in two days so we should take the time to rest okay? After we finish the mission we can go on a date. It's a promise.''
''Really? You promise?'' Asked Naruto.
Kurotsuchi nodded. ''Yeah of course I promise. I never break promises with you let alone make promises with anyone but you. When we get home from the mission we'll rest for a bit and then you can take me out.''
''Awesome! It's a date then!'' Declared the blonde. He was about to reach for her hand before pulling it away from hers. ''Y-you don't mind do you?''
''Mind what?'' Kurotsuchi asked. Yes, she saw him try to reach for her hand and knew what he was asking.
''Do you mind if we hold hands?'' Naruto asked nervously.
Blushing at his question, Kurotsuchi just gives Naruto a tender smile before taking his hand into her own. ''Sure, I'd love to hold hands with you.''
''Great! Let's get going!'' Naruto then took off at a high speed dragging Kurotsuchi behind him.
''Woah Naruto slow down!" Kurotsuchi yelled only for her words to fall on deaf ears.
-Hokage's office, two days later-
''Urgh, I hate paperwork!" Tsunade growled in frustration as she was skimming through the day's paperwork. ''That's it! I retire!" Tsunade took a huge pile of paper and threw it on the floor. Then she quickly got out of her seat and picked the thrown paper up. ''Just kidding, I need to get this done.''
*Knock knock*
''Come in.'' Tsunade ordered.
The door to her office opens and in walks Mako Uchiha and Genma Shiranui.
''We're here Lady Tsunade.'' Mako said with a wave.
''Morning.'' Genma greeted.
Looking up Tsunade smiled. ''Ah, there you guys are. On time too.''
''Well, we are team eleven Tsunade-sama.'' Mako said before noticing that she and Genma were the only members of team eleven present, ''Hold on a second..where's Naruto and Kurotsuchi?''
Just then they heard footsteps behind them, turning around Genma and Mako spot Naruto and Kurotsuchi walking into the room together...holdings hands and giggling with each other.
''Has it happened already?'' Genma thought to himself in shock.
''They're holding hands!? So did we miss the confession?!'' Mako, who was in the same state as Genma thought.
Naruto and Kurotsuchi saw the shocked state that their sensei and teammate were in. Noticing that they were both holding hands in front of their colleagues they quickly pulled away from each other.
''No it's not what you think!'' Naruto said defensively.
''Yeah! Naruto said he had a nightmare so I was holding on to him to make sure whatever was in his nightmare doesn't get him in real life!" Kurotsuchi protested while waving her hands defensively.
Tsunade smiled in amusement at how the antics of team eleven, especially Naruto and Kurotsuchi haven't changed a bit these past five years. ''Alright everyone, settle down now. We should get straight to the point on why you're here.''
Hearing their Hokage speaking, the four members of team eleven quickly straightened themselves out and stood in the position of attention before the Sannin.
''Sorry Lady Tsunade, you were saying?'' Mako said.
''No need to apologize, I get it you guys. I get it.'' Tsunade said before taking out a scroll from the A-ranked section. Unfurling it she clears her throat before speaking. ''Now, I bet you're all wondering what kind of mission I'm about to give you all are you?'' Asked the Sannin. Each member of team eleven nodded their head in response.
''You said a raid, intelligence gathering, and assassination right? Who does it concern?'' Kurotsuchi asked.
''I'm glad you asked, first off I want to ask you four this question. Naruto, Kurotsuchi, Genma, do you all remember a Jonin instructor from the academy by the name of Aoba Yamashiro?''
The three in question turn to look at each other.
''Aoba? Wasn't he one of the Jonin instructors who taught advanced genjutsu from the academy?'' Naruto asked.
''Yeah, that's Aoba. We had him in year four.'' Kurotsuchi said.
''Definitely. I wonder what he has to do with this.'' Genma inquired.
Mako had her eyes narrowed. ''Aoba? He's one of my classmates from my academy class.''
Naruto, Kurotsuchi and Genma then turn to Tsunade and it would be Naruto who spoke.
''Yes we do, he was one of our year four instructors when we were in the academy. He taught advanced genjutsu.''
Tsunade nodded. ''That's right, the very same one. Now, you're wondering why this even concerns him. The truth is he is dead. We received a letter from an unknown sender confirming his death.''
Everyone in standing before her narrowed their eyes. Aoba? Dead?
''What? Hold on a second, since when?'' Naruto asked.
Kurotsuchi and Genma were in the same state of shock as their blonde teammate. They all loved Aoba's class and lessons. He was a very kind and fun instructor to have and now they were just notified that he is dead.
''How did he die?'' Asked Kurotsuchi.
Tsunade closed her eyes momentarily. Opening them, she looks at team eleven. ''Alright, a few days before Naruto came back the perv has warned me of a group that Obito mentioned. A group that will prove to be a serious threat remember Mako?
The four members of team eleven nodded their heads in response. ''I sure remember what he said Lady Tsunade. He spoke of a group called...I believe it said there was a group that would be an even greater threat than the Akatsuki or him. He said they were planning to wage war against all Shinobi.'' Mako explained.
''Precisely, now this morning I have received a note from Jiraiya regarding this group. He said there was a group that formed at the beginning of the last ninja war and his spy network had collected very limited information on them.'' Tsunade then picks up a paper that was in the scroll. ''Now, they're called the Shinsengumi or the 'New Selected Group.' That's all Jiraiya's spy network could get and they believe that this group is made up of samurai from around the world. His spy network predicts that not only do they have samurai in their ranks, but also rogue ninja, bounty hunters and mercenaries. I sent Aoba on a mission and he went with a Jonin from each of the other villages and haven't been heard from since then.''
''Is there anymore about this group Baa-chan?'' Naruto asked.
''Afraid that's all the information we have except me and the other Kage think these guys were the ones that killed Aoba and the other Jonin. Although there is good news, Jiraiya's spy network believes they have located a Shinsengumi encampment located in the forests of Tea country and we conclude that there may be a Shinsengumi lieutenant there.''
''And what would our mission objectives be?'' Mako asked.
Tsunade takes out another piece of paper from the scroll and begins reading it. ''Alright team eleven, your mission objectives are as follows: Locate this encampment. After doing so raid it and destroy it as much as possible while also taking out any supplies they have. Last is to locate this lieutenant and assassinate him or her BUT you may capture him if possible. There is one more objective that is secondary and I want you to also gather any intel within the encampment about the group. Anything will do. You are to begin this mission in thirty minutes so pack a pack's worth of stuff for one and a half days. Dismissed.''
With one final nod, the four members of team eleven exit the office.
Closing the door behind her, Mako turns to face her students. ''Alright, meet me at the village gate in thirty minutes. Pack some field rations, a first aid kit, clothes to last you a day in a half okay?'' She said earning a nod from the three. ''Alright, see you then.''
The woman then uses the Kamui to disappear.
Now that they were left alone in the hallway, Genma went to head home and pack his gear leaving Naruto and Kurotsuchi alone.
''So...should we head back home and pack Kurotsuchi?'' Asked the blonde.
''Yes, let's go Naruto.'' Kurotsuchi then took Naruto by the hand and the two of them exited the tower.
-Konoha Main Gate-
''Man, what's taking Naruto and Kurotsuchi so long.'' Genma asked whilst using his senbon as a toothpick like he always does. For the past twenty minutes he and Mako had been waiting at the gate for their two colleagues to arrive.
''Oh settle down Genma, I'm pretty sure they have their reasons for being late.'' Said Mako as she had just finished repacking her assault pack to make sure she had everything she needed for the mission.
''I know they like each other and all, but come on! At least don't show up twenty minutes late.'' Genma said with a shrug.
They continued to wait for another five minute before they heard footsteps. Looking at the direction from where they came Mako and Genma saw Naruto and Kurotsuchi walking towards them..once again they were holding hands.
''Alright, we're ready to rock and roll!" Naruto declared while throwing his arm up which inadvertantly makes Kurotsuchi's arm go up as well.
''Yep! Let's get going!" Kurotsuchi added.
Mako and Genma, despite seeing them hold hands almost an hour ago shook their heads to regain their focus.
''Yes, um. Well, do you guys remember where we are headed?'' Asked Mako.
''Yeah, baa-chan said we'll be heading for Cha no Kuni to the southeast.'' Answered Naruto.
''Judging by the distance from here to the border of Tea country it'll take us at least two hours to get there.'' Kurotsuchi inquired.
The four of them then hop through the trees outside of the village and headed out west in the direction of Tea country with utmost speed and precision.
-Forests of Cha no Kuni-
After several hours of hopping and making their way through the vast forests of fire country they have finally made it into tea country and are now seen hopping through the trees of Cha. They continue hopping for several more minutes before Mako leads the team into a small clearing surrounded by trees.
''Mako-senpai why did we stop?'' Asked Naruto.
Mako looks around for a bit scanning the treeline and treetops. Nodding in satisfaction she turns to face her students. ''We'll be making camp here. Remember what Lady Tsunade said? There may be a Shinsengumi encampment around here in the forest. We'll rest for the night but don't let your guard down.''
Acknowledging the Uchiha's words the four of them then set up camp for the evening and spent the next few hours sitting together by the fire. They sat in silence for a moment and it would be Naruto who initiated conversation.
''So guys, what do you think this Shinsengumi is like?'' Questioned the blonde.
''Probably just some group who thinks they're so intimidating just because they managed to capture and kill five Jonin from each village. I bet they're nothing but a bunch of ruffians.'' Kurotsuchi snorted.
''I'm with you on that. Hope we get to waste some on this mission.'' Genma said as he was playing with his senbon.
Mako giggled at her female student's snorting. ''Kurotsuchi, we can't make judgements based on what we believe on the group. Just keep your guard up because we don't know what to expect from this group everyone.'' Said the Uchiha Jonin.
Mako then looked at Naruto and Kurotsuchi who were sitting directly in front of her across the fire. She took noticed that once again, they were sitting next to each other and their hands slightly overlapping one another.''By the way, Naruto, Kurotsuchi.''
''Yes Mako-senpai?'' The two in question asked.
''What's the relationship between you two now? I've noticed that Kurotsuchi is taking even more opportunities just to be around Naruto and the fact that she willingly moved next door to you Naruto makes me wonder what you two are now...did I mention I can see your hands overlapping?'' Mako said with a wink.
Naruto and Kurotsuchi, though they were aware of their hands touching quickly separated from one another and were blushing like crazy.
''Uh, we're best friends and we'll always be!" Said a defensive Naruto.
''Yeah! He's always been my best friend and nothing more!" A flustered Kurotsuchi said.
Genma chuckled into his hand, in his ten years of knowing the two he always knew that there was something between them. He remembers when he tried to pick a fight with Kurotsuchi when they met for the first time and even at the heat of the moment he knew there were feelings more than friendship.
''Yeah, I was about to ask the same thing as Senpai. Did..anything change between you two?'' Asked the brown-haired man.
''Shut the hell up Genma!'' Naruto and Kurotsuchi screamed in defense while reaching their hands over and grabbing him by the collar of his Jonin vest ready to pummel him into submission.
''Okay okay sheesh!'' Genma said holding his hand up in mock surrender.
Mako laughed at her three students antics. Boy, did she really miss having her team together for the first time in the past five and a half years. Then, she swore she sensed a presence about ten meters away. ''Shh! Someone's nearby!" Mako then shot a minor water number extinguishing the fire and quickly the four of them quickly hop into the trees.
''Senpai what's going on?'' Asked Kurotsuchi.
''Shh, I sensed a presence coming our way. Look.'' Mako pointed to the treeline in front of them that was about five meters away.
From the darkness we see several figures emerge from the treeline. Leading the group was a man wearing a dark red kimono that had a purple flame design on the bottom portion of it and his left arm had a sleeve on it while his right arm didn't much like the standard Iwa shinobi outfit and he was also wearing a red headband. His hair was blonde and very tall and he had a smug grin on his face with his right eye slightly closed while his left was open wide. Almost like he was blind in one eye.
Following the man was another individual who appeared to be nothing more than an average mercenary foot soldier.
As the tall-haired blonde man and his cohort came closer to team eleven's position and allowed the shinobi to get a better view of the two men. Kurotsuchi's eyes went wide as she instantly recognized the tall blonde-haired man.
''No way! That's Sawagejo Cho!'' Kurotsuchi thought with wide-eyes.
''Cho sir, we've been walking for hours on end, when are we going to go back to the camp?'' Complained the foot soldier.
Cho, the tall-haired man turned to face his cohort and gave him a condescending look. ''Now listen here partner, I decided to be a nice lieutenant and come out and escort you to the camp and you're already complainin' that we've been walkin' fer hours? We've been so-called walkin' because I've decided to take you back to camp personally so if you complain one more time I'm gonna cut you up boy with my swords ya got that?" The blonde hair man growled in a southern accent.
The foot soldier, realizing that his lieutenant wasn't joking around decided not to argue any further with the man. ''M-my apologies Cho sir.''
''Whatever, just shut yer mouth next time because I'm gettin' real close to stitchin' it shut. Now let's hurry back to camp, I got a little speech to deliver.''
Grunting his annoyance, Cho and his cohort continued to walk into the forest before disappearing into the treeline away from the shinobi.
''You guys here that? That tall-haired guy said Shinsengumi!'' Naruto said in a whisper.
''I know, I think we've got a lead in that guy.'' Genma inquired.
''Alright, let's tail them back to their camp and begin the mission.'' Mako ordered and the four of them silently hop through the trees after Cho.
forty-five minutes later...
Cho and his cohort were seen walking through the quiet forest path without any interruptions. The foot soldier, being a recruit decided to try and strike conversation with his lieutenant.
''Um, Cho sir.'' The soldier said nervously.
''Whattya want now?'' Cho shot back in a very aggravated tone.
'What is the structure of the Shinsengumi like?''
Cho snorted in annoyance, sure he was dealing with a new recruit but he decided to answer the man's questions so he can at least be informed on how the organization is structured. ''Alright, this is the only time I'll answer a question from you. First, let me start off that the Shimsengumi was founded when the last war started. Our main goals are to...bah, I'm afraid I can't tell you that since it would be too much for you. The Shinsengumi is structured like this. On top is our supreme leaders, under them are what they call the Juppongatana or ''ten swords'' which consists of skilled swordsmen and fighters. I'm one of them. We also function as lieutenants and are given command of our own groups. Below the Juppongatana are the regular foot soldiers like you. Sucks fer you that you joined my unit.'' Cho explained before going silent once more.
The foot soldier simply nodded as the two of them continued to walk down the quiet forest path. Unknown to them however, the four members of team eleven were stealthily tailing them.
''You guys getting this?'' Mako asked as crawl through the brush several yards away from the two men.
''Got what sensei? That asshole's answer to the guy's question was shit and uninformative!" Naruto said.
Kurotsuchi then grabbed Naruto in her infamous nose pinch of death for his remark. ''Naruto! Stop being such a knucklehead! We're lucky the guy even said something and what he said is very important information. Killing or capturing this guy would definitely deal a blow to the Shinsengumi.''
''You got that right.'' Genma added.
''Ow! Okay I'm sorry let me go!" Naruto squealed in pain. Smiling, Kurotsuchi then releases her best friend from her clutches and the four of them continue tailing the two men.
After thirty more minutes of tailing Cho and his soldier they were finally led to a medium-sized camp that was set up like a small town. Team eleven took positions in the treetops and watched Cho and his man walk into the camp. The foot soldiers in the camp would bow in respect whenever Cho walked by them and the soldiers appeared to be wearing something reminiscent of samurai armor but instead of wearing a kabuto they were wearing a conical hat made of lacquered iron.
The tall blonde man then motioned for his men to gather around him and they all get on their knees before their lieutenant.
''Okay ya'll, you're probably wonderin' why I'm callin' a group meetin' tonight.'' Cho said earning nods from his men. ''Well, it's to tell you that tomorrow, we'll be packin' up the camp and rendezvousing with Lord Makoto Shishio, Lord Saito Hajime, the other Juppongatana and the rest of the Shinsengumi to make final preparations for the incomin' war with the five great nations.''
''Yes sir!" The foot soldiers said in unison.
''That's all I wanted to say, everyone rest up good fer the night because at the crack o' dawn we're leavin' and anyone sleepin' in will be left behind. Dismissed.'' Cho said with a wave of his head prompting his men to disperse and resume their normal duties.
With the little meeting complete, team eleven decided to make their move with Mako turned to her students to give them their orders.
''Okay team, remember what this mission is. We're going to do a raid on this camp, gather intelligence on this group and assassinate or capture the lieutenant Cho.'' Mako then takes out a set of binoculars and looks into the camp. Right in the center of it she spots what appeared to be a large number of wagons and crates containing what she believed to be weapons and supplies to sustain the camp. ''I see their supplies. Kurotsuchi?'' Mako without taking the binoculars off her face.
Kurotsuchi nods and performs a hand seal. Then, the entire camp was taken by surprise as the earth began to shake sporadically and right where the wagons and crates were multiple spears from the earth flow spears jutsu emerged destroying every single wagon and crate into complete oblivion.
''What in tarnation?!'' Cho screamed in complete shock as he runs out of his tent. ''What in Lord Shishio's name is goin' on?!''
Cho looks towards the center of the camp and spots his group's supply wagons and weapon crates destroyed. ''What the fuckin' shit is this shit?! Who's the fuckin' idiot that got a boner so hard that it made the damn dirt underneath our supplies pop out like that?!" Cho screamed in pure annoyance.
''We don't know sir!'' Several foot soldiers shouted as most of the camp gathered around the area.
From the distance team eleven was watching the whole humorous exchange between Cho and his men.
''Alright guys, while they're busy arguing we can make our move. Let's raid through the camp, kill the foot soldiers, assassinate or caputre Cho and check his tent for intelligence.'' Mako said.
''Got it! This mission will be a synch believe it!'' Naruto said as he drew his ninjato.
''Easy.'' Kurotsuchi said.
''Yeah no problem Senpai.'' Genma said with a shrug.
''Good then let's g..''
''Hold on Senpai.'' Kurotsuchi said interrupting the Uchiha Jonin.
''Hm? What is it Kurotsuchi?'' Mako questioned. Naruto and Genma were looking at Kurotsuchi with eyebrows raised.
''It's just, the guy with the crazy tall, blonde hair. His name is Sawagejo Cho and he is from Iwagakure like me. He used to be the village's weapons maker but he defected from Iwa at the last war's conclusion. He's the most skilled swordfighter within Iwa and if we confront him we need to be very careful. He's very unpredictable. In the last war he confronted a division of Konoha shinobi and wiped them all out. Second most wanted man in Iwa history.'' Kurotsuchi explained.
Naruto, Mako and Genma look at each other for a second before looking back at Kurotsuchi.
''Oh c'mon Kurotsuchi! No one can be more predictable than me!" Said Naruto.
''Pfft, yeah, I bet, but we still need to take Kurotsuchi's word for that guy. He looks like he really means business too.'' Genma said.
Mako placed her hand on Kurotsuchi's shoulder and gave her a timid smile. ''Regardless, thank you for the heads up Kurotsuchi.
With that, the four of them then hop from the treetops and landed in various areas of the camp. They draw their weapons, ninjato for Naruto, katana for Kurotsuchi, wind claws for Genma and the wakizashi for Mako and they quickly cut their way through the soldier's who weren't gathered around the destroyed supplies with utmost precision.
Back with Cho the man was seen berating his men for being careless and he was so aggravated that he took a naginata from one of them and decapitated several to vent out his frustration. ''You fellers are so fuckin' useless! Everyone else you'd better start cleanin' this shit up or I'll seriously fuckin' kill you all!"
''Y-yes sir!" The foot soldiers all said in obvious fear of their lieutenant's wrath. However, as Cho turns his back he heard the men he literally was just talking to cry and groan out in pain. ''Alright you useless scumbags what the..what the fuck?'' Cho turned around and saw that all the men who had gathered around the destroyed weapon and supplies cache were sliced apart and cut down with various limbs and sliced up bodies littering the ground in front of him.
Just then, the members of team eleven land in front of him with bloodied weapons in hand (Or in Genma's case, bloody knuckles).
Cho, noticing their headbands and that the outfit Kurotsuchi was wearing resembled his own kimono. Instantly recognizing who she was he grinned and snorted in amusement while shrugging his shoulders. ''Well well, judgin' by them headbands yer wearin' I'm assuming yer all Konoha shinobi am I right or am I right?''
''You, Sawagejo Cho, so this is why you left Iwa during the last war huh?'' Kurotsuchi questioned.
Cho raised his eyebrows as he turns his gaze towards his fellow Iwa native. ''Huh, ain't you that old bastard Onoki's granddaughter? How the heck you know I left when I left before you were even born yet girl? Onoki tell you about me? I used to be the greatest swordsmith from Iwa!" Declared the man.
''Tch, moron, you're wanted in Iwa's bingo book and labeled as an S-ranked criminal so it's obvious I'd recognize you. Why the heck did you leave Iwa anyway asshole?'' Kurotsuchi questioned.
''Heh, none of yer business purdy lady, I'm just wonderin' the world collecting all the best swords I can get my hands on. I'm now known as Cho the sword-hunter.'' Cho then eyes everyone else before setting his sights on Naruto. ''Wow, you remind me of someone there partner.''
Naruto narrowed his eyes at the sword-hunter. ''What the hell are you talking about?''
''He confronted Minato-sensei?'' Mako thought with her eyes narrowed.
''Ha, you really do remind me of him.'' Cho then slowly draws two swords that were tied to his back. The swords were revealed to be curved slightly but at the tip of the blades there appeared to be hooks on them.
''Heads up everyone.'' Mako said prompting her students to raise their weapons in defense.
With his two swords drawn the Shinsengumi lieutenant points them at team eleven. ''I would make you pay for killin my men but I'm pissed off that I didn't get to do it myself so now how to I explain this here predicament to my leader? Say hello to these two swords I took from one of Kiri's swordsmen I killed in the last war! The Renbato! Hope you're all ready to get some serious wounds because one slice from this blade combined with the hooks you'll bleed to death very slowly!''
Without warning, Cho dashes straight for team eleven and quickly the two sides engaged in a furious sword fight. The sounds of steel clashing against steel echoed throughout the forests of. Kurotsuchi goes in for a diagonal swing as Naruto goes in with a sideways swing while Mako thrusts and Genma goes in for a swing with his wind claws. Due to his sheer experience Cho manages parry blows from the shinobi and performs a high speed hurricane spin catching them off guard.
''Shit!'' Kurotsuchi shouted.
''Everyone jump away!" Mako ordered.
As Cho's high speed attack comes close to hitting the four shinobi at once they all managed to jump out of the way landing a few meters, enough to quickly catch their breath.
''Damn, he swings really fast even I can't keep up'' Kurotsuchi said between breaths.
''I know! He so damn fast. Maybe even faster than us all combined.'' Naruto said.
''Fuck, that was tiring.'' Genma growled.
''You took the words right out of my mouth.'' Mako said.
They all then turn their attentions towards Cho who had stopped his high-speed spin attack. ''Ha, well you guys have only tasted half my strength, I wasn't even being serious!" Declared Cho. ''So come on! Let's keep fighting so I can kill some more Konoha scum and the Tsuchikage's granddaughter as a bonus!"
The four members of team eleven grunted in annoyance. This was going to be a tough fight..then a grin formed across Naruto's face. A confident grin at that.
''What is it Naruto?'' Kurotsuchi asked.
Naruto simply smiled at his colleagues. ''Watch this.'' He then performed the seal of confrontation and to his team's amusement and Cho's surprise he vanished in an instant.
''What the hell?'' Cho thought with an eyebrow raised.
Then, Cho felt a breeze from above him and looked up to see Naruto coming down with his ninjato being swung down. Before he could even react Naruto's ninjato struck his Renbato swords completely shattering them into pieces. Naruto then followed through with a powerful kick sending Cho flying several feet away.
''Gah! That speed! Just like the Yellow flash!" Cho thought as he lands on the ground with a thud.
''Way to go Naruto!" Kurotsuchi cheered.
''Got him!'' Genma exclaimed.
''Nice, even he didn't see that coming.'' Mako thought with a smile.
Cho, still winded from the attack slowly gets up while groaning lightly in pain. ''Damn partner, you got some top speed there.'' Said the sword-hunter as he finally gets back to his feet. ''Man, that was some kick ya got there, how the heck did you even teleport like that anyway I'm curious.''
Naruto simply shakes his head and points at the man. ''Check your left sleeve.''
Cho complies and when he looked at his sleeve he saw that there was a jutsu formula there. ''So, just like Konoha's Yellow Flash huh?'' He thought before looking back at Naruto. ''I see, so you used the flyin' raijin? Now I know you're the biggest threat compared to the other three. You know what partner? I think I'm goin' to fight just you because you're a pretty interesting character. Hope you don't mind dying in front of your colleagues.''
''That's fine, bring it on asshole, let's see who wins this fight.'' Naruto said with confidence while motioning for Cho to make a move.
Cho merely scoffs at Naruto's words. ''Fine by me, since you're fightin' me on your own you'll definitely be gettin' one helluva battle." Cho then looks at Kurotsuchi, Mako and Genma. "Hope you three enjoy this here show.''
Cho then discards his kimono top going shirtless and team eleven looked at him with bewildered expressions at what he was carrying. Wrapped around his torso and belly appeared to be a long, whip sword of sorts. He then reaches for the handle and with a flick of the wrist the sword unwraps itself from his body. The blade making a distinct sound reminiscent of grinding metal as it unwinds.
''What the hell? Just what kind of sword is that?'' Kurotsuchi thought.
''What in the hell is this guy playing with this time?'' Genma thought with a very annoyed look. Mako was in the same state of confusion and shock like the previous two.
Naruto however, just chuckled as Cho spins the whip sword around before bringing it to a complete stop.
''Well partner, hope you like this new toy I've been dyin' to use. Say hello to my favorite sword of all time, the Hakujin no Tachi whip-sword! With this twenty-foot whip-like blade there's no way any of you are goin' to win!"
''Shit, Naruto be careful!" Kurotsuchi shouted.
Cho then flicks his wrist and the blade goes careening towards Naruto. ''Die!"