I love the Land of Tea arc.

What I forgot to mention in my last chapter, Mika cannot go on solo missions yet due to a lack of experience. He has the rank but not the time, so he will lead them for a bit first.

"Naruto, what has Jiriaya taught you since the exams?" Mika asked, turning to Naruto as they moved on the path to the Land of Tea.

Naruto frowned, then beamed. "The Rasengan!"

Mika balked. "He taught you the Rasengan but no basic taijutsu or chakra control? I heard you could summon the Toad Boss but like, why is everyone just making you get big dramatic techniques not useful ones?" Sighing, he stopped Naruto's reply with a stare. "Naruto, you need to work on the basics, not every mission needs big moves. The truth is that you may have the most Raw power here, but you are the least skilled or useful." He turned to Sasuke. "This is mostly going to be you and me, neither of these two have any advanced skills."

Naruto barked. "Why are you so mean?"

"Because you are useless." And so they went onward, ignoring tea shop when Naruto tried to get them to go there. "We have no time, we will barely make it there as it is."

They would end up getting there on time,... and as it turned out Naruto knew the man that was waiting for them. The Boss told them the tale of the Land of Tea's race and it's ridiculous history. It took a lot to not roll his eyes, but Mika managed.

All was well... and then the sliding door opened next to them after the boss clapped. "Yes. Boss, you wanted me?"

Mika froze, recognizing the boy in question. "Sir, you beg for the Leaf's aid, but you ask us to work alongside a traitor and wanted criminal." Mika flared his chakra, something even Hiashi described as small in quantity but remarkable strong spiritually. The room shook, the other genin ( even Sasuke) recoiled in shock. The kid moved to run off, but Mika was there, tanto at his throat. "Idate Morino, give me one reason to not behead you for the crime of assisting Aoi Rokusho in the theft of the Raijin and defecting the Leaf!"

The kid shook, sweating in terror. "He tricked me!

" He started. "He tricked me, hurt my brother Ibiki... I think he killed him. There was a fire and Ibiki said to run, I wasn't sure what to do!"

The Boss stood. "I will pay double!" That stopped Mika. "The boy's character is incredible, he is one of my most loyal men! Please, do not kill him. Besides all that, he is our runner!"

Mika moved his blade aside, lifted the boy up. "I expect nothing but obedience on this race, I am already very irked. You do realize your bounty trumps this mission, I have all the rights to behead or torture you? I Won't though, I may not like this Ceremony, but I do respect your boss' desire to save his people. He is an honorable man, that alone keeps you alive. I would kiss his fucking feet." Turning to the Boss, he smiled. "I accept your offer, but be warned, if he acts against you as he did the Leaf, he dies."

The boss sighed. "I ... I agree."

"Good. Idate, I own you for this race." He shoved him back into the building. "Now, tell me your strategy, if you are an ex ninja, you likely have some tricks. What are they? Oh and if you want to know how you must fear me, I am a special jonin, with a body count nearing a hundred."

"There is current..." Idate started. "Further away, it takes me longer at first, but if we can make it there... I have a boat ready, and it will really speed us up. Oh and I am really fast, I train in my speed, weights and all that. "

Mika smirked. "Smart... oh and Ibiki,... he's alive."

Tears prickled at the boy's eyes. "Thank you... I needed that."

"I imagine so... now... ready yourself." He turned to his genin. "I expect constant vigilance. For genjutsu, seals, ninjutsu all of it. Naruto, your clones are our best tool here. They were developed for reckon, you can pick up things from a massive distance. I expect you to scatter them across the area, if you detect anything have them disperse and tell me.

Sakura you... I have no idea, just stay close and be careful.

Sasuke, you and I are the strongest here, and by miles at that. We alone can really fight. If it comes down to it, we will. Be smart, preserve your energy, and if you encounter too much, work with me not against me.

Insubordination will be punished, harshly. I do not tolerate it, ever. Now... are we understood?" Even Sasuke nodded, looking annoyed by impressed. "Good, now let's get ready for this. Meditate and relax, we have a harsh day ahead of us."

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.