Chapter Five; Upon Waters Echoe
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Akimiko-Qu
"Man, this place is always great!" Kiba cheers as he downs another mug of ale, arm hung around Illia who was giggling as she too downed her saucer of sake. "I suggest you keep it down, mutt." growled Hana Inuzuka, eyes narrowed teeth bore at her younger brother who just grinned his fanged filled grin "Make me…"
"Calm down, both of you." Ino hissed from Naruto's left, "Yeah" Hana growled hard from his right. Naruto sighed as Yakumo, on the edge just smiled mischievously unseen to all but Naruto who grew somewhat nervously. "What are you even doing here, Hana?" Anko with a narrowed eyes only for the senior Inuzuka to shrug "Does it matter?"
"Kinda." Anko maintained her narrowed eyes, but Hana dutifully ignores her "Hey Phera! Pass the pepper!" called out Kiba, who promptly retrieved said Pepper.
"How's their training going?" spoke an arriving Tsume, staring into the booth of teens "So-so." Anko spoke while munching on the dango "Oh?"
"It's classified. Not telling." Anko states firmly dropping the empty stick, retrieving another "So, why are you poking your nose into our business?"
"I don't know what you are…"
"Cut the games." Anko whispers "The mutt told you, right?" silence fell between the two women and the snake aligned one sighed hard "Fine."
The Zeta group begin making their way towards the Kuruma clan grounds, Yakumo and Illia invited them over for a day of bonding. Their clan was laying out a red carpet for them, metaphorically speaking, to which Yakumo suspects that it was an attempt of her uncle to bring favour with the taskforce. She sighs as, in the corner of her vision, Naruto walks at the front, leading the group with his usual posture of confidence caused a wistful blush dons her cheeks as her mind begins to dream a pleasant past of a future that may yet to be. Giggles escape her, fingers softly interlocked behind her white battle dress bellowing in the gentle breeze as she skips down the road to lead the group toward her own home.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Kuruma Clan Compound
"Welcome to our compound!" Yakumo announces as the doors to the isolated clan house of the genjutsu masters of the hidden leaf. The Kuruma clan has never boasted a large number of shinobi, of the few that make the cut even less became anything beyond Genin level. That being said, none within the walls of the leaf could ever doubt their skills in their expertise. "We are a minor clan but, we do our best." Illia Kuruma states pulling Kiba along with her through the gate.
In the clan gardens a small party, two grills out and plenty of sake, beer, and smiles as several clansmen began to play music. Ino sat a top Naruto's lap, drinking an orange juice through a straw while bopping around whilst observing the crowd whilst only notably keep tabs on the heated conversation her man was having with the clan leader, Unkai.
Kiba was laughing along with Kaimen Kuruma, Illia's father, both jovially downing drinks with another as if they've been best friends for years. Shikamaru was playing shogi against Utan, a younger teen genin of the Kuruma clan, Kila was flirting with another Kuruma clansmen with Phera playing as wingman.
"…just as I said Unkai, I think if you pulse chakra in an alternative charge, both yin then yang then yin…" Naruto explained but was halted by the clan leader "…Listen, as we already know; Genjutsu is Yin chakra. Pulsing your chakra like that won't do much." Unkai says before sipping down his current saucer of sake before response "Though, if cycling your chakra constantly it would break unless…"
"Uncle." Yakumo cutting in with a smile, that didn't provide warmth the silent warning caused the man to get up and leave. Ino stared at her fellow heiress somewhat confused "What's up, Yaku-chan?"
"Oh, nothing. Just wanted to ensure you two are having fun." Yakumo smiles along with the Yamanaka.
Seven weeks later…
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Hokage Office
Stepping out of the shadows, yet again, this time however all twelve members stood before the Hokage who had a proud smirk upon her face. Jiraiya stood at her side, unusually stoic, as Delta Snake stood at the front "Team Zeta waiting for orders." Tsunade nodded "Good, then…" pulling out a small black scroll and placing it forward, promptly retrieved from the table by Delta Snake "…this is a mission of utmost importance. We cannot allow failure thus, with your perfect record, we have decided to assign this highly sensitive operation to you." Snake nods along with that "We have received word that the Mizukage is in danger of being assassinated and as to keep the stability within the Land of Water, I want her saved. Find those responsible and either expose them or end them." Tsunade instructs gaining a nod "Very well." As Snake turns back to her team "Long term mission gear. Move out!" and they all vanish again.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Zeta Hideout
"Hey! Where's my tent?!" shouted Kiba "Have you checked under the bed?" Yelled Hanabi from her own room "I have it, Kiba-kun!" Illia bellowed back causing the grumbling Inuzuka to fall silent "Double pack those viles…" Naruto talking to Ino as he passed by the kitchen island, that was filled with various bottles of murky liquids with both Anko and Ino chatting quite animatedly "Yeah, yeah…" Anko waving him off "…we got this."
"Sure you do!" he shouts back from the armoury, hooking a group of specialised throwing black steel kunai to his pouch. Retrieving his sword from the last rack, tying it to his back, he turns back to see Shikamaru putting his short sword on the base of his back. "This mission going to be troublesome you know."
"I am aware."
"We'll split into two squads. Kiba and I will be split between the two." Naruto explained to which Shikamaru smirked and nodded "Seem's I'm rubbing off on you." Naruto scoffed at that "Troublesome." The two chuckles at that. "Hey Nii-sama!" both turned to see Hanabi running in, Hinata on her tail "Hanabi." The two men spoke in unison causing the youngest member scowl "It's freaky when you do that." They both shrug.
Yakumo spins her Zeta mask, covered in rose petals and bushes upon its left side, glancing around as Hinata appears from her room, her own Owl mask on her hip. A raised eyebrow from Yakumo caught the Hyuga heiress off guard "The Owl mask, huh?"
"Well…" Hinata mutters before looking back up at her fellow heiress "…I figured, if I want to get my Naru back." Her lavender tinted eyes harden, Yakumo herself struggling to smother her smirk "I need to be able to watch everyone's back and see everything."
"Ah, I see." Yakumo hums strolling pass her, folded arms behind her still grasping her own mask "So, you still not giving up on him, despite having your memories back?"
"Especially, because I have them back." The steel of Hinata's voice was completely un-Hinata like and could easily be considered a threat. The Hazel haired kunoichi eyes lacked warmth as she smiled "I suspect you may be a bit late, neh?" the stare down could have gone down in history, if anyone had bothered to record it. A buzz on their gauntlets, broke their intent stare and as Yakumo stepped past her indigo haired counterpart "It also means, I will be watching you too." The woman pauses momentarily "You can try." a small giggle.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Zeta Barracks
The bases barracks was connected to the armoury, the forge, and the common room but was only called the barracks as it was the place, they all gathered before they left, and when they got back. Anko stands at the front of the barracks, arms folded, glare on full blast "Okay brats, listen up." She damn right snarled causing the two lines of five to stand tall, eyes front "The mission is not a simple one. We need to infiltrate the Land of Water, investigate the people around the Mizukage, snuff out the group targeting her and before anyone notices the bloodshed…" her snarl turns damn right feral "…tear them apart."
"YES MA'AM!" the team roars "Mask up!" Anko responds and they all place their masks as the genjutsu barrier drops and before they all leap off "Keep up cub." was heard and Hanabi felt slighted.
Zeta team, while outside the leaf or working without any Anbu, will drop the Zeta.
Land of Water; Northern Region; Port Kalia
In the silent misty morning, the moon hanging low, and not even one black pebble shifted in the wake of the teams passing. The mist did not part as they passed, the group of highly trained assassins move as silent as the moons light. Fox dropped behind beside Raccoon "You okay, cub?"
"I'm not a cub." Raccoon growled "You will always be a cub, our teams cub."
"You are so annoying, Nii-sama." Raccoon states as the group chuckles, her blush hidden behind the black mask.
On the edge of the Port Town Snake raised her fist and the group came to a silent halt, as if time itself was frozen. Looking down Snake spotted one informant who, according to the intelligence report she had retrieved from the mission briefing, his name was Ao, a stanch supporter of the Mizukage who was currently in hiding. Snake signalled her team to hold before dropping down in front of the former mist hunter nin commander.
Ao has been on edge the last few weeks, ever since the Mizukage had been in hiding after an assassination attempt from their own forces. Now, he was tasked with the task of weeding out the fake forces within their own, with a sigh he strolled through the port town he was told that trusted help would arrive. He had been there a week, his cover story being that of a surprise inspection of the local forces, yet again none showed up. On the way out, Ao found the hairs on his neck stand on edge but even with his hidden byakugan he couldn't find anything out of place. Yet despite all these precautions, nothing prepared him for the sudden arrival of a black masked Anbu to drop before him.
Ao was tense, an Anbu had somehow got the jump on him, and yet it wasn't just any Anbu but the mythical black masked Anbu that disappeared six years ago. "Ao of Kiri." Snake with a muffled, disguised voice; he nods "Where are you in your investigation?"
"Investi…"
"You're looking for traitors." At his nod Snake continued "Can you give us any specifics?"
"Us?" Ao questioned as he looked around in the small patch of forests to which she nodded "My team and I are here to assist you in weeding out your traitors."
"I see." Ao responds before he thinks about the request for a moment, any criteria that stuck out among the group that attempted to trample this new age within the Mist. "I will have to get back to you with that. I haven't got anything concrete as of yet."
"Do you have any left from the attempt?" Snake responded to which Ao nodded again "Then take us there."
"Are you sure?"
"Naturally. Lead on." Snake instructs and Ao leaps off, the kunoichi following in behind.
Land of Water; Northern Region; Town of Kuroshi
Ao glanced back to see Snake hot on his tail, unaware of the other eleven shadows in the background, as he drops down into the edge of Kuroshi town, Snake alongside him. Striding towards the seemingly empty area, a shimmer and the hidden bunker appeared "This is an old resistance hideout." Ao turning back to Snake, noting that she was performing hand signals. Discreetly he activated his stolen dojutsu, still not seeing anything yet his hunter senses tell him he was being watched. Suddenly the feeling subsided and even with his secret eye, not even a flicker. Truly these black masked Anbu aren't just highly skilled, they're insanely or impossibly well trained.
Inside the bunker Ao leads Snake down to the dark depths, unaware of the night vision the black masks eye visors which allowed Zeta to operate within the absolute darkness. Arriving in the lowest levels there were three former mist shinobi, chained down and chakra sealed down "These are the survivors." gesturing to the group at the bare metal table. Snake made a brief observation of each one. Two Shinobi, one kunoichi; the shinobi were pretty generic. Dark haired, dark eyes, pale skin, yet their hardened faces with various scars that showed of a history of battles.
The kunoichi though was clearly a seduction type, flawless skin, and pale blue hair and remnants of bluish make-up. The holes in her ears suggested piercing once occupied her ears and nose caused Snake to consider her next course of action. Sure, she could just fall into her old persona and torture using her name's sake however doing so would no doubt reveal her identity. Thus, she nods before looking into the shadows at her back and nods again; without a sound steps out Petal and Rose. The Mist guards all stiffen at their sudden appearance, a silent conversation between the three before the two new arrivals moved forward.
Snake, Petal, and Rose exited the bunker, Ao followed shortly after that the Zeta team noticed his carefully concealed fear. Silent chuckles were had. Snake looked up into the trees and signs "New targets, three groups of five, Jonin level leaders. Formation F-Three." The 'F' formations were a set of instructions that told the Zeta members to split into groups for search and destroy. The number that followed the 'F' would tell of how large the groups would be so the three meant that their squads are to be that of three.
Petal had given the visual targeting information to all members of the Anbu Team, which made things easy for them. Fox's sub-team; Lily and Raccoon. Deer's sub-team; Owl and Ape. Snake's Sub-team; Rose and Gorilla. Wolf's sub-team; Petal and Pup.
Land of Water; Northern Region; Kelvo City
In a bar in the slums of the southern district of trading city, was the prowling grounds of Team Fox; the trio stands in the shadows of a high-rise residency building. Beneath there was a meeting between one of the targets, a chunin level mist shinobi, clearly talking with a sound shinobi. It was obvious that this was a setup, a trap to catch any dangling fish. Fox snorted at the obviousness of this bait, he glances to Raccoon who looks over to lower resident building opposite the shop across the alleyway.
A group of hand signs told the team of their order of attack "Lily subjugates the alleyway. Raccoon move with me subjugate trappers." The three vanished and in the space of the next ten seconds all parties were down.
Lily dropped down the two from the alleyway in the apartment the ambushers, beside the team of six shinobi, three Jonin level and three chunin levels. Their intel was off. This made Fox very nervous. Double tapping his earpiece, activating the seal, before placing his finger on the Uzu-swirl atop the back of his right hand to adjust the recipient "Failed intel. More than expected."
"How many?" Snakes voice "Three Jonin. Three Chunin."
"Keep the Jonin." Snakes voice again which caused Fox to nod "Very well." and the connection fells silent as the flash of steel filled the room.
Land of Water; Northern Region; Port Kalia
Deer stared out at the Port they had crossed on the way in. Owl at his side just stared out unflinching, both armed with bows, Deer's short bow and Owl's Yumi was in hand, Ape was hanging beneath them, stereotypical of Saratobe. "Failed intel. More than expected." Came over their comms. Deer recognised it as Fox "How many?" Snake responds, "Keep the Jonin."
"Very well." and the connection fell silent. Deer glances to Owl who nods and confirms the situation. The taps on the branch confirming that Ape too was aware, and he sighs softly as they move to clear out the town.
Moving through the shadows, Ape accompanied Deer unseen but ready to kill as they shift around looking for their targets. Taps in his ear, over the radio, alerting them to the location and as they arrive, said targets were stumbling out of a bar. Laughing and having a merry ol' time. The four shinobi walking towards the docks, back to the ship they were stationed on, unaware of the trio tracking them from the shadow.
On said vessel the men stumbled back to their bunks, unaware they brought aboard their own demise, as Deer and Ape search the ship, high and low for any intelligence to find any trails. After searching high and low with a fine-tooth comb, and after recovering several promising leads, the two Zeta members left the boat. Boom. Several shinobi appear atop the deck, but before they could escape, they find themselves impaled by a single large arrow, punched straight through them, all dead without mercy "Good shot." signalled Deer to Owl which caused the distant shooter to smirk beneath their mask.
Land of Water; Northern Region; Lanko Village
Snake arrives at her target area, Rose, and Gorilla at her back, landing on the branch looking over the village before them as her gauntlet lit up "Failed intel. More than expected." Came the voice of Fox over their radio. Tapping the glowing spiral "How many?" Snakes responds with her finger at her ear "Three Jonin. Three Chunin."
"Keep the Jonin." Snake's states with a focused gaze "Very well." Fox's response before the line dies and she looks over to her two companions "Let's go." The three vanish.
The garrison was in a basic wooden walled compound, spikes adorning the top, with three buildings and a basic observation Snake determines that one was a barracks, one was the command office and the last was a bathroom. An unsettling ease fell over the compound, not a single blade of grass shifted in the still air as the sense of doom continued to build to which the twelve occupants couldn't shake, no matter what they did. Throughout the night, not one sound would be heard from beyond the walls and blood would splatter across the log walls.
Under the moonlight, the shadows dance as the three of Snake's squad appear from them within the treeline, Rose throws two scrolls to Snake who looks them over before nodding. Throwing the same scroll up above her head, caught immediately by Gorilla who tucked them in his belt, "Time to get moving." they all flickered away.
Land of Water; Northern Region; Kuroshi
Wolf stands in an alleyway, resting atop a nearby roof, his snout poking over the edge but still hidden, Petal somewhere above him as they watch over a bar. "Failed intel. More than expected." Fox's voice fills their ears "How many?" Snakes voice responded "Three Jonin. Three Chunin."
"Keep the Jonin." Snakes voice again which caused Fox to respond with "Very well." The line falling flat after that. Wolf chuckles "Sounds like things are heating up."
"Right." Petal whispered as they continue to watch out for their target.
Two Hours Later…
"Wolf, Petal, Pup; Status?" Spoke Snake through their radio's "We have yet to find the target. We've found a suspect within a bar however unable to get in without alerting too many witnesses."
"Very well. Keep us posted. Snake out."
"This is boring." Wolf growls "Guess I could go in and do recon up close." Petal comments from her perch resting against the large dog. "We were told to keep to the shadows. We can't be seen." Wolf reminds his squad mate "Damn it." Petal growls out "Should just let me…"
"Nope." Wolf chuckled at her discomfort "Remember last time you went off script?"
"HEY! That wasn't my fault!"
"You broke the dudes arm." Wolf points out "He touched my ass." Petal growled lowly "You were supposed to seduce him, not send him to the hospital." Petal snorts at that, her clear disdain at the thought of someone who isn't her blond bombshell of a hunk touching her curves like that caused her anger to flare.
Nearby…
Fox, Lily, Raccoon, Deer, Owl, Ape, Snake, Rose, and Gorilla rendezvous on the road into Kuroshi, with Deer throwing a pair of scrolls towards Gorilla who plucked them from the air with swift accuracy, and promptly stowed securely. Snake moves forward and drops in before the hidden bunker, that shimmers into view with Ao appearing within the clearing "You work fast."
"Mission is a mission." Snake replied monotoned, her hands reach up and abruptly a scroll appeared in it, thrown unseen by Gorilla "This is all the intelligence we found thus far."
"Already?"
"Yes. We'll go to the next phase. If you find anything, let us know, we'll be around." Snake states before stepping back towards the small forest, slipping into the shadows and vanishes.
The following day…
Snake swallows another stick of dango, sipping green tea, as they sat in their camouflaged campsite somewhere in the vicinity of the town of Kuroshi. Fox yawns as he emerges from the depths of the tent, hidden by seals, and covered by genjutsu. Wolf stretches out like a dog, Pup matching his human partner. Owl was sitting on a stump, performing maintenance upon her bow, as Raccoon does the same. As Ape and Rose returns from their patrol with hunted catch for breakfast "Welcome back." Petal calls out yawning from inside the tent.
"Yo Fox!" called out Deer, said ninja looks to his logically driven friend before heading over and joined him "I think we have a cut off most the group in the northern section of the group." pulling out papers, their conversation flowing through the various documents, linking them to places and people. Snake approached the duo and added her own two cents, "…so, if these guys seemed to be focused on the Hidden Mist and the Capital. Should we investigate the two?" Fox questions looking to Snake who pauses but shakes her head "No. We'll head to the Capital. Leave the Hidden Mist to Ao." a brief pause before she nods "Everyone else will pack up, I'll head to speak with Ao before heading out."
"Petal should go with you." Deer casually mentioned "Rose too." Fox adds "I'll be fine alone." Snake snapped but both Deer and Fox just stared back at her, swearing they had deadpan expressions "Fine." Snake growled as she stomped off.
Land of Water; Southern Region; Capital
Anbu Team Zeta lands beyond the walls, staring out at the fortress like city that represents the centre of the water country, despite its dispersion among the several islands. Snake turns back to her force and signs "Scatter and locate targets. Radio denied. Regroup in twelve hours. Current position." Receiving nods all around they all vanish into the city, the midday sun beaming down.
Evening…
Naruto enters a small bar within the shader part of town, the light dim as the bar maiden meets his gaze and finds herself blushing at his boyish smile "Well hello their miss…" his smooth, husky voice matched his dark blue shoulder length hair and black eyes "Tayla…" she whispers while trying to push down the blood rushing to her cheeks. His soft smile almost caused her to faint "So, Tayla… can I get your best local sake?" she nods and quickly retrieves said bottle. Not trusting her voice, she just nods and takes the rather large tip. Dropping down in the corner table, the darkness seemingly engulfing his frame as he pours out two sources "Find anything, yet?"
"No."
"If things aren't cleared up by tomorrow's end, they'll just go underground." Naruto says as he sips on his warm sake "True."
"So, in that case, I'll monitor this area for now as centre of operations."
"You're only saying that because your lazy."
"Not that you can prove it." Naruto chuckles softly as he continued to sip away his drink.
Deer and Rose arrived at the rendezvous Gamma point, a clearing five miles north six miles Northeast of the city. Stepping into the lone tent their Snake looks up "Report."
"Locating them all has been pretty easy." Rose comments casually "Seems our actions have already caused ripples." Deer continued "We've tagged twelve individuals, positive identification on four, marked three for death." Rose informs "Who do we have?" Snake questioned "One interesting target however seems to be a member of the Daimyo's court. Head of Education." Deer reports firmly causing Snake to nod "Task Petal with him."
"Her."
"Her then…" Snake comments "Vice-Captain of the Royal guards is also a marked target." Deer continues "Two of his subordinates are with him, though we suspect that one or both are actually members of Root."
"Root, huh?" Snake sighs that lead into a long silence. The three continued to bathe in the darkness of the early morning "Eliminate them. No witnesses."
An explosion caught the attention of shinobi and samurai alike, the early night shattered the easy mood of the evening, mass panic ensured. Owl landed atop the Daimyo's castle, observing the panicked crowds whilst searching for her targets "Found any?"
"Only one." Owl responds to Deer who appeared at her side, both drawing back their bows "I see him." Deer fires off his arrow fly silently. The target slipped into an alleyway just as the arrow punches through the skull "Confirmed kill." Owl reports before she herself fires off her own.
In a cellar somewhere, Rose pulls her curved kunai from the undercover seduction mistress "Well, that was anticlimactic."
"Perhaps…" Ape responds with a shrug "…that being said we have been training…" she pauses, glancing to the side "Ah… you missed one." In the corner, a young man, no older than ten or so, was cowering at the sight of these two assassins "Well…" Rose stepping forward "…no witnesses."
"No witnesses." Ape parrots with a nod, before searching the three dead at her feet.
Fox blocks a hard haymaker with a cross guard, knocking the outstretched arm aside before a combo of five jabs before an upper palm strike. The bruised jawed man slowly got back to his feet however a foot pushed back down before a slice across the neck greeted the former mist shinobi. Glancing around, Fox looks up to see an orphan girl in rags cowering within a bin, a sigh escaping his lips "No witnesses." swiping his sword, blood splattering upon the floor.
Land of Water; Southern Region; Gamma Point
The full squad returns to the regroup point, meeting Snake who was munching on Dango sticks, "Got them all?"
"Think so." Fox responds monotoned "Then, let's get back to Ao and report back."
"Are we going to the Hidden Mist?" Lily questions to which Snake shakes her head "Nah, I'll handle it."
"Bout time…" mumbled Wolf retrieving a stick to the face from Snake "Save it. Pack up the Camp and meet at point Beta." As she stands from the tent before jumping off towards the target "Deer, Owl; Keep her safe." Fox states and the two operatives vanish without a word "The rest of us will pack the gear."
An hour later…
Snake lands hard before Fox, the pressure between the two climbing as tension heightens "Why did you send them with me?"
"Why not?" Fox replies calmly "You getting a bit too big for your mask, huh?"
"Why are you being so defensive?" Fox response as Deer and Owl finally return "I'm your captain. Not a little child that needs protecting."
"I know, Snake." Fox states "It's standard operating procedure." before stepping away from the irate kunoichi casually "We're done here anyway." Snake hisses in response "This isn't over, Fox."
"I know." Fox responds as the others watches the conflict before moving off after their vice-captain.
Land of Water; Northern Region; Port Kalia
The following afternoon Naruto stretched out within a simple room at the portside Inn, Anko curled into him but the movement from him stirred her from slumber "You're awake…"
"It looks like its mid afternoon right now. You can sleep a bit more, little-miss-hard-ass." She chuckles as she snuggles into his discarded pillow "Shut it." He chuckles before heading to the bathroom. Upon hearing the running water, Anko perked up and a feral grin grew upon her face as she jumps up and rushes over and slips into the shower with her blond teddy.
An hour later…
Fox steps lands in the clearing, awaiting his team to arrive when suddenly from behind a set of delicate arms wrap around his torso "How terrible of you…?"
"Rose…"
"Can you not love me too?"
"The others near…"
"I want you to take a few days off."
"Why would I?"
"Because I told you too." Rose whispers and he stiffens briefly as she steps back and clears him just as the others land with Snake at his side "Ready, runt?"
"Runt?" Fox and just by his voice you could tell there was a raised eyebrow, his arms crossed. The whole group could tell Snake had a cheeky grin despite the mask "Let's get home before…" they all abruptly vanish into the bamboo like tree's, not a single trace of their presence remained. Within a minute two squads of Mist Hunter's Nin land within the clearing, "Nothing here…" one mentioned in mist sign language "…he said they were heading this way."
"They were a rumour."
"He swore on it."
"Fine. Move out." the two squads vanish again completely missing the Leaf Team hidden among the shadows.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Zeta Barracks
Phera chuckles as he steps into the hideout "Yo, Foxy – lets grab a couple of beers!"
"I'm down for that!" Fox chuckles as he pulls off his mask too "Man, that was tiring…"
"Liar." Lilly declared stepping past him as he chuckled "I'm tagging along." Kiba chimes in "Deer?" Phera questions with a raised eyebrow "Sure…" yawned Shikamaru as he tosses his mask into the locker. "HEY!" all the guys turn to see Ino and Anko glaring at them, leaving confusion among them all "What?" Phera brushing aside his ash blackish-blue lock back behind his ear "What about us?" Ino glaring at her sunny blond-haired man who shrugged "What about you?" said man responded cooly as he and the other men all finish changing into casual wear "Are you not going to invite us our too?" Anko with a raised eyebrow as they all look to one another, seemingly having a silent conversation between them before they all turn to them again before all vanishing in various body flickers.
Naruto vanished in a swirl of wind and mist; Phera in a sparks and flames; Kiba in a bolt of lightning and a howl; Shikamaru shadow seemed to just engulf him. "They're dead." Anko informs the girls who all nod. Shivers run down the men's spines as they stand in the centre of town "Troublesome." All five mutter together.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Dragon's Den
The five special Jonin all enter the bar, chuckling as they talk, and unbeknownst to them, being watched by the senior elite Jonin "Isn't that…?"
"Yeah. Naruto, Kiba, and even Shikamaru. I don't know that last one." A certain silver-haired shinobi mentioned from a booth "Ah, that's one of mine; Phera Sarutobi. Chunin." The bearded twin trench knifed shinobi mentioned "What an unusual group…" the lone red-eyed kunoichi "…I heard they are upon the same team." Asuma comments as he picks up a cigarette.
The group move to another booth nearby, "…yeah but, that fern willow was a lot softer than my red oak shafts." Shikamaru explained "Yeah but the carbon fibre…" began Phera but was interrupted by Naruto "Yeah but only the fibre from Spring conducts chakra which makes my job a hella lot easier…" as they slip into the corner booth, and they continue to chat. Kurenai, Asuma, Gai, and Kakashi arrive at their table which broke the flow of the conversation that falls silent. "Can we help you, Yuhi, Hatake, Asuma, Gai?" Phera speaking cooly as the group all look to the gathered elites "Mah mah, no need to be so serious…" spoke Kakashi flippantly, his air of indifference on full blast "…we just wanted to see if we could join you all."
"Why?" Spoke Naruto this time, the sheer amount of seriousness from him caught them all off-guard not that they would show it.
Shikamaru, Phera, and Naruto, all light scentless cigarettes with various small scale fire techniques "Why would the elites want to drink with us grunts?" Kiba swirling around his sake within his warm saucer, a feral glance up at them actually put them all on edge with the dangerous glint in his eyes "Well…" Asuma stepping forward, protectively in front of the lone kunoichi, whilst clearing his throat "…we just wanted to catch up with you all. We haven't heard from you all for a little while and were curious."
"We've been busy." Naruto states flicking the ash into the centre, "Missions an all…"
"Oh?" Kurenai with a raised eyebrow, Kiba nodding "Yeah, we just got back from one before coming here." He exhales hard "It was a drag…" lifting up his drink to his lip. "Team Eight, wasn't assigned any…"
"Team Seven, Eight, and Ten, have been disbanded." Shikamaru offering a very sharp side eye with his head hanging low, smoke hanging between his lips, fingers groping his own cup "Surely you are all aware of this, no?"
"Yes, but…"
"We aren't under your command anymore, Asuma…" the Nara mentioned "…Hatake…" Naruto continued before swallowing his portion of sake "…Kurenai…" Kiba with a feral grin.
Before the failing situation could tumble any further, Anko, Ino, and Illia arrive "OI! You five." And all the boy all sigh in unison "Troublesome." Kiba dragging his hand down his face, the smokes promptly vanish without any evidence at such speeds that even the Jonin weren't sure they were even they're in the first place "You actually ditched us!" Illia growled and the five elites actually saw the fake masks being applied "It was a joke!" Naruto chuckles loudly with Phera pulling the blond into a one-armed cheer.