Chapter 7: Reporting In
-Hokage's Office-
Several days have gone by since Team 7 and Team Guy encountered and confronted the Raikage at the shared border with Otogakure. Though the two Jonin had the option of heading straight back home to report the results Kakashi and Guy decided that it would be best to remain in the area for a couple more days before bringing news to Tsunade. The onym reason she knew that they were all returning today was through Kakashi and Guy's personal dog and turtle summons.
Back in the Hokage's office it was another day of going through paper work for her and to say Lady Tsunade was fuming was an understatement. She knew what she was getting into when she took over for Hiruzen Sarutobi shortly before the Kyuubi attacked the village. Thinking back on the mission she had given the newly reformed Team 7 she couldn't help but wonder about the Kumo and Oto ninjas being sighted together at the border.
In her years of being a kunoichi she knew something like that was the first stage of a village planning an attack on another but what didn't make sense to her was why it was Kumo. Ever since the ladt war the fourth Raikage tried to make neutral relations with her village and while it ultimately came to pass it still shouldn't mean the Raikage would be planning a move of aggression against her village. When she took over as the Hokage her first goal was building a good relationship with the other villages and saw success with Suna and Kiri. Kumo was neutral but any type of positive relation with Iwa never came through as the Tsuchikage has told her he'd rather not be friends with an old enemy, not even neutral and wanted to be left alone out of the affairs of the other villages so Tsunade decided not to further pursue a positive relationship with the Stone.
It really didn't make sense to her since throughout the history of the great nations Konoha and Kumo never fought each other like the former did against Iwa in the past. Nonetheless sending Kakashi, Guy and their Genin teams was the first move in confirming her and Jiraiya's suspicions and if the Raikage was planning a move she will make sure her village was a step ahead. The rumors of her old teammate Orochimaru starting his own village and being sighted in the Land of Sound further put her on edge and she prayed to Kami he wasn't planning anything either.
Today though she was expecting their return since Kakashi and Guy's personal summons had informed her an hour ago that the teams were heading back to the village and would be arriving soon. She scheduled the mission to last only a day but them staying out for the past three meant that they were doing extra in gathering any useful information they could and she couldn't wait to hear what they had to say about the situation.
She continued going over the various paperwork before hearing a knock at the door.
"Come in.''
A second later the door would open and in walked both Kakashi and Guy with their Genin following right after them and Tsunade immediately noticed that Skarlet or Rock Lee weren't with them. Before she can question either Jonin the whereabouts of the two missing Genin two voices were heard. A second later Skarlet entered the room with Rock Lee holding onto her arm and judging by the expression that Skarlet had in her face the red-headed girl was in a rather agitated bordering angry mood and the fifth Hokage didn't need to ask what was going on with the two, especially Lee with his youthful crying.
The commotion caught the attention of everyone else and the other Genin turned around to see what kind of shenanigans Rock Lee was trying to get Skarlet into now.
"Oh thats where they were I was wondering why they disappeared halfway through the village?" Kakashi joked.
"Oh my! How youthful of you to never give up in pursuing the love of Skarlet! I am so proud of you Lee!" Guy cried.
"Dude get the heck off her!" Naruto barked.
"Good grief Lee just give it up." Sasuke sighed.
"Leave her alone Lee she said no for the past few hours!" Tenten groaned in annoyance.
"I swear I will never get used to this level of intensity. I'd rather go blind than ever hear your voice again." Neji said.
"But Skarlet I insist! Allow me to take you on a date and you will see that I will make a great and youthful boyfriend!" Lee said almost on the verge of tears.
Having had enough of his constant begging Skarlet finally had enough. Dealing with this boy since they left the border was damn near driving her insane and she surprisingly did a great job at keeping her anger in check but this was the last straw. Naruto was about to go bounding over to get Lee off his friend but Skarlet beat the blonde to it and shoved him right off before grabbing him by the hair.
"Keep asking me to go out on a date with you and I will make sure you will not walk again." growled the very agitated Skarlet, "That is not a threat, it is a promise.''
Her venomous words went in one ear and out the other and her 'promise' only served to make him desire her more.
"A promise? I hope you keep that promise my beloved Skarlet!''
Having had enough Skarlet then proceeds to knock the bowl-haired boy out by placing pressure on his carotid arteries and a few seconds later Lee fell straight to the floor knocked out with a huge smile on his face.
"Annoying boy!"
''YOSH Lee! Despite such a setback do not give up on your quest in winning young Skarlet's love!" Guy declared as he began to cry.
''Dude, are you seriously crying right now? You know what, never mind.'' Kakashi facepalmed.
''Ha! Serves you right Lee! Hope you learned your lesson this time bushy brows!" Naruto got out between laughs.
Skarlet stepped away from the unconscious Lee and dusted herself off just as Guy came dashing over to picked up his precious Lee and set him against the wall. After doing so the older bowl-haired man walked toward Skarlet and the flamboyant way he was walking only served to annoy her more.
''What a most youthful girl you are Skarlet! I hope you reconsider soon for Lee for he deserves to be with such a wonderful girl like yourself!'' declared Guy.
''You are are very annoying Rock Lee.'' Skarlet growled.
Before the situation could get anymore strange Tsunade decided to step in.
''Yes, well anyway back on track guys. I'm surprised you're all back here so early I expected you to be out there until tomorrow at most. Anything interesting happen?'' asked the Sannin though she already knew the answer to that based on all of them looking like they were a bit dirty from sparring.
After getting the Genin in line Kakashi stepped up to give his report and boy he feared how Tsunade would react when she finds out about the Raikage.
''Yes Lady Tsunade we have quite a bit to report. First and foremost this mission was to observe activity at the border we share with Kumo and Oto and said suspicious activity were sightings of ninja from both villages meeting and we can confirm that both sides are indeed in some sort of talk with one another...''
Kakashi was very weary of how Tsunade would react as soon as he mentions the Raikage was there and fought with them that alone was a reason for a war. His hesitation to speak would not go unnoticed by his Hokage however and even his colleagues beside him took notice of it immediately.
''I am very aware of how Lady Tsunade would react when he learns of the Raikage's appearance.'' Guy thought.
''And then what happened after that?'' Tsunade questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Her voice snapped Kakashi out of his daze.
''Right after we were attacked by the Oto ninjas and soon we found ourselves in hand to hand combat with them. Oh, and uh please don't go punching a crater in the center of the village Lady Tsunade but what I am about to tell you might be enough of a reason to and if you do I don't blame you.'' Kakashi said, preparing for her response.
''Oh crap, knowing baa-chan she's gonna flip out.'' Naruto thought with a sweatdrop.
''We just might end up in a war with Oto and Kumo after the Raikage attacked us.'' Sasuke thought.
''Any Kage attacking shinobi from another village is an automatic declaration of war. This is not good what if it drags the other three villages?'' Skarlet thought, fearful of another world war.
''The Raikage made a huge mistake attacking us. Now Lady Tsunade has a good reason to sever all ties with the Hidden Cloud and declare war if she chooses to.'' Tenten thought fearfully.
''Lady Tsunade has the final decision though I am confident she will choose a diplomatic solution since a war is easily the last thing she'd have on her mind. Lady Tsunade you're better than the Raikage as a person so please choose an alternative route.'' Neji thought.
Kakashi then took in a deep breath before he continued his report.
''Like I said, we were detected and attacked from both the Oto and Kumo ninja and during their talk we overheard them saying something about Orochimaru and the Raikage having some sort of agreement. An agreement where they plan on attacking us during the Chunin exam finals.''
Tsunade grimaced at the mere mentioning of Orochimaru's name but Kakashi saying that the snake bastard was having some sort of agreement with the Hidden Cloud served to anger her more and before she could say anything Kakashi had cut her off.
''The Raikage was also there talking with the Oto ninja and he also attacked us as well which explains why me and Guy look a little dirty. He proved a very strong opponent which I'm not surprised and managed to knock me and Guy out of the fight momentarily...''
Before Kakashi could finish his explanation of the encounter Naruto stepped up with an expression of anger and annoyance.
''Yeah! That roidkage grabbed me and almost smashed me into the ground! I almost got turned into the orange splash cause of that roided out jerk!'' spat the blonde teen.
Kakashi, Guy, Neji, Tenten, Sasuke and Skarlet sweatdropped at the boy's brash and loud voice and knew that the fact that Tsunade now knew that the Raikage, or roidkage as Naruto apparently likes to call him very nearly killed the blonde would only serve to anger Tsunade to the fullest extent.
''Crap, I was hoping that sensei wouldn't mention that and knowing how close Lady Tsunade is with him she's gonna be really pissed off.'' thought a sweatdropping Sasuke.
''The Raikage made one mistake attacking us but to almost kill a Genin who has no experience in fighting foreign shinobi up to that point is just a low of him. I have read about how the Raikage like to act before they think, if at all.'' Skarlet thought.
Tsunade instantly went wide-eyed at Naruto's outburst and immediately felt a surge of anger flow through her body. She had known Naruto since he was an infant and was the one who checked up on him when his mother was pregnant with him and was requested by both his parents to be his godmother much like they did with Jiraiya being his godfather. To hear that the fourth Raikage came close to killing a young aspiring ninja like him was something she could not let go even if she approached the situation with diplomacy.
The Hokage rose from her seat and slammed her hand onto her desk making all the items on it fly into the air for a second before landing back onto the desk.
''WHAT?!'' exclaimed the Hokage in pure rage.
''She is very scary when she is angry.'' Skarlet thought in fear.
''Ah yes, there is another thing for us to tell you that might make you a bit happy.'' Guy said hoping to calm the Hokage down.
''What could possibly make me happy after hearing that idiot A try to kill Naruto?!'' Tsunade barked.
Kakashi and Guy looked at each other and before they could even answer the blonde teen stepped up once more to be the center of attention.
''Before that roided out jerk could take me out some weird guy with spiky white hair like mine came crashing down from above on some huge toad! That made the roidkage drop me.'' Naruto said, a bit annoyed at the memory of Jiraiya crashing the party, ''Though that did pretty much save my life so...''
''Wait, did you say a guy with spiky white hair? You mean Jiraiya?'' Tsunade questioned incredulously.
Before Naruto could continue speaking Kakashi grabbed his Genin and moved him aside so he could be the one in front speaking and the action only served to annoy the young blonde.
''I'll take it from here Naruto thank you.'' Kakashi said giving the blonde his signature eye smile, ''Ahem, yeah you heard that right Lady Tsunade. Master Jiraiya showed up and helped us fight the Raikage.''
Tsunade had indeed kept in touch with Jiraiya more than anyone knew and while she did know about him wanting to keep an eye on the teams she didn't expect him to actually join the fight like that unannounced. She always hated his pervertedness but she was grateful he chimed in and managed to help keep A from doing any serious damage to her ninjas. The fact that he almost killed Naruto was enough of a reason to declare war upon Kumo.
''You mentioning that muscled idiot shows how cruel and ruthless he can be if he was willing and ready to kill a young inexperienced Genin.'' Tsunade said in disgust, ''That alone is enough to go to war.''
''Yosh, that is not even mentioning that he said us attacking him is enough a reason to go to war with Konoha. I always knew this Raikage was less youthful than his father the third.'' Guy said adding to the conversation.
''Typical A, he's the one who attacked first and you were just acting in self-defense.'' Tsunade said rolling her eyes.
''Yes, after we brawled for some time the roidkage, I mean Raikage fled with the ninja he had with him before the Oto ninja left the scene.'' Kakashi said.
While Sasuke and Naruto knew this was definitely going to severely strain neutral relations with Kumo they knew that their Hokage would definitely try to avoid a real conflict from erupting between the two powerful nations and hoped that if and when she went with a diplomatic approach it would ease relations. Skarlet on the other hand was able to sense the deception, cruel streak and hot-headedness from the Raikage by sensing his blood and she wasn't shocked at all at hearing how this particular Raikage acted compared to the previous ones. His father, the legendary third Raikage was known for being more calm and collected than his son and if she remembered from her reading of history books the third Raikage was considered the most powerful ninja to ever come from Kumo and knew this current Raikage was no joke. He managed to temporarily defeat Kakashi and Guy before the tables were turned on him shows how powerful he is. She made a mental note on whenever she could fully control her blood release abilities she knew that even someone as fast and strong as the Raikage would fall to her potential power.
Quickly ridding her head of such disturbing thoughts she shook her head and looked at Tsunade.
''Lady Tsunade, what kind of response will you give the Raikage? Considering he attacked us and almost killed a Genin.'' Skarlet questioned curiously.
''The best approach right now is to try to approach and reason with him. Our nations have been at peace since the last war but that doesn't mean we are friends. More like neighbors who simply tolerate the other and Konoha is not alone in this debacle. Suna and Kiri have been in a mutual defense pact with us since the last war meaning that an attack on one is an attack on all. With this incident happening that means Suna and Kiri are legally required to come to our aid if Kumo attacks us for real.'' explained the Hokage.
''Yosh, but what about Iwagakure? I understand that they still harbor some unyouthful hatred of us but they seem to not like Kumo as much.'' Lee inquired.
''Yeah I've always wondered that Lady Tsunade?'' Tenten said.
''Agreed, while we may not have the best relations with Iwa since we defeated them it wouldn't hurt to see if they would become allies like Suna and Kiri as well?'' Neji said.
''Hn, Iwa is no joke when it comes to military strength but I doubt they'd want to be friends after how they were crushed during the last war.'' Sasuke quipped.
''Oh yeah that's right! They aren't too friendly with Kumo either so wouldn't that make the saying of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' literal?'' Naruto asked.
Kakashi mentally sighed. He fought against Iwa during the last war and lost his best friend because of them and while Iwa learned the hard way he knew that a lot of tension remained between the two nations. Kumo was no better in that regard but there's no way Iwa would ever side with Konoha.
''It would be nice if Iwa joined Suna and Kiri but ever since then they basically want nothing to do with the other four nations. They'd rather keep to themselves as of late.'' said the Jonin.
''It would be the most youthful decision to let go of the hate and join us. While Iwa was aggressive in the past Kumo has and always been that way with us but I can understand their desire to want nothing to do with us.'' Guy chimed.
''This is an era of peace and I will make sure the Raikage will do nothing to jeopardize it. You're saying that Oto ninja were involved and Orochimaru was mentioned means there has to be some sort of plan for the two villages to move against us and since the Chunin exam finals were mentioned as well that gives me a lot of time to prepare for anything the two villages might try. I'll have to get in contact with the Mizukage and Kazekage to see if they would like to help out during the event. Did anything else happen after the two sides fled?''
''No, we rested up a bit before making our way back home.'' Kakashi answered.
''Very well if that is all then you guys are free to go and due to the circumstances of this encounters you guys will be given a few days of rest before your next assignment.''
After the Jonin and Genin received the proper pay of the mission they exit the Hokage's office and make their way down to the courtyard with Kakashi leading the pack out of the courtyard into the adjacent street. Guy and his team went their separate ways leaving Kakashi and his Genin alone on the sidewalk.
''Well, what a way for reborn Team 7 to start a mission huh? Sorry it turned out this way you guys it was all just so sudden." Kakashi said apologetically.
''That was pretty crappy for our first C-ranked mission I would've never guessed we'd be fighting foreign ninja that quick. Still though I wish we could've taken that failed musician and her Kumo bandwagon downba few pegs.'' Naruto said, a hint of disappointment present in his voice.
''I'll say, a simple reconnaissance mission went bad pretty quick thanks to the Raikage. That idiot just likes to act without thinking it seems but at least we got out intact.'' Sasuke quipped, a little down himself.
Now Sasuke and Naruto weren't bummed out about going in a C-ranked mission that could bring contact with foreign ninja, it was something they've been looking forward to since Sakura was sent to the crazy house. It was the fact they encountered another village's Kage and one of them nearly died in the process had Jiraiya not interfered. Even though they still completed their mission to gather information on why Oto and Kumo ninja were seen along their border it still didn't feel right to the boys since with the way they saw it getting rid of the enemy was what made the mission feel truly accomplished and Kakashi knew this too and immediately knew they were feeling some type of way.
Skarlet on the other hand was thrilled on going on her firsr mission as a kunoichi for the greatest and strongest among the five great nations. While she did not expect this turn of events herself she was still glad her first mission was a success and Kakashi was quick to see her expression in comparison to theirs'.
"Do not feel down Naruto, Sasuke. We still managed to accomplish the mission objectives which was to gather information about why both sides were spotted within our border. Now we know why and what they plan to do which puts us at an advantage and we can prepare accordingly." said the girl.
"Yeah guys don't let it get to you. Next mission we go on we'll be prepared for anything and I mean anything. D-rank missions? We'll treat it like it's a C-rank mission and above I don't care if it involves getting that cat we'll treat it as a threat like a foreign ninja would be." Kakashi added, ''You guys are free to go, take the next couple days off to relax and I'll call all three of you for some training at the Third Training Field alright?''
Taking his leave Kakashi then turned and went home leaving his three Genin on their own.
''So what do you guys want to do now? We're free.'' Sasuke said.
''I'm feeling a bit hungry so how about a bite to eat?'' Naruto suggested.
A small smile formed on Skarlet's face upon hearing that and ever since she had a first meal at Ichiraku's she could not take the deliciousness of ramen off her mind and she too was hungry herself.
''Yes, I would like to eat at that ramen place once again the food was amazing.'' said the girl happily.
A big grin formed on Naruto's face hearing his friend wanting to eat more ramen and he knew she had already become addicted to the noodle dish. Sasuke on the other hand face palmed at the notion of dealing with another person obsessed with ramen and that really was the last thing he needed.
''Dammit, well at least it's better than dealing with Sakura so I don't mind.''
-Streets of Konoha-
After the three teammates had a nice dinner at Ichiraku's they were now seen wondering the streets of Konohagakure on a nice evening stroll before calling it a day. While they walked in silence the whole time they took in the various activity going on around them such as the villagers walking around with bags after a long day of shopping, the voices of vendors calling out to potential customers hoping to sell their merchandise.
Despite living in Konoha for a week and a half now Skarlet was still amazed at how different the atmosphere was from Chi and she was still very glad to be here. Just then her thoughts were interrupted when a loud and annoying female voice was heard drowing out the sounds of the village around them.
''Hey Sasuke-kun how are you!?''
Hearing and instantly recognizing the voice Sasuke felt fear course through his body. Naruto felt annoyed the moment he heard the voice and Skarlet was already ready to smack whoever's voice that was as it was annoying as Sakura's. Just then out of no where a girl with platinum blonde hair lunge toward Sasuke and enveloped him in a big bear hug the Uchiha boy.
''I've missed you Sasuke!''
Sasuke's face turned to one of dread and immediately he began to try and wiggle himself free from the girl's clutches.
''Ino let me go!''
''Who is the world is this?'' Skarlet asked Naruto.
Naruto had to rub his temples to rid himself of the headache hearing Ino's voice.
''Ugh, sorry this girl is Ino Yamanaka, a member of the Yamanaka clan who specialize in mind jutsu crap or whatever. You remember how Sakura was such a Sasuke fangirl she had to be locked up?'' said the blonde earning a nod from Skarlet, ''Well, this is the same but less annoying or as I like to say, Ino-ying.''
Skarlet then turned to look at the girl and could only shake her head at how Ino was rubbing her face into Sasuke's chest as if she was a cat showing its owner affection. She had just met the girl and after hearing she is a Sasuke fangirl much like Sakura she couldn't help but let out a sigh.
''There is always a couple of crazy ones.''
Ino's embrace went on for a few minutes before she finally set Sasuke down just as two more bodies walked up to Team 7.
''Sheesh Ino why do you have to be such a drag?'' questioned a boy who pineapple shaped hair and an extremely bored exression on his face.
The other boy who walked up to the group was fat and munching on a big bag of highly salted potato chips and Skarlet couldn't help but wince at disgust at how large this boy was.
''I have never seen someone so large as this boy before me.'' Skarlet thought with a sweatdrop.
''Mmm, yum these potato chips are great! Oh hey Naruto, Sasuke.'' the large boy said.
After dusting himself off Sasuke then took a few steps back to create distance from Ino as he knew that she would try to hug him again and if she tried he would at least be able to react and get the hell out of there.
Ino then waved at Naruto before setting her sights on Skarlet.
''What?! I thought I was the prettiest girl in Konoha! There's no way she's prettier than me!'' Ino thought in disbelief, ''So who's your new friend Naruto? Sasuke? Are you gonna introduce us?''
''Uh, yeah. So anyway Skarlet these guys are another Genin team. She's Ino Yamanaka as I've said, the bored looking guy over there is Shikamaru Nara and the big guy is Choji Akimunchi, I mean Akimichi. They're all from three of Konoha's strongest clans and graduated the academy with us.'' Naruto introduced.
Skarlet waved at the members of Team 10.
''Oh, a pleasure to meet you all.''
Shikamaru didn't return Skarlet's greeting and instead just brushed her off.
''Man what a drag it is meeting new people.''
Choji on the other hand was just too busy snacking away to even greet Skarlet but at the very least he acknowledged her presence.
Skarlet did not really care much for Choji but the tone in Shikamaru's voice only served to annoy her as much as Ino did just by appearing.
Seeing that Skarlet didn't seem to like being around Team 10 Naruto was quick to come up with an excuse to not to talk to them and he looked to Sasuke who nodded understanding the situation.
''Well you guys it would be nice to chat but we gotta go. See ya!''
Naruto, Sasuke and Skarlet then dashed into the crowd and disappeared much to the dismay of Ino.
''Wait! I have so many questions you guys! Skarlet what kind of a name is that?! Skarlet! Why are you prettier than me!?'' Ino shouted out.
-Skarlet's Apartment Building-
After running through the crowd for a few minutes the members of Team 7 soon found themselves stopping in front of Skarlet's apartment building much to the relief of the girl.
''I am glad to be free of that Ino girl. She already annoys me and that is not a good sign.'' Skarlet said.
''I know she's really Ino-ying. She's just as bad as Sakura but not as crazy...hopefully.'' Naruto joked.
''Yeah, she takes whatever opportunity to try to hug me, I'd rather hug a cactus from Suna's deserts.'' said an annoyed Sasuke.
Thinking they've done enough evening strolling for the evening the members of Team 7 bid each other farewell as Naruto did not want to run the risk of running into Ino's team or any other team for that matter. Dealing with Ino was enough so they didn't need to meet any other loud mouths like that one kid with the dog.
Skarlet walks up the stairs of her apartment building that led to her floor and stood in front of her door. Taking out the key the girl unlocks her door and enters into her living room and leaps onto the couch and sighed in relief at how comfortable it felt. She needed a good rest after the mission against the Oto kunoichi with the foul mouth. Tayuya was her name if she remembered correctly.
''What an eventful couple of days.'' Skarlet whispered to herself.
-Jonin Lounge, Hokage's Tower-
Two Jonin were seen eating dinner in the lounge located under the Hokage's office at the Tower. One was a man that had a cigarette in his mouth and dressed in the same Jonin outfit as Kakashi and had tan skin. The other Jonin next to him was a pretty woman with red eyes and an outfit that looked like it was made of bandages. After learning of Kakashi and Guy's return from their mission at the border they were asked to wait in the lounge so their colleagues can give them info on what happened. These two Jonin were Asuma Sarutobi who was the son of the former Third Hokage and the woman was Kurenai Yuhi.
Hearing the door open the two turned and saw Kakashi and Guy entering the lounge and the two sides greeted each other.
''Yo.'' was all Kakashi said he and Guy took their seats.
''Hey, so how did the mission go?'' Kurenai questioned.
''Quite unyouthful if you ask me Kurenai. We had the most outrageous encounter with the Raikage and some Oto ninja.'' Guy said as he took a sip from a water bottle.
Asuma and Kurenai were caught off guard at this and went wide-eyed. They knew Kumo still harbored some form of resentment against their village like Iwa but did they hear that correctly? Kakashi nodded in confirmation and began to explain what occurred on that mission to their colleagues.
''You guys remember that we were suppose to go to the border shared with both Oto and Kumo and how the ANBU and border patrol have spotted ninja from both villages meeting and talking around there?''
''Yeah?''
''We were noticed and ended up getting into a fight with them and the Raikage was there as well.'' Kakashi continued.
Asuma took in a puff from his cigarette before chipping in his two cents.
''So that muscled moron fought you guys? That's literally an act of war right there.'' he said shaking his head.
''Exactly, what does Tsunade-sama think of this whole thing? We're not on the brink of another with against Kumo are we?'' Kurenai questioned curiously, though she was a bit unnerved at the though of going to war again.
Guy shook his head.
''No, Lady Tsunade is going to be the more youthful Kage in this and try to find a solution to this.''
''Right, and we did overhear them say something about the Chunin exams so Lady Tsunade thinks that might be when the Roidkage, uh I mean Raikage might try something. She's gonna bring word of this to the Kazekage and Mizukage to see if they can use political pressure to get Kumo to see reason and back down. There's no need to get into a war with Kumo again.'' Kakashi explained.
''How are you teams? They didn't get hurt did they?'' asked Kurenai.
''No, they are as youthful as ever and remain unharmed.'' Guy declared with a grin.
This brought an air of relief for Kurenai and Asuma as they couldn't fathom the idea of a Kage attacking and possibly killing a Genin from another village.
''Well good, that man was never one to even think.'' Asuma joked.
''The Chunin exams are like 6 months away so this gives us to prepare for anything the Raikage and Oto might try.'' Kakashi said, ''speaking of the Chunin exams...
-Hokage Monument-
It was a few minutes until midnight and the fifth Hokage Tsunade was seen standing on top of the Hokage's monument, specifically where the third Hokage was and was looking over the village and admired how beautiful it looked at night with the lights illuminating the village. While she could hear some commotion from the village's night life she loved how quiet the village could be at times during these hours and it brought an air of peace and serenity she loved.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a figure appeared behind her and slowly walked up to her and she didn't even need to look to see who it was and she smiled at her guest's presence.
''It's been awhile since we last spoke Jiraiya.'' Tsunade said.
Jiraiya stands next to his old teammate and returned his friend's smile.
''It sure has Tsunade. How's the village been? It's been a while since I've seen it this peaceful.'' said the man.
''It really is peaceful.''
The two long time friends took a moment to admire the beauty of the village at night before there was a change in the air. Tsunade's smile slowly vanished and without looking at her friend she began to say what she wanted to say.
''Is it true?''
Jiraiya didn't need any elaboration to Tsunade's sudden question and knew what she was talking about. For years he had been tracking down their third Teammate Orochimaru for years and after helping out Team 7 and Team Guy his suspicions were true. He never gave up on tracking their friend for years and will do anything to bring him home.
''Yeah, he is the head of Otogakure. He's there and I have a feeling if they really go through with this plan we'll be seeing him soon and not in a way we'd want.'' Jiraiya answered, a frown on his face.
''Hiruzen-sensei didn't have it in his heart to do it Jiraiya. I feel that will be our responsibility if we can't convince him to see the error of his ways.'' Tsunade said somberly.
''I loved sensei with every fiber of my being, but he was just too soft and if he couldn't save Orochimaru then we will do everything we can to do it for him.'' Jiraiya said with hope in his voice.
Tsunade and Jiraiya watched the night scene of the village in silence once more for a few more minutes before Tsunade continued their conversation. Otogakure was a relatively new village that formed a few years after the third war ended and they knew it couldn't be a coincidence since that was the same time Orochimaru defected from Konoha. They knew why their former sensei decided to try and kill their friend and even though what they saw from his horrendous experiments they still considered him their best friend and nothing will change that. They were on the same Genin team, fought together in the second war and helped lead their village to victory in the last war. The only thing they wondered about Orochimaru was how long has he been conducting such vile and disturbing experiments. Was it something he's always done since they were kids or did the tragedy of the second war trigger something within him? They hope that one day they will get an answer and if he does something during the Chunin exams they'll make sure they get answers from him.
''Jiraiya, do anything you can to help Kakashi watch over Naruto, Sasuke and Skarlet. Help Kakashi prepare and train them for the Chunin exams because I know we won't be able to get through it all with the threat of Kumo and Orochimaru looming. They need to be as strong as they can to defend this village and I can't do it alone.''
For the first time Jiraiya turned to look at his friend and saw that she had a bit of worry in her eyes.
He nodded.
''Of course, I'll help Kakashi train those three to be the best they can be especially Naruto. I'll turn him into a ninja and man Minato and Kushina would be proud of."