Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Combined Elements ❯ A new mission ( Chapter 3 )

Combined Elements

 

Chapter 3: A new mission

The hall was completely empty except for the sound of approaching footsteps. From around the corner, Tsunade walked lazily towards the door of her office, making plans for the day. Her duties as Hokage came first, of course, but if she worked quickly, there would be some time for other things. Maybe she could get Shizune to gamble some with her later on. She smiled at the thought before turning the knob and opening the door.

 

At the sight of her room, Tsunade stopped. All intentions of fun activities for later on were wiped away by the enormous pile of papers on her desk. A deep sigh escaped her. This was apparently one of those busy days, and it had gone so well the last few weeks… Slowly, she headed over to her desk and sat down.

 

While she fingered through the documents on her desk, one report caught her eye. It came from Jiraiya, who was currently out on a mission to collect information on Akatsuki. He would never send in a report unless there was something important to tell, that lazy pervert. She opened the file and started reading.

 

Jiraiya had heard several rumors that Akatsuki was in the Snow Country, tracking down Orochimaru. So, being the great ninja he was (Tsunade rolled her eyes while reading this), Jiraiya had gone to investigate. What he found was quite interesting. Orochimaru had taken control of a small village in Snow Country. The village was located in the middle of nowhere, among the mountains. He had not yet been able to find it, since he also had to keep track of Akatsuki, but he thought it might be worth sending a team. Wherever this village was, Orochimaru was doing his best to hide it.

 

Tsunade frowned. Why would Orochimaru take over a village in the middle of nowhere? She put the report aside to go over again later. At that moment, Shizune burst into the room, carrying Tonton with her left arm, and holding a letter in her right. “An urgent message from the Kazekage has just come in!” Shizune deposited the letter on Tsunade's desk, among all the papers. Then she sat down to rest with Tonton on her lap.

 

The frown Tsunade carried got deeper as she opened the letter and read through it. Shizune looked at her worriedly, wondering what had happened for Gaara to send a message with the fastest hawk they had. “Orochimaru is on the move again. His plan remains the same, to destroy Konoha, and he tried to get Gaara to join him by attacking the village. Gaara defeated the sent ninja, but thought we should know about this.” Shizune's eyes widened as Tsunade talked. “What will we do? We don't have a clue where Orochimaru is.”

 

Tsunade shook her head and tossed Jiraiya's report to Shizune. She turned around in her chair and stared out the window at the village below while Shizune read the report. When she had finished, there was silence.

 

Shizune cleared her throat. “Do we send a team to look for this village?” Tsunade grimaced, and then nodded. “That is the smartest choice, but we have so few teams available. Orochimaru is dangerous; we cannot send an unprepared team. But most of the Jounin teams are already on missions.” She turned back around and looked at Shizune. “Get Kakashi's team for me.”

 

****

 

A while later, Kakashi Hatake, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno were standing in the Hokage's office, waiting to hear about their mission. Naruto was as energetic as usual, almost jumping with excitement where he stood. “Is this a dangerous mission? Do we have to protect a VIP? Or track down and kill top criminals? What is it Granny?”

 

Tsunade shot him a warning glare. “Don't call me that!” She sighed, leaned back, and looked at each of them in turn. “The hidden village of Sand was attacked by a ninja using sound as a weapon. His goal was to recruit the Kazekage, but of course Gaara fought him off. Orochimaru is on the move again, and I want you three to investigate it. That is your mission.” The room was silent for a second, until Naruto yelled out: “Yes! I've been waiting to go after that creep again. We will save Sasuke.”

 

Kakashi looked at his former student. “Didn't you hear what the Hokage said? We are to investigate, not attack.” Tsunade nodded. “I've received a report from Jiraiya which gives us a clue to where Orochimaru might be. I'd like you to go see Gaara first and get any details there are about what happened. From there on, it is your choice. Please send updates regularly.”

 

Naruto was about to protest, but Sakura had spotted the annoyed look on the Hokage's face and dragged Naruto out of the office. Kakashi followed with a copy of Jiraiya's report in his hand.

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this FanFic except Saara Mizu and some of the minor enemies. The rest belong to Masashi Kishimoto.