"You really have information about Akatsuki?" Naruto and Kakashi asked, standing in Tsunade's office.
Tsunade looked troubled.
"Jiraiya only mentioned discovering some intel on Akatsuki, but we need someone to investigate Kiri."
Naruto chimed in,
"It's me, right?"
"And me," Kakashi added.
"So it's just me and Kakashi… anyone else heading into this war zone with us?" Naruto grumbled.
Shizune interrupted,
"Naruto-kun, the internal conflict in Kiri ended months ago. There's a new Mizukage now, and things have stabilized."
Kakashi said,
"Fair enough… we'll comb the Land of Water thoroughly, find any info on Akatsuki, and return. Right?"
Tsunade nodded.
"Yes, Kakashi. Choose two other Chunin to assist you and Naruto on this mission—you're the commander. Stay sharp and bring everyone back safely."
##En Route – Kakashi's Team##
"What a drag… how did I end up here again?" Shikamaru caught up with Kakashi and Naruto.
"Naruto!" Naruto snapped out of his thoughts at Shikamaru's shout beside him. "Tayuya asked you a question. Why are we going to the Land of Water?"
Naruto scratched his cheek and looked away.
"Uh… to watch the clouds?"
"Right, watching those red clouds…"
Kakashi added,
"We're going for recon—to scout the terrain and possibly make contact with the new Mizukage."
Naruto turned to Tayuya.
"Tayuya, have you ever been to the Land of Water?"
Tayuya smirked.
"But Orochimaru never let us go anywhere. He kept us cooped up in that underground hellhole."
Tayuya had another question.
"So why are we doing recon over there?"
Kakashi explained,
"We haven't had reliable intel on that region in ten years, and there's been constant fighting. We need to evaluate Kiri's military strength."
******
##The Next Evening##
They had already reached the Fire Country's coastline and boarded a ship headed for the Land of Water.
On the deck, Shikamaru lounged around while Tayuya practiced her flute.
******
##Two Days Later##
"Finally, land!" Tayuya ran off the boat.
Shikamaru yawned, rubbed his eyes, and stepped off the ship.
"Actually, I kinda liked doing nothing on the boat. Maybe I'll become a sailor after I retire?"
Kakashi gave a half-smile with his eyes closed.
"Move out! We head inland." He led the three Chunin forward.
Naruto gave Kakashi a quick salute before vanishing with [the Shifting Body Technique].
Tayuya and Shikamaru gawked in shock while Kakashi carried on calmly.
******
##Six Hours Later – Room at an Inn in Mist Village##
"Kakashi, where the hell did that guy go?" Tayuya hadn't calmed down ever since entering the village.
Shikamaru stood at the doorway.
"We traveled all the way to Kirigakure, and he disappeared before we even arrived?"
Kakashi lay on the bed holding his little orange book.
"Naruto has a mission completely different from ours. It has nothing to do with Kirigakure. Someone else will replace him in a few days."
******
## Two Days Later — The Coast of the Land of Waves ##
"And then they made me their king!" Naruto told a group of sailors who had gathered around him, listening quietly to his story until he was done.
"Well...I should get going now."
******
(Kirigakure)
Kakashi walked out of the Mizukage's office wearing an expression of stunned disbelief.
"That was the Mizukage? Good grief, she's perfect...It almost felt like she was flirting with me."
As Kakashi left the building, Shikamaru and Tayuya met up with him.
"So Sensei Kakashi, did you find anything useful?"
Tayuya chimed in next,
"Are we getting kicked out of Kirigakure or something?"
Kakashi smiled and waved dismissively.
"Oh nothing serious, just some Jonin-level business. You two don't need to worry about it."
At that moment, Tayuya noticed something sticking out of Kakashi's pocket.
Tayuya quickly moved over and pulled out a sheet of paper.
"What's this?"
Looking over her shoulder, Shikamaru's eyes widened as he read it.
"That's the Mizukage's personal information: address, full name, and—Is that her personal measurements?!" Shikamaru caught a glimpse of part of the document and a small trickle of blood ran down his nose. "How did you even get this?"
Kakashi turned, reclaimed the paper from Tayuya, and slipped it back into his pocket, chuckling behind his mask.
"Well, she must've slipped it into my pocket when I was leaving."
Shikamaru sighed and shook his head.
"Why is everyone on Team 7 so messed up? First Sasuke goes running off to join Orochimaru, then Naruto wiped out our entire graduating class like a hot knife through butter, and now Kakashi's flirting..."
******
## An Unknown Area in the Land of Waves ##
Naruto moved at an insane speed, trying to reach his destination before midnight.
Suddenly, a swarm of bats flew straight in front of him.
No matter how hard he tried to shake them off, they clung tightly to him, forcing him to stop.
"Get lost!" Naruto grabbed one bat and was shocked to find it turned into ink.
"What the hell is going on here?"
With a roar, a pair of black-and-white lions suddenly sprang toward him.
Naruto unsheathed his sword and braced for battle.
The first lion charged directly at him. Naruto ducked low and slid beneath it.
The second lion attacked as soon as Naruto got back onto his feet. He drove his sword into its mouth, turning it into a puddle of ink.
The first lion swung a paw at Naruto's back but hit the kunai he raised to block. Still, the beast's sheer strength sent Naruto flying.
Regaining his footing, Naruto glared angrily at the two beasts.
"All right, time to take down this big cat and see who's controlling it."
He lured the lion into charging again and sliced it cleanly in half. Splattering ink everywhere.
Naruto extended his sensory range, searching for signs of whoever was tracking him.
A faint rustle drifted on the breeze. He dashed toward the sound and finally found Sai.
He sat on a tree branch, a scroll spread across his knees and a brush in his hand.
Naruto eyed him suspiciously and cleared his throat.
"Sai... I really want to say it's nice seeing you, but that'd be a complete lie. Those animals — are they yours?"
Sai offered a fake smile, jumped down from the tree, landing right in front of Naruto, and rolled up his scroll.
"Yes, Naruto. I have to stay alert at all times. In fact, I've wanted to fight you for quite some time."
Naruto studied him carefully.
"You're the same age as me. Why have I never seen you before?"
Sai replied emotionlessly,
"You've never been part of a team. Danzo always had you working solo. Also, within Root, no one gets to know each other unless they are designated partners."
Naruto nodded.
"Fair enough. So why are you here now — just to check me out?"
Sai just stared at him.
"You already know the answer, Naruto. After all, I'm the main reason you came here."
Naruto rubbed his chin.
"Fine. If you know the way, lead then."
Sai turned and started walking.
"That's right, Naruto-sempai. I know where Uzushio is. Follow me."
##Near a secret location close to Amegakure##
A shadowy figure stood inside a dark cave, gazing out at the falling rain:
"This opportunity is not to be missed. Konoha's Jinchuriki must be under heavy guard. I heard that boy is currently on an island in the Land of Waves, far away from Konoha. I've already sent Zetsu to keep watch. Once we confirm his exact location, I'll dispatch forces to capture him."
A woman's voice echoed through the cave:
"At once, Lord Pain. All shall be carried out as you command."
Within the cave, a pair of eyes gleamed in the darkness.
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