The sun rose over Konoha, casting a warm glow across the village rooftops. The air was crisp, filled with the hum of early morning life. Today marked a special day—for the first time in years, Team Kakashi would undertake a mission together.
Down the corridors of the Hokage's tower, the newly reformed team walked side by side. Kakashi led the way, his usual relaxed posture and half-lidded eye betraying nothing. Behind him, Naruto bounced on his heels, barely containing his excitement.
"I can't wait to see what kind of mission we'll get!" Naruto grinned, fists clenched in anticipation.
Sakura, walking beside him, nodded with a smile. "It's been forever since we did a mission together like this. I missed it."
Kakashi said nothing, but the faint smile tugging at the corner of his mask was enough. Some things never changed.
Just then, a blur of movement dashed past them. A young kunoichi raced through the corridor, her expression sharp and focused. Naruto stumbled back a step.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" he called out.
But the kunoichi didn't slow down. She vanished around the corner, her footsteps fading into the distance.
Kakashi's gaze lingered after her, his visible eye narrowing slightly. He had recognized her—an operative from the intelligence division. And the urgency in her pace told him enough.
"She must be on important business," he said calmly. "No need to worry."
Naruto shrugged, and the team continued their walk, the moment passing like a gust of wind.
At last, they arrived at the mission hall. The doors creaked open, revealing the Hokage sitting at the centre of the room, surrounded by shinobi from the mission assignment department.
Tsunade sat tall in her chair, her fingers steepled as she regarded the three familiar faces standing before her. The moment Team Kakashi entered the mission hall, a sly smile tugged at her lips.
"You've arrived at the perfect time," she said. "I have just the mission for you."
She reached into a stack of scrolls beside her and held one out. "This is an escort assignment. A caravan is preparing to depart from the western gate, and your job is to ensure it reaches its destination safely."
Naruto blinked. "Wait... what?! A caravan mission?" His face twisted in disbelief. "That's boring! I didn't come back from two and a half years of training with Pervy sage to babysit wagons! I want something challenging—something worthy of my level!"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, her voice cool. "Hmph. You'll take the mission you're given, Naruto. That's an order."
"But come on—!"
"No buts!" she snapped, leaning forward. "Not every mission is about glory. This is what being a ninja means—doing what's needed, not just what you want!"
The room tensed. Naruto and Tsunade were now full-on bickering, their voices rising with each exchange. Sakura was doing her best to pull Naruto back by the arm, whispering for him to calm down, while Shizune hovered beside Tsunade, nervously wringing her hands.
Then suddenly—BANG!
The doors to the mission hall slammed open with a loud crack that echoed through the room.
Everyone turned.
The kunoichi from earlier, the one who had raced through the corridors, now stood in the doorway, slightly out of breath but composed.
"Lady Hokage!" she said urgently. "We've just received a message from Sunagakure. I deciphered it as fast as I could."
She stepped forward and placed a paper into Tsunade's hand.
The room went silent.
Tsunade took the paper, her sharp eyes scanning the contents. Her expression darkened almost instantly, the playful edge she had moments ago replaced by something far more serious.
Naruto's expression shifted the moment he saw the grim look on Tsunade's face. His usual bright demeanour faded into seriousness as he stepped forward and asked, "What happened? Is everything alright?"
Tsunade said nothing at first. She placed the letter she had been holding back on the desk with a heavy hand, her eyes not leaving the parchment.
"It's a message from Sunagakure," she finally said, her voice steady. "It's about the Kazekage. He's been kidnapped... by the Akatsuki."
A stunned silence fell over the room.
"What!?" Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi echoed in unison, their voices filled with disbelief.
Tsunade gave a slow nod. "We've been tracking the Akatsuki for a long time now. Because of that, Sunagakure has reached out to us—they're requesting assistance."
Shizune turned to Tsunade, a worried frown creasing her face. Her eyes widened slightly as a sudden realization struck her. "You're not planning to send Team Kakashi on this mission, are you?"
Tsunade exhaled and leaned back in her chair. "I don't have another choice. Besides," she glanced at Kakashi with a knowing look, "we already have someone who's faced the Akatsuki and lived to tell the tale."
Kakashi said nothing, but his visible eye narrowed in understanding.
Just as the decision seemed final and the air in the mission hall grew thick with urgency, the large doors creaked open—and three figures stepped inside.
All eyes turned to the newcomers. Everyone stood up instantly, instinctively reacting to their presence. Only Tsunade remained seated, her expression hardening.
Danzo. Homura. Koharu.
The elders had arrived—and with them, a new layer of tension blanketed the room.
...
(A/N: If you like the story please vote power stones.)
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