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Hi Everyone, sorry didn't post for the past few weeks. Had a small accident in the first week of May and things haven't been the same since then. The tests and everything consumed the entire day and I wasn't able to focus. Of course, the worst part wasn't the pain but getting a clean shave due to a busted chin and then leaving the house with a baby face.
Things have started to go normal for the past 2 days. Will be uploading regularly from today and Will speed up in the upcoming days. Again apologies to those who felt that I have abandoned the story here but that isn't the case.
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"Orochimaru is a traitor to our organization Madara. We can't ask him for help and we certainly can't ask other members of our organization to stop pursuing the tailed beasts and find Orochimaru." Konan said.
"What does finding Orochimaru have to do with the Akatsuki? No one except Kisame knows about my identity or connection to the Akatsuki. Have Kisame and Zetsu search for that snake. I can't believe a kid was able to inflict such an injury on me." Obito said wincing in pain from time to time.
Konan looked at Pain who simply nodded and said "Kisame is currently at our base in the Land of Wind. Once Sasori and Kakuzu are healed enough, I will task Kisame with finding Orochimaru's whereabouts but his job will end at information gathering. That snake is slippery and after Hidan, we can't afford to lose any good Akatsuki members."
Obito turned around and left the building through the window.
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Hidden leaf
It was already evening now and after a tiring day, Tsunade and Shizune were leaving the Hokage building.
"Today was a really busy day Lady Tsunade" Shizune said with ton-ton in her arms.
"Yes I know...with the pace things are progressing things are going to get busier from now on. I need some Sake and some beauty sleep now." Tsunade said while walking toward the market when she heard a squeak behind her from above.
She was already used to the voice now and knew what it was. "Looks like Yami has sent a letter. I don't know whether to curse or thank this kid for increasing and decreasing my worries at the same time.*sigh*"
Tsunade turned around and saw the bat come in front of her on a nearby branch. Shizune was about to take a step ahead but she noticed the bat looking at tonton which even freaked the poor pig.
"You are Yami's bat...You really might pounce on my dear tonton." Shizune said as she backed off. Tsunade chuckled as she walked forward and took the letter that was attached to the bat's legs.
She looked at Shizune and said "Let's go"
"Huh? Are we going back to the Hokage building?" Shizune asked.
"Anything involving that kid isn't simple. And if I think it is what it is then our work tonight is far from done." Tsunade said as she started walking back toward the Hokage building.
As they reach their office, Tsunade sat on the sofa and opened the letter. She read it for a few seconds and smirked in the middle which was a relief for Shizune since it meant that it was good news.
"That kid...he really is something else. I wonder how he managed to pull it off." Tsunade said as she looked at Shizune.
"What is written in there Lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked curiously.
"As Yami had reported previously, The Akatsuki did come to the hidden leaf. The Kazekage and the others were able to keep the fight a safe distance away from the village. They captured one member of the Akatsuki and the other 3 ran away." Tsunade said.
"Wow, that's wonderful. But Yami didn't write things in detail?" Shizune asked.
"No...Yami's main motive for writing this letter was to let us know that the Kazekage is safe and that he wants us to send backup at the sand." Tsunade said as she called out one of the Anbu guards and said "Tell Asuma and Kurenai to come here along with their team."
"Launching an offensive against the Akatsuki...I must say it is a bold move but if anything goes wrong then wouldn't that put the relationship between us and the hidden sand village in jeopardy?" Shizune asked. She wasn't much of a politician but she knew that Tsunade had worked hard on progressing the alliance with the hidden sand and hidden mist and now one of them could get in trouble if Yami's plan causes someone important from the hidden sand to lose their life.
After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door. Tsunade sat back in her chair behind the main table and said "Come in."
The door opened and Asuma and Kurenai along with their squad entered inside. They looked as if they were ready to leave right away.
"You all seem as ready as ever." Tsunade said as she looked at the big packed bag behind Choji and the other bags.
Asuma made a proud expression and said "You were the one who told us to be ready at a moment's notice if Kakashi and Guy's squad need us there. I am guessing that's why you have called us here?"
Tsunade nodded and said "Yes...We have got the basic report about the things that happened in the hidden sand. Yami along with the Kazekage and a few others faced 4 Akatsuki members and were able to capture one while making the others run away."
A wave of happiness passed through the office. Although they weren't shouting and cheering, they were all happy to hear it.
Asuma decided to spoil the happy moment and asked "If the attack was successfully defended then why are we being sent there?"
Tsunade didn't say anything for a few seconds and then passed on Yami's letter which was now on the table to Asuma.
Kurenai peeked to the side and asked "What's written in it?" Asuma read it in a few seconds and looked up at Tsunade and asked "Are you going to support this Lady Tsunade? It sounds very risky."
"what is it Asuma?" Kurenai asked more confused by Asuma's statement.
"Yami wants to launch an attack on the Akatsuki and that's why we are being sent." Asuma said to which Kurenai and the others were a little surprised. They knew that Yami would not sit idly when someone comes to attack him and goes back alive.
Asuma was worried because he wasn't sure if his squad would be able to handle someone like the Akatsuki members who are S-rank criminals. Although they have a good synergy, they lack experience.
Tsunade understood what was going on in Both the Jonin's mind and said "By the time you reach the hidden sand, it would be likely that Yami and the two squads will have already launched an offensive with the sand shinobis. Your task most probably would be to keep the village secure."
"Are you thinking that the Akatsuki might launch another attack on the village?" Shikamaru asked. Even though the hidden sand is regarded as the weakest of all the 5 villages but it can still face a mercenary organization head-on if they try their best to put up a fight.
Tsunade nodded and said "Yes, their objective was the tailed beast inside the Kazekage Gaara, and depending on how much importance it holds for them, they might come back."
'Was it really a good idea to serve another Jinchuriki to the Akatsuki when one is already in danger?' Shikamaru thought.
"I hope all your questions have been answered. You all should leave right away. When I get a detailed report from Kakashi, I will inform you all as well." Tsunade said as she handed over the official mission to Kurenai.
The entire group except Asuma turned around to leave when Asuma asked "I have one last question and a bit sensitive one."
Tsunade creased her forehead when she heard that. "What is it?" Tsunade asked. She didn't mind that the squad members were listening since Asuma asked this question while they were in the room.
"Whose orders are we supposed to follow? Normally we would follow Kakashi's but now it seems like Yami is the one spearheading this thing so I wanted to know who is in charge and if there will be any problem like a clash of experience and talent." Asuma asked. Kurenai and the kids also nodded as they didn't have the answer but were keen to find out.
"You won't face that problem...Yami knows better than to go against Kakashi and Asuma you are fit enough to handle such situations so don't disguise your question behind something else...Ask what is it?"
Asuma just sighed and said "I don't think it would be a good idea for Naruto to go on the offensive against the Akatsuki. By the time we reach hidden sand and are able to intercept him, can we have him stay back in the village?"
Asuma was not one to worry about things that were going to happen in the future but seeing the amount of chaos the Akatsuki was making and that too with a clear goal of obtaining the tailed beasts, serving the 9 tails on a silver platter didn't sound like a good idea. He didn't know why Tsunade wasn't making any effort to ensure Naruto's safety. Him being out for more than 2 years was not a problem since one of the Legendary sanin himself was watching over him but now Kakashi himself is not enough to stop the Akatuski and keep Naruto safe.