Chapter 9

At the gate of the village hidden in the leaves, the expansive sky stretched above, painted with hues of gold as the sun cast its radiant glow upon the world below.

Taking his position at the gate, Kakashi leaned against the entrance, his trusty book held loosely in his hand. A backpack filled with provisions for their mission rested comfortably on his back. Sasuke, his hands nonchalantly tucked into his pockets, exuded an air of aloofness, his own bag securely fastened to his back. Standing beside the Uchiha, Sakura displayed a touch of nervousness as she fidgeted with her fingers, occasionally stealing shy glances at her crush. She, too, carried a backpack containing their essential supplies.

Meanwhile, Tazuna, the man they were tasked to protect on this mission, stood before them. He took a swig from his sake bottle, a hand resting confidently on his waist, while the weight of his luggage burdened his back. His gaze scanned the streets leading to the gate, and his eyes caught sight of a figure approaching—a young boy with spiky black hair. It was Menma.

Approaching the group with effortless confidence, Menma strode forward, his own bag slung casually over his shoulder. His demeanor exuded an undeniable sense of coolness and self-assurance.

Kakashi glanced up from his book, taking note of everyone present. With a slight lean forward, he tucked the book away into his pouch, ready to focus on the mission at hand.

"Now that everyone is here," Kakashi began, his tone serious, "Let's depart. With any luck, we can cover a significant distance before sundown." His gaze shifted towards the dense forest that lay ahead, its mysterious depths beckoning.

Tazuna's eyes scanned the assembled genin before voicing his concern, "Hey, are these brats really capable of keeping me safe?" He examined each of their behaviors, skepticism coloring his words.

Kakashi locked eyes with Tazuna, speaking evenly to address his doubts. "I assure you, they are not just a bunch of brats. They possess the necessary skills. Besides," he added, his eye crinkling into a smile, "If things go south, you don't need to worry. After all, I am a jonin."

Tazuna harrumphed, turning away in reluctant acceptance. Menma, however, looked at Tazuna with a hint of irritation. He felt offended to be grouped together with Sasuke and Sakura, knowing he was stronger than both of them combined.

Unable to contain his pride, Menma spoke up, his voice cutting through the air. "Oi, old man," he called out, appearing behind Tazuna in an instant, kunai pressed against his throat. "I'm more than capable of cutting you down right here, so don't test me." The threat lingered in the tense atmosphere, and Tazuna could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Reacting swiftly, Kakashi grabbed Menma by the wrist, prying his hand away from their client and diffusing the dangerous situation. "Apologies for the inconvenience," Kakashi said calmly, his grip firm yet reassuring.

Tazuna's widened eyes remained fixed on Menma, his voice trembling as he managed to utter his plea. His hands instinctively went to his neck, as if seeking protection from the threat that had just loomed over him. "Y-you better keep that br- boy under control," he implored, his words tinged with fear and concern.

Kakashi let out a weary sigh, his gaze shifting downward to Menma, who forcefully wrenched his hand from Kakashi's grip, displaying his defiance. With a dismissive scoff, Menma retorted, asserting his identity with unmistakable pride. "I'm not a brat. My name is Menma, Menma Uzumaki. So get it right, old man," he declared, his words laced with irritation. Nonchalantly, he secured his kunai back into his pouch, a clear indication that the immediate threat had subsided.

However, Menma's internal struggle was far from over. The voice of Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox residing within him, resonated within his mind, offering a subtle admonishment. "You really should learn to control your temper," Kurama advised, his tone tinged with a mix of wisdom and exasperation. Menma's arms crossed defiantly, a visible display of his frustration as he suppressed a scowl, striving to regain composure and keep his emotions in check.

-.-

As the group set off into the forest, unaware of the hidden observer watching them from the shadows of the trees, time passed, and the sun began its descent, casting a warm orange glow upon the surroundings, with hints of purple blending into the sky.

In a clearing within the dense forest, Sakura mustered the courage to ask Tazuna a question that had been weighing on her mind. Her voice carried a hint of curiosity and hesitation as she addressed the man. "Umm... Tazuna-san?" she began, capturing his attention momentarily, despite his slight irritation and wariness. "What?" Tazuna replied, his tone curt and guarded.

"You're from the Wave country, right?" She asked.

"What about it?" Tazuna replied with a question of his own.

Sakura took a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. She turned her gaze toward her silver-haired teacher, seeking further insight. "Umm... Kakashi sensei? Do they have ninjas in the Wave country too?" Her inquiry held a genuine eagerness to learn, contrasting with the nonchalant demeanor of Menma and Sasuke, who continued walking without much interest.

Kakashi, his lone visible eye glinting beneath his mask, responded with a hint of amusement in his voice. "No, not in the Wave country," he began, a note of intrigue evident in his tone. "But in some other countries... the culture and costumes may be different, but hidden villages exist, and so do ninjas." His words conveyed a depth of knowledge and experience.

Kakashi's explanation seemed to pique the interest of both Menma and Sasuke, drawing their attention to the conversation at hand. Sensing their curiosity, Kakashi continued, delving into a brief but enlightening discourse. "To many countries on the continent, the existence of a shinobi village signifies military power," he shared, emphasizing the strategic significance of such establishments. "They hold and maintain advantages over each other."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "However, it's not that the villages rule the countries; they merely stand equally with the country's government," Kakashi clarified, emphasizing the delicate balance between the two. "A small island country like the Wave country doesn't receive much interference from larger countries and may not need a shinobi village."

With a glimmer of pride in his eye, Kakashi proceeded to illuminate the young genin about the broader world of shinobi and the hierarchy that existed within it. "Within the many shinobi villages, Leaf, Mist, Cloud, Sand, and Stone are large and powerful. They are referred to as the five great shinobi countries," he revealed, instilling a sense of reverence for these formidable nations.

"And these are the only countries whose leaders receive the name 'kage'—the 'Five Kages'," Kakashi continued, his words carrying weight and authority. "Hokage, Mizukage, Raikage, Kazekage, and Tsuchikage—they reign over the thousands of ninjas in the world."

Sakura's excitement bubbled to the surface as she openly expressed her admiration for the Hokage, her voice filled with genuine awe. "Wow!! Hokage-sama is the best!" Her words resonated with enthusiasm, a testament to her belief in the legendary leader.

However, within Sakura's inner thoughts, a skeptical voice emerged. Inner Sakura scoffed, crossing her arms in front of her with a hint of doubt. 'That geezer is that incredible? Sounds fishy...' Her inner skepticism juxtaposed against her outward excitement, hinting at the complexity of her emotions and the lingering questions that remained unanswered.

Sasuke, walking alongside the group, maintained a stoic demeanor, his doubts about the Hokage's abilities lingering in the depths of his mind. Unresolved questions tugged at his thoughts, fueling his ever-present skepticism. The shadow of doubt cast a veil over his perception, as he wrestled with conflicting emotions and the desire to uncover the truth.

In contrast, Menma clenched his fists, his conviction unwavering. He possessed a deeper understanding of the Hokage's power and reputation. Memories of an old book he had read before he and Naruto were kicked out of the orphanage flashed through his mind. The knowledge he had gleaned spoke of the Hokage's immense strength and the title bestowed upon him: "God of Shinobi." The legacy of the first Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and his rivalry with Madara Uchiha, known as the ghost of the Uchiha, lingered within Menma's consciousness.

'God of Shinobi? Ha, I'll be the shinobi god slayer when I'm done with that old coote.' Menma thought as he forced a smirk through gritted teeth.

Noticing the undercurrent of doubt among his genin, Kakashi interjected, his perceptive gaze lingering on each of their reactions. "You guys just doubted Hokage-sama, didn't you?" he inquired, his words cutting through the silence. Sakura and Sasuke flinched subtly, their doubts laid bare, while Menma remained defiant, crossing his arms in front of him.

Kakashi's visible eye crinkled into a warm smile as he gently patted Sakura's head, seeking to alleviate their concerns. "But don't worry, there won't be any ninja combat in a C-Rank mission," he reassured them, his voice laced with a sense of confidence and experience.

Sakura's eyes widened with hope, her voice filled with a tinge of excitement. "Really!? Then we won't come in contact with foreign ninjas?" she asked, her inquiry tinged with an air of naivety. However, her question elicited a subtle flinch from Tazuna, positioned to the right of her sensei, hinting at hidden concerns and a deeper understanding of the risks involved.

Kakashi chuckled lightly, his laughter carrying an air of unawareness. "Of course not! Hahaha!" he exclaimed, his response aiming to put their worries to rest. Unbeknownst to him, Tazuna's expression shifted from stoicism to worry, his experiences and knowledge casting a shadow over the lighthearted reassurances. The weight of the mission and its potential dangers lingered in the back of his mind, reminding him of the realities that lay ahead.

-.-

A/N: I apologize for not updating the past couple weeks. I've just been swamped with school assignments as well as group activities and to top all off my tests begin this week so I won't be posting until sometime in July or thereabout. Again, I apologize.