Chapter 46: The Undercurrents

After a day of travel, a team of ninjas from Konoha relieved Shin of his escort duties and Shin reported back to the Hokage who listened intently. Shin deposited the body of Kakuzu as well since had no reason to keep it. Hidan however, he lied about; dismissing him as just a ninja with a regeneration jutsu that was not worth studying.

Hokage praised him for his work and took out a document from the drawers, handing it to him, "You seem to have made quite an impression on my former student." the old man smiled at the boy as he read through the document. It was a recommendation for Jonin promotion by Jiraiya.

Shin handed back the document after reading it, "I will accept any decision without contest." The hokage was not surprised at Shin's words, they were both aware that the elder and the clans would likely reject this promotion due to Shin's history; otherwise getting a recommendation from a sannin was a guaranteed promotion that the whole village would readily accept. "While it's too early for a full promotion, I do believe that Jiraiya's recommendation has some merit and as such, you are being promoted to the rank of Special Jonin; you will have all the privileges that come with the Jonin rank but none of the authority." Shin nodded as he accepted the promotion and went downstairs for the documentations.

After he was done, it was nighttime and he was tired so he headed immediately towards his house but stopped some distance away, 'Guess that's that for getting rest huh…' Shin could feel several individuals inside his house but he didn't worry as he knew exactly who they were.

As soon as Shin entered the house, *POP!* "CONGRATULATIONS!" confetti rained down on him as jubilant cries of congratulations and blessings sounded throughout the house; wishing him a happy birthday and also congratulating him for his promotion. There was Kakashi, Haruki, Ibiki, Chikori and the cutest little baby Shin had ever seen; Shiharu was in her father's arms, with her short purple hair and squishy chubby cheeks.

Shiharu was clapping with her small hands before getting distracted and trying to catch the falling confetti. Shin rightfully ignored everyone and made a beeline towards her, grabbing her and rubbing his cheek against her's and squishing the other one, "Shiharu~ I missed your cheeks!"

The girl enjoyed it for a bit before getting annoyed and clawing for her father. Shin Let her go and the group started to feast with everyone except Kakashi giving him a gift, the man only had one thing to say, "I was busy." Shin however would not have it, this freeloader had more than once mooched off him, "It's fine, you can get it to me tomorrow." Shin spoke with a blatantly fake smile.

"Oh come now, it's the feeling that matters." the white haired ninja smiled through his mask.

"You're right, you can just give me cash then." Shin smiled back.

"But you already have cash, what are you going to do with so much?" he asked with (fake) genuine curiosity.

"I am going to hire the best painter on the continent to capture Shiharu's cuteness." Shin spoke seriously.

The party lasted for only an hour as Shin was left alone to rest after his long mission. Shin crashed onto the bed with Pineapple and slept till the morning. He was given 1 week off so he decided to pay a visit to the pandas.

While he was gone, the world continued to turn and dark undercurrents continued to muddle the waters. In a distant and vibrant city that was known as the heart of the land of fire and served as the seat of power for the ruler of the land; the fire Daimyo.

Inside the royal castle, the Daimyo sat behind a screen as he listened intently to the guard's report before questioning him curiously, "Tell me more about this cat ninja, he seems interesting."

The guard bowed his head as he replied, "Yes my lord. He seemed different, unlike the rest… he seemed kinder but was also very powerful. He defeated the enemy ninja very quickly and even left to help Jiraiya sama."

"Hooh, so he works with Jiraiya huh… he must be strong." The Daimyo spoke with curiosity as the other occupant of the room, an old minister that Shin had previously encountered at the Hokage's office, dismissed the guard before turning to his lord, "My lord, I've received a report on this rouge group; they are all very powerful. I suggest we delay the signing ceremony until Konoha can deal with them."

Daimyo's expression changed to his words as he became agitated, "I told you! I told you that dream was a prophecy! Rogue ninjas attacking this city, fire everywhere!" The minister remained silent as the Daimyo spoke with fear and anger.

The old minister had been told of this dream more than a month ago when he dismissed it as nothing more than a nightmare but looking at the situation now, the old minister couldn't help but think of it as a prophecy. First a nobel and close aide of the Daimyo had died mysteriously and then his son and now the attack on the princesses. 'We are lucky that the Konoha ninja found them when they did, whose stupid idea was to move them and more importantly… How were they found out? Only a few people knew of it, that's why only low level guards were deployed as sending a powerful guard would be very easily noticed… This can mean only one thing.' sweat appeared on his back as the thought crossed his mind, 'We have a traitor inside the castle!'

"Are you listening?" Daimyo's voice woke him from his thoughts as the old minister nodded, "Yes my lord."

The Daimyo saw the old minister and continued, "Tell the Hokage that I want that cat ninja when I travel for the treaty! Oh and wasn't there another cat ninja?"

"Do you mean Kakashi Hatake? The copy cat ninja?" the old man answered helpfully.

Daimyo's eyes widened as he nodded like a child, "Oh yes! I want him too! They will ensure my safety!" The old minister nodded as he bowed and left, 'Right, it was his idea to move the princess.'

Meanwhile the Daimyo pondered, "Hm… I wonder if I should get a cat?"

............

At the same time, in a crowded city, hidden within the various dark alleys was a singular man, hidden among the shadows as only his voice could be heard as it addressed a man with an orange mask, "You failed, our employer doesn't take kindly to failure." There was glee in his voice as he mocked the man in the orange mask.

"We lost two of our men. They were against one of the legendary sannin. It seems to be quite a coincidence that the moment they attacked, they were ambushed by one of the strongest ninjas of Konoha." The akatsuki member's voice was laced with threat.

The shadow didn't back down, instead went on the offensive, "Don't blame us for your failure. Our employer risked quite a bit to give you this opportunity. We hired you because you had a reputation of always delivering, guess it's all just baseless rumors."

The tension thickened in the alley but in the end it was the Ataksuki member that backed down. He didn't think that they were being played because even if the employer worked through an intermediary, Obito knew exactly who it was and it was not their first time assassinating the royalty of the land of fire on this employer's behalf. "We will deliver, don't worry." Obito assured him.

The shadow shook his head, "If the Daimyo catches even a hint of your shadow near the capital, he will have the Konoha ninja flooding the whole city which will make things difficult for us. The princess was never the real target anyways, we will take care of it. The employer has something else in his mind for you. Khehehehe." his eerie laughter echoed off the walls.