Chapter 6

Together, we headed back to the village. I have to admit. It's kinda fun running with your hands stretched behind your back and your head out front.

"Why do you keep staring at me?" Ino asked, making me turn away from her. "It's very creepy."

"Nothing. I just noticed you're wearing a new shirt. I like it," I replied with a faint smile.

Her cheeks became red and she turned her face to hide them.

"Thanks, but it's still creepy," she mumbled to herself but I could hear her. When she turned back to me, her cheeks were back to their normal fair tone.

"You shouldn't go so far from the village to train you know. Kakashi sensei warned us about how dangerous it can get outside the village," I heard Hinata say, from behind me as we ran.

"You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself. Plus, the village is always so noisy. It's hard for me to concentrate," I replied, without a hint of emotion in my voice.

Now that I'm in Konoha, I have to keep up the act that I'm actually a Hidden Leaf Ninja. From what I've gathered, I'm a member of the senju clan, Ino and Hinata are my team-mates and Kakashi sensei is my team leader. Not bad. Since I'm a Senju, I guess this world is a bit different from the one I read in the manga.

"Still, that's no reason for you to just run off to dangerous places, Sukuna. As the last surviving male Senju, I don't think you value your safety as much as you should," Ino complained, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Don't you think so too Hinata?"

"You're right. Sukuna should really be more careful," Hinata said with her usual shy voice.

"It's good to know both of you care about me, but like I said, I can take care of myself," I reemphasized as we got to the gates leading into the village. I stopped running and placed my hands in my pocket.

"You again? Didn't the Hokage tell you not to leave the village without supervision?" A guard said, blocking our path.

Last surviving male member of the Senju Clan? That's a role more important than Naruto who bears the nine-tailed fox. Everyone seems to be very cocerned about me, but I can't help but feel like it's not a complete advantage.

"You are in my way." I looked up and linked eyes with the guard.

"Maybe I need to beat some sense into you so you know to respect your elders, kid," the guard responded, cracking his knuckles. "You think too highly of yourself."

"Sukuna, why don't you just-"

"Stay out of this Ino," I snapped, cutting her off without even looking at her. "Are you going to move yourself, or am I going to have to do it for you?"

"Why you." The guard lifted a hand and I instinctively reached for my kunai.

"I'll take it from here, Yuni," Kakashi called out from behind the guard making his hand freeze in the air.

He was waearing his usual jonin ninja uniform with a black long-sleeved shirt, fingerless gloves, and blue pants. A flak jacket hugged his chest, a forehead protector covered his left eye, and ninja sandals on his feet. As expected, Kakashi had his signature face mask on and his trademark silver, spiky hair. He seemed in a good mood.

"Kakashi." he turned. "Since you're here I guess I should report this brat for-"

"Whatever he did I'm sure he meant no harm. Come on kids, the Hokage is expecting us," Kakashi said, turning back in the direction of the village.

The guard stood mouth open like an idiot. I pushed him out of my way and caught up with Kakashi.

"Sukuna, I really don't understand you sometimes. You shouldn't go around making enemies in the village. You may not understand how valuable you are, right now, but if you keep flaunting orders, especially from the Hokage, you'll keep getting punished," Kakashi adviced as we walked side by side.

"Why would I get punished for doing something with good reason? I don't mind training here in the village but it can get really noisy here. I like training on my own without distractions," I explained with a defensive tone.

"Sukuna, a good shinobi must always obey his superiors."

"but Kakashi sensei-"

"You are just a genin. What if you were attacked by a rogue ninja? You come from a very powerful bloodline, and the five nations are well aware of your existence. Until you become strong enough to handle yourself, it is the duty of every shinobi in the village to protect you. Please, don't make it harder than it needs to be. Okay?"

"Yes, Kakashi sensei."

"Good."

"Kakashi sensei?" Hinata called out from behind us.

"Yes, Hinata?"

"Why are we going to the Hokage's office?"

"I'm not sure, but I suspect it's a new mission."

"Finally, some action. It's been a month since we last got a mission. I hope it's nothing lame," I said with much enthusiasm as I quickened my steps.

I looked around and everything was just like it is in the manga.

The Hidden Leaf Village was a bustling and peaceful place; everyone went about their daily lives. There were lots of towering buildings and sprawling streets. We passed by a few other genin ninjas training in the open fields, merchants selling their wares in the market, and little kids playing in the streets.

None that mattered though.

It's kinda ironic that a village this peaceful was often targeted by enemy nations; That sometime in the future, the Six Paths of Pain will attack.

After walking for some time, we made it to the Hokage's office. From what I can remember, Tsunade should be the Sixth Hokage in charge. I don't know exactly how we're related, but my birthmother brought me here from another village claiming she was the grandaughter of the first Hokage; Hashirama Senju.

It's a really complicated family-tree.

Although I can't help but wonder what mission Tsunade has for my team.

"Lady Sixth."

We all gave a salute, standing before the Hokage in her office. Tsunade was wearing a green, high-collared, sleeveless robe with a white diamond-shaped mark on the front. She had her usual necklace on. Her Hokage cap was on her desk.

"Team 7, I have an urgent mission for you. I won't have called for such a delicate mission, but all the other teams are still in the field and you're the only one available," Tsunade explained, standing up with her hands placed on her table. It was evident in her tone that she was being very serious.

"What's the mission?" Kakashi asked, folding his hands.

"Five days ago, a travelling leaf ninja sent a message that he had discovered an ancient underground chamber in the Hidden sand. He described the chamber to have been a clan meeting place for the Senju Clan."

"If that's true, there could be hidden secrets of the village and powerful weapons in that chamber," Kakashi pointed out.

"Precisely. The ninja's name is Kaito Okuda. He was to guard the chamber until I could send a team to check it out. We were communicating until he went silent yesterday.

"I can't help but feel something is wrong. I want you all to go to the Hidden Sand and check out if what he says is true." She sighed. "If indeed, such a Chamber exists and it contains valuable relics, I want you to guard it until I can send more people to bring them to the Village's vault."

"Understood," Kakashi answered. "This is indeed a very delicate mission."

"One more thing." Tsunade started, taking her seat. "Under no circumstance must the Kazekage find out. You are dismissed."

We turned to leave when I heard my name come out of Tsunade's mouth.

"Sukuna, wait. I want have a chat with you. Alone."

Oh fuck!