Orange, Spirals and Everything Nice

Thirty-Four: Grown-up Rookies

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or the setting of the story. They all exclusively belong to Mr. Masashi Kishimoto in all its rights.

A/N: (Hey there! The next few chapters starting from this one is loosely based on the 'Power Arc' of Naruto Shippuden. My apologies in advance for any inconveniences that might arise. Though I hope you guys still enjoy it. Hee-Hee. Happy reading!)

When spring arrived, the Konoha Eleven including Sai, were suddenly summoned at the Hokage tower for an important mission. 

Everyone immediately felt nostalgic as they gathered together inside Kakashi's office that morning before the mission briefing. The very last mission they all carried out together was during the war, before they started to focus on becoming adults and facing their own duties and responsibilities. Which mostly includes improving themselves, helping their clan, and protecting village as usual. 

That's why suddenly being called for a mission as one team was rather odd, though at the same time, exciting. Because it sure brought back a lot of memories.

Lord Sixth started the group orientation about their mission after everyone had settled in.

"We received a message from Dokku-san, a villager from Hacho village located near the border of the Land of Fire. Does his name ring a bell?" Kakashi calmly informed them. The ninjas glanced at each other with a knowing look before nodding at the Hokage. 

The ninjas met Dokku and his family before, when they were sent to the same village to investigate an incident regarding the destruction of Tonika village---- a nearby town from Hacho. Which is the location of the so-called "Hole". Where Kabuto used to seek an enormous hidden power to accentuate his then imperfect, Edo Tensei jutsu just before the war. 

One thing led to another during the mission and they learned about the Ama no Hoko---- a massive, tower-like structure hidden beneath the hole. 

The said structure was indeed a great source of power but it was just as destructive to earth when used unceremoniously for evil purposes.  Fortunately, that mission ended successfully, thanks to Dokku and his family along with everyone---- or mostly Naruto for that matter. And the Ama no Hoko had peacefully receded back underneath the hole where it lay unmoved up to this day. 

"Dokku-san informed me in his letter that two nearby villages from Hacho were suddenly been terrorized and overtaken by a mysterious group who seeks the power of the Ama no Hoko for their own wicked purpose." Kakashi continued. 

"Unfortunately, Dokku-san can't give us more information about this mysterious group. That's why I'm counting on you guys to work on that. We don't know how many members they have or how powerful they are. Nor do we know their purposes for wanting to obtain such power. The only thing we could do now is to stop them at all costs before another world destruction takes place." the masked leader concluded.

The Konoha Eleven nodded at the Hokage as they accepted their mission. 

"Oh, and one more thing." the Sixth added with a faint smile behind his mask. "Sasuke might join you in the middle of the mission. I already sent a word and he said he'd start his own investigation when he gets to the border." the leader informed before he dismissed the team after wishing everyone good luck.   

___________________________________