Let It Burn: Life [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 3

It was surprising how quickly the Hokage wished for Team 7 to return to the field two members down. They stood in front of the desk awaiting orders. The woman glanced over the files laid out and signed a few before the scrolls were set to the side. Finally, she decided on one. The minute she relayed their plan of action and was met with silence it was obvious this C-Ranked mission did not sit well with one particular individual.

"What?" Naruto exclaimed. "I'm not going on that kind of mission!"

Cocking a brow, her piercing gaze honed in on the Genin. "Eh? What kind of response is that?" Tsunade asked.

Kakashi gulped. He feared for the teen's life and his own from the refusal by the blonde. This wasn't the Third, who could so easily look over his childish behavior. This woman was frightening and when she wanted a job done... well, she always got her way.

"Geez, you haven't mentally matured at all, have you, Naruto," Iruka sighed.

The Chuunin sat beside the woman to help the Hokage comb through the missions and assign them to incoming teams.

"S-Sorry, sensei," Sakura apologized.

Even she was nervous. An arm wrapped tightly around his neck in order to drag him towards another part of the room.

"I'll sort him out."

"The Third was a lot more sensible..." Naruto grumbled under his breath.

"What did you say?" Tsunade snapped.

The pink-haired ninja's grip changed. She began to choke and shake her idiot partner.

"Cut it out, damnit!" she hissed.

The door was thrown open as a ninja rushed into the room out of breath. He bowed in apology before exclaiming, "Fifth! Emergency!"

"What is it?" the woman asked.

"We've received word from the Sand! The Kazekage has been captured by the organization, Akatsuki!"

Immediately, Naruto was released, as the situation grew serious. Tsunade's eyes narrowed. Finally, they had made their move and had chosen to go after the One-Tail. They had to act quickly.

"Team Kakashi, I'm assigning you a new mission," she said. "You are to go immediately to the Sand, find out the situation and relay it to Konoha. After that, follow the orders of the Sand and back them up!"

She watched the team quickly leave the room to gather extra gear for the journey. The woman stood as Iruka quickly rushed to keep up. They planned to see off the team at the gate.

"How did they manage to capture the Kazekage?" the young man asked. "No one could touch him in the Chuunin Exams... or on any other mission according to reports."

"The Akatsuki aren't just any enemy," Tsunade answered. "They're trained assassins, trackers, criminals. We can only hope the Kazekage is still alive."

Team 7 appeared at the gate shortly after their arrival. Kakashi was taking in their pouch inventory of what they had to work with.

"They are finally making a move and we have to fight back to keep them at bay."

Nodding, Iruka turned to Naruto, smiling, "Do your best."

The teen grinned in reply as there was a puff of smoke. Jiraiya had appeared.

"Going on a mission, eh, Naruto?" the older man asked.

"Yes, sir!" he answered excitedly.