Until We Meet Again (Part 3 to the TBT Trilogy)

Chapter 4

The following day, I was already deployed for another mission. Naruto was sent about two days ago after our dinner at Ichiraku, but I wasn't sure about the specifics of his mission. Today, I was sent on my mission alone. A small village near the Land of Hot Water requested help because a person was killing people for no reason.

Walking through the forest, I wondered who would do something so unsettling. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease, knowing that this person was likely already inside the village. They seemed dangerous, but I was determined to stop them from harming more innocent people.

After all, Lady Tsunade sent me for a reason. 

I walked to the entrance and saw two men standing by the gate. Their faces were almost panicked, but they breathed a sigh of relief when they recognized my headband. 

"You must be the Leaf ninja we requested help from," The first spoke. "I'm glad you're here. My name is Raizo, and this is my partner, Hide," 

"My name is Hana," I replied, following them inside the village. 

The villagers eyed me with suspicion, but I knew they were just worried because of the random killings happening. The air was tense and thick with anxiety.

"It's awful," Hide sighed as we walked to the tower where the feudal lord stayed. "We used to have lots of tourists, but we had to close the tourist attractions, and now we worry for the safety of the children here,"

I couldn't help but feel angry hearing that. 

"And our men have already died trying to stop them," Raizo added. 

"Well, I'll stop them," I said, causing them both to look at me with surprise and disbelief. 

"Uh, no offense, but I don't think you can take them down by yourself, given how dangerous they are," Raizo replied. "We have others who will come with you to stop them,"

"I was sent for a reason, you know," I said determinedly. "I won't let a couple of low lives get me,"

Hide and Raizo opened the feudal lord's tower doors and let me through first. I quietly thanked them, and they continued to lead me down the hall.

We stopped at the door at the end of the hall, and Raizo knocked. He opened it when we heard a "come in," the feudal lord was sitting at his desk, eyebrows furrowed with stress. He looked at my headband and raised an eyebrow.

"So, the Slug Queen sent you?" He asked, almost sounding disappointed.

"You don't sound pleased," I replied as respectfully as possible.

"Well, I don't mean to offend you, miss, but I was hoping for someone like Kakashi of the Sharingan or Asuma Sarutobi. I have a feeling who this person is, and someone with their skillset could definitely take them down," He said. "Someone as young as you might see their demise with him,"

"Well, I happen to be the same age as them," I said. "I know I may not seem much, but Lady Tsunade sent me here for a reason. They are both on a mission right now and couldn't be called in,"

I was surprised that he thought I was younger than them and at how much he underestimated me. If I told him my last name, he would probably stop underestimating me, but there's no need for that. 

"Very well," He sighed. "I'll debrief you, but I will be sending Raizo and Hide along with you,"

I internally rolled my eyes at how much he was underestimating me.

"I have a feeling who this individual is," The daimyo started. "Long ago, there used to be a young boy here who would get into trouble frequently. He was always getting into fights, and when he was older, he murdered people in cold blood because of a cult he joined. He wasn't happy with the way our village was turning out and murdered more people. We went to great lengths to stop him, but it failed."