The Wolf Within| The Possesions of the Wild series| Volume 2

3| A new adventure

"I'm sorry, what?" Kaiya spat out in shock, "But he's the Kazekage, goddammit! And I'm sure that everyone remembers what he did at the Chuunin Exams a few years ago. How can someone like him get in that position?"

Silence fell into the Hokage's office for a moment. Team Guy (and Neji) didn't seem capable of mustering a single word. Based on everyone's faces, it could've easily been told that they were all reminiscing Gaara's violent fight against Lee and Sasuke during the Chuunin exams two years prior. The images of Lee in the hospital, grieving for the possible loss of his shinobi career and then the joy of being salvaged and being brought back to track.

Kaiya would've thought that Gaara, as the current Kazekage was called, almost deserved getting kidnapped by a terrorist group for all his evil deeds, but then again morality and the rumours of his soul being cleansed of the nightmares of his past would've haunted her.

"Everyone is in shock," Tsunade said, calmly, "and I know that Gaara's actions have not been the best in the past. However, he is the Kazekage and it is critical not only for me but for the entire Fire Nation to keep a good bond with the Sand Nation. I can also assure you that in the past meetings that I have had with Gaara, he proved to be a better person than he was two years ago. That is why we need to do our best to help the Sand Nation now. They need our solidarity more than ever now."

It was indeed a good idea, Kaiya pondered, seeing the group's activities. If Konoha was to help find the Kazkage who was kidnapped by the terrorist group named Akatsuki, then Konoha will be viewed as a hero and a loyal friend.

"I've already sent Team 7 on their way to the Village Hidden in the Sand, but I'd like to send you as back up. I believe that some extra help would be more than welcome in that situation," Tsunade explained.

When Tsunade mentioned Kakashi, Kaiya could feel how for a moment, the gazes moved on to her. Despite the awkward feeling, Kaiya only bit her lip and kept looking forward.

"Team 7 has excellent shinobi, especially Kakashi-san," Neji pointed out, "Are we really necessary?"

"We don't know the exact skills of the Akatsuki," Shizune pointed out, "so we don't know what to expect. The thing we know best is that they're probably made out of some skilled shinobi who are a true threat, seeing how they managed to kidnap the Kazekage and be untraceable. In conclusion, the more shinobi to the aid, the better."

"Well said, Shizune," Tsunade said as she looked at her assistant for a moment, "You will go to the Sand Village and discuss your plan with Team 7. Retrieve the Kazekage and if you're not capable, at least take as much information about the Akatsuki as possible. If you happen to run into an Akatsuki member, do not fight on your own. They may try to separate you from your team members but your main focus then should be collecting information and escaping. Report to authorities as soon as you can. Is everything clear?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Guy answered, his grin glued to his face, "This mission will be finished and succesful before you'll even realise!"

"Then I expect nothing less," Tsunade smiled, "Good luck."

Team Guy nodded and with that, they were gone. As the group walked through Konoha's evening streets, they found themselves chatting happily in a manner that could've easily been interpreted that they were going on a vacation instead of a dangerous mission. It's a norm for a shinobi, Kaiya thought. After doing a number of risky missions, a shinobi would stop feeling so nervous and take it as it is instead of putting it to heart. Kaiya was sure that if a shinobi would put all his missions to heart, they'd certainly fail to ever find their happiness. As they walked through the streets, Tenten and Kaiya were walking a meter or so ahead of the boys.