ANBU boot camp

Chapter 39

"So, what is our plan?" Shika asked as he and most of the other kids walked away from the training grounds.

Sakura and Ino had gone to speak with their mothers, Hinata had vanished after a nod to her teammates.

"I think we should go check on Konohamaru and the kids," Choji replied.

"Seems like an idea," Kiba nodded. "We haven't hunted the little brats in a while, let's see how well we do without Naruto there."

Shino nodded, "Sounds fun, do you three wish to join?" she asked as she looked at team 9.

Sure," Lee replied and TenTen just nodded.

"Why?" Neji asked he was not being rude he was just confused.

"We learned that Naruto was right in befriending the kids," Shino started. "And many of our improvements over the years can be directly linked to our time with them."

"Plus, it's fun," Choji smiled.

"Yeah, your grandfather seems to encourage it," Kiba spoke up. "Maybe there is a lesson for you to learn."

The Hyuga just looked at them and nodded.

"Great, let's go hunt some brats," Kiba shouted as Shikamaru nodded.

"We should get Sakura and Ino," TenTen spoke up.

The group looked at her, then the Nara just nodded.

"Good idea I think they are ready to handle the kids," he spoke and nodded to Shino

What the kids did not know was Anko, Kurenai and the rest of the older shinobi including the mothers were watching and listening.

"I think they have a good idea," Anko grinned evilly. "Let's hunt some brats."

"Where is Hinata?" Tsubaki asked as she looked around.

"At our home," Kurenai replied. "She does not like the fact Naruto is running the Gauntlet without her."

Most nodded as they thought about that.

"How does she plan to handle when Naruto is out on a mission without her?" Shizune asked.

The group as one turned to her then as one they realized.

"You have never run the Gauntlet," Raidō spoke. "Dangerous life threating missions are one thing; The Gauntlet is an entirely different animal."

Shizune looked confused but noticed that most of the older shinobi had a look in their eyes,

"I'll make sure you are in the group when Hana has her turn at it," Tsume smiled.

Hana for her part was startled by this and turned to her mother with a look of concern, shock, and a little betrayal.

"No puppy of mine will avoid going through it at least once, your 'Younger' brother already has his star," Tsume smiled at her daughter.

"Enough chatting," Anko called as she fidgeted. "Let's go get the brats, last time they played us and I want some payback."

Mai had left the noodle stand after making sure Chief was not drinking any alcohol and made her way to Hinata's house, she did not bother to knock as she slipped in and went to Hinata's room. There she found the girl sitting at her table brushing her hair out. Mai noticed the hair had grown to cover most of her rear end.