Blind (Discontinued)

18

Team Kakashi and their three apprentices, all in standard ANBU garb, were on the road to a gambling town on the borders of the land of Fire and the land of Sound. Since Naruto, Sasuke, and Takumi were still in training, they had on special blank masks which signified their apprentice status to all other ANBU. They would keep those blank masks until their apprenticeship was up and they were made official Leaf ANBU, after which they would receive custom ANBU masks and be placed on their own ANBU teams based on the results of their year long tutelage. (A/N don't worry, only someone stupid would purposefully attack anyone strong enough to be ANBU in training, especially if they have the squad in charge of training them with them)

They were heading to said gambling town after catching word that Tsunade of the Sanin was rumored to be headed in that direction. The purpose of this mission was to find and bring the famed slug princess back to the village as well as prepare the three thirteen year olds for the year of rigorous training ahead.

They had to stop multiple times along the way because Naruto had pretty much lost the ability to travel long distances as quickly and efficiently as possible. While he may have stamina, his body isn't in the same condition it was before his accident. By the time they got to the town, it was almost dark. Not that it really mattered, considering ANBU are trained to be able to complete a mission in the worst possible conditions, but it's a good measurement of time since they left before sunrise.

Evidently there had been a bit of a celebration, because not only were most buildings packed with people, but they were all drunker than usual. One of the good things about getting to the town later than planned is the elongated shadows that made it easier to stay out of view. The group split up, Sasuke with Kakashi, Takumi, and Keisuke, while Naruto went with Tenzo and Ryosuke.

"So, what are we looking for?" Naruto asked the two older ANBU quietly.

"'A blond woman with her hair in two long, low pigtails, a rather large chest, and is more than likely drunk and waisting money gambling,' as Keisuke would say," Ryosuke replied. Tenzo smiled discreetly but kept his attention focused on the many bars and gambling halls. Naruto was about to remind them he couldn't see colors anymore, but decided to keep quite and see if they remembered his little dilemma.

They'd been walking for about an hour, cycling past the same buildings, keeping an eye out for the long haired, busty woman, when Sasuke mentally contacted Naruto.

"Naruto, we've found her. We're currently in pursuit," the Uchiha said.

"Got it. I'll let the others know and we'll meet up as soon as we can," Naruto replied before telling Tenzo and Ryosuke what Sasuke said.

The sun had finally finished it's descent, freeing the stars to roam the night sky under the watchful gaze of the crescent moon as the group of Leaf ANBU reunited outside a small inn near the outskirts of town.

"Is this where she retired for the night?" Tenzo asked, a brisk night breeze blowing through the inn's closed shutters.

"That's correct," Kakashi nodded.

"So what's our plan of action? Sneak in and grab her in the dead of night?" Keisuke asked.

Kakashi slowly turned to look at his blond teammate. "Do you have a death wish?" he asked, deadly serious.

"Not particularly, why?"

Ryosuke sighed softly. "Must you be reminded who we're dealing with, Keisuke? This is Tsunade of the Sannin, the slug princess. One does not sneak up on her and live to tell the tale."

Kakashi was about to say something, but he got interrupted by Keisuke. "Let me guess, Ryosuke's correct?" the blond Takahashi asked annoyed.

"Yes, he is. The best way to handle this is civilly. Meaning, let's go talk to the slug princess," Kakashi agreed and, ignoring Keisuke's annoyed tone, led them into the inn.