My Brother's a Jinchūriki!

Chapter Twenty-Two- A Dangerous Mission! Meet with the Informant! Part One

"Natsumi!" Kiri banged on the apartment door with a grin. "Open up! We've got a mission briefing!"

Natsumi looked up as she put away the last piece of laundry and smiled at the familiar voice. She ran to the door and threw it open.

"Kiri!" She beamed at the other girl. "Sena!"

Kiri leaned her arm against the doorframe. "Stop whatever you're doing and come with us. We're going to get briefed now."

"We?" Natsumi's smile grew. "Does that mean...?"

"That we're being assigned as a three-man-squad?" Sena smiled wryly and nodded. "It absolutely does!"

Natsumi squealed and hugged them. "I'm so excited!" She released then and ran back inside, waving them in. "You can come in. I'll be ready in just a second."

They stepped inside and Natsumi quickly watered the plant on the kitchen shelf, brushed her teeth, and then grabbed her jacket. Kiri eyed the pictures on the wall and chuckled as she pointed to one. "Aww... Natsumi... look at how cute and little you were! Sena, look!"

Sena turned to follow's Kiri's gaze and her eyes widened at the picture of Natsumi and Naruto at five years old.

"Oh my gosh! You guys were so cute!"

Natsumi crossed her arms and made a face. "I look like such a baby there. No wonder everyone picked on me."

Sena giggled. "Maybe they were just jealous of how adorable you were."

"Yeah, right." Natsumi laughed and put her shoes on. "All right; I'm ready now."

"Don't worry, Natsumi, you're still adorable." Kiri patted her head.

Natsumi rolled her eyes and swatted her hand away, leading them out before locking the door behind her.

"Come on; I thought we were in a hurry?"

Sena laughed and nodded, and led the trio to the ANBU headquarters. They changed into their uniforms and rested their masks on the top of their head, and then stepped into the briefing room. The Hokage and Captain both stood waiting for them.

"Right on time." The Hokage nodded in acknowledgment and waved them closer.

"Alright, you three." Yuuri addressed them coldly in a rigid stance and her eyes narrowed at Natsumi. "Lord Third is briefing you directly today. Pay attention."

Hiruzen cleared his throat and glanced at the woman, then to three agents.

"Several weeks ago, we received a tip that the Abe Clan is actively working to betray the Daimyo and ignite a war between nations."

Natsumi's eyes widened slightly. It's just like Ahmya said! She straightened and listened closely.

"They were approached approximately six months ago by an unidentifiable man who struck a deal with them."

Natsumi glanced to Kiri and Sena both from the corner of her eye as they both stood at attention. Natsumi copied, gulping.

They both look so rigid and serious... I've never seen them like this before.

She turned her attention back to the Hokage as he approached the large table in the center of the room with a map laid out on its surface.

"Our informant claims he is a son of the Clan leader, Hideji Abe, but has kept his own name private. Lord Abe has six sons, and we believe our informant to be Hasu, the youngest." Hiruzen paused. "He's come forward out of fear. According to his information, the mastermind of this plot is filling their heads with delusions of grandeur- promising to make Hideji the new Daimyo, and his family has begun to act... mad."