Hidden in the Waters [OLD VER]

2 - Tazuna Escort Mission タズナ護衛任務

~ Konohagakure ~

Danzo sat at his desk. 

The Godaime Mizukage had sent out papers to different countries for an alliance, with Sunagakure, Cha no Kuni, Nami no Kuni, Tori no Kuni, Hoshi no Kuni and Hoshigakure, Na no Kuni, Takigakure, Yuki no Kuni and Yukigakure, and Tsuki no Kuni accepting the Alliance thanks to Mizugen's efforts to help them. This alliance would be a threat to Konoha, especially with the members Kiri-Suna Alliance cutting all ties to Konoha. Konoha was losing trading partners and allies. 

Danzo had to do something. 'Assign ROOT Team 87 to intercept the Kiri-Suna escort mission for the representative of Nami no Kuni, Tazuna from Takigakure to Nami no Kuni.'

'Yes.' The ROOT ANBU said, as they went to fetch ROOT 87.

Soon, Uchiha Sasuke, Sai, Haruno Sakura, Hinoe and Hinoto gathered in Danzo's Office.

'You are to kill Tazuna and cast the blame on Kirigakure and Sunagakure. This is for the Leaf.' Danzo ordered. 'After the blame is set, go assassinate the Mizukage. The Kazekage's defence is too strong.'

'Yes, Danzo-sama.' Sasuke said, his Sharingan flaring, ready to go.

~ Takigakure ~

'You're the escorts?' Tazuna said, walking out with his grandson Inari.

Zabuza and the other escorts (11 members of the Seven Swordsmen and a Suna group named the Sand's Five Beasts) nodded.

'You again!' Tazuna exclaimed.

'Yes. I am a loyal Kirigakure shinobi, as well as one of your escorts.' Zabuza said calmly.

'Good. Let's begin the journey.' Tazuna ordered.

'Yes, Tazuna-san.' The escorts said politely, as the client was in charge of the shinobi enlisted.

The shinobi started their journey towards Nami no Kuni, everyone on their guard. 

Inari, fascinated by shinobi, had asked the escorts about being a ninja. The teenage boy wanted to learn ninjutsu, surrounded by expert shinobi of low Kage level. Haku had started educating the boy in simple Henge, chakra control, Kawarimi, and Bunshin Jutsu, having nothing to do and being nagged at by the teenager.

Soon, darkness filled the area and the moon hung over the dark blue sky. 

'The target is unguarded.' Sakura reported from the shadows.

'This is pathetic. Seriously?' Sasuke scoffed. 'Let's go.'

Sai quickly drew snakes. The snakes crawled into the room, only to be blown to bits.

'There are guards, Sasuke!' Sai whispered.

'Let's move in before we get in trouble!' Hinoe ordered.

'Yessir.' Sakura said, as ROOT 87 sneaked into another bush.

'Sasuke-kun!' Sakura exclaimed as Sasuke tripped on a wire.

'Well looky here, Konoha shinobi trying to assassinate our client.' A voice said. 'C'mon, Jinpachi! We've got company!'

'Hehehe.' Jinpachi said, gripping his blade. 'Let's do this, Kushimaru.'

'But how? You are supposed to be dead!' Hinoe exclaimed. 'Get ready for a fight!'

'Boss got someone to use Samsara of Life or something.' Jinpachi said. 'Assassins from Konoha!'

Sasuke activated his Sharingan as Sakura gripped her kunai knives. Sai prepared to draw while Hinoe and Hinoto started weaving hand seals.

'Shijima! Activate 5F! We need it active before we can use jutsu!' Gando, a member of Suna's Five Beasts, said, running outside. 'You can acquire your prize!'

The Five Beasts - Gando, Mena, Shijima, Shizegane, and Shinki rushed out to fight the Konoha team while the Mist's Four Warriors - Fuguki, Mangetsu, Raiga, and Juzo guarded Inari and Tazuna with Zabuza, Haku, and Ameyuri. Jinin, Kisame, and Chojuro guarded the other wing of the tent as the fight raged on.

Kushimaru and Jinpachi started battling with Shinki against Hinoe and Hinoto, while Shijima and Shizegane fought Sasuke and Gando and Mena battled Sakura and Sai.

Kushimaru and Jinpachi matched their attacks against Hinoe and Hinoto's ninjutsu, with the two swordsmen using Water Release occasionally to attack the 2 ROOT ANBU. Shinki, Gaara's adopted son, supplied Iron Sand to support and used his puppets and his fan to battle the Konoha ninja.

Shijima and Shizegane placed a 1 week Sharingan Seal on Sasuke, to stop him from copying ninjutsu. Shizegane used his Water Release to combat Sasuke's Fire Release and Shijima used her copied Wind Release to block Sasuke's ninjutsu.

Gando and Mena used their puppets, with the aid of Shinki, to fight off Sakura and Sai. Unfortunately for Tsunade Jr., the puppets had received a durability, speed, and strength seal from the Kazekage, who had received it from the Mizukage. Sakura's punches couldn't make a dent in the puppets, and Sai's fuinjutsu and Ink Beast Imitation had failed him miserably. The two helpless ROOT ANBU were easily immobilised by a Petrification Gauntlet on a puppet, improved on by the Yuki no Kuni blacksmiths. 

Most of the ninja tech used by the Suna and Kiri nin were originally for Konoha, but after the alliance had started, the tech had been rerouted to Suna and Kiri.

'Retreat!' Hinoe commanded, as the whole team bounced into the woods, the Konoha ninja grabbing Sai and Sakura.

'Let's hurry up and get the mission finished with.' Kushimaru said. 'We can't risk another assassination attempt. The Konoha nin won't risk a war once we step foot in Nami no Kuni. I'm guessing that they wanted to try to get support and get countries out of the Alliance. Kazekage-sama and Mizukage-sama will not be pleased.'

'Let us continue.' Shinki ordered the Beasts. 'Let's go!'

~ Unknown Location ~

'We must directly advance to the second task. They will be on alert, which means the first section is going to fail.' Hinoto commanded.

Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai prepared to depart.

'We'll use a week to rest and travel. Afterwards the mission shall commence. Kuchiyose Summoning!' Hinoe said, as a hawk appeared. 'Take this to Danzo-sama.'

'Time to wreck this.' Sasuke grinned.