The team's beginning was strained. With three members from the same clan, one would expect them to work well. However, the team struggled to meld and work together. Luckily, even with such drawbacks, their talents overwhelmed the challenges. And so, two months passed in a blink.
Arashi and the rest of Team 2 strode into the Hokage's office, fresh from a completed mission.
Knock! Knock!
"Come in!" Hiruzen's voice boomed from within.
They entered and knelt before him and Iruka-sensei. "Our mission has been accomplished," Itachi reported, handing over a sheaf of papers.
"Very well, Team 2." Hiruzen glanced at his documents. "Your next assignment is..."
"Old man."
All eyes snapped to Arashi, surprise etched on their faces.
A vein throbbed on Iruka's temple. "That is not how you address the Hokage!"
"Iruka," Hiruzen interjected, a calming hand raised. "Let the boy speak." He turned to Arashi. "What is it you wish to request?"
"I'd like a tougher mission," Arashi declared, his voice steady.
"A tougher mission, eh?" Hiruzen mused, drawing on his pipe. 'Strange coincidence that Naruto's Team 7 also requested a tougher mission today.' He nodded. "Let's see..." He flipped through the papers and pulled one out. "How about this one? A C-rank mission, starting tomorrow morning."
"Lord Third, a C-rank so soon?" Iruka questioned, his tone laced with concern.
Hiruzen nodded. "A simple guarding duty. There are no dangers involved." 'Especially for him,' he thought to himself.
"A hot spring owner requires guards for his journey to a small town in the Land of Fire. This mission will take you outside the village, but I'm confident Team 2 can handle it. You've been quite impressive lately."
"Very well, then." Hiruzen stamped the mission document. Before he could even look up, Arashi had vanished in a flicker.
"Huh?" Kazuya and Miyu exclaimed in unison, their eyes widening as they watched Arashi disappear through the still-open door.
"What's his problem?" Kazuya questioned, a puzzled frown marring his features.
"Yeah, that's so unlike him," Miyu agreed, her voice laced with concern.
Itachi, his back to them, cast a sorrowful glance over his shoulder. "It's a long story," he murmured, his voice heavy with unspoken words.
Hiruzen sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Let's move on," he instructed, attempting to regain control of the meeting and continue assigning missions.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Konoha, Ino Yamanaka weaved through the bustling marketplace, her arms laden with a vibrant bouquet for her father's shop. Two meal coupons for a newly opened restaurant nestled in her pocket, a gift from her father. Initially, she planned to invite Sakura, but her friend was away on a mission.
"Who else can I ask?" she wondered aloud, her gaze flitting across the crowd without truly registering anyone.
Lost in thought, she bumped into someone, sending her carefully arranged flowers tumbling to the ground. "Oof..." she mumbled, crouching down to retrieve them.
"Ino-chan! I'm so sorry!" Arashi exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine concern. He knelt beside her, helping gather the scattered blossoms.
"No, it's my fault," Ino assured him, her cheeks flushing with a warmth that had nothing to do with the afternoon sun. "I wasn't paying attention." Their fingers brushed as they reached for a fallen lily, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.
As they walked side-by-side, Ino's mind raced. This could be the perfect opportunity. Arashi always seemed so focused on missions and training. A relaxing meal could be a welcome change of pace.
"So, Arashi," she began, sounding casual, "any dinner plans?"
Arashi looked up from the book he was carrying, his dark eyes meeting hers. "Not really. Why?"
Ino took a deep breath, steeling her nerves. "Well, I have these two coupons for a new restaurant. Would you like to join me?"
A flicker of hesitation crossed Arashi's face, a rare display of uncertainty from the usually composed shinobi. Then, a spark of curiosity lit up his eyes. "Sure," he replied, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I'd like that."
Ino and Arashi strolled through the vibrant streets of Konoha, their footsteps falling in sync, yet their minds miles apart. "We haven't had a chance to really talk since we were kids," Ino mused aloud, a hint of wistful nostalgia in her voice. "I've been so busy..."
"Ino-chan, I—" Arashi began, but his words abruptly ceased. His gaze sharpened, locking onto a figure perched on a distant rooftop.
Ino, unaware of the shift in his demeanor, brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "Did you say something?"
Arashi shook his head, a forced smile masking the tension in his jaw. "I'm... sorry. I have to go."
Before Ino could react, he vanished, leaving her standing alone with a fistful of crumpled coupons. "Arashi..." she whispered, her voice heavy with disappointment and a touch of worry. 'That sudden, intense look in his eyes... what had caused it?'
Arashi materialized on the rooftop, his back pressed against the cool tiles, his heart pounding. "Well?" he demanded, his voice sharp with irritation. "You took my time away. I hope you have a good reason for this."
Beside him stood the Third Hokage, his gaze sweeping across the village below.
"What's your excuse, old man?" Arashi's voice echoed with barely contained rage. "You made a promise."
His Rinnegan flared to life, the intricate pattern within his eyes a testament to his power and the depth of his emotions. He stared at the Hokage, demanding an explanation.
"Pardon my intrusion," Hiruzen began, his voice calm and steady, "but I have a task for you."
Arashi closed his eyes, his frustration simmering. "Tell me," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm, "do you feel powerful whenever you interrupt the lives of everyone else? Do you feel special?"
Hiruzen met Arashi's gaze, a flicker of surprise crossing his weathered face. "Let's continue this elsewhere," he suggested, his tone firm but not unkind. With a subtle shift of chakra, he vanished.
Arashi released a sigh, his anger still bubbling beneath the surface. He formed a single-handed seal and followed the Hokage, his form dissolving into a fleeting gust of wind.
They arrived at Hiruzen's private residence. Arashi recognized the familiar path, the meticulously maintained garden leading to the traditional home. "Please, come in and have some tea with me," Hiruzen offered, gesturing towards the entrance.
"Tch!" Arashi scoffed, his irritation evident. "All this fuss just to sip tea?"
Hiruzen chuckled nervously. "Haha... sorry..." he mumbled, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple.
Inside the mansion, Arashi stood before the Hokage, his arms crossed, his expression a mixture of impatience and resentment.
Hiruzen sighed, gesturing towards a nearby chair. "Please, sit down. Would you like some tea?"
"You didn't answer my question," Arashi pressed, his gaze unwavering. "Does it make you feel special when you barge into other people's lives?"
Hiruzen opened his mouth to respond, but Arashi raised a hand, silencing him. "Enough of this," he said, his voice firm but controlled. "What do you want from me?"
The Third Hokage met Arashi's gaze, acknowledging the young shinobi's directness. "Very well," he conceded, adjusting his Hokage hat slightly. "There's a mission that requires your... unique skill set."
Arashi's expression remained stoic, but his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What kind of mission?"
"It's a reconnaissance mission, but not a typical one," Hiruzen explained, his tone grave. "We've received intelligence about unusual activities in a remote area of the Land of Fire. Activities that suggest more than just bandits or rogue ninja."
"And you think this has something to do with me?" Arashi questioned, skepticism evident in his voice.
"Not directly with you, but with something that could threaten the village and potentially the entire shinobi world," Hiruzen clarified. "We need someone of your capabilities to investigate and assess the situation. Discretion is key, and your abilities make you uniquely suited for this task."
Hiruzen paused, then added, "And as a shinobi of the village, your duty to protect the village and its reputation comes before any personal grievances."
Arashi scoffed. "Don't play coy with me, old man. You want to use my Rinnegan for your purposes. You've been doing it since you convinced me to become a shinobi. A weapon and tool at your disposal." His voice hardened. "One last time, Hokage. I will protect this village, but only because Naruto calls it home. If anything happens to him, I will burn this place to the ground."
Hiruzen inhaled deeply, the weight of Arashi's words settling heavily upon him. "Very well," he responded, his voice surprisingly calm. "Thank you."
Arashi turned to leave, his anger still simmering beneath the surface. But at the rooftop's edge, he paused, glancing back at the Hokage. "I expect my team to be ready by the time I'm there. Give the word."
And with that, he vanished in a flicker of movement, leaving Hiruzen alone with his thoughts and the daunting task ahead.
A bead of sweat trickled down the Hokage's forehead. "He sees right through me," he murmured to himself. "Perhaps I have underestimated him."
With a heavy heart, Hiruzen stood and summoned an Anbu. "Assemble Arashi's team," he ordered. "It's time for their mission."