~*****~

Every morning, I'd start my day at the Hyuga Manor, learning every single chakra point on a Shinobi's body, and putting what I'd learned into training with dummy's. Slowly, but surely, I'd learned how to sever the chakra points by expelling chakra from the tips of my fingers. Then, I'd head down the Hokage mansion to train along side Sakura in medical ninjutsu. At noon, I'd stop to have a hearty lunch before meeting Guy-Sensei, Lee, and Ten Ten in the forest for intense taijutsu training. After Three, I'd return to Lady Tsunade and being preparations for the upcoming Jonin Exam. At night, if he was around, Kakashi would train with me until about ten. Then, I'd turn in to sleep until I start the process over again the next day.

Currently, I had been graced with a small mission to the Land of Tea, and it took well over a day. Once I bid Boss Jirocho and Idate farewell, I headed back towards to Konoha. I let out a loud yawn as I stretched my arms over my head while I strode down the dirt path. "Hey- Miss- I need some help!" I hear a voice call out from the side of the road. I can't see who's calling out, but there definitely was someone there. As I make a move towards him, I'm surrounded by four men- all dressed in the prison outfits.

"Whoa, was there a prison break?" I hum curiously.

"That's right- Now give us your all your money!" The biggest one sneers. The others started chiming in agreement as they circled in closer.

Normally, I'd just use my kekkei genkai to resolve this quickly, but I was dying to try out the move Neji taught me. "Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation!" The cluster of prisoners shoot back with shouts of pain and shock. A smirk wraps onto my lips before I quickly incapacitate them.

Once again, I'm whistling softly as I haul the four prisoners towards Konoha in ropes. I spot Tsunade and Kakashi along the road of Hokage mansion.

"Hey, what's going on?" I ask as I roll the four prisoners besides the two Kakashi had by his feet. "Did you pick those two up on the way back from your mission?"

"Yeah," He hummed as he rubbed the back of his head. "There's a lot of commotion around here at the moment, huh?"

"Yeah," Tsunade sighs.

"So, what did Naruto do this time?" Kakashi asked. "Ren, you should probably follow after Naruto for the time being."

"Sir," I nod and leap onto the roof tops. I caught up to the blond knuckle head and Ton Ton. "What are you doing?" I ask as I fall in besides him.

"This recent prison break-- It's got something to do with Orochimaru!" Naruto vaguely explained.

"Naruto, this isn't something a Genin should--"

"Just butt out! I'm not giving up on Sasuke!" Naruto snapped. My heart thumped in slight pain.

"I'm not telling you to! I was suggesting you shouldn't go alone!" I snapped back. Naruto cast an apologetic glance before grinning brightly.

"Well why didn't ya just say so! Let's go!" Naruto cheered.

~*****~

With Tonton leading us through the forest, the small pig finally stopped at what looked like to be a discarded prison top on the round. "What do you think?" I hum softly as I kneel down to the small creature.

Tonton snorted heartily and glanced up. "They're here!" Naruto gasped, and turned on his heel to attack the intruder that leapt from the bushes.

"Hold on, Naruto!" I shout. "It's Iruka!"

"Iruka-Sensei!?" Naruto yelped.

"Hey, Tonton." Pakkun sighed as he stepped onto the prison shirt. "So, this is what I was smelling, huh?" Tonton chimed in response. "Thanks for all your hard work here, Tonton. I can track this guy, now. Why don't you head back? You've earned yourself a break." Tonton breathed out in relief.

"We should get going," I hum softly.

"Right," Iruka agreed, and he and Pakun lead the pack.

"Hey, Sensei." Naruto started. "You didn't come out here to drag me home, did you?"

"Well, you wouldn't have come back if I just asked you." Iruka chuckled. "That's not really your style, is it?"

"Oh yeah, you got that right!" Naruto chimed with a wide grin. "You know me pretty well, don't you, sensei?"

"We all know you pretty well..." I mutter. Naruto raised a fist with a warning growl as I shot a cocky smirk. "Just don't get carried away, okay?" Another growl escaped Naruto's throat before Iruka continued.

"She's right, Naruto. The moment you let your guard down is the moment trouble will arrive." Iruka chimed.

"Wait a second," Pakkun stopped us.

"Is it them?" Iruka asked.

"Sure is. And the stench of convicts is growing heavier up ahead." Iruka glanced back at me with a nod.

We traveled down the road further into a more open area by a cliff side. Rounding around a corner, we spot a shinobi on the ground, covered by another prison top. "That's--" I gasp out.

"Shizune!" Naruto cried as he ran to her side. "Are you all right?"

"Naruto..." She whined as Naruto helped her up.

"Hold her steady," I hum as I loop to her other side. "Looks like they've scattered prisoner's garb everywhere.

"Most likely to throw me off the scent." Pakkun added. "If I had to take a guess, I'd say they're trying to buy some time."

"We almost had Mizuki," Shizune groaned. "but he slipped through our fingers."

"We're all just glad you're safe," I coo softly.

Shizune quickly released herself from our hold. "Yeah. My men are still perusing him. We have to hurry."

"Right," Iruka hummed softly.

"We're getting close," Pakkun stated. "I'm getting the strong smell of prisoners hanging in the air around here."

"It's them, all right!" Shizune stated. "There's no question!"

"All right! Looks like it's almost go-time!" Naruto cheered.

"But we're running straight into a ravine! The enemy could attack us from above. It would be safer to make a detour to get to higher ground!" Iruka rationalized.

"What are you talking about?" Naruto snapped. "Our view is completely wide open! We're gonna be fine!"

"They are trying to buy time, remember?" Pakkun added. "We take a detour, we might not catch them."

I glanced over at Shizune cautiously. It went against everything I've ever learned. Mizuki was a wild card for sure, but who knew what friends he made in prison. There were so many dangerous criminals locked up with him. She shouldn't even be standing.

"Oh, no! How can I have fallen for such a trap?" Pakkun complained. A prison top hung limply from a branch on the cliff side wall.

"Stay on your guard, Naruto!" Iruka called.

"It's not a dummy this time." Pakkun snapped.

A large shadow formed over us. "A rock!" Naruto yelped, and the five of us leapt out of the way.

"Here we go!"

"It's chow time!"

Two voices shout from above. Two very large men leapt down. "Naruto! Watch your back!" I shouted as I threw a kunai at Shizune. She easily deflected the kunai and smirked.

"Shizune!" Naruto gasped. "Hey, what's going on here? Why is Shizune--"

"Get away from her, Naruto." Iruka ordered. "That woman is an impostor!" Iruka threw a kunai, and this time, Shizune's appearance disappeared, and in it's place, Mizuki stood, holding the kunai Iruka had thrown.

"It's such a pleasure to see you again!" Mizuki cooed. "Iruka, Naruto."

"Hey, Iruka-Sensei, who is this joker?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"It's Mizuki, Naruto." Iruka explained quickly.

"MIZUKI?!" Naruto yelped. "He looks a little different than he used  to, doesn't he?"

"I'm not mistaken, am I? You were that little loser who couldn't pull off a transformation jutsu, right?"

"Are you trying to piss me off?" Naruto growled.

"What do you think, Iruka? I'm a new man, aren't I?" Mizuki chided.

"It's true," Iruka muttered. "There's no comparison with before."

"It's amazing what being confined to a dirty little prison call can do for your body, don't you think? I'm thankful for that, Iruka! When did you realize it was me?"

"When we found you hurt, disguised as Shizune," I cut in. "You said that your men were still in pursuit. The only way a subordinate would leave their own team leader behind, is if she had either died or was on the verge of it. Your injuries were minor."

"Straight out of the textbook, huh, Iruka- seems the best of the best still keeps up her studies." Mizuki mocked.

"You also didn't say a thing when Iruka suggested a detour." I retorted. "If you have a squad in pursuit, you're better off on higher ground so you can scan ahead. It was a clever little game you were playing, using those prisoner's clothes to lure us into a trap."

"And another gold star for the little brainiac," Mizuki sneered. "You were such a diligent little student. It reminds me of the old days."

"Mizuki! Abandon this foolish path you're on!" Iruka cried.

"Please," Mizuki seethed. "What could you possibly know of the hardships I've had to endure?" He leapt into the air for an attack. "What are you two waiting for?! Crush them!"

"Come on!" Naruto chided as the two big men ran at him.

"Naruto, Stop!" Iruka tried stopping him.

"Your fight it with me, Iruka!" Mizuki snapped as I flipped over the boulder to help Naruto.

"You take care of that clown, Iruka! I got Naruto!" I stated as I pulled out a kunai.

"Yeah! Don't worry, Iruka-Sensei! We'll be fine--" Both men sucker punched the two of us, and we crashed into the boulder behind us.

"Don't let your guard down for even a minute!" I snapped as I got back up.

"Got it!" Naruto clasped his hands together. "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

"Huh? Hey, wait a second." One of the brothers murmured as hundreds of Naruto's shadow clones surrounded the two brothers.

"What the--" The other one gasped. The two started muttering in confusion.

"Hey, big brother--" The taller one gasped. "I don't have enough fingers to count them all!" He cried after he tried counting them all.

"You dummy, Raijin," The shorter one chided. "You can use my fingers."

"See, Fujin, thats why you are the smart one." Raijin grinned at his older brother.

Naruto screamed out in frustration. "What the heck is wrong with those two?" Naruto shrieked. "You want to get out of my way? My business is with Mizuki, not you!"

"Did you hear that?" Raijin asked his brother. "He said we were in the way, big brother.

"But take a look. Mizuki's too busy to play with this kid now."  Fujin explained.

"He does seem busy, doesn't he?" Raijin added.

"And anyway, if we leave now, we'll miss out on the big feast, brother." Fujin mentioned.

"Oh my gosh! That's right, I forgot about the big feast!"

"Big Feast!" The two cried loudly.

"These guys are kinda throwin' me for a loop." Naruto complained. "Now, focus everybody! Time for decisive action! Let's do it!"

"I wouldn't go so gung-ho, Naruto--" I mention dryly as I place my palms on the dirt below. "These two are--" I'm cut off by Naruto's shout of confidence, and dozens of his clones rush in to pummel the two large idiots.

They remain silent for a few moments. "Kind of itches, huh, Fujin?" Raijin says softly.

"Yeah, it itches," Fujin confirms just as softly. The two easily bat away the circle of clones like they were yesterday's garbage.

"My punches aren't having any effect on these two idiots." Naruto mentioned angrily.

"They won't--"

"One more time!" Naruto's clones charge again. No effect again. "Geez, these guys are tough." Naruto bit out. "I'll get you yet!" Naruto growled as more clones rushed in.

"Naruto, stop!" I grasped his arm.

"I'm gonna wipe those goofy grins off your faces!" Naruto's clones bellowed.

Raijin grasped Fujin's arm and swung him around like a sack of potatoes to deflect the clones.

"They're big, and they're stupid!" Naruto gasped as Raijin continued to lug his brother around. "And they're indestructible!"

"You just figure that out, did you?" Mizuki sneered from above. "You've really hit bottom, Iruka, teaming yourself up with a couple of snot nosed kids. It's sad, really."

"Why are you doing this, Mizuki?" He didn't answer. "Stop this! You don't know what you're doing! You wouldn't really betray your comrades again, would you?"

"Comrades," Mizuki scoffed.

"That's right-- Men and women of the Leaf Village who would die for you! What part of that don't you understand?!"

"Comrades," Mizuki scoffed again. "You're as naive as ever, Iruka. What I believe in is power, pure power. Undiluted by sentimental notions like comrades and loyalty."

"But Mizuki--"

"Soon, I'll have that kind of power, the ultimate power-- Lord Orochimaru's power!"

"Orochimaru," I breathed out.

"Soon, you'll learn how meaningless a thing like comradeship is with power like that!"

"Naruto, I've got a plan, but you've got to listen carefully," I mention as I clasp my hands together. A clone appears behind me, and slowly sinks into the ground. I press my hands against the ground and feed my chakra into the dirt.

"Got it," Naruto panted.

"Think you can rush in one more time? I'm going to try and restrain one of the brothers-- It'll be easier to take out one if we attack together." I explain.

"You got it!" Naruto cheered. "You got it! All right! One more time!" The mob of shadow clones rush in on Fujin and Raijin. Water soaks through the earth and travels forward.

"Hey, Fujin, the grounds getting all muddy~" Raijin stated as he started patting the ground below his feet. Mud splattered up and onto his hand.

"You dummy, stop playing in the dirt or we won't get any food!" Fujin scolded his younger brother. "Hm?" He hummed as my clones hands popped out from below his feet. A large bubble of mud spewed up, and wrapped Raijin up, and tugged him down into the earth till just his head poked out.

"Head Hunter Jutsu Complete." I state confidently.

"Hey, Fujin-" Raijin jeered as he knelt down to poke at his brothers bewildered head. "You look like a little cabbage sprout." He giggled.

"Cabbage sounds good!" Fujin agreed and his arm shot up  from the hardened earth. I gasped out in shock. "I'm hungry now!"

"He broke out of hardened sediment like it was paper!" I gasped.

Mizuki and Iruka jumped off the boulder. "Huh?" Naruto gasped as Pakkun leapt onto my head.

"Naruto, Ren, forget about these two. Get after Mizuki!" He scolded.

"Man, I'd like to-- Okay, but don't go anywhere!" Naruto growled out to the idiot brothers. "We'll finish this later!" Naruto bellowed as I grasped his sleeve to tug him off to follow after Iruka and Mizuki.

~*****~

"Faster, Naruto-" I snapped as I gained a little more speed on him.

"Remember what happened last time," Naruto snapped.

"You're not arguing with her, are you, you ignorant puppy?" Pakkun snapped. "If we keep wasting time like this, we're gonna be in a lot of trouble."

"Move!" I snap as I shove Naruto back, and hard sandals dug into my shoulders. I hit the ground hard, that hard sandal digging into my ribs.

"Now you're it!" Fujin jeered as Naruto landed across from us.

"That was a good one, big brother," Raijin jeered to his older brother. I groaned in agitation as I tried shoving myself upwards, and away from Raijin's foot. I squirmed free and tumbled over to the side. Naruto helped me stand quickly.

"Thank you," Fujin giggled.

"Come on, we don't have time to play games with these two clowns." Naruto growled.

"Hey, bro, this Hide and Go Seek is making me hungry." Raijin commented.

"You and your big stomach!" Fujin commented. "You're always hungry! Okay, okay, here." Fujin pulled out a big pack of.... whatever it was. "You're not going to go and hog it all, are you?"

"Course not, don't worry." Raijin grinned.

"Hey, you two, the Numbskull Brothers!" I groaned in annoyance as Naruto got confrontational. "You want a snack? I'll give you something to chew on!"

"Stop provoking them, Naruto!" I complained. "We have more important things to do."

"Yeah, I get it. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Naruto stated confidently. I groaned unhappily. I leapt into the treeline as Naruto threw a smoke bomb onto the ground. Dozens of his clones stood in the trees. I rolled my eyes and performed the transformation jutsu. My height was lessened and I felt a little weird, but hey- his plan did have it's merits. "Now let's play Extreme Hide and Go Seek! To win, you've got to find all of us!"

"Hear that?" Raijin asked his brother. "Sounds like fun!"

"Yeah, I like this way better!" Fujin agreed. "The other way was too easy." The hoarde of clones disappeared into the forest. I hide among the high tree tops, keeping my eyes and ears peeled for the idiot brothers.

"Man, this is just fantastic," I groan in Naruto's voice.

"Ready or not, here we come!" The two shout, and the earth shifts. I let out a shriek that I had no idea came from Naruto's throat, and fell from the tree tops. I landed on the branch besides Naruto and gave him a hard conk to the noggin.

"Some plan!" I snap at him. "These two have monstrous strength! Why did you think they were going to amble around looking for us?!"

"They make Grandma Tsunade look like an old lady!" Naruto agreed as he rubbed at the knot on his skull. The transformation jutsu dispersed, and I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Stupidity is a powerful thing." Pakkun mentions.

Naruto huffed and sat on his butt. He started poking his temples, trying to think of a new plan. "Well, Naruto, how long are you planning to stay up here?" Pakkun asked. "It's just a matter of time before they spot you."

"I see ya!" I hear Raijin shout. "I see ya!"

"There! What did I tell you?!" Pakkun scolded.

"Okay, you want to do it?!" Naruto bellowed. "Let's do it!'

"Ready or not, here we come!" Raijin cheers as they make their way up to us.

I clasp my hands together. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto cried, and his clones surround the brothers.

"Hey, brother? Didn't we already play this?" Raijin asked his brother.

"Yeah, I'm getting bored of this game." Fujin complained.

"Shadow clones again?" Pakkun asked. "That tricks getting kind of old, isn't it?"

Naruto giggled. "Just sit back and watch. All right, go!"

The clones start running around the idiot brothers. They get faster, and faster-- confusing the two brothers easily.

"I get it-- very clever, Naruto." I praised. The two brothers start wobbling in dizziness.

"Okay, grab on everyone!" Naruto cries. The clones grasp onto the two brothers tightly. I grasp Pakkun as Naruto leaps down. "Everything's ready, so here goes! Say goodbye, you ding-dongs!" Naruto starts building up the Rasengan. "Here goes nothing," Naruto states with a confident smirk. Just as Naruto prepares to launch, Fujin steps back to stop the dizziness, and squashes his and his brothers lunch. The two of them immediately snap out of it and gasp in horror. "What's going on," Naruto wondered aloud.

"Brother?" Raijin started. "Did you just--"

"I did..." Fujin spoke quietly, his eyes downcast. "I stepped on it. I squashed it...." I grimace and lean away from the scene. "OUR LUNCH HAS BEEN DESTROYED!" He bellowed.

"OUR LUNCH!" Fujin echoed.

"Now, I remember who these two are...." I mention dryly. "The Legendary Stupid Brothers, Fujin and Raijin, with brute strength, and the idiocy to match. They're only swayed by food, which we've just destroyed...."

"Okay, so you guys are hungry now, huh?!" Naruto bellowed as he ran at them.

"No, Naruto!" I tried, but it was too late.

"Chew on this! Here ya go!" Naruto cried.

"No!" The two shrieked. "We want our lunch back!" The brothers shouted and lugged the clones attached to their arms at Naruto. An explosion covers over Naruto, and all his clones disappear.

"Oh no, now he's done it." Pakkun mentioned dryly as I leap down the tree to catch Naruto. I skid back a few centimeters as I wrap my arms around his torso. The brothers advance, and they're on me in a few moments. Fujin wraps his hand around my flak vest, and lugs me away from Naruto.

"Let go of me, you idiotic lug!" I shriek as I kick my legs around. He rears his fist back, and slams it into my gut. I feel my throat hitch up, tears sting my eyes, and the bile rise up. My lips part as I spew the contents and start coughing through the pain.

"Big brother, the little guy's awake again." Raijin states coldly.

"Oh great-" I hear Naruto groan.

"It's all because of you that we lost our lunch!" Fujin snarls.

"You don't think we're gonna let you live after that." Raijin adds. He lets go of Naruto, and uppercuts him. "I'll slug him in the guts!"

"I'll bash him with the girlie!" Fujin snaps as he waves me around. I kick off Fujin's shoulder, and bicycle kick into his cheek. I leap off of him, and wrap an arm around my midsection. Just as they try to punch the fallen Genin, they freeze. I gasp out in shock. The two brothers make familiar hand signs. I look over and grin.

"Shikamaru!" I cry happily.

"What a drag. I thought I was going to get a day off," Shikamaru sighs from the top of the tree.

"Who's up there?!" Fujin growls.

"Hard of hearing? Whatever, let's skip it. It's not like we're gonna be friends or anything." Shikamaru smirked.

"But if you really wanna know, we're the back up squad on this mission." I hear Ino state.

"The Leaf Village's Best- The Fearsome Threesome." Choji calls. "Team InoShikaCho!"