From what Naruto knew of her, Tenten has a major crush on Neji, the arrogant Hyuuga who Naruto believes was born with a sharp ice stake shoved up his ass. Frankly, Naruto isn't all that fond of Neji and several times he was tempted to put Neji in the emergency ward in the hospital after seeing how he treats and talks to Hinata. One day he nearly did so after seeing how Neji was verbally demeaning Hinata. Had it not been for Hiashi's intervention in stopping the fight between Naruto and Neji before it happened, Naruto would have more than likely succeeded in hurting, if not crippling, Neji with brutal efficiency. The Hyuuga clan leader assured Naruto that he'd deal with Neji accordingly.
Naruto also was aware that Tenten practically idolized his mother Tsunade as one of the greatest kunoichis alive and hopes to one day be like Tsunade. Tenten had occasionally pestered Naruto about putting some good words in for her to Tsunade in hopes of getting into Godaime's good graces so that she might one day decide to teach her something. To Naruto, Tenten's repeated talks about how she'll one day be a great kunoichi like her idol Tsunade was, as Shikamaru would put it, troublesome.
(Meanwhile Back At Konoha)
Ino was in her bedroom looking at herself in the mirror. Ever since Naruto complimented both her and Hinata about how they both have nice figures, Ino has been obsessed with how to keep her body shape up and still be a skilled kunoichi in Naruto's favor. Ino still remembered how Sakura came running to her house a week ago, begging for all of the info about her day spent with him and Hinata after finding out from Naruto that he hanged with them. Since it was her best friend, Ino had no trouble in relating everything that happened and how both her and Hinata attempted to get Naruto to remove his mask and failed.
Sakura though squealed when Ino told her how Naruto carried her back home bridal style in his arms after she passed out from that mask stunt he pulled on both her and Hinata. She also added that her father teased her about it and only wished he had his camera at the time when Naruto brought her home. The sight of them together like that was so cute, her father told her. To no surprise, Sakura found the whole idea downright romantic.
While this was on her mind, Ino thoughts then shifted towards Hinata. It was no secret to anyone that the Hyuuga heiress has the hugest crush on Naruto. She practically liked him since day one during their early days at the academy. She wondered if Naruto was aware of this and like her just as much. She shook the thought out of her head, not wanting to think that a girl like Hinata would pose as a challenger for Naruto's affections. Ino wasn't worried about Sakura, who was too into Sasuke. For what it was worth and what she saw for herself over the years and especially during her sparring match with Naruto, Ino felt that Sasuke didn't measure anywhere near Naruto's potentials and capabilities.
With that thought in mind, Ino wondered if she measures up to Naruto's expectations as girlfriend material. She knew that Hinata would work towards that goal, especially after seeing the gradual changes in Hinata's character over the years as a result of her association with Naruto. With that realization in mind, Ino told herself that she'd have to improve herself in everything if she was to win Naruto over.
(Meanwhile)
Hinata was walking about through the village in hopes to find Naruto. She wanted to tell him about how her training session with Hanabi went and how both Hanabi and herself have improved over the passed few weeks. Kurenai (age 25) who's been like a mother figure to the Hyuuga heiress was happy to see how Hinata have changed from the closed-in, shy girl she used to be. She was even more surprised to see how Hiashi has changed a bit from how he used to treat Hinata. The rookie Jounin wasn't sure how the changes were happening but needless to say she was happy they were.
While Hinata went on her way, two mysterious figures in black robes with red clouds drawn on the robes and ceremonial bamboo hats on their heads walked pass her. She felt a cold vibe travel down her back, much to her fright. After a few moments, she turned and saw the two figures were gone, almost as though they were never there.
The Hyuuga heiress continued on her way to find her crush, however the feeling that she felt from those two left her highly troubled.
(Thirty Minutes Later)
Ino stepped out of her parents' house and started on her way towards Sakura's house. While on her way, her eyes came upon two unknown figures whom she never seen before. Something about them told her that they were bad news. As she followed them briefly, they vanished and went elsewhere. Ino stood there dumbfounded without a clue as they whom those two were. But if anything, she had a bad feeling about them.
Pushing that though to the side, Ino saw that following those two mystery men threw her off track from Sakura's house. Seeing this, she turned and started back. While on her way, she soon came across Hinata. Going over to her, Ino decided to greet her friend/rival.
"Hinata," Ino greeted. Hinata looked to her side and saw the Yamanaka girl coming her way.
"Hi, Ino," Hinata greeted back.
"Where are you off to," Ino inquired.
"I was on my way…to find Naruto-kun. I've been looking for him all day."
All thoughts on heading to Sakura's house vanished on hearing this revelation.
"Really," Ino asked, "I can't say I've seen him myself either, beside seeing two weird-looking guys in black robes of some type."
Hinata's head shot on hearing this, "Did…They happen to have red cloud designs on their robes with ceremonial hats on their heads, with one of them have a really large sword covered in bandages?"
"They did," Ino answered in surprise, "How did you know?"
"I saw them earlier also. I thought I was imaging things at first. But it seems…that I wasn't seeing how you yourself also saw them."
"Any idea as to whom they are?"
Hinata shook her head. After a moment of silence, Hinata said, "Well, I'm going to see if I can find Naruto-kun."
"Hold up," Ino interjected, "I'll come with you. I'm sure we can find him faster if we work together."
Seeing no harm in that, Hinata went along with Ino in search of Naruto.
(Later)
Deciding to call it quits for now, Naruto started on his journey back to the village in hopes of gretting some pork ramen from Ichiraku's. After twenty minutes while on his way, he soon picked up on two chakra signatures approaching him. Stopping, he turned and saw two figures standing behind him; one with a human face and the taller one with shark-like features carrying a large bandaged sword on his back.
"Senju Uzumaki Naruto, I presume," said the short figure. Cautiously, Naruto asked, "Who are you?"
"We'd like for you to come with us," said the shorter figure, "Our organization is keenly interested in you."
"Thanks but no thanks; and besides my mother told me to never talk to strangers," Naruto replied in sarcasm.
"You got good jokes kid," said the shark man, "But it would save us the trouble if you'd simply accompany us back."
"And why should I," Naruto asked.
"We already made our presence known to two young girls who seem to hold you in high regards," stated the shorter figure. This set Naruto on full alert, although he maintained a calm outward demeanor.
"What did you do to them?"
"They're in good health for now," replied the shorter figure. Just then the taller figure stepped to the side towards a large tree. He came back, carrying two people whom Naruto knew all too well.
"HINA-CHAN! INO-CHAN!," Naruto cried out after seeing that both girls were tied up and gagged so they wouldn't scream. Their hands were also tied behind them and their legs were also tied together. The taller figure dropped both captive girls down to their knees. Naruto's eyes narrowed dangerously at the two men. If anything, he didn't take kindly to people threatening his family or friends.
"What's your name," Naruto asked the leading figure. Removing his hat, the figure allowed Naruto to see his fully developed Sharingan.
"Uchiha Itachi (age 16)."
Naruto's eyes widened upon seeing the S-class criminal in front of him. He heard and learned many things about Itachi from Jiraiya and Kakashi, and he was aware of the fact that he was the one who slaughter the entire Uchiha clan by himself at the age of 13. Itachi became one of the most hated figures in Konoha.
"Sasuke's detestable older brother," Naruto said with distastefully, "The Uchiha prodigy."
"…," Itachi remained silent. The second figure moved his hat and also introduced himself, "I'm Hoshigaki Kisame."
Another S-class criminal wanted for murdering a daimyo and many crimes in other villages and nations. Seeing that their forehead protectors had a gash across them meant they were also missing-nins. Naruto though knew that those two men in front of him weren't small time chumps and he wasn't about to underestimate them. At the same time though, he didn't want to jeopardize Ino and Hinata's safety. It went without say that both Hinata and Ino were afraid now.
"We simply want you to come back with us without incident," Itachi said with a calm demeanor. Naruto knew this was a bad situation. He had to think of something and fast.
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