The Shinobi Behind The Mask

Minato Namikaze and his three student; Kakashi, Rin, and Obito, continued walking along a dirt path. The four of them were heading to the Thunder Country on a special mission, unfortunately they didn’t know what that mission was and wouldn’t until they arrived there. Whatever the mission was they were all certain it wasn’t going to be easy since the Raikage had personally requested them to take hold of this mysterious mission they presently were assigned to.1

“Alright, you two, cut it out..” groaned Rin, Obito and Kakashi had been arguing over something absolutely meaningless every since they had started their journey to the Thunder Country. Ignoring them had worked for a while, but after a couple of hours headaches start to occur which was exactly the issue now.2

“He started it…” said Kakashi crossing his arms in refusal to take blame for the start of yet another argument.3

“Hey! Why is everything my fault?!” yelled Obito obviously offended by the idea of being blamed for something. Minato sighed heavily blocking out the arguing, everyday was like this.- endless squabbling and bickering. There was a slight rustle in the near by trees, Minato held out a hand and immediately everyone turned silent.4

“I know you’re there whoever you are, so c’mon out!” ordered Minato raising a kunai as his eyes carefully scanned over their surroundings. When no-one showed he threw his kunai in the direction from which the noises had come from only to have it deflected. The kunai hit the ground with a soft “thud!” Minato glanced down at the kunai then back to the tree as three cloaked figures jumped from the trees in front of Minato.5

“Who are you, and what do you want?” asked Minato eyeing the three cloaked ninja carefully, he noticed their masks. At first he thought they were Anbu but then he noticed there wasn’t a village marking on the mask instead there were strange markings. The center cloaked ninja stepped forward, Minato reached for another weapon right as the ninja lifted his mask up revealing himself. Minato clutched tightly to a kunai ready to act. The minute he seen who it was he relaxed.6

“Sorry if we startled you…We had orders from our master, Daichi, to come escort you to your destinations..” 7

“Daichi Monsaru, huh? I haven‘t seen him in quite a while” said Minato smiling. The boy nodded.8

“Yes… He said you would be coming and wanted to make sure you made it safely.. I’m sure you remember Raiga and I. This is our newest member, Ray…” said the boy motioning his hand at the cloaked ninja at his right side; the one on the left lifted his mask revealing himself and his piercing red eyes, the one on his right remained still. Minato nodded toward Ray in greeting while putting the kunai away.9

“I remember, Akira.. And as you know theses are my squad members; Obito, Kakashi, and Rin..” introduced Minato glancing back at his fellow genin to find Kakashi giving the cloaked ninja before them an awful look. Minato smiled. “It’s alright, Kakashi.. their with a friend of mine, Daichi. They’ll bring us no harm.” Kakashi raised an eyebrow still uncertain.10

“It’s an honor to meet you again, Minato-san..” said Akira bowing his head, the boy Raiga did the same.11