Behind Paper Fans and Tea Ceremonies

Cloak and Dagger

A/N:

Here is the fourth chapter! Okay guys, I need feedback. I'm not sure how this is being taken in by you all, but I hope you're liking it! I keep wondering if people read it and feel too confused or something, since the chapters are so short...?

SO, please, please let me know! Review guys - it takes only a minute, but greatly encourages me to write!

Enjoy!

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Cloak and Dagger

Sasuke perched upon the bough of a tree, curious despite himself to see what the legendary competition between the Twelve Ninja Guardians and the ANBU was like. Asuma had been a part of that group at one time after all, and Sasuke had nothing better to do. He'd put away the information revealed about Naruto in the back of his mind for later perusal – it was not like he could understand what had made him suspicious, so it was best not to think of it.

"They're coming," Ryo muttered, seated on the branch above.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. They weren't in his field of vision just yet, but that was almost expected – Ryo was a sensor type shinobi.

Sasuke on the other hand...'Sharingan!'

A quick burst of chakra and blood red eyes looked into the distance. He could make out seven – no wait, eight – chakra signatures walking towards the gates. Walking. At normal civilian pace.

The Uchiha nearly groaned, what they didn't have to do to main diplomatic relations with the Daimyo, really. Honestly, to not even opt shinobi travel method while inside the personal property of the Daimyo. So, with no other option, he waited patiently for them to come into view.

"Huh, that's odd," Ryo said and continued without further prompting, "Jiraiya-sama's with the Sandaime. He doesn't usually come to meetings with the Daimyo."

"Jiraiya of the Sannin?" Sasuke asked, "He's Konoha's spymaster, isn't he? Doesn't he come to talk about any security threats?"

"Nope. That guy's notorious for staying out of politics despite how deeply connected he is with them. Probably met the Daimyo only once – to get awarded after the Third Shinobi War, along with Tsunade-sama and Orochimaru-sama."

"Hmm," Sasuke nodded, "But, wait. There's eight of them. If one is Jiraiya of the Sannin, who're the others? There must be only five ANBU along with the Hokage, right?"

"That's true," Ryo agreed, "Got no idea though. I know the Hokage's chakra signature. And I've met Jiraiya-sama a couple of times back in Konoha to recognise his. But with all the secrecy around ANBU, I never know who's who."

A few moments later, the mentioned shinobi appeared into view. Sasuke was right, there were only five ANBU. Jiraiya was easily recognised, with his white hair and large scroll slung behind his back. The Hokage and his ANBU wore travelling cloaks, but the masks gave the ANBU away. The Kage-hat slung behind his shoulder ruled out the Sandaime. The last one left was the one in a black cloak. It looked like a standard shinobi cloak, completely covering the face with the hood and having no sleeves. It stopped just above their ankles, but plain sandals adorned the person's feet. Sasuke couldn't make out anything of them.

"Well? Do you recognise them?"

"No."

"But they're definitely a shinobi, right?"

"Naturally," Ryo looked down at him, "Civilian chakra signatures are not so well developed and most of the time they don't even register because they don't use chakra daily for their coils to be infused with chakra."