As he watched their retreating backs the truck driver decided that after this he was going to submit his resignation letter. He's had enough trauma in one lifetime to continue living life on the edge. Determined, he ignited the truck's engine and drove away.

***

When the Birds at the third gate saw the courier truck approaching they knew that Sasuke and Sai got into the Mizukage building safely. They wasted no time in taking the driver and the ANBU Black Ops at the back of the truck hostage.

However, though
Sasuke and Sai might've gotten into the Mizukage building guised as ANBU successfully, their hands were tied.

Shikamaru had managed to get a hold of the telecommunication satellite on the truck ride but getting into the security system was more tricky for Shino. It was exceptionally tight as expected of a presidential house but it was nothing he couldn't break through. He just needed a little more time.

If any of them were to make a move too suspicious before his signal, their whole heist was burning to ruins. Hence, the two at the building had to wait and blend in with other ANBU guards until the signal came.

Meanwhile Shino had to get into the security system before the Mizukage of Kirigakure arrived at the building. According to the schedule that Haku left them with, the arrival was in twenty minutes if there were no interceptions on the way. The Birds weren't planning on hijacking the president's car. At least not yet.

"Word at the first gate. Our target has arrived." Shikamaru drawled boredly from where he sat slouched on a seat. Shino didn't lose his focus on the security system, neither did he get flustered about the news unlike Naruto who was excited that he was finally about to play his role.

"They're here already?" The man asked quietly in his mechanic voice. "That's earlier than we accounted for. Nevertheless it would not throw a hitch in our plans. That's because I have already gained full access to the security system."

Shikamaru cheered mentally, well as cheerful as he could get, and switched seats with the one Shino just vacated. "I'd take it from here." A look towards Naruto's direction had him sighing in disdain. The excitement from the boy was as prominent as the sky and as dangerous as it was helpful for the heist.

If he continued the way the blond might end up doing something stupid. Again.

"Kyuubi." Shikamaru called the bouncing blond to order.

"Yeah?"

"Don't you dare jump the gun." The man ordered seriously but Naruto's response to that was to laugh wholeheartedly. The idiot.

"Bwah ha ha! You underestimate me to much, Kurodo- EEK!" Naruto's sentence was cut short by his terrified scream at the sight of Shino cocking his gun and pointing it at him.

"Don't worry Kurodo, he won't misbehave. That's because I'd blow his head off the moment he does."

Naruto immediately threw his hands up in surrender. Shino was being serious. He laughed nervously and gulped. "N-ne ne, it doesn't need to come to that, don'tcha think? He he he."

After what seemed like the longest few seconds of his life, Shino finally lowered his gun. "Behave." He ordered.

Naruto mock saluted. "Yes sir!"

"Target has passed the second gate. Kyuubi, Kikaichu, get ready." Shikamaru announced much to the delight of Naruto. He did a good job of handling his excitement this time though, because he didn't want a hole in his head just yet.

He had a wide grin on as he faced the hostages, not that any of them could see it through his mask. Each had bombs around their necks that kept them in order.

"Aren't you happy? It's your turn to work!" Naruto dug his hand into his pocket and removed a detonating switch from there. His thumb hovered above the red button playfully, threatening. "Do you remember the plans we discussed earlier?"

All of the hostages gave shaky nods of their heads while only one found the ability to speak. It was an ANBU guard. "Y-yes sir!"

"Sure you would. If anyone of you mess up all six of you are going POW! Capisce?" Another round of shaky nods had Naruto smiling in satisfaction.

"Target is approaching, get ready." Shikamaru announced.

"Alright everybody, to your places!" Naruto hollered and the hostages did as he commanded. When they had gotten into their various positions he and Shino got their weapons ready. It was time. "Masks on, and we're ready to set hell loose."

• Kirigakure base one, several weeks ago... •

"This part is undoubtedly one of the most tricky parts of the heist."

The abandoned factory in Kiri was less comfortable than any of their bases in Konoha. The Tori just acquired the base so not much renovation had been done yet. It was wet, moldy and reeked of whatever messes the previous occupants of the place created but it was the safest place to continue making plans at the moment.

A single makeshift lightbulb made from LED strips, batteries and wires illuminated the place. While dim, every member could see clearly because they had adjusted their eyes to seeing in the presence of minimal light. Neji stood in front of his subordinates like a school teacher would his students as he ran through the plan one more time.

"Sai and Sasuke would get inside the building to prepare for the Mizukage's arrival. This is where you come in, Naruto."

"Yoshay!" Naruto cheered and Temari slapped him on the upside of his head. "Owie." He complained but otherwise kept quiet.

Neji continued. "Now listen carefully Naruto, our original plan has changed pace." That had everyone perking up curiously. The leader closed his eyes. "I would explain why. In our original plan we were going to hijack the Mizukage's car at the third gate, that is not going to change."

"Then what is?" Sasuke questioned.

Neji gave him a wry smile. "I just got this information. Apparently, the Mizukage's bodyguards are members from the Seven Swordsmen."

"Seven Swordsmen?!" Temari gasped loudly.

"Isn't our client one of them?" Sai asked. Neji nodded. Zabuza was indeed one of the Swordsmen.

"Holy shit!" Naruto gasped.

"What a drag." Shikamaru drawled in resignation. This heist kept getting more dangerous by the minute.

The Seven Swordsmen were one of the toughest members of the Yakuza to deal with, even for the Tori who normally avoided any form of association with the Yakuza in the first place. With a whopping fifteen million ryo gap in the bounties on their heads, the Seven Swordsmen were on a whole other level than the Birds. One wrong move and their gang risked eradication.

"Isn't it ironic how the Mizukage hires Kirigakure's most infamous criminals for their protection while they hunt down mere tourists?" Kankuro sneered in disgust. He wasn't at all righteous himself but damn did he hate pretentious shits like the Mizukage.

"It doesn't matter, we're going to break through." Neji redirected the conversation back to their plan.

"How?" This time it was Sai asking the question. "I know Kyuubi's combat skills are high but I doubt he could take on the swordsmen by himself." He commented much to the blond's indignation.

"Hey! I'd have you know that I can-!" Naruto started but he was cut off by Temari.

"Shut up, shrimp."

"Yes ma'am." He promptly zipped his mouth shut.

"This is a drag." Shikamaru groaned as he sat up from his slouching position. "So what's the plan, Danchou?" He asked.

"In order to get through the Swordsmen we would have to employ the use of hostages." Neji revealed. "We would have them attack as a diversion while we get to the Mizukage from behind."

"Great." Shikamaru cheered sarcastically in his drawling voice. "We're going to get ourselves killed."

"Don't be like that, Kurodo." Temari tutted. Shikamaru clicked his tongue back at her. What happened to the sensible woman that could tell the difference between a real, carefully thought out plan and a foolish imagination?

"Hostages are the most uncertain factors on our list, there's no guarantee that they'd do as you say even if their lives are in danger. To make matters worse, Kyuubi is the one taking the Mizukage hostage. This plan is certainly the best!" Shikamaru scorned while Neji gazed at him calmly.

Meanwhile Naruto was sore about the fact that Shikamaru didn't trust him to do the job perfectly. It caused a rare scowl to contort his face. "Ano sa, Kurodo, I'd appreciate it if you trusted my abilities more." His voice was lackluster in contrast to before but contained a degree of violence in it that Shikamaru reacted to.

The usually laid-back man sneered. "I'd trust you if you gave me something to go by." He shot back just as sharply as the challenge came and Naruto didn't like it. He got on his feet while Shikamaru braced for an attack.

Before anything could happen though, Temari held Naruto back and leveled Shikamaru with a hard glare.

"Troublesome." The latter sighed in resignation while Naruto still struggled to reel in his aggressive feelings. He was rarely angry but once he was it was difficult to get him out of it.

"Calm down Dobe. You've got more important things to do than to be angry." Sasuke chided from his corner, making matters worse. To everyone's surprise however, it worked on the blond who plopped himself aggressively on his seat.

"I'm calm, Teme." It was clear on his face that he was anything but calm but he wasn't jumping at anybody so he was left alone.

Noticing that the tense atmosphere has decreased by a fraction, Neji deemed it safe to continue. "Thank you for your concern Shikamaru, but we're not going to fail." He said confidently. Shikamaru clicked his tongue in response.

Sai raised his hand. "No offense but," that was directed to Naruto. "Shouldn't someone more experienced in holding hostages like Shukaku capture the Mizukage instead?"

"While that seems to be the best choice I have another job for Shukaku's trigger-happiness." Neji replied. They needed as little casualties as possible on this heist and throwing Gaara into the mix was the worst decision Neji could make. "The sand trio are tasked with rescuing our client."

"Oh, interesting." Kankuro commented.

"Not fair! They get a thrilling job and I don't?!" Naruto was back to his peppy mood, it seemed, if he could be whining like that. Thank goodness.

"You're taking the Mizukage, remember?" Neji reminded him of his own job.

"Oh yeah. Okay." The blond sat back satisfied.

"But I've decided that you're not doing it alone. Kikaichu, you're working with Kyuubi on this one." Neji announced.

Shino was displeased by the new order but he refused to show it on his face. Babysitting wasn't particularly on his agenda right now. What choice did he have though? "Hai." He replied as he ignored Naruto's celebratory side hug.

"Perfect. Okay listen up. Here's how the target's capture would go."

• present... •

The presidential car's advancement through the third gate was halted by a courier truck parked across the road. The car stopped and a dark window panel rolled down.

-

"Okay listen up. Here's how the target's capture would go."

-

A tough looking man poked his head out of the open window to speak with the guard near the gate. Years of fights and dangerous deeds manifested itself as scars on his face. He was a scary man and definitely one of the Swordsmen.

-

"They're bound to ask questions when their way is blocked. Have a hostage tell them that they're under attack. Doing so would create alertness in them. We are focusing on turning that alertness against them.

The first person we're going for before anybody is the driver of the car. As we're dealing with bullet proof materials, raiding the car with guns won't only fail to work but it would attract attention to you. So Kyuubi, I know you like flashy entrances but you'd have to do this one quietly and quickly."

-

Naruto grunted his displeasure as he looked through the scope of his rifle from the watchtower near the gate. Neji repeated the importance of being as fast and quiet as possible so many times that his voice was in his damned head! He aimed the gun at the man's chest through the window.

"What's the meaning of this?" The man asked in a gruff voice. The guard trembled.

"W-we w-we are under attack s-sir!" He exclaimed and at that moment, Naruto fired a silent shot from the watch tower. It hit the Swordsman cleanly in the chest. "Eek!" The guard exclaimed and scrambled as the man slumped on his seat.

Seeing the bodyguard go limp beside him caused the car's driver to panic. He hastily jammed the wind up button for the window and switched to the reverse gear. However Naruto and Shikamaru were faster.

Unfortunately for him Shikamaru had closed the gate before he took the initiative to retreat and Naruto fired another silent shot that passed through the little space that was left for the open window to wind shut.

It hit the driver directly. The Mizukage was effectively trapped now.

-

"Once their escape route is blocked and the driver is down, now is the time to engage the hostages. Have them attempt to break the windows and open the door, this would force the bodyguards to engage in combat with them. Surely at least one of them would remain with the Mizukage in the car and try to get him to safety. That's where you, Kikaichu, come in. Don't allow it."

-

So far everything was going according to Neji's prediction. Once the masked guards and truck driver attacked the car, two swordsmen bodyguards came down and engaged them in combat while one last swordsman stayed with the Mizukage.

As Neji said, he began to lead the Mizukage out of the car to escape in the midst of the chaos. They could only get so far however because Shino was blocking their path. The bodyguard stepped in front of the Mizukage, acting as a human shield as he pointed his huge sword at a seemingly defenseless Shino.

"Who are you?" His filed teeth gnashed against each other angrily. The Seven Swordsmen weren't supposed to get cornered this easily and yet these masked people did it. It was then he took a proper look at the mask and saw the insignia on it. "Tori." He growled.

"I'd avoid confrontation if I can. That's because the Mizukage is my target, not you." Shino told him calmly, much to the man's disdain.

"Like I'd allow you to get through me! Get the hell out of here while I deal with this cretin!" He yelled to the Mizukage and rushed towards Shino. It was just as the quiet man planned. He couldn't fight as well as the Swordsman but he had a great deal of trust in the gadgets he created.

As the man swung his sword, Shino ducked it and attached a gadget to the blade. He avoided another strike before activating the device, sending electric volts capable of paralysing a horse through the Swordsman's system and rendering him limp.

Shino exhaled when the man dropped on the floor unconscious and foaming in the mouth. That went well. He looked up and saw that Naruto had taken care of the other Swordsmen and that the Mizukage hadn't gotten too far. He brought out a hidden gun from one of the many pockets of his jumpsuit and pointed it at the Mizukage.

"Don't move."

The Mizukage didn't dare to go against the command. Though he asked questions which ended up getting ignored by the Birds, he was pliant as they attached a bomb to his neck and forced him into the car.

The hostages were released except the truck driver who had one last job to do before he was finally released. He was to drive Shino, Naruto and the president to the building after which he was free to go.

The preparations were over and the game was about to begin.

• • •

Tenten's heavy breaths were the only things she could hear at the moment. That and the continuous ring coming from her phone which ended with a mechanic voice telling her that Neji was not picking up the call. The bastard.

Her legs hurt from exertion. She'd managed to lose the officers on her trail but she wasn't dumb to think that it was over yet. For one there was no way she could get out of the country now, not when she had become a wanted criminal overnight.

Second, even if she could she had no means of doing so. She knew nobody in the Water nation and had no connections to anybody unlike Neji did. That bastard was going to pay for having her mixed up in this situation.

She cursed when her call fell through again. "Pick up damnit!" She growled. It tempted her greatly to smash her borrowed phone against the nearest wall angrily but she refrained from doing so. It would be of more harm than good to her so she pocketed it instead.

Rather than stay here she had to be on the move. With any luck she would find a crowded area or a clothes shop she could blend in at.

-

"Shirayuki Haku, you're under arrest for impersonation, treason, fraud and many other offences. Please come with us compliantly or we would be forced to take measures."

Ah, how could she forget? Tenten thought dully as she found herself cornered and arrested by the custom officers. She had dumb luck, not good luck.

"I tell you, I am Fire country citizen. I was here on a tour, you have wrong person!" The woman shouted despite the demands for her to keep quiet.

Her body was searched for any object on her person which ended up in her borrowed phone, bokken, wallet and stolen guns being confiscated.

She ended up detained at a police station in a holding cell of which she was the only occupant. Tenten got really worried for herself. Were they just going to send her to prison without questioning and trials? That was against the law, right? Right?

To her relief some officers soon arrived to fetch her. She was directed to a questioning room where she sat face to face with an investigator.

"You're to answer my questions truthfully without sparing any details, understand?" And without waiting for her to reply the investigator commenced the questioning. "So then we shall begin with the first question, Miss Shirayuki Haku. You were reported to have allegedly worked together with Momochi Zabuza before his apprehension. Is this true?"

"Excuse me. You have to check your record properly. You have wrong person. I'm not Shirayuki Haku." Tenten repeated the same thing she had been saying for minutes now. "My name is Hideshi Bara, I am here on tour with my husband before we miss each other. Please help. My husband is blind."

Tenten never thought she would be using Neji's alibi but here she was, freely admitting that Neji's made up identity was true. He had told her that he would come back for her without fail. Tenten interpreted that as a demand to conceal her real identity no matter what which also meant 'go by the identity I gave you'. If Neji was searching for her, he was searching for a Hideshi Bara not Xinyang Tenten.

"I refuse to believe your story is true. After all you assaulted three Police officers and stole their guns."

"Self defense." Tenten rebutted immediately. "Police suddenly started chasing me, I was scared. I had to find my husband so I ran. He is not answering my calls, he must've lose his phone. Something has happened to him!"

"You say self defense but the testimony here says you had the combat skills of a professional."

"I take kendo lesson." Tenten dismissed the accusation easily. "Look officer, you have to check this again. I am not your target."

The investigator hummed. "We'll see about that."

In the end Tenten was returned to the detaining cell after an unsuccessful round of questioning. She crouched and hugged her knees after the door was locked on her. Why on earth was Neji taking so long? Did he and Haku get caught?

Her stomach growled in response to her thoughts and she hugged herself tighter. That's right, she hadn't eaten anything all day. Che. It was all Neji's fault for getting her into this mess.

***

I hope you enjoyed this week's chapter. Please vote and comment if you did so. I would really appreciate it if you also pointed out plot holes and mistakes. Thanks for reading. Let's meet again in the next chapter.

-Star.