Konoha: The Village Hidden in the Leaves [Spring Festival!]

Are you excited about the revitalization of Konoha?

Yeah! Looks like bugging the old lady worked!	69.9%	[ 95 ]
Nope. You should've just let it die.	30.1%	[ 41 ]
Total Votes:			[ 136 ]

[Tsunade of the Sannin]

Tsunade sat at her desk in the Hokage's office, filing through books, her pen darting across the pages as she marked off completed missions.

Her pig, Tonton, snorted at her feet, staying close to her owner.

The Fifth Hokage's brown eyes never looked up from the pages, but reached down with one hand to stroke the pig's ear twice, before placing it on the table to support the book. It seemed like mostly lower level missions for now, there weren't too many higher needs out there that called for A or B missions.

She let out a sigh, work was a bit boring.

If only she could just creep out from under Shizune's nose, she'd go down to the casino and gamble all her money's worth. But still, Shizune would whine, and that was worse than work.

[[[Neji Hyuuga]]]

Neji had been lying underneath a tree, shaded underneath the leaves.

His sensei, Guy -he felt as if he should feel funny for still having a sensei as a Jounin, but didn't seem to mind at the moment- had informed him that Lee had gone off to train for a bit, and Tenten was yet to be found.

The Hyuuga prodigy enjoyed this place, it was peaceful, away from all the noise of the city. Not that this country was particularly as noisy as others, but the serene silence gave Neji a calm, collected expression. Closing his pale eyes, he leaned against the trunk of the tree, in a half-sleep state to take an easy nap while he waited for his teammates or summons from another.

[Tsunade of the Sannin]

((Allright, I'm off for the night. Anyone who wishes to join as a canon character, pm me, made ups are free to roleplay unless I say otherwise when I get back.))

[]-Kakashi-[]

"Ah, I lose again, Kakashi-san." said a voice from outside of the street corner. A small crate was topped with a shogi board, and the pieces on this board showed that the young, grey haired man wearing the Konoha forehead protector was the victor. He raised his hands defensively, however, as though to dismiss his victory.

"You never cease to amaze me, young man. You're the only person who can defeat me at this game." Continued the old voice as the young man chuckled lightly to himself, and extended his hand to the balding elder who was speaking.

"And I've never before played an opponent with such skill. I've truly learned from this experience, Tenshi-sama." Responded the man's deep, steady voice as the two shook hands, "However it is getting late, and I've got to be up early tomorrow morning. See you next Tuesday!" He said, waving as he walked away from the elder man.

However, the man did not immediately return home. His trip made its way eastward, towards the local bookstore where he checked (For what was likely the hundredth time) the poster which detailed the release date for the newest installment of his favorite book series.

Afterwards he stopped by Naruto, Sai and Sakura's houses individually, to make sure that they were both safe and home at the times they reported they would be. Afterwards he shopped for a few groceries and went to his home, a small apartment.

He had not lied to Tenshi, though, as he went straight to bed when he arrived home, though not before stowing away the groceries. This time of day was the only time when he ever willingly removed his mask...

And so, Hatake Kakashi slept.

[Tsunade of the Sannin]

"Tsunade-sama~a~a..." a voice whined, accompanied by that of a squealing pig. "Please wake up!"

"Ungh?" Tsunade mumbled, feeling a bit disorderly and confused. She opened her brown eyes, her neck and back feeling terribly sore, her fuzzy vision clearing as she seemed to look at her desk. She'd fallen asleep at work again.

"Oh, thank goodness," Shizune sighed, relieved, struggling to hold onto Tonton in her arms. "I thought I'd never be able to get you up."

It took Tsunade a moment to recognize it, as she picked up her head with a deeply irritated scowl. "You woke me up," she growled.

"Yii~!" Shizune yipped, jumping back. She didn't want to be in the line of fire on this one. Tsunade-sama wasn't particularly a morning person. "But the papers!" she said, trying to change the subject, "The files haven't been finished!"

Tsunade let out a sigh, this wasn't particularly the most enjoyable morning. She was sore and tired, but, these were things she'd have to live with. She'd lay down a bit later, making a mental note for herself. Opening the files on the desk again, she began to read the mission synopses.

[Tsunade of the Sannin]

((We now have banners!))

[Jiraiya of the Sannin]

All was quiet in front of the great gates of the Hidden Leaf village. There had not been many visits lately, so the roads were left unscathed by the marks of traveling footsteps. Today, however, a very familiar person would be making a visit to the great village of Konoha, along with a special guest of his. Down the road, the sound of two pairs of geta could be heard against the dirt road. One of them would stop, and there stood Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin of Konoha.

"Finally here," he said, folding his arms in front of his chest. This was actually the fourth time he had returned to the Leaf village with important business. The first time was before the Sound ninja's attack on Konoha. The second was when he and Naruto brought Tsunade back to the village to take her place as the Fifth Hokage. The third and more recent time was when he brought Naruto back from his long, two year training session. Now, Jiraiya returned once more...with a guest. He looked behind himself to see if he was still with him.

"Hey, kid!" he shouted. "Pick up the pace!"

[[[Neji Hyuuga]]]

Neji rose from his place, just sitting beneath the tree was beginning to grow a bit boring. He could only take so much silence. He was so close, he'd taken on the head of the Hyuuga clan, Hinata's father, twice this week, but was still beaten in combat. Experience really did give the old man the advantage.

And he'd gotten so close on thursday. If he hadn't worn down his chakra so quickly, he would've been able to complete the 128 palms. He'd need to learn to manage his chakra a little better.

He WOULD become the leader of the Hyuuga clan someday.

Leaving his tree in the third training grounds, he strode out into the city, the shops of Konoha seemed alive with potential buyers. As much as the Hyuuga clan tended to seclude itself because of it's "higher blood", Neji found almost as much peace now in the quiet as among the other people. Years ago, he wasn't quite the same way. He remembered, back in the academy. He was better than everyone else, and he knew so, and didn't mind proving it. Now, he was a Jounin, he was far more mature, far more experienced.

He'd taken it a bit easy, taking only errand missions recently, so he could focus on training to beat Hiashi Hyuuga. But, Neji knew it was no time to slack off.

On the street, the pale eyes seemed to give it away, instantly notifying everyone of who he was. Adults bowed their heads in respect, while younger teenage girls whispered among themselves, blushing, teenage boys whispering among themselves with a bit more contempt. Children offered him smiles and waves, which were gratefully offered back by the Hyuuga prodigy.

[Tenkai Matsumoto]

"Easy for you to say!" shouted a young man who wasn't too far down the road. He was the second pair of geta that sounded up the path as Jiraiya was heading towards the gate. "You're not wearing armor!"

Indeed, this boy was wearing armor. Albeit a rather odd-looking suit, at that. He wore a samurai chestplate over what appeared to be a monk's robe and scapular, with a large Buddhist rosary necklace hanging from his neck with beads the size of tennis balls. It appeared as if the sleeve was torn off on the right side, exposing a bare arm that was only concealed by metal samurai shoulder armor and forearm guards held to his arm by gauze. Other than that, the ill-defined but strong muscles of his right arm were visible. His left arm was covered mostly by the long sleeve of the robe he wore underneath his armor. This side, however, lacked shoulder armor. His left leg was covered by the blue, diamond-patterned scapular of his robe, which seemed to only cover that side. His right side, however, showed he was wearing a pair of samurai pants cut off at the shin by a pair of samurai shinguards, his right leg partially concealed by armor plates similar to the shoulder armor on his right shoulder. Upon his feet were a pair of wooden geta, similar to the ones Jiraiya wore on his feet. His thigh armor and chestpiece were held together to the robe by a white rope belt tied in the front in a large knot, with the two ends of the rope hanging in front of it. He didn't appear to be Japanese, nor did he look much like a ninja. The only thing that looked somewhat ninja-related about him was the steel-plated headband on his forehead, bearing the kanji "shi", or "death", which was tied around his head just above the band holding his long hair back into a short, bushy ponytail, with long bangs hanging off the side of his headband. The most striking part about his appearance, however, were the two swords upon his person, one held on his lower back horizontally while the other was strapped to his back diagonally, with the hilt over his right shoulder.

This young man was Tenkai Matsumoto, a member of the group known as the "Amatsu Bouei Dai-Riten", which had an alliance with Konoha.

He had finally caught up to Jiraiya, who had insisted they walk to Konoha instead of more expedient means of transportation. He brought his left hand up to his forehead, the sleeve sliding off his forearm to reveal that it was wrapped in gauze, but no forearm guards. Instead, there was another roasary wrapped around his hand and part of his forearm, with smaller beads. Unlike the first rosary, which was Buddhist, a long section of beads dangled from the part wrapped around his hand with a crucifix at the end of it.

"Why couldn't we have used one of your toads for travel?"

[Jiraiya of the Sannin]

Jiraiya smirked at this remark.

"A toad would make too much noise for travel," said Jiraiya, "You want people to know we're here right when we arrive? Where's the fun in that?"

"Besides, it's much better practice for your speed, since you were the one who decided to change your appearance so suddenly. But enough with that. If we're going to get to the Hokage's office, we should hurry up." He would continue through the gates, knowing that Tenkai would be following him.

[[[Neji Hyuuga]]]

Neji strode through the streets, looking up only to see the small crowd that had materialized among the first street, just before the main gate.

There seemed to be a little bit of commotion, as Neji made his was through, the people parting way for him. Finding his way at the front, the Hyuuga prodigy immidiately recognized who all the commotion was about, he surely didn't need the byakugan to remember what he looked like.

"Jiraiya-sama, you've returned," Neji greeted him, with a respectful bow, as all of the Konoha would offer him, one of the Legendary Sannin, "Welcome back. Hokage-sama will be glad to know of your return."

He looked up, pale eyes focusing on the one to his side, giving a somewhat quizzical look to the armor-clad one. His appearance looked a little... busy. "You have a new pupil, Jiraiya-sama?" he asked, a bit perplexed.

[Tenkai Matsumoto]

"That's nonsense," replied Tenkai, "Why would we need to be in a hurry to see Lady Tsunade? She might not be sleeping right now..."

That's when they were greeted by the man who looked a bit younget than Tenkai. He was not wearing standard Konoha military uniform, but the headband was a dead giveaway that he was a ninja. He seemed to be well regarded by the crowd, as well.

"Pupil?" asked Tenkai, somewhat confused.

Tenkai would take a closer look at him...

"Those eyes..." he thought.

"You must be from the Hyuuga clan, are you not?" asked Tenkai.

[Jiraiya of the Sannin]

"Hmhmhm, well, hello there, Neji..." said Jiraiya. It looked as if familiar faces were already coming about at their arrival. "Thanks for the warm greeting." A few years ago it would have been uncharacteristic of Neji to act that way around new people. Sometimes change was good, he thought.

"This guy over here?" he replied, "You could say that. Think of it as a favor for 'Lady Hokage' on behalf of the village's alliance with the group this kid comes from. He's not really a ninja, though. More like a samurai, if you ask me...heh."

He would then respond to what Tenkai was asking him. "Well, of course not. But the faster we go, the faster we can cut the formalities and do some...sightseeing." Jiraiya would look away towards the direction of the bathouse, grinning mischievously.

[[[Neji Hyuuga]]]

"Correct." Neji seemed a bit impressed by the man's knowledge. The armor-clad man was not of the village, but he still knew of his bloodline.

He nodded, his brown hair giving a bit of a shake with him, as he politely bowed his head in greeting. "Please forgive my manners, I am Neji, of the Hyuuga Clan."

Neji was in his usual garb, the a white longsleeve shirt seemed to be wound around him, secured by a single button in the center of his chest. A black sash was tied around his waist, his knee-high black pants showing off the wraps that were only on his right hand and foot, leaving the left bare, sporting traditional black shinobi shoes.

He examined the headband around Tenkai's head a bit closer, a bit confused. He hadn't encountered that symbol before. Still, that didn't seem much of his business. He wasn't an intruder, being with Jiraiya-sama was proof of that.

"Nevertheless, Jiraiya-sama, I feel Hokage-sama will be delighted to see you. She always is."