I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful reviews and their support of this story! Sorry that this update took so long to upload. I'm trying to update all my stories so it took quite a bit of time.

This chapter although short contains a lot of information, so get ready! Enjoy!

p.s: I didn't really have time to edit this chapter so please excuse any mishaps you might find.

Chapter 7: Oh My Jinchuriki!

Inside the walls of Jiraiya's study both Kakashi and Yamato poured over documents and books several decades old while Jiraiya thumbed through a stack of files. There was so much information on the nine statues. Myths and legends along with tragic stories of former owners and mysterious deaths followed each Jinchuriki wherever it went. However one story stayed the same. And that one story was causing the hairs on the back of their heads to stand on end.

"It's mentioned here again," Yamato mumbled, holding up a heavy historical volume. Its pages yellowed with age.

Both Kakashi and Jiraiya lowered their own research material and came over to the sandy haired ANBU officer, reading the text over his shoulder. Jiraiya chose to read aloud.

"Legend has it that the head monk of the Hidden Sun Valley concealed a lock of hair in one of the nine stone statues. It is said that the hair once belonged to a man of incredible strength and cunning. He was known as the Sage of Nine Paths and rumor had it that he was not all together human. Demon blood ran through his veins giving him his unrivaled power over his enemies. Many sought to slay him however failed. The head monk only got close enough to hack off a clump of hair. This being his token of the fight he had survived he hid it in one of the nine demon statues in efforts to entrap the demon man's power."

Kakashi sighed, squeezing the bridge of his nose. This had been the tenth account he'd read on the matter of the half demon Sage of Nine Paths. Whether this was what the Akatsuki were after he had no idea.

"I doubt this is it," Jiraiya grumbled as he rubbed his chin. "However I've seen people kill for less. If they indeed believe in this rubbish, I wouldn't put it past them…but what I don't seem to understand is what they would want with that lock of hair if they somehow got their hands on it?"

Yamato nodded. "It doesn't make much sense."

"We need to capture one of the members of the Akatsuki."

Both Yamato and Jiraiya turned to look at the silver haired officer. The man had his brows furrowed deep in thought as he stared at the words written on the page they had just read. It seemed that the only way to find out exactly what the group was after was to coax the information out of them.

"That is all well and good, Kakashi." Yamato said, "But these guys aren't going to just walk into our cuffs. They're smart…and dangerous. Capturing one of them isn't going to just happen like that. We need a carefully constructed plan of offense."

Kakashi nodded, "I know. And I have an idea."

"Oh?" Jiraiya lifted one bushy white eyebrow. "I'm all ears, boy."

Straightening up Kakashi folded his arms across his chest and began. "What we need to do is trap them. They want all the Jinchuriki statues. We need just one. Set it as bait and wait for them to arrive."

"Hm," Jiraiya grunted. "Sure, we could do that."

"But what if they don't need them all?" Yamato countered. "If they are indeed looking for the lock of hair then if they find it in one of their statues our plan would fall through."

"That is why Kankuro is going in from a different angle," Kakashi replied. "We go in through the Jinchuriki side while he continues looking from the victim's view. Anyway it's worth a shot."

The two men nodded, seeing Kakashi's point.

"Well then if that's settled," Kakashi stuck his hands into his pockets and turned. "Let's go tell Tsunade."

At the mention of the Chief's name Jiraiya instantly paled.

"Ah you two go ahead," he insisted, shooing them out towards the door. "I think I'll stay here and research a bit more."

Yamato grinned, fully understanding Jiraiya's plight. "Better come around sooner rather than later. You know how she gets."

"That's why I rather go later. MUCH later," Jiraiya shivered. His fingers tenderly running over his week old bruised posterior. "I still can't sit right."

:::

From behind her desk Tsunade stared at the two faces of her subordinates. Kakashi was leaning lazily against the wall while Yamato stood straight like a board at attention. Heaving an exuberant sigh the Chief of police leaned into her chair and looked up at the ceiling, secretly cursing Jiraiya to hell and back. That man had been avoiding her all week and her fist sorely missed its comforting home buried deep in Jiraiya's belly. Scrunching her nose she flexed her fingers thoughtfully before finally turning her full attention on the two men.

"Well what is it?" She grouched, "Are you just going to stand there all day?"

Yamato colored, shaking his head furiously while Kakashi just sighed and stood straight. Approaching the Chief's desk he bowed before relaying the news.

"We have a theory about the Jinchurikis."

At the sound of that Tsuande's eyes narrowed. Ears now on high alert she nodded her head for the Captain in charge to continue.

"There is a high probability that the Akatsuki are trying to collect all the Jinchuriki statues." Kakashi said. "As to why they are doing so we are not quite sure. However we do suspect that it might have something to do with the legend revolving around those nine statues."

"What legend?" Tsunade asked, brows angling downwards in concentration.

Yamato cleared his throat. "It is said that a lock of hair belonging to the Sage of Nine Paths is concealed within one of the statues. We believe they are trying to obtain it."

Tsunade frowned. "Why?"

"We are not quite sure," Yamato continued. "But whatever the reason, they are adamant at gathering them."

"And how does this tie in with the murders?" Tsunade asked through narrowed eyes, her lips set in a thin line as confusion flowed freely across her face.

"Again," Yamato lowered his head. "We are not quite sure. All we know is that they are willing to kill for these stone statues. Kakashi has come up with an idea on how we can gather more intel."

"Oh?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, "And what may that be?"

For a single moment Kakashi was startled by how similar Jiraiya and Chief Tsunade were. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought.

"I think we should obtain one of the nine Jinchuriki and set a trap." Kakashi said, "If they are so keen on acquiring all the stone statues, they won't stop to come and collect this one. We capture one of the Akatsuki and extract everything we can from them about the murders and the statues. We don't have anything to lose."

"Hm."

Taking a deep breath Tsunade leaned back in her chair and pondered over the idea. In reality they didn't have much to lose. There was all ready a slew of victims. If she wanted to prevent any more deaths than capturing one of the members of the Akatsuki was top priority. Nodding to herself she looked up.

"Have Gai's team assist you. Include them in your findings," she rubbed her forehead, blonde hair being pushed to the side as she did so. "Give them all the information. We need this to happen fast. Time is something we can't afford to waste."

Kakashi nodded, "Understood."

:::

After coming back from a wonderful meal of three bowls of ramen Naruto grinned and sat back at his desk, stomach full and satiated. Sasuke on the other hand was looking slightly paler than he did before, his mouth slightly open as he sat behind his desk. For the life of him he couldn't comprehend why his eyes would not leave well enough alone. During the whole meal he felt like he was being sucked in by every gesture Naruto made. The blonde's chopsticks were a blur as he shoved the cooked noodles in his mouth hungrily, broth dripping down his chin and falling back down into the bowl.

The hot food made Naruto's pink lips redder and brighter than anything he'd ever seen. Craving and capturing his attention like a work of art. He recalled trying to pull himself away from tempting thoughts. Battling his brain with sheer will alone. If anything was to go by, going out to lunch with Naruto proved to be a huge mistake.

His thoughts only circled around the event of last night that much stronger. Making his memories that more vivid and that more gripping. He swallowed, praying to some unknown deity to let his mind have a rest. He was at work. Mistakes couldn't be performed here!

Five minutes after the boys had gotten back, the door to their shared office space was thrown open and Lee rushed in with a huge grin on his face.

"Naruto!" He bellowed happily, "We've been put on your case! We'll be working together!"

Beside him Naruto heard Sasuke groan. No doubt this was one of the nightmares that played privy in his dreams. Working under the loud and boisterous hand of Might Gai.

"Lee," Neji's voice rung clear through the room.

The pale skinned officer's hair was tied back in a high ponytail while he stood in the entryway with his arms crossed and brows furrowed. It was obvious that Neji wasn't pleased with his partner's rowdy show. Nonetheless the Hyuga walked into the office and approached their desk, his clear lavender eyes resting on Sasuke.

"We're to assemble in Major Yamato's officer immediately." Neji reported, his voice clear and sharp. "My team has been quickly briefed on the situation and we will assist in every way we can."

Sasuke nodded and stood from his seat, pushing his bangs out of his eyes as he did so. From his chair Naruto frowned. How come that whenever they received orders it was Sasuke who received them and he who stood in the background quietly listening. It irked him to no end. Silently fuming he stood from his chair, angrily kneeing the Uchiha in the behind. The usually calm and collected Sasuke nearly jumped. Turning around he stared at Naruto with wide onyx eyes before he caught hold of himself.

Teeth gritting together Sasuke fisted his hands into fists and stealthily kicked the blonde in the shin. The pleasant sound of his surprised cry made the anxious jitters in his body die down. Satisfied Sasuke silently smirked to himself and followed Neji out.

Behind him rubbing an abused shin was Naruto, glaring daggers at his back.

Seems like Sasuke was back to being his usual pricky self. Grinding his teeth Naruto breathed out and straightened his back.

"Have you ever had this uncontrollable desire to choke your partner, Lee?" Naruto asked as they walked down the hall.

Lee cocked his head to the side thoughtfully. "Can't say I have. Though I do suppose it is because Neji and I are close." He grinned. "He's the best! But a rival nonetheless!"

A little further ahead Sasuke and Neji were holding a similar conversation.

"All I ask is for a day of absolute and total silence," Neji growled as he heard Lee's booming voice from behind mentioning another competition he was planning. "One day. Is that too much?"

"Hn," Sasuke replied. "I for one would like to glue the dobe's mouth shut, hang him by his feet and dangle him over a blasted bowl of ramen. See how he would like being tortured and teased at the same time."

Neji cast a sidelong look at his friend, one eyebrow raised. "Really?"

With a determined nod Sasuke replied. "Really."

As they entered Yamato's office each officer took to stand by the wall. It appeared that everyone was already present so Kakashi made himself comfortable leaning on the desk. His eyes roamed over the questioning faces of the younger officers. Each pair of eyes just as curious as the next. Deciding it was better to get to the point he let his shoulders sag.

"As all of you are aware," he began, "We are investigating a double homicide which is proving to be part of a string of murders courtesy of the organization known as the Akatsuki. From what we gathered in our research, our findings have verified that this group is doing everything in their power to obtain all nine Jinchuriki statues. Our plan is to acquire ourselves one of these stone artworks and use it as bait to try and capture at least one of the Akatsuki members. From then on out we will extract as much intel as we can from them and try to put a stop to these murders while at the same time discover what it is they are trying to plan."

Naruto's mind whirled. The image of the stone statue hidden behind the bulletproof glass flashed in his eyes. It was without a doubt one of the Jinchuriki statues that Kakashi was speaking of. He was sure of it after having stared long and hard at an online picture of the stone statue. The flared nine tails, the gaping maw of the demon fox along with the pointed ears and carved muscles. Yeah…he was sure of it.

Kakashi crossed his arms. "The idea is for them to come to us and for that to happen, we need to get a hold of one of these Jinchuriki. I need yo—"

"Kakashi," Naruto interrupted, coming forward.

The seasoned officer stared at his charge, wondering what the boy could possibly say.

Naruto stared determinedly ahead, all childish follies put aside.

"Yes, Naruto?"

"You said we need one of the statues to catch them, right?"

Kakashi nodded.

"I have one."

Aaaaaand that's a wrap for chapter seven! Eventful don't you think?

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-smartcat