Chapter Text
Lee has never considered himself to be seen as someone important in the shinobi world. Not that his self-esteem was low, on the contrary! He knew his worth and was happy with what he had accomplished as a ninja, thanks to his hard work. He simply didn’t think of himself as someone significant enough to actually need protection whenever he showed his face to the public. So you can imagine his surprise when he was called to the Hokage’s office to be told he would be in need of a strong bodyguard as soon as possible.
“M-me? Why is that?” Lee stuttered, confused thoughts racing through his mind. What could possibly cause him the need of such serious protection?
“I don’t currently possess every detail.” Tsunade explained, arms crossed as she looked over at the young boy in front of her. “But one of our spies was sent to Kirigakure to gather information as we suspect their government is currently plotting against Konoha. However, what we found out was far from this.”
Lee blinked, perplexed.
“But.. Hokage-sama, what does this have to do with me?”
Tsunade furrowed her brows.
“Lee… can you think of anyone who might have strong resentment towards you? Someone you have fought before and made it clear they would get their revenge?”she asked, to which Lee shook his head.
“I don’t understand any of this…” Lee said. “I haven’t even graduated to chunin yet, i don’t recall ever defeating someone who could feel this way towards me”
Lee swallowed. He didn’t like where this was going.
Tsunade sighed before explaining further.
“Lee, we received intel that a dangerous Kirigakure swordsman going by the name of Takahashi Yuuto is sending his men to get you.” Lee’s eyes widened in shock. “Now, we do not know what he wants with you, or why he is doing this, but trust that we are doing our best to find out.”
“But how is this possible??” Lee squealed. None of this was making any sense. “I’m only genin, there’s no way I’m special enough for someone like that to go after me!”
“Unfortunately, its the harsh truth. That is why you need to find yourself a bodyguard strong enough to withstand a man like him. He might be sending his employees for now, but we fear if we fight them all off, he will come find you himself. And there is something you ought to know, Lee”
Tsunade gained a serious look on her face as she stated this.
“This man that’s looking for you… our spies couldn’t get any information on his relations with you, but they however found out his strength level. Admittedly, he is not as strong as someone like me, but he could very well beat your friend, the young Uchiha, in a fight. Which is why I deemed it important to let you find your bodyguard yourself, as you know the boy’s capacities more than I do. You have until tomorrow morning for this task, and in the meantime, try to be careful.”
Lee nods in understanding, then turns to the door to leave the office.
“And Lee?” Tsunade’s voice stops him in his tracks.
“Yes ma’am?” Lee replied as he looked over to the Hokage.
“Please don’t announce what i just told you to anyone.” Tsunade spoke in an exhausted voice. “At least, not until we have more details on the situation. We wouldn’t want to cause more problems than we already have.”
“Y-yes ma’am.” Stuttered Lee. Keeping this from Guy-Sensei was going to be easier said than done, but he would manage.
As he walked back to his house under the pale moonlight, Lee couldn’t help but stress about the unexpected circumstances.
Yuuto Takahashi…. Has he heard this name before? The more he thought about it, the less sense it made. And a bodyguard stronger than Sasuke…. How could he possibly find someone like that? Sasuke was the most talented shinobi he knew, even more powerful than Neji. Finding a chunin able to surpass him was close to impossible.
He walked up the stairs to his building, feeling as defeated as ever. Just as he pushed open the door to his apartment, it finally hit him. Lee bit his lip in frustration as he realized his only logical option. The shinobi who could defeat someone stronger than Sasuke Uchiha. The only one who could grant his safety in a situation like this.
Sabaku no Gaara.