I don't own Naruto

Chapter 2

The next couple of weeks were an experience for team 10. Asuma checked the team's IQ and his results came back better than expected. Shikamaru's IQ was well over 140. Midori and Naruto, to the shock of Asuma, received very close scores. Midori received a 115 and Naruto received a 116. Team 10 experienced the torture that was known as D rank missions. They were chores to Naruto and he was anxious for a real mission. Team 10 became good friends although they still held their secrets. Midori has yet to reveal who her role model is. Naruto has not told them about his burden or the night when he discovered his burden. Their teamwork has gotten better, but their individual skills haven't really increased in Naruto's eyes. They had learned chakra control, as Naruto had asked. Shikamaru and Midori completed the exercises before Naruto, but they all still managed to master tree climbing and water walking. Asuma had also taught them a few things about the various tags and seals that you could buy from a store.

Today team 10 was just finishing another D rank mission. The worst and best one they've had since they started. Catching Tora. It was troublesome to the entire team. It was the closest thing to a true mission that they've had since starting.

Team 10 returned the cat to its owner, the fire lord's wife, and watched as she squeezed the cat to death. They were hoping it would die in the bear hug. Their hopes were dashed when Tora escaped once again and Sarutobi offered that mission again.

"No! No more of these chores. We want a real mission. This stuff could be done by academy students, not genin." Naruto said

"He's right. This stuff is troublesome." Shikamaru said while Midori nodded her agreement.

"What do you think son?" Sarutobi asked

"I think they can handle a C rank. They have splendid teamwork and I'm there as well, so nothing should go wrong." Asuma replied

"No they're not ready. They are genin fresh out of the academy." Iruka said

"I understand your concern Iruka, but they are my students now and I know their capabilities better. If I say they are ready for a C rank mission, then they are." Asuma said. He didn't want to be harsh to the guy, but he wasn't going to allow someone other than his dad tell him how to run his team.

"Nicely said. C rank granted." Sarutobi said as he threw Asuma a scroll that had a large C on it.

"Alright team head home and pack for at least a month away. Meet me at the gate, when you're packed." Asuma said after quickly reading over the scroll. After they left, Asuma walked out while rereading the scroll.

Team 10 later met their sensei at the gate. The entire team was wearing small packs.

"We're ready to go sensei." Naruto said as they all arrived

"These are the 'ninja' I paid for? These are a bunch of brats. They aren't even packed correctly." The older man, who was standing next to Asuma, said

"Team this is our client Tazuna. Our mission is to escort him home and protect him until he completes a bridge he's building. Tazuna, these 'brats' as you called them are shinobi. I've personally trained them and I have faith in them being able to complete this mission without me. I have taught them how to use storage scrolls, so that can carry a lot of stuff in a small scroll. " Asuma said. After his words he headed out of the village with his team and Tazuna following.

"I want you to be on your guard team. Just because this is a simple C rank and the most threat is estimated to be bandits and thugs, you should still be ready for a fight." Asuma said as his team nodded.

Hours later they were still walking. Asuma, although he didn't look it, was completely on guard. It was too quiet and they hadn't run into anyone. He was cautious of the situation.

They soon passed a puddle. Asuma and Shikamaru were the only ones to notice it. Asuma decided to allow his genin to handle the threat. He would be backup in case. Shikamaru was prepared for the threat and was ready to take charge if need be.

They passed the puddle and two figures appeared. Unknown to all, but Asuma, their enemies were the demon brothers Gozu and Meizu.

Gozu threw Meizu and he landed on the other side of Asuma. Acting surprised, Asuma made a weak attempt to defend himself. The demon brothers wrapped the chain that connected them around Asuma and pulled. Asuma was ripped to shreds before the genin's eyes.

Shikamaru knew that their sensei was testing them, so he quickly took charge.

"Naruto Midori, sensei is alright. Let's handle those two." Shikamaru said. It only took a second for his words to register and the two nodded. Midori and Naruto charged with a Naruto clone with each genin. Shikamaru threw a shuriken, followed by a kunai to imbed the chain into a tree. The two genin and two clones struck after that. The clones threw a punch for the face which missed, but it was a diversion the whole time. Naruto and Midori drop kicked their respective enemy in the chest. The brothers were barely pushed back a couple inches and they regained their balance quickly. They released the chains that was connected to their respective gauntlets and charged. Gozu went after Shikamaru and Meizu went after Midori. Knowing he wasn't fast enough to do much, Naruto's clones used the substitution jutsu to replace with his teammates. They both took a defensive stance in front of the chunin level missing nin.

Before they could take a blow Asuma jumped in and defeated the brothers with ease.

"Good work you guys. It's good that care that much for your teammates Naruto, but never do that again. Never put your life in jeopardy like that." Asuma said. He was proud of how they handled themselves and Naruto's willingness to save his comrades, but was disappointed in Naruto's recklessness.

"That was my two clones sensei." The other Naruto in the distance said as the clones that were in the spots of Shikamaru and Midori dispersed. Asuma smiled at the cleverness. He would talk to Naruto more about strategies as well later.

"Care to tell us why we were attacked by ninja Tazuna?" Asuma asked as he turned his attention to their client.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Tazuna said

"I don't like to be lied to Tazuna. Without knowing the full situation, I already know that they were after you and that more will come. If you don't tell me the truth, then team 10 is dropping this mission and heading back to Konoha." Asuma said. Naruto was about to argue, but Shikamaru expected this and put his hand over Naruto's mouth and whispered to him.

"Asuma sensei is bluffing. He just wants the truth." Shikamaru said. Shikamaru, over the past couple of weeks, has grown close to Asuma especially through playing Shogi together. Asuma would usually win, but Shikamaru was still a challenge.

Tazuna broke down and told Asuma the truth. He explained his reasons for lying and Asuma understood.

"Naruto, send a shadow clone, with a second it the first one's shadow, back to the village and tell dad we will need support. This mission has just jumped from a C rank to B rank bordering on A rank mission" Asuma said.

"Alright sensei." Naruto said as he did as he was told. Team 10 and Tazuna continued on after that.

A couple of hours later, the team and client were getting closer to their destination. A quick boat ride and some more walking and they would be there. Naruto had a vision of his clone running and then being destroyed by a surprise attack. Naruto didn't understand what was going on, but decided to ask Asuma later because they were about to get on a boat.

The boat trip was mostly silent because the dude rowing the boat asked for silence. Naruto received a second influx of memories though. The second clone had been discovered, but before he was dispelled he used the multi shadow clone jutsu with all of it's chakra.

They later arrived at the shore and bid their farewell to the man. He was still disappointed that Tazuna had returned with kids and one man, but there was nothing he could do about it.

The group continued on their journey until Naruto threw a shuriken in the bushes. Midori checked to see what it was and told them that it was a white bunny. Asuma was immediately on alert. He knew that their next opponent was here.

"Get down!" Asuma exclaimed as he pulled Tazuna down with him and his team dived to the ground. A huge sword, or zanbato, flew overhead and lodged itself into a tree. A second later a man landed on the sword.

"Zabuza Momochi, missing nin of Kiri." Asuma said as he stood up.

"Asuma Sarutobi, a former member of the twelve guardians. No wonder the demon brothers failed." Zabuza said

"You sent them?" Asuma asked

"Yes. Now hand over the bridge builder." Zabuza said

"No. You'll have to take him." Asuma said

"I planned on doing that anyway." Zabuza said

"Team, manji formation. Protect the bridge builder. This guy is jounin level and too strong for you guys." Asuma said as his team obeyed his orders. Asuma then pulled out his trench knives.

"I hope you don't think you can beat my executioner's blade with those?" Zabuza said as he smirked and jumped off the blade, blade in hand, and onto the water. "Hidden mist jutsu!"

Team 10 could feel the killer intent being leaked. It was too much for them, but they held it together for each other and their sensei.

They wouldn't fail.

Asuma smirked at his team and their ability to fight off the killer intent as best as they could. That moment he smirked, Zabuza made his move. Zabuza was inside the genin's guard and was about to strike before Asuma charged. One chakra blade blocked the Executioner's blade, while the other slashed at Zabuza. Zabuza smirked and then dissolved into water.

"A water clone." Asuma said to himself.

Zabuza appeared behind Asuma and tried to hit him with his zanbato, but Asuma ducked and used both chakra blades to slash Zabuza. This proved futile because Zabuza dissolved into water again.

"It isn't that easy." Zabuza said as he appeared behind Asuma again and swung his blade again. Asuma ducked again, but Zabuza was ready. He let his blade hit the ground and used it to balance himself as he kicked Asuma into the water.

Asuma landed on the water's surface and looked at the Zabuza that kicked him only for it to dissolve. Asuma, on instinct ducked a blow from Zabuza. Zabuza slid to the other side of the water, ready to charge again.

"I might have to get serious." Asuma said as he channeled wind chakra into his blades. The blades glowed, but didn't extend. Asuma didn't have time to do all that since Zabuza was charging. Their blades clashed and Asuma was able to hold Zabuza and his massive blade back. This was what Zabuza planned for.

"Water prison jutsu!" Zabuza said from behind Asuma. Asuma was shocked that he fell for such a simple distraction. The water clone in front of him smirked and turned to the genin.

"Get out of here! Take Tazuna and go!" Asuma yelled to the best of his ability

"That's not exactly possible. This guy's a jounin. He'll just finish you off and come after us. We have no chance of escape." Shikamaru said as he prepared for battle

"Exactly, that's why we're not giving up. Shadow clone jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed as he made a small army of clones.

They all charged the water clone, who smirked and knocked them all back. Midori moved to catch Naruto. She caught him and they charged together. Naruto created two more shadow clones and they assisted in the charge. The clones threw the first punch, which was easily dodged. Naruto and Midori tried to dropkick the jounin, but he blocked it with his blade. He smirked and flipped his blade upwards and knocked them into the air. The clone charged them, but felt stiff for a second.

"Shadow possession success." Shikamaru said

"You think this can hold me?" The water clone asked

"No just distract you." Shikamaru said as a huge fireball was seen flying towards the real Zabuza.

"That's your best?" Zabuza said as he used his blade to defend himself. He didn't realize that there was a demon wind shuriken inside the fireball and that it held an explosive tag.

The fireball died down enough to see the shuriken. Zabuza smirked, while he mentally wondered what was the purpose of the shuriken. Before he could think any further, it exploded.

Asuma was freed from the water prison and looked at his team in shock. The Naruto and Midori that were thrown back, by the water clone poofed away. They were shadow clones. The real Naruto and Midori were in the tree line, where they wouldn't be seen.

Shikamaru was standing up straight after the water clone dissolved.

Asuma then turned his attention back to his opponent. Zabuza was against a tree and beaten. Asuma walked toward him, intent on taking his life. Before Asuma could get too close, three senbon flew at Zabuza and pierced his neck.

Another shinobi dropped into the clearing.

"Thank you for defeating Zabuza for me. As you can see, I'm a Kiri hunter nin and I've been chasing Zabuza for some time now. I will take it from here." The hunter nin said as he grabbed the body and body flickered away.

That's no hunter nin. He must be Zabuza's accomplice. We'll be seeing them two in the future, Asuma thought

"Good job team. Nice strategy. It got the job done. Now let's continue to Tazuna's home." Asuma said as they continued on their way.