Naruto: *bounces onto screen* Hey...where's Story-teller666 chan?

Sasuke: *strolls in* Who cares...at least I'll only have to deal with two idiots.

Sakura: Haha...two idiots...you mean Naruto and...Naruto? *she pauses*

Sasuke: *sigh*

Sakura:...um...Sasuke kun...you counted wrong...there's only *counts on fingers*...one idiot here.

Sasuke: Kami sama give the strength to stop myself strangling her... *closes his eyes*

Naruto:...hey...WHAT'S THAT? *points at the sky*

Sasuke: It's a bird

Sakura: No! It's a plane

Naruto: No! It's Sto - ACK *is squashed by the author*

Story-teller666: IT'S STORY-TELLER666, HERE TO SAVE THE DAY *strikes a pose*

Sasuke: ...

Sakura: WOAH! *stares wide eyed*

Story-teller666: Hahahaha...bow down before my greatness! *Naruto and Sakura obeys immediately*

Sasuke:...no...I counted right...two idiots...plus a wierdo *sighs*

Disclaimer: *in baby voice* Naruto no mine...boohoo...*cries*

CHAPTER 3

The all powerful Sandaime of the Hidden Village of the Leaf crossed his arms in a pout that would have worked better on a younger looking man. The crinkles and wrinkles on his face wriggled about, before settling down around his mouth and cheery, kind eyes, as the wise face scrunched together in annoyance.

"This is insane" the old man muttered, staring at his foe. The towering pile of neatly stacked paper (surprisingly) didn't reply. Scowling at the lack of answer, Sarutobi uncrossed his arms and reluctantly picked up his pen.

"Might as well get this over with" he viciously pulled a sheet in front of him and frowned at the words. Silence ensued as the leader digested the contents of the letter. Reaching the bottom of the page, he leaned back in his chair and raised an eyebrow.

"Why would the council want a rule that banned chopstick-styled hairclips" he mused out loud. A shrug and a "meh" later, the previously examined was found in the waste paper basket.

A few minutes diligent signing later, the door to his office burst open. Sarutobi had barely glanced up from his desk before being bombarded with mission requests from his favourite genin. Barely suppressing a grin, the Hokage watched Naruto hop up and down on the spot.

"Oji san, what's with the D rank missions?" the blonde demanded, pointing an accusing finger in all directions. "Give me a B or A rank already, dattebayo. I need to become strong to be the Hokage."

Sarutobi intertwined his fingers together and propped his chin atop them. Eyebrows raised, he passed his eyes over the four nins before him, finally landing on the team leader. Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck and laughed sheepishly, at the same time slapping a hand over Naruto's mouth. The Sandaime smirked at the muffled yells that were still audible.

"Naruto, I've already explained to you about the mission levels and their assigning methods" the old man rubbed closed eyelids in a tired way. He heaved another sigh and opened his eyes, only to scowl at Naruto. "You're getting D rank missions and that's final".

"But what about Tazuna and Zabuza, what about that mission?" Sasuke stepped forward, indifferent to the stifled squawks from his team mate.

"That was different" Sarutobi pinned the Genin down with his gaze "we were not aware of the mission's true extent until you were already more than half way to the wave country".

Naruto wrenched Kakashi's hand away from his mouth, spun and gave the Hokage an accusatory look.

"Geez, so stingy" he growled. Huffily crossing his arms at the lack of reply, Naruto turned and stomped out of the room.

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow at the retreating back. He flicked his eyes back to the remaining nins.

"Yeah, yeah" Kakashi gave a lazy wave and beckoned his remaining students out.

The Hokage regarded the previously occupied spot in the room then sighed. Slumping into himself, the Sandaime groaned out loud. A helpless glance was sent out the window accompanying a loud moan.

"Why does it feel like this going to come back and bite me in the butt?"

His ANBU guards grinned behind their masks. One of them sniggered before nudging his companion.

"Bet you dinner that the Uzumaki kid is going to paint the Third's face tonight" he whispered.