Chapter 4: The Return of Team 7

A few days have passed and Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura are sitting on the three poles at their training grounds. Just then, they see Kakashi walking towards them ( Youtube link - watch?v=vfMSO4lp518 ).

Sasuke: I see you still are late for everything.

Kakashi: Sorry, I saw a certain angry lady and had to take the long way. Actually, I'm not lying this time.

Naruto: Riiight. So what did you want?

Kakashi: We have a mission to complete. But first, I wanted to talk to you about the Chuunin Exams.

Sasuke: Are they coming up already?

Naruto: Yeah. Konohamaru mentioned them the other day.

Kakashi: Right. Sasuke, Naruto, because you two are still Genin you need to enter and become Chuunin.

Naruto: Hell yeah! I'll pass for sure this time!

Sasuke: Count me in.

Kakashi: I thought you'd say that. That's all. Let's head to the gates. I'll explain the mission there. Naruto, Sakura, you two go on ahead. I want to speak to Sasuke alone for a moment.

Sakura: Alright, Kakashi-sensei. We'll be waiting.

Naruto and Sakura leave *Music Stops*. Sasuke and Kakashi begin to walk towards the road.

Kakashi: So, how does it feel being back?

Sasuke: In a way, I missed the losers here.

Kakashi: And your goal? Is it unchanged?

Sasuke: Yes. I will have my revenge still. But I have decided to do it my own way. I can't let Orochimaru have my body to do it.

Kakashi: I'm glad you came to your senses. Now then, let's go.

Kakashi and Sasuke move faster now and make their way to the gates where Naruto and Sakura are waiting.

Sakura: Let's go.

The team leaves the village.

Kakashi: We're supposed to intercept a cargo coming to the village. One of their colleagues fears that they'll be attacked by a bunch of rogue ninja.

Sakura: What kind of cargo is this?

Kakashi: It must be important.

Naruto: Alright! We're out on another dangerous mission! Just like old times.

Sakura: *Looks to Sasuke* Except this time, I won't be useless to you.

Sasuke: *Grins* I look forward to seeing that.

After a bit of walking, they see the cargo moving towards them. It's riding on an ox cart and is accompanied by about seven men. One of them steps forth and speaks.

Man: You must be the ninja we hired to protect the cargo.

Kakashi: That's right. You will be quite safe with us.

Team 7 accompanies the cargo team for about a minute when Kakashi stops them.

Kakashi: I see. So that's how it is.

Sasuke activates his Sharingan and looks around. He notices something when looking at the cargo team.

Sasuke: Kakashi…

Kakashi: I know.

Immediately, four of the men kick the other three down and release a transformation Jutsu. They are wearing tattered ninja outfits with crossed out headbands. They each hold a kunai out and point it towards the other three men.

Rogue Ninja 1: So, you're an Uchiha then.

Rogue Ninja 2: And you're the copy ninja. Just our luck.

Naruto: Let them go right now!

Kakashi: They have about 5 Ninja hiding, waiting to attack as well.

Sakura: Follow my lead, everyone.

Naruto: Sakura?

Sakura tightens her glove.

Sakura: Naruto, if you can secure the cargo, we can take them down.

Naruto: Got it. ( Youtube link - watch?v=0TsE01qdy5A )

Sasuke: What are you doing, Sakura?

Sakura: Just watch, Sasuke. Watch how I'VE improved!

Sakura strikes the ground with her fist and breaks the ground up all around the ninja and the cargo. The ninja begin to lose their footing when Team 7 strikes.

Naruto: Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Naruto makes about 6 Shadow Clones and 5 of them grab the cargo and move it out of harm's way. Sasuke immediately Shunshins over to one of the rogue ninja and cuts right through him with Chidori Katana. Naruto uses the last Shadow Clone and the real him to double-team another one of the ninja. The Shadow clone clashes kunais with the ninja and with the other hand makes Rasengan for the real Naruto. He then smashes him with Rasengan. The other one attacks Sasuke but gets pounded in the temple by Sakura who had built up momentum by running. The last one tries to run, but gets stopped by Naruto. Naruto weaves a few hand signs and ends on the dragon.

Naruto: Time to show off my new Jutsu. Wind Style: Wind Blade Jutsu!

Naruto slashes with his hand and a blade of wind comes out and cuts the ninja in half. His other clone dispels. *Music Stops*

Kakashi: So, you have affinity for Wind, huh?

Naruto: That's right. I learned that while I was away from the village.

Kakashi: (Whispering) There are still the other ninja. They don't think we know they're there. Watch this.

Kakashi separates himself from the rest of the team and sits down like he's going to relax. Suddenly, the five ninja strike all at once and come out of hiding. They all stab Kakashi with their kunai, but it was only a Lightning Clone. The Lightning shocks the five of them and the rest Kakashi comes out of hiding in front of them. He starts weaving a lot of hand seals very quickly.

Kakashi: Water Style: Water Wall Jutsu. And now, Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu.

Kakashi's Water Wall comes up quickly and from that Water Wall creates a Water Dragon. Kakashi is still weaving hand signs and performs another Jutsu.

Kakashi: And finally, Lightning Style: Emotion Wave!

Lightning comes out of Kakashi's hands and runs through the Water Dragon, which hits the five ninja directly. The rest of Team 7 is in shock.

Naruto: W-what the hell was that?!

Sasuke: So you got better too, huh?

Kakashi: Yeah, well it's not like I'm that old yet.

Sakura: But when did you replace yourself with a Shadow Clone?

Kakashi: When you attacked, of course. I knew you could handle it. *Smiles* But that was excellent teamwork out of you three. It looks like you still have your old synergy.

The three men get up, a bit distressed.

Sakura: Looks like we still have to complete our mission.

In practically no time, the cargo makes it to Konoha's gates. Shizune and Genma are waiting at the gates to pick up the cargo.

Shizune: Good work. It looks like you got here safe.

Genma: Did anyone attack?

Kakashi: We dealt with a few rogue ninja, but it was no trouble to us.

Shizune: Oh, Kakashi. A meeting about the Chuunin Exams is about to take place in ten minutes. You might want to get over there fast.

Kakashi: Okay. Looks like I have stuff to do, guys.

Kakashi leaves and Shizune and Genma escort the cargo with them.

Sakura: So how was that, Sasuke?

Sasuke: Not bad.

Naruto: We all did great today. So let's celebrate with some ramen!

Sakura: Again? Don't you eat anything else?

Naruto: Well, yeah, but I just love ramen so much.

At the meeting, Kakashi has just arrived. Tsunade is sitting down in front of a few Jounin, Ebisu notably. Kakashi stands next to Ebisu. ( Youtube link - watch?v=RDp21qkgczs )

Tsunade: Now that Kakashi is here, we can start. As you know, the Chuunin Exams are a week from today. Who amongst your Genin will you recommend for this year's Chuunin Exams?

The Jounin make their recommendations and then it gets to Ebisu.

Ebisu: I, Ebisu (Insert last name here), am sensei over Konohamaru Sarutobi, Moegi (Last name) and Udon (Last name). And I recommend all three of my students for the Chuunin exams.

Tsunade: Okay.

Asuma: Konohamaru's ready for the exams, huh? He's following in his footsteps all right.

Tsunade: Kakashi…

Kakashi: I, Kakashi Hatake, am sensei over Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. And of course, I recommend both of them for the Chuunin exams.

Tsunade: As I thought.

Random Jounin: Sasuke Uchiha? That traitor? Screw him!

Tsunade: Be quiet! Sasuke has done far more good for us than harm. We have graciously accepted him back into the village in exchange for what he knows about Orochimaru. He may turn out to be a very valuable asset to our village.

Kakashi: I agree.

Tsunade: One thing remains. Your students need a third teammate. However, that has been arranged.

Kakashi: Oh?

Tsunade: There is a Genin from ANBU that wishes to take the Chuunin Exams as well. He has renounced his status and will become a normal ninja.

Kakashi: Arranged by Danzo, huh?

Tsunade: Yes. Any objections?

Kakashi: No. I'm sure they can handle themselves.

Tsunade: Good. And by the way, I still owe you for the other day. *Music Stops*

Tsunade jumps out of her seat and lunges for Kakashi. She punches him only to see that it was a Shadow Clone. A note floats down from the poof. Tsunade catches it and reads it. It reads Sorry, but I couldn't risk showing myself to you just yet. Hopefully we can be friends again soon, Lady Hokage. With regards, Kakashi.

Tsunade: How dare he not show up in person! I'll get him for this!

Meanwhile, the real Kakashi is speaking to Jiraiya while they are sitting down at a park bench.

Jiraiya: So that's how it was. I thought she had a thing for you or something.

Kakashi: No, I would never impose on your territory like that.

Jiraiya: Heh. So do you think she's still mad?

At that moment, Kakashi's eyes open a little as he receives the information from the Shadow Clone.

Kakashi: Yep, she's still mad.

Following Sakura now, she is reporting back to Tsunade a little later. She enters the Hokage's office.

Sakura: Reporting back, Lady Tsunade.

Tsunade: Good. How did the mission go?

Sakura: It went well.

Tsunade: I have information for you to tell Naruto and Sasuke. I would have told your sensei, but let's just say he left too early.

Sakura: What is it?

Tsunade: Their temporary teammate is here. They should meet before the Chuunin Exams. Also, tell Sasuke that he needs to complete 6 more missions in order to qualify for the exams. We reset his status as Genin after Iruka tested him on basic Ninjutsu again.

Sakura: Will do.

Tsunade: You can come in, Sai.

Sai enters the room.

Sakura: Is this the third teammate?

Tsunade: Yes. This is Sai, former ANBU member.

Sai: Nice to meet you. *Fake Smile*

Next time: This new guy named Sai is going to be our teammate for the Chuunin Exams? I don't like this. Sasuke and I can handle this easily alone. Sasuke also has to finish getting eight missions completed to qualify. Will he make it in time? Next time on the Marvelous Adventures of Konoha 12!