Chapter 6 Road to Wave

Naruto was sitting across a shogi board from Shikamaru he was supposed to be training his wind affinity but Ino had to be carried home due to chakra exhaustion. Choji was sitting on the side watching the score was Naruto three Shikamaru zero. Shikamaru was in his thinking pose again thinking about his next move and he finally made one.

"Finally thought you were going to take all day and it is my win again", Naruto then got up and stretched he was not meant to sit for long periods of time.

"I still don't get how you do it Naruto not many people can beat me", Shikamaru said looking at the board as if trying to solve a puzzle.

"Don't know myself, that's why I'm the most unpredictable ninja. I'll see you guys later I'm going to go get some ramen." He started to walk away until he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Mind if we come with you we can use some ramen as well."

"Sure I could use the company."

All three of them are eating at the ramen stand Naruto and Choji were having an eating contest as team eight walked in. So far he and Choji were tied and seemed to be eating at the same pace. But both had determination in their eyes none would give up.

"Yo what is going on guys", Kiba yelled and Akamaru barked. Hinata was blushing when she spotted Naruto it was even worse now because she saw how he looked under his clothes when he changed all of a sudden. Shino was standing being indifferent then again he is always wearing that jacket so no one could really tell. Kurenai just walked and sat next to Naruto Hinata sat next to her while giving her a slight glare.

"So what's going on Naruto-kun", Kurenai asked wondering what those two were up to not to mention why she added kun to his name.

"Oh hey Kurenai-sensei where having a eating contest." Naruto said and then went right back to eating.

"W-w-w-why a-a-a-are y-y-you d-d-d-doing t-t-t-that N-n-n-n-naruto –k-k-kun", Hinata stuttered out she tried her best to not stutter but with Naruto's new look it was harder.

"Choji said he could beat me and my records were at bowl 36 of 50 that means he not only has to eat not only fifteen but beat me as well witch is not happening."

"So you say Naruto but now it is time to unleash the Akimichi secret technique speed eating", the next thing Naruto saw was Chojis face disappearing.

"Alright I put ten on Choji."

"As do I."

"Troublesome I put ten on Naruto."

"I put ten on Naruto as well."

"S-s-s-s-so d-d-do I."

"Hey Shikamaru why are you betting on Naruto and not Choji." Kiba asked it was unlike Shikamaru to go against Choji. Meanwhile Naruto was sitting there asking Ayame and Teuchi to keep bringing them bowls.

"You don't understand what it means and what it does to Choji's stomach", already he could see Choji slowing down and forcing himself to eat more. Naruto seemed to be in a deep concentration to him he seemed like a snake waiting for the right time to strike.

All of a sudden Choji Stopped Mid bowl and fell over. Teuchi went around checking on him and found an overstuffed Choji groaning in pain.

"He's done at fifty-two bowls Naruto you have to beat that and you win."

"He-he-ha-ha-ha, Choji that was not a bad technique for a last resort but let me show you a true eating technique I developed over the years eating at Ichiraku's."

The next thing everyone knew all the bowls that were laid out for Naruto were empty. All of a sudden they heard slurping and Naruto let out a belch, "Secret Uzumaki Technique Ghost Eating."

"Scuse me have not done that in a while. You were a worthy opponent Choji train some more and maybe one day you will defeat me."

"Pay up you guys we won", Shikamaru said Shino and Kiba and a few others he did not notice that place bets paid up.

An anbu then appeared, "Naruto-san the Third Hokage wishes to speak to."

Naruto nodded and got up from his seat and followed, "I'll see you guys later tell Asuma-sensei I still want that wind training he promised."

The anbu and Naruto then shunshined away leaving nothing but leaves.

Shikamaru proceeded to divide the earnings between himself, Hinata, and Kurenai.

"So anyone know what happened to change him so much since we graduated", Kiba asked. All of them shook their head no.

"To be honest with all of you know one really knows anything maybe except the Hokage and Naruto himself. I was one of the few that met him after his change but, that was the same day as when he was named a lone genin because of Kakashi-san." Kurenai ordered a bowl of pork ramen and green tea after she spoke.

"So pretty much know one knows anything well I guess we can ask him but he seems to want to keep it to himself."

Naruto was standing in front of the old man they were both glaring at each other neither backing down. They have been like this for the past ten minutes.

"I am not doing it old man no way in hell."

"Yes you are Naruto you have been bugging me about getting a C-rank mission now that you got one you're complaining. You're doing it and that is final or would you rather be doing D-rank for the next month." The Hokage grabbed his pipe and started smoking it.

"Tch, fine you when old man I'll do the damn mission with the bastards of team seven." Naruto said he was pissed he now had to work with the same team that left him behind at the training post.

"Good you leave tomorrow morning I suggest you get ready."

He nodded then left to get ready for the mission. He was pissed he had to go with them but then again this was the best time for him to actually leave the village since it was almost his birthday. He really did not want to spend the whole night fighting the village and cause trouble for the old man. Instead of thinking of the bad he decided to think of the good. His training was going really well.

The physical training was hard but with the kyubbi healing him his muscles developed at a faster rate than anyone else. The hard part was chakra exercises because of his large reserves they were took a while to learn especially with shadow clones. He tried to read some more but found books to be very boring except for the poetry books he really liked them especially Loveless he really enjoyed the sealing books as well they were challenging but made things a lot easier. Now he just needed a few scrolls and that would most of his stuff especially his mission equipment and money. Once he got that he decided to sleep he learned that it was best to get as much rest as possible.

Once first light hit he headed for the gate to leave on the mission he was hopping that Kakkashi was only late to training and not missions or that would be a bad way to represent the village. He made sure to bring breakfast and a bottle of sake just in case though. When he got there he saw Sasuke, Sakura, and the boy named Sai standing there it seemed Sakura was starting to get annoyed.

"What are you doing here Naruto-baka!" Sakura shouted out. Deciding to ignore her and leaned against a tree and started to read Loveless.

Sakura walked up to him and shouted, "I asked you a question baka don't try to be cooler than Sasuke-kun."

"When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end The goddess descends from the sky Wings of light and dark spread afar She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting," Naruto quoted from loveless.

"What did you say baka!"

"Nothing you would be interested in and there is no need for shouting it is very un-lady like."

"Dick-less is right boob-less you're shouting would do nothing but direct attention to us on the mission."

"Hn," Sasuke grunted out he was leaning against the shadow of the tress with his hand in his pockets.

"Hmmm, I can understand calling Sakura boob less but, I am wondering if I should be concerned with the fact that you are talking about my dick," Naruto said giving the weird boy a questioning look.

"Shut up Sai-teme Sasuke-kun is not dick less," Sakura shouted out again. Naruto decided to ignore them again and get back to reading his book.

An hour later Kakashi showed up with an old drunk he wore a sleeveless v-neck shirt with an obi, pants and a pair of sandals. He also carried a towel around his neck and wore a pointed hat on his head. Kakashi was at the side reading his little orange book.

"Oh, so The Third sent you to come with us," Kakashi said taking a slight glance at him and the back to reading his book. Naruto didn't even bother to look and just ignored him while continuing to read.

"So who are you sir," Naruto was in shock sir how can someone call him sir he was not even that old. I mean sure he was as tall as Kakashi he had little to no baby fat and drank sake but that does not give the old man the right to call him sir.

Taking a deep breath and right eyebrow twitching he said, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki genin of konoha no other alias at this time. I specialize in Nin, Ken, and Fuinjutsu and have low taijutsu." He gave a small bow to the man remembering his manners from the books.

"Well it is nice to meet you at least it looks like you can take care of yourself unlike these other kids. The name is Tazuna I am a bridge builder from Wave Country." The old man then took a bottle out and tried to take a sip before he could the bottom of the bottle fell off. The five people looked to Naruto and saw him holding a red bladed sword in his hand.

"Tazuna-san I can understand the occasional drink to relax but as of right now till we get to Wave refrain from drinking. After all we are protecting you and don't need you to have a drunken accident that may lead you to injury or worse death understood." Naruto than gave Tazuna a smile it was not a happy one it was one that promised pain if you do not heed its warning.

"Ma ma Naruto that was not necessary," Kakashi said to try and defend Tazuna. He then looked at Kakashi apart of him could not believe what this idiot was saying.

"Your right it should not be necessary for me to say something," Kakashi gave Naruto one of his u shaped eye smiles, "you should be the one saying it after all a jounin of your rank should know that it would be far more safer and logical to guide a sober person home. Rather than someone who is drunk and can't tell which way is up from down." Kakashi lost his smile and just sighed and started walking out of the gate his genin following. Naruto followed after and Tazuna walking beside him.

'You would expect him to have put up more of a fight don't you agree Kyubbi.'

'True kit but most likely he did not want to put up a fight especially in front of a client. Not to mention what you said was true. If you are able to prevent something bad from sprouting it is better to nip it in the bud sooner rather than later.'

'I guess but I wanted to knock him and the others down a few more pegs. That reminds me why didn't the others say anything especially Sakura.'

'That would be his doing he put a jutsu over the two of you. From what I saw it was one that did not allow noise to escape from a certain amount of distance think of it as a sort of bubble. I believe the distance depends on the amount of chakra but the main flaw is that just like you can't hear anything from the inside you can't hear anything outside.'

'That may be useful we may have to play around with it for a bit before we get it ready for any real use.'

'I'll think up something. Kit I sense a genjutsu up ahead be cautious.'

'Alright.'

Naruto grabbed his book and started to read it while opening up his senses and kept chakra ready to unseal his sword if need be. He started to look for anything out of the ordinary when he saw a puddle on the side of the road. Grabbing a kunai and explosive ta he threw it at the puddle and exploded.

"What was that for you baka!" Sakura shouted out not even noticing the movement from the puddle before the tag exploded.

"Dobe," Sasuke grunted out Sai and Kakashi stayed quiet but alert and Tazuna was scared out of his mind from the explosion.

"What was that for it was just a puddle," Tazuna said and shakily grabbed a bottle of sake out of his bag to calm his nerves.

"A puddle in the middle of the road when it has not rained in months and also seemed to move when I threw that kunai. If that was not suspicious I don't know what is?" Naruto asked the others and kept his senses in high alert listening for the slightest movement or sound.

There he threw another kunai in a bush to the left but they dodged and jumped heading straight for Kakashi. The chains that were connected to each of them wrapped around him and then tore him apart. He grabbed Tzauna and pushed him behind to keep him a distance away.

"That's one," the now revealed ninja's said. One had shoulder-length, wild dark-brown hair and dark eyes. He wears a rebreather that covers the lower half of his face and a large, clawed gauntlet on his right arm which had a chain coming out of it that had the other end attached to the others own gauntlet. He wore a camouflage suit with bandages around his waist, dark-colored, knee-length sandals and a ragged black cape. His forehead protector had a single horn on it. The other looked the same except his forehead protector had two horns not one.

Going by their characteristics they are most likely brothers and the chain means that they focus mostly on team work.

"Tazuna go behind Sakura. Everyone protect Tazuna make a perimeter around hi…." Whatever Naruto was going to say next was cut off because Sasuke decided to attack them. He called summoned his sword from the seal and attacked as well.

"Sai protect Sakura and Tazuna while I help Sasuke," Sai nodded and summoned some Ink beasts and pulled out his sword. Naruto saw the two ninja get there chain ready and charged at Sasuke he stepped up his own speed and using the extra reach of the sword cut the chain in two and kicked one of them to the other side.

Now it was one-on-one hopefully Kakashi would step in soon since these two were easily Chunin. He dodged a strike to the left and dodged some senbo as well. He looked to Sasuke and saw he wasn't doing very well it seemed he was trying too hard and using too many flashy moves instead of just being direct and finishing him off quickly. He deflected him once again this time getting an opening to his back and kicked him to the other one.

Once they were down he immediately got a jutsu ready, "Grand Fire-Ball Jutsu."

He noticed movement once again but he knew it wasn't the enemy as they were too dazed to move. Looking to his left he saw the two under Kakashi's arm knocked out. He would have preferred them dead so they would not be a problem later. But to each their own he guessed.

"Now Naruto no need to be so rough we need them alive to ask some questions," he looked at Kakashi and just shook his head how could such a veteran shinobi such as the Copy-cat want to keep an enemy alive.

"What are you going to ask them why they are after the Bridge builder? What village they are from? Who their working for?" He only got a nod from Kakashi and shocked looks from the others.

"What are you talking about baka why would they be after the smelly old drunk? I bet they were after Sasuke-kun afraid of what an awesome ninja he would become." Sakura screeched out and Sasuke just grunted in agreement.

"Seems to me boob-less and dick-less are too scared to admit that they are afraid what it would mean if they are after Tazuna-san." That's true by the way they both flinched was any indication.

"Shut up Sai-baka no one was asking you plus me and Sasuke-kun are not afraid."

"That's right now dobe who the hell taught you that jutsu it is the property of the Uchiha Clan. You have no right to learn it." Naruto gave him a look that said 'are you stupid.'

"Yeah Baka what are you doing stealing Sasuke-kuns family jutsu."

"Listen you two idiots one I did not steal that jutsu that is the most basic fire jutsu to learn. Second the Uchiha have no jutsu except for three other fire jutsu the others were from copying enemy ninja."

"That's not true baka. Is it Sasuke-kun," Sakura looked at Sasuke and he was shaking in rage.

"That's enough Nruto shut up there is no need to say any more and Sasuke, Sakura what he said is true anyone can use that jutsu. Now I am going to speak to Tazuna and see what the situation is." Kakashi tied up the two knocked out ninjas and grabbed Tazuna to go and talk. He walked over to the two tied up shinobi while the other three were eating lunch and judging by how little they packed that lunch is only going to last them for today. Juding by how today is going they would need more than that. He started checking them for supply's and anything else that could be useful.

'Judging by the equipment plus the headband they are Mist ninja and most likely are used to assassination and not frontline fighting,' Naruto said to the kyubbi as he looked over the various vials of poisons they both had. They also seemed to have mostly Senbon and not alot of kunai and shuriken.

'So it seems and that chain and gauntlet must be what they mainly use we will need to be careful kit these two were not a problem. The man who hired him is who knows how many ninja he may have under his command.' Naruto got into a deep discussion with the kyubbi as he stripped off and sealed whatever the ninja had left. Even with his healing factor and strength he doubted he could take on that many veteran shinobi who actually knows what he is doing. As he was about to seal away the last item he realized it looked like a mission scroll. He formed a shadow clone and had it open it. Once it was safe he had the clone hand it over so he could read it personally.

Eliminate the bridge builder he is reported to be heading south east to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. If possible stop him from reaching the village or eliminate him and the enemy ninja before they return.

He created several more clones in order to make a perimeter just to be safe. Whoever wrote that scroll meant business.

There were a few things he learned from this and he better wait for Kakashi to finish talking to Tazuna before he brought it up. He looked over to where the others were eating and saw that Kakashi was with them and so was Tazuna deciding to join tem he brought out his rations.

"So what did Tazuna tell you Kakashi-sensei," Sakura asked as she ate a very light meal.

"Yes dick-less tell what you learned", Sai said with that creepy smile of his. Sasuke just grunted and continued eating but still kept his attention.

"Well as it turns out Tazuna has a hit put out on him by a man named Gatou of Gatou's shipping company he has started to take control of the small country." Kakashi began.

"But don't they have their own ninja to stop them", Sakura asked.

"No before Gatou we really had no need especially since our island is surrounded by water there was any way to get to the island unless you had a boat." Tazuna said as he took another drink and ate.

"And now I must ask if any of you wish to continue this mission the danger has increased greatly and turned this mission from a C-ranked mission to a high B to low A." Kakashi looked around and saw that Sakura and Sasuke were hesitant; Sai's face was neutral, and Naruto was reading a scroll.

"Oh you ninja don't have to help me after I die you would have to deal with my angry daughter and sad grandson", Tazuna said trying to get some sympathy.

"Well when you put it that way how can we not help you? Don't worry well get you back to your home." Naruto said putting away the scroll for now.

"What about the rest of you?"

"Can't let the dobe go on his own", Sasuke said he was not going to allow Naruto to surpass him.

"Me to", Sakura looked at Sasuke she did not want to stop him.

"I will as well", Sai said with his same neutral expression.

"Well I am out voted here it seems. It looks like you still have body guards."

"Thank you." Tazuna bows his head,

"Now that were going to Wave I need you all to see something especially you Kakashi-sensei." Naruto then passed around the scroll.

"It looks like an ordinary mission scroll Naruto baka", Sakura said then handed it to Kakashi. He looked at it closely and saw a slight sheen to it.

"You are sure they were the ones to have this." Naruto just nodded.

"What is so special about an ordinary mission scroll", Sasuke asked trying to understand what was going on.

"What so special about it Sasuke is that scroll is a high level mission scroll used for S-ranked missions and only high ranking ninja's. By looking at those two they are not even close to that level. The one to have one of these is either Jounin, Anbu, or a seal master. I can count the number of seal masters in the world in one hand. So most likely it was a higher ranked ninja." They all looked at Naruto with wide eyes.

"But that would mean they would be as strong as you sensei or maybe even stronger."

"They may be we will need to send a message to the Hokage and ask for back up build up camp here and we will wait." They all nodded and proceeded to make camp Kakashi made a clone and summoned a small little pug the clone grabbed the two ninja and headed to the village. Tomorrow they would continue their journey to wave