Chapter 6

Welcome everybody to the newest chapter of 'Sword of Power'. Last chapter, Team 6 was formed and here we are going to see them in some D-Ranks and their first C-Rank. And I am going to plant some seeds for something that will come during the chunin exams. And now, let's go to the story!

Legend:

"Talking."

'Thinking...'

Jutsu Name

Chapter 6: C-Rank Mission

"Get that damn thing away from me!"

"But it is so cute! Who would say no to a face like this?"

"Someone that doesn't worship the devil."

"Arf!"

Ino glared at her teammates while holding Tora "You two are just jealous that you aren't that close to a girl like me, like how Tora is!" Kiba and Naruto shared a look making Ino anger even bigger. "What's up with those faces!?"

Asuma sighed as he passed a hand across his face. The two weeks they had been a team had been full of arguments, fights and an angry Ino mostly. He is trying to make them act like a team, but between Naruto being a jerk to his teammates, Kiba's arrogant attitude and Ino bossy ways, he truly has, quoting the Nara clan, a troublesome team.

Hiruzen watched with mild amusement how his son team was arguing before handing Tora to it owner. Naruto smirked seeing the cat fighting to breathe. "It had it coming."

Kiba nodded "Finally we agree on something."

"Arf!"

"How can you be happy on the suffering of that poor creature!?" Ino demanded and Asuma sighed.

"Pops, why?" He asked him and Hiruzen chuckled.

"Life would not always be easy, Asuma. This team has a lot of potential and I believe you can make them reach it."

Asuma took a drag of his cigarette "Maybe. When they are not trying to reach to each other throats, we can work on that."

"Sensei! Tell these two that we should pity poor Tora!" Ino demanded and Asuma sighed.

"Guys; can you do for me this one favor? Please." Asuma said to the male members of his team.

"Hell no! Me and Akamaru hate cats! If the cat choke by that fat lady hugs, the better!" Kiba said and Akamaru barked in agreement.

Naruto looked at his sensei "With one condition." Asuma raised a brow and nodded "If we can finally have a true mission instead of chores."

Ino nodded "He is right. He had only done lame jobs of lazy people! I didn't go to the academy for that!"

Asuma looked at his father that shrugged. "If you think that they are ready, I have a mission for them."

Asuma scratched his chin "I don't know..."

Kiba grinned "C'mon sensei! We are ready! We might fight from time to time, but together we kick ass!"

Asuma sighed "Alright, we are taking the mission." Kiba jumped while Ino pumped her fist into the air. Naruto smiled slightly.

Hiruzen smiled "Very well. Your mission is to escort a convoy to Sunagakure. There might be bandits in the way, so be careful."

They nodded and went to pack their things. Asuma stayed behind to ask something to his father. Thing that he noted "Something troubling you, Asuma?"

Asuma took a drag of his smoke as he nodded "Yeah. Are you sure they are ready? They are good and have a lot of talent, but their teamwork is lacking. And when I say that, I mean that it almost nonexistent." Asuma said his concerns and Hiruzen nodded.

"Asuma, when you gave them their test, did they work as a team?"

"Yeah. But what does it all do with this?"

"Tell me, why did you think that they worked as a team that time?" Hiruzen asked again and Asuma shrugged.

"Because they were in a dangerous position. If they failed the test, they must go back to the academy. I still don't see why all this is needed."

Hiruzen smiled slightly "It has everything to do with this. Let's put them in a dangerous position once again and let's see how they react."

Asuma groaned "You are putting me in a hard position, you know?"

Hiruzen chuckled "I trust your judgment. Now go. Not want to keep them waiting, do you?"

*Road to Suna*

"Oi Naruto." Kiba said and Naruto looked at him from the corner of his eye.

"Yes, Kiba?"

"Where is your backpack? Don't tell me you forgot it?" He said with a look of disbelief. Naruto shook his head.

"I don't need one. I sealed my things in scrolls."

"Eh?" Kiba asked not getting what he said.

Naruto sighed "It seems that your breath isn't the only thing that is related to an animal. Sealing is an almost forgotten art but that is used in many tools of a shinobi. Like explosives tags."

Ino perked up "And how you know to seal things?"

"A book. It was interesting but complex at the same time." Naruto informed and Kiba grinned.

"Hey, you think that you could teach me that seal thing?"

Naruto shrugged "I doubt that a dog can understand something as complex as sealing."

Kiba frowned and let out a growl "Are you calling me stupid Teme?"

Naruto stopped and looked at him "Congratulations. You aren't as dumb as I imagined."

Kiba took some steps forward and got face to face with Naruto. "You think that you're so good, don't'cha? Just because you are son of the Hokage and have a fancy sword."

Naruto narrowed his eyes and pushed Yamato out of it scabbard with his thumb. Ino got in the middle.

"C'mon. We are in middle of a mission can you two argue later?" She said and Kiba growled.

"No can do. He had this coming for a while now." Akamaru grabbed his owner pant trying to push him away.

"Hey! Why are we stopping!?" The owner of the convoy asked and Asuma sighed.

"Sorry, Lord Akari. I'll see what is holding us." Asuma apologized and he went out to see Naruto and Kiba about to fight but being separated by Ino. He sighed and was going to scold them for acting like this in middle of a mission but stopped himself when he heard something from the bushes.

Naruto also did and caught an arrow in mid fly that was headed to Ino's face. "Bandits." Naruto said and Ino seemed to panic.

"B-Bandits?"

Asuma gritted his teeth "Ino! Go and protect the client! Kiba, Naruto help me get rid of them!" he ordered and his three students nodded.

4 bandits came out of the bushes. Three with swords and one with a bow. Kiba rushed to one with a sword that tried to slash him, he ducked and prepared his attack "Tsuga! (Passing Fang)" He started to spin at a great speed and he collided against the bandit stomach, making him scream of pain. The bandit fell and Kiba noticed that his hand was covered in blood. He turned to see that the bandit guts were visible and blood was coming out of his mouth. He started to shake.

'D-Did I... kill him?'

In his shock he didn't notice the arrow heading to his head "Kiba!" Naruto screamed getting in front of him and catching the arrow in mid-flight. Kiba looked at how Naruto saved him as he made one hand signs "Dark Slayer Style: Chakra Swords." Two blue swords appear behind Naruto and were shot towards the bandit chest killing her. Another bandit tried to slash him, but Naruto blocked with the scabbard of Yamato, and then he unsheathed the weapon, followed by a slash in the air and sheathing it again. Once Yamato was back on it scabbard, the bandit throat was slit open, making his blood jump on Naruto face. Once the adrenaline died down, he looked at his hands, that had blood on them.

'This... killing? Why don't I feel better?'

He gulped as Asuma came by "Are you two alright!?" He asked and Naruto nodded.

"Yes sensei. If you excuse me, I'll go clean myself."

Kiba nodded, still shaking a bit "I'll go too." Akamaru whimpered and followed his partner.

Ino got out of the convoy and looked with worry towards the direction of his teammates "Are they going to be okay?"

Asuma sighed as he lit his cigarette "I hope so. The first kill is always the hardest."

Ino looked down "I was useless, wasn't I?"

"Not at all. You had one of the hardest jobs."

"But I did nothing!" Ino said and Asuma sighed and looked up.

"You have a lot of potential Ino. I'll make sure that you manage to get all of it."

Back with Naruto and Kiba, they found a river and started to wash the blood of them. Neither of them said a word. Akamaru was looking between them and decided to help their relationship.

"Arf! /Say something! This is your chance to make a bond!/

Kiba gave Akamaru a look and then looked at Naruto. He was staring at his reflection, face still with blood.

"That was pretty..." Kiba started and Naruto nodded.

"Surreal?"

Kiba nodded "Yeah. I thought it would be easier."

"Me too. I trained all my life for this. To prove myself. To become stronger. And when I get dirty with... this... I paralyze." Naruto said and Kiba rolled his eyes.

"C'mon man. I was worse than you. You saved my life! Even thought that you hate me and all." Kiba said smiling and Naruto closed his eyes.

"I don't hate you. I just found you annoying." Kiba groaned and was going to give him a piece of his mind but Naruto continued. "And interesting in the same amount."

"Eh?" Was Kiba smart answer.

"You are always smiling. Ready to face any challenge with that arrogant smile on your face. Always happy. I simply don't get you."

Kiba chuckled "We are on the same boat. You are always so broody and quiet. Even thought that you are the Hokage son and you probably got everything you ever wanted."

"Not quite. My parents taught me little to nothing." Naruto admitted and Kiba looked at him "Everything I know is thanks to people that took time to know me. That gave me a chance. To them, I only owe them my birth. No more. No less."

"But aren't you the oldest? Shouldn't you be the clan heir or something?" Kiba asked and Naruto shook his head.

"In my family, if you don't have a demon fox sealed inside you, you are nothing." Naruto said and Kiba chuckled again to receive a glare from Naruto "Something funny?"

"Yeah. That my clan works similar! You see, to become clan head, you need to beat the clan head! And one day, me and Akamaru will defeat that guy or chick and lead my clan! Right bud!?"

"Arf!"

He looked at Naruto with a determinate look "And I know you are something! You are Naruto Namikaze! An excellent swordsman! A great shinobi and my friend! And hell! If you want, you can get to be Hokage with your skills!" He said as he put his fist in front of Naruto.

Naruto watched with wide eyes his fist before closing his eyes and smiling softly "You are really an idiot." He said as he bumped his fist with Kiba's.

Kiba grinned "And by the way. I'm still going to defeat you."

Naruto smirked "I'll like to see you try."

Akamaru moved his tail happily and barked "Arf!"

*Suna*

The rest of the trip was rather calm with no bandits or attacks. Asuma smiled seeing that his team was getting along now. Naruto was still quiet and gave his dry answers that seemed to tick Kiba off and annoy Ino, but this time they take it in a friendlier manner. It seems that his dad was right.

Again.

Now they were resting in Suna for the day before going back to the village.

"So, what's up between you and Hanabi?" Ino asked to Naruto that raised a brow.

"What do you mean?"

Kiba grinned "She means if you two are dating or something like that." He explained and Ino nodded.

"That's right! So; are you?"

Naruto closed his eyes "No."

"But you want too." Ino kept persisitng.

"No. We are just friends."

"So, you want to bang her?" Kiba asked and he received a slap on the head by Ino.

"I am starting to like you two. Please don't ruin it." Naruto said and Kiba rolled his eyes.

"You know, I think that you need to learn the art of flirting."

Ino scoffed "You? Flirting? With what? A plant?"

Kiba growled at her "Of course not! I can charm any girl you want!" he proclaimed and Akamaru shook his head.

"And her?" Naruto asked pointing to a blonde girl with four ponytails and she was carrying a fan with her.

Kiba grinned "Just watch, rookie." He got closer to her as his two teammates and dog stayed behind watching.

Ino smiled "10 Ryo that she rejects him."

"20 that she slaps him." Naruto said looking at the scene in front of him unfold.

"Arf!"

They didn't wait long. They saw Kiba open his mouth and some seconds later, the girl punched him on the stomach, making him bend. Naruto smiled "I win."

Ino crossed her arms as they walked towards there injured teammate "That didn't count as a slap."

They got where Kiba and the girl was and Naruto lifted Kiba by his arm "Sorry about my teammate behavior. He is really sorry. Aren't you?" he asked to Kiba that nodded slowly.

The girl huffed "Whatever. Just don't try anything with me like that again." She said and Naruto nodded. They were going to go when another voice came.

"Who are you." It wasn't a question but more like a demand. They turned around to see a small kid around their age, with red-hair and the kanji for 'Love' on his forehead.

"Why?" Naruto asked and the kid didn't blink. The girl seemed terrified of the kid and many people left the area when they saw him.

"G-Gaara..."

Gaara looked at him at the eye "Answer me."

Naruto let go off Kiba's arm and narrowed his eyes "Make me."

The kid didn't say anything, he just extended his arm and the sand around them started to move. Naruto got in a fighting position when...

"Gaara! Don't!" A Shinobi of Suna said and Gaara looked at him from the corner of his eye. "You can't kill a shinobi of another village."

Gaara nodded as he lowered his arm. He turned around and Naruto talked "Naruto Namikaze."

Gaara looked at him over his shoulder and nodded "Namikaze. Mother wants your blood."

"And I am going to give her that."

*Road to Konoha*

"I can't believe that you actually flirted with the daughter of the Kazekage." Asuma said to Kiba that rolled his eyes.

"I didn't know, okay!"

"And to add things worse, you did it horribly." Ino teased and Akamaru barked in agreement from the hoodie of Kiba.

"Oh, shut up!"

Naruto all the way was silent thinking about that boy, Gaara was his name.

"Naruto, are you okay?" Asuma break him from his thoughts and he nodded.

"Yes. Just thinking on someone we met there."

Ino looked at him "You mean the Gaara kid?"

Naruto nodded and Kiba scoffed "He didn't seem to be a big deal. I bet that me and Akamaru can take him out whenever we want to."

"Who knows." Naruto said closing his eyes. "But he felt odd."

"And dangerous."

Asuma nodded with a serious face "It is good to keep tabs on other shinobi, but remember, Suna is our ally. So don't think of him as an enemy. Just as a threat by now."

Naruto nodded. "Sure."

"I just hope that if we fight, he'll give me more power."

And done! That was chapter 6 of Sword of Power. Hope that you enjoyed. This chapter was for three things.

One: Show a more human side of this Naruto.

Two: Bonding between Team 6

Three: Plant the seeds for a future Gaara vs Naruto, which I can't wait to write.

I usually put here parts that might need some explanation, but because it is late here in my country, I'll leave to here. If you have any questions, PM me or leave it on the Reviews. I'll answer in next chapter. And that's all! Remember to leave your Review that it helps my motivation, PM me for any doubt or suggestion, Follow and Favorite me and the story.

Till Next Time.

Roy D. Harper.

Next Chapter: Emergency Call! Help in Wave