The Chronicles of Naruto

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters in it.

This story is set in the current time line of the manga, however none of the events have occurred as they did in the manga

Master of Anime: I see what you are saying and you are probably right. I will try to change writing styles for future stories, but this story is going to stick with the 'script' style simply because I hate it when authors change writing styles half way through their story.

cartoonwatcher31: Thanks. I try hard to keep the story interesting for the readers.

Chapter 10: The Clothes that Make the Man and the New Mission

Naruto woke up the next day completely ignorant to what had taken place just outside his apartment the night before. He went through his usual routine in the morning. He showered, brushed his teeth, got dressed, and went down to the ramen shop to have his breakfast. He had already finished two bowls and was almost done with his third when Sakura and Neji came up from behind him.

Neji - "Oi, Naruto." hearing the greeting Naruto turned around to see them with the ramen bowl and chopsticks still in hand.

Naruto - "Moh, Megee, Saggurfa. Maut mar mu rooding meer." Sakura just let out a sigh as she heard it.

Sakura - "We've been over this more than a dozen times Naruto. Finish swallowing, and then speak."

Naruto - "Smarrie." he practically spat and finished swallowing the ramen. "So, what brings you guys to Ichiruka."

Sakura - "We came to see you. Why else would we come to a place like this?" As soon as the sentence finished the last statement she knew she shouldn't have said it. Sakura looked past Naruto to the owner who was now glaring at her, and she got an incredibly sheepish look on her face. "No no no. That's not what I meant. There's nothing wrong with ramen stands. Right Naruto?" She looked back at him and he was just shaking his head. Sakura then looked back at the owner who was still glaring at her. Dammit. Was all she thought before sitting down on one of the stools. "One bowl of pork ramen please." She said in the most innocent voice possible. The owner glared at her for a couple more seconds before turning to look at Naruto who subsequently nodded. The owner gave a scowl and turned to prepare the bowl. Sakura let out a sigh of relief and then began to glare at the ramen loving blond next to her. Damn you Naruto. Whenever I'm around you I always end up looking like the idiot.

Naruto - "You're not very good around people are you Sakura?" He dared to say as the owners daughter replaced his empty bowl with a full one. His bravery was rewarded with a punch to the back of the head forcing it down into the new bowl causing its contents to spill out everywhere.

Sakura - "I DON"T WANT TO HEAR THAT FROM YOU!" Neji just winced at the situation.

Naruto - "DAMMIT SAKURA! YOU RUINED MY FOOD!"

Neji – She hit him pretty hard, I bet the contents of that bowl were still hot too, and all he's worried about is a spoiled meal?

Sakura -"SHUT UP!" was all she said before hitting his head back down into the bowl spilling even more of the contents.

Naruto - "STOP DOING THAT!"

Neji - "Hey Naruto. We should probably have your head looked at in the Hospital. She hit you pretty hard and the soup was pretty hot." but Neji's pleas fell on deaf ears. The two were now yelling at each other. This isn't going to end any time soon. He pulled out some money and threw it on the table. "You can keep the change old man." he said before knocking both their heads together and began to drag them away from the scene. A few blocks later Naruto and Sakura got up and started to walk with Neji. "Jeez. You two sure know how to cause a scene."

Naruto - "Yeah, I guess we do. Sorry about that. So what did you guys want anyway?"

Sakura - "Two reasons. One I already told you. We came to see you."

Naruto - "Really? You too Neji?"

Neji - "Yes."

Naruto - "...Why?"

Neji – So he really doesn't know about the assassins. "...No reason."

Sakura - "Reason number two being that Tsunade-sensei wants to give us a mission."

Naruto - "Oh...Wait a minute. Us? As in me, you and Neji?"

Sakura - "Yep."

Naruto - "Why Neji? Shouldn't you be doing missions with fuzzy brows and...and...and.."

Neji - "Ten-ten."

Naruto - "That's her."

Sakura - "I already asked Tsunade-sensei about that and I didn't get an answer." Naruto's brow furled at the answer to his question, and then looked over to Neji. "It doesn't really matter though. We are to report to her by 3:00 so i figured we could stop by and see how Kakashi-sensei was doing. Is that Alright?" When she finished she looked over at Naruto to see him staring at Neji. She looked over to Neji, who was just walking forward with a blank expression on his face, and then back to Naruto. "Hey, Naruto? What's wrong?" She said waving her hand in front of his face which brought him back to reality.

Naruto - "Huh?"

Sakura - "I asked if it was fine to go see Kakashi-sensei."

Naruto - "Oh. That's fine."

Sakura - "Naruto, are you alright?" she said with a great deal of concern in her voice.

Naruto - "Yeah, I'm fine." he said in an expressionless tone.

Sakura – Still trying to tackle all your problems alone eh? "Ok then; off we go to see Kakashi-sensei."

They arrived at their sensei's room about an hour later and found him getting dressed.

Naruto - "Hey, Kakashi-sensei. Should you really be out of bed?"

Kakashi - "Hi everybody, and don't worry Naruto. I've been cleared to go.

Naruto - "Really? Already?"

Kakashi - "What do you mean already? I've been recovering from my over use of the sharingan for five days now."

Naruto - "Oh, right."

Kakashi - "You don't really have a sense of time do you?" he finished while putting on his vest. He then looked over at the three shinobi standing in the doorway. "Didn't you like your new uniform?" he asked towards Naruto.

Naruto - "What new uniform?" which was very quickly followed by an 'eep' from behind him. Everyone then turned to look at Sakura who had surprised look on her face.

Kakashi - "Still?"

Naruto - "Huh?"

Sakura - "Sorry, I got distracted, but I finished sewing his present yesterday. Just let me get it out real quick." she said as she took of her backpack and reached in.

Naruto - "Ooo. Another present for me? Alright! What is it? What is it?" Sakura stopped looking through her bag and gave Naruto a look that said 'how can you be so stupid?'. "Huh? What's with that look?" he looked over to Neji and then to Kakashi who were both giving him a similar look. "What'd I do?" At that moment the same word was going through all three of his companions' heads. 'Idiot'. Sakura finally shook her head and continued searching through her bag and soon found what she had been looking for and pulled it out. After unfolding it was revealed to be brand new pair of black pants and a nicely sewn blue shirt.

Sakura - "So? What do you think?" she said in a practically pleading tone.

Naruto - "You, you made these?"

Sakura - "Yep." she finished with a smile.

Naruto - "...Wow. These are great! I didn't know you could sew Sakura."

Sakura - "It's something I picked up while you were gone."

Naruto - "Thank you very much, but I already have a new pair of black pants."

Sakura - "Somehow I knew you'd say that. Those pants were made for your jumpsuit. While these pants were made specifically to go with the coat that Kakashi-sensei gave to you."

Naruto - "Oh yeah! I still got that in my backpack. Let me try all of it on real quick."

Kakashi - "Just a second Naruto. Neji."

Neji - "I know. I still have my present to give to you Naruto." and he pulled a forehead protector out of his pocket. This forehead protector was a little different from most however. The entire band along with the metal were larger than normal, and on both sides of the Konoha symbol was two small identical symbols that Naruto didn't recognize.

Naruto - "Hey. What do these mean?"

Neji - "Those two symbols mean 'cage-less bird'.

Naruto – Heh. Just like you. "Thank you." he said receiving his present. With that he went behind the dressing wall and put all of his presents on and then came out so that everyone could see.

Kakashi – Wow. The resemblance is uncanny. If he didn't have those marks on his cheeks I would swear he was The Fourth. "Hmm...They look better on you then I thought they would."

Neji - "Indeed."

Sakura - "...Wow." was all she could say. She was flabbergasted by the 'new Naruto'. Kakashi and Neji just smiled at her response. Naruto was smiling too, but not because of her reaction. He didn't even notice it. He was just happy with the new uniform.

Naruto - "Great job you guys. I like this new outfit a lot better than my old one. It's easier to move in too."

Kakashi - "Glad to hear you like it. Well then, if you three will excuse me. I believe that I have a challenge with Gai in a few minutes." Sakura then shook herself out of her stupor.

Sakura - "Alright. We'll see you later then sensei. We should go to our meeting with Tsunade-sensei anyway."

Naruto - "Bye sensei." and they took off to their separate destinations. The walk to the Hokage Tower took about half a hour from the hospital. It should have only taken 15 to 20 minutes, but they were stopped a few of times by people mistaking Naruto for someone else. After they arrived at the tower they began to make their way up the stairs to Tsunade's office, and the entire way people were giving shocked looks to the group as they walked by. When they reached the office they opened the door and went inside to see Tsunade sleeping at her desk. "HEY. Old lady Tsunade. We're here." That got her stirring awake.

Tsunade – OLD LADY? Someone's going to get it. She looked up only to be blinded by the sun. After tearing her eyes from the light she forced them on the group in front of her. "Alright which one of y...4th?

Naruto - "Huh?"

Tsunade – Wait a minute. I recognize that whiny voice now. After the glare receded from her eyes she could visually tell that she had made a mistake. "...You're early."

Sakura - "Yes I know. I apologize for that, but we were in the area so I thought we could get our briefing done early."

Tsunade - "...Fine, but this is going to be a short briefing. I'm tired and I want to get it done fast." She then sat up in her chair trying to look as professional as possible. "Tomorrow the Kazekage's escort will be arriving to take him back to Suna, and I want someone to represent Konoha for the return escort."

Neji - "And we are to be the representatives."

Tsunade - "Yes. Normally I would choose someone who is more qualified for this sort of mission, but from what I understand the Kazekage seems to respect Naruto for some reason, and that is why I'm sending him."

Naruto – 'For some reason' was unnecessary. "Well I understand why you would send Sakura with me, but why Neji? Why not Kakashi-sensei?"

Tsunade - "I'm not sending Kakashi because I want him recover a little more before I send him out on any more missions. This leaves an open spot your three man team, and I thought that I would give Neji a little break since he's been working so hard lately."

Naruto - "Oh."

Tsunade - "That is all." she said and waved them off. The three bowed and turned to leave the room. "Hey, Naruto."

Naruto - "Hmm?"

Tsunade - "Why did you change your outfit?"

Naruto - "What this? Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, and Neji all gave me these as gifts. You just noticed that I changed outfits? Boy you sure can be slow sometimes Ol.." he was cut off by punch to the back of the head sending him to the floor.

Sakura - "Shut up you idiot."

Naruto - "Sorry." he mumbled into the floor boards.

Tsunade - "...Nvermind. Just go." and with that Naruto got up and the three left the room.

Naruto - "Well, I guess all we can do now is wait."

Neji - "Yes. We each have free time until the Kazekage's escort arrives tomorrow. At that time all three of us will greet them at the gate and escort them to the his residence."

Naruto - "Alright. See ya then." he said running off.

Author's Notes:

Not a whole lot to this one I know, but the next one will be better.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you to all the readers who helped get the story to 20000 words.