"Alright," said Kakashi. "Now that we've done a couple D-rank missions, I can get you started on your training. Sakura and Naruto, start working on your chakra control. Sasuke, I'll train you personally in my taijutsu style. Any objections?"

"Yes," said Naruto. "I think what you meant to say was that you were going to go get Sakura started on some medical ninjutsu, while me and Sasuke try to create combination attacks."

"That's not what I-" started Kakashi, when he noticed that Naruto was going through the handsigns for Edo tensei. "Yes Naruto-sama that is what I meant to say."

"Good," said Naruto. "Sasuke, come with me. Sakura, keep Kakashi from slacking off."

"Alright," said Kakashi, to Minato, with a smirk. "I would like a Tora mission please."

"Tora?" asked Naruto.

"Yeah," said Minato. "Tora is Madam Shijimi's cat who keeps escaping and is notoriously hard to catch."

Naruto laughed.

Flashback

"Odd, I can understand your speech," said Naruto, to a brown kitten.

"And I yours," responded the kitten. "Noble human, may I request that you feed me? I have grown hungry for lack of food, and dirty for lack of care."

"I will fulfill your request," said Naruto. "My name is Naruto. May I ask for yours?"

"My name is Tora, Naruto-sama."

"Good. Tora, will you be my underling? I will teach you the art of stealth, and the art of hunting, and in return I ask that you serve me whenever I ask it of you." Said Naruto.

"I gratefully accept your proposition," said Tora.

"Tora, you have grown well under me. I release you from your servitude to me. I hope you find your path in this world."

"Thank you, Naruto-sama. I will never forget you."

End Flashback

The entire team took up fighting positions, facing down the small brown cat, when suddenly, Naruto laughed. "Madame Shimiji's cat? You certainly have done well for yourself, Tora."

Tora mewled and jumped into Naruto's lap.

"Wow," said Minato. "Setting a new record for the capture Tora mission on your first D-rank."

Tora was scratching Naruto's arms furiously, and Naruto had donned a pained and annoyed expression. Neither of them was giving anything away. They had a deal in place, and deals had to be followed.

"Alright," said Naruto. "Now that you've completed the tree climbing excersize, I'll finally teach you the chameleon technique. Remember to muffle your footsteps and use the smell-hiding methods we talked about as well. It anything bad happens, use the Great fireball or earthern wall techniques."

"Yes, Naruto-sama. I doubt I will ever be able to repay you."

"It is my pleasure."

Tora purred.

Seeing how much the Tora mission annoyed Naruto, Kakashi chose it as much as possible. Unfortunately, they never even got close seeing a glimpse of Tora.

Eventually, catching Tora was moved up to a C-rank mission, much to Naruto's amusement, and team Naruto, as it had been renamed, due to Naruto's request, Sakura's support, and Kakashi and Sasuke's reluctant acceptance. Naruto was greatly amused, and even more so later, when team one ended up being renamed team Naruto v2

"Okay, I'll be brief," said Minato. "You are the backup for team nine. They ran into a pair of missing ninja on their first C-rank mission, an escort and bodyguard mission in the wave. Do you accept?"

"Might as well," said Sasuke, trying not to show how desperate he was to get out of D-rank missions.

"How long is the mission expected to take?" asked Naruto.

"About a month, maybe two," said Minato.

"Alright," said Naruto, "Team Naruto accepts the mission."

Sakura smiled, and Kakashi looked annoyed.

"Very well. You should leave within three hours."

Naruto was setting up things for his departure. Someone had to take after the former red-light district while he was gone. And that someone would be himself, once he got those technique creation seals in place. His idea was that he would, once a day or so, Hirashin back to Konoha, channel chakra into the seal, and Hirashin back. Meanwhile, the seal would create a couple shadow clones, who would take care of the administrative business.

Meanwhile, a shadow clone was organizing all the things he was likely to need. Naruto was quite a needy person, so it was a good thing he was so good at storage seals. And sealing in general, as it was a good source of income.

Others might've thought over-packing would be a problem, but not for Naruto. Besides, who knows what they would find in the wave.