Naruto entered the Hokage's office the next day, fully healed and ready for action. As he entered, he got some looks from the people in the room. Tsunade gave him a deadpan look as she looked at what he was wearing.
"Really?" Tsunade asked.
"What? It's made from the same material as my chūnin flak jacket. If anything, this is a little better because it's a long sleeve jacket." Naruto explained.
"Okay but why orange? It is a horrible color for a ninja." Tsunade commented.
"Oh really? If it's such a bad color, then how was I able to outrun and hide from jōnin-level and ANBU level ninja huh? How is it that some of Konoha's strongest couldn't catch me and find me huh? The only person who ever caught me was the guy sitting next to you and he's the same rank as me. What does that tell you?" Naruto asked boastfully. Tsunade chuckled at his attitude.
"Tells me that my ANBU should be ashamed and Iruka should be promoted." She joked. "Either way, are you ready for your first mission outside as a chūnin?"
"What's the mission?" Naruto asked.
"You're in charge of this mission and these two, Komugi and Inaho, are your back-up." Tsunade said and handed his a paper. Naruto looked at it and his eyes widen.
"Really, you're sending me to the Wave Country again? Are they okay?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, it is just a pick-up mission. The mission that you did with your former team was an A-rank really. Before his passing, Sarutobi-sensei managed a payment plan with the country. This will actually be the last payment. I figured that this would be a good test of your leadership abilities. Your mission is to collect the payment and return. Think you can handle that?" Tsunade asked with a smirk. Naruto just scoffed at her and faced his team.
"We'll meet at the front gate in thirty. Bring enough for a four-day round trip. Bring some weapons as well as someone might attack us for the money." Naruto ordered.
"Hai!" they said and left the room. Naruto gave her a salute and left himself. Tsunade just smiled and wished the young blond well.
XXX
Ino was watching the counter at the flower shop but she wasn't really all there. She was having some deep thoughts running through her head. The main thought was what type of ninja she really wanted to be. In truth, she thought that she would follow in her father's footsteps. He was a high ranking member of the Konoha Intelligence Division and a very skilled interrogator. Now, she didn't really feel that was her path. It was just all the training that she was doing. She felt that she could do more.
That's when she turned her head and caught sight of the proctor of the second stage of the Chūnin Exams. Anko was her name, she believed. She wondered what she was doing near the shop. She was surprised when she entered. The two faced each other and Anko smiled.
"Hey, you're one of Asuma's brats right?" Anko said. She then looked a little closer at her, which made her a little nervous. "Huh, you're not the same as before. It seems that you're taking your career a little seriously. That's pretty good. Your preliminary match was an embarrassment." Ino frowned at her for that comment. Anko ignored it and looked at her. "So, where's your dad kid? I need a couple of herbs to use on my tools."
"Daddy's not here. What kind of herbs do you need?" Ino asked. Anko looked at her with a deadpan look.
"I don't think you would know. I mean, what do you know of paralyzing agents?" Anko asked with a mocking tone.
"Well, the Aesculus hippocastanum, if used correctly, can cause paralysis, nausea and muscle twitches. Then there is Conium that causes stomach pains, vomiting, and progressive paralysis of the central nervous system. Anything else you want to ask me about Anko-senpai?" Ino asked with a smug tone. Anko gave Ino a dirty look, which made Ino gulp. Anko leaned into her and was in her face. She then smiled.
"Well now, you're pretty interesting. How would you like to be my herb girl? Maybe if you're good, I might teach you something." Anko said. Ino blinked a few times and wondered just how crazy this woman was.
XXX
It took a day and a half to reach the Wave Country. As the team reached the bridge, they were shocked to see Naruto's name on it. Naruto was so excited that he had his name on something. They made their way across the bridge and entered the village. It was doing a lot better Naruto noticed and was very happy for them. They were picking up the pieces and moving on. As they moved through the town, they were seen by a familiar family.
"Naruto!" a voice called out, making the team turn. In front of him was Inari, who was waving as was Tazuna and Tsunami. Naruto was happy to see the family and made his way over to them. Tsunami gave him a hug and he and Inari hi-five'd.
"What's going on guys? I see that you're back on your feet." Naruto said.
"Yeah, we are thanks to you kid. I hope you don't mind about the name on the bridge." Tazuna said.
"Are you kidding me? I'm stoked that you used my name. It's just a part of my Hokage memoirs." Naruto joked. As they talked, Komugi noticed that they were being watched. He looked and saw a group of shinobi with the Shimogakure symbol. He looked to his left and noticed a Kumo shinobi who just walked away. Komugi walked up to Naruto and leaned it.
"Sir, we are being watched by a team from Shimogakure. Also, a shinobi from Kumogakure has just walked away." He whispered. Naruto turned back to the family and smiled.
"Well, I would like to take that invitation but we're on a mission right now. The new Hokage is kind of on the rag and will get pissed if I spend any time. Next time maybe." Naruto said.
"We'll hold you to that Naruto." Tsunami said. They waved good-bye to each other and Naruto watched them disappear. He turned to his teammates. He made a quick head motion and they made their way to get the payment.
XXX
Surrounded by lava, the Konoha Correctional Facility was where a lot of Konoha's missing-nin and traitors were placed. It was this place that they went for their crimes to the Fire Country. Looking at the facility from on top the hill, five figures were observing the rotating guards. The only female of the group looked at a white haired boy.
"So what is our plan?" she asked.
"We grab Orochimaru's vessel and kill anyone in our way." He said. The five jumped down and rushed the prison.
XXX
Another beating he had suffered, another humiliating defeat, Sasuke stewed in his cell. His thoughts were only getting darker and his list kept getting longer. He so wanted to kill someone, anyone would do. He swore on his ancestors that he would get free of this place and burn it to the ground. He would gather an army and wage war against the village for his predicament. He hoped that Naruto would be Hokage so he could laugh as he burned his precious village to the ground.
His attention was interrupted when he heard a commotion. He stood and made his way to the bars. He couldn't see what was going on but he could hear the sounds of battle. He heard one of the guards scream and flesh being tore into. That's when two figures appeared in front of his cell. He stepped back and readied himself.
"At ease Sasuke Uchiha, we are not here to fight. We are here to save you." The teen said.
"Who are you?" Sasuke demanded. They got to a knee and bowed.
"I am Sakon of the West Gate." Sakon introduced.
"I am Kidōmaru of the East Gate. We are here to take you to Lord Orochimaru." Kidōmaru said. Sasuke relaxed and put his hands down. He got a smirk on his face.
"Very well, let's leave this place." Sasuke said. The two nodded and opened his cell door. The three left the area.
XXX
Naruto, Komugi and Inaho were just about to reach Konoha's gates. They did not stay long in the Wave Country because of the shinobi that they saw. The two genin had asked about the mission the Wave and Komugi could understand why there was more ninja around. He explained that with the new life of the Wave would bring new business, including the ninja villages. Naruto agreed with him and they left quickly before any ninja could ask about him. He even used some clones as a distraction.
As they closed in on the village, someone suddenly jumped onto the path. When they straighten up, Naruto was shocked to see who it was.
"Mizuki?" Naruto asked with shock. The man turned to see who it was and smiled.
"Well, well, if it isn't the little demon." Mizuki mocked. Naruto got into a battle stance as did the other two. This made Mizuki smirk at him more. Naruto narrowed his eyes at the man who attempted to kill him and Iruka.
"What the hell are you doing out of prison?" Naruto demanded.
"I got an early release thanks to Lord Orochimaru. He was after Sasuke but I thank him either way." Mizuki said with some mirth. Naruto narrowed his eyes at the man. "Now that we have that out of the way, it's time for me to get my revenge. GET READY TO DIE, DEMON BRAT!" Mizuki charged at Naruto with some speed. However, to Naruto, it was as if he was moving in slow motion. He vanished, surprising Mizuki, and struck out at the man with a knee. It stopped Mizuki cold and he gasped. Then Naruto took a stance and moved forward.
"Uzumaki Varied Assault!" Naruto shouted. He swung five elbow slashes at Mizuki, hitting him in various points in the chest and face. The fifth elbow launched Mizuki in the air and Naruto jumped after him. He then swung his elbow and a knee in a pincer movement that connected with Mizuki's head. Mizuki eyes rolled in the back of his head as he hit the ground. Naruto landed and looked at the defeated prisoner. His two charges looked at him with amazement. Naruto pulled out some ninja wire and restrained him. He ordered Komugi and Inaho to hurry. The three ran toward Konoha.
XXX
After dropping off Mizuki, the team made their way to the Hokage's office. Naruto didn't really wait and barged into the office.
"Granny Tsunade, I just heard about Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed.
"How did you hear about?" Tsunade asked with curiosity.
"We ran into Mizuki. He said that Sasuke got away." Naruto said. Tsunade looked at the two genin and made a motion toward them. Seeing that they were dismissed, they left to report in on their mission. Once out of the office, Tsunade faced Naruto.
"Yes, Orochimaru made a move and has freed Sasuke." Tsunade said.
"I request to be put on the team to bring him back." Naruto asked.
"If you haven't notice kid, everyone is dealing with the jail break. I don't have that many hands to deal with that and bring that brat back." Tsunade said.
"We just can't let him get to Orochimaru!" Naruto exclaimed.
"I know that! However, whoever broke him out isn't immediately taking him to Orochimaru. They would have to break the seals first, especially Jiraiya's seal around the curse mark." Tsunade explained.
"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked.
"When we learned that Sasuke was using the curse mark on purpose, I had Jiraiya put a stronger seal on it. Reports say that there is a second level so they would need to break Jiraiya's seal and that would not be easy. Right now, I have all my trackers getting back the prisoners. Once I can get some, I will go after him. Don't worry about Sasuke, we will get him back and this time, we won't be easy on him." Tsunade said. Naruto nodded at her. "Good, now how did you mission go?"
XXX
"This is unacceptable." The white haired teenager said with a glare. Sakon looked right back at him.
"It's unavoidable. If this seal was placed on by Jiraiya, it could kill him before we can get him to Lord Orochimaru. I can work fast or I can work carefully. I can't do both." Sakon said right back at him.
"You will do both. The prison break will not hold Konoha back much longer. Finish this quickly or I will finish you." He threatened. The teen gulped and nodded. He got back to work in breaking the seal over the curse mark. As he worked, Sasuke focused his attention on his thoughts. He had a new ambition in life and he would not be stopped. He worked out in his head and it was now finalized.
He would train with the Snake Sannin and get stronger. Once he was strong enough, he would hunt down Itachi and kill him for the murder of his clan. After that, he would return and kill Orochimaru and his right hand, Kabuto. He would do so to gain control of his village. Once that was done, he would conquer the smaller villages, placing them under the Uchiha banner. Once he built a massive army, he would attack Konoha. He would spare no one. No women, men or child would survive and he would wipe Konoha out of existence.
To end his plan, he would keep Naruto alive to see it happen. After he showed that loser just who was the superior ninja, he would make him watch as he took his dream away. After it was all gone, he would use his sensei's own jutsu to end his life. With that, his vengeance would be complete. It was all destined because he was an avenger.
His Sharingan gleamed and had visions of his future ambition.
XXXXX
Authors' Notes: Another chapter that has been redone. I like this chapter better than the one I put out there before. Oh, the move that Naruto did is now an original. It is the property of CAPCOM and it belongs to Adon. When I wrote this story, that's who I based Naruto's style on.