Several Weeks Later
He was trying. He really was but he was going insane right now. As it turned out D-Ranks were just as annoying and tedious as Anna-nee-chan complained about. He quite frankly was on the verge of exploding. Right now they were trying to capture a daimyo's cat. Sasuke was in one position while Sakura was in another. The saving grace had been they'd all agreed to work on team work and so far everything was working on that end. That was perhaps the only thing that kept all of them from snapping...particularly Sasuke who now looked constantly disgruntled instead of disinterested in the world.
"Naruto are you in position?"
"Yes Kakashi-sensei," he replied dutifully. Much as he hated the chores he wasn't going to do a half way done job of it. "I'm in position."
"So am I," Sakura replied. She'd gotten better at team interactions so he'd dropped the honorific for her.
"Roger," said the Jōtun...Well he hadn't stopped being a jerk so he reserved the right to still call him that.
"Good, now all we need to is get Tora. Then we report to the office.."
And more tedious chores, Naruto bit back a groan at that thought. Over the headset he heard Sakura of all people sigh. He could imagine the look on Jōtun's face...
"Target approaching your area Naruto," Kakashi announced pointed ignoring the sighing. Naruto readied himself and pulled the trigger for his non-lethal trapping system. There was split second of a snapping noise followed by a yowl. Grimly satisfied he jumped down and saw that Tora was safely encased in the cage.
"Identify target, the client won't pay unless it's correctly identified."
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto grumbled as he leaned over checking for a ribbon. The yellow ribbon was present on the right ear as stated...
"Confirm." he said dully. "It's the target."
"Good."
"Thank heavens," Sakura said sounding exasperated. "Oh and Naruto I've got an idea."
"For what?"
"For a team formation, you want to go over after we're done...babysitting?" She spat out the last word which Naruto couldn't blame her for considering that he too felt like he was wasting his time. Sure again they'd improved working together and while thinking of the various tasks as prototype missions help immensely he did want to you know actually test out his said skills.
"Getting the target," Sasuke said over the radio. A second later he showed up looking annoyed with the world and namely the cat with Sakura following him with a similar expression.
"Nice trap," he complimented as Naruto shut off the radio.
"Thanks just wish we were using it for something aside from lost pets," Naruto grumbled as he gently removed the equipment.
"Why don't we just ask the Hokage?" Sakura asked. "I'm sure if we could argue that our effectiveness will only truly be tested out in the field he'll at least give us a C-Rank."
"How do you propose we do that?" Sasuke inquired as he hoisted up the cage taking care to make sure the latch was secure. Naruto also perked up at Sakura's proposal as they began heading for the Tower to meet up with Kakashi-sensei and report on the mission. She was really good at ideas as they'd discovered giving them a base to work off when it came to strategies. She'd think of the framework while they improvised and made things a little more spontaneous in the case of Naruto or elaborate in the case of Sasuke.
"Well we can argue that our combat and mission effectiveness would be better tested out in a "real world" setting. That practice is only as good as it's applied to real applications."
"Nee-chan says that D-Ranks can be viewed as such."
"Within reason," Sakura countered. "They're the missions in a safe environment. So how can be effective fighters if we're reduced to merely safe encounters. Being a ninja isn't about being safe. Anko-sensei taught me as much."
"Within reason," Naruto echoed back to her. "It's not like we're going to ask for A-Rank or S-Rank. Just a C-Rank to test our combat effectiveness."
"That's reasonable," Sasuke agreed as they neared the Tower. "I mean the Hokage can't argue against that entirely."
"Works for me," Naruto said. "So...who's gonna be our spokesman?"
"I will," Sakura said. "The Hokage needs someone that looks and acts professional...No offense Naruto."
"None taken," Naruto shrugged. Nee-chan had often said he had the diplomatic skills of a gnat and while he did need to improve them now wasn't the time when someone needed to argue the case credibly. As for Sasuke...he just wasn't good with people so it made sense that Sakura would do it.
"Alright, so Sakura argues our case and Naruto..." Sasuke trailed off giving him a significant look. "No outbursts."
"He's right, we need to argue that we're mature enough to handle these issues. If not that ruins the argument and destroys our credibility. So I know it'll be tempting but pipe down okay?"
"I'll do my best," Naruto promised as they made their way up the stairs to the debriefing and mission room they went into for D-Ranks.
"Don't worry I'll do my best to ensure that we get something good," Sakura said as the neared the doors.
"We'd better," Sasuke muttered. "Because if I have to babysit or paint again I'll go insane."
"You wouldn't be the only one," Naruto concurred as he opened the door. Standing there was the daimyo's wife with expectant look next to Kakashi-sensei who had his usual lackadaisical look. Sasuke lower the cage and releasing the hatch he quickly grabbed the cat who tried to scratch him. He picked it up by the scruff of his neck and gently handed it over to daimyo's wife who stared smothering it with hugs and gushing how her precious baby was back with her...in light of this it was no wonder the thing had run off. Too smothering. The only time he'd experienced something like that was when Satoru-nee-san had been teasing him.
"Well I see that mission went well," the Hokage commented as the daimyo's walked over the payment desk. He picked a stack of papers and began leafing through them along with Iruka-sensei who was there assisting that day. "Let's see babysitting the Aichi clan's child..."
"Actually Hokage-sama," Sakura interrupted. "I was wondering if the team could be given a C-Rank instead."
"Oh?" The Hokage gently put down the papers and gave her an interested look. "Why is that?"
Naruto held his breath and cheer that he was actually listening to them and awaited what his teammate would say.
Sakura steeled herself for the argument that she was going to get herself into. She'd been determined to prove her worth to the team and throughout their time doing mundane tasks she'd taken it upon herself to both studying strategies, theory some sealing and through the prompting of Anko-sensei healing. She was a studious type and it appealed to her. She wasn't an expert and she was still working on some basics for now. Perhaps...
"Hokage-sama I appreciate and understand the necessity of D-Ranks, to maintain the ties to the village and to give a safe environment to train. That's a good strategy but I feel our team could use more challenges. We've been training and working on D-Ranks for several weeks now. I feel our talents have advanced to point in which I confidently argue that we can at the very least efficiently deal with a C-Rank. Moreover how are we to know how we'd react in the field if we're not properly tested? Therefore I request we be given a C-Rank so that we might see how we've improved and give thoughts on what needs to be changed."
"You'll be doing this an unpredictable scenario," the Hokage countered.
"Agreed but what is the life of the shinobi but unpredictable? I have faith that my teammates can compensated for what every deficiencies I myself haven't noticed."
"And your teammates?" The Hokage looked over at Sasuke-kun and Naruto. "Why do they think of this?"
"I believe Sakura to be correct," Sasuke said.
"Yeah...what he said. Look the thing is how's we supposed to prove that we're capable if we don't get a challenge?" Naruto said. He looked like he wanted to add his own flavor of reasoning but he instead quieted down after taking a brief glance at Sakura...he respected her? Sakura was a bit stunned at this revelation. Well stunned and happy. He trusted her so...she straightened up happily. She wouldn't let him or Sasuke-kun down. Not when they counted on her now.
"So is this being coerced out of you?"
"No way dattebayō!" Naruto rebuffed before realizing that he might be undermining the presentation. "I mean no sir I'm speaking for myself."
"Same."
"As am I. We are ready."
"Very well," the Hokage said sounding pleased. Sakura tried to maintain a professional air meanwhile Naruto didn't a fist pump. Sasuke looked satisfied. "Then I'll give you a C-Rank that I've recently gotten. I trust you'll conduct yourselves in a professional manner. Bring in Tazuna-san please Iruka-san."
"Of course Hokage-sama," he bowed getting up from his seat to fulfill his orders. Sakura was internally cheering along with inner Sakura as well. She'd done it! Now all they had to do was meet the client and then they'd prove themselves!
Sasuke was impressed to say the least. Sakura had done it. She'd really done it. Now all they needed to do was meet the client then all would be fine. Iruka opened the door from the client room and this Tazuna came through...
The client was tall with a scruffy attire consisting a vest and worn shorts and battered rice hat. In his left has was a sake jar which looked freshly opened his craggy face was slightly flushed and his beard and mustache looked wet...great he was drunk. This wasn't good. He didn't want a loser provoking Naruto into an outburst although it would be entertaining at least.
"Are these my bodyguards?" He gesture sloppy at them confirming to Sasuke that he was at the very least tipsy. "They're just a bunch of stupid punks especially that short one."
"Short?" Naruto looked momentarily confused before the realization dawned on him. His face grew angry and he opened his mouth only for Sakura to step forward with blank professional face even if her body language screamed extremely annoyed.
"Sir good things come in small packages. After all you wouldn't a huge stockpile of dynamite for small demolition yes?" She countered pleasantly with an unmistakable edge to her voice which made him step back. Naruto to his credit held back a smirk at Sakura's defense.
"Also it's bad form to speak ill of bodyguards," Kakashi added clearly trying to deescalate the situation. "Also I'm going to be protecting you as well so don't worry."
"...Fine," Tazuna huffed giving Sasuke a good smell of his breath...yup drunk he smell the alcohol from here. "I am Tazuna the bridge builder from the Land of Waves heading back to my home country and you'll protect me with your very lives."
Was this guy serious? Whatever he wasn't going to pay any mind to a drunkard. He'd focus on the team and the mission.
Anna came back for a lunch break from work to see Naruto packing his bags. Well actually shuffling through the contents as if deciding what to take.
"Got an away mission?" She asked walking over to the kitchen to grab something to eat.
"Yeah...hey nee-chan? Should I take traps? We're going to the Land of Waves."
"Absolutely, there's a guy named Gato trying to muscle into that area. Best you protect yourself from gang violence there."
"Gato?"
"A gangster that is well known in the black market," Anna explained as she quickly made herself a quick sandwich. "He's not a pleasant guy to say the least. So use some of my empty sealing scrolls. I've got two that I recently got that you can use. They're on the bookshelf, can't miss them."
"Thanks nee-chan," Naruto said as he walked over to retrieve the said scrolls.
"And Naruto...would you mind if accompanied you to the gate?"
"How come?"
"It's...it's something that sensei said to Naomi-nee-chan first went on her out of village mission. She said it was an ancient tradition that she wanted to preserve. I...I kinda want to continue the tradition if you don't mind. Don't worry I won't embarrass you in front of the client. Promise."
"Wait is that poem thingie she said?" Naruto asked his face scrunched as he tried to recall it.
"It's a blessing Naruto not a poem," she chided him gently.
"But I'm not Uchiha wouldn't that be rude or something?" Naruto looked excited but apprehensive. He was close to her former sensei and she knew that he probably didn't wish to disrespect her memory by taking something of hers. Not that she'd mind...
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind you being in on it. You were more less family to her." She assured him as she walked over and placed her hand on Naruto's right shoulder as her sensei did when she spoke to her daughter. Once he'd stopped fidgeting from excitement she recited the blessing that had stuck in her head ever since: "Stay safe and keep your teammates safe. Rely on each other and be at each other's side. Fan the flames of your teammates and your own. Be their eyes."
There was brief moment of reverent silence and then Naruto spoke up curiously: "I am supposed to say thing back?"
"Yes it's goes like this: I shall keep the flame alive, do the clan proud, defend the honor of the clan and burn brightly within the flames. My teams strength is mine and my strength is theirs. I shall be their eyes so they don't fall into the night."
"Okay! I shall keep the flame alive, do the clan proud, defend the honor of the clan and burn brightly within the flames. Their strength is mine and my strength is theirs. I shall be their eyes so they don't fall into the night."
"And now it's Sasuke's turn," Anna said as she turned towards the entrance. "You done packing?"
"Huh? Oh right," Naruto quickly grabbed the scrolls and sealed all of the items into both of them careful to ensure that one scrolls items didn't get lost in the other pile. Once that was finished he pocketed the scrolls and grabbing his bag he ran up to meet her. She shook her head fondly at his antics and walked out with him leading the way to the gate.
