Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the newly-minted genin walk away in disappointment, not expecting their first doing odd jobs around the village.
He lit his pipe, blowing a thick smoke. He took this time to relax. Even after serving as the Hokage, and even though he was happy not doing that infernal paperwork, he couldn't stay doing nothing, so he volunteered handing missions to ninjas. His office is still in the same one with the Hokage.
He looked to his side, Minato was arguing with Team 7 about the lame jobs. It was entertaining at first, though irritation crept up as the argument was taking too long.
"Menma, it may be a chore to you, but it is still needed before your team can take a higher rank mission. As your team is very fresh from the Academy, the only available missions for you and your batchmates would be D-ranks." Hiruzen intervened. "You may be painting a fence as your mission, but you can use it to improve your teamwork."
"Huh?! What do you mean, old man?" Menma asked.
"Oh I don't know, maybe thinking of a plan how to do your job faster?" Hiruzen said sarcastically.
"Ah!" Menma rubbed the back of his head, embarrased. "You're right. Sorry, Tou-san, old man!" Team 7 bowed and left the office, and he heard Minato heaved a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Hiruzen." He said with a grateful smile.
"Don't worry. I have experience through my years serving as Hokage. Though, he may be your son, he's a ninja under your command now. It's hard, but sometimes you need to look at him not as your son, but a soldier." Hiruzen replied softly.
"I know. I just... I just don't want another child of mine hold resentment against me, one is enough. And I still regret it." Minato murmured.
"Oh." Hiruzen breathed. "It will take time, but I know Naruto-kun will give you another chance."
"I hope so, Hiruzen, I hope so."
The door opened a moment later, Naruto barreling inside, grinning excitably at the old man.
"Heya, Old Man! I heard you're the one handing out missions. So what do you have for us?" Naruto asked eagerly, his teammates trailing up behind them.
Hiruzen held a small smile, greeting him. "Yes I am, so it looks like you're ready for your first mission, huh?" He said, a hint of mischief in his tone.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't tell me you there's another speech we have to listen about missions, because we've already suffered from Iruka's drawling for six years. We don't need another one, especially coming from you. Who knows, maybe we'll really die of boredom this time. So?"
"Naruto! Show some respect to Lord Third!" Minato reprimanded, sweatdropping at the rant.
"It's okay, Minato. I've known him long enough to expect something like this." Hiruzen said placatingly. "So, as for your first mission available for your team, we have fence-painting, babysitting, shopping for groceries..."
As Hiruzen continued to list the D-ranked missions, he could see Team 7 deflating visibly. Naruto's smile slowly disappeared, his eyebrow twitching behind his sunglasses.
"So, what would you choose?" Hiruzen asked, mischievously.
Kakashi took over, choosing the grocery shopping, and walking out of the office, dragging Naruto with with Sasuke helping, Sakura trying to shut him up as he yelled curses at him.
"I'll get back at you, old man! You hear me?!" Naruto's shouts bellowing at the other side of the door, leaving Hiruzen chuckling good-naturedly.
"As expected from Naruto." Hiruzen said. "But it would be a pain if he really went through with his revenge." He murmured, shuddering slightly.
"Uhh... why?" Minato asked curiously, wanting to know more about his estranged son.
"Ugh." He groaned. "I did something like what happened earlier back then, and he tied me to my bed as revenge, with lots of chickens he put in my room. Ugh! The smell." He shuddered again as he remembered that particular day.
Minato looked away from him, definitely smiling at his misfortune.
Maybe that was a bad idea after all.
*LINE BREAK*
A couple of months passed. A couple of months doing nothing but chores. And Doffy finally had enough.
Lee's stories from the missions Team 9 took outside the village had Doffy excited. He expected something like hunting missing ninjas, escorting VIPs, or raiding bandit camps.
But things didn't went his way. It was clear to his teammates as they made their way to the Hokage Tower for reporting.
They went inside went directly to the Old Man, as the Hokage is currently preoccupied by Team 7.
'Groxery shopping complete. Mission accomplished my ass!' Doffy thought furiously as the Third went to list various chores again.
"You listen here old man." He said demandingly, attracting the attention of all present. "We didn't spent six years learning the best ways to kill a human just to do chores that a civilian can obviously do on their own. Give us something real, you Old Man!"
The genins of Team 7 looked at Naruto disbelievingly, expecting some form of punishment after that blatant disrespect to the former Hokage, with Kushina agreeing to Naruto, muttering about lazy-ass civilians and one day kick said lazy-ass.
Hiruzen chuckled, waving the tension as he looked at Minato, who looked resigned at from Naruto's another rant about missions. Minato then looked at Kakashi, asking him.
"Kakashi, do you think they are ready?"
Kakashi looked at his team, observing them, before answering, "I believe they're ready, sensei. They're strong, but field experience will show their true potentials. We'll take a C-rank sensei." Kakashi said determinedly.
Doffy sighed. "Finally." He said dramatically, earning a sweatdrop from the others.
Minato called to her secretary. "Send him in."
Doffy looked at the door as an old man came inside, reeking of alcohol.
"So, I hired a team of ninjas, and this is what I get?" The old man said, slurring slightly. "Especially the blond with sunglasses. You sure you're a ninja, kid?" He said.
Before Doffy could say something, Kakashi intervened, saying they were strong and that he'll also be coming with them, and Elite Jounin.
The old man introduced himself as Tazuna, a self-proclaimed 'Super Master Builder', telling them that their job was to escort him against bandits to the Land of Waves and guard him until he finished his projectand that they were leaving tomorrow at 10 in the morning.
As they were dismissed, Doffy wasted no time to go back at his apartment. He got his first real mission now, even if their client looked like an idiot, but it's better than those chores they called mission. He would prepare for this, not because he was worried, but because Doffy felt it would be exciting.
*LINE BREAK*
Gai looked at his team, just finished another training exercise, observing them. He was happy about them, especially because they prefer close-combat rather than those flashy ninjutsu fights.
Tenten was unique. She declared to his team that she'll be the best weapons user in Konoha. Gai might not know how to use weapons, but he would support her all he could. It would be a really long way for to be a Weapon's Mistress if she wants to use different kinds expertly, especially inside her large scroll.
Neji Hyuuga was a prodigy, especially in their clan's signature taijutsu style. No doubt about it.
His only concern was about Neji's way of thinking. Believing that the value of life was determined at the status of your life from the day you were born.
He could only hope for someone to knock some sense to him. Nevertheless, he was still proud of his progress.
Rock Lee, the one he put his hopes for, was the antithesis of Neji. Where Neji is a prodigy because of natural talent, Lee was a prodigy through hardwork. He bet that he can fight Neji toe to toe, despite the claims that Lee will always be a failure.
He remembered the first time he met Lee, seeing him practicing the basic Academy taijutsu near his usual training grounds. Of course he heard of his condition, but he was astounded at his will, despite his disadvantage.
He took him as a semi-apprentice, knowing he's still an academy student. He gave Lee training regiments and later his preferred Taijutsu style, Goken.
When Team 9 was formed, he was proud of his progress, as well as the use of his weird but very useful techniques. He said that he made a new friend, Naruto, and gave him instructions about Rokushiki, those... unique techniques.
He asked if he could see the techniques, though he refused, saying that he promised that he'll not tell anyone about them. He complied, especially when he made a friend.
Lee's condition also brought some unyouthful things, such as being made fun at the academy, and that he'll always be a failure.
'Maybe that's why Naruto help him.' Of course he heard some rumors about Naruto's circumstances. Everyone has potential, and he knew everone can surpass their limits, it's just it depends to people if they believe they can improve higher than their limits.
He was broken out of his thoughts when Neji called out to him, asking about officiating a spar between Neji and Lee.
He thought for a minute before nodding in approval.
"This would only be a sparring bout, so there will be no need to hurt each other severely, but to fan our Flames of Youth!" Gai got a boisterous affirmative from Lee and a simple nod from Neji as Tenten stood beside him.
Both Lee and Neji walked in the middle of the clearing, before moving into their favored stances.
"Begin!"
Neither attacked for a moment, before Neji surged forward, unleashing a barrage at Lee.
Lee evaded, smoothly moving around Neji's assault. For someone who was trained in Goken, Lee moved like he was taught by Anko in Snake-fist style.
Lee broke away and then kicked the air, sending slashes that looked like a wind jutsu.
'Maybe that's one of the techniques he learned from Naruto.' It was definitely an edge for Lee, from the disadvantage of not being able to use ninjutsu, that kicking technique is really useful for long range.
Neji leaped away from the path of the wind blades, carving through the fround.
He looked frustrated, Gai can only imagine Neji was thinking right now.
Neji was on the offensive again, a palm aimed at Lee's throat. Lee met him but faster, moving out of Neji's attack and sending his own fist at his chest, effectively stopping Neji, losing consciousness before he hit the ground. Not that Lee didn't help him, as he gently laid him on the ground before looking at Gai.
"Good job, Lee! That was a very Youthful display right there!"
"Thank you, Gai-sensei! But... will Neji be okay?" Lee asked, concerned.
"Don't worry, Lee. I'll take him back to the Hyuuga compound. We'll here agin tomorrow the same time. You're dismissed."
Both Lee and Tenten bid him farewell and went on their way. He picked up Neji walking to his house.
He can only hope that Neji will think things through after this. If not, well, 10 laps around the village will surely keep his mind from this defeat.
*LINE BREAK*
'Sounds easy...' Sakura thought sarcastically as she made her way to her house thinking about their mission outside the village.
Escort Tazuna to Wave, prevent him from dying in case of bandit attacks, guard him until he finished building the bridge, an enormous one if she had to guess, and go home. Mission accomplished.
She scoffed, of course she knew it wouldn't be as simple as that, at least for her. She knew her teammates were strong, she could see both of them vibrating in excitement right now. But she knew she couldn't rely on her team everytime some complications occur on a mission.
Her fairy tale reality of Sasuke saving her in peril was shattered back at the Survival exam.
Kakashi-sensei defeated her without touching her. A simple genjutsu with Sasuke's condition like that already sent her into shock and unconsciousness.
'Pathetic, really.' Sakura thought with a self-depreciating smile as she went to her room. Her mother, Mebuki, called out to her, stopping her at the stairs.
"How's your day, darling?" Her mother asked.
"We have a mission tomorrow. A real one outside the village. We'll be gone at least for a month." Sakura replied.
"Oh that's great! This is your chance to make an impression on Uchiha-sama! You better bring all the accessories..."
Her mother continued to list the things that she said she should bring as Sakura stared at her in disbelief.
"W-what are you saying? Your daughter will be gone on a mission with the possibility of being attacked and you're worried about me not impressing Sasuke on a life and death situation! Are you for real?!"
"What?! Why are you worried? You Sasuke-sama with you! He'll definitely keep you out of the fighting! Let the men handle the heavy-lifting. You remember what I said back then? You need to become Sasuke-sama's wife so that your life will be a happy and secured one in the future."
"Oh? You mean, marrying him to secure that you can get your hands at the Uchiha clan's vast resources, right?" Sakura said, sarcastically. "You know what? I'm done! I have more important things to do than to listen to your delusions!" She said, ignoring her mother as she went inside her room.
She just laid at her bed, staring at the ceiling. She now understood why her mother wants her to be with Sasuke. She saw it on her mother's face. The greed.
She couldn't believe it, she knew her mother knew of her affections towards Sasuke. But after spending six years in the academy and in the past months in Team 11, she didn't get a single response from him.
The only time Sakura got a honest response from Sasuke was when they visited the orphanage. Sasuke looked very relax the whole time than the years he spent back at the academy.
And now Sakura understood what Sasuke needed. Not a lover, but a companion, a friend, and a family.
She shook her head, feeling foolish on herself. She put those thoughts aside, for now. She still has a mission tomorrow.
*LINE BREAK*
Tazuna waited impatiently, as the brats were taking their time, though they're not late.
Kakashi-san was with him, reading an orang book, giggling slightly. He looked around, trying to calm himself. He couldn't help but be nervous and guilty about what he was doing. Lying to them and possibly sending the brats to their deaths.
A minute later the kids arrived, looking surprised at Kakashi-san. They look young. Too young, in fact. Pink hair looked nervous, maybe her first time out of their village. Black hair walked quietly, looking confident to himself. And Blondie, looked odd. He was grinning at something, and he walked weirdly, raising his legs comically high with his hands in his pockets.
They chatted along the way, Pink-hair asking about Wave Country. He talked about the basics and the bridge he was building, and his pride swell at the impressed looks he recieved from the brats.
They walked in silence when two people, emerged from the puddle? Nevermind, as their sensei, was chopped into pieces!
"Kakashi-sensei!" Pink-hair, Sakura, screamed.
"Sakura, you stay with the Druken Master. Sasuke, we deal with them, I got Ugly on the left!" The blond menace, Naruto, took over, and he saw Sasuke responding with a nod.
The two boys reacted, retaliating against the two missing-nins. They were fast. He couldn't track their movements. He was shocked at the kids.
The fight ended swiftly, both missing-nins now restrained.
He heard some clapping, and he saw Kakashi-san walking out of the woods.
"Good job, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura. You all did great. Sakura, you did good following Naruto's instructions, guarding the client, as he's our main priority. You two boys made an excellent teamwork, subduing your opponents." Kakashi complimented.
"Kakashi-sensei! I-I thought-"
Kakashi-san pointed at the spot where he was hacked, only to see pieces of wood.
"So..." Kakashi began. "... we need to talk, Tazuna-san." Tazuna began to sweat bullets, no doubt the jounin found out the magnitude of this mission.
And he spilled all of it.
*LINE BREAK*
It was a messed-up country. A tyrant named Gato took over Wave, squeezing them dry and wanting Tazuna dead and the bridge destroyed.
Doffy grinned. This was the kind of mission he wanted. Gato was wealthy, and it means he has more hired goons, maybe some stronger missing-nins.
They saw the bridge that the old man is currently building, and Doffy can say that he was definitely impressed, especially with few funds.
A few minutes of walking, his Haki sensed someone pacing with them. He was strong, whoever that was.
He looked directly at the assassin, and they were greeted by a huge cleaver rushing towards them as Kakashi told them to duck.
"So that's why the two failed, you're the one escorting the old man, Kakashi of the Sharingan." The enemy nin said.
'Sharingan? Maybe an implant...' Doffy was a bit surprised at that tidbit.
"Abd if it isn't Zabuza Momochi, Demon of the Hidden Mist." Kakashi replied nonchalantly, but his stance says otherwise.
"You three, step back. He's someone you can't fight yet." Kakashi demanded.
"Let's make this clear. You give me the old man, and I'll let you go. Or, if you don't comply, You're dead the same with the old man." Zabuza said, leaking a bit of killing intent.
Before Kakashi could say anything, Doffy commented. "Or, we kick your ass, throw you dow to the sea, and we move to our merry way. Simple, right? Fuffuffuffufu." Doffy chuckled.
"Ha! And whose gonna do that? You?" Zabuza sneered. "Whatever. Kirigakure no Jutsu!"
A thick mist appeared, making zero visibility. Though it didn't bother Doffy to find their opponent. He heard Zabuza with some speech and Doffy made to interrupt him. He lift his left hand, middle finger pointed at Zabuza's position.
"Bullet String." He muttered quietly.
A ball of string flew out of his finger, flying towards Zabuza and halting his monologue.
"Is this how you kill your prey? Killing them by boredom monologuing something? Heh, heh, heh." Doffy said."And don't worry about us sensei. You've got your hands full, we can handle his clones. Sakura, old man get back!"
Doffy jumped away from a slash sent by the clone, Sasuke throwing shurikens at the clone.
Sasuke threw a fireball, forcing the clone to move away, but he didn't expect Doffy siddenly appearing at his side, and got hit with a Haki-encased kick, destroying the clone.
They made to back-up Kakashi, forcing Zabuza on the defensive, and stopping him from executing some traps. Doffy saw Kakashi with his hitai-ate lifted up, Sharingan in full display.
It was amazing, Doffy thought, as Kakashi copied the hand seals Zabuza was doing and finishing faster than him.
"Water release: Water Vortex Jutsu!" Kakashi exclaimed.
A huge amount of water rose from the sea and hit Zabuza full force, hitting at a trunk with a loud thud.
"C-can you see... the future...?" Zabuza asked weakly.
Kakashi nodded. "And your future is death."
Something hit Zabuza and he fell down. A hunter-nin appeared, thanking them from the unintended assistance and taking off with Zabuza's body.
"'Your future is death'? A bit dramatic there, eh. Heh heh heh." Doffy commented, before Kakashi went into some hand seals, and a dog appeared. Kakashi wrote something on a scroll and instructing the dog to deliver it to the Hokage.
"Didn't expect to fight someone like Zabuza here. I guess really need to stop lazing arou-" Kakashi suddenly fell down, unconscious from using too much chakra.
Sasuke and Sakura looked at Naruto, an unspoken agreement of letting Naruto to take command.
Naruto nodded to them, "Old man, you guide us to where your house is. Sasuke, take point. Sakura, stay beside the old man, I'll carry Kakashi." He summoned a shadow clone and they made their way to Wave.
*LINE BREAK*
Minato was arguing with Team 7, besides Satsuki, about a higher ranking mission, again. Mito and Menma pointing that why Team 11 got one and why they still didn't have one when suddenly Pakkun appeared at his desk.
"Hokage-sama, message from Kakashi."
Minato grabbed the scroll and read the contents, paling at what was written. He looked at Team 7.
"As you are the only available team right now, I have a mission for you Team 7 and fast..."