Chapter 9

(Scene change - Naruto's apartment)

As the evening turned to night, Naruto had finished tidying up and furnishing his apartment. While it was rather far from the village's center, it was close to a normally unused training field, which would benefit him greatly in the future. After finishing with his apartment, Naruto took a much-needed shower, washing away the fatigue of the day, both physical and emotional. Changing and then laying down on his bed, he thought about what had happened over the past few hours. He had finally moved out of that house, told his family about how he really felt about them and was now an independent shinobi of Konoha. Looking out of his window towards the night sky where the stars laid, he didn't know what to make of the future, but for now, both the stars and his future seemed a little brighter than before, so that, he pulled out his guitar from the case and started to play some song.

(Time skip - A few weeks later)

(Scene change - Hokage's tower)

The past few weeks have been interesting for Naruto to say the least. After moving out of his family's house, he had been seeing and feelings the disappointed glares of some of the villagers, most likely having heard that he had left his house and left his family in tears. But he never let the looks affect him, he'd been through worse then a few nasty looks.

He had bumped into his family over the past few weeks as well, Narumi latching onto him and begging him to come home every time she saw him. Mito tried to talk to him but always ended up starting a conversation that ended up with her awkwardly apologizing and leaving Menma just glared and scoffed at him then proceeded to berate him with his usual gang of friends about how weak and useless he was.

Kushina would see him shopping in the market district and barrage him with questions about how he was doing, if he was eating right, if he was staying out of trouble, and above all else, she asked if he wanted to come home, which he politely answered and declined each time. Though, he always saw Minato when he was getting a mission either with his team or individually and would be asked the exact same questions as he did from Kushina, which he politely answered and declined the offer of returning home.

Speaking of his team, things were proceeding how one would expect it to with Anko Mitarashi as a sensei. They were all being trained into the ground.

Yakumo due to her frail body, was having a hard time with the physical exercises. Anko made sure to check to see if she could was alright if she thought she was in danger, but she was beginning to get physically stronger to the joy of her parents and pride of Anko. Kurenai even said that she was beginning to lose her pale and weak complexion and gain a more lively and strong one which made her blush.

Satsuki fared much better, but she too was being trained into the ground by their overzealous sensei, but she could see that she was becoming stronger much to her enjoyment. Her parents even commented that she was much more skilled then she had ever been before, even her brothers noticed. Itachi smiled at her and told her that she was growing well. Sasuke however glared at her and she glared back, knowing that her brother was jealous of her growth.

Naruto didn't seem that tired when training sessions were over, on particularly hard days, the most they had seen him exhausted was a little winded breathing otherwise he was able to take on anything Anko threw at him, he brushed off as he remembers the training of his three brothers and he was used by Eron's monsterous, grousome and crazly insane training method that he unleashed to Naruto.

As for what they were being trained on, at first it was mostly team exercises but due in part to the three actually working together cohesively they eventually were able to take on multiple types of training like tracking, scouting, support, investigation, espionage, and assault after a week of team building. The girls were used by Naruto's weapons and estranged formation, tactics and strategies.

The past few weeks rotated between the six different topics which were beginning to make them a "Jack of all Trades" sort of team which Anko had been planning on making them, "Better to be safe then sorry" was her train of thought as she wanted her squad to be prepared for anything that could happen in the future.

Right now Team 12 was reporting on their 41st D-Ranked mission, which astounded every other jōnin sensei. Instead of the usual 2-5 missions a week, Anko made her team complete a minimum of at least 9 missions a week, her reason being "I don't want to be stuck doing D-Rank missions for more then a month." Which was now why she knew her genin were ready for their first C-Ranked mission.

"Congratulations for another mission well done Team 12! I assume that you want another mission correct?" Minato asked, handing the completed report to his assistant to be filed later. Satsuki's eye immediately started twitching as the thought of doing more chores made her lose her cool. Yakumo sighed, knowing that they'd be doing more manual labor in the coming hours. Naruto retained his blank look, but his eyes darkened a bit. Minato noticed the glint in Anko's eyes and immediately knew what kind of mission she was going to ask for.

"We sure are Hokage-sama! I think my cute little genin are ready for their first C-Rank mission! We've completed the minimum number of 30 D-Ranked missions, and I know that they'll be able to handle it!" As the words left Anko's mouth, Satsuki's eyes burned with the flames of determination within them. Yakumo's eyes widened in excitement as she straightened her back and put on a determined face. Naruto's face still remained blank, but there was a little excitement in his eyes. Seeing the look of determination and excitement on the faces of the genin, Minato could only sigh and relent, smiling he agreed.

"You're right Anko, your squad has gone above and beyond when completing your missions so I think you've earned this." Minato said with pride as he handed Anko a mission scroll. "It's a simple escort mission, but I think your team will be able to handle it. Alisa-san could you please let in Tazuna-san." Turning towards the door, Minato called out to the secretary to let in their client.

The door soon opened to reveal a grey-haired, bespectacled man. As soon as he reached them he turned and gave them his evaluation of them. "I thought I paid to hired a team to escort me; not two girls, a boy, and a scantily woman. I bet those three kids haven't even touched a weapon and that woman hasn't been in a real fight." Tazuna said as he took a gulp from a small bottle of sake.

Satsuki scowled as Anko and Yakumo frowned, definitely not liking how he was implying that women were weak. Naruto didn't react, but he did clench his hand slightly. But before things could escalate, Minato immediately narrowed his eyes and raised his voice at Tazuna.

"Tazuna-san, I would appreciate it if you don't insult the people that will be escorting you. The ninja before you are more then capable of protecting you, Anko is one of my top Kunoichi, being an ex-anbu captain.

At that information Tazuna, Satsuki, and Yakumo looked shocked. Tazuna because he had someone of such caliber protecting him and Yakumo and Satsuki because they didn't know that their sensei held such a prestigious position. Naruto's eyes widened slightly, but he knew she was much stronger then she was leading on.

At all the attention she was getting, Anko couldn't help but blush slightly. "Geez, if you keep staring at me like that I'm gonna blush." She said with a grin, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. Eventually the tense atmosphere before returned to a tranquil one, Anko directing her genin.

"Alright my cute little genin, we're meeting tomorrow at the main gate and head towards Nami no Kuni (Land of Waves) then alright! From the mission details, we're going to be escorting and guarding Tazuna-san while the Wave complete a bridge. So, pack enough supplies for at least a month to be safe alright?" After her instructions, her genin nodded and they were all dismissed.

As Naruto walked out of his office, Minato quickly called out to him. Stopping near the door, Naruto turned around slightly to face him. "Naruto, please be safe out there ok?" Expecting him to be ignored, Minato was surprised and overjoyed that his son actually responded to him. "I will be, thank you for your concern Minato-san." Naruto said before he bowed and exited the room, leaving Minato to smile slightly before he returned to his paperwork.