Author's Note
This chapter is where things start to diverge from canon. It's also when the action starts.
Some will probably be disappointed, but I have no intention of writing chapters on D ranked missions being completed.
Finally, two warnings for the story going forward. This chapter has a timeskip and I want to make something clear. This story is not slash. Hatorama is just a hormonal teenager.
These past two months since Team 1 has been formed can only be described as intense.
The day after the whole incident with Mizuki, we had to be at the Academy to be put into teams. I was put in a team with Yakumo Kurama and a boy named Sai.
Nobody in the class had ever seen or heard of him. My education was a special case, so a boy coming from absolutely nowhere was suspicious.
Our sensei was Anko Mitarashi. The former student of the Snake Sannin, Orochimaru.
I know there's supposed to be a secondary test administered by our Jounin sensei. She skipped that however. She decided on testing our proficiency by coming at us with lethal intent.
What she learnt from that, is that each of the three of us are beyond and in my case, far beyond the level of Genin.
As I suspected, Yakumo turned out to have Jounin level skills in genjutsu. Her physical skills, despite being the best of the graduating girls, was nothing special however.
Sai was no Genin. Anko sensei pushed him hard, leaving him no choice but to go all out. I'm pretty sure that he has Chunin level skills already.
Then there's me. I had no intention of ever showing all of my abilities. Not until they are fully mastered. I did however prove that with the exception of genjutsu, of which Yakumo was superior, my skill in all areas of shinobi combat exceeded my teammates.
My skill in sealing I didn't mention or show however. Still, I'm sure I annoyed our sensei that day, when all of her snakes were handily dealt with by the Sword of the Thunder God.
Everyday after that, we'd do one D ranked mission in the morning and then train the whole day. Sensei had us train exclusively in Training Ground 44 or as it's better known, the Forest of Death.
Fighting a Jounin daily sharpened my combat skills. Unlike when fighting my mother, I know that if I went all out, I could beat Sensei. Though only by catching her by surprise.
She's annoyingly competent. Just as strong as Shizune, though skilled in different ways.
During that time, the three of us Genin learnt to work well together. Sai was very awkward. Clearly unused to socializing, he's a work in progress.
I get along better with Yakumo. Still, as companiable as we are during missions and training, outside of sharing meals, we don't ever hang out.
All three of us being workaholics in different ways. Still, all things must come to an end. After two months, sensei finally deemed us ready to take a C rank mission.
Or atleast that was the plan. Team 7 was in the Missions Room when we arrived. So was a familiar figure however. He entered just a few seconds before us.
" Tazuna? Is that you? " The old man with a bottle of sake turned sharply. To my surprise, his eyes teared up.
He walked unsteadily towards me, though I don't think it's because he was drunk. He looked incredibly sad.
" Hatorama my boy! You're a sight for sore eyes. Oh kid, it's terrible business... " To my surprise, he burst out in tears. I moved forward and put a hand on his shoulder.
" Is Tsunami okay? Or is something wrong with Inari? If they're sick then I can help you. " With an emotion filled face, the whole story spills out of him.
How the Land of Waves has been taken over by a shipping tycoon. How his son-in-law was executed. How he's trying to build a bridge to break Gato's monopoly.
The entire room is filled with silence. That is until the Hokage coughs. " That's not the story you told me, Mr Bridge builder. Someone as wealthy as Gato will have hired a Jounin level shinobi to deal with you. "
" Hatorama, how do you know this man? " So I tell him how we passed through Wave Country four years ago. They had a gambling tournament going on.
The Hokage seemed to be fighting a smile. Likely knowing of my mother's habit. I tell him how Tazuna himself also took part in the tournament and that's how we met.
It's here that Tazuna interjects. " Yeah, that's where I met the kid, Lord Hokage. The money I won is actually how I paid for the materials we're using to build the bridge.
The room is silent for a few minutes. My team and the sensei of Team 7 wait patiently for a decision to me made.
The Genin on the other team react in various ways. The Uchiha scowls and the girl, Haruno, fawns at him. Naruto alternates between glaring at me and then Sasuke.
Finally, the Hokage stirs. " This is clearly an A ranked mission. Something that is beyond the scope of a Genin team. However, it is within the abilities of two I believe. "
" Tazuna, Teams 1 and 7 shall be assigned to ensure that all threats to you and your bridge will be dealt with. In exchange, the Land of Fire shall receive preferrencial treatment with regards to trade. Is that acceptable? "
Tazuna agreed. Not that I thought he wouldn't. We're dismissed and told to meet at the gate in an hour. Once we exit the Hokage Tower, we all go our separate ways.
I'm thinking however. The only way Gato has managed to keep control of Wave is by trying to break the spirits of the people. Things must be very bad there economically.
Mind made up, I go towards the market. Despite my mother's penchant for gambling, I'm actually incredibly wealthy. When I was born, my mother transferred the bulk of our Clan's assets into a trust meant for me.
Thus, I have more than enough to buy what I need. Making a dozen water clones, I give them instructions to stock up enough food to feed an army.
By the time I go to meet the others at the gate, I have literal tons of rice, oil, vegetables and noodles sealed into scrolls.
Anko sensei is the only one there when I arrive. Seeing her gives me an idea. After exchanging greetings, I explain my plan to her. To no surprise, she agrees.
This is part of our training regimen. To be able to be flexible in our strategies. Sai is the next to arrive. After the usual barbs are traded, I explain my idea to him.
Much of it rides on his abilities after all. After a moment of thought, he agrees. It's then that Yakumo arrives. We explain everything to her as well.
We also decide not to explain some things to Team 7. Naruto and Sakura are undisciplined. They'll likely give things away.
Sai, Yakumo and I head back into the village to get Tazuna, Anko sensei stays to explain things to Hatake.
An hour later, we set off. Not without some annoyance however. In the end, this is what my plan boils down to.
Two Genin teams are too conspicuous. It's best if we shadow them from a distance. That's where Sai comes in. He is to create an ink bird for each member of our team.
Or rather, Sai, Anko, Yakumo and Tazuna. I will travel disguised as Tazuna using the Transformation Jutsu. Thanks to the seals on my body, my chakra signature can be mostly suppressed.
Only the very best sensors could tell that I'm not a civilian. Of course, big black birds are sure to be very conspicuous as well.
That's where Yakumo comes in. She is to hide the sight of them with genjutsu. Only the sensei of Team 7 is aware of the ruse however.
When we leave the village, they take a diamond formation around ' Tazuna '. Kakashi in the rear, Sasuke in front and Sakura and Naruto on the sides.
Using a minor sound based genjutsu, it's easy to fake Tazuna's voice. Between taking sips of my pretend sake, I insult each member of the team.
Because I'm so close to him, I can feel the amusement in their sensei's chakra. " I've met a number of kunoichi in my day you pink haired brat and none of them were so weak looking as you. "
" You're supposedly a ninja, but not a very smart one it seems. I'm a civilian and I can clearly smell your strong perfume. Shinobi who are trackers could smell you a mile away. You're likely giving away our position with your smell. "
Sakura was fuming. Naruto looked no better. Here I decided to question it, because he makes no sense whatsoever.
" Wipe that scowl off your face blondie. In the short time I've been acquainted with you brats I've seen her verbally and physically attack you. You do know that's not normal right? "
" Teammates don't do that. Heck, decent people don't do that. She treats you like shit. What disgusts me is that you just accept it. This girl is not interested in you. She makes it clear every time. "
" You can't force someone to like you brat. You need to understand that. I'm surprised your sensei hasn't told you that. Then again, he hasn't stopped any of it so he's just as bad as she is. "
I can feel how Kakashi has tensed. " His chakra feels like a jumble of things I don't feel like untangling. Good. Naruto looks so sad and lost. I place my hand gently on his shoulder.
" There's plenty of fish in the sea kid. In other words, there's many girls out there. Kind girls who will like you for who you are. Or boys if that's what you prefer. " Here I wink at him. He blushes, protesting wildly.
The Uchiha snorts. I open my mouth. Then I close it. I'd been sensing two chakra signatures for awhile now. They're finally visible.
I struggle not to roll my eyes. A puddle of water. On a day where the sun is shining and there isn't a cloud in sight. I let out an inaudible sigh.
The next few minutes are a blur. Kakashi tricks his team and the enemy into thinking he'd been torn apart. Naruto freezes up, Sakura screams and Sasuke charges the enemy.
He actually managed to knock one out when Kakashi returns. He quickly wraps things up. Then he takes Naruto aside to speak to him.
In the meantime, I turn towards Sasuke. " Well, seeing is believing as they say. I thought you were just a pretty boy. Turns out you do have some skill after all brat. "
He scoffs at me. I can see he does look a bit pleased however. Naruto and Kakashi return so we continue our journey then.
We only take a break once and that's to have lunch. After that, it takes a further two hours until we reach the coast.
Tazuna had briefed me so I knew the fisherman that was waiting for us. " Genji! My friend, I'm grateful for your help. "
The poor man looked afraid but still, we boarded his boat and set off. After an hour, the bridge became visible in the mist.
The bridge was an impressive sight. The Genin agreed seeing as they gasped. I was saved from having to answer their questions by Genji silencing them.
Not long after, we approached a dilapidated looking dock. Shaking his hand in thanks, I disembarked.
The others followed. We then made our way through town. Everything I saw confirmed my suspicions and I saw what Tazuna meant.
The people of Wave looked downtrodden and hungry. Skinny looking children scurried around, begging for scraps. Team 7 looked horrified.
We didn't linger however. Before long we exited town and set off towards Tazuna's house which was located in an isolated part of the island.
I could feel two chakra signatures watching us. One of them had large reserves. Likely a Jounin. His bloodlust was nearly palpable.
Suddenly, one of their chakras flickered as Naruto threw a kunai in their direction. Naruto went to investigate. The chakra signature that had been there before moved deeper into the forest.
As Naruto removed a white rabbit, the larger signature exploded into motion. I was tackled to the ground as a large sword flew by overhead.
When we looked up, a large muscled man, with his lower face bandaged, glared at us. While he and Kakashi traded barbs, I focused my chakra.
When Zabuza used the Hidden Mist Jutsu, I acted. In a second I created a shadow clone and had him transform into Kakashi. Then the clone sunk into the ground with an earth style jutsu.
A moment later, I was again tackled to the ground again, as a sword swung over my head. It's a good thing I'm skilled at genjutsu, otherwise the ruse would have been discovered.
The Transformation Jutsu is only a basic one after all. As soon as it's touched, the technique dissapates. That's why I anchor it with a genjutsu. It makes the transformation physical.
It's what my mother does to keep her youthful appearance. Not that she needs it. Her genes ensure that she naturally looks younger than what her age is. Not that she listens.
After a back and forth battle between water clones, Kakashi is captured. Unnoticed by the others, I roll my eyes.
Still, Team 7 or rather, Sasuke and Naruto quickly come up with a plan. To my surprise, it actually works. They manage to free Kakashi.
Before anything else can happen, a dark shape appears at Zabuza's feet. He tries to leap but it's almost too late. My clone explodes beneath him.
Unfortunately, his legs aren't blown off, but they can no longer support his weight. Everyone looks so surprised. Kakashi is the only one who guesses at the truth.
As he prepares to finish things, the other chakra signature moves in. Three senbon hit Zabuza in the neck. He immediately collapses.
That's when someone in a Hunter Ninja mask appears. After a short verbal exchange with Kakashi, the person takes Zabuza and disappears.
Kakashi sighs and lowers his headband over his Sharingan. He looks a bit tired but that's all. I sense my team landing in a clearing off to the side.
Making an excuse that I need to pee, I make my way into the trees. There I quickly trade places with Tazuna.
He heads back to Team 7 in my place. My team has a quick discussion between us. " Sensei, what is the position of the Hidden Leaf towards the Hidden Mist Village? The unofficial one. "
A smirk plays on her face. " Officially, it's none of our business. Unofficially, we want the Fourth Mizukage dead. He's a loose cannon. "
I nod my head. It's as I suspected. " Sensei, our mission is to protect Tazuna. Surely killing Gato falls within the parameters of said mission. He is the biggest threat to our client. "
" This is all relevant because Zabuza isn't dead. He was put into a false death state. Now on the point of Gato again, we use his funds after we kill him to pay out Zabuza's contract. Knowing his history, he'll likely return to the Land of Water and aid in the rebellion. "
" I doubt he's stupid enough to think that he can kill two Elite Jounin. " Anko appears to think about it. I know it's an act. Assassination is one of her skills after all.
" Very well kid. You raise some good points. We'll go with your idea. " She then removes a blank scroll from her person and immediately begins writing in it. When she finishes, she summons a snake.
It swallows the scroll and disappears in a puff of smoke. " Message for the Hokage " is what she says in response to our looks.
Thereafter, she has us split up to look for Gato's hideout. Before I leave, I send a water clone with one of my supply scrolls to Tazuna's house.
About two hours later, nearing dusk, the four of us meet up. Sai has found the place. We set off then. Sensei briefing us as we go.
" Don't use any destructive jutsu on the house. We need all his documents intact. Kill all his men without causing too much damage. Leave Gato to me. "
Before long, his house comes into view. We stay in the treeline and just take it in. It's built entirely of white stone with many pillars. I'd estimate it's thrice as large as my own home, which isn't small by any stretch.
Yakumo lays a genjutsu over the entire property, to muffle sight and sound. Then we split up. I remove a kunai and then carefully, blow wind natured chakra over the blade.
A sword made of said chakra forms on the blade, extending my kunai blade about six times its length. Then I leap over the wall. I don't stop to think as I take off heads, faster than the guards can react.
I run into Yakumo as I systematically clear the perimeter. We run inside together and we see more bodies inside. We go through each room carefully.
We find a few of his men sleeping and carefully kill them. We meet up with Sai as we head upstairs. It's quiet there.
At the end of the hallway, we find sensei. She's rifling through documents. She looks up as we enter. " Good, you brats are okay. Help me seal everything here into scrolls.
It's takes another hour to seal everything up and do a thorough sweep of the house. Downstairs we find dungeons, but thankfully they are empty.
It's also there where we find a massive safe. We seal it up in its entirety. We also take all the food and alcohol in the place. Once that's done, we leave.
When we leap over the wall again, sensei asks Yakumo if the genjutsu is still in place. Once it's confirmed, sensei goes through a long series of handsigns.
When finished, she slams her hands into the ground. Which after a moment, begins to shake. Soon a chasm opens up underneath the property and everything starts to fall into it.
When it's all gone, the chasm closes. Sensei is breathing harder when she finishes, but looks satisfied. Then we set off to Tazuna's house.
When we enter, they all fall silent. Then Tsunami stands and moves towards us. Inari slowly trailing behind her.
I offer them both a smile. Tsunami returns the smile, Inari doesn't, but the air of sadness around him lightens.
" Hello all of you. Welcome. It's so good to see again Hatorama. Inari has been very excited to see you again. " That's when Naruto scoffs.
Inari turns to glare at him, but before he can say anything, I step forward and ruffle his hair. He turns towards me fast and pouts. But after a moment, he smiles at me.
Tsunami leads us to the table to be seated. Team 7 vacates it as we reach it. Then Tsunami brings out our dinner. She looks at me then. There are tears of gratitude in her eyes. I hold my hand out though.
" There is no need to thank me Tsunami. Your family are my friends. She smiles gratefully at me. We are allowed to eat in peace, though I can tell that Naruto and Sakura are barely holding themselves back.
Once we finish though, Naruto explodes. " Well!? Where the hell were you guys! We could've used your help you know! " Sai responds then.
Tellingly, none of us stop him. Sensei has an amused look on her face though. " We can't always be their to hold your hand dickless. Or is it other things you want us to hold? " I snort as Kakashi has to hold Naruto back.
I speak then. " If you must know, we were busy. Busy killing Gato and his men. " Immediately, silence fell in the house. Everyone looked at my team.
Sensei spoke then. " It was within the parameters of our mission. Suffice it to say Tazuna, Gato will never trouble you again. "
Tsunami and Inari both burst into tears. Tazuna's eyes are full of tears as well. Sensei doesn't like dealing with touchy-feely things, so she unseals Gato's collection of premium sake.
From there on out, she, Tazuna and Tsunami drink the night away. When they start telling raunchy stories all the Genin and Inari are sent to bed. I'm out like a light as soon as my head hits the pillow.